Before returning to Luines Academy, I coordinated with Veratis.
"The reason for the disappearance of Headmaster Dirgoff and the alchemy instructor, Phillip, is unknown to anyone."
However, we did find some clues about their whereabouts, and Veratis will follow these to search for them.
"This explanation should be enough to prevent anyone from suspecting us."
Only a few are fully aware of the events of last night, and none of the instructors have been informed about this incident. As long as we fabricate the events that the Three Idiots experienced, it won't be difficult to cover up the incident.
Veratis nodded in agreement after hearing all the explanations.
"So, should I follow you to Legion?"
"No, you will stay here and temporarily assume the position of the Academy Headmaster."
"Me? The Headmaster?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
I looked at the lake where Dirgoff was submerged and replied to him.
"Didn't you say you wanted to fight my father?"
"...Right."
"And you planned to use Luines Academy to create a pretext for war against him."
Veratis scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"That's also true."
"Then just think of it as following the original plan. Instead of using Dirgoff to attack Strange, you'll be doing it yourself."
This way, even if things go wrong in the future, I can place the blame on him. Given the amount of preparation he has done, the chances of success are significantly higher.
'Besides...'
Even if things go wrong and it becomes known that we cooperated, no one would believe it. So, whatever happens, it will still be a good opportunity for me.
"Got it."
"But to gain the authority of the temporary Academy Headmaster, you must personally meet with all the instructors and explain the situation as I mentioned."
"That's easy. I'll just call a meeting and explain everything there!"
"Not difficult, is it?"
"If it were, I'd rather die."
Veratis laughed heartily and put his arm around my shoulder.
"By the way, aren't you curious whether Phillip is dead or alive?"
Of course, I was curious. Not only about Phillip's whereabouts but also about the giant monkey I saw. And who did he ally with to carry out such an act? If Katarina was involved, then what was her purpose?
There were too many questions.
"Why are you silent as if you've eaten honey? Aren't you curious about where Phillip went?"
Given how he phrased it, Phillip must be alive.
"Will you tell me?"
"Think of it as a price for saving your life. Where do I start... Ah! I'll start after dealing with that monkey."
"Didn't you meet him before then?"
"Phillip? Of course not! I had no reason to meet a nerd who was always locked up in his lab."
So, they weren't working together from the start.
"Do you remember what Phillip said in his lab? He told you to go back to your room and rest while he cleaned up."
"I remember."
"After you left, Phillip suddenly walked out from behind the closet."
"From the closet?"
"Yeah, that's right."
So, there was someone besides Johnny in the room, and yet I didn't sense his presence. It's not my lack of skill, but rather that he must be as adept at concealing his presence as an assassin.
"Go on, what did you do after meeting Phillip?"
"What did I do? I simply knocked him out with my fist. I asked what kind of trouble he was causing as an instructor."
"..."
"He said that the monkey in his lab was an experimental subject he was working on. I didn't know much about that, so I just nodded. I figured it didn't matter since I killed it."
"No, Veratis. What I want to know is Phillip's whereabouts. Is he alive? If so, where is he?"
Veratis frowned as he answered.
"Don't interrupt and listen till the end! Then you'll understand everything."
I mimed locking my lips and gestured for him to continue.
"Ah, geez! Alright, I'll continue. Where was I? Ah, yes. After the monkey disappeared, Phillip emerged from behind the closet. He offered me a fancy drink if I kept this incident a secret, so I agreed."
I let out an involuntary sigh.
Why do all the people I encounter have to be this foolish? They seem smart in some ways but lack common sense. While no one is perfect, this is just too much.
"And then?"
"And then I agreed! After that, he brought a drink from his lab and left, saying he would never return to the academy."
"Then what about the arm you showed me?"
"Oh, that. It was an elf's arm that Phillip was using for experiments. I kept it out of curiosity and used it at the right moment. I didn't intend to deceive you initially, but it just happened to fit the situation. I have other parts too. Want to see? I have the lower body."
Siegfried answered in my place.
-Sure, I'd love to see it!
I made a face and waved my hand.
"No, thanks."
"Really? What a shame."
I now had a rough idea of what transpired within the academy. This incident was orchestrated by Phillip, and the person behind him is targeting those associated with "Strange." This included not only me but also the Three Brothers.
'It's not Katarina behind this.'
That was my conclusion.
'And...'
Phillip's claim that the monkey was an experimental subject was undoubtedly a lie to cover up. The true source of that power must be someone behind the scenes. Investigating this could reveal why they targeted us.
'That's it.'
I've done all I can at the academy.
It's time to return to Legion.
Coincidentally, today is the day I need to go there.
I looked up at the sky.
As the sun hung high above, darkness slowly began to creep in, bringing the night.
"Veratis, one week."
* * *
Swish—
An island battered by endless storms and thunder.
Boom!
A massive ship emerged through the darkness and anchored on the shore.
Thud.
"...Before dawn breaks, we must bring Lois' head."
As the old man with black hair raised his brush above his head, hundreds of animals jumped off the ship.
Thump, thump, thump.
Rats, oxen, tigers, rabbits, dragons, snakes, horses, sheep, monkeys, roosters, dogs, and pigs.
These were not ordinary animals. They walked on two legs like beastmen and were armed like humans.
"You've put some effort into this, huh?"
Freddy, covered in bandages from head to toe, stood beside the black-haired old man.
"If we fail, we die. We only have one chance, so we must fight with all our might."
"Is Lois that strong? No, let me rephrase. He's strong, but can he handle all of us alone?"
"He's strong enough to kill us all in a single blow. Of course, that is if he can use his full power."
"Haha... I understand why you're scared, but isn't it an exaggeration to say he could kill all three of us in one hit? Don't overestimate the enemy before we even fight."
The black-haired old man scoffed.
"Overestimate? Haha... You'll see soon enough if I'm exaggerating. Even if he's sick, he possesses a level of power far beyond ours."
"A different level of power?"
"You'll be shocked when you see it for yourself. I couldn't close my mouth the first time I faced him."
"…I don't know what you're talking about."
Bonnie, who had been quietly listening, used ventriloquism with the dolls on her hands.
"I'm a cowardly old man! I'm so scared of Lois that my legs are shaking!"
"I'm a fearless fool! Underestimating someone I've never met!"
The black-haired old man and Freddy glared at her.
Their expressions said it all: if not for the mission, they would have let loose a string of insults.
Bonnie used ventriloquism with her dolls again.
"I'm ready, so let's get started."
"You said we're in a hurry. Why are you so relaxed?"
The black-haired old man nodded in agreement and pointed towards the tall castle beyond the forest, shouting to the animal soldiers.
"Advance!"
The animal soldiers echoed his command.
"Advance!"
"Advance!"
The loud war cry echoed across the island.
-Uoohhh!
Hundreds of soldiers charged towards the castle.
Thump, thump, thump!
Tonight, they would take the head of Lois, the master of Strange.
Driven by this single determination, the four members of the Pentagram risked their lives to converge on the tower.
The black-haired old man, Count Freddy from the borderlands, Bonnie with her doll-like hands, and finally, a blonde woman in a black nun's habit.
Step, step, step.
"...Is it time to start?"
Saint Joanna of Arc.
Having escaped the underground prison of the Papal Court with the help of Apostle Baphomet, she joined the Pentagram as the final member.
"Greetings, Saint Joanna of Arc!"
"Greetings, Saint Joanna of Arc!"
The knights on the deck chanted in unison.
Not only them but also the black-haired old man, Freddy, and Bonnie turned towards her and knelt on one knee.
Thud.
This gesture indicated a hierarchy even within the Pentagram.
"Rise. I am just like you, someone who has stepped out of the flow of causality."
* * *
Occasionally, people appear in the world who step out of the flow of causality.
Where they are born and how they grow remains a mystery.
However, they always appear with the same regularity in history.
Today marks the birth of such a person recorded in the annals of history.
Of course, only one person on the continent knows this.
Everyone who has seen the records has died without exception.
Whoosh—
The sun turned black.
Darkness enveloped the entire continent.
It was so dark that one couldn't see an inch ahead.
It felt like all senses were paralyzed, and nothing could be perceived.
Time seemed to stop, and everyone paused, waiting for the light.
When the darkness that had covered the continent finally passed, and bright light descended,
"...Is this what Verdin mentioned?"
Rox discovered an egg as large as himself in front of the tower.