/
Chapter 282 Useless Person
Part 1
“I am not going. I am definitely not going!” (Cry)
“Well, well, well, don’t say that――Let’s retrieve it quickly!” (Sytry)
I have no idea what you are talking about. Just like me, this matter shouldn’t concern you, right?
Pushed on the back by Sytry, I head for the central tower that still retains its shape among the burned-out school buildings.
The Magi of the academy were slumping and the vast grounds were covered with the snowy cinders of the Black World Tree.
Maybe due to the lingering effects of 《Abyssal Fire of Destruction’s (Shin En Kametsu)》 attack, the temperature had risen considerably. Just walking around makes me sweaty.
…… Isn’t this environmental destruction? Well, it certainly solved everything with this, you won! Was what I was thinking――But to be able to burn down that huge tree with a single blow even though it received no damage after being attacked many times by a large number of Magi, she was truly a terrifying Baa-san.
If it weren’t for Sytry, I would pretend to know nothing and go back to the Clan House…… But why does something so serious (Especially the end result) happen when a member of 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》 is involved?
Even though I had completely lost my motivation, I was walking while having my back pushed when suddenly the Symphonic Stone in my pocket began to vibrate.
Seriously, Franz-san is really a pain in the ass. But, he should have learned from this incident that burning Baa-san is much stronger and more useful than me.
I activate it and quickly report.
“Hey, hey, Franz-san. The 『Black World Tree』 matter was resolved without incident.” (Cry)
『Grrr!? …… Fuuuuh… Fuuuuh…… I-I see, well done!』 (Franz)
I am sure I am giving a good report, but I can’t help but notice that Franz-san’s speech is rough.
“I am not sure from now on, but I am about to go to the burn-out tower to retrieve something.” (Cry)
『Wha!? Hah!? Retrieve!? What are you going to retrieve!!』 (Franz)
That’s…… Something I don’t know. That is why I told you I am not sure!
I casually look up at the half-destroyed tower and look back at the winners behind me.
That Baa-san was directing her subordinates, the members of 《Hidden Curse (Ma Tsue)》, to retrieve the ashes.
“Don’t let your guard down! That tree has completely burned down, but the Magic power it absorbed is not gone! That is not just…… A simple Monster. Retrieve its ashes!” (Rosemary)
Her blazing eyes and voice were as terrifying as an ancient witch, and her words carried a mysterious pressure that made people follow her just by hearing her words.
As expected of a Level 8 from the Imperial Capital, she isn’t good just for burning things up, huh.
At any rate, I should report the new information as soon as possible to Franz-san.
“…… Apparently that Black World Tree wasn’t just a simple Monster.” (Cry)
『Of course I knew that!! A simple Monster wouldn’t just appear out of nowhere and destroy the Magic Academy that is protected by multiple barrieeeeeeeers!!』 (Franz)
Franz-san is often so excited. The Knight Order is the elite of the elite and the object of admiration of all citizens, but looking at Franz-san, it seems that it is not as good as everyone admires it.
“It is really hard being a knight. You have to move when something happens even though it isn’t your fault and you have so many things to protect.” (Cry)
『 !? You… Bastard――――Grrr――――The… Prediction… Hasn’t… Disappeared… Yet!』 (Franz)
It seems like you aren’t feeling that good, Franz-san. And the prediction hasn’t disappeared yet, huh.
Maybe it is just a time lag? It is hard to imagine having a bigger destruction than Zebrudia’s best Magic Academy being half-destroyed――.
And then, at that moment, a pile of ashes was blown away and Lucia rose up from it.
I wonder when she got caught up in this, Lucia, who has dressed in all black, magically looks at me without a moment of hesitation and walks toward me with a scowl on her face.
………… What do you think I did?
“Sorry, gotta go, Lucia is here.” (Cry)
『 !? O-Oiii! 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》, the conversation isn’t ove―― 』 (Franz)
“Cry-san, let’s go while Kilkill-kun is distracting Lucia-chan!” (Sytry)
Why!?
At Sytry’s words, Kilkill-kun, who had been following behind, promptly stands in front of Lucia.
Lucia was stunned for a moment but immediately turned a much more stern gaze toward me than before.
“Nii-san, Syyyt!” (Lucia)
“Cry-san, come on, come on!” (Sytry)
Haaah… Even though…… Even though I wanted to talk to her……!
A voice telling me to stop. 《Abyssal Fire of Destruction’s (Shin En Kametsu)》 giving orders. Kilkill-kun roaring. Pushing me forward with unusual aggressiveness, I did as she wanted and stepped into the tower.
§
Maybe because of the monster’s rampage, there was hardly anyone left in the tower. Maybe all the Magi went outside to fight off that tree monster.
Sytry teaches me with high tension while pushing my back without loosening her strength.
“Zebrudia Magic Academy is a treasure trove, you know! After all, it is the oldest Academy in the Empire that also serves as a research institute for Magic! Rumor has it that the academy’s treasury is filled with treasures that would surprise even Hunters――They are worth retrieving, right!” (Sytry)
“Heh, is that so?” (Cry)
…… By the way, what is that retrieving story?
I walk through an old, or to put it better, a historical corridor and climb the spiral staircase leading to the top. It is a famous staircase that no one from the Academy uses because all the Magi in the Academy can fly in the sky.
It has been quite a while since I have been here. However, I remember well the impression I got when I visited for the first time――When I accompanied Lucia for her apprenticeship.
Portraits of famous Magi from the academy adorn the walls, and elaborate statues of dragons are placed here and there. The air in the Academy is obviously different from the air outside, but it seems that it is because the air of this Academy is permeated with the thick magic power of the faculty members and students who belong to it.
Lucia has always been calm for her age, but that one time she seemed a little nervous. Well, I was a hundred times more nervous than she was tho’.