Chapter 287

RMSBS – Episode 287 . Rhapsody (2)

Desir’s gaze was fixed on the Red Spider Lily for a while .

As he placed his hand on it, the reddish energy seemed to flow out, and there was a voice that he thought he would never hear again .

[-I am so sorry for reaching out to you this way . Desir . ]

Desir softly closed his eyes, listening to the voice .

The image of a man slowly appeared, as though he were being painted into the world . The blue eyes that were gently staring at Desir were as deep as the open sea . His wavy hair looked as though it was the crystallization of all the wisdom this world had to offer . Though his presence was overwhelming, there was something disarming about his posture . His half-upturned lips outed his mischievous personality, like a rascal caught red-handed .

Zod Exarion .

He was Desir’s companion, his greatest friend, and his mentor . They stood back to back up until the very end of the Shadow Labyrinth, always pushing one another to do their best .

“… I am sorry, Zod . ”

Though Desir struggled to let out words, there was no response .

His heart ached, wanting to have one last genuine conversation .

[-It’s a shame . There were many things I wanted to do with you, and so many things I wanted to teach you . ]

Desir’s eyes started getting tinged with red .

He opened his mouth although he knew there would be no answer .

“You’re treating me like a kid . ”

[-Do you think I treat you like a child?]

“… Of course . I’m a fully grown man . ”

The thread of the conversation oddly matched . The two understood each other better than they understood themselves .

Desir could vividly recall what kind of looks Zod had on his face with just the tone of his voice .

The Zod in his imagination smiled tenderly .

[-But it can’t be helped . If I had a son, I always hoped that he would’ve been like you . ]

“… !”

His gasp outpoured between his tightly sealed lips .

Desir could not say anything back this time . If he opened his mouth, even a little, Desir was worried the bitter baggage he held in his heart would gush out .

‘I also… ’

Deep down he was of the same mind as him .

Zod was his companion, mentor, and something more than that at the same time .

The moment he was about to respond, Zod continued .

[-So I don’t want you to overwork yourself . ]

*Drip*

Zod’s last remaining mana, which had been imbued into the Red Spider Lily, began to coalesce around Desir . It swirled over his hair, as though it was trying to pat his head .

[-That’s what I’m asking for the last time . That’s all I hope . ]

*Drip*

Something kept falling from Desir’s jawline .

‘You’re worried about other people until the end, you really are… ’

Zod cleared his throat as if he was attempting to change the mood, and spoke with a playful tone .

[-Well, it’s not going to be easy . You always overdo it unless someone stops you . ]

“I’ll try my best to fix that . ”

Desir wore a bitter smile, thinking back to when he chased after Priscilla without further thought .

[-I guess I should get to the point . By now, you’ve probably figured out what happened . ]

From this point on, the message would go into the actual reason behind why Zod would go to such lengths to reach Desir like this .

[-Priscilla’s healing ability is a lot more powerful than we knew . There’s no magic from this time capable of matching her . I worry even your draconic magic might be bested . ]

Desir paid attention to the message with a nod as he had already observed Priscilla’s ability .

[-In my last moments, Desir, I sacrificed my mana circles in order to temporarily exceed the Seventh-Circle . In that moment, I found something that could allow you to best her . I diverted some of my mana to encode this message and teleport my cane to you . ]

There was excitement in his voice that he could not hide .

[-What I attained is… the essence of magic . ]

* * *

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There was a torrential downpour . It thundered nonstop in the pitch-black sky .

The war situation was as frustrating as the bad weather .

Dresden was completely encircled by the Artemis Church’s siege, and the Hebrion Empire found themselves in the worst crisis in their history . Across the city, high-ranking officials were scurrying about, doing their best to respond, and the Hebrion Academy was no different . The professors, single-rankers, and notable party leaders had all convened for an emergency meeting . ‘The atmosphere feels heavy . ’

Ronde Fizzlebang was there, representing the Starling Party . He glanced around the auditorium with sunken eyes . Everyone else gathered wore their anxiety on their sleeve .

It was understandable . It was their first time experiencing a crisis like this after having had more favorable battles than unfavorable ones . Ronde, who considered himself to be rather bold after being on several life and death battlefields, also could not help but be slightly nervous .

The army led by the Artemis Church was mighty . The military force was unthinkable for a mere religious body . They knocked down the knights that the Empire was proud of, and kept advancing towards Dresden .

What frightened the Empire’s people more was their cruelty . Slashing down those who surrendered was far from the ideals that the Artemis Church spread, namely, the virtues of mercy and generosity .

‘Is it their strategy to cause fear… ?’

If this was their tactic, it succeeded perfectly . They had successfully made the citizens of the Empire tremble with alarm .

“What is the current situation like, Professor Platwick . ”

“The evacuation is going smoothly, following the lead of the Red Dragon Party . Thanks to His Majesty the Emperor opening up the secondary palace, I think we will accommodate everyone without trouble . ”

Although everyone was inwardly anxious, they remained calm . Now that they helped the people into the Empire’s shelter, the imperial army could solely focus on their defense .

“How’s the shield preparation going at the academy?”

“We are prepared to activate all the defensive facilities installed at the academy . ”

“We’re building traps in the invasion pathways and reinforcing the defense seals . ”

While helping people take shelter, the Hebrion Academy was also getting ready to defend the academy itself . Students who could not fight were evacuated and the parties that had enough military force were gathered .

The reason why they were getting ready to protect the Hebrion Academy instead of joining the imperial army was due to a single message .

Ronde grasped his communication pad tightly, thinking of the message .

‘Brother… ’

The message was from Desir Arman .

His message was filled with unbelievable information . There were many things it talked about, but to put it simply, the Artemis Church was aiming for the academy .

People who received it were flustered, but they quickly began moving as though it were fact . It was hard to believe, but they trusted that man, Desir .

They acted on Desir’s strategy written in the message .

“If we want to follow Desir’s plan, we’ll need to reinforce the northern business district . ”

“I’ll take care of it . I know that area well, so I’m the right person . ”

“I’ll be in charge of the control tower . ”

“Thanks for volunteering . You’d be the perfect person for that, Professor Hersaint-Blanc . ”

Ronde felt his heart swelling while watching everyone work tirelessly to follow Desir’s instructions .

However, not everything was going perfectly .

“I think Professor Pelstar should take the lead of the core part of this plan . ”

“I’m afraid I couldn’t… ”

“What do you mean?”

Professor Pelstar adjusted his glasses . He had a terribly bitter smile .

“To make this work, we’d need professional personnel and high quality equipment . That’s practically impossible with what we can do here . What we’re trying to do here is far more difficult than simply breaking out of an artificial Shadow World . This is… it’s far beyond what I can do alone . ”

Pelstar spoke, his anger seeping out .

There was no other option when the foremost authority on Shadow Worlds studies said so .

“That’s a shame . Then, we’ll need to accommodate for it by reinforcing the east… ”

“Professor Lafon, would it be possible if I help?”

That voice came from someone totally unexpected . Professor Pugman, who had yet to say anything until now, began to speak .

“Do you know much about artificial Shadow Worlds?”

“Not directly, but I can be of enough help when it comes to magic stones . ”

“You’re right, but… ”

Pugman continued with a snort, as though he could read the apprehension in Pelstar’s voice .

“One time I nearly lost my own flesh and blood . ”

“… ”

Of course, everyone here was aware of that . No one present would forget the massacre brought forth by the Outsiders .

“At that time, I was frustrated with myself, that I was so powerless . I realized how little knowledge I had . ”

As Pugman spoke about it, the entire auditorium grew silent, turning their attention towards him .

“Hence I studied and studied endlessly . So that I could cope if the same situation happened again . ”

Pugman spoke to the applause of the people gathered .

“Currently, I should be able to manage a Level Three Shadow World on my own . Do you think that’ll be enough?”

Pelstar’s eyes enlarged at this declaration . Pugman’s self-proclaimed skill was not too far behind Pelstar’s .

“With that… I think we can try . ”

“That’s good to know . ”

Pugman sat down again with a grin on his face, having left Pelstar in shock . Ronde felt like he met Pugman’s eyes at that moment .

‘Has he always been like that… ?’

When Ronde entered the academy, Pugman Nifleka was an infamous professor . Though his notoriety had faded, it still existed in hushed rumors . The person before him was entirely different from what he had heard .

He was even left reassured for some reason .

‘I… can’t sit and wait . ’

*Clench*

Ronde clenched his fist and affirmed his determination .

It was right then .

“That’ll be all for the basic announcements, everyone . ”

The meeting ended with Justin striking his hammer three times .

“I will deliver the details through the communication pads again . So everyone, back to your positions!”

That was how the Hebrion Academy set to work .

—-

Chapter brought to you by Csabin .

???: …

ED: Purplemen101

TLC: N/A

QC: N/A