Chapter 151
The Seven Saints of Efnelle.
As the greatest pillars supporting Efnelle and the Holy Federation, it is said that the essence of sainthood awakens within the female students or alumnae of Efnelle. They are counterparts to the "Legion Commanders" of the Dark Alliance.
However, unlike the Legion Commanders who act freely without being bound by affiliation or status, the Saints are the core of power and representatives of both Efnelle and the Holy Federation.
The moment they awaken as Saints, they transcend all power structures of the Holy Federation and reign above humanity as demi-gods. Above them, there exists only one person, the Pope.
Each of the Seven Saints possesses a different divine authority.
Among them, the Saint of Purification, Plema, was granted the power of White Flame, a trinity of restoration, offense, and defense.
And one more thing, a top secret known only to the Pope and a few within Efnelle, the Saint of Purification is capable of transcending the human body.
She can exist as a type of spiritual entity, and even if her physical body collapses, she can possess and take over another.
With this ability, Plema resolved to bring down Keyzen from within and succeeded in possessing the body of Francesca, who had grown weary of her long years as an instructor.
Through this, Plema gained access to Francesca's power and knowledge, and even became capable of using Darkness. Using Francesca's knowledge, she conducted classes and even succeeded in assassinating Professor Lang, who truly trusted Francesca.
Though obstacles like Kajan appeared, there were no real problems. Crouching low and acting with extreme caution, she had prepared her plan over a long period.
The plan was flawless.
She killed Lang to initiate the Night of Erebos, when all Keyzen professors would vacate the premises. She constructed the persona of Francesca as someone with firm convictions, convincing everyone that "she stayed at Keyzen to honor Lang's will by continuing to teach".
It was easy. A triumph made possible by deeply understanding their culture.
Necromancers are excessively emotional when it comes to "death", and a person's "last words" before dying carry more weight than anything in necromancer society.
Everything went perfectly according to plan. But as expected, even a speck of dust can cause turbulence, a small variable had appeared.
Simon Follentia.
Kajan Edvalt.
The two of them had neutralized the Desolater bombs and made it all the way here.
But no further variables existed. If she eliminated these two and activated the Prima Materia, everything would be over.
[Burn in the eternal flame.]
From her fingertips, white flames surged forward like waves. Simon and Kajan quickly rolled aside to evade them.
Though the flames resembled a horrific white beast roaring to life, everything touched by the White Flame remained intact. However…
"Graaaagh!"
It had only brushed his arm. Yet Kajan collapsed, crying out in agony. For him to react so violently, it must have been pain beyond imagination.
[…That such a power exists. This is a nightmare.]
Even Feer's voice trembled.
The absolute worst match-up for all necromancers and undead. This was the divine authority held by the Saint of Purification.
[Now I know your true identity, Simon Follentia.]
Francesca, no, Plema, who had taken over her body, smiled.
[When that Ancient Undead appeared in the Forbidden Forest, I was suspicious. I never imagined you were a Legion Commander.]
"..."
Simon said nothing.
[But you're just a baby Legion Commander. Maybe in ten years, but for now, you're not ready for this stage.]
She wasn't wrong. Simon had only been a Legion Commander for less than half a year, while the opponent was an active Saint.
There was no way he could match her.
"Still…"
Simon gripped the hilt of his greatsword tightly.
"You never know until you try."
She laughed, amused, and turned her back to him. Her destination was the magical circle table in the command center.
"Ugh! Simon, we have to stop the Saint from using that!"
Kajan, writhing in pain, shouted.
"She's going to activate the Prima Materia!"
At those words, Simon dashed through the Darkness without hesitation.
But with a mere wave of her hand, a towering wall of White Flame rose, splitting the command center in two. Simon came to an abrupt stop.
[Just stand there and watch.]
She opened a subspace and took out a cube that shimmered with dazzling prismatic light. Simon stomped his left foot against the ground.
'Open Gate!'
Beyond the White Flame, a subspace opened and six blades shot out in unison. But with a flare and hiss, white flames rose around her, deflecting all the blades.
"…!"
They were blocked too easily.
With a meaningful smile, Plema activated the table. The center of the table opened and a radiant crystal emerged.
It was a barrier stone capable of covering all of Keyzen. Plema grabbed it and slammed it to the floor, then inserted the Prima Materia.
[An artifact that endlessly creates otherworldly monsters based on the user's essence. You used this to torment the Holy Federation for so long.]
She placed her hand on the Prima Materia.
[Now it's your turn to suffer.]
From her hand covering the Prima Materia, a mountain of White Flame erupted.
"Damn it! Stop that!"
[Hahahahaha!]
Its effect was immediate.
Across the screens in the command center that displayed the Keyzen campus, white monstrosities began to appear.
They resembled blank white dolls.
A pure white body with no defining features. Arms and legs. Wings sprouting from the back. On the face, there were eyes, nose, and mouth, but rather than functioning features, they were just pitch-black holes.
They varied greatly in size and form. Monsters that walked on two legs, on four legs, with arms longer than their bodies, and even colossal creatures over 20 meters long.
The Keyzen students attending class seemed unaware of it yet.
[Watch the chaos with your own eyes, baby Legion Commander.]
Just as Plema said those words—
—Ah, ahem. Aaaah!
A voice rang out through the broadcast. It echoed across the Keyzen campus and the command center.
Simon instantly recognized the voice.
'Maelyn!'
* * *
Five minutes earlier, 4th floor of the Communications Building.
"What is all this commotion?!"
"Get back to your classroom at once, student!"
In front of the broadcast room, burly henchmen blocked the way. Maelyn, standing before them, struggled to enter the room.
"Ugh, seriously! You blockheads!"
Maelyn shouted.
"I told you! A Priest appeared in Keyzen! That person is preparing a terrorist attack!"
The henchmen scoffed.
"…What kind of absurd dream did you have to make this fuss?"
"Student, this is Keyzen. Not even a Saint could break through here, let alone a Priest. Now go back."
'Ugh, so frustrating!'
She looked out the window with anxious eyes.
The explosion had been stopped, but this was a plan Francesca had prepared for over a year. Logically, there was no way it would end with just that bomb.
"Fine, let's just pretend this is a crazy dream and hear it out."
One of the henchmen sighed and continued speaking.
"So, who is this Priest?"
"Francesca Belmond!"
Maelyn gritted her teeth and went on.
"She's been deceiving all of us! Her true identity is a Priest from Efnelle!"
"..."
The henchmen stared blankly at one another, then their faces simultaneously turned cold.
"You've really crossed a line. It's barely been any time since Professor Lang passed."
"Even if it were anyone else, slandering Professor Francesca like that is going too far."
All she did was tell the truth, but the situation only worsened.
Just then, one of the henchmen reached out. His Core activated, and a baton formed from Darkness in his hand.
"If you continue to make a scene, even if you're a student of Keyzen, we'll have no choice but to act."
"We're reporting this to your supervising professor. Don't think this will end with just a slap on the wrist."
Sigh.
Maelyn let out a breath and glared at them.
"And what if you lay a hand on me, huh? What are you gonna do?"
"You little...!"
As the henchman swung the baton, she stepped sideways and activated the magic circle she had prepared.
[Dark Glacier]
Boom!
The henchman's body flew through the air upon contact with her hand. He slammed into the wall, his face exposed, while the rest of his body was encased in ice.
"You crazy bitch!"
The other two henchmen moved, but Maelyn was faster, her sky-blue hair fluttered as she slipped past them. Before they knew it, their legs were frozen to the ground.
"A-aren't you going to undo this?!"
"She's completely insane!"
She strode over and flung the broadcast room door open with a clatter. Inside, a male henchman sitting and snacking on chips widened his eyes in shock.
"H-Hey! What do you think you're doing ou—"
Splat!
With a wave of her arm, Maelyn froze his body against the wall. Sitting down and tugging at her skirt, she took a deep breath.
"H-hey! Are you actually insane?!"
"Ah! Shut up and stay still! Punish me or expel me later, whatever!"
She pulled the mic toward her neck and cleared her throat.
Honestly, she knew this was insane. She also knew this wouldn't just end with a simple punishment. And she was scared that if nothing happened after making this broadcast, she'd just end up looking like a fool.
But sitting through class with no countermeasures and letting casualties occur from the Priest's attack, that was worse. If someone had to take the fall, she'd rather it be her.
With that, Maelyn pressed the Broadcast ON button.
[This is a transmission from the broadcast room!]
Her clear voice echoed across the Keyzen campus.
What should she say? After a brief moment of thought, she opened her mouth again. She needed to say it provocatively, that was the only way they'd understand.
[A Priest from Efnelle has launched a terrorist attack on Keyzen Campus! This is a real emergency! All students must evacuate their buildings immediately!]
Murmur, murmur, murmur.
Her announcement sparked whispers from all corners of the buildings. One of the henchmen, still encased in ice, sighed in resignation with a look that said, "I'm dead meat now."
[Repeating: A Priest has launched a terrorist attack on campus! Due to risk of building collapse, all students are to evacuate to the open grounds! Those in buildings with underground shelters, proceed to the shelters, while the rest—]
Smack!
Suddenly, a powerful impact struck the back of her head, and she collapsed. Crumbs from nearby snacks scattered in all directions.
"You little shit! You trying to die or what?!"
Thanks to the barrier built into her school uniform, she wasn't injured, but the blow had an impact. A henchman, now holding a Darkness baton, had thrown the weapon and twisted her left arm behind her back, pressing his right elbow into her neck.
"Urgh!"
"You think just because we're henchmen, we can't lay a hand on a Keyzen student? We're necromancers too!"
He restrained her with force and dragged her away from the chair.
"Go get a professor or instructor, quick! I'll handle this one—"
Smashhh!
A louder sound than before rang out. The henchman's eyes rolled back as he collapsed to the floor.
"Whoo."
Dick stood there, holding an enchanted textbook, grinning.
"Am I late?"
"You dumbass!"
Maelyn turned to him and snapped angrily.
"I got smacked in the back of the head because of you! Why'd you vanish without saying a word?!"
"Uh, hmm. Sorry. I don't even remember what happened myself. But more importantly, you need to keep broadcasting."
Dick pointed out the window as he spoke.
"Because just like you said, the Priest's terror attack has begun."
White monsters were visible approaching outside.
Screams erupted from students all over, and the henchmen stared out the window in disbelief. It looked like they were finally starting to understand what was going on.
Maelyn inhaled sharply.
[Broadcasting again from the broadcast room! This is an emergency! A Priest's terror attack has begun! All students must immediately stop attending class and evacuate according to protocol! Repeating once more!]