LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 71
I knew exactly who the figure in front of me, labeled as a sinner, was.
As a student of the academy, there was no way I wouldn’t know.
“…Vice Principal, why?”
The man, tied to a cross and looking absolutely dreadful, was none other than the Vice Principal, characterized by his eyepatch and beard.
In response to Shin Woo’s murmur, the old man above answered.
“Those with long tails eventually get caught. The fact that the demons have pinpointed the location of the Holy Grail means that information leaked from within.”
“That’s why we intentionally leaked different pieces of information. The details about the four locations that the demons attacked were known only to the author.”
That meant…
Was the Vice Principal allied with the apostles?
But then, what about the events of that day?
It was this man who helped clean up the disaster that had occurred in the science lab.
Certainly Shin Woo, Si-hyun, and even the dying student council president…
And Yu Hana as well.
Hana was the only one who didn’t lose consciousness in that space.
What had happened between her and the Vice Principal alone?
What on earth was the reason Hana had fled the academy that night and was labeled a demon?
“One strange thing: the sinner’s blood is red.”
Certainly, as he said, red blood dripped from the face of the Vice Principal, who was hanging on the cross.
Suffering in pain, he could barely emit weak breaths, looking entirely human.
“That’s why I need your help.”
“The Holy Grail purifies all evils.”
“You can surely see through the shallow tricks of the demons.”
The council commanded Shin Woo, who stood there glaring at the Vice Principal.
“Touch the sinner.”
“…”
In such a sudden situation, Shin Woo found it hard to move.
His mind kept replaying that day from half a year ago like a mirage.
“Kim Shin Woo.”
A cold and hard voice.
It felt like a warning directed at the boy who was disobeying their command.
Yet, Shin Woo stood there, nailed to the spot, staring blankly.
“Your childhood friend, Yu Hana. Who do you think is responsible for her being branded a demon?”
“…”
“It’s all his fault.”
It was hard to believe, but there was no way to refute it.
Even if he wanted to turn away, this seemed closer to the truth.
The boy finally took a step forward and slowly approached the cross.
Just as he was about to raise his hand…
“…It’s a false accusation.”
The Vice Principal, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up.
His hoarse voice was so weak it could barely be heard unless one were focused.
The old men above probably couldn’t hear it.
“The incident with Yu Hana… was a play by the academy… Don’t trust those old men…”
Two opinions totally at odds.
What is the truth, and what is a lie?
The student council president’s warning to be wary of the Board of Directors just before coming here popped into Shin Woo’s head.
Shin Woo glared at the Vice Principal and asked quietly.
“Are you really a demon?”
“…”
The Vice Principal meditated in silence for a moment, contemplating how to respond.
Reading the boy’s gaze, he answered with a subtle smile.
“Yeah, that’s true.”
“Why…”
“You must be curious. About why we are targeting Yu Hana. About what schemes the academy has up its sleeve.”
He was wavering.
That alone was enough.
“I’ll tell you everything.”
“Are you suggesting we make a deal?”
“As long as you don’t use the Holy Grail, I can handle the rest.”
The nonchalant attitude that he assumed Shin Woo would readily agree irked him.
“Do you think I would help a demon?”
“That’s not what’s important. What matters is to choose what genuinely helps you, not what helps your group.”
If he continued to listen passively, he would only be further swept away.
Even though he knew that, Shin Woo couldn’t firmly reject it.
Instead, he hesitated as though waiting for something else.
What was he waiting for?
“I’ll let you meet Yu Hana. I’ll help ensure you never get separated again.”
Perhaps he had been waiting for just these words.
The man in front of him could be the one who had driven a wedge between Yu Hana and him.
He knew that the probability was high.
Yet, it was because of that that he wondered…
Maybe it would be easier for him to receive help from this man than from the academy.
“Don’t hesitate any longer. Use the Holy Grail now, Kim Shin Woo.”
“Don’t you want to see her?”
There was no time left to ponder.
It was time to make a choice.
Shin Woo closed his eyes and reached out his hand.
And bright light illuminated the dark space.
*
The corpses scattered on the street were steadily increasing.
The peaceful cityscape was engulfed in the horrific chaos of a battlefield.
Yet, the Pink Hawk, the very person involved, felt nothing particular.
Like she was merely shooting arrows in a target practice, her demeanor was indifferent.
With each arrow, a life blinked out like a candle snuffed.
She didn’t particularly enjoy the massacre.
She was only pulling the bowstring out of obligation.
The speed was not fast either.
That’s why such thoughts inevitably arose.
If this city is in such a state, how have the other cities fared?
There might not even be a trace of life left to find.
Especially in the city where the Gold Lion, who expressed his hatred for humanity, was; the reality would have been even worse.
White Lamb walked down the tree-lined road in front of the plaza.
The street, where lovers once whispered sweet nothings, was now filled only with death and fear.
Families who had come out to enjoy the sunny weather lay on the ground with their hearts pierced.
She walked down the street, taking in the scenery.
Surprisingly, there was no emotional turmoil.
That made it all the more strange.
In her mind, she accepted that it was only natural for the enemies of the demons, humans, to die.
Her heart remained calm and unresponsive to the deaths of humans.
But why did it feel so wrong?
She couldn’t comprehend where this thought was stemming from.
As she continued walking, the White Lamb suddenly stopped.
Her gaze dropped, unable to tear away from what lay on the ground.
It was a cute rabbit hairpin.
The girl knew who the owner of this hairpin was.
Just moments ago, it belonged to the little girl she had helped stand in the plaza.
“…”
She picked it up and stared blankly.
She felt no sadness.
She had thought that all along, but now she wasn’t so sure.
Perhaps…
She just didn’t know what true sadness was.
Could it be that this strange feeling she was experiencing was actually sadness?
At that moment, as she felt a sudden chill and looked up, she saw a piercing blue ice spreading across the road, heading toward her.
Holding the hairpin close, she deployed her holy protective barrier.
The enemy’s attack was blocked by the barrier, unable to freeze her surroundings, coming to a halt.
Soon, a figure was approaching, walking on the icy ground from far away.
Dressed in armor reminiscent of the medieval ages, with sword and shield in hand.
It was one of the S-class heroes she had encountered a while ago at a Japanese shrine.
Ice Knight Johan.
He spoke with a cold expression matching his ability.
“I’ll make you pay for the tricks you’ve played, you filthy demon.”
He was the target.
Yes. The goal was to summon an S-class hero like the one before her.
The horrors of this city were merely a means to achieve that goal.
So, does that mean the value of one person outweighs the countless lives lost in this city?
What difference could justify such an end?
Whoosh-!
Ping!
“You finally arrived.”
An arrow fired from behind aimed at the hero, but he deflected it with his shield.
The Pink Hawk, unconcerned, immediately nocked another arrow.
“Let me ask one thing. Why are you doing this?”
“Is there a problem with demons killing humans?”
“That’s a disgusting answer, just like your kind. I shouldn’t have asked.”
The white-haired hero genuinely seemed furious.
In contrast, the Pink Hawk calmly opened her mouth.
“Then let me ask you in return.”
“…What is it?”
“Where is the Great Mage? I have a debt to repay to her.”
“Is that even a question? She is protecting the people by killing you.”
“What I meant was, which city did she go to?”
Though he had no obligation to answer, Johan furrowed his brow and blurted it out.
“America.”
“Oh dear… Then there’s nothing I can do. It’s a shame to miss my chance for revenge.”
“What does that mean?”
“It’s simple. The Red Dragon has personally moved to America. Any heroes who head there won’t come back alive.”
Red Dragon?
Not much was known about the apostles.
Just that they wore animal masks was all.
The fact that the apostles were classified as the world’s worst terrorist group was all due to the Gold Lion.
The human cost inflicted by that one was tremendous, and they hadn’t managed to capture him either.
Aside from the Gold Lion, Blue Shark and Sky Beetle were also notorious.
But she had never heard of the Red Dragon.
Johan felt a sense of unease from the words of his opponent.
It wasn’t that the woman’s confidence sounded like a mere bluff.
“…Is that Red Dragon stronger than the Gold Lion?”
Was it an unexpected question?
The Pink Hawk paused to think before answering.
“It depends on the situation, but the Red Dragon is the strongest among the apostles.”