Chapter 408: Dark Demon Is Not a Riddler (4k)
The light from the Eye of Stars shone more brightly.
Metia’s eyes gradually floated with an overview of the entire castle, her lips curling into a smile.
For tonight, she was merely an observer, but that did not stop her from immersing herself in the scene.
In fact, most fortune-tellers have a “role-playing addiction,” making it easy for them to immerse themselves in a particular perspective.
“What a fine day this is…”
Metia whispered softly, her gaze sweeping around.
The protagonist, the supporting characters, the heroes, the villains, the lights, and the stage were all in place; now, it was time for the show to begin—wait!
“Why is he here?”
“Who?”
Metia’s exclamation made the people in the carriage speak up involuntarily.
Metia looked at the “multitude of stars” shining somewhere in the castle and said after a while, “Dark Demon.”
…
Clearly, the entire castle was sealed off.
Clearly, all the dormitories were isolated by barriers.
Yet, there was someone who stepped out of the dormitory tower before curfew.
Was this development inevitable, or was it guided by fate?
After her initial shock, Metia couldn’t help but become even more intrigued.
Amidst her excitement, she finally recalled her original purpose for accepting the invitation to become a professor:
To closely observe this year’s students to interpret a prophecy related to the stars, black fog, and the abyss.
Now, the “son of the stars” had taken the stage in her eyes.
“There seems to be a pleasant surprise, doesn’t there?”
…
“What pleasant surprise? I don’t like surprises!”
However, the voice inside the carriage turned stern.
Metia smiled cunningly, “Don’t rush, Sarah. Don’t you want to see who is the best bet?”
Sarah Shylph murmured, “Metia, it seems you’re not cut out to be a professor.”
Metia spread her hands, smiling, “Isn’t there no one better suited than me? Or should I find another?”
Professor Shylph ignored her, “Why is Dark inside the castle? Has he run into trouble?”
Metia squinted and observed for a while.
The thick walls of the castle obstructed her view, but she didn’t rely solely on her eyesight.
After a moment, she said, “I saw a dark taint around him; he undoubtedly ran into trouble.”
Seeing Professor Shylph about to act impulsively, Metia warned, “The ritual has already begun. Dark’s appearance is a variable. If you interfere again, do I really need to remind you of the consequences?”
Professor Shylph fell silent immediately.
Metia continued, “Since you found me, I’ve acted according to your wishes. Don’t waste my efforts. Now, we just need to wait. But I’m curious, how did you convince Leah?”
Professor Shylph looked at Metia, her stern face suddenly breaking into a radiant smile.
“Why do you think she convinced me?”
…
Before the teacher’s dormitory.
“Boom!”
The storm sword imbued with air currents slashed through the void again, but with the “sword dance” enhancement, it still only created ripples.
Dark watched the undulations of the barrier intently, gaining insight.
Deoxys’ sword was instantly transferred and decomposed throughout the barrier, rendering the point of impact extremely weak, unable to damage the barrier.
“So that’s how it is.”
Dark recalled Deoxys, pondering deeply, “But who could have set up such a strong barrier? And who could set one up inside the castle? Do they take professors as… Could it be the professors themselves?”
Suddenly, an epiphany struck Dark.
He scrutinized the teacher’s dormitory carefully, feeling a sense of irony.
“No, no, this is wrong!”
Dark paced back and forth, then took a closer look at the golem card of the “Mana Spirit.”
Perhaps because the “Mana Spirit” was truly improving, he could now think calmly.
The golem card of the “Mana Spirit” no longer glowed, only flickering faintly with red light, occasionally showing chaotic red-purple streams, indicating instability.
Dark frowned, “Does this mean I can only follow the guidance of the ‘Mana Spirit’ golem card to the location indicated by the red light column?”
As he pondered, he noticed Deoxys’ ears standing up, and Lion Beast beside him solemnly stated, “Someone is coming.”
Although Dark hadn’t heard footsteps, he had no doubt about Lion Beast’s words.
He put away the golem card of the “Mana Spirit” and asked, “Which direction?”
Lion Beast pointed towards the castle interior.
Dark nodded slightly, then picked up the mana pen and touched each of the golem spirits, recalling all the first-tier golem spirits back into the card.
Without deploying the “Paradise,” these golem spirits constantly drained his mana, so he decided to summon them only when necessary.
As for the second-tier golem spirits that took longer to summon, he left them outside temporarily.
Thus, he was left with Lion Beast, Deoxys, Solo Sword Sheath, Eevee, Big Milk Jar, and the imp beast still in its familiar form.
Though he still had six, the team was much leaner compared to before.
He glanced at the imp beast, signaling it to lead the way, then walked towards the direction where someone was.
Anyone inside the castle at this time was either a participant or an intruder.
With himself being an intruder, the chance of encountering another intruder was lower.
Therefore, he leaned towards the idea that they were participants.
In his current state of ignorance about tonight’s events, he needed to gather necessary information as quickly as possible.
Finding a participant and directly asking them seemed like a good idea.
…
Upon returning to the castle, Dark soon heard clear footsteps, realizing the other party had no intention of hiding.
“Who could it be?”
Dark’s thoughts raced.
He first thought of “Lia Goethe.”
As the most suspicious person, Lia Goethe was a mystery.
Even if she were simply considered the instigator of tonight’s event, it would likely hit the target.
But if it really was “Lia Goethe,” she wouldn’t be walking so confidently.
“Then, could it be Professor Metia?”
“Surely not Wit Gold?”
In such an event, the possibility involving someone with the “Hero’s Child” identity was significant.
Following normal logic, Dark’s footsteps grew closer, and both parties approached rapidly.
Just before the answer was revealed, Dark detected a note of discord in the footsteps and suddenly remembered a suspect he almost overlooked due to their declining presence.
Hero of the Spear—Ryan Hux!
…
“Good evening, Professor Hux.”
Seeing Ryan Hux appear from around the corner, Dark displayed a courteous smile, greeting him politely.
“Dark Demon, it’s you?”
Professor Ryan Hux couldn’t help but frown upon seeing Dark.
Standing before him, Dark Demon, though in pajamas, had several golem spirits surrounding him, creating an aura, especially the imposing Lion Beast, making him seem formidable.
In contrast, Ryan Hux only supported himself with a cane.
He wore the usual professor uniform, neat and clean, with an artificial eye and limb custom-made by Professor Kazel, making him look like any ordinary person.
Despite his advanced age, his gradually recovering vigor made him quite handsome.
Originally, he no longer needed the cane.
But he never let it go.
It was the sound of the cane that revealed his identity.
Dark was prepared, so he remained calm.
“Professor Hux, my golem spirits had some issues during the match, and they suddenly acted up before I went to sleep. I had to find Professor Kazel…”
A clear pain flashed across Lion Beast’s face.
Where Ryan Hux couldn’t see, Deoxys twisted its leg fiercely.
Ryan Hux noticed the expression on Lion Beast and moved his gaze slightly, saying, “I just heard a loud noise. What happened?”
Dark sighed, “There’s a barrier outside the castle. I tried to break it, but failed. Professor, do you know what that barrier is about?”
Ryan Hux frowned sharply, “Barrier? No wonder it suddenly became quiet. Take me to see it.”
Dark stepped aside, allowing Professor Hux to walk next to him, then they began heading back: “We can reach the barrier at that door. Professor Hux, did you stay awake tonight?”
Ryan Hux smiled at him, “You don’t need to probe. I entered the castle to track a suspicious person. It seems someone is indeed causing trouble tonight.”
Dark’s mind turned, asking curiously, “Who is it?”
Ryan Hux shook his head, “I don’t know. I only saw their back, and they ran fast. If my right leg were still intact…”
Dark: “Can you describe the back?”
Ryan Hux: “It’s just a woman’s back. If I had to find a feature, it would be her hair, which is as red as blood.”
Dark’s eyes flickered, his thoughts racing.
Lia Goethe.
Ophelia Brad.
Olivia Copernicus.
A woman with blood-red hair.
Though there was no concrete evidence linking them together,
by now, Dark instinctively connected them.
Of course, he wasn’t completely certain.
When they reached the door,
Dark slowed down slightly, and Ryan Hux overtook him, stepping forward two more steps.
Just before colliding with the barrier, he stopped very abruptly.
“This barrier…”
Ryan Hux extended his hand and pressed against the barrier.
After a few seconds, ripples like water spread from his fingers, expanding into large circles.
…
Dark blinked, gaining more understanding of “Hero of the Spear.”
Perhaps it was the initial impression of Ryan Hux’s destitute appearance when he first arrived that was too profound.
Every time he casually recounted his exploits, it always felt like boasting.
As a result, students gradually forgot his status as “Hero of the Spear.”
But he truly was “Hero of the Spear”!
…
“Huh…”
As Dark became increasingly alert, Ryan Hux withdrew his hand.
He turned and said, “I’ve seen this kind of barrier before. It smells of astrology. Such barriers change with the rising and setting of the sun. With the changing day and night, the barrier will likely dissolve.”
Dark frowned slightly, “So, we can leave once morning comes?”
“That’s right. Whether I’m right or not, we’ll be able to leave by morning.” Ryan Hux blinked and pointed behind him toward the teacher’s dormitory.
Dark rolled his eyes and said, “Then, Professor, what should we do next? Wait here?”
Ryan Hux replied, “My suggestion is for you to wait here while I go catch someone. By the way, do you know how many astrologists are in the academy?”
“I don’t know.” Dark said casually, “But I think this barrier related to astrology is probably the work of Professor Metia. Professor Hux, what do you think?”
Ryan Hux lifted his cane and took two steps forward, “Good, your thinking aligns perfectly with mine. Looks like we’ll have plenty to talk about.”
Dark casually asked, “Then, Professor, can you tell me why you came to teach here?”
Ryan Hux smiled, “Educating… Just kidding, it’s because of the good pay! Look at me now, I have a hand, a leg, and even hair. Back then, I took the initiative to volunteer, probably the best decision I’ve made in over ten years.”
Dark nodded seriously, “The teaching conditions at Saint Maryann Academy are indeed excellent.”
The two engaged in a warm conversation, the atmosphere friendly.
Dark did not follow Ryan Hux’s suggestion to wait for dawn.
Ryan Hux did not bring it up again.
They walked and talked, returning to the castle interior in no time.
Intending to follow the guidance of the “Mana Spirit” golem card, Dark did not explain this to Professor Hux.
Though Ryan Hux claimed he would catch someone, he did not reveal any related information.
Nevertheless, their footsteps never ceased.
Their path aligned almost perfectly with the direction indicated by the “Mana Spirit” golem card.
To ensure his mana recovery rate, Dark also recalled “Eevee” and “Big Milk Jar” back into the golem card, leaving only Lion Beast, Deoxys, Solo Sword Sheath, and the imp beast.
After ascending to the third floor of the castle, they encountered numerous golem patrols.
But Ryan Hux waved his selection card at the golems, dispersing them all.
Thus, when they finally stopped, they stood before the grand statue of a great magus, a place familiar to Dark.
