The Academy’s Ankle Reaper – Chapter 180

The summit has commenced.

The ostensible reason for this gathering of less than ten genuine Masters from across the continent is to discuss a better future for the world, but the real reason is quite different—it’s a meeting created to mediate fights between rare Masters that could lead to mutual destruction or war.

Just ten years ago, the Empire was engaged in wars with everyone bordering its territory to expand its influence, and the Masters here have all faced the Commander at least once.

Some, like Sword Master Adolf, nearly met their end, while others were simply wandering around and never got a chance to meet him. However, there were those who managed to draw a draw somehow.

Each representative puts forth the interests of their own faction, leading to deep emotional chasms with little room for friendship.

Indeed, the true nature of this summit is, ultimately, a friendly gathering of Masters hosted by the Church Country.

While I wish the Masters, humanity’s last bastion, would get along, it’s hard to do so when they are all here to advocate for their own interests.

[The current agenda concerns the Demon Church.]

“Why is the Church bothering with such pests? They must be bored these days. If they have that much free time, why not help solve the drought plaguing our alliance? You know those farmers can’t even scrape by; they’re bound to fall for such whispers.”

As soon as McKinto spoke, Edmon scoffed.

Speaking of which, just before I entered the Academy, I heard about the severe drought affecting the Five Kingdoms Union from the capital.

‘It was definitely a criticism about how the Masters and nobles are partying while the drought is ravaging the land, right?’

Though I was baffled by his comment, I chose to remain quiet.

There was no use in us all speaking at once; I decided to let the Commander speak first and then I’d chime in when it was my turn.

[That was something I intended to address as well… Since the topic has arisen, let’s talk about it first.


The Five Kingdoms Union is experiencing a severe drought. The Church is engaging in charitable activities for its believers, but it’s insufficient to save the starving citizens.


Are there no supporting nations for the Five Kingdoms?]

McKinto said solemnly, but no one reacted; everyone just glared at Edmon.

Hulan reacted at the mention of saving lives, but it seemed he had no actual solutions for the famine caused by the drought, so he appeared to be waiting for the mood to shift.

The first to speak up was Luid, the Master from Philahar.

“Doesn’t it just mean if it isn’t raining, we can have magicians create some water? There’s magic that calls rain through large rituals, right?”

“That wouldn’t do much.”

Magic isn’t omnipotent.

It seems like it creates something from nothing, but magic also consumes resources to produce results—it’s simply one rule among many.

While there are places using magic to water fields, it can only cover a small farm.

Resolving a drought on a national scale with just magic is quite difficult. If it were possible, it would consume an astronomical amount of resources.

‘But that’s likely limited to ordinary magicians… A Master of Magic like Hoenheim should be able to find a solution without much hassle, yet he’s pretending not to know.’

From what I know, for Hoenheim, these issues are trivial.

Whether it’s out of disdain, a dislike of directly asking for help, or laziness, he seems disinterested for now, simply leaning on the table and dozing off.

However, what Edmon said was also strange.

If this drought has persisted to the point of causing widespread famine, that surely means it has been ongoing for months, yet I haven’t heard of any action from the Five Kingdoms.

Considering the Five Kingdoms border the Empire, any large-scale disaster would surely make headlines in the capital’s newspapers.

“The Church is already providing support, so do we really have to step in as well?”

“That’s a naive perspective. The Empire reportedly had a bumper crop this year, right? There are rumors that the grain piled up in the warehouses is rotting away… isn’t there plenty of surplus? How about extending some charity toward our poor citizens?


If you do it right now, I’ll personally say ‘thank you.’ My gratitude is quite valuable, you know?”

“With five heads gathered here, you can’t even resolve a drought? Are you all operating below an IQ of 1/5?”

The Commander threw a knife-like remark at Edmon.

It was so direct that everyone’s eyes widened.

“Say that again?”

Edmon’s expression hardened at the deep laugh he was wearing.

It was a clear warning that if he crossed the line, he wouldn’t be ignored, yet the Commander continued to speak as if that’s what he wanted.

“It’s truly embarrassing to be sitting here as a Master, while a Rookie who can’t even solve their own country’s issues is whining for money from the Empire—once an enemy state no less.”

“What the…?!”

Veins bulged on Edmon’s forehead as his hand moved toward his waist.

In sync with that movement, the Commander’s gaze rolled around.

Having faced the Commander multiple times, I understood what he was thinking.

The Commander’s blade was slightly, but notably, rising above its hilt.

The moment his hand touched the hilt, the blade would fire, piercing Edmon’s heart.

[Stop!!]

A booming voice filled with a searing intensity reverberated in the spacious conference hall.

McKinto, who had been silently watching, finally intervened.

The tremendous roar of the Red Dragon persisted like a hurricane.

Chandeliers and frames that had been attached to the ceiling fell, and the pillars shook as though an earthquake hit.

It was classified in the dictionary as “Dragon’s Roar,” a technique that also affects the military, yet no one was even blown away from the meeting room.

Although clothing and hair became a mess, everyone quickly straightened themselves out.

[Since it seems nobody has a brain in this room, let’s end this topic here, Edmon… The aid from the Church is for the innocently dying citizens.


I’m well aware that the nobles and royals of the Five Kingdoms are carelessly letting this situation unfold.


If you’re going to ask for help, why not first adopt an appropriate demeanor?


And Linda… While the Empire may be flourishing now, it could face struggles at any moment. For that future, try to speak a little more gently…!]

“Even if such a situation arises, I don’t foresee asking such a giant for aid.”

“What does it matter if the lower-class dies? Should I go harvest grain for the citizens?”

McKinto seemed thoroughly done with the sharp retorts of the two Masters.

From McKinto’s reaction, it seemed this was a regular occurrence.

[Well then… let’s move on to the next topic concerning the ‘Clover Kingdom’…]

“It’s Clover ‘Territory’ now. It has been merged into the Empire, so there’s no need for the royal title anymore.”

The Commander cut off McKinto’s words.

After the Clover Kingdom was devastated by the Church and the Empire’s soldiers, who were seeking traces of demons for revenge following the loss of their Masters, the Kingdom of Clover’s royalty succeeded in a deal that left them as nobles of the Empire in exchange for some evidence linking Adolf with the Demon Church.

[Alright, I’d like to discuss the Clover Territory then. You know that the Sword Master is dead, right? He was a Demon.]

“Yeah, the Sword Master..! He may not have been as great as me, but he was a noble Master… Are you telling me that such a person fell for the demons’ seduction and turned into a Demon?


Are you asking me to believe that?? It must be a trick by the Empire to swallow the Clover Kingdom!”

At the mention of the Sword Master, Edmon raised his voice.

Edmon and the Sword Master were quite close with each other.

They say opposites attract, and it seems friendships formed between those who think highly of themselves.

It felt like it was about time for me to step in.

“Well then, you should believe it. What difference does it make if you refuse to believe?”

While I can’t speak on other matters, regarding this incident, I must speak as the person involved.

All eyes turned to me, the Shadow, as I was the first to share my opinion.

“You’re… the Shadow, huh? If this is your first appearance, shouldn’t you quietly listen to your seniors?”

“I’m the one who cut off the Sword Master’s breath.”

As I proclaimed that, the room buzzed with murmurs.

“….Not the Sword Master but the Shadow, you?”

“…..”

It had merely been reported that a Master of the Empire defeated the Sword Master; only the Church recognized it as the Shadow.

While other Masters likely knew that the Shadow stirred up trouble from behind the scenes, it seemed they were shocked to learn that the Shadow was the one who beheaded the Sword Master.

“You’re saying you defeated the Sword Master… I see. So what do you want to say? Looking for compliments?”

Hearing this, Hoenheim, previously dozing, opened his eyes slightly and looked at me.

“I’m not suggesting anything grand. Why don’t all the Masters start receiving baptism regularly from now on?”

The atmosphere in the room turned cold.

Baptism refers to a purification ritual using holy water.

Though the methods can differ—like pouring it on the head or submerging the body—the meaning of cleansing with water remains the same.

It’s a rite of washing away sins committed throughout life and repenting, and the Church holds it periodically. However, this ceremony has another implication.

Demons, who made contracts with demons, cannot withstand this baptism.

Already having a difficult time with the holy water being poured over them, combining it with a purification ritual makes their bodies undergo burning agony, resulting in them revealing their true demon nature.

To propose this ritual, which is not mandatory for churchgoers, carries a singular meaning.

‘You all are suspecting each other as Demons, so prove it.’

The mistrusting eyes of the Masters sharpened.