The silence that settled in the cave was permeated by a dreadful smell of blood.
There were more than six corpses, pierced by swords, struck down by axes, and crushed skulls by fists. I had taken down more than half of the ten Flesh Seeds.
In other words, while the remaining six dealt with four, I alone had eliminated six.
This was an unthinkable feat given my original abilities. No matter how much I channeled my anger and actively engaged, I could not believe I had engaged in such a massacre in such a short span of time.
Perhaps because of that, my whole body felt stiff. It seemed I had exerted excessive force in a short period. My head throbbed, and I fell into deep thoughts.
The sceneries I had seen in my trance were likely memories of the “me” from the future.
There was no other being capable of implanting such unfamiliar memories within me. If that were the case, did it mean that the end humanity would face was what happens when I disregarded the letter’s contents?
The feelings of lamentation I felt back then still lingered in my chest like an echo. Helplessness, despair, and rage, alongside hatred.
The exhaustion was intense. I staggered, took a moment to catch my breath, and sighed.
I trudged over to retrieve my sword and secured my hand axe to my waist. My eyes glanced inside the cave once more.
The remaining Flesh Seeds were far from just this amount. Furthermore, there was the unidentified monster called the ‘Flesh Nest,’ making a direct assault far too risky.
As I contemplated turning back, my eyes caught on the corpse of a Flesh Seed I presumed was taken down by Senior Delphine.
Where the flesh had burned away, a young child’s face was once again present. The gaze, soaked in terror, unable to even scream, pierced through my chest like fingers.
Nausea bubbled up inside of me.
I didn’t know who it was, but they had committed an unforgivable act. Thinking of the children who were still suffering within the Flesh Seeds made me want to charge into the Flesh Nest immediately and obliterate everything in my path.
But for now, it was impossible.
It was a simple and clear calculation. There was no way to confront dozens of Flesh Seeds. Seven of us were far too few.
In the end, all I could do was throw a line at my companions, who continued to look at me with fearful eyes.
“…We will repel all pursuing Flesh Seeds and withdraw.”
With that, I began to move again.
My companions, who had watched my back in silence, eventually followed behind me. Until we arrived at the orphanage, no more casual chatter arose among us.
It was a grim reality.
Monsters from myths, Flesh Seeds made from children, and even the Mage that we had yet to find.
The violence I had displayed at the end only ignited the fuse.
While none was aware, a crisis was gradually approaching the world.
Even without voicing it, we all sensed that truth.
And that weighed heavily on our silence.
It was not a truth that could be managed at the level of mere Academy Students.
There were no attacks from monsters until we returned to the orphanage.
Perhaps the Flesh Seeds had expected us to have met our demise already. Because I had swiftly slaughtered six of them, the Flesh Seeds were a sufficiently threatening enemy.
If not for that, they wouldn’t stop moving unless their heads were destroyed. They also had poison and their strength and speed were formidable.
Had we not been composed of seven Academy Students, we would likely have been dead on the spot.
No, death would have been fortunate.
We might have become ingredients for the Flesh Seeds while still alive. That existence was worse than death.
So the children used as ingredients for the Flesh Seeds must have pleaded like that. “Please, kill us,” even thinking back to it was a ghastly sight.
Upon returning to the orphanage, we headed straight to the multipurpose room without a moment’s respite.
There, I explained to Reto the scenery I had witnessed. Initially, he regarded me with a skeptical look, but as the rest of the group nodded, he had no choice but to believe.
He tapped the table with his index finger. It meant he was deep in thought.
While the theoretical mage organized his opinions, we began to discuss our plans going forward. The outcome was already predictable.
“We must escape from the orphanage as soon as possible.”
That was my statement. The attacks mentioned in the letter seemed to have already occurred several times, and we had destroyed the nest, which was not something we needed to do ourselves.
It would be sufficient if someone led an army to wipe them out. Such was the convenience of power.
However, there were several issues with my statement. The Virgin Saint, having heard my words, cautiously asked.
“But what about the children?”
“…It’s impossible to evacuate hundreds of children all at once.”
That was Senior Delphine’s comment. She was the only one in our group who consistently used honorifics when addressing the Virgin Saint. She was, after all, the only one equal in status to her.
Yet, the arrogance and condescension in her voice remained as she spoke to the Virgin Saint. She continued in a disinterested tone.
“For now, we have no choice but to escape with those of us who are agile. We can gradually evacuate the children afterward.”
“…Who will lead that process? And what will happen to the kids we take out?”
Senior Delphine’s suggestion was entirely logical. However, the Virgin Saint remained reluctant and asked again.
A vague hesitation flickered in her eyes. She was an orphan herself, and with her kindness and compassion, she could hardly be willing to leave the orphans behind.
Especially after learning that there was a facility right next door turning children into monsters.
Although she had originally spoken as if she could leave at any time, it seemed her resolve was heavy when it was time to make a decision.
But despite the wavering gaze of the Virgin Saint, Senior Delphine stood firm.
“Virgin Saint, ideals and reality are different. Even if there are seven of us, can we truly protect the children? What if the monsters and Flesh Seeds join forces and come at us?”
There was no wavering in Senior Delphine’s words. The crimson eyes quietly looking at the Virgin Saint were deeply sunk. A stance that dared the Virgin Saint to retort if she could.
The Virgin Saint hesitated, ultimately lowering her head.
If the monsters and Flesh Seeds allied and attacked?
The outcome was obvious. Everyone present here would meet a miserable end. The children, and everyone including Guildford.
Yulen shook his head in a disapproval that said it all.
“I agree, Delphine. We need to prepare to leave quickly.”
“Y-Yeah! We should throw away this old orphanage and head for the city!”
Senior Elsi quickly expressed her agreement with that notion. Her eyes, trembling slightly, indicated the fear she felt.
She was truly a timid girl. I couldn’t help but smile wryly.
Ceria kept glancing at me. The way she repeatedly stole glances at me suggested she had something she wanted to ask.
The content was obvious.
It would be about the Golden Lionsword, but I had nothing particular to say in return.
I had merely used it by coincidence.
I didn’t even understand how I had mastered those vision skills. I only guessed that the “me” from the future had been honing those skills, which somehow I received through transmission.
I wondered how my future self had acquired those skills, but that was a question that I couldn’t answer right now.
So I intentionally ignored Ceria’s gaze. That way, Ceria, who was awkward in interpersonal relationships, would just hesitate and not ask.
I’m sorry, Ceria. But when you learn about the Golden Lionsword one day, I will tell you.
I silently apologized, then glanced at Reto.
He looked troubled, his brow furrowed, as the Virgin Saint began to stand.
“…Then, I will go visit Mr. Guildford.”
“Anyway, it seems the director will remain here.”
That was Selin’s remark. Perhaps because she had recently been engaged in a strange rivalry with the Virgin Saint, her voice carried a somewhat blunt tone. Still, the Virgin Saint only smiled benevolently.
It was a facade of politeness that was remarkably surprising. It was likely that no one besides Yulen and me had noticed her true nature.
“However, giving them a choice is essential. Good deeds must be rewarded.”
Just as the Virgin Saint attempted to take her leave, Yulen raised his hand and asked.
“Sister, may I follow as well?”
“No, Yulen. Prepare to leave. We need to set off soon.”
Yulen nodded, as if he had anticipated that, stretching his body and getting up. The Virgin Saint and Yulen exited the multipurpose room simultaneously.
Reto, who had been deep in thought, spoke then.
“…It’s odd.”
“What is?”
Everyone was on the verge of dispersing, so I was the only one to respond to his query. The others were yawning as they began to pack.
They seemed to be quite exhausted from the earlier events. It was a relief that there would be no more battles.
“Why are there no Mages?”
“They probably ran away. To be honest, I’d be a bit scared too.”
Regardless of how strong a Mage might be, numbers were crucial unless one was at least a Master.
Of course, I had never faced off against Mages, so I wouldn’t know, but seven Academy Students would certainly want to run away.
What’s more, one of us was the Virgin Saint, who could be considered a direct counter to Mages. It wasn’t strange at all if they had escaped.
However, Reto still bore a look of disbelief.
“But Mages are clearly responding to our movements. The fact that a horde of monkey monsters attacked today shows that they had already exhibited strategic maneuvers.”
“Maybe they got the report from the monsters?”
“If they ran away, they would have gone quite far. Can you really communicate with mindless monsters from that distance?”
At his words, I fell silent. Indeed, Reto’s point held merit.
Yet, it wasn’t impossible to explain as well.
Monsters essentially operated on a system of guarding caves. And considering that monkeys are relatively intelligent, if monsterization were to take place, it would not be surprising for them to exhibit some strategic behavior.
I was about to voice that point.
Until a shout pierced through the air.
“…Everyone, come out right now!”
It was Yulen’s voice. Accompanied by the sounds of children screaming.
The eyes of the group shifted towards one another. The hesitation ended there.
Everyone began to dash in urgency. If there was chaos among the children, it could not be trivial.
When we emerged outside, a wave of shadows awaited us.
Monsters. Countless monkey monsters.
I couldn’t fathom how so many monsters had been hiding in the forest. There were at least several hundred, more than enough to tightly encircle a secluded orphanage.
The eyes of our group went blank.
This was overly strategic.
To plan an ambush around a site right after we retreated to isolate it? To position themselves before we even noticed it while we were in the cave?
My gaze blankly moved to Reto. He clicked his tongue in annoyance.
“…I told you it was too strategic.”
“Does that mean there are Mages nearby?”
“Absolutely.”
At Reto’s assertion, I immediately began to scan my surroundings. Then where could they possibly be?
To break through the encirclement of monsters, defeating the Mage would be the best course of action. It was impossible to deal with hundreds of monsters one by one.
But seeing me anxiously look around, Reto sighed.
“…Ian, you don’t need to look far.”
He began to outline what he had been contemplating.
“I’ve been examining the ledgers of Gilford Orphanage for some time now. The deficit is far too large. Hundreds of gold disappear each month. No matter how much I earned during my mercenary days, I couldn’t cover this deficit.”
“…What are you saying?”
I asked, carrying a vague sense of rejection in my tone.
But Reto, as always, didn’t consider my feelings when he spoke the truth. He continued.
“And a child goes missing from the orphanage every month? Which monster would show such mercy? And if there’s enough of a food shortage at the orphanage, it wouldn’t be strange if a strong figure like Mr. Guildford went hunting for monsters. Yet, there are no traces of the monkey monsters.”
I fell silent. Mr. Guildford’s voice echoed in my head.
The stern figure who had taught me vision skills, and the expression he bore when he genuinely cared for the children.
Was all of that a facade?
It was impossible. I was about to argue, but Reto’s hand rested on my shoulder.
“…And Mr. Guildford could observe all our movements from where he sat, Ian. Can you trust what I’m saying?”
His serious gaze was fixed on me. I briefly parted my lips before closing them again.
If I had to choose who to trust, my choice had always been one.
I trusted my friend Reto without a second thought. My gaze lowered slightly.
After contemplating for a moment, I said to Reto.
“…The Virgin Saint has gone to see Mr. Guildford.”
Reto’s eyes widened at my words.
He tended to be so absorbed in his thoughts when he was deep in contemplation that he often missed what was happening around him. So he probably hadn’t heard that the Virgin Saint was on her way to see Mr. Guildford.
He jumped up from his spot.
“What?! Then why are we sitting here? We need to move, damn it!”
“Don’t worry too much… For now, just don’t say anything to the kids. The monsters might strike at any moment.”
At that, Reto’s eyes widened even further. It was as if they might pop out of his head.
“Are you serious? You’re going to fight the Mage alone? Are you out of your mind?!”
“Then, I’m counting on you.”
Without hesitating, I planted my feet on the ground. I could hear Reto calling out to me from behind, but I paid it no mind.
All I thought about was.
What if Mr. Guildford really is a Mage?
If that were the case, the only courtesy I could show would be one.
To send him to Hell.
My gaze ran cold and steady as I rushed forward.
The Virgin Saint was in danger.
