The Academy’s Ankle Reaper – Chapter 408

There were still tasks left to be done, but getting them done wasn’t as easy as I thought.

I returned without incident, planning to keep my mouth shut, but that damned Asmodeus has been blabbing about how I once died, making me the one getting the most worry despite being completely fine.

I guess it’s a good problem to have.

How grateful I should feel for having people who care about me like this.

“I’m going to sleep, so everyone back off…!”

Everyone seemed disappointed, but what can I say, coming from someone who just fought a Great Demon?

They all quietly stepped aside.

Once I entered the bedroom and closed the door, the noise from earlier felt like a distant lie; it became eerily silent.

“Phew… it’s quiet now.”

It was quiet, but there was already a guest in the room.

Everyone had stepped back not just because they were tired, but for a bigger reason.

“I came as promised.”

River signaled to me from inside, suggesting we talk privately.

“… I was worried.”

River, who had been watching me from a distance since I returned, came closer and grabbed my cheeks.

“You know we’re connected, right?”

“Yeah, I get that.”

“The blessing of the Wolf God told me something huge happened to you, and then I heard you died… I still feel weird about it.”

For others, it might not resonate much.

The only person who would seriously consider I could have died is River, who shares the essence of the Wolf God with me.

Just like how I get a feeling when River is in danger, it seems River also senses it when I’m in trouble.

“Even though you’re right in front of me, I still feel a sense of loss… Are you really alive? You’re not a ghost, are you?”

“I’m not a ghost. You can touch me.”

To confirm it for sure, River rubbed my cheeks vigorously.

“I’m just glad you’re safe.”

But at the same time, I felt an overwhelming guilt.

Since I almost died once, I was making them worry again.

This was a result of the message left by ‘Atlas’ just a moment ago.

“Why are you so quiet?”

“Ugh…”

Instead of speaking plainly like usual, I hesitated, causing River to look down at me with a strange expression.

I had no choice. I had to say it.

“… I’m sorry.”

“Why are you suddenly saying something that makes me anxious?”

I shut my eyes tightly and unloaded my thoughts on River.

“This is really the last time. I’ll fight Satan just one more time.”

“What??”

.


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Masters from all over the continent were urgently summoned.

It was an emergency meeting because it was such an important matter.

Normally, they would announce ahead of time that there would be a meeting six months in advance, coordinate the schedule, and gather, but they all hurried here within a day.

“Ugh… why are we suddenly called when everyone has so much to do?”

Duke Oseong grumbled and fidgeted as if he were experiencing anxiety.

He seemed like he wanted to run off immediately, but after owing his life once before, he appeared to be a bit more cooperative now.

Considering it was only a day’s notice, it’s understandable he would be frustrated.

Still, despite being summoned in such a rush, everyone showed up without missing a single seat.

Everyone except the already deceased Sword Master.

The primary reason for gathering so urgently was that recent incidents simply could not be overlooked.

[Everyone may not know this, but within the span of less than a month, the Great Demon has attacked the Empire twice.]

“Well, everyone is working together to eradicate the demon worshippers. When cornered, even rats will bite cats… wait, twice?”

Hulan took the lead, expressing frustration about the failed communication operation with the Demon Church, surprised to learn that they had invaded twice.

The incident involving Asmodeus’ attack was still fresh, as it happened just yesterday.

Last time, my opinion was crucial, but this time, since I organized the meeting, I had to speak up properly.

“It’s time to end the fight with the demons once and for all.”

“… what?”

Everyone was confused, asking me to repeat myself.

If I said we were going to end the battle with the demons, they probably wouldn’t understand what it meant.

How were we supposed to end the fight with the demons coming from Hell?

“Hmm, seeing you back in one piece means you found something, huh?”

“What do you mean you found something? This is a private matter between us, can I leave now?”

“Not at all. Sit down.”

Hoenheim seemingly thought I had found an artifact that could completely sever the world as I mentioned before.

Sure, I had found it, but I hadn’t told her that it had melted away in McKinto’s flames.

“I did find that artifact, but that’s not the point right now. This is much simpler.”

“You mean it’s not about the artifact?”

Of course, Hoenheim assumed we were gathering to discuss the artifact, having just recently asked for information about it, but unfortunately, the artifact was destroyed.

The conversation I wanted to have was something entirely different.

“Regarding that, there’s no need to gather everyone. I’ve pinpointed Satan’s hiding spot. If we kill Satan, the core of Hell, it will take them at least hundreds of years before they can reassemble as a force.”

“… it sounds like you’re suggesting we all go kill Satan.”

“That’s exactly it. We’re talking about killing Satan.”

“Is that even possible? He’s a Great Demon, isn’t he? Wouldn’t he just appear again with another contractor?”

Everyone found it hard to believe we were suggesting going to kill Satan.

They probably never even considered the idea of defeating a Great Demon in the first place.

Usually, fighting a Great Demon doesn’t mean killing him; rather, it means banishing him back to Hell.

They could never walk upon this world fully, always scheming from the shadows using the bodies of demons, tormenting this world.

“That’s an old way of thinking. There are only five of the seven lords who rule Hell left. If we kill the one currently in charge, Satan, it will leave four. They’d turn on each other, fighting for the vacant territories of Hell without a master.”

So we needed to make it absolutely clear what their current situation was.

Right now, the Great Demons were using various underhanded tactics to manifest their true forms.

According to ‘Atlas,’ who had turned into a sacrifice… for centuries, they have been accumulating offerings, so the cost should be sufficient.

Originally, the body of a Great Demon was far too powerful to manifest completely in this world, but it seems Satan found a way around that.

Having a Great Demon, akin to Hell itself, fully manifested in this world would mean Hell itself has appeared here.

If we can’t stop them, the only option left is to kill them.

“There are only five Great Demons left? What do you mean by that?”

“It seems that news hasn’t reached you yet. Recently, I killed two Great Demons. Leviathan and Asmodeus.”

However, rather than the fact that two Great Demons had appeared, it seemed they were more shocked by the news that two had been killed.

“Two Great Demons killed? No, wait… you did that?”

“If their true forms manifest, they don’t just go back to Hell but die in this world. The Aura Blade of the Master is the most effective weapon against Great Demons, so anyone can do it if they are the Master.”

Just as we could kill a Great Demon, Masters could also easily lose their lives if they’re not careful, but I didn’t feel the need to mention that.

Everyone seemed to consider the idea of killing a Great Demon as something not so formidable, and McKinto decided to throw in the first comment.

[This is an incredibly important matter for the future of humanity—however, seeing as lives are at risk, this will only include those who agree to participate, rather than a vote.]

An offer to raid the Demon Church’s main stronghold, despite not knowing what could happen.

Since there would be some coercion, McKinto decided to use the appropriate carrot for motivation.

[You won’t lose anything by not participating, but if you do, you can claim ownership of everything that comes out of the raid. I hear there’s a pile of treasure gathered over centuries to summon the Great Demons.]

Hearing those words, the other Masters fell into contemplation.

Since the three Masters from the Empire here all shared a common view, there wouldn’t be any need to bring along those who were resistant.

They were probably just gathering more people for good measure.

Everyone was a Master, so it’s not like they were afraid of a fight, but the problem was that they didn’t really know what kind of beings the Great Demons who had been using the human Bishop were.

They seemed eager to be cautious.

“Of course, all the Masters from the Empire are willing to participate. Think carefully, everyone. We could go into an all-out war against the Great Demons. Death is scary, isn’t it?”

When everyone found it hard to respond, the first to speak was the Commander.

It sounded like a simple statement of the truth, but to my ears, it came across as, “If you’re scared of dying, get lost, you cowards.”

“Who says I’m scared of dying…!”

“Our tribe isn’t afraid of a fight.”

Naturally, that provocation struck a chord with the self-important Masters pretty well.

Even the indifferent Hoenheim and Luid were now showing signs of tension.

“Of course, who says that? We just want to be careful.”

Even laughing as if to say he was just affirming his agreement.

They were really trying to get under my skin.

Then Oseong chimed in.

“Is it certain that there’s treasure there?”

[It’s information from a reliable source.]

For now, that there was indeed treasure was assured.

There were rumored to be Dragon Hearts and other rare treasures piled up, including elixirs and gold that are hard to come by.

Duke Oseong licked his lips.

“Ha! If he can do it, I can too. I’ll go!”

“I’ve never fought a Great Demon, but it sounds fun.”

“I guess I’ll join too.”

Seeing Oseong lead, the other Masters must have thought they couldn’t be left behind, as they all consented.

“Then let’s explain the operation.”

The operation to assassinate Satan has begun.