Surviving as a Villain at the Academy

90 – The Owner of the Candlestick. (1)

The reinforcements from the Holy Kingdom arrived on the day after everything was over. The fact that they arrived in just a day showed that they had relentlessly run without rest, so no one blamed them for making them wait.

The arriving reinforcements surveyed the battlefield, and fortunately, although there were bound to be some wounded, there were no fatalities amidst the chaos. It could only be attributed to good fortune, so they were able to alleviate their guilt at least a little.

Instead, they took care of the wounded with utmost care.

As always, the Saint responded to their efforts with a compassionate smile. She knew that the amount of suffering they endured in such a short time was unimaginable.

Jiwongun asked the priests what had happened and listened to what had happened so far. After hearing the story, Jiwongun looked at the saint with worried eyes.

As everyone’s worried gaze turned towards the saint, Adrian smiled lightly as if telling them not to worry, and got on the carriage.

* * *

When Estella took control of the body, Adrian was able to glimpse her memories. She wasn’t just peeking into her memories, she was watching everything that happened after Estella took over her body.

The feeling of her body not moving like her own gave her a greater sense of frustration than she had imagined. But even so, she understood why Estella had no other choice.

She called Adrian a pitiful child. However, Adrian couldn’t agree with Estella’s words. If anyone was pitiful, it was her, not him.

It was shocking. Adrian felt as if all the common knowledge he knew was being denied. If even she, who lived in the modern era, felt that way, how shocking must Estella have felt back then?

Adrian couldn’t even dare to imagine.

‘A pitiful person.’

When she disappeared, Adrian listened to Estella and Prach’s conversation.

“What you couldn’t do, I will do, so don’t worry.”

“Appease the grudges of the fallen saints and maidens.”

Those were the words Prach said to her. And the last words she said to Prach.

Why does that phrase keep echoing in his ears?

Adrian felt that something inside him had changed significantly because of this incident. He realized that he knew very little about the world, and also about the Holy Empire.

She made a promise. When she returned to the Holy Empire this time, she would conduct a thorough investigation.

She had already talked to Bishop Antonio and even Third Commander Ars, so they would also try to recruit other priests. Of course, she was not forgetting the caution that she needed to move carefully.

There might be those within the Holy Empire who promote corruption.

As soon as she returned, she planned to have an audience with the Pope.

While thinking that way, she realized that an unknown sense of anxiety was growing in her heart. What if the Pope was the one promoting corruption? Or what if there were priests with her who were like that?

Because of Estella’s story, she knew that she couldn’t easily trust anyone. Especially someone in her position.

Didn’t Estella trust the Pope and get betrayed? It was an unfaithful thought, but the feeling of uncertainty crept up in her chest.

Let’s put trust aside.

She quietly pondered. Now was the time to uproot corruption. Recently, the appearance of the evil spirits’ land around the Holy Empire… it must be due to their corruption.

Now is the time to doubt everything. No one can be trusted, except for two people.

The two people chosen by the candlestick. Prach and Ruslan.

She prayed towards the deus. Even though she knew that their god wouldn’t look kindly upon them because of Estella, Adrian prayed even more earnestly for her god.

Hoping that her unfortunate self would be shown even a little kindness towards humans.

* * *

Before we knew it, a month had passed… With just the carriage journey alone, quite a long time had passed, and finally, the vast capital of the Holy Empire was lying ahead of us.

The capital, Sacrum.

Just as its name implied the sacredness of the place, Sacrum’s appearance was nothing short of breathtaking. It was completely different from what I had imagined in my head when picturing the empire, and I couldn’t help but stare with my mouth agape.

Then, I felt someone’s gaze on me. It was Asti.

She wore a slightly displeased expression, most likely due to the overwhelming sanctity emanating from Sacrum.

“…Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Just a little uncomfortable, that’s all.”

Right. She had always felt slightly uneasy whenever Adrian was around.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“What’s with the concern? I said I’m just a little uncomfortable. You don’t have to worry. By the way, are you okay?”

“Me? Why?”

“You used the candelabrum last time. Are you okay with being targeted like that?”

“I’m fine. It was an unavoidable situation from the start.”

“…I see. But, Frah.”

“What?”

Asti hesitated for a moment before speaking to me in a low voice.

-Flames burst out from the candelabrum.

-Yeah.

-That might have been my doing.

-Your doing?

-You’ve become skilled at handling my power.

-That’s true.

-So, maybe the aftermath of that was transmitted to the candelabrum… It was in a similar state as when I used it….

What? If that’s the case, then does it mean Asti has also used the candelabrum of the fallen angel Valencia before? Just the unexpected appearance of a setting that even I didn’t know about left me slightly confused.

I lowered my voice.

-You’ve used the candelabrum too?

-…Yeah. When I was once an angel, or rather, when I was Isshtar. Initially, that candelabrum wasn’t called the candelabrum of Valencia. It was precisely the candelabrum of Michael.

-The candelabrum of Michael…

I was at a loss for words.

From the very beginning when the setting was established, the candelabrum of Valencia was supposed to be a weapon handed over to Saint Valencia by an angel whose name was unknown.

To think that there were supplementary details attached to the setting, filling the empty holes. Come to think of it, this had not happened just once or twice.

No, more than that… The words she just said bothered me more. Was the sudden appearance of the flames on the candle stand a ripple caused by me being able to use her power more freely?

-Why?

-I don’t know either. I think maybe the candle stand mistook you for me…

-There’s no way.

-There’s a possibility. The candle stand evaluates its targets based solely on their power and potential.

Wait a second. In that case…

-Does that mean I am in a similar state as you were back then?

-It’s possible.

-Huh…

Honestly, I was confused. I finally realized why. It must be because the candle stand mistook me for Asty and granted me such an unexpectedly powerful force.

No. That doesn’t mean I will become the sole owner of the candle stand. It is a weapon for Ruslan. Besides, Ruslan wasn’t entirely unworthy… Let’s just think of this as a special event.

I have already decided on the weapon to use. The Shackles’ Blade. It can be obtained in the Land of Specters in Chapter 2.

I just have to use that. With Lena and Nea’s help, it should be easier to obtain than anticipated. Plus, the Empire owes me, so they should grant access to the Land of Specters.

Once I reach that point, I can just rely on Lena and Nea.

Then I will acquire the main weapon, and situations like this one will not be so troublesome.

…Or will they not be?

***

Since the battle with Estelle, Ruslan had realized his own shortcomings. But what had shocked him the most was the candle stand’s appearance, far more powerful than when he had wielded it before.

That means Froh is carrying a much more just heart. I knew he had changed recently, but was it to that extent?

Ruslan was engulfed in confusion. Estelle had also mentioned that Froh had already wielded the candle stand. That meant, in the War of Behemot, Froh hadn’t simply bashed the candle stand he had placed on his head with his fist to end it.

He had been qualified as the owner of the candle stand long before.

What had happened in the last battle when he couldn’t use the candle stand? He had become powerless and it had ended. Until Froh stepped in to fight, he was overwhelmed by powerlessness and lost the will to fight.

Ruslan couldn’t help but feel ashamed. It meant that he had only relied on the strength of his weapon without even trying to find a way to overcome Estelle. He had abandoned everything he had achieved.

That should never happen. He could finally reflect on himself.

At that moment, Adrienne, who had been closing her eyes and praying in front of him, opened her eyes. It was a good opportunity. Ruslan spoke to Adrienne.

“Saint.”

“Yes, Senior Ruslan.”

“You mentioned before that you wanted me to take care of the candle stand for now. It seems a suitable owner has appeared, and what I hold aligns with the truth.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I felt it during this incident. I still don’t have the qualification to wield that candle stand. In the last battle, I relied solely on the strength of the weapon until Froh took the lead. In fact… I think Froh is more suited to be the owner of the candle stand than me.”

Adrian lowered his head at his words. Previously, after the battle with Esthe, Prach had said something to her. He had given Adrian a message in case he would have to take up the torch.

“No. Prach-senpai said so. He said that torch is a weapon for Ruslan-senpai.”

“What?”

“He said it with absolute certainty. When he used it, it was just a miracle that happened by chance and coincidence. Even if he were to use it again, there’s no guarantee that its power would come out.”

“But still…”

“Actually, I don’t fully believe it either, but I still had it just in case you refused. But for Ruslan-senpai to refuse as well… I understand. I will keep it safe for now. Please let me know when you think Ruslan-senpai has become qualified to wield this torch again.”

“It won’t be long.”

Ruslan spoke to Adrian with determination, and Adrian simply nodded silently with a smile.