The Villain Bought the Heroine - The Villain Bought the Heroine chapter 77
Chapter 77
Noisy first-year students.
Currently, except for the professors, a few officials and all first-year students are waiting at the entrance of the nest.
Those who couldn’t hide their interest upon seeing the nest for the first time either touched or pressed against the inner wall.
The sensation, similar to an organ of a living being, would sink in as pressed and bounce out like pudding in no time.
While some laughed at the sight, others delved deeply into its structure, and there were students determined to encounter Altef in the future.
The entrance to the cave-like nest was magically equipped with multiple devices, making it impossible for intruders to attack. It was a necessary measure since the owner of the nest, the 3rd danger class, was absent.
I saw a woman with white hair looking at them. Her eyes were firm and calm, unwavering.
“You seem quite composed.”
The emotions Alicia held for Altef were extremely intense.
Considering that they were the ones who took away everything from her, even though Altef was raised as a pet, it was an unexpected reaction.
“Until I entered the nest, my heart was in turmoil, making it difficult to control. Strangely, once I entered, I became calm.”
“Well, that’s good. It’s better to calmly assess and analyze the situation rather than making mistakes driven by turbulent emotions.”
Alicia turned to look at me. Her eyes were as blue as a lake.
“If I may ask, do you still think the unusual situation you mentioned before has a 20% chance of occurring?”
In terms of probability, yes. However… Even if they act, it’s almost impossible to grasp, so I can’t predict how they will move.”
She responded to the question with gratitude and added, “Whatever situation we face, I will follow your orders.”
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A loyal attitude, reminiscent of Bram, who was acting separately. Truly trustworthy in speech and demeanor, but in fact, Alicia is not the main character this time, and there is no need for her to make such a firm commitment.
*We will now allow access to the nest. As previously announced, please prepare for the upcoming turn.*
A voice was carried from a magical device resembling a speaker installed on the watery wall of the nest. The students’ chatter subsided.
Chapter 1, Team 3. “Liam, Harryana, Lucaiel, Lavan, Carol, Ophelia, and Nicola,” please stand on the starting line right now. Once again, Chapter 1…
Meanwhile, a scene of Liam and his group moving is captured. Many people either cheer them on or watch with keen interest.
In the midst of this, Liam, the team leader, locks eyes with someone.
He appears quite determined, as if he has made a firm decision. Their gaze doesn’t linger for long and quickly ends.
“Hmm…”
Considering Liam’s mental state and emotions that were conveyed in a brief moment, he seems to be prepared for something. The likelihood of an anticipated concern arising is several times lower than not happening, but… perhaps.
Could Liam’s first awakening not be the tragedy of Academia at the beginning of the second year, but something else this time? Such thoughts crossed his mind.
***
＜＜What on earth?!＞＞
The dreadful screams of the Altepf that filled the nest,
Liam and his team continue the battle, shivering just by hearing their cries.
“Ophelia! One o’clock, 100 meters, Altepf, one unit!”
Shaaak?!
Ophelia’s arrow piercing through the air. Folding her muscles, she accurately targets one leg of a priest-class Altepf trying to leap. It loses its leg and falls to the ground.
“Lucaiel! Three o’clock, one unit. Harryana, blast the two units at six o’clock with elemental magic!”
“I was going to do it even without the order!”
“Yes, I got it!”
Following Liam’s instructions, the werewolf Lucaiel pierces through the thick skin of the Altepf with the claws of a beast it wielded.
Harryana materializes lightning like a thin wand in the air, burning them to ashes.
However, a weakened Altepf charges again.
As Harryana desperately gathers mana to use magic, she is hindered by sharp tentacles suddenly protruding from the ground.
“Harryana?!”
Lucaiel shouts.
The Altepf rushes with a sinister smile. Just as fear overtakes Harryana’s face.
Thud?!
The wind spirit summoned by Nicola collides with the Altepf, halting its movement. Liam, not missing the opportunity, rushes in like an arrow, snapping the monster’s neck.
Sizzle.
Where Liam’s sword passed, only an empty neck, charred remains, and a slight current remain. Blood spurts out belatedly.
And thus, this battle comes to an end.
Liam avoids the spurt of blood, saving everyone.
Lucaiel rushes to Harryana to check her condition hurriedly. Although surprised, there didn’t seem to be a significant issue. He shows an awkward smile, claiming he’s fine.
Even Lucaiel, worrying about her, seems unharmed.
Ophelia looks a bit tired, but it seems she can continue the battle without any problems.
In the cave-like structure, using a bow is uncomfortable for her, leading to heavy mana consumption elsewhere.
“Liam… blood.”
“Ah.”
Nicola takes out a handkerchief and wipes the Altepf blood off Liam’s face.
Even if one tries to avoid it, blood splattering during battle is inevitable. It will soon get dirty again, but rejecting Nicola’s kindness would be impolite.
“It’s all over….”
Nickel, who wiped the blood off, smiled satisfactorily, then remembered his actions and pulled down the hood covering his head to hide his expression.
His appearance was like looking at a hermit crab that had gone into its shell.
“Liam, have you visited all the areas you mentioned yet?” Lucaiel, who approached with Harianna, asked. His nails, having finished a battle, were now shorter.
Liam took out a detailed map he had personally created based on the original information and compared it with his surroundings.
Most of the areas he had checked so far matched the map.
Even though the novel’s descriptions were quite detailed, not everything was written down, so there were some empty areas that he considered to be red herrings and excluded, making everything else match.
While looking at the map, Liam nodded his head.
“We’re almost there. Soon, we’ll reach the sixth fork in the road.”
Liam summarized the situation.
The further they went inside, the more traps hindered them.
Tentacles springing from the walls were basic, sometimes the walls themselves would attack them, and at times, the floor they stepped on would rise up and hit the ceiling.
If it were only traps, it would be one thing, but attempting to both avoid traps and cooperate with Alteph of the priest level was quite a headache.
“Shall we take a break for a moment?”
“What nonsense. Was there something urgent?”
“The intervals between each team’s departures are long. We’re fine for now.”
Alicia’s group still had time before they set off.
They needed time for the Academy’s team to retrieve the body of the Alteph they had defeated and resupply.
Liam took out a water bottle and threw it to Lucaiel. He caught it without a word, then handed it to Harianna next to him.
This group had already engaged in three battles with Alteph. A short rest was necessary for smoother progress ahead.
The team members each took a brief break in their own ways.
After sufficiently rinsing his mouth with water, Liam swallowed a small amount to ensure no issues arose.
In the meantime, his thoughts deepened once again.
According to the original test, there was no sixth fork in the road. It was a straight path with no other routes.
…To be precise, it was not recognized.
A secret passage where multiple magical formulas were activated could not be found through conventional means.
At the end of it was a room where the actual altar was located, confusing the students taking the test or a device set up to prevent external intrusion.
However, what Liam’s group aimed for was not passing the test but causing a collapse.
Liam knew the existence of the sixth fork, its location, and the type of magic involved. Even if the appearance was concealed by magic, as long as he knew the way to unravel it, there would be no problem.
So far, everything was going smoothly.
It was like sailing with the wind on a lucky day.
“Let’s go back now.”
At Liam’s single word, everyone moved swiftly.
Even if problems arose, with them, there was a confidence that they could overcome them.
Except for cases like Emily, who had been childhood friends from the start, they were the first people the possessed Liam could maintain a close relationship with.
With these friends and colleagues, they ventured deeper into the nest.
***
A gathering place outside the nest for professors and officials.
Unfortunately, current magic and technology did not allow for direct communication inside the nest beyond the entrance, so they couldn’t monitor all students like in a class assembly.
Even if the examination rooms were modified, in the abnormal flow of magic inside the nest, not even the power of the Overseer or magic could instantly grasp everything.
Therefore, it is a method of conveying information to the outside world through the direct movement of the officials stationed in the nest.
“How strange.”
“Why all of a sudden? Is your stomach hurting? If it’s the restroom, it’s within the unfair… Ouch!”
Louisa grabbed Paula’s mouth. The area where her fingers touched her cheek turned as red as fingerprints. Paula’s mouth stretched out.
“Ugh… Stop it, stop! …Ouch! It hurts, you brat!”
Paula, who had escaped Louisa’s pinching, sniffled tears and couldn’t remove the hand that covered her sore cheek.
Ignoring Paula’s reaction, Louisa stroked her chin. With her other hand, she looked at the scheduled regular report.
“Why are you acting like this? Why are you getting serious alone?”
“There was a missing report from the personnel guarding the altar today. It should have been submitted every 6 hours… They should have come 2 minutes ago.”
“Aren’t you being too strict for just 2 minutes? They might have been delayed doing something important.”
“They are people who repeat this task daily in shifts. Even looking at past records, the officials arrived exactly on time without a single second’s delay. But suddenly, no contact for over 2 minutes.”
“Hmm… Ah… Is that so? Hearing it, it does seem a bit strange. Doesn’t it?”
“As if a problem has occurred. I also think so.”
A man interrupted Louisa and Paula’s conversation. He was Lucen, the instructor of Class 2.
With eyes that always looked tired like someone who hadn’t slept for days and dark circles under them, he yawned and continued speaking without any hesitation.
“Normally, the officials in charge of the altar have their time engraved in them, and unless there are any special circumstances, they automatically submit the pre-designated reports. But the fact that they haven’t come… indicates a sudden change has occurred, or…”
A sharp light flashed in Lucen’s tired eyes.
“Perhaps the owner of the familiar has died.”
“Eh, hey… That’s too far-fetched. Even if they were complacent, they are not the kind of people who would fall prey to the third danger group… Right, Louisa?”
“……”
Louisa’s expression changed.
Angular, fierce eyes emerged, and an inexplicable chill ran down her spine.
And at that moment of eerie shivers.
“Wow, there’s a full meal here.”
A strange voice mimicking human speech.
Louisa’s pupils dilated as she quickly drew upon her inner magic. In an instant, she was ready for battle.
*Kwagagagagagak!*
“Louisa????!!”
Suddenly, something unidentified rushed in, crashing into Louisa and flying off with her.
Paula raised her staff and began casting a spell. Lucel and two other professors around quickly aimed their weapons at the enemy.
Including the entity that had just flown off with Louisa, a total of five enemies were identified.
“That guy’s too hasty in character, that’s why it’s a nuisance. And I don’t like that they took the strongest one.”
“Leave them alone. It’s just once or twice?”
Though they clearly had human shapes, they were too distorted to be called living beings.
Among them, a figure wearing a tall top hat like a British gentleman in a movie spoke.
“Nice to meet you, professors of Academia. We are the followers dispatched by the Goddess Church to deal with you this time.”
He maintained human etiquette.
On the forehead revealed by lifting the hat, there was another eye.
“I apologize for speaking like this at our first meeting… But this too is the will of the Goddess. To redeem your sins, for the prosperity of the Goddess Church.”
The eye in the man’s human form was crescent-shaped.
“Offer that filthy blood to the altar.”