CHAPTER 172: ARTK UNDER SIEGE [2]

No. Since the evil species’ attack had ended, had all the situations mentioned in the prophecy book concluded?

The contents of the prophecy book began to unfold.

[─────!

Thunderous sounds were heard throughout the previously quiet streets of Artk.

Magical beasts that had tunneled through the earth attacked people.

"Magical beasts!"

"Run away!"

"How did magical beasts get here?"

The sound of bells announcing an emergency echoed throughout Artk. Soldiers moved urgently.]

The beginning was Artk under attack.

’Are they targeting the Bell of Pasa?’

Since the original purpose of the captured evil species was to break the Bell of Pasa, this was quite predictable.

[It was something no one had expected.

That Artk, the capital of Altriark, would be attacked by magical beasts.

Confusion spread throughout the city.

Though they had experienced numerous wars, the anxiety and fear felt by people who had never experienced an attack within Artk itself was beyond imagination.

Flames began to rise throughout the city.

Meanwhile, no one noticed the suspicious movements heading toward the Bell of Pasa.]

It was as expected.

[There were also Academy students in Artk when the attack occurred.

It was the day the students who had been dispatched to Altriark returned to Artk in order to go back to the Academy.

"Attack?"

"Explosion!"

Magical beasts, magical beasts!

The first to sense the magical energy felt from all directions was Gardner.

The Academy students, under the guidance of professors, went into the city and engaged in combat with the magical beasts.

And Gardner detected new magical energy.

I sense particularly intense magical energy. This direction is...

─!

And the moment he heard a sound loud enough to hurt his eardrums, Gardner realized their purpose.

It’s a decoy!

The Bell of Pasa! The Bell of Pasa is in danger!

The magical beast wave is a decoy, and the real purpose is the Bell of Pasa!]

The evil species’ plan targeting the Bell of Pasa was indeed perfect.

Artk, where most of the forces had been withdrawn to stop the magical beast wave and where confusion had reached its peak, couldn’t respond effectively.

If there was one unexpected factor, it was just one.

Aint Armian and his sword, Lord Gardner Alpenfassen.

["It won’t go as you wish, filthy evil species."

"Aint Armian? How so quickly?"

Aint’s sword aimed for the evil species’ neck. The evil species stepped back from the flash of light that was like a ray.

"Insolent bastard! Well, that’s even better. I was regretting not being able to kill you, but now you’ve walked straight into hell on your own feet!"

Magical energy exploded. Despite being weakened by the power of light, the massive magical energy was beyond what Aint could handle.

All he could do was endure. Wounds increased on Aint’s body.

It was then that a helping hand was extended.

Slash-

A sharp cutting edge instantly sliced through the clump of magical energy that had grown like tentacles.

Someone intervened between the evil species and Aint.

"And who are you!"

"The supervisor."

It was Professor Grad, who had followed Aint out of concern as he ran off alone.]

The content of the prophecy book continued, but it only spoke of one thing: the Bell of Pasa.

How the evil species tried to destroy the Bell of Pasa.

How they brought magical beasts into Artk.

And how they failed.

The magic circles inscribed on the Bell of Pasa were much stronger than the evil species had anticipated.

The evil species couldn’t withstand the joint attack of Professor Grad and Aint.

The variable of Professor Grad, an incredibly strong figure, shook the evil species’ plan to its roots.

’So it continues immediately from here. And it’s prevented without me having to step in.’

But since they had already captured the evil species, the possibility was even lower.

It seemed there was no need to worry about the Bell of Pasa at all.

When Gerhard opened his eyes, he saw Luina’s face. Her deep blue eyes resembled aquamarine.

"...Are you alright?"

"I’m fine."

He had reached a level where he could endure pain without a single change in his expression.

"You’re sweating profusely. Could it be another headache?"

However, he couldn’t perfectly control his body’s reactions.

"It’s nothing."

"How can it be nothing when you’re sweating cold sweat like this? Is there really some serious problem?"

"I’ve been properly diagnosed by my family’s healing mages. There’s no problem, so don’t worry. And I’m just sweating because it’s hot."

"How can you make such an excuse when summer has long passed?"

"There’s a monster."

Slash-

A scorpion was split in half by Luina’s sword.

That was the last one. The battle was over.

And the Academy students’ dispatch had also come to an end.

"Everyone did well. You’ve had quite rare experiences. I guarantee that among all the Academy’s practical training, yours has been the most valuable."

Of course. Would there ever be students who went on dispatch, fought an evil species, and attended a desert tribe festival?

"Rest today, greet His Excellency tomorrow, then return to Artk. From there, you’ll immediately return to the Academy through the teleportation magic circle. Any questions?"

"No, sir."

The Academy students spent a day in their assigned lodgings and immediately departed for Artk.

This time, the Light Blood Knight Order provided direct escort, and no particular problems occurred.

’There’s a lot to do when we get back. Especially regarding Gismond...’

Apart from his renewed vigilance about Gismond Ert after passing through the cliff where Itarium was buried, it was indeed peaceful.

But that peace...

Was shattered the moment they entered Artk, the capital of Altriark.

==

Deng-deng-deng-deng-

The bell sound announcing an emergency.

"Attack!"

"Magical beasts!"

KWAAAAAK!

Kieeeek-

The howls of magical beasts mingled with the screams of people.

Smoke was rising from various parts of the city.

"...Attack?"

"The capital is under attack?"

All gates were closed, and soldiers began to control the people. But the Academy students were able to enter with the Light Blood Knight Order.

Fortunately, by the time they entered, the interior was almost completely cleared.

Even with most forces at the barrier, Altriark was still Altriark.

The corpses of magical beasts and monsters were scattered everywhere, and considering it was a sudden attack, the damage wasn’t too severe.

Just as they were feeling relieved.

──────!

"KWAAAAAK!"

"My ears, my ears...!"

A kind of sound they had never heard before shook the entire city.

Gerhard collapsed, covering his ears. It felt like his eardrums would burst.

Piiiiing, a ringing sound came to his ears.

It was difficult to regain his senses.

After a while, Gerhard, who had barely regained consciousness, grabbed the hand in front of him.

"...Are you alright?"

It was Luina, who was frowning while enduring the shock.

"...What on earth is this?"

"Something seems to have happened in the city. A sound like a bell ringing..."

"A bell?"

Wait, where is the Bell of Pasa?

"Magical energy, I sense magical energy!"

At that moment, Aint shouted urgently and ran off.

For some reason, his appearance overlapped with the verses from the prophecy book.

A strong sense of foreboding pierced Gerhard’s mind. He found himself following Aint.

And at the place they finally arrived, Altriark’s knights and soldiers were controlling people.

Most of the houses that had become expensive thanks to the Bell of Pasa had collapsed. The clamor and screams of people mingled.

"You can’t enter recklessly!"

Due to the soldiers’ control, they couldn’t approach the Bell of Pasa closely.

But it was enough to see its condition.

What lay at the scene as the dust settled was not the Bell of Pasa that Gerhard knew.

"..."

It was fragments of what had been the Bell of Pasa, completely shattered.

"...Damn it all."

The future had changed.

The Bell of Pasa had been broken.