Chapter 52
Episode 83: Awakening of the Evil Eye
The thing that had once been Jarmel turned to us and began to speak.
「Heavenly Child, if you come with me, I will spare the lives of your companions.」
「I won’t hand over my daughter!」
「Carmen, if you hadn’t run away, the Heavenly Child would’ve already been mine… Die!」
The thing transformed part of its body into spikes and launched them at Mom, but Mystique-sensei shielded her.
The spikes ended up piercing through Mystique-sensei…
「Ah… ah… haah… Carmen, are you alright?」
「Mystique! Why did you protect me…」
「I… I couldn’t protect you… but… this time, I did it… Margarita-sama… now I’m going… back to… you…」
「Mystique!」
「Mystique-sensei!」
「The Grand Magister Magic Mystique fell!」
I heard the words that Mystique-sensei had “fell.” At that moment, an uncontrollable rage surged from the depths of my heart, and my right eye throbbed painfully.
I couldn’t suppress the wave of anger…
「You… you killed Mystique-sensei!」
「If you come with me, I will spare the others.」
「I’ll kill you! 〚Purgatory Inferno〛!」
As I cast the spell, the thing was engulfed in black flames.
「Wh-what is this flame? My demonized body is burning away… Heavenly Child, what did you do!?」
「Shut up… I will kill you!」
「This is only a temporary form. You cannot kill me!」
「By the order of Celestia Z. Sylvania, let the power of the proud Lucifer engrave the countdown of life upon you, 【David Leone】!」
「Gah, a seal… on my arm!?」
「Heh… When the number on that seal reaches zero, you’ll die. And no matter how many times you kill the caster, the curse won’t disappear. I told you, didn’t I? I’ll kill you! Hahaha!」
「Heavenly Child… what are you!?」
「Who knows? Maybe you’ll find out before you die. Enjoy the creeping fear of death, won’t you? Haha!」
As the thing burned away in the black flames, the link was severed, and communication with it was cut off.
With the battle over, I approached Mystique-sensei’s lifeless body.
There was no sign of life in her face…
She had really passed away.
「Mom, Sensei is…」
「Celestia, it’s alright to grieve. But suppress your anger. And if possible, try to calm the Evil Eye in your right eye.」
「The Evil Eye in my right eye?」
When I focused my consciousness on my right eye, I felt the heat subside.
「Looks like It’s settled down. Mystique’s death must have triggered the awakening of your Evil Eye. You even used its power, but… is your body alright?」
「I think I’ve paid the price for using it, but my body seems fine.」
While Mom and I were talking, Stratos spoke up.
「Ren… so you were the Heavenly Child all along?」
「Yes, you can return to your territory and report this to your father. Also, take the surviving twin with you.」
「I… I never intended to report this!」
「Stratos, as a result of your actions, the Kingdom now knows that Ren is the Heavenly Child… and on top of that, Mystique-sensei has died. You don’t belong here right now.」
「Ren… are you going to leave?」
「Stratos, I can’t tell you right now!」
「I see… I’ll return to my territory then. I swear I won’t report this to my father. I’ll see you again at the academy…」
With that, Stratos returned to his territory.
「Slaine, will you report this to Dad?」
「I won’t. If the Kingdom takes any action, though, it’ll be known to the empire.」
「Can Cantera keep the secret?」
「Of course.」
「Everyone, thank you♪」
Afterward, we buried Mystique-sensei.
Slaine-sama and Cantera returned to the inn, and since we couldn’t use our house, we borrowed Mystique-sensei’s home.
–
Episode 84: Farewell, My Friend
In Mystique-sensei’s home, the four of us—Mom, Selen-sama, Brad, and I—gathered around the table.
「Are we going to relocate?」
「Since our location has been discovered, it’s certain that we need to leave Spica City.」
「Is there a way to stay within the Empire?」
It seemed like Selen-sama was concerned about what we would do next.
「It’s too dangerous to remain in the Empire. If we’re pursued by both the Kingdom and the Empire, we won’t be able to handle it.」
「Celestia, do you have something in mind?」
「I want to return to the Leone Kingdom and slowly dismantle it from within.」
「Ren, isn’t it too dangerous to return to a place where they already know of your existence?」
Though Selen-sama argued that it was dangerous, Brad-san agreed with me and shared his thoughts.
「Indeed, it is dangerous. However, the Kingdom has resorted to extreme measures to find Celestia-sama, using mental magic to delve into the subconscious of every girl of the same age, which has created unrest among the citizens. Furthermore, the Crown Prince, thanks to Celestia-sama’s Magic Eye, is now under the countdown of death and is probably gripped by fear.」
「So, we’ll establish small bases in remote areas, using Celestia’s teleportation magic to move around and slowly break them down, right?」
「We also have a monster army on our side.」
「I see… So you’re leaving the Empire.」
「Yeah… I wish I could’ve spent more fun times at the academy, but I’m going to go destroy that Kingdom without running away♪」
I tried to act cheerful, but tears started to fall from my eyes.
Noticing this, Selen-sama also came close, crying, and we embraced.
The next morning, Slaine-sama and Cantera arrived, and I told them that I would be leaving the Empire.
「I see… You’re leaving the Empire…」
「Ren… I…」
Both of them seemed filled with frustration, unable to continue their words… After all, our happy daily life was about to vanish in an instant.
「It’s not a forever farewell. When we meet again, show me how much you’ve grown! I’ll make sure I grow too so I won’t be embarrassed♪」
「So, when are you leaving for the Kingdom?」
Selen-sama asked directly.
「With some simple preparations, we’ll be moving in four days.」
Brad-san answered.
「I’d like to spend those four days slowly, together.」
「Yeah, let’s talk a lot♪」
After that, the four of us talked about many things.
I dropped my disguise and showed everyone my true appearance.
The fun times passed by quickly… and finally, the day of departure arrived.
「Slaine-sama, Cantera, thank you so much for an enjoyable year♪ I’m looking forward to the day we meet again♪」
「I’ll become Emperor and definitely become a force for Celestia, so please wait for me!」
「Once I graduate from the academy, I’ll come running to you, Celestia.」
「Hehe… both of you, do your best♪」
At the end, I walked up to Selen-sama and spoke to her.
「Selen-sama… Meeting you was a miracle… Farewell, my friend for life!」
「Celestia, we will… we will definitely meet again. Until that day, farewell!」
Both of us exchanged farewell greetings with smiles instead of tears, and I left with Mom and the others, heading toward the Kingdom.
➖➖➖ End of Chapter 3: Academy Arc➖➖➖
–
Side Story: Fear of Death
Shiver… Shake…
David, the Crown Prince of the Leone Kingdom, trembles in fear within his bedroom.
Ever since Celestia placed the 【Countdown of Death】 on him, he has been terrified of the steadily decreasing numbers, helpless against their inevitable decline.
「I thought the 【Heavenly Child】 was merely a figurehead, but a 【Magic Eye】? Is she a devil’s child? She said killing the caster wouldn’t matter. It might be a lie… but even if it’s true, I can’t allow her to live. I’ll kill her no matter what!」
Desperately questioning himself, he finally arrived at an answer: he must kill the 【Heavenly Child】.
If that stops the countdown, great. If it doesn’t, he’ll at least take her down with him.
「Summon the powers of 【Darkness】 and 【Time】! We’ve confirmed that the 【Heavenly Child】 of Sylvania is still alive. She’s a demon! Kill her at all costs!」
The mark on David’s arm reads “300”.
Terrified of the ever-decreasing number and the looming fear of death, he begins pouring the Kingdom’s resources into eliminating Celestia, the 【Heavenly Child】.
Despite being reprimanded by the king for his reckless actions, the Crown Prince’s rampage cannot be stopped.
In the end, his actions would only help accelerate the collapse of the Kingdom, the very goal Celestia was aiming for…
➖➖➖
Notice
Starting from the next update, the fourth chapter, “The Collapse of Leone Kingdom Arc”, will begin.
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