I Became A Slave To The Mastermind

After class, amidst the bustling classroom noise, Ariel looked at me with curious eyes.

"Iris, did you hear about it?"

"About what?"

Tilting my head in curiosity, Ariel leaned close to my ear and whispered in a hushed tone.

"They say a Legion Commander appeared near the Imperial Palace."

"What?!"

I let out a loud scream, startling Ariel as well.

"Whoa, Iris! Your reaction is a bit too much, isn't it?"

"A-ah… I-I'm sorry…"

"Fufu, no worries. It's cute."

While Ariel chuckled lightly, my heart was still pounding wildly.

It was only natural. This wasn't a mere rumor to brush aside.

The Demon King, a feared invincible being, and the four overwhelmingly powerful commanders under his command—the Legion Commanders.

Their strength was nothing to take lightly. Each of them was a terrifying existence capable of obliterating an entire kingdom with ease.

And now, one of them had appeared near the Imperial Palace.

The thought of someone getting hurt made my body tremble uncontrollably.

"Ariel… do you think everything will be okay?"

Contrary to my anxious words, Ariel seemed surprisingly relaxed.

"It'll be fine. Professors from the Academy have gone to help, and I heard even the Sword Saint and the Hero are there."

"Oh…"

Her words brought me immense relief. Athena was going.

Having crossed paths with her a few times in the past, I knew just how powerful she was. Even against a Legion Commander, Athena would surely prevail.

'…Come to think of it, I haven't seen her since then.'

About two years ago, she had brought back a knight with a massive hole in his chest.

I couldn't understand what kind of sparring could have caused such severe injuries.

As I sighed in relief, Ariel glanced at me mischievously.

"Aren't you too relieved, Iris? The Academy is practically empty now. What if someone attacks?"

Her playful comment made me chuckle.

"Oh, Ariel. There's no way that would happen."

"Haha, true. Besides, the Director is still here, and there's also a ridiculously strong Hero around."

"Lily… you mean?"

A faint gloom settled over me.

Not for any other reason but Lily.

As someone bound by the destiny of a Hero, Lily would have to continue fighting against demons.

I didn't want to see her get hurt, which saddened me deeply.

To ensure that doesn't happen, I would have to work hard and grow as a Saintess.

But for now, everything seemed fine.

Even without the professors, the Academy was safe.

As a gathering place for the Empire's most promising talents, the Academy boasted formidable security measures.

The most notable of all was the grand barrier cast by the Great sage.

A terrifying barrier that would instantly turn any presence tainted by dark magic or demonic energy into ashes.

According to rumors, even the Legion Commanders couldn't break through it.

Then there was the Director, one of the Empire's top five strongest individuals.

As long as he protected the Academy, no mere demons would dare threaten it.

Well, not that they'd even be able to enter in the first place. Unless someone opened the gates from the inside, of course.

But that would never happen, would it?

With that thought, I headed out to prepare for the next class.

I regret it now.

If only I had been more cautious, I might have prevented the tragedy that was to come.

.

.

"This… what is this…"

-KIEEEEKK!!!

A deep growl echoed.

The once-proud and sturdy fortress-like Academy now bore a vastly different appearance from its former glory.

"D-demonic beasts?!"

"You've got to be kidding me…"

"My arm!!!"

"Aaaaaah!!!"

"Run!!!"

Buildings collapsed, and the once-lush garden was engulfed in raging flames.

The countless screams and wails echoing everywhere created a horrifying atmosphere.

"Everyone, hurry and get outside!"

In the chaotic situation, one of the few remaining instructors tried to calmly guide the students to safety.

"Ugh!"

That was until he was ambushed by a demon and thrown far away.

"No!"

I hurriedly ran over, placing my hands on his bloodied body.

'Merciful Goddess, please grant me the power to heal this poor soul.'

As if responding to my prayer, a pure white light enveloped the instructor's body, healing his wounds completely.

Regaining his senses, he looked at me in a daze and murmured,

"Saintess… Please, run away…"

Even in this situation, he was worried about me.

"I won't leave you behind!"

I lifted him onto my shoulder and, despite the weight, carried him to a place free of monsters.

After walking for some time, I finally stopped at a relatively safe spot, set him down, and caught my breath while surveying the surroundings.

Blue mana fell like shooting stars, striking down monsters. It must be the headmaster's magic.

Yet, countless monsters, demons, and even demonfolk were still attacking the academy.

The scene was utter chaos.

How did it come to this?

Looking up at the sky, I confirmed that the barrier was still intact.

Then where did all these monsters and demons come from?

Amid my confusion, one person came to mind.

"Lily!"

Was Lily safe?

Worry consumed me as I feared for her safety.

Resolving to find her, someone suddenly approached me with hurried steps.

"Huff… huff… Saintess!"

A black-haired girl in the academy uniform stood before me. Though I didn't recognize her, the badge on her uniform indicated she was in the same year as me.

She was pale, her breaths ragged. I quickly stepped forward to heal her, and her breathing steadied.

Grasping my sleeve with a tearful expression, she said,

"My friend… She's trapped under debris… and can't move…"

"Ah…"

Her words were heartbreaking.

I hesitated for a moment before embracing her gently to calm her.

"Lead the way. Let's go save her!"

Her eyes widened at my words, and she repeatedly bowed in gratitude.

"Th-thank you, Saintess! Thank you!"

Wait for me, Lily.

It seems there's someone I need to save first.

"This way, Saintess!"

"Alright!"

Following the girl, I felt the air grow heavier with dark energy as we moved deeper into the academy.

The further in we went, the stronger my unease grew.

"Huff… Huff… Are we almost there?"

"Yes! Just a bit further!"

Sensing something was off, I stopped in my tracks.

The girl tilted her head, puzzled by my sudden pause.

"Saintess…?"

"Miss, may I ask which class you're in?"

"Me? I'm in the alchemy class…"

The unease I felt about her persisted.

From outside to inside, despite running nonstop…

The female student showed no sign of difficulty at all.

Unlike me, who was gasping for breath, she had run all the way here without sweating a single drop.

Of course, it would have been possible if she were a member of the swordsmanship or martial arts club.

But her delicate physique didn't seem to have undergone any kind of training.

Moreover, she had told me herself that she was part of the alchemy class.

As I quietly watched her, she spoke up with an urgent expression.

"We need to hurry, Saintess! My friend is inside here…!"

"Apologies, fellow student. Let me just confirm something briefly."

Before she could answer.

I uttered a prayer, pouring divine power around her.

If she was cloaked in demonic energy or dark magic, she would feel unbearable pain.

The holy light pierced through her.

I observed her reaction closely.

But.

"Saintess…?"

"Huh…?"

Contrary to my expectations, nothing happened.

…Could I have been mistaken?

As I stood there in a daze, staring ahead.

The female student hurriedly ran toward me.

"Saintess…!!"

"Ah… sorry… I must've been mistaken. Let's hurry."

"This spot should be enough!"

"What?"

Thunk—

I felt a warm sensation in my stomach.

When I slowly looked down.

A small knife, covered in bright red blood, was deeply embedded in my stomach.

"…Huh?"

As I trembled, looking forward.

The gentle face of the female student in front of me distorted grotesquely.

It was as if her face was melting.

"I told you, Iris. You never know with people."

Her body twisted grotesquely.

Transforming into the form of an adult.

The figure that appeared was.

A mature woman with the same black bob haircut as the student.

"Ka… Katrina, Teacher…"

"You should've listened to me, shouldn't you?"

Thunk—

She smiled faintly, stabbing the knife deeply into the other side of my stomach.

"Ah…?"