I Became The Academy’s Joker Character

Chapter 40

—–CROW—– 

A figure clad in black armor sat on a throne, snapping its fingers. The [Hades King], Thanatos, was displeased, radiating an atrociously dense magical energy.  A complete defeat. He had lost too much.

“What are the losses?”

Thanatos gestured to the Lich attending him, demanding an answer. He already knew most of the situation, but he wanted the exact figures.

“…Of the 30,000 troops prepared, only 400 were able to cross the gate. The rest couldn’t even make it through.”

“I see. Then, the precise casualties?”

“That…”

“Answer me.”

“Of the troops waiting near the gate, approximately 15,000 were incinerated by the Dragon Emperor’s flames, and 3,000 of those are beyond recovery.”

The term “beyond recovery” was unfamiliar to the dead, who already resided in the realm of death.  Death in the was a trivial matter. They were already dead once, weren’t they?  So, even if their bodies turned to ash, as long as their souls remained, the magical energy of the would fill the void. They would lose their power, but they could live forever. However, everything had its limits.  The soul itself couldn’t be restored, so some soldiers, overworked or struck by extraordinary attacks, couldn’t regain physical form and became wraiths, wandering the . That was the fate of those who were near the gate and took a direct hit from the [Dragon Emperor] Tiamat’s breath.

“The remaining soldiers will require at least 30 years to recover their original strength.”

“Hmm…”

The loss of troops was expected.  He had taken the risk because he believed there was something to gain.  But he had failed. An unknown power, even to him. If he could have captured the girl called Noah, who wielded that power, this loss would have been nothing.

‘About three chances remain.’

Considering his original objective, this failure was a significant setback. The [Dragon Emperor] Tiamat was powerful. The embodiment of unreason.  It was questionable whether even all of the could defeat her.  But even the strongest beings eventually succumbed to death.

‘The Dragon Emperor’s lifespan isn’t long.’

As the King of the , Thanatos knew certain things. The [Dragon Emperor] Tiamat’s lifespan was nearing its end. By mortal standards, it was a distant future. But for Thanatos, who lived for eternity, it was like a fire at his doorstep.

‘I cannot hand over the position of Hades King to the Dragon Emperor.’

The position of [Hades King] was not something Thanatos took lightly.  That’s why he resorted to any means necessary. This incident was a major blow, but Thanatos wasn’t one to crumble from such a setback. If he were to be defeated by something like this, he wouldn’t be worthy of the title of [Hades King].  However, the [Dragon Emperor] was an exception.

‘Her very existence is cowardly.’

No matter what methods he employed, protecting the position of [Hades King] from her was near impossible.  A vast army, Thanatos’s own power, elaborate and perfect strategies, cunning and vicious traps.  None of it could stop the [Dragon Emperor]. If she so wished, the position of [Hades King] would change hands that very day.

“…Thanatos-nim?”

Thanatos, lost in thought about the [Dragon Emperor], snapped back to reality at the sound of his name.

“What is it? Is there more to report?”

“The movements of the nobles in various regions are suspicious.  It would be wise to take shelter…”

“There’s no need to worry.”

Thanatos knew they couldn’t act. There couldn’t be a common enemy in the . None of them could take the lead after defeating Thanatos.  Even if they attacked, they would only hinder each other and self-destruct.

‘Those insignificant insects, unaware that they’re being played from the start, are not a problem.’

In the , the [Hades King] was the law. In other words, the aristocracy used in the human world was also his creation. Thanatos dispersed his authority, making them check and balance each other. He sowed discord and fueled their divisions.  But there were others.  Those who possessed power but held no authority. They were the problem.

“What about the Sistus family?”

His descendants, created by Thanatos himself, were indeed a threat. Those who possessed power but lacked any fulfillment of ambition. In the past, he would have ruled them through fear, but now, it was a considerable burden.

“There are no unusual movements.”

“Is that so? But we still need to take precautions.”

“Will you rule through fear?”

“No. Just put them away somewhere.”

He didn’t intend to keep threats close. He chose to confine the Sistus family rather than subdue them with force.

“Now that I think about it…”

While discussing the Sistus family’s treatment, Thanatos suddenly spoke, as if something had occurred to him.

“It wasn’t a complete loss.”

“Pardon…?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Thanatos recalled those who had dared to attack him to protect one of the Sistus family.  The power that had wounded him, even eroding his magical energy, was one thing, but there was a foolish being who dared to step into the realm of the divine.  He hadn’t captured them, but simply recognizing such an existence was a gain in itself.

“I won’t be able to act immediately… but I should keep them in mind.”

The power unknown even to Thanatos was likely unknown to the [Dragon Emperor] as well. Information was power, a weapon.  Thanatos imprinted the existences of Oz and Eleanor in his mind.

* * *

The faint scent of apple mint. The refreshing fragrance of summer. The scent that subtly emanated from Arieta.

“Arieta…?”

My vision was still blurry, but when I called Arieta’s name, she flinched and replied.

“Ah, you’re awake, Prince Oz.  I apologize, but the Saintess is currently unable to move.”

“…Olivia Blue? What are you doing here?”

We weren’t close enough to visit each other in the infirmary, were we?

“I came to deliver this at the Saintess’s request. Prince Oz, do you like mint?”

“I don’t mind it, as long as it’s not mint chocolate.”

Honestly, I didn’t dislike it, but I wouldn’t pay for it.  Even if I were rich enough to order two small, expensive steaks. I’d rather eat something else.

“I don’t know what you mean, but it’s a plant, so I think it’ll be fine.”

“A herb?”

“Yes, the Saintess asked me to bring it.”

Looking closely, I saw a small pot on the shelf. Was that the scent I had smelled?

“Does it have any health benefits? Like clearing the mind?”

“I don’t remember, but… it probably has some effect.”

“Didn’t you bring it knowing its effects?”

“No, she said it imprints one’s presence… No.  I think she said it clears the mind.”

I wondered if she had forgotten the reason.  Shouldn’t Olivia be the one needing a clear mind right now?

“By the way, if Arieta asked you to do this, how is she doing?”

“…Prince Oz, there is no such thing as a power without a price in this world.”

“Yes, I know.”

I also had to overcome 1/100 odds to use any decent magic. But Olivia probably didn’t mean it that way.

“I see she overexerted herself.”

“She used too much divine power.”

“…Right.”

Arieta couldn’t see.  It was a price she paid for possessing immense divine power.  Then, was there no problem with using that immense divine power? No, that couldn’t be true. Even if she wasn’t completely blind, there must have been a strain on her body.

“She doesn’t blame you, Prince Oz.  That’s just the kind of person she is.  Even if it wasn’t you, she would have stepped forward.”

Olivia Blue said, carefully tending to the apple mint pot.  She wasn’t looking at me.

“We should be grateful. If the Saintess had gone alone, something terrible would have happened. So, she won’t blame Prince Oz.”

“What about you?”

“…”

“What about you?”

“…A mage’s insight shouldn’t be underestimated.”

I simply knew Olivia Blue’s personality from the game; I didn’t figure it out through any “mage’s insight.” But if she thought so, I was happy to let her. It would help solidify my image as Oz.  She wasn’t the type to spread rumors like Eleanor, but her impression of me would subtly influence her behavior towards me.  If I solidified my image like this, one person at a time, it would naturally reduce the number of people who would think of messing with me.

“I’m not one to talk, but you don’t have to push yourself so hard.  As you said, Arieta is that kind of person.”

“…I never imagined I’d hear those words from you.”

Didn’t that sound like I was pushing myself too hard?  It was the world that had been pushing me, not myself.  If I could live comfortably, I would have.  What could I do when fate had twisted things this way?

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Good. Give my regards to Arieta when you see her.”

Olivia, who was about to leave after finishing tending to the pot, flinched and turned to me. Did I say something strange? Her expression was full of questions.

“…Prince Oz.”

“What is it?”

“Excuse me, but may I ask you a question?”

“Go ahead.”

“Why are you keeping the Saintess at arm’s length?”

Keeping her at arm’s length.  It wasn’t wrong.  I was getting closer to Arieta, but I was maintaining a certain distance.

“At first… I thought you were going to completely cut ties with her, but you’ve gradually grown closer.”

“Yes, that’s what happened.”

“You don’t use honorifics with me.”

“Do you want me to?”

“No, considering your position, it would be burdensome, so I prefer it this way.”

She was right. My title, as many people called me, was a prince.  Even if it was a title as fleeting as a sandcastle, its authority wasn’t diminished.  That’s why I didn’t use honorifics with anyone except some professors.  Using honorifics would only make them uncomfortable.

“What I want to ask is… why do you use honorifics with the Saintess?”

“Arieta also holds a similar position…”

“That’s an excuse, Prince Oz.  If you were really concerned about that, you would have used honorifics with me as well.”

“…Were you royalty?”

“Didn’t you know?”

An awkward silence fell.  Well, I… I could be unaware.  I had never used a character from the in the game.  The characters from had synergy with Arieta, didn’t they?  It still stung to think that I couldn’t summon Arieta.  I had no need to delve into Olivia’s personal story.

“Should I use honorifics?”

“No, please don’t.”

“But still…”

“I’ve already entrusted myself to the church.  So please, don’t.”

“Well, if you say so…”

“…Excuse me, but I suddenly remembered an urgent matter.  I’ll be going now.”

“O-Okay.”

Olivia bowed her head and hurried out of the infirmary.  Her face was flushed crimson, a sight unimaginable under normal circumstances.

—–CROW—– 

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