Chapter 24: Demons Rising [4]
The two students disappeared beyond the bushes.
Luina, who had been watching silently while suppressing her presence, murmured quietly.
"...Balrosi Viston."
He was a monster who had become the top student in the knight department after overwhelming Veriana, who had been in second place.
"What do you think? Am I not right?"
"Indeed you are."
"What's your impression after seeing him directly? Could you win if you fought him?"
"Since he wasn't using his full power, I can't properly gauge his level, but..."
Luina nodded as if it were natural.
"I don't think I would lose."
"Right, that's how it should be."
Gerhard didn't know whether Balrosi Viston would become a Royal Knight or not. But Luina was a Royal Knight candidate certified by Sir Gardner Alpenfassen.
There was absolutely no reason for Luina to be inferior to Balrosi, regardless of what kind of talent he had, both in terms of ability and as Aint's comrade.
'Balrosi Viston. That one also needs to be observed carefully.'
Gerhard memorized Balrosi's appearance.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing. Let's hurry. We'll be late at this rate. I'll use magic from now on."
Rumbling, Gerhard moved the ground and advanced quickly.
"Yes."
Luina nodded slightly and followed him. Then she tilted her head.
'Late for what?'
Weren't they going to gather spirit medicine?
***
They were late.
That's what Gerhard judged.
The broken giant trees, the gouged earth, the shattered piles of rocks, and the monster corpses scattered everywhere.
The scene, reminiscent of a battlefield, showed that there had been an extremely fierce battle here.
And in the center of that ruins, there was one collapsed figure.
"...What is this?"
"There was a battle."
"...Veriana Kalproten?"
Luina recognized the fallen figure.
"Wait...!"
Before Gerhard could stop her, she hurriedly ran over. After examining the fallen Veriana's wounds and breathing, she heaved a sigh of relief.
"There are some injuries, but fortunately, she's alive."
"Don't approach carelessly!"
"What are you saying about someone who's collapsed?"
Luina made a face that showed she couldn't understand. Gerhard, who couldn't yet convince her about the prophecy book, swallowed.
"We might be discovered. She seems to have been eliminated, so the instructors will take care of her."
That wouldn't happen.
The sudden berserk outbreak of monsters had ruined the midterm exam itself, and the instructors didn't have the luxury to pay attention to all students.
At least not until the moment when Veriana, corrupted by demonic energy, would rise and attack Aint.
"But we can't just leave someone who's collapsed like this. Aren't the monsters in an abnormal state too?"
"So..."
How should I explain this?
Gerhard glanced at Veriana. Fortunately, there was no sign of her waking up at the moment.
Just as he thought that.
Kreeeeek-
There was a bizarre sound that couldn't be described.
Gerhard's gaze instinctively turned to Veriana.
Her eyes, which had been quietly closed, were now open.
That wasn't all.
Not only were they bloodshot to the point where she could hardly be called human, but her entire body's skin was also grotesquely swelling and contracting repeatedly.
"What is this...?"
"Luina! Put her down and back away immediately!"
Luina flinched in surprise and created distance.
Veriana seemed about to fall headfirst to the ground, but then sprang up like a coiled spring.
Haa, a dark breath was exhaled along with heated breathing. The two red eyeballs alternated between looking at Gerhard and Luina.
And then.
──!
Killing intent exploded.
Seeing this, Gerhard realized.
"...This is insane."
That something had gone wrong.
***
Her appearance was grotesque.
Parts of her skin had turned black, and her eyes were beyond bloodshot, having changed to a bright red color.
It was enough to take one's breath away with the overflowing murderous intent and fighting spirit, as if she had no intention of hiding it.
Above all, the black energy creeping out from her entire body evoked ominousness and instinctive revulsion.
"...What on earth."
Luina didn't know what it was, but Gerhard clearly recognized it.
That is demonic energy.
And that person has been tainted by a demon.
The prophecy was right.
After reaching these three consecutive conclusions, Gerhard quickly assessed the next situation.
The red pupils were not directed toward where Aint, who had made her like this, had disappeared, but toward Luina and Gerhard.
It was the worst situation.
'This is why I told you not to approach carelessly.'
They should have moved away before she woke up.
No, it's fine. There was no need to blame Luina.
A student who had fainted and collapsed in a situation where monsters had gone berserk.
If one didn't know about demons, it was natural to go help.
'But...'
I won't blame you, but since you woke her up, you'll have to handle it.
"What on earth is that...?"
"Luina. First, calm down and listen to me."
Gerhard slowly walked to the side. Her gaze followed him. It didn't seem like she would leave them alone and go to Aint.
"That's demonization."
"...Demonization?"
"She's been tainted after receiving power from a demon. Judging by her eyes, she seems to have almost no reason left."
"Are you saying that demons have reappeared in this world? And inside Veriana Kalproten's body?"
Luina was shocked.
"How do you know that...?"
"Can you win?"
"...I don't know."
Luina bit her lip.
The momentum that was continuously amplified along with the demonic energy had long surpassed the limits of Veriana.
It was not easy to gauge the opponent's level.
"Right, I suppose so."
Gerhard wasn't disappointed.
A demon appearing after a thousand years, a monster that even Aint, who received help from Sir Gardner Alpenfassen, could barely defeat after awakening.
There was certainly a gap between the current Luina and Aint, but even considering that, it would not be an easy opponent.
That was somewhat fortunate.
"Luina."
Since he always acted assuming the worst.
"Hold on for ten minutes. I'll give you a signal when I'm ready."
He had some countermeasures prepared.
"I wish you luck."
"...What?"
Gerhard ran away without even listening to Luina's answer.
Her blank gaze pierced his back, and at the same time, the tightrope-like confrontation broke.
───!
Veriana moved.
A blade riddled with demonic energy struck Luina.
"Ugh...!"
She let out a groan at the impact that was beyond imagination.
"This...!"
─!
──!
In a brief moment, after exchanging dozens of attacks and defenses, she had no choice but to leave Gerhard, who was quickly moving away.
She trembled with a sense of betrayal.