Chapter 51: Sacred Light [1]
As long as demons go around claiming to be the masters of magic, the Dragon Faith Order is an organization that can never coexist with them.
A religion whose very existence is denied cannot survive.
Therefore, the Dragon Faith Order’s hatred of demons was, in some ways, similar to that of the Judges.
But even so, no one expected them to suddenly cast magic like this.
"...I, I’m innocent!"
As the explosion subsided and the smoke cleared.
There stood Janice with her hand of flame extended, Luina blocking it with her sword, and Bella who had collapsed on the floor screaming, her legs having given out.
"Well done, Luina."
Gerhard sighed as he caught Janice’s wrist. Even he hadn’t anticipated this situation.
"Stop, Janice."
"Brother, she’s an evil being. An evil being who made a contract with a demon is openly attending the Imperial Academy... I never dreamed I would see such a thing in my life. The only good evil being is a dead evil being. Let me make Senior Bella Hoenne a good evil being."
"I said stop."
Gerhard growled low.
"Even if it’s you, Brother, when it comes to demons..."
"I was the one who knew this first and asked you for the artifact."
"...That’s true, but."
"I guarantee that Bella Hoenne has neither met a demon nor made a contract with one."
According to the prophecy book, Bella was merely a victim.
And the prophecy book had not lied to Gerhard, at least not so far.
"But there was demonic energy."
"You don’t necessarily have to make a contract with a demon for demonic energy to exist. There’s also the case of infection. You should know that."
"Are you saying there’s someone in the Academy infecting students?"
Janice’s eyebrows twitched. Though she framed it as "someone," that someone would definitely be demon followers.
"Isn’t that an even bigger problem? We should immediately inform the Order and the Empire... but you think they would go into hiding and become impossible to find?"
"Yes. I’ve already made extensive efforts to find those spreading demonic energy."
He had thoroughly examined the daily routines of Bella and Veriana, and through Hyde, searched places likely to contain demonic energy, but no answers emerged.
"That’s why I came to you."
"To borrow the power of the Dragon Faith Order?"
"Because the Dragon Faith Order seems least likely to be connected to demon followers."
Even if demon followers were hiding throughout the continent, the Empire, and even the Academy, the place that would hold out the longest would naturally be the Dragon Faith Order.
Because they had deeply rooted hatred for demons.
Of course, someone might exploit that blind spot to hide, but if we’re that suspicious, there’s not a single trustworthy person in this world.
"I already believe that evil beings are hiding all over the Academy."
It was clear. Otherwise, the riots when Andromalius descended couldn’t be explained.
’There were easily hundreds who were infected and went berserk.’
He didn’t know exactly when Andromalius’s descent would happen.
However, he felt it would be impossible for a small number of people to infect so many without being detected by anyone.
"Their goal is probably to use those infected with demonic energy to destroy the Academy from within."
"Why would they do that?"
"Because the Academy is where the future of the Empire, and by extension, the continent, resides. If this place is trampled, the future disappears."
Janice understood.
"But if that’s the case, shouldn’t we block it in advance? Even considering they might go into hiding, it seems better to prevent problems from occurring at the Academy."
It was a reasonable opinion. It would be better than letting the future of the continent be fatally wounded, even if it meant the evil beings would hide deeper.
But Gerhard knew the future. A future where demons eventually descend in large numbers and the entire continent is engulfed in war.
"But wouldn’t it be better if we could uproot them with minimal damage?"
If the evil beings escape, they will return as an even greater calamity.
Even if the saplings suffer a little damage, it’s better to uproot them to prevent the great tree from falling.
"Do you have a method?"
"I have something in mind."
After hearing the full explanation, Janice understood.
"But wouldn’t it be better to confess to the Order and get help?"
"I didn’t say don’t talk about it. Just don’t make it public. Share it only with a select few you absolutely trust, and maintain maximum security."
"Alright."
Khuhu, Janice smiled sinisterly.
"A method to backstab those evil beings. As expected of you, Brother. I’ll gladly follow."
"Before that, do you happen to have magic or artifacts that can eliminate demonic energy?"
"Of course. All magicians in the Order learn a magic called ’Sacred Light’ that burns demonic energy."
It was the duty of an Order that could not coexist with demons.
"Good. Erase the demonic energy in that person’s body."
"Ah, yes. Bella, faithful one, would you extend your hand?"
"...You won’t kill me, right?"
"Of course not. The Order punishes demons and evil beings, not innocent victims."
The saint smiled benevolently. Having gone through many unexpected things, Bella obediently extended her hand.
"Oh, but since this is my first time using this magic, I’m not sure how it will go. I wonder if it will work... Is it okay to burn the interior of a living person?"
"...What?"
Bella’s startled question was cut short.
——!
Hot heat and pain surged from within Bella.
"Kyaaaaaah!"
"Hmm, it seems extremely painful."
"This sealed room is perfectly soundproof, so there’s no need to worry."
It was a special sealed room that absorbed not just sound but all vibrations and impacts.
"Pain accompanies the punishment of evil, so this too is the natural order. Please feel free to scream as much as you want, cursing the demon that made you like this."
"..."
Luina could only stare blankly as her friend collapsed, foaming at the mouth.
***
"Whew, perhaps because it’s my first time using this magic on a person, it was quite difficult. Well, I’ll be going first. I’ll conduct my own investigation too."
"Alright."
After all the treatment was finished, Janice left first, leaving Bella unconscious and slumped over the table.
"...Is she going to be okay?"
"Probably."