Chapter 105: The Path to You (5)
A day after Leopold left the academy, word of his departure finally spread.
Though the academy was vast, first-year students didn’t have much freedom of movement, so news usually traveled quickly. But Leopold’s abrupt actions had been so swift that the rumors hadn’t been able to keep up.
Leopold had met with the principal during the day, gained permission to leave, and immediately departed the academy. His incredible decisiveness left other cadets in shock—but for some, it ignited fury.
“Is he insane?!”
“I think it’s kind of impressive, actually.”
While Astein fumed with rage, Veracien chuckled slyly.
“Love really is powerful. His decisiveness is on another level, isn’t it? I guess that’s what makes him the Crown Prince. Acting on his thoughts without hesitation—bold and daring. Way better than someone who overthinks everything and misses their chance.”
“…Don’t mock me. This is no time for jokes.”
To Veracien, Astein’s anger seemed completely irrational.
The barrier was already complete.
They’d gone to great lengths to distract the instructors and conceal their efforts while constructing a massive barrier encompassing the entire academy.
It was all in place.
And yet, they had inexplicably left the trigger outside the barrier. What’s more, Astrid and Leopold, the perfect targets for their plan, had both left the academy.
Now, even if they caused an incident at the academy, it would all be pointless.
“Why not just wait a bit longer? They have to attend the academy for four years anyway. Can’t you just enjoy school life a little longer?”
Yawning dramatically, Veracien opened her tiny mouth wide, looking completely indifferent.
In her mind, it didn’t matter anymore.
Veracien had already started calculating how much time it would take to leave the academy and head north.
There was no longer any reason for her to stay here.
The only reason she’d joined Astein’s little scheme to gather the Blessings of the Stars was because it seemed amusing. But now, it was starting to feel dull—nothing like what she had imagined.
‘Leopold and Astrid seem way more entertaining at this point.’
Maybe it was time to end her involvement. What excuse could she use to break their contract? If Astein tried to argue about penalties or repayment, perhaps she could just remove his head from his shoulders…
As Veracien mused, Astein sighed deeply.
“…Where is Miss Akemilla right now?”
“Do I look like I’d know that?”
“Let’s head north. Since it seems like we’re already caught in their web, we might as well confront them there. It’s the better option.”
Astein had anticipated this possibility.
Being cautious by nature, he had planned for every scenario—best case, worst case, and everything in between.
Unfortunately, the worst-case scenario had come to pass.
While the resources they had expended setting up the barrier were regrettable, dwelling on it now would only ensure further failure.
Sometimes, sacrifices were necessary.
“This might actually be for the best. Facing them on home ground will give us the advantage. I was planning to simply extract their blessings and let them live, but that’s no longer an option.”
“Sure, sure. Whatever you say.”
Veracien yawned again, utterly unimpressed.
She had yet to see any of Astein’s plans unfold the way he intended. All she’d witnessed was his growing frustration every time something went awry. Naturally, her faith in him was nonexistent.
“So, are we done with the academy now?”
“There’s no reason to stay any longer. We’ll inform Miss Akemilla and prepare to depart immediately. To expedite matters, we’ll need financial support…”
Astein’s fingers moved in a series of gestures, forming seals.
Each motion summoned a flicker of blue flame, which danced briefly before vanishing. Finally, after completing the last seal, Astein pulled out a talisman.
“…And buy ourselves some time.”
With a soft whoosh, the talisman ignited in blue flames and began to burn.
“...A mistake… it was just a mistake… I misspoke, that’s all…”
Astrid’s knees buckled, refusing to hold her weight any longer.
Her trembling arms clung to the hilt of Snow Flower, desperate to pull herself up, but her strength faltered.
Her tattered cape had long since been torn to shreds. Her uniform, scorched, slashed, and melted in places, was now a mess of rags clinging to her battered body.
The bodies of demons were piled high around her, forming grotesque mountains. The poisonous fumes rising from their wounds made it nearly impossible to breathe.
【“I can’t believe… I’m really going to die on a battlefield.”】
‘Better than dying by falling down the stairs.’
Astrid grabbed a handful of snow and rubbed it against her face.
The icy chill brought a fleeting clarity, only to be replaced by a suffocating fog clouding her mind.
“I… I don’t want to die.”
She tried once more to rise, willing her legs to move, but her knees buckled again, and she collapsed face-first into the snow.
Groaning, she clawed at the ground, attempting to push herself up again. But her arms gave out, and her face sank into the cold snow once more.
“If… if I get scars on my face… Leopold… won’t like it…”
【“…That’s probably true.”】
That was the end.
The real Astrid gazed silently into the darkness as her vision faded.
If she wanted, she could forcibly take control of the body.
She might die in the process, but whether she died now or later, the result would be the same.
【“Just rest for now.”】
Her fluttering eyelashes stilled as her eyes snapped open again.
The real Astrid reclaimed control, immediately feeling the fatigue consuming the body.
“You fought well in this state. Now, how about showing yourself?”
Astrid wasn’t looking at the monsters surrounding her anymore.
Her gaze was fixed on the massive tower standing beside her. She stared directly at its front.
The demons encircling her had been forgotten—they no longer mattered.
“You’ve noticed, haven’t you?”
“How could I not, with you practically begging for attention?”
“Oh… when did you figure it out?”
“Around halfway through. There’s only so many of these monsters you can send. There’s no point in dragging this out. Isn’t it time you came out?”
“Hmm… perhaps you’re right.”
The voice emanating from the tower wasn’t a physical one.
It was more like a presence, selectively choosing who could hear it—similar to how the real and fake Astrid communicated within their shared body.
Suddenly, a massive door appeared on the previously blank surface of the tower’s wall.
The door, made of iron and devoid of any ornamentation, looked plain but exuded an overwhelming sense of power due to its sheer size.
Kuuuuuuung…
The heavy iron doors opened with a deep rumble.
The weight of the doors was evident in their sound, and as they moved, they pushed aside the snow piled at their base, forming large mounds on either side.
“Inviting a guest without showing your face? How arrogant. Didn’t your parents teach you any manners?”
“Regrettably, I cannot meet you face-to-face just yet.”
“Are you inviting me in?”
“If you’re afraid, you’re welcome to stay outside.”
Astrid spat onto the ground, her saliva tinged with red from the blood in her mouth.
Grabbing Snow Flower, she hefted the sword for a moment.
“Ah, please don’t bring any weapons inside. I must insist.”
“You’re more cowardly than I thought. But I can’t say I’m surprised.”
With an annoyed sigh, Astrid plunged Snow Flower deep into the ground.
She surveyed her surroundings.
The demons circling her growled and snarled, their menacing sounds filling the air. Yet none dared to attack her—they only glared, keeping their distance.
“…Perhaps the inside will be better than out here.”
Slowly, Astrid began walking toward the open door.
Whatever lay inside was unknown, but it had to be better than dealing with the horde of monsters outside.
Her body, battered and screaming in protest, was nearing its limit. But this seemed like the better gamble.
‘I can’t die before I marry him. I’ll survive, no matter what. If things go south, I’ll just destroy everything in there.’
As Astrid stepped through the doorway, the massive doors groaned shut behind her with the same heavy rumble.
The bright snow-covered plain outside was replaced by near-total darkness.
Her vision, initially overwhelmed by the sudden change in lighting, slowly adjusted to the dim interior.
“Smaller than it looked from outside.”
Astrid glanced around, searching for the source of the voice.
Though not cramped, the interior wasn’t as vast as the tower’s exterior had suggested.
In the center of the chamber was a large circle etched into the floor, filled with intricate, unfamiliar patterns.
“What is all this?”
Symbols of a water jar, a clock, a candle, and something resembling constellations filled the circle.
The massive circle was densely packed with these markings.
“…Looks familiar somehow.”
The designs stirred a faint memory. She’d seen something like this before, but the details eluded her.
“Make yourself comfortable. I don’t plan to move just yet.”
“And I’m supposed to trust that? Coming from someone who wouldn’t even let me bring my weapon?”
“Believe me or not, it makes no difference. Relax while you can.”
“Hmph.”
‘Show yourself already. If you try anything, I’ll destroy everything in here.’
Astrid walked cautiously, her eyes scanning every corner of the chamber.