Mesugaki Tank Enters The Academy

Chapter 395

“Are you planning to head to the Arts Guild?”

Perhaps due to the scowl on my face, Alsetin's words were laced with caution.

“Yes, I am. I can't just stand by while those perverts keep doing stupid things.”

“Stupid things...?”

“Yes, stupid things.”

I threw the paper I was holding onto the desk and declared it firmly. Alsetin's expression became subtly uneasy.

“Can I ask why?”

“Can you use any other expression other than 'stupid things' when they’re walking straight into a trap?”

The place the Arts Guild is heading to is undoubtedly a trap. There are terrible things created by various followers of the Dark Gods there.

That place isn’t one you can just push through. It’s a hell filled with malice, where those who fall into the trap will die.

And they want to walk into it themselves? If that’s not stupid, I don’t know what is.

“This is a trap?”

Alsetin widened his eyes, as though he couldn’t believe my words.

“It’s based on the information Nakrad leaked, which we cross-checked with other followers of the Dark Gods, but...”

“Hah. With that low intelligence, why not go hang out with Karian and roll around with Jakal? That seems more fitting for your level.”

I realized once again that people in this world don't really understand the followers of the Dark Gods.

If they understood how these maniacs think, they would know that these crazy worshipers of the Dark Gods would never sell out their own factions.

“Listen well. I don’t want to waste any more time on you, so I’ll explain it clearly.”

In the Soul Academy, the Dark God factions are surprisingly tightly knit.

Unlike the various churches that fight among themselves to expand their influence, the followers of the Dark Gods have united out of necessity, to survive under persecution.

While each one may worship different Dark Gods, the common trait they share is that they must live in secrecy.

That’s what binds them together.

So, the followers of the Dark Gods would never betray each other.

The dream of resurrecting the Dark God is what they live for, and they see each other as collaborators in that cause.

They value the dream of the Dark God’s resurrection over any pain they might endure in the mortal world.

These fanatics, who became followers for their own reasons, would gladly give their lives for that dream to come true.

Nakrad is no different. After his wife’s death, he devoted himself to the Dark God’s cause. The world without his wife doesn’t matter to him.

What he desires is to meet his wife again after death.

Do you really think he would betray the Dark Gods for survival? Knowing that if he leaks information, he won’t be able to meet his wife?

No way. He’d rather die than give up the chance to be with her.

After listening to my explanation, Alsetin blinked and asked a question.

“I understand how the followers of the Dark Gods think. But why is it that Nakrad’s story and those of the other followers match?”

“Are you a goldfish? I just explained this! The idiots who follow idiots like Nakrad like to lick each other’s asses and repeat the same lies!”

Before being captured, they were probably already in on the plan to spread false information, which is why the stories all match up.

“…Ah! Of course!”

Finally realizing the truth, Alsetin took out his notebook and checked it, then let out a gasp.

He had realized that something was wrong.

It’s strange. In the game, Alsetin would have noticed this anomaly right away, but why is it that the real Alsetin couldn’t figure it out? Is it a reaction to Karian returning?

“I understand now. I’ll send this news directly to the Arts Guild.”

“Information seller, don’t try to act on your own.”

The reason I stopped Alsetin from acting on his own was simple: his credibility was lacking.

How seriously would the Arts Guild take a message from some lowly informant claiming their plans were wrong?

But me? I’m different. If I, favored by the Raven Goddess, personally tell them, they will immediately revise their plan.

“Stop acting cocky and just follow me. Got it?”

“If that’s the case, I’ll get ready to move ahead to the Arts Guild.”

After parting ways with Alsetin, I told my friends to disperse.

We would go back to our homes to rest and meet again at the Academy.

Although my friends each had their own reactions, they all agreed that rest was welcome. After nearly a month of relentless work, it was the normal thing to do.

The people of the Rizz territory also welcomed our departure.

They had been forced to adapt to our constant dungeon raids day and night, and when we told them we were leaving, they were so happy that they almost cried.

Watching them, I felt a little guilty for being so thoughtless towards them. Due to the Messakaki skill, I couldn’t express my apologies or gratitude, but...

Anyway, I left the Rizz territory and didn’t head directly to the Arts Guild. Instead, I visited the Alrn family first.

It wasn’t because I needed rest. Compared to the various trainings I’ve done, the recent grind wasn’t much. I had even taken it easy for my friends’ sake.

The reason I visited the Alrn family was that I needed someone to help hold back the perverts of the Arts Guild.

I still remember the day I contacted the perverted apostle through the crystal ball.

The bizarre creatures who appeared behind him and fought among themselves to get to me.

Heading towards the Arts Guild meant stepping into the midst of those perverts, and I didn’t have the confidence to handle that alone!

At the very least, I needed someone to stop those perverts from getting too close to me! The ideal person was Possel.

Though not as powerful as Benedict, Possel, with his significant fame and strength, could easily keep the perverts of the Arts Guild at bay.

“Sorry, my lady. I’d like to accompany you, but I can’t leave the territory with the head of the household absent.”

Unfortunately, my hopes were crushed by reality.

Damn it! I thought with Possel, I could keep those disgusting perverts away!

In the end, the people who would accompany me to the Arts Guild’s main base were the same as always.

My bodyguard Cal, the bald knight who follows me like a set menu, Erin who takes care of the minor details, and the fox who’s regaining strength now that spring is here.

“Don’t worry! Lucy! I’ll make sure no other perverts get near you! I’ll be the only pervert around you!”

Hearing the nonsense coming out of the fox, I had a lot to say, but I didn’t bother. I had to be content with the fact that he admitted he was a pervert. Otherwise, I’d only get tired.

With everyone gathered, I headed to the place where Alsetin was waiting.

“Lady Alrn, there’s a problem,” Alsetin said, his tone somewhat anxious.

“The Arts Guild is refusing to accept external teleportation.”

It wasn’t a surprise that the Arts Guild had a somewhat closed-off nature, and Alsetin explained that this wasn’t entirely unexpected. But I wasn’t about to hesitate over it.

“Informant, just tell them my name.”

“What?”

“Do as I say. My head is a lot more useful than your old, worn-out one.”

Alsetin, looking confused, still obeyed my command, though his bewilderment was obvious.

“…Oh. I’ve received permission.”

I then used the teleportation gem to send Alsetin and the knights ahead while I made my way to the Arts Guild’s headquarters.

I closed my eyes as a blue light flared around me. The dizziness of teleportation washed over me, but unlike before, I managed to stay upright.

I took a deep breath and slowly opened my eyes, only to find myself facing a large crowd of people from the Arts Guild beyond the barriers set up by Cal and the bald knight.

...Something seemed off. Had I missed something?

Had I accumulated so much fatigue that I was starting to hallucinate?

I sighed and shook my head. Perhaps I was just tired and starting to hallucinate. Maybe that was why I was getting these strange thoughts.

The crowd around me began to murmur, and I was assaulted by a series of odd, almost excessive exclamations.

“Ahhh, you’re so beautiful!”

“Lady Alrn! Please, wave your hand for us!”

“Such an artwork, and you were keeping it all to yourself?!”

“Ahh... I can die happily now...”

“Is this the goddess's incarnation?”

“Hah, you’re so beautiful...”

Hearing those voices made me start to regret coming here.

If I had known this would happen, no—if I had anticipated this much attention, I would have just let Alsetin handle everything and not come here at all.

Maybe I should just leave now and let Alsetin deal with it?

As I pondered, I forced myself to compose myself and opened my eyes again.

In the sea of countless eyes focused on me, I could feel their lustful desires, which made me feel slightly exhilarated.

Looking at it now, there was really no reason to be reluctant about these perverts. There was no one easier to play with than these guys.

The fox or the apostle wouldn’t even be a challenge for me. If it gets too disgusting, I could just kick them out.

My thoughts shifted, and the perverts around me suddenly seemed like toys to play with.

Hmm. I’ve been tormented by other perverts so far.

Should I repay some of that to these useless, pathetic ones?