Chapter 47
This is a fictional story by realTensai
Huh?
Alvis blinked several times, still not sure if he had heard correctly.
Priest of Arrogance?
His mind processed the information he got and already delivered him an answer, though Alvis subconsciously didn't accept it.
Maybe I just heard wrong.
He shook his head as if that would change reality, but it didn't.
He had heard right.
A shiver ran down Alvis' spine as uneasiness and a looming threat grabbed his heart. He took a deep breath in and out, trying his best to stay calm. His brain had finished its evaluation, but the results had Alvis gulping.
So there is more than one priest.
The name Nero just said was Nuarif Keskanor, who was the Priest of Arrogance. However, the man Alvis had fought against was the Priest of Insanity Voyzez Knaxius.
Alvis clicked his tongue, understanding the weight of this new information. If there was a second priest, he couldn't rule out that there were even more. And if they got the same title, it was safe to assume that they were equal in strength.
This is a problem.
If a second priest were to come to Awaniko, Alvis' warnings to the city being its reason, they had no chance of winning. It was a variable Alvis hadn't considered. He grabbed his hair, his face sour.
All I can do is pray that only Voyzez will come.
Who would come was something Alvis couldn't control, so thinking and worrying about it was a waste of time. However, he would still have to keep it in mind.
"Do you know about more priests?"
"This one is the only one I saw and know about," Nero said, shaking her head. "I'm sorry."
"No, no, you helped me a lot. I should be the one who is sorry for having you talk about something so horrific."
"If it helped you, I'm happy."
"Thank you, Nero!"
She smiled. With his conversation over and his information gathered, Alvis was about to leave, though he stopped, realizing something.
"Nero, don't you want to come with me? You can explore the city together with me, Dane, and Sekki. They're pretty fun guys, so you don't have to worry. It's better than being alone."
Somehow, it left an unpleasant aftertaste in his mouth, just leaving her all on her own. After he had heard her backstory, his sympathy for her had only increased.
However, she had a serious frown on her face after Alvis' invitation.
"Alvis, don't forget you are in a relationship!" she said, pouting, her red eyes unusually intense. "How can you invite another girl who's not your girlfriend and think it would end well?"
Alvis scratched his head, unable to respond.
Didn't think about that.
"I'm happy about your invitation. So happy that my heart is pounding. But still, I would never agree to something that could harm you."
It was a resolve Alvis had never seen from Nero before.
"I understand. I won't force you," Alvis answered with a calm smile. "However, I will definitely introduce you to Lia. You two would make good friends."
They both had similar pasts, and with Lia being an empath, there was no way she wouldn't like Nero. Her cheerful and outgoing character would also reach Nero, and the shy girl would be able to leave her shell.
Nero just smiled.
"I look forward to that."
——
Alvis' brain steamed, yet his eyes were locked with its target, their minds becoming one. When he glanced to the left, its white eyes glanced to the left. When he glanced to the right, its head turned to the right. And when he commanded move, it moved its sleek body across the icy ground and came closer.
However, a cutting pain in his head made Alvis' body wince, the gears in his brain overheating. A short circuit broke the connection between him and his target, as his Mastermind skill turned off. The ice serpent quickly shifted away, escaping Alvis' grasp.
"Hahh~ guess this is my limit."
He grabbed his head, its heat almost burning his palm. All the noises, be it from mana beasts, humans, or any other race, appeared again, terrorizing his eardrums. Dizziness overcame him, and he quickly settled on the bench next to the monkeys' cage. With a sigh, he concluded today's training session.
It was the fourth day of their class trip, and they were currently visiting the famous mana beast park. While all his other classmates were having fun, Alvis trained his new spell. The spell he needed to learn was a mind control spell. But not an advanced one where he could control other humans. He just needed a basic one.
Getting the spell formula for this spell in a library was impossible without having a degree as an advanced mind mage. However, the internet was a whole other space. With some tricks, he couldn't name for legal reasons, Alvis had gotten the spell formula he needed.
Now, all that was left was excessive training.
Hah, training that makes me slowly lose my mind, pun intended!
Alvis couldn't even count the times he just wanted to throw his phone against the wall and end everything. He had even wanted Lia to teach him, but in the end decided against asking her. After all, she was born with the emerald eyes, so her hypnosis spell was in her genetics.
Learning a basic mind control spell normally wasn't even possible if one wasn't an empath. However, Alvis' ability to learn new complex spells was a case on its own. Visions of Mr. Tonnek's lesson in which he had explained the difference between the human brain to the other races appeared in his mind, and he could only smile.
The reason he even needed this spell was for the final phase of his plan. After four days of spreading his propaganda about the Devil Cult, the city was on alert, the police now on guard, patrolling the city 24/7. Distributing his letters on his own became impossible.
That is why I need the spell.
He clenched his fists, once again realizing the importance of his training. He still needed to deliver the most important news about the Devil Cult. It would be this news that would force the government to make its move.
"Stella!"
A familiar voice forced Alvis out of his thoughts. His eyes spotted his classmate, Karl, who was standing just before the birds' cage. However, next to him was his other classmate, Stella. She played with her wavy black hair, smiling as she awaited Karl's next words.
Wow, wow, wow, don't tell me…
Alvis' heart raced as his brain immediately connected the dots. He leaned forward in his seat, his lips curving up into a wide grin. His body shook as he crossed his fingers.
Huh, wait? Why am I so excited?
Alvis wasn't the one who wanted to confess, so there should be no reason for him to be so emotionally engaged. Yet he just shook his head, the answer already being in his head for quite some time now. It was throughout this class trip, especially with him attending the boys' night in this loop, that he realized it.
We are friends now.
Alvis had left his introverted shell and had formed genuine connections with the guys in his class. Most of them would've called Alvis a friend even before the class trip, yet he only understood that now. After all, this was something Alvis couldn't even have dreamt of back then in his old days.
"I-I…."
You can do it, Karl!
"I love you, Stella! Please go out with me!"
Alvis held his breath as time seemed as if it would stand still as he awaited her response. But then a white dove flapped its wings, resuming time.
"I love you, too, Karl!"
"Yes!"
Alvis clenched his fists in a victorious pose, nearly jumping up from his seat. Stella embraced Karl and with that, they became a couple.
——
Alvis stood atop a tall hill, his gaze fixed on the city below. The pigeons, his unwitting allies, soared gracefully through the air, each carrying a letter, a message of fear and urgency. He could feel the strain on his mind as he maintained the mental connection with them, knowing that time was running short.
I guess this is enough.
Before the police would notice them and shoot them down, he had one last command. As the pigeons reached their destination above the mana spire square, Alvis's heart weighed heavy with the gravity of his actions. He knew what he was about to do was drastic, but it was necessary. The pigeons attracted several gazes as they just hovered over the ethereal towers.
I'm sorry.
With a heavy sigh, Alvis cast his spell, and the pigeons expanded, exploding into a shower of feathers and gore. Their blood, inwards, and guts rained down on Awaniko's heart.
The city below erupted into chaos as the blood-stained remnants of the pigeons rained down upon its streets. Gasps and cries of horror filled the air, mingling with the frantic shouts of the panicked populace. It was a scene of pandemonium, a visceral manifestation of the terror that gripped the city.
But amidst the chaos, Alvis remained firm. It was an inhumane act, yet it had to be done. It was an act befitting of the Devil Cult.
This, paired with the letters stating that the Devil Cult would attack so they could seize the never-ending mana supply, should be enough. Alvis turned around, having finished his job.
And as soon as he arrived at their hotel, a notification popped up on his phone.
IMPORTANT ALERT
In response to the ongoing threat posed by the Devil Cult, the city of Awaniko is taking decisive action to ensure the safety of its citizens. We will activate all available military forces to confront and neutralize any attempts by the Devil Cult to instigate terror within our borders.
We stand resolute in our commitment to protect our community and uphold the sanctity of our annual summer festival. Rest assured, we will not yield to the forces of terror, but instead face them head-on with unwavering resolve.
Your safety is our top priority, and we remain vigilant in our efforts to safeguard our city against any and all threats. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding during this challenging time.
Alvis put his phone back into his pocket with a smirk.
"The perfect outcome."