Vol 2. Chapter 34: An Unexpected Development

“Let me tell you the truth,” the Fanatic said flatly, tone calm, certain—as if reciting inevitable fate. “Carillian Academy... and the ‘thing’ hidden within it... will both meet utter destruction tonight.”

His expression twisted with fanatic zeal as he raised both hands high. “And my Lord—the true god who holds dominion over the world’s truth—shall ascend to become the supreme deity at this very moment!”

Vinny frowned, turning to Aesphyra. “You know, you guys keep going on about ‘that thing, that thing’... What exactly is this damn ‘thing,’ huh? Why do these Demon God worshippers talk in riddles just like you?”

The Fanatic sneered, voice icy with mockery. “Would we have exposed every hidden agent we planted in Carillian Academy if we weren’t confident of victory? Or do you truly think I’m stupid enough to waste all these resources just to play a meaningless little prank?”

“You’ve already lost your final chance to submit to my Lord. Or rather...” His gaze burned with contempt. “The filthy leftovers clinging to this continent like parasites... My Lord, the supreme god soon to descend, has no place for you to exist.”

“Oh wow, bold talk. You make it sound like you're going to bring the whole Academy down. Why don’t you worry about breaking through the Order Barrier first?”

“Order Barrier? That pathetic turtle shell you hide behind can’t protect you anymore.” The Fanatic chuckled bitterly. “Did you think... we Fanatics are the only ones infiltrating your Academy?”

Vinny blinked. “Who else would it be?”

Burial Cultists—the most covert of Elrunas’ followers. Before fully transforming into Fanatics, they could disguise themselves perfectly, from birth to death, blending in completely if they so wished.

They were the only ones with even the faintest chance of infiltrating Carillian Academy without detection. No other cult faction could sneak in and hide for so long.

The Fanatic straightened proudly. “Foolish humans... what you perceive as insurmountable obstacles are mere child’s play to us. We have countless comrades hidden among you. Enough to invoke one of my Lord’s divine authorities: [Sacrifice].”

“Countless?” Vinny glanced at Aesphyra. “Wait... You’re saying plenty of people willingly sold their souls to you freaks? What, they became cultists? Or spies?”

“No.” The Fanatic smirked, eyes full of scorn. “Those you speak of are just disposable pawns, cast aside at any moment. I’m talking about real comrades—true believers. This plan has been brewing for ages. You never had a chance. You stepped into our trap the moment this began.”

Vinny’s retort stalled as Aesphyra interrupted coldly, her violet eyes sharp. “Your goal is to destroy the Order Spire.”

“Correct—but not entirely.” The Fanatic’s smirk widened. “We’re not simply destroying that pathetic tower. What we truly intend to destroy... is the ‘thing’ sealed inside it.”

“You probably have no clue what horror lurks within that spire... something not meant for humans to wield, something not of this world.”

Vinny snorted. “Come on, even I—an outsider—know the defenses of the Order Spire are impenetrable. You could raise an army of cult freaks and it wouldn’t matter. The control mechanisms are divided among the upper ranks—there’s no way you’re breaking through.”

The Fanatic sneered darkly. “Who told you... we needed those pathetic controls?”

Vinny’s stomach twisted.

The Fanatic’s voice dripped with condescension. “Little boy... you clearly don’t understand that tower’s design. Its barrier? Rock solid on the outside, sure. But the inside? Fragile. Like a wall fortified only on one side—invincible from the front, but crumble it from within, and it falls.”

“That so-called Order Barrier? You’ve merely siphoned off fragments of the sealed entity’s power. You’ve never controlled it. If you had true control, there’d be no reason to seal it away at all.”

“The Academy barely grasps the tiniest slivers of that thing’s power. Not even scraps, really. It’s a creation of Demon God caliber—never meant to belong to you humans. It shouldn’t exist here.”

“The exterior defenses of the Order Barrier are near indestructible—even Demon God-level attacks might fail. But from the vulnerable core... from within your own Academy... what happens if we unleash a Demon God-level strike?”

“That ancient prison—standing for a millennium—will crumble at last.” The Fanatic’s words fell like a death sentence. “Its era ends tonight.”

“...Demon God-level attack?” Alarm prickled at Vinny’s nerves. “You planning to summon Elrunas?”

The Fanatic only chuckled darkly. “Don’t forget... my Lord commands the divine authority of [Sacrifice].”

“The principle is simple: exchange sentient life to unleash overwhelming power. The greater the sacrifice, the greater the transcendence.”

“To manifest my Lord’s extraordinary might, all we need... is enough of our own kin.”

Vinny’s lips curled with discomfort. “And you’re just... telling us all this? You sure that’s wise?”

The Fanatic shrugged. His eyes, however, locked onto Aesphyra. “You’re strong. I respect strength—even in a human. So I’ll let you die with clarity. But whether I speak or not... it changes nothing. You can’t stop us.”

“...Where’d you even find that many cult freaks?” Vinny narrowed his eyes.

“Guess all you want. You’ll never know. Even our comrades hidden among you... most of them don’t realize yet that they’ll soon serve Truth.” The Fanatic’s cryptic words sent a chill down Vinny’s spine.

“...What the hell does that mean?”

The Fanatic tilted his head. “Hasn’t your Academy been hit with a ‘flu outbreak’ lately? Mild cases, brushed off as seasonal? Right?”

“...You’re saying the flu... was planted by your infiltrators?”

The Fanatic smiled thinly. “Unfortunate for you... yes.”

Aesphyra’s gaze shifted to Vinny, sharp as a blade.

In the original timeline, no one ever uncovered who spread the virus from the Clock Tower. Aesphyra had always suspected Vinny—back then, likely collaborating with Bronze Blood, trading aid for alchemical concoctions to mask his tainted Soul Armament.

But this lifetime? It clearly wasn’t Vinny.

Vinny frowned. “But... why are there still plenty of people who didn’t get infected?”

“Simple.” Aesphyra cut in, expression cold, voice laced with mockery. “The airborne toxin wasn’t designed to forcibly convert people into Elrunas’ kin. Alchemically, such potency through the air is impossible—and if it were that strong, too many infections would’ve tipped off the Academy.”

“The toxin merely weakens those with poor water-element affinity. They catch a ‘cold’—lose the ability to distinguish liquid colors.”

“Those infected naturally visit the Academy’s infirmary. Your infiltrators administer the real conversion drug disguised as medicine. The patients can’t tell, given their compromised senses. Your spies tell them, ‘New flu treatment—tastes odd, but that’s normal.’ That about sums up the process, doesn’t it?”

Her violet eyes glittered with sardonic amusement.

The Fanatic’s smirk faltered.

Young though she was, the silver-haired girl exuded strength, poise—and anyone who could spar evenly with a Fanatic was no ordinary student.

She’d dissected their operation flawlessly. Which meant... she’d already sabotaged it.

“...Damn, you’re good,” Vinny muttered, realization dawning. He thought of Fred—his poker buddies—all coming down with suspicious colds. But seeing Aesphyra’s unshaken confidence now... relief flooded him.

Of course—the protagonist had already dealt with it. That’s what protagonists do.

“Well, if that’s your whole grand plan...” Aesphyra folded her arms, lips curling with calm superiority. “Then I’m afraid... you’ve already failed.”

“...What?” The Fanatic’s voice tightened.

“I knew your people compromised the infirmary and chapel long ago. So, I slipped a little extra something into your cauldrons—the ones brewing those conversion potions.” Her cat-like violet eyes sparkled mischievously.

“My latest alchemical creation.”

“You—?!” The Fanatic gawked, jaw unhinged. “What did you—what did you put in?!”

“An agent that deactivates your potions’ core ingredients.” Aesphyra’s tone was almost bored. “Your so-called kin-conversion brew? Complex in theory, simple in practice. A shift in perspective, and it’s nothing but bad-tasting water.”

“Anyone who drinks it? Sure, they’ll grimace. But no abnormalities... and their cold stays, of course.” Her teasing gaze twinkled like polished agate.

“Damn, Aesphyra, you genius!” Vinny cheered, elated. “Look at you, being all smart and adorable—I love you! I mean, I’d probably get decapitated for hugging you, but still!”

His panic about Fred and the others melted away. The protagonist had quietly cleaned house behind the scenes.

As expected. Truly, only someone like her deserved the title of protagonist.

“...Oh?” The Fanatic chuckled after a pause. “So... our potions failed?”

“Really? Are you sure, little silver-haired girl?”

“Funny... I heard otherwise. My comrades just informed me—our Sacrifice ritual proceeds smoothly. My Lord’s lambs have already gathered outside the spire. The ceremony... begins shortly.”

“...What?” Vinny’s grin froze. He glanced between Aesphyra and the Fanatic.

Bluff? Or real threat?

Still, forced to choose—he’d bet everything on Aesphyra.

Which meant... this creep was spouting nonsense.

“Aw, your potions lacked bite, huh?” The Fanatic sneered. “Not strong enough, little alchemist?”

Aesphyra’s alchemical skills—insufficient? Absolute nonsense.

Vinny—the first to roast her for emotional messiness—but slander her capabilities? Absolutely not.

“You think I’m bluffing?” The Fanatic’s grin widened as he gestured skyward.

Vinny and Aesphyra followed his gaze. Their expressions shifted instantly.

A massive, blood-red altar materialized over the Academy—a spectral structure with six crimson-streaked pillars, bound by countless chains, writhing with trapped, tormented souls.

“...What the hell is that?” Vinny’s voice cracked.

At the same time, Aesphyra’s eyes darkened, her expression finally tense.

“Uh, hey... Aesphyra? That... that’s part of your plan too, right?” Vinny asked weakly, throat dry, pointing at the crimson altar towering in the sky.

This... this was the worst possible time for her to screw up.

But the deepening seriousness on Aesphyra’s face only worsened his unease.

No... something wasn’t right.

Her potions couldn’t fail. They shouldn’t.

And yet...

Aesphyra’s gaze sharpened, her mind racing.

The timeline’s divergence... was greater than expected.

The plan had gone smoothly. Bronze Blood hadn’t detected a thing. And yet... the outcome...

Why?