I Got a Fake Job at the Academy

Chapter 649: House Breaking (2)

After finishing his conversation with Rudger, Salesin sat still in his place for a while, letting out a low laugh.

"Hehehe. Demon King. What an arrogant title."

The King of all Demons.

It's a grandiose term that even demons and great demons would have to bow to.

"Well. If my cute little brother wants it, as his big brother, I'll gladly grant his wish."

To Salesin, Rudger's warning just seemed cute.

From the beginning, the difference in power was too overwhelming.

On his side, he possessed the power to move the entire continent.

The power of God that massacred thousands, including Cardinal Patricio?

It's certainly threatening. But there was too much that Rudger would have to endure to use it.

Right now, with Lumensis watching, he wouldn't be able to use that same power as before.

'I should thank the Cardinal. He removed the opponent's military power through this bait.'

Now that Rudger's power, which could be considered the most significant variable, has been sealed.

What he has left is not much, just a few colleagues who came to rescue Rudger.

He probably has more cards prepared.

Even so, it's just the level of a firefly in front of the sun.

"Moreover, you have many mountains to climb. Who do you think remains in the inner citadel of Galahad?"

Salesin didn't leave the Holy Nation and vacated his position as the Holy Emperor for no reason.

He came out because he thought it would be fine even if he left his place.

"Since there's been a reunion of brothers after a long time, now I should look forward to a reunion of siblings. Fight happily, little brother."

I hope you don't fall before I even have to step in.

After ending his conversation with Salesin, Rudger silently stared at what was in front of him.

A massive hall that glowed reverently in the moonlight even at night.

Beyond the red carpet, there was an enormous door made with golden frames on white stonework.

The only passage to the inner citadel was the Celestial Gate but now the gate was firmly closed.

The moment an external enemy invaded, rather than sending out troops to fight, they had entered into a defensive battle.

Some might criticize this decision as cowardly, but to Rudger, it seemed like an excellent response.

In other words, it meant there was a skilled commander inside the inner citadel.

'Seeing Salesin so confident, there must be at least a Cardinal-level person inside.'

They chose to hold out and stall for time rather than fight.

It was an attitude that showed confidence that support would come from the outside.

'To open that, we'll also have to expend considerable power.'

If that's the case we'll have to play one of our prepared cards.

"Surna."

When Rudger called that name, a man smoothly walked out from the shadows behind a pillar installed in the hall.

Owen's members, including Alex and Pantos, who hadn't sensed his presence, heightened their vigilance.

"Stop. He's my guest."

At Rudger's single word, everyone immediately withdrew their hostility.

Surna whistled as he watched the scene.

"Whew. That's really remarkable loyalty. It would have been nice if our kids were like that."

"There was such a guy."

"Hmm. The cases of Belkart and Nikolai turned out to be quite regrettable. Belkart had different objectives, and Nikolai acted beyond his place."

"I didn't call you now to talk about such trivial matters. As you said, I've come to the Bretus Holy Nation."

"Yes. You finally came. Actually, I vaguely thought it would turn out like this."

"The path to the inner citadel. Can you open it?"

"Of course."

Surna answered as if it were nothing.

"After all, I haven't been just playing around until now."

"Is there a method?"

"The Celestial Gate has the power to repel those who try to enter without permission. Even if you're of the Holy Emperor's bloodline, as long as they refuse from the other side, it won't open."

"Isn't that the same for you too?"

"Yes, that's right. I would also be rejected. After all, I am the demon they most want to kill. But you know what? Conversely, for someone who has been approved, the door can be opened very easily."

"Is there such a person among us?"

"One person."

Surna walked up and stood in front of Rudger.

"I have someone prepared for this moment. Right? Setadel."

At Surna's words, a new presence was felt at the scene.

Rudger recalled part of his memory as he looked at the newly revealed person.

"That person is......"

"You've seen him at Order Synod? He's one of my lieutenants, Setadel."

Setadel, who was wearing a black hood, flipped his hood up with both hands.

Then, as his flowing silver hair scattered, a young man of indeterminate age revealed himself.

Just by his appearance, he looked like he was in his mid-20s—a beautiful young man.

"I thought he was older."

"Despite looking like that, he's actually very old."

Setadel was a person about whom Rudger had no information.

Unlike other First Orders or lieutenants, Setadel had never stepped forward to do anything.

Moreover, looking at Setadel's appearance, one would first question if he was really Surna's lieutenant.

Because in Setadel's eyes, as he stared at Surna, there was utter disgust and anger.

"Is he really a lieutenant?"

"He is a lieutenant. Moreover, for hundreds of years, he's been by my side, assisting me."

"Shut up. I'm done listening to your nonsense Surna."

Setadel hurled a scathing invective at Surna.

Surna, as if accustomed to such an attitude from Setadel, merely shrugged with a smiling face.

Rudger sensed that there was something between Setadel and Surna.

"So, I don't think you called me to introduce a lieutenant with whom you have a bad relationship. Is this guy the key to opening the door?"

"Yes, that's right. Setadel. Now it's your turn to step up."

"......Hmph."

Although Setadel had an irritated face and snorted, he obediently headed toward the Celestial Gate.

Watching his retreating figure, Rudger asked.

"Can that guy really open the door? Even I, of the Holy Emperor's bloodline, couldn't open it?"

"Even if you're of the Holy Emperor's bloodline, you've already been identified by them and are being rejected."

"Is that man different?"

"Yes. Setadel is different. You might not know, but he was someone who could freely pass through this gate in the past."

"Freely pass through the Celestial Gate?"

What in the world is his identity?

Rudger had no memory at all about the individual named Setadel.

"It's understandable why you don't know. After all, Setadel was supposed to have died in history that day."

"That day? What day are you talking about?"

"The day Saint Arkenis disappeared. And the day the Great Demon Surna died."

At those words, Rudger asked, as if he couldn't believe it.

"Was that guy a demon too?"

"Hahaha. A demon? Setadel would be angry if he heard that. Rather, it's the opposite. Setadel was someone who stood on the opposite side of demons more than anyone else."

Surna's eyes captured the retreating figure of Setadel, who was placing his palm on the Celestial Gate.

"In the past, he was a lieutenant who assisted Saint Arkenis and a priest who was considered one of the best in the Bretus Holy Nation. Not the fake priests that exist now, but a real priest from that time."

"But how could a human survive such a long time?"

"It hasn't been long since he changed his body."

"What?"

"Did you know? The old priests of Lumensis communicated with lost souls, heard spiritual voices, and helped them ascend. Setadel, among them, was a spiritualist far superior to magicians who specialized in necromancy, directly handling souls. Whether imprisoning the souls of sinners or liberating innocent souls."

"What does that mean......?"

"They say the magicians of the old era were impressive, right? It's similar. The old priests, holy knights, and high priests of the Holy Nation were also truly amazing. Because back then, the miracle of Lumensis existed."

"Saint Arkenis."

"Yes."

Just as Surna nodded.

-Boom!

The door that seemed tightly closed and immovable opened.

Setadel had indeed opened the Celestial Gate with his strength alone.

"After Arkenis died, Setadel left the Bretus Holy Nation and joined hands with me. Later he constrained his own soul and continued to change bodies, passing down through generations."

"How did he change bodies...? No, I think I understand."

Rudger recalled the experimental subjects that Victor Dreadful had been experimenting on.

But what if similar experiments had been ongoing for a long time?

"You're quick-witted. That's right. Setadel continued his lineage by placing his soul in bodies. He's already changed bodies more than ten times. The reason he looks so young now is because he changed bodies recently."

"...A priest of all people, defying the laws of the world and joining hands with a demon?"

"Lumensis was the first to defy the law."

The one who answered was Setadel himself.

"From the beginning, what I served was Saint Arkenis. Not the false god Lumensis."

"So, our goals aligned, and we formed a temporary alliance."

Surna added jokingly.

"Of course, for something temporary, the period was quite long."

"I've continued to overlook your dirty, terrible acts, watching from the side, just for this moment. But now it's over."

"It's about time for us to part ways."

Setadel glared at Surna with burning eyes.

"Keep your promise."

He growled with a voice that seemed to break, then stepped back slightly.

As if saying that from here on, it's your turn.

"Well. The Celestial Gate has been opened. Shall we enter the inner citadel now?"

The Celestial Gate, which could have been considered the biggest wall, opened surprisingly easily.

Whether the other side was as confused as Owen's members were, countless presences were felt beyond the wide-open passage.

"The hosts are eagerly welcoming the guests."

"They're just a rabble."

Rudger gestured towards Pantos.

"You've been patient till now."

-Whoosh!

A fierce aura burst out from Pantos.

The momentum was so strong that even colleagues standing nearby retreated in fear.

"Your body must have been itching to hunt the prey in front of you. Now, you can go wild as much as you want."

Pantos walked forward.

His white hair undulated like a shimmer as he walked with heavy steps.

Fangs sprouted, parting Pantos' lips.

The primal nature inside his body was looking forward to the upcoming hunt.

Pantos had no intention of suppressing it any longer.

"What level is acceptable?"

Pantos asked, squeezing out his last bit of patience.

Normally, he would have dashed out as soon as he received permission, but the fact that he was asking this showed that he had grown more than before.

At that response, Rudger smiled and answered.

"Leave the structure of the inner citadel intact."

"That's a difficult order."

"After this fight, a bigger battle will unfold. If we have to fight the entire continent, we should at least have a space to welcome guests, shouldn't we?"

"In that case."

Pantos grinned, distorting his expression.

"I have no choice."

With those final words, Pantos vanished from his spot.

Immediately after, with a deafening sound of air tearing, the ground where Pantos had stood cracked like a spider web.

Pantos shot towards the corridor inside the Celestial Gate, becoming a white flash.

Just as one might have seen an afterimage, he completely disappeared beyond the corridor shadowed by deep shadow.

Amidst a noise like the world was collapsing, shouts and screams erupted from inside.

-Uwoooahhhhh!

A large man wearing a white executioner's hood over his face swung a two-handed axe.

Pantos wasn't one to lose in terms of build either, but this executioner was at least three heads taller than him.

Just by looking, he was about 3 meters tall.

Even with enhanced physique, a human couldn't become that massive.

'Did they inject something into his body?'

It was a situation where suspicion couldn't be erased that something had been done to increase his size, but Pantos didn't care because a potentially interesting prey had appeared.

A massive axe swung like it was splitting firewood, cutting through the air.

Pantos lightly extended his palm towards it.

-Crack!

Contrary to the expectation that his palm would be split in half, Pantos caught the blade of the axe with just his thumb and index finger.

That alone stopped the two-handed axe.

The huge executioner applied force to his two arms to retrieve the axe. His muscles, inflated like balloons, even had protruding tendons.

However, the axe didn't budge at all.

Pantos stared at the executioner with coldly frozen eyes.

"Just a big-bodied weakling."

As he applied force to his fingers, the axe blade developed spider web-like cracks and then shattered like glass.

Pantos' fist flew into the face of the confused executioner.

With a thud, the body without a head staggered backward and fell.

Pantos shook off his hand, which wasn't even stained with blood, and around him were already corpses of holy knights.

Not enough. This wasn't enough.

Pantos perked up his ears.

There's a sound. There are people inside.

Also, a scent wafted. The scent of a strong one, a prey worth hunting.

Pantos immediately ran towards the direction of the scent.

The corridor beyond the Celestial Gate felt like a maze due to its complexity, but it was useless against Pantos.

Soon, a thick steel door firmly locked was visible beyond the corridor.

"It's in the way."

Pantos kicked the door with a foot loaded with acceleration, continuing to run.

The torn-off door flew far away, bouncing like a skipping stone several times.

Just as it seemed it would fly all the way through there the flying door stopped abruptly in midair.

"I wondered what kind of heretic had invaded."

The owner of the robust hand that caught the steel door threw it to the side.

-Boom!

The weight of the massive door, which was dozens of centimeters thick, far exceeded tons, but the opponent threw it away like disposing of trash.

"Not a heretic, but a beast cub is here."

He was a man of small stature.

Though relatively small compared to Pantos, his thick neck and muscular body felt like compressed rock.

"You're the one who's with the heretic who killed Bentum."

The holy knight, who had been staring at Pantos with an ominous gaze, soon raised his momentum as he saw Owen's members emerging one by one from behind.

Rudger, who had followed Pantos and arrived at the scene, stared intently at the people positioned beyond the unusual holy knight.

And after discovering one person, his face became annoyed.

"That guy Salesin. To think he'd leave something like this behind."