Chapter 32: The Empire’s Collaborator
As the Ash Cult was completely annihilated, the towering fire array slowly faded.
Only pale ashes and the charred remains of buildings remained, bearing witness to everything that had transpired here.
Orders were quickly issued, and the troops and instructors present began organizing the reconstruction of the ruined dormitory area.
It turned out that Familiars were not only useful for combat; the strong combat-type Familiars were also first-class helpers for moving bricks and clearing debris.
Shaya shook the dust off his trench coat and did not choose to return to the student group on the other side—
Even though the surviving students were now casting fiery gazes at him, if Shaya were to go over, he would undoubtedly receive treatment akin to a hero.
One reason was his mild social anxiety.
“Shaya, you saved us all! You’re our hero!”
“Savior of Saint Roland Academy!”
“You are an incarnate saint walking among mortals!”
“Shaya, I want to have your babies!”
…
These syrupy words, coupled with the adoring gazes, were enough to make Shaya’s social awkwardness flare up just thinking about it.
He knew he was no saint; the righteous facade he had put on earlier, while partly to help them, was primarily because he coveted that severed finger bone.
To accept such praise felt truly undeserved.
The second reason was that it was pointless.
Shaya had a clear understanding of his own pursuits. While showing off in front of others was indeed satisfying, he didn’t need the adoration of a bunch of common students to satisfy his vanity.
He cast his gaze upon the colossal corpse of the magma giant below, its body still flowing with magma that was gradually cooling and solidifying.
“Little Ai, lend me a hand.”
“Classmate Shaya, you truly are like a goose that plucks its feathers and a beast that leaves its hide.”
The sound of high-heeled boots clicking on the ground echoed.
Aerora appeared beside Shaya at some point, seemingly having seen through Shaya’s intentions, her clear and cold voice carrying a barely perceptible hint of helplessness.
“Little Ai, you use idioms well. It was truly worth my time helping you with your Chinese studies.”
“Speaking of which, I always thought you were a classic ‘three no’ maiden, but I didn’t expect you to have a hidden attribute like sharp wit. I like it.”
Shaya didn’t turn his head, making gestures on the magma giant’s corpse.
“Here, cut from this point.”
Radiance flashed, and a dazzling silver light appeared and disappeared, cutting the hardest volcanic rock shell of the magma giant’s abdomen into four neat pieces.
Immediately after, the shattered volcanic rock shells were collected into the “Spatial Pocket” by Sparkle on Shaya’s shoulder.
“King Grade magma giant armor, it’s barely second-tier. This much should be worth a few hundred large.”
Shaya estimated, then pointed to the magma giant’s chest: “And here.”
Silver spear light continued to shine, and a shattered crystal fell, caught steadily by Shaya.
Although it had been broken during the battle, this crystal, which gathered the magma giant’s core magic power, was still a precious Tier 3 material, with a market price in the black market no lower than 1,500 Rhine gold coins.
Aerora held her silver spear, and like a skilled butcher, followed Shaya’s instructions, slicing the magma giant’s remains into various transcendental materials with each thrust.
Just then, she suddenly stopped. The silver spear “Rungoniumad” in her hand drooped slightly, subtly shielding Shaya.
The newcomer was a middle-aged officer with a stern expression, wearing a military uniform. It was Lieutenant Colonel Sieg.
His figure stopped five meters in front of Aerora, no longer advancing.
His combat intuition, honed by countless trials of blood and fire on the battlefield, told Lieutenant Colonel Sieg—
That if he took one more step, the blonde maiden before him would launch an attack, regardless of his identity or the background he represented.
Even though he was a genuine Four Rings master, the sharp, intense spear intent gave Lieutenant Colonel Sieg the premonition that he would be injured by the silver spear.
As expected of the super newcomer he had heard about in the military long before this incident.
Saint Roland Academy has truly produced two remarkable young individuals…
Lieutenant Colonel Sieg mused internally, then waved his hand with a friendly expression: “Relax, I’m from the military. We’re on the same side.”
“As a member of Saint Roland Academy, I greatly respect the military’s timely arrival.”
“However, if you’re just here to thank me, please don’t. Professor Kahn has already thanked me once. The academy is my home, and protecting my classmates is my duty.”
Shaya’s attention remained focused on the process of dissecting the magma giant’s body. A large portion of the massive corpse had already been cleaned.
He thoroughly enjoyed this process, the aesthetic pleasure of meticulously counting the loot after finally defeating a boss.
At that moment, Shaya suddenly became alert: “Lieutenant Colonel Sieg, you’re not here to tell me that this magma giant actually belongs to the military as war spoils, are you?”
“How could that be?”
Lieutenant Colonel Sieg chuckled in exasperation: “According to military regulations, all enemy spoils acquired during a mission belong to the individual who defeated them.”
“Although you essentially picked up what Professor Kahn and I left behind, you were the one who killed the Archpriest of the Ash Cult. All of his spoils naturally belong to you.”
“That’s good then.”
Shaya nodded, collecting the last bit of transcendental material into his Spatial Pocket.
“Little Ai, let’s go.”
“Mm.” Aerora nodded, putting away Rungoniumad, and quietly followed behind Shaya.
“Wait… I’m actually here to remind you of a few things.”
Lieutenant Colonel Sieg said with a hint of helplessness.
According to his original plan, this Four Rings master from the military approaching them personally should have made these two students, if not overjoyed, at least eager for a friendly conversation.
At that point, he could have taken the opportunity to impart some information, thereby showing favor to these two emerging stars of the Empire who had impressed him.
Who knew that both Shaya and Aerora seemed to completely disregard his military status, leaving him no choice but to speak first… rather than offering a favor, it felt more like he was shamelessly trying to build a connection.
“I don’t know how you ultimately dealt with that Pollutant in the altar, nor how you were able to control that kind of Blackflame. I don’t need to know…”
Lieutenant Colonel Sieg lowered his voice slightly.
“You have indeed thwarted the Ash Cult’s conspiracy. There’s no doubt about that, and no one has the right to question your stance.”
“However, while the military and the Empire might not care, it doesn’t mean others won’t…”
“The commotion this time was too significant. There are many spies from other factions in the Imperial Capital, so the specific details will inevitably spread.”
“At that time, you will be labeled and speculated upon by various other supernatural organizations and secret forces, both overt and covert.”
“Entering the sight of those organizations… it’s hard to say whether it’s good or bad.”
“I guessed as much.”
Shaya nodded indifferently.
This was something he had anticipated before embarking on this plan, a hidden price to pay for perfecting Amaterasu.
“It’s not a big deal. We’ll deal with whatever comes our way, as it comes.”
“Haha, ‘deal with whatever comes our way, as it comes.’ That’s a good way to put it!”
Lieutenant Colonel Sieg repeated Shaya’s words, smiling in agreement.
“The fact that you openly and righteously used that Blackflame to kill the Ash Cult Archpriest in full view of everyone was actually a very wise choice.”
“If you had tried to hide your ability to control Blackflame and were later forced to reveal it, it might have led to rumors that you had some unspeakable connection with the Ash Cult…”
“But by displaying it directly, and in the manner of killing the cult leader, no one can use this point against you in the future.”
“And you truly don’t need to worry too much… Regardless, you are a citizen of the Empire, and moreover, a hero who has made a great contribution to Saint Roland Academy this time.”
“I can guarantee on behalf of the Empire that no one will dare to attack you over this matter on the surface.”
As he spoke, the middle-aged officer glanced deeply at Shaya again: “Also, it’s possible we might fight side-by-side again not too long from now.”
“If you’re referring to recruiting me into the military, then forget it.”
Shaya waved his hand: “A few weeks ago, your colleagues from the Lesa Directorate also extended a similar invitation, but I’ve already refused.”
“I know geniuses like you can’t stand being constrained.”
“The management and discipline within the Directorate and the military are too strict, making them more suitable for ordinary people, but incapable of unleashing your creativity. You would only be wasting your talent if you came.”
Lieutenant Colonel Sieg smiled: “However—”
“If it’s not the Directorate and the military, directly obeying the officials and the Royal Family…”
“But, as a collaborator of the Freista Empire?”
Shaya frowned: “A collaborator of the Empire? What do you mean?”
“It means nothing.”
“There are many complicated matters involved. I can only say that the waters are very deep; those who understand will understand, and those who don’t, well, they don’t.”
“When the time comes for you to know, you will naturally know.”
Having said all that, Lieutenant Colonel Sieg finally revealed a relieved smile and turned to leave. Just then, he heard Shaya’s voice from behind him.
“As far as I know, if a military officer receives significant assistance from an outsider during a mission, the assistant has the right to request a reward from the military, to be deducted from the mission executor’s reward.”
This statement caused Lieutenant Colonel Sieg’s graceful movement to stiffen. Then, without looking back, he left: “I will apply for it for you.”
“Then I’ll await your good news.”
Watching Lieutenant Colonel Sieg’s somewhat flustered retreating figure, Shaya finally contentedly called out to Aerora to leave.
Teaser, riddle-teller, very amusing.
