Repeat Vice - The Villainous Noble Doesn't Want to Die, So He Swore to Not Die As One of The Four Heavenly Kings - Chapter 85: Epilogue - Academia

Chapter 85: Epilogue – Academia

A few days had passed since the battle with Raymond.

In the recent turmoil, there were many casualties among the citizens, the knight brigade, and the mage corps.

However, considering the number and scale of the rampaging summoned beasts and the damage to the city, the number of casualties was surprisingly low.

This was largely because the “Second Demon King Raymond’s” goal was not mass slaughter but the destruction and occupation of the capital.

Nonetheless, the damage to the city was severe.

Currently, the capital was engaged in large-scale efforts to rebuild and search for the missing.

Under the leadership of Saintess Fran of the Six God Church, beds and food were provided for citizens who had lost their homes, and the injured were cared for.

The knight brigade and the mage corps worked together on the city’s reconstruction and the search for the missing.

The most pressing issue was the treatment of Raymond.

The unique summoning magic of the Duke Galleon family, which involved summoning and controlling monsters, and the testimonies of multiple witnesses who saw the battle in the sky.

Even though he was demonized, it was clear to those who saw him that it was Raymond.

Raymond was, in effect, the “Second Demon King,” and by extension, under the control of the “Dark God.”

However, there was no way to prove this, and more importantly, the damage was too great to excuse it as merely being possessed.

Moreover, Raymond himself was in the depths of despair.

Raymond retained clear memories of the time when he was possessed by the “Second Demon King.”

He could not stop, nor could he look away from the sight of his summoned beast friends destroying the capital and killing citizens senselessly.

That sight was the very unreasonable violence Raymond hated most.

Raymond was in despair and was ready to accept the death penalty.

Soon, a summons from the king arrived for Raymond.

At that time, Rofus, who was sheltering Raymond, took action.

First, with Vallum, they restrained Raymond together.

This was to prevent Raymond from taking any rash actions in his distress.

However, Raymond was not one to be restrained easily.

So, Rofus sought the cooperation of Abel—the reincarnated persona—and borrowed numerous magical items.

Shackles that suppressed magical power, a bell that induced sleep when rung, and needles with a paralyzing effect.

Using an excessive number of various magical items, they sealed Raymond.

“…I can’t let him commit suicide on a whim.”

Rofus muttered as if finishing a task.

Raymond, subjected to multiple states of affliction, lay asleep, both magically and physically restrained.

“Isn’t this a bit much?”

Abel, slightly taken aback, commented, to which Rofus sighed.

“To think you can ever overdo it with Raymond shows you don’t understand him at all.”

Even without the help of the “Dark God,” Raymond was strong.

Raymond possessed the power to right the wrongs of this world.

In his current state of despair and mental instability, they couldn’t allow that immense power to be misdirected.

Though it couldn’t be said that time would heal everything, it was true that it would take considerable time to heal his heart.

But more urgent than that was dealing with Raymond being branded as a major criminal.

So, Rofus used every means available.

He explained the situation to Rudens, the head of the Lightless family, who arrived at the capital later, and submitted a petition to the royal family.

The petition stated that Raymond was controlled and mentally incapacitated, thus seeking a reduction in his sentence.

The petition was endorsed by prominent high-ranking nobles and was submitted as a joint petition.

The signed houses were the Lightless Marquis family, Raymond’s family the Galleon Duke family, Annegelt’s family the Triandaphilia Count family, and August’s family the Diamante Count family—four noble families in total.

This was a petition to save Raymond.

It was akin to making an appeal to the royal family, something not done lightly even by high-ranking nobles.

Therefore, neither the Diamante Count family nor the Triandaphilia Count family were lenient enough to sign the petition for free.

The relationship between noble families wasn’t that simple.

The Diamante family demanded a gold mine from the Galleon family in return.

And the Triandaphilia family demanded the engagement of Rofus, the heir of the Lightless family, to Annegelt, their daughter.

The Galleon family agreed to the gold mine.

The Lightless family put the engagement on hold, responding that it would be left to the individuals involved.

This engagement led to repeated discussions between the Triandaphilia and Lightless families, involving the individuals themselves, but that is another story.

Despite various complications, the petition was successfully submitted to the royal family.

And, almost as if to support it, Saintess Fran, the symbol of the Six God Church, declared to the royal family that she had received a “divine oracle.”

The turmoil was caused by the embodiment of ancient evil sealed in ancient times—the “Dark God.”

Raymond was an unfortunate victim, used as a vessel by the “Dark God.”

And, it was Rofus and several others who stopped Raymond, acting on the will of the Six Gods.

It was portrayed as if they were chosen heroes.

Thus, Rofus and a few others who had greatly contributed to quelling the turmoil were to be honored directly by the king.

Those summoned for the commendation were Rofus, August, Annegeltt, Abel, the members of “Crimson Wind,” and Faratiana.

However, Rofus, the members of “Crimson Wind,” and Abel declined participation.

Rofus used the blatant excuse of being unwell due to severe magical depletion to refuse.

The members of “Crimson Wind” told the royal emissary that they had no intention of colluding with any particular country, refusing in a defiant manner.

Abel, claiming he hadn’t done enough to deserve such an honor, was surrounded by royal guards and forcibly made to attend.

Incidentally, Rofus’s reason for refusing the commendation ceremony even to the extent of faking illness was not because it was a hassle, but because he couldn’t leave Raymond, who might break free at any moment.

Rudens, who attended in place of Rofus, received the commendation with a very mixed expression.

The joint petition from the four high-ranking noble houses and Saintess Fran’s declaration led the king to proclaim Raymond innocent.

However, the fact remained that the damage inflicted on the capital was due to summoning magic, and even though he was controlled, it was impossible to consider him innocent under normal circumstances.

No matter the king’s decision, it was unacceptable to the various noble houses and the citizens directly affected.

Therefore, large-scale information manipulation was undertaken regarding this incident.

It was stated that the calamity—”Demon King”—sealed in ancient times had revived and attacked the capital with a horde of monsters.

The “Demon King” was defeated by Rofus, heir of the Lightless family—this was the official record.

As a result, Rofus was recognized as a hero who protected the capital and was awarded the title of “Black Mage” by the royal family.

Incidentally, Rofus, who learned of this fact later, reportedly looked very displeased and shook with embarrassment.

In Rofus’s private room in the student dormitory.

Having been officially declared innocent, Raymond was partially unrestrained and was being informed of this by Rofus.

“—So, you are innocent. Accept the king’s verdict.”

“Don’t be ridiculous!”

Raymond shouted in fury.

Light burst forth from his body, but Rofus raised his hand, and the abyssal darkness suppressed it.

Naturally, Raymond couldn’t accept it.

There was no way he could be convinced.

Many innocent citizens had died.

He was possessed and made his summoned beast friends commit crimes.

Most of his summoned beast friends had been killed.

It was all his responsibility—his weakness that brought it about.

“…How many innocent people do you think died! My summoned beast friends did it… and they died… because of my weakness. Because I was possessed. Such things—unless I die to atone, I can’t face those who were killed… It’s unfair for me to be the only one who survives…”

Rofus’s persuasion did not reach the deeply despairing Raymond.

“…I see.”

Rofus temporarily gave up on persuasion.

He never expected Raymond to be convinced with a few words.

It would take time, as expected.

Raymond had suffered immense despair.

Rofus reached out to ring the magical bell to put Raymond back to sleep.

Just then—the headmaster, Einberl, appeared.

“Pardon the intrusion, Rofus. Is Raymond here?”

Opening the door and entering casually, the headmaster made Rofus narrow his eyes.

Raymond was officially missing.

Although the royal family and noble houses knew that Rofus was sheltering him, the location was kept secret.

Naturally, Rofus’s private room in the student dormitory, used as the place of confinement, was secured with multiple barriers and sealing spells, making entry impossible for anyone but Rofus.

Yet, the headmaster had entered normally.

Rofus glared at the headmaster with a look of caution.

He had heard through Rilka that the headmaster was an apostle of the Six Gods.

But that didn’t necessarily make him an ally.

“Where’s your knock, Headmaster?”

“Oh, I forgot about that.”

Playfully sticking out his tongue, the headmaster belatedly knocked on the door.

Annoyed by his playful demeanor, Rofus clicked his tongue and activated “Shadow Move.”

As Rofus and the partially restrained Raymond began to sink into the shadows, the headmaster waved his hands in a panic.

“Wait, wait! I’m here to help Raymond!”

“…Huh?”

Rofus temporarily halted the shadow teleportation.

The headmaster exhaled in relief, but as he approached, Rofus raised a voice to stop him.

“Stop. Move no further. No magic casting or preparatory movements allowed. If you make any suspicious moves, I’ll teleport immediately.”

“You have no trust in me, it seems. I’m the headmaster, after all… Well, I suppose it’s understandable, given we haven’t had much interaction.”

Taking a breath, the headmaster continued.

“It’s true that I want to help you, Raymond. However, it’s not I who will be doing it… you see.”

The headmaster smiled meaningfully.

Immediately after, a white, shining jewel appeared above the headmaster’s head.

It looked like the highest-ranking spirit from Rofus’s perspective… no, perhaps even higher—

As these fleeting thoughts crossed his mind, Rofus and Raymond’s vision was enveloped in light.

A pure white space.

In front of Rofus and Raymond, where the headmaster had been standing, now stood a white-haired boy.

The boy looked at them with a friendly smile.

“I’m glad to meet you. My descendants, and the descendants of the Dark God Aes.”

The boy’s voice echoed with a grandiose tone.

A white space, a mental world.

Rofus had experienced this sensation before.

It was back in the Sky City.

“White, light…—are you the Light God?”

“Light God? One of the Six Gods…? Rofus, what is this space… what is this all about…?”

Raymond was bewildered.

Rofus glared at the Light God with a stern look.

“…Indeed, I am the Light God—Arthur Lowe. So, you have a connection with the Wind God Ririlala. This must be your second time being summoned to a domain like this?”

“You Six Gods seem to enjoy idle chatter. Enough nonsense. What do you mean by wanting to help Raymond?”

As Rofus spat out his demand to get to the point, the Light God laughed.

“The Wind God Ririlala took an interest, you see… you are much like her. Ah, no idle chatter, right? Then—let’s proceed.”

The Light God pointed at Raymond.

Immediately, Raymond was engulfed in a brilliant light.

Raymond’s eyes widened in surprise as he was wrapped in light.

Rofus glared at the Light God with a wary expression.

“What are you doing…!”

“Don’t be so angry. I just gave him my blessing.”

“Blessing, you say…?”

Rofus looked at Raymond.

The light converged on Raymond’s body, imprinting a pentagram on the back of his right hand.

It was the blessing of the Light God that Rofus had seen in his dreams—or rather, in the stories.

Raymond’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Summoning magic…”

Raymond felt the loss of his family’s magical attribute—summoning magic.

Raymond could no longer use summoning magic.

“…Summoning—the unique power to communicate with and summon monsters is connected to the Dark God. Forgive me, Raymond.”

Receiving Rofus’s gaze, filled with hostility, the Light God explained.

Raymond’s lineage was somewhat special.

Different from the basic natural attributes, it was a peculiar power.

The summoning magic possessed by the Galleon family and their unique ability to communicate with monsters ultimately traced back to the lineage of the Dark God.

As such, Raymond was inherently subjected to spiritual interference from the Dark God, regardless of his own mental strength. A complete hierarchy existed between Raymond and the Dark God due to his lineage.

Hence, the Light God explained that Raymond being possessed this time was entirely beyond his control and that Raymond himself was not at fault.

Of course, this did not satisfy Raymond, but at least with the blessing of the Light God, there would be no future concerns of possession.

The Six Gods had sealed the Dark God about a thousand years ago.

During the thousand years of the Dark God’s silence, the kingdom flourished with a mix of various races.

Among them were bloodlines carrying the Dark God’s genes.

The Galleon family was one such lineage.

However, the Galleon family, having risen to a ducal house with that power, naturally mixed with the royal bloodline.

Therefore, Raymond had the genes of both the Dark God and the royal family.

The royal family—meaning, the lineage of the Light God.

Raymond was a descendant of both the Dark God and the Light God.

“You are my descendant. That’s why I could interfere to some extent. Summoning magic is certainly useful, but that power is connected to the Dark God. I took the liberty of sealing it.”

“…I see.”

Raymond looked apologetically at Rofus.

“I’m sorry… the coal supply to your domain through teleportation will…”

“That’s irrelevant right now.”

Rofus frowned openly, thinking if this was really the time to say that.

Besides, due to Vallum’s actions, the spatial spirit Magnifis would no longer be able to perform free long-distance teleportation like before.

Rofus wondered if Raymond was surprisingly calm or just too shocked to think clearly.

“…However, if the story about the bloodline is true, does that mean Raymond’s family could be possessed in the future?”

Rofus’s sharp question made the Light God nod thoughtfully.

“Possible, yes, but unlikely.”

“Why? What’s your basis?”

“Gods expend a great deal of power to interfere with humans. It’s not something that can be done frequently. Having failed with Raymond, there’s no reason to repeat the same thing. There’s no one in the Galleon family stronger than Raymond.”

Even if they controlled another member of the Galleon family, the result would be inferior to Raymond.

Therefore, it’s not worth the significant expenditure of power to possess them.

Rofus found this reasoning acceptable.

“Then, what about the Lightless family?”

“…Hmm?”

“The unique magic of the Lightless family, Shadow Eater, can be seen as a power to control monsters in a way… am I also a descendant of the Dark God?”

The Light God shook his head, denying Rofus’s question.

“Don’t worry. That power—Shadow Eater—is a technique woven by the Dark God Aes using shadow attributes, inscribed into the bloodline to be passed down. It has no connection to the Dark God’s power.”

“What? Inscribing a technique into the blood…?!”

Rofus’s face contorted as the Light God calmly mentioned something beyond his understanding.

He couldn’t comprehend it.

Inscribing a technique into blood… that’s impossible, he thought, bewildered by the extraordinary method.

The Light God stared intently at Rofus and began to speak.

“…I’ll say this first, but I don’t know whether you’re the apostle chosen by the Dark God Aes. That guy doesn’t even tell me who the apostles are. What a heartless fellow.”

“So, there’s a possibility that I’m an apostle of the Dark God.”

Raymond’s eyes widened at Rofus’s words.

The Light God responded without any particular reaction.

“…Not just a possibility. Based on my judgment, it’s almost certain. Rofus, you are undoubtedly the one chosen by the Dark God to oppose us Six Gods.”

Rofus squinted his eyes, and the Light God smiled.

“But you are no longer under the Dark God’s influence. Don’t make such a scary face; I have no intention of doing anything to you.”

“I haven’t been contacted by either the Dark God or the Dark God Aes.”

“Hmm… A possible explanation is that both the Dark God Aes and the Dark God chose you. The powers of gods repel each other. Both may want to talk to you, but they can’t connect because of mutual repulsion… something like that.”

The Light God shrugged, calling it a double booking.

“Don’t joke around; answer seriously.”

“I’m not joking. In any case, I have no way to verify the facts. You should stop being stubborn and go to the tomb of the Dark God Aes. Oh, make sure to go all the way to the deepest part, okay?”

“Ugh…”

Until now, Rofus had deliberately avoided the “Tomb of the First Generation.”

It was hard to accept that the Dark God was his ancestor, and the first of the Lightless family. Moreover, he had other things to do, so he had postponed it.

He also didn’t trust the Six Gods.

However, it seemed he had no choice but to go, and Rofus pressed his temples in frustration. The Light God smiled kindly.

“…I’ve talked for a long time, but even I can’t continue this dialogue any longer. If you have more questions, come to the royal palace. There, we can talk for a little while.”

As the Light God started to fade, he walked over to Raymond and gently embraced him with his small body.

Raymond was bewildered, but the Light God continued regardless.

“My beloved descendant. Death comes equally to all. The difference is whether it comes early or late. It’s okay to fall into despair for a while. But don’t escape through death; live and resist. Dying later is not too late.”

“…!”

“Your desire for a world without irrationality—though it may be naive, I don’t dislike it. I once aimed for the same and built this kingdom. Hold that aspiration strongly and walk without corruption. As long as you walk that path, I will be with you.”

The Light God spoke kindly, as if doting on his grandchild.

The Light God then approached Rofus, spreading his arms to embrace him as well, but Rofus grabbed his face and stopped him.

“Mmph!?”

“Don’t come closer; you’re too familiar.”

“What, are you embarrassed? My beloved descendant of the Dark God Aes. Are you a tsundere? You are much like him in that regard.”

“…I see. The Dark God must have been quite irritated with you.”

“Ah, I’m seriously at my limit now…”

After what Rofus considered a farcical interaction, the Light God vanished along with the white space.

The next day, Raymond freed himself from the restraints Rofus had placed on him and disappeared.

It happened in less than a few minutes when Rofus took his eyes off him for a moment.

The familiar he had planted in Raymond’s shadow also couldn’t detect any response.

Rofus immediately informed Abel, Vallum, Annegelt, and August, and they searched with all the shadow familiars, but they couldn’t find him.

The day after that, a letter arrived at Rofus’s private room.

The addressee was marked with a single letter “R.”

The seal bore the emblem of dragon scales—the crest of the Galleon family.

Rofus hurriedly checked inside.

The letter contained a message from Raymond.

“It seems my time to die is not now. Before correcting the irrationalities of the world, I have come to understand that there is an existence I must defeat. Don’t worry, I won’t act recklessly anymore. I will do what I must. Sorry for everything, and thank you. Until our paths cross again—your friend.”

“That pretentious guy… how much trouble did I go through to clear your name…”

Holding the letter, Rofus sighed deeply.

In short, it seemed Raymond was going on a journey.

As he finished reading, additional words appeared in the blank space at the bottom.

“PS—It was unpleasant being watched, so I’m returning your familiar. It’s fine to use familiars to watch others, but it’s not pleasant to be watched.”

With a puff of smoke from the letter, the familiar—a black swordfish—fell to the floor and flopped around.

Rofus felt slightly irritated and vowed to punch him the next time they met.

“Huh?”

Suddenly, another letter fell to the floor, seemingly mixed in with Raymond’s.

It was on red stationery.

There was no addressee, and the seal bore the crest of the Lightless family.

The letter contained only one sentence.

“I’ll be waiting at the bell tower of the clock tower.”

That’s what it said.

—— End of Chapter 4 “EP Academia” —