Chapter 373 : Duties of the Principal of the Academy

At the Duke Louis, Duchess Arlet and Irene's place.

Several people nearby had already collapsed, unconscious from the effects of the sudden surge of aura pressure. Meanwhile, those still standing were clutching their throats, gasping for air in rapid, labored breaths; the sudden pressure made breathing difficult for everyone. Irene, Duke Louis, and Duchess Arlet were also clutching their own throats.

"There is no mistake... this pressure... it's coming from Rid," Irene said.

Immediately after speaking, Irene turned to run from the spot, but Duke Louis grabbed her hand to stop her after she had taken only a few steps.

"Where are you going, Irene?" Duke Louis asked.

"I’m going to stop this aura pressure, Father. I know where it’s coming from—it’s Rid. It’s identical to the aura pressure he released back in Aston Village," Irene explained.

Duke Louis looked stunned by her words.

"This immense aura pressure is coming from Rid?!" he exclaimed in shock.

"Yes, Father. Please, let me go. I have to reach Rid and make him stop this; he’s releasing it without even realizing it. If I don't stop it, everyone at the academy will continue to suffer the effects—struggling to breathe until they eventually lose consciousness," Irene said.

Duke Louis fell silent upon hearing this, yet he kept his grip on Irene’s hand, preventing her from leaving.

"Please let me go, Father," Irene said.

After a moment of silence, Duke Louis spoke again.

"I'm sorry, Irene, but I won't let you go to Rid," Duke Louis said.

"Why, Father? If I don't go to Rid and get him to stop this aura pressure, it will continue to affect everyone at the academy—including the two of us," Irene said.

"I know that, but I still won't let you go. I told you before that the place Rid is heading to is dangerous; that is where Lord Remy is—the one who defeated both your mother and me. That is why I forbid you from going there. Rid himself has also forbidden you from accompanying him. While your goal is to stop him from emitting this intense aura pressure, it would be dangerous for you if you arrived there only to find him already in the same location as Lord Remy. I cannot allow you to go where Lord Remy is, regardless of your reasons," Duke Louis said.

"But, Father..." Irene began.

But before she could finish, Duke Louis cut her off.

"No 'buts', Irene. The point is, you are not allowed to go where Rid is going. I forbid it, and so does he."

"Just stay calm; I am certain Rid will eventually stop emitting this aura pressure—which he is doing unconsciously—on his own. For now, we simply have to endure it until it subsides," Duke Louis said.

Irene fell silent after hearing Duke Louis's words.

-

Back on the first floor of the central building.

Duke Remy and Miss Karina appeared to be chatting just as before.

"What did you just say? Someone capable of projecting an aura this powerful could defeat and kill me?! Hahaha, don't joke. I admit that this person possesses a formidable aura—one that even surpasses that of Her Majesty. Yet, even with such an aura, they still wouldn't be able to defeat or kill me."

"It seems you are waiting for that person to arrive here, but before they do, I shall kill all of you first. Starting with you, Ms. Principal," said Duke Remy.

Duke Remy then extended his right hand toward Miss Karina. His hand shot forward rapidly. Seeing the hand hurtling toward her, Miss Karina reacted instantly, slashing at it with her sword. She struck and deflected Duke Remy's hand, forcing it off course so it would miss her. After deflecting the blow, she glanced down at her sword.

"Just like before—his hand can't be severed now that he’s restored and reinforced his armor. This is truly difficult," Miss Karina thought.

As she pondered this, Miss Violetta approached her.

"Are you alright, Miss?" Miss Violetta asked.

"I'm fine; I wasn't hit at all because I managed to deflect the attack," Miss Karina replied.

"How did it feel to move while deflecting that attack? Was it heavy or uncomfortable?" Miss Violetta asked.

"Yes, the pressure of this aura makes it uncomfortable, but I can still move freely—at least for now," Miss Karina said.

"I can move freely as well. In that case, how about we both attack him using the same technique we used earlier?" Miss Violetta suggested.

"That attack... it certainly had an effect on Lord Remy's body and armor before. It damaged his armor so severely that he had to immediately restore and reinforce it. If we hit the armor with that same attack and manage to damage it again, Lord Remy will surely restore it once more—and reinforce it to be even stronger than the armor he's wearing now," Miss Karina said.

"Isn't that our very objective? Our goal is to keep shattering his armor and wounding his body, forcing him to repeatedly use injections of that demonic fluid to regenerate them. Ordinary attacks have no effect on his armor. In fact, our attacks don't even affect the tree trunks conjured by his magic. Those trunks suddenly became harder and thicker than before after he injected himself twice with that demonic fluid. Consequently, we cannot slice or cut through those trunks with standard attacks—just as with the armor he wears. That is why we must use the same attack we employed earlier; it has already proven effective against his armor," said Miss Violetta.

"Ah, you're right; I had forgotten that was our plan. Very well, Violetta—let's use that attack again," said Miss Karina.

"Understood, Miss," replied Miss Violetta.

"However, landing that attack on Lord Remy might be quite difficult this time. He seems to be on high alert and won't let us get close enough to strike him," Miss Karina noted.

"Leave that part to me, Karina," said Queen Kayana, who had suddenly approached Miss Karina and Miss Violetta.

Miss Karina and Miss Violetta looked slightly startled by the Queen's sudden appearance.

"Yo—Your Majesty?!" they exclaimed.

"You two want to use that same attack on Lord Remy, but you're worried he’ll be on his guard and won't let you get close, aren't you? I’ll help you get within range. I’ll strike at the tree trunks that are likely to sprout up around you as you approach him. Charles and Chloe will assist me as well," said Queen Kayana.

Charles and Chloe nodded upon hearing Queen Kayana's words.

"Are you certain you want to help me, Your Majesty?" asked Miss Karina.

"Yes, because this is the only thing I can do. I’ve fought Lord Remy before, but there was nothing I could achieve. I couldn't wound him at all because the armor he wears is incredibly tough. However, the attacks you two unleash are capable of damaging that armor. That is why I’ve decided to help you damage it. It would be even better if you could defeat Lord Remy quickly once you’ve managed to damage his armor. If the two of you can defeat him now, we won't have to rely on Rid to take him down."

"To be honest, I feel uncomfortable relying on Rid to defeat Lord Remy. It makes us look incredibly weak—so weak that we have to depend on an academy student. That is why I hope the two of you can defeat Lord Remy yourselves, once you’ve managed to damage his armor," said Queen Kayana.

"Your Majesty makes a valid point. Rid is certainly strong, but isn't it excessive for us to rely on him to take that man down? Besides, there is no guarantee Rid could defeat him even if we did rely on him," said Miss Violetta.

"You're right. I feel ashamed for having told Lord Remy that I was waiting for Rid's help—and even telling him that Rid might be the one to defeat him. As the principal of the academy, I feel embarrassed to be dependent on my own student. I should be the one protecting them, not relying on them; that is my duty as the academy principal."

"Rid is strong—I acknowledge that—but it’s not certain he could defeat Lord Remy, whom even we are struggling to beat. Rid is on his way here right now; I can feel the pressure of his aura steadily intensifying, signaling that he is getting quite close. We must defeat Lord Remy before Rid arrives. We shouldn't rely on him too much," said Miss Karina.

"Agreed. Rid did say he wanted to kill that man with his own hands, but that only applies if we fail to kill him before he gets here. If we manage to kill him before Rid arrives, I’m sure Rid won't mind," said Miss Violetta.

"Yes. In that case, let's try to defeat Lord Remy before Rid arrives here. We are currently under the effect of an aura pressure that seems to be emanating from Rid; even so, you can still move freely, can't you?" asked Miss Karina.

"It is quite difficult to move freely under this aura pressure. Nevertheless, I will push myself, Miss," said Miss Violetta.

"I will too," said Queen Kayana.

"Then I shall push myself as well. Just because we are affected by this aura pressure doesn't mean we should simply stand idly by."

"Come, Violetta, let's attack Lord Remy using the same move we used before," said Miss Karina.

"Understood, Miss," said Miss Violetta.

"In that case, please assist us so we can get close to Lord Remy and attack him, Your Majesty," said Miss Karina.

"Yes. I will help you, so hurry and approach Lord Remy, then defeat him with your combined attack," said the Queen.

"As you wish, Your Majesty," said Miss Karina and Miss Violetta.

With that, Miss Karina and Miss Violetta immediately dashed toward Duke Remy.

-

Meanwhile, where Rid was.

I continued along the path I was taking to reach Duke Remy in the central building as quickly as possible. However, my journey was slightly delayed because several demons appeared on the road ahead. At first, the demons remained still, but they suddenly attacked the moment I got close to them. Seeing them strike, I immediately counterattacked and took them down.

Although I was able to defeat those demons easily, their appearance still slowed me down a little. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve defeated the demons appearing along my path. After taking them down, I resumed my journey toward the central building.

"I need to reach the central building as soon as possible," I thought.

-To be continued-