Chapter 291 - 289 : Resurrection

Chapter 291: Chapter 289 : Resurrection

Silence settled over the ruins of the Golden Colosseum.

For the first time since the attack began, the terrible sounds from the battlefield seemed distant.

The clashes in the sky continued. Dust still drifted from broken pillars. Somewhere beyond the collapsed stands, healers called for supplies and guards searched for survivors.

But around the boy lying on the fractured arena floor, no one spoke.

Sylvia knelt beside Arthur.

Her arms were wrapped around him, one hand trembling against his bloodstained coat as though she could hold him together through sheer determination.

"Arthur..."

His name came out broken.

She brushed a strand of dark hair away from his face.

"Please."

There was no response.

Only that dreadful stillness.

Sylvia clutched him tightly , her shoulders shaking.

She had finally admitted what she had done.

And now she was holding him without knowing whether he had believed a single word.

She kept looking at Arthur’s face, waiting for his eyes to open.

Athena stood beside her.

The headmistress did not move.

Her veil concealed her expression, but her hands hung stiffly at her sides. The crescent mark on her wrist gave off a faint, uneven glow.

Sarah, the headmistress of Cherry Blossom Academy, stepped forward.

Her usual composure had faded.

"That boy saved our students."

She looked at the gathered academy heads.

"He could have abandoned them. Instead, he stayed behind until they escaped."

Sarah lowered her head.

"He was a hero."

One by one, the others bowed.

Some did so solemnly.

Some with visible shame.

Others could not bring themselves to meet the eyes of the students standing behind them.

"We will remain grateful to him," one headmaster said quietly.

Aaron stood motionless.

The sword Arthur had given him remained clutched in his hand.

He stared at its hilt.

At the coordinates hidden there.

At the evidence of a plan he had understood just in time.

’I did what you asked. But it still was not enough in the end if only I was a bitore stronger ’

Isabella covered her mouth as tears kept coming.

Julia stood close beside her, unable to speak.

Evangline’s eyes were red, but she had stopped crying. She simply stared at Arthur body.

Then Karina stepped forward.

The Saintess folded her hands before her chest.

"By the grace of our Goddess, the Church will remember Arthur Celestian as a hero."

Her voice carried clearly through the circle of mourners.

"A monument will be raised in his honor, so that his courage will never be forgotten."

A few people began applauding.

The sound was painfully out of place.

Several others followed, uncertain whether they were honoring the dead or simply responding to the Saintess.

───────────────

"I know this is not the appropriate time."

Jonathan stepped forward.

The elderly headmaster of Lumina Academy wore a grave expression, though his eyes lingered on Athena rather than the boy at her feet.

"But this matter cannot be ignored."

He turned toward the other academy heads.

"This island was under Celestias Academy’s protection. Its security was entrusted to Athena."

The silence changed.

Grief remained, but suspicion entered it.

Jonathan continued.

"Our students were abducted. Our guests were attacked. One of our fellow headmasters has been killed."

His gaze returned to Athena.

"How will you take responsibility?"

No one immediately objected.

The failures were real.

The consequences were devastating.

Even those who disliked Jonathan knew an investigation would be unavoidable.

Athena looked down at Arthur once more.

Then she spoke.

"I will accept whatever punishment the inquiry decides is appropriate."

Her voice was flat.

Jonathan’s eyes brightened.

’There it is.’

He approached her slowly.

’Years of waiting, and now she is willing to surrender everything.’

He stopped close enough to lower his voice.

"Listen carefully, Athena."

She did not turn toward him.

"The circumstances are not in your favor. But there may still be a way to improve them."

His eyes flicked toward Arthur.

"There may even be a way to save that boy."

Athena went still.

Jonathan noticed.

A small smile touched his lips.

"The Church possesses a rare relic capable of restoring someone who has only recently died."

Athena finally looked at him.

"Do you have it?"

"That depends."

The disgust came immediately.

She could hear the answer in his tone before he spoke it.

Jonathan leaned closer.

"Come to me tonight. Place yourself under my authority. Agree to serve me, and I may be able to arrange the relic’s use."

Athena’s eyes hardened.

He continued before she could answer.

"I can also persuade the others to be lenient. You know how much influence the Holy Empire possesses."

For a moment, she wanted to tear the space around him apart.

He was bargaining over a dead boy.

Over her grief.

Over the lives his institution claimed to cherish.

But then her gaze fell on Arthur.

His face was still.

The infuriating smile was gone.

The voice that had never stopped provoking her had fallen silent.

’If there is even a chance...’

Athena swallowed.

Jonathan watched her closely.

"The choice is yours."

She said nothing.

"Answer me."

Her hands trembled.

Then, with visible effort, she spoke.

"I will..."

The words caught.

She forced them out.

"I will do what you ask. Just save the boy."

Jonathan’s smile widened.

"Then we understand each other."

He turned immediately toward the gathered academy heads.

"Everyone, Athena has acknowledged her responsibility."

His voice regained its dignified, public tone.

"She has agreed to submit herself to the Holy Empire and seek atonement under the Church’s supervision."

Sarah’s expression darkened.

She knew Jonathan too well.

So did several others.

"That scum," she muttered. "He will not let this opportunity pass."

Jenos stood beside her, his tired eyes sharp.

"We heard her agree."

His jaw tightened.

"Intervening now will be difficult without knowing what he offered her."

Sarah looked at Athena.

The headmistress did not defend herself.

She only watched Arthur.

───────────────

A hand settled on Evangline’s shoulder.

She turned sharply.

Layla stood behind her.

Isabella and Victor looked toward her as well. Aaron raised his head.

"Where were you, Senior?" Evangline asked.

Layla glanced across the arena.

"Arthur asked me to take care of something once we returned."

Her voice was low.

"I was doing exactly that."

Evangline stared at her.

"Arthur is—"

"Not dead."

The words stopped them all.

Layla looked at the boy lying in Sylvia’s arms.

"Not permanently."

Isabella’s breath caught.

Aaron stepped closer.

"What do you mean?"

Layla did not explain.

Her eyes remained fixed on Arthur.

"Stop crying for a moment."

She drew a slow breath.

"Just watch."

The seconds stretched.

Around them, Jonathan continued speaking.

Sylvia continued whispering Arthur’s name.

Athena remained motionless.

Then Layla murmured, "It is almost time."

───────────────

Elsewhere, in the dream realm untouched by the ruined colosseum, Arthur sat at a small table.

A cup of tea rested between his fingers.

Across from him sat Astaroth.

The surroundings were quiet, dreamlike, and strangely peaceful.

Arthur took a sip.

Astaroth watched him with open amusement.

"So," he asked, "what are you going to do next?"

Arthur lowered his cup.

"Screw over a few people."

He shrugged.

"That is all."

Astaroth laughed.

"I must admit, watching you has rarely been boring."

Arthur leaned back.

"You should get comfortable, then."

His crimson eyes gleamed.

"Things are about to become much more entertaining."

Astaroth’s laughter grew louder.

Then a familiar voice interrupted them.

[ Host, it is time to return. ]

Arthur looked upward.

[ Prepare yourself. ]

A second notification appeared.

[ Skill: Resurrection Activated. ]

The cup vanished from Arthur’s hand.

A powerful force caught hold of his consciousness.

The dream realm blurred.

Astaroth smiled as Arthur began to fade.

"Try not to disappoint me."

───────────────

The golden light intensified.

Sylvia lifted her head.

"Arthur?"

Radiance spread across his body.

His wounds closed.

The terrible damage Maya’s attack had left behind vanished beneath the glow.

His body was restored.

His breathing returned.

Then Arthur’s eyes snapped open.

He drew a sharp breath and sat up.

"Hah..."

Sylvia recoiled in shock.

Then she reached for him again.

"Arthur?"

Around them, no one moved.

The academy heads stared.

The students stared.

Even Jonathan forgot to maintain his expression.

For several seconds, their minds refused to accept what their eyes had witnessed.

The dead boy was sitting up.

Alive.

Arthur took another breath, then glanced at Sylvia’s tear-streaked face.

He looked briefly uncomfortable.

"Everything is alright."

Sylvia’s hands shook against his shoulders.

"What is happening?"

Arthur did not answer.

Beyond her, he saw Athena.

He saw Jonathan standing too close to her.

He saw Karina.

His expression changed.

Slowly, Arthur stood.

Sylvia reached after him, but he gently removed her hand.

Then he walked toward the Saintess.

Karina stared at him.

Her mouth had fallen open.

For the first time, her polished public expression was completely gone.

Arthur stopped before her.

He smiled.

"What do you know, Saintess?"

His voice was light.

"It seems the Goddess decided to bless me."

Karina swallowed.

"Indeed."

The word came out unsteadily.

"It is... a miracle of the Goddess, Arthur."

His smile did not change.

"I hope she shows you the same mercy."

Karina’s eyes narrowed.

"What do you mean?"

Then she felt it.

Killing intent.

Cold, precise, and directed entirely at her.

Her body stiffened.

She tried to step back.

Her legs refused to move.

Arthur watched the realization enter her eyes.

Behind Karina, crimson mana gathered.

Jasmine stood several paces away.

Her hands were raised.

Her expression was merciless.

A formation of blood spears appeared around her.

Karina turned just enough to see them.

Too late.

The spears struck in a single, coordinated volley.

A startled cry broke the silence.

Karina fell onto the fractured arena floor.

The applause stopped.

Every conversation ended.

Arthur had never raised his hand.

The attack had come from Jasmine.

Eliana stared at her daughter.

Her face drained of color.

’Jasmine...’

This was not an enemy soldier in a battlefield.

This was the Saintess of Lumina Academy.

The public symbol of the Holy Empire.

A strike against her could ignite a war.

Jasmine lowered her hands.

She did not look away.

Arthur crouched beside Karina.

The Saintess’s eyes remained fixed on him.

He studied them for a moment, as though looking beyond her at someone far away.

Then he spoke quietly.

"I hope you are watching."

His smile vanished.

"I will come for you soon too."

Jonathan staggered forward.

"What have you done?"

His voice cracked.

"Our Saintess—"

Arthur turned his head.

His crimson eyes settled on the old man.

Then he smiled.

Jonathan took a step back.