S16 The Unease Creeping Beneath Peace

Yugo has not appeared for classes since then.

He remains within the academy, but I have not seen him since that incident.

Neither Sū nor Katia could confirm otherwise.

"Since he laid hands on his elder brother, he should just die."

"Sū. You must not speak such things. But indeed, the lack of punishment is incomprehensible."

The perpetrator who attacked Parthon and the others ultimately took their own life without revealing any information.

Apparently, the detention facility where they were temporarily held was not prepared to extract a confession.

Incidentally, when forcing a confession in a case deemed important, a specific item is used.

It is a cursed artifact imbued with the forbidden power of Heretic Magic.

Heretic Magic is described as a spell that corrupts the soul, and the Church has declared its acquisition forbidden.

Those who possess this magic skill are captured by the Church and either imprisoned for life under Church supervision or executed.

Naturally, items imbued with Heretic Magic are strictly controlled by the Church. However, use is permitted if an application is submitted to the Church and the request is judged valid.

In this case, the item was intended to be used after the perpetrators were transferred to the capital, to force confessions.

Their suicides were likely anticipated.

Once again, the reality of this world differs starkly from that of the previous life.

"Even if the connection to the attackers cannot be proven, the fact remains that the individual attacked a foreign royal. Should that not be considered a crime? Do you not find that odd?"

I could not answer Katia’s question.

The fact remained that I had been attacked by that person.

Yet he faced no consequence.

Something unimaginable in Japan.

“Nothing odd about it. This is simply how the world works.”

It was Julius who answered Katia’s question.

“You boys don’t notice, being where you are. Social standing here holds more power than most realize. I was an orphan, a commoner—I’ve seen it firsthand. A noble struck a man, and the man was executed for injuring the noble’s hand. A family was executed for a single worm in their vegetables. Stories like that are everywhere.”

Both I and Katia fell silent.

We may have understood nothing at all about the world.

“Status difference is absolute. You, Yugo, are the heir to one of the world’s greatest nations. A matter like this? Easily buried.”

Katia grimaces.

I likely wore a similar expression.

“That’s why true equality lies in the Divine Word. The Divine Word discriminates against no one. It grants equal blessings to all. The Divine Word is the truth of this world—the light that encompasses everything!”

Julius begins to trip.

It’s too late now.

He continues reciting the glories of the Divine Word, regardless of audience.

At first, I listened along. Now, I’ve grown adept at feigning attention while tuning him out.

As I tune out Julius’s glowing eyes and fervent praise of the Divine Word, I consider Yugo.

What will become of him from here on?

Status reduced. All skills lost.

Likely, even the imperial skill he was born with—like me—was lost.

Only one skill remains: the undefined "n% I = W."

The master did not erase this skill.

Deliberately left it behind—or unable to erase it?

This mysterious skill appears to be unique to transmigrated individuals.

Katia and Yuri also possess this skill.

And likely, the master as well.

What purpose does this skill serve?

So far, no effect has been observed.

A skill that exists, yet shows no effect.

Such a skill is functionally equivalent to none.

Considering this, Yugo has effectively lost all skills.

Status now at the level of a low-tier monster.

No reliable skills remain.

Frankly, Yugo has fallen to the lowest tier of human capability.

Eventually, word will spread of Yugo’s deterioration.

After that, his future is uncertain.

Worst case, he may be severed from his homeland.

The empire of Lengzant, his homeland, is said to be a meritocracy where strength is paramount.

Would they truly retain him as first in line for succession after his decline?

Considering that, this may be the punishment bestowed upon him.

Yugo was drowning in power.

Drowned completely—his mind itself corrupted.

Now that he has lost all strength, does he still have reason to live?

If not for Julius, Sū, and Katia, would I have drowned in power like Yugo?

It is not impossible.

I know those stronger than myself.

Yet still, occasionally, I feel myself growing intoxicated by my own strength.

I am strong, that much is certain.

Given how inflated Yugo became, he must have had few peers stronger than himself.

Even in the combat-focused, meritocratic Empire of Lengzant.

Therefore, regardless of whether my focus leans toward magic or physical prowess, possessing a status nearly equivalent to his means I am undoubtedly powerful.

If circumstances had differed, perhaps I would have become just like Yugo.

The thought unsettles me.

Perhaps it was I who lost my status and skills to the teacher.

The teacher—she is terrifying.

Upon entering the academy and reaching the required age, I had already acquired several magical skills.

I cannot imagine what might have happened had the teacher not intervened that day.

Regardless of victory or defeat, it would have been a battle too fierce to end without casualties.

I admit I had grown complacent, but even so, under those circumstances, a counterattack would have been inevitable.

Still, delivering the final blow—there would have been hesitation.

Considering that, Yugo’s lack of hesitation likely meant a higher chance of success.

Yet the teacher effortlessly neutralized Yugo.

That meant I had no chance against the teacher.

If, if the teacher had decided to weaken me or Katia as well?

I would have had no means of resistance.

After the incident, the teacher stopped appearing in class again.

It was typical behavior, but following what had happened, that absence felt especially unnerving.

What exactly is the teacher doing behind the scenes?

How did they acquire such power?

What exactly is the teacher trying to achieve with such power?

Unknown.

Everything is unknown.

Yet I doubt they would answer even if I asked directly.

Besides, interfering might provoke a backlash.

Still, based solely on instinct, I believe the teacher is not an enemy.

The actions they take behind the scenes remain unclear. But at the very least, they have not harmed us.

I cannot act on this knowledge yet. But one day, they will surely explain everything.

Until then, I will place my trust in the teacher and wait.

"See? Shin-kun, you should join the Divine Word Sect too!"

I had been ignoring it, but suddenly found myself cornered by Yuri, who had grabbed my hand.

"Ah— I admit the Divine Word Sect is respectable, but I’ll pass."

I broke free from Yuri’s grip, sweat beading on my brow as I met Su’s silent glare.

Yuri has been pressing me relentlessly to join the Divine Word Sect lately.

I politely decline each time, but Yuri shows no sign of giving up.

Syrilis grows increasingly agitated every time, so I’m on edge and wish they’d stop.

Hmm?

Syrilis is glaring at Yuri as usual, but Catia is making a peculiar expression.

Normally she’d just look away with a sigh, but something’s different.

“Catia, is something wrong?”

“Huh? Nothing at all, Shun. Why the sudden concern?”

“Just noticed your expression seemed off.”

“Ah. Nothing unusual. Just as usual.”

“Really? If you’re unwell, you should say so.”

“Indeed. No need to worry.”

She says there’s nothing, so it must be fine.

Then I turn around—now Syrilis and Yuri are both making strange faces.

“Now you two? What’s going on?”

"No. Nothing at all."

"?"

Syrilis and Yuri exchanged glances. Both wore strained expressions.

No explanation.

That day ended with everyone departing while maintaining their awkward expressions.

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"What do you think, Syrilis?"

"Not yet. But it's not impossible."

"Exactly. You think the same?"

"Problematic. Very problematic."

"Troublesome. Very troublesome."

"But we can't stop it."

"This could become a strong opponent."

"Hmm. Not decided yet."

"True. We can only hope it doesn't come to that."

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"Damn it! Can't end like this! This world is mine! My world, only mine, made for me alone! I won't accept this ending! I won't accept it! Not until I have it all in my hands!"

[Proficiency has reached threshold. Skill 'Desire LV1' acquired.]

"That damn elf! I'll take my revenge! I won't forgive! I won't ever forgive!"

[Proficiency has reached threshold. Skill 'Rage LV1' acquired.]

"One day, I'll take everything from him! Exactly as he took from me!"

[Proficiency has reached threshold. Skill 'Seizure LV1' obtained.]

"Wait and see! I'll destroy everything he holds dear! Then laugh as I defile that damn noble, make her scream—grind her into nothing!"

[Mastery level reached. Skill 'Lewd Technique LV1' acquired.]

"Wait and see! I'll take this world back!"