Chapter 214 — The Second Minion, Papalis

1

Manus opened his closed eyes.

Today was a special day, so he had prepared thoroughly since morning.

His companions would be the same.

He held his pounding heart.

Even for someone like him who had developed various mindsets, today was quite nerve-wracking.

Excluding the tutorial, this was his first boss battle.

Though it felt like a long time had passed, it had only been three months.

‘We’ve achieved a lot. And we will continue to. For that…’

The second minion’s name was [Papalis].

One who controlled countless summons.

Moreover, one who set up invincible totems and fired area attacks.

And today’s enemy wouldn’t just be the minion.

Eresis, who had been quiet until now, would move too.

What would his sister be doing now?

And would she really listen to his words?

“I’ll have to trust her.”

Even on Earth, in South Korea, there were trustworthy people.

Even in a life full of regrets, there were some people you could trust and rely on.

Moreover, aren’t conditions much better now?

His sister said she would support him.

So she would surely arrive.

Manus got up from his seat and headed to campus for today’s classes.

On his way to school.

“Senior.”

“…How’s your condition?”

“I’m good. I rested well yesterday.”

Kael appeared with her blue hair.

As she said, her complexion looked quite good.

Manus brought up what would happen today.

Because the enemy wouldn’t just be the minion.

“Today, we might face quite a few powerful enemies.”

“Eresis will move too, right?”

“Yes. So…”

“Manus! Come here a moment.”

Someone called out to Manus, interrupting his words.

Turning his head, he saw Professor Todd calling him.

Manus told Kael they would continue talking later and headed toward Professor Todd.

He had no previous connection with this professor, so what could this suddenly be about?

As he approached, Professor Todd began speaking while walking.

“I received a recommendation from Professor Jennifer. Heard you wanted to learn weapon skills.”

“I won’t be able to learn deeply enough to warrant your attention, Professor Todd.”

“That doesn’t matter.”

Weapon skills out of nowhere.

Did Professor Jennifer personally ask Professor Todd?

Pushing his curiosity aside, he walked in step with Professor Todd for now.

At times like this, it was courteous to wait for the superior’s words.

“I’m interested too. How far can Caesar, a mage family, master weapon skills. I won’t tell you to manifest aura.”

“So you’ll just teach me pure technique.”

“Yes. And this.”

Professor Todd suddenly held something out to him.

Looking between it and the professor’s face, his expression was full of dissatisfaction.

Probably because he had become an errand boy.

Who would give such a task to a Master-level professor?

His expression was understandable.

Manus received what Professor Todd handed over.

It was unexpected.

“This is…”

“It’s top secret, read it and burn it. If you weren’t Caesar, I wouldn’t have agreed to this.”

“Thank you.”

“If you want to learn, come to the Eagle Class lecture hall when you don’t have classes.”

“Understood.”

“Well then.”

Professor Todd turned and walked away.

Manus asked the Umbra.

[Any presences nearby.]

[No one is watching this area.]

He nodded and opened the letter bearing the Caesar seal that he had received.

After briefly reviewing the contents, Manus ignited and burned the letter.

‘This too was content not in the original.’

The letter’s contents were about the Buckley family.

The Buckley family was a truly peaceful place in the original work.

A place that received no external pressure, including from the Order.

But now things were different.

The worldline was constantly twisting.

Because of himself.

So, he would have to take responsibility for that too.

‘That’s why I’ve been building up power.’

Manus quietly walked on.

And one more thing.

‘I have a lot to do before evening.’

He had someone to meet.

2

“Why are you keeping me locked up in a place like this?”

“Sister, you’re a joker card.”

“Hmm… Something special, is that it? Then, when there’s no need for me to appear?”

“Then isn’t it comfortable since you don’t have to exert yourself?”

“That’s true too. Either way, it will be rewarding for me. I’ll get to learn about the anomaly you’ve been hiding so tightly.”

Invidea and Manus were watching from a secluded spot.

He had even brought nails in preparation for this time.

No one could detect the two of them right now.

Manus nodded.

Invidea looked around, not hiding her expectations.

There were mysteries here that even Caesar’s knowledge couldn’t understand.

She thought they were just doing something, but nails that completely cut off the outside world?

“I think I’ll reach 6th-Class soon. That should be enough to take care of myself.”

“Already?”

Manus nodded.

Invidea’s expression turned serious as she asked again.

“You… you’re really not after the family head position, right?”

“I told you I’m not interested in that. Want me to write you a contract?”

“Seeing how firmly you say that, it seems true… but if you rise too quickly, others will get anxious.”

Manus nodded appropriately.

Originally, capable people face opposition whether they like it or not.

He had seen and heard enough to understand that well.

He was well aware of that aspect and had found his own methods to deal with it.

He had quite good justification too.

“Don’t worry about that part. I’ll completely eliminate those concerns soon.”

“Alright… I’ll trust you. Since you’re so confident.”

Manus smiled faintly.

Invidea quietly nodded and looked around.

A mysterious space.

“This seems useful too, where did you make it?”

“Secret. I can make a little bit whenever needed.”

“Hmm… fine. Are we done here?”

“For now.”

Invidea spoke while looking at the shadows.

The shadow that always assisted Manus everywhere was always at the Academy.

“I’m counting on you again. Aden.”

“I will escort you safely.”

Shhhhh-

Tentacles emerged from the shadows and pulled Invidea out of sight.

After she completely disappeared, Manus also headed to the club room.

Everyone would be waiting for him.

At that moment.

[DLC scenario begins.]

[S8: False Holy War]

[Rewards: 1 Skill Slot Enhancement Ticket / 20 XXL Magic Stones / 1 Minion Exclusive Skill Acquisition Ticket (Within 100 Years)]

A scenario.

And one incorporated into DLC.

He was starting to understand.

The direction flowing completely different from the original work.

That must be what they call DLC scenarios.

He hadn’t become powerful enough to interfere with something yet.

So it was time to grow by quietly consuming feed.

“Shall we go?”

It was time to check equipment to win the false holy war.

3

Today was a day when leaving the dormitory after sunset was forbidden.

The brilliant moon would rise at 9 PM.

From then, the God of Death would exert influence across the entire continent.

Manus entered the club room.

Everyone waiting for him sat with tense expressions.

Those who had never experienced this before harbored fear of the unknown.

Kael, Alano, and Anais had fear from their previous experience.

“Sorry I’m late. Had something to take care of.”

“It’s fine. We still have plenty of time.”

“So, have you thought about the strategy?”

Manus nodded.

His thought was to split into two groups while not making it obvious.

A simple method, but timing was most important.

“We’ll divide into Party 1 and Party 2. Party 1 will take down the minion, Party 2 will handle any potential interference.”

“What’s the criteria?”

“I’m thinking my party is 1, Kael’s is 2.”

“Good.”

No one asked if there were enough people.

Manus, Nia, Guillermo.

These three alone were sufficient force.

Plus they had Albion who had grown quite strong.

The other roles were important.

Kael and Anais’s roles were especially important.

They would have to fight tremendous numbers of mobs this time.

“Anais, Kael. Pack plenty of potions. The Wanderer will probably come too.”

“The Wanderer.”

“The one who controlled that drake before?”

“Right. He probably brought even stronger familiars. Seems to be a necromancer type.”

Necromancer.

An uncommon class in this world.

It was a branch of summoning and forbidden magic.

The companions hearing his identity for the first time hardened their expressions.

They had thought necromancers only appeared in legends.

No, more precisely, they thought the Emperor had eradicated them before his ascension.

“To think necromancers actually existed.”

“Yeah. Honestly didn’t expect any to still remain.”

“No one’s better than Anais for handling multiple opponents.”

Anais scratched her cheek with a bitter smile.

Pearson spoke to her.

“Don’t worry. I’ll give you super strong buffs.”

“…Right. I trust you?”

“But Manus, how do you explain things so well?”

Nia suddenly struck right at the core.

Manus waved the book he always carried around.

It wasn’t the first or second time he had thought someone would ask eventually.

So he had to have countermeasures prepared.

Though he might have to tell them the truth someday…

“I don’t frequent the library for nothing.”

“Ah…”

Nia nodded blankly.

The sunset was visible through the window.

The sky burning with twilight colors looked like a world on the brink of destruction.

Manus looked at the sunset and thought about what was needed.

With current forces… it should be easier than in the original work.

‘I wonder how far ahead Senior is looking.’

Kael suddenly wondered what Manus knew.

Just how much did he know, and how much had he prepared for?

Couldn’t he share even a little?

She wanted to lighten even a bit of the burden he was carrying.

But she still lacked the courage.

It seemed like he had built walls that no one knew about, making it scary to approach.

“Sigh…”

“What’s wrong, nervous?”

“Yeah, we barely won last time. Wonder how it’ll be this time.”

“We’ve grown too… I’m looking forward to it.”

Anais showed a confident appearance.

To Manus, that sight seemed admirable.

Confidence without fear.

Certainty in one’s abilities.

This was a time when such things were needed.

“Let’s show off our skills to our heart’s content.”

“Right. You have your seniors too. We’ll help you.”

Nia said while patting Kael’s shoulders.

Alano also showed a gentle smile.

“Right. If we combine our strength… don’t be afraid.”

“Yes. Thank you everyone.”

Kael smiled too.

Everyone smiled brightly at her appearance of having somewhat shaken off her tension.

They moved busily to hurry their preparations.

Meanwhile, twilight faded and darkness arrived.

Manus checked the time on his pocket watch.

The full moon appeared beyond the horizon, showing its perfectly round form.

And, the world stopped.

–TL Notes–
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