Chapter 91 — Someone Has to Clean Up the Trash

1

Silence descended.

For them, the thought of killing someone might still be a difficult subject to approach.

Manus moved forward, leaving them behind.

If they were still wrapped up in their emotions, they might spout lines about how killing someone makes you no different, or that you shouldn’t take a life.

But reality is often filthier than one imagines. Bury trash in the ground, and it won’t be long before it stinks again.

Trash needs to be disposed of, burned somewhere—this is how you deal with garbage.

The same goes for people.

“I’ll go with you.”

Surprisingly, it was Anais who stepped forward first.

With a determined expression, she walked up and stood next to Manus.

Her tightly clenched fists seemed to convey some of her emotions.

Anais.

The one who was supposed to shine as brightly as the sun now wore a gloomy expression.

So much so that no one could ask her why or what had happened.

Manus looked at her face and walked in silence.

Behind them, Kael and Alano began to move.

“Those who deserve punishment should get it. We’re not just people who talk about justice all the time.”

“-Exactly. We almost died too.”

Showing mercy to someone who tried to kill you.

Some might think that makes you a bigger person.

But Manus thought differently.

“-You’ll see worse things in the future.”

The sound of footsteps grew louder.

Everyone followed Manus up the stairs.

To dispose of the trash.

“How did this person get in?”

“Could they have been chosen, like us?”

No one knew how she managed to survive in the gap.

In the original story, she only served the role of making the children question their identity and the concept of nobility, before disappearing.

“I don’t know, but if we leave her like this, a second Lupera might emerge.”

“You’re right. But… do we really have to be the ones to do it?”

“If they die here, everyone outside will forget them, right?”

Everyone nodded.

The reason why the villain had to be killed in the tower was simple: to erase all traces of them from the world.

It was a cruel statement, but it applied to those present as well.

If they died here, they would be forgotten by everyone except those chosen.

All traces of the life they lived, from birth to death, would vanish.

As if they never existed.

‘That’s true death—absolute.’

Manus compressed wind magic into the shape of a sword.

Gulp, the sound of someone’s tension became audible.

Killing a demon or a monster feels entirely different from killing a person.

But if you asked whether a human life weighs more, well…

How many could give a definitive answer?

With that, Manus sliced off the head without hesitation.

Slash—.

“Ugh—.”

The friction from the cut seared the flesh, causing it to shrivel.

He didn’t want to be drenched in blood here.

The head that rolled to the ground wore an oddly peaceful expression.

The face, which should have been spewing venomous words with a vicious expression, skipped that event entirely due to Manus’ magic.

“It’s over.”

“-Yes, it is.”

“Hoo, it felt really long, didn’t it? Don’t you think so?”

Pearson exhaled deeply as he spoke.

The incident that had started even before the end-of-month evaluation had finally concluded.

The demons would probably stop emerging for a while now.

Everyone thought that as they looked at the end of the incident.

For the first time, they had glimpsed the brink of death.

Everyone present felt it keenly.

“We need to become stronger.”

“-Yes.”

“We need to be able to defeat scum like this, even without senior Manus. That’s…”

Manus interrupted their complaints and spoke loudly.

“It’s alright.”

“-But we need to be more…”

“I’ve always said it. You’re more helpful than anything else.”

His words were sincere.

So don’t blame yourselves.

Don’t be impatient.

“You may underestimate your own strength, but you’ve been doing far better than expected. Especially you, Anais.”

“-Yes?”

“The sun that shines brightly must know how to shine on its own.”

“…”

She nodded blankly.

His blue eyes seemed to say just that.

Don’t shrink back.

Don’t blame yourself.

“I understand—.”

“Everyone must have things they realized today. To move forward, we need to address our weaknesses. But…”

Manus wasn’t one to enjoy giving speeches, but he said what needed to be said.

Since there were those who listened to him, he wanted to convey his message clearly, even if it took some time.

Being next to someone exceptional can often breed inferiority.

But if they can turn that feeling into a drive for improvement, they’ll shine brilliantly.

Just like the players did in the original story.

Becoming the best in their respective fields means overcoming inferiority, above all.

“Let go of your inferiority. It’s fine to feel jealousy and engage in competition. But the moment that turns into inferiority, you’ll be unable to progress.”

“Yes, senior.”

“Oh wow, some good advice there? Yeah, don’t let inferiority consume you. You’re friends, aren’t you?”

They looked at each other and nodded.

That’s right.

Friends can be jealous of each other, they can compete.

But it mustn’t lead to ill will.

“We’ll keep that in mind.”

“You all did well. Ah, and Kael, come with me for a moment.”

“Yes.”

“So, are we done?”

Manus nodded.

The long and arduous battle had come to an end.

It was a battle that would bring many changes to them.

---

【Battle End】

『??? — Chimera / Mia: Anabel』

[Kael has learned the passive skill: [Counter].]

[Guillermo and Nia have joined the party.]

[Everyone’s level has increased.]

[Kael: 38] [Anais: 35] [Alano: 41] [Melanie: 36] [Pearson: 34]

[Emerson: 34] [Guillermo: 40] [Nia: 44]

[Familiars’ levels have increased.]

[Albion: 17]

[Phoenix: 11]

---

2

After all the battles were over, Manus made sure the kids returned to the dormitory safely.

In the little time left, Kael and Manus arrived at the space where Black and White resided.

Though their bodies were weary and tired, they couldn’t avoid tasks that had to be done.

Kael stood before Black and White, forcing her drowsy eyes open.

The two beings, seeing this, lightly rebuked Manus.

“Let the kid get some rest.”

“She’s here to learn magic.”

“Do you even listen to what we say?”

Manus was also showing signs of fatigue, albeit mildly.

After such a fierce battle, while his body might be fine, there was no avoiding mental exhaustion.

Even someone like Manus was this tired, so how much worse must it be for the others?

“We’ve dealt with the problem. It turned out that someone else was causing the disaster.”

“Is that so? As expected, there are those trying to achieve something by using the tower.”

Manus gave a light nod.

Black could only lament their fate of having to stay here.

If only they could leave, they could bring swift judgment to the threats plaguing the world.

They had made mistakes in the past.

Perhaps, because of those foolish actions, things had gotten so tangled.

As Black wallowed in self-reproach, White came over and patted him on the shoulder.

“Hey, why the long face? Was it our fault? It was those other bastards’ fault. So, you want to learn magic?”

“Yes. I intend to learn ‘Caligo’ magic and ‘Platus’ magic.”

“You’ve already reached that level? Impressive. And this kid too?”

“She should be able to learn it. Using it might still be a challenge, though.”

3rd-Class black magic: Caligo, which emits beams of darkness.

4th-Class ancient magic: Platus, which causes massive explosions.

These were spells that could be used repeatedly, even in the mid-to-late stages, and were very useful for crafting 3rd and 4th-Class Cadenza recipes.

The prospect of learning new magic made Kael’s sleepy eyes gleam.

White nodded and unfolded a magic circle.

Two brilliant magic circles bloomed into existence.

White effortlessly conjured these two spells simultaneously, as if it were nothing.

And with precise, deliberate control.

“How about it? Can you do it? This one’s a bit tough.”

Complex geometric patterns and a dazzling star-shaped magic circle.

Kael and Manus began to trace the magic circles naturally, almost as if they were playing a game of connect-the-dots.

Kael drew one at a time, while Manus drew both simultaneously.

Black, who was observing them with his arms crossed, had a gleam in his eyes.

What on earth is ‘Caesar,’ that it produces someone with such overwhelming talent?

No, that child must be special, even among the Caesars.

‘Fascinating, but… what is this unease I feel…’

Their audacity and ability to solve problems with ease.

It reminded him of the great being that once saved the world.

But even that great being, in the end…

“Stop thinking about nonsense, huh?”

“When did you steal my thoughts? You’re like a ghost.”

“Damn, there’s no focus in your eyes. Either you’re trying to piss me off, or you’re reminiscing about the past.”

“As expected, I can’t fool you.”

Black stopped his idle thoughts and looked at the two who were about to leave.

The future changes.

Only fools face the same fate repeatedly.

He gazed at the various games strewn across the desk.

Even in such games, there are variables, and a single move can change the outcome.

How much more so in life, which cannot even be compared to a mere game, how likely is it to face the same fate?

They were observers.

“We should trust and wait.”

“Those kids are truly extraordinary. Honestly, I still can’t believe their talent is human.”

“I know what you mean… Yes. It’s better to think of it that way.”

White chuckled and watched the backs of the two as they departed.

Only those who recognize that they are cogs in the wheel can break free from it.

The two of them had already realized they were enormous cogs.

And that if they disappeared, the clockwork of destiny would suffer a great malfunction—.

---

3

After sending Kael off safely, Manus dragged his weary body to bed.

Swish, something caught his senses.

A familiar yet powerful aura of shadows.

“Well done, my lord.”

“It was nothing.”

“For something that was nothing, you seem like you’re about to fall asleep any moment now. Even if you’re tired, please drink this before you rest.”

She handed him a cup with a gentle steam rising from it.

A tea that clears the mind.

The unknown herb’s scent cleared his drowsy mind.

A sip, held in his mouth, brought back enough clarity to hold a conversation.

“How is Lupera?”

“…He’s dead.”

“I see.”

“He was killed by someone. It seems to be the work of an outsider.”

Manus nodded quietly.

So, it ended that way.

It must have been the work of Eresis.

A stray extra, and the end of a villain is always death.

“Were there any connections?”

“No. I doubt anyone even knows he’s dead… We’ll probably forget in time too.”

“I see.”

Manus gazed again at the passing black sky.

While one might remain composed in the face of someone’s death, it might still be a bit too early to completely shed emotions.

He had killed a person for the first time.

No matter how much of a Caesar he was, the aftermath was a sensation that would inevitably cause some internal shaking.

“If it becomes too much, please feel free to talk to me anytime.”

“I will.”

“Then, I’ll take my leave.”

After finishing the tea, Manus handed the cup back to Aden.

She smiled and quietly retreated, fading into the shadows.

After watching her leave, Manus silently checked his messages.

Despite everything, the moment of receiving rewards was one he could never resist.

Or perhaps, he was just trying to shake off the faint melancholy that had crept in.

–TL Notes–
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