CHAPTER 61: IT’S TOO LATE

Uncle Damon and I did our best to return to the Royal Academy as quickly as we could.

However, under the heavy downpour that lasted for days, it took us over a week to arrive. My carriage even had difficulties, so we had to abandon it in favor of Uncle Damon’s carriage instead.

We also had to fit the prisoners into the carriage, since they are useful witnesses. The journey was arduous and incredibly unpleasant, but we had to bear with the discomfort so we could reach our destination in time.

However, even when we did—

"What?! It will take an entire month for you to get a license to investigate him?!"

I can’t believe my ears.

Of course, I already expected resistance from the Academy’s authorities, but even after I presented evidence and used Uncle Damon’s credibility as an alumnus and former classmate of Professor Alaric, they still refused to budge on their strict bureaucracy.

Uncle Damon has made me realize how precarious the matter is, but it is rather unfortunate that I can’t really share this urgency with my audience.

How exactly do I explain the matter of Leviathans to them, when even I have my doubts?

What I do know for certain is that Alaric Duskyrin is in wrongful possession of some very dangerous research, and in his unstable hands, they have become even more threatening.

Sadly, I have very little power to do anything.

Even after seeking a special audience with Earl Balric Wolfshade, I couldn’t get a satisfactory response. It turns out my accusations against Professor Alaric are synonymous with slander, and I could even get arrested before the investigations commence if I keep pushing it.

"Stop this, Javier..." Balric Wolfshade tells me with a grim sigh. "I thought you already learned your lesson after our last conversation. Do you want to get expelled? That’s what will happen if you keep going around with such news. Just wait for the investigation to be approved. Follow due process..."

Such an infuriating man!

Why did I even try to rely on him?

After my failure with the Investigative Body, as well as with the Dean of Discipline & Conduct, I have once again realized how powerless I am in this world.

Even with evidence and witnesses, I do not possess sufficient power to do anything.

"We just need to investigate more..." Uncle Damon notices my crestfallen expression and encourages me with a strained smile.

I know he must be grieving deeply about his loss.

My uncle’s research is his whole life, and he has had everything ripped away by Alaric. He is certainly going through a lot, yet he still has the emotional bandwidth to offer me comfort.

Such a kind man.

I doubt I could show this level of consideration to anyone if I were in his shoes.

"You’re right. Based on what we know, Professor Alaric only returned to the Academy five days ago. He couldn’t have possibly prepared everything he needs, so we still have a bit of time to gather more proof."

According to the Academy authorities, if we can provide irrefutable proof, not just circumstantial evidence and unreliable testimonies, the time needed for investigation will shorten, and we could even get an immediate warrant for investigation.

But where exactly are we supposed to get such evidence to incriminate him?

Even though Professor Alaric is a lunatic scum, he is still extremely vigilant, and I certainly cannot underestimate his intelligence.

Any trail we follow will likely lead to a wild goose chase.

By the time we reach the end of the trail, it will have already been too late for us.

Which means...

"Right now, there’s only one person who can help us." I sigh and stare at Uncle Damon with a bitter smile on my face.

"Who’s that? Don’t tell me—!"

"Yes..." While nodding grimly, I mutter the name of our only option. "It’s Brutus."

Brutus is a High-Rank Knight and also the Head of Security within the Royal Academy. It’s an open secret at this point that he is filled with corruption, and his services can be bought with coin.

I’m now certain that Professor Alaric has used Brutus’s services multiple times, and I deeply suspect that he would be using his help to smuggle in whatever materials he needs for his experiments.

He probably also used Brutus to help him intercept mine and Uncle Damon’s letters.

Of course, Brutus’s range of authority and duty does not extend to all these areas, but he is a man of means and many connections. He surely has a network that spreads to many facets of the Royal Academy—particularly among low-level staff.

In essence...

’Cleaners. Post Workers. Assistants. Dorm Officers. Etc.’ My brows crease up. ’The only person who can deliver actual evidence regarding Alaric’s actions is Brutus.’

"But why would he cooperate with us?" Uncle Damon frowns deeply.

He recognizes the reason behind my suggestion, but he is reasonably skeptical of such a plan.

After all, Brutus’s status in the Royal Academy is far higher than mine, and such a man gains nothing from snitching on one of his clients. Besides, his admitting to Alaric’s misdemeanors will also implicate him and those under his influence.

Why would he willingly help me when he has so much to lose and nothing to gain?

"He doesn’t have to be willing. I simply need to coerce him by showing him how much more he can lose if he doesn’t cooperate."

With an evil gleam in my eyes, I show Uncle Damon a confident smile.

Now that things have come to this, I have no choice but to use the trump card at my disposal.

’Prince Korrin... I’ll be needing your help now.’

**************

Nothing is free in this world.

This statement is especially true when it comes to the affairs of the Royals and the High Nobility.

Those people always operate with benefit in mind and would never do anything simply out of charity or goodwill. With this knowledge in mind, I already know it won’t be an easy task getting the Prince to assist me.

And that’s why I have decided to create a quick scheme.

The plan is split into three.

First, I write a letter to Prince Korrin explaining the situation to him, while also requesting his assistance. Of course, he won’t be very motivated to help me, since that would expose him to unnecessary attacks from the Noble Faction.

They would easily jump in to criticize, saying he is disregarding due process, abusing his authority to speed up the investigative process.

They could even paint Professor Alaric as a victim, turning him into a helpless martyr who the Royal Faction is oppressing as a way to attack the High Nobility. If that happens, it would be even more difficult to succeed in my plan.

Prince Korrin also recognizes these factors, so even if he is moved by my sincerity, he won’t act.

And... that’s why I have to bait him.

Or, rather, I simply need to give him a good reason to make a move.

"The High Nobility are using Brutus, Head of Security, to smuggle things in and out of the Academy? They are also monitoring letters exchanged between students and those outside? My goodness, they are even sending spies after students of interest? Witnesses can even attest to this fact, and even though I can’t immediately question the High Nobles about these matters, I can force the truth out of Brutus—the Head of Security—himself?!" Prince Korrin will have these thoughts after going through the contents of my letter.

As such, he will send a letter to Brutus to seek an audience with him.

Brutus would have already received my letter at the time, seeking his cooperation.

That is the second phase.

Naturally, he is sure to disregard my letter and ignore all the threats I make inside. He will believe the High Nobles will protect him against any scrutiny from a puny person like me.

Plus, if I overstep my bounds, it will simply give them an excuse to expel me.

Since he has worked here for so many years, Brutus possesses a fundamental understanding of the power structure in the Royal Academy, so I don’t expect him to even be bothered by my letter.

But... I will use that understanding of his against him.

When Prince Korrin’s letter reaches Brutus and he links it to my letter, he will understand.

His imagination will do all the work for me.

He will immediately believe that the Prince and I are working together, and if he doesn’t cooperate with me, he risks losing much more by exposing all of his operations.

That is the third and final phase.

Afterward, Brutus himself will come up as a witness and expose all of Professor Alaric’s crimes, showing his sincerity to me and the Prince. This will solve my immediate problem, which is what I’m truly after.

As for Prince Korrin’s interrogation of Brutus—I couldn’t care less about it.

Such is politics for you.

The best-case scenario is that Brutus exposes all the Nobles and drowns alongside them, but seeing as Brutus would have already exposed Professor Alaric, the other High Nobles will do their best to cover their tracks.

Due to this, Prince Korrin won’t be able to expose all of them.

As for Brutus, he will either be imprisoned, get fired for his wrongful actions, or latch himself to the Royal Faction and act as a loyal dog in order to keep his job.

Knowing the kind of disgusting person that man is, the latter is more likely to happen.

In conclusion, Brutus will help me whether he likes it or not.

That is the true nature of this plan.

And, sure enough, just two days after implementing the scheme, everything has fallen into place just as I wanted it to.

After getting a credible witness like Brutus to expose Professor Alaric’s scheme against me, and his many unethical actions in the Academy—such as bribing Academy staff to do his bidding, smuggling supplies not allowed within Academy grounds, including Armaments which he doesn’t have a license for, and also the breach of mine and my uncle’s privacy by gaining access to our letters—the investigation warrant has now been given.

The Academy will now be investigating Professor Alaric Duskryn.

"We will be bringing him in for questioning first, while our officers search his office and residence for any incriminating materials that correlate with Brutus’s accounts and the accounts of all the witnesses he brought forth..." Earl Balric Wolfshade has a complex expression on his face while explaining all these things to me.

I ignore the meaning behind his gaze and simply focus on the matter at hand.

"When will you begin?"

"This evening, actually. I’m already gathering all the officers needed."

"Oh? Then can I—"

"No, don’t even think about it." The Earl shuts down my suggestion immediately. "You’re only a student. We can’t involve you in such a matter, especially since it is potentially dangerous. I’m sure your uncle here will agree."

Earl Balric glances at Uncle Damon, who sighs and nods in agreement like the traitor he is.

Sigh...

Why did I even bring him with me?

In the end, it seems I’ll be forced to sit this one out. I won’t be able to see the wretched expression on that shameless man’s face when he finally gets arrested for his crimes.

Impatience gnaws at me, but I calm myself.

Once he is detained, I’ll finally be able to look him in the eye and reveal the truth to him.

—That I’m the one responsible for his arrest!

"Looks like you’ll get to see him before I do, Uncle Damon..." I sigh, patting his shoulder with a hint of jealousy in my eyes.

"I hope you can sneer at him for the both of us."

Uncle Damon chuckles gently and sends me a thumbs-up while nodding emphatically.

"I’ll do my best."

The evening stretches on, and I am forced to return to my dormitory after watching the officers set off for the Professor’s residence. I open the windows of my room to let in the fresh breeze and hopefully some moonlight.

However, dark clouds still obscure the full moon from sight.

Thunder lowly rumbles in the sky, and I feel a dark chill unlike the usual late evening breeze.

It looks like there’ll be another heavy downpour tonight.

************

"PROFESSOR ALARIC! SIR ALARIC DUSKRYN! OPEN UP!!!"

Officers knock on the door to the Senior Professor’s residence, loudly yelling out his name, yet no response comes from within it.

The house is an exquisite one-story building, placed among several others within an immensely spacious court. All the houses are practically identical, save for the house numbers painted on their walls.

As such, despite appearing extravagant in isolation, among the host of other similar buildings, it looks rather unremarkable.

"Hmm..." Earl Balric Wolfshade grunts, watching the call repeat itself while holding a stern gaze.

He, Brutus, and even Damon Aditi stand on the front porch, amidst the company of even more officers. As their group maintains a considerable distance from the tightly closed entrance, they watch the guards at the door frantically call for Professor Alaric; all the while getting no response from him.

Those who went to check his office have already returned, bearing news that he isn’t there.

There has also been confirmation that he was last seen venturing into his residence.

That means, without a doubt, he is inside.

"Alaric Duskryn! This is Earl Balric Wolfshade speaking. Open your doors now!"

Still no response.

Even after the thunderous voice of the Dean of Discipline & Conduct spreads across the vicinity, no sound leaves his home.

"This is very suspicious..."

The Earl’s brows narrow seriously at this point as he even takes a look around him.

The incessant noise is loud enough to attract the attention of all Alaric’s neighbors—staff who share the same residential block. They slowly leave their rooms and poke their heads outside, with some even walking out the front door of their entrance to inquire what is going on.

None of them realizes that within the house... inside his sacred room... Alaric has just completed the final phase of his ritualistic preparation.

"We can’t waste any more time. Charge in."

Under the instruction of Balric Wolfshade, the officers break down the door and charge inside.

However, barely two seconds after—

"UARRRGHHHHHH!!!"

—Horrified screams echo from within the house’s walls.

The frightening noise doesn’t last very long, though, as they are abruptly silenced by the sound of ripping flesh and sloshing blood.

Some of the thick red liquid even sprays outside the door, staining the porch, stoop, and entryway. In an instant, the rowdy scene turns deathly silent, right before a devastating uproar fills the late evening air.

Terrified screeches echo out from the staff as they watch the gory sight.

Even the guards are taken aback, stunned by the sudden sight of blood and the tangy smell that now wafts in the air.

Without hesitating, Balric Wolfshade reaches for his sheathed blade, with immense wariness now flashing in his eyes. His eternal frown turns deeper as the eerie winds cause his green hair to dance atop his head.

"Everyone, step away! This has officially become—"

"Too late..." A voice slowly chimes from within the darkness of the house’s interior. "You... are too late..."

Almost like a melodious tune, the sound eerily rings out with a hollow rhythm.

Footsteps loudly echo out.

Like heavy thuds, each step reverberates with a horrifying connotation of danger... doom...

... Despair.

Then, from within the bloodied darkness, emerge silhouettes

Tentacles of all sizes slowly creep out, their fat bodies wriggling in the air like maggots all over rotten meat. Like worms dancing on wet soil, their glistening skins contract and expand, bursting with immense vitality.

Despite the absence of light, the pinkish hue of their bodies is evident for all to see.

Color similar to inner flesh or meaty entrails.

They appear absolutely repulsive as they drip with blood, and voices echo from within the tiny orifices at the tip of their heads.

"The Ritual has begun..."

The distorted sound echoes out once more, so delirious as though a drunken person is speaking.

Recognizing the voice, despite its changed state, Balric’s frown grows deeper.

"Alaric, is that you?! What have you done? Come out right now!"

’Come out?!’ Many officers stare at Balric with expressions of disbelief. ’Come out and do what?!’

These tentacles are currently rearing their ugly bodies outside the room, but it’s certain they are connected to something—something far more horrifying inside the building.

Who would want such a thing to emerge?!

Veins suddenly appear all over the fleshy tentacles, and they dance with delight as loud chuckles fill the air.

"Come out? Why should I? Just be a little patient... hehe!"

"You killed people! Guards of the Academy! You are automatically a criminal by the laws of the Kingdom! Come out right now and surrender!"

"Criminal? Surrender? Haha! How naive... how small-minded... how foolish! Why should I care about such paltry consequences when I am nearing my ascension?"

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Balric spits out with unbridled fury, now brandishing his blade—a C Grade Armament—with rage boiling in his eyes.

"Ahh... I feel it now... it’s so close..."

Ignoring him, the voice continues to moan in pleasure, and the worm-like tentacles dance in the air, twisting and turning in disgusting satisfaction.

"Those under my voice, prepare to welcome my emergence!"

Voices overlap, and they turn even more warped as their repulsive tone intensifies.

"Fall to your knees and pay homage to my existence! Apotheosis shall now commence, and once it concludes, there shall be great rejoicing."

Whispers of prayers leak out of the frightened audience, and many stifle their shrieks.

Amidst all this, Damon Aditi stands in frozen silence.

Confronted with the fruits of his research, fear cannot begin to describe the emotions coursing through him. After all, only he truly knows the atrocity that this man has become.

Only he knows the horrors yet to arrive.

"For the time of my exaltation finally draws near. Tonight, Alaric Duskryn ascends to the realm of God!" The distorted voices rise to unprecedented heights, and the tentacle worms display a corrupted thrill tainted with deep perversion.

"Tonight... I become a Leviathan!"