Chapter 272 – Liberation of the Academy Alliance

“Theodore-sama!”

After dragging Zadias to the audience chamber, everyone rushed over. First, we needed to assess the current situation and ensure everyone’s safety.

“Is everyone injured?”

“I’m fine.”

“I’m alright too. Ignis is also unharmed.”

Grace and Rosemary, who had dealt with the Golem, reported no issues.

“Sheila?”

“Yeah, no problems. Irmhild and Seraphina are also unhurt.”

“Those of us in the rearguard aren’t injured either.”

As Ashley said this, Marlene nodded repeatedly.

“However, Brother Elliot sustained a minor shoulder injury. But he used Healing Magic on himself… and says it’s nothing serious.”

“Elliot-san, are you okay?”

“Yes, there’s no need to worry about me.”

Elliot smiled while lightly touching his torn shoulder area.

Though it feels strange for me to say this, he truly embodied the principle of “letting the enemy cut your flesh while you break their bones” at the end. Even knowing he couldn’t cut through the core, taking the blow with his bone must have been incredibly painful. Well, it seems only a faint scar remains. His skill with Healing Magic appears quite proficient.

Anyway, it seems our companions are fine. Next is securing the area. I went around applying Magic Seals to the fallen Black Knights. As usual, I packaged them up by binding them with Light Bind and hardening them with Earth Magic. I checked the headcount to ensure no one had escaped in the confusion. After I finished packaging them, Elliot used Clear Blood on the Black Knights’ leader—Ragnar, who was still breathing.

“I too… had my life spared by Ragnar once before. With this, I’ve repaid that debt.”

Elliot said. Well… I suppose this settles Elliot’s personal grudge.

The crashed Airship… is surrounded by soldiers. The crew seems to have surrendered quietly. Given that there’s no commotion, it appears no Black Knights remain there either.

Meanwhile, I checked the Communication Device. A report came from Mercedes of the Verdgar Knight Order, confirming they had successfully captured the dispatched Black Knights. I should properly inform them that we’ve defeated Zadias as well.

“For now, there seems to be no cause for concern. Are you injured?”

“Hmm. Nothing serious. …I ended up burdening you with dealing with my own family’s failures. My apologies, Theodore-dono. I thank you.”

After glancing at the still-unconscious Zadias, King Eberhart spoke.

“Not at all. He was someone I had my own deep history with.”

Princess Stephania and Princess Adriana also bowed quietly and expressed their gratitude.

“Thank you. We’re unharmed as well.”

“I thank you, Theodore-sama. But… this is the power of an ancient Battle Mage… It’s even more fearsome than I’d heard.”

Princess Adriana said this while surveying the audience chamber.

Now that the battle was over and I looked around, I realized I might have been a bit too flashy. Well, I was quite furious with Zadias.

“I’ll take responsibility and repair the destroyed areas with Magic Construction.”

“I appreciate the offer… but I believe the traces of destruction should remain as a warning, kept visible to the public for as long as possible.”

“Is that so? However, there’s also the risk of collapse. At least let me reinforce the structurally weakened areas.”

When I responded, King Eberhart smiled wryly and nodded. Seraphina smiled, realizing work had come her way.

“Hmm. But with this, the matter is settled, I suppose. This should also clear Marquis Zilbolt’s tarnished name.”

When Tephra said this while gazing around the audience chamber, Marquis Zilbolt gave a wry smile.

“I hope it turns out that way. But what about the remnants?”

“I believe we’ve captured the main members of the Black Knights. The remaining cleanup should be handled by the Sages’ Academy.”

Elliot checked the faces of the Black Knights.

“Indeed. With Zadias and Volheim’s schemes exposed and both defeated, no one should dare to openly resist. I won’t allow any further confusion. Regarding Marquis Zilbolt’s honor, I shall declare his integrity before the nobles myself.”

In response to King Eberhart’s words, Marquis Zilbolt responded with a subordinate’s bow. Just then, his aides returned.

“Your Majesty! Are you injured?!”

“As you can see. Zadias’s right to the throne is hereby revoked, effective immediately, and he is disinherited. Mobilize the Knight Order and offer surrender terms for the cleanup of the Sages’ Academy. Thoroughly re-examine all personnel relationships within and outside the castle, and arrest all accomplices without exception.”

“Yes, sir!”

King Eberhart issued orders to the aides who had rushed over.

The biggest problem has been eliminated… but Silvatoria seems likely to become quite busy. The issue with the Sages’ Academy elders also remains.

“I should head to the Sages’ Academy as well. Since I can use Miasma, there’s no guarantee someone won’t try to escape by air or destroy evidence. We need to ensure the elders’ safety.”

We know Marquis Zilbolt, as well as Elmer and his group, are innocent. So it was decided they would serve as escorts for King Eberhart, Princess Stephania, and Princess Adriana until the Sages’ Academy matter is resolved and the situation stabilizes. Elmer’s group has plenty of personnel, making it just right.

By the time we finished minimally reinforcing the Royal Castle’s damage, the Magic Knight Order and soldiers had been organized. Riding military horses with them toward the Sages’ Academy, Claudia spoke to me.

“May I have a moment?”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“In large cities like this, there are Moon Temples of considerable size, right? I think they can be treated like enclaves where my power reaches within each region.”

“Ah, similar to how ritual grounds are for Tephra?”

Indeed, it wouldn’t be wrong to say Claudia is the master of the Moon Temples.

“Yes. If I visit once and arrange things a bit, they can reliably serve as bases for teleportation. Unlike creating stone monuments, there’s no worry about being moved to the labyrinth side.”

I see… That’s convenient. I had been thinking Silvatoria might face various dangers due to its proximity to Beriondora, but with this, I should be able to rush over if anything happens.

“The issue would be the means of communication, I suppose.”

“What about having the shrine maidens offer prayers for salvation from demons when major incidents involving demons occur…?”

“Can you detect that?”

“Yes. No problem.”

…Hmm. So that would mean the goddess herself comes rushing when prayed to, I suppose.

Anyway, that would solve various problems. Even without detailed exchanges via Communication Device, it would suffice if they could communicate the most critical points. For emergency evacuations, they could just flee to the Moon Temple.

In that case, I should visit the Moon Temple later, and have King Eberhart issue a notification to the shrine maidens.

While we were talking, we arrived in front of the Sages’ Academy grounds. First, the king’s envoy stepped forward.

“W-what is this about!? We saw a flash of light from the Royal Castle earlier—what happened?!”

The gate guard asked the envoy with a somewhat confused expression.

“I come as a representative of His Majesty Eberhart. Zadias and Volheim have staged a rebellion and have been apprehended. All soldiers, knights, and magicians within the Sages’ Academy are to discard their weapons, surrender, and follow instructions. Defying the king’s command will be considered aiding high treason without room for excuse. Conversely, even those who sided with Zadias will receive reduced sentences if they surrender quietly.”

Upon hearing “high treason,” the gate guard’s face turned pale.

“U-understood.”

The guard placed his weapon on the spot.

“That helps. Now please assist by helping to explain the situation to everyone within the grounds as well.”

“Y-yes, sir!”

The guard stood rigidly at attention in response to the envoy’s words. We proceeded into the grounds with the Knight Order.

People who emerged from various facilities wondering what was happening also obediently followed the soldiers’ instructions upon hearing the envoy’s words.

Between Zadias and Volheim’s defeat, the severity of the high treason charge, and trust in King Eberhart’s character who promised reduced sentences, it was almost disappointingly straightforward.

And then—we reached the towering giant Tower. Black Knights appeared immediately. All of them are armed. Well, given they originally aimed to usurp the throne and likely witnessed the Miasma cannon’s flash in the sky from the Royal Castle where the Airship headed, it’s not surprising they’re on high alert.

“What in the world… is this about?”

“I come as a representative of His Majesty Eberhart.”

The envoy repeated the same words verbatim.

“His Highness staged a rebellion… and lost?”

The Black Knight’s eyes widened.

“It’s the truth. Respond only by whether you will discard all arms or not. Any other action—even consulting about whether to surrender—will be considered intent to rebel. Or else… will you fight the entire national army with those Miasma-emitting weapons? Choose of your own will.”

The envoy stated impassively. The Black Knights froze, unable to even exchange glances at his words. But… when one person discarded his weapon and removed his Armor, the others followed suit.

Having witnessed the Miasma cannon being fired before this situation probably plays a part in making them believe the story.

“Good. Are the elders safe?”

“Yes… They’re in the Tower’s basement.”

As the Black Knight answered with a bowed head, he was taken away by the soldiers. …With this, Zadias’s faction should be crushed. First, I need to restore the elders’ memories.