Necromancer Academy’s Genius Summoner - Chapter 291
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Summoning Genius at the Necromancer Academy — Chapter 291
After slipping free of the forest, Simon and his companions stopped at a small mountain village nearby.
It was a modest logging village where residents made their living by felling trees and selling them to the cities.
The thick scent of tree sap hung heavy in the air everywhere, and the sound of timber falling echoed from scattered points across the settlement.
Fortunately, the villagers welcomed Simon’s group warmly. The Village Chief, hearing their circumstances, readily offered them an empty house to stay in comfortably.
“Ha ha! This is incredible!”
Dick returned from gathering information—or so he claimed—with both hands full of coin purses.
Merin, sprawled on the sofa working through a plate of snacks, shot him a sharp glare.
“You! You’ve gotten yourself into trouble again, haven’t you?”
Simon chimed in as well.
“Please tell me you didn’t steal that money.”
“…Why do I always get treated like this?”
Dick lamented playfully for a moment before grinning and offering an explanation.
“This is a logging village too, after all! They were all struggling to cut trees with worn-out axes, so I showed them some advanced tools I had. A few people tried samples, and they sold like wildfire—completely cleared out. It’s not fraud, it’s a win-win!”
Merin’s eyebrow twitched.
“These are kind people who let us use their empty house. You didn’t overcharge them, did you?”
“Actually, I was planning to give them extra money for the rent when we leave.”
“You shameless con artist!”
As the two of them bickered—as was their nature—Simon turned his head.
Seiweir still lay in bed, suffering from lingering aftereffects, while Kamibarez sat alone on the sofa with her knees drawn up.
She seemed caught between her worry for Sasha and a deep sense of guilt for failing to protect her.
Merin and Dick were doing their best to project a cheerful atmosphere, but in truth, all the members of Team 7 were weighed down by defeat.
“Don’t worry so much, Kamibarez,” Simon said, forcing a smile.
“I’ll definitely rescue Sasha.”
“You will?”
When Dick interjected with the question, Simon quickly corrected himself.
“Well, now that Vengeons is moving, we should be able to rescue her soon.”
“Ha! Don’t talk like you’re the one doing the rescuing.”
Just then, a Communication Crystal placed on the table began to hum.
All four of them reacted instantly and rushed toward it.
“Yes, this is Simon speaking.”
Simon picked up the crystal. A voice—already quite familiar to him—came through.
-Ah, Simon! Agent Blac here. I’m sending an administrator and a carriage your way. They should arrive by tomorrow!
“Thank you. But have you learned anything about the man called ‘the Godfather’ who abducted Sasha?”
-Yes. In fact, as we speak, Vengeons’ entire Combat Division has been deployed for his capture operation.
Simon jumped to his feet.
“The entire Combat Division? Why?”
-Well, this is classified information, so I’m afraid I can’t disclose it to outsiders…
“Are you serious? What are you talking about? Put someone else on!”
Merin flared up and snatched the crystal from Simon’s hand.
“Agent! Why are you drawing lines now? We’re dispatch students of Vengeons, and this was our assignment from the beginning! I think we have the right to know this much!”
-Ah, um, well, you’re right. I apologize if you felt slighted! I was being presumptuous.
A very quiet murmur escaped him—”Kids these days really are scary.”
-The name of the man claiming to be Sasha’s godfather is ‘Figaro.’ He’s a Priest working in the neutral zone on behalf of the Sacred Federation. Figaro and Sasha are currently in a place called Kelso Village.
“Kelso Village!”
Kamibarez responded immediately.
“That’s Sasha’s hometown—the second place we went to!”
Merin nodded and asked again.
“Why would Figaro take Sasha all the way to Kelso?”
-We can’t determine the specific details either. At the moment, a powerful Sacred Barrier has been erected over the entire village of Kelso, making it impossible to approach. Figaro appears to be scheming something inside it using Sasha.
Hearing those words, Simon abruptly stood and walked outside.
“Hey, Simon! Where are you going?”
-And I would like to ask that once the carriage arrives, you return directly to Vengeons headquarters and wait there.
Merin’s expression shifted to bewilderment.
“What do you mean? Aren’t we going to fight too?”
-Vengeons cannot compromise on the matter of your participation. This was never part of your dispatch mission to begin with, and the situation has become far too dangerous. We promised Kizen of your safety, so please wait a little longer until things settle down.
The transmission ended.
Kamibarez’s worry only deepened, and she covered her face with her hands. Merin let out a long sigh.
“What are we supposed to do? We can’t even walk all the way to Kelso.”
Dick propped his chin in his hand, letting out a thoughtful hum.
“Or if a carriage comes from their side, we could try persuading them. Either way, Sasha’s trapped behind that barrier—we can’t just sit here.”
Kamibarez also looked up at the ceiling, her eyes urgent.
“Please stay safe, Sasha.”
Clatter.
Simon entered the room just then.
“Hey! Where did you suddenly go?”
“You don’t need to know.”
Simon answered curtly, then flopped onto the sofa and crossed his legs.
Dick looked at Simon.
“Agent Blac said earlier that we’re supposed to wait here, then head to headquarters.”
“I know.”
Simon waved his hand dismissively and lay back. Dick and Merin’s eyes met.
‘The atmosphere feels different somehow.’
‘Is he angry?’
* * *
Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud-thud!
Simon was racing along, riding on the back of Akalyion, the divine beast he’d recently acquired.
His legs gripped firmly to keep from slipping, while his hands held a map spread open before him.
“The fastest route to Kelso, to Kelso Village is…”
As Simon concentrated on the map, Pier’s laughter echoed in his mind.
[Hehehehe! I never thought you’d leave Erzsebet behind! She’ll be sulking for days.]
“I’m sorry to Erzsebet, but there was no choice.”
There was no justification for separating the three of them, and more importantly, to face that adult Priest who had subdued Kamibarez and Dick so easily, he needed to use the power of a Legion Commander.
He certainly couldn’t let the three of them know about his Legion Commander status. He’d asked Erzsebet to take his form and stay with the team members, watching over them while he was gone.
In the meantime, Simon planned to slip away to Kelso and quietly rescue Sasha.
[But listen here, boy!]
Pier spoke again.
[This girl Sasha—you haven’t even known her that long, yet you’re so concerned about her?]
“…”
Simon bit his lip slightly.
“I’m not entirely sure. But honestly, it would be a lie to say I don’t feel responsible.”
He’d captured the Saint of Purification in Kizen. But in doing so, he’d caused Anna grief, and now Sasha was suffering from getting caught up in the Saint’s affair. It wasn’t intentional, but every event had unfolded like a butterfly effect from his own actions.
[Or is it because of this girl Kamibarez? Is it unbearable for you to leave her and the team in defeat?]
“Yes, that’s an important reason too. And there’s more.”
Simon’s eyes grew serious.
“That man Figaro, Sasha’s godfather—he’s been bothering me.”
[Hehehehe!]
Pier laughed with apparent delight.
[If a fool like you has three reasons to move, that’s more than enough!]
“Good that you understand.”
Simon stroked Akalyion’s head as the beast ran.
“Run faster, Akalyion!”
—Whoooosh!
Once a task was taken on.
There was no way he’d let it end in such an unsatisfying manner.
[But boy.]
“Yes?”
[Look ahead.]
Simon’s eyes widened sharply. A girl stood squarely in the middle of the road ahead.
“Stop, Akalyion.”
Akalyion came to a halt. Simon looked at the girl blocking the path and spoke.
“You don’t look well. Are you really thinking of fighting to the end?”
The girl in the pure white Efnel School Uniform was none other than Lilinet, the one who’d fought Simon at the very beginning.
She raised both her hands and spoke flatly.
“I have no intention of fighting you now. I came to deliver a message.”
Simon tilted his head.
“What message?”
“A word from Rette.”
Simon’s eyes widened.
To hear that name here, of all places!
“The situation has grown far larger than you imagine. The Paladins of the Sacred Federation are mobilizing. If you’re planning to go to Kelso, give up and turn back. That’s what I told her.”
…….
Watching Lilinet’s expression—visibly displeased even as she relayed the message—Simon could tell she wasn’t lying.
“That’s all I had to convey. Satisfied?”
“Then could you pass along a message from me to Rette?”
Simon smiled broadly.
“We both know she won’t listen anyway, no matter what you tell her.”
With those words, Simon sent Akalyion forward.
Lilinet, suddenly transformed into a courier, pouted.
“Ah.”
Simon glanced back over his shoulder and waved.
“Tell your friends I’m sorry for taking the Divine Beast with me!”
“What?”
She caught sight of Akalyion only then, her eyes snapping wide.
‘……Just who in blazes is this man?’
* * *
After several hours of steady travel, Simon arrived at Kelso, Sasha’s hometown.
Simon’s jaw fell open.
A semicircular Sacred Barrier enveloped the village, and vines—sprouting endlessly from the ground—coiled around it.
The entire settlement lay smothered beneath what looked like cursed, monstrous tendrils.
‘What in the world is happening here?’
He needed to get inside quickly. After sending the exhausted Akalyion back to his badge’s pocket dimension, Simon drew out Pier.
[Khahahaha! Finally, fresh air!]
A towering skeleton draped in a mantle stretched languidly.
Simon extended his arm.
“Bone Armor, if you please.”
[Consider it done!]
As Pier grasped Simon’s hand, his form seemed to fragment into hundreds of threads, adhering seamlessly to Simon’s body.
Pier’s mantle unfurled across his back, and the Sword of Ruin slid into his right hand.
Then Pier’s helmet settled atop his head.
‘All right.’
Simon pressed the helmet down like a mask to conceal his face, then drew out the white robe he’d purchased from the Sacred Federation and draped it over his entire frame, pulling the hood low. With the greatsword shouldered, he approached the barrier.
Crash!
“Good heavens! What kind of barrier is this?”
“It’s useless, I’m telling you.”
Moving toward the commotion, Simon spotted a group of people attempting to breach the barrier.
He recognized them at a glance.
The same green-patterned neckties as Seiweir, paired with ash-colored uniforms.
Necromancers from Vengeons.
“My son! My boy is in there!”
“Mother!”
Around them, villagers cried out in anguish—those who had been outside the barrier when it formed, or lived on the outskirts.
The barrier had abruptly severed the town center from the outside world, and they were frantic with worry for those trapped within.
“Please, you must do something!”
“Fretting won’t solve this, madam.”
Amid the chorus of wails on all sides, Simon walked forward unhurriedly, greatsword across his shoulders. The Vengeons operatives were deep in urgent discussion.
“What about reinforcements from the other teams?”
“Two days minimum.”
“This is maddening. Contact the Federation Alliance and Kalos Kingdom as well.”
“Yes, sir!”
Simon approached the vine-wrapped barrier and placed his hand against it, movements leisurely.
“Hey, you there! What are you doing? Don’t touch it—it’s dangerous!”
A Vengeons necromancer in uniform called out a warning.
Simon turned to face him.
[Who is in command here?]
A warped, eerie voice emanated from Pier’s mouth, and the necromancer flinched.
“I am the one responsible.”
A man with a bear-like build and shoulders spread wide came walking over.
“I’m Blac, a third-rank Necromancer officially certified by the Vengeons Alliance. And you are?”
Simon’s eyes gleamed behind the skeletal helmet he wore. So this was the man who was meant to be his mentor.
Simon answered simply to the question.
[A wanderer.]
“A wanderer, you say…….”
Blac didn’t look convinced at all.
Of course, wandering Necromancers were countless in this world, but could a monster wrapped in such darkness and killing intent truly be just a mere wanderer?
He was a powerhouse whose name ought to be known.
“Oh, my lord!”
At that moment, a wrinkled old woman seized Simon’s leg.
“My grandson is in there! That poor child! Please, I beg you, save our grandson!”
“My spouse is in there!”
“I want to see my father!”
The moment a powerful-looking figure appeared, chaos erupted anew.
Simon gave a light nod and approached the barrier.
“You won’t want to hold back.”
Blac offered his warning.
“We’ve tried everything we could, but it won’t budge. This is at least an Archbishop-rank barrier, perhaps even a Saint-rank Priest’s work.”
Without a word, Simon raised the Sword of Ruin above his head and drew a deep, deliberate breath.
At that reverent gesture, everyone fell silent and watched him.
‘Space itself.’
Simon’s greatsword fell, leaving a white arc in its wake.
‘The sensation of cleaving through.’
Crack—a deafening sound tore through the air.
The vines and barrier were cut straight through, and a gap opened.
“Ohhhhh!”
“How—how is this possible?”
Simon immediately pushed off the ground and rushed through the barrier.
Blac and the other Necromancer followed right behind him, but the barrier had only been open for an instant. It closed again at once, and the vines covered it over.
“Ugh!”
Blac, bounced back by the barrier, felt cold sweat beading on his forehead.
“What the hell is that man?”
* * *
When Simon stepped inside the barrier, a horrific scene greeted him.
The entire village lay in ruins.
Collapsed buildings, blood staining the ground red, corpses visible everywhere—and from the sky, ash-like particles continued to fall.
There was no sign of life, no living presence at all.
What had once been a thriving village was now nothing but a space of death.
[Boy.]
Pier’s voice came to him.
[I sense not a single living soul in this village. They’re all dead.]
“…….”
Simon swallowed hard and continued forward.
In the silent village center, only the heavy sound of his own footsteps echoed. Walking cautiously with his greatsword held upright, he heard a gnawing, tearing sound.
“!”
He turned to see a moving flower devouring the corpse of a person.
And it wasn’t alone. Vine-like tendrils wrapped around the dead, sucking their fluids dry.
‘What in the—’
He swung his greatsword and cut down the moving flower and the writhing vines.
Simon wiped his brow lightly and looked up at the sky.
“……!”
In the center of the village stood an enormous tree—so vast and indescribable that it defied comprehension.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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