Necromancer Academy and the Genius Summoner-Chapter 295: Episode

As Figaro’s body fell away, the great tree born of Sasha’s ability began to collapse.

The divine barrier created by the Saintess’s power shattered like glass. Before it was too late, Simon rushed to Sasha’s side.

"Sasha! Can you hear me?"

She remained buried in the wood, her face exposed, but she gave no response. Simon plunged his hands into the bark and, with a surge of strength, tore it open. The collapsing tree was weaker now. The moment Simon stepped into the opening and took Sasha into his arms...

The world turned white once more. Time and space froze. Simon turned his head to see the girl sitting on her throne in the bleached void, a smile on her face as she rested her chin on her hand.

[It was a short time, but it was fun,] the Essence of Purification said with a gentle smile. [This is the first time I’ve been in a boy’s body, and I was surprised you handled me so well. In fact, even among all the girls, there’s never been one who drew out my power so quickly. I’ll give you special praise!]

Simon took the chance to ask what he was wondering. "...So, I really did become a Saintess back there, didn’t I?"

[Something like that. To be precise, you were an anomaly—a Saintess who wasn’t a Saintess.] She shrugged. [Honestly, it wasn’t bad, but I still prefer girls. I’m going to go find a new one to accept me.]

"I’d refuse a union with you, too," Simon said, his expression sullen. "You made my mother suffer."

[Mom? Ah—that woman? Her name was Anna, right?] Her eyes sparkled as she clasped her hands together. [Anna was the absolute best! I just happened to see her as I was passing by, and it was love at first sight! Even though another sister was only briefly inhabiting that body, I couldn’t resist! I lost my mind and just popped right in. Then I got in huge trouble for fighting with that girl’s remnants!]

As Simon glared at her, she giggled and waved a dismissive hand. [Don’t look at me like that. We’re just being true to our instincts.] She feigned indifference, flipping her hand over a few times before placing it back on the arm of her throne.

Simon asked again, "What’s going to happen to Sasha now?"

[I shall heal her, since I have some lingering affection for having chosen her, however briefly. After that, I’m off to find a new girl.]

A wave of relief washed over Simon. "You’re definitely leaving Sasha, right?"

[Yes. My departure won’t endanger her life, but the backlash from having her body forcibly overclocked with drugs means she will never be able to use divinity again. Whether that is for the better or worse, I cannot say.]

Just then, cracks spiderwebbed across the white world.

[Ah, it is almost time for us to part.] The Essence of Purification’s eyes curved into a sly, foxy grin. [As an aside, I have ab-so-lutely no intention of ever inhabiting a boy’s body, but... if they were to learn of your ability, there might be some ‘sisters’ who find themselves drawn to you.]

"I’m not interested in that sort of thing," Simon stated, his eyes hardening. "No matter whose body you inhabit next, I will be there to stop you."

[Oh, really?] The corners of her lips curled into an amused smile. [I shall look forward to it.]

’WHOOOOSH!’

The pure white world shattered, thrusting Simon back into reality. He felt a formless current of energy flow out of him, and with it, his eyes, hair color, and even the length of his hair reverted to normal.

The energy that left Simon’s body enveloped Sasha, erupting in a final flash of white flame before vanishing. In an instant, the injection marks, scars, and abnormally raised blood vessels that had marred her skin disappeared without a trace.

Simon carefully lifted her into his arms and leaped from the collapsing tree.

In mid-air, his formless cloak billowed as he glanced back. With Sasha gone, the colossal tree crumbled into nothingness.

The war was over.

---

Several dozen miles from Kelso, another great battle had just concluded.

Paladins dispatched from the Holy Federation groaned, scattered across the ground like fallen leaves. The carriages they had presumably arrived in were smashed to splinters. As they writhed in agony, one figure stood untouched: a woman in a black robe, having clearly defeated them all single-handedly, sat with her legs crossed nonchalantly atop a mound of unconscious paladins.

"Who... who in the Goddess’s name are you...!" a bearded paladin gasped. "Who sent you to do this!"

The advance team, ordered to retrieve the new Saintess, had been decimated by her surprise attack. Even the Coordinate Holy Relic, which was meant to teleport the elite paladin unit, had been destroyed. All they knew was that she was a priestess, cloaked in a robe as black as the night sky. With her hood pulled low and a cat mask concealing her features, her face was a complete mystery.

When she didn’t answer, the bearded paladin pressed on, panting, "You seem to be a priestess of the Federation yourself. We came to protect the newly born Saintess! We’re on the same side, so why are you doing this!"

The woman, who had been ignoring him, finally reacted. She stood, shoved her hands into her robe’s pockets, and ambled toward the paladin. "A reason?"

’SMACK!’

She kicked him squarely in the face, knocking him out cold.

"As if."

Having finally taken down every last paladin, she turned and walked away. With her back to the fallen soldiers, she removed her cat mask. White hair cascaded down like a dream, revealing the face of a young girl.

’The things I do for that idiot,’ Lethe grumbled to herself as she walked on.

---

The situation was resolved quickly. Before the barrier completely disintegrated, Simon, Prince, and Pier worked feverishly to erase any trace of the Legion. They recalled the skeletons and Corpse Spiders into the massive Subspace and, to leave no evidence, transported all the wreckage of the broken and destroyed undead as well.

[Do I have to go in, too?] Prince, having wheedled three handshakes out of Simon, pouted with profound dissatisfaction.

"...Of course."

[The Subspace is so stuffy! I thought I was finally out of Deathland to have some fun!]

"I’ll make time for you later, so just get in for now. Someone’s going to see you."

After the entire Legion had withdrawn, Simon carefully laid the unconscious Sasha at the village entrance, where anyone entering the barrier would find her immediately. He then retreated, hiding behind a thicket of trees to wait.

A short while later, the barrier shattered completely, and Agent Block, along with a team of Vengeance necromancers, rushed in.

"Over here! We have a survivor!" the agents shouted, discovering Sasha and running to her side.

Hiding behind the tree and watching to ensure Sasha was safe, Simon’s eyes widened in surprise. A familiar face was among the newcomers.

"Sasha!!"

It was Kamibarez. Behind her were Dick and Meirin. Kamibarez burst into tears, rushing forward to embrace the unconscious Sasha.

’Huh, when did they get here?’

And at the very back of the group was... Simon himself. It was Erzebet, disguised as him. She glanced in his direction, shook her head, and shrugged. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

’...Haha, looks like Erzebet couldn’t stop them either.’

Just as Simon had ridden Akallion to rescue Sasha, his three teammates had decided they couldn’t just stand by while she was in danger. Dick had modified a carriage from the logging village and borrowed a horse to make the journey to Kelso.

’They’re all unbelievable.’

A fond smile touched Simon’s lips. He felt a new depth of affection for his teammates, who had made the exact same choice he had. At the same time, he was profoundly relieved that he’d managed to defeat Figaro in time. If Figaro had absorbed the villagers’ power and emerged from the barrier, not only the Vengeance agents but his own teammates would have been dragged into the fray.

Meanwhile, the Vengeance agents were scrambling to assess the situation.

"Where’s Figaro?"

"We’re searching for the remains now. The divine afterglow is starting to dissipate, which suggests he’s dead, but we’ll keep looking."

"...Was this the work of the necromancer who cut through the barrier?"

While the agents managed the scene, Simon waited until he saw Sasha safely transferred to the medical team.

’Time to head back.’

Just as he was about to slip away from the barrier, a voice called out.

"W-Wait a minute!"

It was a familiar voice. A chill ran down Simon’s spine as he realized, too late, that one of his friends was missing from the group.

’Don’t tell me.’

He calmly checked that Pier’s helmet was still securely covering his face, then cautiously glanced behind him. Meirin stood there, panting.

"It’s you, Pion! Right?"

This was bad. Warning lights blared in his mind.

"I was sure of it when I heard a necromancer with a white sword had cut through the barrier!" Meirin clasped her hands, taking a step closer.

’Wh-what do I do?’ Cold sweat trickled down his back. Being identified as Pion right now would be a catastrophe. The Vengeance necromancers were here, and Magnus could easily target his teammates if he was searching for clues.

"Who are you? Why do you always show up where we are? Say something...!"

Without a word, Simon channeled Jet-Black into his feet and launched himself into the air. Startled, Meirin ran after him, but he had already reached the treetops.

’It was definitely...’ A strange light flickered in Meirin’s eyes. The Jet-Black flashing at his feet was unmistakably dark blue. She had seen and felt it countless times during their time at Kizen. No one could imitate Simon’s unique Jet-Black.

Meirin trembled. ’Don’t tell me Pion is really...!’

"Meirin?"

A voice suddenly spoke from beside her, and she whipped her head around in shock.

"You just vanished. I was worried. What’s wrong?"

Meirin’s pupils quaked. Simon was standing right in front of her. Pion had just ascended into the sky, and in that same instant, Simon had appeared. If they were the same person, how was that possible?

She tilted her head up, her eyes widening. Pion was soaring through the sky, his cloak fluttering as he left the city behind. And when she looked down, Simon was standing right beside her.

She had been so certain. Meirin strode over and grabbed Simon’s hand.

"Hey! Use your Jet-Black."

"Jet-black? Why all of a sudden?"

"Don’t ask why. Just do it!"

Simon gave her a look that said she was being strange, but he obediently conjured the dark energy in his palm.

’Ah.’ It was dark blue, just as she’d thought.

This wasn’t a fake or one of Seiwyr’s illusions; it was definitely Simon.

’R-Right. There’s no way they’re the same person.’ She pressed a hand to her forehead. It had been a fleeting delusion, but to think Pion could be Simon... The idea was so foolish she couldn’t help but sigh.

"What’s wrong?"

As Simon moved closer, Meirin’s face flushed with embarrassment.

"I-It’s nothing! Let’s go back! Ahaha!" She quickly turned and walked ahead.

Meanwhile, Erzebet, still disguised as Simon, quietly placed a hand over her chest and breathed a silent sigh of relief.