Via was genuinely stunned.
Of all places, Avalon Academy had chosen the Demon King’s Castle ruins for this year’s expedition.
That had been her headquarters in her previous life.
“Meow?”
The little yellow cat, having finished its dried fish, leapt onto Via’s head and peered down at the magazine article together with her, letting out a curious sound.
“What, you want to visit the Demon King’s Castle too?” Via teased.
“Meow!” The cat answered with unmistakable affirmation.
Via laughed. “A tiny thing like you? You’d become beast chow in seconds. You’re not even big enough to get stuck in their teeth!”
“Meow…”
The cat seemed to understand the mockery, shrank its head, then looked at Via again.
“Meow meow meow?”
“I’m definitely going.”
Originally, returning to the Demon King’s Castle ruins had been part of Via’s long-term plans—she wanted to see if anything useful remained.
But leaving human territory alone to reach that place was far too dangerous with her current strength. She had shelved the idea until she grew much stronger.
Yet if Avalon Academy was sending powerhouses and providing escorts… that changed everything.
“My chance has come.”
…
“Director, are you serious? We’re really taking the next expedition to the Demon King’s Castle ruins?”
Inside the office of Avalon Academy’s Dean of Instruction, Anima stared at Nikita, his face full of disbelief.
“That place is far more dangerous than the old demon–human battlefields! It was the stronghold of the Demon King Ville himself!”
“Of course I know that. But this is a precious opportunity the principal fought for in the name of the academy.”
Nikita’s expression was grave. He rose from his chair and looked out the window.
Heavy black clouds covered the sky, blotting out the sun—a storm was coming.
“What… do you mean?” Anima asked, puzzled.
“After humanity won the war, the Saint Luo Empire immediately seized control of the Demon King’s Castle ruins and placed it under total lockdown. The Emperor personally decreed that no human may approach without explicit permission,” Nikita explained.
“That’s common knowledge. For over a decade, the ruins have been under imperial surveillance.”
“Don’t you find it curious what exactly is inside those ruins that makes the imperial higher-ups guard it so obsessively?”
“Dangerous magical beasts?”
“Beasts are certainly there. But far more important is the legacy of Demon King Ville,” Nikita reminded him. “Can you even imagine how much wealth the King of Demons left behind after his defeat?”
“This…” Anima was taken aback. “The Empire has always claimed the ruins are too dangerous and forbade approach. They’ve never once mentioned anything about Ville’s inheritance.”
“Of course they wouldn’t. If the public learned the Empire covets demonic relics, it would spark a wave of outrage! Even the imperial family cannot explore the ruins freely—they still need the Holy Land’s cooperation, sending Holy Knights to clear obstacles.”
“So you’re saying the Holy Land is profiting too?”
“The principal has known these secrets for years. By exploiting the conflict of interests between the Holy Land and the Empire, he negotiated for many years and finally secured this chance for our academy to visit the Demon King’s Castle ruins.”
Nikita continued explaining to Anima.
“Many children of imperial nobles and the Holy Land’s future successors study here. Under the pretext of ‘training,’ we can bring students to the relatively safer outer zones while the instructors attempt to probe deeper.”
“But… that’s still the Demon King’s legacy…”
Anima felt deeply conflicted.
He had always taught his students the history of the demons—how that evil race inflicted enormous suffering on humanity, how they were irreconcilable enemies.
Yet now, many among humanity still coveted the Demon King’s possessions.
“Anima, I understand your feelings, but reality demands practical judgment.”
Nikita paused, then enlightened him further.
“Suppose one gold coin is in demonic hands—those damned creatures would use it to buy weapons to slaughter our people. That is evil.
But if that same gold coin is in our hands, it becomes resources to educate students, to raise them into heroes who protect humanity and preserve vital peace. That is justice.”
“But…”
“No buts. If you can’t stomach it, step down. Plenty of other instructors are eager for the chance!”
Nikita was thoroughly annoyed by Anima’s stubbornness.
“As for the student roster for the expedition—remember, vet them strictly. This directly affects whether the imperial court and the Holy Land will grant us entry.”
…
“Even if we only let students operate on the outskirts of the Demon King’s Castle ruins, there will still be danger, right?”
Anima was walking back to his own office, mulling over Nikita’s words the entire way.
Though he couldn’t fully accept them, as a teacher he also needed performance reviews. Incompetent instructors got sacked just the same.
“Teacher Anima?”
“Hm? Via?”
He heard someone call his name. Turning around, he saw Via. The two had run into each other in the academy corridor.
“What is it? Class is about to start—don’t loiter!”
“I came to apply for the upcoming academy expedition,” Via stated her purpose.
“You?”
“Yes. I don’t want to miss this chance to train myself properly.”
“Train yourself? What is there for you to train?”
Anima immediately frowned, ready to refuse on the spot.
This useless girl wants to join the fun?
Even the outskirts were dangerous compared to the depths; students without real strength weren’t allowed.
“Teacher Anima, don’t reject me so fast.”
Via seemed to have predicted it.
“In the last assessment I scored Excellent. According to the rules, I’m fully qualified to apply.”
“Tch, just a one-time stroke of luck, and you keep bringing it up!”
Anima was irritated and wanted another excuse to turn her down.
But then he remembered Nikita’s instruction: applicants must be rigorously screened—not only for grades and strength, but also for background. That background was crucial to gaining approval from the imperial court and the Holy Land.
No matter how mediocre Via was in other areas, she was still Lady Sylvia’s daughter and a current saintess candidate. That identity alone was more than enough.
“…Fine. Since you’re so earnest, I’ll submit your application to the administration for approval!”
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