"That concludes the meeting. Each of you is well aware of your role in this business and just how much is expected of you. Do not fall below my expectations, is that understood?"

Calmly leaning forward in my seat of honor, I stare intently at the people before me.

Uncle Damon

Leon

Jasper

Freya

These four are now my administrators in the Dark Guild, meant to replace the Sixfold Helm of Darkness. Under this new administration, and with the supervision of Snake's superior, we intend to expand our business and increase the streams of profit.

Naturally, this arrangement means great rewards for everyone

However, more than that, it will benefit me the most.

Although I have found a solution to all my immediate problems, it will take a lot of resources, which means a heavy financial burden. It will also require a great deal of time for the Dark Guild to gather all the materials I requested.

In the meantime, business must proceed as usual.

Although Leon and Uncle Damon are a part of my inner circle, within the Dark Guild, they must operate as my subordinates.

This establishes hierarchy and prevents a disruption in the status quo.

'With my business and all the connected subsidiaries also growing in scale, the perfect way to funnel the proceeds from the Dark Guild has been established. I can also initiate transactions with the Dark Guild using these businesses as a front, which will explain my acquisitions of certain things to the public.'

If there's anything I'm really lacking, it isn't infrastructure… but staff.

We need more competent members.

Because I slew pretty much everyone in Headquarters, with the exception of Jasper and Freya, there is a hole in manpower that needs to be filled. I haven't felt the strain now, but once business kicks in full throttle, I will undoubtedly notice.

Jasper and Freya have assured me that there are ways to get more hands on deck, but I don't simply need numbers to fill up the seats.

I require competent workers.

Also, I don't want the members to come from those Freya or Jasper. I still find those two largely untrustworthy, and I would hate for newcomers to have their loyalties tied to them.

No, Uncle Damon and Leon will handle recruitment.

I could absorb the remnant members of the Aditi Household and maybe Count Kaelen's as well to the fold. Since they are without titles, and many of the vassals are desperate for jobs, I can take advantage of the situation and bring them to my service.

The issue is how to control them, but thankfully, that has been resolved with the supply of the Dark Guild's Poison called Black Heart Vow.

With this Black Heart Vow, I can set specifications that the members must adhere to.

Disobedience equals death.

While such an extreme measure is distasteful, it will be highly effective.

As long as they don't fail, they won't be punished.

Many might be skeptical of joining such an arrangement, but desperation will make them give in.

I'm sure Brutus also felt the same when he joined the Dark Guild.

He didn't have many options left.

Same as these people.

'But, among these new staff… I especially need more Alchemists.' This thought has been troubling me for some time now.

Jasper alone, although a Senior Alchemist, is no longer sufficient for my needs.

He is certainly skilled, but there are far too many Potions I will be needing in this period, and while I know another Senior Alchemist fit for the job, I cannot drag Anna into this business.

As for my Aunt Leila, she isn't skilled enough.

'Damnit… If only I had some kind of connection to the Thal'marians. They're considered the best at Alchemy, and having some on my side will be helpful. But I have recently learned that they are rivaled by the Syl'vaens, but that is a proud race… so I can't count on their help either.'

My sigh grows deeper.

I could try working on my own Alchemy Skills, but it'll take me far too long to get as proficient as I need to be. Plus, it's not like I am not already occupied with other things.

This is life.

A series of challenges and worries that seem to never end.

One can only persevere.

'Let's put the matter on hold for now, though. I still have some time before my deal with Snake's superior is completed, and I get the complete batch of Special Resources. I can rack my brain and find a solution before then.'

Per my contract with the Royal Academy, I need to work there for at least two years before I quit.

Almost a year has passed.

After one more year, I'll retire and leave for Dustinville.

So, within this one year, I must have resolved all these remnant issues and have enough resources to accompany me to that strange new land.

Overall, I'm excited.

A new world is about to open up before me… but I have to endure a little longer.

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

Death.

All kinds of deaths.

With torn flesh, ground bones, and an endless pool of blood, flowing to form a crimson river glistening within the darkness.

This sight is too gruesome to bear, but someone watches everything, paralyzed.

He watches the victims—all of them torn to shreds, their entrails scattered all over the vast place to form gory decorations.

While there are a small number of adults, most of these victims are young, with expressions of terror on their bloodstained faces.

Students, no doubt.

Looking at the fallen banner stained in endless crimson, it is clear that it belongs to the Royal Academy of Randalorion.

A few corpses of beasts litter the ground, but they cannot be compared to the mountain of human corpses that fills the horizon.

This is a slaughter!

A terrifying painting reeking of despair… and chaos!

And standing atop this deluge of atrocities is a being whose unfathomable power shakes the observer's existence to his core.

Once it stares at him, he is instantly jolted awake.

His Divination concludes.

"Ahh… ahhh!!!"

A soft, timid voice fills the air, as heaviness radiates all over his room.

His long silver-like hair dances in the air, although some strands stick to his skin as a result of the sweat that drenches his body.

At this point, his door opens, and several men enter, all wearing looks of concern.

They appear to be guards, but they are dressed in pure white attires that ooze holiness and serenity. If someone said they were priests, it wouldn't be impossible to believe.

"Sir, are you alright?" Their leader, far more adorned than the rest, asks with a mild tone.

For a moment, the young man says nothing.

He only stares into the air, dazed and horrified beyond words.

Then, he finally snaps out of it.

"Huu… I'm fine."

Slowly picking up his dainty body, he rises to his feet and leaves his bedside.

Then, he slowly leaves his room.

All the guards clear the path and allow him to pass. They know where he is headed… and what it is he will likely discuss. This is not the first time this has happened.

Normally, rituals are necessary for Divination.

But he is special.

Even when asleep, he can Divine certain events—some of the past, some of the present, some which are yet to take place.

The guards can only wonder which it is he has just seen.

"Back to your posts. I will escort him to the Bishop from behind." Once the head guard says this, the others nod and disperse.

As for the young man, he continues walking, his long silver hair flowing behind him.

He only stops when he is in front of a grand door at the end of the hallway.

This is the place.

The room of the only one who can understand him.

"Father Gerome… It's me…" The young man's voice shakily echoes. "It happened again… and this one feels very urgent."

After only a second of silence, a response emerges from behind the door.

"Then come in, Seth."

Indeed.

This young man is none other than Seth Clayford; First Rate Scholar, Top Clergy Student with a Royal Seal of Excellence, and an alumnus of the Royal Academy.

He is also Javier Aditi's best friend.

Once he steps into the opulent room, he is greeted with all kinds of decorations.

All of them possess symbolic meanings.

For this is no ordinary room.

It is the residence of the Head of the Church in the Randalorion Kingdom.

The Bishop… fondly referred to as Father Gerome.

As Seth enters this sanctuary, he feels an undeniable warmth. Once he sees the old man seated behind his desk, with all manner of documents laid out neatly on the table, his heart feels at even greater ease.

"It's about the Royal Academy. I think it will encounter a major disaster soon, and it will claim the lives of at least a thousand students. No, even the staff, too. It was gruesome… brutal… a slaughter of undeniable proportions. Father, i—"

"Relax… and sit." Father Gerome warmly speaks, gesturing the young man to come closer.

Seth nods.

He walks forward, finally taking a seat right opposite his adopted father.

His heart is still racing.

Images of the horrid fate of the Royal Academy still play in his mind.

This horror… this sheer tragedy…

'… I can't allow it to happen!' With a resolute gaze, he stares at the Bishop, who observes his countenance and nods in agreement.

"Has it been twenty years now? Since I found you and brought you under the shelter of the church…" Father Gerome speaks calmly and affectionately. "Your unique power of seeing these visions is unlike anything I have ever seen. Being able to accurately witness past events, and even peer into the future… your power far surpasses all other Diviners in the history of the Church."

"…."

This is both a blessing and a curse.

Because of Seth's great power, the Church has undoubtedly benefited, and many lives have enjoyed far better fates.

But what about Seth Clayford himself?

He cannot control this power of his, and while his Divination is perfect, not even weakening his fragile body afterwards, it continues to wear down on the poor boy's mind. Anytime he sleeps, he is unaware of the nightmares he will end up witnessing.

But this is a price Seth is willing to pay.

For the sake of the Church… for the sake of the Randalorion Kingdom… for the sake of humanity!

"Now… tell me all about this dream."

[A/N: This concludes the Post Leviathan Awakening/Academy Professor Arc, kick-starting the second arc of this volume… The Royal Academy Excursion!]

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