Surviving as a Con Artist at the Academy

---

91. Father, What Exactly Are You Doing…? (1)

The Holy Cross Tower, known as the center and symbol of Kreuz.

As usual for the heart of a classical city, it was the tallest structure in this city.

This was also the place with a magical lift that could not be found in Aligieri, making it one of the few practical implementations on the continent.

The scale of the facilities visible upon ascending was enormous.

Inside, there were restaurants and cafes, various training grounds, research labs, and even accommodations.

No building in reality, not even the 63 Building, could measure up to this scale. It felt like the building itself was a small town.

‘Still, it smells like the old world, which is nice.’

As I climbed higher, the width of the building gradually narrowed, and the noise began to dissipate, giving way to a palpable tranquility.

The magical lift halted just shy of reaching the uppermost floor.

“Impressive.”

I was awestruck by the massive statue that greeted me as I stepped off.

To the left, a winged figure seemed to stretch out its hand, while opposite it sat a fox with its head lowered, receiving the deity’s touch.

Despite being an artificial sculpture, it exuded an aura that made it feel alive, as if it were watching me.

Unlike the vibrant atmosphere of the lower floors, the top floor was enveloped in a solemn atmosphere, full of decorum.

“Let’s go.”

As the maid numbly led the way, I followed behind her.

After walking through the wide corridor lit by bright lighting, I finally saw a large door.

Knock knock knock—

As the maid approached the door and knocked three times, it creaked open without a response.

Clearly, it was an invitation to enter.

“Well then, I’ll be taking my leave.”

Leona politely stepped back, having done her part.

As I stepped with timid footsteps inside… the door closed on its own.

Bang!— Is it an automatic door? I felt a shiver at the sight of it closing without anyone touching it.

It’s impossible for something ghostly to exist in such a sacred and clean place, but horror clichés involuntarily popped up in my mind.

“Come, sit down here.”

Across from me was an open space with a single sofa and a table.

Despite the minimal decor, it was dazzling enough to cleanse my eyes, enough to merit a reflection on my previous unease.

There was also a chimney roaring with flames despite the absence of firewood. Truly befitting the room of the high-ranking clergyman, the Archbishop.

‘I wonder how grand the Pope’s room must be?’

While pondering that, I walked over and took a seat on the sofa.

Across from me sat a middle-aged man with white hair, radiating a warmth that made it easy to meet his gaze.

He felt reminiscent of when I first encountered Cage, and the structure of his office seemed similarly familiar.

“So, you are Radon Crawler.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I am Belion Teniriz, the Archbishop of the Holy Cross Sect. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Pleasure’s mine.”

Once the greetings were exchanged, a bowl of snacks and a mug of black tea materialized on the table.

I realized that there was unusual magical power emanating from the table, indicating that a magical device capable of instant teleportation had been installed.

“I’ve heard about your exploits from Director Gamur and Vice Director Crudy. You’re the student from Aligieri who helped the First Order in capturing what was once called the criminals of Hellheim.”

“That’s correct. Are the two of them safe?”

“According to reports, both have fully recovered. They’ve also reunited with their families.”

That was a relief. Hearing that those I helped were safe filled my heart with pride.

“Congratulations. When you return to Aligieri, a good evaluation will await you in your group.”

“Thank you for the kind words, but… shouldn’t you also gather some of the other students to say that?”

After all, he is an Archbishop right under the Pope.

Surely he wouldn’t summon me alone just to commend me for a mission.

“I plan to call the other students later. However, I brought you here first because I have something I want to tell you, just you.”

“What is it?”

“There are various reasons, but one of them is this.”

As Belion snapped his fingers, a person suddenly appeared with a flash of light.

Summoned by teleportation magic, the person was none other than Archbishop Delos, who had stopped me when I entered the city this morning.

“Do you understand why you were called?”

“Yes, I was expecting this.”

Delos respectfully clasped his hands at his waist.

Though he appeared somewhat subdued before the Archbishop, it was unnecessary for him to look so pitiful.

“I truly apologize! I sincerely beg your pardon!”

“Huh?”

“Let me repeat—I have committed a grave sin!”

Initially, he bowed his head sharply, but on his second apology, he practically pressed his forehead to the ground.

A déjà vu of the events from this morning hit me.

“A heartfelt apology is in order for having been rude. Archbishop Delos, that…”

“Yes.”

Delos extended a hand toward me, holding a small vial in the shape of a pendant.

“This is the Tears of the Encompassing Spirit. Swallowing the droplets that fall inside can heal wounds as well as neutralize any harmful substances. Moreover, it can weaken any unhealthy powers.”

Recovery & detoxification & purification.

It was a rather versatile item.

“This relic was created through the research of myself and the clergy under me. This friend was also part of that research team.”

“Then it’s quite an important object, isn’t it? Even if it’s a token of apology, giving it to me seems insufficient.”

“Rest assured, it doesn’t mean you will become its infinite owner. It’s just a loan until your graduation.”

With that timeframe in mind, it seemed worth accepting. Of course, I’d have to take good care of it until I returned it.

“Try it out. You happen to have a burn on your arm.”

My wrist bore the evidence of my sacrifice made to protect the rice ball. However, just by opening the cap and taking one drop, it quickly soothed the burn.

“The effects are certainly apparent.”

“Of course.”

While I bore a proud expression, Belion suddenly turned his gaze to Delos.

“You may leave now.”

“Yes.”

With a snap of his fingers, Archbishop Delos vanished.

After summoning him back, Belion continued.

“Indeed, it’s understandable for Delos to be upset. You may try to hide it as much as you can, but I can see the aura of the Spirit Power within you.”

“I see you’ve noticed.”

It would be strange for anyone less than an Archbishop not to catch on, but by making Delos apologize, it seemed they didn’t share the same mindset.

“However, don’t worry, I won’t press too hard. Our Holy Cross Sect knows how to differentiate between public and private, even while taking the oracle to heart. We cannot become like the Doomsday Sect, which was once glorious but has since fallen.”

The Doomsday Sect, which Enviel belonged to.

Though they were once a religion led by the Pope, the doctrine had twisted over time, becoming a frenzied group that worshipped demons.

If something didn’t align with their oracle, they’d scowl and pull out their weapons.

The Holy Cross Sect was established by those who felt disillusioned and escaped such a fate.

It seemed they were thoroughly apologizing to ensure they wouldn’t end up like them.

“And the snake behind you is also a being that should not tread on this land.”

“You see it too?”

“It’s a high-ranking Spirit, Muto. The mere fact that you’ve contracted with it is proof of your exceptional abilities. However, don’t think it’ll be easy to control. The more responsive the curse, the more it will gnaw at its master.”

Dealing with the Spirit Power was, in fact, a double-edged sword.

There are cases where one attempts to overcome a curse by accepting it and ends up becoming the curse itself.

In such scenarios, one could lose their humanity, either by losing their body to the spirit or succumbing to its malevolent influence.

My class wasn’t called “Outlaw” for nothing.

“At worst, you could become a body that cannot survive without committing evil acts.”

Having already fallen under such a curse…

“That’s where the Tears of the Encompassing Spirit come into play. If you splash it on that snake, the energies attempting to gnaw at you will gradually diminish.”

“I see.”

As I emphasized the Tears of the Encompassing Spirit to Muto, it tensed up and sneaked into a secluded corner.

It seemed like a frightened animal sensing danger.

“By the way, you said your surname is ‘Crawler,’ right?”

“Is there something concerning you about that…?”

“A long time ago, a Count named Crawler came to this Holy Cross Tower and caused a commotion.”

What? Could it be my father?

“I believe his name was Rotas Crawler. He appeared to be asking for something, but he was just rambling incoherently. It was as if his words were interrupted at several points.”

I heard that my father sought help from this sect and many others to break the curse.

But because he was met with silence, he ended up leaving in disgrace, empty-handed.

“Since our conversation made no sense, it was considered a waste of time, and we had him escorted out. However, he didn’t just leave; he rummaged around Kreuz relentlessly.”

He must have thought that Kreuz was the only place that could break the curse.

Leaving empty-handed must have been difficult for him.

“Did he scrape together the family’s assets? He bought up all the expensive magical devices and relics developed here in Kreuz.”

With such reckless spending, it was only natural for the family to fall into decline.

But did he really spend all that money only to be unable to break the curse?

What a dreadful situation.

“Though it wasn’t bad for the merchants, not everyone among the residents was on board. Many needed those relics badly.”

The relics from Kreuz are often used for healing.

Because of this, people seeking to cure their ailments often converge here.

“The most notable victim was a girl whose mother suffered from aphasia. A specific relic had to be activated within a limited timeframe to heal her, but Count Crawler snatched it up, so the girl must have felt a great sense of loss.”

“….”

“You’re telling me that Count Crawler is indeed your father?”

“Yes.”

A voice tinged with concern escaped my lips.

Even if he’s not my biological father, I wanted to give him a piece of my mind as a son.

I’ll have to see him during winter break.

Belion sighed heavily.

“This is quite troublesome.”

“What do you mean?”

“As you know, it’s not just Angela who is a saint. There’s another girl my age named Nebia Chromag.”

That name was also familiar to me.

She would be entering Aligieri next year alongside Angela and was the villain of the second-year part, filled with overwhelming jealousy.

Because of her inferiority complex toward Angela’s superiority, she pressured the protagonists using the authority of a saint.

The depiction of her character was truly that of an obstinate wicked woman.

Once she sets her sights on a target, she would gnaw at it by any means necessary, like a beast.

“Does she have some sort of issue?”

“Didn’t you just mention the girl with the aphasic mother?”

Why bring up that girl suddenly?

Huh?

Wait a moment.

Could it be…?

“That girl is none other than… Saint Nebia Chromag.”

My jaw dropped.

A seismic event occurred in my eyes, nose, and mouth.

My insides twisted, and my shoulders slumped.

I looked as if I had aged thirty years.

‘S*, are you kidding me?!’

Father.

When I see you next, I won’t just give you a piece of my mind; I’ll make sure to give you a massage with Leviathan.

Surviving as an Academy Scammer.