The Academy’s Ankle Reaper

– Chapter 136



I somehow managed to return to my routine.

It was a complete mess due to repeated invasions, but for me, aside from the second incident that turned the entire arena upside down, there were very few students who suffered serious consequences directly.

Still, the large-scale incidents that occurred over the past two months were enough to make the students—who had previously thought the academy was safe—feel anxious, leading many of them to withdraw or request a leave of absence.

Of course, more students remained than left.

For one, while incidents did arise, the worst of it had only resulted in injuries; there had been no fatalities among the students.

During the Hunting Festival invasion, one professor met a tragic end at the hands of a Demon Bishop, but it seemed to have been nicely wrapped up as he died protecting the students.

One of the biggest reasons for maintaining the current atmosphere was that well-known kids from prominent households—like the five pillars, student council president, newspaper club leader, and swordsmanship research club leader—didn’t really seem to care.

If even the children of dukes, marquesses, and earls weren’t particularly concerned, it would have seemed too rash to express worry about the barons and viscounts being so noisy.







As I recounted what had happened since returning to the academy, I ended up mentioning the most important things from this investigation.

Killing two Demon Bishops, surely the Pope would consider bestowing at least one more holy relic for that.

“So… the group that invaded the academy is all the same folks, and you cleaned up a few places so they couldn’t focus on the academy?”

“Right.”

“They’re the same Demon Bishops from the academy’s attack during the Hunting Festival?”

“Yeah… owowowow.”

Before I could finish my words, River pinched my cheek.

River, who had been wondering about Amy’s brief disappearance, seemed angry upon hearing the details of the incident.

“You said you’d just go for an investigation! I didn’t think it would be so dangerous… And to sneak in and take Amy too… Isn’t that too much?”

“It wasn’t that dangerous. It just took a long time to handle both; it was all sorted out pretty simply.”

“That’s easy for you to say, Master; but Amy, who went with you, is still just an Expert! I know how dangerous those Demon Bishops are since I’ve fought against them!”

It seemed like he was really bothered by the fact that only Amy was taken.

He must have realized that it was pointless to worry about me at this point.

“Amy is more skilled in dealing with demons than the Inquisitioners. She’s a very strong child.”

“Strong… you flatter me.”

When I said she was better than the Inquisitioners, Amy chuckled.

Now that we had all returned safely, River didn’t say anything too serious.

He probably thought it was just a minor incident since it was wrapped up quickly.

“Amy, you should’ve at least left a letter behind; do you know how worried I was when you disappeared for a whole day?”

“Ah… I’m so sorry…”

As River pinched her cheek too, Amy flailed her arms.







After finishing our workout, the academy was bustling with noise.

“Hey! Hey! People from the Church Country are coming!!”

“They say the Bishop is coming??”

“Holy Knights are coming too!!”

“Are they planning to start a war or something here??”

As students spotted the Regular Ship arriving and the articles posted on the notice board, they all headed toward the port.

Thinking of the information the Saint had conveyed about the Bishop’s visit, I remembered she mentioned that the Church Country decided to send people to protect the academy from demons.

“The Bishop must be coming.”

Upon hearing that the Bishop was arriving, Amy jumped in surprise.

“The… Bishop?”

“More people from the Church Country are coming to the academy? Isn’t there already a Church here? And there are Inquisitioners and Holy Knights as well…”

“There’s only one of each of them. To look after the entire academy, they’d need to have their bodies split five ways.”

While the people in the academy weren’t weak, considering the recent events, it was definitely insufficient to have only one of each.

“Should we go take a look?”

“Well, it’s a free period today, so let’s go watch.”

“Ugh…”

As everyone gathered to wait for the Regular Ship’s arrival, it reminded me of when the Sword Master came.

The ship equipped with the Orion Drive made a low rumble as it safely docked at the port.

Then, a grand elder stepped off the ship, raising a staff displaying the Church’s symbol high into the sky.

“Welcome! We appreciate your warm welcome.”

“I’m at a loss for words with such a warm reception.”

It wasn’t clear when they had arrived, but the Principal came down to converse with the elder.

A total of twelve people disembarked from the Regular Ship.

Eight Holy Knights equipped with swords and blunt weapons, three Inquisitioners following them, and one Bishop leading them all.

While they weren’t dressed in the flashy attire typically worn during worship in the Capitol, their outfits looked very solemn and neat.

“Wow… this is intense…”

“Atlas, could those people be…?”

“You’re not mistaken.”

As Amy whispered to me while observing the disembarked individuals, it seemed she recognized many of them from frequently visiting the Church Country.

“What are you two whispering about?”

“It seems those aren’t just standard Holy Knights…”

“What do you mean?”

“The Holy Knights are wearing long red capes over their armor. Doesn’t that look familiar?”

The capes, stained with deep crimson as if oozing blood, contrasted starkly with their white armor, making them very conspicuous.

And we had often seen similar capes before.

“Uh… Is that what Amy wears?”

River also scratched his head in thought before mentioning Amy.

“Exactly, that’s the same material as the coat Amy wears. It’s incredibly strong, durable, and resistant to magical energy.”

I don’t have even a single item made of anti-magic fabric.

Though the Squirette’s armor is pretty strong, it’s nothing compared to the resistance of anti-magic fabric when facing demons.

“Not everyone can wear anti-magic cloth; especially if it can be made into a cape this size… they could probably buy a small castle for that.”

“So, Amy’s outfit costs that much?”

“Probably?”

“That’s not something I bought.”

When River and I both stared at Amy while spouting out prices, she waved her hands frantically.

Of course, it was all a joke.I understood that most of her gear was either treasures obtained at the cost of life or items acquired through some fortunate encounters.

“Well, getting back to the point… sending Holy Knights capable of wearing capes made of anti-magic cloth means they are among the best the Church could send to deal with foreign threats.”

“…They likely have combat skills equal to those protecting the Church Country itself. Judging by the insignia, they seem to belong to the Red Banner Holy Knight Order.”

“Red Banner? That sounds very revolutionary.”

While not a large number of people had arrived to target the Demon Bishops, it was evident that elite individuals were present.

Professor Buckingham looked pale as he watched the Inquisitioners and the Bishop enter.

Even though he had been assured by the Shadow, it seemed a part of him was still troubled by the fact that he had been playing a part in the demons’ schemes.

“It’s reassuring that they’ve come, but it also feels very unsettling.”

“Isn’t having more people good? If there are this many Inquisitioners, demons would be too scared to dare approach.”

“Since they came as representatives of the Church Country, they’ll have their own pride. They’ll definitely act with great enthusiasm. But being overly enthusiastic isn’t always a good thing.”







A little while later, all the students assembled in the grand auditorium.

This auditorium, unused since the day of the entrance ceremony, was now filled with people bustling about.

I thought they were just gathering to send the Bishop off, but apparently, everyone had something they wanted to say.

“With just one Bishop coming, if a Saint or the Pope comes, it would really turn everything upside down.”

“The Bishop is essentially standing in for the Pope, so it’s only right that we treat him with the utmost respect.”

What on earth could they want to say that warranted gathering all the students? I was feeling very uneasy.

‘I’m curious about the awful things that old man will say.’

As it seemed all the students had gathered, the Principal appeared on stage.

“Recently, there have been unfortunate incidents at the academy.

As some of you may know, the academy is currently being targeted by heretics who worship demons, and we have acknowledged that our previous methods are inadequate to counter them.

Fortunately, having recognized the seriousness of this situation, the Church Country has graciously sent noble individuals to protect the academy, so I hope you all welcome them warmly.”

“Now, please welcome our guests.”

With his words flowing smoothly, the Principal used honorifics.

He had never used such language even with any of the professors at the academy.

“Hello, students. I am the Bishop named Peter from the Church.”

After the Principal left, the elder stepped up on stage and introduced himself as Peter.

While he wore a friendly smile in front of the students, his face was riddled with stubborn-looking wrinkles.

“His name is Peter.”

“Do you know him?”

“I’ve seen him a few times, but never actually talked to him.”

While the Pope, Saints, and Saintess knew I was the Shadow of the Empire, the bishops were completely unaware.

I had only crossed paths with Bishop Peter a few times when I had worn the Shadow’s Armor to speak with Saint McKinto.

“He must be a good person, one who doesn’t commit corruption, cannot forgive evil, and tends to the weak. Such people usually rise to the rank of Bishop,”

“Why does his expression look like that?”

“Just looking at his face makes it clear he’s probably a tired person.”

Bishop Peter began his speech from the podium.

“Coincidentally, I must begin with some unfortunate news.

This is an undeniable fact that we cannot ignore.

The academy is being targeted by demons.

The academy is facing an invasion from Hell!

But I promise you, the future of the Empire rests on your shoulders, and no demon will dare harm you while I am here at this academy.

However, with less than fifty of us, there are limits to how well we can protect you.

Thus, I would like to propose a light Code of Conduct to prepare the academy against demons of equal power as those in the Church Country.”

‘What kind of Code of Conduct is he talking about…’

Just hearing the phrase “Code of Conduct” already made my head start to throb.

“Code… of Conduct?”

“What a crazy old man…”

The strong words of “Code of Conduct” made the auditorium buzz with chatter.

The atmosphere suggested the students were questioning why the Bishop would impose restrictions on their behavior.

“Then, for the first rule… no absurdity will be tolerated within the academy.”

With that bombshell statement, the murmurs exploded all around.

The students most shocked were the examinees.

They were always singled out as the targets of absurdity.

“Demons can exploit even the slightest cracks in the mind. And in a gathering of peers like at the academy, nothing allows demons to slip in as easily as irrational absurdity.”

To the examinees, who constantly suffered at the hands of recommend students, it felt like a savior had arrived.

While they couldn’t show it openly out of embarrassment, the fact that someone could speak out against such behavior elevated their spirits.

Well, that’s as far as it goes.

“And the second rule… prohibition of improper heterosexual relationships.”

This second announcement was even more shocking than the first.

“The nature of



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