Chapter 172


    <em>— In this world, there exist beings who have crossed over from another dimension.</em>


    I took a small breath.


    ‘…That’s creepy.’


    It was a statement I hadn’t expected, not even for a moment.


    Of course, his expression had shown he was about to say something serious.


    Even with the authority and kindness of an archbishop, there was a gravity in his demeanor.


    But to open his mouth and say, “There are people who have crossed over from another dimension”?


    ‘…He’s definitely testing me.’


    It’s a dangerous statement to make without any hint of context.If someone who knows nothing heard such words, they might think, “Has the archbishop gone senile?”


    So, to some extent, the archbishop must be suspicious of me.


    And the fact that he didn’t beat around the bush, but directly threw that statement at me…


    ‘It’s a test.’


    He’s testing me.


    I have no idea why the archbishop is testing me, or exactly what he means by “people who crossed dimensions”.


    But one thing is certain: if I fall out of his favor, a quick death on the execution tform, or worse, burning at the stake as a witch, would be a happy ending.


    Therefore, my stance is clear.


    “Are there such beings?”


    I simply asked back as if I didn’t understand. Usually, this is the most natural response, right?


    I added a suspicious look as I asked, as if to say, ‘Are you sure you’re alright?’


    “Heh. Indeed,” the archbishop justughed it off pleasantly, continuing to observe me in silence, as if gauging my reaction.


    What a sly old man.


    But I won’t let him drag me into his game.


    “Beings that crossed dimensions? What do you mean by that?”


    I acted as if I didn’t understand.


    Well, it’s not really acting, is it? I don’t know what he means by “people who crossed dimensions” either.


    It could be someone possessed, or perhaps actual aliens from another dimension.


    In this situation, ying dumb is the best option.


    “Hmmm. Yes, I should exin from the beginning.”


    The archbishop stroked his beard thoughtfully.


    He soon began to speak again.


    “Officially, they’re called ‘Dimensional Wanderers’. They take control of human minds and manipte them. Usually, if someone’s personality suddenly changes one day, it’s a sign of their presence.”


    “Such beings exist?”


    “Yes. They’re usually full of greed. They try to take control of something and cause chaos. That’s why we call them Wanderers.”


    “Wanderers?”


    “It means beings whose souls have no resting ce, wandering in greed for this world, seizing bodies and corrupting it.”


    Finishing his exnation, the archbishop scanned me with a meaningful gaze.


    What a sly character.


    He tosses a usible answer and watches for a reaction.


    Then, he asks more questions and observes again.


    He’s slowly feeding information while testing my responses.


    From his behavior, I was now sure of one thing.


    I was definitely under suspicion.


    But why?


    Did I do something suspicious?


    Admittedly, I’ve been making some big movestely.


    Most notably, I was personally rewarded by the Emperor.


    ‘I’m not sure how or why he took an interest in me, but…’


    He must have noticed something and decided to probe me.


    ‘…<em>Hah</em>.’


    I never thought I’d be suspected of being a possessor.


    It’s unsettling, like having a fundamental w pointed out.


    ‘Then again, when you think about it…’


    In the world of Fantasy X Academy, there’s no such thing as “Dimensional Wanderers”.


    Have there ever been such drastic differences in the setting after possession?


    Of course, there have been times when the plot or setting diverged slightly, but this is the first time things have gone so off course.


    It’s quite unsettling.


    — <em>Click</em>


    I need to stay calm.


    I sipped the tea on the table slowly, trying to regain myposure, making sure to look like I was genuinely trying to understand the conversation.


    But the situation isn’t all that bad.


    ‘The suspicion isn’t that strong yet.’


    If the archbishop’s suspicion was closer to certainty, he wouldn’t be trying to have this conversation. He’d just hold a witch trial and burn me at the stake.


    Since I’m just an ordinary academy student with no real backing, the archbishop could deal with me however he pleases.


    ‘Wait a minute.’


    Can I really say I have no backing now?


    After my recent visit to the pce, I’ve likely been unofficially marked as someone associated with the third princess, Asteria.


    Not to mention my close ties with Silvia Laurent’s merchant guild and Yerina Pierce, who now holds the title of Grand Duchess of the North.


    Hmm.


    I actually do have some support, don’t I?


    That might be why this old man is probing me so cautiously.


    His suspicion could be stronger than I initially thought.


    I need to navigate this situation carefully.


    “Hm. I see. Beings from another dimension, huh? I get the gist, but it’s still a bit hard to fully grasp.”


    “Hehehe. That’s understandable. But aren’t you curious?”


    “…About what, exactly?”


    “Whether there’s a way to identify those Wanderers.”


    The archbishop smiled, his wrinkles deepening.


    …This is inevitable.


    Whatever that sted method is, the archbishop is clearly nning to use it on me.


    I need to dig out as much information as I can.


    “What is that method?”


    “The church, or rather, the Vatican, has a sacred relic.”


    “…A sacred relic?”


    “Yes. When someone’s face is reflected in it, it reveals whether they are a Wanderer or not.” “I see.”


    Well, isn’t that convenient?


    Things are really taking a frustrating turn.


    And if I recall, isn’t the next episode supposed to take ce at the Vatican?


    This is one of those moments where maintaining a neutral expression is incredibly difficult.


    “Well… It’s just something to keep in mind, haha! Given your recent achievements, I thought you might be interested in these sorts of topics.”


    “It’s definitely a fascinating subject.”


    “Isn’t it?”


    The archbishop nodded contentedly, stroking his beard.


    <em>Swish. Swish.</em>


    There was a brief silence before the old man spoke again.


    “Inquisitors areing to Lichten.”


    “I’ve heard.”


    The old man gazed at me steadily. His eyes looked ordinary, but the weight behind them was anything but.


    “The First Princess has an interest in forming an alliance with Princess Asteria.”


    “…Is that so?”


    “Yes. This is an offer.”


    He didn’t spell out the terms of the offer, but I understood its implications.


    “Think about it and let me know.”


    ◆


    “<em>Haaah</em>…”


    After leaving the church, I returned to my dorm as if fleeing.


    Though I tried to walk confidently, the truth is that I felt uneasy deep down.


    ‘Who would’ve thought they’d suspect my true identity?’


    It was a question that came out of nowhere, catching me off guard.


    Even someone as experienced as I am couldn’t help but feel a chill down their spine.


    ‘At least it doesn’t seem like the suspicion has gotten worse.’


    — <em>Click</em>


    As I opened the door to the dorm, I reyed the conversation with the archbishop in my mind.


    ‘I didn’t handle it badly.’


    ying dumb with all my might—that was the best response I could give under the circumstances.


    It didn’t seem like the suspicion had deepened overall.


    In fact, by the end, the archbishop seemed more like he was questioning himself, as if thinking, “Did I misjudge?”


    Of course, I can’t say the suspicion ispletely gone.


    The archbishop’s final offer was certainly filled with meaning.


    ‘… This is dizzying.’


    So much unexpected information came at me suddenly and in overwhelming amounts.


    Most of all, the existence of the “Wanderers”.


    I suspect this means there were others who had also experienced possession before me.


    If that’s the case, do they know about my existence as well?


    And what impact will the revtion of “possession” have on the future of the scenario, considering it wasn’t a part of the original game?


    “Ugh.”


    The situation was soplex it made my head throb.


    However, this isn’t something that thinking more about right now will resolve.


    I need to gather more information. I’ll leave judgment forter.


    After a shower, I came to a conclusion and headed for bed. Sometimes, a refresh is exactly what’s needed.


    Today, I’ll stop thinking and just rest.


    … Or at least, that was the n.


    “?”


    I stopped in my tracks, puzzled as I stood in front of the bed.


    The bed looked oddly lumpy.


    What is this?


    A ghost?


    Did a wild animal somehow get in here?


    I cautiously pulled back the nket.


    — <em>Shhhh… Snore.</em>


    — <em>Mmmnya…</em>


    Lina and Danya were curled up under the covers.


    Well, at least it’s not a wild animal… right?


    Why are they sleeping here?


    Now that I think about it, the air in the dorm feels a bit cold.


    They probably crawled under the nket to escape the chill and ended up falling asleep.


    “By the way, are they even allowed to be out thiste?”


    Ah.


    Now that I remember, once you reach Aether ss, the curfew no longer applies.


    It’s one of the perks of being in Aether ss: you get treated almost like a graduate in terms of school regtions.


    “… Well, I’m sure Elena handled it somehow.”


    She did extend the curfewst time too.


    There’s no harm in it, right?


    Today’s been full of too much to process.


    My mind is overflowing with new information, and I’d rather stop thinking for now.


    I noticed there was just enough space between Lina and Danya for me to lie down.


    Good thing I bought a slightlyrger bed than usual.


    ‘… Come to think of it, if Asteria’s returned, hasn’t Master also arrived?’


    With thatst thought, I drifted off into a deep sleep.