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Chapter 171: Academy Heroine's Right Diagonal Back Seat

Chapter 171



The Beasts of Greed were considered particularly troublesome to deal with compared to their individual strength. 


This was partly due to their ability to create barriers, but most importantly, it was because they were flying beasts.


For beings that lived with their feet on the ground, there were very few ways to defeat beasts that could soar freely in the sky.


However, as mentioned, the Beasts of Greed were not particularly strong compared to other mid-level beasts.


“Alf Ad Astra!”


[■■■!!!]


Thus, to Sylvia, who utilized the power of the Star Spirit to fly and intercept the beasts, they were nothing more than difficult targets to hit.


“Phew, that’s the 14th one. I think I’ve roughly dealt with the beasts flying around nearby.”


Sylvia murmured as she watched a beast hit by a starlight bullet crash to the ground with its dying breath.


Fourteen—the number of mid-level beasts she had taken down single-handedly today.


Sylvia, who had achieved a feat that even most heroes struggled to accomplish, could feel her own growth.


Being able to confirm the results of her efforts was undoubtedly an encouraging experience for her.


She had every reason to feel proud that she could perform at a level beyond most heroes.


But at this very moment, Sylvia’s mind was filled with nothing but worry.


Silently, Sylvia looked down from the sky at the new scars engraved on the city.


The destroyed buildings and the bodies of the people she couldn’t protect, despite her efforts.


The sight of people collapsing in tears as they gazed upon the devastation.


Before the previous wounds had even had a chance to heal, the city had suffered yet another grievous injury.


Heroes existed to prevent such things from happening.


So what would people think when they now looked at the heroes?


Sylvia, staring at the city, pulled out her phone.


At some point, a text message had arrived from the Central Committee, requesting her attendance at an emergency meeting.


Sylvia, worn out from the ongoing evacuations and repeated escape efforts, furrowed her brows slightly as she read the message.


Just the thought of the impending backlash was enough to give her a headache.


All she wanted was to lie down in bed, empty her mind, and rest her exhausted body.


But that was not an option.


Sylvia sighed and put her phone away.


Finding a way to minimize the aftermath was also her responsibility, as well as that of her group.


Her role as a hero was finished.


Now, it was time to clean up the mess.


---


With rights come obligations, and for those who fail to fulfill those obligations, responsibilities follow.


Therefore, the atmosphere in the conference room, where those who held the most authority in the city had gathered, was naturally heavier than ever.


A man entered the silent conference room holding a report.


Mark Aegis, the principal of Aegis Academy and chair of this emergency meeting, sighed once before asking the man who brought the report.


“... Sigh, what’s the status? What are the damages?”


“... I was worried, given that the heroes were tied up, but the damage is far less than initially expected. In terms of casualties, it's about one-third of the damage caused by the parasitic beasts last time. Since the beasts were released in District 15 on the eastern outskirts, the western area was spared, but it was mainly due to the Academy’s swift response.”


“... I see. Should I call it a small relief amid misfortune?”


Upon hearing that the damage was significantly lower than expected, Mark’s tense expression relaxed slightly. Next to him, Diakonos, the head of House Dolos, spoke up.


“... The credit goes to you, Principle. The fact that the Academy had been training for such situations beforehand made all the difference. Who knows how much worse the damage would have been without the Academy’s timely actions?”


“... I did nothing. The credit goes to Deputy Head Eve, who led the training and handled the actual situation calmly, and to the students who risked their lives. It’s fortunate the damage is minimal, but the problems that will follow might be even more severe.”


At those words, Sylvia, who was sitting next to the elder of Astra, muttered quietly.


“... It’s definitely going to be an issue. The fact that this incident happened so soon after the last one involving beast attacks, and that so many people saw things they shouldn’t have...”


“... I knew it. Sigh, who would have thought they’d breach the barrier like that.”


Mark sighed heavily at Sylvia’s words.


The barrier protecting the city was a fundamental magic set up by the legendary archmage Viole Neinhart, who was considered the greatest wizard in history.


Installed 400 years ago, it was designed to keep this city safe amidst the global encroachment of demonic energy, making the barrier the very foundation of the city’s existence.


Thus, the barrier had become a symbol that assured people of their safety from demonic forces as long as it stood.


But now, too many had witnessed the once-believed impenetrable barrier being torn apart like a piece of paper.


This time, it was too significant to ignore quietly.


People had come to realize that the barrier they had so faithfully trusted was not as infallible as they had believed.


Inevitably, fear and anxiety would spread among the populace.


“Especially since there were direct casualties from the beasts, that will also be a significant issue. This time, the voices criticizing the heroes will be even louder than before.”


“... Yes, I know. If we don’t do something, the trust in heroes will likely plummet.”


The reason this city had continued to function smoothly was because of the people’s faith.


Faith that the barrier would block demonic energy and the heroes would stop the beasts.


That’s what made them feel safe.


Therefore, the sight of beasts rampaging through the city and harming people was something that should never happen—and must not happen.


However, that very unthinkable event had occurred.


Previously, there was the incident with the parasitic beasts that took control of people’s minds, manipulating their bodies.


At least then, from the perspective of the public, it was not the beasts themselves but the possessed humans who were harming others.


But this time, the damage was caused directly by the beasts.


Some of those who suffered would inevitably think to themselves:


“We were harmed by the beasts because the heroes who were supposed to protect us from them failed to fulfill their roles.”


The excuse that the transfer gates were not functioning, preventing timely support, would not be enough to convince those who had lost loved ones and were now filled with sorrow and rage.


Unlike the last incident, where the invisible parasitic beasts that slipped through the weakened barrier provided some justification for the heroes, this was the second time.


Who among them could have known that their pledge to never let such a thing happen again would become the noose tightening around their necks?


Unintentionally, the heroes had broken their promises.


The smooth functioning of society was built on trust in institutions.


But now, the heroes, who were the very embodiment of that system, had lost the people’s trust due to this incident.


The anxiety and distrust that had taken root in people’s hearts would soon begin to corrode the city.


Everyone present instinctively felt this.


And to them, there seemed to be only one figure capable of calming the people’s unrest.


“...What is the public’s opinion of Yoon Si-woo?”


“...He’s practically being hailed as a savior. The true hero who saved the city from destruction. The genuine champion who defeated the Witch. That’s the kind of praise he’s receiving.”


“...We should be grateful to Acting Head Eve and to Yoon Si-woo for stepping up. Thanks to him, it seems there won’t be any protests for the time being.”


Mark let out a deep sigh as he said this.


Was this outcome worse than planned? Or perhaps it was exactly as planned.


Now that the barrier and the heroes had lost their credibility, the city needed a new symbol.


Thus, Yoon Si-woo.


They would set up Yoon Si-woo as that new symbol.


This was the plan proposed by Eve, a member of the Central Committee who was absent from this meeting, and everyone had agreed to it.


There was no more effective way to calm the public sentiment, at least for now.


Especially since people still vividly remembered Yoon Si-woo’s contributions from the previous incident.


However, even this plan had its flaws.


Pointing this out, Sylvia spoke up.


“...But if things continue like this, people might start viewing Yoon Si-woo separately from the other heroes. I don’t think that’s a desirable outcome.”


Among the public, a perception was spreading that the other heroes who did not come to save the city were false heroes, and only Yoon Si-woo, who did, was the true hero.


If such an idea continued to grow, it would inevitably lead to a complete loss of trust in the established heroes.


Contrary to public belief, Yoon Si-woo was not an infallible superhuman.


As long as he couldn’t handle everything alone, such perceptions among the people would not be beneficial.


Therefore, an additional countermeasure was necessary.


A way to recover even a fraction of the lost trust in the other heroes was needed.


Amidst the discussions, Mark let out a deep sigh and spoke.


“Phew, we don’t have much of a choice. Although I didn’t want to put more pressure on Yoon Si-woo, who was just a student at the Academy not too long ago, there’s no other option. If we’re worried about people separating Yoon Si-woo from the other heroes, let’s just fully support him.”


“...Support him? What do you mean?”


To those who looked puzzled, Mark gave a wry smile and murmured.


“I’m suggesting we appoint Yoon Si-woo as the Squad Leader of Astrape, a position that could represent all the heroes.”


It was truly a groundbreaking proposal.


----------------------


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Comments

  1. Well that surely will look good on his future resume, heh.

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