I Realized It Was an Academy Game After 10 Years

“Heccate, let me know slowly. Where do you think they might pop out?”

“Well, I guess it’s time to talk. You probably have quite a while, so say your goodbyes. Oh, writing a will could help too.”

“A will, how terrifying.”

I scratched my head at the chilling words Heccate had thrown out.

“I don’t plan on writing one.”

If I can’t stop them, it’s game over anyway.

But there was really no need to write a will.

At first glance, the world can feel annoyingly peaceful, but with the countdown to destruction already ticking, things were tense.

“I’m definitely going to win. I’m not considering defeat.”

“That’s a good mindset.”

“So tell me. Where do the gods sneak in?”

I put the holy sword into the scabbard made from the World Tree and hung it at my waist. Then I strapped my trusty mithril _shovel_ to my back…

Wait, do I really need to take the _shovel_?

I could just turn the holy sword into a _shovel_ instead.

I drew the holy sword from the scabbard and used my _skill_.

“Crafting.”

And just like that, a _shovel_ made from the holy sword was born.

I named it Holy _Shovel_.

The name sounds a bit lacking, but as long as it works, who cares? These days, it’s rare to use a _shovel_ shape, but still, it was a sturdy thing that would make even mithril reconsider.

I could use this to channel some Sacred Power too.

“That’s a unique shape. Doesn’t seem suitable for a weapon.”

“You don’t understand. The _shovel_ is the most terrifying weapon. It can stab, slice, and swing, depending on how you hold the handle, you can even use unconventional attacks.”

“I… don’t know what you’re talking about. You didn’t use it in battle, did you?”

“Their size was too big for a _shovel_, or they just didn’t need weapons at all.”

I was getting used to fighting gods little by little, so capturing the average god didn’t even require using proper weapons anymore.

“Is that so? I don’t understand.”

Heccate shook her head in a calm voice. Even with a catlike expression, she looked genuinely clueless.

How fascinating.

“Well, I can just show you… so tell me the place.”

“It’s probably the desert in the west that remains.”

Desert, huh.

So they appear from there, making it hard to be spotted.

Aside from that, the people living in the desert are mostly minorities, and it’s a cursed land that doesn’t really feel the presence of the Empire or the gods.

Figuring that they hadn’t been discovered until now was somewhat reasonable. They’d probably blocked access starting from areas closer to them, making it hard to notice the outskirts.

But…

Did Eligos even know about this?

“Young one, what are you thinking so deeply about?”

“The interests entangled in this war are complicated.”

“All forces related to this world will be on the brink of survival and destruction based on the war’s outcome, so it can’t be helped.”

“You play the role of a third party.”

“If this place disappears, I can simply wander off to find a new home.”

“You don’t want to die, huh?”

“Who would want to die?”

“Who knows.”

I shrugged at Heccate’s response and turned my body. It was about time to move.

“I should say my goodbyes before I leave. Heccate, are you coming with this time?”

“You said you’d show me how to kill a god with a _shovel_.”

I looked at the goddess disguised as a cat in response to her answer. She was looking at me with genuine curiosity.

Is that what piqued her interest?

This goddess is really…

“…Fine. Just don’t fall behind.”

——————————————-

“Is this the desert?”

Half a day after simply saying goodbye to my lovers, I stood with my arms crossed at the entrance of the desert, taking in the landscape whipped by a sandstorm.

It’s not… beautiful, but the scene full of yellowish brown stretching to the horizon felt like a yellow sea.

“It’s hot.”

“That’s what a desert is.”

“The sand is getting stuck in my fur, it feels unpleasant.”

“That’s the sandstorm for you.”

“What kind of answer is that?”

“Isn’t that the answer you wanted?”

I thought it’d be fine to keep it casual.

“Young one, you lack sense.”

“I don’t think you’re in a position to discuss sense.”

How bizarre is it that this creature stares at me all night, fascinated by being asleep, yet talks about sense?

“Let’s stop the chit-chat and start exploring the desert. Let me know the moment we get close to the hole where the gods sneak in. It’d be great if you could even point out the direction.”

“Got it. So for now, carry me.”

Heccate said that and leaped onto my chest. Does she not want to walk because of the sandstorm? Though I have to admit it’s easier this way for me too.

I stepped into the stormy desert, holding the cat.

Precisely, it was at that moment.

“Hey there! What are you doing here?!”

What?!

I turned around to see an old man striding toward me. His face was filled with anger but his eyes were full of concern.

What have I done?

I don’t recall anything like that.

“Where are you going in that outfit?!”

“I was just trying to cross the desert.”

“In that outfit?!”

Even if it’s just an outfit, I dressed decently for travel! This should be enough! But it seemed my clothes didn’t satisfy the old man.

“The desert is a very dangerous place! You can’t just go casually dressed!”

“I’ll be fine.”

“I’m not fine! Don’t let a decent young man just give up on life! You’re carrying an animal as well!”

Is he worried I might die? It looks like he didn’t even recognize me. Maybe it’s just too remote here.

Still, I can’t be mean to someone who’s showing concern. I decided to reassure the old man as politely as possible.

“I am a knight from the Empire. I’ve come to investigate the recent disturbances here. I assure you, this little desert is no trouble for me.”

“No matter how strong one is, in a desert, they are just another living being! Don’t say strange things and prepare your equipment properly…”

Sorry, but bringing that along would only be a hindrance. I decided to show him instead of telling.

Let’s see, this should do nicely.

I spread my _wings of flame_ from my back.

“I’m this kind of person.”

“A-a person with wings…”

The old man looked up at me in shock. I was worried he might have a heart attack as I soared into the sky.

“Thanks for the concern, but you really don’t need to worry.”

There’s a reason I’m going this way.

I flew toward the horizon of the desert, still holding Heccate.

——————

“Stop. This is far enough, young one.”

Far enough? I still don’t know where we are.

I looked around the desert that seemed to look the same no matter where I looked. I felt like we were around here, but it’s hard to find where we are.

“Let’s land for now.”

I landed as Heccate instructed, letting her down. She hopped a few steps forward, looking south as she spoke.

“It’s over there.”

“How do you know?”

“!@&(!*#&(!!”

What?

As an _incantation_ I couldn’t understand finished, the air began to ripple. It looked like something would pop out, so I held my _shovel_ ready, scanning the surroundings.

“Of course, it’s hidden away. Since I’ve pierced the barrier, the gods will come to meet you once we go in.”

“Meet?”

“Since I touched the barrier, the watching gods will inform them if they find you. A lone arch-enemy infiltrating enemy territory. Doesn’t that make sense?”

“I see.”

“Oh, and I’ll be observing from a distance until the battle is over. I mustn’t be discovered.”

Heccate, casually declaring her intent to observe from afar, leaped and seated herself in the middle of the desert, looking at me. How absurd. Well, it’s better than having someone unhelpful hanging around.

I took a step into the hole in the air and said, “I’ll be back. If anything happens to me…”

“Didn’t you say you don’t need a will?”

“…That’s true.”

No need to have any ominous thoughts.

I’ll return.

“Then see you in a bit.”

I stepped into the barrier.

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