ALL NOVEL Chapter 23- Coward
The news about the soldiers' arrival from the capital spread across the campus and somehow students heard that Carlson would be taking part in restraining Blake.
Rumours travel fast, as such in no time Catherine also received the news.
Initially, she didn't believe the rumours since just yesterday, Carlson said that he no longer holds hostility towards Blake and he trusts Catherine's judgement. And just like Carlson, Catherine also trusted her friend enough to not believe what she heard from others.
However, her belief was shattered when a person, other than herself, who was close to Carlson also confirmed the rumours to be true.
"He told me that he would be helping the church and the Capital in capturing Blake. I was also shocked to hear it but naturally, I never made any effort to stop him." Charlotte's tone suggested indifference but Catherine could sense the slight elation she tried to hide.
For some unknown reason Charlotte hates Blake to the bone, however, her focus isn't on that matter for now.
'Carl...lied to me?' That was the only conclusion she could draw after hearing Charlotte's statement.
"Why do you look so devastated? Hasn't he harassed you? Shouldn't you be happy that Carlson is getting rid of him?" Charlotte asked that in an innocent manner. However, her true motive was to dig out what Catherine felt about Blake.
And as she expected,
"What do you know about Blake? Unlike how you and others think, he is a very nice person." Catherine's eyes were clouded by moisture as she looked down at the ground and uttered, "Only I know what he has gone through in the past to become like this. And just as he tried to change himself...those people would..."
Charlotte wanted to scoff at the display of 'oh-so-benevolent-saintess' but she held herself back. The walls also have ears and if some fanatic follower of the Saintess hears Charlotte's mocking, she might get in trouble.
In the end, Charlotte shrugged and voiced her parting words, "He brought this on himself by abducting you. There is nothing that I or you can do about it now."
*******
The next morning, a pretty beat-up Carlson could be seen currently walking towards the entrance of the academy.
Last night things went a little wilder than he anticipated. He didn't think that around the trading city, there would be so many A-rank beasts habitation.
When he released his aura to provoke them, he kept it at the strength where only the beast above D-rank could get attracted. However, he severely underestimated the influence of the battlefield. Inside the forest, the wild beasts reigned supremacy and the cowardice of the soldiers nearly cost him an arm near the end.
'I hope he has found himself a shelter by now...' Thinking back, he remembered that Blake advanced towards the north which led to the Academy. However, there was no chance he would return here.
The Capital has decided to capture Blake, and this academy was administered by the Capital. If the Emperor had taken the decision then even the Headmaster wouldn't interfere.
There was a high chance of the church attacking him if he remained unhidden as well, that's why it would be better if Blake remained hidden for now and once the heat of this matter cools down a bit, he can start anew with a new identity.
"Carlson...I heard." In front of the Academy stood the Headmaster and some other school members. The Pope wasn't present but his underlings were crowding around the entrance to hear what he had to say.
In their eyes, Carlson had become the Being sent by God once again, as he agreed to help the church in capturing Blake.
"It was a horrible experience, Headmaster. I never knew the Royal Order would have such weak and cowardly soldiers that we would end up losing Blake in the skirmish." Carlson spat without reservation even though there are teachers in the Academy who report everything to the central ministry.
Carlson feared none since he was speaking the truth. Near the end of the battle, when a bunch of A-ranked ones were remaining, a total of eight soldiers and the Commander of the battalion himself surrendered and ran away. Because of that, almost every other soldier and the churchmen died on the field. Carlson barely made it out before he returned here.
"Oh the great one, we shall thank you for your services and we hope that you will be able to catch that sinner once again-"
*Pah*
Suddenly, the priest's words halted and everyone around Carlson widened their eyes in shock.
Carlson himself was shocked to suddenly feel the stinging sensation on his cheek and his line of sight directed toward his left.
He slowly brought his hand on his burning cheek and looked toward the one who just slapped him.
Her beautiful eyes which always invite him to just get lost in them were flooded with tears and her nose was red like a cherry—signifying how long she must have wailed. Although generally, she wears a calm and kind demeanour, right now she is the embodiment of agitation.
"How dare you...." Her words seeped through her gritted teeth. Catherine was still refusing to believe that Carlson could take part in this operation.
But she could no longer turn her face away from the truth when the person himself confirmed it.
His initial shock slowly faded as he looked at Catherine with warm eyes. He wanted to wipe her tears and tell her the truth...but in front of so many people, the only thing he could say was,
"Blake would receive the punishment of his sins. And for that, I will go to any length I have to."
Her eyes widened in shock and anger but before she could say anything more, Carlson walked past her.
"Turn around and face me you coward!" She yelled but Carlson didn't stop and continued to walk.
All this insult, he didn't mind. What hurt him the most was those tears.
Seeing the girl he likes in tears was not very good of a sight.
'Haaa...love is such a complicated feeling...'
*******
[Blake's POV:]
When I ran away from the campsite, I had a destination in mind.
I was still going to live in the eastern forest of the academy since there were numerous benefits for me waiting there. And there are numerous places to hide in that place as well.
Not only would I get the support of nature and possibly good shelter materials, but I would also be able to stay close to the Academy as well.
I couldn't continue to live as a refugee and a criminal. I have to make some kind of comeback for forgiveness from the Emperor. Living like a rogue sounds fun in novels but in real life, I would become nothing but a nomad.
Considering the future, I have to be by the Protagonist's side when the chaos descends. So changing continents was out of options as well.
'That arc would do the work...' In a few weeks, during the cross-country competition's finals, there would be an attack on the Emperor who would be present there as a special guest.
Canonically, Carlson gets rid of the threat without much trouble, but if I help the ambushers to form a better strategy to attack the Emperor then I think I would be able to escalate the incident.
'Sounds like a plan.'
With such thoughts, I advanced towards my destination while thinking about all the necessary preparations I had to do.
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A/N:- I have a feeling that people wouldn't like Blake's decision.