The Max Level Hero Has Returned!-Novel

Chapter 392

There were many people who came to Heins Territory's academy to become professors. All of them were obviously prominent figures on the continent and were skilled enough to teach others. However, the standards would differ from one person to another.

The one who experienced the most significant change was Sir Olman, the Chief Imperial Knight of the Pallan Empire. It was true that he was strong enough to be treated as a Sword Master wherever he went, but...

"Fufu... Fufufufufu... This is mine... I'm telling you, this is mine... I won't give this to anyone."

What did Sir Olman look like now? He appeared so pitiful, still holding onto his potato that he would not let go anytime soon, to the point that one would wonder if he was truly a Sword Master. He had completely abandoned his noble dignity and pride, opting to devour the potatoes in his hands like a man who had been starving for days.

One might wonder how a dignified person could turn into something like that in just a few days, right? A person would only change and become like that after being subjected to extreme circumstances. Sir Olman's current appearance was nothing more than that of someone desperately trying to survive and live.

"Hmm. Very good," Davey said as he left the academy's main building with a satisfied expression.

As he stepped outside, he saw the dwarves gathered together, working hard to install something.

"Elder Goulda, what is that?"

"Wise Teacher, you've come at the right time. I was just about to come and fetch you."

"You're looking for me?"

"That's right. We want you to test drive this right away after we finish the final touches."

The dwarves of the Yellowstone Tribe presented Davey with a large carriage, with several other cars lined up behind it.

"In fact, we made this using the excess magic stone that Brother Golgouda used when making Dirro. Using your formula, Wise Teacher, we devised an automatic cart that can move without horses. Well, you still have to control the cart yourself, but you know what I mean."

Opening the front of the carriage, Davey saw a small magic stone linked between two mana stones. It seemed like they had borrowed Megatron's self-moving system.

"It's not perfect yet, but this is its limit. We need to personally see and experiment to determine if it will move and roll."

They could make it themselves, but they needed the help of a skilled mage to activate the magic circles. That's why they were also looking for Davey.

“Isn’t the academy quite big? That’s why we thought, ‘What if there's such transportation inside the compounds?’ The little princess Aeonitia came up with this idea.”

"It's fine," Davey said, placing his hand on the magic stone with skilled ease and quickly calculating the formula. Then, he extended his hand. "Please give me the black iron knife."

"So, the problem is with this, huh?" The dwarf held out a black carving knife to Davey, speaking as if he had already expected it.

After that, Davey drew out a bit of his mana and began modifying some of the formulas written on the magic stone. He only needed to slightly soften the surface before carving the formula again. It was a simple process and didn't take too long. Both he and the dwarves were quite familiar with it.

"This is good enough. The output might be low since the magic stone is small, but it's enough to transport people."

"Ho... The content is a bit difficult to understand. That's quite a shape!"

Davey finished the work in an instant. Then, he infused the stone with his mana, causing the luminous stone installed in front of the carriage to shine on its own.

"Oh! It's working!"

Perserque poked her head out when she heard the dwarves’ loud and excited shouts, her face displaying an expression of interest.

"Ho... That's quite an interesting object, isn't it?"

"Do you want to try riding it?"

Perserque immediately smiled at Davey's question. "I'm not going to refuse."

"I'm going to take this out for a test drive."

"Ahaha! Of course, of course! If you encounter any problems, please feel free to let me know!"

Davey lightly jumped onto the carriage, and Perserque returned to her original size, landing gently next to him. She touched here and there, gripping the handle until finally pressing a button lightly.

Beep!

Perserque gripped the steering lever with one hand, looking around to figure out what to do. Davey silently observed her, his foot pressing down on one of the conveniently placed pedals near their feet.

Creak!

Simultaneously, a large amount of mana surged forth as the carriage accelerated at an astonishing speed.

"Kyaaaaack?!"

"Handle it well, or we'll crash," Davey warned.

Startled by his words, Perserque tightened her grip on the lever. Fortunately, she managed to steer the carriage before they collided with a wall.

"Davey!"

"It's only fun if it's fast."

Of course, once released, the carriage could only operate below the speed limit to prevent accidents.

***

In the end, Perserque crashed the carriage in a rather graceful manner. However, the speed of the carriage was not fast enough for someone like her. Moreover, she had no control over its movements as Davey's feet were the ones on the pedals.

"This..."

The wooden parts of the carriage were shattered, while the metal components were crushed and twisted. Fortunately, the front section, where the driver should be, sustained minimal damage. Nevertheless, it was safe to say that the dwarves' hard work had been sent on a one-way journey to destruction.

"This is all because of you!"

"Can you see this? Are you going to blame me again?"

"I was clearly trying to slow it down."

"Did you press the brakes?"

Davey was the one who operated the brakes, while Perserque had stepped on the accelerator. Compared to modern-day automobiles on Earth, this carriage was still relatively underdeveloped in that aspect. However, Davey had no intention of personally working on it and remodeling it to his liking. Since the dwarves were capable of doing it themselves, it would be more beneficial for their growth if he allowed them to continue.

It was already quite remarkable that there were no casualties before the accident. However, considering that Perserque and Davey were the ones behind the wheel, it wasn't that surprising.

"Would a monster who can withstand a direct collision with a dragon be hurt just because they crashed into a tree?"

"Ah, I think I broke my arm?"

"Liar."

Perserque glanced at Davey, tears welling up as she surveyed the broken carriage. "Oh dear... What should we do?"

Davey couldn't help but laugh as he watched Perserque mutter to herself, attempting to figure out how to inform the dwarves about the incident, knowing how hard they had worked on it.

"You're laughing? Do you find this situation amusing?"

"We won't release it to the public until we've completed a safety inspection."

Perserque fell silent at Davey's words. Nothing was more important than ensuring the safety of the carriage. After all, Davey had no intention of allowing anyone to get hurt within his academy.

"Stay here. I'm going to check the barrier for a moment."

Perserque simply sat down and waved in response. This was the spot where Davey had placed the core of the barrier that surrounded and protected the academy.

The method he used to create the barrier was simple. He constructed a small barrier and expanded it using the Transcendence Demise. Several magic stones and mana stones served as catalysts to maintain the barrier. In essence, the barrier was powerful enough to withstand a few small-scale meteor spells.

Did it sound familiar? Of course. This was because its system was quite similar to the barrier erected around the Elven Forest, known as the Moon's Forest, not far from Heins Territory.

Davey entered the forest within the academy, walking slowly and carefully so as not to further damage the grass. As he strolled, he caught sight of a small pond and approached it.

"Hmm... The barrier itself is being maintained properly."

This academy would become Heins Territory's pride. However, Davey had actually created the barrier with the intention of using it as a shelter for the territory in case of emergencies. Given the vast area of the academy, it would be an ideal place to hide and protect those seeking refuge from danger.

Thud!!!

At that moment, Davey's ears picked up the sound of something falling not too far away. Rinne attempted to rush toward the source of the noise, but...

"Rinne, wait a moment," Davey halted Rinne. He then drew out Blue Ribbon as he slowly made his way through the grass surrounding the pond. With a calm voice, he said, "Did you come all the way here just so I could kill you?"

The woman, lying on the ground with severe injuries, slowly raised her gaze toward Davey upon hearing his question. "An uninteresting human and an intriguing research subject..."

"Rinne insists that Rinne is not a research subject. Rinne strongly disapproves. If you refer to Rinne as a research subject once more, Rinne will invoke the Savior of Humanity."

The pink-haired woman, still collapsed on the ground, gradually lifted herself up and adjusted her slightly damaged glasses after Rinne's warning. Paying no attention to Blue Ribbon in Davey's hands, she stated, "I am seeking asylum."

Davey remained silent for a long time after hearing the woman’s words.

"I have heard about it. My familiar informed me of your clash with the Heresy Inquisition. Human, I know the person you are searching for."

Davey frowned at that. Although the woman in front of him seemed to be the least significant, she was the most cunning and strategic vampire. After all, she had managed to survive thus far.

"Her name is Urd."

Davey immediately raised his sword. "Reveal everything you know."

The value of her life would only increase slightly if she possessed the information that Davey required.

***

"You have to promise me first that you will ensure my safety."

"Have you forgotten your position? You are not in a position to make demands in front of me."

Furthermore, she was currently deep inside enemy territory. This place was the most dangerous for her.

"I am an enemy combatant. The moment I reveal my face, I will be executed. Despite being a half-blood, a vampire is still a vampire."

Davey nodded in agreement. This was a hidden space, and there was no one nearby, which was why she didn't fear being discovered. However, Davey didn't really care whether she lived or died. His only concern was the potential usefulness of the information she possessed.

"I can no longer achieve my goals while in hiding. For the time being, I need a place to conceal myself."

Davey simply looked at her in silence before stating, "But I don't want to."

"The conditions I am presenting do not warrant your dislike. I can hide myself effectively even in the heart of enemy territory. Besides, you can acquire the talent you seek."

"Talent... Well, you're talking nonsense there."

She may have been taken aback by Davey's sarcasm, but she continued to persuade him. "I have conducted extensive research. I am skilled in creating the Philosopher's Stone. Among my kind, I am hailed as Paracelsus."

"You made a Philosopher's Stone?" Davey's interest was piqued upon hearing the mention of the Philosopher's Stone.

The current state of alchemy on the continent lacked the necessary technology and materials to create the Philosopher's Stone and other items like Rinne's heart, the Deus Ex Machina (The God of Machinery).

"I am confident in my abilities. It's not a bad deal, is it? Don't you find it intriguing?"

"Not at all. I don't think so. Do you think I'm crazy enough to bring someone who poses such a danger and make them a professor? This place is meant to protect the students. No sane person would accept such a proposal."

"I do not kill. With the Philosopher's Stone, there is no need for me to succumb to my vampire instincts."

"And so?"

"Blood. I no longer need to feed on blood. I can maintain the facade that I am not a vampire."

"Then, why are you so intent on hiding your existence?"

Davey would have preferred if she asked them to stop pursuing her.

Milpieu calmly answered Davey's question. "Urd, the one known as the Abyss Princess... I owe her my life. However, she would attempt to kill me whenever I didn't act according to her wishes."

"Urd... That woman?"

"..."

Milpieu silently rolled up her sleeves, revealing a grotesque sight. Black veins crawled along her thin, pale arms.

"She did this to me. It's an incurable condition. In fact, it's still consuming me as we speak."

As she spoke, Davey clenched his fists.

Slash!!!

Milpieu’s eyes grew wide when her left arm fell on the ground.

“Urk…” She swallowed her scream as blood dripped down from her now severed left arm.

Unlike humans, vampires had an unusually small amount of blood in their bodies, so losing this much was negligible. However, a peculiar phenomenon occurred. The stump that remained after severing her left arm suddenly sprouted another arm, as if it were regenerating.

"It's engraved in me. It won't disappear. Even if you cut it off, it will just sprout again," she continued, not hearing any response from Davey. "That woman named Urd knows much more about this land than you may think. She's a truly fascinating research subject, but at this moment, I believe my life is far more valuable."

Smoke began to emanate from Davey's hands as he channeled the Heavenly Destroyer Arts. He then said, "Continue. Where can I find this woman named Urd?"

"I cannot pinpoint her exact location. However, the last time we met, she was in the east and mentioned that she was searching for her younger sister."

"I don't want something obvious."

"And...she mentioned that she’s searching for her own heart."

‘A heart? What kind of bullshit is this?’

“I heard that it is in the form of a black stone.”

Milpieu's words triggered a memory in Davey's mind as he reached into his Pocket Plane and retrieved a suspicious object. This object was obtained from the secret underground chamber beneath the Heresy Inquisition's prison—a black stone.

Silently holding the black stone in his hands, Davey prompted Milpieu to speak. Slowly, she began to explain, "I followed her orders and remained loyal to her, so she deemed me her minion."

"And?"

"Stop her. However, she is immensely powerful. I know you are strong as well, but her existence is otherworldly. Therefore, I will help you prepare. I will provide you with all the information I have gathered about her and help you identify her weaknesses."

"What do you want in return?"

"Urd instructed me to gather information from you in exchange for my life. However, even if I were to comply, the only outcome I foresee is death."

Considering that she was already on the brink of death, it seemed wiser to align themselves with the side that allowed communication.

Davey briefly contemplated the deal being offered before responding, "It is only fair that you provide something in return. That information."

"She will begin her actions during the full moon. The full moon is emblematic of her powers," Milpieu revealed.

‘If it was the full moon, then… it should be tonight.’

"Where can I find her?"

"Do you intend to confront her in battle?"

"No, for now, I will observe the situation," Davey replied.

Since he couldn't guarantee victory if they were to fight immediately, it was prudent to gather information on her first.

"There is a chance that she will come looking for you first. I will assist you in identifying her," Milpieu offered.

"Good. I need to see my enemy firsthand before deciding how to deal with you. Any objections?" Davey asked.

"No.”

Davey couldn't help but sneer at her swift and unwavering response.

‘A double agent... It seems I need to make it clear to her that acting high and mighty will only result in a broken nose.’