I wiped the spit splattered all over my body as I left the dean’s office.

Although seeing the Dean so elated to see me again, to the extent he spoke while splattering spit and tears running down his face, made me feel sorry for him, I was also a bit perplexed.

[…]

Outside the Dean’s office.

Leaning against the door with her arms crossed, the Dark Spiritualist glared at me intently.

I didn’t expect her to react to that extent, but in any case, it was a bit of a shame for our long-awaited reunion to be ruined like this.

“It is not a bad name at all.”

When I expressed my opinion about the name ‘Jenny’ positively, her face immediately turned red, and she shrieked.

[D-Don’t call me by that name! I have a much cooler name, the Dark Spiritualist!]

“Sigh, did you really think that is cool?”

[I-is it not?]

“Jenny does sound better than the Dark Spiritualist.”

[Again, that name! Do not call me by that name! Can you imagine a Necromancer being called Jenny?! It looks like I have no skills, you know!]

“Sigh, I do not know about that.”

[What do you not know about?! You know it, don’t you?! Also, how did you learn of my real name?! No, I mean! Where the hell have you been all this time?!]

“One question at a time please.”

As I started walking down the hallway past her, she hurriedly followed.

[So, where did you go? Do you know how much chaos your disappearance has caused?]

“I went to the Dream Demon Manor.”

[Dream, what?]

“…”

I was just hoping, hoping that maybe… but naturally, this was the expected reaction.

Because all the memories the 18-year-old Dark Spiritualist had regarding the Dream Demon Manor and Lehric were stolen by the Demon Lord.

Feeling regretful, I remained silent for a moment and then spoke up.

“Let us just say that I was caught up in the tricks of the Demon Lord. Unfortunately, I was unable to save the souls trapped in his grip.”

I went there because of the incident related to Ophelia’s daughter and Clair’s General Store, but in the end, I was unable to resolve it.

The Dream Demon Manor was also a difficult place to deal with.

However, thinking about Lehric, who promised that we would meet again, I once again resolved myself to rescue the souls he had trapped.

[That’s… quite regrettable.]

“Yes.”

The Dark Spiritualist shared the same regret as me.

She had clearly grown when compared to her 18-year-old self, who didn’t realize the weight the souls carried and simply saw them as tools.

[Then how did you learn of my name?]

“I just happened to stumble upon it.”

When I added that it was unimportant, the Dark Spiritualist shrieked once again as she followed me closely.

[Do you know how long it’s been since I used that name? And you just happened to stumble upon it?]

“…”

[How did you find out?! I’m really going to get mad if you keep ignoring me!]

I suddenly stopped as I was on my way back to the laboratory and slowly turned my head to look at the Dark Spiritualist, who was spirited just a moment ago but was now cowering.

[…I almost got mad, but I managed to hold it in!]

“That does not matter. More importantly, where is Stella?”

Believing I was staring at her because I was angry, the Dark Spiritualist puffed her cheeks and crossed her arms before replying curtly.

[She went to Lucia. When you disappeared, some random guy showed up and claimed to be the Soul Whisperer, so she thought it would be better for her to go and support Lucia.]

“I see.”

Lucia, who could wield Holy Power, could naturally see Stella.

Before I arrived, she was also the only one in the Griffin Kingdom who could solve spiritual issues in her own way.

“I have also contacted the Royal Family, so for now….”

Having been absent for a month, there was too much for me to do.

Thinking so, as I tried to organize my thoughts…

Whoosh!

I saw something rush towards me from the end of the corridor, and it rushed so quickly that it left an afterimage.

Had it been Owen or Professor Fel, I could have reacted with physical enhancement, but not this time.

They were truly swift.

Thus, I pulled back without being able to react properly. As I looked up, I saw a black-haired girl looming over me.

“Professor! Professssoor!”

“…Aria.”

Aria had returned to the academy early because of the incident with Clair’s General Store.

“You’re back. Really… Professor, you’re really back.”

As she buried her face in my chest, I could feel a moist yet warm sensation.

Normally, I would have tried to push her away. However, this time…

“I-I really… really tried so hard to hold myself back. I wanted to go out and overturn everything, and I wanted to run up and tear into the guy who insulted Professor by calling himself the Soul Whisperer.”

“…”

“But because Professor told me not to kill anyone for your sake…”

Tighten.

Aria grabbed my shirt as if trying to wring it. She clutched onto it tightly, as if she might tear it at any moment.

However, I couldn’t shake off or unclasp her trembling hands.

“That’s why I held myself back. I waited here and endured it. I believed that you would return again.”

“…”

“Please don’t ever leave me behind again. Wherever you go, I’ll follow, so please take me along with you.”

Aria was sobbing.

I turned up my gaze towards the ceiling and gently stroked her head.

“Sob sob!”

“You left your seat and…”

“Sob sniff.”

“…”

“Sob I-it’s been a long time, Professor! Sniff“

I watched her sniffle in my chest like a puppy, with tears streaming down her face.

Suddenly, the urge to comfort her vanished, and I pushed her aside without a moment’s hesitation.

“Heugh!”

“Huff.”

Upon closer inspection,, there appeared to be a bit of drool and mucus mixed with her tears, which caused me to frown.

“Cut it out.”

“Whine.”

Although she seemed regretful, there was a faint smile on her lips, as if she were glad to see me again.

Aria, who had fallen seated, raised both hands high and shouted for me to help her up.

“I’m so glad you’re back, Professor!”

Her innocent and naive welcome somewhat pleased me, so I lifted her up and replied.

“Running in the hallway and attacking a professor; you’ll earn demerits.”

“…This is really Professor.”

***

On a wide plain.

Looking at the number of people gathered there, one might think that a festival was being celebrated. However, they were all standing with their mouths shut and hands clasped.

With a crowd this large, there would usually be small murmurs that would accumulate and turn into a large uproar.

However, they were all praying quietly, without uttering a word.

And despite the dense crowd, the atmosphere felt rather inhuman.

Then…

“The Soul Whisperer has arrived.”

Alongside the devotees’ leader, a man wearing an iron mask climbed onto a large rock in front of the crowd.

“Woooooow!”

“Soul Whispererrrrr!”

“We love you! We are glad to see you!”

“We are not afraid of death! Thank you for being with us!”

Cheers erupted as if the silence from just moments ago was a lie.

Amidst the sudden deafening commotion, Deia and Findenai wore frowns instead.

“Jeez. It surprised me.”

“Crazy bastards.”

Mul, a man who proclaimed to be the true Soul Whisperer—the two had infiltrated his gathering as devotees upon hearing about it. Currently, they were scrutinizing the man standing on the rock like stern judges.

Clad in a white robe and an iron mask on his face, he gave the impression that he had endured adversity.

After bowing respectfully to greet the crowd, Mul slowly removed his iron mask, revealing flowing white hair that cascaded down to his waist.

Cheers erupted once again.

It was an otherworldly appearance crafted beautifully by gods. His appearance could be considered a blessing bestowed by the gods.

His smile was mysterious, warm yet also cold at the same time.

His appearance, with its rich aura, was already moving the hearts of many.

“They did say that his looks also played a role in recruiting devotees. That seems to be true.”

Deia was calmly analyzing Mul for investigative purposes.

“Shit, Master Bastard is obviously better. These motherfuckers must be blind.”

Findenai, who had observed the citizens’ subtle aversion towards Deus closely, expressed her displeasure.

Truthfully speaking, the reason the citizens distanced themselves from Deus was not because of his appearance nor because he was the Soul Whisperer but because he was a Dark Mage.

Nevertheless, Deus Verdi had disappeared for a month.

Taking advantage of his absence, Mul rose in popularity by claiming to be the true Soul Whisperer, and that Deus Verdi was an imposter.

Although they tried to ignore him initially, his actions over the past month were nothing short of alarming.

He won the hearts of the citizens, carried out his tasks quietly and yet, did not hesitate to criticize the corrupt officials harshly.

And with the religious circle officially recognizing him and seeking coexistence, he became the hottest figure in the Griffin Kingdom.

After letting a wave of cheers sweep through once again, Mul began to speak slowly.

“Ladies and gentlemen, today. Those who have departed from this world have gathered in this place.”

Mul’s voice was like a sweet melody.

Like the song of the siren that mesmerized sailors, his voice contained something that powerfully drew people in.

“Well, our Kiddo’s piano performance is much better.”

Findenai grumbled.

“Jeez, I know that already, so can you just shut up?”

Deia scolded Findenai bitterly. Even though they had come here to spy on the gathering, Findenai had been grumbling all day, which was gradually starting to annoy Deia.

“It is unpleasant for me as well. But, we need to confirm what kind of a scammer he is first, don’t we?”

“If I knew this would happen, I wouldn’t have come here. Or, I would have also brought my axe, just in case I felt like splitting his head.”

Findenai sighed as she discreetly showed the axe, which was still in the form of a baton.

“Sigh, why did you bring a weapon?”

Deia shook her head and turned her focus back to Mul.

And while she was distracted by Findenai, three bodies somehow made their way to the rock he had climbed and lay there.

“These are the young ones who have unfortunately closed their eyes at such a tender age. Peter, Ronny, and Charlie.”

A tear rolled down Mul’s cheek as he gazed at their bodies.

Seeing this, the others began to empathize with the sorrow, as if it were contagious.

“Family members of the deceased, please step forward.”

The families of the three young boys stepped forward and stood near the rock, shedding tears together and praying with hands clasped.

“Today, we shall guide these children to the Lord. May the compassionate beings welcome them into their warm embrace.”

“Ahhh, Soul Whisperer!”

“We believe! We believe!”

Receiving the prayers of the people, Mul slowly stretched his hands towards the bodies.

His hand began to emit a brilliant white that illuminated the surroundings.

Soon, the light changed into the form of a beautiful goddess with wings.

“May these unfortunate souls enter your embrace, O Goddess.”

The moment Mul’s earnest prayer flowed out, the white light wrapped around the three bodies.

Soon, the souls of Peter and Ronny rose from their bodies.

“…!”

“What the hell…?”

Amidst the exclamations and cheers of the crowd, Deia and Findenai could not help but feel perplexed.

Because he was actually drawing out the souls of the dead and guiding them to his God.

And the two of them had experienced something similar when Deus Verdi resolved the grief of Emily, the girl who loves flowers.

[O Goddess.]

[Mom, Dad, I’ll be waiting for you up there.]

Smiling brightly, the two entered the embrace of the pure white goddess and disappeared.

The goddess, who had just embraced the two souls, smiled kindly and then pointed to the last remaining body, Charlie.

She whispered something to Mul.

Upon hearing it, Mul began to shed tears and expressed his gratitude towards the goddess several times before summoning Charlie’s parents up onto the rock.

“It seems that the two of you and Charlie had very deep faith.”

Seeing Mul smile, Charlie’s parents shed tears once again and nodded vigorously.

“We prayed every day from dawn till dusk! We sold all our worldly possessions and donated it! And yet, Charlie…!”

“Soul Whisperer, it’s so unfair. Can Charlie not be embraced by God?”

Charlie’s parents gazed at their daughter’s body with concern, as her soul did not emerge like the other two.

However, Mul smiled brightly and shook his head.

“Devotees, your faith and the faith of Charlie have reached God.”

Saying so, Mul approached Charlie, took her by the hand, and pulled her up, as if he was waking her from her slumber.

“Heuckkkk!”

Charlie’s eyes flickered open, and she rose while gasping for air.

There was a moment of silence.

Then, Mul pointed at Charlie and shouted.

“Their faith has reached God! Ah! What a glorious day today! Devotee Charlie, you still have work left to do on this land!”

“M-Mom? Dad?”

Realizing that she was alive, Charlie ran towards her parents.

Those who witnessed their dramatic reunion with their own eyes soon burst into thunderous cheers and blessings for Mul, thanking God.

It was truly a miracle.

A miracle that humans had never been permitted before.

“Is that true?”

“Huh, he’s an interesting bastard, isn’t he?”

There was a clear boundary between the living and the dead, and no matter how pitiful the circumstances were, the dead must never cross that line.

That was the conviction Deus Verdi upheld until now.

However, the scene that just unfolded before them, denied that very conviction.

Findenai and Deia felt indescribable, complex emotions while watching that scene.

After the miracles, blessings, and prayers, Mul looked at the crowd with a serious expression.

“Everyone, I’ve been invited to the Royal Palace. It seems that they are very dissatisfied with me calling myself the Soul Whisperer.’”

Normally, something like this would have prompted the knights to gather immediately and arrest him and no one would be able to say anything about it.

How dare he claim the responsibilities and title bestowed by the king for himself.

However, because the number of devotees following him kept increasing exponentially, the Royal Family needed to assess the situation calmly.

“But I will not lose. Instead, I will go to His Majesty and plead with him. He should not be fooled by that wicked Dark Mage!”

Wooooooooow!

Despite the outrage and loud cries of the crowd, Mul criticized him more fiercely.

“He sends the dead as they are? Is it the end because they’re dead? Does he know how foolish and irresponsible that is? I absolutely can’t stand it any longer! How many souls have Deus Verdi caused to stray away from the hands of the gods while holding the title of Soul Whisperer!”

“That’s rightttttt!”

“I curse you, Deus Verdi!”

“God will judge you!”

Despite the outpour of curses and criticisms towards Deus, Mul did not bother stopping them.

No, instead, he encouraged them by nodding.

“Even the Saintess has been deceived by that wicked Necromancer! But I, Mul, will follow the word of God and their will! I will! Protect the continent! From the villains who control souls! And use them as tools for their magic!”

“Huff.”

Findenai could no longer bear to listen any further.

She gritted her teeth so tightly, that the blood vessels on her forehead popped out.

The hand that was holding her axe twitched nervously. However…

“In order to judge the villainous Deus Verdi! Today, the gods, I, we move…!”

Baaaang!

Before she could take action, a gunshot interrupted the shout.

Smoke rose rapidly, and a muzzle was aimed at the sky.

Beneath it stood Deia, unable to contain her anger.

“This bastard…!”

Click.

Deia aimed the muzzle at Mul, reloading it simultaneously. Surprised, the surrounding devotees tried to restrain Deia. However…

“Come any closer, and I will chop you all! If you have the confidence to fight me, I dare you to stick to that bastard!”

Chrrrk!

The baton in Findenai’s hand transformed into an axe as she swung it widely, forcing the crowd to retreat.

“Uwaaaagh!”

“G-go back! Retreat!”

She managed to make the devotees retreat, but the encirclement was imminent. Nevertheless, Findenai smirked.

“Hmph! You yourself brought a weapon as well.”

“If you’re a maid, you should watch your tongue around your masters.”

“My only master is Master Bastard.”

Ignoring Findenai’s provoking remark, Deia looked at Mul in the distance.

He smiled in response.

“Deia Verdi. The vile and wicked Necromancer’s sister.”

“Hey.”

Gritting teeth, Deia gave him some sincere advice.

“Only I am allowed to criticize him. If you keep babbling without being qualified to do so, I’ll put a hole through your skull.”

“…”

“Let me see, can your God fix a bullet hole?”