The Sponsored Heroines Are Coming for Me-Chapter 269

Four’s white pupils rolled wildly.

Four opening his narrowed eyes wide was one thing, but the Void creatures surging behind him were another problem.

I frowned.

“Why are they so fast? They were coming along from behind earlier.”

The final phase. The Blood Witch had summoned a demon from the Void. And those creatures were the ones swarming beside it.

Just when we had broken through the barrier at the Bloodstone Cult’s stronghold, they were still about two hours away.

But now, they were already charging at us.

“The bodies of the Void creatures are hard for us to comprehend.”

“But there’s no need for them to rush ahead like this.”

“A sacrifice.”

The Blood Witch’s lips moved.

“We must offer everything here as a sacrifice. We will tighten the space so that not even an ant escapes.”

“Greedy, aren’t you?”

“That’s why I’m the leader of the Bloodstone Cult. And Ian—”

“?”

“You should be a little greedier, too. There’s so much here for you to take.”

The Blood Witch let out a deep breath, unable to resist the moment, and caressed my cheek.

Even with Four in front of her, she showed no tension at all.

Come to think of it, why was Four just watching us?

The Four I knew wasn’t the type to do that.

I asked him.

“Why are you acting so relaxed?”

“What do you mean?”

“You could have ambushed us while we were talking.”

Four was undoubtedly a strategist.

When it came to life and death, he wasn’t the kind to worry about appearances or etiquette. There had to be a reason he was leaving us alone like this.

Was he buying time because it benefited him?

Or did he believe his strength was overwhelming and was simply playing with us for amusement?

“Krgk…”

He covered his face with his palm.

Then, as if he had heard the most entertaining story, he threw his head back and burst into laughter.

“Kahahahaha! Ah, truly amusing. Ian, you are truly entertaining.”

“What’s so funny?”

“To think that even in this situation, you’re trying to extract information from me. Incredible~. Truly impressive.”

Tch.

Sharp bastard.

Even for me, having my intentions read was irritating.

At times like this, the best approach was personal attacks.

“I know I’m impressive, but can’t you go back to squinting your eyes?

“Hmm?”

“They’re too wide open—it’s disturbing to look at.”

It was a little jab to get under his skin.

But instead, he chuckled as if he found it amusing.

“Haha. My eyes weren’t always white, you know. I just love these waves too much.”

Floating around him were pure white orbs.

Upon closer inspection, they wriggled like bundles of worms, pulsating with energy.

“The more I watched, the blurrier my vision became. Now, I can only see this light. But it doesn’t matter. As long as its brilliance is visible to me.”

As expected from a high-ranking member of the Bloodstone Cult.

A few screws were definitely loose in his head.

I had thought he was at least somewhat polite, but it turned out he was just as insane as the rest.

“Ah, and by the way.”

He smirked and continued.

“Since I can’t use my eyes properly anyway, I figured that keeping them squinted most of the time and then opening them wide occasionally would make me look more impressive. I was given that advice, you see. Heh.”

Crazy bastard.

Now I was curious who had given him that advice. They clearly knew the cliché of a squinty-eyed character.

I exchanged glances with the Blood Witch.

Just as we did when we took down Two, I was asking if she could deploy the “Blood Domain”.

She lightly shook her head.

Of course.

She had just used a massive spell to stop half of the Void creatures here. It was only natural that she needed time to recover.

“Our cult has given you many blessings, blessings not to be taken lightly. More importantly, Ian, you—”

“?”

“The cult leader has bestowed upon you three secret arts. Do you not understand how extraordinary that is? No one in the history of our cult has ever received such treatment.”

“So, the Bloodstone Cult actually has a history, huh?”

“Yes—”

Four wasn’t fazed by my provocation and continued speaking.

“And yet, you repay us with such ingratitude. Haha. This is why one should never take in a black-haired beast.”

“Not many people have black hair to begin with. That’s kind of racist, don’t you think?”

“Enough wordplay.”

Four’s brow furrowed slightly.

Finally, a reaction. It felt satisfying.

He turned his gaze to the Blood Witch.

“You are even worse. Do you have no sense of responsibility as one of the Three of the Bloodstone Cult?”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“I expected this. You had the face of a traitor from the beginning.”

“Ahaha!”

The Blood Witch laughed loudly.

“Calling it betrayal is a bit much, Four.”

“You broke the barrier of our sacred grounds, stole our secret arts, and stand by a traitor. If that isn’t betrayal, then what is? Perhaps my education is lacking—please enlighten me, Blood Witch.”

It was only now that I realized Four had quite the talent for sarcasm. He must have been holding back for a long time.

But of course, that level of provocation wouldn’t faze the Blood Witch.

“Alright. I’ll enlighten you.”

“…?”

“The strongest shall stand at the top.”

Four was visibly taken aback by her straightforward declaration. With absolute confidence, she continued speaking as though she were truly imparting wisdom to a subordinate.

“That is the core doctrine of our cult, Four.”

“Are you saying…”

“Yes. This boy, Ian, is a greater vessel than the cult leader.”

“You must be insane… Do you not understand who our leader is? You’ve been by his side for so long, and yet—?”

“Ahahahaha!”

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The Blood Witch laughed maniacally.

Yes. That’s what a lunatic looks like, Four. Take notes.

With a laughter that overwhelmed even the squinting-eyed madman, she continued.

“Four, you still don’t know how to judge people. Oh, my apologies.”

“?”

“You can’t see, so I suppose it can’t be helped.”

I couldn’t help but admire her sharp tongue.

She’d probably be good at online flame wars, too.

Four’s face turned red with frustration.

Not missing the moment, the Blood Witch pressed on.

“I have never once abandoned the will of the Bloodstone Cult.”

“…”

“In fact, I follow it more faithfully than anyone.”

“Are you saying that boy is a greater vessel than the cult leader?”

“Exactly. Think about it.”

“…?”

“He mastered the cult’s secret arts in just a month, created his own martial techniques, and shattered the barrier. Do you think even our current leader could do that?”

If a snake were to whisper, would it sound like this?

The Blood Witch’s tongue wrapped sweetly around Four.

“Why don’t you come over to our side, Four?”

Four stared blankly at the Blood Witch.

A heavy silence settled between them.

Click.

Four’s head tilted downward.

‘Did he just die?’

That couldn’t be, but I entertained the thought for a moment.

Of course, wishful thinking never changes reality.

Huff, huff.

Four’s shoulders trembled.

Was he… crying?

“Khhuhuhu… Hahahah!”

No. He was laughing.

Four brushed his hair back, revealing his eyes as he let out a hoarse, cracking laugh.

“Ah… I see now.”

“Why are you laughing, Four? You’re making me feel unpleasant.”

“Blood Witch, you… are unbelievably foolish.”

“Did your brain burn along with your eyes turning white?”

“Not as much as yours, Blood Witch.”

Four’s eyes gleamed ominously.

“Fine. Let’s say Ian truly has more potential than the Cult Leader—no, than Blood Demon himself. But what does that matter?”

“What do you mean, what does it matter?”

“As soon as the Academy’s magic circle activates, Blood Demon will ascend to the seat of a Demon God.”

“…”

“When that happens, the entire continent will belong to the Bloodstone Cult. That boy won’t have any time left.”

He wasn’t wrong.

The moment a Demon God manifests upon the continent, everything will be over.

Because something like a [God] is simply that kind of existence.

Even looking at the minions imbued with divine rank, now distinctly separate from this world, it was clear.

They weren’t beings we could hope to handle.

“Blood Witch, think. Why should you side with that poor boy?”

“That’s—”

“It only takes one more circuit activation, and it’s over. You will all become sacrifices, and the divine rank within those minions will complete Blood Demon’s ascension to a Demon God!”

Vwoooong!

Countless white orbs floated around him.

“So just die already!”

— KABOOOOOOM!!

A blinding mass of light poured forth.

◆

— Flash!

A blinding explosion roared from the northwest.

“That’s where Ian is, nyah!”

Danya shouted while cutting down the small fry.

“Shouldn’t we go help?!”

“But the enemies in front of us are too strong!”

Elena and Lina cried out.

The one to calm them down was Asilia.

“Everyone, focus on the enemy before us.”

The Academy’s South Gate.

Danya’s group, along with Asilia, had been assigned to defend this section.

The enemy they faced was a massive monster, one that seemed to hold high rank even among the Void creatures.

“Its shield is huge!”

The creature wielded a shield as large as a carriage.

Combined with the Void’s innate mana resistance, even Asilia’s sword path couldn’t penetrate it.

“Get ready, Lina!”

“Got it!”

— Fwipshoo!

Lina’s vine arrows buried themselves deep between the shield’s gaps.

— Fwoooosh!

Then Lina’s flames engulfed them.

When it came to elemental synergy, Lina and Danya were more in sync than most magicians across the continent.

— Crackle!

The Void creature stared blankly at its shield as it crumbled.

‘That… that shouldn’t break so easily…?’ Confusion was clear on its twisted face.

“This is our chance, nyah!”

Elena shouted, but by then, Asilia’s blade had already slashed through the creature.

— Zzzrrraack!

A deep, eye-shaped scar was carved into the monster’s flesh.

— THUD!

It collapsed on the spot.

“Whoa!”

“As expected of Lady Asilia!”

The group cheered.

But Asilia remained poised, her stance unshaken.

“Stay on guard, everyone.”

Boom… Boom… Boom…

More Void creatures had arrived.

Their footsteps echoed as they charged toward them.

The Academy Siege Battle.

The final phase had begun.