Broken Possessors of Infinite Regression Academy

I returned to the club room with Rosalia, who was demoralized, in tow. Brynhild took the Dragon Heart she reluctantly received and headed to the girls’ dormitory to see Aria.

“It’s true that I set up the holy sword that way. But I’m not sure if that’s why Equinox(Goddess’ Name) can’t interfere with the world. I didn’t come up with the setting for why the goddess allowed the corruption of the Starlight Church.” Laura said nonchalantly. While it was true that Equinox, the goddess of this world, had melted a part of herself to forge the holy sword, it was unclear if that prevented her from interfering with earthly matters.

“So you don’t know if the goddess’s words are true or just an excuse?”
“Unfortunately, that is the case. As I explained, I wrote the novel on a whim and ended it when I lost interest. Since I made up the settings as I serialized it, I can’t explain everything smoothly, and there may be inconsistencies.”

“Hmm… I see. So you were interested in that sort of thing.” Rosalia snickered from the side. Laura’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Let me say this one last time. I have repeatedly stated that I have a normal preference for men. If you don’t believe me, feel free to take me up on my offer to fight anytime, instead of just talking about it.”

“No, I’m just curious. It’s interesting that you wrote a novel with Brynhild and Aria as partners, despite not having that kind of preference.”

“That is a despicably vulgar expression. And might I remind you that it is because you read what I wrote that you are here. The same goes for Priscilla over there. Perhaps it is your preferences that are in question?”

“…Me, too. I like men…”

“I’m just curious. It’s interesting that you read a novel with the protagonist and the hero developing an intimate relationship, despite not having that kind of preference.” Rosalia was left speechless by Laura’s retort, which used the exact same words she had said. It was pointless to pick a fight that she couldn’t win.

Although I understood why they didn’t feel good about Laura, the one who wrote the novel that brought us here, Laura was also the one who had suffered the most in this situation. It was pointless to dwell on these meaningless emotions unless we were the ones who had possessed them in the first place.

“Both of you, stop. I didn’t bring you here to fight each other. We’re here to discuss how to establish a new religion centered around Rosalia without any problems.” Laura and Rosalia quieted down as if they had been waiting for this. They didn’t want to back down because of their pride, but they also knew that fighting and winning would only bring pain. They seemed to be waiting for someone to stop them. Priscilla, who had been clinging to me and growling softly, had also calmed down a while ago.

“Rosalia, you too. You always start it, don’t you?”
“Ugh. I’m, I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”
“Why are you apologizing to me when I’m not the one you fought with?”
“……I’m sorry, Laura.”
“I accept your apology. Be more careful from now on.” After the apology, Rosalia became noticeably meek. She glanced at the empty seat next to me, so I gestured for her to come over, and she hesitantly but quickly joined me.

In the end, with Priscilla on my right and Rosalia on my left, I found myself stroking their heads, cheeks, and other parts of their bodies. Laura let out a small laugh.

“You’ve already corrupted two women? Impressive.”

“Shh. What are you talking about, corruption? I don’t know why they’re acting like this either. And what about you, Laura? Have you forgotten whose clothes you’re wearing?”

“Of course, they’re yours. Did you forget already? If so, I’ll make them mine forever.”

I was left speechless by her brazen attitude. Laura was wearing the school uniform top that I had been wearing earlier. Despite being dirty from the fight, she had taken it and put it on herself, even though it was too big and kept slipping off. She claimed it was because Rosalia had taken her clothes, but it was just an excuse since she could easily get spare clothes in Bellium Academy. She didn’t seem to have any intention of making a proper excuse either.

“Sigh. I don’t know either. Let’s continue the conversation. Do you have any ideas?”

“There’s always a way. It’s well known that even during the corruption of the entire sect, the saint candidate maintained her purity. Why don’t you have Rosalia personally choose a new follower who hasn’t been tainted?”

“That’s not enough. What’s most important is how to prove and demonstrate the faith. The image of the sect is already bad enough, and on top of that, the succubus sold the empire. People won’t accept it easily.”

“A way to prove the faith…”

“Isn’t it enough that I’m the only one with divine power left while everyone else’s has disappeared?” Rosalia, who had been playing with her fingers intertwined and tucked into my side, looked up at me. Her fingers remained tightly intertwined.

“We need something more direct, something that will leave a strong impression on people. Healing magic won’t cut it. We need to differentiate ourselves from the Starlight Church at the very least.”

“Why not?”

“Healing magic is so widespread now that if we bring up divine healing at this point, we might as well be asking for a beating instead of sympathy.”

Thanks to the participation of the magicians, the front lines, which had temporarily retreated due to the absence of priests and nuns, were quickly recovering. In fact, the efficiency was even better than before. The number of sick people on the streets was also decreasing at a remarkable rate.

While the magicians wouldn’t provide free treatment indefinitely, their actions were a great help in stabilizing the situation, especially now when the empire was in chaos due to the succubus.

“We need something that will really grab people’s attention.”

It wouldn’t be enough to justify the re-establishment of the sect. In fact, with the disappearance of divine power, people might even try to eradicate the religion altogether. While the emperor and the Magician’s Association were on my side, the key was the general public. That was how serious the Starlight Church’s misdeeds had been.

“Hmm… It’s difficult.”

“Well, I do have one idea, but it’s more like a scam or deception than a real proof.”

“What are you thinking of that you have to call it a scam?” Instead of answering, she brought out a communication magic tool. It was the one the Magician’s Association had given us, saying that we could contact them anytime without hesitation if we needed anything. She placed the magic tool on the table and poured a bit of mana into it.

“What is it, Miss Mira Krayt!” A loud voice boomed from the magic tool, causing Priscilla, who had been snuggling up to me, to widen her eyes in surprise.

“It’s not much, but I have a dilemma. If I can’t solve it, my heart will be too troubled to teach you the highest-level healing magic. What should I do?”

“We will solve it!!!!!! Please, please tell us what’s bothering you!!!!!!”

“Can you open the underground prison for me? I have something to do there.”

.

.

.

“Are you sure, Your Majesty? If you order it, we will bring them out. There’s no need for you to go to such a filthy place.”

“It’s something that must be done inside the prison. And isn’t the saint candidate by my side? Do I have to say twice that it doesn’t matter?”

“No, Your Majesty! I will open the door!”

The Royal Guard, stiff as a board, saluted and opened the door to the underground prison. The thick metal slab, at least three fingers wide, slowly slid open.

“Ugh, the smell.” Rosalia wrinkled her nose and covered her nose with her hand, disgusted by the horrible smell that seeped through the gap. Priscilla and Laura reacted similarly. Only the Royal Guard and I remained unfazed.

“The smell is terrible,” Laura remarked.

“It is by the Emperor’s command that we do not treat these creatures as humans, as they have colluded with demons and corrupted the empire from within,” the Royal Guard explained. “Those inside are not simply those who were bewitched by the succubus, but actively collaborated with them. We are providing only the bare minimum of water and food to prevent starvation until they receive a proper judgment.”

“What a merciful command,” Laura said.

“Yes, Your Highness!” The Royal Guard nodded and began descending the stairs, with Laura leading the way and the rest of us following behind. From within, we could hear cries of something going wrong and pleas to be let out. The voices grew louder as we descended the stairs.

Finally, when we reached the true prison, we saw hundreds of nobles locked behind iron bars, their appearances far from noble. At the sound of our footsteps, they had cowered, but as they couldn’t see Laura’s face due to the Royal Guard’s shield, they began to plead with us, clinging to the bars.

“Something’s wrong! Let me out of here!”

“Let me go first! I’ll give you half of my fortune!”

“I don’t belong here! There must be some mistake!”

Rosalia made a face of disgust at their undignified behavior. Priscilla shook her head. Laura, with a cold expression, took a step forward.

“Shut your mouth.”

“It’s the Crown Prince’s command! Shut up!”

At the same time, the Royal Guard slammed the tip of his spear down, causing the entire prison to fall silent.

“There is no room for leniency for those who are here. From this moment on, anyone who speaks will face an immediate trial, so be warned,” Laura declared.

As even the slightest noise disappeared, Laura gestured for us to continue. We walked on, and the hundreds of pairs of eyes simply watched us, not daring to do anything.

The Royal Guard stopped in front of one of the prison cells, and Laura’s crimson eyes coldly scanned the interior.

“Is this it?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Bring him out.”

“Yes!”

“Hiiii”

A man in his 40s was dragged out, trembling in fear. According to the testimony received from the Magician’s Association, he had not only been bewitched by the succubus but had also engaged in human trafficking, which was strictly prohibited by imperial law, to aid the demons. In other words, he had done to humans what the succubi did—imprisoning them in underground cells and forcing them to have sex with each other to extract their life force. There was no need to hear more; his crimes were clear.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry, Your Highness! Spare my life! Spare my life!”

The man struggled pathetically, but after receiving several blows from the Royal Guard, he finally quieted down. The Royal Guard dragged the man, whose face had turned purple, to the center of the underground prison. In the middle of the spacious circular area, a pile of firewood was stacked, and a thick log stood vertically at its center. The man was tightly bound to the log.

“Behold, dogs of the demons. This is the judgment that shall befall you,” Laura declared, stepping back. Rosalia, wearing a nun’s habit woven from threads of starlight and a long veil, stepped forward in front of the firewood pile, looking somewhat like a devout nun.

Rosalia, ignoring the desperately pleading noble, joined her hands together and held the red gem that hung like a necklace in her hand, closing her eyes as if in prayer.

-Dread

“What, what?”

“What’s this!”

Just then, two pillars of light descended from the sky, shattering the underground prison. The man’s left half was charred black by the golden light, while his right half was covered in frost from the blue light.

“Aaaaaaah! Aaaah! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

A horrific scream escaped from the man as he was simultaneously burned and frozen alive. Everyone in the prison stared blankly at the supernatural spectacle.

“Amen,” Rosalia concluded her prayer. All that remained was the nobleman’s corpse, with its left half burned to ashes and its right half frozen solid.

Anyone who didn’t know better would believe that a goddess had truly delivered divine punishment. The dazed expressions on the faces of the nobles were proof of that.

‘That’s effective.’

Of course, it was a scam. The magic that Rosalia had unleashed didn’t come from divine power but from the red gem in her hand, the Dragon Heart. It was my magic sealed within that Dragon Heart.