I Became A Third-Rate Villain In The Hero Academy

The following day, in the morning, Theo's team members—Amy, Taylor, Siena, Neike, Piel, Jang Woohee, Eshild, among others—arrived at the Magic City, as planned.

Theo had instructed them to come fully prepared, and indeed, they were all armed with various artifacts.

Theo had already decided to involve Isabella in the attack on Ford Company.

By 11 a.m., Theo's team had gathered in front of the main gate's checkpoint.

Piel looked at the long line stretching out from the checkpoint and wondered aloud,

"Look at this line. Are we even going to get in?"

Eshild chimed in with frustration,

"Sh*t, it's damn crowded. It's going to take at least two hours."

"Ha-ha-ha. If it's Theo, he must have prepared something,"

Taylor said with a sly smile, assuming a leadership role despite Siena being the oldest.

It had become an unspoken agreement that he would represent the group.

Shortly after, a paladin in charge approached them.

"Hello, I am Paladin Croc, the Head of security for this event. You are Theo's colleagues, right?"

Taylor responded on behalf of the group, confirming their identity.

"Thank you for coming to grace this occasion. We'll just do a quick check and let you in immediately. May I see your IDs, please?"

They presented their identification.

Croc took out a paper from his cloak, which had a list of names written on it.

He checked each person's ID against the names on the list.

After the verification, Croc announced,

"Everything checks out. Please, follow me. VIPs enter through a side door."

"Thank you," they responded and boarded the large carriage they had arrived in, heading towards the side entrance.

At the side entrance, high-ranking paladins were stationed, which surprised Alphs.

"Wow, I've never seen so many high-ranking paladins gathered in one place."

Piel murmured,

"Indeed. I didn't realize his status was this high."

Thus, Theo's colleagues, greeted by salutes from Croc and the other high-ranking paladins, entered the city.

Before their arrival, in Isabella's room, Isabella and Theo were discussing the day's operation.

After hearing everything from Theo, Isabella spoke,

"So, to summarize, the leader of Ford Company will attend today's event, and Theo, you know his face. As soon as his attendance is confirmed, the paladins who are already in place, along with your colleagues, will immediately strike Ford Company?"

Theo nodded in agreement.

"Right. You understood right away."

"With everything I've been through at the academy, this is easy. The plan is to raid their main base while keeping the leader restrained, right?"

"Exactly. The leader is somewhat of a monster, so he needs to be dealt with separately. If he starts utilizing the main base's manpower and resources, even the Order's paladins might be overwhelmed."

Isabella scoffed at the plan.

"You're exaggerating. With a decent commander, our current forces could easily push through any top-tier guild. Well... I'll trust you on this."

"Thank you." Theo said, bowing respectfully.

Isabella, her cheeks slightly flushed, replied,

"Right. Then, I'll go and persuade the Head of security. Your friends should be arriving soon, right? Go and meet them."

"Understood."

At 2 p.m., the religious event of the Renimid Church began.

It was a rare occasion that the First Saintess, Isabella, attended, attracting a massive crowd. People not just from the Magic City but also from other states and cities participated.

"The event has finally started. I have to see the First Saintess before I die. How long has it been since she last appeared in public?"

"The last time was at the Elinia Academy freshman entrance ceremony earlier this year."

"Ah, she's coming out now. Wow... just looking at her feels sacred."

"Don't stare at the Saintess like that. You might get punished."

"Oh, come on. Why are you scooting your chair forward then?"

"Ah..."

Despite the large turnout, the event itself wasn't particularly interesting.

The choir affiliated with the Order sang hymns on stage, and a Bishop recited the gospel, which was the main content.

Most of today's attendees were there to see the First Saintess Isabella, with actual religious devotion taking a backseat.

Theo stood on stage in paladin attire, behind Isabella, alongside Claire.

He scanned the audience with a solemn posture.

'...He's not here yet.'

The person he was looking for was Maitri, the CEO of the Ford Company and a key executive of Turning White.

Maitri was a formidable force, several levels above Oswald, and also possessed exceptional military leadership skills.

To take him down, they needed to isolate him from his troops.

While Theo continued his search for Maitri, the Bishop on stage said,

"The words of Renimid that I have shared with you today end here. Let us all join hands and pray together."

Thousands of attendees rose from their seats and held hands, following the Bishop's instruction even if they lacked faith.

At that moment, Theo's eyes gleamed as he spotted a man not joining hands with others.

'I found him.'

It was Maitri.

He was using disguise magic, appearing as a white-haired man in his sixties.

But he couldn't fool Theo's eyes.

"May Renimid's blessings be upon all believers. I pray that tomorrow morning brings glory to us all," the Bishop concluded his part and exited the stage.

The stage was being rearranged for the choir's performance.

With a swoosh, a large curtain was drawn across the front of the stage.

Theo nodded to Isabella and immediately moved to the back of the stage, where he pulled out a communication crystal and contacted Taylor.

The conversation was brief.

─The time has come. Attack in 10 minutes.

─Understood.

That was the end of their exchange.

Theo tucked the communication crystal back into his pocket and returned to the stage, which was still being set up.

He whispered to Isabella,

"I found him. He's sitting in the 7th row from the back, on the left side, disguised as a white-haired man in his 60s, wearing a white robe."

"Got it," she replied.

Soon after, the event resumed.

─There is no God but our Lord Renimid. My rock, my salvation~♪

As the choir's song filled the stage, Isabella, who had been paying close attention to the man Theo mentioned, muttered, "Claire."

Claire quickly leaned in to listen.

Isabella, with trembling eyes, continued,

"The man in the 7th row from the back, on the left side. An old man on the outside, but evil within. Take your men and arrest him immediately."

"Saintess, I will heed your command," Claire responded.

Claire, descending from the stage, led the nearby paladins straight to the old man.

Despite murmurs from the crowd, their steps did not falter.

Claire and the paladins surrounded the old man.

Approaching him, Claire said, "The Saintess has declared you true evil. Surrender peacefully to the light."

The old man, now clearly flustered, stammered,

"E-eh... What are you talking about...?"

Claire and the paladins were puzzled.

The old man continued,

"I am but a lamb of God, barely scraping by enough to avoid starvation my whole life... Ah, if this situation is a punishment from God, then I accept it willingly..."

There was genuine confusion in his voice.

The paladins exchanged doubtful glances, wondering if they really should arrest such a devout old man.

Then, Theo appeared.

"Cut the crap, Maitri."

The old man, unfazed, replied,

"Oh my... I'm not who you think I am. You must have mistaken me for someone else... uh."

He couldn't finish his sentence.

Theo had used a [Magic Nullification] spell on him.

The paladins gasped in shock.

"What on earth..."

The old man in his 60s suddenly transformed into a young man in his 30s.

Theo's lips curled into a smile.

"What brings you here, worshipper of the Demon King?"

"Demon King...!"

All the paladins raised their weapons, aiming at Maitri.

After a moment of silence, Maitri murmured,

"Indeed, you're interesting, Theo Lyn Waldeurk."

With those words,

Whoosh──!

Giant black spikes erupted from the ground.