Antihero In the Hero Academy: I Can Connect the Past Heroes-Chapter 49: Race Against Time (1)

"I would rather save all races that live on the face of this world than learn some knowledge, dear uncle."

Even though his words did not directly mention humanity and he would not work for them unless it was the humans he cared about, he could feel and realize at the same time that he was truly beginning to return to that old heroic demeanor, that spirit.

That muffled, exhausting, mind-boggling, and painful path... That heroic path that shattered one’s soul while others smiled at you—it was more difficult than anything else.

That was why Atlas wished to destroy both the devil worshippers and the angel worshippers instead of saving everyone, hoping to create a future where he would no longer need to be a hero.

He could have been a person who just went on with his life, perhaps finding the woman he loved again and waiting for the end of his life as a happy person.

Or he could turn into one of those adventurers who clean open dungeons again and again, living life to the fullest.

He didn’t even realize that he had already returned to a path he had sworn never to walk again, nor that he had accomplished far more than he had expected.

Despite all this, it was clear from the tired and serious expressions in their eyes that Aether, Aelia, and Eva had nothing to say.

No one would have done what Atlas had, at least in their eyes. It seemed impossible. It was admirable that the Creator wished to save his creation rather than reaching out to himself.

That was why Aether, one of the greatest emperors the blessed Epsilon Empire had ever known, could only manage to say these words to him:

"My dear nephew, tell me everything you want from me, and I will fulfill your wishes."

Atlas nodded at these words and began listing the names he knew, one by one, as Eva took out a pen and paper.

He only had the names of four nobles—at least from the empire. Still, nearly a hundred, if not more, of the nobles at the academy had already become devil worshippers. The idiot who had blown himself up had been the price paid for the professor’s mind-trick.

After nearly twenty minutes of detailed explanation, Atlas spoke again:

"I’ll take care of Kris Iradler and his minions. Just send a few people to help me, I will be going to the black-market to make sure everything will be fine, Uncle. If I’m not mistaken, things are about to spiral out of control in the empire. Just three or four will be enough."

Atlas’ request was approved by Emperor Aether, and the conversation finally came to an end.

He placed his hands on the table, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled. He had indeed taken an incredibly significant step.

Thanks to a boy he had beaten purely out of anger, everything had begun to snowball. The butterfly effect truly seemed to exist.

The only thing Atlas did not know was who was leading the devil-worshipping cult. He had no idea. Not only had such information never come to light in his previous life, but none of them had ever shown their faces before.

This led him to one conclusion—he needed to question Kris.

If he could obtain soldiers from the emperor’s army who were both powerful and unwaveringly loyal to his commands, he could bring Kris and that section of the underground empire, offered to him like a ready-made feast, crashing down in no time.

But this also revealed another problem.

If he did what he intended, he would essentially be starting a war. This wasn’t the same as the emperor interrogating someone. He was directly targeting those involved in illegal activities underground, and that was the risk Atlas faced.

It was incredibly frustrating, but Atlas had no choice. At the very least, he needed to organize the empire’s underground operations.

He was neither naïve nor foolish. He understood that illegal activities could never be completely eradicated. That was why the concept of the "underground" was viewed as both complex and, at the same time, a necessary evil.

In a way, they were places without laws, yet governed by their own set of rules.

Still, there was a limit to everything. While the empire officially condemned illegal activities, it had still managed to keep its underground networks hidden within many black markets.

That was why Kris being at the academy right now worked in Atlas’ favor.

Slowly standing up, Atlas remained still for a few moments before calmly saying, "You will see me at my most ruthless these days. I thank everyone who follows me carefully, and I apologize if I upset you."

He was directly talking to the gods and goddesses that was watching him.

With those words, he left the room and said, "We must go to Professor Abraham quickly. The emperor has given orders."

Then, bowing his head in respect to the professor who had assisted them, he swiftly left the area with the student committee members.

Atlas could see students and professors rushing about. Somehow, news of the events had spread. It seemed that one of the student committee members had been unable to keep their mouth shut.

Still, that wasn’t the most pressing issue. Even if Kris couldn’t leave the academy, he could still harm himself. Preventing that was essential.

Atlas and the student committee members behind him were practically sprinting. Unlike the students who were running out through one of the school gates, they were heading in the opposite direction—toward Cordelia’s office.

"ATLAS!" came a sudden shout from behind the group.

Atlas turned around to see Irene standing before him and quickly replied, "I can’t talk now, Irene! Find a safe place!"

"Please be careful!" Irene pleaded, knowing full well the danger ahead.

Atlas shook his head and sent everyone except Elise, a fellow student committee member, to fetch Professor Abraham.

Elise remained by his side. As the co-leader of the student committee, she knew where all the students were staying.

They had to move quickly.