Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 526

Chapter 526 117.8 - Second Mission

The silence that followed Astron's words was shattered by an unexpected sound—a mad, echoing laugh that filled the room with an unsettling energy. Everyone turned in shock to see Celia, her head thrown back as she laughed heartily, the sound growing louder and more unhinged with each passing second.

"AHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Celia's laughter was wild, her eyes gleaming with a mixture of amusement and something far darker. She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye as she finally managed to stifle her laughter, her gaze settling on Astron with a mocking smile.

"Oh, that was good," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Really, you're quite the storyteller, Astron. The way you spun that tale—so detailed, so tragic. It was almost as if you were there yourself."

Her smile widened, but it was a smile that never reached her eyes. They remained cold, calculating, and filled with a twisted amusement. She leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms as she continued to speak.

"It was fun to sit here and listen to your words," Celia continued her tone light but with a sharp edge that made everyone uneasy. "You wove it all together so well—the rumors, the guilt, the deaths. A perfect little horror story for our quaint little town. But you know what? That's all it is—a story."

She emphasized the last word, her eyes narrowing as she looked around the room at the others. "And the best part? Everyone here seems to be playing right into it. Look at you all—so ready to believe in ghosts and curses, so eager to think that there's some tragic, supernatural explanation for what's happening."

Celia's voice took on a mocking tone as she continued, "But here's the truth, Mister Astron. You're just a man with a good imagination and a flair for the dramatic. You came here with your little theories and your accusations, and you got everyone to buy into it. But at the end of the day, it's nothing more than that—a theory."

Her words hung in the air, but the effect she seemed to be aiming for was lost. The room was still tense, the weight of Astron's revelations lingering despite Celia's attempts to dismiss them. Her laughter, though loud and forceful, didn't seem to erase the growing sense of dread that had taken hold of the others.

Maria's tears continued to fall silently, and Damian's anger hadn't lessened. The Mayor, too, remained visibly shaken, his mind clearly racing as he tried to reconcile Celia's words with the heavy truths Astron had uncovered.

Astron remained unflinching, his expression as calm and cold as ever, unaffected by Celia's outburst. He allowed her words to hang in the air for a moment before responding.

"Stories," Astron said quietly, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife, "often have a way of revealing the truth, even when some people would rather not see it."

Celia's smile faltered slightly, but she quickly recovered, her eyes flashing with defiance. "Oh, please. Save your cryptic nonsense for someone who cares. You've had your fun, but let's be real—there's no proof to back up your little tale. It's all speculation."

Astron tilted his head slightly, his gaze still locked on Celia. "Is that what you truly believe, Celia? That everything I've said is just a fabrication?"

Celia's defiance didn't waver as she crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at Astron. "Yes, that's exactly what I believe. You're fabricating everything, trying to twist a sad story into something more sinister for your own agenda."

Astron simply shook his head. "Celia, for things like this, it's often far too easy to find evidence. Especially when those who know the truth are still among us."

With that, Astron reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small, worn diary. The leather cover was cracked with age, and the pages were yellowed and frayed at the edges. He held it up for everyone in the room to see.

"This," he said, his voice steady and calm, "is the diary of Abigail Carpenter."

The room went silent. Celia's eyes widened in shock, her bravado suddenly faltering as she stared at the diary in Astron's hand. The Mayor's breath caught in his throat, and even Maria and Damian looked at the diary with a mix of recognition and dread.

Astron continued, his voice calm but unyielding. "The more people who know the truth, the easier it is to reveal it—especially if one of those people is standing right in front of you."

He turned his gaze to Maria and Damian, who were visibly shaken. "You no longer need to hide anything," Astron said softly but with firm resolve. "The truth is already out. You were pressured by the Mayor, forced into silence, but now... now it's time to speak."

Maria trembled, her eyes filling with tears as she looked at the diary in Astron's hand. Damian, his anger simmering just below the surface, clenched his fists, his gaze shifting from the Mayor to Celia and back to Astron.

Celia, still staring at the diary, took a step back, her earlier confidence crumbling as the weight of the situation pressed down on her. "That... that doesn't prove anything," she stammered, but her voice lacked the conviction it had before.

Astron didn't relent. "This diary contains the words of a girl who suffered at the hands of those who believed the lies that were spread about her. It's a record of her pain, her fears, and her final days. And it's more than enough to show the truth."