In front of the Riberion Academy, Tussen Gorge.
There were soldiers and professors.
Because the Academy did not have a separate lord, even if there was a war, the professors had to protect it.
Because there was no fighting group there, there was a shortage of soldiers and weapons.
Still, there were no major problems.
There were dozens of professors in the academy, and they were experts in their fields.
Not only were such outstanding people guarded, but the surrounding terrain was also protecting the academy.
There are numerous canyons and mountain ranges around the Academy.
Originally, the location was deliberately chosen so that students could practice on the mountain.
These geographical features make the Academy a natural fortress.
The way the large army could be moved was limited, and by inducing a fight on the road, it was possible to induce an advantageous fight.
Even if the number of soldiers was minimal, even without weapons, it was a reason to be safe.
However, it is also a very coveted place for enemies.
Even if the rebels make great sacrifices, if they occupy such a fortress, they can lead the war to an advantage.
So the professors were very nervous.
Cromwell approached McDowell looking down from above the canyon.
“McDowell, I have been there.”
“Yeah, what about students and commoners?”
“Most of the students have been sent home, and the residents have been evacuated inside the academy to keep them safe.”
The Academy has experienced a rebel attack.
So I wasn’t distracted.
taken from noblemtl.com
Moving the army would have to pass through the canyon of the professors, but other methods could have been used.
The last time the rebels attacked, they attacked with a bone dragon.
If all the professors were placed in the canyon, they wouldn’t be able to respond to such an attack.
So, the villagers in the village in front of the academy were evacuated into the academy to keep them safe, and some professors were placed there.
“Did you hear anything from the Empire?”
“Are you telling me to go to the Persian territory in need?”
“Yes, is it possible?”
“It is possible, but… … . Is the headmaster okay?”
Principal McDowell lost his arm to Aryandor.
The majesty of the past could no longer be seen.
“I am fine. After all, the Imperial Army is coming this way.”
At present, Ian’s latter group was heading towards the academy.
Astina’s advance team defended the Verdes Territory, that is, to the south, and Ian’s latter group to protect the Academy was the current strategy of the Imperial Army.
“Honestly, it’s not easy. It is possible to move, but after moving is a problem. If the rebels really come to the Persian territory… … . It will depend on who is coming, but to show off your skills properly… … .”
Cromwell recalled Gracie, who had made such an offer.
I didn’t feel bad about the fact that I overestimated myself, but considering the war situation, it was a bad decision.
“You don’t need to worry too much though. They say that there is also an Imperial Chief Elementalist there.”
“… … All right.”
Worrying about it didn’t mean much.
It had already been decided at the meeting, so I had to do as he said.
Then a soldier shouted from below.
“McDowell! The Imperial Army has almost arrived!”
“i get it. I must go now.”
“Yes, let’s go.”
Cromwell and McDowell descended the canyon to meet the Imperial forces.
***
Verdes estate, castle.
Astina was standing on it.
From above, only a wide plain could be seen, and not a single ant could be seen.
However, Astina’s expression was full of concern.
“What are you doing?”
Then, a person spoke to Astina from behind.
That person is Diark Verdes. He was the only son of the Marquis of Verdes.
Istina and Diark weren’t originally acquaintances, but they got to know each other faster than expected.
The reason is because there was a conversation topic called Rudy.
Diark received help from Rudy in the joint evaluation of the 1st and 2nd grades, so he was favorable to the people around Rudy.
Even if he couldn’t give Rudy as much as he had received, he had the mindset to do good to the people around Rudy.
“War is approaching your nose, so why not worry?”
“Still, thanks to Astina-senpai, all preparations are over.”
“Maybe I lit a bomb that would detonate quietly.”
“However… … .”
“No matter what anyone says, I am the one who brought this war forward.”
As Diak was about to open her mouth, Astina stopped talking.
“But, a lot of people share that responsibility. And the people around me too.”
Astina was afraid.
What he has done to survive may cause injury and death to those around him.
When that happens, can you stand it?
It was so disgusting to think of myself smiling after it was all over, surviving people on the blood.
What if even Rudy dies in such a situation?
Rudy said he would definitely come to rescue him.
I was very happy in that situation, but as time went on, I wanted to not come.
I’d rather die alone than die.
“What happened to Rudy-senpai?”
Astina’s eyes widened at Diak’s surprise words.
“Wow, what are you talking about? Isn’t Rudy in the capital? This is the outskirts of the empire, how?”
“Astina-senpai has a unique expression when talking about Rudy-sunbaenim.”
“What?”
“I think you have the same expression when you think of Rudy sunbaenim.”
Diak smiled wildly and said to Astina.
“… … Don’t tell other people.”
“How are you going to tell other people when you don’t even know what’s going on?”
Astina sighed.
“I was right about Rudy’s concern, but I wasn’t completely worried about Rudy. It was just a general concern about the war.”
“Then you don’t have to worry about Rudy-senpai.”
Diak had a face full of confidence.
“What do you mean?”
“I feel that Rudy-senpai is not something we should be concerned about.”
“Are you saying that we are different?”
“no. People like us, but very toxic. Poisonous enough to leak poison from inside.”
Diak continued.
“Rudy sunbaenim lives a different day from ours. After sitting in the library all day, I went to the training center to practice magic by myself, and when I got back to the room, the light didn’t go out again.”
Diark watched Rudy carefully at the academy.
At first, I was curious to see what kind of life a genius would lead.
However, looking at Rudy’s life, he came to a different conclusion.
Rudy is not a genius.
“Isn’t there a saying that most of the magic is talent? It is a study that only a genius can do by mixing his family, innate mana, and various factors. However, looking at Rudy sunbaenim, I wonder if I would have been in the same position even if I was born with the same elements.
You really are living a life that makes you sick just by looking at it. If I lived like that and was a genius, I wouldn’t be a genius. I can’t even do it.”
“How could that be why you don’t have to worry about Rudy?”
“If such a person tries to do something, will he fail? Will you fall when in danger? Rudy-senpai is a person who has already prepared tremendously since the academy. Someone who can overcome anything.”
Rudy had no talent for magic.
If I had the talent, my life might have been different from the start.
When he decided to get ahead of Evan by learning magic without anyone’s help, he could have taken the lead.
But Rudy couldn’t.
Rudy was an ordinary person.
However, the effort was not in vain.
He had gained strong abilities and was ready to overcome anything.
“So, if you believe and wait, won’t you overcome it yourself?”
Astina heard Diark’s words and thought of Rudy’s face.
“… … Yes, trust me and wait.”
Astina looked into the air and smiled.
Then he looked at Diak.
“Where is the Marquis of Verdes now?”
“Are you your father? He will probably be with his staff in the castle.”
“okay?”
“… … ? Where are you going?”
“I have a place to go for a while.”
“Where are you going?”
“Perses estate.”
Astina chuckled.
“I’ll have to come back to see the state of it for a while.”
***
“So, are you ready now?”
“you’re right.”
Damon answered Aryandor’s words.
“There may be counterattacks on the side of the soldiers, so step back and tell them.”
“All right.”
Damon handed the scroll he had prepared in advance to the bat on his shoulder.
“Then let me go now.”
Aryandor smiled.
Then there was a big movement behind him.
Undead with a huge body.
they started moving
The place where Aryandor and Damon were located was the mountain range in front of the realm of Perses.
There was one thing that the Imperial Army could not have imagined.
This mountain range is a place where ordinary people cannot go.
It was too rough and twisted mountain range, so I couldn’t walk around it carelessly.
However, Aryandor aimed the other way.
In fact, it was a long time ago that I was aiming for this.
Since there were no people around, we could prepare for war here.
An army of undead spirits of magic.
Daemon’s army of undead was hidden in this mountain range.
Because the mountain range was rough, there were many places to hide the undead, so it was possible to hide a large army.
“good.”
And the large army of undead began to move now.