Chapter 81: Ignition (5)
Sanders led the Knights of the Shroud toward the southern wall. Of course, it was the location where Frontier deployed it.
‘… … Phew.’
Sanders let out a silent sigh and looked behind him for a moment.
… … Knights of the Shroud.
It is the strongest knight order in name and reality, having achieved the greatest recognition, prestige, and achievements in the empire.
However, these titles are not directed to the current Shroud.
The glory of the past when he stood at the forefront of the war against monsters and cut off the heads of his enemies without fear.
All the praise for Shroud is in the past.
However, the citizens of the empire do not know.
How much has the shroud of today changed from the shroud of the time?
“Ha, what is this? “Suddenly it’s war.”
“All the good times are gone.”
Voices whispering to each other like complaints.
For them, the mission to protect the empire is already vague.
─Now the knights are busy hiding in the center. The glory that scared even the monsters outside has long since passed.
In the past, Sanders said to Ridwi: The Knights of the Shroud went from tigers to old dogs.
The Empire provided safety and benefits for Shroud, who made a contribution in the Demon War.
Relocating to the center to be closer to the imperial family was one of them.
But I can assure you that the reward is clear failure.
Too much time has passed since the Monster War. So much so that Sanders, who was a new member of the Shroud Knights at the time, became the leader.
Sanders is the only one whose experience of the war became the foundation for his growth. For most of them, it became difficult to continue their daily lives due to extreme fear and stress disorder.
People grow through pain, but that is only possible when you make up your mind to grow.
Veterans with war experience have long since retired, and Sanders’s comrades are either those who were scared of the war and gave up on the article early on, or were using various tricks to somehow avoid heading to the wall.
Most of the knights who came in after that came only to covet Shroud’s sweet fruit, and most of them followed the same tricks of their predecessors, so their future is bleak.
From Noble mtl dot com
‘There is no problem with the knights’ skills. However, there is an overwhelming lack of practical experience.’
The Shroud Knights overcome tremendous competition. It is natural that they are called the strongest knights in the empire. Problems are piling up as the strongest knight order is lounging around in the safest place in the empire.
Will they be able to maintain their morale after seeing the monsters coming towards the wall? That would be a far larger number than the number that has invaded the wall so far.
“Captain, captain.”
“… … ah.”
Sanders was awakened from his thoughts by a soft voice coming from next to him.
The face that was unfamiliar to him, too young, and too beautiful, was stained with worry.
“Are you okay? “You don’t look good.”
“… … Okay.”
Sanders responded in a somewhat callous tone.
‘… … Is this child Inies?’
Elodie de Inies Richae. It was she who was grouped with Sanders.
Of course, Constell’s student did not attend the meeting, so it was only after arriving at the barrier that Sanders was able to see Elodie’s face for the first time.
“You look fine.”
As Sanders said, there was no such worry on Elodie’s face.
The knights who are much older than her are also very frightened behind her, but the expression on the face of the child carrying the heavy burden of Inies on her shoulders is rather weak. Smile but not excited, and your posture is relaxed but not loose.
‘… … Such a young child.’
A girl who is exactly the same age as Frontier. When I saw Frontier at Tavern, I felt like Sanders had left a child by the river, but this time it was even worse. I feel like I want to put him in the car and send him home right away.
Contrary to his feelings, Sanders did not loosen his strict gaze on Elodie.
“Do your best in preparation. No one will save you here. “If you’re laughing brightly and get caught in their claws, you won’t even be able to find your body.”
These are harsh words for a child, but they are also true. Sanders was well aware of the childish madness that remains like a seed in children of this age.
The easygoing thought that someone like one’s parents will come and save one’s life in a crisis. It is ingrained in children’s hearts, regardless of their strengths or weaknesses.
Sanders is always worried about this and treats children of this age strictly. It was the same during Frontier, and it is the same now.
“I felt relieved.”
At that time, Elodie let out a quiet voice.
“It seemed like the drivers behind us weren’t ready yet.”
“… … !”
“Captain, your preparations are sufficient.”
Sanders’ eyes widened at Elodie’s words. This girl was not only controlling herself, but was also examining the situation around her.
“I’ve always wondered why the Shroud, said to be the strongest knights in the empire, didn’t always head to Tavern or Yeranhes.”
“… … you.”
Elodie glanced back.
Several of the knights who made eye contact with her looked at her blankly, mesmerized by Elodie’s appearance. Some others were looking at Elodie’s body, whispering something to each other and giggling.
“Indeed, it’s just as I heard. No, it’s even worse.”
Elodie’s eyes become even colder. There was little change in his expression, but the Shroud Knights felt a chill for a moment and tightened their hands.
Elodie looked ahead again and lowered her eyes.
I mumble in a voice that is barely audible.
“I heard it was a toothless tiger, but it turned out to be a dog with rotten gums.”
When Sanders heard that, he wondered for a moment whether he should reprimand her. However, the words were practically inaudible, so even Sanders, who had good ears, could barely hear them. It’s not good to react to personal things.
Above all, it was a statement that Sanders himself could not help but sympathize with.
“Captain.”
Elodie asked, looking at Sanders again.
“At Tavern, I heard that Frontiere boosted the knights’ morale.”
“… … ah.”
“What did Frontier do?”
After hearing those words, Sanders remembered.
The knights in Tayvon were in a different sense than here. Having seen frequent battles and numerous deaths, their mentality was very divided.
Frontier clearly played a big role in boosting the morale of those knights.
How did you do that… … .
“… … “I heard it from the knights at the time, so it’s not accurate.”
“yes.”
“I heard there was a bet.”
“A bet?”
“The knights were joking around about who would die next, and Frontier said he was betting that ‘no one will die.’”
Hearing those words, Elodie blinked for a moment. After guessing the content, I nod.
“… … And really, no one died.”
“It’s like that.”
After hearing Sanders’ words, Elodie slightly raised her head. A sigh that somewhat resembled annoyance flowed from her mouth.
“… … “For a bet, it’s not bad.”
Why did Sanders’ body get chills from the incoherent muttering?
Sanders, who briefly felt the emotions building up in those eyes, opened his mouth.
“… … “Do you know where Frontier is now?”
“I know.”
Elodie spoke as if reading Sanders’ thoughts.
“We’re heading to Cape Bay.”
“… … “Where did you hear that?”
“I heard it directly from Frontier.”
After Elodie heard those words from Frondier.
I was sad and angry, but somehow I had the confidence to come to terms with it.
That’s what she expected. Because everyone knows where Frontier will head in this situation and what will be most effective.
“Are you worried about Frontier?”
“… … I know Frontier is strong. However, just because Frontier is somewhat less visible to enemies, will it be able to completely avoid surveillance?”
Elodie doesn’t know much about Mangot. Who is at the top?
However, someone who prepares this much and is prepared to overthrow an empire is probably the cautious type.
Elodie was anxious because she had no idea whether Frondier was being as careless about him as she had hoped, or whether she was letting down her guard.
It was then.
“Here’s a report!”
A soldier rushed over. Sanders’s eyes quickly darkened.
“Reporting? There is no reason to receive something like that. “It’s not even time for regular reporting.”
“It’s urgent, so I came quickly!”
The soldier said, taking a deep breath.
Sanders remained silent. A report arriving just before the start of this war. An ominous feeling creeps in.
“Then tell me quickly. “If a problem occurs, we must respond immediately.”
“Oh, no! Not a problem! Rather, it is good news!”
“good news?”
“I would say it was good news, but it was hard to believe it right away when I heard it.”
The soldier is speaking gibberish strangely. Sanders tilted his head in confusion.
The soldier who came to report is one whom Sanders knows well. He’s used to this kind of thing and won’t get embarrassed.
“To the east, the wall of ‘Krasmir’!”
As soon as the topic of the barrier came up, Sanders became very nervous, and the eyes of Elodie next to him also widened.
“It has been rebuilt!”
“… … what?”
When the soldier suddenly said something incomprehensible, Sanders asked back without realizing it.
“What do you mean, reconstruction?”
“Well, to be precise, it is not a reconstruction, but a return to its original form, that is, the appearance of the former barrier.”
After hearing that, Sanders’ mouth dropped open. He shouted without realizing it.
“restore!”
“Yes, that’s right! The barrier has been restored!”
The Tavon Wall naturally comes to mind in Sanders’ memories. He saw before his eyes the wall that seemed ready to collapse at any moment, being restored as if on rewind. I also know who did it.
‘… … ‘No, just leave.’
Sanders attended an imperial meeting a few days ago. There, I saw Frondier, sensed his suspiciousness, and also heard his plan.
Frondier planned to secretly invade Mangot’s stronghold by taking advantage of the fact that he was less visible to Mangot than other famous people.
If Sanders goes as he thinks, he’ll probably still be secretly heading toward Cape Bay.
however.
‘… … When it comes to Krasmir, it’s the exact opposite.’
News of the restoration of the wall is heard from a place completely different from the location of Mangot. However, there is no way Frontier would have headed to Krasmere. If that were the case, that report would have already been heard.
I didn’t tell everyone, but in the war against Cape Bay, where Frondier is now and how far it has reached Cape Bay are more important than anything else.
In other words, the Frontier is not located in Krasmere, but ‘recovery’ was carried out in Krasmere.
‘Then who fixed the barrier?’
“… … ah!”
It was Elodie who made the sound at that time.
As soon as Elodie heard the report, she immediately knew who had done the restoration. Maida. The only one who can imitate Frontier’s skills is May.
But I didn’t understand the intention at first. There is no way May could have moved like that on her own; it was probably Frontier who gave her instructions.
Although restoring the wall is an important issue, I think it would be too wasteful for Mei to waste time on such a place.
Moreover, Krasmir is a place where monsters are less likely to invade than the northern regions such as Tayvon or Yeranhes. There must be many more important places.
‘no way.’
At that moment, a thought passed by.
Only Elodie, who knows of May’s existence, can read Frondier’s thoughts.
“Yes, that’s right!”
Elodie’s eyes sparkle.
“Even if the enemy is not careful, even if he is.”
No need to worry either way,
Frontier plans to create a distraction himself.
* * *
Frontier’s skill, ‘Recovery’.
The rumor that Frontier restored Tavern’s walls is very popular, although the truth is unclear.
In fact, Tavern’s walls are now as strong as if they were a replica of its past glory.
Of course, Selena, who was watching from the side at the time, knows, and so Mangot also knows.
“I will report to you.”
A report delivered to Belphegor.
“The imperial walls are being restored one by one, starting from the east, toward the southeast, and then toward the south.”
Adela, the woman who gave the first report at the round table, spoke to Belphegor.
Belphegor asked.
“In other words, the restoration is being done clockwise?”
“Looking at the movement order, it’s almost certain.”
“hmm.”
Belphegor’s hand goes to his chin.
Adela spoke to him who seemed to be in deep agony.
“It was probably Frontier’s doing.”
“… … .”
“Just as Belphegor expected, Frontier has done something strange.”
Belphegor still remains silent in response to Adella’s words.
Frondier was constantly in Belphegor’s sight. Even though no one else was paying attention to him, Belphegor was thinking about Frondier like an ant bothering him somewhere in the corner of his eyes.
And finally he moved. They chose a method that was considerably more novel than expected: restoration of the barrier.
Belphegor also agrees with Adela more than 90% of the time.
However, the remaining 10%.
I was a little concerned that restoration had begun in Krasmere, which is located on the complete opposite side of Cape Bay.
“Adella.”
“yes.”
“Come and see the wall restoration process with your own eyes.”
“… … yes?”
“Go and see if Frontier is really there.”
Even in his long life as a devil, Belphegor has never heard of a skill called ‘recovery’. It is probably a unique skill possessed by Frontier.
However, if the skill is one that can be used at a much greater distance than expected, the possibility that Frontiere may be in a completely different location cannot be ruled out.
“Well, Belphegor. “You’re overthinking it.”
“Are you refusing my orders?”
“no! It’s not like that! Rather, in order to break through Mangot’s barrier, wouldn’t it be necessary to add the strength of just one person… … .”
Belphegor’s languid gaze fell on Adella. For a moment, Adela avoided eye contact and lowered her head.
“Adella.”
“… … yes.”
“Give priority to the orders I give you now. “It is more important than anything else.”
“… … .”
“If there’s a frontier there, that’s good. Just check that. “I will reward you with more than enough rewards.”
“… … “Are you sure?”
“of course.”
Adela nodded deeply at that.
Belphegor shouted his voice again at Adela, who turned and walked away.
“Don’t get caught.”
“yes.”