317. Time Attack (1)
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There are no people as sincere as villains.
I wonder what would have happened if that effort had been invested elsewhere.
I know why they make that choice.
No matter how hard they sweat, they can’t break down the wall, so they must be trying to become stronger easily by sacrificing other people’s lives.
“They’re already moving?”
In response to my question, Keraph, who had closed his eyes and was sharing his vision with the spirit, opens his mouth.
“Yes, people passing by began to gather around the square where many phoenix sculptures were installed. It was quite an organized movement.”
“Hmm… I wonder if their soldiers are here too.”
“I’m not sure about that. The little boy you mentioned wasn’t seen around them, at least.”
Day 1 of the festival, evening.
The sun had long since set, and it was time for everyone to finish dinner, get the meat stuck in their teeth, and start enjoying the festival again.
“It’s different from what we thought. It seems like something has been rushed…”
I was thinking for a moment while touching my chin.
It is highly likely that the one who is giving instructions to the blood wizards, that is, the followers of the blood religion, is the guy called ‘Biryu’ who was explained to Yasui earlier.
Even though we don’t know how he gives orders, he is directing the believers in real time, which means that their plan has changed.
‘What is the reason for the change in plan?’
Was there any change that could be the cause?
The only thing that changed their plan is that the Blood Cult tried to stop the academy’s cadets from participating in the festival, but was unable to do so.
They were probably trying to stop the Black Blood Three. If they, who could be said to have the greatest strength, stayed in Jihwa Castle, it might have been difficult to cause as much chaos as they had planned.
‘Even if that’s the case.’
Two of the three Black Bloods are not in Jihwa Castle.
Edward and Kaliman are probably still heading to the headquarters of the blood religion.
However, it is a different story from noticing that there was no black blood and their movements becoming more urgent.
It’s probably one of the two.
We originally planned to attack on the first day.
You may have noticed that the Black Bloods are targeting the stronghold of the Blood Cult.
‘If it’s the latter, then Biryu isn’t usually a quick-witted guy…’
It’s a little tricky.
If it is clear that the instructions are being given out of the blue, it is highly likely that they are communicating periodically.
In that case, there is a high possibility that the strategy of individually defeating the scattered blood cultists will not work.
The moment they notice, an indiscriminate attack will begin.
It means there are restrictions.
I had a strong desire to reduce the damage to civilians as much as possible.
I had no intention of causing blood to splatter during the joyous festival.
‘Has it become a time attack?’
I held back from clicking my tongue and shook my head.
Is it impossible to destroy each individual?
Should we assume a complete strike?
Countless worries went through my head.
The Squeeze Bow is a trap to catch blood demons.
She has no doubt that if the innocent Saint Bernice arrives before it is too late, she will be able to kill the Blood Demon without missing a beat.
However, blood demons are not fools either.
If he wasn’t blind, it would be common for him to invade after confirming that the troops were leaving.
So, in order for the troops to escape according to their plan, a ‘request for support’ from the government army was urgent. The irony is that if the troops were allowed to leave, the leaders inside the Saeju Palace could be in danger.
So, let me ask for support, but I needed to follow up with a message to inform the leaders at the Saeju Palace of my plan.
“What’s the communication system in the East like? It doesn’t look like they’ll use a crystal ball.”
“In emergency situations, signal fires are used in most cases, but for other types of communication, the methods differ from country to country. Most countries use something called a ‘telegram scroll’ made by the fire country, but the scroll price is too expensive, and the national defense “I understand that they don’t use it because they have too much pride. The protectorate usually sends people directly. There is a horse with considerable leg power called a red horse, and it is quite fast.”
Good.
Up to this point, it was just as I knew.
“However, since they are not very difficult to handle, there are not many soldiers who can ride red horses, and due to their small number, I believe that each castle only has one or two horses. To be honest, they are outdated.”
Howol makes a humming sound and sighs briefly.
“How long does it take to go from Jihwaseong Fortress to Saeju Palace by red horse?”
“At least we’ll arrive within a corner, right? It’s not that far if you ride a red horse.”
Howell, who was measuring the distance with a finger on her lips, answered.
“Is it that fast?”
Keraf was surprised by the speed of the red horse.
“What is a corner?”
Meanwhile, Volk tilted his head, not knowing what he was talking about.
“It means about 15 minutes.”
“But it is not used in war. Because it is so fast, it cannot reach that speed unless it is a private road or an open area. If it even hits a tree or a building, the red horse soldier will collapse at the waist and die.”
“Hmph, there is no beast in this land faster than Lycan Slope.”
“Ho-oh, then do you want to run yourself?”
“I don’t know the way.”
When I asked Volk, who was talking nonsense, he shook his head and took his foot away.
Putting Volk aside for a moment, some people thought he wasn’t that bad.
It would be a bit odd to compare the time it takes to get from Beacon Tower to Saeju Palace.
Then, what remains is the task of pushing the blood cultists to the point where they raise a ‘false signal’.
When there is only one piece left, anyone has to make an extreme gamble.
So, you only need to keep one main piece alive.
‘Everything is done… Instead, the hole that can breathe is left as is.’
After calculating the power, it seemed quite possible to finish quietly if all the forces at hand were mobilized.
“Keraph, you are putting this in your mouth.”
I took out a small bead from my pocket and held it out to Kerap.
“What is this?”
Keraph, wondering what this was, looked at the spinning beads.
“First, let’s listen to my plan. It’s because there are times when it will be used.”
The identity of the bead was ‘Yeokwigu’ obtained from Yishai.
If you bite a bead, you can swap bodies with a person or object holding another bead.
Unfortunately, it seemed like Kerap would have to go through the trouble himself this time.
***
Meanwhile, Kaen, who had returned to her dorm for a while, was talking with Nahwa and Muyoung at the Wolyeong meeting.
“It seems like a blood cult is here.”
“Somehow, I suddenly felt like taking a break… Festivals are more fun at night.”
Kaen, who was turning a page in Nahwa’s book after hearing Nahwa’s report, muttered softly.
“What do you want to do?”
When I, Hwa, lowered her head and asked, Kaen closed the diary of Baek Do Hwa that she was reading and opened her mouth.
“It seems like they want to handle it quietly without informing the cadets. I feel the same way. It’s a nice day, so there’s no need to make a fuss.”
“Can we handle it quietly?”
“We help him just enough so that he doesn’t get caught. He’s the type of person who can organize everything on his own without us having to step in anyway.”
“I will do as you command. Would you like to follow me, Kaen?”
“No, I think it would be better for me to just enjoy the festival. I’m sure they’re doing it behind my back because they want me to do that. Can I ask you a favor?”
“Just leave it to me.”
Soon Na-hwa and Mu-young disappear in an instant.
Kaen, who was left alone in her room, smiled bitterly as she looked out her window at the people enjoying the festival in the clear sun.
“…It’s still the same.”
***
“Why are you so late?”
“Well… I was changing my clothes…”
She was rude to Howol, who came out after waiting for a long time. Howell, who was adjusting her clothes, walks towards me with her smile on her face.
“Why the clothes?”
“That’s Kerap… It would be best to look as natural as possible…”
“Well, it suits you well.”
“You can’t see it.”
“I can see it.”
“…That’s enough.”
Howell, who was showing a slight redness on her face, turned her head and ticked.
[ You’re flirting like drinking water. Are you going to be captivated by this woman and that woman every time you meet them? ]
Then, Sierra’s nagging voice rings in her head.
Isn’t it a compliment, not a flirtation?
It doesn’t have much meaning anyway, so is there any harm in saying good things?
As I was walking down the shabby stairs with Howol, she asked me a question first.
“But is it really okay…?”
“Did you think I should have dressed up too? If I just take off these bandages, I won’t be noticed.”
“No, no… That’s not it, I heard you have trouble using energy…”
“Is that so?”
“But should I still pretend to be a lover?”
“I want you to at least notice the first attack as late as possible.”
“…Will I be fooled?”
“I think they know that I am a cadet at the academy. If I can let my guard down just once, that will be enough.”
As I come down her stairs, I finally see the street.
“Ugh…”
Howell was hiding in her alley, her awkward posture staring at the people passing by on her street.
I held out my hand to her.
“Let’s go. Just wander around the alleys and you’ll be fine.”
“It’s okay, right…?”
Even with my kind voice, Howell’s worries did not go away.
‘Is there any reason to be so afraid…’
Contrary to her worries, no accident occurred, such as running into her acquaintances while passing by.
“Oh my, you look like a nice couple.”
She only occasionally heard compliments from merchants and glances from passers-by.
From noble mtl dot com
Even that was because of my ‘features’ that stood out to her. People were surprisingly uninterested in us.
Just by Howol holding my hand and leading the way, I was able to naturally blend into her crowd.
So, Howell took her hand and followed her until they arrived in front of her building where a group of her blood wizards were gathered.
I could tell without feeling that there were people here. Because the fishy scent of blood was seeping through the crack in the door. It was the ‘unique odor of blood wizards’ that Volk had mentioned before.
I slowly turned the doorknob and confirmed that the door was unlocked, then immediately gave Howell an order.
“As soon as you open the door and go in, will you push me against the wall?”
“Push against the wall?”
“It makes them look like lovers who came to share their lovemaking away from people’s eyes.”
“Ah… Love affair…”
Howol breaks out into a cold sweat.
Even until my face turns white.
Did I eat something wrong?
But it will be over soon anyway, so it won’t be a big problem.