Episode 57
Admit defeat readily.
“The weapon is broken. After all, this is my mansion. It would be a shame not to admit defeat here.”
Unlike the words, there seemed to be some kind of lingering attachment to his eyes.
It’s not really bad feelings or anything like that.
Pure obsession with winning.
He must have thought that hanging around here would damage his face or the reputation of his family.
“You are cool.”
“Isn’t it more disrespectful to obsess over just one match?”
It may be far from my true intentions, but I didn’t bother to argue.
“At that point, Xian could have ended it if he wanted to.”
Saying that, Elcia moved her gaze to Emily.
To a warlock, the familiar is, in a sense, their weapon.
I deliberately didn’t write Emily’s support, but Elcia pointed out what the result would be if I did.
“So this time I’ll admit defeat.”
“If you say so.”
Well, as she said, it’s only one sparring.
Winning doesn’t mean that all abilities are judged, and losing doesn’t mean it’s the end.
I also often lose to other students when I do mock battles in class.
“the problem is … … I bet a little while ago.”
“Ah, that… … .”
I forgot to mention it.
“Of course, Xian won, so we must keep our promise!”
Saint Alpine, who had been watching, intervened with a somewhat excited expression.
No, because your friend lost?
Why do you look more excited?
“I don’t say a word! draft! that’s me! A member of the Holy Women’s Association! Alfine will promise to be with you that day.”
“ah. yes. yes.”
“hmm… … . I could be a little more happy. Why don’t you leave with a wicked smile saying, ‘I got the saintess!’”
“What kind of villain am I? And you were the one who suggested it in the first place! You stupid saintess!”
It’s something I didn’t want to do, so you can be happy.
Alfine’s ability gives her a competitive advantage in Chapter 2 of the main scenario.
I just didn’t consider it because I thought the possibility of recruiting was low, but I never thought she would suggest it first.
‘Isn’t he a person who will deceive me?’
Alfine’s character is extremely good even if you think about it based on the knowledge you had during the game.
Commonly speaking, a slap in the back is not a person who will show his actions.
‘Have you been doing things based on interest… … .’
As promised, you can assume that he will faithfully help you.
“Then take good care of me that day. draft.”
“Okay, at least I’ll make sure you don’t suffer any damage, so don’t worry. Alpine.”
* * *
Xian, who had finished his business, immediately went back as if he had no regrets whatsoever.
It wasn’t an order to celebrate, it wouldn’t matter if you shared your thoughts about Dalian a little while ago, but it was omitted right away.
Elcia smiled bitterly, saying she was sorry.
“… … I called to convince him, but I never thought it would turn out like this.”
I was trying to bring in Xian.
On the contrary, it was like losing one valuable person on this side.
What does it feel like to be at a loss?
Laughing out loud, Elcia sighed again after drinking the tea the servant had freshly brewed.
“Alpine, what kind of plan is this?”
“Whoops! Everything is according to Goddess’ arrangement… … I’d like to say, but I have no idea! Elcia!”
“Don’t say that out loud! Isn’t that why the priests of the church are in trouble?”
Alpine, who was about to say something incomprehensible with a smile, answered honestly.
“Are you angry?”
“I don’t mean to condemn you. Alpine. As you said, you have no right to interfere with me.”
“Do you actually like it?”
“hahahahaha, it can’t be. You damned saint.”
I like it. At least, if there were others listening to this conversation, they would have been convinced.
“… … Just kidding. Alpine. Didn’t you try to act like Xian from the beginning?”
“well. Anyway, I thought it would be fun to go out with Xi’an… … .”
“It’s about an outside practice, but I’ve heard rumors that bother me a little.”
Originally, it was the real reason Elcia had called Xian and tried to convince him.
Actually, I couldn’t even speak to that boy, and I was swung at him, so it ended up like this.
“I heard that the timing of this external training was extremely advanced. Even more so, the place is the Forest of Blood.”
“Blood. Whoa, that’s a thrilling name.”
“I didn’t ask for your preference. But what is it that excites you?”
“is that so?”
“This is where I want to ask. … … Rumor has it that he had a meeting with someone before His Majesty ordered the outside practice to be accelerated.”
That was the information I managed to find out from the duke’s family.
A fact that at least most students or even professors don’t know.
“any… … minute?”
“Don’t be shy. Aren’t you someone you know well?”
The reason why she dared to reveal that information to Alfine was because even this incomprehensible saintess already knew it.
“They say you had a meeting with the Great Saint.”
Congregation of Saints.
The best and strongest saintess who gathers and teaches saints, including Alpine, and reigns over them.
The true ruler of the church.
After talking with the great saintess, the emperor issued an order to advance the practice outside.
“yes? Could that be a coincidence?”
“Do you think that coincidences exist in the world?”
“No. Such a coincidence.”
Alpine answered neatly.
“… … Alfine, was that action from earlier also a directive from the church?”
“Did you promise Xian? It can’t be.”
He laughs and denies it, saying that it is nonsense.
“It is true that Daesongnyeo sent a letter about last month.”
“… … what?”
“Ah, please don’t get me wrong. He just told me to be careful in outside practice, and that I could act according to my interests.”
“… … .”
“So I just chose it because I thought it would be fun to act like Xian.”
“okay… … . Let me understand that.”
“Ah~, let me know if you ever need help next time.”
It seems that instead of paying attention to this matter.
“It’s true that I consider you a friend, Elcia.”
“… … okay.”
“Then I have other business, so excuse me.”
“Do you have a job?”
“To the kids on the street! I promised to show you the art of using divine power.”
“Is it true that the saintess condoned that?”
But Alfine went somewhere without looking back.
Elsia, who was half dumb and followed the back of that mischievous saintess with her gaze, immediately frowned and fell into thought.
As if trying to understand the master’s feelings, the attendant spoke cautiously.
“Is it also because the saintess left?”
“It happened. It’s a promise, and there’s no major hindrance.”
I had already concluded that the problem with Alfine’s whereabouts was over.
The only reason Elcia felt a headache was because of the information the saintess casually threw out a moment ago.
“Alfine said… … . I heard you received a letter from the great saint last month.”
“yes. You must have said so… … . no way?”
The maid Leirin’s complexion turned white.
“The announcement was last week. Moreover, it was ten days ago that His Majesty the Emperor summoned the professors and instructed them.”
It was as if Alfine had deliberately acknowledged the information Elcia had asked earlier as fact.
The reason why the training schedule for the Forest of Blood Trees was advanced was that there was some discussion between the Emperor and the Great Saint.
Even more so when it comes to the great saintess.
“Then Alfine-sama made an appointment to act like a boy named Xian.”
“… … Maybe.”
I said it was interesting.
Maybe because it’s necessary. Is there any reason why she, who has enemies in the church, should act like a warlock?
“There is no way it will end like the training so far.”
Not only the emperor, but even the great saint, if those magnates intervened, there would be reasons for looking differently.
And freshmen will be swayed by the reason.
As if she didn’t like that, Elcia’s expression hardened.
As a citizen of the empire, and a member of the ducal family, she knows better than anyone else.
That the powerful in this world have no hesitation in putting children to death in order to achieve their ends.
“Gather the children of the clique and bring them.”
“You mean now?”
“Since Alfine is also missing, I have to explain and discuss the entire schedule again.”
policy has been set.
The information Alfine gave me a moment ago must be an apology and advice for her own arbitrary behavior.
To make sure you return safely.
Chapter 11 – Forest of Blood
outside practice.
The first day of a large-scale hunting event for freshmen.
“ruler! This is a place where you can show off your skills to the fullest!”
We arrived at the practice stage.
“as soon as! This is the Bloody Forest!”
Bloody Forest.
The Empire’s 3rd class Demon Lord, designated as the training ground for this hunting party.
and… … .
‘Is this the place where the events of Chapter 2 will take place?’
I keep my mouth shut and review the schedule while looking back at the ‘future’ that will happen in this forest.
Right now, there’s nothing to do other than just think.
The new students are quietly listening to the explanations of the professors who accompany them in line before being put into the forest in earnest.
“However, this Blood Tree Forest is a special place designated as a third-class demonic landscape by the emperor of the empire.”
Now, the man who is explaining in a strangely excited tone is Professor Semilton Clave of the Academy’s alchemy class.
Among professors of alchemy, he is considered a pioneer in research on plants.
That’s why he came along as one of the experts to deal with in case of emergency in this practice.
“Level 3 Magician. You probably don’t know what this means?”
I guess so.
Among the rare freshmen, there are guys whose facial expressions show tension.
It is called a hunting party, but it is not an elegant event like the games of nobles.
We are dealing with monsters.
In a place where ordinary people cannot even set foot, they have to stay for 5 days without external supply and show their capabilities.
“A third-class demonic world means that there are difficulties that are difficult to solve unless you are a wizard of at least 2nd circle or a person who has reached the Aura Practice level.”
The territory of the empire is vast.
Of course, not all territories can be fertile, and there are quite a few useless lands.
But the most troublesome thing is the dangerous land.
There is a land that is extremely troublesome to humans for a purpose or unavoidably.
Speaking of a 3rd-class demonic land, it is a land where monsters of at least level 20 or higher roam.
A place where permission to enter requires at least the permission of the nobleman who governs the territory.
Of course, among the novices here, you can hardly count on the fingers of a handful of guys who have had the experience of setting foot on such land.
That’s why I’m more nervous.
“Then how much do you know about that ‘Forest of Blood Trees’?”
Professor Millington asks if he is trying to explain the forest in advance.
“What kind of land is it? what is there How much research did you do beforehand?”
It’s not an atmosphere where there’s no one willing to answer.
“Would you like to reflect the score in the evaluation specially for the students who answer?”
The evaluation score is attractive, but it is not common for a person to give information about a land he does not know well in front of a professor.
“Isn’t it?”
I feel kind of embarrassed.
score… … . It would be good to pick it up first.
“May I answer?”
“oh… … . you are… … .”
“This is Xian. A member of the black magic class.”
“Ahh! you that… … indeed.”
Somehow, it feels like I’ve seen a strange creature and nodded.
Recently, among professors, those who meet me for the first time often react like that.
Especially after the performance announcement of Dark Magic Scrolls.
What the hell are you talking about me?
“great. Please answer. Even if I’m wrong, I won’t deduct points.”
“yes. … … First of all, the characteristic of the Bloody Tree Forest would be the gigantic trees towering over there.”
According to my explanation, people’s gaze is slightly upward in the direction of the forest.
A huge tree visible from the entrance of the forest up there.
But it’s no ordinary giant.