67
Kalen Snow White climbed up the castle and looked out at the vast wasteland in the distance.
As expected… it’s Selenium.
These are all preparations for the disposable “final exam,” but even so, this castle is ten times larger than the one in Snow White Territory.
It was the first time I had seen something from such a height.
In this world, the sky and the clouds could be so close.
Is that all?
Looking down from below, there were golems in silver armor holding spears.
I was told they were automatic defense systems that could handle troops.
Furthermore, the warehouse had two days’ worth of food, weapons as good as new, and nothing but rocky mountains around to shield us.
The forest was distant, the open plain so clear that it was easy to monitor the enemy’s scouts approaching stealthily.
Truly a natural fortress.
No matter what attacks the assault team brings, we can easily fend them off with these defensive structures.
Even if the “top student of the Knight Department” is on the other side, it would be impossible.
We have a significant advantage.
If we lock the castle gates, lay siege, and escort the food carts appearing randomly to the castle, victory is ours.
“But.”
Kalen tightened the shield on his arm.
Contrary to theory and imagination, all of this wouldn’t proceed as smoothly as expected.
It’s not just about the outstanding students gathered on the other side.
“Lord Adrian.”
A strange conviction.
If he wasn’t part of the assault team, Kalen would have easily confirmed the victory of the defense team.
But because of his presence, Kalen couldn’t relax.
Clearly.
There must be a plan in his mind.
In a way that Kalen couldn’t even imagine, he might easily defeat the defense team, or even after defeating himself, casually extend his hand and say, “Well done.”
That would be meaningless.
If the target he needs to protect is incomparably stronger than himself… how should he act?
He will be worried, he will be protected.
Wasn’t he prepared when he defeated the Vice Head of the Knight Department?
By throwing himself into that determination, he eventually achieved the glorious victory of five consecutive wins, defeating the Head of the Department.
“I will win this time.”
His heart trembled fiercely.
Is handling the shield really the right choice?
Wasn’t this just my stubbornness, he wondered in a ridiculous dilemma.
“—I am not weak enough that you have to protect me at all costs.”
He firmly imprinted it on himself.
He knows.
He knows, but…
“Magic is overflowing, Kalen Snow White.”
A familiar voice.
When Kalen turned around, there was a woman standing with her arms crossed, leaning against the wall.
Short lemon-colored hair, turquoise eyes.
…Ranked 4th in the Knight Department, Ririn Delias.
Her title is 【Brainstorming Sword】.
Literally, from her sword, violet lightning bursts forth, so fast that it’s impossible to follow with the eyes.
Also, although they entered Salenium together, she is an old friend who has already proven herself and ascended to higher places.
“Miss Ririn.”
“We’re in the same grade and on familiar terms, so you can call me Ririn, can’t you?”
She detached herself briskly and walked towards Kalen.
Then, standing in front of Kalen, she looked to the side.
“Were you enjoying the view?”
“Yes.”
“…There’s nothing particularly interesting to see. I was thinking about something else, it seems.”
The wind blows.
Their swords hanging from their waists clink softly.
Ririn glanced at Kalen’s sword and then at the large shield on her arm.
“I heard you’re practicing something new instead of the sword lately. It seems… a shield?”
“That’s correct.”
“Is there a reason for that?”
“…It’s difficult to explain. Even if it were you, it would be the same.”
At that remark,
Ririn bit her lip.
“A shield is utterly useless. I prefer… that you train only the sword without wasting time in strange places as before. Do you not have such intentions?”
“I do not.”
Kalen stated firmly.
“This is the path I’ve chosen, the path I intend to follow.”
‘─The gift I gave you today, accompanying me without even training. If you don’t like it, you can return it. If you don’t accept it, your dorm room will remain empty.’
The thought of discarding the shield was long gone.
“I have a rough idea of who put ideas in your head and led you astray onto the path of shields.”
Ririn clenched her sword, then released it.
“Adrian, that damn fool from the cursed West…”
“Miss Ririn, please refrain from further words.”
“Kalen, right now, you’re being deceived by that man…”
And then.
“Miss Ririn, Mr. Kalen.”
Turning around, there was a Knight Department student with an unknown face standing there.
From Noble mtl dot com
Carrying a large shield on his back, a male student with short hair.
“You’re here. Instructions have come down from the ‘Leader.’ Ririn as the leader, Kalen as the deputy leader. Form a team of five scouts and go for an immediate reconnaissance mission as instructed.”
“Reconnaissance… you mean?”
“Yes, and.”
The male student took out a shining crystal from his pocket and handed it to Rilin.
She blinked her eyes as she received the shining hexagonal crystal.
“…What is this?”
“It’s a communication device made by the ‘Leader’ using magic. If you think it’s dangerous, just give them the coordinates, and the reinforcements from our side will head there.”
“Reinforcements…”
“And, rule number one, retreat immediately if you’re detected. Unnecessary combat is strictly forbidden. They also told me to protect the magical tools.”
After saying that, the male student from the Knight Department turned around and disappeared, and without even looking at Kalen, Rilin said,
“…We’ll talk about it later. Shall we start moving for now?”
“Yes.”
Kalen looked at the other side of the castle walls once again, then followed Rilin into the castle.
The two shadows watching them also melted into the darkness and disappeared.
* * *
Meanwhile.
“Hmm, understood. So, the defense team is sending a reconnaissance team towards the forest?”
“Yeah.”
“And the ‘Leader’ is that guy?”
“That’s right.”
“Good, thank you. If you have any more information, please let me know.”
“Yeah.”
“Adrian, too.”
“I won’t forget.”
Have I been fooled all this time?
“But most of them don’t keep their promises even though they say they will.”
“That’s why Adrian needs a real promise with ‘us’.”
Hmm.
A real promise, huh?
It seems like, apart from affection, they still don’t fully trust me.
No, on the contrary, if I make it clear that I am willing to provide my help through this ‘promise’, maybe I can truly earn their trust.
“Alright. What do you need?”
“Hmm… Usually, I would lightly cut a finger and take the blood, but…”
Is that really necessary?
“But Adrian is different. He deserves special treatment.”
“Just a pinky finger is enough…”
Pinky finger, huh.
Why are you taking out a dagger?
“…Just wearing it is sufficient.”
“Yeah.”
Like that, I made a pinky finger promise with Shal and Fin, and we also did a copy of the seal with a loud thud.
In the past, just like Raina… Is there a stampede in this world as well?
“Is it done?”
“Confirmed.”
“It’s done now.”
They nodded again and leaped back into the shadows.
That technique is called 【Shadow Movement Technique】, consuming ‘mana’ to move within the shadows.
In other words, if there are shadows, one can jump out anywhere.
Naturally, with people and the sun creating ‘shadows’ behind them, it was the orthodox way to use Shadow Movement Technique to escape, strike, and return.
These guys aren’t just any ordinary party.
Anyway.
“Scout, is it coming from the east?”
Returning to the military camp to report this fact to Raina as it is, Raina exclaimed with a hint of surprise.
“Daisy von Schkross is the leader of the defense team! Moreover, she turned the ‘assassination organization’ of the 3rd year into informants? Adrian, when did they start having connections with them?”
“Not too long ago.”
“Alright, I also planted informants over there, but due to the circumstances, I couldn’t gather detailed information to this extent. Oh, could this information be a trap instead?”
A trap.
Hmm.
Did they deliberately set me up…?
Honestly, they don’t seem clever enough to do that to that extent…
Thinking of the two guys who were hesitant when I mentioned taking them to the Black Auction, I shook my head.
“It doesn’t seem like a trap. They’re not even related to the 2nd year.”
“Really? Daisy von Schkross is a wicked woman. There’s a possibility she deliberately leaked false information to us, or rather, to them.”
“Hmm.”
That coward.
“That’s unlikely.”
“Oh?”
“West of our military camp is a forest, and east is a vast rocky mountain. It’s only natural to send the scout to the forest.”
“I was actually thinking of sending the scout to the rocky mountain.”
Hmm.
That’s thinking outside the box.
Not a bad idea at all.
“Information has come in. Raina, what’s the plan?”
“What about Adrian’s plan?”
Oh.
Don’t look at me with that mischievous smile.
“First, divide the troops into three. The ‘Lady Vladir’s’ unit will stay here for protection and rest, one unit will go to the rocky mountain for reconnaissance. The second unit is setting up an ambush in the forest, aiming to capture or deal with the enemy’s scout.”
How about that? Looking at Raina, she was smiling brighter than ever.
“Any issues with the operation…?”
“No, absolutely not. It went exactly as I had thought.”
“Good. Truly perfect.”
“**Yes! We are perfect!**”
* * *
And so, the troops were quickly organized.
“I have to go… but…”
“Real ‘combat’ hasn’t happened yet. It’s just been small skirmishes. Take care of yourself.”
“Ugh, I’m useless in battle…”
After leaving Lady Vladir and Reyna at the military camp, I joined the unit for the reconnaissance team’s encirclement.
“Adrian, we meet again.”
“Levrian.”
We exchanged a smirk and lightly tapped our palms together.
“It’s fortunate that there are more people I can trust with my back.”
“Well, I didn’t want to see Reyna crying if I sent you alone.”
Is that so?
I retorted nonchalantly.
“Rather than that, it’s not someone else but you that is needed for this operation. I called for you.”
“Huh? Ah… I see. I’ll do my best.”
I greeted each person one by one.
I am the leader of this “reconnaissance team encirclement” unit.
Reyna appointed me.
Anyway.
“Let’s depart.”
We immediately mounted our horses and headed towards the forest.
Soon, we arrived at a large forest, tied our horses to the trees, and entered inside.
A few tens of minutes passed like that.
“Uninvited guests have arrived, Adrian. The forest is speaking.”
“Everyone, spread out. Maintain distance and wait.”
From a distance, we could now encounter the reconnaissance team of the defense team that had just entered the forest.
Good.
It’s as if the prey has jumped into our mouths on its own.
We just had to wait a little longer, and when they cross the “line,” we swallow them up.
Well, that’s nothing.
It’s easier than taking a breath.