Episode 87
A few days after the announcement from the Secretariat, a mission briefing session was held in the auditorium.
Students who had a leisurely day gathered together with a sigh.
The distance to the target point was so far that it seemed that a gloomy atmosphere had been created.
“Did you see the notice? The period was no joke.”
“I heard that the further away you are, the more points this time?”
“But it’s not like going to the forest of the dead.”
“Isn’t it unconditionally No. 1 or No. 2? What kind of lunatic would choose mission No. 3?”
By the time someone’s voice resonated in the auditorium, I was in the middle of a heated argument with a group of friends.
“Because it’s number three.”
“It’s the forest of the dead. Can’t you feel them looking at you like crazy?”
“I’m just going and taking a peek. Instead, I give a lot of extra points! This is, well, honey.”
“It’s a relatively easy mission, but it’s a bit…”
“Trust me and follow me. It’s fast after going there a few times.”
It seemed that my self-confident persuasion worked to some extent.
Frickson, Curtis, and Mack nodded in turn.
Of course, Camille doesn’t seem to care, so we can just drag her along.
While I was satisfied that the assignment would be as planned, someone suddenly went up on the podium.
Clarence Warlock, a strategy professor with the image of a neighborhood uncle.
He was the one who served as the commander-in-chief of the Imperial Army.
He was also called a master of strategy and tactics and a beast on the battlefield.
“fist.”
pop.
Despite not showing much momentum, the auditorium was enveloped in silence.
Then Professor Wolock smiled and spat out a word.
“It’s nice to see you guys getting more and more mature.”
“…”
The students made absurd expressions.
‘That’s it, if even one person doesn’t listen, isn’t it because it’s unconditionally hell training? professor?’
I also questioned Clarence Warlock inwardly.
But he didn’t say anything.
That old man has an ear that’s beyond imagination.
The level is not very high, but I don’t know how it can be like that.
“Since you’ve all seen the announcement, you should be well aware that there are three missions for this one. Now, pay attention here.”
chuck!
Professor Warlock turned over the paper attached to the board, and a large message appeared.
The students hung their heads and tried to read the contents.
＜Group Mission Assignment Table＞
Escort Mission 1: Principality of Karzan
Subjugation Mission 2: Near Poven
Exploration Mission 3: Forest of the Dead
One more content was added to the layout table than the bulletin board announcement.
That is exactly what the purpose of the mission is.
Clarence Warlock pointed to the teaching assistants in front of the podium and said.
“We’ve decided to give the students a choice for group missions. We’ll put up three signs in front of you, so go to the mission you want. There’s no limit to the number of people. Now, let’s begin!”
rumble!
As soon as Clarence Warlock finished speaking, a large-scale movement began.
They rushed to the signboards left by the teaching assistants and stood in line.
Most of them ran to missions 1 and 2, but I wasn’t too concerned.
Of course I had friends who would follow me… … .
“……Yes. No?”
I proudly stood in front of the number 3 sign, but behind me, only a cold wind was blowing.
When I turned my head and looked around, everyone was in a state of being driven to the second mission.
‘Wow! I explained that over and over again, but those guys?’
The Forest of the Dead was a notorious place.
Because the terrain was rough, and unknown phenomena often occurred.
However, just by taking a quick look around it, it was not affected by demonic energy.
Didn’t I even go to the tower of Esmaranta?
To be honest, it was fairly easy to get in and out of for a fearsome reputation.
“How could you guys abandon me!”
When I shouted as if I was disappointed, Frixon and Curtis smiled shyly.
“Hey, let’s go a little easier this time. You too, come here quickly.”
“Yes. The extra point is not much, and it would be a lot of hard work… Besides, haven’t you already surpassed the peak?”
As Curtis said, since I often won first place, my bonus point was almost sky-high.
In fact, from now on, even if you don’t participate in any missions, you’ll be able to settle down in the upper middle ranks.
But that wasn’t a reason to do an escort or subjugation mission.
‘It’s no fun. Have fun!’
Wouldn’t it be much better to roam around freely than to be tediously guarded?
But my friends didn’t seem to have any intention of coming this way.
I looked at Mac T.S. with my last hope.
With twinkling eyes.
“Oh! It’s burdensome.”
“Tahuheugh! Even you, Mac…”
“It’s no use looking at him like Puss in Boots.”
Mac shook his head coldly.
Apparently, it was because I had been treated like a slave, so it was hard.
While I was on a mission, I thought I should bring him back by buying a present.
That way, I can continue to hand over the student council work in the future.
‘Anyway, am I really going alone?’
No matter how much there was an Imperial Expedition Corps in the area, movement had to be done only by students.
It’s obvious that it will take a considerable amount of time, but I have to go alone on the road.
How is this different from taking on a mission from the assassination squad?
I was staring at the number 3 sign despondently, when I suddenly felt someone’s presence.
Turning my head slightly, I saw Camille Felton with an annoyed look on her face.
“Oh! You’re the enemy’s child, but you’re the only one.”
“What are you saying. Marshal?”
“The words came out of nowhere. He’s a loyal guy as expected.”
“I came here because I hate being crowded. Don’t be loud.”
“Ohh, you seem more loyal because you’re picky?”
“…”
He stopped grunting and closed his eyes tightly.
He seemed to realize that no matter how much he talked, he wouldn’t listen to me.
‘great. Whatever it is, I’ve secured one person.’
Now, at least I won’t be traveling alone, so I was at least relieved.
But that was just then.
Isn’t the crowd splitting in half with a buzzing sound?
Then someone came across the auditorium and stood behind the number 3 sign.
Dark brown hair flowing down, and a voluptuous body that could not be covered even with a flat uniform.
A graceful gait and a body odor like the subtle scent of a flower.
“Adele Richter?”
When I mumbled that suddenly, she smiled lightly.
The beautiful smile made the students’ murmur cut off for a moment.
Before long, a voice that seemed incomprehensible broke out among the students.
“His Highness, the 3rd Prince, is still on the first mission? Why?”
“I don’t understand what they’re going to do in such a rough area. Is it because they don’t have enough points?”
“They say his grades were a bit low in the field of physical use.”
“But that’s right, do you choose a high school student mission like that?”
“Isn’t the student council president caught at least a weakness?”
“Adele! Shake the carrot if you’re being threatened!”
Their voices were beyond whispers.
‘No, he’s not going anywhere. That’s harsh.’
Looking back at the crowd with glaring eyes, everyone was in a hurry to look away.
Ahem! In this case, the power is really good again.
I cleaned up all the mess with my eyes and greeted Adele with a soft smile.
“This mission is super easy. Come quickly.”
Oh, was this an old-fashioned comment?
* * *
This mission was carried out by forming three student groups.
Naturally, the general manager was Franz, Ellington, and myself.
The leader of each student group was selected based on the ranking in the presidency competition.
“From now on, this place will be named the headquarters of the 3rd Student Corps.”
thud!
“This is the student council meeting room?”
When I declared it by hitting the desk, Mac T.S. responded with a bewildered expression.
But I firmly dismissed the other opinion.
“It’s up to the student president.”
“What an abuse of power.”
“No, this is a perfect use. So get all the unrelated bastards out.”
I drove all my friends outside.
I took the spacious meeting room to myself and waited, and soon Adele came inside.
“Huh? I heard everyone is gathering, but what about Camille?”
“There he is.”
“Ah, you’re still the same.”
Camille Felton was sleeping soundly, spread out in the back of the conference room.
He was a guy whose name was only on the list of student council executives, and had no duties at all.
Is it really a ghost member?
“Never mind. But you’re doing your part, right?”
“Apart from work?”
“If you take it, it will be useful somewhere.”
“Then shall we begin?”
Adele Richter had a considerable amount of papers on her desk.
Seeing her carefully organized one by one, I could understand her usual personality well.
“I researched the background of the mission. It’s not even a day or two that the Forest of the Dead has existed, and it’s a bit strange to suddenly explore it, right?”
“That’s right.”
“It seems that there has been a recent incident on the eastern border. As the Forest of the Dead continues to expand, the Imperial Army suffered damage.”
“Wait a minute, expansion?”
“Yeah.”
Swoop.
Adele placed the two border maps side by side, marking the points of change.
Then, it was found that a considerable area was encroached on by the forest of the dead.
“That’s not the only strange thing. There have been reports of screams and strong vibrations in the depths of the forest. They say it’s been quiet lately, but that’s strange too.”
“So what’s the conclusion?”
“……Something tremendous is lurking inside the Forest of the Dead?”
“Once you find out what it is, is it over?”
“Yes, it’s an exploration mission to the end. Subjugation will be taken care of by the Imperial Army.”
After she finished speaking, I nodded my head in satisfaction.
‘Certainly, I’m really good at it. We need a kid like this in our assassination squad. It’s clear and how good is it?’
Then there wouldn’t be anything to be mad at the filial piety’s arrogant order.
It was to the point where I wanted to bring her under my exclusive possession like Abigail.
However, as she rested her chin on her clasped hands, she said with a meaningful smile.
“Now, tell me.”
“What?”
“So what’s your plan? There must be a reason you chose this place. Now let’s reveal it.”
At Adele Richter’s question, I tilted my head in bewilderment.
“Huh? You don’t have anything like that?”
“Impossible. You’re overfulfilling your mission by defeating that incredible being, right?”
What kind of rash is this?
I answered with a naive expression that I really didn’t know anything.
“No plan is a plan. If you don’t make a plan, there’s nothing to fail.”
“My prediction was wrong? It can’t be. There must be something hidden.”
She seemed confused, muttering to herself incoherently.
I dealt the final blow to such Adele.
“Yeah. Nothing like that.”
“Then why did you choose Forest of the Dead?”
“Just by feeling?”
“No, how could you make such a crucial decision without thinking?”
“Can’t you live well without it?”
“…”
I laughed a little while admiring her devastated expression.