episode_0141

monster.

A general term for all life forms excluding other races classified as sub-races.

Unlike sub-races, who could communicate and even have emotional exchanges with humans, it was impossible for monsters and humans to coexist.

Monsters thought of humans as food or tools for propagating their species, and sub-races, including humans, only thought of monsters externally as having to be destroyed.

The two ideologies, which could only see each other as enemies, could never intersect, and they have continued to fight each other to death ever since the days when the hero and the demon king existed.

This was the same in the Tactical Combat game.

Although it was a world where giant monsters had developed, the monsters could not be completely eradicated.

This is because they reproduce faster than the monsters can be subdued. Since not all individuals lived together like sub-humans, even if a large-scale subjugation was carried out, they soon gathered in numbers and attacked humans.

Therefore, periodic subjugation of monsters was essential.

If the timing is missed, it is none other than humans who suffer.

Even in Tactical Combat, defeating this monster appeared periodically. When I was attending the Academy, it was included in my academic schedule, and after graduating from the Academy, I participated in monster suppression depending on my affiliation.

Sometimes as a knight belonging to the Empire, and sometimes as a mercenary belonging to a mercenary corps.

Gilbert also participated in countless monster subjugation battles while completing all achievements. Because there were so many achievements to achieve, the form of participation was often not normal.

In general, if you participated in a subjugation battle as an academy cadet or an imperial knight, you could easily fight a subjugation battle by boarding a giant god soldier, but in other situations, you could not control the giant god soldier.

Even if the mercenary group was large, it was not easy for a small or medium-sized mercenary group to purchase giant soldiers. The problem is that the achievement of becoming a mercenary king requires starting as a low-level mercenary in a small or medium-sized mercenary group and becoming a legend in the mercenary world, so there were times when he had to fight against large monsters with his bare body.

Because of this, subjugation of monsters was successful, but that did not mean that subjugation battles had become easier.

The subjugation war, which was based on quantity warfare, did not end in one or two days. When you thought the subjugation was over, monsters kept creeping out from somewhere.

The subjugation war, which progressed from a quantity war to a long-term war, drove people physically and mentally. The thing I wanted to avoid as much as possible was the monster subjugation battle, but it was one of the gateways that I had to pass through as I belonged to the academy.

So three times a year.

To prevent the monsters from increasing in power, Demeia Academy took turns fighting each grade every quarter to subdue them. Many cadets were injured or killed during the subjugation war, but the academy had no intention of stopping the subjugation war.

Demeia Academy was not a place to grow flowers in a greenhouse.

Preferably weeds.

I wanted weed-like cadets who could survive in any situation.

***

“The list of punitive forces has been released.”

Hans brought a pre-distributed program schedule.

As Gilbert expected, Serafina, the student council president, was appointed as the commander of the punitive force. Although an instructor accompanied them, it was the punitive force comprised only of cadets that led the subjugation war.

So naturally, it was customary for the student council president to be the commander of the punitive force unless there were special reasons. This time too, there were no special reasons for disqualification, so it was right for Seraphina to take over as commander of the punitive force.

Once Serafina was appointed as the commander of the punitive force, among the remaining student council executives, the first-year cadets took over the role of commander of the punitive force one by one. Basically, student council executives were given the role of commanders because they were selected from general cadets and students with good grades.

“As expected, Gilbert was also appointed as commander.”

“I see.”

Hans gave him a look of respect, but Gilbert maintained a somber mood. This was also something that was expected.

There was no way Seraphina of the world would leave Gilbert, who had been appointed as an honorary student council officer, alone.

In terms of justification, it was reasonable to give the commander position to Gilbert, who held a position as a student council officer.

Didn’t he already show that he could play the role of a commander well during the entrance mock battle, the resistance battle, and the invasion of Sigurd’s clan?

Seraphina couldn’t just leave such a great resource unattended. Naturally, Gilbert was also appointed commander and took up a part of the punitive force.

“The unit formation tends to be quite biased. Especially Gilbert, your unit seems to be made up of elites.”

Most of the cadets transferred under Gilbert were in the first class. It was a layout that clearly showed the intention to organize the main force with Gilbert as the main force.

“Are you going to select a lieutenant again this time?”

Angelina looked at Gilbert with a subtle gaze.

It’s already been more than half a year since I joined him as his adjutant.

At first, she was disgusted by the fact that she became a fool’s lieutenant, but soon she became influenced by Gilbert and decided to become his lieutenant. Thinking back, it felt a little strange.

Angelina was relatively ambitious. Since he was born with talent, like any noble family member, he couldn’t help but have a desire to succeed.

It was her long-time dream to be recognized by many people and to become a top minister of the empire.

So, when I first became Gilbert’s adjutant in the entrance mock competition, I was full of disapproval. I couldn’t help but feel that I was lucky enough to have applied for the position of commander first and lost the position.

However, now, half a year later, she was proud of working as Gilbert’s lieutenant. He was an outstanding talent and had a charisma that could sway people. To be honest, there were many times when it felt overwhelming to follow in his footsteps.

There Angelina was convinced.

He’s someone worth following.

“Of course. Considering the command system, it is more efficient to have a lieutenant.”

“So who do you plan to use as your lieutenant?”

Gilbert burst into laughter as he looked at Angelina, who was trying hard to hide her expectant eyes. This is because I never thought that Angelina, who is extremely rigid in everything, would show herself like this.

“Please continue to take good care of me, Deputy Angelina. Because it is difficult to find someone as competent as the adjutant.”

I didn’t mean to make you feel good.

Although it could not be said that it did not contain at least a hint of entertainment, it was true that her abilities were outstanding.

Monster subjugation wars require consideration of long-term warfare as well as quantity warfare, so if you can hire competent adjutants, the burden will be reduced accordingly. Since Gilbert himself was appointed commander, it was essential to have Angelina as his adjutant.

“You know very well. If so, please continue to look after us. Commander.”

“Are you talking to just the two of us, excluding me?!”

“That’s true too. It seems like they are letting the story progress as they please with a married person by their side.”

Gilbert’s head hurt as he heard Hans flippantly waving his arms and Brynhild raising an eyebrow. Hans, I thought that was the case, but seeing Brynhild, who was married to a married woman, went too far alone, I felt like I was going to have a chronic headache.

“Who is married? Don’t proceed with the story as you please.”

“Didn’t you get my hair? That’s no different from giving my life. So give up.”

Brynhild’s eyes, drawing a half moon, were no different from those of a wild animal stalking its prey.

Gilbert, who felt chills for no reason, decided to ignore it.

It had been a long time since he had overwhelmed her in terms of force anyway. Even if Brynhild were to storm into the bedroom, I was confident that I would quickly subdue him.

“Monster subjugation is not an easy task. If you let your guard down, you will be in big trouble, so everyone must be thoroughly prepared.”

Those who would participate in the war in his unit nodded to Gilbert’s firm advice.

Two weeks later, the battle to subdue the monsters at Demeia Academy began.

***

Van Dyke had to force his trembling heart to calm down in front of the resistance members.

This was because if he was discovered to be agitated, it might instill unnecessary doubt in the members.

The Resistance, which grew explosively with the support of the crazy old lady, boasted a larger scale than before it was subdued by Princess Serafina.

Previously, most of the members of the unit were farmers or commoners, but now that the reorganization took place, it was different.

A fallen nobleman who was falsely accused and whose family was ruined.

Knights who made their names known on the continent, but are now retired.

Famous mercenaries who risk their lives and earn a living.

People from all walks of life came together and became the Resistance.

Because of this situation, Van Dyke, who was at best a member of a third-rate theater company, felt like he was going through thin ice every day.

The moment I showed disorganization, it would be revealed that I had deceived them, so I couldn’t even sleep comfortably.

Considering his abilities, he was in a situation where people who could easily hold the position of knight commander in any country knelt before him and treated him as the leader. It was rather strange to be able to sleep comfortably under these circumstances.

Above all, whenever I faced the crazy old man who practically ruled the Resistance, I had to feel like my life had been cut into years.

“Thanks to you, we were able to move forward today.”

“Because we have a leader, we can stay centered. You don’t have to say that.”

“Thank you for saying that. This is what I reported today.”

If he had been able to act like this while performing in theater productions, he played the leader of the resistance group so perfectly that one would wonder if he would have become a famous theater actor by now.

The resistance members left the leader’s office, feeling that their choice was not wrong.

“Now I have a pretty good system.”

“Oh, are you here?”

As soon as Van Dyke was alone, the crazy old man appeared. It was a natural appearance, as if it had been here all along.

Van Dyke swallowed dry saliva, gave up his seat at the head of the table, and knelt like the members of the group.

“Okay. Then, where should I report it?”

“The Academy says they will begin the monster subjugation battle as planned. As you may already know, the commander of the punitive force is said to be Princess Serafina.”

“What about Gilbert?”

“It is said that he will compete as a commander.”

“Hehe. I guess so. That bold child has the ability to do that.”

The old man stroked his beard and spoke kindly, but Van Dyke was not fooled. The moment he goes astray by even a single detail, he could be torn apart just as the previous members were torn apart.

“Are you planning to deal with the punitive force?”

“No. Dealing with the subjugation team now would not be a good choice, so I’ll leave it as is. Of course, if I leave it as is, it will be more annoying, so I need to take some action.”

“If you tell me to take action…?”

“You don’t need to know that much. Nobu will do his best, so you should focus only on understanding the situation and increasing your influence.”

“Okay.”

“Don’t worry. The moment my purpose is accomplished, you too will be free.”

However, Van Dyke was well aware of how thoroughly thorough the person in front of him was. Here, if you were to just jump at the idea of being free, you would only endanger your life.

“It’s okay. I am satisfied with just following my will.”

“These days, you seem to be a bit more blunt than a friend. Since we are receiving such expectations, it would be right to live up to those expectations.”

The old man seemed to be in a better mood after hearing Van Dyke’s words. He burst out laughing and stood up. Since his business was done here, he planned to go straight back.

“I will call you if necessary, so maintain the same posture as now. Then I look forward to our next meeting.”

With those words, the old man disappeared in an instant.

Just like when it first appeared, no trace was left behind.

However, Van Dyke, who was greatly relieved of his psychological pressure just by the fact that the old man had disappeared, took a long breath and caught his breath. At first glance, I thought that I would not be able to live in the expulsion because of this.

Still, I guess I should do it.

He was already on the back of a tiger. It was impossible to jump off midway.

Van Dyke got up from his seat and sat down where the old man was sitting.

It was a bonus to express my gratitude to the Lord that I was able to survive safely today.