episode_0151

The battle to subdue monsters changed into a battle to subdue monsters in an instant.

Unlike regular monster subjugation battles, monster subjugation battles were tasks that were far beyond what ordinary cadets could handle. Basically, since Magi had the property of eroding living things, the risk was too great for cadets who were not yet skilled in using mana.

The best thing would be to have skilled giant knights carry out the battle to subdue monsters on their behalf, but in the current situation, organizing and dispatching a subjugation force would take some time.

In the meantime, there was a possibility that monsters could escape from Mt. Njord, so a monster suppression team made up of cadets had to carry out their mission as a monster suppression team.

Fortunately, academy faculty had followed the punitive force in preparation for an emergency. Among the professors who followed the punitive force was Brianna, known as the Empire’s greatest swordsman, so the risk of subjugation was greatly reduced.

The composition of the Seraphina punitive force was reorganized to focus on faculty, and all command rights granted to cadets were withdrawn. Afterwards, command authority was given back to the faculty and the location was changed so that he could lead the reorganized unit.

Although it was a judgment and decision made in an instant, the faculty members silently followed the reasonable personnel arrangement. As the battle to subdue monsters changed to a battle to subdue monsters, Seraphina was no longer the student council president of Demeia Academy.

Seraphina, the first princess of the Infractus Empire.

That was her position as commander of the battle to subdue monsters.

After completing the reorganization of the punitive force, Seraphina gathered the professors and began a briefing on the current situation. The purpose was to disseminate general information about the current situation, including the composition of the punitive force, the wounded, and the number of available troops.

“By the way, is it true that Cadet Gilbert captured the monster ogre?”

“That’s right. Cadet Gilbert defeated the monster Ogre alone.”

An exclamation erupted from the professors. It was amazing that the cadet had faced monsters, but it was especially surprising that he had single-handedly defeated the Ogre, a monster that could be considered a high-level monster.

“I never imagined that a monster ogre slayer would emerge from a first-year cadet.”

“It wasn’t long ago that I was called Count Writer’s Bastard, but I never imagined that he would grow to this level.”

The professors shared stories about Gilbert and celebrated the fact that a talented person had emerged from the academy.

For those who were interested in nurturing younger students, Gilbert’s presence was as welcome as a rain in a drought. I couldn’t help but feel proud that the talented person who would be responsible for the future of the empire was already making a mark.

However, Brianna, who was not participating in their conversation, pointed out one fact that they were overlooking.

“What is Cadet Gilbert’s condition?”

“… . I heard it wasn’t good. I heard that the mana rod was severely damaged, probably because I used too much mana to deal with the monster Ogre alone.”

“Mana Rod…”

“Oh my…”

The friendly atmosphere just a moment ago suddenly fell to the ground. Damage to the Mana Rod was never good news. In a world with divine power, most injuries could be completely healed, but for damage to the Mana Rod, one had no choice but to rely on natural healing power.

The mana rods built sensitively throughout the body responded sensitively to healing that relied on divine power. Since there were cases where interference occurred during healing and the healing was done with incorrect repercussions, I did not directly heal the Mana Rod unless it was life-threatening.

In the meantime, it was said that Gilbert had suffered significant damage to his Mana Rod, so it was natural for the professors to be saddened by this.

“Is this a dangerous situation?”

“After examining it, they said they couldn’t guarantee it. I took emergency measures, but they said if I make a mistake, I may never be able to handle mana again.”

Brianna’s eyebrows twitched at Seraphina’s grave words.

Seraphina’s words suddenly burst out the anxiety that had been creeping up ever since I heard the news that Gilbert was injured. Damage to the Mana Rod was the most fatal wound for the knights.

Although damage to other body organs was fatal to a knight, it could not be compared to the damage of the Mana Rod. After all, having the Mana Rod broken was like being sentenced to quit being a knight.

The reason knights could develop superhuman strength was because they could manipulate mana. A mana rod was essential in order to handle mana, and it was also necessary to control a giant god soldier.

In other words, a knight without a mana load was nothing more than an ordinary person with a well-trained body.

Brianna tried to calm her trembling heart. I had not yet seen Gilbert’s condition in person. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions about her condition until I saw it with her own eyes.

But what should you do if the Mana Road is seriously damaged?

Can she endure the situation where her companion, who will be traveling the path of the innocent sword in the future, falls behind due to a mana load injury?

Brianna pushed the negative thoughts deep into her mind. It didn’t fit her personality to make conclusions when nothing was certain yet.

“Then, I will conclude the briefing with this. To notify unit members of the operation start time.”

As soon as the briefing was over, Brianna found the barracks where Gilbert was lying. Because his condition was worse than that of the other wounded, he was treated in a private barracks.

Some could say it was a preferential treatment, but Gilbert, who faced the monster ogre alone to buy time for the punitive force to retreat, deserved the privilege.

Arriving at the barracks where Gilbert was being treated, Brianna calmed her trembling mind and went inside.

“Master?”

“Road.”

I was relieved to see Gilbert standing up, as if he had been meditating. I heard he hadn’t come to his senses yet, but fortunately he seemed to have woken up.

“Are you feeling okay? I heard you were seriously injured on Mana Road.”

“It is true that I was seriously injured by the Mana Rod, but it is better than I thought.”

Brianna’s heart sank.

But I tried not to show it and grabbed Gilbert’s wrist.

“I will check. Don’t reject it.”

“….Okay.”

I poured mana into Gilbert’s wrist and checked his condition. I used my mana very carefully, fearing any damage to the injured Mana Rod.

“This is…”

Brianna let go of Gilbert’s wrist and was in despair.

To say this was an injury is an understatement. The Mana Rod seemed impossible to revive, to the point where I wondered what would happen if I cut it to pieces with a knife in front of it.

She looked at her exclusive student and future companion with trembling eyes.

I tried to look away, just in case, but I couldn’t do that anymore. Now that I had personally checked Gilbert’s mana load, I had no place to escape.

Brianna repeatedly opened and closed her dry mouth, unable to hide her devastated feelings. As a teacher, I had to convey the current situation to Gilbert.

So, what is the path of the sword? What is his future?

Various thoughts ran through Brianna’s mind. The emotions that kept screaming that there might be a way and the reason that thought there was no hope were fighting with each other.

I have to say it. That guy… . Even for the sake of it.

Brianna pulled herself together.

Even after seeing Gilbert’s situation, it was her regret that she couldn’t say anything. I was just unable to speak out of disappointment that my companion, who was supposed to walk this lonely path of the sword, could no longer join me on the journey.

Not being able to speak because of Gilbert was an excuse to hide that selfishness.

“Listen carefully. Do you know what the current status is?”

“I understand that the Mana Road has been seriously damaged.”

Brianna’s heart ached when she saw Gilbert speaking calmly. To be able to say something like that in a situation where the Mana Road was completely destroyed was a sign of deep mental discipline.

Thinking that this was also his determination to follow the path of the sword, something stirred deep in my heart.

“Then you know what I have to say.”

“Do you have something to say?”

Give up the article.

That simple word got stuck in my throat and didn’t come out. It was so ironic that he, who already knew his condition but did not lose his composure, had to be sentenced to a hopeless situation.

“Okay. road. Give up the article. Your current condition is completely beyond our control. The mana rod is completely damaged and cannot be expected to recover. Even if I make a miraculous recovery, I won’t be able to do things like before.”

“Master.”

“I’m sorry for saying this…”

How will he react?

Should I despair?

If not, would he remain as resolute as he is now?

Brianna couldn’t bear to look at Gilbert’s face, so she turned her head.

“Master. Thank you for your concern… . I think I can recover.”

“Gil. I don’t want to crush your hopes, but I just checked… that’s impossible.”

“If you look closely again, you will realize what I am talking about.”

When I turned my head to look at Gilbert, he was holding out his wrist. No matter how many times she checked, the situation would be the same, but Brianna was heartbroken to see her student not giving up.

“Gil. It’s useless.”

“Pretend you are being fooled and check it out.”

Brianna couldn’t look away from those firm eyes and grabbed her wrist. It seemed like he still couldn’t give up, so it seemed necessary to check again and say something strongly.

She looked at the mana load, flowing mana more slowly and more carefully than before.

for a moment. What is this?

Brianna, who was closely observing Gilbert’s mana load, was able to discover one peculiarity. It was true that the mana load was still a mess, but there were subtle changes compared to before.

As I concentrated more, I quickly realized what the change was.

“This is…”

“I am recovering. Mana Rod.”

Brianna looked at him blankly as Gilbert burst into laughter.

Apparently, her exclusive student was greater than she thought.

***

Gilbert couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of Brianna for the first time. To be cool-headed, I never imagined that she, a countess of Lithuania, would have such colorful expressions.

Considering that she usually had a cold expression even in the game, it seemed like Brianna cared for Gilbert that much.

Wait, but is this good?

Gilbert suddenly remembered a sub-scenario.

Currently, Gilbert has identified one of the twisted possessive seekers as Brianna. Although it has now been merged and disappeared, the sub-scenario called Seeker of the Sword was a sub-scenario that was forced to be accepted when he was with Brianna.

Considering that the twisted possessiveness was caused by Seraphina, it was clear that the Sword Seeker was created by Brianna.

And since the combination of the two resulted in seekers with a twisted possessive desire, naturally the most likely seekers were Serafina and Brianna.

Since it was revealed that Seraphina was one of the seekers this time, it was reasonable to assume that one of the remaining two was Brianna.

But why two?

Gilbert had no idea about the other one, so he decided to put that matter aside for now.

What mattered now was that Brianna was most likely a seeker, and I had to worry that she, like Serafina, might have a kink quotient.

“Thank goodness… . I’m so glad.”

“You don’t need to worry too much. The damage to the Mana Rod is severe so it will take some time to recover, but you will be able to heal completely.”

“Road.”

“Yes, Master.”

It’s strange.

I had a feeling of déjà vu, as if I had seen it somewhere before.

Brianna’s eyes had suddenly become deeply sunken.

The eyes were not cold and transparent like usual, but rather cloudy and dark.

And Gilbert had definitely seen eyes like those.

“I may have been hoping for my whole life.”

“What do you mean?”

” A companion who will walk this endless and infinite path of the sword together.”

Companion? What is this talking about again?

Gilbert became increasingly anxious. This composition was clearly the same as when talking to Serafina.

Even the gaze that was staring at her, possessed by a strange desire, was exactly the same as Serafina’s that day.

“Originally, I was going to wait. Because I thought nothing would get better if I rushed, I was looking forward to the day when he would stand next to me one day.”

“Master.”

“But this time I realized it. That just waiting can lead to things going wrong. And now I realize that I have already grown enough.”

Brianna smiled. It was an ominous smile that I had never seen before.

“Gil. Enough is enough. You are now worthy to walk the sword path with me. So you can brag.”

Her smile grew deeper.

This is the same.

Brianna was now smiling, wishing, and obsessing just like Seraphina.

“Gilbert Lionheart. My companion on the eternal path of the sword.”

[The progress of the sub-scenario Seekers of Twisted Possession is greatly increased.]

[Information on the sub-scenario Seekers of Twisted Possession has been updated.]

[You reach the first branch of the second seeker of the sub-scenario: Seekers of Twisted Possession.]

Eventually something happened.

Gilbert’s face suddenly distorted.