episode_0104

Request for dispatch.

The Imperial Knights, who have been requested to handle problems occurring in various parts of the territory, select the appropriate level of problems and hand the requests to students at the Academy, which ultimately refers to requests that the students themselves solve.

In other words, it could be said to be a mercenary business sponsored by the empire and a subcontractor’s subcontract.

To explain why this system was introduced at the Academy, we must go back to a time when the entire continent was in turmoil due to war.

At that time, 80% of the imperial army was being split up on the front lines in all directions every day, and because of this, public order within the empire was very chaotic.

Therefore, the imperial family at the time decided to use the students being trained at the academy for the purpose of maintaining public order.

Unlike the front lines, where even masters lost their lives from time to time, most problems within the empire could be solved by a decent knight.

If you ask me, it’s like a kind of child soldier.

At that time, there was a shortage of combat personnel, so the second year of the academy was around 16 years old.

There was no need to even give them large compensation.

In order to join the Imperial Knights after graduation, it was all about experiencing appropriate combat in advance, so all I had to do was make the case that I should be thankful.

For those who rule, passion and justice have always been lovely concepts because they don’t cost money.

—-

“So, what’s the point?”

“It means there is a lot of work to do. Isn’t this an opportunity to use a master-level warrior without spending a penny?”

Friede waved the paper he was holding in front of his eyes.

At first glance, it is a request document filled with dozens of requests.

Everyone moves quickly.

It hasn’t even been three days since we registered our party’s full strength at the academy.

“This is the extent of it, even excluding useless requests such as subjugating monsters or exterminating bandits. You can choose whichever you want among these.”

“Please let me read it.”

I carefully read the request form I received from Friede.

1. An abnormal phenomenon occurred in Orc Tears Canyon that is believed to be a precursor to the emergence of monsters.

“What on earth is Orc Tears Canyon? What kind of name is this?”

“It must be Verman Gorge. This is the place where the last orc tribe was fried in boiling oil.”

…Every time I hear the old stories of the empire, they seem so bloody.

Should I apologize to the orcs for inadvertently thinking about pork cutlet?

2. An army of demonic spirits spreads in the western part of Einfeld Territory. A defensive posture is currently in effect.

It’s a commanding species of monsters. Looking at the expression “military”, I think it’s just one or two. Was the initial response delayed?

If you look at the matter, it’s a request that requires dispatching knights in the first place, so why did it come to me?

I guess I’ll have to put this request on hold.

Fighting the military was still something to be avoided.

Because the variables increase as the number of enemies increases, you may not be able to protect other children if something happens.

3. Recruitment of short-term support troops for southern border fortifications. Service period: 3 months.

“Now that I think about it, did you say that something that looked like a spider bird appeared?”

“That’s right. There was some damage from the sudden air raid.”

Spider bird.

It is a low-level monster belonging to a hybrid species, but since it flies in the sky, it is difficult to deal with with knights and soldiers alone.

4. Recruiting for the Sky Mountains Investigation Team. Those with reconnaissance skills are preferred.

“…Did you choose this on purpose?”

“The North always welcomes brave knights!… Isn’t this something you’ll get sick of once you graduate anyway?”

Friede spoke in an exaggerated tone, as if imitating me.

I have no intention of going north. Why would I serve in the military in that cold place, leaving the eastern part of the country to become my vegetable garden?

If the beastmen invade in large numbers… I’ll have to visit them then.

In the first place, is that contract still valid?

Unlike back then, I had all sorts of backgrounds attached to me, including the heir of the Elector and the descendants of the twelve knights.

It will add up by the time I graduate.

Although her status as the princess of Ka’har will be reduced to nothing, I don’t think she will be in a position where it is possible to force her to join the army.

5. Inside Carmine Forest, an unidentified dungeon with magical energy flowing out was discovered. Request for investigation and sweep.

“Oh, this is good.”

“Which one, unconfirmed dungeon clearing? It’s not dangerous… Come to think of it.”

Friede looked at me and nodded.

Originally, dungeons with magical energy were the most avoided quests.

Dungeons are generally places where stronger monsters occur more often than outdoors, and it is difficult to know what kind of monsters there are or how many there are.

Additionally, because it is structurally narrow and complex, surprise attacks are frequent and retreat is often difficult.

However, with our level of strength, there was no particular problem.

If Friede and I combine, we have the power of two masters, but even then, if we are in a dungeon with a monster to be defeated, the magic energy is not at the level of flowing out, but is gushing out like an explosion.

Of course, this wasn’t a request. As soon as it was reported, an emergency blockade order was issued and the empire’s masters were deployed.

“Let’s do this. How long does it take from here in the carmine forest?”

“Wait a minute…I guess it will take about six days.”

Is it 15 days to spare? It still takes a while.

Is there still a long way to go before the airship is commercialized? Do your work, you magic tower bastards.

“Then, it would be enough to take me, you, Damien, Millia, and Nigel. I need to prepare everything, including a carriage, holy water, and healing potions.”

“It’s not enough, it’s probably overflowing. As expected, it is a bit inefficient to have this much power gathered around.”

“There is nothing you can do for the time being. If I move, Nigel will definitely follow, and Damien and Millia alone are still uneasy.”

I also agreed with Friede.

It’s an excessive waste of power to have three masters gather together.

The Empire and the Academy are still leaving it alone because the frequency of occurrence of monsters is at a level that can be easily dealt with, but they will interfere once the appearance of monsters increases in earnest. He said it would be a good idea to share some of the power.

Therefore, once Damian and Millia had gained enough experience, I planned to move separately from them.

“That’s true too. Anyway, I’ll take care of the preparation and registration, so just tell Damian and Milia about the request.”

“Oh, Senior Friede. I don’t know what to do with your great grace!”

Friede suddenly grinned.

What, I thought you would blush like last time?

“…You know what? If you are assigned to the North, you will be under my command. Let’s go and see you then?”

“Huh? Using a master-level warrior as a subordinate?”

Probably more than a master at that point.

Normally, if you have that level of skill, wouldn’t they make you the commander of an independent unit?

“That’s natural, right? There have been more than one occasion where I gave him command because he was so talented, and then the stupid but strong guy ended up destroying the entire unit under his command. I’m not saying you are like that, it’s a history story, a history story.”

Looking down at Friede, who was giggling, I promised myself once again not to go to the North.

In fact, if I had lost my conscience, I could have found many loopholes in the contract that required me to serve in the military for five years after graduation.

—-

The next day was a theological lecture.

A professor wearing a black priest’s uniform continued his explanation of the four evil spirits.

“-It is said that the seven demonic beasts ate each other, and only four remained. Those are the four major evil spirits. These are evil beings worshiped by warlocks, demons, witches, etc.”

Vanargand of Fury and Gluttony.

Lilith of Lust and Pride

Fafnir of sloth and greed

And, Invidius of Jealousy.

“Invidius is a bit unique, isn’t it? Doesn’t the name just mean jealousy, unlike other evil spirits?”

One student asked the professor a question.

“That’s a good point. That’s because only the jealous demon beast could not eat other demon beasts.”

The professor nodded and ran his fingers over the scripture he was holding.

“Unlike the other three who preyed on their opponents and ascended to the throne, he was the only one left as a magical beast. It is said that the demon beast, mad with jealousy, ate itself and used it as a sacrifice to become an equivalent evil spirit. That’s why he even lost his own name.”

That’s enough to make me crazy with jealousy.

On a stage where people dance in pairs, they are like loners left alone because no one joins them.

I remembered seeing such a child at school when I was very young. It was pitiful.

I listened to the professor’s lecture with one ear and explained the dispatch schedule to Damien and Millia.

Departure was two days later, on the weekend.

—-

After the lecture was over, I gave Ophelia a quick glance and called her back to the alley where we talked last time.

“What’s going on? It’s not good for us to meet often.”

Ophelia, who had lit my cigarette, leaned against the wall of the alley with her arms crossed.

“This time, I got to do some outside work for 15 days. Just know. If you plan to carry out your plan in the meantime, I won’t be able to participate.”

“I guess it won’t matter if it’s about 15 days. I made a rough plan, but the preparations aren’t finished yet.”

Ophelia only gave me the outline of the plan.

…It’s a little ambiguous.

“Aren’t we relying too much on uncertain factors? It seems meaningless if the other person doesn’t move as you expect.”

“It’s my job to control that. You do not have to worry. Because of her personality, she will definitely move as expected.”

Ophelia smiled confidently.

Well, I don’t know. You’ll have to try it to find out.

Oh, come to think of it.

“I met your sister at the imperial palace banquet hall the other day. That woman was strangely sticking to me? Like liking the same girl. Did you know that?”

“Of course I knew. It’s not the first time I’ve seen my sister secretly drag another woman into the bedroom.”

Ophelia smiled strangely.

His lips were drawn into a line as if he was happy, but his eyes were a twisted smile full of contempt.

“You probably think you hid it well from me. I didn’t even know I was caught.”

Ophelia licked her lips. While wiggling the fingers of one’s arms strangely.

Umm.

Let’s not get involved.

No matter how I look at it, it looks a bit disturbing.

—-

Two mornings later, I took the carriage prepared by Friede and headed to the Carmine Forest.