Ch.272272. Goden Mikhail Likhabart (4)

The next day.

Looking at the map, current troop status, and supply situation, there’s definitely a burdensome aspect to it all.

‘There are more colonies than I expected.’

I wonder why there were so many monsters when used for other purposes, but in other ways, this makes sense.

In Mirpark, there are artificial colonies and caves, and in Sirah, colonies leading directly to Levrant.

With colonies forming on both sides hammering Levrant like this, how could they possibly hold out? I didn’t think the situation was completely hopeless.

Reinforcements have arrived, but the troops are still insufficient. Nevertheless, Junon can only devise the best possible strategy in his mind.

“Is it possible?”

“Yes.”

“Oh…!”

When Goden points to a strategic location on the map, Junon readily answers.

“I’d like you to explain the details. We need to convince the other squad leaders too.”

Well, the explanation isn’t that difficult.

Junon picks up two neutral flags and places them where the colonies were.

“These two colonies are likely to be one and the same.”

“One colony?”

“Sirah has almost no undead-type monsters created by nobles. That means most of the colonies were formed naturally.”

“Hmm… There have been reports. They say there was a colony extending like two arms from a location where casualties occurred. To think it appeared naturally… But isn’t that dangerous?”

“Those casualties were caused by a Mine that Mirpark nobles used to lure students and turn them into monsters.”

“Ah, so you’re saying the monsters’ actual ranks aren’t that high. I understand. But for something like that, doesn’t the outpost seem built too far forward?”

This strategic point was one of the crossroads leading to other colonies.

One could argue that taking a detour would take too long, but conversely, it was also a place where monsters pouring out from that colony would converge.

It was understandable why Goden couldn’t comprehend why Junon would establish an outpost in such a position. Even at a glance, Goden knew they were short on troops.

And then Junon drops his bombshell.

“That’s intentional. We need to disperse and fight the monsters coming from the other colonies.”

“…”

A brief silence fell.

“…Junon. Do you understand what you’re saying?”

“I don’t think I’m wrong.”

“It sounds like you’re saying you’ll be bait and lead the monsters around. Am I wrong?”

“That’s my strategy. Seems like you understood it well. Do you need any further explanation?”

“Hey!!”

Goden slammed his palm on the table, raising his voice.

“So this was your plan from the beginning. Is that why you said you didn’t need your own squad?”

“Because this is the most efficient strategy.”

“It’s a strategy that puts your life in danger! Did you think I’d just go along with you single-handedly leading monsters around and dispersing them for us to pick off one by one?”

Junon had said he didn’t need his own squad and would only borrow a few artifacts and materials.

Thinking about it now, it’s astonishing. I did wonder why he chose those particular items. If misused, they would attract monsters’ attention tremendously, so I had my suspicions.

As they say, suspicion kills—he was planning to make the monsters go berserk and chase after him. That was his plan from the start.

“I’m sorry, but I won’t implement such a strategy. If we’re short on troops, we can just call for more!”

Goden argued that while he might risk himself, there was no need to implement a reckless strategy that would send someone else into danger.

Sirah wasn’t in such a dangerous situation. If they couldn’t bring in imperial troops to remove the colony immediately, they could request support from Levrant.

He laid out all these arguments.

But is that really the case?

‘Levrant won’t have troops to send.’

Just then, a soldier opens the door and reports.

“Lord Goden. News has arrived that colonies have appeared in Levrant as well.”

“…In Levrant too? What does that mean?”

“There was a path above the Ripol Gorge, sir. They say it’s difficult to send supplies because of it.”

Goden’s pupils shake violently.

‘Of course he’d say that since he didn’t know. Only I would know that Levrant would gradually come under attack.’

Thanks to this, I now have the right to bring this strategy back to the table.

“I’m quite familiar with Sirah’s geography. I’m confident I can handle that level of risk and return alive. Rather than waiting for imperial forces to finish sealing Peltiburgos and join us, I think it’s better to try this approach.”

“…”

Goden knew better than anyone that simply waiting wasn’t the answer.

***

A foreseen event.

The fact that the empire would face two named monsters simultaneously with the arrival of spring.

There might be many monsters pouring out, but those two were particularly formidable beings.

Peltiburgos. Ashpern.

He still hasn’t forgotten the two named monsters that devastated the empire.

But that’s in the past.

There will be no need to continue a defensive battle using Levrant Academy buildings as cover. Because here, he’s personally leading some of the monsters heading toward Levrant.

────!

“Yes, yes. This way, you bastards.”

Monsters approach with horrific screams. Junon welcomes them, drawing their attention.

His body is drenched in animal blood that they love, and he throws bottles of poison mixed with monster blood one by one.

Gradually, some fall behind, unable to keep up, and soon there’s a noticeable increase in individuals showing severe symptoms, collapsing or weakening.

This is the moment of opportunity.

-Peeeeee!

The sound of a horn echoes through the forest.

After confirming the number of isolated monsters and dispersed individuals, Junon blows the horn to signal that it’s time for the operation.

The soldiers easily eliminate the separated monsters, and

“This colony has been destroyed!”

“What about the other side?”

“Judging by the rising smoke, they just blew it up!”

They succeed in destroying the colony where monsters were being generated.

“It will be dark soon, so we’ll buy time for Junon to return. Sound the horn first!”

“Yes, sir!”

Although it was just one battle, one of the seven seemingly complex colonies disappeared all too easily.

The operation was truly perfect.

Except for the fact that one person was continuously exposed to danger.

.

.

.

“Phew.”

“…Are you hurt anywhere?”

“Not particularly.”

As Junon, who had been the bait, puts down the artifact and sighs, Goden approaches and asks quietly.

Looking at his body, there are no major injuries visible. But while there may not be any serious wounds, the fact remains that numerous minor injuries have accumulated.

One wrong move and he could have lost his life, yet he treats such things as insignificant.

Indeed, he seems too accustomed to the battlefield.

“Was there really no other way besides this reckless strategy?”

“No.”

“…Aren’t you afraid, when your life is at stake?”

“Either way, my life would be threatened even if we left those things alone.”

Placing direct and indirect threats on the same level—Goden couldn’t understand Junon’s psychology at all.

That irritated him, so with the intention of subjecting Junon to a barrage of nagging, Goden called for Lenias.

“Ah, found you. I’m here!”

“What? Why is Lenias here?”

“Who knows. I guess someone called her over. Oh, and I’m not preparing a separate meal for you, just so you know.”

“What? What do you mean… Whoa!”

“My goodness! Brother, what is this! I can see red marks all over your elbow! Were you planning to just wrap some bandages around it and call it nothing serious?”

“No, that’s…!”

“Tsk. Stop arguing and come with me?”

As expected, as soon as Lenias arrives, the barrage of nagging begins. As if that wasn’t enough, she grabs his hand and drags him away to administer first aid.

Finally feeling somewhat satisfied, Goden smiled contentedly.

“Well, well, he can’t resist Lenias at all. I like that.”

Though he may be a stubborn and rigid person, there was one exception: Lenias.

By the next operation date, all those wounds would be healed. And he’d come with a full stomach, ready for the dangerous mission.

That’s good enough.

They’ve overcome today’s most dangerous operation, so he shouldn’t get injured like this again. Now they can move together.

“Hmm. But it still bothers me.”

Junon must have a big secret.

That power that opposed Defornice III’s eerie magical power—though temporary, it triggered an explosive circulation beyond the limits of his body. And it was Junon who had collapsed there.

So did Junon defeat Defornice III alone?

I think that’s probably correct.

Though it was never publicly announced, and unless someone was particularly sensitive to mana, they wouldn’t have noticed, Goden knew.

If this were all, it would just be a suspicion based on circumstantial evidence. But this is not mere speculation.

-‘My unique magic, copying. No matter how difficult, if I’ve made contact with the target, it should work.’

That’s what Cain had said.

Cain’s unique magic is copying. It’s a flexible unique magic that allows him to faintly copy and use another person’s power for a certain period after making contact with them.

He can’t freely use difficult powers like Michelle’s blue flame, Erica’s divine power, or Senia’s mana sight without dealing with issues like proficiency or reduced power. But even so, he can copy and use such powers to some extent.

However, Cain mentioned there was someone his power didn’t work on at all.

-‘How should I put it… It felt like the copying itself was being rejected. It wasn’t that Brother Junon was controlling my mana to suppress the technique.’

In a way, Cain’s unique magic is like a truth of this world. What kind of power could reject it?

“I hope you don’t have to use that power again, Junon.”

Because such power surely comes with a price.