Ch.54Great Fire

======[Underground Waterway]======

Evening of the 16th day.

The underground waterway, where only groundwater had been flowing majestically like a river, was now boiling with intense excitement.

The usual silence was nowhere to be found.

Growling breaths and the stench of beasts filled the underground space.

The fish in the waterway hid at the bottom of the river, terrified.

Three Champions. Twelve pureblooded warriors. And thirteen half-blood warriors.

All twenty-eight members of the Militia had finally gathered here.

“Impressive, isn’t it, Andrei?”

Boris grinned, baring his teeth.

Like a child waiting for a feast.

“Well… yes. Indeed. Truly impressive.”

Andrei hesitated a bit, then glanced at Boris and agreed.

‘There’s no need to dampen their spirits.’

The old bear already knew.

Whether they succeeded or not, most of them would die tonight.

There could be no retreat for those who attacked the Empire’s capital.

Boris, perhaps due to his youth, was simply smiling, imagining only the thrill of revenge and battle.

No. He must know too. He just doesn’t care.

The Militia was originally created for this purpose.

An arrow shot toward the Empire, destined to break.

That was the Militia.

“So, what do we do now? The inferior half-breeds are already prepared to do whatever it takes.”

“I was just about to explain that.”

Boris turned toward Natalya’s question and raised one hand.

With only three fingers extended out of five.

“We’ll divide into three units. You, Andrei, and I, Natalya, will each command one. We’ll call them the Assault Team, the Suicide Squad, and the Action Team.”

“Suicide Squad…”

Andrei muttered quietly at the ominous sound of it.

He would likely fall fighting fiercely in the most dangerous place.

A splendid death, just as he had wished.

“We’ll tie up the enemy’s feet, throw the system into chaos, extract the youngsters, and then attack our main target. The detailed plan is…”

Boris explained the detailed operation plan to them.

The werebeasts, who had been listening quietly, growled with laughter when Boris finished speaking.

“…Not a bad plan. So, when should I start?”

“At midnight, Natalya will light the signal fire… yes, about 20 minutes after that should do. That will be the starting signal for the real festival.”

Boris answered Andrei’s question, then spread his arms wide, looking at everyone.

Impressed with himself and inciting them.

With a voice full of strong conviction.

“The time has finally come, warriors! The glorious day when we, by our own hands, will achieve rightful vengeance! For our ancestors who were banished to the freezing lands, for our brethren who were murdered and enslaved! The moment to burn down the abominable human empire!”

A long howling echoed.

The warriors responded with fierce howls.

“Today, we will leave claw marks on this world with our blood! We will carve scars that will never be erased!”

The pillars of the waterway trembled at the roars of the beasts that echoed through.

Three hours later, fierce flames rose throughout the island.

====================

“Lord Haschal! Wake up, Lord Haschal! It’s an emergency!”

Nigel’s shout woke me up.

It was a voice filled with urgency and shock that I had never heard before.

I got up from the bed, still a bit drowsy.

“…Emergency? What is it…?”

“Look outside! The island…!”

At Nigel’s words, I pulled back the curtain and looked out the window.

And.

“What the… This is…!”

At the sight before my eyes, all drowsiness vanished.

The island was burning.

Fierce flames were rising from various parts of the once-splendid city, spewing ash and smoke.

The screams of people fleeing from the fire echoed faintly.

The city where night never came was now brighter than day.

It was a familiar scene.

I had seen this scene in the game before.

The problem was, that was when Hersella attacked the island.

Not now.

“What is this? What on earth is happening! Nigel!”

“I don’t know either! Whether it’s an accident or arson. Flames suddenly rose throughout the island! Arm yourself for now! I’ll go find out what’s happening!”

The sound of Nigel’s running footsteps faded away.

I hurriedly gathered my equipment. My fingertips trembled with confusion.

Why?

A great fire on the island at this point? Who could have…

No way.

A realization flashed through my mind, sending chills down my spine.

No way, it can’t be. It can’t be. No. It can’t be. Why.

All sorts of thoughts pounded in my head, and cold sweat dripped down my cheeks.

There’s no way such a thing could happen at this point.

There’s no way they would have made such a decision at this point.

After all, the werebeasts have no reason to rush their attack with such recklessness.

Such a riot would be suppressed quickly once the island’s knights mobilize.

There’s no reason for such a variable to occur—

Ah.

My mind went blank.

My breath stopped.

There was.

The one foreign element that had fallen into this world.

If something in this world had changed, there was only one reason from the beginning.

There was only one person who should take responsibility.

I looked out the window again.

At the Empire’s capital screaming in flames.

Even time to think was a luxury.

I gritted my teeth and rushed out of the room.

—-

“Nigel! What’s the situation?”

“Unidentified attackers have simultaneously set fires throughout the island! For now, knights from the Imperial Palace will be dispatched to suppress it, so academy students are to wait—”

“Unidentified? Just by looking—”

Before I could finish, a thunderous sound like the sky collapsing echoed.

Both Nigel and I turned our heads at once.

The northern part of the island.

A corner of the glittering outer wall of the Imperial Palace crumbled like a sand castle.

It was the moment when an unforgettable scar was carved into the symbol of the Empire that no one had been able to touch for hundreds of years.

“What on earth is that…?”

Nigel’s eyes trembled.

I too shuddered at the newly realized fact.

Not just because the wall had collapsed.

That much even Nigel or I could do.

The Champion of the Militia could certainly carry out such destruction as well.

The problem was the fact that the Imperial Palace was under attack.

It’s a diversion.

In this situation, the Empire’s knights will have no choice but to rush to the Imperial Palace.

Nothing is more important to them than the safety of the Imperial Family.

Then, who will be responsible for suppressing the fires on the island?

There’s only one answer.

They’ll send out the academy students.

Dispersing them, just as the enemy wants.

No.

I have to stop it. At least until the enemy’s identity is properly revealed.

For some reason, the academy still doesn’t seem to know that the enemies are werebeasts.

As I was about to run toward the main building, my feet suddenly stopped.

Wait, wait a minute.

Then what happens here?

Their original target is the Special Building, isn’t it?

In the original work, they were repelled without much damage. At that time, all the special admission students would have been in the Special Building.

Perneisia, Kalix, Lacy, Frider, Asha. And even that guy Evian.

Probably Kalix’s and Lacy’s guards were there too.

But now there are only three.

Perneisia. Frider. Asha.

The enemy’s attack came too early. Who would have thought they’d attack a month early?

No, I was too complacent.

On the day I heard Frider’s words, I should have acted immediately on the suspicion I felt, rather than dismissing it as groundless worry.

Instead of waiting for two days!

Can those three alone fend off the detachment that will come here?

No way.

So, what should I do?

My fingertips trembled. There wasn’t even time to think deeply.

Danger was approaching even at this moment, and casualties would continue to increase.

I ran to the stable, untied the horse’s reins, and put on the saddle.

Nigel hurriedly followed.

“Lord Haschal? Where are you going!”

“To the main building. I’m going to the regular students’ side, Nigel, you guard the Special Building!”

“What are you saying…! My duty is to protect you, Lord Haschal!”

She strongly objected. It was a valid objection.

She doesn’t know how the situation is unfolding, so she naturally wants to protect me.

There was no time to explain in detail.

I needed to go immediately and stop the academy from making the foolish decision to send out the regular students.

Even at the risk of arousing suspicion.

“This is an order! It’s a diversion by the enemy. We need to protect both sides!”

“Enemy? Diversion? Are you saying the purpose of this arson is the academy? On what grounds…!”

“I’ll tell you later! For now, inform Frider, gather together and defend this place! I’ll be back soon!”

I planned to alert the regular building of the danger and then return.

Once they know the enemies are werebeasts, they won’t disperse the regular students even if they send them out.

The professors will probably accompany them too.

After that, somehow deal with those who attack the Special Building as quickly as possible, and then help the regular students handle those who set fire to the island.

This was the best plan I could think of right now.

“Hmm, quite perceptive… Is it instinctive intuition? Anyway, I can’t let you go.”

Suddenly, the smell of beasts stung my nose.

Nigel drew her spear in shock.

Impossible. They approached this far, deceiving my senses?

I looked toward the direction of the voice, unable to hide my shock.

The outer wall of the academy.

Seven shadows stood on the brick fence, with the burning island behind them.

Monstrous huge bodies. Muscular bodies covered in fur. Heads shaped like beasts.

Monsters wearing armor fitting their size and wielding enormous weapons.

“Lord Haschal, be careful. Those, those creatures are…!”

Nigel’s voice trailed off.

As if it was a difficult crisis situation to handle.

…I felt the same way.

“…Werebeasts.”

And not just any werebeasts, but pureblooded werebeast warriors.

“Yes, you got it right. We are the Militia. The first arrow of the frozen kingdom, Baryachrus. The claws that will kill you!”

The wolf-like werebeast standing in the middle rumbled his throat.

He raised his hand and pointed to his chest as if in greeting.

“My name is Ivanov. The head of the Militia, and the Champion of Baryachrus. Boris Ivanov!”

A long roar echoed.

It was a name I knew.

According to the original work, he was the main culprit who attacked the new students and slaughtered most of them.

The Black Wolf Ivanov.