episode_0029

[A fog of darkness surrounds Asbel’s sword]

Swoosh!

“Blocking me with just this mist…?”

“I didn’t even think this would be enough to block me.”

[Skill) Freeze]

[Freezes in place regardless of opponent’s stats for 3 seconds]

At that moment, Raves froze in place as if paralyzed.

“Then I’ll go ahead.”

“Where are you going?!”

“You have your flag.”

…

Even though it was a short 3 seconds, due to the influence of the black mist, Logz had already fled from his sight.

“The flag’s location has already been exposed.”

However, where the fool had fled was the opposite direction of the flag. So, there was a possibility that it was just a bluff. Even if it was true, under the command of the princess…

It would be possible to block it. It would be easily achievable.

If it were the princess, she could win without someone like me. Should I follow her then…

Raves shook his head.

The people around him are not to be trusted.

“The safety of the princess comes first.”

Thud.

…

Rustle.

In a space where no one should be, a presence was felt.

“…Did he go?”

It was Logz.

As expected, a fanatic.

He didn’t follow.

As the sudden strategy had a high chance of failure, once he confirmed that he had gone, a sense of relief washed over him.

“It feels like it’s over…”

Sigh… If only communication with Ad was possible…

A battle where no information could be exchanged with allies was similar to a gamble with no chance of winning.

There was nothing good to say about losing in this situation.

The card I have in my hand is one of the worst of the worst. Winning with this?

It’s truly an absurd idea.

…Wouldn’t it have been better if I hadn’t even started?

Among the choices of fleeing and advancing, I couldn’t choose any of them.

-The commander of this test is not me, but you.

A faint chuckle escaped. If I give up, I’ll die at Ad’s hands.

The first person that comes to mind when someone is called the most untrustworthy in the world.

An enemy.

To Ad, I am that existence. Yet he trusts me.

It may seem contradictory.

But we know.

In this battle, anyone who betrays will lose. That’s why Ad trusts me.

Repaying that trust is human decency.

“Let’s think.”

In this situation, there are two ways I can win.

The first is when the opponent draws a worse hand than me.

But both me and the enemy know each other’s hands.

In that case, the enemy has the absolute advantage.

So, the second option.

An alliance.

The only remaining team is the Cardia team. Naturally, she must also be enduring hardships.

That’s why the idea of facing Princess Jo one-on-one is not feasible.

But if I think that the opponent who would accept the proposal is Cardia…

Everything goes dark.

She thinks she can do everything alone. So, no matter how dangerous the situation is, Cardia will come up with a solution.

Let’s think.

If a lone fool like me proposes to someone with that kind of personality, will she accept?

I slowly shook my head.

“This will be harder than winning.”

In this way, winning in an honorable manner is impossible.

So, by changing just one word as a last resort.

I can win unfairly.

I told Ad to draw the attention of one team that had already been located.

Of course, Raves had already finished off both teams, and their presence was not visible on the map. So, Ad must be on the side where the princess is.

Naturally, Raves’ attention would also be on Ad. So, if we secretly knock down the flag at that moment, we can win.

A warrior who secretly lurks and betrays his own team.

A commander who sacrifices his own soldiers.

It is an act that tarnishes both the warrior and the commander.

But.

“What can I do.”

‘I’m already a loser.’

At times like this, the title of a loser seems quite fitting. Because there’s nowhere else to go.

Of course, I’m portraying a reformed loser through some acts of kindness.

But sometimes, it seems nice to portray the original loser that I am.

So, coming back again.

Can Ad withstand it? That’s the most fundamental question.

No matter how good a strategy I come up with, if Ad can’t attract the aggro properly, I can’t do anything.

‘…’

I am a commander. So, I must trust my team members.

In reality, I am not in an enmity with Ad.

And no matter how strong the opponent is.

Even if a hundred ordinary citizens come running, he won’t falter.

This is not trust, but conviction.

That’s how strong he is.

Rustle.

“What’s this? You’re back?”

“Kadira, I can feel a faint response from this direction.”

“Alright. Let’s search here one last time, and if we don’t find anything, let’s go back.”

‘Should I just form an alliance?’

No, I shouldn’t.

Should I try out the new skill?

[Skill) Stealth]

[When hiding in the opponent’s shadow, the skill is enhanced]

“Just wait a little longer, Ad.”

***

Thud!

A monster standing alone in a flat terrain rarely seen in the jungle.

“Run away, little bugs. My goal is solely the flag.”

He.

Like a mountain.

Like a fortress.

With his massive figure, he was blowing away all the citizens in front of him.

Every time he swung his sword, the sound of air tearing apart echoed in his ears.

Thud!

“Don’t worry, everyone! We have the upper hand!”

The princess who was fighting against him.

Her eyes were filled with the words ‘hope’.

No one could deny the flame in her eyes.

“Yes! The princess is watching over us!”

“The princess is one of the five holy maidens in the country!”

“Believe in her! She will protect us!”

Under the protection of the holy maiden, the morale of the citizens remained unbroken.

“The opponent is not a monster! They just have a lot of stamina!”

“Oh!!”

‘Having a holy maiden in the enemy ranks is really disadvantageous.’

Ad took a stance as if to face a bull. And he aimed his sword towards where the princess was.

“I’ll take out his heart first.”

“As expected, that’s how it goes.”

As Asbel had already anticipated, he made a sign in advance. And all the citizens began to retreat at once.

“What are you doing?”

“I’ve already anticipated that level of attack.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’ll break through.”

Thud!

Ad closed the distance with Asbel in an instant. And just before he swung his greatsword with force.

Asbel smiled and clasped his hands together.

“Use it, everyone!”

Thud!

A large shield appeared, blocking his greatsword.

“Don’t underestimate us. We’ve prepared a lot too.”

A golden aura appeared around the princess’s body and was transmitted to the citizens using the shield.

“No matter how strong Ad’s attack is, it won’t easily break through.”

“Why aren’t you using it?”

“…That’s a secret.”

“Then I’ll tell you one thing. You made a mistake.”

Thud! Thud!

Ad continued his relentless attacks. Despite the princess’s buffs, the shield quickly crumbled under Ad’s attacks.

But as time passed, Ad also grew tired.

The job of a holy maiden consumes less when using buffs compared to regular clerics.

The princess’s buffs will probably last long term.

‘I’m getting tired… I’m reaching my limit.’

Should I use it?

No.

Even the holy maiden is ultimately a deep well. There is an end to it. Yes, if you want, I’ll give it to you as much as you want.

‘I won’t lose to anyone in terms of stamina.’

Thud! Thud! Thud!!

“As expected, he doesn’t give up.”

“Alright! Let’s go for a long time!”

“Let’s do that next time.”

“What…”

“I told you. I already anticipated everything.”

Asbel took a deep breath. And shouted loudly.

“Attack!!”

“Tsk…!”

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A ruthless magical bombardment began. As time passed, Ad’s form became invisible, obscured by a thick gray mist.

After continuous attacks, Ad’s presence disappeared.

“Stop.”

Asbel quickly raised his fist, causing the buffs to stop and the thickness of the defense shield to thin.

“Ad, are you okay?”

“Who’s worrying about who!”

Clang!

Boom!

As Ad swung down, a strong gust of wind swept away most of the soldiers around him.

“Ugh…!”

Asbel, too, was almost blown away by the gust of wind, but with the help of the soldiers, he managed to barely push back.

“Are you alright, Lady?”

“Thank you.”

Ad said, hanging the greatsword on his shoulder.

“You’ve always been like that.”

“…”

“I’m not in a position to say, but don’t let your guard down.”

“I’m not letting my guard down.”

“Is that so. But if you had waited a little longer, you would have really fallen.”

Ad walked slowly towards the flag.

Everyone thought they had to stop him.

Until they saw his true attack.

The attribute of the ‘Hope’ of the saint was not omnipotent after all. There was no one among the soldiers who could step forward first.

“It’s over now.”

Boom!

Crash!

“R-Raves!”

“Sorry for being late, Your Highness.”

Crash!

“…How did the fool get here?”

“He said he was coming here… Was it a lie after all.”

“…”

“It seems like a waste.”

“I didn’t expect anything from the beginning. And I’m enough on my own.”

“Even after so many years, your confidence hasn’t changed.”

Thud!

Raves went in first and swung his sword. Ad blocked his attack.

When the swords clashed, a strong wave that seemed to shake the entire forest was felt.

But that wave only happened once.

After that, it didn’t appear again.

The reason was simple.

The fight ended with a single blow.

It was such a trivial result.

The one everyone feared and thought was a monster.

Fell with a sword pointed at him in a single blow.

“Where did your confidence go.”

“…Well, it was an expected result. I can’t beat a lunatic like you without Robert.”

“Yeah, I also ran away with just Robert’s flag.”

“Is that so… Is he eliminated too?”

“Now your team is eliminated.”

“Ugh…”

Ad let out a bitter laugh. Raves raised an eyebrow at his reaction.

“Why are you laughing?”

“No, I don’t have a flag.”

“What… But Robert didn’t have one either.”

“Did you check his bag?”

“That’s cheating.”

“Don’t forget. That guy is a scoundrel. You have to make sure.”

“…Is that so.”

“Indeed, you are a pure person like Asbel.”

“I can’t be like you and the Lady.”

“Exactly! You were that kind of guy. And you were so weak!!”

Ad grabbed the greatsword that was lying next to him and swung it at Raves again.

But Raves easily dodged his attack.

“Give up. Even your commander has abandoned you.”

It’s okay.

I, too, have always thought that he could betray me.

From the beginning, I never trusted his words.

Even now, I can’t help but think that he might have abandoned me and is resting.

‘Hold the entire base alone.’

Normally, I wouldn’t have listened to such orders. That’s why it’s even more unfair.

It feels so unjust that it might burst with resentment.

Moving according to his plan.

It’s so frustrating to believe in him.

To me, Logz is an enemy.

But right now, he’s the commander.

Father said.

– In our family, the commander’s command is the way.

A warrior who does not trust such a commander cannot go into battle.

Of course, even if it wasn’t Father’s words, his actions proved it.

During the entrance exam, he defeated me.

During the game of tag, he used me.

Perhaps even now, he is waiting for the opportunity to use me.

So, he deliberately called me here.

This is not some sticky kind of trust.

It’s just certainty.

He, the commander.

Logz.

Will definitely come.

“What are you doing?”

Eod raised his greatsword, aiming at someone. But that person was definitely not Rabes.

“Who…!”

The person he aimed at was the princess.

Even if Asbel were to rush to her right now, the greatsword in Eod’s hands would reach her first. Everyone thought so.

Rabes was no exception.

Power surged into Eod’s shoulders. In that moment, Rabes’s pupils met his sword.

And instinctively, the sword was swung.

Clang!

Eod’s greatsword flew high into the sky.

“This easily!?”

“I told you. I can’t beat you anyway.”

Eod opened his arms and embraced Rabes.

“So, I decided to play the role of bait.”

“What!”

“If I can’t win, I’ll kill you! Logz!!”

“Got it!”

Logz, who had been using stealth, appeared behind a group of soldiers.

The soldiers around them stared blankly without reacting. From the moment they allowed that brief gap, their defeat was sealed!

The distance between me and the flag closes.

All the soldiers sensed their impending defeat.

Except for one person.

“You shouldn’t ignore me!”

Creak…!

Only the princess showed no sign of confusion.