episode_0129

The train sped fiercely. Outside the window, the Beltiod Fortress, which was responsible for the Western Front, finally began to appear.

The defensive magic circles densely carved into the endlessly sprawling castle walls, and the magic weapons deployed in various places, hinted at the fortress’s formidable prestige and how dangerous this place was.

A total of 10 squads were dispatched to the Western Front. The remaining squads were appropriately scattered in various directions and would spend a week there.

For reference, all the main characters from Abel’s Chronicles came to the Western Front. Not only heroines like Uni and Alisa, but also Yas, and even the apostle Ethan Gloucester, were here.

The accompanying professors were Sara and Serlin. Only the Saintess remained alone, sadly guarding the academy.

“Alright, start getting ready to disembark. We’ve arrived!”

While I was lost in thought, the train had already reached right in front of the fortress. I slowly prepared myself.

“Ruan. You didn’t forget anything, did you?”

“No, I didn’t. Am I a child? To forget something like that.”

“…Right, I suppose so. You’ve grown up.”

At my playful jab, Isis reacted strangely. She glanced at my crotch, then her cheeks flushed, and she averted her gaze. Then she pretended to pack her luggage, but it was awkward since everything was already shoved into her subspace bag.

I narrowed my eyes.

‘She’s subtly lustful, isn’t she?’

Isis must have been thinking of my penis, which she saw on the snowy mountain just now, 100 percent. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be blushing like that.

I can understand not forgetting that memory since it was so impressive to me too, but just now, it felt a little out of context. If she’s remembering it from something so unrelated, how much has she been conscious of it normally? Something’s suspicious.

‘Even so, it’s probably nothing significant.’

Considering Isis’s usual behavior and personality, at most, she’d only occasionally recall it, but she wouldn’t dare try to do anything with it. Besides, we’re siblings.

‘What a shame.’

Just as I secretly clicked my tongue, the train, which had been gradually slowing down, came to a complete stop.

“We’ve arrived! Everyone disembark!”

At the command, the students moved in perfect order. They streamed out like an ebbing tide from the front, quickly vacating their seats. We were also able to get off the train quickly.

Once everyone had stepped onto the ground, a red-haired, golden-eyed woman clad in armor, who had been waiting, called out.

“Soldiers! Welcome! I welcome you! This is the Beltiod Fortress of the Western Front! I am Vice-Commander Leona Solias. It’s a pleasure to work with you!”

Leona Solias. As her unique appearance and name suggested, this woman was the First Imperial Princess, Regina’s older sister. As soon as she graduated from the academy, she largely abandoned her rights as an imperial family member and, at the same time, broke free from her shackles, joining the military as she pleased.

This was possible because she was a genius who reached level 300 before even turning thirty. The Empire found it difficult to let her go easily. Ultimately, she is now stationed on the Western Front with her husband, whom she married three years ago.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Vice-Commander-nim. A total of 80 academy members. All have arrived safely.”

“Good. I’ve confirmed. More importantly, Sara Kaiman! It’s been a while. How have you been?”

The Western Front was the primary area where Sara was active during her mercenary days. Since being level 250 put her close to the top tier among mercenaries, it was only natural for her to remain in the Imperial Princess’s memory.

“Yes. I’ve been alright. How about you, Vice-Commander-nim?”

“I’m always the same! More importantly, just call me comfortably. We’re not in an employment relationship anymore. Aren’t we the same age?”

“…Understood. Then I’ll call you Leona-nim.”

“Excellent! You’re straightforward.”

Leona, who had lightly patted Sara’s shoulder, then fixed her gaze on Regina. After a brief silence, Leona smiled widely and embraced Regina.

“Little sister. It’s been a long time!”

“L-Let go of me!”

“Haha! You’ve grown so much. Though your personality hasn’t changed from before.”

Leona, who had easily subdued Regina’s resistance, enjoyed herself thoroughly before letting go. Then she tilted her head while looking at Regina’s face.

“But something’s different about you.”

“…Different how?”

“Did you perhaps get a boyfriend?”

“A b-boyfriend? There’s no such thing!”

Regina, flustered by Leona’s question, looked at me, then shivered and shook her head.

The problem was that Leona noticed it. Following Regina’s gaze, she glanced at me, then wore an amused smile.

“Oh ho… so that’s how it is. I understand. If you say so, then it must be so.”

“It’s not ‘that,’ it’s the truth.”

“Alright. I’ll drop it for now. Then let’s go to the fortress! I’ll guide you to your quarters. The Commander is busy right now, so you’ll see him later.”

Leona, lightly ignoring Regina’s protests, turned her back and led the way. Only then did we truly face the fortress.

“It truly is amazing.”

“Indeed. Has it been a year already?”

Isis and Regina, looking at the fortress up close, each let out exclamations of awe. They must have visited it back in their first year. Even if it wasn’t the exact same Western Front as this time.

‘It’s exactly like the game.’

It was no different from what I saw beyond the monitor screen. Whoever brought us here seems to have amazing programming skills. Of course, that’s a joke, but it must have all been done with magic or divine authority.

Following Leona’s guidance, we entered the fortress and witnessed a bustling scene.

Leona’s explanation continued.

“Currently, with harvest season, monsters are emerging in droves. We are taking full precautions to respond at any time.”

The west is famous as a granary. Beltiod Fortress was a place to defend against the demonic creatures pouring out from the demon realm, but ordinary monsters could not be ignored either. Because those who suffered damage from them were all families of the Beltiod Fortress soldiers.

“Your role is precisely that. Each squad will be assigned an area and tasked with stopping the monsters. You’ll be deployed starting tomorrow. Everyone, be alert.”

Leona, grinning, looked at all of us before continuing her walk. As she headed to the quarters, she briefly explained about the fortress.

‘There’s nothing much to pay attention to.’

As they were merely academy students, the explanations were at a level that could easily be found elsewhere. To the point where Vice-Commander Leona didn’t really need to personally step forward to inform them. Yet, she had taken the initiative specifically to exchange a few words with her long-reunited sister.

It was then.

A blue-haired man, who had been standing with his arms crossed in front of a magic weapon, examining its magical energy circuits, widened his eyes upon seeing Leona.

“You… no, Vice-Commander, what brings you here?”

“Didn’t I tell you yesterday? The academy is sending a dispatch. I’m guiding them to their quarters. And what about you, Mage Division Commander? Has a problem arisen?”

“No. I just stopped by for an inspection. Don’t mind me, please go ahead.”

“Hmm… Understood. Keep up the good work.”

Leona passed by, pretending it was nothing significant. However, the affection in her eyes revealed the nature of their relationship.

‘Was his name Ike?’

This man was Leona’s husband. They were said to have a very harmonious relationship normally, but perhaps because they were on duty, they seemed to be deliberately more business-like with each other.

Soon after, we arrived at the quarters.

“Then, this concludes the guidance. Everyone, please rest until lunch. See you later.”

Leona’s eyes were still full of the desire to spend more time with her sister. Although she had distanced herself from the Imperial Family, it wasn’t due to a lack of familial affection, but simply to pursue her own freedom. However, as Vice-Commander, it was not appropriate to be absent from her duties any longer.

Ultimately, it was the moment Leona was about to turn her back.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

The warning bell rang out loudly.

At that moment, as the expressions of the surrounding soldiers stiffened, Leona’s lips, instead, formed a smile.

“It seems demonic creatures have invaded! Perfect timing. Attention, all academy members! From now on, put down your luggage where you are and follow me! Understood?”

[Yes! Understood!]

As expected, they were true students of a prestigious academy. Despite the sudden command, instead of expressing doubt, they chose to move with discipline. Under normal circumstances, perhaps, but this was a battlefield. Disobeying a superior’s order in a place where lives were at stake was tantamount to throwing away not only one’s own life but also the lives of others.

Fearing my hands would be idle, I casually put down the luggage I was carrying and followed behind Leona.

Following Sara’s instructions, everyone moved in proper lines and formations, each with their respective squads.

Before long, we climbed onto the castle wall and took in the entire battlefield at a glance.

—Screeech! —Groooowl!

Demonic creatures surged forth from within the black forest. Their numbers were so vast that they undulated like waves, appearing as black dots.

The demonic creatures varied greatly, from small monsters like gremlins and goblins to orcs, trolls, ogres, and cyclops. Those with darkened skin were far more powerful than typical individuals due to the influence of demonic energy.

Their momentum reached even here.

Gulp!

The first-year students, tense from the overwhelming sight, could be heard faintly swallowing.

At the same time, gazes focused on Leona. At their expressions, as if asking, ‘You’re not going to tell us to fight those things, are you?’, Leona burst into hearty laughter.

“Puhahaha! You’re still fledglings, so you’re quite timid! Don’t worry. I won’t tell you to fight them. Someone will take care of them all by himself anyway.”

“…Alone?”

Someone’s faint re-question. In response to that question, which represented everyone’s feelings, Leona pointed towards the castle gate with her chin.

Rumble!

Then, perfectly timed, the castle gate opened, and a colossal man walked out. Having left his upper garment somewhere, he wore only pants, advancing boldly towards the wave of monsters with his bare torso.

“Yes. That is Commander Bruno Curtis, who is in charge of this Western Front.”

As Leona revealed his identity, the Commander extended his hand towards the sky. Then, dazzling lightning erupted from his entire body, and a lightning-forged axe materialized in his grasp. Immediately after its form completely stabilized.

[You rogues! Let’s have some fun!]

Commander Bruno roared loudly and swung his axe forward.

Crackle!

The next moment, a bolt of lightning descended. Tremendous currents radiated out from the area where the axe struck, sweeping away all the monsters present.

Large monsters, boasting house-sized proportions, flew through the air like toys. Dozens of monsters were crushed in that single strike.

But what was even more shocking was that the attack was not his full power, but merely a light greeting.

[Come at me, you brutes! If you run, I’ll kill every last one of you!]

Bang! Crash! Boom!

Every time the axe swung, the ground split and the sky trembled.

—Screeech! —Groooan!

The monster horde screamed and fled as if facing a natural disaster. Their cries sounded as if they were saying:

You weren’t going to let us live anyway, you madman!

The monsters’ words were true; indeed, the Commander was mercilessly slaughtering every monster that, due to panic-induced broken survival instincts, unconsciously charged at him.

After that, in less than three minutes, all the monsters met their end, putting a stop to their short-lived existence.