[ Episode 198. Fear]
The weekend passed quickly.
As Ivy said earlier, she decided to stay by Noah’s side a little longer, so she asked Salem in advance.
Even I couldn’t predict how she would change the moment she found out Salem’s identity, who hated warlocks so much, so I was careful.
Morne and Luna left around the same time as us.
Apparently, the assembly was busy because of this war, but when asked what they were planning, Morn just smiled meaningfully.
“It was cute.”
On the train going back, Vivian said, touching the clothespin Luna bought for her.
Before boarding the train, the two of them looked around the market and bought couple clothes pins.
Luna’s affinity was scary in that she could become as close as Vivian and I in just two days.
“Look at this.”
“yes. You are pretty.”
When I saw Luna and Vivian, they seemed to live without any worries, so I was a little envious.
Of course, each of them had their own troubles, but on the outside, it couldn’t have been more peaceful than this.
“Vivian.”
“huh.”
“The war is getting worse than we thought. It will probably affect the academy, but I hope Vivian doesn’t step out.”
At my words, Vivian looked at me for a moment and shook her head.
“I cannot promise that.”
“Vivian.”
“If Adrias promises not to step out, I won’t either.”
Since Vivian suggested the opposite, I was able to guess what she was thinking.
I do as I please, but I can’t force her.
Still, to be honest, I want her to take a step back from this war.
War is a series of unexpected variables.
Even in the game, there were countless cases of absurd death.
‘I gave Amy the starlight of Metene, so I prepared a safety device.’
I told you how to use it and explained what it is for, so you will know how to use it.
Before that, Maximin, Isabelle, and Salem would protect her.
“arrived.”
Thinking alone and chatting with Vivian, I arrived at the academy before I knew it.
And for some reason, I could feel the cluttered atmosphere of the academy.
“They…”
muttered Vivian, looking somewhere.
When I moved my gaze there, I saw students from other academies who were still not leaving.
Why are there still kids who should have returned by yesterday?
“Adrias student Vivian student.”
The staff at the school gate who had identified us called us back.
“Principal Deos is looking for you.”
“Is it right now?”
“yes. If you come, I will contact you right away, so I think you can go right away.”
“All right.”
It’s an obvious story if it’s obvious, but it seemed like it was because of the war.
Still, I didn’t know that Vivian would be called as well.
First of all, I went straight to the administrative building with Vivian.
The closest place to the academy gate was the administrative building, so we were able to get there on foot.
“I’m sorry for calling you as soon as I returned. You must be tired, but the matter is the matter…….”
Theos welcomed us with an apologetic smile.
He served the tea to us who sat down and started talking.
“His Majesty has issued a ban on leaving the country.”
“Is it because of the war?”
“There was a lot of rhetoric in the reason, but it seems that way.”
“When I asked why other academy students stayed, it was because of that.”
I don’t know if the ban on leaving the country was issued in the game as well.
Because it had nothing to do with me.
But now it has to do with it.
First of all, people who will become famous named characters have been established in the academy.
“You see what’s left. The imperial palace has banned them from leaving the country for their safety, but it seems that their real intention is to capture people from other countries and help them.”
“Are things that bad?”
“I don’t know yet. Perhaps only those on the frontline know exactly what is going on.”
In other words, they would use them as hostages, but they would not have needed the power of other countries.
It seemed to me, knowing how the war was actually going, to show off the Empire’s influence rather than any other intention.
The fall of the Valley of Wailing must have been known everywhere.
It was a disgrace to the empire.
It feels like taking out that embarrassment somewhere.
“From now on, this is a story that directly relates to you students.”
“Please speak.”
“The Empire issued a national conscription order. And the academy was included in that target as well. However, in the case of students, we are in a situation where we have to make a decision by choosing recruitment rather than compulsion.”
“There must be a price to be recruited, right?”
“That’s right. First of all, grades will be given by default. Students who participated in this war will be able to be promoted without missing a promotion. For seniors, additional points are awarded. The academy provides only this much, and the price provided by the country will be sent to the tablet separately.”
He took a breath and drank his tea.
Up to this point, it was the same as the content in the game I knew, but seeing that Vivian and I were called to the principal’s office, I wondered if it was to encourage participation.
“I received a direct request from the imperial palace. It was a request to encourage the participation of students who achieved good grades in this tournament. In particular, for Adrias, who won this time, or Vivian, who took third place, if they participate in this war, they will assign a person in charge for convenience, and they will give them a commanding-level position and a high salary.”
“There is something I want to ask you.”
“yes. You can ask.”
“Can I participate alone as a mercenary?”
At my question, Deos stopped talking unexpectedly.
Vivian, who was next to me, also looked at me with strange eyes.
“Is there any reason why you would do that? If you participate in the imperial palace recruitment, you will be able to participate in a much better environment than participating as a general mercenary. Perhaps you can just take command in a comfortable battlefield where safety is guaranteed as much as possible.”
“I want to be free to choose where I am on the battlefield. It’s hard to do that kind of movement when someone directs you.”
Theos seemed to think for a moment, then nodded.
“I will ask, but I will not object. Even just participating in it will be appreciated from the Imperial Palace’s point of view.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
“no. Rather, you don’t have to go to the battlefield, but I’m impressed by the way you take responsibility as a noble. May I ask if you intend to step forward in the family name?”
“I don’t have any concrete plans yet, but I think I will probably go out as an individual. When it comes to family, I’m the only one.”
“Has confirmed. Then I will report that to the imperial palace.”
“Can I ask you one more question?”
“Tell me.”
“Are you going to recommend it to students from other academies?”
“I have already spoken. There are rewards from the empire according to majors, so it’s not too bad, and honestly, fighting barbarians is too much to call it a war, so if you think it’s rather an experience, it’s a good opportunity for them.”
I still didn’t take it seriously.
This is a popular idea, and you’re probably having a headache in the imperial palace or on the frontlines by now.
The northern savages were unexpectedly unpredictable.
They are people who were born warriors who grew up in a harsh environment.
In addition, some of the chieftains were Aura Masters.
It was a fact that was not yet known, but this was information that would soon spread widely.
“Thank you for your reply.”
“no. It was trivial information.”
Vivian withheld an answer.
Deos nodded when she said that she would think about it a little more before answering.
“Please give me an answer within three days. A recruiter from the 1st Corps led by His Highness Closche will come in three days, so as long as you decide by then, there will be no problem.”
“huh.”
Vivian nodded, but her focus was on the floor, as if contemplating.
Personally, I just wanted her to reject it, but I wondered where it was just withholding it for now.
“Then let’s go now.”
“You must be tired, but I’ve been holding on too long. Thank you for your hard work talking to this old man.”
As I left the room, I wrapped mana around my body.
I don’t know when to attach the spirit, so I always do it after meeting Deos.
It was quite a while before he began to openly use spirits, but there’s nothing wrong with being careless.
I came to the academy loop train station to head to the dormitory.
Vivian walked all the way to this place, seemed to keep thinking, then suddenly called my name.
“Adrias.”
“yes.”
“Why is Adrias going to war?”
“For my own good.”
I don’t know if it will be the same this time, but the emperor always prepared a thick reward in the war with the north.
Whether it was goods or money, it was the reason why I had no choice but to participate in the war whenever I played the character Rodlen.
And to the lords who mobilized soldiers, the direct control of the emperor was awarded.
Many commoners received titles and became nobles, and those who fought as lords were promoted.
“Can I…help?”
Vivian has said something troubling.
My plan for this war was to use my power as a necromancer, so I planned to move alone.
No matter how devoted Vivian is to me, when she finds out that I am a warlock…
‘Ah…’
A feeling of fear rose to the surface.
I was confident that I would remain aloof even in the face of death.
However, when he thought that he would be rejected by the people he gave his heart to, an unimaginable fear came over him.
“no?”
“sorry.”
I just cut it out.
Then Vivian’s expression turned visibly sullen.
It was pitiful to see that, but it was far more profitable than having her know that she was a warlock.
“Please judge Vivian well. War is no joke. Principal Deos just said it like it’s no big deal, but I don’t know what will happen. The Gorge of Wailing, which had already boasted that it would never be breached, fell in just a few days.”
“……huh.”
She nodded, still with a forlorn face.
I didn’t feel good about her expression, but I couldn’t take her to the battlefield with me.
“I’ll go in.”
“yes. You worked hard over the weekend.”
Soon the train arrived and Vivian got on.
I had to ride on the other side, so I waved goodbye to her.
When I went to the other side to leave Vivian and catch the train going in the opposite direction, there was an unexpected person standing there.
“Hello, senior?”
“Did you say Fione?”
The daughter of the Marquis of Ardi.
I left such an impressive greeting that I couldn’t remember.
At the time, I didn’t think much of it, but now that I think about it, it couldn’t have been a strange woman.
“yes. Do you remember?”
“I can’t help but remember.”
“lol. thank god.”
I habitually read her breathing and the movements of her facial muscles.
A normal person wouldn’t know it, but I immediately noticed her awkwardness.
Are you hiding something?
“Are you going to the dorm?”
“uh.”
“I was going to go because I had something to do with the Faculty of Magic, but I think we can go together.”
“The station you get off at would be different?”
“I believe that you will guide me?”
It was bold, but I didn’t know what it was, but it gave off a suspicious feeling, so I immediately refused.
“I’m sorry, but I’m tired after going out over the weekend. I’ll do it next time I get a chance.”
“Hmm…”
At my refusal, she suddenly looked around, made sure no one was there, and moved closer to me.
Just in case, I closely watched her actions and prepared for a counterattack at any time.
Every single action was a suspicious junior.
“Senior Adrias…”
She came closer to me and whispered in a low voice.
“Original sin. Do you have it?”
And the unexpected words came out of my mouth.
[ Episode 198. Fear ] End
