Chapter 149 : Chapter 149
Chapter 149
“…”
As expected. Sighing, I pulled butter and herbs from my magic pouch.
“What’s that?”
“Essentials.”
Adding herbs to the bean and meat stews neutralized the odd smells.
For the crackers, I crushed them, mixed in boiled and mashed potatoes, butter, and herbs.
“Delicious!”
Elisha ate heartily. She might say that, but it couldn’t compare to ducal cuisine. The rations were just that bad.
“Thanks for the meal.”
“No problem.”
Eating well is a cook’s reward.
“…And sorry.”
“…”
What’s she apologizing for now?
“I keep getting help from you.”
“It’s fine.”
Yeah, we…
“…”
“…”
Things have changed. We used to be like cats and dogs, maybe worse than with Gilbert.
“Pfft!”
“…”
Now, it’s not so bad.
“Bit late, but let’s get along.”
At least we’re at this level now.
“…Likewise.”
Not love, but friendship. If I had a friend, it’d be Elisha. Still a bit awkward, but…
‘Not a bad feeling.’
Like camping in a snowy mountain with an awkward friend you want to get closer to, away from the busy daily grind.
“Hey, Cadet Martin! The blizzard stopped!”
“So it did.”
This one was short, thankfully.
“Let’s go! We’ve got places to be!”
I followed Elisha out of the shelter.
The three-day Exploration and Herbology assessment went smoothly. Elisha and I traversed the seven peaks, finding all seven markers and concocting fifteen herbs.
A+ was a given.
***
‘The Rosary, of all things.’
The Star Child wandered the dark underground waterway, lost in thought. The waterway’s gloom and dampness clung to him, but his radiant white light repelled all filth, purifying it—a sanctity untouchable.
‘The ultimate anti-demon weapon, capable of instantly declaring a sanctuary.’
The reason for the Star Child’s concern was the Rosary.
‘When the truce ends, the Demon Lords will come for revenge.’
They weren’t fools to attack immediately. Another failure would tip the scales. Why else would the Star Child hold back from striking first? The scales.
‘Martin did well. To hold off the gluttonous Demon Lord Brahmus for so long.’
Thus, this truce was inevitable. Good for us, frustrating but unavoidable for the Demon Lords.
And who used this truce best? Martin. Liberating Fog Island and reviving the World Tree—infuriating for them.
‘With the World Tree’s revival, it’s a long-term gain.’
Unless the foolish Demon Lords gambled on tipping the scales, the battle would be prolonged. With the cunning Demon Lord Keltu, that wouldn’t happen.
‘He’s mindful of the scales between worlds.’
The scales—a metaphor for the ‘gap between worlds.’
There isn’t just one world. From the heavens where sacred gods reside, to the spirit realm, dragon realm, and Hell of demons.
And the most special world, created by gods and guarded by spirits and dragons: the human world, ‘Paradise.’ In ancient times, when demons briefly ruled, it was called ‘Eden.’
‘This place.’
The scales between ‘Hell’ and ‘Paradise’… sadly, Hell was heavier. Its power was greater. Like water flowing downhill, demons could invade Paradise, but not vice versa.
So, no Demon Lord would risk that advantage to reinvade.
‘Good for me.’
It bought preparation time. What’s scary about demons? Strength? Bizarre abilities? No. Seduction. Corruption. Pollution.
‘Internal betrayers.’
Martin’s list helped, but it wasn’t enough. He admitted he wasn’t perfect. Internal betrayers were too dangerous as humanity united.
‘A three-day prayer ritual granted a revelation.’
Normally unthinkable, but trusting the truce, he undertook it. Drinking holy water, bathing in it, and praying to the Chalice for three days and nights. His devotion was rewarded with a glimpse of the future.
‘And I got results, but…’
He clutched his head, throbbing.
‘Of all things.’
As expected, there was a betrayer—a major one.
***
A scarred middle-aged man stood at the podium. His sturdy build and sharp features screamed decades on the battlefield.
“We’ll begin the War Studies assessment.”
Teacher Gunter, once a prominent field commander in the Imperium Empire’s military. A marquis, he could be appointed interim commander when dukes like Tauforos or Amulrent were absent.
“You’ve learned the essence of war through classes. Today’s strategic assessment uses a simulator to analyze past wars, but I’ll explain again, just in case.”
Passionate about education, he voluntarily joined the Academy, a rare zeal.
“The top priority in war is preventing it. If unavoidable, secure the battlefield first and ensure supplies. Fight in a favorable position with stable resources, and you won’t lose.”
A popular teacher at the Imperium Academy, he ranked third in an unofficial student poll.
“That’s why the commander is key. Knowing your and the enemy’s positions, supply lines, and terrain is crucial. Today’s challenge tests these.”
We were locked in individual rooms, each with a 3x3-meter war simulator displaying a battlefield.
“Begin!”
At Gunter’s shout, we started the assessment.
‘Oh?’
The simulator rendered mountains, plains, rivers, and both enemy and allied camps, down to people and beasts.
‘Not bad.’
I surveyed the battlefield.
‘War Studies is my strength.’
The core of this assessment was ‘memory.’
‘Identify the war from the simulator.’
Then victory is simple—just follow history. Easier said than done, though.
Know-It-All (Lv 4) is confident.
I started.
[Woof!]
I gave Sebastian, cheering, a dog treat to keep him quiet.
The war is the North-South War of Cosmos Year 64. After the Universal Independence War, the Cosmos Kingdom, precursor to the Cosmos Empire, was founded in the continent’s east but faced rebellion from local forces and other faiths.
The war’s details formed in my mind. War history is human history, meticulously recorded.
‘Got it.’
I issued commands. Then—
‘…Oh.’
The commander’s face looked familiar. A kind yet resolute old holy knight…
‘The one from the Dungeon Tournament.’
The holy knight leader who acted with the militia commander. My competitive spirit surged.
‘I’ll lead you to victory.’
I dispatched scouts first.
‘Time to reorganize.’
Unlike history, I’d tackle this war my way. I assigned top-tier holy knights to scout, illuminating the map.
Scout Team 7 encounters enemy scouts. Engaging.
Scout Team 14 encounters enemy scouts. Engaging.
Scout Team 3 finds enemy watchtower site. Engaging.
Scouting is the foundation of war. If resources allow, sending elite forces to crush enemy scouts is a clever move.
“Cavalry, right flank maneuver. Priests, prepare tactical magic. Archers, ready short-range barrage. Knights and infantry, prepare ambush.”
A known war. Overwhelming scout victory. Simulator-enabled analysis of both sides’ forces.
A total annihilation strategy.
“Fire at the enemy’s arrival point.”
Strategic magic bombarded the approaching enemy camp like a carpet bombing, followed by a rain of arrows. Infantry and knights charged from the front, while cavalry circled to strike from behind.
‘Easy.’
The battle ended quickly. The simulator displayed:
[Battle won. Time: 5 minutes 42 seconds.]
Even at 10x speed, a remarkable record.
[War Studies Assessment Phase 1: 2nd Place.]
“…?”
Second? What did I just see?
[Phase 2 begins.]
I got fired up.
‘I’ll speedrun it.’
I cleared Phase 2 in nine minutes, thinking I did well.
[War Studies Assessment Phase 2: 2nd Place.]
‘Again?’
[Phase 3 is a cooperative battle. Due to its scale, speed increases. Matching…]
Thought I’d wait, but—
[Matching complete.]
My partner was assigned instantly. No need to guess.
‘First place. It’s them.’
I wanted to see who this strategic genius was, outsmarting even Know-It-All’s best moves, but there was no way to communicate.
‘They’re skilled, so if I do my best, they’ll match me.’
I studied the simulator’s battlefield.
‘Let’s see… huh?’
The Universal Independence War. The vast continent was the battlefield, with the Defardly Empire controlling over 60%.
‘So I’m with the Alliance? With the Cosmos Church, roughly…’
But then—
‘…What?’
My eyes trembled.
[Examinee Martin von Targon Ulvhadin’s faction: ‘Defardly Empire - Duke Baxter of Imperium Fortress.’]
“…What?”
The Imperium Fortress, destined to fall to Hero Hamerd and the militia, was my faction?
[Partner’s faction: ‘Defardly Empire - Emperor Agrydon.’]
‘Huh?’
This—
[Defeat Hero Hamerd and the Humanity Alliance led by the Cosmos Church.]
Interesting.
‘Know-It-All!’
Know-It-All (Lv 4) analyzes the situation. The war is progressing. We’re isolated. We must wait for reinforcements from the Defardly mainland.
Here’s the situation. But—
The mainland’s supplies are equally strained. The Defardly Empire gathers resources at the Imperium Fortress, the military warehouse, and distributes them by rail.
But that warehouse—my fortress—was surrounded.
‘Let’s recall.’
Why did the fortress fall during the Dungeon Tournament?
‘Sword Saint Dominic.’
His death was the catalyst. Rangers and barbarian warriors played a role, but not like Dominic. Still, the fortress held until then.
‘Wait.’
No matter how I thought, I had no options. Even if the fortress held, it didn’t give me choices. I was trapped, facing the Alliance.
I had to align with my partner, who held full control of the Defardly Empire!
‘Let’s see.’
Know-It-All (Lv 4) references war scholars’ papers. Gather scattered reinforcements, push back the besieging enemy, secure the warehouse and supply lines, and solidify the Empire’s foundation first.
‘Sound logic. A sure method.’
I focused on fortifying the fortress, training troops, and emergency care, buying as much time as possible, trusting reinforcements would come!
But my partner had other plans.
‘…What?’
No matter how long I waited, no reinforcements came. Instead, they conquered the continent faster, more aggressively.
‘No way.’
Conquer the continent and deal with Hamerd last to unify it?
‘…’
But thinking about it—
‘It might work.’
If Dominic and the elite units didn’t die there? The fortress wouldn’t fall easily, and the continent wouldn’t have a chance to rise again.
‘Damn it.’
Realizing—
‘Holding the fortress is the hardest part, isn’t it?’