Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: The Great Moving Operation (1)
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He wanted to ignore it, but it wasn't something he could just brush off. Ronan was just about to turn on his heel when Adeshan pushed away from the wall and grabbed his sleeve.
"Wait a second."
"Huh? What's up?"
"Take this."
Adeshan held out the coat she was carrying. It was neatly folded, looking as pristine as if it'd never been worn. Ronan's eyes widened as he took it.
"Ah, this is mine."
"Thanks. You saved my skin back then."
"No big deal. Glad it fit you well."
It was the coat he'd lent her during the midterms. Ronan slipped it on right away. It felt like putting on a brand-new one, which put him in a great mood. Adeshan asked,
"How's it feel?"
"How's it feel?"
"Doesn't it seem a little different?"
Ronan shrugged his eyebrows. Now that she mentioned it, the fit did feel slightly off. He soon noticed the lining had been thickened a bit.
"Did you put something inside?"
"Yeah. I had some material left over, so I reinforced it with blade-resistant leather. It should block minor cuts or spear thrusts."
"Whoa, you can do that too?"
"Of course. I'm a tailor's daughter, after all. Check the inner pocket too."
Ronan lifted the front flap. His name was embroidered on the inner pocket in elegant script. Adeshan gave him a soft smile.
"I added that. Figured you'd lose your clothes a lot."
"Thanks. You didn't have to go this far."
Ronan grinned ear to ear. He loved the upgraded uniform. Whatever treatment she'd given it, the weight hadn't changed much.
"Glad you like it."
Adeshan looked at him with proud eyes. His genuine joy was a sight to behold. After a brief pause, she spoke up.
"Um... can I ask you something?"
"Sure. I'd even tell you how many moles are on my ass right now."
"N-no need for that... It's just, yesterday, that super pretty senior from the Magic Department."
"Ophelia? What about her?"
"...You knew right away when I said pretty. You're even dropping the honorifics...?"
"Huh?"
"Oh, no... it's not important. Just curious what your relationship is like."
Adeshan's tone was oddly urgent, lacking her usual spark. Ronan tilted his head.
"Relationship? Uh... friends?"
"Right, friends. Like... you and me?"
Ronan was at a loss for words for a moment. He'd been struggling to grasp her intent amid the rambling. She asked in an anxious voice,
"Why aren't you saying anything...?"
"Oh, just thinking. Ophelia... well, she's different from you, if I had to say."
"Huh?"
At that moment, Adeshan froze like she'd come face-to-face with Medusa. Her thick, forest-like eyelashes trembled. Ronan, stroking his chin, continued,
"You're way more special."
"Sp-special?"
"Obviously. We're in it together till the end."
Adeshan's eyes widened. She seemed to have some inferiority complex. With someone as obviously strong as Ophelia showing up like a comrade, it made sense she'd feel uneasy.
The road to Grand General was long; she couldn't start wobbling now. The best move was to boost her confidence.
"Don't worry. I said I'd stick by you and help, didn't I? Till you make it."
"S-so... I'm more important than Senior Ophelia?"
"At least to me."
Ronan met her eyes as he spoke. She, who'd been creaking like a broken doll, bowed her head. Her small ears flushed red as if heated over a fire. A tiny voice leaked from beneath her dangling hair.
"...Good."
"Huh? What'd you say?"
"Nothing. I should head out now. Yeah, the instructor gave me something to do."
"It's Sunday."
"H-he asked me personally. Anyway, see you...!"
Suddenly, Adeshan turned and walked off. Her long legs made her strides incredibly fast. Ronan shook his head at her retreating back.
"Instructors are too much."
She could've gotten the weekend off. Muttering to himself, Ronan headed to the clubroom. The sky, cleared of overnight clouds, shone a brilliant blue.
"I'm here."
The clubroom door opened. An odd sight greeted him.
Schlieffen was pacing circles around the room like a condor with anxiety disorder, muttering incoherently. In the far corner table, Asel huddled, trembling.
"Eek...!"
Asel, face hidden behind a thick book, peeked out only with his eyes, watching Schlieffen. Ronan frowned at the ridiculous scene.
"What are you doing over there?"
"Ro-Ronan...!"
Asel scurried over upon eye contact. He'd apparently been studying here when Schlieffen barged in. He whispered,
"Wh-why's he here...?"
"Oh, he's a club member now. Guess I forgot to mention."
"What...?"
Asel's eyes nearly bulged. Just then, the prowling Schlieffen stopped. Without turning, he spoke.
"Ronan. What kept you?"
"Adventures you couldn't dream of. What's the big fuss?"
"Time's short. Get to the point. We need to move Iril's relocation up. Today."
"...You better have a damn good reason if you don't wanna get beat."
Ronan was floored. They'd just agreed on end-of-month after long negotiations. He felt accumulated fatigue turning to anger. Schlieffen continued,
"Got intel at dawn. Another village destroyed. Kakapu, a mountain village west of Romaira."
"What? A village destroyed?"
"Yeah. Berserk monsters attacked. Not something guards could handle; Imperial troops had to step in."
"...Tell me more."
Ronan's face hardened. Nimburton, where his sister lived, was also west of the Romaira Mountains. The incident started last night while he was away.
Normally docile monsters, or ones from elsewhere, were rampaging. It was happening over a wide area, delaying response.
"Sent a mercenary band to Nimburton last night. Hasty, but better than nothing."
"You? Color me impressed."
"Doesn't change the urgency. Wyvern sighted over Marvas this morning."
"Damn, a wyvern?"
Ronan grimaced. Wyverns were among the most dangerous monsters. No breath or magic, but deadly poison, sharp teeth, and flight.
Schlieffen approached the map on the corkboard. He pointed to villages near Romaira with his knife tip.
"Excluding the metropolis Marvas, defenses aren't solid against monster raids. Incidents are far from Nimburton, but no room for complacency. Best to send escorts and bring Iril to the capital ASAP."
The map detailed routes and hazards for the move. Ronan's mind raced. It was logical, flawless. No more hesitation. He clapped Asel's shoulder.
"Asel. Pack up."
"Uh, okay?"
"Emergency club activity."
No time for rest, it seemed. Ronan scribbled two notes hurriedly. He stuffed one into Cita's mouth, dozing by the window.
"...Pfft?!"
"Deliver to Baren. You know where."
It was a makeshift club activity plan. Cita shook off sleep with a head toss and nodded. The other note went on the table by the door.
No time to gather others. The three, geared up, left Phileon. Thirty minutes later, two ghost horses shot out the capital's west gate.
They crossed Romaira before sunset. Hard to believe he'd taken four days with Asel before. Paved roads let ghost horses exceed imagination.
Rental cost was insane too, but the academy would cover it. They first stopped in Marvas. Schlieffen said calmly,
"Good call, Ronan. Renting ghost horses."
"Tried 'em before. They're fucking fast."
"Urp... ugh..."
Asel clung to Ronan's waist, barely holding back vomit. Ronan tossed his sweat-soaked goggles.
"Anyway, you head to Nimburton first and lead the escorts. We'll switch to regulars."
"Wouldn't it be better together?"
"Got a hunch. Try any funny business with sis, and you're dead."
"Funny business? What do you mean? You think I'm doing this out of feelings for Iril? Ridiculous. Listen, Ronan. My actions stem purely from Grancia's noble spirit..."
"Got it. Go already. Time's ticking."
Ronan cut him off. Normally he'd ramble longer, but urgency won; Schlieffen turned his mount obediently.
Grancia's young lord, acting like that. Pitiful. Ronan said disdainfully,
"Thinks he won't get caught, huh?"
"W-well..."
"That's funny business already. He's making it obvious so sis notices. No one misses that."
Asel stared at Ronan in disbelief. He seemed itching to speak but held back. They rented a swift steed at Marvas market. Ronan muttered, scanning around,
"Wyvern really showed up, huh."
The city's mood was grim. Far fewer people on streets. Remaining pedestrians kept glancing skyward.
Imperial troops from the capital patrolled in formation, crossbows slung. Ronan sighed, thinking of facing wyverns.
'Damn, not the best matchup.'
Memories flooded of chasing one wyvern desperately in his past life. He prayed no berserk wyverns among them.
"Let's go."
Ronan and Asel left Marvas on the steed. Ronan rode at moderate speed, stopping often. Eighth time, he turned to Asel.
"Asel. Lift me."
"O-okay. Invisible Hand."
Asel chanted. Ronan's body floated smoothly upward. Rivers, forests, scattered villages came into view. No anomalies. He signaled down, landing seated. Asel ventured cautiously,
"Um, Ronan. What's bugging you? It's all so sudden... hard to grasp."
"Feels like Nebula Klazie."
"What...?"
Ronan replied flatly. The sudden monster frenzy bothered him. The cave giant and Baidian ogres were their doing too. Asel paled,
"Nebula Klazie... the ones who wrecked the temple and did that to Saranthe..."
"Yeah. Total bastards."
Ronan's frequent lifts were to spot their signature sparkling mana. As they neared Nimburton slowly,
A crowd gathered ahead. Imperial troops blocked the road with spears and shields. A leader-type man barred Ronan's path, shouting,
"Halt! Halt!"
"What's going on?"
His face was grim. Something had happened. The man pointed beyond the blockade.
"Sword Saint Zaifa and his unit are operating nearby. Wait till they're done or take another route."