Dispatch Schedule Confirmed
The dispatch schedule had been set. That alone was enough to send the students into a frenzy they couldn't hide. And the destination? Solemnute. How long had they dreamed of it. Beyond its symbolic status as the imperial capital, Solemnute was the empire's most prosperous city, brimming with the finest entertainment districts anywhere in the realm. A place where one could see every rare treasure the empire had to offer, the very emblem of the nation. Even though they'd enrolled at Solemnute Adem, countless students had never set foot in the capital their entire lives. News of a dispatch there was bound to drive them wild.
Visiting the Imperial Knights was exciting enough, but what the students truly anticipated was the entertainment lining Solemnute's streets. And the timing couldn't be better—the second month of Terra, April. That meant the Terra Church's Prayer Festival would be in full swing.
The Prayer Festival of Terra. A celebration praying for the earth's bounty, overflowing with delectable foods and captivating spectacles. The entire Knight Faculty was in an uproar because of it. Even the White Pavilion, home to the Innocence ranks, couldn't escape the chaos.
"Oh my god, a dispatch?"
"Right? Finally, some breathing room. It's been nothing but meals, classes, training, assignments—over and over for a whole month. I was suffocating."
"Tell me about it. The assignments were endless; I didn't even have time to hit the shopping district. Especially Erosion Studies!"
"Ugh……."
The Innocence students groaned in unison. Calvin Giod's Erosion Studies class tormented them with overwhelming assignments and vast lecture content. But even as they shuddered at the thought, they remembered the dispatch next week and grinned mischievously.
"Just gotta hold out till next week, yeah?"
"Exactly. We're gonna party hard in Solemnute! The Prayer Festival of Terra's on, too. I hear it's packed with foods from all over the continent…… Hey, anyone here actually from Solemnute? What exactly goes down at the festival?"
At the question, Evelyn Ansis—with her dark green hair—replied.
"Well…… It changes a bit each year. But the core is always the same, so no big deal."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. But if we're going timed with the festival, I bet it's more about maintaining order and crowd control than joining in."
"What?"
"I remember seeing Solemnute Adem students—seniors—helping the knights with crowd control and security during the festival back when I went as a kid."
"Oh……."
Evelyn's words darkened the Innocence students' faces. They'd vaguely discussed dispatch duties among themselves, but herding crowds during a festival was no light task.
"Still, there'll be time to sneak away and have fun."
A saving voice rang out then. Everyone looked up to see, sure enough, Ashytara.
"Really?"
"……Yeah. They won't deploy everyone at once; it'll be shifts. So the off-duty folks can enjoy the festival."
"Phew…… I was worried we'd miss everything and just work."
"Hey, how would I know all that…… I've only seen the festival twice myself, thanks to my sister."
Evelyn shot back at her friend Granias's jab with a petulant whine. Seizing the moment, the Innocence students bombarded Ashytara with questions about the festival, and she answered each one with a gentle smile.
Atop the black jade throne. Raha gazed into the distance, bound in chains. In that moment, she saw something.
A pulsing, malevolent left eye atop a throne built from pulverized human flesh. Even incomplete, it eroded and corrupted everything around it simply by existing. Mad rituals of worship unfolded at its base. Human sacrifices. Mangled corpses littered the ground, but the officiants showed no disgust—only ecstatic faces turned toward the throne.
Then a soul-shaking voice emanated from the eye.
[It has been too long a slumber.]
The surrounding earth trembled.
[Loathsome things roam this land. The time of my return has come.]
All present for the ritual were slammed to the ground by the pressure.
[But it is not enough…… Still insufficient. Far too insufficient.]
The pressure eased, and the crushed ones struggled to their feet.
[Hearken.]
They poured every nerve toward the malevolent left eye before them.
[Bring me chaos and terror.]
Those gazing at the throne could only bow their heads in fervent prayer. Raha grimaced at the sight.
"Tch. It's awake. Earlier than expected…… Already manifesting an eye. Must've put in the legwork."
She clicked her tongue softly, sensing a threat looming for Ludenberg Lavante soon.
"Can't delay any longer. Ludenberg, I pray you emerge from the trial unscathed."
His current state wasn't perfectly stable, but better than the prior instability. Raha thought it would be fine.
Dispatch eve arrived before they knew it. Ludenberg Lavante heard Raha's voice after quite some time.
> Ludenberg, can you hear me? I have a message.
Raha's voice flowed from his sword, Liberra.
"I hear you."
> Soon, the first trial opens. Prepare yourself—mentally and physically.
"Understood."
> One more thing. They're making their move.
"They?"
> Those trying to thrust you into an evil fate. Simply put, the Salvation Cult.
Ludenberg Lavante's expression hardened.
"The Salvation Cult……."
> Yes, the Salvation Cult. They're not active yet, but they'll ramp up soon. Stay vigilant.
"I'll keep it in mind."
The Salvation Cult's movements had gone quiet lately. Since the massive erosion in the east eight years ago, they'd vanished. Only minor erosions popped up sporadically across the empire—no major ones since. With vigilance waning, caution was essential. Especially during the Prayer Festival of Terra, drawing massive crowds. An ominous chill ran down Ludenberg Lavante's spine.
Need to secure Liberra. Time to bolster defenses.
He wrapped Liberra in white cloth and finished preparations.
The next day. Knight Faculty students gazed excitedly at Hainkel Hereis on the platform.
"You will now head to the empire's capital, Solemnute."
"Yes, sir!"
"Travel by Wind Path. It's a long distance, but your trained stamina will handle it. Still, some may fear flying."
A few students paled at the mention of Wind Path. Hainkel nodded understandingly and added,
"We've arranged for Solemnute Adem's foremost Wind Path expert to assist, so no worries. It'll be comfortable. Now, to the Celioum Church."
Once the entire faculty reached the Celioum Church's Wind Path boarding area, Hainkel cautioned them.
"This dispatch is your first mission, so stay sharp. Your seniors will be watching, judging you. Prove your worth. A bit of fun after a month cooped up is fine, but don't neglect duty for indulgence. Detailed orders from the knights—check them on arrival."
"Understood!"
"Good. Let's depart."
As Hainkel finished, Rohan Heywards—the Sacred Law professor beside him—chuckled.
"My turn, then? Professor Hainkel."
"Please, Professor Rohan."
"Got it."
Rohan infused divine power into the Sacred Law formation at the boarding area, earnestly wishing to open a path to the skies. A gust rode his will, swirling through the formation before gathering in his hand as a raging gale. He controlled it effortlessly, then launched it skyward. A path opened in the heavens.
The fierce wind gentled into a breeze, flowing serenely toward its destination. The students stared, awestruck. Terrifying control of divine power. Wind Path was notoriously difficult, usually requiring masses of Celioum priests—and even then, it bucked wildly, inducing nausea. Only now did they realize who stood before them.
The empire's top Sacred Law authority. A priest whose skill had even drawn personal study from young Emperor Rajeta Solenute himself. Rohan Heywards.
"Safe travels."
"Thank you, Professor Rohan. Everyone, board the Wind Path."
Despite the massive Sacred Law, he showed no fatigue. All gazed at him reverently as they boarded. Soft winds enveloped them, forming a spherical orb. Once professors and students were aboard, it shot upward toward the capital.
Ludenberg Lavante marveled at the comfort—worlds beyond his first Wind Path ride. The others did too.
"Whoa, no shaking at all! How?"
"I always get motion sick on these, but not a hint!"
"So fast! This is awesome!"
And the views from the Wind Path were overwhelming. Thrills uncontainable, students whooped their excitement. No time for scenery on prior rides amid chaos. They drank it in now. How long did the buoyant thrill and stunning vistas last? As awe faded to normalcy, students entrusted themselves to the steady orb and slept.
Time passed. As sleepers began stirring, a massive city appeared.
The city where the sun never sets. Architecture blending white and gold, dazzlingly beautiful and sacred—the empire's heart. The capital, Solemnute.
Rubbing sleepy eyes, students finally looked ahead and fell silent before its radiant, overwhelming splendor.