Chapter 159
Chapter 159
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 159
Chapter Title: Heat Guy Wolfram
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"...Ugh. Haaah..."
Eve von Loengrin stretched languidly as she woke up.
She hadn't fully grasped what it meant that the sleep incense completely fused with her mana to induce sleep, but now that she'd slept and woken, she understood.
"Completely... I was out cold, wasn't I."
How long had it been since she'd woken with such a clear head? She circulated her mana lightly, running it once from her fingertips to the ends of her hair, checking her own reserves. She could use over ninety percent.
Normally, it would be seventy percent—at best. And when things got busy, it could drop below thirty.
Congenital insomnia. Excessive fatigue and mental strain had made deep sleep impossible for Eve von Loengrin.
This slumber filled her with a touch of fear.
"...What if I were attacked while sleeping like this."
Of course, her automatic magic barrier would defend against even the remotest possibility of an attack. There was her lineage trait, the Demon God's Reincarnation, and if things got truly dangerous, a protective spell that would forcibly eject her body and teleport her straight to the student council room.
However... Eve von Loengrin knew.
She knew there were attacks that completely ignored her mana.
【Curses】 couldn't be overcome with mana. If she'd been hit with a curse inducing nightmares during this deep sleep, Eve might not have endured it.
She knew the Black Flag committed such atrocities, and she'd spent many a night sleepless from fear.
But she'd slept well.
Deeply, soundly.
Eve dressed, groomed herself, tied her hair up, and stepped out of the tent.
And there sat a man in a chair, eyes quietly closed.
Eve disliked him, but she was willing to acknowledge his legitimate efforts.
"Wolfram. You worked hard last night."
"No big deal. Wasn't difficult. Just... worried."
"About what?"
"I'm going to sleep in the cart from here on. Honestly... hate to whine, but I'm at my limit."
Now that she looked, there were dark circles under Wolfram's eyes.
One sleepless night was enough to push him to his limit, given his stats. He was probably holding on through superhuman willpower.
"Ah, was it the noise?"
"No. Patrasche said she'd use telekinesis to muffle sounds. That's fine. I sleep well even in rough spots."
"I see."
Another odd show of bravado. Back in the day, he wouldn't sleep without the finest bed.
Even his bed in Glasstheim dorm was custom-ordered.
Lately, at the convenience store...
Huh? Was there a bed like that at the convenience store? As Eve tilted her head in doubt, Wolfram cut through her stray thought with words.
"Anyway, what worries me is whether you lot can handle the expedition properly while I'm asleep. That's all. You're like kids left by the riverside."
"Unnecessary worry. We can handle it now."
"Is that so. Then I'm relieved."
"...Hmph."
Wolfram smiled naturally, as if saying he understood. She'd expected another jab, but he was too drained for that... or was he truly at ease?
"Eve. Take this."
"What's this?"
"A map marking where the Black Flag's main base might be around here and how they could be deployed."
"...If you haven't actually scouted, isn't it all just fantasy or bluff?"
"Think that, and you don't have to take it."
"I'll take it. Might be useful."
Glancing at the map, it was surprisingly detailed. As Eve looked up to ask the source, Wolfram was already heading to the cart, using a broken branch as a cane.
She couldn't bring herself to stop him—doing so might make him collapse for good.
Patrasche, Aila Trista—all were deep in sleep that profound night.
Wolfram had stood watch alone, extinguished the campfire, and cleaned up thoroughly.
Even a quick glance showed the washed cups gleaming with residual moisture.
And there, Eve saw it.
The cups weren't singular. They'd been washed clean, water still beading on them.
"...Two cups?"
...Why?
Standing watch alone—why two cups?
Even if one spilled, wouldn't you just grab another? Or rinse and reuse it?
Or.
What had Wolfram been doing last night? Who had he talked to here?
"Hehe. Wolfram's awake?"
"Mm. How long was I out?"
"About three hours, I'd say."
The fatigue hadn't fully lifted, but he could move. Rolling his shoulders produced a crack. Not injury—just this body's inherent frailty.
"Right. Where are we at?"
"Lapis Lazuli scouted. Thirty minutes from here, we can hit their rear."
"Thanks for the report. Sylphia Evergreengrove. But we seem stopped."
"Your fault."
"...?"
"Heard you gave the lord that map. And it was spot-on. So..."
"Ah, got it."
More sources to squeeze? Sorry, nothing left.
Nothing left, but... everyone's eyes were sparkling.
Meaning they expected a strategy meeting, implicitly acknowledging me as head.
But.
There were only three of you.
Why need strategy? Just overwhelm with DPS. True tactics come from raw power.
He almost said it, but their eyes were too eager.
"Hehe. Everyone's eyes are sparkling, right? I bragged a bit."
"...Aila."
What did you do?
"Wolfram gets one piece of intel that's the most critical. But he doesn't brag. I just praised how amazing he is!"
"Yes. Never doubted you once. Your Highness."
"I, Isolde, felt fear at Your Highness's keen insight."
"...Acknowledged. You're capable, Wolfram."
Regina, Isolde, Sylphia—all affirming me. Aila stood arms crossed, eyes shut, huffing smugly. What're you so thrilled about?
"Alright. Strategy meeting time. Our seven-man strike team infiltrates enemy territory now."
But with your OP skills, couldn't each handle twenty foes and clear the quest? ...My pride wouldn't allow it.
Besides, look at their faces. Even experienced ones like Eve, Aila, Sylphia couldn't hide their tension.
"We can do this."
Eve's words made everyone flinch.
The mood chilled.
Is that what you say in a strategy meeting?
No, idiot. That's not what they need.
Not cold, ruthless, cool-guy Yi Young-jin. Time for heat-guy Young-jin, with his 98.6°F burning passion.
"...Pardon?"
Something like back in my day...—no, not that.
I'm no boomer. Just advice from someone who's lived harder. Listen up.
Honestly, if this were a game, I'd charge in and end this episode right now.
I sneered with all my might, and flames ignited in their eyes.
Yes. That's it.
5/5 provocation works.
Aila and Regina shivered slightly at my words. They're arch-enemies, after all. A slip in battle could mean firing a maxed-out spell or two.
Yes.
If synergy's lacking, I'll give orders. Do your parts.
With the speech done, flames blazed in their eyes.
My final words erased hesitation from their steps.
Time to exterminate the bandits.
After that, we raided the Black Flag's main base.
I floated high above the rear, aided by Regina's 【Swamp】, top-down viewing the battlefield. The swamp's mana clung stickily, licking my body, but I chalked it up to magic properties.
No such description in canon, but reality differs from the game.
Patrasche waited by my side.
"Patrasche. Isolde's pushed too far ahead. Order her five steps back, no further than two. Sylphia's too focused on Eve. Attach Lapis Lazuli to Eve and hold position."
"Understood, Master."
Per my orders, Isolde retreated five steps, madness gleaming in her eyes. Third mage sword yet? Emerald, so yeah. A breeze from Sylphia's Lapis Lazuli separated to envelop Eve. Sylphia steadied after.
Besides, the three AoE mages needed no mention. Black Crystals flew, swamp fists swung, light spears launched.
Over three hundred Black Flags in the base, yet no intimidation.
Hmm.
Stats are indeed OP—they fought brilliantly.
I wasn't needed, but to look cool as a participant, I'd have to land eventually.
Free carry? What can you do. To leech glory, gotta do this much.
Ah, archer unit there. Rear ambush squad.
Normal arrows won't do much, but...
Tipping them off counts as pitching in, right?
Activate Imperial Bloodline.
Patrasche roared, flames trailed, and the mage line finally spotted the ambushers.
With that directive, another AoE wave flew. Ambush squad done.
Honestly, my commands weren't crucial.
Thus, the battle ended.
No deaths on our side, but blood had been spilled.
No allied injuries, but enemies... well, banged up, bleeding some.
That weight. That fear.
Their first true battlefield.
Yet none fled. None cowered.
They fought splendidly.
I clapped, praising them.
The battle tension eased.
"Wolfraaam!"
As I declared battle's end, Aila approached first, smiling.
The rest followed.
Ahem.
Didn't do much, yet treated like the protagonist...
?
What is this?
What did I even do?
Did literally nothing, yet this praise...
No, I worked hard. I carried, honestly.
So you'll give good stuff, right?
Right?