That's the Guy!

That's the guy!

The Central region's soldiers were well-trained, but they weren't superhumans. They didn't wield the Northern Breathing Method like Northerners, hadn't come into close contact with Mysteries like Southerners, lacked the power to command the earth like Easterners, and didn't possess the high water affinity of Westerners. The ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠security guards at Orbis Academy were no different. Their job was, at best, to suppress delinquents and drunkards disturbing the academy's peace. Since they lacked the capability to stop a terrorist attack, the Empire had decided to personally safeguard the academy today—the day of its founding festival.

The Empire's Special Affairs Department, the Imperial Knight Order, the Imperial Magic Tower. The Empire's finest, operating in both the light and the shadows. Though the short preparation time of less than a week meant only a small fraction had gathered, the combined fighting force at the academy could easily sweep away several territories. The fact that this much of the Empire's elite power had assembled showed just how desperately the Imperial family intended to prevent any incident. With the academy professors added to the mix, the academy's defenses were practically an impenetrable fortress.

Unfortunately, the Flame of Doom was exceptionally competent, and their obsession with the Empire far exceeded anyone's imagination. The moment their subordinates capable of sowing chaos inside the academy vanished, they immediately sought out collaborators. Organizations that would normally refuse to get involved in something like this all turned them down—but surprisingly, one group accepted their proposal.

Normally they would have been at each other's throats instead of cooperating, but the situation had changed. The unexpected appearance of these allies brought a smile to the Flame of Doom's face. Whether it succeeded or failed remained uncertain, but from their perspective, as long as the plan worked, nothing else mattered. After all, if the plan succeeded, the academy would be destroyed.

The moment the festival began, Neon disappeared to have a serious talk with Shinshia. Judging by his grave expression, it seemed like a complicated matter, so we decided not to intrude and split up to enjoy the festival instead. From a tactical standpoint, sticking together would have been best given the possibility of an attack. But I'd only said it as a joke, and judging by the presences I sensed around us, the Empire was clearly taking this seriously too.

They've prepared plenty, so there's no point in huddling together anyway.

"Mmm. That's a shame."

"Shame or not, what can we do? We should still stay prepared just in case."

I didn't know much about the Flame ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of Doom, but the documents we'd obtained from their hideout showed their hatred for the Empire ran deep. Considering that, even if they were at a disadvantage, there was no telling what they might try. As insurance, I'd prepared a small surprise. I'd rather not have to use it, though.

"Attack or no attack, shall we enjoy the festival first?"

"Argo. I want chicken skewers."

Of course I wasn't planning to stay on guard all day. The Empire wasn't stupid—they'd be searching the area themselves. There was no need for me to obsess over it. We strolled around the streets and enjoyed the festival at a leisurely pace.

While the academy was the center of this festival, most of the attractions students would enjoy were concentrated in the city. Thanks to that, we could fully enjoy ourselves even without entering the academy grounds. We made the most of it—until the attack I'd half-expected actually happened.

KWAAAAANG!

"It's an attack!"

An explosion erupted on the far outskirts of the city, followed by faint screams. We immediately shifted into combat readiness, the festive mood vanishing in an instant. The moment they heard the noise, people sensed the attack and began fleeing.

"Whoa. It really is an attack."

"It actually got through."

What the hell? I brought common sense from the novel, but if it actually gets breached, what then?

I let out a sigh and scanned our surroundings with a dumbfounded expression. Now that the attack had begun, the city would quickly turn into a battlefield.

"Run away from the explosion site!"

"Evacuate the children first!"

People scattered from the explosion's origin like rabbits fleeing a predator. Since this was a world where superhumans existed openly, their crisis detection abilities seemed exceptionally sharp. I couldn't help but admire how swift—and even systematic—their movements were.

"Their response to the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠attack is better than most Northern villages, huh?"

"In the North, even the old folks and kids would try to fight."

"Exactly. That's why this is better than the North."

In the North, they wouldn't have run—they'd have fought. Not that running was even possible there, since the monsters' physical abilities were absurd. Anyway, since an attack had occurred, it was time to respond. An adventurer's duty didn't disappear just because they were in another region. Besides, ignoring people I could help wasn't something I could easily do as a person, let alone as an adventurer.

"Good thing I prepared something just in case. Let's go."

"Yeah."

We headed in the opposite direction of the fleeing crowd and quickly reached the explosion site. Imperial guards were fighting black-clad figures on the main road. True to the reputation of the Empire's finest academy, the guards were handling the sudden assault with composure.

"The barrier's been breached!"

"Call for reinforcements!"

"Don't let them scatter!"

They'd only shown unreliable sides before, but they were still Orbis Academy's security force. Against ordinary black-clad assailants without mana, their superior equipment let them put up a decent fight. Against superhumans who could wield mana, however, they were outmatched. That part was being handled by the Imperial knights and mages.

"For the Empire!"

"Kuhahaha! If we catch these bastards, we'll get extra research funds!"

Some of the mages had slightly impure motives, but since they were fighting with everything they had to stop the attack, I'd let it ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠slide. Thanks to their efforts, the chaos seemed like it would be quelled quickly.

"Looks like we didn't need to come at all."

"Yeah."

The perfect response actually made me feel a bit awkward, like I'd come for nothing. What? They're more competent than I thought. At this rate, there was nothing to worr—

"Lord Argo."

"I thought someone had been watching us. So it was someone from the Empire?"

Just as I was thinking that, a man quietly appeared behind me and approached. He bowed politely, then showed me a badge symbolizing the Empire's Special Affairs Department before requesting assistance.

"Those men are decoys. The real force is elsewhere."

"I can see that. They're openly using holy power, so they clearly aren't black mages."

"The real force hid themselves amid the confusion. The Special Affairs Department is tracking them, but we require your help, Lord Argo."

"Is it okay to involve an outsider in Empire business?"

"It's fine. The Special Affairs Department has determined that involving Northerners carries minimal political risk."

Smart guy. Not all Central folk were useless after all. I nodded at the man's words. As he'd said, Northerners didn't know much about complicated political situations. And even if they did, guild employees would know better than adventurers. Though I'd once been a guild employee, I'd grown used to working as an adventurer. I summoned Ikelos and asked:

"I'll help with the pursuit."

"Thank you for your assistance."

After acknowledging the polite man's words, fifteen Ikelos scattered in all directions. The Ikelos, which now moved faster than cars, shared their consciousness with one another as they searched for places where the Flame of Doom might be hiding. The man watching from the side let out a small gasp of admiration.

"I'd heard the reports, but it's truly impressive. Shapeshifting summons that can transform at will."

"When did you even investigate?"

"You were traveling with a Gold-class adventurer. The Special Affairs Department took an interest and looked into it."

He openly admitted to running a background check, but I didn't particularly mind. It wasn't like knowing some information would kill me, and the Special Affairs Department was infamous in the North for being obsessed with gathering intelligence.

While I waited, lost in thought, a signal came from one of the Ikelos. I looked at the man after receiving the sign that they'd found the enemy.

"Did you find them?"

"Yeah. They went straight to the central plaza like they own the place."

"I'll contact my colleagues."

We'd focused on checking alleyways since they'd hidden themselves, but I never expected them to operate so openly. Reading the information from the Ikelos, I frowned.

"And it looks like they're fighting my companion in the center."

"Your companion?"

"You know, Neon—the one who recently became an official black mage."

From what the Ikelos was showing me, he wouldn't last much longer. I'd better get there quickly.

A group was engaged in battle at the city's central plaza. The difference in numbers between the two sides was obvious. Unfortunately, Neon—part of the smaller group—was screaming internally as he blocked the black mages' attacks.

Why the hell did Rhinoceros come here?!

"Black mage Neon. Weren't you part of the Crow? Why is a researcher here?"

Because I cut ties with my past! I was trying to start fresh, so why are you blocking my way and causing a scene?! Saying that would clearly get him killed, so Neon forced an awkward smile and made an excuse.

"The Crow personally sent me here, of course. There's a secret experiment in progress."

"What nonsense. Did you really think such a pathetic excuse would work?"

Of course it wouldn't. I just wanted to talk with Shinshia and catch up on how she's been doing. How did the situation spiral into this?

His mana was nearly depleted, and both Shinshia and the students who'd been fighting alongside him were exhausted. Thanks to his experiences in the North, he'd fought the hardest, but it still wasn't enough. The man called Rhinoceros leveled a greatsword shrouded in black aura and gave them a cold look.

"It seems you've become an official black mage recognized by the Holy Kingdom. The Flame of Doom does not tolerate traitors."

"C-can't you spare me?"

"Hmm. I'm curious how a mere researcher like you became this strong in such a short time. I'll use you as a test subject."

"Just kill me instead!"

Neon finally snapped and shouted in despair. If he was captured now, he'd inevitably become an experimental subject. As he desperately wondered how to escape, a familiar summon entered his vision. Seeing the summon approaching from afar, Neon's expression gradually brightened as he regained his confidence.

"You're dead now! If you kneel and beg right this instant, I'll specially spare your life!"

"What?"

Rhinoceros looked dumbfounded by the sudden change in attitude. He'd been in despair just moments ago—was the man insane? Feeling something beyond mere anger, almost absurdity, Rhinoceros ignored Neon's words and moved to kidnap him.

At least until Argo, riding an Ikelos, appeared in the center of the plaza.

"Good thing I wasn't too late."

Argo's descent from the sky made Rhinoceros stop in his tracks. The moment he saw an obviously exceptional expert appear, his expression turned serious. Neon, who had already moved behind Argo, pointed his finger at Rhinoceros.

"That's the guy! It's that bastard! Please teach those guys who messed with me a lesson, boss!"

Hiding behind Argo with a confident expression, Neon shouted as if the world had wronged him.

"Just you wait! Our big bro's gonna crush you!"

"......"

Rhinoceros was rendered speechless by Neon's attitude. The expression on the man who'd followed Argo had also turned strangely complex.