Verification (2)
“Why is that?”
Unlike Lancelot, who immediately countered, Robert stood there with his mouth agape in shock.
Ever since childhood, he had assumed that Kane’s dream of being a [knight] would not be refused.
“I can’t leave my friends behind.”
“If it’s for that reason, I could take you along as a squire or page.”
“I’m sorry. Even combining all those reasons, it doesn’t seem possible.”
“Is that so… Pushing through rudeness, this proposal feels refreshingly straightforward…”
He had an expression of disappointment at losing a great talent.
“Of course, I can graciously accept personal sponsorship or support. Being Lancelot’s page or direct disciple… probably difficult.”
“There are things hard to tell everyone. I understand.”
Surprisingly, the refusal was quick; he didn’t push twice.
If he wanted to become a Round Table member, he seemed like he would support it.
The reason I thought that was…
Lancelot’s Personal Record has been opened.
‘Is it too fast to build affinity?’
Spirit magic, swordsmanship, various basics and combat senses.
Having all the talents to be a supreme knight’s disciple, of course greed is natural, but the affinity built up insanely fast.
Turning my gaze from the dejected Lancelot, I looked at Robert, who had a guilty face.
‘Ah.’
It seems I misjudged.
“Kane.”
“No, it’s not what you think, uncle.”
Waving hands desperately, even if I say it’s a misunderstanding, he probably won’t believe it.
Various thoughts swirling in my head showed on his expression.
Unlike usual poker face, it looked unusually dark.
“You don’t have to give up your dream for the poorhouse kids. I don’t want to add more burden to you.”
“No, that’s roughly right, but I have to say that’s not it.”
It’s correct that I have to stay at the poorhouse because of Edith, but is it not vague to say it’s attachment to the poorhouse.
Of course, if you think well, it’s that…
Since there’s no explanation to clear the misunderstanding, I sighed deeply and answered in silence.
‘Since I said something before, it’s hard to say anything.’
Probably because the [Star Evolution Plan] itself left a mark in my heart.
Before the plan, what I explained to Robert was as follows.
Need: There must be someone who can hold out until Robert arrives.
Basis: Present a reasonable reason for the Nightmare Cult’s re-invasion.
Selection: Must convince that only a small number of people will be trained.
Conclusion: Need elite personnel at squad level.
“But the reason the kids have to train isn’t really there. This terror itself is just coincidence.”
“This incident is coincidence, but it will definitely come next time.”
“Is there evidence for that?”
“Edith is the child of the promise, the bloodline of Red Dragon. The moment they realize that, the Nightmare Cult will cause another terror.”
“Hmm. So that’s what you’ve seen.”
Robert kept silent, looking troubled.
“Kane. This content must never be disclosed anywhere. Until the time of the prophecy… I think you, being smart, can understand what I mean.”
“Of course. For Edith’s sake, it’s a secret that must be kept.”
“Thank you.”
“And not just Edith, but the kids at the poorhouse could get involved. I think some kids should be able to buy time until Robert uncle arrives.”
“Teaching group etiquette… it would turn into a concept of mercenaries, so no.”
“If it’s about efficiency, that would be better, but it’s the Empire’s law…”
Squad-level combat personnel could be seen as a gang, so no.
I barely convinced him that the self-defense team at the poorhouse level is enough with a few.
After going through this persuasion process, I should say I understand Robert’s reaction.
That said, the uncle’s appearance of being lost in sadness is awkward in many ways.
“Hector… Sir, I seem to have made a big blunder. Please forgive the rudeness…”
Even Lancelot behind me was at a loss, looking troubled.
The situation in the center of the lake seemed to have ended, and the others were probably doing well.
“Little miss’s name is Mote, right? How about playing a light game with this old man?”
“Good, no. Good.”
“Keulkeul. You don’t have to worry about respect. After all, this old man doesn’t care about such things.”
“Then, be at ease.”
Myrdin laughed heartily at that, stroking his beard.
Then, lightly tapping the floor with his staff, he revealed a huge rectangular artifact.
Artifact
Commonly used in academies teaching tactics. A simple strategy game can be played with it.
The artifact that naturally appeared as if breathing was a scene that those skilled in [Space Magic] would clap while admiring, but neither of us cared much.
“Euhaha. Let’s see. This is the [Altar of the Battlefield] artifact. It’s a common item used in academies teaching tactics. Have you ever played a simple strategy game?”
“Yeah. I’ve played similar ones with Kane oppa several times.”
“Oh? If you have experience, it would be easy to explain. Since you’ll have trouble handling mana, I’ll give you a support tool first.”
“Thank you. Grandfather.”
Waving hands several times to set up the environment, the hazy battlefield mist blocked the view between screens.
“Alright. The battlefield is hills, forests, and plains. Set up the unit types and positions, then proceed. By the way, you can also consume mana to issue direct commands, so remember that. Since it’s the first time, let’s try with ground forces only.”
“Yeah. Got it.”
The first match started that way.
I brought in the mechanical ironclad army that I didn’t usually handle much.
Myrdin composed the Britannia 1st Legion with magic cavalry and knight forces.
‘Is it to leverage superior mobility and firepower?’
Myrdin stroked his beard and analyzed the battlefield.
Longer range than magic, and stable firepower, but it seemed he didn’t know yet that the existence of [knights] could flip the battlefield.
He steadily wrapped [Protection] magic on the knights and charged in a line.
The distance to the tanks gradually narrowed, and just as the enemy was about to be recognized beyond the battlefield mist…
Rain of anti-mana arrows fell from the sky.
‘Uhm?’
The [Protection] magic wrapped around the knights was mercilessly stripped away, and the knight machines writhed in pain.
‘Even though it’s a war game, the hand is quite ruthless.’
It seemed like I should teach that it’s a weapon that should be avoided as much as possible for anti-personnel use, even though it’s used against structures or vehicles.
When the first row of knights with protection stripped was swept away by artillery, the troops divided into two and bypassed the artillery positions.
‘Armor units have slow transitions…’
And when the knights crossed the hill to attack the enemy’s side, a soldier popped out from a tunnel and threw a grenade, swept away again.
“Keulkeul…”
Guerrilla tactics.
Digging tunnels and hiding was good, but the position was revealed by the magic cavalry’s [Detecting] magic.
Fire fell on that position, cutting off the signal of the infantry force.
And then the signal of the [Magic Cavalry] was also cut off.
‘When did it…?’
In the forest hidden by the battlefield mist.
An infantry soldier armed with power suits held a mobile mortar and sprayed anti-mana arrows at the magic cavalry.
The pre-prepared protection spell was neutralized, and the magic cavalry was swept away.
Although the binding spell was activated, it couldn’t block all the tank’s charges.
The knights charged, cut the tracks, and beheaded the tanks, neutralizing them, but they were swept away by the mortar’s artillery.
“Keulkeul…”
Not caring about friendly casualties, shooting.
“Euhaha, where did you learn this strategy?”
“Kane oppa taught me like this.”
“Keulkeulkeul…”
“Is it wrong?”
The look of not knowing what the problem was made me ponder.
Tactical talent is excellent.
Although still young, the troop composition and operation are top-level.
Except for the fact that all of that is an inhumane operation focused only on efficiency.
‘It seems there was no tag of learning. I’ve learned a lot of evil ways…’
“I won. Pass?”
Seeing the black-haired girl with a blank expression making a V sign, my heart grew heavier.
“Keulkeul… Yeah.”
“Oh yeah. Then shall we play another match?”
“Where shall we do this time?”
“The sea?”
‘It’s a talent worth cultivating…’
With this kind of strategy, I won’t be able to grow into a great commander.
Since it’s a level of skill that stands out even in the academy, it’s fine as a hobby for old age if I directly nurture it.
‘This time, what strategy should I use…?’
And in the next match, barely winning against mermaids and ghost battleships.
In the following war games, Myrdin was exposed to nothing but extreme tactics like suicide bombers, druids, plague rats necromancers, and desert scorpion troops.
‘Mote’s side will probably go well.’
There are various winning techniques taught in the war game.
Using the extremely difficult difficulty gimmicks from [Castle of the Dawn Moon].
‘Reversing the defense gimmicks of the maps Kim San experienced would become excellent offensive strategies.’
By telling the efficient strategy from Castle of the Dawn Moon — Kane — Mote, it should go well.
‘Mote should be fine too?’
I wasn’t worried about Marigold and Eric’s sides, but since it’s about 4-star talent, I was a bit uneasy.