Chapter 11 – Slow, Too Slow
The Emperor of Magic walked out slowly.
Lawrence gazed at the mana surging around him and let out a small gasp of admiration.
People clutched their chests with groans of "Ugh" and "Eurk," or strained desperately to keep from bending their knees. It was impressive how he deliberately scattered his presence to dominate the entire gathering.
Lawrence met Edward's lofty, downward gaze and stood tall.
"Hear me."
Krarung! The mana vibrated like thunder. Some covered their ears, others collapsed flat on the ground. The Montemer retainers stood firm, exerting every effort not to tarnish their honor.
'As expected, without mana roads, I'm not affected by mana.'
To Lawrence, it was just a loud noise. His eyes met Edward's. Was it his imagination, or did his father's gaze seem different?
"From this moment, under the radiant star of the Empire, His Imperial Majesty the Emperor's command, we shall subjugate the invaders pouring in from the north."
He spoke without bothering to calm the rampaging mana.
Weeek! Sounds of vomiting up breakfast echoed here and there. Edward probably saw even this as a test.
"This is a matter of life and death, so no reckless actions. We move in units as called. Glory and peace to the Empire's lands."
Glory and peace! The Montemer retainers, those who always joined subjugation campaigns, and other brave souls shouted in unison.
Edward's speech ended there. He glanced at Lawrence briefly before turning away.
'My young son, with no foundation, no supporters. What will you show me?'
He had a mission, and to protect this empire, he had to be a ruthless father. So he hoped—that his young son would awaken properly and find shelter under someone's wing. This subjugation would be a crucial test for the boy.
'It won't be easy.'
He moved out for the expedition. Lawrence Montemer—his eyes were fixed straight ahead, full of potential.
"We will now divide the cooperating units."
Media's voice, amplified by magic, rang out. This was tradition, a display of the lady of the house's abilities. And Lawrence's assignment was set.
"Phoenix Magic Corps, Alzeras Knight Order, Lawrence Montemer, Loria Montemer."
Lawrence's unit was decided—just as he wanted.
'Perfect.'
He'd planned to throw a fit to get here, but Media had shoved him straight into the death squad herself.
As he moved, gathering his luggage, Lawrence pondered.
'Maybe...'
Did Media know something?
#2
Loria Montemer. The Montemer family's third daughter, fifth among the seven siblings. Two years older than her sixth sibling Loras, she had just turned sixteen.
She steadied her queasy stomach and stared at her younger brother Lawrence, who stood perfectly fine.
'What the hell? Why is he okay?'
She felt like she was dying, but why was that guy completely unaffected? Pure curiosity bubbled up. At the same time, she recalled their past words.
"Maybe I was a bit harsh back then."
Ugh! Yeah. But he's family, so she should at least talk to him once!
She trotted over and nudged Lawrence's elbow.
"Hey! What are you!?"
"Sister Loria?"
"Yeah! What are you!? Why'd you grow so tall!?"
<If you're a Montemer, you should at least use magic.>
Lawrence looked at his suddenly approaching sister Loria, remembering his past life. His sister, always brimming with pride in being from a mage family, would say things like that whenever she saw young Lawrence.
He understood her feelings to some extent. Staring at her quietly, he replied.
"I eat well and train hard, so that's how it happened."
"Hmm... You can really use magic, right?"
"Want me to show you?"
"No need. Just do well properly. No matter how young, we're Montemers."
Lawrence nodded lightly. She glared at him sharply, then turned her light brown hair and headed to the meeting area.
Lawrence watched her back quietly. Then he chuckled softly, summarizing their long-overdue conversation in his mind.
"She's a bit self-centered, but someone I can pull to my side."
Tragedies always started from small things. Was it the wolf that bit her that began the downfall? In this subjugation, the Montemers would lose a precious direct descendant—his sister Loria.
Phoenix Magic Corps leader Freya. Alzeras. And other mages and soldiers...
Lawrence headed to the officers, piecing together their connections.
"So, we'll stop by Ivent Village... Young master?"
"I'll listen too. I should know the schedule."
"......"
Freya, explaining the plan, couldn't hide her surprise and glanced at the knights and soldiers. She knew the rumors surrounding the annex—were they false?
'His eyes are too sharp for a madman. And he's almost as tall as me, maybe a bit taller...'
This boy was only eleven? The one who supposedly smashed furniture every day like a lunatic? Nonsense.
'The lady warned me he might be dead weight, so be careful, but looks like she misjudged.'
Perfect deception. Freya observed Lawrence closely as she spoke. Arms crossed, intently studying the route—he looked like a serious strategist. She even felt a chill.
"...That's all."
"Will we travel by carriage?"
"The young master and lady by carriage, the rest on horseback and foot."
"Understood. Let's prepare right away."
Preparations proceeded smoothly. The northern expedition, readied before the cold deepened. They bundled up, protected hands and feet from frostbite. Ample fodder for horses, camping gear—all perfect.
"Depart."
With Edward's booming command, the subjugation began.
#3
The road north was uneventful. Waiting in carriages, camping—that was it. He didn't forget to train in spare moments.
"Young master Lawrence is definitely crazy, right?"
"Yeah, but..."
"Does that look crazy to you? So diligent?"
"...Exactly."
The eleven-year-old training every night. Soldiers watched more closely than mages. To them, Lawrence didn't look like a mage.
'What's with him? Not studying magic, just pointless exercise? Why!?'
Loria sighed at the sight, her crimson eyes displeased. She needed to reach 3rd Circle ASAP, with mountains of study ahead.
'Big sis and big bro hit 4th Circle at seventeen. I'll do it faster.'
She ignored her hulking little brother. Nose to the grindstone herself, she returned to her book.
But a completely different issue interrupted her studies.
Piiiieek!
The assault horn blared.
"What? This isn't a spot for ambushes!"
Loria tossed her book and rushed out.
Hwaruruk! Torches lit the surroundings.
Shouts announcing the attack echoed.
"Everyone! Protect the mages!"
"Formation! Protect the mages!"
The magic corps soldiers moved in perfect unison. Trained troops were different! Loria took position and scanned around.
"Wolves, lots! But..."
"Green eyes!"
"Undead!?"
Beasts with rotting flesh appeared everywhere.
Undead. Precisely, Land Wolves corrupted by black magic. Over thirty of them.
"They don't tire. Burn them clean."
"Got it."
"Lawrence! Over here! Hurry!"
Loria remembered Lawrence training beyond the formation and panicked. "Training" meant dancing under the moonlight in an open field. Of course he'd be late joining.
"Hurry! Start casting! Young master Lawrence is in danger!"
"Yes!"
"Soldiers, light up for coordinates! Throw torches!"
Sparse bushes, ground of dirt and stone.
Hwaruk! Torches flew, yellow light revealing the wolves. The undead Land Wolves bared teeth and charged.
Soldiers gritted teeth and began the hunt.
"Not even the border yet, already..."
"Incoming!"
"Hold till mages finish casting!"
"Lady Freya! Alzeras Knights aren't here!"
Problems always piled up, and sudden crises had causes. Freya and the Phoenix Magic Corps sensed it instinctively.
Alzeras. They were involved.
"Damn, betrayal!"
"Daring to bare teeth at Montemer!?"
"Young master Lawrence—!"
Loria raged. Wolves charged fiercely at Lawrence.
"No—!"
Halfwit without mana roads or not, he was family, comrade despite being dead weight. If torn apart gruesomely, the days ahead...
"Ignite."
When all thought it too late, Lawrence's clear voice rang out. The pre-charged Fire Arrow artifact manifested its power.
Fire Arrow
Multiple Manifestation
Remaining Capacity: 8
Hwaruruk! Two flame arrows formed instantly. Everyone gaped.
When did he cast? And double—not one—
"Double casting...!?"
"Go."
Kwaaang! Flame arrows shot at undead wolves. Piercing darkness, flames that wouldn't let undead rest blazed.
Lawrence didn't stop. His eyes gleamed coldly.
Loria. She was fated to die here originally.
'Assault date and location different. Bad intel? Or history changed?'
Definitely not the info he remembered—wrong spot, wrong form. Cover-up? Or butterfly effect?
Didn't matter. With him here, she wouldn't die today.
Pajijijik! Mages hadn't fired once, but Lawrence prepared his third spell.
Loria stared blankly at the blue lightning.
"Soldier uncles, move!"
"Eek!? Young master, dangerous!"
Kwajijijik! Azure lightning devoured undead. Lightning magic with destructive aura—highly effective against undead, like fire.
Lawrence's antics didn't end. He pulled out a meat chunk with bone, gripping it like an axe. This meat was—
"Healing magic-infused meat chunk. For you wolf bastards."
The infamous Holy Meat.
Sniff sniff. Beasts with lingering instincts twitched noses. Drawn by fresh meat scent, heads turned to Lawrence.
Originally for luring and exterminating with raw meat, but undead wolves forced a plan change. Clutching the bone tight, Lawrence charged.
Wolves, scent wafting, targeted the lone Lawrence. Soldiers followed behind.
Warrior's Movements
Engraving Grade: 2nd Circle
Physical abilities enhanced to Advanced Soldier level.
Hatchling: 21.2%
Max Implants: 5
He didn't miss the charging wolves' movements. Dragon Eyes pierced everything.
"Die—!"
Kwajik! Holy Meat smashed into a wolf's head. Hit wolf oxidized instantly. Meat fragments scattered like grenades.
"Kyaaang!"
"Kerruk!"
"Is that a mage!?"
Wolves hit by fragments writhed. Undead flesh melted under healing magic.
'Better hand-feel than expected?'
Satisfied, Lawrence decided to maximize the holy meat—practice item proving more useful than thought.
Hwarururuk! Ten seconds passed; two more flame arrows blazed.
Loria, stunned by her brother's feats, couldn't focus on casting.
Lawrence glanced at the dazed mages behind.
"Cast faster. You're too damn slow."
This life, he'd save sister Loria, who died absurdly in his past. This was Lawrence's meticulously prepared wolf hunt.
Wolves loved meat, after all.