Chapter 160: Remnants of the Dark Magic Association (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 160: Remnants of the Dark Magic Association (1)
October 22, 1796.
Five days had passed since Jin and Enya embedded themselves as squires. Just as Chip had predicted, the other cadets were none the wiser. Surprisingly, even the three cadets they were directly attached to failed to recognize Enya. Their disguises were holding up better than Jin had anticipated, largely because they kept their faces obscured under hoods for the duration of the mission.
‘The full-scale subjugation operation begins today.’
For the past five days, the remnants of the Dark Magic Association had remained completely silent. Thirty-six mages from the Academy had been dispatched to Hawson to root them out. The force consisted of thirty-three cadets—ranging from 3-star to 4-star ranks—split into eleven three-man teams. The remaining three were official mages: two 6-stars and one 7-star. They had spent the last five days coordinating with the Lord’s troops to scout the forest paths where the remnants were suspected to be hiding, but not a single combat encounter had occurred.
Perhaps that was why the Academy mages were taking the subjugation operation so lightly. There wasn't a hint of tension in the inn where they were billeted; the atmosphere was more akin to a tedious picnic than a dangerous mission. They had concluded that the targets had been frightened off the moment they spotted the Academy’s forces. Since there hadn't been a single ambush even when the cadets scouted alone, it wasn't entirely unreasonable for them to think that way.
Naturally, to Jin, they looked like nothing more than arrogant greenhorns.
‘Nearly fifty enemies are hiding somewhere in that forest, yet the atmosphere here is this lax. Even if they know this is just a mission to pad their resumes, this is absurd.’
Everything from start to finish was a mess.
‘This is not a good situation. There were no ambushes during scouting, but there were no signs that the remnants had retreated, either. They’re confident they can win against the Academy mages.’
The enemies hadn't even bothered to set traps along the forest paths. It was as if they were waiting for the mages to walk right into the cave where they were holed up.
‘They claim they didn't scout the inside of the cave because it was too dangerous, but in reality, they were just being lazy. They want to take the credit they’re being handed for free, go back, and brag about their exploits.’
He could understand the cadets being thoughtless, but he hadn't expected the official 6-star and 7-star mages to be this pathetic.
As Jin shook his head in disapproval, Maura, Orel, and Chip watched his reaction nervously. At the very least, these three cadets were behaving better than the others. From their perspective, they couldn't afford to be careless since the Special Task Force was supposedly monitoring this operation. Consequently, every second spent with Jin and Enya felt like they were sitting on a bed of thorns. It was obvious to them that the Academy mages' discipline was in shambles, but they couldn't dream of revealing the Special Task Force's presence to their peers.
"Um, Squire. Did we... did we do something wrong?"
"No. The problem is that out of thirty-six mages, you three are the only ones acting somewhat normal. Is this how Academy mages usually behave whenever they're dispatched?"
"T-That shouldn't be the case. This is the first dispatch for the three of us, so we aren't entirely sure, but..."
"Just make sure your gear is packed properly before the operation starts. Follow the regulations written in the Cadet Dispatch Mission Manual to the letter."
"Understood!"
As the cadets scurried away, Enya approached Jin.
"The more I see it, the more amazing it is. How can you be so thick-skinned, Brother? Look at that acting. You’d be a huge hit if you joined a theater troupe. You’d definitely be more famous than Daniel Maprio, the greatest actor in the Jhan Kingdom."
"That’s a compliment, right?"
"Of course! You’re way more handsome than Daniel Maprio, too."
"More importantly, I think this operation is definitely going to fail. So, once it starts, do not leave my side under any circumstances."
"Do you really think so? There are three official mages, and one of them is a 7-star."
To Enya, who had been part of the Academy until recently, an official mage was a lofty existence. A 7-star mage was practically a dragon above the clouds.
"Not all 7-stars are equal. Everything over the last five days has been done under that person's command, and it’s been hopeless. He seems to have high attainment but little experience, and he’s not young. He looks to be in his mid-forties."
"Why is his age a problem?"
"An adult who has only ever walked the path of success rarely listens to those below them. Even if that success was merely gained by leaning on their background and lineage."
If the subjugation operation began to fall apart immediately as Jin expected, he planned to offer advice through the mouths of Maura, Chip, and Orel. His mind was already filled with contingencies for all sorts of unexpected situations.
‘Though it’s unlikely they’ll listen.’
In truth, Jin had nothing to lose. The reason he had come to the Dark Magic Association in the first place was to practice Reverse Flow Magic and give Enya some experience. He could practice Reverse Flow Magic even without the remnants, and Enya would surely learn something just by watching the Academy mages succeed or fail.
"We’re ready, Squire. And the order just came down. The operation starts in one hour, at six in the evening."
The three cadets returned with their packed bags and shared the news. They had worked so hard on their preparations that beads of sweat were forming on their foreheads.
"Understood."
*
The forest at night is dark.
Once the sun sets, the city glows with magic lamps everywhere, but the forest is already as dark as midnight because of the trees blocking the light. That was how it should have been. However, the Academy mages were moving in a group with small magic lamps lit, as if they were advertising their arrival.
‘Using magic lamps on a forest path where combat could break out at any moment... They’re practically begging to be ambushed. Their underestimation of the enemy knows no bounds. No wonder the Viment Magic Academy can’t even dream of rivaling Zipple’s educational institutions.’
Of course, not everyone at the Academy was like this. It was just that Zipple was exceptionally superior; the Viment Academy was still a prestigious institution that had produced numerous Great Mages.
Yawn—!
Even the 7-star commanding mage, who was currently yawning, would likely be better than this if he actually exerted himself. It was just that he was intoxicated by the sweetness and convenience of being handed an easy achievement, causing him to act like part of a ragtag mob.
‘I suppose to Academy mages, remnants of the Dark Magic Association look like nothing more than common street thugs.’
Jin and Enya were at the rear of the formation, carrying the cadets' luggage.
"We will take a short break here!"
Are you insane? Here?
Jin looked around in shock. There were only a few low rocks scattered about, and the path was surrounded by dense forest. It was a spot where one or two skilled snipers could wipe out the entire cadet party if they put their minds to it.
"Cadet Chip."
"Ah, y-yes."
Chip nodded awkwardly. Since others might overhear, Jin and Enya used formal language while the three cadets spoke informally to them.
"Tell them this isn't the place. Tell them there’s a better resting spot thirty minutes further ahead. Tell them it’s past a large rock they’ll see in about five minutes, then a left turn."
Jin had participated in scouting a couple of times as a squire over the past five days. He had noted potential resting spots back then.
"Well..."
"It’s an order."
"Um, Sir Arts!"
Arts was a 6-star mage and the second-in-command of this party. He turned around and looked for Chip.
"What is it?"
"There is a much better spot for a rest thirty minutes further from here. A large rock will appear soon, and if we go left past it..."
"You’re talking nonsense. If you’re that worried, cast a shield and rest inside it."
"But..."
"Are you trying to earn extra points? Fine, I thought everyone was just playing around during scouting, but it seems there was at least one cadet with his head on straight. I’ll submit a recommendation for merit points to your supervising professor when we return."
"Thank... you."
At this point, Jin decided to just give up. It wasn't really his business anyway.
They rested for thirty minutes. Fortunately, it seemed to pass without incident, but then—
"Huh?"
Suddenly, two figures burst out from the forest to the left of the formation. They were Orcs, tamed through torture by the Dark Magic Association remnants. However, perhaps due to the prolonged torture, the two Orcs were weak and small, unlike their usual fearsome reputation.
"Kreeee!"
As the Orcs shrieked and hurled the axes they were holding, the official mages quickly deployed shields. Simultaneously, the 2nd Cadet Squad, who were closest, chanted their spells, while the other cadets gripped their staves and braced for combat.
Swish! The ice spikes fired by the 2nd Squad pierced the Orcs' chests and abdomens. The Orcs collapsed into the underbrush, letting out metallic screeches, and the official mages shook their heads as if they were exhausted.
"Orcs? What a load of rubbish... Arts, take Squads 1, 2, and 3 and find the ones controlling those things. If you find them, don't kill them—bring them to me."
"Understood."
"The rest of us will resume the march."
They were already short on numbers compared to the enemy, yet the commander was splitting the combat force over an obvious distraction. With three squads gone, only twenty-three people remained. Including the squires, the total was just over fifty, but the squires were useless in combat. And in all likelihood, the mage named Arts would probably just joke around with the cadets before joining back up late.
Jin, who was about to mock the commanding mage in his head, flinched and fixed his gaze on him.
‘This is extremely strange... Could it be?’
It was common for elites with little experience to underestimate their enemies. However, even if his success was built on background and lineage, 7-star was not a trivial achievement. To understand the complex formulas of 7-star magic, one generally had to be quite brilliant. Yet, from the first day until now, the commanding mage had made the worst possible decision every single time without fail.
‘I should consider the possibility that the commanding mage is doing this on purpose. Either a 7-star mage is a spy for the Dark Magic Association, or he holds a grudge against one of the cadets and wants the operation to fail.’
As the procession resumed, Jin asked Maura, Chip, and Orel for information about the 7-star commanding mage, 'Orton Melson.' Until now, he had avoided asking to prevent any suspicion regarding his identity as a member of the Special Task Force, but now he needed to know.
"Cadets, do you know anything about Sir Orton? His command is quite strange."
"Hmm, let's see. I heard he was aiming for a tenured professor position at the Academy until a few years ago. But I believe he’s been stuck as an associate professor because he kept getting pushed aside by seniors from the Henserck family..."
"He’s probably annoyed. It’s bad enough being stuck as an associate professor, but now he’s been dispatched with a bunch of wet-behind-the-ears cadets."
"Any other peculiarities?"
"Nothing else comes to mind... Oh, Sir Orton was eating meat yesterday."
"What’s wrong with eating meat?"
"Ah, that. He’s originally a very strict vegetarian. At least, as far as I know."
Maura and Orel nodded in agreement with Chip's answer.
Three hours later.
A large cave began to come into view for Jin, Enya, and the mages. It was a rocky cave artificially created using earth magic—the headquarters of the Dark Magic Association remnants.