Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: 20. The Hunt (1)
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The Allied Forces' first battle ended in complete victory.
They killed or captured every last enemy, with almost no casualties on the Allied side. The few that occurred were mostly from Brioll's vanguard troops.
"It's all thanks to my magic."
Marie Rose sat on a plush sofa, drafting the report on the battle to send back to the Empire.
"Brioll's prince put on quite a show too."
She hummed a cheerful tune.
Brioll's third prince had charged alone into the heart of the enemy lines, punching straight through their formation.
It was too magnificent a sight to keep to himself.
Then, like a game of tag, Brioll's knight order desperately pursued him, shattering the enemy ranks he'd already carved apart.
Marie Rose had watched the whole thing unfold.
So she could say with certainty:
"That prince isn't human."
She knew little of warfare, but as a mage, she'd studied the impact a single person could have on the physical world.
To exaggerate a bit, that prince had single-handedly turned the tide of the battle.
If anyone else had led the vanguard, they might have won, but at the cost of far more lives.
"Right? Not human at all."
A familiar voice chimed in out of nowhere. Marie Rose jumped and whipped around.
"What the—?"
"Came to say hello."
"I didn't invite you."
"That's why I let myself in."
Hernando leaned against the window, gazing outside.
Marie Rose hurled her pen at him.
Books flew off the shelves like living things, shielding Hernando. The pen nib embedded itself in a leather cover.
"My book!"
"Why'd you throw it?"
"Hmph..."
The pen pulled free from the book and returned to Marie Rose's hand.
"What do you want?"
"Told you. Hello."
"I've got nothing to say."
Hernando strolled over and sat across from her.
"It's been a while. Good to see you."
"Sure has. Not that it's good to see you."
"How's life at the Magic Engine Guild?"
"Great."
Marie Rose tapped the armrest of her sofa. At the center of the intricately carved wooden eagle's face, a gemstone eye gleamed.
"I get to live like a rich person."
"Not bored?"
"Not at all. The Magic Tower was way more boring. And stressful. Though you wouldn't know, running around having fun."
"Me?"
"Who else?"
"Your master?"
Marie Rose snorted.
"A guy who bailed right after becoming Grand Wizard? Please."
"Sorry about that."
"Do you know how tough it got after you vanished? No backing, and everyone's attitude flipped. Ugh..."
"Mages grow on their own."
"What?"
"That's why you found a new master."
"That was my smarts. Doesn't excuse your irresponsibility."
"Logical."
Hernando glanced at the letter Marie Rose had been writing.
It detailed the Allied Forces' battle. Addressed to the Empire's court mage.
"Can I read it?"
"You already did. Nothing juicy. Think I'm a spy or something?"
Hernando picked up the paper and skimmed it.
It brimmed with tales of her and Yuri's exploits. But scarcely any real battle details.
He read a few lines and set it aside.
Marie Rose sank deeper into the sofa, propping her chin.
"So, now you're following the third prince instead of the king?"
"Yeah."
"His fate must be pretty intriguing, huh?"
"It is."
"How much?"
"Hard to say."
He hadn't told a soul that Yuri Brioll would shatter the Heavenly Mandate.
Hernando thought of him and smiled.
"Gotta keep watching. That's why I'm tagging along."
"Fair. He does catch my eye too."
"His looks?"
"He's cute in action too."
Marie Rose smiled slyly.
"I'd have followed him if I could ditch Balshard."
Balshard's magic engine barrier drew power solely from the guild master's mana.
She could slip away in secret sometimes, but in wartime like now, she had to hold the fort.
"Yeah."
"Worried I'll steal him?"
"Who knows..."
Hernando shook his head.
"Even you wouldn't have an easy time. That guy's..."
He recalled Yuri claiming he didn't do love.
His eyes had the look of a lone wanderer on a path lined with lovers' flowers. Hernando knew that gaze well.
Lonely wolves recognize each other.
"Reminds me of my younger self..."
"What?"
"Anyway."
He fixed his gaze on Marie Rose.
"How's the research going?"
She stared back, as if biting back a retort.
"Bad question?"
"Not really. Just bold."
Mages train with one goal: to become Grand Wizard.
And Marie Rose had inherited her master's pursuit of magic engineering.
"Tatago always thought you'd complete it someday."
"Of course. I'll get there. Even if just partially."
After Hernando ditched post-Grand Wizard, she'd taken Tatago—a mage revered by all—as her new master.
And his dream was every mage's aspiration.
The Absolute Interpretation Formula.
But it was more ideal than goal. A realm perhaps forever beyond human reach.
Instead, Marie Rose researched a derivative, using its principles.
"Transcendent Interpretation Formula's showing progress."
A spell to link meanings across any language.
Balshard's underground held countless ancient books in lost tongues. Complete it, and she'd unlock those histories—revive lost magics.
"Not perfected yet. But I see how advanced old kingdom magic was. That's all for now. Still researching."
"Tell me more later."
"Why should I?"
"I'll share too."
"What?"
"Why I'm chasing Yuri."
"Ah..."
"His Heavenly Mandate too."
"Isn't that leaking heaven's secrets?"
"I can dodge it."
"True. Sounds intriguing."
Hernando stood.
"I'll drop by after the Allied Forces wrap up."
"Bring the prince."
"Will do."
He turned to leave but paused, looking back down at her.
"Marie Rose."
"Yeah?"
"Sorry about back then. For leaving without a word."
Her eyes widened.
"You, apologizing?"
"Time passes."
"'Arrogant Hernando' tamed like this... Heavenly Mandate's scary stuff."
Hernando chuckled low.
She was right.
Awakening the Heavenly Mandate Observation Ritual showed him how small humans were. Maybe that's why he followed Yuri.
"Don't forget the Magic Tower's rules."
"Of course."
Hernando rose.
"See you."
He vanished as suddenly as he'd appeared. Marie Rose tried tracing him, but no trace remained.
She withdrew her mana, muttering.
"Impressive, though..."
Hernando was a genius.
No doubt. Otherwise, no reaching Grand Wizard so young.
The Tower elders fretted his early ascent. A rogue Grand Wizard could upend the world.
So they drilled the rules into him.
"Grand Wizards do not meddle in human history."
The magic he showed was but a fraction. His true capabilities boggled the mind.
But that power would never be used.
"Still..."
What if mortal danger threatened the third prince he followed?
Saving royalty would shake history—violate the rules outright.
"Wonder what he'd do."
"Where's Hernando?"
"Said he was reporting, then vanished."
"Constipated?"
The Allied Forces marched east, away from Balshard.
Now deep in orc territory.
Ambush could strike anytime, anywhere. The whole army stayed on high alert.
Suddenly, an imperial messenger rode up to Yuri.
"Your Highness!"
"What is it?"
"His Highness the Crown Prince summons you. He wishes to discuss something."
"Alright."
The Allied Forces advanced with the Empire at center, Brioll up front.
"I'll head over. Raymond, hold the fort."
"Yes, sir."
Yuri rode off with the messenger toward the imperial camp.
Ragna rode a massive warhorse, flanked by his guards in black plate that radiated menace.
As Yuri arrived, all eyes locked on him.
"There you are."
"Yes."
Yuri bowed.
"Closer."
Ragna waved back his guards. Yuri approached.
"We were ambushed at the rear."
"Is that so?"
"Fended them off, but nerves are frayed. At this rate, stamina will drain dry."
"Yes."
"So I'm pulling a separate force..."
Ragna wanted a special unit to patrol and scout while the main army held formation.
"Like a ready reserve?"
"Exactly. Lack of coordination muddles responses."
"Then why summon me...?"
Ragna clapped Yuri's shoulder with a grin.
"What do you think?"
He wanted to hand it to Yuri.
"Understood."
Yuri nodded.
Courting Ragna's favor hurt nothing. To kill Okua and lead the Allies to victory, he needed Ragna's trust.
His adjutant spoke up.
"Your Highness, that could spark complaints about fairness."
"Really?"
"Some nations offered support. At least discuss it..."
"Who put you up to this?"
"Your Highness."
"Tired of this. That's why I didn't want Allies. Bunch of know-it-alls."
Ragna shrugged at Yuri.
He liked Yuri plenty. That charge in the last fight was right up his alley.
Ragna stroked his horse's mane, lost in thought.
"How to handle this..."
"What if supporters duel it out?"
"Think we're here to play? March delays. And duels don't pick warriors. War ain't just swordfights."
"Then what?"
"Hm..."
Ragna grinned slyly.
"This'll work. For the special unit, nations send knights. Limit thirty per group."
Word spread instantly to the entire Allied Forces.
Pride was on the line. Every nation volunteered.
Knight orders clustered, throwing the imperial lines into chaos.
Ragna addressed them gathered.
"Time till sunset. Scout around, hunt orcs, bring back their right ears. Most haul wins the gig."
Fair enough, Yuri thought.
It tested tracking, unit cohesion, raw combat power—everything.
Personal prowess alone wouldn't cut it.
"Begin."
Ragna said.
No one bolted. Most huddled, debating tactics.
Yuri scanned his knights.
He'd brought Brioll's best, save Raymond holding camp.
What did they think?
"Your Highness, your orders?"
"We'll follow you."
"Ignore our thoughts."
"No need for debate. Command us."
"..."
No real help, but they'd execute faithfully.
"Right."
Yuri gripped the reins.
"Let's go!"
He spurred his horse immediately.
The knights followed without a word.
Brioll moved first.
Other knights watched their receding backs, then spurred off one by one.
Ragna laughed at the scene.
"What does that Yuri kid know?"
His adjutant shook his head.
"Tracking and wiping ain't swordplay. Brioll's third prince lacks experience. Won't score well."
"You think?"
Ragna kept chuckling as he rode.
"If he pulls something off again, I might start liking the guy."
"You already do."
"Not yet."
He pondered, then spoke.
"Send our knights in an hour. Empire can't sit idle."