The Cornerstone for the Academy (1)
After slicing through the vampire, we mounted Pegasus again and walked—and walked some more.
'Isn't this the way they came in?'
I immediately pinpointed the emperor's invasion route.
'We could physically break through the labyrinth, but theoretically, nine people could walk single file down this path.'
Someone built like Marquis Claydoll would have to sidle along like a crab from the sea, but it wasn't impossible in theory.
'No. The distance is too great—they might have just charged straight through the forest.'
Theory and reality didn't always align. This was one such case.
'Considering the emperor's personality, smashing straight through the forest labyrinth would be faster and better.'
This underground passage, carved centuries ago, was currently crawling with vampires rushing in reverse.
"Platinum Lord. How much farther do we have to go?"
This path was too damn long.
"Just a little more."
"You said that a while ago."
"I mean it this time—just a bit farther."
"Where exactly is the destination?"
"You're asking on purpose to check, aren't you? Somewhere in the plague contamination zone."
"...Past the canyon, all the way there."
Judging by the map, it was probably the straight-line distance from Gibraltar to Seirene Port.
And we had to cover it in this cramped space, relying on a single light, walking endlessly? Slowly, too, tense about what might appear ahead?
'This is impossible.'
Nine Sword Masters squeezing sideways through this narrow space? They'd just break through head-on. That's what I'd do.
Or pinpoint the exact barrier around the elves' forest and air assault from above.
"What dark thoughts are making your expression so sinister?"
"Please don't turn your head back like that to talk. It's really scary right now."
"What would someone like you have to fear?"
"The shadows are too thick over here—it feels like a horror play."
That's what they called it in the empire, right? Horror.
Her face was beautiful, but expressionless with the light behind her, it was downright eerie.
"At least your mana has reached advanced level, yet you're scared of this?"
"Advanced? I've got a long way to go."
Five years.
"You saw it."
And the time in the mana spring.
"Normally, a vampire like that should have been cut down in one strike."
"You slashed twice, but the opponent was advanced too, wasn't it?"
"Even if it was master-level, I should have lopped its head clean off in one go."
My mana had reached advanced.
"I haven't fought many vampires, but I've battled plenty who inhaled vampire bone dust and fought in a dream state."
"Silver dust, you mean?"
"Yes. In dreams."
I didn't share this with most people, but it felt easier talking to the Platinum Lord.
"One bald guy—I severed his waist and cut halfway through his spine. Know what happened next?"
"How would I?"
"He regenerated like a troll, grabbing the sword lodged in his spine with sheer muscle power."
"...A monster?"
"Surprisingly, human."
Transcending humanity, more like monsters wearing human skin.
"The ones I have to face are even stronger, even more monstrous monsters. You saw it yourself—the crown prince."
"I see. Twenty years ago, he was weaker than me. Weaker than Erwin too."
"..."
"But now? I wouldn't know. Only rumors through Erwin, so I can't gauge his true level."
Is that so.
The crown prince had been strong since I was a baby, and he was still growing stronger.
'Catching up might be a tall order.'
I'd have to advance faster than his path to catch him.
And the key to that was right here in my arms.
"By the way, do I have to keep using this route from now on?"
"Why?"
"...No reason. Just—this narrow space where it can't even run properly—urk?!"
No sooner had I spoken than Pegasus bolted forward.
"...!!"
"Seems it's gotten riled up. Looks like it wants to show us what it can do."
Even as it raced at speeds that might collapse the cave, the Platinum Lord leisurely smiled and continued.
"It's because we were strolling and chatting so casually. Pegasus can run as fast as its cries suggest."
"...!!"
Insane speed.
Even the empire's bikes or airships couldn't match this—and Pegasus was surpassing it by far, thundering across the ground.
"It's even faster in the sky."
I couldn't speak.
Opening my mouth would let the whipping winds from the cave walls shred my throat.
Wind pressure? I didn't know.
But I knew it was the pressure from Pegasus at full gallop.
"That's why I said—just a little farther."
I'd asked for distance.
"We're almost there."
Who knew "a little" meant time?
Whoosh—!
The moment Pegasus burst through the darkness into the open, I dazedly stared at the sky, feeling like the world had frozen.
"..."
A pitch-black sky shrouded in darkness, stars twinkling amid it.
"Then straight to Gibraltar. It'll be even faster now... Heh, clinging tight?"
"I..."
My head still fuzzy, I reinforced my body with mana, steadying my breath.
"Don't want to fall midway and die."
"Smart boy. Then..."
The Platinum Lord patted Pegasus's back.
"Let's fly at full speed. The guardian lands allow it."
"Full speed...?"
"Ah, no—not me."
Thud.
"Running."
The instant Pegasus's hoof touched the air—
Bang—!
Pegasus shot up diagonally in one burst, galloping through the sky.
"...!!"
As expected.
Far better to charge straight to the elves' forest than traverse this long path.
* * *
Dawn, 5 a.m.
Servants stirring to prepare breakfast, some knights out for morning training.
"I'm back."
"...You returned awfully fast."
I met Father in the Gibraltar family's private training grounds, where he'd been since dawn.
"How'd you get here? Sneaking past the patrol guards?"
"You posted soldiers?"
"Budget's up, so troop numbers too. Paired them with orphanage kids."
"Effective, but don't be too hard on them."
Whoever spotted me deserved a reward.
"Flew in from the sky and dropped down."
"...?"
True story.
"Burrowed underground from the elves' forest, passed the canyon, exited the beast contamination zone, then flew here. Felt you here right away, so straight to you."
"You do seem stronger, but..."
Father tilted his head.
"Dropped from the sky?"
"High Lord Ipheria of the Platinum Mirror gave me a ride on her heavenly steed. Pegasus."
"Heh."
Father's jaw dropped in shock.
"Just you?"
"Father?"
"Flew through the sky?"
Still half-asleep from the early hour?
"...Not alone—I clung to the Platinum Lord's back. Embarrassing to admit, but like a lady riding behind a knight."
"Still—flew?"
Father's tone grew serious.
"She didn't mention staying in Gibraltar?"
This man.
Did he want a ride?
"Uh. Didn't she first come here on the heavenly steed?"
"It galloped."
"..."
"Dodged the guards, vaulted the manor wall in one go."
She'd hidden it.
Makes sense—exposing Pegasus to Gibraltar was as good as tipping off the vampires.
'Come to think of it, she mounted pretty far from the territory when leaving too.'
He hadn't seen it.
I'd been shocked too, but assumed he'd known.
"Grey. So when's the Platinum Lord coming?"
"She went vampire hunting on the way out. Back in two days."
"..."
"Even on Pegasus, I'd have to hold her from behind."
"With Charlotte's permission, it wouldn't be impossible."
Ah.
He was serious.
'Of course.'
After Mother died, Father sometimes flew to ease his loneliness.
"Interested in flight?"
"Not interested—any man would be."
"But you can already fly."
"That's mana propulsion off the ground. Only for short bursts."
Father could leap between gates without cloud bridges.
"Pegasus..."
"Father. Let you fly, and you'll allocate budget?"
"You have a way? Not rushing the dragon casino, I hope?"
"Even if opened, activation's far off. Drakes or griffins wouldn't help."
Father wanted the skies.
"What if there's a flying craft Mother wouldn't fear?"
"..."
With Mother.
"No time to draft plans now—next visit. Need supplies this time."
"Whatever you need, say it. I'll prepare fast."
"Then..."
Most important.
"About 500 sets of women's undergarments."
"...?"
"Might be tricky to get, so take your time. At least some spare travel robes."
Even if it risked elves yearning for the outside and breaking rules, I had a duty to share human civilization.
For my purity.
* * *
After breakfast and a shower, I checked territory happenings from my forest stay in my room.
"Young master~~~!!"
Robert rushed over upon hearing I'd returned.
"You're alive!"
"Not off to die—why the fuss?"
"Wasn't it barbaric? Elves hate humans—supposed to shoot arrows between every pair of eyes!"
"Barbaric, but maybe not barbaric."
"???"
"Details if permitted. Bear with the curiosity—circumstances."
Handful knew I'd been to the elves' forest—and would keep going.
"Sir Robert. No slip-ups?"
"Of course not!"
Father, Mother.
Mente Knight and Robert.
"For your safety, young master, I could endure Morgania's torture!"
Just these four.
"You keep it from your siblings and even Queen Carmen. Why would I blab?"
"Anyone ask about Grey Gibraltar's whereabouts?"
"Some did—accepted it. Answered as you said."
Sir Robert turned serious.
"By the margrave's orders, you're hunting designated beasts in the plague contamination zone."
"Not wrong."
Passed the zone to elves' forest, hunted a vampire en route—not wrong.
"They bought it?"
"Bought? More like didn't care! Some said, 'Finally sending the eldest to die in the zone!'"
"Without guards, rumors fly. Even past Gibraltars."
Good.
No one suspected mana absorption in the elves' forest.
"Public cover's solid..."
Issue: events needing my response while long-term in the forest.
"Emergency protocols?"
"I'm under the margrave now. He can dispatch me anytime."
"Father's on it."
Forest barrier blocks real-time flame communications—needs physical relay.
"Rest easy, young master. If urgent, per promise, I'll race to the elves' forest and shout for you."
"Hope not, but if during my absence—thanks, Sir Robert."
Unless plague hits Sevillea territory.
Or Saint Geo drunkenly tumbles downstairs, snaps his neck.
No such crises, Robert won't race to the forest for my training.
"Empire papers collected?"
"Here. These are my scraps—your 'special notes' sections."
"Truly grateful."
Five days' worth piled, but tracks empire moves.
"...Impressive, Sir Robert. I'll ask Father for a bonus."
"Heh. Got an eye for it now."
His scraps alone covered 90% of empire happenings.
"Empire finally declared the academy."
"...Finally."
First scrap.
"Groundbreaking held. They're recruiting for nine kingdom academy exchange students."
"...Wait."
One divergence from history.
"Nine, not ten?"
"Yes. This editorial says..."
Robert pulled something from his pocket.
"What treasure is—"
"Empire palace selects Archduchess Astasia von Tersian as first exchange student. Recent photo here."
"Sir Robert."
I took the framed empire paper page.
"Someday—five years tops—I'll take you to the elves' forest. Promise."
Astasia in the frame wore splendid empire dress, beaming as always.
"Why five years?"
"Too barbaric now."
"???"
"It's a thing."