Chapter 36
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: WWE (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
...
So this was the whole story.
That day, in the Raglain Knight Order's lounge that doubled as a waiting room.
The knights showed keen interest when word got out about a major opportunity.
"This seems a bit too extreme, doesn't it?"
"The risks are way too high. I'll pass."
Yet no one stepped up to volunteer right away.
If it succeeded properly, the rewards would be enormous. It could even dramatically shift their standing as knights.
The problem was the difficulty was excessively tricky.
On top of that, the fallout from failure was incredibly dangerous.
"Isn't Young Master Crobel the tournament champion known as the Hunter?"
"A rising hero personally trained by an elven superhuman... This is too tough."
If it had just been a straight duel, they might not have hesitated so much.
But this mission was something else entirely.
An ambush on a traveling procession and the subsequent support.
In other words, the mission was a fully scripted stage play.
For the support team, it wouldn't be too hard. They just had to intervene at the right moment according to the script.
However, the gains in that case would be minimal. Something you could do or skip without much difference.
On the flip side, the ambush team's role was excessively difficult and demanding.
For starters, they needed exceptional skill.
They had to overpower Kyle Crobel, the outstanding knight and tournament champion called the Hunter, with pure ability.
If they fell short in martial prowess? They might end up dead right there, forced into a real-life bandit fate.
And to top it off, they couldn't inflict any serious injuries on the target.
It was all scripted make-believe, not a genuine raid, after all.
"Well, we haven't accepted the mission yet, so think it over carefully."
Roderick, who had been holding down the fort, nodded in understanding.
The contents of Count Crobel's letter were straightforward.
He wanted someone to give his increasingly arrogant second son a harsh lesson.
Anyone would do. Through a natural performance, instill a sense of caution in his still-immature boy.
That was the gist of the request.
The compensation was clearly outlined as well.
He wouldn't cover any risks from failure. But in case of success, he'd offer rewards commensurate with the change in his son's attitude.
The Crobel Count family was a renowned knightly house famous for repaying both favors and grudges in full, so the count's promised rewards were beyond doubt.
Hell, it might even open the door to receiving a fief. They were a house among houses.
"If I volunteer, I feel like I'd get recognized..."
"Hmm. Can't rule that out for me either."
A few knights groaned.
The Raglain Knight Order regularly exchanged martial arts demonstrations with the Crobel Knight Order.
Officially friendly, but in truth, a battle of pride between them.
Having crossed swords so often, veteran knights ran the risk of their identity being revealed through stance, habits, or swordsmanship alone.
Let's say it happened. If their identity leaked?
Anyone with a brain would see through the scripted charade instantly.
Instead of teaching a lesson in humility, they'd just end up mocked.
Even if not, the entire premise of the request would collapse.
In the end, only two types could confidently join the ambush team.
Overwhelming experts who could perfectly control every variable.
Or rising powerhouses whose fame hadn't spread yet.
Truly stringent conditions.
Just as everyone was deep in thought, someone shot up their hand.
"Vice Captain. I'll join the ambush team."
"...Didn't you just return? Is your condition okay?"
"Of course. Given the situation, no one's more suitable than me, right?"
"Hm..."
Roderick slowly nodded.
Sir Marco was a knight with the skill to back up that confidence.
Still, since it wasn't an ordinary mission, Roderick decided to proceed cautiously.
"We'll accept once we have at least one more volunteer for the ambush team. Deadline's today. Keep in mind time's short."
This was due to Hardin, the young master's escort knight, who had stated flatly.
Stalling for more manpower was impossible.
Even if he asked his charge to stay longer, the willful young master would just take off anyway.
Soon after, Roderick returned to his office, mission briefings complete.
'The support team for wrapping things up was easy to assemble...'
It really had been.
Just casually mentioning it to the elf knights who practically lived in the training grounds lately was enough.
A honorable mission had come up—want in?
They'd been itching for action and begging for new assignments anyway, so they accepted gladly.
For the record, Roderick hadn't even asked if they'd join the ambush team. Of course not.
So now, they just needed to fill out the ambush team.
But suitable talent for it was in short supply right now. And the deadline was too tight from the start.
"Hm... Maybe pass on it altogether."
He muttered, stroking his chin beard.
Knock knock—
A knock at the door.
He permitted entry, and in walked Elysia Valtline.
She explained her visit.
At that very moment.
A smile finally lit up Roderick's face, which had been clouded with worry.
"Miss Asha is volunteering?"
"Yes. I checked thoroughly on how far she's willing to go. This mission should be fine."
"Ha! Perfect! I can trust Miss Asha."
Roderick grinned in satisfaction.
The mission itself was something only those with exceptional ambition would jump at.
Even if more knight volunteers appeared, he'd have agonized over who to pick first.
But with Asha joining!
This made giving Sir Marco the first shot feel natural.
If he handled it well on his own, great.
If things went south, Asha could clean it up.
The ideal lineup.
——Or so he thought.
Then Roderick's brow suddenly furrowed.
'Wait. What if Miss Asha does too good a job?'
Info on this special elf named Asha, still unknown to the wider world, might flow to the Crobel Count family through this.
'Tch...'
Roderick racked his brains over the oversight.
As a result.
Asha ended up receiving gear that let her disguise as a bandit perfectly, without preparing anything herself...
In the dense forest along the highway near the fortress city of Hiragart.
The rustling of fallen leaves under thick tree shade broke the silence.
Asha, arriving at the planned ambush site, took in the faces around her.
All clad in pitch-black outfits hiding their identities.
Some, like Asha, bundled up head to toe. Others had ditched their masks, leaning casually against tree trunks.
'Sir Marco, was it?'
Asha recalled Elysia's briefing.
Among them, he was the only knight.
He had an unusual thirst for glory through feats, and his skills were top-notch.
The rest were soldiers or mercenaries who'd gotten wind via connections and jumped in quick.
They were all eager for a big score this time.
Proof?
"Judging by your build, a woman?"
A few approached Asha with crooked grins.
"We'll follow orders, but if it's too much, bail right away."
"We can handle you instead."
"..."
Nod.
Too lazy to reply, Asha just nodded lightly.
Bored by her reaction, the mercenaries backed off with disappointed looks.
Asha glanced at their retreating backs and fiddled with the choker around her neck.
The tight fit against her throat felt awkward. But she couldn't remove it.
She'd been warned not to, until the mission ended.
Apparently a magic tool that altered her voice. It'd help conceal her identity a bit more.
'Is all this really necessary...?'
Though it made the mission's weight clear.
Asha chuckled dryly and plopped down on a nearby broad rock.
'Never thought I'd end up on the same mission as those elf knights.'
Today's highlight: the elf knights would swoop in as support to resolve things.
True to form for elves. Claiming the noble, heroic role as if it were natural.
Asha nodded in satisfaction.
'And my opponent's a knight too.'
Sir Marco's target: Kyle Crobel's loyal retainer.
This retainer, a longtime squire who'd stuck with the young master, was a battle-hardened knight who'd survived escorts and duels alike.
Overwhelming him to heighten the drama's tension. That was Asha's key role in this mission.
'This might actually be fun.'
At first, she'd thought, "Are they seriously asking me to commit a crime?"
But no—it was a novel event where rich parents shelled out big to toughen up their kid.
As the saying went: A tiger drops its cubs off a cliff.
Whether that held true in her past life or not, Asha planned to cash in big on this mission.
Bonus rewards based on performance!
What better motivation to hustle?
And since the client was spending a fortune anyway...
'Wouldn't it be nice if the other side gained a lot too?'
A win-win deal all around.
The corners of Asha's mouth quirked up mischievously under her mask.
Until the elf knights arrived per script, time to put on a dazzling show.
