ALL NOVEL Chapter 390
“Grandmother.”
“Grandson, what’s the matter?”
Today, my grandmother, who was admiring the flowers, looked up at me at my call.
“It’s about the request I made before.”
“I’ve made the preparations. But whether others will accept it, I’m not so sure.”
“If it’s for victory, it’s unavoidable, don’t you think?”
Even if the method is somewhat ethically questionable, now isn’t the time to be picky.
If we lose, ethics and everything else just turn into toys or perish.
“…Just don’t overdo it.”
“Thank you for your concern.”
“It’s only natural for a grandmother to worry about her grandson, isn’t it?”
Is this what family means?
I nodded silently, feeling my heart warm.
———————
Elf elites have arrived at the battlefield.
The Empire’s elite forces: thirty thousand knights and two hundred level 1-2 mages. Having completed preparations, they’re moving toward the desert as quickly as possible.
Demons. No news.
And Quartz.
“…You all will be the hidden dagger in this war.”
“Ugh—it’s really war~ It’s finally here~”
Peymin twisted her neck left and right, expressing her thoughts. It seemed she wasn’t tense at all, as she usually was.
I spoke to her, still in her confinement suit.
“You don’t seem very nervous.”
Peymin replied with a smile in her eyes.
“Eh, I’m kinda nervous too!”
Considering that, she didn’t appear different from usual.
“Haha! You don’t look it at all! Back in the day…”
“Don’t talk about childhood!”
Come to think of it, the oldest among Quartz’s group was Vulcanus, right? I heard he’s been here for over 200 years by this world’s standards.
It’s unavoidable that I can’t pinpoint the exact time since the flow of time in the Quartz mansion is different from the outside world. I turned to look at Vulcanus, who had interjected into the conversation, and asked the same question.
“Are you alright, Vulcanus?”
“To be honest, I’m a bit nervous! It’s my first time participating in a war! But what can I do? I accepted it, after all! Hahaha!”
He laughed heartily as if to shake off all the fear lurking in his heart. His laughter was refreshing to the listener.
I smiled and nodded before turning my gaze to Hazel, who stood quietly beside me.
Hazel.
The last reinforcement that had quietly holed up without causing any incidents, given her notoriety. As soon as Hazel met my gaze, she donned an uneasy smile and spoke.
“Be careful. If you don’t handle the dagger well, you might… hurt your hands.”
“Sis, if you’re going to say something weird, just shut it.”
“Oh, I don’t want to.”
“Both of you calm down now.”
Unable to bear it any longer, grandmother intervened to mediate between the two.
I don’t understand why the two of them don’t get along. I decided to put some fear into them, who seemed to have a poorly understood emotional gap.
“If you keep fighting, I’ll stick you two together.”
“What? I don’t want that!”
Is this the magic remedy?
I momentarily glanced at Peymin’s disgusted face before shifting my attention back to Hazel.
To my surprise, instead of the playful grin I expected, her face was lit up with a complicated expression.
“I don’t mind.”
…What history is between them?
I didn’t think I’d get any answers, so I pulled my focus away from the two and observed from the top of the tower set in the middle of the desert.
Since the desert became our game board, it was my job to think of ways to utilize the terrain and how to overturn it.
After all, this war would unfold chiefly around me.
In other words, I was the commander.
Holy Knights. Imperial Army. Elves. Quartz Family. Demons. Witches.
With the six forces gathered, I’ll devise every trick I can to win.
…The problem is that if he says no, every plan will instantly crumble to dust.
However, I still have at least minimal insurance. Based on what I’ve seen of his character and Hecate’s advice, I was confident I could draw him into this game.
Trusting that insurance, I must devise a plan.
At the very least, a plan to prevent the Observer from interfering in this world forever.
…Though I’m not sure if it’s possible.
Still, I have to try as much as I can.
As always, it’s enough to struggle to survive.
“Well then, I’ll slowly return to Yeomyeong-gwan.”
———————————–
“Millia.”
“Yes?”
“Please take care of the Academy.”
“Leave it to me!”
Millia replied confidently with her chest puffed out in response to my worries.
Since even slightly competent individuals would be drafted, the Academy would be defenseless until the war ended. During that time, Millia would have to manage the students as the effective head of the Academy.
It’s a bit disappointing to trust this heavy responsibility to a mere third-year student, but all capable individuals had been drafted from the Academy.
“Hihi, don’t look at me like you’re too worried. I’m the student council president! I may not fight for my life, but I can do at least this!”
“Don’t overdo it.”
“Okay!”
“And me?”
“If you don’t want to die, you’d better stay put.”
Wait, isn’t it better to take you along and use you as a liaison with the demons… maybe?
After a moment’s contemplation, I decided to keep her holed up in Yeomyeong-gwan. I intended to disregard the unmoving demons and navigate with the remaining personnel.
Since the demons broke the contract first, later I could use this as leverage to demand more.
…Of course, that would only be a feasible demand if we win.
“Is everyone ready?”
“Ready!”
“Uncle, I’m ready!”
“It’s been a while since I, Sif, returned to the battlefield.”
“Johann, I’m ready too.”
“So am I.”
[Nobody!]
Then shall we set off?
“Now, we’re heading to the battlefield, so check one last time if there’s anything we missed.”
At my words, the lobby filled with bustling sounds. I leaned against the door and fiddled with the two shovels strapped to either side of my backpack.
A shovel made of mithril.
And a shovel made from modifying the Holy Sword.
I hope one of them can be used to bury the Observer’s eyebrows.
“Ready!”
“I’m ready too.”
“Ready!”
Is everyone ready? I pulled my back off the wall and opened the door to Yeomyeong-gwan.
“Then, let’s slowly set off.”
“Johann!”
I wrapped my arms around Millia, who rushed towards me, and pressed my lips against hers. Just a light kiss, but it lingered for a long time.
“Hihi.”
After a long time, Millia pulled away from my lips, beaming with a lovely smile. She wiped her lips with her sleeve and looked up at me, saying,
“Have a safe trip! I’ll be protecting Yeomyeong-gwan, so don’t worry! I’ll take good care of Terry and Lulu too!”
“Thanks for your help.”
“Okay!”
We began our journey toward the desert.
—————-
“Soldiers of the Empire!”
Thump-thump!
Prince Killian tried hard to hide his nervousness as he slowly scanned the soldiers lined up on the podium.
The elite troops nurtured with utmost care by the Empire.
These soldiers were both the shield and spear of the Empire. If they disappeared, so would the Empire. Nurtured with such thoughts, the elite soldiers stared at the prince with piercing gaze.
Receiving the gaze of over ten thousand, the prince hid his trembling hands beneath the podium and cleared his voice.
The speech was just beginning.
“You are the pillars of the Empire. Because of you, the citizens of the Empire can sleep soundly. Because of you, the Empire can exist as the Empire. I hold deep respect for your hard work.”
Instead of the cliché of cheers, the soldiers simultaneously struck the ground with the spears they were holding, responding to his speech.
The prince felt his heart race at the response given by thousands of soldiers as one. An exhilarating sight that sent shivers down his spine. He felt a single bead of cold sweat trickle down his forehead as he breathed in deeply.
“And today, we have stepped into a new battlefield.
You may be curious.
Who is our enemy?
Why have we come to this empty desert?
What do we fight for?
As crown prince and a commander, I will answer.
This war… is a fight against an unknown enemy.
We have no idea the enemy’s scale, how strong they are, or what they are!”
The Empire troops looked up at the prince with bewildered eyes at his bizarre speech.
An unknown enemy, what does that even mean?
To calm their confusion, the prince shouted in a booming voice.
“However! They don’t know us either! Do not be afraid! Eventually, they will fall to our spears and swords, paying the price for daring to covet this continent!”
“Waaaaaahhh!”
The cheers of the Empire soldiers rang loudly across the desert.
Johann, watching from the top of the tower, smirked and turned his head.
‘It’s just the beginning.’
The skies have begun to split.