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chapter 50
Right after Lawrence disappeared, at the assembly point of the Holy Empire, the responsible paladins reported the matter to their leader.
It was, after all, a thing meant to be discarded, so it didn’t really matter who took it.
But for some reason, it lingered on their minds, so they decided to report it anyway.
“So, it seems that a certain Prince Lawrence took the item.”
“Huh? Why would he do that?”
“I’m not entirely sure…”
The high priest [Amrik], who was to oversee this operation, expressed his doubt.
Montemer.
Their greatness could shake not only the empire but the entire world. Was there some special reason behind this, or was it merely personal greed?
If not that… then perhaps? No, it probably wasn’t the case, but there was no reason not to be cautious.
Even the relatively famous knightly family Alzeras had fallen into corruption, so there was no guarantee that Montemer wouldn’t follow suit.
“We should place surveillance on them as well.”
“On them…?”
“Montemer has a close connection with the Emperor. But the Iron Tower does not.”
“Hmm…”
He roughly understood the situation.
Lawrence Montemer, not yet of age, could easily be swayed by temptation.
So it was the Iron Tower, not Montemer himself, that needed to be watched.
“I will follow your orders.”
“Good. Select those skilled in reconnaissance to monitor the Iron Tower.”
“Understood.”
May the grace of Sacria be with us…
Since the Holy Empire’s gaze was now directed toward the Iron Tower, they would have to act carefully.
The Empire never forgave those marked as heretics.
When the Empire marked Lawrence as suspicious, the commander finally appeared.
The person responsible for this operation and the ruler of Oberon:
[Mayor of the Iron Blood Guild: Jacob Logan].
A branch of the Alzeras family, he had always sought independence from the main house.
Baron Logan had successfully transformed the city of Oberon, left behind by the fairies, and the surrounding lands into a veritable cash cow.
Even if nothing else, his administrative skills were widely recognized.
“Greetings, heroes! I am Jacob Logan, in command of this operation. On behalf of His Excellency the Emperor, I welcome you all!”
“The head of a baronial family… but a person whose command skills are real.”
“Hm, yes. I can acknowledge that. He’s probably the one who will put in the most effort.”
Just as they were preparing for independence from the main house, the Alzeras family became embroiled in a scandal comparable to treason.
The Logan family secured both practicality and future prospects.
They sent letters to the Emperor quickly to claim innocence and sought to establish their own accomplishments by direct action.
Given the recommendations of those aware of his administrative skills, he was promptly appointed as commander.
Lawrence lifted his head to look at Jacob.
The discarded items had already been stowed away in the pocket dimension.
‘No wonder the paladins are staring…’
Well, so what?
They’d probably just assume he hid the items somewhere, never imagining he stuffed everything into a pocket dimension.
People tend to think only within the bounds of common sense.
Lawrence casually slipped into the gathering of the Iron Mages.
Naturally, the paladins who had been staring at him lost interest.
Smirking inwardly, Lawrence focused on the briefing.
#2
Everyone had been assigned their roles.
The expedition would begin in a few days.
Until then, they would complete reorganization and supplies, and plan operations based on reconnaissance reports.
Scouts from Oberon had already been dispatched to gather information.
A siege required extensive preparation, and meticulous cross-verification of intelligence was essential.
“So, we’re the ones breaking in and subduing them?”
“That’s right. We’ll be competing more with knights than mages. But…”
Elder Duncan turned his head.
Their allies included the [Imperial Central Academy], Oberon’s soldiers, and the Empire’s [11th Paladin Order].
They had been ordered to capture three villages and one fortress within the Alzeras domain—a surprisingly large force for subduing a single family.
“Other forces, including dark mages, might intervene, so a large deployment is necessary. Each unit will remain in the barracks until further orders.”
“Understood, Commander.”
Opportunities were fairly distributed.
Any merits earned during the campaign against Alzeras would translate into material rewards.
Through meticulous allocation, Jacob ensured that everyone could accept their unit assignments.
“Let’s do our best. You will experience the fame of the Imperial Central Academy firsthand.”
“You… well, let’s do our best.”
The Iron Tower’s master and the senior knight of the Academy exchanged introductions.
The Tower’s master remained impassive, while the senior knight seemed slightly uncomfortable.
The soldiers simply followed orders, focusing on understanding administrative procedures.
“Did they really think they’d take all the credit?”
“No, it’s because we don’t have rear support. Usually mages provide artillery support, but we don’t have that.”
“Hmmm… so it’s a kind of competitive spirit, isn’t it?”
Mages whispered among themselves.
The problem was that the knight cadets overheard them.
A voice full of frustration and irritation spoke up:
“Competitive spirit my foot… they’re calling themselves mages?”
“Ah, I cannot let that go. What did you just say?”
“Am I wrong? Why are the mages abandoning the most important task—rear support—and running ahead? Huh?”
“That’s for us to decide. Who defined mages as those who only cast spells from a distance?”
One knight cadet spoke in exasperation.
They too wanted to fight from safe positions, so naturally, complaints arose.
The Iron Tower had a notorious reputation even among knights.
They were often directly compared.
“So why have the knight order and cadets if the mages insist on doing pointless things? Am I wrong?”
“This fellow…”
“Enough.”
If the Tower’s master had not intervened, loud voices and possible violence might have broken out.
To start with, this awkwardness—how were they supposed to handle it?
The senior knight seemed equally unsure.
As the tension lingered, Lawrence stepped forward.
“Then, let’s settle the hierarchy first.”
“Huh?”
“Settle the hierarchy…?”
Lawrence grinned.
Organizing men was simple.
Survival of the fittest.
The strongest made the decisions. Simple logic.
“Rest today, and from tomorrow, we fight. Surely you won’t lose to mages? Cadets of the Academy, no less?”
The knight cadets frowned but didn’t step forward.
They had been educated:
Knighthood.
Justice.
Never oppress the weak, and so on…
Lawrence looked at the hesitant cadets and laughed incredulously.
Their attitude clearly implied they viewed mages as inferior.
His interpretation: “We are stronger than you, so we’re debating whether to bully you or not.”
“Wow… the mighty knight cadets have no spirit… isn’t that right, Elder?”
“That cannot be denied. Everyone is just watching. Do you really think we would lose to cadets?”
Duncan had mastered 4th Circle magic and was attempting 5th Circle.
By knight standards, he was at the upper edge of advanced knights.
[Advanced Knight] referred to one who could manipulate aura in both sword and body.
With physical prowess added, Duncan could duel advanced knights one-on-one.
Lawrence issued a challenge that no man could refuse.
If they ignored this, they weren’t men.
“…Chicken?”
The duel was established.
#3
That night.
Lawrence had a private room, temporarily used as a workshop.
The faint rustle of paper and pen filled the room.
‘This is always the most fun, and it clears my mind.’
The more he wrote, the sharper his focus became.
Thump, thump, thump.
Someone was calling outside.
“Lawrence, it’s me.”
“I’ll be right out~.”
Roria had come to see him.
Opening the door, the small, rabbit-like girl with large eyes stood there.
Her gaze was blazing with indignation at something she had heard.
“What have you been doing to the knight cadets?”
“Oh… just… friendly sparring?”
“If you said that, why are they still training in the arena!?”
“I really didn’t say much…”
Lawrence had merely suggested settling the hierarchy.
“Still… you think you can win?”
“Of course. Without using Aura, I can beat them all.”
“But their average age is seventeen. They’re basically your peers. Even so?”
“Without Aura, no problem.”
Lawrence had the skills of a top-tier peer swordsman.
The knight cadets were elite-trained, but also like sheltered flowers.
But Raila?
Having honed her skills across countless battlefields, no one among the current cadets could surpass her.
Ah, well, one exception existed.
‘Elijah Eden, future Grandmaster. But he’s not part of the Imperial Central Academy.’
So confidence was justified.
Roria sighed slightly and gave more information.
“By the way… did you know someone’s tailing you?”
“The Empire? Or… someone else?”
“Someone else…?”
They had already noticed the Empire’s gaze.
The unavoidable aura and divine power were detected clearly by her ‘Dragon Eye.’
No special measures had been taken yet…
Roria, however, was alarmed.
Someone was monitoring them from the other side…?
They hadn’t sensed this at all.
“Be careful. Especially with curses and poison.”
“….”
It felt as if a shadow flickered somewhere nearby.
