RMA 54

chapter 54

The message from the Mage Tower Master was simple.

They would depart at dawn tomorrow.

Because of this, the supply soldiers had to be on the move at the crack of dawn, and thus were already asleep.

“We need to occupy three villages and a castle. And we’ll serve as the reserve force near the territory’s capital.”
“Understood.”
“It might not be an easy fight. Stay sharp.”

Lawrence nodded at the Mage Tower Master’s stern warning.

Finally, the deployment was happening.

If previous extermination missions were just simple events, this one could truly be called a territorial war.

Even he would need to stay on edge.

“This place might be too much for someone as young as you, but it’ll be a good experience. Our mages will take special care so that you don’t have any bad memories.”
“Thank you, Master.”
“Rest well. We’ll see you at dawn.”

With that, the Mage Tower Master disappeared. Returning to the room, Ades whistled while staring out the window.

The movement of troops, gathered from here and there, was surprisingly organized.

Clearly, the fact that the enemies were undead played a major role.

“It’s still peaceful. The Mage Tower Master seems like a decent person. I’ll head off now. I’ll report if anything unusual comes up.”
“Understood. Be especially careful of those from Montemer.”
“To be wary of your own family, huh? You’ve got quite the fate. Take care.”

Leaving a comment that could be either a blessing or a curse, Ades disappeared into the shadows.

Lawrence decided to split his remaining time between resting and working.

There was still a lot to prepare for the undead.

“Still got troll meat left… need to modify this too.”

Troll meat could be repurposed as far more powerful holy grenades.

Lawrence’s 24 hours felt far too short.

The ingredients were piled up, and there were so many things he wanted to create.

He would just catch up on sleep during travel.

Worried about overworking?

With magic and artifacts, that wouldn’t be a problem.

Crunch, crunch…

What would people from the Holy Kingdom think if they saw this?

He was genuinely curious.

They wouldn’t consider him a heretic, surely.

The divine power they recognized was only accessible to those blessed by the goddess.

Being on good terms with the Holy Kingdom couldn’t hurt.

They probably wouldn’t dislike the name Montemer either.

Quite an ironic situation, wasn’t it?

Using the very family name you despised more thoroughly than anyone else… you really can’t predict life’s twists.

Beep!

Time flew, and finally, the deployment time had arrived.

#2

The air was still chilly.

Before dawn, people’s movements were sluggish.

Speeches in the marketplace, maps handed out to commanders.

The deployment ceremony was neither grand nor sparse.

“Aren’t you tired? I feel so sluggish.”
“I’m fine.”
“Really? Must be because you’re still young. Lucky, lucky.”
“Young is nice, yes.”

Lawrence loaded his belongings onto the assigned horse, grumbling like an old man.

Watching him, Dylan shook his head.

The Mage Tower Master and Argon, an instructor from the Central Academy, led the formation, protecting the mages.

The mission: raid villages and exterminate undead.

If there were civilians left, rescuing them was also part of the mission.

The horses moved slowly.

A few paladins’ gazes fell on him, but he paid them no mind.

They wouldn’t achieve anything anyway.

Or maybe they’d be impressed? Let them watch closely.

Lawrence smiled quietly and guided his horse forward.

The journey would be boring.

The enemies hadn’t ventured out of their territory, and the Empire’s lands were vast, so they would just focus on maintaining their condition.

Will my sister survive this time too?

He intended to figure out why Medea kept targeting Loria.

Only then could he piece together the underlying cause of the family’s downfall and distortion.

Unaware of Lawrence’s concerns, Loria herself, alongside members of the Moonlight Mage Tower, confidently set out on the mission.

The route also included the Montemer Shabet Mage Division.

“There are a lot of mages here.”
“Yes, I noticed that too. But given the terrain, it makes sense.”
“I see.”

Their destination was the enemy’s rear, the farthest point of travel, attacking the gates leading to the capital via magic.

High ground, a single path, potential retreat routes, the gate itself, and strategic positions to control the enemy’s rear.

All of these were included, making it the key point of the operation.

Oberon’s elite soldiers and a knight order were deployed.

Of course, the Holy Kingdom’s main forces were stationed here as well.

Feels reassuring, but… why so uneasy?

Despite the massive forces, Loria couldn’t shake her uneasy feeling.

Even while riding, she kept glancing around nervously.

Although they didn’t know each other, they could at least exchange light conversation—but there was none, making the atmosphere tense.

Only the sounds of hooves and boots filled the formation.

Loria remained vigilant.

Among those watching her quietly, a few Montemer mages were present.

I don’t know why they want us to monitor Loria… but if they say to, we’ll do it.

Oliver from the Moonlight Mage Tower.

What trick have they come up with this time? How should I falsify the report?

Ikel from the Tower of Change.

Two people with different goals moving separately.

Breaking the icy tension of the march was Shayan, eldest son of the Depter family.

“We’ll go this way. Wish us luck.”
“May luck be with you, Prince.”
“Then…”

The Depter mage division, with their white hair flowing, turned their horses and headed for a different target.

The rest stuck to the original army, trudging along silently due to the long route.

But that’s always how armies work.

Grand plans often become useless, and soldiers act instinctively, forgetting all training—just like now.

Keieeeek!

“Ambush!”

Black objects fell from above the cliff.

Simultaneously, magic circles appeared here and there.

An ambush that neither the Holy Kingdom nor the scouts noticed.

“Wow… what should I do?”

Watching this was Ades, secretly following under Lawrence’s orders.

Perfect timing to understand why Lawrence had sent him here.

His gaze darkened.

Priority: keep Princess Loria safe.

But it wasn’t yet time to act.

#3

“This should do it.”
“Hm.”
“Why… are they targeting Princess Loria so much?”
“I don’t know either.”

The Depters moved to a safe location, heading toward their destination.

The goal of eliminating the undead remained unchanged.

This could become a significant problem for their family if mishandled.

“It seems the mistress dislikes us acting independently…”
“So what? She’s someone who can’t do anything without us anyway.”
“That’s true.”

Prince Shayan thought of Medea while riding.

Though closely allied with the Depters, she was merely a pawn in the grand scheme.

Did she realize she wasn’t included in the larger plan?

Shayan acted swiftly.

Alzeras was trash that needed to be removed quickly.

“All the credit will be ours. The dark wizards must be eliminated.”
“Understood.”
“Have I told you to deal with Ikel and Oliver during this operation?”
“Yes. Many times. I’ve given detailed descriptions; they’ll be killed even if they die together.”

Shayan nodded.

Anything could happen on a battlefield, and the consequences could be limitless.

Everything was going according to plan; the Depters’ dominance over Montemer was near.

“Hurry.”
“Yes, moving!”

A strange aura began emanating from the mages and soldiers.

Those moving quickly.

When they disappeared toward Alzeras, someone emerged from the shadows.

“Terrifying, isn’t it? Better get this reported fast.”

The information he had was top-tier.

From afar, he overheard a few keywords; piecing them together was easy.

He needed to warn Lawrence to stop their plan.

Otherwise, in the long run, Lawrence—the person he pledged to—would be in grave danger.

He moved quickly.

First, to Loria.

If he saved the princess, the enemy’s plan would collapse.

Maybe I took the wrong job…

From the very first day, it was pure chaos.

Ades sighed and rushed toward those under attack.

The situation was worse than expected.

“Protect the mages!”
“Cast spells quickly!”
“Not there yet!?”

The knights formed a solid barrier, while mages and archers targeted the undead.

Skilled mages began casting immediately, but few could overcome the psychological pressure of an ambush.

The Phoenix Mage Division completed their casting, frowning at the similarity to a previous extermination mission, and began unleashing fire magic on the undead.

“-Burn my enemies!”
“-Punish the foes with mana’s fire!”

[Fireball]
[Fire Spear]

Ka-boom!
Ka-krash!

Mages were at the center of the battle.

Those who had experienced real combat in the north systematically annihilated the enemy.

“Princess… something feels off.”
“I feel the same.”

As the battle dragged on, Freya spoke to Loria.

Loria nodded with a troubled expression.

“Why are the undead attacking me?”
“They clearly seem to be targeting you… but I don’t know why either.”
“I’ll have to move alone.”
“…Excuse me?”

Loria’s sudden decision shocked everyone.

At that moment, a black-clad assassin appeared.

“Good thinking, miss.”
“Who are you!?”
“Lawrence’s friend. No, subordinate? Anyway, that’s who I am. The undead are definitely after you.”
“Lawrence sent you?”

Ades.

He had appeared to extract Loria.

Technically, he was heading toward Lawrence’s location.

If someone is targeting my sister, pull her over here.
It’ll split their forces. That place is important.

It was amazing.

Everything was unfolding exactly as Lawrence had planned.

Imagining the enemy scrambling after losing Loria, Ades smiled.

He extended his hand, using his unique ability to wrap Loria.

“Miss Loria, let’s have some fun from here.”
“Ahh!?”

And thus, Loria was “kidnapped.”

The operation was codenamed: [The Rabbit Kidnapping Incident].