TGSA 54

Chapter 54

External Activity (3)

Orc Champion. And Orc Tyrant.

To subjugate the orc horde in which these two high-ranked variants appeared, we left the academy grounds.

For transportation, we used carriages—but not drawn by ordinary horses. Instead, we had tamed monsters called Bicorns pulling them.

Because Bicorns possess physical abilities far superior to regular horses, the carriages could move much faster than their real-world medieval counterparts… or at least, that was the setting.

“If I based the speed on real medieval carriages, travel would take way too long, and that would drag down the story’s pacing.”

Even so, reaching the destination took two days.

The orcs had appeared in the domain of Baron Uveste, a local noble, so we first went to meet him.

“Oh! Welcome, welcome!”

Baron Uveste rushed out to greet us the moment we arrived.

He looked haggard, as though he had been under immense stress lately.

“Normally, when orcs appeared, it was only five or six at most. But one day, suddenly, dozens settled in the mountains… Every time they come down to the village, the damage is catastrophic!”

The Baron pointed toward a mountain in the distance as he spoke.

“We even requested reinforcements and formed a subjugation force, but it was wiped out without achieving anything! That’s why I had no choice but to request aid from the Lichtenauer Academy of Swordsmanship!”

He rattled on frantically, but then suddenly stopped.

“Uh, but… this is…”

“What’s the matter?” Claude asked.

The Baron glanced at us doubtfully.

“Is this… all of you?”

“What do you mean?”

“The reinforcements sent by the academy… is it really just this few?”

Claude. Mateus.

Myself and Heinrich.

The Baron counted us again and frowned.

“And two of you look… like mere children.”

“Baron, I understand your doubts.” Claude smiled as he replied.

“Even gathering dozens failed to subjugate them, so it must seem unbelievable that only four of us could succeed.”

“No, no, I didn’t mean it quite like that…”

“But Baron, among that subjugation force, how many Graduates were there?”

“Graduates?”

The Baron furrowed his brow, thinking.

“Perhaps two or three…”

“And what was their level?”

“They were outside mercenaries, so I can’t say precisely. I’m no swordsman myself, you see.”

“I see. My guess is they had just barely entered the level of Graduate, no further.”

“The entry-level of Graduate…”

On the frontier, many self-proclaimed “Graduates” were exactly that—entry-level at best.

Even low-tier Graduates could easily find better positions elsewhere.

“Myself and Mateus here are both mid-tier Graduates—two stages higher than that.”

“Mid-tier Graduates…”

“And as for these students…” Claude glanced at Heinrich and me, then continued:

“I can’t go into detail, but they’re from prestigious noble families. At their age, they’ve already reached the level of low-tier Graduates.”

“Low-tier Graduates… then that means…”

“They’re already stronger than the so-called Graduates who joined your last subjugation force.”

“……!”

The Baron looked between our faces, still clearly unconvinced.

“Assistant Professor, how much longer will we waste time here?”

Just then, Heinrich’s cold voice cut in.

“Rather than explaining it all here, wouldn’t it be faster to just go and crush them directly?”

“……!”

The Baron’s eyes widened at Heinrich’s arrogance.

Even Claude looked troubled.

“Hey now, that was uncalled for—”

“Professor.”

I stepped in.

“I think he has a point. From the Baron’s perspective, it must be hard to believe that just four people could wipe out the orcs.”

“Mmm…”

“So, let’s ease his worries by showing results quickly.”

As I said this, I gave Mateus a look, and he hurriedly stepped forward with some documents.

We had to draw up a contract before commencing the subjugation.

“Then Baron, if you could sign here first.”

“Hm… very well.”

Though still doubtful, the Baron filled out and signed the paperwork.

With that done, we set out toward the mountain where the orcs were camped.

“But Baron,” I asked one last question before leaving.

“Did you not request aid from the Lancaster family?”

“Lancaster family…”

At the mention of the strongest swordsmanship clan in the west, the Baron’s face darkened.

“Recently, the Lancaster family seems troubled by internal issues… They’re refusing to lend support to neighboring houses.”

“I see.”

Since Lester Lancaster had been expelled from the academy, his father, Henry Lancaster, was also driven into a corner.

Now, unsure how to act, they had recalled all troops to their main estate.

“If the Lancasters—who ruled the west like kings—go silent, then the already fragile security in the region will collapse completely.”

And when western politics turned chaotic, the academy located there would inevitably be affected as well.

Other houses would surely exploit the chaos for their own gain.

“The storm is coming soon…”

Thinking that, I headed for the mountain where the orcs gathered.

“Those bastards… they built a mountain fortress with stone and earth.”

From atop a tree, Claude stared toward the mountain.

He was enhancing his sight with mana, allowing him to see as if through a telescope.

“If an Orc Champion is guarding that fortress, no wonder an ordinary subjugation force couldn’t break through.”

With that, he dropped down from the tree.

“The battle will have two stages. First, we’ll break through the fortress guarded by the Orc Champion…”

“And second, we defeat the Orc Tyrant waiting deeper inside,” I finished for him.

Claude nodded.

“Exactly. Honestly, once the Champion and Tyrant are down, it’s over. The rest are just small fry.”

Ordinary orcs could be taken down by anyone at the entry-level of Graduate.

With our force—mid-tier and low-tier Graduates—they weren’t even a concern.

“First, we focus on taking out the Orc Champion and breaching the fortress,” Mateus said.

“What’s the best approach?”

“I suggest this.”

I drew lines on the ground.

“The Champion is strong but not intelligent. If we attack from multiple directions, their forces will be split. Then, when the Champion is confused and distracted, we strike.”

“Hmm… are Champions really that dull-witted?”

“To my knowledge, yes.”

Claude and Mateus both mulled it over.

“Considering the terrain… not a bad strategy.”

“Better than a frontal assault.”

While they muttered, I spoke again.

“Then, Professor Claude and Heinrich should handle drawing their attention.”

“Me?” Heinrich frowned.

“Why am I the bait?”

“Because you’re faster.”

Among all the academy students, Heinrich boasted unmatched speed.

Orcs were slow and clumsy—he’d run circles around them.

“Race across the fortress walls and throw them into confusion. That’s something I couldn’t pull off.”

“Hmph… fine.”

Heinrich nodded.

Just as I thought—if you butter him up a little, he’ll do it. That’s how it went in the novel too.

“And Professor Claude, I’ve heard you’re also skilled in body-movement techniques?”

“I never told you that. Impressive that you knew.” Claude scratched his curly hair and chuckled.

“Then, you and Mateus will take on the Champion?”

“Yes. Depending on the situation, at least.”

“Good. We’ll step in if needed.”

The plan was set.

Now, it was time to act.

“Let’s move.”

“Yes, Professor.”

We used body-movement techniques to approach the mountain.

Claude and Heinrich went left and right, while Mateus and I advanced from the front at a slower pace.

“Kraaaah!”

“Kraaaaargh!”

The orcs’ cries soon echoed through the mountains.

Claude and Heinrich had leapt onto the fortress, throwing the defenders into chaos.

The Champion surely wanted to repel them, but with enemies darting around on both sides, confusion was inevitable.

“Screeeech!”

“Graaaagh!”

The shrieks of orcs rang out one after another.

Judging by the short intervals, Heinrich must have been slicing throats at blinding speed.

“Professor Mateus, let’s move as well.”

“Ah, yes.”

Following my lead, Mateus and I quietly scaled the fortress wall and slipped inside.

There he is.

A hulking, muscular orc—two and a half times larger than the others.

In its hand was a massive greatsword, crudely forged but heavy enough to crush a man in a single blow.

“Kraaah! Pale-skinned vermin…!”

The Orc Champion snarled, flustered, unable to ignore the chaos erupting all around.

But catching Claude and Heinrich with its sluggish movements was impossible.

“I’ll go first. Follow me, Ernass.”

Mateus stepped forward, as befitted a professor leading his student.

“Kraaah!”

But the moment we drew close, the Champion’s eyes bulged, and it spun with its enormous body.

The massive greatsword swept toward Mateus.

“Kh—!”

Boom!

With a deafening crash, Mateus was knocked backward.

Only by blocking with sword-energy had he avoided a severe injury.

“This Champion…!”

His eyes widened.

The Champion was far stronger than he’d expected.

“It’s the Tyrant’s doing.”

“What?”

“The Orc Tyrant’s dominance is amplifying the Champion’s combat power.”

“E-Ernass, how could you possibly know that…?”

Ignoring his confusion, I stepped forward.

“Professor Mateus, more orcs are coming. Please hold them off.”

“Ernass, what are you—”

“Kraaaaah!”

Whoosh!

The Champion’s greatsword slashed at me—

But unlike with Mateus, it didn’t connect.

I had already shifted away with Lichtenauer footwork.

“Grrrraaah?!”

My blade cut into its side.

Only a shallow wound.

Its thick muscles couldn’t be pierced so easily.

“Even Heinrich couldn’t land a decisive strike. His speed is enough to inflict scratches, but not to kill.”

That was why I’d left the bait role to him.

“You pale-skinned wretch… graaah!”

The Champion roared and charged at me again.

But I had already leapt aside.

“Normally, Champions are skilled warriors. But now it’s lost its composure, swinging wildly in anger.”

Its poor intelligence and hot temper had made it fall perfectly into our plan.

“So full of openings—it’s almost too easy.”

I twisted my body midair, adjusting my stance.

Just like when I had defeated Mateus before, I prepared to combine Lichtenauer footwork with Balahaile’s heavy sword style.

But today, I wasn’t stopping there.

“This time… I’ll add Kalesius’ Lightning Spear Sword Technique as well.”

Mana surged through my blade, making it flare with crackling blue light.

The Champion looked up at me with wide eyes—

And down came my thunderbolt-like slash.