Chapter 200: End-of-term exam (5)

Rumble. Clank━ Rattle━ Clank━

Amidst the sound of the giant mass of iron dashing along the Railway Track, the sound of insects in the grass overlapped like a harmony.

Inside the late-night train cafe.

Lady Keres had set up her drawing board.

On the table was a piece of Rice Paper and an Inkstone. And beside the Inkstone, a liquor glass disguised as a teacup.

Holding her Brush, the Duke's Daughter looked out the window.

Beyond the glass window of the speeding train, the Southern Plains flowed by.

"Indeed......"

Lady Keres muttered as she ground Ink on the Inkstone.

Around the age of 18, back when she couldn't even go outside due to Demon Disease.

The maid from the Southern Region who took care of her had a habit of saying:

— "If someone were to ask a person from the Imperial South what the best thing about the South is, nine out of ten would answer, 'The night is beautiful.'"

At the time, the Duke's Daughter thought.

If, just truly if, her Demon Disease were cured and she could wander outside.

If that happened, she wanted to confirm it for herself.

And right at this moment, she couldn't help but nod as she recalled those words.

"It is truly just as you said. The night in the South has quite a bit of charm."

The Duke's Daughter's Brush absorbed the Ink.

Starlight was dotted onto the Rice Paper.

A hint of regret flashed through the Duke's Daughter's eyes as she looked at it.

"As expected, Ink is insufficient to capture all of this emotion."

Ink was her excellent close friend.

The thickness, speed, shading, and bleeding created by a single stroke of the Brush.

Because the emotions that could be contained in that single line were infinite.

However, Ink painting required the beauty of empty space.

Therefore, it didn't suit the emotion she was trying to express right now.

'To express this emotion, oil painting would be better.'

Silver powder scattered over black silk.

The harmony of the night insects spread out beneath it.

This grandeur required a full light, not the beauty of empty space.

'I should be satisfied with a poem for today and try painting it in oils tomorrow night.'

In the Eastern Empire, there were Ancient characters passed down from old times.

It was a script rarely used nowadays, except for the hobbies of nobles.

Carefully selecting each of those characters, she wrote down a poem.

After agonizing over it and completing a passage, she tilted her glass in the meaning of commending herself.

"Kuhhh——."

As the burning sensation went down her Esophagus, she couldn't help but let out an exclamation of Admiration without realizing it.

It was alcohol she had brought in by evading the Academy's luggage inspection before boarding.

Thanks to the professors who didn't dare rummage through the Duke's Daughter's Underwear Bag, she was able to smuggle it in without difficulty.

Thud. Tap.

The Duke's Daughter's head turned at the sound coming from outside the window.

A Moth that had approached after seeing the train's light was swept up in the vortex created by the train and smashed its head against the glass.

Torn to shreds by the wind pressure, the Moth left behind Bodily Fluid on the window and disappeared.

Narrowing her brow, the Duke's Daughter lightly tapped the window with her finger.

'I see why people from the South unanimously say the sound of night bugs is beautiful.'

Watching that sight, she felt like she understood why the maid considered the night's performance as the pride of the South.

There wasn't really any other advantage to point out besides the sound.

Because in this place swarming with bugs, the bugs themselves couldn't be an advantage.

It was just as she let out a chuckle and was about to grasp her Brush again.

Smack.

A bug that was not a Moth stuck to the glass.

The Duke's Daughter stopped her Brush and moved her gaze to the window.

A single green bug the size of a thumb was stuck with its six legs planted on the outside of the glass.

Its layered carapace gleamed as it caught the light.

Strength entered her Jaw.

"......It's not just a simple bug."

A bug clinging to the window, withstanding the wind pressure of a train running at tens of kilometers per hour.

Anyone could see it was strange.

The Duke's Daughter's right hand set down the Brush.

That hand reached straight toward the handle of the Glaive leaning against the wall.

"I thought the night wind was exceptionally cold today, and as expected."

Her fingers gripped the metal handle.

Her mission in this practical training was to be the Bodyguard of the Valkyries.

However, she had another mission as well.

"It's obvious that their Target is the Honored guest."

It was self-evident that Black Sorcerers would attack during this practical exam.

Therefore, she had made a Vow to herself.

That she would not let those filthy Assassins dare lay a hand on her Benefactor.

She was just about to lift the Glaive.

Crackle.

A streak of blue Flame brushed past the outside of the window.

The legs of the green bug stuck to the window spread open.

The bug turned into a dry husk and was torn away by the wind.

Seeing this, the Duke's Daughter relaxed the strength in her hand.

"Ah, today was not my Stage to act after all."

She sat back down in her seat and picked up her glass.

***

Rumble. Clank. Rattle.

A train cleaved through the night of the Southern Plains with a yellowish streak of light.

The mass of iron carrying hundreds of heroes dashed forward, lighting up the Railway Track.

And in the grass along the Railway, there were hundreds of pairs of compound eyes watching that sight.

Clank━

The train's headlight swept past that grass.

At that moment, a green Torso the size of a thumb leaped toward the light, drawing a parabola.

The bug collided with the side of the running passenger car, biting into the gap of the steel plate with the hooks at the ends of its six legs.

The wind clawed at the bug's Torso as if to tear it apart.

However, instead of falling off, the bug raised its rear end.

Splat━

A dark blue liquid was sprayed onto the steel plate.

Sizzle━ The smell of burning metal scattered in the wind along with the sound.

The wind generated by the train immediately repelled that liquid.

The damage engraved on the steel plate also remained at the level of peeling paint.

The train continued to dash forward, completely unaware of that minor damage.

Thud, tap━. Tap, tap, tap━

As the train moved forward, the number of bugs clinging to the Wall increased gradually along with the sound of raindrops.

The bugs that leaped up in response to the light fell off as if their job was done once they sprayed the acidic liquid.

And new bugs filled that gap, carrying out their mission.

From beneath the train's belly, on the roof, next to the Wall.

Dozens of streams of white smoke rose.

"......It's like a snake."

There was someone watching that sight from afar.

The crest of a ridge looking down on the Railway Track.

A man stood at the top of that hill.

"No matter how vicious a Viper may be, it is bound to be powerless in front of a swarm of bugs. Let alone a snake that can't even put up a Resistance."

The man was wearing an overcoat over a long robe.

His two arms were wrapped up to his Elbows in dark, rotted Bandages.

The ashen skin revealed through the gaps in the Bandages was densely packed with swollen bug bites.

A Veil used by beekeepers was draped over his face.

Beneath the Veil, the long ears revealed in silhouette hinted at his Race.

Behind the Dark Elf, dozens of round Jars were placed.

Instead of lids, the Jars were covered with thin cloth, and the sound of something tapping the cloth from the inside echoed incessantly.

In the center of the Jars, an Incense burner was placed.

"Because the height was set too low, too many of them are getting caught in the wheels. I'll have to set the next ones a bit higher."

The Dark Elf's Fingertips drew a stroke in the empty air.

The smoke from the Incense burner brushed past one of the Jars.

The cloth on that Jar fluttered, and a new swarm of green flowed out and headed down the hill.

The bugs settled on the Railway Track and waited for the train's light.

"The carapace is quite hard. But even so, it won't be able to block the spiracles."

A man watching the sight from the side spoke.

"Mage. Wouldn't it be better to just melt the Track in advance, aiming to Overturn it instead?"

"Are you Questioning my methods as a mere Mercenary?"

"No. That's not it...... hehe...... We just need to get paid and that's it."

"I don't have much expectation for you lot. Stop your Nonsense and just move my Jars."

"Understood."

The man called a Mercenary hastily bowed his head.

A centipede could be seen poking its head out from beneath the Mage's feet.

The centipede glared at the Mercenary for a moment, then hid its Torso inside the Mage's clothes again.

The Mage turned his Interest away from the Mercenary and focused on the train again.

'Aim for the Track? Foolish guy. Do you think the Ducal Family is that complacent?'

The Mage sensed the faint Mana flowing through the Railway Track.

This Mana flowing along the Railway Track was connected all the way to the station.

If someone were to damage the Track, the knights stationed at the station would immediately dispatch to this location.

'To use the time difference of the Mana's arrival to do an Inverse Calculation of the Location. The Mages of the Ducal Family used their brains quite a bit.'

At this time, the time it took for the knights to arrive from the station was approximately 10 minutes.

Therefore, the method of tampering with the Track in advance could not be used.

'I'll have to be satisfied with overturning the train.'

The goal was one.

To make the Academy's first large-scale practical training a Failure.

In that process, if the Saint or the Saintess were to die or acquire a Disability, it would be the icing on the cake.

'I must aim for the drive unit.'

Thinking so, the Mage adjusted the height of the green bugs.

It was then.

Crackle.

A single blue Flame brushed past the train's body.

The streak of light wrapped around the train's body once, then spread out in all directions along the Railway Track.

And the bugs in the path of the light stiffened all at once.

The hooks at the ends of their legs spread out, and the ones stuck to the body fell off in droves.

With the sound of dry husks fluttering in the night wind, they poured onto the side of the Railway Track.

The ones lying face down on the rails were no Exception.

Tens of thousands of legs reaching into the empty air convulsed in the grass.

The train faded away beyond the darkness at a speed as if nothing had happened.

Chug━ chug. Chug━ chug.

The sound of the firebox subsided, and silence settled over the plains once again.

The Dark Elf's Fingertips stopped in the empty air.

Just what on earth had happened?

While the Mage was racking his Brain to understand this situation.

Suddenly, a sound came from the Mercenary's embrace.

"W-What is this?"

The Mercenary pulled out a Crystal Orb from his embrace.

It was a Crystal Orb for Eavesdropping on military communications.

A Voice was flowing out of that Crystal Orb.

[Good work, Adjutant. It seems your skill at tapping lines has improved since your active-duty days?]

[You flatter me, Your Highness. Compared to military communications, the Security was lax, so it wasn't difficult.]

The Mercenaries panicked.

Your Highness?

Just what kind of situation was this?

However, the Voice inside the Crystal Orb didn't resolve that Doubt, and only continued speaking its own Words.

[Can you hear me? Hmm, it connected properly.]

Beyond the Crystal Orb, the clinking sound of someone setting down a Teacup could be heard.

Soon, that Voice introduced itself.

[You're working quite hard late at night, gentlemen. This officer is the Imperial Chief of Personnel, Edmund Essenwald.]

Edmund?

The moment they heard that Name, the Mercenaries' eyes went wide.

The first to react to this was the Leader of the Mercenaries.

"Forgive us, Your Highness! We merely accepted and carried out a Request to move these Jars! I swear, we never heard anything about who was riding the train."

The Mercenary attempting to immediately cut ties with the Mage.

However, the answer that returned was cold-hearted.

[To the Subjects who get swept up in Treason without knowing, this officer also tries to show leniency comparatively, but...... aren't you lot different? Knowing that Innocent Citizens could get caught up in this, you accepted the Request. Even so, does this officer truly have a reason to show leniency?]

The Mercenaries' complexions turned pale.

They had considered this mission as just a simple train Attack.

It wasn't something that required any great Resolve, nor something to feel the pricks of Conscience over.

Because it was a long Tradition for Mercenaries to gain secondary income through banditry outside the Wall, where there were no witnesses.

So they had approached the mission no differently than usual, but......

"Knight Commander! What is the meaning of this!"

"You should have checked what kind of train it was!"

The Mercenaries, who had suddenly become Traitors, fell into a panic and Protested to the Knight Commander.

The Knight Commander, holding the Crystal Orb, fidgeted and spat out excuses to his members.

"I-I'm certain they said it was an ordinary freight train right up until we took the job......"

In the midst of that panic.

Imperial Prince Edmund spoke to another person.

[A Bug Caster, is it? There are quite a few in the South.]

"......Edmund, Commander of the Southern Front Liberation."

[It's been a while since I was called by that title.]

Hahaha.

Laughter could be heard from beyond the Crystal Orb.

[Nameless Bug Caster. The world is changing, aren't you a bit late to Resignation? The Magic Tower of the 13th Month has nothing left now. The old name of Life Magic was also stolen, and your source of funding was cut off. All the fools who would be tempted by Black magic have jumped into the Pharmaceutical Industry. Do you lot even have a Future?]

"You speak as if your Future is bright."

[Of course it is bright.]

Edmund spoke with excitement.

[A Future that will carry on this officer's will was recently born. Thanks to that, I'm feeling quite good. Well, from my perspective, my Daughter is even more outstanding than I......]

[Your Highness.]

[Ah. The conversation went sideways. These days, whenever I see someone I don't know, I get the urge to brag about my Child.]

The Dark Elf Mage's brow furrowed deeply.

Because in this situation, the Imperial Prince's relaxed attitude of bragging about his child felt like an Insult to him.

[Well, still, this officer is feeling extremely good recently. So I want to refrain from causing any bloody incidents as much as possible. Which is why I'm saying this......]

The sound of sipping tea could be heard over the radio.

[If you surrender obediently right now, I will turn a blind eye to the matter of you lot trying to harm me. Instead, considering only the Crime of trying to harm the Saint, I will end it with a sentence of 340 years of Underground Labor.]

The Dark Elf Mage's eyebrows twitched.

340 years?

Did he hear that correctly?

As if Ridiculing such a Dark Elf, Edmund said,

[If you're a Dark Elf, wouldn't you be able to endure it?]

As soon as he heard those Words, the Dark Elf Mage snorted beyond his Veil.

It was a recommendation for surrender not even worth reconsidering.

Ignoring the Crystal Orb, he turned his head.

In the thick darkness, he spoke towards the Mercenary group that was running about in confusion.

"We are falling back. Pack the Jars, Mercenaries."

"Do not order us around! We are washing our hands of this matter!"

"Stop your Nonsense."

Contempt lingered in the Dark Elf's eyes.

"You are already Traitors. In that position, do you think you can return to society?"

"......"

"Follow me. I will work you as laborers, so at least you won't starve to death."

The Mercenaries deeply bowed their heads.

Just as the Mage said, they had no Options.

Eventually, they began loading the Jars making squirming noises back onto the Cart.

'Just finding out that the Imperial Prince is accompanying them is a huge harvest. This much is worth the trip today.'

His goal from the beginning wasn't Assassination.

It was a Threat combined with reconnaissance.

Therefore, there wasn't really any loss to say even if he fell back now.

Presently, the Dark Elf pulled the Crystal Orb left behind by the Mercenary close to his mouth.

"Humanity, trapped inside the Wall and having forgotten how to undergo Eclosion, will only rot inside the Pupa. Wash your necks and wait until we sort out those who will survive."

With those Words, the Dark Elf tried to turn off the Crystal Orb.

However, the following Words caught him.

[Has Elder Luo Jingzhe recovered the bugs he lost 5 years ago?]

A low Voice flowed out from the Crystal Orb.

At the attitude that seemed like he was just asking ordinary Regards, the Dark Elf's reaction was a beat late.

The Toe of a shoe of the Dark Elf stopped in empty air.

The finger joints wrapped in Bandages convulsed violently.

[Hmm. Looking at your reaction, it seems he hasn't told his Disciples. I understand. If the Disciples knew their Teacher had weakened, they wouldn't have just left him alone.]

The Dark Elf agreed with this.

A Bug Caster's Potential was high compared to their Rank.

Because as long as they had enough Time, they could prepare as many diverse and unique bugs as possible.

However, a commensurate drawback existed.

That is, once they consumed their prepared bugs, they became vulnerable in proportion to the Time they had invested.

This was even more true for a Bug Caster who had lost everything and suffered a crushing defeat.

To what extent, you ask? Depending on the situation, even a 6th Rank Bug Caster who had lost everything could be killed by an ordinary Mercenary.

'What a shame.'

If only he had known that fact.

If he had, he could have killed his Teacher and taken all the Larvae he had raised over his Lifetime.

But there was still Time left.

A period of 5 years was severely lacking for the Elder, who had lost everything, to regain it all.

While the other Disciples still didn't know, it was definitely worth the Dark Elf aiming for it.

Therefore, the Information the Imperial Prince handed over was definitely valuable Information to him.

"You are wise, Commander. Are you planning to use me to kill my Teacher? Well, fine. I'll fall for that trick this time."

[Hah, truly. A Teacher hiding his weakness out of Worry of being eaten by his Disciples, and a Disciple only thinking of killing him as soon as he sees that weakness. Looking at you lot reminds me of a Gu Jar.]

Tsk tsk.

Edmund clicked his tongue.

[Well, using you to take care of the Elder would be fine. But...... then wouldn't that just be like new bugs growing again on that Corpse? That isn't my method, you see.]

"Then why did you tell me such a story?"

[Couldn't I at least show this much compassion on your way to the afterlife?]

Along with that, another Voice flowed out from the radio.

It was the Voice of the 'Adjutant' who had occasionally been interrupting from next to the Imperial Prince since earlier.

[Railway bridge, central pier as the baseline. 900 to the East. 600 to the North. Elevation, plus 70. Target — Directly below the top of the hill, the crest of the ridge.]

The Dark Elf's two eyes bulged widely.

He hurriedly turned his body.

The hem of his long robe knocked over one of the Jars, and the contents spilled out, making the sound of dry wings.

And the moment his foot had just lifted off the gravel.

A blue sphere floated up right before his eyes.

A lump of light the size of a human head was spinning silently right above the crest of the ridge.

Due to the light emitted by the sphere, the shadows of the Jars laid long in all directions.

At that sight, both the Mercenaries and the Dark Elf were unable to move, their legs stiffened.

It was because they realized it unconsciously.

That no matter how hard they tried to run, they couldn't be faster than Lightning.

[If you wanted to exchange Words with me, you should have at least sent the Elder.]

Snap.

From beyond the radio, the sound of fingers snapping rang out.

The green bugs scattered along the Railway Track, paralyzed, all simultaneously turned into conductors.

The blue electricity spread out like a net riding the Corpses of tens of thousands of bugs, and instantly wrapped around the Dark Elf's ankles.

Flash!

With a deafening roar that shook heaven and earth, Lightning swallowed the Dark Elf's entire body.

Rumble——

When the light cleared, all that remained on the ridge was a scorched circle, collapsed Jars, and things burned beyond recognition of their forms.

Only the Crystal Orb dropped on the ground was blinking as if nothing had happened.

[Huu......]

A disappointed Sigh leaked out from the Crystal Orb.

[When dealing with me, the Elder at least showed the sincerity to prepare Scale insects.]

Tsk tsk.

He clicked his tongue.

The Demonic Insects created by modifying Scale insects back then were quite bothersome.

Because every time a Scale insect died, it died spraying wax that blocked Lightning.

In the end, because he had ignorantly dragged it into a War of Attrition until all those bugs ran out, he was able to take one of the Elder's legs and one of his masterpieces.

Recalling that time, the Dark Elf's reconnaissance this time was incomparably lazy in Edmund's eyes.

[A Mage's Level of Mastery is revealed in their preparedness. Like this, even if you had stabbed your weakened Teacher in the back, you wouldn't have been able to devour him.]

[Your Highness. Shall I Contact the station to Recover the Corpses?]

[Do so. I burned them all completely so no Larvae would remain, but just in case, we must Recover them to be sure.]

Even if a Bug Caster died, if a comrade retrieved the remaining Larvae, they could carry on the lineage of that magic.

Edmund gave the Instruction to his Adjutant, keeping even that in mind.

Thus, the Adjutant left the room to Contact the Knight Order, leaving Edmund alone in the room.

He muttered to himself, words no one else would hear.

"More than you lot think, we are sincere about protecting the sun."

***

The next Morning.

The Car 10 Dining Room of the train was filled with the smell of baking bread.

Outside the window, the plains where the morning mist was clearing flowed by.

Students sat closely at every Dining table and emptied their plates, and in the Passage, Train Attendants went back and forth carrying Coffee pots.

"Did you wake up because of the Lightning last night?"

"Yeah. I woke up too. Is the South usually like this? Lightning striking out of a clear sky?"

"I'm from here, but it does happen sometimes."

"What if we get struck by Lightning while doing our practical training?"

"Huh? Good point?"

The gazes of the students discussing the Lightning turned to one place.

A corner of the Dining Room.

In a reserved seat, Yulian was stirring his Coffee with Sugar added.

The students looking at him nodded their heads.

"Well, wouldn't he somehow save us?"

"They say he's already saved a person who was struck by Lightning, so it'll be fine."

The corners of Yulian's mouth twitched.

He was grateful for the fact that they believed in him to that extent.

It was just as they were peacefully greeting the second Morning like that.

Ding, ding.

The sound of a bell rang twice from the Speaking tube on the ceiling of the passenger car, and a Voice flowed out.

「Announcement. This train will stop at the Kandiba Demonic Realm Entrance Temporary Station. All students of the Hero Department, please disembark and prepare for the Preliminary Evaluation.」

「Once again, an Announcement......」

"Huh? Suddenly?"

The students tilted their heads.

Because none of the students had heard such a thing in advance.

"Could this perhaps be, the Temptation of Black Sorcerers or something......"

Someone even started with the Doubt that this might be an Attack or Trick by Black Sorcerers.

However, as if to deny that prediction, the train gradually slowed its speed.

And the Instructors barged into the Dining Room and shouted.

"This is a real situation! Hurry up and pack your Equipment!"

"Um, Professor, I have a Question!"

"1 point deduction! Didn't I tell you to call me Instructor, not Professor, while the practical training is underway!!"

"Ugh......"

One student spoke, heavily intimidated.

"Um, Instructor. We didn't hear about anything like this, though......"

"In Actual combat, there is no such Announcement either! Do you think the enemy will give advance notice and invade in Actual combat!"

"I'm sorry!"

In short, it was an Evaluation assuming a sudden unexpected situation.

The students immediately returned to their Cabins and packed their Equipment.

Meanwhile, Yulian leisurely sipped his Coffee.

Because he had already been informed a few days ago that this Preliminary Evaluation would take place unannounced.

"Gregor."

"Yes, Lord Saint."

"Has there been any Contact from Car 20?"

At this, Gregor nodded.

"Just a moment ago, they said they have finished preparing the Operating room."

Car 20 of this train had been converted entirely into an Operating room.

Of course, due to the Limit of a train, it was embarrassing to compare it with the Operating room of the Meyer Infirmary.

However, as a Result of Yulian pouring in quite a lot of resources, it was in a state where it didn't pale in comparison to a decent territory's Infirmary.

"Good. I'm just verifying just in case, but Cardinal Wendras will do the Field Triage, and I will only focus on the final treatment, correct?"

"That is correct."

Having just emptied his cup, Yulian raised his body.

"Then let's go."

Please let it be that the students of the Hero Department and the accompanying Soldiers would not have to visit this Operating room,

Especially the children of the Valkyries.

Yulian prayed in his heart as he directed his steps towards the Operating room.