In general, one is less than two, and two is less than three.
There are more than dozens of ways to create variables, including Team 1 and Team 5, so isn’t it a waste to make a decision after just a few minutes of contemplation, considering the talent pool we have worked so hard to select?
“Kill him-!!”
Two Force Shamans guarding the iron bars lunged at me with their swords.
I immediately activated my Magic Awakening ability.
The balance of the Force Shamans, who had reinforced their bodies with mana, was momentarily disrupted, and at that instant, I released the mana-blocking handcuffs and deactivated my ability.
Suddenly unable to handle the surge of mana that returned to them, the Force Shamans lost their balance once again. Seizing the large gap, I snapped their necks.
Crack-!!
*****
“No matter how I think about it, the commander is crazy….”
Ray ignited the mana bomb in his hand and commanded.
“Ah, can you hear me? This is Ray Salessin, temporarily assuming the role of commander. You must be busy, so no need to reply. The sound of the explosion ringing in the receiver is enough of an answer.”
“You probably heard it a moment ago, but we have one mission to carry out. And it’s crystal clear.”
Fizzle-!
As I gently dropped the mana bomb, which had almost ignited at the tip,
Boom-!!
With the falling debris of stone, a large hole formed in the cathedral’s roof.
“We will use all available means of attack and then retreat. If there’s even a hint of getting caught, make sure to run away.”
A moment ago, Ray received a signal from Ern, who went to scout the cathedral.
He was using the communication method he employed during his time in the Astrape Special Forces. It’s a way to transmit messages by illuminating mana in a specific pattern.
“What kind of madman still remembers a method used ten years ago….”
It’s true that he remembered it, but if he hadn’t, what would he have done?
Because there’s a communication device called a receiver, the method for using the signals wasn’t discussed in advance.
However, in other words, it meant there was that much trust.
“To all members, we are slowly retreating. Oh, of course, don’t spare those we can kill; eliminate them.”
Ray was not a cold-hearted man who couldn’t respond to that trust.
“It’s been a while since I’ve had such a dangerous job.”
Ray stepped lightly on the ground and faced a throng of believers along with a single Force Shaman.
The silver staff that gently descended from his sleeve reflected light and shone brightly.
“Lately… there hasn’t been much crisis!”
Whoosh-!
As he lightly waved his hand, the empowered silver staff whirled violently. Although sharp, it seemed impossible for the skin of the strong ones who had mastered mana to be pierced by that silver.
Slash-!!
The swords and spears of the believers trying to strike down the silver were shattered, even their enhanced bodies.
But.
“Oh? There’s a sturdy one in the middle?”
One Force Shaman maintained his position in the very center.
His skin was tougher and more resilient than steel, and the silver staff couldn’t easily cut through him.
“…Should I just run away?”
The primary mission had been accomplished.
They had detonated a plethora of mana bombs in the cathedral, which the believers cherished, and lured some of their forces away.
If he just fled while buying time, Ern would take care of the Winter Blizzard heist.
“…It’s a bit annoying to leave it like that.”
Suddenly, memories of the past surged up.
When Ern was occupying the position of the Astrape Special Forces Commander, Ray was assisting him as the Vice Commander.
The principles he established for the Special Forces were simple.
Survive on your own.
There were no explanations regarding the resolve for the mission.
After all, if you failed to complete the mission, you’d be dead, right?
Stick to your judgment, the one you all understand best.
Ray didn’t like that.
‘How could he throw himself into danger at the forefront?’
How did Ern become the Special Forces Commander at the age of twenty?
How could he become one of the Seven Heroes before even turning thirty?
Overwhelming talent? Steady effort?
Both statements are true, but that is the thought of someone who knows one thing but not the other.
A person becomes stronger when faced with the threat of death. Their potential explodes.
Since his trainee days, Ern had consistently thrown himself into life-and-death situations.
Even after becoming a Special Forces member, and later a commander, he grew by facing death head-on while subjugating the Demon King.
And that made Ray envious.
“You will die by my hand here.”
The current commander of the Astrape Special Forces.
Ray Salessin.
His principles were no different from Ern’s.
Though he didn’t like it.
*****
As I stealthily exited the prison, the air was filled with the loud cries of the believers.
“Protect the eastern gate!”
“There are no traces! How could this be…!!”
“The third squad that went to track the enemy has not returned!”
Looks like Ray is doing well.
By the way, the third squad.
The existence of such a position suggests that it’s an organized structure.
I didn’t think it wasn’t there, but given that each rank wears different clothes, it seems quite thorough.
‘With their good skin, they must be living well.’
It seems they’ve received quite a bit of support in this extreme environment.
Who could have supported them?
– The answer to that question is all too clear.
The Second Prince.
Who else in this continent could provide the Winter Blizzard and the support necessary for survival in a closed sector?
‘Why on earth is he doing this?’
Of course, there must be a reason.
The Second Prince, as I have seen so far, is not an objectively insane psychopath.
So it raises more questions.
‘What could have happened?’
What event from the past could have led the Second Prince, who is neither a saint nor a tyrant, to make such an extreme choice?
*****
“Ugh~, I will endure the rudeness and sit for a moment. My back aches every time I stand as I get older.”
“…”
Blood trickled down Elius’s lips.
“Your eyes are shining. It won’t work on me, so stop it.”
“…”
“I’m telling you it won’t do any good. If you look into my mind, you won’t be able to handle it.”
Elius closed his eyes.
It was frustrating, but he was right.
“How… can a human hold so much information at all times?”
“It’s not a great feat. When you live long enough, thoughts naturally accumulate.”
“I have no intention of accepting such a trivial proposal.”
“I know. I just came to tell you to be aware.”
And.
“This may be an old man’s meddling, but… you should be careful.”
“Careful of what?”
“The world is quite dangerous these days. In times like this, the lives of rulers like you are often at risk.”
“If you keep talking nonsense, I will cut out your tongue.”
I have no wishes for Elius.
Even if I did, it would be the same.
“Do you think there’s no cost to fulfilling wishes?”
“You, being royalty, should know. There is exactly one method in this world.”
“Those are just rumors.”
“A mere rumor wouldn’t be passed down through the royal family for generations.”
“No. It’s just a rumor. I call impossible wishes rumors.”
“Haha.”
The old man leaned back against the chair and chuckled.
His resolve is firmer than I expected.
It’s common yet rare for a human to possess such eyes.
Someone who has either already gained everything or is satisfied with what they have.
“You possess beautiful eyes, despite not having everything.”
“……?”
“That’s not an insult. It’s rather close to a compliment.”
Love.
It always seems to be the problem.
To anyone, love is truly a poison.
“More than that, you think it’s impossible to gather the essence of the four together.”
“I have no intention of ruining the nation.”
“I understand. Then let’s conclude today’s conversation here.”
Can I catch them?
Elius looked at the Force Shaman standing beside the old man.
An enemy that cannot be subdued with just one or two soldiers.
However, there are knight orders stationed within the imperial palace, and they are currently waiting outside the palace to capture the audacious traitor who dared to invade the prince’s residence.
“I don’t want to increase unnecessary sacrifices.”
“…Indeed.”
But Elius decided to quietly cover up this incident.
He felt no hint of anxiety or vigilance from the old man before him.
Whether that was a facade or if he was confident he wouldn’t get caught, he couldn’t tell.
‘It’s dangerous.’
At this moment, he had a bad feeling that he shouldn’t provoke him.
“Well then, I shall take my leave.”
As the old man leaned on his staff to finally stand up, his companion activated a spell.
It was teleportation. Not a short-distance one, but a long-distance one.
A massive flow of mana enveloped him.
Elius instinctively felt that his judgment was correct.
If he had miscalculated, it could have resulted in the complete annihilation of all the attendants in the palace, including himself, due to that overwhelming power.
‘Is he even human?’
He was using the Shaman’s magic formula.
Elius naturally realized his true identity.
‘Force Shaman.’
Shamans who had given up their humanity solely for power.
While their strength might not reach the pinnacle, each individual is extremely powerful.
As the old man and the man vanished,
“…This is maddening.”
Elius ruffled his blonde hair and let out a deep breath.
Another cancerous tumor that needed to be removed had emerged in this empire.
How should he deal with this…
Boom-!!
“Your Highness—!! Don’t worry! I’ll kill them all… Huh?”
And how should he deal with this?
Elius began to put his head in his hands, overwhelmed.
