Though the team numbers had been reduced to two, this wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Given that the objective of this mission was to seize something, fewer people meant increased stealth and mobility.
Moreover, the remaining two teams were comprised of top-tier talents, chosen not only for their skill but also for the compatibility of their strengths and the team’s overall dynamics.
“Commander, they say they’ve found it.”
“Okay.”
After 12 hours of effort, they finally found the building presumed to be Evergreen’s base. Now that they had confirmed people were living there, the next step was clear.
“We’ll stay hidden and observe their patterns.”
“Understood.”
The goal was to determine when they would be at their most vulnerable, though there wasn’t much time to spend on this.
“I’ll go in for a bit.”
“Yes, sir.”
Even combining the strength of Teams 1 and 2, I was the best suited for stealth.
I’d infiltrate personally to gather information.
“I’ll cast a spell on you.”
The elite mages and shamans from Team 1 layered spells on me, concealing my presence.
Normally, this type of magic couldn’t be stacked, but as long as the spell patterns didn’t get entangled, it could work.
It was a task that required intense, almost brain-bursting calculations.
“Thanks. I’ll be back in three hours.”
“If… if you don’t return…”
“If that happens, contact Team 5’s commander, Ray Salessin. Leave it to his judgment, but tell him I recommend a retreat.”
“Understood.”
*****
The building presumed to house Evergreen was constructed like a large cathedral.
Surrounding it, even monsters dared not approach, though it wasn’t even the Demon King’s territory.
‘I don’t know how they managed that.’
From that place, the aura of the Winter Blizzard blew strongly.
Perhaps it was because I had experienced the essence of every season except for the spring leaves.
There was also another scent that was particularly strong.
‘The smell of shamans. It’s incredibly thick.’
It wasn’t just one or two shamans; the density of the scent indicated a large group that had stayed for some time.
‘Are there a lot of Force Shamans?’
My guess was confirmed as I observed what lay ahead.
I clung to the ceiling of the cathedral, out of sight.
Just as I had done during my time with the Astrape Special Forces, I erased my presence. The various spells cast by the squad concealed my scent and sound.
Even someone like Ray Salessin, a genius in assassination, wouldn’t easily detect me in this state.
‘Still…’
As I scanned the structure and rooms of the cathedral, I saw quite a number of Evergreen’s followers.
Among them, one out of ten had removed the gem from their forehead, abandoning their identity as shamans.
They were Force Shamans.
‘There’s too many of them…’
Force Shamans, being a race that had given up their identity as shamans for power, were incredibly strong.
The combat prowess of the shamans I had seen so far was on par with the Force Shamans who had previously attacked Epherna.
Engaging them in a fight while three teams were missing would lead to certain failure.
Of course.
‘I don’t plan to let this turn into a frontal assault.’
Now, time to assess the situation.
Planning an operation wasn’t that difficult.
It’s like a strategy simulation game where you efficiently place soldiers, set traps, cause disruption inside the enemy ranks, and do whatever it takes to carry out the mission.
But first, there’s the essential step of making an estimate for the operation.
Should we do this quietly and leave, assume we’ll have to fight, or flip the entire situation upside down?
Before forming a plan, I had to estimate the maximum scale my unit could achieve.
Though real combat comes with countless variables, making an estimate in advance ensures thorough planning.
I generally prefer the first method.
It’s simple—the least sacrifice for the highest efficiency.
However, this mission had a structure that made battle inevitable.
As long as the teams moved in units…
“…”
No.
We don’t have to move in teams.
The more people involved, the higher the chance of being detected.
Right now, I’m undetected because I’m alone. While the elite members of Teams 1 and 5 are excellent at following orders, the issue here isn’t skill.
‘If I find the Winter Blizzard while scouting the cathedral, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to seize it right then and there.’
If I wanted that plan to succeed, I’d need to take quite a few risks, but it still seemed like the best option.
‘…Looks like there’s no choice.’
If we had five teams, I might have considered a direct confrontation.
But since that’s not possible, only two options remain: Either we mobilize the remaining two teams to quietly seize the Winter Blizzard, or I turn the situation upside down by myself.
The first option carries a huge risk. We’d be forced to engage in combat about 70% of the time, and the potential losses would be too great.
Unlike the second option, where I stir up chaos alone.
Above all, I have an ace up my sleeve.
If I use my Domain and prevent anyone around me from using mana, at least I’ll be able to escape on my own.
I should be prepared to sacrifice my life for this.
‘I’ve always done that.’
Not a moment had passed in which I hadn’t been ready to give my life.
Before retiring, and even after.
*****
Is spring finally coming?
Despite it still being the late winter chill, a man stood outside wearing only a single shirt.
With brilliant blonde hair and golden eyes, he was a member of the imperial family—specifically, the emperor’s bloodline, of which there were only two.
“Your Highness!! I told you, you’ll catch a cold if you stay out in this weather!!”
Elius almost instinctively covered his ears at Fiona’s incessant nagging.
“…That oblivious girl.”
How could a servant be so unaware of her lord’s troubles?
Elius was about to let his anger spill over, but instead, he took a deep breath.
“Ahh… Fine, I get it.”
Perhaps it was because he had been seeing her for nearly a year, but he felt it was a waste of energy to get mad over something so trivial.
“I said I’m not that cold.”
“Don’t lie! The water left outside is freezing at this temperature!”
“Don’t judge the imperial body by your standards…”
Members of the imperial family generally do not catch colds easily.
It wasn’t due to some special ability; they just had robust bodies.
Though they might catch a cold if they overexerted themselves, being outside for just ten minutes in the cold wouldn’t cause that.
“Anyway! If you’re going to stay outside, wear this! It’s a warm cotton coat more expensive than my salary!”
“I’m fine. You wear it.”
Elius shot a sidelong glance at Fiona, taking in her entire figure.
How long had she been out here? Her face was flushed, and she was sniffing and sneezing. Her knees were red and shaking.
“If you catch a cold, who’s going to take care of my attendant? Just put it on when I tell you.”
“No way! That’s Your Highness’s coat!”
“I won’t say it again.”
Elius stood up from his chair and walked toward her.
“Raise your arms.”
Fiona’s arms shot up as he took the coat from her.
He used magic to put the warm cotton coat on her and zip it up.
“You’re weak, yet you don’t know how to take care of yourself.”
He turned her around and pushed her back into the terrace.
“Don’t come out until I do. This is an imperial command.”
At the mention of an imperial command, Fiona’s body froze, as she had intended to rush outside.
An imperial command was a direct order from the emperor, and although she didn’t fully grasp its significance, she couldn’t dismiss it as a joke.
“You’re such a fool…”
Elius returned to his seat on the terrace and gazed at the overcast sky filled with gray clouds.
As numerous as the gray clouds, his heart was burdened with unease.
A month ago, the First Prince, Gerard, had risen to the position of one of the seven heroes by vanquishing the Demon King of Winter.
This event solidified his position as a strong candidate for the crown prince, further entrenching his claim.
“I expected this…”
In fact, it was something he had welcomed.
Yet, deep within him, there simmered a burning anxiety.
No, it couldn’t be. It wouldn’t be.
The bond between my brother and me is deeper than anyone else’s; there’s no reason for him to see me as a threat.
As long as I live quietly like this, I’ll be fine.
Surely, that must be the case.
*****
Ah, this isn’t working.
I thought it would.
“Kugh….”
“Hey, the commander is laughing?”
“Let it be. He must be having a good dream.”
It was too disappointing.
It was good that I had identified the location of the Winter Blizzard, and even better that I had meticulously noted the traps and personnel there.
But because of a moment’s carelessness, I ended up attracting attention and getting caught.
I must be getting old.
It’s been four years since I retired.
My combat skills might not have dulled, but my resolve had certainly become blunted.
How shameful it was to be so reckless without even realizing it.
I couldn’t lift my head in embarrassment.
…
Well.
It’s fine.
The rest will be handled by the others.
