NOVEL WEB Chapter 40 - Hunt (1)
20. Hunt (1)
The first battle of the Allied Forces ended in a complete victory.
They had either killed all the enemies or captured them alive, and the casualties on the Alliance side were minimal, mostly limited to the soldiers of Briol’s vanguard.
“This was all thanks to my magic!”
Marirose declared, sitting comfortably on a sofa, writing a letter to be sent to the Empire about the recent battle.
“And the Prince of Briol played a significant role too,” she hummed a tune.
The third prince of Briol had charged alone into the enemy lines, breaking through their formation.
It was a spectacular sight, too precious to behold alone.
Following him, the knights of Briol had desperately chased, completely collapsing the enemy lines dissected by the third prince.
Marirose had witnessed it all.
That’s why she could confidently say, “That prince is no ordinary human.”
While not well-versed in war tactics, she had studied the impact one human could have on the manifested world as a mage.
Exaggeratedly speaking, that prince alone had reversed the outcome of the war.
Had another been at the forefront, the casualties would have been much higher, even in victory.
“Indeed, he’s no ordinary human,” came a familiar voice unexpectedly, startling Marirose as she turned around.
“What is it?”
“I came to say hello.”
“I didn’t invite you.”
“That’s why I came this way.!”
Hernando was leaning against the window, looking outside.
Marirose threw her pen in exasperation. Instantly, books from the shelf flowed out as if alive to shield Hernando. The pen tip embedded itself into the leather cover.
“My book!”
“Why did you throw it all of a sudden?”
“Sigh…!”
Marirose sighed as the pen returned to her hand.
“What do you want?”
“I came to say hello, as I mentioned.”
“I have no greeting to give.”
Hernando walked over and sat across from Marirose.
“It’s been a while. Nice to see you.”
“Indeed, a while, but not nice.”
“How is it being the Mage Lord?”
“It’s good!”
Marirose replied, tapping the armrest of her sofa.
The intricately carved wooden face of an eagle gleamed with a gem set in its eye.
“Because I can live richly.”
“Isn’t it dull?”
“Not at all. Being in the tower is much more tedious and troublesome. Of course, you wouldn’t have noticed, busy wandering around as you were.”
“Me?”
“What else should I say?”
“Master?”
Marirose scoffed.
“What kind of master leaves right after becoming the Grand Wizard?”
“I’m sorry about that.”
“You have no idea how hard it was in the Mate Tower after you disappeared. With my backer gone, everyone’s attitude changed completely. Sigh…!”
Marirose sighed as she recounted her woes.
“Mages generally grow up alone.”
“What are you saying?”
“That’s why you found a new master.”
“That was by my doing. My acumen and your irresponsibility are different stories.”
“Logical enough!”
Hernando gazed briefly at the letter Marirose was working on, detailing the battles of the Allied Force. The recipient was the Imperial Court Mage.
“Can I see it?”
“You already did. There’s nothing special. Unless you think I’m some sort of spy.”
Hernando skimmed through the letter, which was filled with tales of her and Yuri’s heroics, but barely any actual battle descriptions.
After reading a few lines, he discarded the letter.
Marirose sank into the sofa, raising her chin.
“So, are you now following the third prince instead of the king?”
“Yes.”
“I suppose the prince’s fate is interesting to you?”
“It sure is.”
“How much so?”
“Well…”
Hernando hadn’t shared with anyone that Yuri Briol was destined to overturn the divine mandate. A smile crossed his face as he thought of Yuri.
“I should keep watching. That’s why I’m following him.”
“Indeed, I can’t help but keep glancing at him too.”
“Because of his looks?”
“And his actions are endearing!”
Marirose grinned, her eyes narrowing with amusement.
“If only I could leave Balshad, I’d follow too.”
The magical defensive formation protecting Balshad was sustained solely by the Mage Lord’s mana.
Although there were times when she left secretly, in a time of war like this, she had to stay.
“Indeed.”
“Are you worried I might entice him?”
“Well…”
Hernando shook his head.
“Even for you, it won’t be easy. That guy…”
Hernando recalled Yuri, who professed he had no interest in love. His eyes were like a lone wanderer walking a flower-filled path teeming with lovers, yet remaining solitary.
Lone wolves recognize each other.
“He reminds me of my younger days…!”
Hernando mused.
“What did you say?”
“Anyhow,” switching topics, he asked Marirose, “How is the research coming along?”
She stared at Hernando as if wanting to retort but held back. “Is it a question I shouldn’t ask?”
“Not really, more like it’s brazen.”
Mages strive intending to become the Grand Wizard. Marirose had inherited her master’s pursuit of magic.
“Tatago always believed you’d complete that magic one day.”
“Of course. I’ll do it, though it might only be a part of it.”
In place of the vanished Hernando, Marirose had taken a new master, a mage named Tatago. He was a figure all mages respected and what he pursued was the epitome of every mage’s aspiration: the Absolute Analysis Method.
However, it’s a nearly ideal goal. Perhaps an unattainable realm forever forbidden to humans, akin to dreaming.
Instead of the Absolute Analysis Method, Marirose was researching a derivative kind of magic using its results.
“The Transcendental Interpretation Method shows some achievement.”
It was magic that connected meanings so any language could be understood. In Valshad’s underground lay countless ancient books written in old languages.
Completing the transcendental interpretation formula would allow her to research these texts and resurrect ancient magic.
“It’s not complete yet, but I know the ancient kingdom’s magic was immensely advanced. That’s all for now. I’m still researching.”
“Tell me more later.”
“Why should I?”
“Then I’ll tell you why I’m following Yuri.”
“Ahh…”
“About his divine mandate, too.”
“Isn’t that a heavenly secret?”
“It can be evaded.”
“Sure, sounds interesting.”
Hernando stood up from his seat.
“I’ll stop by after the Allied Forces’ battle ends.”
“Bring the prince with you too.”
“I will.”
He turned to leave but paused, looking back at Marirose.
“Marirose.”
“Yes?”
“I’m sorry for leaving abruptly back then.”
Her eyes widened in surprise.
“You apologized.”
“Time does pass.”
“For ‘Arrogant Hernando’ to become like this, perhaps fate is indeed terrifying.”
Hernando chuckled lowly. She was right. Having awakened to the divination-honing method, he realized how insignificant a human is.
Perhaps that’s why he was following Yuri.
“Don’t forget the rules of the tower.”
“Of course.”
Hernando rose from his seat.
“See you.”
He vanished just as suddenly as he’d arrived. When Marirose attempted to trace him, she found no traces remaining. She retracted her dispersed mana and muttered to herself.
“He is remarkable…”
Hernando was a genius. There was no doubt. Otherwise, he couldn’t have become a Grand Wizard at such a young age.
The sages of the tower worried about Hernando’s early achievement, fearing that should he harbor other intentions, it could plunge the world into chaos.
Therefore, they emphasized the tower’s regulations to him.
“The Grand Wizard does not interfere in human history.”
The magic Hernando outwardly used was but a fraction. What he could do was beyond ordinary comprehension. Nevertheless, that power could not be exercised.
“But, you know…”
What if a threat to the life of the third prince he followed were to arise?
Saving a royal’s life would undoubtedly be an act that disrupts history in contravention of the rules.
“It’s certainly intriguing.”
“Where’s Hernando?”
“He said he had some business to attend to, then disappeared.”
“Is it constipation?”
The Allied Forces marched east, leaving Balshad behind. It was now completely orc territory. At any time, from anywhere, a surprise attack could occur.
The entire Allied Forces was on high alert. Suddenly, an imperial messenger on horseback approached Yuri.
“Your Highness, Prince!”
“What is it?”
“The Grand Prince summons you. He wishes to discuss something.”
“Alright.”
The Allied Forcce, with the Empire at its core, was advancing with Briol at the forefront.
“Go on. Raymond, you’re in charge.”
“Yes.”
Yuri, along with the messenger, headed towards the Empire’s camp.
Ragna, mounted on a massive warhorse, was accompanied by his escort. Clad in black armor, they emanated an oppressive aura. When Yuri appeared, their eyes were fixed on him.
“You’ve arrived.”
“Yes.”
Yuri paid his respects.
“Come closer.”
Ragna had the guards fall back, allowing Yuri to approach him.
“There was an attack on the rear.”
“Is that so?”
“Though we managed to repel it, everyone is on edge. At this rate, we’ll exhaust our stamina.”
“Indeed.”
“So, we’re planning to detach a specific force…”
Ragna suggested creating a special unit dedicated to reconnoitering the area, all while maintaining the formation of the entire Allied Forces.
“You mean like a standby unit.”
“Correct. The lack of cooperation is causing disarray in response.”
“If that’s the case, the reason for summoning me is…”
With a smile, Ragna placed his hand on Yuri’s shoulder.
“Guess why.”
He intended to entrust the task to him, a gesture of favor.
“Understood.”
Yuri nodded. Gaining Ragna’s favor would only benefit him in leading the Allied Forces to victory over Okuah and should he gain his trust, it would facilitate their mission.
Just then, an aide following them spoke up.
“Your Highness, doing so might raise doubts about fairness.”
“Is that so?”
“Nations are willing to assist. At least conduct a discussion…”
“Who said they’d be appointed?”
“Your Highness.”
“Exhausting. This is why I avoided alliances. When all these self-important folks gather, this happens.”
Ragna shrugged towards Yuri.
He was quite fond of Yuri. The charge Yuri executed in the last battle was an action he appreciated. Ragna stroked his horse’s mane, deep in thought.
“What should we do…”
“How about having the volunteers compete?”
“Do they think they’ve come for a game? Our march would be delayed. And we can’t select them purely through dueling. They need to understand war is different from mere swordplay.”
“Then how should we proceed?”
“Hmm…”
Ragna smiled meaningfully.
“Here’s what we’ll do. We plan to organize a separate force, so if a nation wants to participate, they should come with knights. Limit the number to thirty or less.”
As soon as his words were spoken, an imperial messenger relayed Ragna’s instructions to the entire Allied Forces. It was a matter of national pride. Every nation participated.
Knights gathered in groups, causing a commotion within the imperial ranks. Ragna addressed them.
“The time limit is before sunset. Search the surroundings and find orcs, cut off their right ear, and bring it back. The nation with the most yields will be given the chance.”
Yuri thought it quite a sensible proposition.
Executing this task required tracking techniques to find orc traces, knightly organizational skills, and practical combat ability—all diverse capabilities. Merely having exceptional individual martial prowess wouldn’t guarantee success.
“Then let’s begin!”
Ragna announced.
However, no knights rushed immediately. Most stayed in place, discussing their strategies.
Yuri turned to observe the group of knights. Excluding Raymond, who would represent his position, Yuri had selected skilled knights from Briol to accompany him. What opinions did they have?
“Your Highness, what shall we do?”
“We will follow your lead, Your Highness.”
“Don’t worry about our opinions.”
“No need for discussion, just issue your orders.”
“…”
Not particularly helpful, but they would dutifully carry out assigned tasks.
“Alright.”
Yuri took hold of the reins.
“Let’s go!”
And he spurred his horse forward immediately.
The knights followed without a word of objection.
Thus, Briol was the first to take action.
As their distant image faded from view, knights from other nations began urging their horses into motion one by one.
Ragna watched the scene unfold, bursting into laughter.
“Does Yuri know something, taking such actions?”
The aide shook his head.
“Tracking and assault are different from wielding a blade. The Third Prince of Briol lacks experience, and I doubt he will achieve good results.”
“Does it seem that way?”
Ragna continued to laugh while riding his horse.
“If he showcases something again this time, I might grow fond of him.”
“You already do, it seems.”
“Not quite yet.”
Thinking something over, he added, “Dispatch our knights an hour later. The Empire can’t simply sit idle.”