NOVEL WEB Chapter 38
“Next, we will start the group mock battle!”
Thud!
Various terrains like trees and rocks appear in the arena.
The court wizards use teleportation magic to bring in the pre-prepared terrain.
Since they can only bring nearby objects, it’s a different principle from teleportation, making it an easier spell.
“I thought we’ll have a one-on-one in an open field, but with the terrain, strategies will come into play.”
Tanya suggested while looking around the arena, which had transformed into a forest.
I had just come down to the waiting room with Acella to check on the knights participating in the mock battle.
Acella looked at the knights and commanded,
“The overall command will be taken by the commander as practiced. Let’s actively make use of Tanya in the lead.”
“Understood.”
There are a total of 140 knights gathered in front of us.
The 1st company of the 2nd regiment will participate today under the Moonlight Palace as per the contract.
I spoke to the commander,
“Commander, you remember the contract details, right? If there’s so much as a hint of moving under Togin Palace’s influence, things will get troublesome.”
“Ha, come now. Don’t drain the enthusiasm before we even start. We have received training from the teacher; surely we wouldn’t do something that despicable?”
The knights of the 1st company were energetically loosening up.
Thanks to the aspirin I gave them, they’ve been healthy for the past few days.
“Just watch. We’ll show our skills.”
“Alright. Let’s have our knights listen well.”
I patted his shoulder to encourage him.
I figured there wasn’t much to worry about after all.
“140 knights are still a bit short compared to other factions.”
Other factions field about 200 knights each.
With all factions battling simultaneously, a chaotic melee is expected.
There aren’t many potions left, so I can’t distribute them to everyone.
“I think this will suffice.”
In situations like this, I prefer to be efficiently straightforward.
I pulled a book from my pocket.
“Ooh, is that a sacred text?”
“No, it’s a novel. I was recommended it, and I’ve been reading it in my spare time; it’s quite fun.”
It’s the romance novel Lau was talking about.
Even if it’s not a holy book, I can still manage to look like I’m praying while holding it.
“Aah, let whatever goddess it is hear this.”
As I recited the prayer, radiant divine power shone from my body.
“May strength settle within their bodies, amen.”
As I finished casting, the ground sparkled, and a light enveloped the knights.
“Is that a blessing?”
“This feeling… I feel much stronger!”
The knights cheered, bouncing around excitedly.
I cast a blessing of strength, thinking they would appreciate reinforced muscles since they’re hardworking friends.
In return, my divine power was drained.
It doesn’t matter; I rarely need to use holy spells anyway.
“To use such a large-scale blessing, you truly are the attending physician from the Inner Palace!”
The commander exclaimed, flexing his well-developed biceps.
“Normally, I would charge for that.”
“Haha, if a war breaks out, I’d gladly pay anything to stay close to the teacher. I thought the teacher didn’t use healing spells.”
“Why can’t I use healing spells? There are probably fewer healers in the Inner Palace than I.”
“That’s true, you don’t really need to use them with your superior skills.”
“Exactly. Don’t spread false rumors.”
“Hey, I’m not the one spreading them!”
The commander protested, stretching his neck in indignation.
I was just joking, but does the rumor really exist?
Who came up with that?
“Royal Princess, the order to participate.”
The leader of the Moonlight Palace approached the crowd, arm raised vertically across his chest as he bowed.
Acella raised his chin in a commanding way and ordered with authority,
“Achieve victory.”
“Yes!”
The knights rushed out to the arena in a flurry.
Clank, clank!
The sound of their armor filled the air.
After watching them leave, I turned back toward the stands with Acella.
Along the way, she spoke to me.
“Prince, you’re also good at healing spells. This is my first time seeing a blessing spell in action.”
“Oh, I see.”
“…Could it be you’re not using healing spells because of me?”
No, I’m just sick of it.
Why don’t you roll around as a shuttle for healing spells in the hero party every single day? Wouldn’t you want to use it more?
I’ve only had the experience of dying while using it.
Though the conditions were extreme and disadvantageous at the time.
Using healing spells makes me feel like I’m actually in that situation.
Definitely not fond memories. I don’t really want to think about them.
But I found Acella’s question an excellent excuse.
“Exactly as you said. I am your Royal Highness’s attending physician. Techniques unnecessary for you will also be unnecessary for me. I will never have enough time to master healing techniques exclusive for you throughout my life.”
“I understand now.”
Acella listened to my answer with a calm expression.
Thanks to that, I gained a good excuse for myself.
Next after this battle is the magic tournament. Acella plans to participate herself.
Now that I think about it, I wonder if Seymour won’t show up. He hasn’t shown his face all day; he might not have come to the martial arts tournament at all.
I wonder if Acella would know.
“Your Highness, I have a question.”
“……”
I sensed some hesitation from Acella as she didn’t respond.
“Your Highness?”
“Ah, yes?”
It took me calling her a second time before Acella seemed to realize I was addressing her and turned her head in surprise.
“Will the sage not be coming today?”
“Um, no… he hasn’t come… Huh.”
Wait, did Acella just misuse an honorific?
She took a deep breath and returned to her usual expression, then shot me an annoyed glare.
“How dare you ask me such a trivial question while I’m deep in thought?”
“I apologize for my life’s mistake.”
Seeing her look upset, I quickly lowered my head to show respect.
…But there was no response coming back.
Did I cross a dangerous river and tense up when Acella’s calm voice seeped into my ears?
“Raise your head.”
“Will you forgive me? I won’t be executed, will I?”
“No, not if you die.”
Acella muttered as if going back into her thoughts, and I didn’t catch what came after.
“…I will never find someone to fix you again.”
*
“Now, pay close attention. This is the majestic might of the Togin Palace knight order! Each piece of armor is made of thorium material crafted by dwarf artisans. There are a whopping 200 of them! Naturally, the last ones standing will be us!”
Georg, boasting while seated arrogantly in the stands, declared with confidence.
It was evident that his knight order, including the 2nd regiment from the southern barracks, was filled with spirit.
“Brother, are you going to get your nose broken again? Our knights from the Gold Palace are strong too, you know?”
“The epidemic hasn’t even healed yet, and they’re already limping into the arena. Meanwhile, our knights were specially managed by the Inner Palace.”
“What a coward.”
“Haha, it’s a battle to see how much of their ability can be used from the preparation stage. His Majesty values the influence within the palace highly.”
Georg was indeed speaking the truth.
The knights’ condition, including their armor, reflects the skill of the faction leader.
“Falkenhayn! This time it’s definitely going to work!”
Georg barked, and Falkenhayn stepped up to respond.
“Yes, Your Highness. The knights are thoroughly managed and in perfect condition.”
“Good.”
With a great boom, the battle commenced.
The knights’ cheers soared high into the sky, threatening to pierce the clouds.
There were over a thousand knights entering the arena.
Each faction must start from the stage and cross the rugged terrain to strike the enemy.
‘Indeed, there’s no chance to win in a direct confrontation with Georg’s knight order.’
The difference made by wealth and background cannot be bridged solely by skill.
Weapons may be standardized for non-lethal use, but even so, injuries still occur when struck.
The level differences in armor greatly correlate with battle endurance.
Moreover, we’re hastily using the 1st company, making it difficult to gain a tactical advantage.
No matter how strong Tanya is, ultimately she is just one person.
‘That’s why we need Lau.’
Boom!
Dust rose in the distance. The sound of dozens of shields colliding echoed like a drum beat, adding excitement to the scene.
The serious competition had begun.
The formation quickly broke apart, and knights started falling in skirmishes.
“What’s going on? That unit…!”
Georg gritted his teeth as he confirmed the banner with binoculars.
His banner was rolling on the ground from the very first skirmish.
“Lau, isn’t that your unit? Why are you launching a preemptive strike on my knights?”
Lau stifled a giggle, covering her mouth, looking at the frustrated Georg.
“It’s still a time for reconnaissance. If we charge mindlessly, we’ll never win!”
“I don’t need to win! The festival is fun as long as it’s enjoyable. Brother, just sit back and enjoy.”
Watching Lau act so brazenly made Georg exhale in disbelief.
“That’s obviously a malicious attack!”
“Why? I’m making my strategy work.”
“What part of that looks strategic?”
It was understandable why Georg was frustrated.
Lau’s knights were charging forward without even wielding weapons, just carrying large orc barrels.
Inside the barrels was sticky slime slime.
It has no real effect. Getting it poured on you just feels unpleasant.
Georg’s knights were flustered and lost their formation.
“What are these fools! They’re just rushing in!”
“Get away! Clear off the sticky stuff!”
Lau’s knights clung to them like zombies, lathering them with slime.
“You guys, cough, you’re the only ones benefitting from the healing… you sneaky bastards!”
“We’ve been boiling with fever and were dragged here! I’ll pass the epidemic over to you!”
Honor has disappeared, replaced by a drunken brawl scene.
The Emperor laughed heartily as he watched them.
The laughter wasn’t one of admiration for Georg; it was something else entirely.
“My knight order!! Why are you doing this to me, Lau? What grudge do you hold?”
“Don’t you remember stealing the cake from me last month? You don’t even recall?”
“The cake? You ruined this important martial arts tournament over cake?”
“It was a rare cake made in limited quantities by a famous patissier from the kingdom! Twenty pieces a day!”
“Even imported from an enemy country! Unbelievable.”
Georg cradled his head in his hands as if suffering a headache, collapsing onto his chair.
He scanned the battlefield.
The Moonlight Palace knights were steadily capturing high ground, minimizing power loss while avoiding other factions.
Tanya was taking down enemy troops like autumn leaves falling from trees.
At this pace, they might achieve quite decent results.
I approached Acella to start a conversation.
“Your Highness, it seems the 2nd prince is suffering from a headache.”
“Indeed.”
“Shall I lend him some aspirin?”
My joke made Acella giggle.