Vyres Forest.
Due to the varieties of rare Magical Herbs it contained, the access to Vyres Forest was highly limited. Though "limited access" was only used amongst the members of Philosopher, it was not very far from it in practice.
Due to the law made by the Kingdom, any area inside Braxtein Kingdom wouldn't belong to anyone, which made monopolizing said area or exploiting said area for one's profit was forbidden, before one received an official permission to gain said area from the King.
That means, Philosopher, as the biggest Alchemist Association in Braxtein Kingdom, didn't have any right to utilize Vyres Forest solely for their own profit, even if it was done to help the Kingdom.
They didn't hold ownership over it, nor would they get it someday per the law set by the Kingdom stating that no one could ever hold an ownership over a forest.
Therefore, the reason why not many people entered Vyres Forest—the reason why there was "limited access"—was not because of the restriction put by Philosopher, but the rumour surrounding it that people had come to believe, which was actually spread by Philosopher themselves.
"Deep inside Vyres Forest, a Dragon is sleeping," was the rumour that the people of Philosopher made to keep everyone away from it.
Coincidentally, due to the Magical Herbs that attracted Mana inside, many Magical phenomenon happened around Vyres Forest, which further supported the rumour made by the people of Philosopher.
"To think that everyone can still be easily fooled in this time of age ... Idiots will always exist, huh?"
Of course, no matter how frightening the rumour that surrounded Vyres Forest was, there were still some people—mostly Mages and Knights—still approached it, and even entered it.
Just like the two hooded figures that were already 10 kilometers inside it.
"The fact that they are living with people who can use Magic—who can do weird things—amplify the fear the rumour causes. Even in the Age of Chaos, an existing historical event, it is said that people witnessed Dragons also participated in the Great War."
"It is out of the question, but not impossible ... Is that what they are thinking, Master Blake?"
The two hooded figures who were dare enough to travel deep inside Vyres Forest were no other than the headmaster of Stardust Academy, Senior Spellcaster Blake, and his assistant, Chester Cowdray.
"The unknowns are what we, humans, are afraid of. The rumour which sounds like a lie, but is still possible to be true is frightening ... At least, for the civilians."
Chester hummed to himself, and nodded his head. "It is out of topic, but I still can't believe that you chose me instead of the other professors, Master Blake."
"Is this a protest I am hearing?"
"No, it's an expression of disbelief. I am really honored to be regarded highly by the Battlefield Dem—"
"Don't call me with that name, brat!" Blake waved his hand frantically. "I can't believe many people still call me that way."
"Why not, Master Blake? We are going to a battlefield anyway; you are going to showcase your might as the Battlefield Demon once again!" Chester's eyes lit up, as he pumped his fist in the air.
"Why are you getting excited?"
"How can I not? After all, I will be fighting alongside a legendary figure! An old veteran!"
"I believe being old has nothing to do with being a veteran," Blake swiftly commented.
Chester smiled, and said, "Anyway, I'm really expecting the incoming battle alongside you, Master Blake."
"The incoming battle, huh? It is already happening; we are just joining it late."
Yesterday, an official command from the King was given to the unaffiliated Mages and Knights—the powerful people who rejected the title of Nobility. "Show your loyalty in this battle," was the command given to them. Simple, yet held many meanings.
"Those who defied the command would be considered as a betrayer of the Kingdom," was not written in the command letter given to them, but everyone of them received the message clearly.
They, who were not tied by the responsibility over their territory, were given a responsibility upon receiving the letter. A responsibility to show their loyalty, that is.
"I have ever considered something like a Sacred Ground exists in Braxtein Kingdom but... I can't believe it—they really exist. On top of that, I am going to one of them—Southevile," Chester mused in wonderment.
This Outbreak wasn't a nightmare only to the civilians, but also the unaffiliated Mages and Knights. This Outbreak wasn't just a bad omen to the Kingdom, but also a good omen.
After all, by telling the unaffiliated the existence of the Three Sacred Grounds, the Kingdom had finally tied them with something that was stronger than a responsibility over one's territory: a contract to never let anyone know the Kingdom's biggest secret.
The unaffiliated, who had been no different than Braxtein Kingdom's civilians, were now had their neck held by the Kingdom: if anyone other than them got to know of the Sacred Grounds' existence, they would be the one at fault.
"Tsk. To think they will stoop that low ... Dirty bastards!"
"U-Uwah... Master Blake can curse too." Chester was slightly taken aback.
"Did you think a veteran wouldn't curse? Just so you know, I cursed a lot in my younger days."
"Aha-ha-ha. Glad to know that." Chester scratched the side of his head awkwardly. "Kuhum! I do agree with your opinion on them, Master Blake. To bind people like you that way ... That was equally brilliant and dirty. As expected of politicians."
Blake didn't say anything, as he merely focused on his walk while observing his surrounding. Although he had made sure to suppress his presence as best as he could, it doesn't hurt to make sure they were really not being followed.
"I'm sorry I involved you in this matter, Chester."
"Ah, there is nothing to worry about, Master Blake. As I have said, I'm really honored to be chosen by you."
Blake quirked his eyebrow. "Really? If I were you, I wouldn't be too happy to be told to accompany an old me to a battlefield. Nothing good will happen in a battlefield, after all." Blake sighed in exasperation.
"Do you hate battlefield, Master Blake?"
"No, I hate useless death."
"But, this fight—"
"We are dying for the people who are too lazy to move their arses." Blake stopped in his track, prompting Chester to do the same.
"Our King himself is an Eighth Circle Mage. We even have some supreme Ninth Circle Mages who are hiding somewhere. If those powerful people joined the battle, do you think this Outbreak would last for long?"
"Master Blake—"
"No," Blake shook his head, "it would have even ended right after it started." Staring at Chester seriously from under his hood, Blake put his hand on top of Chester's shoulder. "You are young; I won't blame you, if you decide to return now."
"I'm fine, Master Blake," Chester said surely. "I didn't come with you because I was forced, I came with you because I wanted to. I am already aware about what will happen, and I have readied myself."
Blake silently gazed at Chester's burning eyes, and sighed. "Huuh... Isn't it good to be young?" He patted Chester's shoulder, then started walking once again. "Let's walk a bit more. We will use our Transportation Artefact in one kilometer."
"I'm sure we are being overly cautious." Chester laughed awkwardly. "I believe the others travel to the Three Sacred Grounds by a normal means."
"It doesn't hurt to be careful. We can't be sure that the Kingdom didn't order someone to follow us, and use him to blackmail us someday. It's a matter of life and death, you know?"
"That kind of paranoia reminds me of Basil." Chester sighed. "I wonder what he is doing right now."
"I have a strong feeling that we will meet him again soon, so he must be participating in the battle. Though which battle, I can't tell."
"But, there is only one battle so far, Master Blake. Raneil Barony is already ... It's better to leave it aside."
Blake hummed to himself. "I wonder ... How do the Eight Legions of Royal Army fare against the Monsters in Ruttenhale Barony?" Though he said that, he could somehow picture how bad it was.
...
Army Camp, Ruttenhale Barony.
Bang!
Everyone was startled by the Seventh Legion's Vice Commander who had split the long table they were using for the meeting in two. They, too, were just as mad as him, but none of them had expected the usually calm Voice Commander to explode.
p
The Seventh Legion's Vice Commander clenched his fist so hard, he didn't know what to do with it. On the one hand, he knew he could do nothing about, but on the other hand, he couldn't bring himself to let everything the way it was—he was conflicted.
"Our Commanders ... Our Commanders died by their hands—our strong Commanders! What can a bunch of snotty brats that happened to be Sixth Circle Mages do against that kind of abomination?!"
"Enough, Vice Commander Klein!" The Fourth Legion's Vice Commander, who had silently watched Klein's rant, stood from her seat. "Badmouthing someone from Royal Family is punishable by law. I know you are mad, but watch your mouth."
Klein turned at the blond haired woman, and silently stared at her. "Are you fine with this, Nathalie? Your sister also died by that human-like Monster ... Do you think sending the inexperienced five princes is a good choice to end this Outbreak?"
"It's a waste of time and resources."
"Then—"
"But, we could do nothing about it. We are nothing but pawns—a bunch of glorified pawns. If the King tells us to die, we have to die. If the King tells us to fight, we have to fight. Following his order is the only thing we can do."
Klein put his hand on the side of his head, and laughed humorlessly. He sat himself slowly, while still staring at Nathalie in disbelief. "We are fighting a losing battle, Nathalie. This is not a battle that we can win with a mere determination."
"That's the harsh truth of being a part of the Royal Army ... Just accept it."
Klein gritted his teeth, and looked like he was about to explode. "Fuck..." But in the end, he could only curse lowly to himself.
The other Vice Commanders, who had watched the two's exchange, shook their head and smiled bitterly. Though they knew something like this would happen to them, they still couldn't accept it when it really happened.
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