Chapter 28
Five days later, a Monster subjugation notice was posted on the bulletin board of the Military Academy's main building. This year's subjugation target area was White Raven Gorge in the northern part of the continent.
The Azure Knights moved to subjugate Monsters when a request came in. Depending on the content of the request and the scale of the Monster, they would select and dispatch Giosa Owners, formal knights, Associate Knights, and cadets who would serve as temporary Squires.
However, every spring, regardless of requests, Azure would select and subjugate areas where Monsters were particularly rampant, especially areas that other countries found difficult to handle.
It was a duty performed as a group that guarded the Giosa and descendants of the apostles who served the Divine Sword, but there were also considerable practical benefits. It was a way to advertise how strong the Azure Knights were.
Monsters arose naturally and increased through reproduction. There were many discussions about the process of their emergence, but such academic discussions were the job of the white-haired sages of the Magic Tower. Ordinary people only knew that Monsters increased near places where ominous or gruesome events occurred.
Once Monsters appeared, they reproduced at a rate that could not be compared to ordinary animals, and their numbers rapidly increased. The ecology differed depending on the type of Monster, but in most cases, they formed colonies and attacked the surrounding humans.
White Raven Gorge was a battlefield around the summer of the previous year. Located near the border of the northern small kingdoms, the gorge was used for ambush operations and became the tomb of many soldiers.
A battlefield where many people died soon became a den of large-scale Monsters. White Raven Gorge was no exception.
The captain of the royal guard, three Giosa Owners, about 20 formal knights who were all Masters, about 70 Associate Knights, eight Squires, 30 upperclassmen Military Cadets accompanying as temporary Squires, and the top three freshmen. Even though the absolute number was small compared to the military, the scale of their military power was enough to rival a small country, and this many people were to be mobilized for this subjugation.
"The scale is larger than usual?"
"The state of White Raven Gorge must be very bad."
"The vice-captain of the royal guard said they increased the mobilization scale. There's a rumor that it was the captain of the royal guard's order."
"They increased the scale, but why is the number of Military Cadets the same as last year?"
"Because it's dangerous. If there are many cadets, the number of people to protect also increases."
"Looking at the personnel, we're going to be doing a lot of hard labor this year. How many Associate Knights do we have to assist per cadet?"
"So, you don't want to go? If you don't want to, I'll go in your place."
"Are you crazy? Pass up such a good opportunity."
The cadets gathered in front of the bulletin board and buzzed with conversation. Eki, who was coming out of the communal dining hall after finishing her meal, saw it too. The names of the three freshmen were clearly written at the bottom of the notice.
Ekinesia Roaz, Alice Winterbell, Mikhail von Fran Almary.
Ekinesia was the only one among the cadets who ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the freshman ranking match to maintain her ranking. Eki looked up at Alice, who had eaten with her, with a questioning gaze.
"...You said you weren't paying attention to the rankings and would focus on honing your sword for the time being, Alice?"
"I had a duel with the cadet who was ranked 2nd two days ago. I didn't want to miss the opportunity to gain practical experience."
Alice replied nonchalantly. Eki let out a hollow laugh. In fact, she didn't want Alice to participate in the subjugation. This Monster subjugation would be quite dangerous. She checked the names she knew on the notice.
'Squire Baraha Islaff. He's participating as expected. Ah, Fatima-senpai is also there. And there's also a name that I'm not very happy to see.'
Ian Pelletro's name was also on the list. Bread von Poum was not. Only the top 30 from the 2nd and 3rd grades participated, so it was natural that he, who lacked skill, was not there. Eki looked at the names she knew with sunken eyes.
[Master, let's kill Ian slyly during the Monster subjugation. It'll be chaotic, so we won't get caught, and we can taste blood, get rid of something annoying, and relieve some of our murderous intent. How about it? Good idea, right?]
The Demon Sword whispered. Eki ignored the words. No matter how trashy he was, she had no intention of killing someone as a way to vent her anger when he hadn't committed a crime yet. If she started doing that once, she might become tainted by the Demon Sword again. She didn't want to kill people if she could help it.
'More than that... I have to watch.'
She would watch the people she knew, including Baraha Islaff. So that no one would die or get hurt.
And also, she had to watch how the Giosa Owners acted.
'Dietrich Sarua was still an Associate Knight. He'll become a Giosa Owner within three years, but he's not a Giosa Owner now.'
The red-haired man did not have a Giosa. Then the remaining Giosa Owners were three.
'Baron Tillius, Teresa von Fran Almary. And... Yuriene.'
She hoped to find out during this Monster subjugation if any of the three remembered the erased past. And Yuriene... please don't remember.
Eki prayed like that and left the front of the notice.
The departure was on May 10th, nine days from now.
Act 4. The Incomprehensible and the Certain
Divine Era 1629, May 10th, the Azure Knights dispatched a Monster subjugation force to White Raven Gorge in the north.
They traveled to near the gorge by Mana train. Azure rented an entire train car. After arriving at the nearest station, they headed to the gorge using horses and carriages.
It was late evening on May 12th, two days after departure, when the subjugation force arrived at the entrance of White Raven Gorge and began setting up tents for the base camp.
All Military Cadets except the Squires were assigned knights to assist. The freshmen Alice and Mikhail were in charge of three Associate Knights each. And Ekinesia's charge was just one person.
"After all, you only have eight days left in your probationary period. It's only natural."
Baraha approached and snatched the bag that Eki was holding.
"You don't have to carry it for me."
"What does it matter? We're going in the same direction, right? I've heard a lot about the freshman ranking match. It's a shame I didn't get to see it."
He started walking ahead. Eki had no choice but to follow him.
The Military Cadets, including Alice, were assigned cadet tents set up near the Associate Knights' tents. In comparison, the Squires were assigned individual tents right next to their lords.
Eki also received an individual tent next to the captain of the royal guard's tent. She was not yet a formal Squire, but she was already being treated as one.
No servants accompanied the subjugation force separately. Therefore, setting up the tents was the job of the Squires. The Associate Knights made camp with the cadets, and the knights gathered separately for a meeting as soon as they arrived.
Since it was already dark, everyone was busy setting up tents, relying on the light of the torches. Eki and Baraha went through them.
Today, Ekinesia was wearing a simple travel dress close to a one-piece, in a deep navy blue with only frills added. She wore a navy blue velvet hat with a short veil and jewels on her head. Her gloves were also embroidered and, although thin, were made of leather, not silk.
It was a plain outfit compared to usual, but she was still very noticeable. Some Associate Knights whistled as she passed by.
"Who's that lady? Baraha's girlfriend?"
"She's the 'Lady' of the Military Academy. Haven't you heard the rumors?"
"Ah, the one who was designated as the captain of the royal guard's Squire? I didn't think it was true, but she's really a lady, a lady."
"They say she's skilled, but real combat is different. Isn't she going to faint when she sees a Monster like that?"
Whispers followed her like a tail. Eki wasn't very interested in such words. What she cared about was a much more important and dangerous problem.
When moving, she was with the cadets, so she didn't have a chance to encounter the Giosa Owners, but from now on, she would continue to encounter them.
She was nervous. She put effort into her makeup and chose a hat with a veil, but she was still uneasy. She unknowingly pressed down on the brim of her hat.
Baraha passed the Associate Knights and arrived at the center of where the knights' tents were being set up, and put down Eki's bag. Luggage was already piled up in that spot.
"Your tent is here. You can set up the captain of the royal guard's tent in this spot. I'll help you."
"No, I can do it. You have to set up your tent too, senpai."
"It'll only take me 30 minutes."
"I'm really okay, senpai."
"It's okay, I'll finish it quickly."
Baraha shrugged and lifted the central pillar of the tent. He began to set up the captain of the royal guard's tent before she could stop him. The Associate Knights and cadets who were setting up tents nearby watched the scene and whispered, which reached Eki's sensitive hearing.
How lady-like. She doesn't want to do the hard work. Look at her subtly making others do it. She's a lady. Lady, lady. Mocking words.
She thought such sounds would come out. It wasn't a very welcome help, but she knew that it was pure goodwill from Baraha's point of view, so it was difficult to refuse.
Well, when did she ever care about her reputation? Eki sighed invisibly and took out the tent with his help.
They chose the site, erected the pillars, laid the carpet, covered the tent, and arranged the cot and furniture. A plausible tent was completed in an instant. It was thanks to Baraha's great skill.
As they were setting up Eki's tent this time, a cheeky voice intervened.
"Wow, a burning love on the battlefield? How heartwarming."
"I'm just helping a junior, Sir Dietrich."
Baraha frowned and replied. A sleek, handsome man with fiery red hair approached them with a leisurely gait. It was a familiar face. As soon as Eki saw him, she quickly pressed down on the brim of her hat, then slowly took her hand away.
Dietrich Sarua. The Giosa Owner who ran away from Ekinesia, who was blocked by Teresa, and tried to deliver the news of Ajenka to Yuriene.
The forest consumed by the shadows of the night, herself tracking the traces he left like a beast, her panting breath, her distorted face, her screams and groans, the Giosa aimed at her, the memory of covering his blood over Teresa's dried blood. They were so vivid because they were terrible.
However, Dietrich Sarua in 1629 was not a Giosa Owner. He was just an Associate Knight who had not yet become a Master. If he had awakened his Giosa like Eki, he would have been with his Giosa when he regressed. Unlike Eki's Bardelgiosa, Dietrich's Lemming Giosa had a clear whereabouts, so it was impossible to secretly possess it.
'It's definitely certain. Dietrich doesn't have the memories of the erased past.'
Eki took her hand off the brim of her hat and raised her head, which had been lowered. Her eyes met through the veil. Dietrich's red eyes curved as if amused.
"She's a flower-like lady. She's your girlfriend, right, Baraha?"
"She's not my girlfriend. How many times do I have to say it?"
"Yeah, yeah, you're saying she's not your girlfriend yet, right? Good luck, buddy."
Dietrich said cheekily and patted Baraha's back. Baraha pushed his arm away and frowned.
"Don't joke around, Sir Dietrich."
"If she's not your girlfriend, and you're not trying to woo her, then why are you even helping her set up her tent?"
"Is it wrong to help a junior I like?"
"Yeah, it's not good. In a situation like this."
"...Excuse me?"
Dietrich glanced at Eki. Then, he put his arm around Baraha's neck, who was bigger than him, and pulled him down.
"Think about how it will look to others that you're helping her. If you really care about your junior."
Baraha's expression went blank. Dietrich ruffled his hair until it was a mess and then let him go. He put his hands in his pockets and swaggered towards Eki.
"Military Cadet Ekinesia Roaz, do you know what I'm talking about right now?"
"...If you're worried about my reputation, it's okay. Thank you for your consideration, Sir Dietrich."
"I see, you didn't ask Baraha to help you. I thought so."
"I didn't refuse senpai's help, so the result is the same."
Dietrich looked Ekinesia up and down at her calm words.
"Well, let's put that aside. You see..."
"If it's about my outfit..."
"No, I don't care about that. Why do you think that is?"
