Chapter 335
Two hours later, after inspecting the castle's supplies and the condition of its walls, the students gathered again in the conference room.
It was a place the king had prepared for the Guardians.
"Is everyone here?"
Dick stepped forward and spoke. A female student who had been counting heads replied.
"One person hasn't come yet."
At those words, Maelyn glanced around and let out a small sigh.
'He's always late.'
The one missing was, as expected, Simon.
"The Karl Kingdom will attack soon. We don't have much time, so let's get started. Everyone, take turns explaining what you saw in the castle—"
"Hold on."
At that moment, a male student raised his hand. Half of his head was shaved, his eyebrows were thick, and his overall facial features were bold and defined.
"My name's You. First, nice to be on the same team, but I have one question."
He glared at Dick.
"Why are you acting like you're the leader by default?"
Other students nodded in agreement. Maelyn pressed her aching forehead and mouthed silently.
I told you not to show off!
Dick quickly forced a smile and waved both hands.
"I don't want to be the leader. It's just that this is my third siege war, so I thought I'd take the role of strategist."
"…You'd better keep that promise."
You suddenly stood up.
"I think we should first elect a commander and establish a chain of command. And you said this is your third time, anyone here who isn't experienced?"
"That's right!"
"I'm also on my third run."
Several students spoke boastfully.
Maelyn, suddenly feeling a sense of crisis, glanced at Fitzgerald sitting beside her.
"Don't tell me you're experienced too?"
Fitzgerald pushed up his glasses.
"This is my second time."
It was true what they said, that once you tried a siege war theme, you'd keep doing it. Most of them were veterans. Even finding and entering the cards on the castle walls was something experienced players handled better.
'Don't tell me Simon and I are the only rookies here?'
While Maelyn was worrying, the attention in the room had already shifted back to Dick.
"And you, Dick! Remember how you completely messed up the last defense? You concentrated the troops at the north gate because you thought they were coming there, and it backfired!"
"That's right!"
Without changing his expression, Dick barked, "Oh, come on! There are countless reasons for losing a war! I recognize all your faces—want me to call out each and every mistake you've made?"
"Silence!"
You shouted at the top of his voice.
Indeed, in a meeting room, volume was power.
"We don't have time to fight over that nonsense. Let's elect a supreme commander first. Where's the badge?"
"Here."
Dick placed the badge he'd received from the king on the table.
This was the symbol of the "supreme commander".
In Endolas' game, all external magic orbs brought in from outside were useless. But the person wearing this badge could communicate with all Guardians and had the authority to command the entire army.
"No need to drag it out. I want to be the supreme commander this time."
You said this as he reached for the badge.
"If there are no objections—"
"Hold it."
Slide—
A foot landed on the table and nudged the badge aside.
"Trying to sneak it away, are we?"
The leg belonged to a long-haired male student. He had a snake-like face, wide-set eyes, and narrow lids that made him look like he was always squinting.
"In siege war themes, the 'greatest contributor' is always chosen. And this time, with Endolas' grand prize on the line, I'm not giving up the supreme commander spot so easily. I'm Bwuine."
Then, suddenly, a hand shot up through the table and snatched the badge.
"I'm Pengel."
A female student emerged through the table and perched on its edge.
"The commander's greatest asset is survival ability. In the last game, the supreme commander was killed quickly, and the defense fell apart. Obviously, a Spiritology applicant should take the role—"
"No. The commander's asset is judgment."
Without anyone noticing, Fitzgerald had taken the badge from Pengel's hand.
Pengel's face froze. It was as if she were cursed, she couldn't move.
"I am Fitzgerald. I pride myself on having judgment and knowledge second to none."
"And who decides if your judgment is good?"
This time Fitzgerald's body froze, his arm was encased in ice.
He dropped the badge, which was caught by Maelyn from below. She swept back her sky-blue hair and smiled.
"Second place in the practical exam. Twice ranked top ten in the BMAT. I keep hearing random nobodies without special admission trying to butt in, but I think the supreme commander should be someone with a proven record."
You glared at her.
"Maelyn Villene. How many siege wars have you been in?"
She flinched, then looked away.
"…This is, my first."
"See that? See?"
You's lips curled upward.
"Only the supreme commander can communicate with the other Guardians. We can't give such an important role to someone who knows nothing."
"That's right! If you can't play the game, don't get in the way."
"Oh, that's it! I've had enough!"
Maelyn snapped back.
"Just because you've done it a few more times, why are you acting so high and mighty?"
"Experience is everything~"
"You shut up! Snake-face!"
"I still think I'm the best candidate!"
"No, me!"
Murmur, murmur, murmur!
The meeting devolved into chaos as they fought over the supreme commander position.
Watching quietly, Dick turned his back, pulled out a note and a quill, and scribbled something quickly.
He then pulled a skeleton from his subspace and sent it outside. Everyone was too busy arguing to notice.
Boom!
You slammed the table with an enraged face.
"Ugh, this is frustrating! Fine, before the siege, let's settle this with a—"
KWAANG!!
Out of nowhere, the conference room door flew off its hinges, smashing through the wall behind You.
"Kyaaah!"
"Wha—!"
The entire room was shaken. You stumbled back with a gasp as dust rose like smoke from the wall.
All eyes turned to the doorway.
A leg, belonging to the one who had destroyed the door, came into view. The leg lowered, and the figure stepped inside.
Step— step—
You could hear people swallowing hard.
A blue-haired boy appeared, silencing everyone with his entrance.
In the heavy stillness, he spoke.
"Sorry I'm late. I'm Simon Follentia."
And so, the commander of the defending side was decided, Simon.
* * *
The time of war draws near.
Now, all the troops of the Aoun Kingdom were stationed along the castle walls, their preparations complete. The outer wall had four gates.
Among them, Simon was assigned to the south gate together with Dick and Maelyn.
The atmosphere's so heavy, it's hard to breathe.
A tense stillness hung in the air. In the eyes of the beastfolk, clad in heavy armor and helmets, countless emotions flickered.
Tension, fear, excitement, dread, and resignation.
The subtlety of those expressions was enough to send chills down one's spine. It was hard to believe this was truly a world created by one person.
Simon pulled himself together and looked down from the wall. It wasn't as tall as he'd imagined, but it seemed like it could still serve well in holding back the enemy.
With a tenfold difference in strength, they would have to make the most of the castle's defenses.
"But Simon."
Dick spoke as he enchanted the soldiers' quivers.
"What were you doing that made you this late?"
"I switched the skeleton mages to fire element, and I checked out different parts of the castle while setting things up."
"What kind of setup?"
"Well…"
Simon lowered his voice, speaking in a secretive tone.
Clatter.
Hearing Simon's answer, Dick dropped the arrow he was enchanting to the floor.
"…The hell, are you crazy? You're planning to use that here?!"
"It's only for a last resort."
Simon smiled faintly. Dick shook his head.
"You know, you look normal enough, but your strategies are insane."
"Is that a compliment or an insult?"
"For a necromancer, that's the highest praise!"
With that, Dick went on to enchant the rest of the soldiers' gear. Simon finished arranging the skeleton mages and stretched his arms.
"Ah."
He spotted Maelyn.
She was leaning back against the wall, chin resting in her hand, staring up at the sky. She looked unusually serious, so Simon approached her at a relaxed pace.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Wah!"
Startled, she flinched and shook her shoulders. Then she glared at Simon and shouted.
"Ugh, don't sneak up on me like that!"
'…She really startles easily.'
The more he watched her, the more Simon realized Maelyn had a surprisingly timid side.
Simon smirked and stood beside her, looking out beyond the wall. She pouted slightly, then turned her gaze to the outside as well.
The two of them stood there for a while in silence, just looking at the sky.
"The sky is beautiful."
Maelyn murmured softly.
"Yeah."
"It's a shame Kami isn't here."
"Mm."
"..."
"..."
An awkward wind blew between them.
Was it just because it had been a while since they were alone like this? Or was it only awkward because they felt awkward?
Simon wanted to keep the conversation going.
"What were you talking about with Serne earli—"
Her expression, which hadn't seemed displeased, suddenly flared with anger.
Simon immediately wished he could punch himself in the mouth and turned his head away.
"Don't bring that woman up here."
"S-sorry."
Maelyn let out a deep sigh.
"It was just pointless small talk."
—Maelyn!
At that moment, Serne's voice echoed in her ears.
—If you can bring Simon to the Ivory Tower, wouldn't the elders see you differently?
—You'd be accomplishing something I couldn't. Don't you think so?
Maelyn sighed irritably.
That attitude—thinking she was above everyone else—was infuriating.
"Second semester's almost over."
Meanwhile, Simon, sweating nervously, tried to change the subject as fast as possible.
"When we're in second year—"
This time his voice softened slightly.
"We'll all split up, won't we?"
"No helping it. We have different majors."
As she answered, Serne's voice slipped into Maelyn's ears again.
—I'm majoring in Summonology in second year, so I'll be with Simon! Don't you think this is your only chance while you're both still first years…?!
"Argh!!"
Maelyn scratched her head furiously. Simon flinched and stepped back, and she quickly spoke.
"No, I wasn't talking to you… ah."
"What's wrong?"
Both of their gazes shifted forward.
A mass of pitch-black troops had begun to advance toward them.
"The enemy! Karl Kingdom soldiers are in sight!"
"Prepare for battle!"
Simon instantly became serious, placing his hand on the badge.
"Everyone, get ready. Unless something unexpected happens, hold your assigned sectors as best you can."
Blue flags were raised in various positions.
That was the signal for "OK".
'…Wow, I'm really nervous.'
The black-clad army was rushing toward the castle. Simon steeled himself, and the eye-lights of the skeleton mages lined up behind him glinted sharply.
Very soon now, the war would begin.