A massive castle boasting a ridiculous size of 120 square kilometers, so large that even a dragon could comfortably pass through, stood proudly with its grand entrance, where a military carriage had just come to a halt.
Lir and Alter got off the carriage first, asking if they could go inside the quarters to freshen up.
While Lir, being an elf, wasn’t sweating much and her hair wasn’t even messy, Alter, a frail old human who had spent most of his time guarding under the blazing sun, reeked terribly of sweat.
"Of course. Go ahead and rest inside. I’ll take care of the report by myself."
After sending Alter and Lir back to their quarters, I asked the guards at the main gate to gather the leaders of the various races.
The leaders gathered quickly in the conference room.
The operation to retake the Achiliptus Forest and establish the outpost was a mission that would greatly influence the outcome of the war between the humans and demons, which is why three kings and an emperor had dropped everything to come.
...Honestly, it’s still a bit overwhelming, but what can I do? I just have to get used to it.
"Ah! You've returned, my friend!"
The dwarf king greeted me with a broad smile, holding a wine glass in one hand. His forehead was dotted with sweat, and his thick fingers were covered in iron filings.
He wasn’t wearing his usual fine attire but instead wore thick, durable work clothes. A hammer of various sizes was strapped to his waist, and his gloves were covered with traces of metalwork.
He must have been working on something.
"...I know you’re busy, but I’d appreciate it if you could at least try to maintain a bit of dignity in an official setting."
The elf queen, with dark circles under her eyes, scolded the dwarf king, who looked far from presentable.
"Where would I find the time to worry about appearances? My soldiers are dying on the battlefield. I need to forge another sword while I still can."
"...I see the leader of a race doesn’t know how to wear clothes that befit his position or the occasion."
"I know we're in a war."
"I hope you also recognize that this is an official meeting. Don’t you realize that you are the face representing the dwarves?"
"......"
"......"
If this were any other time, the argument between the elf queen and the dwarf king would have continued for at least 10 more minutes. But, as I’ve heard, they’ve been extremely busy recently. Their consecutive sleepless nights must have drained them, and they both sighed quietly and rubbed their eyes, bringing their quarrel to an end.
"...Well, General Bin. It seems everyone is ready to listen, so please report on the operation in the Achiliptus Forest."
The emperor, surprisingly quick to end the argument, cleared his throat and addressed me.
There was a faint metallic sound in his voice, so it seemed that he, too, hadn’t been sleeping properly.
The atmosphere in the castle felt heavy.
"...Alright. I’ll begin the report on the operation to retake the Achiliptus Forest and establish the outpost."
I reported everything that had happened in the forest without leaving anything out.
From the extermination of demons to the smoothly progressing base construction, and then the encounter with a spirit where I received a blessing and, in exchange, cleaned up the forest... and so on.
"...What did you say you received in exchange?"
The orc chieftain, who had been listening quietly, interrupted me with a disbelieving laugh.
"Rex received an artifact for clearing a dungeon, and I obtained a staff-like artifact from the lightning spirit."
"......."
A moment of silence fell over the room. Thankfully, it wasn’t an uncomfortable silence.
The leaders of the various races seemed momentarily speechless, caught off guard by my words.
"...Ha! The swordsman promised that in three years, you’d become a monster of similar caliber, and it wasn’t just empty talk."
The dwarf king, still holding his wine glass, broke the silence with a smile.
"To grow this quickly after only joining the party for two months..."
"An artifact... Does this mean Rex, Belzark’s son, obtained one? I heard he was infected by demon blood and brought in, but I didn’t expect him to get an artifact."
The leaders of the races accepted my report surprisingly quickly.
I had thought they would be caught off guard by the sudden mention of acquiring two artifacts and start grilling me with questions.
...Do they expect that much from a genius mage receiving their support?
It’s a bit overwhelming, though.
"You also mentioned you obtained an artifact. Do you know what its effects are? If you need a place to experiment, just let me know."
The elf queen, still looking at me with a stunned expression, regained her composure and spoke.
"Oh, you mean the effect of my artifact? I have a rough idea of its abilities. Thanks for your concern."
"Is it useful? I know artifacts don’t always have positive effects."
Having lived for such a long time, the elf queen seemed to understand the characteristics of artifacts to some extent.
"Well, it’s a bit ambiguous..."
"Ambiguous? You haven’t experimented with it yet?"
"No, that’s not it..."
"What’s with all the long explanations? Just show it to me, and the problem will be solved."
From my right hand, a warm lightning bolt shot out, faintly glowing.
The leaders of the races quickly tensed up, looking around in surprise at the unfamiliar voice that suddenly appeared in the conference room.
"...This is insane."
Not daring to stop the mad deer, I could only cover my face and sigh.
The warm lightning that had poured out of my right hand gathered not far from the round table, quickly taking the form of a giant deer.
"Hello. My name is Dajin. This little brat is the lightning spirit mentioned earlier."
I watched Dajin with a haughty expression as he looked down on the leaders of the various races, shaking my head and sighing.
"...Please, just take a hint."
Looking at the deer who was about to wreck the solemn atmosphere of the conference room, I genuinely wished that this bastard would just die.
Is this what it would feel like if, during a meeting on sea level rise with the presidents of the United States, China, Russia, and France, someone suddenly broke out into breakdancing?
And without music?
"...This is."
"I’ve seen fire spirits before, but this is my first time seeing a lightning spirit."
"Beautiful."
"Are you borrowing the power of ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ a spirit?"
The leaders of the races quickly realized what Dajin was.
Anyone with a bit of knowledge, even if not a mage, would have some understanding of the five great spirits that form the basis of magic.
I explained the power of the staff I had acquired and its ‘cost’ to the emperor and the kings.
At first, they were dumbfounded by the idea that I could borrow the power of a transcendent like Dajin. But as I explained that the power diminished the farther I was from the forest, and that its actual strength was only around the 8th circle level, they all showed expressions of disappointment.
...Just like me, who had been excited thinking I had a nuclear bomb in my hand, only to make that kind of face.
Everyone’s reaction was the same.
"These dwarves are all so cute. You’re a king? Where’s your crown? Why do you look like you just rolled in the mud?"
"Hah, I came back from working. If the spirit saw me dressed up nicely, it might faint!"
The dwarf king chuckled and shrugged off Dajin’s rude remarks.
"...Well, anyway. That concludes the report."
I quickly finished my report, trying to wrap things up before Dajin caused any more disruption.
"Wait, stay seated for a moment."
Just as I was about to stand up, the emperor, who had been watching me silently, spoke.
"Oh, yes..."
I awkwardly lowered my half-raised backside and sat back down, responding uncomfortably.
"...Emperor. Even if the situation in Valerand isn’t ideal, this still feels premature."
"Don’t you think he needs to grow a bit more? If we lose this little one..."
The chieftain and the queen seemed to have an idea of why the emperor was stopping me from leaving, as they added their thoughts from either side.
"I know. I know, and I’ve made my decision. This decision was made carefully, and I want you to trust me and follow my lead."
Despite the negative reactions from the two leaders, there was a strong sense of certainty in the emperor’s eyes.
"...Well, if you say so, I have no complaints."
The elf queen, who had been contemplating for a moment, finally backed off after hearing the emperor's firm tone.
What’s going on? Why does everyone look so serious?
"The current situation in Valerand is grim. The Maltyel hunting operation has made no progress for nearly a month, and only meaningless skirmishes and attrition are ongoing."
The emperor spoke in a strong and commanding tone, unlike his usual gentle manner.
...I don’t like the sound of this.
"Originally, General Bin, you were supposed to join the main party after completing Alter’s training. But given your incredible growth speed and your ability to control spirits, I hereby command you..."
"Oh."
"Once you finish preparations, head to Valerand, join the Swordmaster party, end the ongoing skirmishes, and bring back the head of the Great Lord Maltyel."
"..."
"Wait, uh... what?"
I almost questioned the emperor’s command in my surprise. Did I already do it? I’m not sure.
But, is this really the right time to ask questions? It’s important, but in this situation, it doesn’t seem like the most pressing matter...
"You have great strategic value. You’ve earned the favor of a spirit."
The elf queen, who had been sympathetically watching my confusion, gave me a slight, almost apologetic comment.
"...Huh?"
The elf queen herself was comforting me?
What the hell is this mission I’ve just been assigned?
"I think it should be reconsidered... You’re not ready yet. Valerand is a dangerous place. Even those with battle experience face death every day there."
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The orc chieftain whispered into the emperor’s ear, lowering his head so I wouldn’t hear. However, due to his massive frame and deep voice, even his whispered words clearly reached my ears.
"Don’t worry about that. I’ll make sure this body stays alive and well."
Having overheard the chieftain’s worried whisper, Dajin, who had been patting the dwarf king with lightning, suddenly spoke up.
"...Really?"
I looked at Dajin with a suspicious gaze.
Dajin grinned wickedly and nodded.
Is this bastard serious or not?
"Oh! Really...!"
The dwarf king, looking up at Dajin as he patted his own head, asked loudly.
Dajin, still wearing an evil smile, whispered to his "pet"... no, to the dwarf.
This is clearly a lie. He probably just wants to throw me onto the battlefield for fun.
"You’ll have about a week to rest."
...What?
"Pick a few reliable subordinates. Mages need dependable infantry to rely on."
Given the wartime situation, I didn’t have the right to refuse that order.
...Should I escape now?
The sky was pitch black. The surrounding area was filled with the sounds of groans. Though my nose, accustomed to the smell of blood, could no longer detect the scent of it, the occasional piercing screams of pain made sure that I couldn't fall asleep.
The mage, whose black hair was soaked in mud and blood, was sitting on the edge of a makeshift table. His wine-colored robe was caked with dirt, and his magic book, covered in mud, was trembling in his hands. He repeatedly pushed back his hair as he took deep breaths.
He was inside a temporary barracks, but even through the torn fabric of the tent, the movement of the clouds was visible.
The clouds looked so dark and ominous, as if they were ready to pour down a torrential downpour. Watching them made something in my chest tighten.
"...Bel, here’s a letter from the emperor."
Bel.
The mage with black hair was named Bel.
A mid-thirties mage belonging to the Swordmaster party, a 9th Circle mage, and one responsible for the prosperity and future of the Fire Magic School.
"Leave it there."
Bel picked up the letter, his trembling hand opening it. Unable to cut the seal with a knife, he had to tear the thick envelope open with his shaky hands.
He quietly read the contents of the letter and then, after a moment, walked over to the Saint, who was lying on the bed with a vacant stare, and handed her the letter.
"Read it."
The Saint received the letter with an expressionless face and began to read it.
"...It seems a newcomer has been assigned here."
Without replying, the Saint sighed deeply.
"How old is that brat?"
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Bel Artua glanced at the subordinate waiting by the entrance and asked.
"Sixteen or seventeen, I believe. They said it’s hard to know the exact age because of where they’re from."
"Heh, at most seventeen. Then, they’ve probably never seen a real battlefield."
"...I suppose so."
The Saint closed the letter and agreed in a soft voice, her eyes still closed.
"......"
Bel, the mage with the black hair, quietly looked up at the rough ceiling of the tent. Then, with a frustrated sigh, he pulled out a pipe from his robe and lit it. He opened the heavy blanket of the messy tent, stepped outside, and flicked his fingers. The leaves in the pipe ignited, sending a thick smoke curling up and enveloping his face.
"I think it's too soon for someone that young."
In front of Bel, the sight of the battlefield unfolded.
The mud, soaked with so much blood, had turned a deep red. From the nearby medical tent, the sounds of the wounded groaning echoed, and occasionally, severed limbs would roll out from the tent.
Corpses had piled up in a corner far from the tent. Crows and rats moved between them, but no one had the energy to chase them away.
Further off, soldiers and mages stared vacantly at the sky, their faces showing no hope for life. Occasionally, soldiers whose minds broke would scream at their comrades and swing their swords wildly.
...Beyond the soldiers staring blankly at the sky in the trenches, countless mutated corpses were scattered around.
In that area, the mud had taken on a strange, bluish-green hue.
What could one call the greenish lumps of flesh, blood, and remains piled up on the mud? Even Bel and the Swordmaster couldn’t come to a conclusion.
It was too stiff to call it flesh, it didn’t flow to be called blood, and yet it wasn’t exactly a corpse, because sometimes something inside those massive lumps would twitch.
"...It’s embarrassing."
After deeply inhaling the smoke from the pipe, Bel quietly lamented his situation.
The sky was still pitch black, and his nose couldn’t detect any foul stench.