Lord, use me as an instrument of your peace! (Eugene)

Dont talk nonsense; focus! (Oswald)

Eugene continued to shoot down the elves with his fiercely burning eyes.

Seeing the white light on the edge of the sword burst with each stroke, it seemed his god was quite satisfied with his prayers.

But no matter how exceptional they were, they were still students. Their skills might surpass their grade, but the quality of experience was different.

Were getting pushed! Were getting pushed! (Yuri)

I know! Hold on! (Oswald)

Oswald and Yuri swung their hands in frustration. The advancing army, with solid defenses, faced no apparent way to break through.

These were troops who had experienced the era of the demon war. Even though it had been only four years since the advent of peace, they were still soldiers who remembered their active duty.

In other words, facing these excessively elite forces as the first opponents for 21st-century reincarnators with almost no combat experience was a challenge.

If the goal was assassination from the beginning, the battle would have ended sooner. The commander laughed.

Students, enough of this, put down your weapons!

When is Mr. Ivan coming?! (Yuri)

As Yuris tearful scream grew sharper, the deck began to shake.

Creak, creak, creak!

What the?!

Wheelhouse, get to the wheelhouse, whats going on, officer on duty!

Wheres the captain?!

A massive shock, like the explosion of the hull, struck the deck along with the sound of bones grinding and rumbling from below.

Soldiers and transmigrants staggered and fell to the ground.

What is this? (Oswald)

Did Mr. Ivan do this? (Yuri)

Oswald steadied himself on the floor, then suddenly raised his head.

A tremendous flow of magic no, magic infused with advanced techniques was visible.

Emerald magic poured into the cabin like a torrent. Thud, crash. The explosive sounds approached.

No, its not Mr. Ivan. This is (Oswald)

Oswald squinted his eyes. Soon, a dense magical power gathered on the deck.

Dodge!!

Kwaaaang!

Throwing Eugene, who was under the influence of a courage buff, Yuri grabbed Oswalds neck and jumped back. A large crack appeared in the middle of the deck, and something bounced out.

The object, rotating gracefully in mid-air like a gymnast, landed near the transmigrants. It was a neatly executed parachute descent.

Its Mr. Ivan! (Yuri)

Hmm. (Ivan)

A pungent smell emanated from Ivans body as he calmly faced them with an axe in hand.

Excellent! To cultivate such determination in a world preserved by peace! (Veolgrin)

V-Veolgrin, sir?!

The crews eyes widened as if not expecting Veolgrin to pop out. Ivan narrowed his eyes at their reaction. Whats going on? Did he deceive even his fellow elves?

Why go through such a covert method if the Kalion faction wanted to support Alexander on a national level?

Uh, Mr. Ivan. Could you please explain whats going on (Oswald)

Oswald looked at the floating Veolgrin with a confused expression.

As an elf himself, he had encountered Veolgrin a few timesan overwhelming, truly overpowering wizard.

This being was now floating above them, preparing an attack spell.

In short I almost succeeded. (Ivan)

Veolgrin looked down at Ivan with a smile mixed with laughter. He had lost one arm.

He spoke with a wry smile.

Ivan, I was surprised to see you show up, but well, I guess I provoked Princess Elizaveta more than I thought I would. I planned to sneak around in a more friendly situation. (Veolgrin)

As he raised his remaining hand, emerald magic surged intensely. Ivan prepared to throw his axe, observing the scene closely.

If at least one of the reincarnators could attract Veolgrins attention, they might have a chance.

However, the battlefield and the situation werent favorable.

Well meet again later. For now, things dont look good. (Veolgrin)

Veolgrin. (Ivan)

How much do you know about Crown Prince Alexandre, and are you still loyal to your king despite knowing that? (Veolgrin)

What? (Ivan)

Veolgrin waved his hand. Powerful magic formed a grip and lifted a carriage that had been stuck in a corner of the deck.

Inside the carriage, there was commotion and screams. Soon, with a thud, the door opened.

Come out. (Veolgrin)

What, what is all this commotion! W-We are here for the secret medicine! (Man inside carriage)

Hush, be quiet. (Another man inside carriage)

Veolgrin swung his remaining arm. The middle-aged man who had raised his head outside the carriage floated into the air, drawn by magic.

So, Alexander indeed didnt come by himself. Who are you? (Veolgrin)

I-Im Nikolai Slobodanovich Ryurik! I-I am delegated with full authority from the Foreign Ministry of this country! Y-You cant harm me!

Oh, youre the one making such claims. Do you even know who youre talking to? (Veolgrin)

Veolgrin chuckled and approached the man slowly.

He placed his remaining hand on the mans head and whispered softly.

Speak. Where is Crown Prince Alexander right now? (Veolgrin)

Under Veolgrins hand, emerald magic surged. The magic, like a snake, penetrated into the ears and eyes of the man.

The mans facial expression gradually disappeared. He murmured with a vacant face.

He is currently waiting at the Foreign Ministry.

A person who knows nothing. It was a waste of time. (Veolgrin)

With a sharp sound, the mans head slumped. Veolgrin, who tossed the man away like garbage, descended slowly onto the deck.

What is all this about? Veolgrin, what were you planning? (Ivan)

Ivan opened his eyes narrowly.

Stimulating Elizaveta to make contact with Alexander, naturally, Kalions faction attempted to interfere in internal affairs by supporting Crown Prince Alexander.

No other speculation seemed possible in this situation.

However, Veolgrin suddenly killed the envoy. And asking about Alexanders location?

He is not in the city at this time. HmmThere are many untold stories between us, but its difficult to bring them up. (Veolgrin)

Veolgrin hesitated several times, then frowned.

A deadlock. If you couldnt figure it out by yourself, I couldnt tell you. Unfortunately, magicians tend to be entangled in mysteries. (Veolgrin)

Why didnt you explain to me from the beginning? If you didnt plan to join Alexander, you could have told me beforehand. (Ivan)

Then I wouldnt have been able to verify your credentials, and I wouldnt have known which side you stood on. I thought you were already dead. It was necessary. (Veolgrin)

Veolgrin shrugged. His magic slowly waned, becoming faint.

We dont have much time left. Someday, you may come to my tower in Kalion. You probably wont be able to confront me directly Ivan. Our rear guard. You have the qualifications. (Veolgrin)

What qualifications are you talking about? (Ivan)

The qualifications to turn over the final page of truth. The qualifications to look at the pawns on this chessboard. Ah, this. Damn it. (Veolgrin)

A rift appeared on Veolgrins face like a crack. He touched his face again and sighed.

Its too cruel not to say even this much. Wizards are generally talkative. (Veolgrin)

What should I do? (Ivan)

Prepare. This game seems to be related to that university below us. Many days are spread out under there. (Veolgrin)

Prepare? (Ivan)

They arent bad, but they werent prepared from the beginning. Suddenly appearing on the chessboard well, playing cards, shall we say. So, pay attention to the chess pieces too. Take care of my daughter. (Veolgrin)

Veolgrins face gradually faded. Just before he completely disappeared, he looked straight at Ivan and grinned.

Although no voice was heard, Ivan instinctively read his lips with his lip-reading technique.

-Maximilian is not gone.

With a small laugh, Veolgrins magic completely faded away.

The commotion on the deck did not reach the citizens of Frechenkaya. It seemed like the ship was floating in the sky as usual.

Ivan and the transmigrants received a nervous farewell from the scared captain and were able to descend to the ground. With the overturned carriage left in a corner of the alley, Ivan scanned the transmigrants.

A game board.

Like cards thrown onto a chessboard. Perhaps it could be interpreted as a mixture of games with different rules.

What story did they need? What story was prepared, and what kind of flow was being induced?

Who is the hand on the board?

A god?

Ivan looked at Eugene, who could use divine magic. Due to the end of the [Grant Courage] buff, Eugene had an exhausted expression on his face.

Do you still have the divine spell slot? (Ivan)

Yes? Oh, yes. (Eugene)

Hmm.

Unlike regular magic, divine spells were a kind of blessing directly bestowed by a deity. It was a spell unfolded using the human body as a medium to represent the will of the gods.

In other words, the term divine spell slot meant nothing other than Eugenes status bar having received divine authorization.

No, perhaps it could be an incarnated deity created by the damn modern fantasy worlds personification of gods, acting as a conversation interface.

Especially considering the meticulous implementation, including detailed things like the quest window.

Youve been through a lot today. Go rest, see you tomorrow. (Ivan)

Uh, sir. Is it just ending like this? (Yuri)

Tomorrow.

Ivan glanced at the departing transmigrants and then turned away.

It wasnt the right time to take them to the reporting spot. Especially in a situation like this, where they shouldnt get deeply involved. Particularly in this case, it would be better if they didnt become further entangled.

If it was a simple matter involving the conflict between a princess and a prince, it might be better to decisively pick a side if victory was certain.

However, since the news that the prince in Frechenkaya wasnt himself, this case had surpassed the level that students could handle.

Especially young kids in their fourth year of transmigration.

Its been a few years.

Walking through the nighttime streets, Ivan pondered.

Thinking about the last appearance of Colonel Kirilovna, Ivan headed towards the reconnaissance headquarters.

It was time to face the princess.