[Steward Sukla has returned.]

Sukla, unlike the other ghosts, entered through the door with caution.

He looked at me in surprise, and then bowed deeply.

[Master has cleaned up the scoundrels who were sullying this mansion.]

I was taken aback by his reaction as he immediately realized what I had done, but I responded calmly.

I know that numerous ghosts still remain in the mansion.

[I apologize. Its because I didnt manage it well.]

Check the locations and time at which they often roam and report it later. How is the situation in the Norseweden Mountains?

I had ordered Sukla to go check the status of the battle against the barbarians crossing the Norseweden Mountains and report back.

He raised his head gently and began describing what he had seen.

[The front line of the barbarians are pushing through and the atmosphere in the mountains is tense. Unlike the majestic appearance Lord Darius had when he unexpectedly entered the battle, his momentum has weakened.]

Darius?

Darius Verdi.

A warrior called the guardian of the northern mountain range and the giant of Verdi.

It was surprising to learn that Darius was pushed back.

Although he didnt appear in the game, but during my three months with the Household, I was pretty familiar with his strength.

He was a man who could easily take up the position of Captain of Knights.

That very same Darius got pushed back?

It became clear that this was an interesting yet dangerous situation.

If the barbarians crossed the rugged mountain range and entered the Kingdoms territory, the Verdi Household's position would be shaken.

After all, it meant, despite receiving various benefits as a Margrave that other Counts could not possess, he was still unable to fulfill his duties.

[I thought they would be simple bandits as they were barbarians, but to begin with, their clothes and their weapons were all advanced.]

Thats because they're from the Clark Republic on the other side.

The Clark Republic was adjacent to our Griffin Kingdom.

Unlike Griffin, where mana was mainly used, the Clark Republic was a country that valued science and technology and was a military dictatorship with a single leader.

Although the game did not focus much on it, Clarks notoriety was mentioned several times by the games characters.

A place called the Land of cogs because it treated its people like machines.

Perhaps, the incoming barbarians were ones who had escaped from Clark illegally.

[The weapon known as a gun appeared to be unpleasant due to the noise and recoil, but it was superior in power and range.]

Sukla continued his explanation after claiming to have seen something of value.

[For now, theres a topographical advantage because it is located on the Ridge Line, but I believe it will be breached soon.]

And the reason is?

I didnt know how competent the ghost named Sukla was, but if he was that confident, he must have had his own reasons.

He began to elaborate as if he had been waiting to do so.

[There is an extraordinary woman among the barbarians.]

An extraordinary woman?

[Her white hair, like snow, is rough like the mane of a darting wolf, and her crimson eyes are deep like blood.]

A native of the Clark Republic with white hair and red eyes?

My eyes trembled as soon as the image of someone popped up in my head.

[The axe she wields can easily trample the soldiers under Sir Darius and they will soon advance into the territory of the Kingdom.]

Huh.

[Also, all those who follow her are also known to be warriors, so even if it is Sir Darius, he will not be able to block them alone.]

Sukla went on a lengthy rant to try to convince me.

He must have thought that I would find it difficult to accept that the mountain ranges defenses would be easily breached because of one person.

But it was the other way around.

It appears that Findenai is on her way to the Kingdom.

Findenai, the leader of the Resistance Scrapyard Nomads, was fighting to escape from the dictatorship of the Clark Republic.

I didnt know about her background in detail, but I did know that she came over to the kingdom to support and grow her Resistance after being kicked out of her clan.

She was also the boss of a chapter.

If Findenai is the opponent, I should be giving Darius a round of applause, for enduring so far.

To the extent that she was described as if a beast had become human, because once she gained momentum, she couldnt be stopped.

Shes the kind of boss who got stronger as the fight continued, so I had to drain her health as early as possible with high firepower.

I remember that there were a multitude of users asking for tips, saying that the battle against Findenai was too difficult.

She had an attractive appearance, but as a boss with that level of difficulty, it cut off all her allure.

I cant beat the Findenai now.

It was only natural.

Although Necromancy had destructive power and versatile efficiency, I was just starting out.

I crossed my legs for a moment and began to think.

The appearance of an unexpected variable.

However

Since it could not be seen as an unconditional negative factor, the corners of my mouth went up as if it were slightly twisted.

* * *

A Bushi1 guarding the Central Entrance, they say...

Nurse Caren mumbled as she sat down on the Central Staircase, tapping her chin.

She had her sword leaned against the stairwell beside her, ready to act immediately.

There were numerous incidents taking place inside the academy at the moment.

Among them, the Bushi at the Central Entrance caused the most havoc and claimed the most victims.

Although it was not a knight, it was named as such because an eyewitness stated that the appearance was similar to that of an eastern bushi.

Its a ghost.

Was it some kind of black magic?

Wondering where such a monster could have come from, Caren rested her chin on her hands and tapped the first floor hallway with her feet.

She had heard that it would appear when you came down to the first floor, so she went up and down several times, but it never appeared again.

Is there a specific time for it to appear? Should I return tomorrow?

As Caren was trying to formulate a hypothesis, she was interrupted by a voice.

Professor Caren.

Heavy, dull footsteps came from the end of the corridor.

A gentle voice, a big belly, and a bear-like body.

Dean.

One of the few people Caren was polite toward. She got on her feet and greeted him briefly.

I heard that something strange keeps happening at the main entrance on the first floor.

Thats correct. Im investigating it right now, but I cant seem to find any clues.

Hmm, besides the main entrance, Ive heard that there are several incidents happening in other places as well.

Regrettably.

If the accident had only occurred at the Central Entrance on the first floor, they could simply close it until the incident was resolved.

However, such accidents kept occurring in various other places throughout the academy simultaneously.

The Dean glanced around the corridor briefly, then put his hands behind his back and spoke softly,

I dont think this is a sudden phenomenon.

Caren had the same thought, so she kept her mouth shut. The Dean declared, slightly enraged,

This is an act of terrorism.

It would soon be March.

Once the vacation concluded, the current and new students would fill the Academy once again.

But just before that, accidents like this began to take place, one after the other, so the dean wanted to find the main culprit behind this terrorism as quickly as possible.

I understand that Professor Caren has traveled to many countries in the past while working as a mercenary.

Uhm, thats right.

She didnt really like to talk about the old days. When Caren replied awkwardly, the dean asked in a voice full of vigor,

So I believe youve experienced a lot of things. Can you take charge of this situation and resolve it?

.

Of course, I will do my best to cooperate, and will give Professor Caren my full support.

How about, instead of asking me, making an official request to the Royal Family?

The Griffin Kingdom enthusiastically supported Loberne Academy as it was one of its educational institutions.

They wouldnt stay still if they knew something like this was happening.

However, the Dean shook his head.

Raising his chin, which sat snugly, to look dignified.

No, if the Academy doesnt resolve this issue properly, the Royal Family will doubt our abilities.

..

Because, lately, there havent been any achievements from our side.

Caren swallowed bitterly, sensing some sort of political reason behind his answer.

What can I do? If you tell me to do it, Ill do it. Im just an employee.

Grumbling to herself, Caren lowered her head.

I will do my best to resolve it.

Please. We must find the culprit behind this attack before the freshmen and current students return next month.