“Get ready.”
✦ ✦ ✦
At El Claire’s soft words, the wizards moved.
✦ ✦ ✦
They lifted their staffs, forming a large circle around him. What they had to do now was to lay down their souls. By linking their souls to the completed spell, they could maintain it until the war ended.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Those who are unsure, leave.”
✦ ✦ ✦
He said it in case some were afraid, but no one fled.
✦ ✦ ✦
El Claire smiled in satisfaction.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Excellent. You have maintained your dignity as wizards.”
✦ ✦ ✦
The wizards smiled back.
✦ ✦ ✦
They recalled the wizard’s creed at El Claire’s words.
✦ ✦ ✦
Live in pursuit of the truth.
✦ ✦ ✦
Do not seek unholy knowledge.
✦ ✦ ✦
And use what you have learned for the good of this land.
✦ ✦ ✦
They thought about what they had to memorize before studying beginner magic.
✦ ✦ ✦
It was the foundation of all magic.
✦ ✦ ✦
El Claire opened his mouth once more, speaking to Vera and the army behind him.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Once the spell is complete, we will all lose consciousness. Well, it will be a state similar to losing consciousness, where we won’t respond to any external stimuli.”
✦ ✦ ✦
He concluded the request-like explanation with the words.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Please keep us safe.”
✦ ✦ ✦
A smile appeared at the corners of El Claire’s lips.
✦ ✦ ✦
“And when we wake up, tell us the news of our victory first.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Vera’s expression hardened.
✦ ✦ ✦
It wasn’t just Vera; the faces of all those in the army made a firm expression.
✦ ✦ ✦
At the front lines of the army, Vera nodded.
✦ ✦ ✦
El Claire confirmed this before shifting his gaze forward.
✦ ✦ ✦
The spell was complete.
✦ ✦ ✦
The castle, brought forth from a fictional dimension, now existed in reality before them.
✦ ✦ ✦
Now, warriors would rush into that place.
✦ ✦ ✦
El Claire gripped his staff with both hands and struck the ground.
✦ ✦ ✦
Crack—!
✦ ✦ ✦
With a sound like shattering glass, a blue line appeared on the ground.
✦ ✦ ✦
Mana flowed from that line, wrapping around the wizards.
✦ ✦ ✦
Thus, El Claire and the wizards plunged into a world where they could feel nothing.
✦ ✦ ✦
Vera looked at the landscape spread out before him.
✦ ✦ ✦
The ominous castle had a giant inverted cross engraved on it, and the lake in front lit by a spell. It was a sight that signaled the beginning of a war and also a baton passed on by those who had already fulfilled their mission.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Let’s get started,” Vargo said.
✦ ✦ ✦
Vera nodded his head and turned around.
✦ ✦ ✦
There, waiting for his command, were hundreds of the advance party.
✦ ✦ ✦
Vera now knew what he had to do.
✦ ✦ ✦
“...Not everyone will be able to return alive.”
✦ ✦ ✦
He felt deep down that rather than commanding from behind, he was more suited for directly taking part in the action.
✦ ✦ ✦
However, as a commander, he had to look at the bigger picture and not do things he shouldn’t do.
✦ ✦ ✦
“What lies beyond is a threat unknown to us. What we do know is that it is a threat unlike any we have ever faced.”
✦ ✦ ✦
All he could do was to encourage those who were facing the threat from this position.
✦ ✦ ✦
“However, I dare to ask you. Please come back alive, and be the rightful first flagbearers of victory in this war.”
✦ ✦ ✦
In the silence, only Vera’s voice echoed for a long time.
✦ ✦ ✦
“There is nothing to fear. No corruption, no blasphemy, and no pain can harm you. Everyone here has the blessing of the heavens.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Vera’s hand moved toward his waist, drawing a sword reminiscent of a pure, white winter.
✦ ✦ ✦
“The only thing I can do is to fulfill my duty.”
✦ ✦ ✦
A golden light of a holy fire arose on Vera’s forearm.
✦ ✦ ✦
It blazed, engraving a vow into the pure white blade.
✦ ✦ ✦
“On the day this war ends, I vow to place your names in the most honorable position. I make this vow on my authority, in the name of Lushan, and on my soul.”
✦ ✦ ✦
The eight-stroked stigma burned, its light as stubborn and solid as its nature.
✦ ✦ ✦
“My vow will be guaranteed by this sword, and all of you will avoid corruption under the name of Lushan.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Hwaaaaaa—!
✦ ✦ ✦
His divinity exploded, permeating the bodies of hundreds of the advance party.
✦ ✦ ✦
This was a way of using his power that Vera had never used before.
✦ ✦ ✦
An oath made for the sake of others.
✦ ✦ ✦
“You must return within half a day, at the latest.”
✦ ✦ ✦
The continued murmurs of the advance party ceased.
✦ ✦ ✦
At the forefront, Albrecht responded with a confident smile.
✦ ✦ ✦
“We’ll be back on time. Please prepare the meal accordingly.”
✦ ✦ ✦
At the cheeky words, a similar smile appeared on Vera’s lips.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Exactly 200 servings will be prepared.”
✦ ✦ ✦
As Vera lifted his sword, the advance party also drew theirs.
✦ ✦ ✦
Clang!
✦ ✦ ✦
They were perfectly synchronized.
✦ ✦ ✦
In their demeanor that seemed to prove that they were the continent’s top elites, Vera felt a bit more at ease.
✦ ✦ ✦
“In the name of the Lord.”
✦ ✦ ✦
[For the blessing of this land!]
✦ ✦ ✦
“In the name of eternal glory.”
✦ ✦ ✦
[For a glorious victory!]
✦ ✦ ✦
“Go forth and show the way.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Vera’s sword descended downwards.
✦ ✦ ✦
Thump!
✦ ✦ ✦
The advance party started marching.
✦ ✦ ✦
It was a brief and simple ceremony.
✦ ✦ ✦
However, none of them minded it.
✦ ✦ ✦
Even if their start was this simple, they believed that their victory upon returning would be glorious. They had been promised the most honorable position for that day.
✦ ✦ ✦
The bravest knights, with short but strong cries, headed toward the rising castle.