Survival 153

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“Your stamina isn’t as good as I thought?”

As expected of the forest race.

She was following behind me, but now she was bouncing around in front of me, making me catch my breath.

‘As expected of a cheating race…’

Elves are masters of magic, but their physical abilities are generally weak.

However, that’s only true for ordinary elves.

For a High Elf like Freesia, she could just use aura.

“Let’s slow down a bit. The scenery is nice, so let’s take a look around!”

“I’ve always seen the jungle. I want to see different landscapes!”

“Anyway… do you even know where you’re going?”

Flinch.

Freesia’s steps suddenly halted.

“Well, who knows?”

Seeing her long ears quiver, she was clearly quite flustered.

Truly, she was incredibly easy to read.

I clicked my tongue and stood beside her.

“We’ll have to keep looking at the jungle for a while. The beastmen settlement is deeper in.”

“Ugh….”

Freesia openly displayed her dislike.

She was an unusual elf for someone who considered the forest their home.

‘Well, it’s because of that personality that I recruited her as an ally.’

With a satisfied smile, I looked up at the status window above her head.

[Follower Management]

[Freesia] – [Distrust]

Despite having a negative tag, the hastily signed contract was worth it.

Now, I had a status window that I could check anytime I wanted.

‘It’s almost like the specs in a game.’

A sense of satisfaction filled my chest.

Being an elf, she had high agility and magic power.

She could command spirits of all elements, allowing her to handle various situations.

Even her ranged aura attacks with her bow were hard to find in another companion.

And she was easy to handle.

“Don’t worry. After we deal with the beastmen, I’ll show you a castle built by humans and dwarves.”

“A castle?”

“One of the great architectural wonders created by humans. You’ll be amazed by the grandeur of stones piled one by one from the ground up! You’ll be surprised when you see it.”

Her previously pouting lips parted in awe.

She was already engrossed in my story.

Or rather, the stories of the world outside the jungle.

“I’m looking forward to it. I can’t wait to see it!”

“Haha, just follow me. Since you’ve signed the contract, I’ll guide you anywhere.”

‘This should keep her obedient for a while.’

While the curious elf imagined the castle in her mind,

I once again unfolded the document handed to me by the elder of the elves.

[Just as the humans have joined forces with the dwarves, we must unite as well.]

[Elves, if your magic combines with the strength of us beastmen, we can achieve it.]

[If we succeed in reclaiming the Mother Tree, the east side based on the largest root will belong to you elves, and the west side to us beastmen….]

Despite the elaborate words, the core was clear.

Form a coalition and conquer the land.

But.

‘The beastmen are spewing lies.’

I looked down at the document with cold eyes.

No, perhaps the beastmen who wrote this document was sincere.

There was indeed a prevailing atmosphere of worshiping the World Tree among the beastmen, just like with other races.

If someone were to incite such a person to act as a messenger, it would make sense that the elves were deceived.

‘Of course, their leader has no such intentions.’

That aside, this document provided me with a good clue.

It clearly stated that they formed an alliance with the elves faster than in the original story.

[Recently, the humans and dwarves have been continually developing the jungle and gradually taking away our living space.]

[Not only that, but slave hunting is rampant among both beastmen and elves. Are we just going to sit back and be victimized by these outsiders?]

Slave hunting.

The paper crumpled with a sound at this new keyword, absent in the original story.

“Frost Mane? Why do you look so angry?”

“Ahaha, it’s nothing. The castle and all that. Desires indeed drive human progress, but sometimes they remind me how utterly vile they can be.”

“…That’s quite an objective view. Aren’t you human too?”

Still somewhat untainted by the world,

Freesia didn’t hide her suspicious expression like an innocent and honest youth would, and I simply gave her a smile.

“Ahaha, being human sometimes makes it easier to see certain things.”

-You’re shameless. Is there any truth in the words you utter? Are you really a king of a race, or just a swindler?

-Shh. Our innocent elf lady doesn’t know yet. As long as she doesn’t find out, it’s not a scam.

Ignoring the elf’s sharp gaze and the vampire’s reprimand, I pushed through the thick foliage.

“How much longer do we have to go….”

“Shh, lower your voice. We’ve arrived.”

There was a wooden palisade that easily surpassed a person’s height.

However, since we were on high ground, we could see beyond it clearly.

It wasn’t the head of a beast on a human body.

Fitting the game disguised as a dating sim, the only animalistic feature was the ears protruding from their heads.

They were bustling around, each armed.

Upon discovering them, a status window appeared:

[Dungeon]

[beastmen Provision Depot]

[In war, food is morale.]

[The beastmen’s excellent performance in war is not only due to the righteous cause of reclaiming the Mother Tree, which is the foundation of their magic, but also due to their systematic supply management.]

[For the stability and peace of the south, destroy this heart of the enemy.]

The status window also indicated we had reached our destination.

I turned my gaze from her to Tamer.

Swapping out my smiling mask,

“You’ve prepared the monsters, right?”

“Yes!”

“You need to be fully prepared. The place we’re heading to is quite dangerous.”

Even with Tamer’s affirmative response, I added a cautionary warning.

This was an advanced base for attacking the World Tree.

We needed to be ready for warrior-class beastmen to be stationed there.

“We have Hellhounds, Griffons, and even Sandworms ready!”

Satisfied with the prompt response brimming with military spirit, I nodded approvingly.

“Indeed. This place will be full of enemies gnashing their teeth at you. You’ll need an escort.”

“Leader…!”

His usefulness and loyalty had already been proven during the previous invasion of the elf village.

If he is qualified, he should be treated accordingly.

It’s time to reward a valuable talent.

‘And I have some skills I want to test.’

Last time, I could only use it to prove faith.

Otherwise, the name of an Ex-rank skill would be in vain.

[Ex rank: Divine Call]

[Faith Skill]

[A devotee with deep faith must respond to the call of their god.]

[Target: Sword Demon]

[Would you like to summon?]

[Y / N]

A high-ranking member of the Disaster Cult and a field commander.

A warrior whose faith is second to none.

As soon as the Sword Demon, dressed in shabby clothes, appeared in the jungle,

the boy’s eyes filled with joy.

[Follower Management]

[Tamer] – [Loyalty]

[Loyalty has temporarily reached Max level. Additional buffs are applied.]

[Control over monsters is increased by 20%.]

‘Wow, this is almost like being pushed to sweep them all away!’

“What?! What is this…?”

“Welcome, comrade! The Calamity has commanded me to assist you!”

“Leader?”

With Tamer’s exclusive vanguard prepared, it was time to act freely.

Putting on my smiling mask again, I turned to Freesia.

“While the Sword Demon and Tamer hold off the beastmen, we’ll burn all their supplies.”

“Isn’t this a bad thing?”

“Bad? It’s for the World Tree. Your mother, the Divine Archer, would be proud.”

“Hmm….”

Though nearly an adult, Freesia’s young face was painted with confusion.

“The enemies threatening the elves. Don’t you want to defeat them with your own hands? Become the hero who saves your people.”

The potential of a blank canvas is limitless.

The atmosphere of the painting changes depending on what colors are used.

“Really?”

“If we successfully burn it all, we can go outside the jungle afterward. You’ll even get to see humans.”

“Oh! That’s tempting.”

Seeing Freesia’s ears perk up, I swallowed inwardly.

It was the moment when the first stain of ink touched her curious heart.

-…What poor taste.

Of course, it was also accompanied by the lament of someone who witnessed the whole process,

‘Good, the preparations are done, now for the battle to begin…’

At that moment,

-By the way, Frost Mane, did you inform the warrior’s descendant?

-What? No. This plan was concocted on the spot after meeting Tamer.

-I expected as much.

-There are more pressing matters right now.

Luciana will handle things well on her own.

She might be confused by my disappearance, but she is a brilliant commander who knows how to separate public and private matters.

There was a faint clicking sound from the shadows, but I ignored it.

The battle in front of me was more important.

It was more advantageous to act as Frost Mane than Hans Byron to thwart the final boss’s schemes.

‘So I can’t contact her.’

In the guise of Frost Mane, I couldn’t get close to her.

If discovered, not only would I face hostility, but a bounty would be issued in the name of Speda and the imperial family.

I wondered why she was asking about something so obvious.

– I understand your concerns, but I’m worried about the atmosphere after your disappearance.

Hmm, that’s true.

Bathory had a point.

Especially Luciana.

She would be deeply affected by the disappearance of her cherished servant, feeling an indescribable emptiness.

No matter how capable a commander she was, she was still human. Her insides might be burning.

But since there was something urgent that needed to be done, I couldn’t inform her through a telepathic message.

As I was pondering what to do, she said something completely unexpected.

-I’ll take care of informing her. You just focus on your task.

-Oh, could I ask you to do that?

It was a pleasant surprise.

Despite their antagonistic relationship, she was willing to step up.

-It’s fine. I’m just doing my duty as a maid.

‘Huh?’

Along with words uncharacteristic of a vampire noble, the presence I felt in the shadows vanished.

‘What’s this? Why such a bitter tone?’

It felt a bit off.

But I soon pushed it out of my mind.

“Leader, when do we execute the plan?”

There were more pressing matters at hand.

“Is everyone ready?”

It was time to cause chaos amidst the beastmen’s war and the human’s slave hunts.

*** 

The southern duke, the Golden Duke, hosted a welcoming party.

True to its name, the event was nothing short of luxurious.

The extravagant food and drinks were made from ingredients so rare that even a count’s family would find it hard to come by.

The marble floor was adorned with beautiful carvings.

Gem decorations pleased the eyes, and the performances delighted the ears.

Despite all this, the main guests of the welcoming party wore expressions as gloomy as dark clouds.

Why was that?

Luciana herself knew the reason better than anyone.

-Why are you so downcast? Raise your head and be proud. You are part of the Speda duchy.

It seemed like he would say that if he were here.

But he wasn’t here now.

“Hans…”

Her servant disappeared in an instant due to a monster attack, leaving no time to respond.

Disappeared wasn’t quite the word.

Given that he still hadn’t appeared…

Luciana’s hand clenched with force.

She knew.

The academy’s field assignments guaranteed grades but came with their own dangers.

Nobles directly exploring dungeons and fighting monsters.

How could she not know that there could be casualties in the process?

‘But… I never thought it would be Hans.’

Squeeze.

In the end, unbearable frustration made her nails dig into the soft fabric of her dress.

If only she had handled things better.

Such regrets kept swirling in her mind.

However, she couldn’t ignore the present by being fixated on the past.

Even though she lost her beloved servant…

She had to move forward.

She carried the name of Speda, the name of the academy, and she had to become the future mother of the empire wherever and whenever it was needed.

Forcing a mask of composure, Luciana looked around.

But.

Liza was staggering with her head bowed low.

“Did he really fall like this? That can’t be… He must have had a plan….”

“In this situation, what stance should I take…?”

Despite having suffered at his hands, Robert and Caspera, who should have felt triumphant, looked rather bewildered.

“Young Hans…”

“A valuable person has gone.”

“Please watch your words. My brother is…”

“If he’s dead, what happens to our alliance?”

“Don’t worry, Third Prince. He’s not someone who would die easily. Surely…”

Noble children of the ducal family, a promising mercenary, and even a saint.

They all spoke of him.

‘What do they know.’

Luciana inadvertently let out a bitter smile.

Their sorrow was nothing compared to hers.

Who could she share this deep pain with, as if she had lost her right arm?

“Tsk, the atmosphere of the party is really off. Even the wine tastes bland.”

It was at that moment.

The Crown Prince, who had always kept his distance even when she approached, walked towards her.

“Luciana.”

“…Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”

“No need for formalities. Shouldn’t you show some effort given the current situation?”

What did he mean?

As Luciana tilted her head at the Crown Prince’s puzzling request…

“Isn’t the current gloomy atmosphere because the Speda family’s servant died? The party is like this. Tsk, as their master, you should step in to manage it.”

It felt like the thread of her rationality was snapping in an instant.

His words were simple.

Luciana should personally step up to manage this situation, lift the mood, and create the noble party atmosphere they deserved.

“Excuse me.”

“No, wait. I haven’t finished talking…”

“I’m sorry, but I am not qualified to manage it as I am still grieving the loss of my cherished servant.”

In an exceptionally cold tone, she added venomously,

‘Such a person is the Crown Prince of a country.’

“I don’t know if Your Highness can understand my feelings.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“It would be better if you had a truly loyal servant by your side.”

To his question, she twisted her lips into an uncharacteristic sneer.

Just as her servant had been, it was a raw expression, with nothing hidden behind a fan.

While the Crown Prince was momentarily taken aback, she hurriedly left the banquet hall.

It was a great discourtesy.

She neither sought permission from the host nor hinted for someone to relay her message.

But nothing mattered to Luciana.

‘I’m so tired…’

Luciana murmured quietly with an expressionless face.

She just wanted to lie down on her bed and rest quietly where no one could see her.

However, an unexpected guest awaited her, preventing that.

“You have come, descendant of the great warrior.”

“Vampire.”

“Sigh. As I expected, you look quite haggard, don’t you?”

A vampire dressed in maid’s clothes.

She was always attached to her servant, and now she was waiting in her room with her hands clasped together.

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