The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road Chapter 203.
Rinoa ends up becoming a suspect in the prince’s assassination.
I asked in disbelief.
“What on earth happened for such a thing to occur?”
“I hear there were testimonies from the observers.”
“Observers…? Ah, you mean the dungeon observers?”
It’s a magical profession that measures the danger level of dungeons or the contribution level of participants in dungeon conquests.
This observation requires the ability to handle space or time, so magicians born with both space and time attributes are considered the best observers.
It refers to magicians who can handle time and space, that is, those who can use Teleportation Skill.
“That’s right, they’re the observers who were supposed to use Teleportation Skill for the princes in case of emergency. They were each attached to one of the princes.”
“Seeing as the princes ended up getting harmed, it seems they didn’t fulfill their roles.”
“That’s why they became even more desperate to find those who attacked the princes. As a result, Miss Rinoa has come under suspicion. After reviewing the situation following the end of the battle, Miss Rinoa was observed at all three locations except for the surviving Prince Joseph’s side.”
“Are you saying Rinoa was present at the locations of the murdered 1st prince, the missing 2nd prince, and the 3rd prince?”
“That’s correct.”
“W-wait a minute. Weren’t they all under powerful illusion magic to begin with? What about the possibility that the observation results were wrong?”
“We can’t deny that possibility, but in the end, that’s the only proper clue we have…. Unless other evidence or testimony comes out, the investigation will proceed based on that data.”
“Tsk, surely Rinoa won’t be identified as the perpetrator of the assassination based on just that?”
“For now, she’s just on the list of suspects. The detailed investigation will be done after this battle situation is sorted out.”
“Phew…! This has become troublesome.”
It’s not that there was absolutely no possibility that Rinoa assassinated the princes. After all, I don’t know everything about Rinoa’s background.
“Where is Rinoa now?”
“She’s detained at the central base along with Anduha.”
“She just got released from the palace, and now… Is it possible to visit her?”
“It’s not possible. Wade, you, as Rinoa’s partner, are also under suspicion. There are definite testimonies proving your alibi, so no action is being taken for now, but if Rinoa’s charges become more serious, you could be detained as well.”
“At that time, you’ll take measures for me. You can do that much, can’t you?”
“Well… I’m not sure if I’ll be able to do that…”
It seemed she was also in a difficult position due to the prince assassination incident. After all, they had failed in their primary role of protecting the royal family.
Luc left with slumped shoulders.
And as if passing the baton, Elena appeared.
As Erina’s treatment had just finished, we could have a calm conversation in my tent.
“…Huh?”
For some reason, Elena looked displeased.
Even though her appearance was distorted and her expression couldn’t be read, I could feel the low pressure.
“Did something unpleasant happen?”
“…”
Elena pursed her lips as if she really didn’t want to speak, then sighed and opened her mouth.
“I encountered your master, Ilya Anfei, on this battlefield.”
“Is that true!”
The first good news I’d heard. I asked when, where, and how they met.
Elena, seeming upset, answered briefly.
“I encountered her where the dragon was.”
“Encountered? Does that mean you engaged in battle?”
“…”
“What happened? Did you fight?”
“We did.”
“Who won?”
“Why are you jumping straight to that? Shouldn’t there be other things you should ask first!”
“It’s obvious that Master is cooperating with the black magician group. I don’t know why she’s cooperating, but there must be some circumstances. More importantly, who won?”
Elena glared at me once, then…
“…I lost.”
“Ah.”
The atmosphere cooled, and an awkward air flowed. Erina also seemed to be reading the room, rolling her eyes back and forth.
It was even harder for me to act nonchalant.
Because I was secretly happy about Master Ilya’s victory.
‘Kuh! As expected of Master. Of course, that’s why she’s my master.’
She had defeated Elena, who had overwhelmed me, so in a way, my master had avenged me.
“U-um. I… See…”
I barely managed to hold back my laughter and nodded. Elena spoke with displeasure.
“What is it? If you have something to say, say it clearly.”
“N-no, I don’t have anything particular to say… Pff!”
“Did you just laugh!”
“Who’s laughing? I just… Puhah!”
“Y-you…!”
Elena’s eyes trembled.
She was very similar to Eonia in these aspects. It makes sense since they’re related by blood.
Especially their strong competitive spirit was very alike. Elena showed her frustration without filtering.
“Hahaha!”
Unable to hold it in anymore, I just laughed out loud. Elena exclaimed angrily.
“Kugh! Elaine! Come outside! I’ll face you!”
“Why me all of a sudden!?”
“I’ll confirm if you’re a suitable match for Eonia!”
What nonsense is this all of a sudden.
After I finally calmed down, I asked about the course of the battle.
“Don’t hide anything and tell me everything. This is important information.”
Elena, seeming to have given up, explained the course of the battle in detail from beginning to end.
Even up to the point where my master showed mercy twice when she could have taken Elena’s life.
“What a shocking event!”
I thought that maybe Master Ilya could win, but I never imagined she would overwhelm Elena.
“Kuh! As expected of Master! She showed the difference in class!”
“What difference in class are you talking about!”
“Based on what you said, she spared you twice. Isn’t that a difference in class?”
“T-that’s because I was a bit careless in the fight…”
“That’s what we call a difference in class.”
When I stated the facts, Elena gritted her teeth.
She declared her revenge.
“Next time we meet, I’ll pay her back in full.”
“Calm down. You can have a sparring match anytime after the situation is sorted out. More importantly… My master is in enemy territory, right?”
Whether my appearance is distorted or not, my master will immediately recognize my identity when she sees my martial arts. So if I can just meet my master, the situation will be resolved.
‘I need to find Master Ilya first.’
A total attack on the dragon was scheduled for tomorrow anyway.
Originally, it would have been more certain to just hold out here, but the situation changed due to the tragedy that befell the princes.
The deaths of the princes would cause long-term chaos, and above all, they couldn’t let the enemies who did such a thing go unpunished.
If they chose not to attack here, it was clear that the superiors in charge of command would be held accountable by the royal family later.
That’s why even the higher-ups agreed to the all-out attack.
“If you’re thinking of joining the vanguard, I’ll join you.”
“I’ll say it again, but please postpone your revenge match. I’ll arrange a place for it later. I want you to stay in the rear with Erina and protect Rinoa. I have a feeling someone is intentionally targeting Rinoa.”
Originally, I was planning to stay in the rear, but it was unavoidable to make contact with Master Ilya.
“What about your vassal?”
“I think it’ll be fine. Master Ilya and I will be able to confirm each other’s identities immediately when we meet.”
Although that zombie-like guy might target me, the illusion magic around the dragon was at its peak, so it would be difficult for him to find me too.
Elena nodded as if she understood.
“You must keep your promise to arrange a place later.”
“I said I understand. So for now, let’s say you’re third among my vassals.”
“Third! I haven’t even competed with Anton or whoever yet!”
“Anton is at a level that even Master Ilya couldn’t handle. So we know without having to compete, right?”
“Kuh…!”
Her fist trembled.
This defeat must have been quite humiliating.
Seeing her burning with such competitiveness, I thought it might be good to hold a martial arts tournament later to properly sort out the rankings.
* * *
As the next day dawned, we became busy with preparations for the march.
The most important thing was the means of communication.
While we can speak here on the outskirts, they say that speech still doesn’t work around the dragon.
Since we can’t communicate by writing every time, we decided to establish hand signals.
By the time we memorized all the hand signals, the order to prepare for the march was given.
Prince Joseph, who had temporarily assumed the position of commander-in-chief, shouted in an angry voice.
“Those guys are heretics! They’re no different from monsters, evil spirits! Don’t think of them as humans! Not one of them should be left alive!”
Woooah! Cheers rang out loudly. The morale of the people was sky-high.
‘There was this unexpected strength.’
If this had been a regular army, morale would have hit rock bottom. After all, they suffered a major defeat in yesterday’s battle, and even the princes who were the commanders died.
However, the strong individualistic tendencies of this army meant that such influences were minimal. Rather, their pride had been provoked, and they were burning with revenge.
“Each commander, make sure to lead your troops firmly!”
Joseph seemed to see this situation as an opportunity, showing a more enthusiastic appearance than ever.
The fact that all his older brothers had died meant that he could be first in line for the throne succession.
“Everyone, advance!”
The force of 30,000 advanced all at once.
I thought the enemy might retreat moderately.
Even though it had been halved, it was still a large army of nearly 30,000. The moment the dragon dies, the enemy would be completely wiped out.
‘If it were me, I would have retreated unconditionally.’
Judging from the tactical movements of the enemy who had stabbed our rear yesterday, the enemy commander is not incompetent. Of course, they would think about that aspect.
If they don’t retreat despite that, there’s only one case.
‘It’s when they’ve lost control of the dragon.’
That dragon serves as a kind of tactical nuclear weapon.
Just the presence of that dragon would make the Kingdom of Ellan passive in future conquests of the Forest of Lament.
So it’s better for the enemy to retreat too. They’ve sufficiently demonstrated that fighting them could result in severe injuries.
It’s nonsense to engage in an all-out war here.
‘Are they planning to fight? It seems they’ve failed to control the dragon.’
So they’re holding out until they regain control of the dragon.
This meant that the enemy was also cornered.
As Ars predicted.
Article’s camp was in a state of panic.
“Hurry up and control the dragon!”
The leader, Kieran, was sweating profusely.
“Damn it! We’ve been having…!”
Initially, Kieran thought they had more time. He judged that the prepared opponent would stay in place for a while, exercising caution.
He didn’t expect them to launch a total attack the very next day like this.
The situation turned out this way ultimately because of the deaths and disappearances of the princes.
That anger accelerated the movement of the army.
“Those alliance bastards…! So this was what they had to deal with…!”
If it was something that could dominate the war situation, they should have told them too. Kieran was angry about that part.
“Cuthbert! How long do you think we can hold out?”
“Well, I’d say the quality of the enemy’s forces is much better. Our undead soldiers have also fallen to 20,000. If all our magicians are mobilized too, I think we might hold out for half a day.”
“No! We don’t have any more teleportation scroll! We can’t send our children to their deaths. Only take the necessary personnel for battle.”
“If that’s the case, we won’t even last 3 hours. Is that okay?”
“…It’s fine. I’ll personally start working on controlling Mepatra.”
“Phew! If the great magician Kieran is doing it himself, that’s a different story. Alright. We’ll try to hold out somehow.”
“I’m counting on you, Cuthbert.”
“Heh. Leave it to me.”
Cuthbert gazed at Kieran, who was busily giving orders, with meaningful eyes.
‘Things are moving rapidly. Maybe it’s time for me to slip away too.’
Click! He slung his halberd over his back and turned towards the advancing troops of the Kingdom of Ellan.
‘But before I leave, I must kill that guy at least.’
If possible, he wanted to kill Ilya too, but that was impossible even for Cuthbert.
Moreover, Ilya could potentially be used in the future.
If only Ars dies, Ilya will become a talent in the field not belonging anywhere.
“Well, let’s go!”
The number of black magicians that would be his lifeline today was as many as 200.
‘Today, I am truly an immortal being.’
He charged into the enemy lines in reverse, leading the undead soldiers, to draw out Ars.
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