Karul Plains stood at the border of Andras and Meltor, and it was a regular battlefield for the two of them. Despite the terrain favoring a magician’s range, Meltor had never managed to rout Andras in battle. The fortress of Rutben had been an impregnable defense.
To make matters more interesting, the topography of Karul Plains had changed after being bombarded by countless 7th Circle great spells, creating canyons and hills across its normally flat surface. its appearance over the centuries. The battlefield between superhumans and magicians had already been twisted beyond nature’s ability.
“In that sense, maybe this is the last time we can call this a plain,” the elderly man muttered as he stroked his beard.
It had been fifty years since he had set foot on the plains. He stood at the peak of the Magic Society as its chairman, but the memories of his battles on these plains were clear as day. The same went for any magician his age who had survived that war. The way magic and swords had clashed, battling fiercely to survive another day.
The torrential rain of fire that had descended from the sky…
The ground that had been slick, yet sticky from blood.
He had faced deadly blades from every side in a field where tripping hazards weren’t rocks but bodies. The clouds and fog had been dyed scarlet as human lives were reaped like a bumper harvest. He couldn’t help but shudder as he wondered how many corpses were buried under these peaceful looking plains.
“Commander.” A middle-aged soldier approached the chairman of the Magic Society, documents in hand. “We have corrected all the inconsistencies with the terrain from the last war. It was also reported that the surveying team found Andras’ scouts and attempted capture, but failed.”
The chairman snorted. “Taking them alive won’t be that easy.”
“Yes, sir. They had an old-fashioned poison pill in their mouths. They committed suicide as soon as they realized they were trapped.”
The Magic Society’s chairman’s face hardened. Karul Plains only fielded two kinds of scouts: those skilled enough to avoid getting caught; and those who were worthless when caught.
They would swallow poison without hesitation if they were caught, even if they were regular scouts. This had gone beyond military discipline and into madness. The soldiers of the Andras Empire were like the Janissaries of Austen when it came to blind faith.
The chairman grumbled. “… Their resolve certainly presents problems.”
The soldier nodded. “Yes, it really is annoying.”
Just as Meltor hated the empire, Andras hated Meltor too. They had been enemies since the founding of the respective kingdoms, so this hatred had burrowed deep into their bones.
“Well done, Earl Carter. If it wasn’t for your help, the map would’ve taken a few more days to complete. It is a big achievement.”
“I just fulfilled my role.” Carter, who had become an earl after his achievements in the Soldun civil war, politely received the praise. He was a veteran war magician of the Red Tower, so it was obvious that he would be posted to the front lines at Karul Plains.
For Commander Benedict, chairman of the Magic Society, there was no one more competent.
“Hmm?” At this moment, Benedict heard an artifact ringing. “… Hoh. He’s arrived? Understood. Tell the troop commanders to gather and wait for me, and summon his troops.”
“Commander. Who is that you’re talking about?” Earl Carter asked carefully, his eyes gleaming.
It was hard for Carter to hide the anticipation in his eyes.
Benedict laughed and fulfilled those expectations, “The hero has arrived.”
It was the arrival of the kingdom’s hero, Theodore Miller.
***
Once he’d arrived at Karul Plains, Theo was quickly guided to the commander’s barracks, where he saw several familiar faces.
The most surprising among them was the commander.
“Chairman?”
“It has been a long time since I’ve seen your face, Captain.” Benedict, the head of the Magic Society at the center of the magic towers, was examining Theo from the head of the table.
Theo was amazed as he quickly interpreted this situation. The fact that the chairman called him Captain and not Prime signified that the chairman wasn’t acting in his Magic Society position, but rather as the commander of Meltor’s army.
Theo politely saluted him, “Yes. It has been a while, Commander.”
“Hrmm.” His judgment had been correct. Benedict hid a smile as he spoke to the commanders around them, “I don’t need to introduce him, but this is Quattro’s captain, Marquis Theodore Miller. There are a few people here who know him, but let’s leave the small talk to later.” 𝙚𝙙𝙤𝒗𝒆𝒍．𝒄𝙤𝙢
The old man spoke sternly, refusing to reveal the excitement in his voice. It would only take a glance to see that Theo was an excellent magician. Everyone could sense the magic power overflowing from his trained body, but how many people here were confident of defeating him? Moreover, how had he reached this level at his age?
“It is good to see you, Captain Theo. When I heard that you were only three days away, I couldn’t help rejoicing. You can blame my incompetence.”
Theo shook his head. “No. Please use me fully.”
The chairman grinned. “Huhu, you are so modest. I’m sorry if this doesn’t meet your expectations, but we have already decided on your position.”
Theo was surprised. “That is…?”
His position was already determined? Benedict and the other commanders smiled at his visible confusion. Benedict set a paper down and pushed it toward Theo, “Read it slowly.”
“Yes…” Theo picked it up and scanned it carefully. His eyes widened. “Commander, this is…”
Theo didn’t know how Meltor’s army operated normally, but this was too extraordinary.
【 Quattro’s Captain, Theodore Miller will be given sole command of a unit composed of up to fifty people. The candidates will be recruited from Quattro, the war magicians, or the magic towers. The members will be organized according to Theodore Miller’s orders. Additionally, Theodore Miller has the right to override the commander, Benedict Alpen’s orders. 】
It meant that Theo had the power to command a single unit at his disposal. He could even ignore the commander’s orders!
Theo was at a loss for words.
However, Benedict just waved it away. “There is no precedent for this, but it’s not that unusual once we take the situation into account. It was agreed that it was inefficient to fold a master into a non-flexible command structure.”
Theo hesitated. “But…”
“It’s basically the same protocol we use for the Red Tower Master. Her combat power and maneuverability are too good to be tied down to the army. Of course, I can’t allow you to wander around alone like her, so this seemed like an acceptable solution.”
The power of a master, which could surpass a hundred soldiers, was a military force multiplier. A master could overturn the flow of the battlefield with a single gesture. Thus, it was more efficient to leave them to act at their own discretion, rather than fit them into the army. Just like how a swordmaster hid in a melee for assassination opportunities, Meltor controlled the battlefield with magicians that could appear anywhere.
Moreover, Theo and the war magicians were the wildcards of Karul Plains.
The chairman spoke, “Also, Earl Carter.”
“Yes, Commander.” Carter stepped forward at Benedict’s call.
Benedict turned to Theo. “If you don’t mind, I would like to recommend him as your assistant, as long as you don’t have someone you’ve thought of beforehand.”
Theo grimaced. “I’m sorry.”
It was true that an active veteran would be helpful, but Theo refused the offer without hesitation. However, it wasn’t because he didn’t like Earl Carter. Benedict read Theo’s expression and asked him, “Do you have someone in mind?”
Theo nodded. “Yes.”
“Can you tell me who?”
“This…” It was a bit difficult, so Theo cast a quick whisper spell for Benedict’s ears only.
“―Hrmm.” As the head of the Magic Society, Benedict didn’t betray anything. He just nodded in acknowledgement. Theo admired his composure as Benedict issued alternate orders for Earl Carter. “Well, I understand. Earl Carter will guide you to the people you will be commanding. A full operational meeting will begin tomorrow.”
“Yes. Thank you, Commander.” Theo accepted the command and left the barracks.
Earl Carter followed hurriedly, while those remaining in the barracks turned to more serious matters. Theo had refused to accept the commander’s favor, and Benedict had a carefully neutral expression on his face…
However, Benedict was almost gleeful inside. Indeed, that person would serve quite well.
It doesn’t matter how brilliant Earl Carter is compared to him. Andras is going to go completely insane.
He hadn’t expected something this interesting, but it wouldn’t do any harm to Meltor either. Benedict chuckled as he imagined how the battle would play out.