Chapter 12: Headmistress’s Trap

※No ero scenes.

※Slightly cruel depictions appear. If you dislike them, please be careful.

Reda Factlin, the Royal Knight Academy Headmistress who had arrived in Lisben ahead of everyone, joined up and asked about the students’ condition. There was a reason Reda had gone ahead. To check the training route from Luca settlement through Alsace Great Forest to Ryune town. Especially the supplies the trainees would procure in Luca—she had been watching closely. With double the usual participants, shortages were possible. Luckily Grupp Trading had dumped a huge stock, so procurement in Luca was no longer a problem.

“Grupp Trading’s timing is too perfect. And everything they released was exactly what we needed… Did someone leak info?”

Only one person came to mind who would do that, but marching training happened every year so it wasn’t exactly secret. Even if it was, she couldn’t complain. Reda confirmed future plans with each instructor.

“Checkpoints at three points in the great forest, same as always. Medical teams on standby for emergencies—accept anyone who wants to drop out immediately. Give water, food, medicine if needed. This is training. Make sure no accidents happen.”

North they faced the Empire, spies likely infiltrating. South was all friendly nations so relatively safe. That was why most academy training took place south of the capital. Still, four hundred students marching through the forest for a week—safety was the academy’s responsibility.

“Any reports from Hunting Guild about dangerous beasts appearing?”

“None so far. But Ryune branch reports not just bears—deer and boar numbers are down too. Multiple hunters are investigating the forest now, so full report will take a little more time.”

“Understood. I’ll push on to Luca then head to Ryune first. Third checkpoint is one day out from Ryune. No dangerous beasts have appeared before, but if they do we abort at second checkpoint.”

In operation planning the key is to define “what counts as success” and at the same time “what counts as failure.” Between perfect success and worst failure lies a vast gray zone. You need concrete abort criteria and procedures so worst failure never happens. Here worst failure was “student deaths or permanent incapacitation.”

After all checks, they took a break. Over tea Reda asked.

“How are the students doing?”

“Same old every year. Gave them a good scolding first night to tighten them up. Chevalier candidates are probably running around procuring supplies right now.”

Classes at the Royal Academy were just “knowledge” in the end. Their days were peaceful—physical training and lectures. Paladin candidates competed to be among the fifty selected, but Chevalier candidates basically all graduated. After a year of slacking, this extracurricular was the usual way to snap them back.

“But one student was reading this. It was…”

“Kaito, right? Skipped playing in the first village, properly procured supplies… Not bad.”

Even while saying it Reda wasn’t surprised. Her late friend who once aimed to be a “true hero” had read the first trap too. No wonder Kaito, who received that training, did the same. He had probably foreseen procurement trouble in Luca.

“But what about this one? Can you read this trap?”

“…Headmistress. Isn’t this a bit much? We might see a wave of mid-way dropouts.”

Ignoring the surrounding concern, Reda smiled happily.

After finishing everything they needed in Lisben, Kaito’s group headed to the communal bathhouse. Three large stone buildings: men’s, women’s, and private rooms for the wealthy. Kaito wanted to take Roksane to a private room but she refused. After training ended they would report to the academy and make it official. Ryune town had baths too, so fun postponed until then. Three men stripped naked and sank into the tub. Kaito thought this kind of hanging out wasn’t bad.

“By the way Kaito. You planning to procure in Luca?”

“Hm? Supplies for the great forest training? Stefan procuring here in town?”

“Not just me—Carlos too. Volume gets big, but Luca procurement looks tough. Lots of other Chevaliers will be buying there too.”

“Yeah. When Stefan said it I realized. If war, Luca is front line. Front-line procurement is hard—we learned that in class. Easier in this town.”

“Right. Better that way. Actually I already arranged mine. Sasha in my party—her family runs a trading company. Before leaving capital I set it to pick up in Luca. Sorry for keeping quiet.”

Kaito’s words made the two smile bitterly and nod.

“It’s fine. Still, you really miss nothing…”

“Kaito could be an operations staff officer even without becoming Chevalier. For someone slow like me, enviable.”

“You’ve got strength and stamina instead. Stefan’s stability and coordination are way better than mine. I cause friction easily. Joining this academy made that clear.”

While soaking they talked who would make good partners in their parties. Kaito named Roksane without hesitation. Stefan named Afrodia from his own party, Carlos named Elfina.

“I’m slow-headed. Elfina notices things fast, has power, good personality.”

“Afrodia seems like she’ll manifest recovery powers. If so she goes to medical team. Means I need way less medicine.”

“Roksane’s body is the best. Cute beautiful-girl face hidden behind those glasses, body top level in the whole academy from the neck down. I get in heat easy. If I’m gonna fuck, I want the best body.”

Three different reasons, all three laughed at once.

“So? How about the guys over there?”

Elsa rested her head on the tub edge and asked the other parties’ girls for their evaluations of each Chevalier. Sofia washed her face, thought a moment, then answered.

“Well. Carlos has strong power and stamina. Chevalier qualities plenty. But he seems bad at thinking deep. A bit like me.”

“Stefan-san is attentive and sees the whole picture. His positioning is really skilled. He yields in stamina and life force to Carlos, but his coordination more than makes up.”

Gentle-beauty Afrodia evaluated Stefan that way. Elfina asked Roksane.

“So what about your year-valedictorian Chevalier?”

Roksane suddenly found it hard to answer. She had already crossed the line the others hadn’t. They were still Paladin “candidates,” but she was already confirmed. After training they would report to the academy. Saying anything weird here might raise suspicion. Luckily Elsa misread her hesitation and threw a lifeline.

“Roksane’s stuck too, right? That one can’t be evaluated. Too wild in everything he says and does.”

“Yeah. One word: monster. Intellect, stamina, life force—all abnormally high, but personality doesn’t match. Polite to people he accepts, but treats others like insects… maybe…”

“N-no, that’s not true. Kaito-san has kind sides too. He prepared meals for us too, right?”

Roksane argued back. Sasha nodded at those words.

“Yeah. Monster was overkill. Change to ‘off-the-charts outsider.’”

“‘Off-the-charts outsider,’ huh… Yeah. Fits Kaito perfectly. No matter what, he does think about us. He’s not someone we can evaluate…”

“Kaito has calmed his words and actions a bit since we first met. Probably always had a good head. After the farming-village incident I revised my view of him. Pure Chevalier talent alone—he might be academy number one, not just year.”

“That incident seems to have fired up the second-years. ‘Can’t lose to some cocky first-year.’ Looks like fierce competition from Luca onward.”

Everyone talked about one man this and that. Roksane barely spoke but somehow felt proud. Her Chevalier really was an unbelievable hero.

Three days after leaving Lisben, past noon, Kaito’s group reached Luca settlement. Luca was a hunters’ base, not very populated. At the entrance Reda Factlin stood before the lined-up students.

“In the ten days since leaving the capital, both Paladin and Chevalier candidates should have glimpsed ‘reality.’ From here it’s competition by four-person parties. Best-performing party gets three days off plus three gold coins bonus. Dropouts return to academy for remedial classes. We expect every single one to ‘finish.’ Training starts now. You’ll need time for procurement, so departure deadline is noon tomorrow. Finally, a small present from me—maps of the forest. Spring locations marked too, use them as reference. Begin!”

Everyone poured into the settlement at once. Some tripped and fell. Kaito called to Stefan and Carlos.

“From here it’s competition. Let’s all aim to finish.”

“I’m going for first! In stamina I won’t lose to you!”

“Kaito. Win or lose, let’s all meet safe and happy in Ryune!”

They bumped fists and split. Both had already procured so they left immediately. After seeing them off Kaito called his three Paladins.

“Our departure is tomorrow morning. Until then final prep in this settlement. Need to pick up luggage too. First to the inn.”

“Oh, you’re not leaving?”

Headmistress Reda called out. Kaito shrugged at the amused smiling blonde disappointing beauty.

“First pick up the ordered luggage. And checks still left.”

“Kaito? What are you checking?”

To Elsa’s question Kaito answered while still facing Reda.

“My master taught me. Most important on the battlefield is information gathering. If this training is war, Alsace Great Forest is the battlefield. Ask hunters about rest spots, water points, beasts that appear. Grateful for Headmistress’s ‘favor’… but I’m not naïve enough to swallow second-hand info.”

“Twisted.”

“Call it ‘careful.’ I am Chevalier. Responsible for three Paladins. So after picking up luggage at inn, talk to hunters. Confirm this map’s info and learn more about the battlefield forest.”

One bow, then Kaito’s group entered the settlement. Watching their backs Reda smiled pleasantly.

“That mean disappointing beauty! What ‘present’? Water points and rest spots are off. This is straight-up a ‘trap’!”

Even while saying it Kaito was impressed. The map was rough, only approximate distances. “One hour walk” changes with stride. Fifteen-minute front-back error makes huge real difference. Complain and they’d just say “it’s only a guide, anticipate that too.”

He got info on several unmapped springs, edible mushrooms, nuts. Dangerous beasts apparently don’t appear. No need to hunt deer or boar, but knowing possible animals helps sudden encounters.

“We’re tired from camping so far. Sleep early tonight, rest bodies. Tomorrow morning depart fresh.”

“Last to leave, but we’ll overtake everyone in one go. We’re taking first!”

Elsa’s eyes dazzled by three months’ allowance. After dinner Kaito entered his solo room. Roksane shared with Elsa and Sasha—couldn’t sneak out. He studied the map, burned tomorrow’s route into his head. So even if map lost he wouldn’t be stuck.

…Listen, Kaito. A Paladin’s performance depends on the Chevalier’s ability. Paladins wield inhuman power, but on the battlefield board they’re just pieces. Swords and shields. But Chevaliers are different. Heroes are the ones who move the Paladin pieces. Deciding when and where to move them—that’s the hero. Many heroes neglect that and just follow headquarters orders. That shortens their lives. You must not become one of those “wait-for-orders heroes.” Stand on the “give-orders” side…

“Lilia-sensei. Am I doing it right?”

Kaito muttered softly while looking at the map.

Next morning at sunrise Kaito’s group departed. All other parties had left the settlement the day before. Last to leave, but they had more info on this forest than anyone.

“First actual water resupply point is too far. Ignore it, head to the spring hunters told us about. Water refill will be evening. Prepare extra water.”

One week food, camping gear, water on their backs. Heavy, but would lighten as they ate. Short Sasha carried half, the other three split the rest.

“No need to push. Might as well take it easy. Other groups relying on this map will have quite a few drop out.”

The Alsace Great Forest marching training began like that.

“Strange? Survey team left ten days ago. Should be back by now.”

Hunting Guild in kingdom southernmost town “Ryune” was noisy over an anomaly. Beasts had vanished, so hunters left ten days ago to investigate. Expected back in a week at earliest, but none had returned. Multiple voices said send second team. If beasts stayed gone, no work. Reluctantly Hunting Guild dispatched second team. All veteran hunters.

“What the hell is happening?”

Guild master folded arms, face grim.

Sharp claws attacked with impossible speed and power. The man was blown away, slammed into a tree. Head spinning. Tried to stand but legs wouldn’t move. Felt dull numbness. Looked at his own belly.

…Waist down was gone.

“Ah… ah… ah…”

Bird-like cry. Saw comrade’s face. Tears streaming. Half his head was already inside IT’s mouth. Baribari crunching. Skull and all, head torn off and eaten. Eyebrows up vanished, the thing that was his comrade dropped. The man missing lower half stared in daze. Total wipeout. He would die soon too.

Zushin, zushin footsteps approached. Terror hit. He might be eaten alive too. That terror made the man decide. He gathered strength, pressed sword to his own throat.