Chapter 115

(1)

1.

Iris had been feeling a constant sense of bewilderment.

To be precise, she had been puzzled ever since the mock battle began.

The Student Council President, Cliff Anton’s behavior.

What he had done was undoubtedly tyranny.

Ignoring the commands of his own faction, he purposely moved to ensure defeat.

‘But why…’

Why hasn’t he received any warnings or reprimands?

There’s a judge present in this mock battle and a spectator’s booth, so why is this happening?

The questions kept piling up.

Finally, she found her answer upon arriving at the player waiting area.

Right after seeing the broadcast screens.

“…!”

There were five screens showcasing the battlefield.

But the problem was that all the screens were focused solely on the Eloden faction.

There was only one reason.

Both the broadcasters and the audience were showing far more interest in the Eloden faction.

“Wow, praying to recover divine power, huh?”

“I’ve only heard of it, but it’s really impressive.”

“Isn’t their formation a bit unique?”

“Yeah. Their fighting style is different from ours.”

Those reasons were understandable.

It’s not something you see often when knights and priests collaborate to build formations and fight.

And one more thing.

Iris discovered an additional reason why there was no interference from the judge.

‘They never showed the base.’

After checking the video recording device’s history.

The interiors of both teams’ bases had never been shown on screen.

‘That means…’

It means she had no way of knowing what was happening in the base or what conversations were taking place. She had no way to notice the Student Council President’s tyranny.

The moment she realized this.

Iris bit her lips tightly.

‘Completely set up.’

Now, it made sense why the Student Council President had volunteered to be stationed at the base and why he could act tyrannically even while the battlefield was being broadcasted.

In other words, the Student Council had known all this information right from the start and proposed a deal to Iris.

They had no intention of sending Ulan out in the first place. It was merely to embarrass him.

Even more shocking was that this wasn’t the first time such tyranny had occurred in the Student Council.

The story of Ivella Elea’ad served as evidence.

“…Such things happened.”

The backstory of the entrance ceremony incident.

To sum it up, the reason Ulan had to become the terrorist of the entrance ceremony was because of the Student Council’s scheme.

If only they hadn’t burned the script, Ulan wouldn’t have had to scream out.

The Student Council’s tyranny unraveled.

Just as Iris’s expression hardened, Ivella began to move her lips again.

“But I’m curious about something.”

Her face was displeased.

She pressed with her question.

“Why is the Student Council so eager to hinder Ulan? Just because he’s a barbarian?”

“…Partially correct.”

“Then what’s the other part?”

“Because he was the top of his class when he enrolled.”

“But why is that a problem…?”

“It is a problem.”

Iris replied resolutely.

With a face hard as stone.

“The Arsen Student Council has been a group tightly bound by aristocratic elitism since long ago.”

It’s uncertain when it started.

However, the majority of the current Student Council is engulfed in severe aristocratic supremacy. Iris spoke with a stiff expression.

“Last year, something like this happened.”

A commoner from the production department ranked second in academic scores at the end of the term.

At a glance, this might not seem like a big deal, but it was enough to irk the Student Council.

“Huh? How so?”

“A commoner outperformed a noble, didn’t he?”

“All for such a reason…”

Leaving a flabbergasted Ivella behind, Iris continued speaking.

“The Student Council decided to eliminate the second-year student who was a thorn in their side. From that point on, relentless bullying and slander ensued, and eventually, that student had no choice but to drop out.”

After the shocking story ended.

Ivella seemed perplexed and responded.

“Wait, did the guards or student administration not do anything about such acts?”

“Yes, they did nothing.”

It was inevitable.

The Student Council had cleverly concealed the evidence.

And there was also a difference in background.

The perpetrators were heirs from grand noble families, while the victimized second-year student was just a powerless commoner with no backing.

No matter how strong the guards or student administration were, they couldn’t overcome reality. Thus, the incident concluded with the victim’s withdrawal.

“They consider commoners inferior beings. If they outperform a noble, they assume it’s due to some cowardly scheming.”

A bitter expression crossed Iris’s face.

With a sigh, she got to the heart of the matter.

“If commoners are treated like that, Ulan, who comes from a barbarian background, would certainly be even more of a thorn in their side. He even enrolled as the top of his class.”

“Wow, that’s just childish.”

“Totally. They’re petty losers.”

Iris bit her lips.

And this incident became the turning point for her to run for the next Student Council President.

To reform the Student Council stained by aristocratic elitism and change the irrational structure itself.

‘But…’

The closer she got to her goal, the more she felt blocked by the wall of reality. Just look at this friendly mock battle.

Her confidence was gradually dwindling.

Just when she was sighing repeatedly from the unidentifiable frustration and anxiety, a notification that intensified her feelings appeared before her eyes.

[Delia Arpen: Death]

[Kamila Tanesia: Death]

[Remaining forces of Arsen: 3]

The defensive line had completely collapsed.

Now only three troops remained. At that moment, Iris’s shoulders slumped weakly.

‘It’s over.’

There seemed to be no chance of winning.

Her expression was one of despair as if she had let everything go.

Just as she was about to resign herself.

“It’s not too late to give up yet.”

She heard Ivella’s voice.

Surprisingly, she was smiling. It was the smile of someone who hadn’t lost hope.

“We still have Ulan left.”

“Huh? But that guy alone…”

“We’ll win. No doubt about it.”

A confident statement.

On the other hand, Iris didn’t feel the same. She shook her head with a face still resigned.

“Even if we concede a hundred steps, if we want to leave the base, we need the Student Council President’s cooperation.”

If she leaves the base alone, the President will likely follow out of the base too. He is hoping for Arsen’s defeat.

‘Then it’s an immediate disqualification.’

But how could they win then?

Not to mention, in the Eloden faction, there’s also the expert Ian Marcus, just like Ulan.

Even if the last survivor of the defensive line, Noa traded places with Ulan, their chances were slim.

That’s why Iris was assured.

Ivella’s hope was futile.

Just then.

[With three survivors remaining in the Arsen faction, Eloden’s advance team is rapidly approaching! They’ve already reached the base!]

The sight announcing the end of the battle appeared.

Instantly, the Eloden advance team dashed up the hill and entered the cabin.

[Cadet Denver! And Cadet Roberne are leading with their shields. Once they secure the flag, the mock battle will be a victory for Eloden…!]

An excited voice announcing the climax of the broadcast.

Just then, suddenly—

BOOM!

A loud thunderous sound erupted.

It was such a powerful shock that it shook the screen. Immediately, a strong shockwave swept through the area.

And at that moment.

[…Huh?]

The broadcaster’s stunned exclamation followed.

The Eloden advance team was sent soaring through the air.

WHAM! BANG!

Two cadets crashed down to the ground in unison.

Pieces of destroyed orbs fell beside the two cadets who lay as still as if they were sleeping.

[Denver Gord of the Arsen faction: Dead]

[Roberne Krakh: Dead]

[Remaining forces of Eloden: 8]

An instant silence fell over the venue.

No one, neither the broadcaster nor the audience, dared to speak. Moments later, as the silence broke, the broadcasters finally opened their mouths.

[W-What just happened?!]

[I-I have no idea. Maybe it was the defending forces at the base that counterattacked…?]

As the broadcaster stumbled over their words.

Someone appeared.

Fiery red eyes burning like flames.

The moment they faced a fully exposed upper body, the broadcasters immediately recognized who he was.

[Ulan! Ulan Bator!]

[The expert of the Arsen faction, Ulan Bator, has finally revealed himself on the battlefield!]

Ulan boldly stepped out from the base.

Iris’s eyes widened.

Curious about how he had sent the two cadets flying, what was even more surprising was that the Student Council President was still not following him out.

At that moment.

A response that clarified her question came.

“Noa managed to switch out.”

Her words came out in short bursts. It was Delia.

Seeing her self-satisfied smile, Iris asked with a confused face.

“Huh? Switch out?”

“I sent him out to switch.”

“But the Student Council President wouldn’t just stay still…”

There’s no way he would.

If so, he would undoubtedly chase after Ulan or do something sly, like taking the flag and leaving the base to defect.

So why wasn’t he coming out?

Just as she pondered this question.

The video recording device broadcasting Ulan suddenly showed the interior of the base. And there, Iris spotted something familiar.

“…Huh?”

A man who was stuck headfirst into the ground.

At the same moment Iris’s eyes widened.

Ivella and Delia, seeing the same sight, simultaneously shouted.

“He’s just sitting there quietly.”

“Looks like he was well persuaded.”

And quite thoroughly.

They exchanged grins as if they could roughly guess what had happened inside the base. Meanwhile, at that moment, the broadcasters were earnestly trying to assess the situation.

[Why is the Student Council President there…?]

[Forget that, according to the rules stating there should be two defending forces at the base, Cadet Ulan has no choice but to fight alone!]

[On the other hand, Eloden still has eight forces remaining. Even without the garrison forces at the base, they still have six intact forces.]

Facing a situation where he had to fight against six alone.

Not only was he at a numerical disadvantage, but there was an even bigger issue.

[To make matters worse, with the ace of this mock battle, Ian Marcus also still in play, can there truly be a proper battle?!]

As soon as the broadcaster finished speaking.

The two girls burst into laughter.

“They really don’t understand anything.”

“Yeah. It’s scarier because he’s alone.”

Right now, Ulan was alone.

Both Ivella and Delia, of course, and Noa were absent.

At face value, this seemed to indicate a disadvantage in strength, but in reality, it was quite the opposite.

“Because Ulan is special.”

“In other words, the current situation can be summarized in one phrase…”

They could put it like this.

All the brakes that usually held Ulan back had completely disappeared.

Shortly after.

Ulan proved this.

[IYAAAAAAAAAN—!]

Ulan charged down the hill.

He swung his batons in both hands, rushing in like a wild horse let loose. His reddish-brown hair danced in the wind, reminiscent of blazing torches.

A sign of the counterattack beginning.

2.

At the Arsen base on the hill.

The representative of Eloden, Teron Shulagen, sent two from the advance team to the cabin.

The reason was simple.

He had a bad feeling.

‘Currently, there are only two defenders.’

Ulan Bator and Cliff Anton.

Both required caution, but Teron was especially wary of the latter.

‘I heard Cliff Anton is definitely a master of defense magic.’

Particularly skilled in setting traps.

So, there was a good chance he had set numerous traps at the base entrance. Hence, he sent the advance team to confirm.

Of course, Ian had said Teron should be cautious of Ulan, not Cliff, but Teron didn’t care much about that.

‘After all, I’m not the one who’ll be facing him.’

It was frustrating, but Teron knew he couldn’t win against Ulan.

Just as only a master could contend with a master, the only one capable of fighting evenly with Ulan here was another expert.

‘So, my task is…’

To ensure that Ian has a one-on-one battle with Ulan, or to obtain the flag before such an event occurs. That was all.

Just as he set a clear objective.

BOOM!

Suddenly, a thunderous noise erupted from the hill.

Along with a storm of dust swirling, the unfortunate bad news arrived.

[Denver Gord: Dead]

[Roberne Krakh: Dead]

[Remaining forces of Eloden: 8]

Just as expected.

After his eyes gleamed sharply.

Teron immediately relayed orders.

“Knight Order! Recite your prayers!”

“We establish a three-star Holy Shield!”

The Holy Shield has different grades.

And a three-star Holy Shield perfectly negates magical attacks of the same rank and can further defend against several physical attacks.

In short, Teron’s devised plan was to first create the Holy Shield and then charge the base to secure the flag.

A plan solely for victory.

‘Of course, its duration is short, but…’

There’s no need for concern.

Because the next Saintess, Laurea, was here.

Just her existence ensured that divine power would never run out. As long as Laurea was present, Eloden’s assault team wouldn’t face defeat.

Just then.

A few cadets shouted in surprise.

“President Shulagen!”

“Someone has come out!”

Who has come out?

Teron looked up the hill.

Soon, his eyes narrowed.

“That’s….”

A man revealing a solidly muscular upper body.

No need to figure out who he was.

Among the participants in the mock battle from the Arsen faction, there was only one man who would be bare-chested.

“Damn it.”

Meanwhile, Ian grimaced.

The reality he was worried about had come true.

At the same time, his eyes locked onto Ulan’s.

Given the considerable distance, it wasn’t clear, but at the moment their eyes met, he noted that Ulan seemed to be mouthing something.

“Huh? Just now…”

Laurea’s eyes widened.

As if she understood Ulan’s words.

Moments later, she whispered softly, just loud enough for Ian to hear.

“I think he just muttered your name.”

“No way, that can’t be….”

Ian chuckled.

How could someone he hadn’t even seen a few times mutter his name?

Laurea must have misheard him.

However, she couldn’t finish her response.

The moment she withdrew her gaze, Ulan charged towards them like a raging bull.

KAWAGAGAGAG!

The dust cloud he kicked up followed behind him.

The Eloden assault team instinctively stepped back in unison from his fierce momentum.

“Guh! Don’t back down!”

Teron growled fiercely.

He couldn’t admit that he had felt intimidated by Ulan, so he gritted his teeth and yelled.

“There’s only one opponent! If we fight with the Holy Shield in front, we can definitely win….”

Only, he couldn’t finish his sentence.

More accurately, his voice was completely drowned out by Ulan’s war cry.

“IYAAAAAAAAAN—!”

The roar echoed across the battlefield.

The moment Ian heard his name called out, he seemed completely flustered.

“W-What is it? Why suddenly call my name…?”

“Now that I think about it, I’ve heard that before.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Barbarians always shout the name of their arch-enemy they must take down.”

“…”

Ian closed his mouth tightly.

A bad premonition crept in.

“Does that mean…?”

“That he’ll kill you!”

Laurea responded with a bright smile.

Meanwhile, Ian couldn’t muster a smile at all. Then Laurea gently patted his shoulder.

“It was fun while it lasted, Ian.”

“W-Why me?!”

“Well, I don’t really know.”

Laurea shrugged her shoulders.

“But it worked out.”

“What worked out?!”

“I just have something to take care of.”

The moment she uttered ‘something to take care of.’

Her expression turned serious.

As if she had a truly important mission to attend to. Afterward, she leaned in closer, placing her lips near Ian’s ear, and spoke in a serious tone.

“So Ian, I’ll give you a very important mission as the next Saintess.”

“A- mission?”

“Yeah. Hold out as long as you can.”

“…Huh?”

“Until my business is done.”

“What do you mean…?”

Ian asked back in confusion.

Yet no answer came.

Before long, Laurea had knelt down, suddenly clasping her hands together and humbly offering a prayer. The content of the prayer was something Ian was quite familiar with.

『Bridge of Light』

A unique divine prayer of Laurea that allows her to move wherever light touches.

The moment he registered this fact.

Ian stretched his hand out urgently.

“W-Wait, Senior!”

But nothing could grasp hold.

Just an empty void he waved through.

In the blink of an eye, Laurea’s figure vanished, leaving Ian with a vacant expression.

It was understandable.

For he had to fight Ulan alone, without Laurea’s support. Faced with the harsh reality, Ian clasped his hands together and muttered.

“…Oh divine being. I’m screwed.”

It was a prayer that might sound irreverent.

Yet, he could do nothing but despair.

Just after Laurea vanished.

A rumbling sound shook the ground.

“I’ve come.”

The wild barbarian smiled brightly.

Ulan appeared right in front of him.

Chapter 28. Shouldn’t we call it a draw?