The Warrior Ishtar, who had seized the top student position due to Oknodie’s absence, stood atop the peak she had longed for within Class 981, yet felt no joy at this fact. The very person who had driven her to such a desperate effort was not present at the academy.
“Isn’t this unfair? You’ve endured so many lectures because of that kid,” Yufi, her perceptive childhood friend, squinted at Ishtar like a flounder.
“That might be true. But it’s no longer an important matter.”
“Ishitar, you’re not thinking something strange again, are you?”
“Oknodie has become a princess of the Empire.”
“Surely there’s some wicked plan by the Foundation. It might have been valued more than graduating from the academy. The position of the fourth princess of the Empire does hold some weight, doesn’t it?”
“That’s the problem. That kid took Destroyer Professor’s classes like I did.”
“Is there something worrying you?”
“There is. Destroyer Professor has warned us repeatedly.”
Even now, the shock she felt that day echoed vividly in her ears.
– The Emperor is the ally of the Warrior and a father to the people. But not every father is a great one to his children. Someday, it might be the same for the warrior. What Ni’alatotep has done is close to giving the Emperor—who could become a warrior’s enemy—a new headache while buying time.
– …
– At least I wanted to be able to believe that during the time I barely grasped the truth.
– So what are you thinking now, dear senior? About the previous hero and the Emperor.
– Guess what. The answer you’ll provide on the last day of the second semester will be your answer for the final exam.
All students were given credits for the lectures they had missed, and a small amount of points was awarded as compensation for not receiving the teachings.
But she felt not a hint of joy.
She had been waiting. Waiting for the last lecture that would answer that question. The professor has not returned.
Destroyer Professor, who had tried to make us feel the same answer.
Only the two of them, Oknodie and that professor, had left the academy and not returned.
Ishtar felt as if she was the only one left behind.
‘They say it’s the best educational institution in the world. I’ve attended so many lectures and gained so much insight. So why does this emptiness inside me not go away?’
Like having the most precious strawberry taken away from a strawberry cake, the sense of loss lingered.
[Meditation]
To calm her agitated mind, she closed her eyes, and another voice came to her.
– That can’t be! The Warrior has much to do ahead. You need to slay the regional bosses that appear in regional events, defeat the Demon King, and take down the Emperor!
– What do you think of the Warrior…?
Oknodie had boldly declared before her and Yufi during the Uninhabited Island Auction.
As if it was a matter of course for a warrior, the clueless child had spoken of tasks even no warrior would dare mention.
But truly, who was the ignorant one?
Through the teachings of Destroyer Professor, a significant change had occurred in Ishtar’s mindset at that moment.
News from outside the academy began to reach her.
[Revolutionary dies in Kanelle City.]
[Revolutionary Army collapses after losing its focal point.]
[Oknodie crowned as the fourth princess of the Empire.]
[Leftover remnants of the Revolutionary Army appear in the Imperial Palace.]
Ishtar made a resolution.
“I must go.”
“Where to?”
“To the Imperial Palace.”
Yufi extended her arms, tightly clutching Ishtar like a pair of handcuffs.
“You can’t go.”
“Yufi.”
“Are you thinking about that foolish talk from Oknodie? What if you take the enemy’s words to heart?”
“Yufi.”
“Don’t you have any pride? You’ve faced humiliation because of that child so many times, and now you want to follow her orders?”
“Yufi.”
At Yufi’s repeated call, her expression dimmed.
The grip that held Ishtar was as weak as a pair of handcuffs about to break.
“Maybe you’re right, I might be a fool. I’ve listened to the tales of the enemy that have brought me so much humiliation. But if I don’t find the answer, no matter how strong I become, I cannot be certain that I have ‘grown.’”
“Didn’t you develop new techniques?”
“It’s not about that. You know that.”
“Then that’s even more worrying. The Emperor is the Warrior’s greatest supporter. What do you intend to do in this chaotic palace…?”
“I’ll see for myself and make the decision. I need to know what my path leads to and what my true mission as a warrior is.”
“Is there truly a time when the sword aimed at unjust ones will point at the Emperor? If so, how many steps must I take before this sword reaches the Emperor?”
“Keep it a secret from everyone.”
“I don’t know. I’ll follow you too.”
“Yufi.”
“This time, even if you whisper in a serious tone, I won’t listen at all. Do you think I’d let you go alone? You fool.”
“…Thank you.”
Though Ishtar had no reputation beyond the Warrior’s Guard, she had never let down her childhood friend Yufi even once.
Seeing Yufi’s bright expression, Ishtar suddenly had an absurd thought.
They say if boys and girls are too close as friends, they won’t have time to meet someone of the opposite sex…
Will I end up living forever with Yufi without even experiencing love?
These absurd thoughts faded away with the bobbing head.
‘What if it’s just the two of us?’
Yufi is a childhood friend.
A precious friend who has been with her for a lifetime.
Moreover, she is both a warrior and a saintess.
It is only natural for the two core members of the Warrior Party to mix together.
The Warrior Party can survive without men, but without Yufi, she cannot exist as a warrior.
Just like how the Dark Princess Oknodie has the assassin Jiang beside her.
‘Hmph. Seeing that ridiculous man, it’s clear that men are inherently untrustworthy.’
She had wanted to be Oknodie’s sword, and yet she did not follow when Oknodie left the academy.
It’s evident as well that it was Jiang, not Sing, who followed Oknodie.
‘It’s not like there are no men in the Warrior Party.’
A shadow with pointed ears blocked her path as she was about to leave through the transfer circle.
“Where do you think you’re so busily running off to without us? If you’re going on a trip, I’d rather enjoy it together instead of sneaking off and just bringing gifts back.”
“Skola, you really don’t need to push yourself to follow. The Imperial Palace is a graveyard for the Ains.”
“Hmph. Do you think I wouldn’t know that, having trained in the Empire? How can you call it a Warrior Party when you leave without the heir of the Sacred Archer? A warrior shouldn’t leave their comrades behind!”
“Skola…!”
“We’re here too, Warrior! Don’t leave the Warrior’s Guard behind!”
The twin tankers, the Vanilla siblings, slipped in slyly, attempting to throw themselves into Ishtar’s embrace.
The warrior deftly brushed past them like a matador dodging a bull charging at a red cape.
The siblings fell over, growling at each other as the Warrior’s Guard roared with laughter.
Everyone followed along.
Ishtar might not be such a great commander.
Just for being a warrior, she had forced unreasonable training on them.
She had never participated in gathering games or sandy beach fun, nor played paper airplane games or hide-and-seek like Oknodie could.
Without playing or fooling around, just silently training, her grateful guard members had followed her.
Looking at their faces, Ishtar felt something.
This is it.
This was the scenery.
No matter how much she honed new techniques or refined functions, something lacking was right here.
‘A warrior is one who bears the hopes of all. Not just their own, but carrying the hopes of others as well.’
A warrior who cannot do that, no matter how brightly they shine, merely becomes a blazing heat that furrows the brows of all.
She must be one who shines like a star in the dark night sky, proclaiming hope for tomorrow—a figure who can guide the way for all, a beacon of hope for everyone.
Perhaps that’s what being a warrior truly entails.
[Warrior Ishtar’s understanding has increased by 10.]
Having gained this small yet profound insight that might have made Oknodie proud, the clinking of chains and an out-of-place voice interrupted her moving moment.
“The nun of the Thunderbolt Celestial Divine Church cannot miss out on the steps of the righteous warrior. I will lend you my strength.”
“Zenia has come too!”
Yufi voiced Ishtar’s disbelief.
“You are friends with Oknodie, aren’t you? What exactly are you planning by trying to wedge yourself into the Warrior Party? If it’s to hinder us under the pretense of help, then forget it. With just the Warrior’s Guard, we are strong enough!”
“What’s this scheme, I wonder?”
Nise trembled so much her armor rattled.
“I’ve strived hard year-round, wearing chain armor beneath my school uniform and even sleeping in armor instead of pajamas, and to turn the stress I’ve built into wicked prayers to unleash the stress of others…!”
“?!”
“Turning the Saint Matheus into an evil god, and making my efforts of wearing this chain armor all year long seem foolish—I will teach that vile Oknodie a lesson with this Steel Spike Mace!!”
“Zenia follows Nise as her friend!”
“W-wait, so that’s why. What will you do, Ishtar?”
“Feel free to come along.”
Even without the verification function of the holy sword, anyone could easily recognize that Nun Nise of the Thunderbolt Celestial Divine Church was genuinely furious.
Accepting the newly added allies Nise and Zenia along with the greatly enhanced strength of the Warrior Party and Warrior’s Guard, Ishtar stepped onto the transfer magic circle leading to the Imperial Palace.
“Overthrow the Emperor! Overthrow the Emperor!”
“The tyrant must step down! The tyrant must step down!”
And they faced the bewildering sight of an overwhelming crowd that was so massive that even the soundproof magic circle couldn’t absorb it all—the earth trembled with their thunderous cheers.
“What’s all this ruckus?”
The moment they stepped beyond the transfer station, they witnessed it.
Leading an array of soldiers—though only a dozen of them were visible—they were outshone by an estimated hundreds of thousands of supporters gathered behind the Commanders of the Illusion Magic Circle proclaiming their support.
Pake Hiuqmag.
The Emperor’s crown prince, along with the high-ranking officials following him.
A few members of the Empire’s Ninth Academy who had switched sides to support him.
And last but not least, Son Ohchun, standing awkwardly among the powerful figures, looking like he was wondering, “Where am I and why am I here?”
