Chapter 113 : Fortress City Isaac

TL:SummerPeanut

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5 September 2030.

We members of Reimei left the Lister Imperial School. There are two carriages this time.

One for Reimei, another for both Genesis and Fortitude, and the second wagon is one size bigger than the previous one. Both are big enough to accommodate six adults and their luggage. And both wagons have hired drivers.

“It's kind of refreshing to see Mars in the wagon.”

When Clarice, who is holding hands with me next to her, said that, Misha, who is on the other side of her, to chipped in.

“4 years ago Mars was also forever on the driver’s role after all. Somehow I feel safer with him closer now so it’s something to be glad upon.”

She said something that made me happy. Ellie is sleeping while leaning on my shoulder. Karen is talking with Minerva, who had come to this side of the carriage.

In other words, I am the only man in the carriage on the Reimei side. All the girls are over here too. In contrast, there are four men in the other carriage looking at me with resentment. It's very awkward...

When we arrived at the northernmost town in Count Regan's territory, where we were to stay tonight, we had dinner and stayed at the inn.

6 September 2030.

We left the inn at 7 am and immediately entered the duchy of Fresvald. There was a large barrier there, packed with members of the Knights Order.

“Wow... they devoted so many knights to a checkpoint...”

When I said so, Karen replied proudly.

“There are four of these. There are two other Knight Orders. That's why magic beasts rarely appear in Fresbald territory.”

When it was our turn to pass through the barrier, the Knights asked us to check the contents of our wagon and where we were going. So they’re checking all of us... but then Karen left the wagon and announced.

“You have worked hard. Do you recognize me? I'm in a hurry because I'm going on a nominated quest to Margrave Isaac, you know?"

When Karen said the above, the person who questioned us apparently didn't know Karen but a slightly more pompous-looking person in the back of the wagon said

“Well, well, isn’t this Lady Karen. I beg your pardon. Duke Fresvald and Duke Regan had informed us. Please, pass through."

He said after getting down on one knee, and the knight from earlier who didn't know Karen also hurriedly got down on one knee. Wherever I go, Karen gets special treatment.

The carriage roads in the Fresvald territory are very beautiful. All the roads seemed to be paved with stone magic and the patterns of the roads are also very unique. The sides of the roads were neatly covered with what looked like grass.

Above all, I was surprised that not a single magic beast appeared. The speed of the carriage naturally increased when there were no magic beasts and the road was paved. The trip to the fortified city of Isaac went very well.

September 9, 2030.

After two days of traversing the Duke of Fresvald's territory, we came to a checkpoint north of Fresvald's territory. The fortified city of Isaac was just ahead.

After passing through the checkpoint without any difficulty, we found ourselves in a different world... Rough roads, ravaged grass, and magic beasts roamed around in the distance acting like they are the lord.

“W-what is this...?"

It was Karen who said that.

“Wasn't it always like this?"

I asked her.

“No, it's not. The road to Isaac was paved because it serves as a bulwark against the Forest of Death. The knights of the Fresvald Household would go back and forth many times. On the other hand, from Isaac to the Forest of Death, I think it was something like this..."

“I understand. For now, I'll just climb on top of the wagon and be on the lookout.”

I climbed on top of the wagon, and Baron followed my example and climbed on top of the wagon from the next carriage.

"Baron, have you ever been to Margrave Isaac’s territory?”

I asked Baron.

“I've been here a few times... but I've never been to the Forest of Death... and even so, it's bizarre... the presence of magic beasts are too much.”

“For now, let's just head to Isaac and defeat the magic beasts. Clarice, Karen, Ryner, and Bram, you will escort the wagon. Ellie, and Misha, you two take the lead in defeating the magic beasts! Baron, Dominic, and Minerva, you three cover Ellie and Misha! I'll take those from a bit of the east to the north side! The magic beasts seem to be coming from the east! Everyone get back to the wagon if you take any damage! Understood?"

I gave everyone instructions and they all moved at once. Could it be that a stampede of magic beasts is happening in the Forest of Death? No, I'm pretty sure I heard that the Forest of Death only has magic beasts with very high threat levels so no... As far as I can see, the threat level of the magic beasts is D at best. So we can't be too careful but we've avoided the worst of the worst…*1

I continued to take out the enemies I could see in the distance with my Wind Cutter. The other members of the team are also continuing to defeat the enemies at a steady pace. The magic beasts were coming only from the east side, and there were not many enemies on the west side and the direction of travel.

It seems that the magic beasts are coming from the east...or more accurately the northeast direction. As soon as we reached a little further to the north, we could see the fortified city of Isaac in the distance.

Since it’s called fortress city and all, it is surrounded by high walls. The walls seem to be quite thick so it would take a long time to break through them. Besides, it was possible to stop the outside attacks from the top of the castle walls. We'll know more once we get closer.

As we continued northwards, the southern gate of the fortified city of Isaac came into view.

“Guys, we're almost there! Let's hurry a little!"

As I said so, the drivers also increased the speed of the carriage. I’m sure they will want to get inside the fortress city as soon as possible.

When we came close to the fortress city of Isaac, the southern gate was firmly closed. How are we going to get in?

I asked everyone to stand by and I headed towards the eastern gate. The walls are so high that I can't see the east side from here.

I suppressed my impatience and went towards the east side, and there were magic beasts rushing in three lines from the east and about ten people in purple embroidered uniforms from the Lister Imperial School who were intercepting them.

Purple means A class! Are those the fifth-year A class students? I rushed towards the fifth years.

“My name is Mars from Lister Imperial School, Year 1, S class! I was told to switch places with the seniors so I came to Isaac.”

As I said this, a heavily armed fifth-year student replied

“Thank god! I’ll even borrow a cat's help right now! Just until yesterday, the magic beasts only came sporadically but this is happening today. At first, we only got threat levels F and G, but now it's probably all D and E. There are more and more D-ish threat-level ones now. Threat level Ds are indeed a lot of work to take down so we need some backup!"

I heard those words and suddenly activated Firestorm, and it swallowed the magic beasts coming from the east.

I could have used my sword to kill them but I thought that would have reduced the time I had to talk to the seniors so I used Firestorm.

The seniors looked in dismay as the magic beasts coming from behind them were burnt to death.

“Um... there are still some of our S class comrades at the southern castle gate, how can we get inside?”

I asked the stunned seniors.

“This is Mars doing this, isn't it? What... is this magic? I've never seen it before. Come to think of it, wasn't Mars the Sword Saint and also the general*2 in the martial arts division of the Freshman Combat Tournament?"

One of them asked.

“Yes. Can we talk about the details later and how we can get in?"

As I was about to ask again, a voice called out from the top of the ramparts.

“Duval! What the hell was that Firestorm?”

Then the senior who was talking to me replied.

“It's magic from the reinforcements! There are students coming to replace us at the south gate so may I ask you to open the south gate?"

“Okay! I'll have it open right away.”

When the man above was no longer within sight, I looked towards the magic beasts. The Firestorm was still overrunning them, and considering that Firestorm four years ago couldn't even defeat killer ants with a threat level of D, I felt I had become a lot stronger.

“How were the seniors planning to get back inside the castle?”

I asked, and the man they called Duval said.

“We would go back through the east castle gate like normal, you know? There are knight trainees of Isaac’s Knights behind this gate so we were going to switch places if it looked like it was going to be dangerous.”

Incidentally, this man, Duval, has quite high stats. He is one of the strongest among the ten A class students present here now.

Name: Duval Ghilis

Title: -

Status: Human race, eldest son of Baron Ghilis

Condition: Good

Age: 14 years old

Level: 39

HP: 98/121

MP: 12/21

Strength: 50

Agility: 40

Magic: 10

Dexterity: 12

Endurance: 60

Luck: 1

Special Ability: Axemanship(Lv8/C)

Special Ability: Earth Magic (Lvl 1/G)

Equipment:  War Axe

Equipment:  Banded Helm

Equipment:  Mithril Silver Armor

Equipment:  Ogre Shield

Equipment:  Bandit Greaves

This makes Ryner's previous second place in the S class doubtful, even when comparing his state equipped with the magic sword Bram. In Ryner's case, it seems that all the experience was absorbed by Bram so it may be inevitable... However, even Dibal will never be able to beat a Magic Eyes holder like Karen or a senior glasses.

I maintained Firestorm and start burning the piles of corpses of the magic beasts with Fire that the seniors would have defeated themselves.

“Hey... can you use such incredible magic and use another magic at the same time?”

Duval asked me.

“Y-yeah... I guess so.”

Duval added more after I answered.

“Mars, you and the others aren't participating in the Warrior Gods Festival this time, are you?”

“Duke Regan told us to give up this year so we'll do our best next year.”

Then Duval looked relieved.

“To be honest, I'm relieved that you are not competing in the Warrior Gods Festival. I'm the second seed this year. I've been working hard all year to fight Glenn in the finals and win.”

“I'll call you Duval senior. Who is the number one seed? And how is your levels when you were in your fourth year?”

I asked.

“The number one seed is of course last year's runner-up and Mars's brother, Gle-...it’s Ike. I don't remember my level when I was in the fourth year but I was level 25 this past February.”

Duval answered. In 8 months your level has increased by 14...

I wonder if it's easier to raise the level when in puberty? While we were talking, the eastern gate of Isaac opened.

When the Reimei members came out from inside, they gathered around me. Then Duval and the others started buzzing when they saw the girls' group.

“It's still overwhelming when you see up close.”

“Don’t you think it’s bad to have this all to yourself?”

“Did it increase to five?”

They only saw the girls despite Baron and Dominic being there too...

“Mars, I heard that the Margrave Isaac is on his way to the Forest of Death with the knights. The deputy is going to meet us now. Duval, you come with us, proceed with the takeover and go straight back to the Lister Imperial School."

Ryner said to me and Duval so we left the rest to the team and were about to enter the fortress city of Isaac but Karen followed with us. For a magic beast of this level, Clarice and Ellie would be more than enough.

“I'll go with you. Margrave Isaac is under Duke Fresvald so I think the talks will go smoothly if I'm there.”

It is true that... Duke Fresvald has also dispatched knights, so if anything happens, it would definitely be better to have Karen with us.

The four of us hurried to the person who was acting as the deputy for Margrave Isaac.

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TL’s note:

1. Wtf author? U never mentioned anything about high threat level relation to stampedes? Are high-threat level monsters not easily spawnable by the dungeon or something and that’s why it shouldn’t be stampede? ()
2. If you forgot about this like I almost did, the ‘general’ is the last person to fight in the FCT.