Chapter 1253

<Chapter 1253> 1253. Dark Moon

Time kept flowing, and the planned D-day had arrived.

I tried my best to maximize my Mana Circuits until D-day. But it was impossible to increase the number of Mana Circuits in just a short two-week period.

A Mana Circuit is a path of mana connected to the Astral Plane. The more there are, the more complex they become, and as one’s skill level rises, the circuits also solidify, improving in quality and boosting output.

“Honestly, increasing Mana Circuits is already difficult, but after using drugs to reach Rank 5, it’s become even harder.”

There’s nothing I can do but accept it. This was an issue I anticipated before taking the Playload drug, so it wasn’t particularly surprising.

An average magician might have fallen into despair at this point. For a Rank 5 magician to increase their Mana Circuits by over 30 would take at least 10 years. With a human lifespan estimated at 100 years, that’s a full 10% of one’s life dedicated solely to expanding Mana Circuits. It’s utterly despair-inducing.

“I trust my body’s talent and the information from the Dark Moon. Within three years at most, I’ll recover and prepare for Rank 6.”

And so, D-day arrived.

As always, I woke up to the nauseating sound of the morning trumpet. Knowing this would be the last time I’d hear this accursed noise somehow made it less revolting.

Out of habit, I tidied up my sleeping area and prepared for the morning roll call. I glanced around the barracks, which housed ten people including myself. Everyone silently went about their tasks without uttering a word. The barracks were always eerily quiet in the mornings.

After finishing the room inspection, the morning roll call began. Since today was a public holiday—Freesell Day—it was conducted briefly.

Freesell Day celebrates the birthday of Freesell’s first king.

Breakfast was a special meal.

Boiled lobster.

You think lobster as a special dish is impressive? Maybe where I used to live, but in *this* world, lobster is cheap food.

Cheaper than chicken. I’d rather they gave us chicken.

“No, wait. Chicken here tastes like absolute garbage. Better to stick with meat stew.”

I suppressed my murderous intent toward the kitchen staff and continued eating breakfast.

“Our division numbers are better when lower. Being close to the capital means more training, but it’s looser compared to frontline units. Plus, we get to visit the capital on holidays.”

“Division 17 sounds rough. A soldier killed his superior and then himself not long ago. Sounds like corruption runs deep.”

“I don’t care where I’m stationed as long as it doesn’t snow. That’d be nice.”

Recently, the topic of conversation among my peers has always been…


It was similar. It concerned the army of the Frisell Kingdom.

“211. Where would you like to be assigned? Of course, you’ll be placed in the Capital Defense Force, but excluding that, which unit would you prefer?”

212 asked.

The gazes of my peers turned toward me. Was it just me, or did I especially feel the heat from the women’s stares? I took a sip of water and replied.

“The area near the capital would be good. The units close to the capital are convenient in various ways.”

“That’s right! The capital vicinity is still the best!”

My peers chattered excitedly about the units near the capital.

I mostly just listened. Units near the capital, easy assignments… none of it sparked any interest. It wasn’t relevant to me anyway. I was leaving the army today.

I glanced around at my peers. To say I didn’t feel any regret would be a lie. But there was no way I’d stop here.

After finishing breakfast, I stood up and tapped 212 on the arm, lowering my voice.

“212. After lunch, by 1 PM, can you gather all the women at the bathhouse?”

“Huh? You first? What’s going on? Can we handle this?”

“I managed to get one pill of Viagra.”

“Is that so? Alright. Should we expect something big today?”

212’s eyes sparkled. She ran off to whisper something to the other women. They looked shocked, then glanced at me with mischievous, lustful grins.

Later, after passing some time, I entered the library. I met the soldier managing the library. He pointed to a corner behind the bookshelves where the surveillance camera couldn’t reach. There, I found a bag.

I unzipped the bag. Inside were my main pistol, elemental sword, bullets, bombs, Overload ampoules, and more. I checked the contents and grabbed a few items. I couldn’t take all the weapons.

“It starts at 1 PM. Don’t forget.”

Just as I was about to leave the library, the soldier reminded me. I gave a casual nod and stepped out.

Afterward, I passed the time watching TV in the dormitory. Some of the women kept sneaking glances at me. Even 31 was pretending to read a book while observing me. It felt burdensome, and I felt guilty toward them.

For lunch, fried fish was served.

Terrible. But thinking this was my last meal in the army made it somewhat bearable.

After lunch, I headed to the women’s bathhouse. I stripped down and entered the hot tub, waiting for the women to arrive.

212 was the first to enter.

“Hehe. Rushed over here after eating. 202 was looking at me strangely.”

She stepped into the hot tub naked, causing ripples in the water. She sat next to me and reached out her hand.

“Shall we start?”

“…No. It’s almost 1 PM. Let’s wait until everyone arrives.”

“Aww…”

I fondled 212’s ample breasts. Soft yet firm, knowing I’d never touch them again filled me with sadness.

A little later, the door opened, and the women began entering. All of them had incredible figures—thanks to disciplined living, balanced (if not tasty) meals, and consistent exercise.

“211. Something feels different from usual.”

“Hmm. Today, the steam seems thicker.”

“Can we keep going until evening? Each person could probably manage twice.”


Room 31 also entered the bath with a proud expression. Now all the girls were in.

The steam grew thicker.

“Sorry.”

I apologized to them.

“Why the sudden apology?”

“What did we do wrong? Besides, there’s too much steam anyway.”

“No way. You didn’t really get Viagra, did you?”

“Huuuuh… Wha… Suddenly I feel so weak…”

Thudthudthud.

The wobbling girls collapsed onto the floor. The sleep gas emitted from the corner of the bath was taking effect. Only I, having protected my respiratory system with a purification spell beforehand, remained unaffected.

“You’ll wake up when it’s all over… And you can hate me if you want.”

They fainted.

I carried the unconscious girls, including Room 212 soaking in the hot tub, outside and laid them down. After checking on them once more, I left the bathhouse.

“Room 211, don’t…!”

Room 31, struggling to keep her heavy eyelids open, spoke.

“It’s already too late to stop.”

“Room 211!”

“Are you here?! Do you know where 31 and the others are? We can’t reach them!”

They were familiar faces—I’d exchanged a few words with them before.

Quietly lowering my gaze, I checked their shoulders. A yellow cord was tied around them. They were enemies.

Both hands shot out and grabbed their heads.

[Lightning Grab]

Zzzziiiiip!

The current generated in my grasp coursed through their bodies. The smell of burning flesh filled the air as they fell to the ground. Stepping over their corpses, I entered the library.

[Detection]

Instinctively casting the detection spell, I confirmed there were no hidden enemies and moved to the corner. I opened the bag in the corner and gathered my equipment. Checking that the crucial Overload Ampoule was intact, I placed the wireless radio in my ear.

“This is 2… No, Eugene.”

I corrected myself just in time not to say 211. I am no longer 211.

-This is Brown Lizard. In charge of orders. The cafeteria has been secured. Combat is ongoing at the command room and armory.

“The lab?”

-The entire 6th squad moving towards the lab was wiped out. Venus is guarding it.

“As expected. I’ll take the lab.”

-Venus requested reinforcements from HQ. Nearby support units are estimated to arrive in 2 hours. The operation must be completed within 2 hours.

“It won’t take an hour. You focus on securing the command center according to the plan.”

-Understood.

I head towards the lab.

Soldiers jump out. Before they can do anything, I pull the trigger on my pistol. The bullets accurately slam into their faces.

Even if people think my physical skills have declined, I’m still a Grade 5 mage. Putting aside physical abilities, no ordinary person can keep up with my thought speed and reflexes.

Bang! Bangbangbang!

I kept pulling the trigger on the pistol. Though using magic would make getting to the lab easier, I had to conserve mana for the battle against Venus.

“Ghhk..! 211… Why are you…?!”

A soldier hit in the shoulder sees my face and is shocked. I recognize his face too. He’s one of the cooks who worked in the cafeteria.

“Abandoning the cafeteria to guard the path to the lab, huh? Pretty obvious who gave the order.”

I point the gun at his face.

“S-spare me, 211! I’m already combat ineffective!”

“The food you made was absolutely terrible.”

Bang!

The bullet pierced through the cook’s forehead.