Field Training (3)
Chapter 87
There are three main routes connecting the Rubia Kingdom to the Empire.
The shortest route involves crossing the Sigini Mountain Range.
Traversing this perilous area, which is teeming with demons, is an extremely arduous task.
Thus, most trade between Rubia and the Empire uses either the eastern land route or the western sea route.
In the case of the Osiris Countdom, it profits handsomely by acting as a trade intermediary thanks to the port located at the edge of its territory.
For ordinary caravans, crossing the Sigini Mountains is practically impossible.
Even if it were feasible, the cost of the troops required for escort would make it financially unviable.
Large-scale military operations are equally impossible.
Therefore, the Rubia Kingdom has formed a Ranger corps consisting of individuals possessing Expert-level or near-Expert-level martial prowess.
The term “Ranger” originally referred to soldiers who patrolled border regions and reported dangers early on.
However, Rubia’s Rangers have a strong infiltration unit character aimed at preparing for potential conflicts with the Empire.
If war were to break out with the Empire, the Rangers would immediately cross the mountains to the south and carry out disruption operations to inflict damage on the Empire.
The Empire was aware of this but showed little concern.
Even if a small number of Rangers infiltrated, without additional supplies, their operational range would inevitably be restricted.
Attempting to push too far into Imperial territory would only result in isolation and annihilation.
The Empire could simply abandon some peripheral territories and advance a large force through the eastern land route.
If Rangers became troublesome, deploying a large force to block them within the Sigini Mountains was also possible, though highly inefficient.
Thus, for the Empire, the Rubia Kingdom’s cultivation of Rangers was nothing more than an adorable tantrum.
This was why the Phillip’s County and Gardi Viscounty, despite being adjacent to the border, were treated as worthless frontier regions and failed to receive proper support.
“Do not misunderstand. The Rangers are not hostile toward the Empire’s citizens. There’s no reason to provoke the Empire unnecessarily.”
Jenkins repeated an explanation he had given once before while looking around at the children.
It had been three days since they ascended the Sigini Mountains for winter training.
Ten orphanage children, including Luna, Johanna, Karen, Delun, and Ian, who had shown notable progress, participated in this winter training.
Jenkins and Didier were responsible for leading the children.
To mask their human scent, the children smeared mud on their faces and huddled together in a freshly dug pit.
Karen pulled her knees up to her chest to keep warm.
“Are Rangers strong?”
At Karen’s question, Jenkins paused briefly before answering.
“Their operational capabilities in harsh terrains surpass those of Knights.”
Much needs to be learned to survive for extended periods without provisions in adverse conditions while carrying out missions.
Hunting, tracking, camouflage, erasing scents, navigation, and managing food and rest are among these skills.
In these areas, Rangers significantly outperform ordinary Knights.
“Even if one were a Knight rather than a Ranger… optimal combat situations are rare. Situations where supplies are cut off or units become separated can always occur. This training prepares us for such eventualities.”
While maintaining his composure in front of the children, Jenkins inwardly felt embarrassed.
The Knights of the Phillip family, due to their focus on protecting the domain, tended to overlook survival training in harsh terrains.
Now, trying to provide proper survival training to the children, the Knights themselves often found themselves struggling.
Ultimately, they relied heavily on experienced mercenaries like Jimmy and Matthew.
‘If that Ray insists on preparing for all eventualities…’
Though amusing to hear such talk from a young person, it was undeniably sound advice.
“Don’t complain about the hardship; remember today’s experience well.”
Karen nodded with her sooty face.
The difficulty was real, and it had been three days since they last properly cleaned themselves.
They couldn’t relieve themselves freely and had to painstakingly erase any traces afterward.
Though initially uncomfortable, by the third day, they began to adapt somewhat.
“Will we encounter a Ranger?”
“Perhaps, if our luck is bad.”
“…Really? Isn’t this Imperial territory?”
“Rangers occasionally cross the border for reconnaissance or hunting. I myself encountered them twice in the past. There’s no need to worry; after a brief exchange of stares and a wave, we part ways.”
After all, the Sigini Mountains belong to the beasts.
There’s no reason to draw swords just because someone crossed the border slightly.
“Think of them as somewhat unfriendly neighbors.”
With that, Jenkins brushed off the dirt from his buttocks and stood up.
Having taken a rest, it was time to move again.
Luna, the smallest and weakest in physique and stamina among the children, was half-unconscious, panting heavily.
Karen helped Luna by carrying her baggage and lifting her up.
“Luna, hang in there!”
“…Yeah.”
Luna, who usually barely moved, found this forced march particularly challenging.
Jenkins lightly chided her.
“No matter how great a Mage you may be, you must cultivate basic physical endurance.”
“…Yes.”
As Karen pushed the wobbly Luna forward, Didier, walking ahead, gathered the children.
“Take a look at this.”
Felled trees, massive footprints, and long drag marks on the snow.
“It’s likely the trail of a Longtail.”
A Longtail is a demon with a lizard-like head, a massive torso, short hind legs, and a long, thick tail.
Its defining features include slowness, toughness, and immense strength.
It has the habit of stealing prey hunted by other demons rather than hunting directly.
“Track it.”
“…”
Tension rose as the children cautiously followed the Longtail’s trail, guarding their surroundings.
Given the Longtail’s enormous size and the clear continuation of the trail nearby, the children quickly located it.
Upon finding the Longtail, the children crouched low, muffling their breathing.
From a slightly lower elevation, the Longtail was tearing apart what appeared to be an animal hunted by another demon.
Jenkins and Didier exchanged nods.
Since the Longtail was both tough and slow, it made for a good test subject for Luna’s firepower and an easy situation for the Knights to handle in case of unexpected developments.
“Luna, prepare your most powerful magic.”
“…It will take about 30 minutes to prepare.”
“Understood.”
Jenkins and Didier watched Luna with great interest.
Longtails, like other demons, have an extremely sensitive perception of mana.
How long could Luna conceal the flow of mana from the Longtail while casting her spell?
That was another aspect to observe during this test.
Wooong!
A vast amount of mana radiated from Luna before being swiftly absorbed back into the circle.
The glowing circle was trapped within a barrier that distorted visible light, hiding its existence.
Charruruk!
Mana surged violently within the confined space.
Luna had first concentrated on learning how to conceal the circle and gather the mana flow inward under Ropheiren’s guidance.
The results were evident now.
Inside the barrier Luna created, it was like a typhoon, yet calmness prevailed outside.
Dozens of overlapping runes appeared and disappeared repeatedly on the two split circles.
Everyone watched the spectacle with awe.
Although Jenkins and Didier couldn’t discern what magic Luna was about to manifest, they instinctively sensed its formidable power.
Now the critical point was how long Luna could maintain this concealment.
As the magic neared completion, the aggregation of mana emitted an increasingly intense presence.
Finally, the Longtail reacted.
“Kaak?”
“15 minutes. Not bad.”
Jenkins, counting the time by flicking his fingers, appeared satisfied.
The demon only responded after Luna had completed more than half of her spellcasting.
An average mage would have been detected by the demon as soon as they attempted to cast a spell.
“Now, protect the Mage.”
At Jenkins’ command, the children solemnly picked up their swords and shields.
The threatening flow of mana alerted the Longtail, which began to approach by stomping its feet heavily on the ground.
Though slow, the massive creature exuded an overwhelming pressure.
In silence, Karen took the first step.
“Let’s go!!”
“…”
The children followed Karen, gritting their teeth and forming a line.
Their objective was to distract the Longtail until Luna completed her spell.
However, standing directly before a creature whose size was incomparably larger was enough to make one’s hair stand on end.
In that instant, the Longtail spun its body.
Ahahaaaaaaack!!!
A deafening roar tore through the air as its thick tail swung.
Unthinkingly raising his shield, Delun was stopped by Karen pressing down on his shield with the hilt of her sword.
“Don’t block it; dodge!!”
Kwaang!!!
The Longtail’s tail shattered several dry trees as it passed.
The children narrowly escaped the attack’s radius by throwing themselves away, gasping for breath.
It wasn’t something that could be blocked with a shield.
Yet it wasn’t fast enough to avoid completely either.
The knights knew this, which is why they had the children face off against the Longtail.
Dodging a few attacks from the Longtail would quickly familiarize them with battling such a massive creature.
The shields were merely provided to prevent accidental deaths.
“Focus on evasion and draw attention!!”
Karen effectively led the children.
Despite having less athletic ability than Johanna, Delun, or Ian, Karen’s diligent listening to lessons paid off in this moment.
Kwaang!! Kwaang!!
The Longtail continued swinging its tail at the children darting around it.
However, it caused no significant harm.
The children quickly adapted to the Longtail’s attacks better than they expected.
Once they adjusted, some started to get cheeky.
Ian, who had evaded the Longtail’s attacks effortlessly multiple times, swung his sword at the thick and hard scales of the Longtail.
Kang!!
It had no effect whatsoever.
Still, mocking the opponent seemed fun, so Ian grinned and swung his sword repeatedly.
However, Ian was reckless.
The Sigini Mountains were still covered in snow, and one wouldn’t know what obstacles lay beneath until stepping on them.
Thud!!
“Eh…?!”
Just as he thought he’d stepped firmly on the ground, his foot caught on a tree root buried in the snow.
Losing balance, Ian stumbled just as the Longtail swung its spiky forelimb, bristling with sharp scales, like a mace.
Ian froze momentarily.
In that instant, Karen grabbed the back of Ian’s neck and pulled him backward.
Kwaang!!
“Ugh!!”
“Uwak!!”
The Longtail’s forelimb struck empty ground.
Ian, narrowly escaping death, panted heavily as he picked up his sword and shield again.
Karen, careful not to shift her center of gravity recklessly when stepping on untested ground, widened her field of vision to watch over the children.
Seeing Karen faithfully implementing the teachings, Didier and Jenkins smiled approvingly.
At that moment, the Longtail slammed its tail forcefully against the ground and fixed its gaze on the direction where Luna stood.
The ominous flow of mana was growing stronger. It was no longer the time to deal with annoying flies buzzing around.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The Longtail began advancing, relying on its massive bulk.
None of the children had the skill to stop the Longtail’s charge, except perhaps Johanna.
“Huff!”
Johanna took a deep breath and lightly pushed off the ground.
The Longtail swung its forelimb downward toward Johanna approaching from the front.
Johanna slightly leaned back. The rough scale fragments extending outward narrowly missed her nose.
Kuung!!
The ground trembled.
Using the tremor as a counterforce, Johanna leaped onto the Longtail’s upper back.
The Longtail, sensing the human presence above its head, rotated its body nervously.
Johanna jumped down toward the approaching head of the Longtail, swinging her sword.
A blue sword aura condensed on the blade.
Chaaak!!
“Caarrrrraaaak!!”
The Longtail screamed as it thrust its head toward the sword aura.
Though the wound wasn’t deep, it lost one of its six eyes.
The Longtail’s attention shifted to Johanna.
While Johanna bought time, Luna’s magic was complete.
“…Now, I can use it.”
“Everyone, fall back!!”
At Jenkins’ shout, the children hurriedly retreated behind Luna.
The Longtail lumbered after them, but its speed remained slow.
As soon as all the children retreated, Jenkins nodded.
“Now, show us your skills.”
Crack!
All the barriers concealing the flow of mana peeled off.
In that instant, a powerful gale erupted around the area.
Jenkins, standing closest to Luna, lost his footing and rolled in the snowfield.
Kudangtang!!
“?!”
Jenkins stared wide-eyed, unable to even think about regaining his posture.
A circle with a radius of 3 meters surrounding Luna was filled with runes and glowed brightly.
All the thermal energy spreading in all directions converged into a single point.
The pristine white snow piled beneath Luna’s feet instantly evaporated.
A red flash originating from the point grew larger as it consumed mana.
Jenkins muttered unconsciously.
“Red Ray(Red Ray)…?”
Impossible.
The Red Ray is a 4th Circle mixed magic.
There’s no way a 2nd Circle Mage could manifest such magic by merely investing 30 minutes.
Moreover,
Even if it were 4th Circle magic, compressing such an enormous amount of thermal energy into a solid form was beyond anyone’s capability.
Luna aimed the magic at the retreating Longtail.
Suddenly, the wind swirling around ceased.
Immediately after,
A superheated thermal beam with a diameter of 3 meters was fired toward the Longtail.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!!!!!!!!!
The Longtail didn’t even have time to scream.
The moment it touched the superheated thermal beam, its form crumbled and evaporated into the air.
The red light beam that annihilated the Longtail reached the foothill of the opposite mountain.
Luna, unable to fully control the tremendous energy she held for the first time, raised her arm toward the sky.
The red light beam climbed the mountain and shot upward into the sky.
Hwaaaaaaack!!
An immense gale struck the surroundings again.
Jenkins and Didier covered the children with their bodies, waiting for the flow of mana to settle.
After dozens of seconds, the wind finally calmed down.
Jenkins forcibly gathered his strength and stood beside Luna.
Red Ray.
The superheated thermal beam created by the 4th Circle magic had a diameter of 3 meters and actually incinerated everything within a 10-meter diameter.
The opposite mountain came into view.
Until just now, the opposite mountain was covered in deep snow.
And now.
From the summit to the foothill of the opposite mountain, molten rocks resembling lava flowed down in a straight line.
On either side of the mountain, snow still accumulated thickly, making the scene appear even stranger.
At first glance, it seemed as if the mountain had split apart left and right.
Jenkins stood rooted to the spot with his mouth agape for quite some time.
“Damn that Ray…”
Had he allowed Ray to take the brunt of Luna’s magic, he might have crossed over to the netherworld.
Jenkins sincerely muttered.
“May that bastard be struck by divine retribution…”
*
Ray was following the children undergoing training at a considerable distance.
Though accompanying them wouldn’t necessarily cause problems, Karen or Johanna would undoubtedly yell at him to stay away all day.
Maintaining a distance where he could rush over when a signal flare was fired, Ray suddenly looked up.
He perceived a fairly strong flow of mana.
‘Luna must be casting a spell.’
Ray focused his spiritual senses on the place where the mana currents were swirling.
Though still unclear, he could distinctly feel the sounds of battle.
‘Is she fighting a demon?’
Judging by the size, it looked like a Longtail.
Ray leisurely ate his dried meat while waiting for the fight to conclude.
About ten minutes later, the flow of mana suddenly intensified sharply.
“Oh, finally finished casting?”
Whatever the magic was, its momentum was incredibly powerful.
With an excited expression, Ray looked up at the mountain ahead.
Chaaak!!
A red heat beam vaporized the demon and trees as it extended.
“Oooh…?”
Ray, who was about to marvel, became puzzled.
‘Why does the heat beam feel so close…?’
The superheated beam, obscured by barren trees, descended directly toward Ray.
Drawing both his swords with a cry, Ray let out a shrill scream.
“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!!!!”
Chaaaaaaaakkkk!!!!!!!
*
Brandil, a Ranger of the Rubia Kingdom, was watching over the Sigini Mountain Range from atop a peak.
Though the landscape remained entirely white as it had been yesterday, the mountain bisected by a red line was all the more conspicuous for it.
“High-ranking Mage…?”
Whatever magic was cast, one would need to be a high-ranking Mage to produce such firepower without the aid of an artefact.
“Troublesome…”
That mountain was located deep within Imperial territory.
Ordinarily, even burning down a mountain would warrant cautious approach.
But the timing was bad.
It had only been a few days since his superior mentioned rumors of a high-ranking noble from the Empire possibly fleeing this way.
“Guess I’ll have to conduct some reconnaissance…”
Brandil exhaled a long, cold breath.
Even for the renowned Rangers of the kingdom, avoiding major incidents in the frigid winter mountains was preferable.
