Episode 167
“That was a funny joke, Luan Badnicker. If it weren’t for the current situation, I might have laughed. “It seems like you would rather develop your wits than your skills.”
Barter seemed to dismiss what I said as a joke.
I nodded, not really saying this to start an argument.
Of course, I have to say something separate from that.
“Please allow Brother Hector to leave.”
“That conversation is already over. “I don’t have time to find a safe place.”
“So you’re saying we’re going to leave the cadets here? “In the middle of such dangerous enemy territory?”
“Not really. There is a building we just left. We’ve disposed of most of the dolls inside, so it’s a much safer place than other places. “I plan to take you there.”
“… … .”
I didn’t mean to just throw it away.
Considering the situation, it is a reasonable decision.
then… … .
Rather, Hector may have insisted on giving priority to emotions. Putting Barter’s sarcasm aside, that is.
‘Hateful bastard.’
There are people I want to hit even if they say the right thing, and in my opinion, this guy called Barter is that person.
“What if there’s a much safer place?”
“What do you mean?”
I explained to Dean Alderson about the base being secured through the Hemp Law.
“… … .”
After the story was over, Barter’s expression changed slightly.
In a crisis situation like the present, the creation of a truly safe place means a lot.
“It seems reckless in many ways to continue tracking in the current situation. First, let’s go to where the dean is and reorganize.”
“no.”
But Barter shook his head.
“Even if we don’t fight the princess, we must continue the chase. “I need to at least know where I’m staying.”
“And what about the cadets?”
“I will change the strategy. A small elite group will continue to track the princess, while the rest will protect and guide the cadets to the building where the dean is located. And I will select the people who will follow up.”
Barter said.
“Me, Hector, and even Marco. The three of us will come and see the situation. Luan Badnicker, you need to take charge of the cadets.”
Really, it’s so hard to understand.
I said in a crooked tone.
“I will join in place of Brother Hector.”
“You?”
“… … .”
Barter glanced at me.
When I looked at those emotionless blue eyes, I thought of Seren for a moment.
When I saw things like this, I thought that even though we grew up and ate different things, we were still family.
Would other guys feel this way when they see me and Hector?
While I was thinking about something useless for a moment, Hector intervened.
“As you wish, Lord Barter. Luan is much stronger than me.”
The moment Hector defended me, Barter’s men murmured slightly.
Since Hector is famous for his high pride, what he said just now seemed a bit surprising.
“Are you asking me to believe that now?”
“It’s true, Captain.”
And even an unexpected person joined Hector’s opinion.
‘That guy… … .’
I was wondering something, and a slightly familiar face caught my eye.
It was Marco.
That is, the man who was disguising himself as a bar owner and obeying Glenn’s orders, and who was identified as a special task force through a brief battle.
“Captain, I will vouch for Luan Badniker’s skills. It is not at the level of a single zero degree. “Even if Hector Badniker is out, our strength will increase.”
“… hmm.”
Is he a guy who is on the staff of a special task force?
Barter’s expression changed slightly. It’s a very different attitude from when I listened to me or Hector.
“… good night. “Let’s do that.”
“Brother, I will go with you.”
At that time, Seren also joined in with a calm voice. The moment Barter frowned slightly and was about to open her mouth, Seren continued her words in a quick tone.
“Don’t you know my blessings? Although it is blood-red, it is a night with a full moon. “My physical condition is much better than usual.”
Barter hesitated and let out a long sigh.
“… Phew, I understand. Then, a total of four people-.”
“Me too… … !”
Glenn, who was slightly away, raised his hand.
“I will come with you, Lord Barter!”
He also has bright ears.
Even though I was deliberately speaking so softly that the prince and other cadets could not hear.
Barter’s expression was the hardest it had ever been.
“… “I apologize, Your Majesty the Prince, but I cannot accept that order.”
“You’re chasing Sister Ferrist, right?”
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“… … .”
“I will be of help. The blood of the imperial family can feel each other. “If tracking is your goal, you’ll need me.”
I gently helped.
“Please allow it. “That guy’s luggage won’t work.”
In my opinion, Glenn may be stronger than Marco.
That’s because he has a lot to hide, including the rankings I saw at the Tower of Training.
‘Furthermore, if you are from the royal family, you are also born with an innate aptitude for anti-demon fighting.’
Even without divine protection, the instrument will hold up better than most owners of divine protection.
Barter said, glaring at me.
“The judgment is mine, Luan Badnicker. “Don’t cross the line.”
“I was just giving you advice. “It could be advice.”
“It’s the same thing. And you speak too little. “It looks like Badniker’s etiquette training was very good.”
“Haha.”
“That’s not a compliment.”
Barter glared at me slightly, but I just shrugged.
“… … .”
Seren looked at me with bewildered eyes. It was as if it was the first time I had seen someone treat my brother like this.
“Whoa… … .”
Barter finally sighed again.
“All right. Instead, Your Highness, you must follow my orders at any time.”
“Of course.”
In the end, he seems to have thought that the benefits of accompanying the prince were greater.
It was a fortunate development for me as well.
What should I say?
Somehow I felt like I wanted to keep Glenn in my sights.
“… … .”
Did Glenn feel something too?
I felt eyes slightly observing me.
* * *
After showing Hector and the cadets the way back, we immediately continued the chase.
Looking at it this way, it became a rather strange aspect.
The one in the lead was Barter Goodspring, followed by Marco.
The ones guarding the rear were me and Seren, with the prince sandwiched between them.
As you can see just by looking at it, it is a formation that protects Glenn.
Perhaps this was the reason why Barter allowed the prince to accompany him. He probably decided it was safer to keep him by his side.
‘I’m sure you’re going back because you’re frustrated.’
It’s much safer where the dean is.
I grumbled to myself, but it seems that the temper of the human being called Barter is like that.
The type of person who can’t be sure unless they see it with their own eyes. Actually, I’m of the same type, so it’s a bit unfair to just swear.
anyway… … .
The outside of the building was literally a scary place, so we moved around very nervously, but for some reason.
“… “That’s strange.”
“yes. “It’s so quiet.”
Barter muttered, and Marco agreed.
It’s just as I said.
About an hour had passed since I parted ways with the group, and during that time, I had not encountered a single demon.
Even in a relatively safe building, if I walked this far, I would have bumped into a plush toy two or three times.
‘Something is strong.’
Then, from a little distance away, I felt the eyes of a doll staring at me.
It seems like I’m the only one who noticed.
I quietly regained my senses and prepared for the upcoming battle, but… … .
[…] … .]
The doll didn’t move. I just watched quietly with empty eyes.
“I think it’s this way.”
Whenever traces of the princess are missed or Barter’s memories are vague, Glenn steps in and guides the way.
As I quietly watched the back, Seren said.
“what’s the matter?”
“… You said it before. “The princess and the prince, one of them is suspicious.”
Because I had an experience earlier, I whispered in a voice so low that Glenn could not hear.
The voice was so low that even Seren, who was nearby, could not clearly hear it.
“It was like that.”
“Looking at the current situation, it is clear that the princess is the mastermind. But even taking that into consideration, there were some parts that were unclear, so I thought about it differently.”
“how?”
I lowered my tone even further.
“Isn’t there a possibility that they are both church members?”
“… … .”
I saw Seren pause.
“I may be thinking too much. Still, it means that we should consider everything first.”
“… no. You’re right. I had forgotten about that possibility. “I’ll keep that in mind too.”
It was about time we ended the conversation, nodding to each other.
Barter’s steps stopped.
It was in front of a building.
“… … .”
To put it bluntly, it was the most run-down building I’ve ever seen.
It would not be strange to say that it was an abandoned house rather than a building, and combined with the blood-red lighting unique to the world behind it, it created an eerie atmosphere.
However, it was smaller than other buildings.
To be precise, it’s about the size of a building in the real world.
‘It actually makes me feel more uncomfortable… … .’
While I was thinking that, Barter said.
“The last time I checked, the princess entered this building. “Your Royal Highness, how are you feeling?”
Glenn’s eyes turned to the building.
“It seems like there was a trace inside here, but I don’t know much more than that. “I guess I’ll have to go inside to find out.”
In the meantime, I looked at the building, recalled its current location, and tried to substitute that into the changed topography of the world behind it.
The answer came quickly.
“… Research building number 13?”
Then everyone’s eyes turned to me.
Barter asked.
“What do you mean?”
“There is a ghost story that was circulated around the academy. There are a total of 12 research buildings, but I heard that a thirteenth building that does not exist appears at certain times… … .”
I counted the distant research buildings one by one.
“Looking at the location, this looks like the thirteenth building.”
“… … .”
The atmosphere calmed down slightly.
Did I say something pointless?
When I was thinking that, Barter said:
“Let’s go inside first.”
It was right after the Barter in front opened its doors.
“Aaaah-!”
A black figure attacked us with a loud scream.
The moment Barter immediately drew his sword, I hurriedly spoke.
“for a moment!”
I passed the barter and caught the flying guy.
“Ugh.”
What’s so heavy?
It looks like it caught a flying rock. If I had neglected my physical training even just a little, I would have just blown away.
An unusual blue head lifted its head and looked at me.
“Uh, blonde badnik?”
It’s Mir Giant.
Was this guy dragged in too?
But the condition is not good.
His hair is matted, his breathing is rapid as if he is being chased, and his eyes are spinning round and round.
“calm down. what’s the matter?”
“Woah, this place is strange! “We must run away immediately!”
“What do you mean?”
“There’s a monster in there… … !”
At the same time, footsteps were heard from far away, and this time, several people appeared.
Evan, as well as our spirits, including Charis, Charles, Pam, Zeros, and Charon, were also part of the group.
“Get out now!”
Charon, who was standing in front, shouted when he saw us just entering the building.
It might have been someone else, but it was Charon who shouted.
He was the best among the Youngdos in terms of situational judgment. Without hesitation, I kicked down the door I came in through.
“Lord Barter! “It’s dangerous!”
Barter was still looking inside, but it was only when Marco loudly warned him that he looked away.
thud… … ! thud… … ! thud… … !
Heavy footsteps were heard from inside.
I felt a large man trampling down the hallway.
It was hard to see his figure because he was covered in the darkness of the black hallway like clothes all over his body.
However, it was very thick and had an elongated shape.
The moment Carol came out for the last time, the door was quickly closed.
But it wasn’t safe outside either.
Kaaaaaa-!
Immediately after, a group of dozens, perhaps more, of puppets suddenly appeared behind us.
“Well, what is it? “What is this number?”
“It wasn’t there until just now… … .”
Among the confused leaders, I noticed Glenn.
“There are so many… … .”
Could the pale face be smoke?
Barter spoke to me in an ambiguous situation.
“Luan Badniker, please guide me to the building you mentioned.”
I nodded, pulling out the Onmyodo sword.
“Follow me.”
fantasy,
