Chapter 103: The Knight Commander and the Court Mage Director’s Dismay
“What is happening?!”
“Distress signals are coming from everywhere… It’s a monster stampede!”
At the entrance of the Subnock Plain, chaos erupted within the operational tent of the Monster Hunting Festival. Suddenly, distress signals rang out from various points across the plain. Reports from evacuated students, rescue teams, and supervising faculty members provided fragmented information indicating that monsters were surging from the depths of the plain.
The Subnock Plain was a ‘Demon Realm’ teeming with monsters; however, for those who had received adequate training in martial arts and magic, it was not necessarily a place where one had to risk their life. As long as they did not venture into the territory of the Master of the Demon Realm, Subnock, they should be able to hunt safely. This was precisely why the plain had been chosen as the venue for the festival, yet now it was on the brink of becoming a hellish nightmare.
“A stampede from the Demon Realm… It reminds me of twenty years ago.”
The bitter murmur came from a middle-aged man seated in the operational tent. He was a large man with a physique like a boulder, someone who could easily be mistaken for a gorilla or an orangutan in the darkness. He was Iljas Cattleya, the Knight Commander of the Aiwood Kingdom.
“Could it be that the Master of the Demon Realm has emerged? Just like back then…”
Twenty years ago, during the reign of the tyrant king, a large pioneering group was formed to eliminate the monsters from the Subnock Plain, a den of monsters. The soil of this ‘Demon Realm’ was rich in Magical Power, allowing for the easy growth of crops while also producing strong monsters. If the pioneering efforts succeeded, they would secure a granary capable of feeding the entire kingdom.
However, the tyrant’s true goal was not to enrich the people but to gain fame by accomplishing what no previous king had managed: the development of the plain.
The outcome was a disastrous defeat. The soldiers who ventured into the depths of the plain were slaughtered by Subnock, the Master of the Demon Realm, and his minions. Subnock chased the fleeing people (his prey) all the way to the Royal Capital, nearly causing irreparable damage.
Young Iljas had also participated in that battle, one of the few survivors. As a fresh recruit, he lost many comrades in that conflict, and the bitter memories spurred him to rise to the position of Knight Commander.
“…Someone must have ventured into the depths of the plain and provoked Subnock. I can’t believe there would be such foolish students.”
“…………”
“What is it, Albert? You’ve been silent for a while now.”
Iljas turned to the other guest seated beside him, Albert Rosemary, the Court Mage Director. Despite the historical animosity between magicians and knights—representatives of opposing forces—Iljas and Albert shared a personal friendship, having been friends since their student days and both having served on the Student Council Executive Committee.
“No… It seems a bit of a problem has arisen.”
Responding to Iljas’s inquiry, Albert spoke with a grave expression.
“I can no longer contact the court magician assigned to His Highness, the Third Prince Rodel. That reckless prince was being monitored on the orders of His Majesty to prevent any wild antics, but…”
“What?!”
Iljas furrowed his brow at Albert’s response. Although Rodel was a prince, he had been spoiled by the Queen Dowager, growing up to be arrogant and foolish. Just the other day, Albert had assigned a subordinate to keep an eye on Rodel after he caused trouble within the academy. Even during the Monster Hunting Festival, Albert had been receiving regular reports via the communication spell, but now that communication had ceased.
“Even when I use the Sending spell, there’s no response… Something must have happened.”
“I can’t believe it, but…”
“Ugh…”
Iljas and Albert seemed to be thinking the same thing, their faces darkening as they fell silent. Could it be that Rodel had ventured into the depths of the plain and provoked Subnock?
“If Subnock has emerged… the Royal Capital could be in danger. It would be a repeat of twenty years ago.”
Iljas stood up from his chair.
“We can no longer leave this to the academy staff. I will lead the knights and prepare to confront them.”
“I will gather information and assist with the evacuation of the students. Honestly, with my daughter here as well…”
Exchanging glances and sighing, the Knight Commander and the Court Mage Director sprang into action. Meanwhile, injured students continued to flee from the plain, with monsters pursuing them, prompting faculty and Student Council members to engage in defense.
The commotion grew louder and more chaotic, spreading confusion among the people like a wildfire.