Avangarde Castle – A Certain Place
“Well, we’ve arrived. Here, you shall gain new power.”
That was a rather clumsy statement for the Prime Minister. It was no surprise, considering we were led to a place none of us had known before, and the exit was firmly blocked. It was as if he was subtly saying there was no turning back. As soldiers of the kingdom, we were under the unspoken pressure of not swallowing back the spit we had just spat out.
What lay ahead, after walking in a line through the narrow stone-walled corridor, was a sight that left us utterly speechless.
“Um, where is this?”
“Well, explaining from the beginning would take too long, so let me be brief.”
One unbelievable fact after another spilled from the Prime Minister’s lips. This country had long been consumed by human experimentation, with the primary subjects being captured criminals, and sometimes even abductions were not off the table. Frankly, the content was too raw to be openly discussed, and just listening made me feel dizzy.
Yes, this sight. A spacious room swirling with the stench of blood, lined with rectangular tables. The walls were cluttered with numerous tools and devices of unclear purpose. The tables, stained with dark, discolored blood, bore the marks of repeated use.
Some people instinctively covered their mouths, while others, like me, struggled to hold back the nausea. No one could remain calm after being shown such horrors.
“Is it really true that such inhumane acts have been carried out in this country, Prime Minister?”
“This is essential for the nation’s development. Yes, our king desires it.”
“I can’t believe His Majesty is aware of this! I will confirm it immediately!”
“Oh? Where did that bravado go? Aren’t you supposed to protect the nation with your life?”
“I can’t protect it from here!”
“You can. That’s precisely why these experiments are necessary.”
Finally, everyone understood why we had been brought here. The once spirited soldiers turned pale before our eyes.
“Don’t joke with me, Belmund! If His Majesty… no, if that king is aware of this, I will make sure the outside world knows the truth!”
“Ah, a strong sense of justice, or rather, a pawn lacking loyalty.”
The soldier immediately took action. His trained legs could hardly keep pace with an old man. The exit was less than a minute away, but an unbelievable sight soon came rushing in.
“So, you mean to say that risking your life is a lie?”
Belmund leaped gracefully, like a crescent moon, a movement that was anything but old. Until he landed in front of the fleeing soldier, no one could utter a word. He soared over our heads and blocked the old man’s escape route. We weren’t fools; we quickly realized what that meant.
“Ugh!”
“I expect you to risk your life, but I understand you may have concerns. That’s why your captain has taken the lead.”
“What are you saying…?”
“Lord Belmund, the Black Beast has been deployed.”
From the back door, the nation’s highest authorities began to emerge in droves. Of course, not all of them were present, but some of those in attendance were already under Belmund’s influence. And surrounding them were veteran guards, each boasting exceptional skills within the castle.
So that was it; we were the only ones in the dark. This country had already been tainted at its roots. From dawn till dusk, the taxes earned through the sweat of the citizens were being used in this manner. The money that should have been used to sustain life was instead taking it away. I was no different; I had joyfully become a soldier, working tirelessly, and finally felt proud to have become a squad leader.
What had I truly wanted to achieve in this country? What had I learned? What was I trying to protect? Why was I here?
“Irene… Shuri… I wonder if Rua can do something about this?”
Tears were already streaming down my cheeks. I had lost all dignity as a captain; here I was, just a girl confronted with despair, crying. And to think that in such a moment, Rua’s name would come to mind—it was an utter disgrace. I was only seeing her as a convenient helper, despite the fact that she had always been the one to save me.
“Now, let’s proceed deeper. The work will be done over there.”
“Ugh, ughhh!”
In the midst of the tension, one soldier, unable to endure any longer, went into a frenzy and pointed his spear at Belmund. Yet the frail old man did not even flinch to avoid the spear aimed at him.
“Very well, it seems a demonstration is necessary.”
With just two fingers, he grasped the spear’s tip and, with the other arm, delivered a swift chop that shattered it. In mere seconds, he had plunged the broken spear into the soldier’s throat. Blood sprayed everywhere, and the air was filled with a grotesque sound, the soldier’s dying scream.
“H-hiiiii!”
“Belmund! You’re insane! Why would you do something like this?!”
“Hey! No way?! Hey!”
Amidst the cries of despair, what struck me most painfully was the plea of the slain soldier’s friend. Clinging to his friend’s lifeless body in a half-crazed state was a sight I could hardly bear. If it had been Irene or Shuri lying there instead… I felt my body trembling uncontrollably, and all I could do was press my hands against my chest, desperately trying to steady my breath.
“However, isn’t it a bit hasty to unleash the Black Beast within the castle? There are Adventurers present, after all?”
“Since this also serves as an experiment, some sacrifices are unavoidable.”
“That’s true, Lord Kamran. Hahaha!”
“With Lord Belmund here, we need not worry about anything. If the research yields results, our status in the ‘future nation’ will be secure. Indeed, we must carefully consider who we align ourselves with. Hahaha!”
It was as if they were treating the slaughter before them as mere entertainment. Overwhelmed by fear and anger, I felt as if I might lose myself. If I let my guard down, I would meet the same fate as that soldier. I was torn between overcoming my fear and the urge to plunge my blade into Belmund, and succumbing to the terror that was beginning to consume me. This was an unsettling dichotomy I had never experienced before.
His patriotism was well-known even within the country. Yet, the fact that he had taken the life of a soldier from his own nation like a mere insect transformed that old man into an unfathomable monster in my eyes.
“Shall we begin? Is there anyone willing to take the lead?”
No one would step forward. Belmund knew this and was relishing the situation. It was too much; the Prime Minister of the country I loved had turned out to be such a monster. I could not recognize him as human; a person who defied humanity was no longer human.
I absolutely refused to follow Belmund and become an incomprehensible monster. But if I tried to escape, I would meet the same fate as the soldier from earlier. I had no idea how strong Belmund was, and with my abilities, I would surely be killed. No, even if everyone here rebelled, that old man would suppress us without a second thought. So, what should I do?
To remain human until the end, even if it meant knowing I would be killed, I had no choice but to act. If I died here, at least I could remain human. Captain Kirkton would surely do the same. It is humans who protect their nation, not monsters. I forced myself to summon every ounce of pride within me, wiping the sweat from my palms and gripping my spear tightly. Belmund, I won’t let you have your way. I will remain myself. Now—
“What do you intend to start now?”
From the depths of the dark stone corridor, the voice of an old man echoed, as if he were out for a stroll. He appeared, leaning on a cane, with a long white beard and thick white eyebrows that nearly obscured his eyes. Despite his hunched back, he walked with an ease that suggested he was no ordinary person.
Even Belmund seemed taken aback by the sudden appearance of this mysterious old man, immediately adopting a defensive stance.
“You are…?”
“It’s been a while, Belmund.”
From this exchange, it was clear that the two were acquaintances. But who was this person, and how had he made it here? There were too many unanswered questions. The tension between their glaring eyes was palpable, as if sparks might fly at any moment.
Avangarde Castle – Inside the Walls
“I’ve captured you.”
“Verdant Mage Nokiri” Level: 51 Class: Wonder Mage Rank: A 63rd HP: 254
I had been running around, trying not to lose speed, when suddenly I was caught. It seemed to be a skill that activated in response to some action of mine. Roots like those of a tree shot up from the ground, forming a pumpkin-like prison. Moreover, the real threat lay in the slimy substance at my feet. This sticky goo had caused me to trip and fall.
“Nice job! To be caught so suddenly, we’re lucky!”
“Leaping Sword” Franks
Level: 48
Class: Swordmaster
Rank: A
Position: 70
HP: 547
From all directions, swords pierced through the gaps in the roots. With no escape in sight, I was in a dire situation, but there was no way I would be defeated.
“One strike! Deadly! Hyper Flare Miracle Burst Special!”
“Just shoot it already, you damn woman!”
“Don’t you dare criticize my one-hit aesthetic!”
“One-Shot Wonder” Donka
Level: 35
Class: Wizard
Rank: A
Position: 103
HP: 183
Despite the bizarre exchange, the fierce-looking woman managed to cast her spell. I couldn’t quite grasp what kind of magic it was, but it was probably explosive in nature. Its power was considerable, enough to take down a mediocre Floor Monster in a single blow. In fact, the castle wall was nearly blown away, and the blast sent not just my two companions but even myself flying.
“Ugh! This is my one-hit aesthetic! Who needs trivial tactics? Just end it in one blow! That’s the way to go!”
“Ah, it hurts… What power… As expected of a One-Shot Wonder…”
“Shut up! If I finish it in one hit, I won’t need a second! There’s no flaw in my one-hit aesthetic!”
“That’s why your rank never goes up… I mean, how did you even pass the promotion exam?”
“Shut it! You just keep throwing your sword!”
The three of them began to chat as if they had already won. To be honest, if something happened to Kurinka, who was carrying me on her back, I would have taken them down in one hit. I couldn’t tell if they were just blinded by the smoke, but they didn’t even check if they had defeated me. That girl with the red braid had a foul mouth and a loud voice, a roughness different from Amane.
“Hey, can I pass through now?”
As I emerged from the smoke unharmed, their conversation halted. However, they merely showed signs of readiness without any real intent to fight, as if they had already given up. It seemed they didn’t truly believe they could defeat me, and I caught one of them letting out a small sigh.
“No way… My most powerful spell… it… it…”
“Not even a dodge… So, you took it head-on without a scratch. Ha ha, what is this? Are you really human?”
That said, the person who had thrown the swords at me still seemed intent on doing something. I decided to ignore them since it was pointless to engage. Just then, without giving me a moment to think, the sword-throwing woman began wielding swords in both hands. She threw them in the wrong direction, and they struck the castle wall, bouncing back. As a result, the blades came at me at a perfect angle.
Blades approached from above and both sides. For some, the speed might be untraceable. Not only would they skewer me, but with an average body, they would pierce through and hit something else, bouncing back again. The swords danced with a joyful motion, but their power was significantly less than that of the earlier spell. Instead of dodging, I decided to stand still. The swords, which seemed to have some value, merely grazed my skin before falling weakly to the ground.
“This is ridiculous! What kind of defense skill is this?! It doesn’t make sense otherwise! This Leaping Sword has never been broken before! It can even pierce a Mithril Golem!”
“If you attack any further, I’ll retaliate.”
“Ugh… Waaaaahhh!”
Half out of her mind and in a state of panic, the Leaping Sword woman charged at me for close combat. True to my word, I lightly struck her jaw from the side. I watched as her body swayed and she collapsed, unconscious, before the other two finally reacted.
“P-please spare me! I’m so sorry for getting carried away with my one-hit aesthetic! Just spare my life!”
“No, this Verdant Mage… hasn’t shown everything yet.”
“Enough already! It’s obvious we can’t win against her! We don’t need to compete anymore! Waaaaahhh!”
The sight of the One-Shot Wonder clinging to the Verdant Mage and crying out was pitiful.
“Get out of the way. You’re not strong enough to face the Flash Strike Girl.”
Emerging from around the corner of the castle wall was Gantetsu, walking with a large axe resting on his shoulder. At that moment, I was genuinely shocked. I never expected him to be here, which meant he was suspicious of me. I couldn’t believe he had taken this job just for the money, especially with that defiant grin. The image of the kind uncle I had known began to crumble.
“G-Gantetsu…”
“Mighty Warrior” Gantetsu
Level: 33
Class: Warrior
Rank: A
Position: 89
HP: 460
“Hey, looks like you’re making quite the scene. How about you take a shot at me next… here we go!”
Perhaps due to the rough way he swung the axe, it slipped from his hands and flew off in the wrong direction. No, he just didn’t grip it properly. It seemed he didn’t realize it for a moment, as he stood there with the axe still posed. After a brief pause, he finally noticed the anomaly with his right hand and saw the axe flying away behind him.
“Whaaa?! It slipped out! M-my axe!”
“W-what the hell… Gantetsu, what are you doing here?!”
“Where did my axe go?! Over there?! It’s flying over there!”
“You haven’t fought properly in ages… At your age, you should seriously consider retirement.”
“It’s over there! Over there!”
“I get it… but that’s not the way! Your axe is over there! Are you really okay?!”
The two of them, exasperated, began to support Gantetsu as if caring for an elderly man. I thought to myself, what on earth were they doing? Yet again, Kurinka whispered something unexpected to me.
“Lua-chan, it’s less guarded over there. Let’s go.”
“W-what? Why?”
“Gantetsu told me so.”
“From that?!”
It was so indirect that I didn’t understand at all. I see, that’s why he had gone out of his way to join us. He was trying to scout out the less guarded areas. It didn’t really matter how many were there, but that wasn’t the point. More than anything, I was happy that he had done this for our sake.
“I feel like I might cry from happiness… even though everyone is an enemy.”
“I’m glad you met a good person. There are those who understand you.”
It was frustrating not being able to thank him directly. As I silently expressed my gratitude over and over in my heart while leaving the scene, I found myself in a maze-like area. Small, decaying walls lined the space, with abandoned wood piled up. It felt like a lonely place, one that hadn’t seen many visitors.
I wondered if there weren’t many adventurers hired after all. It seemed the castle soldiers had mostly been ordered to wait on the walls to ambush us. Indeed, those higher-ranked adventurers seemed stronger than those soldiers, so perhaps the placement wasn’t wrong.
“If there’s a research facility, it might be in a place like this.”
“Hmm, actually, I have a hunch.”
“Really?!”
“Well…”
“That’s enough, both of you.”
In a dimly lit, quiet backyard-like area, a firm voice called out to us. This was Avangarde Castle, and it was only natural for that person to be here, but I felt a pang of disappointment in my heart. Moreover, there was no hesitation in that voice; it seemed to carry a strong will to stop us at all costs.
“K-Kirkton…”
“Do you understand the gravity of what you’re doing? If you come now, I can mediate as much as possible. Your punishment should be lessened somewhat. You’ve helped us a lot, especially with Ritta.”
“You know what this country is doing, don’t you, Kirkton? And yet…”
“I am a soldier! I do not mix personal feelings with duty!”
“I’m disappointed! I thought you were a good person… so everything that happened that night was…”
“Ah, that was an escaped test subject. A failed experiment, nonetheless.”
I couldn’t believe it; no matter how many times I said it, it wouldn’t be enough. When I compared his attempt to kill me with his attitude toward Ritta, it made my heart ache. Did Ritta know that her captain was this kind of person? She must have trusted him and followed him.
“If Ritta finds out, she’ll be heartbroken.”
“That’s true, Roel. But that doesn’t matter; what’s important to me is something else. Even if you’re not part of the Demon Lord Army.”
“You should understand, Kirkton. You can’t win against me.”
“Even so, a soldier cannot run away. It’s not as if there’s no chance of victory.”
Before we could ask, the answer appeared before us. Yes, that answer had quite literally walked in. With its dark appearance and hunched figure, it resembled the people from Ikana Village who had been taken in by the Demon Lord Castle. A monster, covered in tough skin and fur, yet retaining the muscular form of a human.
【Black Beast Grundom has appeared! HP 5222】
【Black Beast Kank has appeared! HP 9561】
【Black Beast Marilyn has appeared! HP 8433】
“The combat capability of each one surpasses even that of a Gigas Horse at the very least. I had hoped to prepare them for the Demon Lord Army, but now it can’t be helped.”
Looking at them now, I could see how they resembled what I had witnessed that night. It was strange that I hadn’t realized it until now. The three beasts stood before the cold commander of the kingdom’s army, their red eyes reflecting me completely.
◆ Shin Report ◆
How did the girl from the convenience store manage to pass the test?
Shin is a little curious about this age of hers.
Well, the reasoning itself isn’t wrong.
However, that’s only true when you clearly understand the opponent’s strength.
Finally, the commander of the beasts appears.
To be honest, with its true power, there’s nothing to be done.
It might be suitable for a three-headed monster from the Demon Lord Army, but
there’s no way it could handle a twelve-shaman class.
Impossible, impossible, like a snail.
Despite having seen the slaughter right before my eyes,
that commander is just… well, I don’t know.
But somehow, it feels like that commander isn’t really speaking with its true self,
or maybe it is—it’s hard to tell.
By the way, that man who just landed a punch on my chin,
isn’t the bone in his jaw shattered?
The way his neck is bent looks dangerous too.
If Rua doesn’t want to kill anyone, she should first practice some restraint.