EP.204

Among the numerous countries of the Union, the two most proficient in espionage activities can be identified as ‘Krasilov of Domestic Intelligence’ and ‘Kalion of Foreign Intelligence.’

Both can be briefly equated to a ‘homebound goblin’ and a ‘peeping tom,’ respectively.

However, if we broaden the scope beyond just nations to include ‘organizations,’ surprisingly, there exists an organization that can gather more intimate information than Krasilov and is freer in terms of borders compared to Kalion.

The Church.

All countries of the Union Kingdom are united under a single religion, and the priests of the Church are appointed by the Pope. Since they hold the authority for appointments, orders, and pardons, priests have no borders.

Additionally, due to the system of ‘confession,’ priests can hear the most private concerns and misgivings of the faithful. Although there are strict prohibitions on disclosure woven into Church law, who has never made a mistake?

Naturally, priests are human too, and may occasionally slip up. Some priests are even suspected of ‘making too many slip-ups.’ In other words, they can be regarded as fixed spies of allied nations.

Considering all these factors, the organization with the most spies in this age is indeed the Church, and it possesses the strongest intelligence capabilities as well.

“My little precious status window…”

All theology students coming and going at St. Jans’ University’s theology department in Prichenkaya are also prospective spies.

“Who exactly is the spy… do tell me…”

Eugene, who must filter out this spy, could only cover his face and groan.

He didn’t know exactly what the Saint’s plan was, but that was all he could do for now.

At this moment, as the theology department collapsed due to the loss of Divine Power, Eugene could do nothing but sit blankly in the courtyard.

“What are you doing, Eugene?”

“Whining, praying, spying.”

“It’s nice to see you’re so devout. If you have nothing to do, let’s go attend a guest lecture together.”

“Guest lecture?”

“It’s Professor Enrique’s class, and it’s so popular that I couldn’t sign up. Remember the ecology of magical beasts?”

“Isn’t that the class where you messed up during the orientation and failed the whole course?”

“Now Professor Enrique is taking over that class. They said it doesn’t matter how many people attend, want to go together? After that, let’s have dinner at Isabel’s place.”

“I can’t resist that.”

Kimchi stew is a major reason to go. It’s not like my brother got all excited for nothing.

Eugene nodded firmly and got up from his seat. Enrique’s class was fun, so he thought it would be fine.

Enrique is excellent at teaching someone. This is evident from the cleanup unit (they were annihilated). None of the students who learned something from her failed, proving her teaching methods worthy of praise.

A beautiful, glamorous, dignified, and entertaining young (debatably) female professor’s class isn’t likely to be unpopular. Especially if that professor is from a hero party.

It’s a point that some, including Ivan, may not easily grasp, but Enrique was one of the heroes recorded in history. Even now, it’s easy to find an exaggerated statue of her among the statues of the hero party.

“Last week was goblins, right?”

“Goblins and orcs. Definitely better than last semester’s class.”

Teaching that “the weak point of magical beasts is that they die if they lose their heads” was far less systematic and rational than this class.

Students were gathered in the outskirts of the forest, chatting leisurely and spending time. Soon, Enrique appeared at the lectern.

“Hello, students! The weather is bright and perfect, just the right time for a game of tag, right? Today is a practical session. I told everyone to come dressed casually, yet… the boys just don’t listen!”

Ignoring a few students who had come dressed up as best as they could, Enrique said with a smirk.

“Well, I won’t know if you regret it. This practical session is about taking down Taurus. It’s good for you, Tylesse student, to pay attention. Taurus is a key magical beast on the Eastern Front, and small-scale invasions are still frequent over there.”

The students of Tylesse and the Hero Party nodded gravely.

“So, what should we do when facing Taurus? Honestly, there is only one correct answer. Kill it from a distance. If it turns into close combat, Taurus’s charge is comparable in power to a knight’s lance charge. If you’re not mounted, you should avoid contact while on foot.”

Isabel, who was listening excitedly to Enrique’s explanation, paused for a moment to ponder that part. She had heard that the old man just stood there and howled at them.

“The best way to take it down is to ambush Taurus when you encounter it alone. That’s why we chose the forest. The forest provides a great environment for ambushes. Last class, I showed you how to move stealthily in the woods, right? Today, let’s put that into practice as an assessment.”

At that moment, a student raised his hand. A male student, impeccably dressed in a suit and wearing cologne, was waving his hand with a serious expression.

“Um, over there. Sorry, I can’t remember everyone’s names at the beginning of the semester. Do you have a question?”

“I’m Lunen from the Dukes of Duhns, Professor!”

“Right, right, Lunen de Duhns. What’s your question?”

“The implication that we will practice ambushing Taurus… does that mean there is a Taurus in this forest?”

“Even if I’m the great Enrique, I can’t just release magical beasts in a forest connected to Prichenkaya. Instead, I found someone to fulfill that role.”

Oh.

At this point, Isabel and Ecdysis hurriedly glanced at each other.

No way.

“Alright, clap! Does everyone know who it is?”

*Thud.*

The heavy sound of footsteps echoed on the ground. It felt like the temperature of the pleasantly warm spring weather dropped by about 50 degrees.

All the students shifted their gazes quickly while brushing off the goosebumps on their forearms.

From the shadow of an ordinary conifer tree that none had paid attention to, a tall man slowly walked out.

“Huh…?”

“Uh…?”

Ivan Petrovich stepped out from the shadows and stood in front of the podium. He scanned the gathered students with gloomy eyes. There were familiar faces and unfamiliar ones.

And if there were unfamiliar faces at this school, it meant they were first-year students. He had memorized the personal details of all the undergraduates.

In the cold silence, Ivan slowly opened his mouth.

“Um hum.”

“Ugh?! Puh…!!”

Isabel hastily covered her mouth.

How cute, that old man. Damn it. Is there nothing to be done…? Isn’t that tempting?

Dark-Isabel began to hastily plan to add a sleeping drug to the evening dinner. Various drugs, including sleeping pills, were part of the secret sauce of the Dark Chef.

“When you hear this sound, run away. Taurus only howls just before battle, and if you can hear Taurus’s howl in the forest, that means it is watching you.”

Ivan bluntly continued.

“Taurus has poor eyesight but superior hearing and olfactory senses compared to humans. It is estimated that its hearing is about three times more sensitive in the audible range, while its sense of smell is about five times better. Therefore, when ambushing Taurus, you must be as quiet as possible and conceal your scent from the surroundings.”

“How can I hide my scent in the forest…?”

“Good question. There are primarily three methods.”

The compliment took the female student by surprise; she instinctively shrank back and shivered.

“Submerge yourself in mud, or stay submerged in water for as long as you can. However, if you stay in the water for too long, there’s a risk of hypothermia, and as moisture evaporates outside the water, your scent will become stronger, increasing the risk of exposure, so I wouldn’t recommend that. The most recommended option is blood.”

“…Blood?”

“Just apply some blood around the area where you want to hide. The more the better. Tauruses are carnivorous and easily excited by the scent of blood. After that, ambush the Taurus while it’s preoccupied with feeding, and things will become much easier.”

Ivan finished speaking while scanning the students.

“I will begin tracking in five minutes. I will adjust to a level that a typical Taurus can handle, so don’t panic excessively during the ambush attempt. I will allow attacks that I judge the Taurus will not be able to respond to.”

This meant he had the confidence to take hits from magical beasts like a Taurus, with bare hands.

Students who weren’t intimidated by Ivan’s expression snickered quietly.

Everyone here was at least a noble, and nobles know how to use mana. Adults at the level of attending university are even more skilled, especially those dispatched to places interacting with foreign nations, who are bound to be exceptionally talented.

In other words, they were people who had easily triumphed over knights or wizards with some experience in their domains. They had been told that they were geniuses since childhood.

Talented young nobles couldn’t help but be arrogant. So, when an unnamed professor, one they had never heard of before and dressed so shabbily, dared to say something like this, they could only laugh.

After surveying them, Ivan took out a pocket watch from his cloak.

“I will start now. Scatter.”

“Hey, while it’s good to stick together, you do know that the more you group up, the more noticeable you become, right? Strategically consider forming teams and moving. I’ll give you two hours!”

“Can we just run away?”

“You can. But you haven’t forgotten the name of this class? The Ecology of Magical Beasts. It tests your coping skills, so that will be a reason for point deductions. At least try to make one attack. You’ll get extra points if you fail.”

Enrique giggled and waved his hand. The students scattered in unison, and soon only Enrique and Ivan remained at the lectern.

“Thank you for coming. Honestly, I didn’t expect you to be so straightforward about it.”

“Education is important.”

The Hero Party still had much to learn, and the other students also needed to raise their educational standards. As pointed out in reflections from the past, these are chaotic times. In this moment when the Allied Kingdom is facing the risk of division, individuals capable of responding to the demonic beasts are always invaluable.

Enrique nodded pleasantly in response to Ivan’s words.

“And it would be good for you to get some fresh air and meet people.”

This guy would undoubtedly spend any free time alone checking weapons or holed up in the Counterintelligence Command inspecting intelligence networks and verifying intelligence documents.

One should not live so bleakly. It’s better to mingle with the young folks and gain some vitality. Vitality is quite infectious, after all. Doesn’t the atmosphere feel much lighter already?

In response to Enrique’s words, Ivan nodded without a reply. He tucked the pocket watch back into his coat. After all, time could be counted in seconds, so he had merely taken it out to show the students.

“Don’t go too overboard, okay?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll act like a really ordinary Taurus.”

“Even if the kids are a bit mischievous, bear with it.”

“You’re being too worried.”

Ivan shook his head and turned his body. He trudged down the forest path.

Enrique smiled at the sight. Even if he acts like that, after all, he’s from my class.

He seems to enjoy teaching the kids.

*

“Hey, they’re coming.”

“Shh, quiet. Get ready.”

Lunens tightly gripped his longsword and crouched down. Together with some students, he hid amongst the thick shrubs of the coniferous forest.

It had been a long time since he practiced with these guys. Count Dwing’s territory was a great domain, and among the baron families under him were many of his peers.

The lesser nobles of this place would be useful allies when he later formed a ‘faction.’ They were old friends who had been out hunting all sorts of ‘fun’ things together.

A typical combination of wizards and knights. The five students swallowed hard, gripping their weapons as they prepared to ambush.

Soon, footsteps could be heard. It was hard not to notice as they stomped heavily and walked in a way that shook the ground.

“The scent of perfume easily gives you away. Be careful.”

A low voice rang out from afar. Even at a considerable distance, concealed by dense foliage, they could accurately hear it directed towards them.

And soon, a monotone voice followed.

“Moo.”

Taurus howls only when he spots an enemy.

*

– AAAAAAAAAH—!!

– Die—!! Die—!!

“Are they close? Should we go?”

“No, Esy. We’re in the perfect position right now.”

– Please save me, please save me, please save me, please save me!!

– I’m sorry!!!

– Do you know who I am—!! AAAAH!!

“What the hell is my uncle doing?”

“He’s probably doing what he usually does. You could follow along pretty closely, I think.”

“Do it! What is it?”

“Um. An enemy. Kill them.”

“Ugh…!! Hah! Hahaha!!!”

Ecdysis immediately toppled over, hitting the ground and bursting into laughter.

The two, who had been giggling for a while, cleared their throats and straightened back up.

“This time, you got it, right? Esy. We have to take him down for sure.”

“I think it’s a bit too bold… though.”

“No way, uncle said he ‘restricts power.’ Do you think there will be another opportunity? Are you going to just give up and hand over the uncle to the queen?”

“Of course not.”

“I’ll go talk to him directly when we meet. Then you strike from behind, and when his attention is distracted, I’ll charge in.”

“Sounds good, perfect.”

*

“Excellent.”

Ivan nodded as he gazed at the clearing stained with deer blood.

Blood was splattered around the deer carcass, on the trees and ground, a clear sign of what had happened. Walking along the scent of blood led to this view. Clean, and a perfect trap. Taurus wouldn’t be able to avoid it.

Satisfied, Ivan stepped further into the clearing.

“Uncle.”

Beyond the clearing, Isabel rose up. Dusting off the few leaves that had settled in her hair, she flashed a bright smile and drew her sword.

“Shall we make a bet?”

“A bet?”

“If I win, you grant me one wish.”

“Why should I?”

“If I lose, I’ll participate in your training camp without complaint. You need it, right? For the hero to grow stronger.”

“Fair enough.”

Ivan nodded. But there was a downside.

“It’s foolish to expose oneself while setting traps for an ambush. Your chances of winning don’t seem that high.”

“Really? Are you sure?”

With Isabel’s laughter, Ivan’s gaze quickly shifted to the side.

Limited to the auditory and olfactory senses of Taurus, he hadn’t noticed until the killing intent was almost upon him. Indeed, if it were Taurus, the ambush would have worked.

Especially if the killing intent had been concealed. Ivan nodded in satisfaction.

—Clang—!!

“Using an axe?!”

“Taurus knows how to use an axe.”

The baton descending toward Ivan’s head was blocked by the axe blade. He restrained his technique as much as possible and pushed Ecdysis back with sheer strength, turning away.

Truly, the timing was perfect. Isabel, who had charged in, aimed the tip of her sword directly at his chest. It was flawless, especially considering she was utilizing her mana.

—Clang—!!

“You’re using mana too?!”

“Taurus knows how to use mana.”

Ivan’s axe deflected Isabel’s blade, rotating halfway before sweeping away the baton that was coming down again. He immediately twisted his waist and delivered a heavy kick to Isabel.

“Cough—!!”

Isabel twisted in mid-air to regain her balance. As she landed on the ground, her long hair gently settled down.

From a distance that had opened up again, Ivan smiled slightly.

He was liking her more and more.

Originally, she was an impressive child. Her talent was at least on par with the previous generation. She was becoming sharper through real experiences, and it was visible.

The process of slowly shaping an inexperienced hero party, in itself.

Or rather, as their skills improved, it felt like their chances of survival were being secured.

Yes, there was no longer a need for anyone to die. It should be that way, and he would make it so.

Therefore, feeling quite satisfied, Ivan slowly opened his mouth toward Isabel with a slight smile.

“Hum.”

Because Taurus howls right before battle.

Isabel burst into laughter.

*Author’s Note (Author’s Message)*

I attached it because it was too awkward to cut!

Consider it as part 2 of the series! Hehehe.

*

I haven’t had a proper chance to check comments for a long time. I plan to catch up soon, but feel free to ask questions in the meantime!

I will do a QnA like the Tylesse segment!