First Mission
Red Eagle.
It was the name used to refer to the Karzan tribe, who practiced black magic—a clan that used the symbol of a red eagle as their emblem.
If ordinary magic amplified the natural forces circulating through the world, then black magic produced immense power by defying and tearing apart the laws of nature at the cost of life itself.
Raising corpses, casting curses that rip apart predetermined fate to plant new misfortune, or summoning beings from other dimensions—such acts all belonged to black magic.
To some, it was creation; to others, chaos.
It was the very opposite of divine power, which cut away anomalies in the world and sealed them perfectly without leaving any gaps.
Black magic had not originally been called evil.
It only became a problem when its followers began revering the Demon King as the “Black Sage” and walking the path of wickedness.
“They’ve been working for centuries to hatch the Demon’s Egg again,” said High Priest Nairon. “During that time, the Red Eagle has secretly infiltrated various groups.”
In fact, just last year they had captured a Red Eagle member who had spent years posing as a priest.
Because of that incident, the Temple now suspected that the organization had quietly spread into high society and even the Imperial Court.
Removing the disguise glasses he had been wearing, High Priest Nairon let out a sigh.
“It seems the Red Eagle has reached out to the ‘Island of Wisdom,’ the village of alchemists. They appear to be targeting the mana amplifier developed by the alchemists, along with their elixirs.”
Elixirs were a type of healing potion.
The greatest among them was the Golden Elixir, which only a Great Sage could produce. It could cure all diseases and even extend life.
For black magicians who spent their life force to wield power, it would certainly be a tempting item.
“We’ve received word that they’re still confronting the alchemists.”
“Then the Imperial Guard should be dispatched immediately.”
“But as you know, Young Lord Matian, imperial affairs involve complicated procedures. It will take time before they can mobilize.”
The Grayten Empire was a multi-racial nation where many races lived together.
Because of that, for the army of the human emperor to move officially required quite a complicated process.
That was why, in situations like this, they often relied on the Military Academy.
Though they were called students, academy cadets were far more capable than ordinary knights. Yet officially they were still merely students of the school, making it far easier for them to act.
For that reason, the High Priest had already requested assistance from the academy—and Matian had expected as much.
“A mobilization order will probably be issued soon.”
“You’ll go again this time, won’t you, Young Lord Matian?”
As he handed over the notice bearing the mobilization order, the High Priest glanced at Matian’s cadet uniform jacket.
Numerous medals were pinned across the lapel—awards earned from distinguished service in previous mobilizations.
Matian was a Weapon Master, the kind of prodigy said to appear only once in several generations.
So whenever conflict broke out along the empire’s borders or high-level monsters appeared, he was always the first to be called, earning merit after merit until there was hardly space left for additional medals.
“That’s likely, Your Holiness. The student council, including myself, will probably be dispatched to the site.”
Matian accepted the notice and slowly read through it.
“Why not take Lukna Golden with you this time?”
Suddenly hearing Lukna’s name, Matian’s hand trembled slightly.
Because of that, although his smile remained calm, the notice in his hand crumpled faintly.
“That’s surprising. Lately many people have been mentioning Lukna’s name, but I didn’t expect even Your Holiness to bring him up.”
His clear blue eyes stared straight at the High Priest as if confirming something.
“Does Lukna Golden have something to do with the missing Holy Sword?”
“Well now… How would someone who stays only in the Temple know such a thing?”
The High Priest tried his best to feign ignorance, but Matian’s certainty did not waver.
“It’s been over a month since the Holy Sword disappeared, yet the Temple has taken no action. You must already know where it is—that’s why Your Holiness remains silent.”
“Before that, Young Lord… was the Holy Sword ever an item that just anyone could pull out and take?”
“……”
“As I’ve told you before, the Holy Sword accepts as its master the one destined to slay the Demon King. Of course, I could touch it since I cast the barrier, but why would I do such a thing? If you suspect the High Priest while knowing Lukna Golden could not pull the Holy Sword himself, you may suffer divine punishment.”
“Well… perhaps I’m already suffering it.”
Matian tapped the heart containing the fragment of the demon within him and curled one corner of his lips.
Honestly, why were young people these days so cynical?
The High Priest, who looked only a couple of years older than Matian, lamented the generation gap as he stood up.
“Young Lord, for reference—the reason I mentioned Lukna Golden is because he belongs to the Golden Count’s family.”
“Lukna is an adopted child, not blood-related to Count Golden.”
“That may be so, but he is certainly still a descendant of the heroes who fought in the Demon War.”
“How can he be a descendant if he isn’t blood-related?”
“Well… anyway, bringing him along will be helpful.”
Leaving behind a holy smile befitting the High Priest, Nairon then squeezed his body into the red mailbox standing in the corner.
The Chief Priest Jerome, who had been keeping watch, was startled.
“Your Holiness! Are you hiding in there again to leave?”
Earlier he had hidden to avoid meeting Lukna directly, but now it seemed unnecessary.
Despite Jerome’s attempts to stop him, the High Priest stubbornly squeezed himself inside the mailbox.
“Let’s just walk, Your Holiness! Even coming here, the cadets stared at us like we were incredibly suspicious!”
“That’s why I’m always grateful to you, Jerome.”
“…Haah.”
Starting next week, I should change religions.
Muttering under his breath, the Chief Priest picked up the mailbox and left the student council room the same way they had entered.
Watching the priests leave, Matian sank into thought.
Why was it that he had just met the High Priest, yet Lukna’s face kept floating in his mind?
Lukna Golden is a descendant of a hero… If he’s not adopted, could he actually be the Golden family’s hidden illegitimate child? Or perhaps…
Matian tapped his folded arm thoughtfully.
The more he learned, the more mysterious Lukna’s identity seemed to become.
One Hour Later
At a time when the cadets should have been heading to their next class, many of them were instead crowding toward one place.
“Hey, did you hear? A mobilization order was posted on the bulletin board!”
“What? It’s been almost two months! Let’s go check!”
“I’m definitely going to earn merit this time!”
Lukna listened to the passing cadets’ conversation.
Mobilization order?
Maybe I should follow them and check the board.
But reading the notice through the tightly packed crowd of large cadets was not easy.
After being shoved around from all sides, Lukna eventually got pushed to the back.
I can’t even see a single word like this.
Grabbing the shoulder of the cadet in front of her, Lukna hopped repeatedly trying to see the board.
“What the—who are you?”
The cadet turned around with an irritated expression, but quickly forced a polite smile.
That was because members of the “Lukna Is the Light of This World Club” had approached and were glaring at him protectively.
“How dare you raise your voice? Surely you’re not speaking to the Radiant Lord Lukna, are you?”
Zwei pressed the cadet with a menacing face.
Radiant Lord Lukna?
The surrounding cadets’ gazes all turned toward Lukna.
Horrified, Lukna quickly stopped Zwei.
“Calm down. I was the one being rude first. By the way, where have you guys been?”
At first they had followed her around constantly, which annoyed her—but now that they weren’t around, she had strangely noticed their absence.
Am I slowly becoming corrupted by power?
“We were just picking up trash nearby, Lord Lukna.”
Just as Zwei said, the “Lu-Light Club” was currently performing diligent volunteer work around campus.
Even so, their rough attitudes and intimidating faces still caused plenty of misunderstandings.
“What about you, Lord Lukna?”
“Oh, I was just trying to check the bulletin board.”
“I see! Leave it to us!”
Move aside, you monkeys!
The Lu-Light Club immediately began pushing through the crowd.
“Brothers, make some room. Lord Lukna wishes to see the notice.”
Even Drake, a second-year who had joined after experiencing Lukna’s club earlier, helped split the crowd.
With luxury-brand-like clutches tucked under their arms to show their affiliation, they looked more like gangsters than students.
“…Stop it. Please stop doing this kind of thing.”
Embarrassed, Lukna whispered while covering her face—but it was useless.
The crowd had already parted like the sea before her.
This is insane.
At this point, it would be faster to just read the notice and leave.
Hiding among the large Lu-Light Club members, Lukna quickly read the board.
Mobilization Order: Terrorist Attack on the “Island of Wisdom”
Terrorist attack?
Lukna read the details below.
According to the notice, mysterious terrorists had caused explosions in the Island of Wisdom, the village of alchemists. They had stolen a mana amplifier under development and were now holding alchemists hostage while continuously stealing elixirs.
At least not all students are being mobilized.
The number of recruits was only about twenty, and cadets were already competing to volunteer.
“Finally, Lord Lukna will go into the field. If not you, then who?”
Zwei smiled meaningfully.
“Why would I get involved in something like this? Someone else will handle it.”
“To give your glory to others—how humble you are!”
“Are you even listening to me?”
“Please show those arrogant mermaids who claim to rule the waters just how great you truly are.”
“…You’re definitely not listening.”
But why suddenly bring up mermaids?
