Chapter 212 — Prepare Thoroughly for What’s Coming

1

Those who returned from the desert could barely contain their excitement.

Duels against powerful enemies.

The fatigue wasn’t as severe as expected, and more importantly, there was less stress from having to find their way around.

Pearson especially seemed to like his newly learned debuff magic, constantly pestering Anais who was beside him.

The two matched so well together that it brought smiles to everyone’s faces.

“How about it, Anais? You can’t do without me now, right? The battle difficulty drops significantly!”

“I got it, so stop already.”

“Hehe, let’s fight together next time. It’s amazing, right? You might end up asking to party with me every day.”

“I said I got it!”

Finally, Pearson sank after receiving a back smack from Anais.

Despite their bickering, the two actually went well together.

The combination of Anais and Pearson…

Even Manus thought they matched quite well.

A mage who continuously chips away at enemy health combined with debuffs could create tremendous synergy.

Manus turned his gaze to look at Guillermo.

“Still, today’s ace was Guillermo, right? Wow, you were impressive!”

“Thank you.”

“That’s the in-fighter style, right? Are you going to focus on that?”

“…No.”

Guillermo looked at Manus briefly before answering Nia’s question.

Manus was in the process of breaking through a mage’s limitations.

Despite being a mage, he had an incredibly sturdy body and showed destructive power that put most martial artists to shame with just one punch.

Guillermo decided to walk a similar path.

Guardian.

He planned not to be bound by that name.

He revealed his aspirations and resolve in a quiet voice.

“I’ve decided to learn from Manus. I plan to train in any method that can be used in battle.”

“Oh… That’s quite ambitious.”

“You can do it.”

Nia and Alano encouraged Guillermo.

Guillermo nodded in response to their encouragement.

Overall, passion was rekindling in everyone.

Manus was quite pleased with this phenomenon.

It seemed that showing one performance had helped quite a bit.

He could feel that people’s gazes toward him had returned to how they were before.

Reverence, surprise, a bit of jealousy, envy.

These mixed gazes affected Manus himself as well.

‘I’ve reached a point where I can’t afford to be weak.’

A spiritual pillar.

A role model.

He could feel these responsibilities increasingly weighing on him.

But it was fine.

He had grown enough to carry this much burden.

Mid-thirties.

And a few months here.

His shoulders that had broadened and lower body that had strengthened during that time could now bear such responsibilities without issue.

“If I learn Matu magic, could I do what you do, Senior?”

Melanie quietly approached and asked.

Manus nodded.

“Yes. Your situation might actually be better.”

“Because of the spirits?”

“That’s right. What you showed today was excellent too.”

“Hehe, actually the spirits do fight a bit.”

Melanie gave an embarrassed smile.

The skill she used for the first time in actual combat.

Accepting two spirits simultaneously required incredible technique.

She had to prevent the spirits’ powers from clashing and handle different spirits’ powers separately.

It required concentration similar to drawing a triangle with one hand while drawing a square with the other.

Though it didn’t seem to be registered as a skill yet, it would be soon.

“June is coming soon. It’s time for the second minion.”

“That’s right. Already…”

“Last time, Anais and Kael played major roles. This time will be different.”

Their combat power had increased tremendously.

They wouldn’t just be on the receiving end like last time.

They were filled with such confidence.

Even Manus didn’t think the forces he had cultivated to this extent would fall easily.

They would break down the gimmicks and chunk away at the enemy’s health.

After all, one reason he had accelerated their growth was to handle the minion smoothly.

“Still, we need to prepare thoroughly, understand?”

“Of course. Training with the warriors will help us prepare better.”

“Don’t you have any information this time? Manus?”

“Well…”

Now Nia openly asked Manus for information.

Though he wasn’t sure what they were thinking, it seemed they had realized that Manus possessed unknowable intelligence.

Manus decided to throw out some information.

The second minion, [Mors].

Fully armored and wielding eight weapons to realize justice.

He had the ability to identify “those who broke the law” by attacking enemies.

“It’s probably the ‘Justice Emperor’ Arcana. I don’t know more than that.”

“I see. That would be an ace, right?”

“Probably.”

Justice Emperor A.

It meant he was the strongest entity in the Justice Emperor category.

Though they had gained confidence, the unknown always breeds fear.

Even if it’s slight, it’s hard to maintain complete composure.

Manus quietly let the children’s slight wavering be.

They needed to experience such emotions to become desensitized.

The duels in the desert had been quite successful.

They were still growing.

2

The Caesar Family.

Today, Labeth was receiving a somewhat special guest.

An envoy from a family on the opposite side of the Empire, with whom they had little interaction, had come to see him.

Labeth looked at the man with unusual eyes.

The Abrel Family.

After the Count Acre incident, they had constantly sought exchange with Caesar.

Being on the opposite side of the Empire, they hadn’t realized.

Just how tremendous Caesar’s power was.

‘Coming here in person, I see it’s on a different level.’

“So, what brings you here?”

“Your Grace. Perhaps, have you received any strange information lately?”

“Strange information?”

Duke Caesar.

Or the Archduke.

He had learned at the banquet that rumors about him weren’t exaggerated.

The envoy standing before him carefully chose each word he spoke.

An extremely respectful attitude.

Labeth didn’t take issue with his manner either.

So, the Abrel family had noticed too.

Did they still only have vague knowledge, or…

“There’s more than one or two pieces of strange information.”

“Ah, I apologize. The source of the strange information is… the Academy.”

“The Academy.”

Labeth spoke expressionlessly, emotionlessly.

First, the question was how much the other party knew.

Labeth asked again.

“I ask on what grounds the Abrel family comes here to say such things.”

“These days, unsettling things are happening at the Academy. Abnormally strong individuals are appearing.”

“Abnormally strong individuals…”

A certain number of people had grown explosively, and almost equally at that.

As if they had lived through different times.

The Abrel family had investigated focusing on this point.

And they found one clue.

“All those individuals are gathered in one club. Among them…”

“My son, Manus is there, is that it?”

“Yes. If I’ve caused offense, I offer my apologies.”

“Hmm…”

Labeth straightened his posture, showing slight interest.

The Abrel family seemed to know quite a lot.

Given his promise with his son, it would be better to keep information vague.

The Abrel family’s eldest son who came as envoy looked at him with fearful eyes.

All who had even slightly experienced the name Caesar changed to have such eyes.

Then perhaps he should use that psychology a bit.

“Your family’s daughter is there too, correct?”

“…Yes.”

“I have no interest in what they do. However…”

Labeth paused briefly.

Then he stared intently at the Abrel family’s eldest son.

What was his name again?

Perhaps he had erased it from his mind as not worth remembering.

In any case, it was simple to implant an impression with just a few words.

Humans are more emotional and easily swayed than one might think.

The Abrel family’s eldest son gulped under the silence Labeth created.

‘This pressure is on a different level from father.’

An existence above even those who inherited dragon’s blood.

Under the feeling of being looked down upon by something not human, he could only quietly bow his head.

Just waiting until his words continued.

“There must not be any harm to Caesar. For any reason.”

“…I will keep that in mind.”

“Truth is always cruel. More forces might be involved than you think.”

“I understand.”

The eldest son bowed his head.

And the thought of needing to relay this to his family dominated his mind.

He just wanted to escape this uncomfortable situation somehow.

But Labeth didn’t seem to want to let him go yet.

He opened his mouth again.

With each word, it seemed mana moved according to his will.

“The Academy. A place filled with memories. Did you attend the Academy as well?”

“I did not attend the Academy. As our family was short-handed.”

“I see. I thought we might have more to talk about… In any case, I hope you enjoy your stay.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Labeth looked at Wei.

A sign to guide him out now that business was concluded.

Wei bowed to accept the command.

“This way, please. I’ll escort you to the guest house.”

“Thank you.”

The Abrel family’s eldest son showed proper respect, as the pressure emanating from Wei was extraordinary.

Watching this, Labeth’s eyes glowed.

They raised their child well.

He was a figure without fault anywhere.

“How does he seem, Master?”

“Those who have caught the scent will rush to the Academy.”

“What do you plan to do?”

“Preparations will take time. It will take a year as Manus said.”

Many power struggles would arise during that time.

Caesar wanted to manipulate that.

Power struggles between families were directly connected to politics.

That in turn was directly linked to power.

“We cannot let those tainted by greed run wild. For His Majesty’s sake as well.”

“Indeed, Master.”

“Prepare. From now on it’s an information war.”

Disrupting and hiding the truth.

This was what Caesar did better than anyone.

They should start with those who have shown their teeth first.

He planned to eliminate all who would cause discord.

‘Manus. What will you do now.’

Soon they should be able to find some clues about the Dire Order too.

Labeth could guess that many things would happen going forward.

Things would get busy now.

It was time to expand Caesar’s forces as well.

“Prepare. We must secure benefits first to survive going forward.”

“I will obey.”

The pressure on the family’s children would increase.

But it was better to prepare thoroughly.

This was a good opportunity.

Nothing was more important than practical experience for the family’s children.

‘This will be interesting.’

Since the family’s founding, there had never been a time without enemies.

This time would be no different.

He didn’t mind.

Caesar had always lived this way.

–TL Notes–
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