Lord of Training - Chapter 72



Only Krnovel

72. Death flag.

All commanders above the rank of company commander gathered in the command tent.

As Archduke Harry Russell nodded, Lieutenant General Tollip, commander of the 2nd Corps, stood up.

And then he glanced around at the commanders.

“I’m sure you’re all curious about what was discussed at the morning meeting with the Empire.”

Everyone gathered in the tent swallowed dry saliva.

me too······.

“The Lacrosse Empire and our allied forces are currently in a state of truce. I’m sure everyone knows that, right? And this time, we’ve decided to clear the giant labyrinth gate together.”

“yes?”

“Is that true?”

The commanders began to murmur.

That’s because it was such a shocking thing.

I raised my hand and said.

“Can you trust the Empire?”

“Colonel Alain, that’s a good question. Of course, the Empire can’t be trusted. They even proposed peace talks just before they attacked the Kingdom of Lutes in the past. But in the end, they crossed the border at dawn on a holiday when everyone was asleep and took Lutes in four months.”

“Then you’re saying that we’re going into the gate together, taking risks?”

“Yes. But don’t worry. The Imperial Army and our Allied Forces will enter the Labyrinth Gate in equal numbers. So there’s no reason for us to fall behind them. And we have more Aerial Magic Knights.”

It seemed like they had already coordinated their forces.

The Allied commanders seemed relieved that we had 40 more Airborne Magic Knights.

But if they truly have elven heritage, we’re no match for them.

Even if you clear the gate, you may be betrayed at the end.

And it was unsettling that the Empire had proposed so easily.

Maybe they expected us to act like this.

No, it seemed like they had also taken our forces into account in conquering the Labyrinth Gate.

For some reason, I had a strong suspicion about that.

“Both sides will enter with 5,000 men, including the Airborne Magic Knights. The remaining main force will be withdrawn 20km further to the rear, leaving the area around the gate empty.”

That’s a given.

Because you can be attacked when you clear the gate and come out.

“Our Atlan army has been assigned 1,500 men. All the aerial magic knights will be included, and the rest will be notified to each unit in the afternoon.”

“When is the gate entry?”

“It’s noon tomorrow. We’ve decided to enter from both gates at the same time. When you enter the labyrinth gate, you must first guard the surrounding area and check the movements of the imperial army. Also, the troops entering the gate will be commanded by His Highness the Archduke Harry Russell.”

The commanders all nodded.

He was the best air magic knight during his active years, but he was also recognized as an excellent commander and rose to the rank of Marshal, so he seemed a little relieved.

I feel relieved too.

Although Archduke Harry has a lot of combat experience and has never personally seen the aerial combat capabilities of his aircraft, I still suspect that they are comparable to the named aircraft.

Then our Atlan had two named knights.

One was Brigadier General Chuck Kilgarvan, and the other was Archduke Harry.

The Republic of Arica also had two named-class knights, so we had four, and the Empire had three named-class aerial magic knights, so we had the advantage.

Commander Tollip, having finished his story, sat down, and Archduke Harry stood up.

“Don’t let your guard down! We might be fighting a dimensional monster we’ve never seen before. As soon as you enter the gate, don’t turn your back on the monster! We can’t get out anyway.”

Archduke Harry was more concerned about dimensional monsters than the threat to the Imperial forces.

That is why I emphasized how to deal with monsters and mental armament.

I also had to deal with an A-class monster, and it was incredibly difficult.

If it weren’t for the Peacemaker sniper rifle and spirit bullets, it would have been bleak to think how they would have caught them. What about the ordinary soldiers?

There will be plenty of A-class dimensional monsters in the S-class labyrinth gate.

I think we should have been more worried about dimensional monsters than the Imperial Army.

“Let’s disband for now and come up with a concrete plan for the evening. Let’s meet again then!”

“yes!”

The commanders stood up and went out.

And in the command tent, only Archduke Harry, the commander, the chief of staff, and Brigadier General Chuck Kilgaven remained.

It seemed like they were trying to select the regular units that would be joining tomorrow.

I headed to our battalion camp.

***

[2nd Corps Airborne Division Campsite.]

“Everyone gather together!”

22 members of the Airborne Magic Unit, including me, gathered together.

“Tomorrow we will enter the S-class labyrinth gate.”

The expressions on the subordinates’ faces were seen to harden.

This is not the lower level gate we have entered so far.

There are stages to everything.

First you write, then you walk, and then you run.

However, we attacked the D-class gate and then suddenly entered the S-class gate without going through any intermediate steps.

Of course, there were many troops going together, but I couldn’t help feeling afraid.

Actually, I’m a little scared too.

“Put as much personal firearms, ammunition, medicine, emergency food, etc. in your backpack as possible.”

“The Captain and Captain Phelps are here, so do you also pack medicine and food separately?”

Lieutenant Herman asked.

“What if you enter the gate and suddenly an S-class dimensional monster is waiting for you or pops out? And what if the Imperial Army suddenly attacks? You never know how the situation will change, and the battalion may be scattered. So, bring as much personal equipment as possible. Got it?”

“yes!”

The agents answered.

I took out the dimensional radios.

Just in case, I charged them all to full a little while ago.

“Forward to Major Audrey!”

“yes.”

“As you may already know, this is a dimensional radio. It is given to the unit commander, so use it when necessary, and try not to use it in front of other soldiers.”

“yes!”

I handed a dimensional radio to Captain Audrey.

She took part in this expedition on the condition that Archduke Harry would accompany her, and was given command of our air squadron.

He was well-suited for the position of unit commander because he had outstanding air combat skills and commanding ability.

And when I suggested to Archduke Harry before the expedition that she was of a lower rank, she showed up the next day wearing the rank of major.

I guess the anti-air power is pretty good.

Two ranks promoted in one day!

I haven’t tried that either.

I also gave a dimensional radio to Phelps, Herman, and Captain Carlin.

I thought we were running low on radios, so I brought them all from my father and Hela Wake, except for the ones Evolod had.

“Everyone, take extra Mana-Hwan. Major Audrey can use it too if needed.”

“Are you giving it to me too?”

“Yes, even if you have a lot of mana, you never know what will happen inside the labyrinth gate. Store it well and use it when you really need it.”

“thank you.”

I also distributed the Elven Legacy that had been charged to the battalion members.

It wasn’t very useful in aerial combat, but it was good enough for taking on dimensional monsters or dealing with ground troops.

Even though I prepared as thoroughly as possible before coming here, I was still anxious.

The highest level of labyrinth gate cleared so far was A.

There was nothing beyond this place, and I heard that even the Empire had never cleared it.

Another Grade A labyrinth gate was in the eastern deep sea,

That’s why I feel more anxious.

But I think this level of preparation will be enough, right?

***

After the Labyrinth Gate Strategy Team Commander Meeting was over, everyone dispersed.

When we came out of the command tent, it was already midnight.

“Colonel Alain, look at me.”

Archduke Harry called me.

I entered the Archduke’s tent.

“Drink.”

The Archduke held out a glass.

“Is it alcohol?”

“Surely you wouldn’t recommend it the day before I leave?”

I downed the glass in one go.

“Wow! Is this alcohol?”

“It’s a medicinal liquor. And good liquor is bitter. It’s brewed with 13 medicinal herbs.”

“Is it an elixir?”

“I just think they put in good ingredients.”

Suddenly, I felt a surge of strength rising from deep within me.

Is it something like ginseng?

“If anything happens to me, please take good care of my daughter.”

“yes?”

This is a death flag!

A scene I often see in movies came to mind.

“What are you talking about? With His Highness’s skills, he will live longer than anyone else.”

“But isn’t there such a thing as ‘what if’?”

“No. There is no if. His Royal Highness the Duke of Harry will survive to the end.”

“Haha! What a person. Anyway, please treat Audrey well. She has many shortcomings because she grew up without a mother.”

“Not enough? He is still stronger than me. He is one of the ten strongest in all of Atlan.”

“Just listen.”

Archduke Harry frowned slightly.

I was talking nonsense because I was a death flag.

“Take good care of Audrey, don’t let your guard down until the end, and watch out for those Imperial bastards. That’s strange.”

“I know that very well.”

“That’s fine. I’ll just go out.”

“see you tommorow.”

I got up and went outside.

I’m not superstitious, but the death flag the day before the raid was not very good.

Archduke Harry is a man of great influence among the royal family and the nobility.

You have to live long enough to support me······.

‘I feel uneasy!’

I took off the bulletproof vest I was wearing and went back inside.

“Why? Do you have anything else to say?”

“Wear this.”

“What is this?”

“It’s a bulletproof vest. It’s made from the same material as the dagger I gave you as a gift. It can stop bullets, and even the teeth of most monsters won’t get stuck in it.”

“okay?”

The Archduke’s eyes widened.

This was a one-of-a-kind precious bulletproof vest made from dragon bone plate.

“Then you use it. I don’t need this kind of thing.”

“I have a defensive spell. Your Highness, you don’t have any defensive spells either.”

“There’s no need for defensive techniques. Just dodge quickly.”

“You can still get hit by a blind bullet though.”

“Even if you don’t need it.”

“Just take it easy! It’s not heavy.”

“Are you angry at me right now?”

“No. It is better for me if Your Highness lives long.”

For a moment, the Archduke’s eyes wavered.

“Haha! Got it.”

“And I’m lending it to you. Please return it when you get out of the gate. I’ll be leaving now.”

I greeted the Archduke and came out of the tent.

‘I won’t lend it to you unless it’s a death flag······’

I feel a little more relieved now.

I have a defensive spell, so I’ll be okay, right?

Just in case, you should wear an elf bulletproof vest.

***

[S-Grade Labyrinth Gate]

“Are you nervous?”

Major Audrey asked.

“If you don’t tremble, you’re not human.”

“Whew! I’m so nervous I could die.”

“Don’t show it though! You’re the commander.”

“yes!”

Major Audrey clenched her fists and nodded.

The troops of both sides had already moved 20km out in the morning, and 10,000 men were gathered here, 5,000 on each side.

It’s 12 noon!

“enter!”

“Enter!”

Chuck, chuck, chuck!

The Lacrosse Empire’s infantry began to advance first, and the Allied Forces’ Arica Republic Army infantry also advanced first.

The gate was 500 meters in diameter, but because there were so many troops, it took quite a while to get in.

I heard that in the past, when 10,000 soldiers of the Kingdom of Bavaria entered, it took half a day.

So, there will be no unfortunate incidents of not being able to enter due to insufficient entry time.

“Arika Airlines Magic Unit enters!”

150 Arica Republic troops entered first.

Then the empire also sent 150 people in first.

Next, our Atlan Kingdom infantry moved in, and now it was our aerial magic knights’ turn.

Archduke Harry Russell said.

“General Chuck! You go in first.”

“yes!”

Chuck Killgarven and the 7th Mobile Corps’ Aerial Magic Knights entered the gate.

Among them was Lieutenant Colonel Nicole Braschi.

“Let’s go in too.”

Led by Archduke Harry, our battalion also headed toward the S-class labyrinth gate.

“Enter!”

“enter!”

Shh! Shh shh shh!

The other members went in first, and I went in last.

***

The pitch-black darkness cleared and light became bright.

“uh?”

I was so flustered for a moment that I couldn’t think of anything.

Aren’t there any agents that went in earlier?

“Kuaaaaak!”

Pot! Papapak!

Suddenly, a large shadow loomed from behind.

[Use the High-Speed ​​Flight (lv.3) skill.]

Paaaaang!

Soared into the sky.

“what?”

I looked down.

Below was a jungle, and the thing that had just attacked me was a giant spider-like monster.

But the body size seemed to be more than 10 meters.

‘Huh? Where did everyone go?’

The bigger problem than the monster is that there are thousands of people in front of me, how can there be no one?

The giant labyrinth gate was nowhere to be seen.

Are we supposed to all randomly scatter when we enter the gate?

Tiring!

A status window pops up.

[Lost World Slayer (S-Rank)]

[Mission: Find a countermeasure to stop the slaughterer from invading the world by creating a dimensional gate!]

[Clear Conditions: Obtain the Small Dimensional Core (0/10), Activate the Last Legacy of the Lost World with the Small Dimensional Core (0/10)]

[When the gate is cleared, the survivors will automatically return outside the gate with their legacy within 24 hours.]

[Hint: The final relics are located on old battlefields throughout the Lost World.]

End