Sir Hero, It’s Time to Train!

After the meeting concluded, Garcia left immediately to organize the subjugation squad, and Ketn departed for troop rotation. Christian and Aira were no different.

Instinctively realizing they would be pestered by their mothers if caught, the two who had coordinated the subjugation schedule left the place without hesitation.

Arriving at their secret base, a private training ground where no one could disturb them, the siblings naturally sat down on the floor.

“But attacking tonight, isn’t it a bit too rushed?”

“It’s not that rushed. If anything, we’re already a bit late.”

“Still, if we want to be thorough, shouldn’t we take more time?”

“Once a decision is made, it should be carried out immediately. If we delay too much, the moment is lost. Besides, if it were risky, Garcia or Ketn would have tried to stop us.”

“Ha. I don’t know. Why are you so determined to do everything quickly…?”

Christian’s insistence on conducting the subjugation tonight was something he had pushed hard against Garcia and Ketn, who were initially firmly against it.

Aira still looked skeptical about the surprise operation, and her expression didn’t easily soften.

“Monsters are scattered now, but we don’t know when they might gather in one place. When that happens, it’ll be hard to handle them with the troops we have, so we must hurry.”

“But they’re monsters. Would a night raid even work?”

“You really don’t understand the ways of the world.”

“… What now.”

“There were no nocturnal monsters spotted yesterday. Would they set up sentinels and sleep in shifts for no reason?”

“You saw that?”

“Didn’t you see it?”

“Well…”

Aira had noticed the shape of the monsters but couldn’t discern all the details.

From Christian’s offhand comment, Aira suddenly felt the gap between them, realizing her own inadequacies.

“So, do you know what you need to do now?”

“What should I do now?”

Maybe because of this realization, her response was somewhat curt. Christian grinned at Aira.

“What do you need to do?”

“… We’re dealing with monsters at night. I think it’s unnecessary to exhaust ourselves with excessive training now. This ties directly to safety and survival.”

“Right. Well said. There’s a big difference between facing humans and monsters, and it’s your first real fight, right? That’s why I’ll drill into your head what I observed about those monsters — their features, what to watch out for, their weaknesses, and so on. We have enough time, so there’s plenty of time to study.”

“….”

At the mention of studying, Aira’s face turned pale. After pondering for a while, she replied with a trembling voice.

“Can’t I just keep practicing? Swinging my sword a few more times seems more beneficial for that time.”

***

Late at night, Christian and Aira looked apprehensively at the assembled group at Flamme’s south gate.

“Is this many people really enough?!”

Aira asked Christian, slightly anxious.

“It’s more than enough. In fact, it might even be too much.”

“Too much? But it’s only Garcia and Melissa.”

Aira seemed incredulous at Christian’s words, but Christian shrugged, unbothered by what seemed to be the problem.

However, from Aira’s perspective, there were many issues.

As Christian had mentioned, the only knights departing from the south gate for the subjugation were Garcia and Melissa, who was Neria’s guard knight.

There was also Masaya Rio, dispatched for logistical support, but even with Christian and Aira included, they were only five in number. Yet, was this excessive?

“You know Sir Garcia’s skills better than anyone, right? Even though he might be somewhat simple and quick to anger, he’s an expert at slaying monsters.”

“Slaying monsters? What a gruesome way to put it.”

However, Christian knew well from crossing swords with Garcia that the man was indeed capable of literally demolishing monsters.

“And as for Dame Melissa, since she’s our mother’s guard, there’s no need to doubt her skills, right?”

“Still, it’s too few. Just at the southern gate, there are more than a dozen monsters…”

“Ah, come on, they’re not even twenty, and we have this many people. When I was younger, we only needed to glare at them from the outer wall, and they’d all fall over.”

“Anyone would think you’ve lived your life twice over.”

Though Aira muttered with dissatisfaction, there was nothing that could be done about it. Christian cautioned Aira again.

“Anyway, with them there, it shouldn’t be a major issue. Given our numbers, this is the best we can do.”

“Sigh.”

Aira let out a soft sigh at Christian’s firm words.

“I told you, this is an ambush and must be concluded swiftly. The apprentice knights or soldiers who can’t perform body activation should stay back.”

Christian’s strategy was indeed aligned with the concept of an ambush and a swift conclusion, which was why they had allocated the personnel according to his plan, understanding Garcia and the other knights.

The operation was not only taking place through the southern gate but simultaneously at the western, eastern, and northern gates.

The goal was to defeat the monsters separately, preventing them from converging in one place.

The minimal number of personnel was chosen considering stealth and mobility.

They prioritized those capable of completely concealing their presence through mana and skilled in combat.

Aira was also included in this small elite unit, but it wasn’t simply to gain experience that Christian insisted on her inclusion.

“Haah, hoo.”

Aira took deep breaths, naturally absorbing the mana present in the air and storing it within.

The well-harnessed mana circled around her like a gentle breeze, but as it spread through her body following internal pathways, it became like a roaring gale.

The swift and intense flow of mana spread to every corner of her body at tremendous speed. Circulating in this way, the mana returned to settle again in the mana reservoir located at the heart.

‘Instinctively, she’s reducing mana consumption.’

The reason for using the mana concentration array was precisely to create maximum efficiency with minimal consumption from the circulating mana.

‘Wow, Aira is growing at an incredible pace.’

Watching Aira handle mana as naturally as everyday routine before the actual battle, Christian was undeniably shocked.

After teaching her the theory, she would quickly assimilate it, making it part of her own skill set.

Like a sponge, she absorbed one thing swiftly and learned more from it to develop herself further.

‘Could it be that Aira is also on a second life or something? At this rate, she might actually catch up.’

Christian felt a bit tense seeing the explosively talented Aira starting to pick up speed. Yet, he also felt thrilled and excited.

‘This must be how Master felt.’

How far could this one grow?

Could he escape being overtaken by her rapid growth?

A complex mix of anticipation, excitement, and fear created a very confusing mood.

“What are you smiling about? Aren’t you the least bit nervous?”

“Nope. Only those who lack confidence in their abilities get nervous.”

“Tsk, that’s just being insensitive or simple-minded.”

At Aira’s pout, Christian chuckled softly. As the two shared a moment of leisure, Garcia and Masaya approached.

“Then, let’s depart soon. Young master, and lady, please do not engage in any dangerous actions. This is a promise made with the ladies, so please do not forget.”

Garcia spoke to Christian and Aira with a serious expression. However, despite his rare serious demeanor, Christian and Aira appeared indifferent.

“But Sir Garcia, are there any actions on the front lines that aren’t dangerous?”

“Surely you’re not asking us to just stand by and watch, right?”

They both clearly looked ready to cause trouble. However, this time Garcia did not back down easily.

“You absolutely must not intervene! Dame Melissa and I will handle the monsters, and you two are just supporting… No, you are to protect Miss Masaya here! Do you understand?!”

Christian barely listened, replying absentmindedly, while Aira, perhaps excited by the thought of action, repeatedly sheathed and unsheathed her sword.

‘Can’t I just leave this brother and sister behind?’

Yet, it was already a decision made through a meeting. As the leader, he had no choice but to supervise diligently.

Garcia’s large back, as he turned away, seemed remarkably small today. And there was yet another person sharing in that weariness.

“Deputy Manager, you don’t look pleased either.”

Masaya, who stood a step away from Christian’s question, frowned.

“Thanks to someone, I’m now tasked with exterminating monsters beyond my usual duties.”

“Didn’t our Aunt give you a lot of money for this?”

“Ugh… It was indeed a sum too big to refuse.”

Given the urgency with which the Worden family recruited mercenaries, they could contract at a higher rate than usual. However, the lack of preparation time made fatigue unavoidable.

“Please take care. Well, there may not be much for you to do.”

A mage was essential to prepare for any contingency.

Especially mages from the Logia Magic Tower, who were experts at trickery and deception, were the perfect fit for the Rangar region’s monster suppression.

Thus, mages dispatched from the Logia Magic Tower were included in each expedition group heading out through the western, eastern, and northern gates.

‘Strong and destructive magic isn’t bad. But in situations like this, creating confusion and illusions is more efficient than annihilation.’

Monsters were walking bags of gold.

Everything from their skin, claws, and teeth to their eyes, internal bones, muscles, blood, and tendons was valuable.

Therefore, the priority was to dispatch monsters without damaging them as much as possible. The goal of an expedition was different if it was annihilation, but in battles for profit, there was no other way.

Cooperation with the Logia Magic Tower was, thus, a significant advantage.

By disorienting the monsters, the knights and soldiers could deal easy and safe blows, leaving minimal damage to the products.

This was why the Worden family collaborated with the Logia Magic Tower, and why the Tower established a branch in the demon realm.

Of course, Christian’s goal was not profit but Aira’s training.

‘There will be no better real-world experience for Aira than this.’

With the support of a mage and skilled knights to draw attention, and himself protecting her side. Although it was her first real battle, no stage would be as well-prepared as this.

‘Well, back in my day, my master just tossed me right into the center of a monster wave and watched from a distance.’

However, given the substantial skill difference between himself back then and Aira now, this was the best he could offer her.

“Sigh… Alright.”

Aira also wiped away her playful demeanor and strapped her sword firmly to her waist, gazing at the slowly opening door.

The door opening was a simple act, but the atmosphere inside and outside was markedly different.

Inside, behind the wall and door, was a safe place where survival was guaranteed, while beyond it always demanded vigilance and survival instincts.

Thinking about real combat movements made Aira’s shoulders tense. Christian gently placed his hand on her shoulder and said,

“I’ll have your back, so just look ahead.”

“Hmph, as if.”

“Then let’s go.”

Aira strode forward with determination, missing the smile on Christian’s face behind her.