Chapter 28

One month after returning from the investigation at Lake Biharnu—

"Hey, Albert and Laura, follow me after class. That's it. Class is over."

During the closing remarks, our homeroom teacher, Filbus, said this.

Laura and I exchanged glances and followed Filbus, who was about to leave the classroom.

"Ah, you're following me."

Filbus glanced back.

"Do you need something?"

Laura asked.

"There's someone I want you to meet. I can't say it too loudly, so look forward to it."

Filbus put a finger to his lips and smiled slyly.

I wondered who it could be.

Filbus headed for the guest reception room.

"I'm coming in."

Saying this, Filbus pushed open the door and entered the room. We followed him—

and made eye contact with the person inside.

"Hello, it's been a while. Albert."

A slender man wearing frameless glasses was there.

Of course, I recognized him. He had deflected my Magic Arrow during the entrance exam.

But it was Laura who spoke.

"K, Karlile-sama...!"

"Nice to see you again, Albert. This is the first time I'm speaking with you, Laura. Nice to meet you."

The genius court magician who could wield 700 spells was sitting on the sofa.

Laura and I greeted him.

"You don't have to be so formal. You can be a bit more casual with him. Go ahead, sit down."

Filbus sat on the sofa next to Karlile and gestured for us to sit.

We sat opposite Karlile.

"Do you have something to say?"

"Pretty quick on the uptake, Albert. I like that. Let's get straight to the point, shall we?"

Saying this, Karlile took out some documents from the bag beside him and placed them on the coffee table.

"Actually, I want Albert to join the military."

"Join the military...?"

It was a word I hadn't even imagined.

Karlile seemed to enjoy my reaction, smiling thinly as he stared at me.

"Yes. The kingdom is planning a military operation and wants to add talented magicians to the team."

"I, talented...?"

"I've heard about your heroic deeds at Lake Biharnu. I want you to use your abilities on the battlefield."

The battlefield—

To be honest, I wasn't enthusiastic about it. I don't like conflict.

But.

"Before I agree, is this an order from the kingdom?"

"Of course, it is."

"I see. Then I have no reason to refuse."

I agreed readily.

I am of noble birth, though I have been disowned. Loyalty to the country and the king was instilled in me from childhood.

"To be honest, I'm not keen on fighting humans."

"Ah, don't worry. I forgot to mention, the enemy isn't human."

Saying this, Karlile showed me a part of the documents spread on the table.

"The enemy is a lizardman village."

"Lizardmen?"

Lizardmen are lizard-like creatures that walk on two legs like humans. They are tall, with males standing over two meters. They are muscular and very strong.

"It's a rather large village... It has been a significant force for some time. However, there was an unspoken line that neither side would cross, and we coexisted without interference. But recently, they have started to cross that line."

"So, that's why knights were dispatched."

Shaking his head, Karlile replied to my statement.

"They were already dispatched. And they were all wiped out."

"---!?"

I was a bit surprised. Indeed, lizardmen are powerful creatures individually. Even a seasoned warrior would struggle to fight one head-on.

However, they lack intelligence and have primitive weapons.

A well-trained and disciplined knight unit should have been able to defeat them easily...

"There's a heraldist—"

"A heraldist?"

"Recently, a heraldist has been living in the lizardman village. The lizardmen with tattoos carved by the heraldist become much stronger... They are not to be underestimated."

Karlile sighed.

"So, the lizardmen in that lake have become a force to be reckoned with. The kingdom has decided to send a serious force to put them in their place."

"I see."

"Exactly. This is not a fight against humans but a fight to protect humans. I expect you to use your full potential."

"Understood."

If that's the case, there's no reason to hesitate.

Karlile's eyes moved to the side.

"I also want Laura to accompany Albert."

"---Wait a moment."

I interrupted before Laura could respond.

"I don't mind... but Laura is a child. Taking a child to the battlefield—"

"Hmm, Albert, you're considerate."

Karlile smiled slyly.

"But, I value personal feelings. Laura, you know about your village, right?"

"...Yes."

"If you excel as a magician, you will gain favor with the nobles and the royal family. I'm sure that will align with your wishes, won't it?"

Laura nodded solemnly.

I remembered. Laura's village is shunned by the country because their ancestors were related to the Witch of Calamity.

She wants to improve her village's standing by contributing to the country.

That was Laura's strong desire.

"Yes. I want to be of service to the country."

Therefore, I couldn't deny her words.

Instead—

I made a silent vow in my heart.

"You said Laura would accompany me, right?"

"Yes, I did."

"...Understood."

Then, I will protect Laura.

I don't think of myself as particularly talented—but if this court magician praises my achievements, and if Laura believes I am a hero—then I must have something.

I will use that strength to protect Laura.

"Let's do our best, Laura."

"Yes! Albert!"

Laura smiled at me.