Chapter 36: Hellscape Island (1)
“Snore… Snore…”
“Cough! Snort…”
After the banquet, the nine remaining cadets were snoring, so deeply asleep they wouldn’t notice being carried away.
anwhile, the assistants bustled about, and Evan moved with the instructors.
“What should I do?”
At Evan’s question, Instructor Brook explained what was to co.
“Just pack your things. The hired hands will take care of those kids anyway.”
“I see.”
“Once you’re done, head to the main gate. An hour from now, everyone will gather there to leave together. Not , though.”
“Got it.”
Amid the instructors’ orderly movents, Evan glanced back.
He found the oblivious sleeping cadets both amusing and a bit pitiful.
‘I know exactly how it feels to wake up and start training right away. Poor things.’
On the other hand, he was genuinely relieved he wasn’t in their shoes.
Had he not been selected for this program, it would’ve been better, but he was satisfied with becoming an instructor as an alternative.
‘Let’s pack.’
Returning alone to the dormitory, Evan packed lightly.
Then, on ti, he slung his backpack and headed to the main gate.
As he approached, he saw several carriages waiting.
Through a slightly open carriage door, he spotted Jaina and Jack, fast asleep.
Evan watched them fondly until he noticed the princess approaching.
“Evan!”
“Princess, here to see off?”
“Yup! You’re heading on a tough journey, so I had to co.”
“What an honor. Though the ones involved don’t even know.”
“Not like I ca for them to notice.”
An awkward silence.
Evan didn’t say much, so Anna continued.
“So, I’m planning to practice throwing knife techniques in my spare ti.”
Evan was puzzled by her words.
“Don’t you have enough on your plate? I heard you’re more talented in magic.”
“I can do both!”
“You’ll be busy, then.”
“Better than being bored, right?”
Anna’s bright smile.
It brought a smile to Evan’s face too.
‘A kingdom isolated from the continent, free from war, is this peaceful, huh.’
What must it be like to be royalty, worrying about a boring life?
Evan was quietly curious but still preferred freedom.
“Then I’ll train those kids hard to protect your life, Princess.”
“Really? I’ll have high expectations, then.”
“Expectations… You won’t be disappointed. At least for one of them.”
Seeing Evan’s confidence, Anna grinned and playfully nudged his arm.
“Not just talk, I’m really counting on you. I hope an Executor erges from this batch.”
Talking with Anna, departure ti arrived, and Evan boarded a carriage with the instructors.
With Head Instructor Everhart mounting his horse, preparations were complete, and the carriage procession began moving.
“Head Instructor Everhart, I offer my respects to the Princess.”
“Take care.”
“Yes, we’ll be off.”
Thus, everyone left through Lansed Academy’s main gate.
—Rattle. Rattle.
The carriages headed straight south along the main road.
‘Ate too much, feeling sleepy.’
While Evan dozed briefly, the carriages reached a small fishing village,
where they were loaded onto a massive ship.
‘What a scale. Hardly any passengers, though.’
The warship-sized vessel seed to carry only Academy personnel.
Occupying the vast ship, Evan stepped out of the carriage to lean against the railing, feeling the sea breeze.
As sails unfurled, the crew moved busily.
“Set sail!”
“Set sail!”
With the call and response, the ship began to move slowly.
‘Finally leaving.’
He wasn’t particularly attached to this place, so the excitent of heading sowhere new took precedence.
—Splash!
Listening to the waves crash against the ship, he enjoyed the breeze.
Suddenly, a golden light appeared in the dark night sky.
‘That’s toward the Academy.’
The light didn’t fade but ford lines, writing sothing across the black sky.
The ssage read:
—On behalf of the kingdom, Anna Kaien cheers for you. May we et again one day after you return from Hellscape Island.
The golden, embroidered-like brilliance made even the instructors stand and gaze at the sky.
‘She really is a magical genius. Using 4th-circle magic so well at her age.’
About to head to the cabin after her special farewell, Evan paused.
He looked again at the fading light.
The dimming glow left only a few words faintly visible.
Hellscape Island, again, may.
One word stood out particularly.
‘Hellscape Island?’
He realized the other na of his destination.
Evan asked Nell, who was watching the firework magic nearby.
“Are we going to Hellscape Island?”
“That’s its nickna. The real na is Benner Island, as I ntioned. But most call it Hellscape Island.”
“Why’s it called Hellscape Island?”
“Because it’s teeming with monsters. It’s not a place for humans. Think of it as a habitat for all sorts of monsters.”
“Monsters?”
“Yeah. Monsters far beyond the alraune you fought. Even I’d have to risk my life there. Though it’s well-controlled.”
Nell wasn’t trying to scare him.
He was just explaining.
But seeing Evan’s complex expression, Nell thought he was inwardly scared.
‘Even with your skills, monsters are different. The fear welling up inside is tough for a young kid like you.’
Contrary to Nell’s assumption, Evan’s silence was to hide his excitent.
A place teeming with monsters he rarely saw in his past life.
‘Insane. Can I see monsters I only read about? They say this kingdom still has plenty, and I’m heading there!’
Worn by countless wars, Evan had little room for fear.
Instead, he was filled with curiosity and a fighting spirit for new opponents.
‘Boring Academy? This ship’s way better. Monsters change everything.’
Evan Lafard, who craved a quiet, comfortable life.
Yet, he was a man with latent battle instincts.
For him, the mont to unleash those instincts would co from encountering unknown beings or standing at the edge of life and death.
Since this island likely held many of the forr, Evan gazed at the night sea with anticipation.
***
The day after Evan and the Executor program group left the Academy, Princess Anna, having completed her brief visit, mounted a horse to depart.
The dean and so instructors ca out beyond the city gate to see her off.
“Princess, I hope to see you next ti at the palace if the chance arises.”
“Really? I’ll look forward to it.”
“Until then, stay healthy and return safely. And Anton, let’s spar soti later. I want to see how much you’ve improved.”
The dean thrust a fist into the air, speaking heartily.
Anton, barely hiding his dismay, turned his horse.
“Yeees…”
“Hahaha!!!”
The dean laughed loudly at his reaction.
“Then, Dean, I’m off.”
Having turned the Academy upside down, Anna spurred her horse with a hint of reluctance.
—Clop! Clop.
Two horses moved side by side along the main road.
Noticing Anna’s slightly troubled look, Anton beca her conversation partner.
“Feeling a bit reluctant?”
“A little? The closer we get to the north, the closer to the palace.”
“That’s where you belong. And His Majesty must be worried…”
“I know. I’ve heard it enough. But having so much fun here makes reluctant.”
Not quite an escapade, but Anna enjoyed unique experiences at the Academy.
Enough to shock the king if he knew.
Knowing this, Anton empathized with her mixed feelings.
To comfort her, he made a suggestion.
“Since we have ti, how about stopping by Roten? Don’t you love Nakoa fruit? Freshly harvested Tand is said to be the best.”
“Really?”
Anton’s unusual suggestion surprised her.
“What’s gotten into you?”
“I’m craving Tand too.”
“Shall we, then?”
Accepting his proposal, Anton turned his horse not toward the northern port but to Roten Village.
—Clop! Clop!
With lively hoofbeats, unlike before, they headed to Roten.
At the village entrance, they saw piles of mandragoras and wild beasts.
“What’s that?”
“Hm… There was talk that the elder requested monster hunters after an alraune appeared. Looks like they’ve been here.”
“Oh…”
At the sowhat grim sight, Anna looked around cautiously.
Anton moved ahead to protect her in case of trouble.
At the sa ti, three riders erged from the village entrance.
“They must be the monster hunters.”
“How can you be sure?”
“One’s ard, and their disciplined aura doesn’t seem like ordinary villagers.”
“I see…”
“Hunters are generally rough, so stay behind . They don’t know you’re the princess and might be rude.”
Anna, more worried about Anton getting into trouble because of her, followed his advice.
Anton, for her safety, closely observed them.
Their faces, attire…
‘Hm? Those rings!’
He flinched at the sight of snake-shaped rings.
‘Viper?’
The Viper organization, infamous enough to quiet crying babies in the kingdom.
He hadn’t expected to encounter such a notorious group here.
‘The elder must’ve been terrified to call such dangerous people. For this?’
Anton sensed their formidable presence.
He also thought the elder’s fear was excessive.
Calling three such strong figures for re mandragora hunting seed overkill.
“Anton? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
His suspicions were quickly overshadowed by his duty to protect the princess.
They were just passersby, after all.
—Clop! Clop.
—Clop! Clop.
They eyed each other but passed without incident.
Neither Anton nor the Viper group looked back.
Likely to avoid unnecessary trouble.
“Princess, here’s Roten, with the Nakoa fruit you wanted.”
“Wow~”
Anna’s eyes sparkled at the sight of Roten Village.
***
So ti later, the Viper group, having passed Anna and Anton, paused for a brief rest before a long journey.
“Rauf, Lina, ward up enough? Ti to plan for catching Evan Lafard.”
They had finished their surface task of mandragora hunting.
“Those puny things didn’t even loosen my stiff body.”
“Right. Maybe if we’d fought that pretty boy we just passed.”
At Rauf and Lina’s reactions, their leader turned to glare at them.
“No carelessness. Evan might have so secret. And we’re heading to the Academy. We might even face that monster. Though that’s unlikely.”
The leader spoke warily of the Academy’s dean.
“Luckily, the Academy’s security weakens on weekends. This month, cadets get leave, so targeting Evan then is best. Lina, skilled in disguise, you’ll infiltrate the Academy first…”
As he explained, soone called out from behind.
“Crazy. Where do you think you’re going?”
Anton had followed them.
“And who’re you targeting?”
He reached for his sword.
—Srring!
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