Chapter 313 Different Mission
𝑁𝑒𝑤 𝑛𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑙 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑝𝑢𝑏𝑙𝑖𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑛 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝘰𝘷𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝘮
Robert scanned the military cadets one by one. Behind him stood a group of Class A class leaders, each wearing a red badge that read "Leader-(Class Name)." It seemed they had just finished a meeting regarding the missions assigned to the Demon's Slayer unit by the human alliance.
"I've just received a mission from the human alliance. We've been placed in the Logistics Division, under the leadership of Commander Aqua. Our first task is to protect the supply caravans that will soon depart for the front lines. I've discussed this with the other class leaders, and we've agreed to divide the responsibilities. Two classes will be assigned to each supply caravan. For more details, consult your respective class leaders. That's all I wanted to say. I hope you all carry out your duties well and uphold the reputation of our unit. Dismissed!"
The entire military cadet assembly dispersed and followed their respective class leaders to receive detailed information about their missions. Meanwhile, the cadets from Class A15 walked behind Robert toward an empty section on the edge of the station.
None of them spoke until they reached the empty section. Then, as if a switch had been flipped, the tense atmosphere turned relaxed and lively again.
"Robert, can you imagine this? Artur is actually a member of the House of Valya!" Sigurd exclaimed.
Robert nodded and squinted at Artur, "Hmm... I suspected it before. His silver hair is extremely rare, only found in people from the Beavercastle Ice Field. But his tanned skin, as if burnt by the sun, doesn't match those living in snowy environments."
Gossip filled every corner of the empty section, and Artur once again had to answer all his friends' absurd questions. Rini and the other female cadets had sought refuge in a corner of the section, whispering among themselves. Occasionally, giggles could be heard from the group, and Rini's face grew even redder.
This atmosphere persisted for several minutes before gradually subsiding. Robert regained a serious expression, and all the cadets from Class A15 prepared to listen attentively.
"Our mission is slightly different from the other Class A missions. We won't be guarding the supply caravans but doing something far more important," Robert announced.
A collective sigh of relief escaped the cadets, glad to be spared from a boring mission. Guarding supply caravans essentially meant enduring long rides in slow trains, surrounded by the smell of frozen meat and potatoes.
With camouflage spells and other concealment magic, it was rare for monsters or mutated animals to detect the human alliance's supply caravans. However, from Robert's serious expression, they realized that something unusual was happening with these caravans.
"Robert, what exactly are we investigating?" Dony asked, adjusting his glasses once again.
"Some supply caravans have gone missing in the middle of the Bog Forest, and the soldiers guarding them were found brutally killed. The numbers are relatively small compared to the overall supply caravans brought by the human alliance, but upon closer examination, we've noticed some peculiarities," Robert replied.
"The peculiarities?" Robert nodded, retrieving a rolled-up piece of paper from his waist bag. He unfolded it to reveal a map of the Bog Forest, with certain areas marked and a few lines scribbled inside.
"The route for the supply caravans was determined at the beginning of the war. Based on information from adventurers who frequently venture into the Bog Forest, the human alliance devised a supply route that avoids dangerous territories inhabited by mutated animals, or what we know as 'The King Territory.'"
All the cadets focused on Robert's index finger as he followed the lines and markings on the map, indicating the supposedly safe routes that avoided The King Territory. Then, his finger pointed to several crosses on the map.
"However, some strange occurrences have taken place at these locations. These incidents could be massive landslides, forest fires, or floods that altered the course of the supply caravan routes. While these events may appear natural and are still subject to debate, we can see that they seem to have been orchestrated to divert the supply caravans away from specific areas."
Upon hearing Robert's explanation, the significance of the crosses on the map became apparent. When certain lines that should have passed through the crosses changed course, they resembled the split flow of a river due to a strategically placed rock.
"Additionally, several supply caravans vanished at these points, here and here," Robert said, pointing to the circular markings on the map.
"It initially seemed like random misfortunes befalling the lost caravans, without any apparent reason. However, when we analyze these incidents in conjunction with the previous peculiarities, we find that 70% of the missing caravans had been diverted from their original routes," Robert explained, pointing to the curved lines with circular marks.
As the cadets absorbed this information, a collective breath was drawn, realizing the significance of Robert's findings. He believed that these peculiarities were not merely random occurrences but rather orchestrated by an individual or group of individuals.
But Dony shook his head. "Robert, while this conspiracy theory may seem plausible, it's still just a theory. These peculiarities could be coincidences that we're trying to fit into a logical narrative. Besides, there have been other peculiar occurrences in places that don't fall within these three anomalies. So, it's possible that this isn't orchestrated by someone or a group of individuals but rather a natural phenomenon where mutated animals stray from The King Territory."
Robert didn't refute Dony's statement; instead, he nodded. "I understand that this is merely a theory without evidence. That's why we need to investigate further to uncover the truth. If it's indeed caused by mutated animals venturing out of The King Territory, we must report it immediately. If we're capable of defeating those mutated animals, we should eliminate them before they can destroy any more supply caravans. However, if this theory is correct, there's a possibility..."
"There's a possibility that there's a fifth mana species within the Bog Forest. Is that what you're trying to say?" When those words escaped Artur's mouth, all the cadets in the section were taken aback, their breaths caught in their throats.
This possibility had even greater ramifications than the presence of a group of treacherous humans. If it were a group of humans, their motives likely revolved around resources and wealth. However, if it involved a fifth mana species, the scale would be too vast for these cadets to handle.
Robert laughed. "Artur, your imagination runs wild. Do you think the human alliance would entrust such a crucial investigation to us if there were a possibility of that?"
Robert's laughter and words brought relief to the cadets, and they joined in the laughter. They chuckled at Artur's overactive imagination, with some of them joking that Artur had changed too much since getting married.
"Don't dwell too much on this. If it's something of utmost importance, the human alliance wouldn't assign it to a bunch of greenhorns like us. Everyone, get ready to depart in four hours. We'll set off once all the supply caravans have left," Robert concluded the meeting.
"Yes, Sir!" responded the cadets in unison.
"Artur, hold on a moment. I haven't congratulated you on your marriage!" he said with a grin on his face.
The cadets laughed and patted Artur on the back as they exited the section. They knew Robert's congratulations were a form of teasing. Even Rini just nodded and encouraged her husband before joining the other cadets in leaving the section.
It was as if she was saying, "Just accept your fate."
Once everyone had left the section, and only the two of them remained, Artur stared at Robert with seriousness. "Well, what do you want to say to me?" he asked, indicating that Robert had cleared the room to share something that shouldn't be heard by the other cadets.
"Hehehe... You truly understand me," Robert chuckled.
"I've listened to your nonsense for far too long, to the point where I can distinguish it," Artur grumbled.
"Hehehe... But this time, you're wrong. Besides having something to say without the others hearing, I also want to test the strength of Artur Valya," Robert smiled as he drew his large sword.
"Huh? I thought it was only me who wanted to test my own strength. Come on, let me wipe that foolish smile off your face," Artur challenged as he unsheathed his sword.
"Hehehe... Don't regret it, my good friend," Robert braced himself.
"I've long wanted to get payback for that Lightning Blast," Artur also assumed his stance.
And at the same moment, both figures disappeared. The sudden gust of wind blew out of the section, scattering dust and debris.
But then...
*CLANG!
Robert and Artur reappeared in the middle of the section, their swords clashing. The impact was so powerful that the floor beneath them cracked instantly.
Both Robert's and Artur's brows furrowed. They locked eyes before taking a step back simultaneously. Then, they sheathed their swords in unison.
"I never imagined you would become this strong in just a few months," Robert said, clasping his hands together and unable to hide his broad smile.
"Hmm... Just wait until my sword brushes against your forehead!" Artur snorted, hiding his trembling arm by shoving it into his pants pocket.