CH 39

༺ A Corpse that Defies Fate (2) ༻

The Apels Revival Soldiers had a grandiose name, like the Third Honor. 

Stopping these corpses from getting close to the Academy was a safety measure for the nobles that were staying in the Academy, but it was also for the Empire’s prestige.

Apels was a country that disappeared 300 years ago, and the Empire had killed off the revivalists and those who would be central to the movement. But now, the Apels Revival Soldiers appear again, transcending time.

‘It’s humiliating.’

The size and capability of that army was not important. The fact that there are individuals who oppose the Empire’s rule and long for a country that perished in the distant past was enough to strike a blow to the Empire’s prestige. If other countries heard about the news, they would probably burst into laughter. How pathetic was it that such rebels appeared? 

So, we couldn’t miss the Third Honor, not even one. All of them must be killed or captured to win this defense. If we miss a single one, the existence of the Third Honor—the Apels Revival Soldiers—would spread externally, especially to the three countries, and my communication device would be dyed a brilliant purple. 

And that can’t happen. The Crown Prince was already being aggressive regarding the 3rd Prince being in the Academy. So, if something that could harm the Honor of the Empire happened while I was in the Academy, it would be a huge blow for him. If something happened,  the best-case scenario that could happen was a direct call from him. Worst-case scenario would be someone higher than him, damn it.

‘I’m going crazy.’ 

I sighed, pressing my temples slightly in response to the rising discomfort. 

If it were another organization, I wouldn’t be this stressed. It wouldn’t be necessary to maintain this level of security and clean up if it were any other organization, but it had to be the Apels Revival Soldiers, an organization that, if exposed, would inevitably cause trouble. Whether it’s the Third Honor or the Third Bullshit, if we capture even one alive, they’ll be sent to the 1st Manager’s crash course.  

That’s why I decided to call the 1st Manager to discuss tomorrow’s work.

“Executive Manager, you really shouldn’t be calling me late at night.” 

I hesitated to call her just in case she was talking to the 4th Manager, but the 1st Manager in front of me didn’t even seem to realize my consideration. While ignoring the 1st Manager, I unfolded a map of the Academy and the surrounding area. 

“Let’s plan a route for the first time in a while.”

“Woah…”

Whether she liked it or not, she walked toward the map. After all, it was related to the job. 

The Third Honor will appear near the Academy tomorrow around 5 p.m. This information was relayed by the Information Department, so there should be no mistakes. Therefore, we need to plan and think in advance about where to intercept them before they reach the Academy. 

“If they have any brains, they’ll try to sneak in stealthily, right?”

“That’s right, but they’re planning to appear at 5:00 pm when the sun is still up, so you  can’t let your guard down.”

Which attacker confidently shows up in broad daylight? If they were targeting the busy hours when there are many people, I could understand them. However, if they get discovered before the attack, wouldn’t it be meaningless? 

Perhaps, trying to understand them was harmful. The determination and obsession to revive a country that perished 300 years ago is the embodiment of madness that ordinary people cannot comprehend. 

They were an organization that appeared in the original novel for causing chaos among the protagonists, so they probably wouldn’t be that dangerous or clever. Since they were the first to appear, they would probably be at a level close to a tutorial. The other four organizations had a bit of history and tradition, so I couldn’t let my guard down.

“I think they’ll come from this direction.” 

“Right? There’s nowhere else they can come from.” 

Since becoming the Prosecutor’s Executive Manager, I haven’t had much experience with defensive battles. I’ve had some encounters in the North, but they were mostly carried out under the orders of a commander. That’s why I was pondering which direction to watch out and wait for the Third Honor, but if I looked at it with the mindset of being the attackers, the answer becomes clear. 

If I were the Third Honor, I’d choose this way to come, so we just need to defend that place. Someone who was hit before knows where it hurts. However, it isn’t like I became aware of it because of my own volition.

The 1st Manager and I focused on a forest that was northwest of the Academy. They’d probably come in this direction if we waited.

“We can join with the Masked Unit here.”

We just had to hide there and watch the corpses marching.

On the second day of the club fair, around lunchtime, I contacted the 4th Manager after I stepped away from the booth and headed to a less crowded area. 

“Let’s meet here.”

After some small talk, I pushed the map towards the communication crystal and showed the 4th Manager the agreed meeting point and interception point. Seeing her nod without hesitation, I knew she would find her way without getting lost. 

– Understood. I’ll arrive as soon as possible.

“You just have to arrive by 4:00 pm. I’ll also be there by then.”

– Yes, Executive Manager.

“Okay. It’s been a while, so I want to see you soon.” 

– It’s an honor.

With a smile on her face, she lowered her head and ended the call. I may have said something a little too personal to a former subordinate who is joining the team for business reasons. 

But isn’t there always someone you want to take care of a little more? Since that person is the 4th Manager to me, I ended up adding unnecessary words that were not really important.  When the Masked Unit was still the 4th Unit, the 2nd Manager complained that I was too lax with the 4th Manager.

Of course, I ignored it because it was the 2nd Manager who said that to me. If the Senior Manager or the 5th Manager said it, I would understand, but the 2nd Manager had no right to say that to me. 

‘There is still time left.’

The distance from the Academy to the rendezvous area is a bit far, but there was enough time to get there by 4 pm.  For now, I will stay in the booth and then go out when it’s time along the 1st Manger.

* * * 

After ending the communication with the Executive Manager, I carefully touched the communication crystal. Conversations with him were always honorable and nerve-wracking. 

– Okay. It’s been a while, so I want to see you soon. 

Remembering the Executive Manager’s last words, the corners of my mouth gently lifted. As expected, he hadn’t forgotten about me. He always pays attention and watches over me. 

“Captain.”

After hearing the voice of the vice captain, the corners of my mouth went down. He had distanced himself to avoid interrupting my communication with the Executive Manager.  It was a normal reaction expected from a member of the Masked Unit.

“What did the Executive Manager say?”

“We’re going to meet up with him. We’re going to the A-1 forest by 4:00 pm.”

“Yes, Captain.”

The Vice Captain saluted and then walked toward the other unit members. The A-1 forest was a temporary name given to it since it was the forest closest to the Academy. We’d already shared the details before moving, so everyone probably understood.

The members began gathering before me moved more excitedly at the Vice Captain’s orders. After all, everyone hadn’t seen the Executive Manager in a while.

He was the 4th Division’s hero. The one who rebuilt the 4th Division. When we’d fallen to our lowest, he was the one who saved us. Who would dare to dawdle when we were going to meet someone like that? An ungrateful person like that would be dealt with by the members before I could do anything.

“Foolish corpses who defy their fate are heading towards the Executive Manager.” 

As I began spoking, everyone’s attention became focused on me.

“They’re dirty beings who’d dared to make fun of the Empire, denied the celestial will, and showed their filthy fangs to the Executive Manager.”

A quiet anger appeared in the eyes of the members. Publicly, it was the anger of a Special Service Agency member towards the rebels, and personally, it was the anger towards those who sought to harm a benefactor. 

“Is there anyone rude enough to go empty-handed when we’re about to meet the Executive Manager?”

No one replied. They just denied it with burning eyes.

“There’s no need for the Executive Manager to personally step forward. We will not block their path but strike from behind. We will capture them all and offer them to the Executive Manager.” 

They might be making their move, but in the end, they’re nothing more than a weak and feeble makeshift army. These rebels are feeble and lacking in both righteousness and resources. It would be easy to track their location and catch them from behind. 

As I watched the members quickly disperse and dismantle the temporary camp upon receiving the practically given attack order, I recalled the instructions of the Minister of the Special Service Agency.

“Third Honor. They have quite a grandiose name taking into consideration how bad they are. We could easily wipe them out, but there’s a chance that there might be someone collaborating with them, so try to capture them alive.”

Before moving to help the Executive Manager, I had a meeting with the Minister. He was a middle-aged man with countless scars and layers of wounds on his face, the Emperor’s loyal dog. Even though he could easily erase his scars with the power of magic and divinity, he left them as a reminder of his own inadequacy. 

“And ensure that the Prosecutor’s Executive Manager doesn’t have to deal with them. What we need are prisoners who can give us information, not corpses that have exploded.”

Unconsciously, I nodded at those words. It would be inconvenient if the Executive Manager intervened in an operation whose purpose was to capture prisoners. Of course, even if there were no instructions from the Special Service Agency’s Minister, the Executive Manager would not have personally intervened. 

There was no need for him to move because of feeble bugs like them. Although I had left his side and come to the Special Service Agency, the 4th Division still had loyalty toward him. He was someone loyal to the Empire, so we would follow his example since he’s the one who saved us.

“For our esteemed Executive Manager.”

I quietly murmured those words as a resolution. However, as he was a noble of the Empire, there were words that I couldn’t utter as they were thoughts that could create difficulties for him. Those words quietly came to mind. 

For my beloved master. 

* * *

It would be troublesome to let a single Third Honor member go. Wiping them out was easy. How stronger could some rebels be? No matter how many of them there were, they wouldn’t be a match for the Masked Unit.

If it were the Masked Unit, the 1st Manager, and I, we should be able to crush them easily. They say that a General that can be sure of victory before fighting is the most useful one. As I thought, I shouldn’t be in the Prosecutor’s Office but in the Military.

“Executive Manager, over here.”

“Okay.”

I checked out the blade of the dagger the 1st Manager gave me. Because we were still in the Academy,  it would be troublesome to have an eye-catching weapon, and because the fight would take place in a forest, a shorter weapon would be more comfortable, although this one looked too short.

“Hasn’t it been a while since you’ve been in the field, Executive Manager?” 

“Recently, I didn’t have many opportunities to do that.”

Because of the Minister, I ended up coming to the Academy, and because of that, I ended up clearing a Dungeon alone. However, it had indeed been a while since I’d been active on the frontlines.

I wasn’t a crazy person who couldn’t stand fighting, so I didn’t take part in battles on purpose.

Still, it feels different to move my body after such a long time. If I don’t use my body enough, it might stiffen up, so I should probably tell the 4th Manager to siege moderately.