Chapter 297 Early Encounter (2)

With the two Legion Commanders put under Edward's lead and the six Legion Commanders stationed in Woster County walking behind them, Basil and Edward talked to each other as if they were the only people in the world.

"I have seen your girlfriend earlier, but she seemed to be more interested in a fly than me."

"That is unfortunately true. As long as you are talking about formal meetings, she will find flies more interesting."

Sighing to himself, Edward said, "I am glad you want to meet me."

"Honestly, I am just avoiding my annoying fellow students' interrogation."

"... You really are interesting."

Edward chuckled merrily the entire time despite the rather disrespectful things Basil said from time to time as if he really enjoyed talking with Basil.

Glancing to the young man walking beside him, Basil smirked faintly. Edward was really enjoying his talk with him despite how casual he treated him.

He wasn't even surprised at that; he had known in advance that Edward was that kind of person. He had been an acquaintance with Edward in the past, and he had bantered more than once with him.

Edward didn't like formality at all, so he had always been playful whenever he interacted with anyone. He would only get serious when the situation forced him to.

Although Edward wasn't currently as blunt as he had been in Basil's past life, Basil could still see the Edward he had known. He wa sure it because Edward was currently still a Royalty, so he was still careful about his mannerisms and all.

'Edward Enderheart Braxtein... The most promising successor of the throne—the Prince whose Royalty status was stripped due to a ridiculous accusation of having an illicit relationship with his mother.'

Basil mused about the Edward he had known in his past life. Although he hadn't been that close to Edward, he, at least, knew that Edward was a decent person—enough to be hated by his brothers.

He had seen Edward do some questionable things when he was in the Army, but compared to what everyone had done in the Army by the order of the Kingdom, Edward was nothing but a good man.

"If my memory serves me right, you should be at BA-32 trying to conquer the Obelisk currently. Why are you here, Edward?"

"... Something happened, which is the thing that I want to talk with you." Edward mildly looked at Basil from the corner of his eyes. "Have you predicted we would never be able to conquer the Obelisk?"

"I am moved that you are admiring my intelligence, but please don't even look at me in astonishment for this," Basil said calmly. "Anyone with enough history knowledge will know that once an Outbreak occurs—"

"—a group of Fifth Circle Mages will never be able to conquer the Obelisk," Edward continued. Shaking his head bitterly, he said, "I said the same thing to Aaron before we departed to BA-32."

An Outbreak only occured when the Demons filled the entire space behind the Barrier of the Obelisk. An Outbreak would only occur when the Obelisk Master had deemed himself and his soldiers ready.

The main reason why Obelisk Masters decided to coop themselves up in the Obelisk was due to the battle of the past. Their fight with the Lord, and the talented humans had injured them greatly—they had to recuperate.

Conquering an Obelisk before the Outbreak equals to attacking the Obelisk Master while he was recuperating, which would make them easier to defeat. Attacking it in the middle of an Outbreak, however, was a different story.

Only Seventh Circle Mages and above had the qualification to conquer an Obelisk in the middle of an Outbreak, and even then, there was no guarantee that a group of Seventh Circle Mages could always win.

With that said, what Anthony had ordered his sons to do was ignorantly ridiculous. Basil didn't know whether Anthony was really that stupid or he was just overestimating his sons—it was laughable nonetheless.

"No one really knows what that old man is thinking..." Edward mused bitterly. "If he had ordered us to help here instead, we would have saved many valuable assets to the Kingdom."

"It's ridiculous being a Royalty, isn't it?" Basil smiled softly as he recalled one of Edward's words that Edward used to say in his past life. "Competing in one's house like a harlot thirsting for a client."

Edward immediately snorted in amusement upon hearing it, then burst out laughing afterwards. His laugh still sounded like a chuckle, but it was distinctly louder than the small chuckle he had let out before.

"You... You really are something, Basil." Edward shook his head in amusement. "I didn't expect us to have so many things in common. How can you even think like me?"

Smiling lightly, Basil said, "I am glad you are not offended."

"People who have dignity shall never be offended." Edward smiled. "Nothing shall offend them if they have nothing to be ashamed of."

Basil and Edward stopped walking at the same time as they had arrived at the their destination. It was the only garden in Wisselton that was not that far from the city hall, which was a quiet place where they could talk.

Turning to Basil, Edward seriously said, "I have been talking to you as Edward the human for the past minutes, and now I want to talk to you as the Fifth Prince of Braxtein Kingdom, Edward Enderheart Braxtein."

Extending his hand, Basil calmly said, "Temporary Head Commander Basil Pacifer greets you, Prince Edward."

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Head Commander." Edward grasped Basil's hand firmly.

As the others watched in astonishment and bewilderment at how quick the atmosphere between the two changed, uncaring to the people's bewilderment, Edward discussed the matter he had been eager to address with Basil.

A few minutes passed with the Legion Commanders treated like air, and the discussion finally reached a conclusion. Edward was frowning however, so the Legion Commanders afraid things didn't go as planned.

"Are you saying that you are going to abstain from this battle, Head Commander?"

"That is essentially what I am going to do."

"But... Why?" Edward looked at Basil weirdly. "You know what will happen if that abomination reaches here—your hometown!"

"My home is wherever my family is, Prince Edward. I appreciate your confidence in my capability as a warrior, however I also have priorities."

"Please, consider it once again, Head Commander," Edward begged politely. "Your victory against two High Grade Monsters in a day has been known by everyone. You are their light of hope—their motivation!"

Edward was basically saying Basil's absence would lower the moral of the soldiers, however Basil wasn't having it.

"It is unfortunately a misunderstanding on your side, Prince Edward." Basil's eyes sank down coldly. "I am not a Hero—I am a human, who is selfish like everybody. No one can expect me to sacrifice my happiness for other people."

Edward tried to say something, but eventually shook his head. He couldn't find anything to say that would be able to persuade Basil.

Basil had decided to not participate in the upcoming battle because he was going to fight in another battle, so he had no right to stop Basil. Doing so would be the same as violating one of the military laws.

"I will leave the command to my Vice Commander, Iliana, so you can rest assure." Basil gazed to the direction where he could sense where Iliana was. "She might be not as strong as me, but she is more capable than you."

Edward blinked at Basil's sure statement.

"You may make a great team with her, but do bear in mind, don't get too close to her. I am saying this for your sake—she will put you into an infinite coma if you do."

"... Does this mean you are going to join our battle at the end of the day?" Edward's eyes lit up in elation. "You wouldn't risk losing your precious girlfriend, would you?"

While smiling coldly, Basil patted Edward's shoulder. "Of course, I would never want to risk losing her. I hope you are not the one endangering her though."

"D-Don't worry—I won't." Edward sweated coldly as he looked into Basil's eyes.

Without any prior discussion with Iliana, at that moment, Iliana was officially appointed as the temporary Temporary Head Commander as long as Basil spent his time fighting in Raneil Barony.

It was also decided that Royal Army stationed in Woster County would depart to BA-32 with the two Legions under Edward's lead after having a strategy briefing with the 4,000 soldiers Edward was expecting to reach there in half an hour.

As the matter was settled, Basil left the garden to say his farewell to Iliana and the others. He then left to Raneil Barony without answering any of their questions.

Iliana couldn't even chase after him this time as she was immediately summoned by the other Legion Commanders at the same time.

One thing for sure was, no one was amused with what Basil had done.

...

Fortescher County, Raneil Barony.

Chester was shivering coldly even though his body was hot due to running around Fortescher County for hours to get rid of his chaser. He failed however, since he could still said chaser's presence.

"Darn it! Just who is this person chasing me?!"

Although his beloved student, Basil had basically given him the right to bring whoever chasing him with him to meet his family, Chester could never bring himself to risk endangering the life of Basil's loved ones.

He had been trying to get rid of his chaser because of that, yet he had failed miserably, so he was mad at himself.

Left with no choice however, upon arriving right in front of the destroyed gate of the Barony, he eventually went inside without thinking.

He was extremely disgusted by the aura and the smell of the purple mist covering the Barony, but he soon did something that Basil had told him to do. Chanting a certain Spell under his breath, the mist immediately stopped bothering him.

"Oh, wow. I wonder if my beloved student is secretly the reincarnation of an ancient monster; everything he does has never ceased to make me afraid!"

Chuckling lightly to himself, Chester dashed as fast as his feet allowed him to. He had exhausted his Magic Circles, so he could no longer utilize Mana.

He was lucky he had trained his body to a certain extent, however still, his physical prowess unfortunately didn't allow him to get away from his chaser. Halfway to Familia Hotel, his chaser managed to pinn him down to the ground.