Adopting the Male Protagonist Changed the Genre - Chapter 239

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 239

When Chaser heard the Ascetic’s purpose from Belinda, he recognized it more clearly than ever before.

That Ophelia absolutely had to be killed.

Not because her dark magic achievements were indescribably profound, not because she had raised the Demon King, and not even because her ultimate goal was the selective destruction of the continent.

The fact that the arrowhead of the bow she was drawing was aimed at Leo. That single fact alone made Chaser’s target the Ascetic rather than the Demon King.

By any means necessary, Ophelia alone had to be killed.

Moreover, the fact that Leo’s death was the key to regression had to be prevented from becoming known to the outside world.

Humans tend to reveal their true nature, unknown even to themselves, when pushed to extreme situations. And Chaser knew all too well that human nature was never truly good.

A situation where it was impossible to predict how the war would unfold.

If it became known in a state filled with fear and anxiety that there was an opportunity to reverse all of this…

It would be humans, not demons, who would target Leo’s life.

The moment murderous intent swirled through Chaser’s quietly sunken gray eyes.

“We’ve arrived.”

Leo’s hushed voice awakened Chaser.

“Just three more steps from here and we’ll be outside the forest.”

Though he narrowed his eyes and looked ahead, all Chaser could see was deep forest shrouded in thick fog.

Nevertheless, he wordlessly sent a glance to Lionel, who had been following a few steps behind.

At Lionel’s subsequent hand signals, the army that had been crossing the Barrier Forest while guarding all directions came to a halt.

All that remained now was to strike the demons’ rear together with the eastern ambush force, matching the signal Belinda would send through Cao.

In other words, it also meant that Leo had completed his mission splendidly.

Perhaps realizing this fact, Leo’s jaw, which had been tightly clenched with slight tension, relaxed.

Of course, returning safely was also part of Leo’s mission, but he couldn’t help feeling excited.

Constantly striving not to let his guard down until the very end, Leo whispered to Chaser.

“Teacher, thank you.”

“For what.”

“For believing in me. If it weren’t for you, Teacher, Lady Belinda wouldn’t have allowed me to guide through the forest.”

At his disciple’s greeting filled with trust, Chaser stared down at Leo intently before letting out a crooked smile.

“Right. This teacher is certainly more excellent than that traitorous northern blockhead.”

Leo only smiled without answering.

Because he knew well that Cesar hadn’t sided with Belinda because he didn’t trust him, but because opposing Belinda’s opinion was an extremely difficult thing for him to do.

Soon, dawn began to break slowly from far in the distance.

The soldiers hiding in the Barrier Forest began to grip their weapons one by one.

The moment the Shadow Crow that had been nestled in Leo’s arms flew up to Chaser’s shoulder, Leo instinctively knew that the promised time was not far off.

“Little sprout.”

The teacher’s hand gently patted the child’s back as he called his disciple with an affectionate voice.

“Yes, Teacher.”

“When all this is over, let’s go visit my homeland with the Protagonist.”

“Your homeland, Teacher… the Mage Republic? I heard that not just anyone can enter there.”

“Why would you be just anyone? You’re my disciple. With just my permission, anyone can pass through.”

Except for that northern blockhead.

Adding that with a sulky expression, Chaser spoke cynically.

“Well, it’s not really a country worth bragging about. The land is only palm-sized, the cost of living is ridiculously expensive, and since most of the citizens are mages, the discrimination against non-mages is terrible. It’s a shitty place with no pleasant memories.”

At his unrestrained criticism of his homeland, the elders kept clearing their throats. Chaser continued without caring.

“Still, I want to show it to you and the Protagonist.”

“I’d like that. I really want to see it! I’m a proper mage now too.”

“Right. When we go there, I’ll tell you stories about my brother.”

Teacher’s family?

Just as Leo was about to speak at this story he had never heard before.

The raven sitting on Chaser’s shoulder opened its beak wide and cried out loudly.

Once, twice, three times.

At the three chilling cries, Leo had no choice but to close his mouth.

It was the signal to advance.

Soon, thousands and tens of thousands of yellow butterflies rose like smoke in the dark Barrier Forest.

A brilliant golden light like dawn appeared in Chaser’s eyes.

“Go back safely, little sprout. Don’t worry the Protagonist.”

“Yes, Teacher, please return safely too!”

Even at Leo’s spirited encouragement, Chaser only smiled faintly. As if that was the one thing he couldn’t promise.

Leo’s words as he tried to say something were drowned out by the sound of the advancing army’s footsteps.

Before long, only one senior elder from the Gray Tower and Leo remained in the forest.

“Now then, disciple of Ru. Let us return.”

The two began to retrace their path back. Throughout the return journey, Leo didn’t utter a single word.

When they finally stepped outside the forest.

“Leo, did something happen? Why do you look like that? You’re not hurt, are you? Did Cao neglect his watch?”

At Belinda’s questions as she came to meet them at the forest entrance, Leo answered as if releasing the breath he had been holding.

“I don’t know.”

There was nothing that would worry Belinda. But Leo had no choice but to say that.

“I’m not sure but… somehow… Teacher wasn’t like his usual self.”

Why didn’t Teacher answer when I told him to return safely?

Why did he smile so strangely at the end?

Leo poured out the ominous premonition he was feeling for the first time to Belinda.

* * *

“Wounded soldiers this way!”

“Priest! No, even if you’re not a priest! Anyone come and help stop this bleeding! Damn it!”

How long had it been since the war with the demons began?

By the time I realized that counting days was meaningless in the face of war, casualties began pouring in as if we had reached our limit.

There were plenty whose lives hung by a thread, but it would be fortunate if they could at least die lying in a sickbed.

“Identify those suspected of demonization!”

“No! I’m still human, I tell you!”

At least they could die as humans.

The allied forces, who had been holding their own against the demons fairly well, began to be pushed back little by little around the time some soldiers’ eyes began turning red.

Though no one told me what happened to them, I could guess their fate.

During those days when supplies we thought were sufficient were being consumed at a frightening pace.

A great gift arrived from the Royal Capital.

The improved version of the ‘Spring Water of All Things’ that Vivian had completed. Also known as the ‘Supply Version Spring Water of All Things’.

Though its efficacy was inferior to the original, the ‘Spring Water of All Things’ that arrived while casualties and deaths were mounting was like a miracle that could change the tide of war.

Not long after the ‘Spring Water of All Things’ arrived, the ambush operation through the Barrier Forest was executed as planned.

The plan devised by the northern staff was for Cheri to pretend to be wounded and leave his position, then lead an elite force to strike the rear.

Though an incident occurred where Cheri, knowing he had absolutely no talent for acting, deliberately allowed a demon’s attack and actually got injured…

Fortunately, thanks to the ‘Spring Water of All Things’, his wounds could be completely healed, and thanks to Leo’s guidance, the ambush operation proceeded safely.

I climbed the Castle Watchtower to observe the battle situation and asked Hound, who stood guard behind me.

To my eyes, it was just a horrific scene of slaughter, but perhaps he could see something different.

“How does it look to you? Do you think the northern army will win?”

“It looks evenly matched.”

I sighed at Hound’s emotionless answer and turned to look at him.

A man who had once been Schubel’s aide and had been raised by the Strays.

Surprisingly, the carrier of the ‘Spring Water of All Things’ that Terry had chosen was Hound.

I wondered what he had trusted to send him, but.

“I’m merely repaying a debt. Thanks to you, I was able to achieve proper revenge.”

From Hound’s words, who had brought a carriage full of ‘Spring Water of All Things’ at an astonishing speed, I could finally understand Terry’s choice.

“Did you hear any news from Terry when you departed?”

Hound silently shook his head.

That reaction made my sigh even heavier.

Although supplies continued to flow into the North, we hadn’t been able to contact Terry himself.

Three weeks ago, after the last communication saying he had made contact with the Crown Prince, the mechanical bird we used as a communication device had remained silent.

Perhaps something had happened in the Royal Capital. If Terry had been caught up in it, nine times out of ten the King would be involved.

Currently, there were no other powerful figures left who harbored ill feelings toward the Blanche Family and had the authority to stop Terry.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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