Reincarnated as a Genius Prodigy of a Prestigious Family - Chapter 135

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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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Reincarnated as a Legendary Talent Genius of a Noble Family Episode 135

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

87. Is That So?

 

 

 

 

 

The subjugation seemed to approach everyone quite seriously.

 

Well, that makes sense since it’s ‘real combat’ after all.

 

We’ve experienced undead in Saint Aimar’s Hall and went through heart-pounding situations while entering and leaving the restricted zone, but…

 

The pressure that ‘magical beasts’ give off is definitely different.

 

“S-save me! Aaaahhh!”

 

Thanks to that, the illusion generator I modified was being extremely helpful.

 

“Dorian! Hang in there a little longer! Just 2 more minutes and it’s my turn!”

 

“T-two whole minutes left?”

 

It summons illusions of magical beasts expected to appear, allowing us to engage in mock combat.

 

Of course, since they’re illusions, direct attacking combat is difficult, but at least we can practice dodging the magical beasts’ attacks.

 

“Huff, gasp.”

 

Thanks to this, Dorian’s skills are improving by leaps and bounds.

 

Not just because of the subjugation, but because he’s been practicing with those illusions from before.

 

He asked to be my disciple, and I like how he learns diligently without complaint.

 

By the way, that fellow is also participating in this subjugation.

 

Since he’s gained some seniority in his grade, he passed the test and was assigned to one of the combat units.

 

Well, the training I gave him after he asked to be my disciple probably helped too.

 

“Good. Well done. I’m next. Watch carefully and tell me about it when it’s over, okay?”

 

“Y-yes!”

 

And Leila was making quite good use of Dorian.

 

She had him watch her training with eagle eyes.

 

Ping!

 

Meanwhile, I also noticed Ernest continuously shooting arrows.

 

Though he was assigned to the reconnaissance unit rather than a combat unit, I told him not to abandon his bow just because of that.

 

“Ernest. Draw the bowstring a bit more comfortably. There’s too much tension in your wrist and shoulder.”

 

“I-I think I often do this when I’m nervous.”

 

“Relax. You’re not drawing with your whole body. You need to use your muscles properly. Like this. Put your hand here and feel it when I draw the bowstring.”

 

“Mm-hmm.”

 

So Ernest was practicing archery while receiving coaching from me like this.

 

Of course, since I only know the basics about archery, I’ll probably need to find him a proper teacher soon.

 

And…

 

Priscilla was just lounging around.

 

“Priscilla, aren’t you training?”

 

At Leila’s question as she was about to enter the illusion area, Priscilla shrugged her shoulders.

 

“I’m in the healing unit. And I was stuck at the Grand Temple all day today.”

 

“Ah.”

 

All five of us here ended up going on the subjugation.

 

I was also training for that reason, but it wasn’t really special training, just the same as usual.

 

Bang!

 

Casting magic across the wide clearing.

 

“Kraaahhh!”

 

Summoning creatures like Eterak, using them appropriately before sending them back—

 

“Karnas, Ignis.”

 

“Kyurk!”

 

And while I was at it, I was also swinging flame-wrapped spears and swords to extend Karnas’s flame duration.

 

“…Are we playing house or something?”

 

“Watching him train is just ridiculous.”

 

“As expected of Teacher Dane!”

 

“Dane, tell me if you get tired later. I’ll use divine power to… Oh wait, my divine power doesn’t work on you, does it?”

 

After finishing our training appropriately, we gathered and had a brief conversation.

 

“The subjugation is 1 night, 2 days. We’ll have to see the exact schedule when it comes out, but it probably won’t be much different from last year.”

 

Priscilla, who had experience participating in last year’s subjugation, started the conversation.

 

“The important thing is not getting hurt. We healing units don’t always appear where we want to be. Since we also move according to orders, problems could arise if we’re ambushed.”

 

She’s right.

 

Since everyone moves separately, it’ll be difficult for me to protect them, so they need to be that much more careful.

 

“Of course, it’s nothing major. Academy students are thoroughly protected by the Knight Order during subjugation anyway.”

 

“Still, real combat is real combat.”

 

Priscilla nodded at my words.

 

“Right. There’s nothing wrong with being careful. Anyway, the important things are these: follow the Imperial Knight Order’s instructions, don’t break formation. Just following these will keep you out of trouble.”

 

Then Ernest asked.

 

“But what kind of place are the ruins we’re going to this time?”

 

“They’ll probably explain during the briefing, won’t they?”

 

“Hmm… If it’s a place they’re just now subjugating, there might be unknown dangers.”

 

Leila looked shocked at those words and said to Ernest.

 

“Just so you know, you can’t do anything reckless like exploration.”

 

“O-of course!”

 

He looks like he’s going to do something reckless anyway.

 

Can’t be helped.

 

“Take this.”

 

What I handed over was a disposable artifact that forms a mana barrier.

 

“This is…”

 

“A defensive artifact. Use it in dangerous situations. Just in case. If you think it’s dangerous, just hold it in your hand and apply force.”

 

“Thanks, Dane.”

 

“Don’t mention it.”

 

We’ll probably have to be separated this time.

 

Since we have to follow orders, Ernest will also be assigned to the reconnaissance unit and move separately.

 

His archery skills are gradually improving, but certainly, his self-defense abilities are still lacking.

 

“And you guys take one each too.”

 

They were definitely expensive items, but I distributed them generously.

 

I don’t want to calculate interests and losses. Rather, if something happens to these guys, that would be a bigger loss.

 

“My goodness…”

 

“Is Dane an angel?”

 

“Hopefully we won’t need to use them. I’ll take it gratefully.”

 

And one more thing.

 

“Kyurk!”

 

Karnas poked his head out and stared up at me, asking for one too.

 

“Wh-what, what is that!”

 

And Dorian, seeing Karnas for the first time, fell backward in surprise.

 

“T-Teacher Dane. That… that… cute friend, what is it?”

 

I answered simply.

 

“A dragon.”

 

“…You’re joking with me, right?”

 

A chuckle escaped me.

 

“Believe it or not, that’s up to you.”

 

While Dorian wore a dazed expression, Leila asked me.

 

“Oh, by the way, Dane. Haven’t you heard anything about your unit assignment yet?”

 

“Uh, not yet for now.”

 

“Hmm. Just how many units are they planning to assign you to….”

 

Leila seems to assume I’ll be assigned to multiple units.

 

“Well, we’ll see when we see.”

 

I wasn’t particularly concerned about it.

 

They wouldn’t suddenly put me in the healing unit, so wherever I go, I’ll just do what I need to do.

 

If it were an unreasonable order, I might think about it, but that doesn’t seem likely.

 

After finishing our training, we headed to the Central Plaza at my suggestion to grab some tarts.

 

“Why are all those people gathered over there like that?”

 

“Ah! That’s right! They said they’d post the subjugation force unit assignment results on the Central Plaza bulletin board!”

 

The guys rushed over there as if they had made a promise.

 

I also forgot about the tarts for a moment and approached, when I heard murmuring from around me.

 

“What’s with this guy? Why is he the only one listed there?”

 

“He was ridiculous during the test too. So that’s why.”

 

“I’m jealous. That’s already establishing connections.”

 

I wondered what they were talking about, but it was about me.

 

“D-Dane. Look over there!”

 

At Ernest’s words, I looked at the bulletin board and saw my name prominently written at the very top.

 

And separately at that.

 

I checked which unit I was assigned to.

 

Then I chuckled and shrugged my shoulders toward Leila.

 

“Apparently so?”

 

“…How annoying.”

 

What can I do about it.

 

No matter how I look at it, it seems like His Highness the Prince decided this.

 

Actually, this worked out well.

 

I was wondering how I’d face the subjugation force’s supreme commander, but now I’ll get to see him plenty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time passed, and the day for the subjugation force’s departure arrived.

 

All the monster subjugation force members selected from the Academy gathered together to depart.

 

When you gather all the students from each unit – about 10 to 20 students per unit – it’s roughly 100 people in total.

 

And among them, I stand at the front.

 

Together with the Imperial 4th Knight Order, no less.

 

“…I’m jealous.”

 

“Our reconnaissance unit is in the middle over there….”

 

“Master… when will I be able to become like you?”

 

It seems His Highness the Prince gave some indication.

 

Since I’m in the direct command unit for now.

 

Amid my club friends’ envy, I mounted my horse and stood beside the Imperial Knight Order.

 

Oh, the healing unit that Priscilla belongs to departed last night since they’re considered ‘important resources.’

 

“We move out now! Everyone stay in your assigned formations! The journey will take about a day, and after one night of camping, we’ll join the subjugation force camp!”

 

When news of camping came amid all this, sighs and complaints erupted from all directions.

 

“Camping all of a sudden?”

 

“Didn’t they say it would only take half a day originally?”

 

“I can’t sleep without a bed….”

 

Come to think of it, the schedule seems to have changed, and an explanation followed immediately.

 

“The originally planned route has become unavailable due to circumstances. The equipment needed for camping has been prepared, so don’t worry about that!”

 

Well, it doesn’t matter to me.

 

Camping.

 

It’s been a very long time.

 

I remember betting with my subordinates in my previous life on who could set up barracks faster.

 

“We depart!”

 

Anyway, despite the complaints that erupted due to the sudden schedule change and the resulting camping-

 

The Imperial Knight Order leading the group lightly ignored this and declared departure.

 

My position is at the front.

 

Next to the vice-captain of the Imperial 4th Knight Order.

 

So on a bright sunny day, the subjugation force finally departed, and I struck up a conversation with the vice-captain.

 

“Dane Sogress. We finally get to talk. Nice to meet you.”

 

“Vice-captain, I’m also pleased to meet you.”

 

“Mm, it would be better if you just call me Sir Hilderon. I’ll speak casually too.”

 

“Understood.”

 

“If His Highness the Prince made a separate request for you to be in his direct command unit, it means you have tremendous talent… I’m quite curious.”

 

Sir Hilderon started asking various questions from the beginning.

 

How did I get to know His Highness the Prince, how is Father doing, is it true that I really have that many talents….

 

Well, I answered everything appropriately.

 

Especially regarding His Highness the Prince, I answered that this was our first meeting while appropriately concealing the facts.

 

And I wasn’t just answering questions either.

 

“Sir Hilderon, but what’s the reason for the sudden schedule change? I heard we’d originally arrive at the subjugation force camp in half a day, but I’m curious why we’re crossing east of Mount Rewa instead of west.”

 

“Hmm….”

 

Sir Hilderon hesitated for a moment before speaking.

 

“Since you’ve been chosen by His Highness the Prince, this much should be fine. But… you must keep it secret since it might cause unrest among the other students.”

 

“Of course.”

 

Sir Hilderon brought up a somewhat surprising story.

 

“Monster movements have been detected west of Mount Rewa, where we originally planned to go.”

 

“Monster movements, you mean….”

 

“If it were simple movement, we wouldn’t have bothered changing routes. We could just go out and clear them away.”

 

“Then there must be another reason.”

 

This is getting interesting.

 

“Right. The monsters are heading toward the ruins. And in considerable numbers. According to the Mount Rewa Ranger unit’s assessment, at least 300 of them.”

 

300 monsters.

 

All those monsters are heading toward the ruins?

 

“Are all the monster types the same?”

 

“No. They’re slightly different.”

 

“Then that doesn’t make sense. The very fact that 300 monsters of different species are gathering together and moving toward the ruins in perfect order.”

 

Monsters are like humans. When different species gather, they fight each other, and natural enemy relationships exist too.

 

For such creatures to gather together and move toward the ruins….

 

“Does this mean the ruins are calling the monsters together?”

 

“…You got it right immediately.”

 

Sir Hilderon’s expression was quite dark.

 

“So we’re unavoidably traveling around the opposite side. To avoid danger as much as possible.”

 

From what I’ve heard, the main roles in monster subjugation are handled by Imperial soldiers, some noble family forces, and the Imperial Knight Order leading the subjugation force.

 

Academy students mostly just make up the numbers.

 

Because they’re the seeds who will lead the Empire’s future.

 

Of course, it’s not like there’s no activity at all, and it’s not like there’s absolutely no danger either….

 

This expedition feels different somehow.

 

“Of course, you can rest assured. No matter how many monsters gather, they’ll all end up as corpses before our expedition force.”

 

Sir Hilderon’s boastful words continued, but rather than feeling reassured, I thought of other possibilities.

 

Ruins that attract monsters.

 

I have a feeling that if we don’t subjugate them quickly, this could become a huge problem.

 

And one more thing.

 

Why do the ruins attract monsters?

 

What could be there?

 

If Ernest had known, he would have been beside himself with excitement.

 

Anyway, things will become clearer once we go and see.

 

By the way, Karnas is being quiet.

 

He should be poking his head out from frustration, but seeing him stay still, he must be sleeping soundly.

 

It’s quite amazing how well he sleeps even on a horse walking at a trot.

 

“We’ll camp here! Everyone receive supplies and proceed with setting up the campsite!”

 

Time passed and evening came, and the expedition force finally began preparing to camp at a suitable location.

 

After receiving supplies from the escort soldiers, I looked around for a good spot.

 

Flat ground with rocks at the back, and preferably not in the shade.

 

“Here it is.”

 

Once I decided on the location, setting up was quick.

 

Since I’d done this so often in my previous life, a decent tent was completed in no time.

 

“And then…”

 

After going inside and laying out a mat to block the cold rising from the ground, along with a mana heating pad, mana lighting, and bedding, I was done.

 

But—

 

When I came outside and looked around, it was quite a sight.

 

“Damn it! Why won’t this go in!”

 

“You idiot! You have to hold that and drive it in!”

 

“What are we supposed to do when they suddenly tell us to camp!”

 

Everyone was in complete chaos.

 

In the midst of this, I happened to spot Conrad from the Swordsmanship Department.

 

“Wh-why isn’t this working?”

 

A 5th-year Swordsmanship Department student should be able to set up a simple shelter, but he can’t do it?

 

Or maybe he has no experience at all.

 

Well, he’ll figure it out.

 

For reference, all our club friends set up quickly thanks to Ernest, who has lots of expedition experience.

 

After that, I gathered with my club friends for a simple meal, then looked around the area.

 

“It’s not exactly ideal terrain for defense.”

 

The surroundings were open, which was good for surveillance, but having Mount Rewa at our backs made it a somewhat unfavorable location.

 

But with 100 students plus knight order and escort soldiers totaling 150 people all needing to camp, there was no choice.

 

“Nothing will happen, right, Dane?”

 

“Who knows. We’ll find out once the night passes.”

 

Answering Ernest’s question, I looked toward the mountain.

 

Strange crying sounds could be heard.

 

“Kyrruk?”

 

Then Karnas poked his head out.

 

I thought he might be hungry, but that wasn’t it.

 

“Kyrruk!”

 

Karnas was ‘on alert’ for the first time.

 

He was glaring toward the mountain, making low growling sounds.

 

“Karnas, do you sense something?”

 

“Kyrruk!”

 

Something is there.

 

“D-Dane? Why is Karnas acting like that?”

 

I asked Karnas again.

 

“Is there something dangerous?”

 

“Kyrruk!”

 

This…

 

I can’t just stay here doing nothing.

 

I immediately headed to Sir Hilderon.

 

Sir Hilderon had just finished his meal and was about to enter his quarters.

 

“What’s the matter, Dane Sogress?”

 

“There might be an attack during the night.”

 

“An attack?”

 

I quickly continued speaking.

 

“We need to strengthen our defenses. We should mobilize Magic Department students to install thicker barriers and prepare maximum countermeasures.”

 

“What are you suddenly talking about? When we finished reconnaissance toward the mountain earlier, there were no problems.”

 

Sir Hilderon shook his head as if I was talking nonsense.

 

“Aren’t you being too sensitive, student Dane Sogress? What reason do you have for saying that?”

 

Since I couldn’t say a dragon told me, I made up a plausible reason.

 

“Monster droppings, tracks, and several clumps of fur were discovered. All recent.”

 

But Sir Hilderon remained unmoved.

 

“Even if they’re recent, wouldn’t it just be a few? Unless they’re idiots, they couldn’t attack our force of over 100 people. Dane Sogress, even if such a thing were to happen, we would handle it, so rest assured and go inside to sleep.”

 

“What if the scale is large?”

 

Sir Hilderon snickered.

 

“We’ve already surveyed this place several times, and we’re keeping adequate watch.”

 

“It needs to be strengthened a bit more. Especially deploying guard forces forward on the side close to the mountain would be good.”

 

“Ha, just because we praised you for having some talent, do you now see everything we do as laughable and trivial?”

 

That’s not what I meant.

 

Well, it doesn’t seem like he’ll be convinced any further.

 

“Now leave. My goodness. I had expectations since His Highness the Prince placed you in the direct unit… Tsk tsk.”

 

I left Sir Hilderon clicking his tongue behind and exited the barracks with Ernest.

 

“Dane, what should we do?”

 

Ernest looked anxious.

 

I clearly warned Sir Hilderon.

 

That there could be a night raid.

 

“Actually, this worked out well.”

 

“Huh? Worked out well?”

 

“Yes, because we gained justification.”

 

Actually, I didn’t expect it to go well, and it didn’t matter if he refused.

 

Just by giving the ‘warning,’ we gained justification to act.

 

“Justification… ah, don’t tell me?”

 

“That’s right. We’re going to stop it ourselves.”

 

And we also gained an opportunity.

 

A golden opportunity to achieve ‘merit’ before the subjugation even begins.

 

“Isn’t that pushing it too far?”

 

Ernest seemed somewhat worried, but I shook my head.

 

“We can’t ignore even the slightest possibility. Lives are at stake, and our subjugation depends on it.”

 

“That’s… true.”

 

Ernest’s eyes began to sparkle again too.

 

“Let’s start with traps, just the two of us.”

 

There was still time until nightfall.

 

Also, the night is long.

 

Perhaps tonight might turn out to be a long night.

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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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