Reincarnated as a Genius Prodigy of a Prestigious Family - Chapter 140
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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 140
90. Central Breakthrough Plan (2)
Ernest, who was suddenly called over, trembled all over as soon as he entered the barracks.
“Y-Y-Your Highness the Prince!”
“Your trembling might reach the Imperial Palace at this rate. There’s no need to be nervous.”
Even after saying that, it took quite a long time for Ernest to calm his trembling even a little.
Thanks to that, Edward looked somewhat disappointed.
“Wouldn’t you tremble less if you thought of me as a ‘friend’?”
Well.
How could it be comfortable to think of someone who is no less than His Highness the Prince as a ‘friend’?
“I-I’m, I’m trying!”
“Mm. Admirable.”
Anyway, Edward, having met Ernest again like this, quietly observed the fellow before asking.
“I hear you’re a master of exploration?”
“Th-th-that’s… right?”
Ernest seemed to have no idea how he was answering right now.
“Dane told me. He said that scouting with you would at least keep us out of danger.”
“He, he said that, Dane?”
“Yeah. Because it’s true.”
I praised Ernest as much as possible.
This fellow is the type who only does things properly when he has confidence.
It also means that once he starts feeling intimidated, there’s no end to his intimidation.
“He plays a very important role in our club. He’s very skilled with his hands, and has an excellent sense of direction. He handles traps reasonably well, and has the ability to solve codes and read maps.”
“Ho. Quite impressive. I heard last time that he’s from the Exploration Department, right. You said the Dillan family? A renowned exploration family.”
“Y-yes, that’s right. Thank you!”
Thanks to my enthusiastic praise, Ernest now seemed to be gradually finding his composure.
“Then we should talk about the reconnaissance operation. You and Ernest, will just the two of you really be alright? I know how outstanding you are, but I’m deeply concerned. Not as a commander, but as a friend.”
As he repeatedly emphasized the word friend, I felt a gentle touch of emotion too.
But it really will be fine.
“It’s sufficient. It would actually be better than adding incompetent personnel here.”
“…Phew.”
Since we’re just gathering information and returning, the two of us are enough.
I have plenty of confidence in getting myself out of anywhere, and having Ernest along is the icing on the cake.
Therefore, in this reconnaissance we need to identify what’s changed and thoroughly check the situation at the center of the ruins.
“I wonder if I’m assigning too heavy a mission to you two.”
On the other hand, Edward seemed to feel burdened.
He is a prince.
But as he said himself, he’s also our ‘friend’.
Since he has to send two friends to a place where two reconnaissance squads couldn’t return alive.
“You don’t need to worry. Haven’t you already heard?”
“…”
Edward sighed and nodded his head.
“Right. You achieved victory against 200 magical beasts without a single scratch, so reconnaissance should be nothing. I’ll think positively.”
Edward then handed us two items.
“A magic signal flare and an emergency escape scroll. Use them without delay if it becomes dangerous.”
“Of course. Thank you, Your Highness.”
“Thanks for what. Just return safely. Your safety is the top priority.”
Edward earnestly entreated us.
By the way, I still haven’t used what Big Sister gave me when we went to the restricted zone last time.
Well, there probably won’t be any need to use it.
“It would be better if you succeed, and there would be appropriate rewards to match that… but still, if you two don’t return from reconnaissance, I think I’d blame myself for life.”
“We will definitely return.”
“Right. I believe so.”
And so the operation discussion began in earnest.
And the protagonist of this discussion is Ernest.
“Hmm… this terrain here is difficult to hide in. Yet it’s also open, making it a good place to be spotted. It would be better to exclude this place from the reconnaissance route, and it would be better to detour this way instead.”
Ernest’s suggestions poured out like flowing water once the discussion of his specialty began.
“How about this place?”
“Judging by the types of magical beasts, it’s not a very good route. But passage should be possible. However, only if we advance 1 meter per minute.”
Ernest was modifying and reconstructing the routes secured through the sacrifice of the reconnaissance teams, rapidly formulating an operation—
“This should work.”
Finally, he presented a reconnaissance proposal so perfect that Edward was impressed.
“Good. That puts my mind more at ease.”
“Of course, things might be different once we actually go out on reconnaissance.”
“Mm. Just from this discussion, it looks very perfect. Good.”
Edward smiled with satisfaction, and I also told such Edward about Plan B that I had thought of in advance.
“Could you prepare to attack immediately when we give you a signal?”
“Mm. What kind of situation are you talking about? When you two are in danger?”
I shook my head.
“If it were that kind of situation, I’d tear the scroll without delay… but when we arrive and if a situation arises where we can attack the enemy.”
Edward pondered for a moment then muttered.
“Alright. Use the signal flare. I’ll rush over without delay.”
With this, there won’t be any situation where a timely attack doesn’t happen in case of emergency.
“If there’s any equipment you need, go to the supply officer and take whatever you want. I’ll inform them in advance.”
“I am deeply grateful.”
“Oh my. You should also refrain from such words now. At least when you’re with me.”
“Ah, understood.”
Edward seemed to think quite specially of the existence called ‘friend’.
I don’t know much about royalty, but is it easy to treat someone so casually like a ‘friend’?
Of course, the opposite side is more difficult.
It will probably take quite a long time for Ernest to treat Edward as a ‘friend’.
“Good. Then let’s get started.”
Anyway, Ernest and my reconnaissance began like that.
A golden opportunity to achieve merit, save His Highness the Prince’s face, and discover the secrets of the center of the ruins.
Who knows?
What else might be there.
And sure enough.
Perhaps thinking that an ‘adventure’ was beginning, Ernest’s face was being colored with excitement.
“Ah, and.”
Edward informed us of one thing as if he had almost forgotten.
“All missions performed as a direct unit are converted to points, whether individual or departmental. Of course, it doesn’t seem like you’re performing missions for that purpose…”
I wonder how many points we’d get if we succeed in this mission.
“By the way, the activities you and your friends showed in the last night raid will also be reflected.”
Hearing such welcome news, I grinned broadly.
Leila, Dorian, and Priscilla, whom we met after joining the subjugation force, showed various reactions to the fact that only the two of us were going.
“Teacher! I’ll come with you too!”
Dorian stubbornly insisted on following us—
“The scale keeps getting bigger every time. This time it’s the center of the ruins? Can’t I come too?”
Leila was throwing complaints while asking if she couldn’t come along.
On the other hand, Priscilla was…
“This time you’re really going to die. Have a safe trip. If only your soul comes back, I’ll shoot you with some strong divine power.”
“…”
Well, anyway, I explained well to the three of them why only the two of us had to go.
The important thing this time is safety.
Since we should avoid combat as much as possible, Leila and Dorian, who specialize in combat, inevitably can’t come.
“Still, wait a little. A big opportunity will probably come soon.”
“A big opportunity?”
I smiled slyly, recalling Edward’s question about whether there were people worth recommending for the direct unit.
Anyway, we headed straight to the supply manager, received some necessary items, and departed.
“What do you think is inside the ruins? Will we be able to explore it later?”
Ernest was excited, and I thought about what we needed to do once we reached the center of the ruins.
“First, the important thing is to understand in as much detail as possible what’s in the center of the ruins.”
“Good. What’s next?”
“If possible, we need to understand all the surrounding terrain.”
There’s one more thing.
If there are bodies of the reconnaissance team, it would be good to at least recover their belongings.
“Dane, you always think of things I can’t think of…”
This was Ernest’s reaction when I mentioned collecting the scouts’ belongings.
Well.
From my perspective, having brought back my subordinates’ bodies by any means necessary in my previous life, it’s nothing special.
Anyway, we departed like that when night came.
The soldiers guarding the ruins entrance route, as if they had received prior notice, immediately cleared the way for us.
And the moment we entered the ruins—
“Dane. This…”
“Yeah. I know what you mean.”
I could vaguely guess what was in the center of the ruins.
Precisely…
The very familiar feeling that enveloped my entire body the moment I entered these ruins.
“Garden of Mist.”
We both said it without hesitation.
The mist that had covered the Garden of Mist.
Air with a similar feeling to that was spread throughout this place.
However, it was more ominous and more sticky.
“There might be a mana concentrate in the center.”
I thought there would be something, but the fact that it’s a mana concentrate is quite good news.
Of course, I’d have to go see it directly to be certain, but if it’s a concentrate of ancient magic power, it could roughly explain the previous events.
A mana concentrate is a crystal of compressed ancient magic power.
With that power, commanding magical beasts wouldn’t be impossible.
However, the question is who is using it.
“According to Big Sister, indirect use is possible…”
Seeing that this feeling is spread throughout the entire ruins now, it seems they couldn’t absorb it directly.
Then, like how Big Sister analyzed the ancient magic power concentrate I brought, they must be using it indirectly.
For example…
“Mana stone.”
“Huh?”
“They might be using it by putting it in a mana stone.”
“The ancient magic power concentrate? The one inside your body?”
“Probably.”
We need to move first.
To confirm if my guess is correct, we need to go to the center.
“Why does the scale keep getting bigger?”
I quickly followed Ernest, who was muttering blankly.
The inside of the ruins looked as expected. Magical beasts were swarming everywhere. But it didn’t seem like we would be discovered.
“Dane, this way.”
Was a safe path being automatically displayed in his vision?
Following the path Ernest led, the magical beasts didn’t even glance in our direction.
“Grrrr…”
Even when passing between magical beasts, thanks to his amazing timing, we weren’t discovered at all.
“You’re amazing too. You won’t have to worry even if you get trapped somewhere later, right?”
“Hehe, really?”
I praised Ernest appropriately and boosted his confidence. But praising him too much is forbidden.
“Wow, we almost got caught.”
Because he gets excited like that and almost makes mistakes.
Still, this fellow has never actually made a mistake yet, so it should be fine as long as I don’t boost him too much.
“Wait, stop.”
And as we went deeper inside, Ernest also became quite serious.
“Do you see that?”
“Yeah. It’s a ‘Dimerat.'”
The powerful magical beasts that became visible as we headed deeper inside.
In particular, the ‘Dimerat’ we just discovered is a lion-shaped magical beast with four heads.
It’s known to be incredibly fast and strong, and can catch even the movement of ants with its four pairs of eyes.
And there are five of them scattered around.
“We could make a magical beast encyclopedia today.”
“This… won’t be easy to get through.”
Ernest examined the simple map he had drawn in advance to search for a detour.
Simply put, it’s an unexpected variable.
“If we go left, we’ll definitely be caught… but if we go right, the terrain is too ambiguous.”
But fighting doesn’t suit the nature of this mission at all.
If we’re discovered, we might have to tear the scroll right away.
Of course, it’s not like there’s no method.
I had faced Dimerats in my previous life.
Precisely, I had learned how to avoid Dimerats in a life-or-death crisis.
“There’s a way.”
“Huh?”
Under Ernest’s worried gaze, what I took out was magical beast meat well wrapped in cloth to block the smell.
It was meat I had collected in advance after the night raid ended.
“Kyirk?”
Yet Karnas, who somehow caught the scent of raw meat, poked his head out.
What a ghostly fellow.
“Stay still. I’ll give you a snack later.”
“Kyirrrk…”
I spoke to Ernest, who had barely managed to stop struggling.
“Ernest, this. Can you throw it through that gap?”
“This… it’s meat?”
“Don’t open the cloth.”
Due to the magical beasts’ sensitive sense of smell, it could be over before we even throw it.
“So you’re going to divert their attention with this?”
“Yeah. Those Dimerats go crazy for that meat.”
Dimerats are highly vigilant and have extremely sensitive senses.
That’s why they’re difficult to face head-on, and passing by undetected is even harder, but…
If you throw them their favorite meat in the world, the story changes.
“Alright.”
Ernest aimed at an appropriate spot and threw the meat, then his eyes widened as he spoke to me.
“It’s really true?”
The Dimerats rushed over like mad as soon as they caught the scent of the meat.
“Amazing, Dane.”
“Make good use of it next time.”
I should teach him about magical beasts when I have time later.
Everyone just talks about magical beasts, but there aren’t many people who actually know them properly.
“Let’s move.”
The breakthrough that seemed difficult was completed so easily.
We continued along that path and finally arrived near the center of the ruins.
“There’s a corpse here.”
Just then, we could see the bodies of scout soldiers.
It was somewhat horrific.
Torn apart here and there by magical beasts, they weren’t in proper shape.
Still, I searched through their belongings, confirmed their personal effects and military IDs, then gathered everything.
“May you find peace.”
Now I understand why the scout soldiers couldn’t return alive.
The closer we got to the central area, the stronger the sticky energy became, to the point where it felt like we were being deliberately hindered.
“Something… I feel like I’ve gotten slower.”
Of course, I was an exception.
Whether due to ancient mana or something innate, only Ernest was breaking out in cold sweat.
Probably because of this, they couldn’t properly respond to the magical beasts’ attacks and died.
“This is a barrier, right?”
“That’s right. It’s a barrier.”
And there was also a mana barrier surrounding the area near the center of the ruins.
Naturally, it wasn’t Saul Hanston’s.
But it was an all too familiar energy.
“Hmm…”
After pondering for a moment, I placed my hand on the barrier and-
“Huh?”
Amid Ernest’s surprise, I confirmed that my hand passed right through the mana barrier without any special measures.
“I, I can’t do it though?”
Naturally, Ernest couldn’t.
As expected, this was ancient mana from an ancient mana concentrator.
And it wasn’t refined, but raw mana.
That’s why I could assimilate with it and pass through like this.
“This might be simpler than I thought.”
I wonder if the fellow who’s currently using this, even indirectly, ever imagined this?
That because someone who properly handles ancient mana happened to appear…
The plans he had set up might now fall into chaos.
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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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