Chapter 162: Chapter 162. Going to War (2)

On the eastern side of the Lagrium Plains flows the Mahayu River, running through the center of the continent.

The Mahayu River was wide and deep enough to allow big ships to travel.

The Hebrion Empire’s military forces were stationed near the border of the Ioleta Kingdom, overlooking the mouth of the Mahayu River.

The Ioleta Kingdom, part of the Western Kingdom Union, readily allowed the Hebrion Empire to station itself on its border once the Outsiders suddenly became their enemy.

Given their new battlefield, the Hebrion Empire constructed a new temporary Imperial Military Headquarters.

There, Desir was face-to-face with a monocle-wearing, middle-aged commander. Lieutenant Paian, he was the squadron leader that commanded the Imperial Military.

Paian had a rather slim figure that made him look weak, but Desir remembered that unlike his physical features would lead you to believe, he was quite a competent man.

He had led troops in the Shadow Labyrinth, making notable achievements, and even reached the rank of lieutenant colonel just before his death.

Paian’s gaze was fixed on the documents before him.

“According to the document, out of the twenty-five members in your party, four members including yourself will participate in the war. Is this correct?”

To make up for the loss of their troops during the battle with the Outsiders, the Hebrion Empire had enlisted help from the Hebrion Academy as well.

But that didn’t mean that all students would be deployed in the war.

From each party, only those who were skilled enough to contribute meaningful firepower were drafted into the army.

And the members that were mobilized from the Starling Party were Adjest, Romantica, Pram, and Desir. All four members of their main force.

Desir had determined that other than the four of them, including himself, no one else was fit for battle yet.

Paian was lost in thought as he examined the documents.

‘A party with skills levels higher or equal to knights that have cleared a Level Three Shadow World by themselves huh… But there are only four of them… … ’

The Starling Party’s reputation was widespread in the Hebrion Empire, and even Paian had heard about them.

Heroes that had foiled the Outsiders’ terrorism in the Prillecha Empire and saved the kings of the Western Kingdom Union.

A future commander who had led the academy’s students, including many prideful single rankers, in the Party Competition to interrupt the Outsiders’ heinous plan.

Not to mention having the ability to clear a Level Three Shadow World with a mere four people.

There was no doubt that the Starling Party was filled with very skilled individuals. But Paian couldn’t help but worry.

He turned his attention towards Desir.

“As you have successfully cleared a Level Three Shadow World by yourselves, your party now has the right to move independently, just like the knights. However, it may be dangerous with only the four of you.”

Without even having to mention the numerous groups of knights, the Starling Party was still significantly smaller than the academy’s other parties of the same level.

No matter how outstanding they were individually, with small numbers, even a single mistake could be fatal to them.

That was what Paian was worried about.

“I’ve heard so much about you I could recite it by heart. I know how skilled you are.” Desir lowered his head in gratitude.

“But young people sometimes can’t control themselves. Someone like you is absolutely necessary for the Empire’s future. What do you think about renouncing your right to move independently and joining the army?”

“Thank you for thinking of us favorably. However, I’ll be turning down your offer.” Paian narrowed his eyes.

“I doubt that four people will be enough to produce any tangible results… … ”

“That would usually be the case. On the contrary, I am confident that we’ll produce good results if we use a strategy that takes advantage of our small number.”

Excitement flashed in Paian’s eyes. He soon regained his composure. “How would you do that?”

“We will use a smaller unit that has more freedom of mobility than larger groups, and has strong singular firepower to attack the enemy from the rear.”

“Your party doesn’t have to be the one to carry out this operation.”

“We’re a party that has successfully cleared a Level Three Shadow World with a mere four people. When it comes to strategies carried out by smaller numbers, there are no other troops that can match us in terms of quality.”

“Even still, taking up the position of rear infiltrator is extremely risky. Do you think you’re capable of lasting on your own, with risk of the enemy turning at any moment??”

Paian expected Desir to be flustered at the question, but his response was completely unexpected.

“If you leave that to us, we’ll do it.” There was no hesitation.

“It’s just as I’d heard.”

Paian seemed to be quite satisfied with Desir’s answers so far.

“Desir Arman, leader of the Starling Party. Let’s see if you’re as good as the rumors say.”

* * *

Thank you for reading on patreon.com/maldfrogsclub “The famous Starling Party is here.”

“I heard that they recently cleared a Level Three Shadow World?”

There was a hot topic making the rounds amongst the soldiers. It was news of Hebrion Academy’s Starling Party joining them.

Hebrion Academy was the continent’s best educational institution, the pride of the Hebrion Empire. Many of its graduates were well-known names throughout the continent.

Of course, current students like Radoria von Dorice, leader of the Red Dragon party, and Nipleka Kelt, leader of the Blue Moon party were already quite popular, even before they graduated.

But between the numerous students, no one was unaware of the newly formed Starling Party that stood shoulder to shoulder with pre-existing prestigious parties, as they continued to rack-up countless notable achievements.

As they became the center of attention of the soldiers at Lutria castle, the Starling Party couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable.

If they had to pick the worst moments, it was during meals. Meals at the camp were held in one big place where all of the soldiers gathered, and many of them frequently snooped around trying to catch a glance of the prestigious party, or loitered around waiting for a chance to introduce themselves.

“… It’s uncomfortable eating here. At this rate, I’m going to get sick.” Romantica puffed up her cheeks as she spoke.

The others hadn’t said anything, but they were all in agreement.

They were thankful for the attention, but they didn’t appreciate how excessive it had become. As they sat there complaining, someone called out to them in a cheerful voice.

“That’s some attention you guys are getting.” “Should I be asking for your autographs too?”

Turning around at the familiar voices, Pram’s face lit up. “Radoria! Kelt! Long time no see!”

“Yeah, it’s been a while.”

“Do you mind if we sit here too?” There was no reason to refuse them.

Radoria and Kelt sat at the table the Starling Party had parked themselves at. The leaders of Hebrion Academy’s most famous parties had been gathered in one place.

The attention that had been garnered due to the presence of just the Starling Party, ended up ratcheting up a few more notches.

“We got used to it pretty quickly. You’ll be fine in a week.”

Radoria and Kelt, as leaders of longstanding famous parties, were well used to the attention currently troubling the fledgling Starling Party.

Kelt spoke as he seasoned his soup.

“Try to eat a lot, even if you don’t have an appetite, since today’s meal is actually pretty good.”

“Is it normally not this good?”

At Romantica’s question, Radoria let out a deep sigh.

“The menu is determined by expiry, whatever is going to go bad first is what we eat next. Wait and see. Soon you’ll be eating so much jerky, hardtacks, and raisins that you will be sick of them.”

At Radoria’s words, the members of the Starling Party nodded their heads.

“Well, the eastern front using the railway says that their situation is a bit better than ours.”

The Allied Forces’ supply routes had been divided in two. One went through the railway while the other went by ship.

The railway that had been set up for trade with the barbarians was being used by the Allied Forces of the Western Kingdom Union stationed on the western and central sides of the Lagrium Plains.

Meanwhile, the Hebrion Imperial Army that was stationed on the eastern part of the Lagrium Plains had to be supplied by ship through the Mahayu River, and there was no doubt that it took longer than using the railway.

Consequently, the food that was being consumed by the Hebrion Imperial Army was mostly composed of foods that were easy to store.

As they continued talking to Kelt and Radoria, the Starling Party eventually forgot about the attention they were receiving and concentrated on their conversation.

*CLANG*

The sound of a shrill bell rang out.

When the bell rang three times, the soldiers seated in the hall hurriedly leaped into action and headed somewhere at break-neck speed.

Three bells.

The Starling Party had familiarised themselves with a few signals prior to arriving. And three rings of a bell meant…

‘An enemy attack.’

There was nothing more to say. Everyone dropped the food they were eating and got out of their seats.

“See you at the central command area.”

Radoria and Kelt bid the Starling Party farewell before hurriedly returning to their respective parties.

Desir spoke as he examined his party members. “We should start moving too.”

Romantica looked upset.

“It’s barely been a few hours since we’ve arrived and we’re already going to battle. Just my luck.”