NOVEL NEXT Chapter 89: All Against One [2]
Gerhard silently looked at Luina. Her bright, eager eyes weakened his resolve.
He didn't want to do it. He really didn't want to, but...
'If Luina wants it.'
If that would keep the downfall a little further away.
"Alright."
After all, this was the surest way to make Luina the top student as well.
"Since you've chosen me, trust me completely. Then I'll lead you to victory."
He was confident. After all, he could roughly estimate who would become the leader in the other groups.
"Good, leader. What should we do first? Strengthen our defenses?"
"We don't do such trivial things."
Gerhard spread out the map to check the positions of the other groups.
"We'll immediately send messengers to Groups 2 and 4."
A person accustomed to standing above others.
A person with experience in commanding an actual army.
Thus, the person with the most advantage in this exam.
"We'll eliminate Rudger Schwaben first."
Common enemies should be dealt with as quickly as possible.
Together with others.
***
As Gerhard had predicted, the representative of Group 1 was Rudger Schwaben.
"We trust Your Highness."
Aside from Almon, he was the highest-ranked, he was a prince.
And since he was accustomed to handling others and had experience commanding the knight order, there was no better choice than him.
"Yes, trust me."
Rudger also accepted this as natural.
"I will certainly win."
He didn't even consider the possibility of defeat.
He had been caught off guard by Gerhard once during the practice, but that was only because it was a completely unexpected strike.
Now that the blade was exposed, there was nothing he couldn't win against.
"First, we'll send scouts to observe the situation of other groups and strengthen our base defenses."
In a situation where four groups were eyeing each other warily, the side that moved hastily first had the highest possibility of being targeted first.
Rudger began to contemplate plans to devour the groups one by one, slowly.
"Set up traps around the perimeter."
Various supplies for field operations were also at the base. About thirty minutes passed like this.
"Your Highness, it's urgent! Group 2 is rushing towards us!"
"How many?"
"It looks like about 30 people."
"It seems they're all coming this way except for minimal defenses."
Almon said, and Rudger nodded. At that moment, students who had gone to scout the other groups began to arrive one after another.
"Dozens from Group 3 are heading this way!"
"Group 4 is the same!"
"This is..."
The students swallowed their groans. Unless one was a fool, no one would fail to understand what this meant.
"They've formed an alliance?"
Rudger laughed hollowly.
He instantly realized who had orchestrated this.
"...Gerhard Goldenheim. Our minds were aligned."
He had also intended to eliminate the Gerhard and Luina pair first, but he'd been beaten to the punch.
"What should we do, Your Highness?"
"What else? We resist."
Even though they had formed an alliance, he had no intention of submitting tamely.
And resisting wasn't impossible either.
Although they were three groups, they had left some behind for minimal defense of their bases.
Those coming this way were roughly about 90 people.
Compared to Group 1's total of 50 people, it was almost twice as many, but they weren't without advantages.
"We've spent 30 minutes setting up some traps. They're not properly coordinated regular troops, so we can hold out to some extent if we need to."
"But isn't that just delaying defeat?"
"That's why we need to attack, not just defend. Almon."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Rudger spread out the map and pointed to Group 4.
"Only a ragtag bunch will be left at their base. Can you sneak in and steal their flag?"
"It doesn't seem impossible. But wouldn't it be too disadvantageous if I leave? Especially since I'm the only one who can stop Luina."
"Don't worry. Gerhard used this method because he knows me well, but I know Gerhard too."
Rudger smiled.
"Gerhard and Luina won't give it their all. The same goes for Gert and Neria. So, holding out is quite manageable."
"I understand. But why Group 4 instead of Group 2?"
Distance-wise, Group 2 was closer. Given the numerical disadvantage and uncertainty about how long they could hold out, he wondered if it wouldn't be better to reduce one more group as quickly as possible.
"Simple. Because Carlo is in Group 2."
"You don't mean...?"
Instead of answering, Rudger gave a faint smile.
Shortly after, before the alliance could raid Group 1's base, Almon had already slipped away.
***
Meanwhile, Gerhard, who had incited the students to attack Group 1, secretly instructed Luina.
"Luina, if we arrive and the battle unfolds as planned, don't give it your all. Just go through the motions."
"What do you mean 'if'? Are you saying the battle might not happen? And what do you mean by 'go through the motions'?"
"You'll find out the answer to the first question when we get there. And for the second, if that happens, we shouldn't end the battle quickly."
After finishing off Rudger's Group 1, what would be the next target? Gerhard thought there was a nine out of ten chance it would be him.
There were many reasons. Gerhard's rising grades, Luina Berchef's excellence, and the fact that he was the one who orchestrated this, among others.
The students weren't fools and would think about what came after finishing Group 1.
But the same went for Gerhard.
So he planned to buy time to allow Rudger to do something. To let the other groups suffer more damage.
"...Such a cowardly..."
"There's no such thing as cowardice in battle, Luina. Only victory."
Just as there's no bad money in this world, only good money.
"Will you be a cowardly top student, or a righteous last place? Choose."
"...Right... no, cow... ugh."
"You should become the top student. Isn't that the most important first step to becoming a Royal Knight?"
"...I will be victorious."
Luina bit her lip forcefully.
"Yes, remember, Luina. Victory is justice."
"..."
"This is an item of atonement for asking a righteous knight to do something not so righteous."
"...Kraken ink chocolate?"
"A luxury item."
She brought one chocolate to her mouth. Her gloomy expression instantly turned to happiness.
"No matter the process, victory will be as sweet as this."
"...Yes, you don't have to go that far. I'll do it."
Good.
Gerhard smiled.