The Escort Knight Who Is Obsessed by the Villainess Wants to Escape - Chapter 47.1

“I will now explain the rules for today’s game, ‘Capture the Flag.'”

Gaston said.

I glared at Room 5 standing opposite us.

Beside me, I could hear heavy breathing.

It was Richard.

He was more excited than I was.

Dylan patted both Richard and me on the shoulders.

“Pay attention to the explanation. No excuses later.”

Only after being scolded did Richard and I focus on Gaston’s words.

“Each room will have 12 participants, making a total of 24. One of them will be in charge of the ‘flag’ you see here.”

On Gaston’s left and right sides were flags mounted on poles.

One was white, and the other was black.

A white flag and a black flag.

“Each room will be given a flag stand. The rule is simple: capture the opponent’s flag and place it in your room’s flag stand. The flag stand’s position cannot be changed. Similarly, only one person can carry the flag, and this cannot be changed.”

Gaston continued his explanation.

“This group training is designed with a scenario in mind where you must protect your leader while securing a specific objective. It’s not a situation that can be handled alone, so cooperation is crucial.”

“There are three conditions for victory: place the opponent’s flag in your flag stand, all opponents surrender, or all opponents become incapacitated.”

Gaston checked his wristwatch before concluding.

“Three minutes for questions. Five minutes for team meetings. Then we will begin.”

After that, various questions and answers were exchanged.

What happens if someone leaves the restricted area?

They are disqualified by the supervising instructor.

Can items other than the provided ones be used?

Disguising with trees and grass or throwing stones to create auditory confusion is allowed.

However, using sharpened wood as a spear or stones as weapons is prohibited.

“What if we attack a surrendered opponent?”

“Of course, disqualification. Attacking after a surrender declaration is also prohibited.”

“How do we know if the opponent is incapacitated?”

“You’ll have to use your judgment.”

Quite irresponsible.

And sloppy.

The more I listened, the more doubts arose.

It’s not that we haven’t had Mock battle training at the training camp.

But it was minimal.

Because the job of a Escort knight rarely involves such situations.

While it’s not bad to train for it, it’s inefficient.

It would be better to focus on other areas during that time.

‘So why are we doing such an elaborate training?’

Because of this training, all daily schedules for Rooms 13 and 5 were canceled.

Gaston even mentioned a special meal provided by Eliza.

As if performing well in this training would increase the chances of getting the special meal.

The reason for providing a special meal is simple.

To motivate the cadets.

It’s meant to give them a sense of accomplishment.

But can that motivation be decided through training far from a Escort knight’s duties?

‘Of course, they will consider other scores as well, but this feels suspicious… It’s not a lie, though.’

In hindsight, that’s not the only odd thing.

The fact that it’s a group training course handled by Gaston.

The fact that we’re facing Room 5, which includes Sallaman and Vinyl.

I don’t know how this group battle training came to be.

But if this is someone’s scheme?

A stage designed for a certain purpose?

“Question time is over.”

Now it’s time for the teams to gather for a meeting.

I played the role of a listener.

I had nothing to say.

I don’t know much about this area.

I’m not particularly quick-witted.

The main speakers were Dylan.

And several senior cadets, including him.

Meanwhile, Richard, like me, stood a step back in silence.

Our eyes met.

We smiled simultaneously.

“…That guy…”

It was a bond between two similar blockheads.

After several exchanges, a conclusion was reached.

“The tactics we will use are simple,” Dylan decisively summarized.

“We combine our forces so they don’t disperse.”

The reason was clear.

“The opponent is much stronger than us, both as a group and individually.”

Room 5 is among the top in the entire training camp.

Their individual capabilities are clearly superior to those in our Room 13.

There might not be any lower-ranked trainees like Vinyl.

“If our already weak forces disperse, we’ll be easy to defeat one by one. We must stay together and maintain a defensive formation as much as possible.”

It was a correct and obvious answer.

So it felt even stranger.

The battlefield is a plain.

Although the forest with its trees and grass is within the area, we would only enter it to escape.

We haven’t learned to engage the enemy while navigating complex terrain.

Therefore, our tactics would essentially be a direct confrontation in the field.

‘What’s the point of this training?’

It seemed to have another purpose besides training.

Today’s training is planned and led by Gaston.

He’s targeting me.

And Room 5.

They are presumed to be under Gaston’s command.

‘So, are they trying to use this test as an excuse to do something to me?’

For now, it’s the most plausible hypothesis.

‘I must be careful to avoid any incidents.’

I had a reason to focus as much as possible in the upcoming fight.

I couldn’t just stand by and let it happen.

Despite my doubts, the meeting continued.

“The person carrying the flag cannot be changed, so it should be someone fast.”

Dylan looked alternately at two people.

One was Lindel.

And Dyke.

The two fastest runners in our room.

“Dyke, you take it.”

A brief look of disappointment crossed Lindel’s face.

“Alright. I’ll do it.”

“If the situation becomes critical, you’ll need to run away. Since you can’t escape alone, someone has to follow you…”

“I’ll go,”

Argon volunteered, raising his hand.

Everyone agreed with that opinion.

He’s the third fastest runner after Dyke and Lindel and also has great combat ability.

In contrast, Lindel is somewhat lacking in combat strength.

I glanced elsewhere for a moment.

The small figure of Eliza visible in the distance.

‘She came to watch today even though it might be hard to see. She didn’t need to come… Not that she came to see me, anyway.’

…But why does it look like her eyes are shining?

Did she use magic?

“…Da, Judas!”

“Huh? Oh, I’m sorry.”

“You’re at the forefront.”

“Yes… What?”

I quickly regained my sense of reality.

I looked around at Dylan and the others and asked again.

“Me?”

Dylan answered.

“You and Senior Richard will be at the front. You’re the only one in our room who can use magic. I’ll coordinate the overall situation from the center.”

“But I can’t control it at will.”

“We have to rely on that possibility now. We have no other choice.”

He was right.

We are at a serious disadvantage.

“But if you’re really uncomfortable or can’t do it…”

“No. I’ll do it.”

I want to win even if it means taking risks.

I had no choice but to agree with Dylan.

You never know what might happen.

If you fight hard and get beaten up at the front, you might be able to use magic.

Dylan smiled, seemingly reassured.

“Thank you.”

Even though we are at the front, we are not far from the back row.

We have to be close.

There are only 12 of us.

During the remaining meeting, I simulated in my head.

The lessons and techniques learned from fighting Gawain.

The advice not to rely on the sword.

For example, using long legs for control, as effective as the sword.

Richard spoke solemnly for the last time.

“Kill them all and come back.”

Today, even Dylan did not argue with that.

He just gave a small laugh and added.

“Let’s kill them.”

By then, Gaston announced.

“Meeting time is over. Everyone to your positions.”

***

Mock battle training began.

Confirming this, Gaston gave instructions to the other knights.

“Keep a close watch. I will oversee everything from afar.”

Except for Gawain, all knights at the training camp are equal.

At least, officially.

There is a subtle hierarchy among them.

Gaston is in the higher ranks.

Hence, he has the authority to command.

“Yes.”

The other knights agreed without objection.

His words were not wrong.

A knight proficient in using magic can oversee the entire battlefield from a distance.

After giving his orders, Gaston moved away from the battle zone.

After passing through the open field, a dense forest appeared quickly.

Gaston continued into the forest.

He went quite far.

The quiet and serene forest was somewhat dark.

He suddenly stopped and spoke to the air.

“It’s time. Start preparing for the sniping.”

Then, someone appeared from behind the trees.

Wearing a loose robe that reached the ankles and a hood pulled down deeply, the figure looked suspicious at a glance.

But the long wooden staff in hand revealed his identity.

He was a mage that Gaston had brought for today.

The mage asked in a timid voice.

“If I solve this, you will really clear my old debt, right?”

“How many times do I have to tell you? Just get it done properly.”

“Alright….”

Grumbling, the mage followed Gaston.

He walked back in the direction where the candidates were fighting.

“Here.”

Gaston finally stopped.

It was a spot he had scouted for sniping.

The end of the wooded hill looked more like a low cliff.

In the distance, the candidates fighting fiercely were visible.

It seemed the battle had just begun.

“Black hair, golden eyes. Looks as I described last time. Can you recognize him?”

“Hmm…. I see him right there.”

Despite the distance, the mage spotted Judas immediately.

He was currently the most fiercely fighting candidate.

“When things get more chaotic and confusing, aim for an arm or a leg.”

“Yes, yes.”

“Just to confirm, are you sure Eliza won’t notice?”

“Yes, as I’ve told you several times. This magic was developed specifically for long-range assassination sniping. I’ve used it several times on the front lines.”

“This is not something to be complacent about.”

“You worry too much. Judging by the recent stories, Eliza seems like a pretty good mage …. But still, she’s just newly awakened.”

The mage shrugged with a relaxed smile.

“It’s almost impossible to detect from this distance. And even if she does notice, what can she do now? How would she get here? Unless she can teleport long distances, that is.”

“Hmm.”

“If that’s really possible, it would be a monster. One that would rewrite the history of magic.”

The mage asserted.

Gaston decided to believe him.

Although he was a lazy, gambling addict, his skills as a mage were unquestionable.

Eliza had expected Judas to show up, but she was still surprised when he did.

However, there was no need to worry.

No matter how skilled Eliza was, she would never know about the sniper prepared for today.

The two held their breath, waiting for the right moment.

The wait wasn’t long.

In many ways.