Ian Oracle and Isera Hebraim, who were continuing their exploration successfully, decided to camp at a suitable location.
Camping in a dungeon was riskier than it seemed.
This was because one never knew from where monsters might suddenly appear.
Moreover, setting up camp in a dead-end could be troublesome if the entrance were blocked.
Ian and Isera chose a dead-end.
Fortunately, they were two skilled mages.
“I’m going to set up some traps.”
“Can you do it alone?”
“At times like this, you’re supposed to say, ‘Please take care of it,’ rather than asking if I can do it alone.”
When Ian nagged, Isera chuckled softly.
Even in dangerous situations, being able to share such jokes was both new and enjoyable.
“Senior, please get some rest. Menial tasks are for the junior with more years.”
“It seems like what I said earlier is bothering you.”
“No way.”
Ian cast a light spell and began retracing his steps.
He sought out places where trap magic could be laid effectively.
In magic, the method was important, but knowing where to apply it was equally significant.
‘Here should work.’
Ian touched the wall.
There were many protruding stones, which seemed perfect for discreetly hiding the magic behind them.
The trap magic was a basic 1st circle spell.
It started with a simple function that notified the caster when someone triggered the trap, and could eventually be enhanced with attack or debuff magic.
Of course, to do so, the caster’s level needed to be high.
This was similar to how Ian had imbued magic onto a magic parchment before entering the dungeon.
‘A 1st circle attack spell… I could inscribe a Lightning or Firebolt, but it’s better not to.’
A grim reaper silently approached.
If Ian thoroughly exercised his skills, he could install trap magic that couldn’t be easily deactivated.
In that case, he could prepare in advance, and if things went well, he might inflict irreversible damage on the adversary.
‘But the guy gives up quickly. It’s better to lay traps that can be dismantled easily. However, they mustn’t be too apparent. If it’s too easy, he’ll grow suspicious.’
Ian meticulously set up the traps without losing his guard.
Shoo-ng! Clank!
Wooong! Clank!
He placed two traps in succession about 100 meters from the campsite.
He then laid about five more traps thereafter.
Ian dusted off his hands and stood up straight.
‘Castro would be able to dismantle traps of this level easily,’ he thought.
When he returned to the campsite after his inspection, sleeping bags were already laid out.
Isera was already inside her sleeping bag with her eyes closed.
Being their first time camping together, her head poking out of the sleeping bag looked quite adorable.
Ian also got into his sleeping bag.
Soon, the light spell faded, and darkness surrounded them.
“How is Roche?”
With her eyes closed, Isera asked.
“He’s still at a standstill. It seems Castro has briefly gone to the base camp. He is currently alone at that crossroad.”
“Castro… he’s a man with a great hunger for glory. He won’t give up easily.”
“It would be troublesome if Sir Barth were also in cahoots with them.”
“That possibility is slim.”
“On what grounds?”
In fact, Ian also believed so.
He wanted to confirm the thoughts of Isera, who was dubbed a genius.
“Sir Barth is the one who brought in the support troops because 2-star monsters emerged from the dungeon. If Sir Barth was in league with them, it would mean that the emergence of 2-star monsters was orchestrated by someone.”
“Hmm, that’s a valid point.”
“You must have anticipated that much, right?”
“True, but when someone else voices it, it somehow puts my mind at ease.”
Isera chuckled while keeping her eyes shut.
Though it was dark, the smile was palpable.
『Human!』
That’s when Goyang’s telepathic message flowed through.
Ian slightly lifted his body.
“What’s up?”
『The bastard Castro has returned!』
“Alone?”
『For now, he’s alone.』
Ian waited for more words.
After a while, Goyang relayed Castro’s message as is.
『Roche. I’m giving you one last chance to choose. If you do not comply with my commands, you’ll pack your bags and leave. If necessary, I’ll request reinforcements from Sir Barth.』
It seemed Castro was ready to make his move.
He had no choice.
He wouldn’t have imagined that a mere commoner would firmly stand his ground while mentioning His Majesty the King.
『We shall trace those bastards and choke them.』
『Who… do you mean by those bastards?』
『Who else could it be? Obviously, it’s those two young brats. kuh.』
Laughing sneakily, Castro explained his plan.
『They will soon begin camping. Once they do, we’ll sneak over and slit their throats. If we toss them to the monsters, we can disguise it as an accident.』
『That’s ridiculous! Why should we kill them?』
Roche’s voice rose for the first time.
『It’s not up to you to decide what’s ridiculous. We are someone’s sword. We only follow orders.』
Roche remained silent.
Castro continued speaking.
『I’ve relayed a classified order to you. If you refuse, you’ll be banished back to your homeland for hearing classified information. If you’re lucky, you’ll just be banished. On your way back, you might get erased without a sound.』
The threats were escalating.
Essentially, it meant he’d kill him if he didn’t comply.
『Kuh. And would it end like that? Your family back home wouldn’t be safe either. The local lord made an effort to get you admitted, but what happens if you’re expelled for insubordination? Huh? Wouldn’t that tarnish your lord’s reputation?』
Ian’s brow furrowed.
He wanted to rush in and unleash his magic.
There was nothing more vile than someone who bullied the weak, like Castro.
“What’s wrong?”
It was Isera’s voice.
Before he knew it, she had also risen and was watching his facial change intently.
“Castro has started making a move. He’s behaving like a complete scumbag.”
“What about Roche?”
“Still no answer…”
At that moment, an unexpected thought was conveyed.
『They’ve started moving!』
This wasn’t a transmission, but Goyang’s voice.
Without further responses, it seemed Roche had decided to follow Castro after all.
“They’re coming our way.”
“Should we restrain them both?”
“No, I’m uncertain about Mr. Roche’s intentions. We’ll need to assess the situation.”
“We’re not that leisurely with time. Castro, that man… I’ve heard he’s quite skilled.”
As a senior in the Combat Studies Department, he would handle dispelling magic skillfully.
If Roche joined in, the situation might become more challenging.
The cave was narrow and winding, not exactly a favorable terrain for mages.
However, Ian remained calm.
“It’ll be okay. Let’s see how things unfold.”
Ian decided to bet on the possibility that Roche ultimately followed without verbally consenting.
And much later…
‘The trap is being dismantled.’
The trap was being deactivated very discreetly.
If they had been asleep or hadn’t taken special measures, they wouldn’t have noticed the deactivation.
“They’re 100 meters away.”
Isera rose from her place.
With her hood pulled over and her staff in hand, she stood ready.
“50 meters.”
Ian glanced at the corner ahead.
Soon, Castro and Roche emerged.
They approached with the lantern dimmed as much as possible.
However, they were unaware that Ian and Isera were targeting them with staves in hand.
Thanks to the symbol of the Department of Magic—the black robe.
“……?”
Castro halted for a moment.
Simultaneously, a light source shot towards the ceiling.
Startled, Castro readied his sword defensively.
“What, what’s this! Were you… awake?”
It was a setback.
Yet, Castro forced a smile and lowered his sword.
“I tried to surprise you, but I failed. The trap magic was too shabby.”
“I deliberately made it shabby. So you wouldn’t suspect anything.”
“What?”
Ian lifted his robe.
The staff he held began to emit a bluish glow.
It signaled the beginning of powerful magic resonance.
The same went for Isera.
In that instant, Castro sensed something was off.
“Why are you doing this, Ian Oracle? Isn’t this prank going too far?”
“Big brother. No, you’re not even worthy of being called that.”
Ian chuckled subtly and approached him.
“Castro. I know all about your schemes. So stop the tricks.”
“What? What kind of nonsense is this, you punk!”
“We know you plan to kill us. Planning to toss our bodies to the monsters for it to look like an accident?”
Castro tightly shut his mouth.
After sensing that things were going awry, he had already begun managing his expression.
He continued to act like an innocent person.
“This is crazy! Why would I kill you! Were you hexed or something? What exactly happened with the monsters? Get a grip, Ian Oracle!”
“I heard everything.”
Ian snapped his fingers.
Castro flinched.
He sensed mana beneath his feet.
“What, what’s happening!”
“Meow!”
Goyang materialized.
The creature that had been at Castro’s feet leaped-nimbly toward Ian’s side, landing gracefully.
It bristled its fur, glaring at Castro.
It was an unimaginable situation.
“Why is the cat…?”
“I had it stationed beside you all along. We heard everything, your wicked scheme.”
“Curse it! Damn!”
Castro’s arm trembled.
He hadn’t considered such a possibility.
He hadn’t imagined a mystical creature could conceal itself and erase its presence.
Of course, it was a natural oversight given that he was unaware Goyang was actually a spirit.
“Having plots to kill us? Fine, let’s say you can do that a hundred times over. But coercing a newly admitted junior, referencing his family back home, what about that? That’s cowardly.”
“Ugh!”
“Trying to become a knight representing the kingdom… it’s truly a declining world.”
Ian clicked his tongue.
Roche, who was standing a step behind, couldn’t raise his head.
He hadn’t verbally agreed to follow Castro’s orders, but just accompanying him this far was an unspoken agreement.
Ian, recognizing that expression, smiled.
“Mr. Roche! Don’t worry. You have no fault here. If there’s any fault, it’s in having such an incompetently treacherous senior.”
“Sir, baron…”
“Even if you do decide to attack me, I won’t resent you. If that’s the fate of a cadet, what choice is there? I simply hope your family back in your hometown remains safe.”
It was heartfelt.
Having lost his parents when he should have been nurtured in love, he understood the importance of family more than anyone else.
Roche, realizing this, couldn’t raise his head anymore.
Then, the situation shifted dramatically.
“I can’t watch this any longer.”
Grrroooooaaaar!
A terrifying hostility surged forth.
Ian and Isera reflexively harnessed their mana to fend off the unleashed hostility.
Razor-sharp aura flew indiscriminately.
“Kahahahaha!”
Castro revealed his true nature.
“Did you think I was a fool because I acted indulgently? You damned brats!”
He wielded his sword.
A sword aura began to form.
‘Intermediate aura… no, it’s perhaps beyond that?’
From a white glow to blue, and it continued to intensify, turning into a deep blue akin to the deep sea.
A crazed glint appeared in Castro’s eyes.
He licked his lips, murmuring,
“Remember this. This will be your final resting place.”