Meanwhile, on Group Seven's side…
"If you go through the main gate, it's dangerous. Follow me."
Rick led Simon and Camibarez toward a stable at the outskirts of Kizen.
"Kevin! You there?"
He knocked twice. A moment later, the door creaked open, revealing a middle-aged man with sun-tanned skin and a relaxed grin.
"Oh, Rick. Heading out again today?"
"Yeah. Plans changed." Rick jerked a thumb behind him. "Friends are coming along this time."
With a flick of his fingers, Rick tossed a coin. Kevin caught it smoothly without even looking.
His grin widened. "Right this way, dear customers!"
Simon and Camibarez exchanged puzzled looks as they stepped inside.
It wasn't just horses. Massive skeletal horses occupied several stalls, their hollow eye sockets glowing faintly.
One of them snorted.
Camibarez immediately jolted and hid behind Simon.
"U-Uwah…!"
Kevin chuckled and guided them toward a straw-covered corner.
"Over here."
It looked like an empty patch of floor.
"I'll go first." Rick stepped forward.
The straw-covered ground suddenly sank.
Rick vanished.
"Huh?! Rick?!" A voice echoed from below.
"Down here!"
Simon and Camibarez stared at each other.
Then, cautiously—
They stepped forward.
The ground gave way.
"Wah—!"
Both of them dropped into a tunnel beneath the stable.
Rick stood there with arms spread wide, lantern light dancing across his smug smile.
"Welcome to the secret route out of school."
Simon looked around, impressed.
"…I had no idea this place existed."
Rick smirked. "Huhu. Only those in the know, know."
Above them, Kevin carefully sealed the entrance with straw again.
"Alright," Rick said, turning forward. "Let's move before it gets any later."
"Yes."
"Mhm."
They proceeded in single file.
Rick pulled a lantern from subspace, lighting the narrow passage.
"Watch your head."
At first, they could walk hunched. Then crouching.
Eventually—
They had to crawl.
"…Cami."
"Yes?"
"Want to switch positions?"
She blinked. "Why?"
Their eyes met.
Simon instantly turned his head away. "…Never mind."
Rick, crawling behind them, snickered quietly.
Camibarez only tilted her head in confusion.
Before long, Rick tapped the ceiling.
A dull thud. The earth above shifted like a lid. Moonlight spilled down.
Rick climbed out first, then helped Camibarez and Simon up.
"…We're really outside."
In the distance, the towering walls of Kizen stood beneath the evening sky.
Rick sealed the exit behind them, carefully camouflaging it with dirt.
"Well then. I'm heading to Rochester."
"Got it."
"Be careful, Rick!"
Rick waved lazily and disappeared down the road.
Simon and Camibarez turned toward the Forbidden Forest.
Night fell quickly. Under the full moon, darkness pooled between the trees. Insects chirred. Owls called.
Simon glanced sideways. She's… enjoying this?
Camibarez wandered lightly ahead, eyes sparkling.
She crouched to inspect flowers. Sniffed the soil. Her movements were lively, almost playful.
"Night walks are so fun!"
Simon blinked. Right. Vampire.
"You like the night?"
"Yes!"
Hands behind her back, she turned with a bright smile.
"The night feels cozy."
"…Does it?"
He didn't quite understand, but nodded anyway.
As they walked, Camibarez spoke again.
"This is a bit late, but… thank you for helping me during Magical Combat class."
"Oh. The hippo incident?"
"Yes…"
She fidgeted slightly.
"I couldn't climb up. I panicked… and everyone pretended not to see."
Her eyes lifted toward him.
"Only you reached out, Simon."
"I just did what anyone would."
Camibarez shook her head firmly. "That's exactly what's amazing!"
Simon scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"…Is that so?"
Soon—
"There."
Simon pointed ahead.
Lehark mushrooms clustered thickly beneath the oak tree.
Camibarez gasped.
"They really are Lehark mushrooms!"
"Let's harvest everything. No idea how many we'll need."
"Okay!"
Within minutes, the box was full.
Simon sealed it and stored it safely in subspace.
"That was faster than expected."
"Yeah."
They turned back.
Then—
"Oh! Simon, what made you come to Kizen in the first place?"
"Hm…"
Simon thought briefly.
"At first? My parents' decision."
"Ah…"
"But after enrolling… I started forming my own goals."
Summonology. Necromancy. Legion. Friends.
"…What about you, Cami—"
Simon suddenly froze. His arm shot out. Stopping her.
"What's wrong?"
"Hide."
Without hesitation, Simon grabbed her wrist and pulled her behind a tree.
Lantern lights flickered in the distance.
Voices.
Footsteps.
Camibarez's face drained of color.
"T-Those are Kizen's wardens…!"
"Wardens?"
"They patrol the surroundings and control monster populations. If we're caught…"
She swallowed hard.
"…We won't get away cleanly."
Woof! Woof!
Hunting dogs emerged between the trees.
Simon narrowed his eyes.
That timing's too perfect. Not routine. Not coincidence.
But—
Think later. Escape first.
Camibarez trembled beside him.
"W-What do we do…?"
"Cami. Look at me."
Simon turned her firmly by the shoulders.
Fearful eyes met his steady gaze.
"We're getting out of this." His voice was calm.
"Trust me. Follow my lead. Eyes on my back. Just run."
Camibarez bit her lip. Then nodded.
Simon released her.
His fingers tapped the skull-shaped badge on his uniform. "Pier. Please respond."
A blue flame ignited inside the skull's eye socket.
[Hmm? Did you call me, boy?]
Simon's expression hardened as lantern lights drew closer.
"…Looks like things just got messy."
He stared into the approaching glow.
Then spoke quietly—
"It's time for the Legion to move out."
The lights of the wardens were drawing closer. Hunting dogs, noses to the ground, tightened the encirclement.
Come out.
Simon summoned a skeleton from subspace. He ordered it to halt, then made it lie down in the grass.
"Cami, this way."
Simon grabbed the trembling Camibarez's wrist and lowered his stance. After a lantern's light swept past, he pulled her from behind the tree and dashed toward a broad boulder.
Then he summoned another skeleton from subspace and made it lie down. Currently, Simon could control up to two skeletons at once.
I have to use everything I've got.
As he scooped up stones from the ground and stashed them into subspace, Simon's eyes moved restlessly, recording as much situational data as possible.
How many wardens there were. How many carried lanterns. What weapons they held. The breed and behavior of the hunting dogs. The terrain. The direction of the wind. The sound of the stream running through the valley.
Right now, the wind was at their backs, confusing the dogs — but it could change at any moment.
It was time to make a decisive move.
Now!
Simon's eyes snapped open. The skeleton lying beneath the tree sprang up and began to run.
"Over there!"
The wardens reacted immediately, and the hunting dogs barked loudly as they gave chase.
"Only half of you pursue! The rest, keep advancing!"
"The other dogs are still tracking the scent!"
True to their reputation as professional hunters, they weren't so easily fooled. Simon immediately sent the skeleton crouched by the boulder running.
"That one's real!"
"Get it!"
Wardens and hunters rushed toward it.
"K=Cami, run!"
This was the moment. Simon and Camibarez, who had been hiding behind the boulder, turned and sprinted away.
We didn't shake them completely. Some are still on our trail.
While running frantically, Simon glanced back. Several wardens were indeed pursuing them.
"Hang in there, Cami!"
"Yes!"
Ruff! Ruff!
The dogs, having caught their scent, tore through the grass and closed in rapidly. No matter how fast a person runs, they can't outrun a dog.
"Cami! Use any haematology spell you've got! Throw it toward the dogs!"
"Got it!"
Even as she ran, Camibarez cast black magic. A small magic circle bloomed at the tip of her index finger, and crimson blood burst forth.
She twisted at the waist and flung her arm backward, scattering blood infused with Darkness across the grass.
Ruff! Ruff ruff ruff!
Grrrrrrr!
The scent of vampire blood was overwhelmingly potent — so much so that it was even used in high-end perfumes.
Driven wild by the rich aroma, the dogs thrashed violently, tearing at the grass. Seizing the chance, Simon and Camibarez widened the gap.
Thump! Thump!
Their hearts pounded from the strain. Simon worried about Camibarez's stamina, but she desperately kept pace.
"There they are!"
Lantern light swept across their backs. At the same time, bowstrings tightened.
Thwack!
Thunk!
Arrows flew past and struck the ground, making Camibarez let out a short scream.
"T-They're really shooting at us! What do we do?!"
"It's fine."
Simon's voice remained calm.
"They've seen our uniforms. Underlings wouldn't dare injure a Kizen student."
Just as Simon said, the arrows landed well away from their path. It was clearly warning fire.
"Those bastards…!"
"Stop! I said stop!"
Would you allow yourself to be captured?
Simon smirked and pulled an imaginary lever.
Thooom!
Subspace opened beneath the ground, and the stones he had stored earlier burst forth at maximum output. It was nothing more than a barrage of rocks, yet the charging wardens halted, mistaking it for black magic, and took defensive positions.
"Cami, this way!"
"Yes!"
Thanks to Simon's quick thinking, they bought themselves a little more time.
Though it seemed like aimless running, Simon had been following the sound of water. At last, they reached the valley.
Damn.
A cliff.
Below the steep drop, the valley floor stretched quietly, while the opposite side loomed far away.
"Cami! Do you remember the leaping technique from Magical Combat? Can you use it?"
Her face turned pale.
She shut her eyes tightly and shook her head.
She was one of the two students who had failed to clear the cliff during training.
Ruff! Ruff!
No time to hesitate. Dogs and lantern lights closed in.
"Simon… it's okay."
Camibarez forced a smile and pushed against his chest.
"Go. Even if I'm caught, I won't say anything about you…"
"Pardon me."
In one swift motion, Simon swept her into his arms and dashed forward.
The sensation of trampling Darkness!!
BOOOOM!
Black smoke exploded from beneath his feet as Simon launched into the air.
Below — a sheer drop.
Above — a massive full moon.
The icy wind against his face. The thrill of emptiness beneath him.
For a fleeting moment, Simon felt exhilarated. Then gravity reclaimed him.
SPLASH!
He barely cleared the edge, landing hard on the opposite side.
Simon hurried down the slope and gently set Camibarez down. Both of them dropped low to the ground.
"Where are they?!"
"Gone!"
Lantern lights swept overhead. After several tense minutes, they finally receded.
"Let's check that way."
"Move! They couldn't have gone far!"
Ruff! Ruff! Ruff!
Gradually, the lights and barking faded into the distance. Only then did Simon release a long breath.
"Whew… Cami, are you okay?"
Camibarez looked dazed. When her eyes met Simon's, tears welled up.
"What's wrong? Are you hurt?"
Simon sat up in alarm, but she shook her head.
"I really thought we were going to be caught… Thank you. Thank you for saving me…"
Her composure shattered, and she burst into sobs. Simon silently patted her shoulder.
She was that terrified… and still told me to run?
He felt he understood her a little better.
After some time, Camibarez calmed down. The two stood and brushed the dirt from their uniforms.
"Let's head back. We'll have to take a detour to avoid the wardens. Is that okay?"
"Yes."
And so, they once again began walking through the forest shrouded in darkness.
They chose not to light their lanterns. The risk of encountering monsters or wardens remained. Fortunately, the moon was bright.
About an hour passed.
…Where are we?
They had wandered deeper into the forest than expected.
The atmosphere grew increasingly eerie. The trees towered overhead, their dense leaves swallowing the moonlight. From time to time, pairs of glowing eyes appeared and vanished. A distant, chilling cry echoed through the woods.
Even Camibarez, a vampire, clutched Simon's sleeve uneasily.
The map is in my head… but I don't recognize this place.
Had they been bewitched?
No matter how far they walked, it felt like they were going in circles.
We're exhausted… and our body temperature keeps dropping.
"…Simon."
Camibarez's voice trembled.
"Don't you hear something?"
"Owls?"
"No."
She pressed closer.
"…People."
Simon focused his hearing.
Sure enough…
A voice. Faint. Repetitive.
-@$%@^Have mercy upon us.
-$톰íRemove our fate… Almighty Mother…
"…Cami?"
Simon flinched.
Camibarez was crying.
"…We have to run."