'Someday, please save Yenika.'
What suddenly comes to mind is a message from a high-ranking wind spirit guarding the forest.
Receiving such a message out of the blue would naturally lead one to question many things.
How do you know what will happen to Yenika? You don't have knowledge of the story's flow like I do.
Also, what exactly do you mean by asking me to save her?
Are you suggesting I throw everything away, including my understanding of future events, and just charge into the student council building to confront Velosfer? Do you think that's even feasible?
Or are you asking me to preemptively read every thought of that person, controlling all variables like a god, to ensure Yenika leads a happy life, diverging from the predetermined path? There's a limit to unreasonable demands.
Merilda isn't a fool.
Lucy Mayrill, who can actually communicate, is right there, yet you chose to send this message to me. There must be a reason, considering you've observed my every move in the forest.
Unfortunately, trying to deduce your intentions right now is neither simple nor particularly meaningful.
There are too many issues that need resolving. I don't have the luxury to focus on minor details.
With so many hardships in the world, there's no need to deliberately seek out the impossible.
People who end up breaking their heads against impossible tasks usually do so because they didn't realize those tasks were impossible.
Having cleared 'Sylvania's Failing Sword Saint' countless times, assessed the abilities of various characters and enemies, and experimented with different concept plays, I can say attempting to defeat Tarkan now is like challenging the realm of the impossible.
Tarkan, the third named boss in the final chapter of act 1 of 'Sylvania's Failing Sword Saint', is a high-ranking fire spirit.
Even without the berserk buff applied by Velosfer, Tarkan's natural abilities put him at a tremendous advantage, especially against magic. His thick shell neutralizes almost all magic-based attacks upon contact. And it's not like physical attacks are any more effective, making the situation seem utterly unfair. Anyone who has played the game knows that this boss wasn't designed to be overcome by sheer stats or strategy alone.
Ultimately, Tarkan's role is that of an event boss. He was created to necessitate the use of 'Elemental Slash', a skill recently acquired by Taely, as dictated by the narrative's needs.
These games always guide you into situations where newly introduced skills or elements must be used. It's funny to think about adding a feature and not introducing it through the storyline, but in the end, it means facing a challenge without the necessary key.
Obviously, that's an impossible situation."
"What's inside there?"
"Nothing much. It's not exactly essential, but it's good to have."
"Is that so?"
Zix asked as he looked at the leather pouch I had taken out from the reading room, but there wasn't enough time to explain, so I just tucked it into my pocket and crossed the hallway.
When facing a situation where the impossible must be made possible, the methodology must also be sought outside the realm of the ordinary. If a door is locked, one must find a way through the back door.
Isn't this a twist in the scenario that was smoothly flowing until now? A stance where I conveniently pick and choose what benefits me from the set flow must be shelved for now.
Now is the time to correct the course of a scenario that has strayed from the original narrative, entering a realm requiring quick thinking and adaptability.
Had there been more time, perhaps a simpler solution could have been found. After all, I am well versed in all the development elements present in 'Sylvania's Failing Sword Saint', with time increasingly becoming my ally.
But given the current circumstances, it's down to utilizing what I have at my disposal. That methodology inevitably boils down to the privilege I alone enjoy in this world, 'information superiority'.
Fortunately, a suitable method did come to mind.
As ridiculous as it may seem, it was the most reliable method.
"I'm sorry for being late. I will certainly pay for my sins."
"It's okay. Even with Zix here, we were bound to retreat."
The moment we faced the subjugation team was sooner than expected.
Since I couldn't possibly enter the student council building carrying Elka, I had to leave her at the encampment in the student plaza in front of it. Rushing there due to the urgent situation, I found, to my surprise, that all members of the subjugation team had already returned to the student plaza.
The situation was dire.
"We managed to retreat successfully, by sheer luck…"
Princess Phoenia looked up at the vast night sky. The hue of the Glascan summoning circle was already completely darkened, indicating the summoning ritual could be completed at any moment.
The barrier around the faculty building was still intact, making external assistance seem unlikely.
"If we've come this far, it's a situation where we must re-enter, whether it makes us or breaks us."
Time is not an ally. Seeing the summoning circle spread across the sky, no one could suggest waiting for further help. Especially since we had already wasted precious time retreating once.
I surveyed the surroundings to assess how far we had progressed, where we had been halted, and the extent of the damage.
The members gathered at the student plaza encampment were dazzling. Main characters who would play their roles until the end of the storyline had gathered like a comprehensive gift set.
Taely, the Failed Sword Saint; Aila, his companion; Phoenia, the princess of benevolence; Lortelle, the Golden Daughter; Zix, the Spear of Foliage; Claire, the Guard Captain; Clevius, Gloomy; Elvira, the meddler…
All bearing various degrees of wounds, with Captain Claire's situation being particularly severe—a leg completely burnt and injured, rendering him ineffective as a force.
And Clevius had a splint on one arm, indicating a fracture, significantly diminishing his value as a combatant.
Nonetheless, Taely seemed to be in relatively good shape. Acknowledging this, I moved on to strategize the progression of the scenario.
At that moment, Claire, barely standing, suggested, "If we plan to re-enter, perhaps gathering volunteers from the students would be better. Once the pain in my leg subsides, I'll quickly join…"
"No, Claire, rest at the base," I interjected.
Claire shook his head, "Princess Phoenia, if you truly care for me, please retract your order."
"You can barely walk, Claire. I… I have a heart too," Phoenia responded.
From her tone, it was clear that Claire, a skilled captain, had sustained such injuries while protecting Princess Phoenia. Despite her firm exterior, Phoenia's heart was undoubtedly in turmoil. Yet, her resolve did not waver, highlighting that it takes more than just willpower to overcome the crisis at hand. Actual capabilities are required.
Looking around, I noted the central student plaza, surrounded by Neris Hall, Obel Hall, and the Student Union Building. Among these, Gluckt Hall was in ruins, a testament to our advancement through phase 2, only to be met with defeat by Tarkan in phase 3. Although we managed to retreat successfully, too much time was lost, and significant forces, including Claire, were diminished. With Clevius, the top combat student of the first year, also severely injured, our power was substantially reduced.
Time was not on our side, and with our forces weakened, the nearing completion of the summoning circle meant external help was unlikely. We couldn't just stand by, but without a solid plan, victory was uncertain.
Princess Phoenia, clenched her teeth, faced with the responsibility of command.
"Let's split the subjugation team," I suggested abruptly, seizing control of the strategy in the grim atmosphere compounded by the return of injured ace members.
"The state of the summoning circle indicates it will be complete very soon. We don't have the luxury of time to defeat Tarkan," I declared, addressing the urgency for an alternate approach.
Clevius, grimacing in pain, started to object, but before he could finish, Zix, the Spear of Foliage, cut him off, "Let's at least hear what he has to say, Clevius."
Everyone's attention shifted to me, especially after Zix, who had been hostile towards me up until our library encounter, now appeared to advocate for my participation. The sudden change in his demeanor left the group uneasy, pondering what had transpired between us.
"I propose using Tarkan's reliance on sound and touch over sight to our advantage. By creating a distraction, one team could draw Tarkan away while another advances to the combat training grounds," I suggested, outlining a strategy to circumvent a direct confrontation which had previously led to our defeat.
Lortelle, having personally battled Tarkan, objected, "That might have worked before, but Tarkan, under Velosfer's frenzy spell, is not the same enemy."
Acknowledging her point, I emphasized, "It's not about engaging Tarkan directly but bypassing him to confront Velosfer and Yenika at the training grounds. With the team we have, we stand a chance."
This was a gamble, leveraging our unique strengths against the specific weaknesses of our foes. The ultimate phase wasn't just about brute force; it required cunning and adaptability.
Despite the risks, our mission remained clear: to prevent Yenika's manipulation by Velosfer. Silence fell over the group, the weight of the situation sinking in. Though reluctant to align with my perspective, no one could deny the absence of a viable alternative.
"In the face of no other options, we must not forget our primary goal, Princess Phoenia. It's not about defeating Tarkan but stopping Velosfer and saving Yenika," I reiterated, securing a begrudging consensus.
The decision was made. Despite the overwhelming odds, we prepared to divide and confront the imminent threat, fueled by a shared determination to alter the course of fate.
The punitive force can indeed deal with the full power of the enemy. The key is Taely's Swordsman Ceremony. With suitable personnel to back it up, that would be enough.
"Ed Rothtaylor."
Princess Phoenia's eyes are fixed on me, though she's not looking her best.
Various variables and situations must have cornered her.
Perhaps after rolling on the dirt floor, the hem of her dress, which once gleamed with luster, is now soiled, torn here and there. The tips of her silky hair are singed by Tarkan's flames. A grim trace of battle.
Physically and emotionally cornered, she sternly looks into my eyes once more.
"It's you again…"
"Given the urgency, I'll keep it short."
The surroundings are already filled with the whispers of the students. What is that person doing speaking so arrogantly, or that following Ed Rothtaylor's opinion is insanity, like declaring a collective death wish. Stories that don't even need to be elaborated on.
"I never lie."
However, they are not the final decision-makers. The only one qualified as the ruler of this hastily established garrison is one and only.
After staring at me for a long while, Princess Phoenia… as if lost in thought for a moment, finally nodded.
"Regardless of the intention, there's nothing incorrect in what you've said."
A decision quietly handed down.
"Princess Phoenia! Are you saying we're following his opinion now? This person is Ed Rothtaylor!"
"Quiet, Claire. I'm not just following Ed Rothtaylor's opinion, I'm following a 'valid argument'. He has certainly presented a sufficient one."
Princess Phoenia finally addressed the members surrounding the garrison.
"At this moment, there's no way to defeat Tarkan. What is certain, however, is that if we suppress the spirit wielder Yenika, Tarkan will be neutralized as well. We just need to decide on something critical…"
"Who will stand against Tarkan."
Amidst the silent approval that punctuated the core issue, an awkward silence briefly fell over the group.
"Aha… So we're essentially picking someone with a death wish."
"Watch your language, Elvira."
"Oh my, my apologies, Your Highness."
Even amidst her battered state, the meddlesome 'Interfering Elvira' quickly shut her mouth when scolded by the princess.
"Belonging to one side doesn't guarantee more safety. We're up against high-ranking dark and fire spirits, you know."
Yes.
From their perspective, entering the combat training area without confronting Tarkan wouldn't necessarily be any safer.
In fact, from my standpoint, which knows everything, Tarkan's side is more dangerous.
Taely needs to master 'Elemental Cutting' against Tarkan, who's been prepared as an adversary due to its inherently overwhelming favorable attributes.
However, the high-ranking dark spirit Velosfer is merely a 'strong adversary'.
It's not an enemy that depends on a 'specific strategy' but the archetypal final boss that must be confronted with the abilities and strategies at hand.
Current circumstances make Tarkan absurdly unreasonable. It's a lock to be opened without a key, as I mentioned earlier.
But Velosfer is merely a complex labyrinth… Given the strength of this group of members, they can sufficiently unravel it with effort.
"But… I really don't want to confront that salamander!"
Clevius, with his cowardly tendency, lamented so.
"I…! I want to! Put me in the battle training ground entry team! Suppressing senior Yenika is more important, they said!"
Exactly. The biggest difference between Tarkan and Velosfer at this point is the palpable fear they inspire.
A tension spread among the group. The princess, who could not stop Clevius' ominous statement, momentarily felt the horror of facing Tarkan once more.
The unknown opponent not yet faced and an adversary who once defeated them in a rout.
At this point, it was clear the psychological fear bestowed by Tarkan was far more formidable.
Velosfer, with an enraged buff, was a high-ranking fire spirit Tarkan, roaring and swinging its tail, smashing the pillars of the corridor, and rampaging in flames… It's natural no one wants to face it again.
Not one person volunteered for Tarkan's punitive team.
Tension circulated among the group. Someone had to take responsibility.
"I'll stay behind."
The first to raise his hand was Taely McLore.
"Don't talk nonsense."
I dismissed Taely's opinion without even a second's delay.
"What did you say..?"
Taely's eyes still held animosity towards me. It couldn't be helped.
"You wouldn't last a minute against that salamander even if you came back to life. You couldn't hold out for one minute."
"… There's no guarantee that anyone else could do it. If we must choose someone to be discarded, it should be me. That's logical."
Taely looked around. At the student plaza garrison in the center, surrounded by a dazzling array of members. Not something you see every day.
Among them is the one underclassman at risk of failure. Like a goose among a flock of swans.
No matter how much he's trained by now, he can't overcome the overwhelming difference in specs.
"My legs are quick. I don't know how long I can run, but if someone must be sacrificed, it should be me."
"You're mistaken. We're not choosing someone to be sacrificed."
I grabbed Taely by the shoulder and turned him around. Pushed aside by me, he was engulfed back into the crowd.
"Stop messing around and get inside. You're absolutely on the combat training ground entry team."
And then, I looked straight at Princess Phoenia.
"I have an ingenious plan. I can bind Tarkan's feet until the main force suppresses Yenika."
"What is it?"
"Do we have time to explain? Because that would be… extremely long."
If you look at the sky, the color of the Glascan summoning ritual no longer shows signs of changing. Dyed in an utterly dark red, it looks ready to release a catastrophe like Glascan at any moment.
"There's no need to split the punitive force in half. Just give me two. One to lead the vanguard, and another for firepower."
I stopped talking there.
"What… what? Are you telling me to stay and deal with Tarkan, following Ed Rothtaylor?! Who in their right mind would do such a thing?! Instead of praying to the gods! I'd run to the edge of the barrier before trusting and following you…!"
"The vanguard should be that noisy Clevius."
"What? Why! Why me! Why! I'm sorry! I've done wrong! I don't want to die!"
"Oh for… He's so loud! Stupid Clevius!"
Unable to listen anymore, the meddlesome Elvira shouted and stuffed the cloth used for sealing alchemy potions into Clevius' mouth, who gagged but could only intermittently scream.
"Firepower will be… Lortelle. You stay."
"Me?"
The Golden Daughter, Lortelle, looked surprised.
"Don't you know, I've been decisively defeated by Tarkan before even without the enraging magic?"
"What does that mean at this point? Who here can defeat Tarkan one-on-one anyway?"
"Well, that's true, but um…"
Lortelle said with a slight smile.
"I value my own life, you know. In such a situation, wouldn't it be natural for anyone to politely refuse? Even if it's not that foolish Clevius."
It seemed like Clevius was being called a fool again, but none of the punitive force members cared.
"Yes, but your opinion isn't particularly important, actually."
"… True."
Lortelle coolly agreed. At this moment, there's only one person who has the decision-making power over all the punitive force's actions.
I turned my head. There stood the young girl with the actual power to determine everyone's actions, Phoenia Elias Clorel.
"Make your decision."
"Should I trust you?"
"Is there any other choice?"
The gaze of those around us had already focused. The opinion of the students guarding the garrison was mostly skeptical. Ed Rothtaylor's notoriety was well-known, and expecting a favorable reaction was unconscionable.
"Your Highness! No, you can't! It's absolutely not okay! You can't trust a guy like that with any task!"
The Gloomy Clevius spat out the cloth and screamed in opposition.
"I think it's worth a try. If there's no alternative, let's follow senior Ed's opinion. It's the only option left."
The Spear of Foliage, Zix, was relatively in favor of me,
"Yeah, it might be better to follow that opinion. I don't know about the rest, but it sounds better than dying a dog's death just standing there. Ahaha."
The meddlesome Elvira seemed to agree with me, but upon closer inspection, she seemed indifferent.
"I won't say much."
The Golden Daughter, Lortelle, was quietly observing the situation,
"…."
Taely was silent, her thoughts apparently complex.
Amidst these opinions, Princess Phoenia closed her eyes quietly.
She discerned the right path amidst the scattering opinions. She had to carefully ascertain whose opinion to trust and whose to dismiss.
After pondering for a long while, she finally opened her eyes and… barely uttered her words.
"There's one condition. It might be a bit difficult."
Without further debate, it signaled the launch of the plan.
"Don't die by any chance. Absolutely not."
*
The punitive force was divided into two teams.
Tarkan's team consisted of me, Clevius, and Lortelle.
The team to suppress Yenika comprised the rest of the members.
I specifically named Clevius and Lortelle for a simple reason. We needed one person to lead the vanguard and another for firepower.
Among the punitive force, Taely, Clevius, Zix, and Claire were all capable of being the vanguard.
Taely was an exception, Claire was severely injured. In the end, it came down to either Zix or Clevius. In reality, it's better to put the stronger Zix in the essential Yenika suppression team.
I only needed a decoy vanguard on my side, so I picked Clevius, already injured, for the job.
Among the remaining people capable of being firepower are Phoenia, Lortelle, and Elvira. Aila is still too weak for the task.
Princess Phoenia is out of the question. As defender in the final battle against Velosfer's offensive magic, she must be sent to the Yenika suppression team.
That left Elvira and Lortelle. In the end, Lortelle was chosen for no particularly impressive reason. As I've said before, Lortelle at the Act 1 stage is a bad ending maker. There's no need to pair her with Taely, so I just brought her with me.
Consequently, the Yenika suppression team became Taely, Phoenia, Zix, Elvira, and Aila.
It's an incredibly lean composition compared to the 'official story', but as long as Taely's Swordsman Ceremony manifests, they can theoretically win.
"It's a bit risky…"
There's no way to avoid the concern. At this point in time, I've inferred the capabilities of the characters and thought about the roles they should play to ensure an optimal distribution… But there are certainly uncomfortable gaps compared to the official story.
If those members can't suppress Yenika, the headache worsens from there. In any case, I have to trust and delegate for now. The immediate concern is Tarkan.
"So, senior Ed. The situation has been constructed as you wished."
It's the deep hours before dawn. The time of sunrise approaches. The time limit is also in sight.
The location is the entrance where the student association can be seen directly ahead, with Neris Hall and Obel Hall visible on either side.
"Damn it! Why do I have to do this here of all places? O Lord, please just let me save my life!"
Clevius almost seemed to cry. Well, even though he looks like that, he gets things done when necessary. Noisy like a mosquito, but he's perfect as bait.
Next to me, Lortelle and Clevius stood in line, looking at the open entrance of Nail Hall. If we enter, the battle in Nail Hall's corridor will begin immediately.
If we draw out Tarkan, that gives the Yenika suppression team a chance to enter and rush to the combat training ground, proceeding directly to the final battle.
Simultaneously dealing with both Tarkan and Velosfer. Having entangled myself in such an affair, I gain bizarre experiences.
"It's about time to give us a hint, isn't it? How do you plan to buy time against that salamander?"
"We can't drag it out, time."
"…. What?"
Lortelle looked at me with disbelief, and Clevius was startled by that statement.
"What, what's that supposed to mean!"
"It's pointless to consider escape when a mere touch means death, it's absurdly fast, and there's the constant threat of colliding pillars in a confined space. There's no way to buy time with a half-hearted attempt to flee."
"That's… not something easy to accept, senior Ed. We're putting our lives at risk here."
"I mean to say, we can buy roughly five minutes."
I took off my grimy school coat and rolled up my sleeves.
"Instead of thinking about running, you should be thinking about catching."
Lortelle and Clevius were stunned by my words. Clevius might be expected, but to see the always composed Lortelle looking flabbergasted was new to me. Not a common sight, yet oddly funny when it happens.
"Just do as I say. If we stick to the plan, we'll definitely win."
I casually waved my arm to signal the Yenika suppression team. It was a signal that we were entering.