Chapter 4


    Stampede (Demon Outbreak)?


    Early morning, the surprising information that we heard from our teacher made Mazell tilt his head in confusion and I struggled to control my expression.


    All my practice and experience in using poker face, a basic skill of noble, seem to pay off as I seeded in making an unbothered expression.


    Its here. I just remembered. The start of the game story.


    A sudden demon outbreak happened near the capital. The students in this academy are sent to that battlefield as a support unit.


    In the game, the protagonist will receive a recovery medicine by talking to a teacher. What a convenient plot.


    Since Im not the protagonist, my only choice is to return home and prepare the medicine myself. Because Im a noble, No one will be getting suspicious even if I bought them inrge quantities.


    Its arge-scale demon outbreak that happened around once every 20 years. Its rarely happened near the capital though.


    I silently listened to the teachers detailed exnation, trying to catch, if any, differences from the game setting.


    By the way, in this world, beast-like and insect-like creatures that attacked people are called [Demonic Beast], creatures that have higher intelligence, have their own culture and even society are called [Golem], while the undead creatures are called [Demon]


    Last, creatures that are human-like  even if they have wings of feather on their backas long as they walked with two legs, and have high enough intelligence to make and use ns and strategies are called [Devil]. The ability to use magic is not one of the ssification criteria since even demonic beasts can use it. Well, this ssification method is not absolute. Useless debate regarding this ssification method often arose.


    For example, if the [Big Bird] bes an undead, will it be considered a demonic beast, or a demon? Sometimes, people also used [Demon] to refer to both the demons and the devils. [Demon Outbreak] is also used to refer to an attack caused by devils.


    Since they attacked us with a huge army, viges near the capital will get destroyed if we did nothing. Still, it wont be a big problem as long as we prepare a proper countermeasure.


    Usually.


    But the outbreak this time is caused by themon RPG plot, the revival of the demon king. Devils are probably pulling the string.


    Despite knowing this fact, I dont have any means, fame, or influence needed to make others believe my word. I also dont have any cheating ability that can make us win this sure-to-lose battle. The only thing I can do is grit my teeth and try to survive.


    It is a selfish decision, I know. People, even my acquaintance from the academy may die, I know. Still, I wont, or rather I dont have any leeway to regret my decision. My hands are already full in trying to protect my life.


    For the students who came from a noble house, return to your own mansion in the capital and wait for further order from your family


    Yes, sir


    Several people in the ss, including me, answered. Its a start of an event, with a different meaning than the game event.


    Its been 15 years since I lived in this world. That means its been 30 years since Ist yed the game. Its a game that I only yed in moderation, so my memory of its story is starting to get blurry. Fortunately, I managed to somehow recall the detail of this event.


    The knights that are dispatched to this battle will suffer a devastating defeat. Most will be killed while the surviving knights left the capital and are scattered around the continent. The same thing happened to the hero too. The Hero will then travel across the continent, including the neighborhood country.


    Its a plot device made by developers to make the hero adventure throughout the world.


    For the student who didnte from a noble house, you will be dispatched as a support unit responsible for supply transportation and tending to the injured. I doubt you will get attacked but dont let your guard down.


    Alright!


    People frommoner houses including Mazell answered spiritedly. The reason they are so rxed is probably that they thought its not going to be dangerous.


    Its not like there are descriptions of students death in the gameI think Like there are no descriptions of other nobles fates. I dont even know if the government or civil officers even existed in the game. I guess because they are irrelevant information, the developer didnt bother to put it in. Many other RPG games are also like that.


    Welner, what are you thinking so seriously?


    Its nothing


    I gave Mazell that short answer and continue to try digging into my memories for detail of this event.


    Hmm Nope. nothing. I only remembered one sentence The knights suffered disastrous defeat talked about by an NPC teacher. I tried harder in remembering Finally, I found one piece of important information.


    Its something that I cant say here. If others were to ask where I got this information, I wont have an answer. One wrong step, I might incite anger from others for saying nonsensical things.


    Before my face changed, I steered the conversation away.


    Im going home but you need to treat the injuredter right? How about keeping some recovery medicine with you? Try to talk to the teacher about it.


    Its true that you can never be too prepared. But Welner, you care about me this much, eh?


    I just felt sorry for innocent soldiers that will end up in your hands. Anyway, be careful.


    You too.


    I gave him a slight nod.


    In the game, the hero will work together with some adventurers toplete a reconnaissance mission and will encounter a Devil. Their fight with the Devil is the games first battle scene


    What the hell is themander thinking, sending a student on a reconnaissance mission was what I used to think but well, its game logic. No use inining.


    Now, in that this be a real world, I just dont have any spare energy toin. I need to think about how to survive. Unlike Mazell, I didnt appear in that event, so I dont know what my fate is going to be.


    First, lets return to the mansion.


    Where is my father?


    Hes with His Majesty.


    Damn. I know thatst year, father was appointed as minister of ceremonies. Its a position that required the ability to handle diplomacy and domestic affair but has nothing to do with military might.


    But currently, a demon outbreak happened near the capital. Because of noblesse oblige Zeavert Household also need to provide support. Since my father is away that means


    Currently, Welner-sama is themander of the county army


    Seriously


    I wanted .. or rather I blurted out aint


    Youre going to let a student lead an army?


    Welner-sama will bemander in name only. The one who will lead the troop is captain Max Lyman. Also, the Zeaverts participation is only for show.


    Norbert is not saying that to belittle me. After all, Im the heir and an excellent student of the academy. The second half is probably why my father gives me this kind of responsibility. In his eyes, this demon outbreak is not that dangerous.


    Not to mention, Zeavert is known as a family of civil officers. From what I remember, myte brothers skill is [Negotiation]. If hes still alive, he will probably be a diplomat or has a job rted to it. People born withbat skills like my [Spearmanship] are rare in this family.


    Since we are known as a family of civil officers, Zeavert Household participation will only be for show. Father probably thought that the most I will do is to watch the battle from a safe distance.


    But that wont happen. This is a sure-lose battle, at least ording to the game and now Im going to have to participate regardless of my will. After gathering what I remember from my past life, I decided what I needed to do.


    Norbert, call Max. Post an army recruitment notice then go buy some supplies.


    Recruitment and supplies?


    Norberts voice is full of doubt. Well, thats not strange.


    Even if I know this is a sure-lose battle, I still need to thoroughly prepare for my survival.