All-Master Player Of The Academy [EN]: Chapter 219

110. Center of Conflict – 1

Thanks to the preparations for managing the aftermath, the explosion didn’t affect the area outside the magic circle.

However, the massive mushroom cloud and the deafening noise created by the explosion were enough to make everyone present freeze in shock.

“W-What… is that…”

That giant mushroom cloud was terrifying.

The powerful noise was also frightening.

But what was truly terrifying wasn’t just that.

“This is… unbelievable…”

Everyone knew that when an explosion occurred, whether it was magic or something else, its effects would spread outwards.

It was common sense that the bigger the explosion, the more powerful the resulting shockwaves.

But what was *that*?

A massive explosion had occurred, far surpassing anything seen even in the city of the Red Fang Orc tribe.

At this rate, even the Empire, which was quite far away, would have seen that mushroom cloud.

Yet, there wasn’t even a breeze where they were, and there were no aftereffects at all.

Raiza felt a deep fear at that sense of incongruity.

“Ah… Ugh…”

After a while, the mushroom cloud slowly began to dissipate and disappear.

Those who had been frozen in place looked at the spot where the explosion had occurred.

There was nothing there.

Only a huge pit.

It was no exaggeration to say that everything had disappeared; the Red Orc tribe had been completely annihilated.

“C-Count Ian?”

When Swan asked, Goron narrowed his eyes.

Something was walking out of the pit.

It was Ian.

The one who had created that massive explosion was walking up without a scratch and approaching them.

“Krrr!! Kaaa!”

“Krr! Krrr!!”

“D-Don’t get excited! You idiots!”

Fahim shouted at the wolves, who were feeling instinctive fear.

But he was just as scared.

The orcs of Grimer valued strength.

But there had to be a limit.

A being with such overwhelming strength was only a target of fear, not respect.

Meanwhile, Ian walked over and joined them with his usual nonchalant expression.

“Why do you all look like that?”

“Ah. Well. That’s…”

Raiza, who had been speaking comfortably until just now, hesitated and began to use honorifics.

It wasn’t that Ian had said anything about her speech, but it felt like she had to.

As she, completely overwhelmed by his power, couldn’t even speak properly, Goron barely opened his mouth.

“That… that explosion…”

“I did it.”

“Ah… I see…”

A chill ran down his spine.

As Goron nodded slightly, Ian looked around and said.

“Anyway, we’ve solved the problem here, so let’s go back now. And I need to go to the Kilhart tribe for a bit.”

“Yes? Ah. Yes. W-What business do you have there…”

Goron asked with a frightened expression, and Ian said calmly.

“I have something to discuss with the Kilhart tribe’s chief about the agenda for the Great Plains Conference.”

“Ah… Th-That. What kind of story are you going to tell…”

As he asked in a subdued tone, Ian tilted his head.

“Didn’t I tell you? That the Dragonkin might try to gather other orcs or monsters. You said you’d take charge of investigating that, right?”

“Ah, yes. That’s right. Yes. Of course. We have to. Let’s go, let’s go.”

Goron swallowed hard and said.

As the nomads were about to move, Ian approached Fahim.

“G-Great… G-God.”

“You guys should also help with the Great Plains Conference.”

“Ah… Yes. Since the great one has spoken, we must.”

“Then that’s good.”

Ian patted his large shoulder and reached out to Raiza, who was still staring blankly at him.

“How long are you going to sit there?”

“Ah… Yes.”

Raiza, unable to bring herself to take his hand, got up in a fluster and mounted her horse.

He said to Swan, who was getting on behind her.

“I have to go to the Empire too, so let’s go together then. The captured nomads can return to their tribes during the conference.”

“…W-Why are you going to the Empire?”

What if he caused an explosion like that in the Empire?

As she asked worriedly, Ian said nonchalantly.

“I’m participating in the Academy Exchange.”

Swan’s expression turned pale at those words.

“Why?”

“…That. That’s to say, you’re coming to the Imperial Academy… right?”

“That’s right.”

She bit her lip slightly.

Currently, there are many people in the Imperial Academy who are jealous of the development of the Fredon Academy.

There were those who despised Ian, who led that growth, and there were also those who claimed that his skills were overrated.

But what if they upset Ian?

And what if an explosion like that occurred in the Imperial capital, where the Imperial Academy is located?

She asked, tense.

“Do you… really… have to go?”

Ian nodded at her stiffened figure.

“I definitely have to go.”

She decided to return to the Empire before Ian and inform them of this fact.

The place they arrived at after riding their horses was a fairly wide prairie.

A place full of grass good for feeding sheep and horses, and even a stream.

It was a good place to live even in the Great Plains.

“The Kilhart tribe is nomadic, but they don’t just do nomadism. Especially Trento, where the chief is, is always located here.”

“But why are you using honorifics? Is it because of what happened earlier?”

Raiza was startled and nodded.

Ian waved his hand at her.

“Just do what you used to do.”

“Ugh… You won’t get angry, right? Actually, I was worried that you might have been offended by my informal speech earlier…”

“You heard it from Valla, right? I don’t care about that kind of thing. And it’s okay since we’re not strangers.”

“Then that’s a relief, but…”

Goron, who was running beside them, sighed in relief.

Meanwhile, Swan, who was riding behind Raiza, was puzzled.

“What kind of relationship do you have?”

“Her brother is my friend.”

“C-Count Ian has a friend…?”

“…What did you think of me?”

“H-Huh! N-No! That’s not what I meant…”

As Swan was flustered and making excuses, armed nomads ran up to them.

“Miss Raiza!! Warrior Goron!”

They ran up and said urgently.

“It’s a disaster! Something terrible is happening in the Great Plains right now!”

“Did you see it earlier? A huge explosion in one part of the Great Plains…”

They explained the situation in a fluster.

Raiza and Goron smiled as awkwardly as possible as they listened to it.

“But who is this person?”

“Ah. Perhaps, Miss Raiza, did you bring a groom with you?”

“No. This is Count Ian Brandon.”

“Ian… Ah! Young Master Valla’s friend!”

“Wow~! It’s an honor to meet the famous Count! I heard about you from Kracha! Are you using the things we sent you well?”

“Uh… An academy back alley merchant?”

“Haha. Yes. Kracha also said that the Count is a very good person.”

They smiled brightly and welcomed Ian.

Then they pointed to the people behind him.

“But who are those people?”

“I’ll tell you the details later. Is Father here?”

“Yes. He’s currently preparing for battle. Because of that pillar of fire earlier, everyone is preparing for battle. And they said the Red Fang Orcs provoked us?”

He smiled and raised his curved sword.

“Today, I’ll skin all those orcs.”

“There’s no need to do that.”

“Yes?”

“Because they’re all dead.”

As she said, watching Ian’s expression, the nomads were puzzled.

The village was quite large.

Perhaps because it was a place that valued trade, there were many people putting out goods and selling them here and there.

“Welcome! Welcome!”

“We have delicious sheep’s milk! Try eating lamb with sheep’s milk!”

“We have fermented liquor! We also have cheese!!”

They passed by places selling food for the nomads to eat while moving and went further inside, where they saw places selling minerals and weapons.

They passed through that place and went deep inside, where armed nomads were waiting.

“Raiza!!”

The man with the largest build and beard among them quickly approached Raiza.

And after hugging her tightly, he said in a kind tone.

“I heard the story. There won’t be any problems, right?”

“E-Ehm. There are no problems.”

“Those Red Fang Orc bastards. How dare they provoke the Kilhart tribe… I’ll definitely tear them apart and kill them… But who’s next to you? Did you bring a partner or something? Isn’t it a bit early for you…?”

“This is Ian Brandon.”

“Ah. Okay. Nice to meet you. Kilhart tribe chief Rutmeyer Kilhart… Huh? Ian?”

He tilted his head and was surprised.

“Our eldest son Valla’s brother-like friend?!”

“Not quite to that extent. I’m curious about what Valla said.”

“He said you shared meals, fought back-to-back, and hunted together a lot. That’s practically brothers.”

*As expected, it’s the Southern sentiment [a cultural tendency to exaggerate closeness].*

As Ian chuckled, he was pleased but shook his head.

“A precious guest has come, but the timing isn’t good. It’s time for war now…”

“You don’t have to do it. I caught them all.”

“Huh?”

Raiza sighed at his puzzled expression.

“That explosion earlier… you know?”

“Yeah. I’ve lived in the Great Plains for years, and that’s the first time I’ve seen something like that. I hope that fire doesn’t cause too much damage…”

“Ian did that.”

“….”

“And with that, the Red Fang Orc tribe was annihilated.”

Rutmeyer swallowed hard after hearing Raiza’s words.

“L-Let’s go inside first.”

Inside the chief’s pao [a traditional nomadic tent], he heard all the details of what had happened.

Rutmeyer kept groaning and nodding.

“That… Huh. This is… Anyway… you’ve worked hard.”

Honestly, it was hard to believe.

According to Raiza and Goron, Ian’s power had completely surpassed that of a human.

But those two weren’t the type to lie about something like that.

“The name of the continent’s strongest… it’s definitely impressive.”

“It’s nothing much. And can I ask you to take care of the agenda at the conference?”

“I’ll try to use my influence for now. However, although the Kilhart tribe is large, it doesn’t completely dominate the conference…”

“If there are any tribes interfering with this, please tell them that I’m coming.”

“…I think they’ll rebel even more? Nomads are the type who bounce back when you push them down.”

“Please just tell them.”

“Okay. Anyway, a precious guest has come… While you’re here, take a good rest before you leave. It would have been nice if Valla had come with you… Raiza. Please take care of him.”

“Okay, Father.”

“No. I’m going straight to the Empire.”

As Ian said calmly, Swan next to him was startled.

If he stayed in the Kilhart tribe for a few days, she was going to go to the Empire first and inform them of this, but that plan had collapsed.

“Is that so? Then there’s nothing I can do. Come with Valla next time. I’ll treat you properly then.”

“Thank you, Chief.”

Rutmeyer liked Ian quite a bit.

As he smiled contentedly, Ian bowed politely and went straight outside.

Swan, who followed him out, gave an awkward smile.

“How about resting for a bit before you go…”

“If you want to rest, you can rest and come.”

“No, that’s not it.”

“Okay. Then let’s go right away.”

As Ian smiled at her and walked away, Swan sighed deeply.

Now, all she could do was hope that no one in the Empire would pick a fight with Ian.

However.

Her expectations and hopes were shattered as soon as they arrived at the Imperial gate.