“Do not be intimidated.  I’ve said this many times, but Hades-sensei cannot directly take command.  That said, the morale of the Gold Dragon Class is high.  This will be different from last time.  Precisely because of this, do not forget the basics.  Whether you win or lose, this match will serve as nourishment for all of you— That said, Lutiya.”

This time, the flag could be carried.  Rather than guarding it after placing it down somewhere, letting Lutiya hold and protect it himself was the better choice.  He was the only one who could face Noin, the most fearsome student in the Gold Dragon Class.

Thus their teacher placed the flag into Lutiya’s hand and said,

“Don’t lose.”

The fact that she didn’t say, “win” showed that Jill was, as expected, wary of the Dragon Emperor.  Lutiya also had no intention of underestimating him.

The Golden Dragon Class had not been subjected to any special training by the Dragon Emperor.  There was no way anyone could become stronger merely by exchanging a few words with the Dragon Emperor either.  At most, they were given a strategy of some sort.

Lutiya took a deep breath and exhaled.  Unlike last time, they had made their oath before entering the remains serving as the match venue.  The time allotted to position their troops within the area serving as their camp was also the same.

This time, it was completely equal. That was precisely why, if they lost, there would be no excuses.

“First, we’ll seize the clock tower roughly in the middle of the battlefield.”

Overlooking the battlefield near the center area, which couldn’t be entered until the match began, was a tall clock tower.  As neither side had any dragons, gaining the high ground was crucial. Furthermore, a straight road ran directly from Lutiya’s camp to the clock tower.  There were spots blocked by rubble, but those could simply be jumped over.  In other words, Lutiya’s side had the easier path to seize the clock tower.

Everyone nodded in return toward the direction of Lutiya’s gaze.

“There will be three units, each advancing from the left, right, and front.  The left and right units will move using the various buildings and rubble as cover.  The front until will use the mostly open path, so if I carry the flag while in command of said unit, Noin and his team will suspect we’re a decoy.  Strike from the opposite sides.”
“…The left and right squads are to hide behind cover and support the front unit, or draw the enemy’s attention.”

Lutiya nodded at the vice class leader Nasser’s verification.

“The main force will be the front unit.  That said, I’m essentially just a decoy for luring out Noin from the start.”
“Make sure to stay in close contact with the messengers.  There’s no guarantee that Class Leader Noin will go after Lutiya.”
“Last time, they fell for a short-term decisive battle and lost. They’ll be on guard now.”
“If it comes to it, just show off the flag in a way that’s easy to see.”

The condition for victory this time had nothing to do with the number of students defeated.  Destroying the flag was all that mattered.  In the end, at some point or another, someone would inevitably have to come for Lutiya.

“Once the front unit captures the clock tower, I’ll issue orders according to the situation.”
“Who do you think will protect their flag?  I’m expecting Captain Noin.”
“Normally, that’s what you’d expect, but they must have some sort of plan too.”
“Both sides have to locate the other’s flag.  Once we find it, we’ll launch a full-on assault to eliminate it.”

Everyone nodded in agreement with Lutiya’s conclusion.  With the briefing finished, all that remained was for everyone to get into position.  His reliable comrades split up as planned and concealed themselves.

Then, from the dragons soaring above, the judges trumpeted the start of the match.

■

The entire academy complex, including the vast school buildings and its training grounds, was built in the shape of a circle with a cross inscribed within.  All of that was going to serve as the main battlefield with the spectators watching from a six-story student dormitory whose walls had been splendidly gouged open.

Jill and Hades, as instructors, were each guided to the best viewing spots, the opposite ends of the dormitory’s roof, of which the building had been constructed in a concave shape.  In other words, they were facing each other, but with a considerable distance between them.

Jill muttered to herself while hugging her Hades Bear on her lap.
“I’m not some child who’d pick a fight with His Majesty in the middle of the match…”

Roger, seated behind her, laughed.
“Right, right, but from what I’ve observed, Jill-sensei tends to act childish whenever Hades is involved.”

“Not true…”
Although it was.

Pouting, Jill rested her chin atop her Hades Bear’s head.

“Even though I wanted to see His Majesty’s face twist with frustration, His Majesty ran away from me…”
“Oh? You’re pretty fired up about winning.”
“Of course I am!  Or is Roger-sensei saying that the Blue Dragon Class will lose?”

Her class had spent a long time training with battle against the Gold Dragon Class in mind.  They also had momentum on their side.  Had this match been a month later, or even just a week later, something might have changed.  However, it had only been a single day.  All any special training could amount to would be nothing more than a makeshift edge.

Roger picked up Rho, who was trying to climb up onto a chair, as Jill glared at him.

“Well, that is true.  Battles are about eighty percent decided by the preparation that leads up to them.  But still, I simply can’t picture it.”
“Picture what?  The Blue Dragon Class performing well?”
“No.  —The image of the Dragon Emperor losing.”

A loss for words, Jill pouted at herself for it.

Well, as for me— I’ve never seen it either.

Rho, having slipped away from Roger’s hands in protest, wedged himself between the two and sat down with a snort.  It was the sort of attitude that made her want to say, “Whose side are you on?”

One of the dragon mounted judges soaring above raised a trumpet.

The match had begun.  As planned, the front unit led by Lutiya began their advance to seize the clock tower at the center.

---

Read more than 10 posts ahead and support Faux on Patreon for only $2~

<Previous Chapter

Next Chapter>