---

Chapter 112: Roy’s Proposal

The passionate shout echoed through the air, but no one responded; not even a glance was spared.

Roy on the side couldn’t help but chuckle, “Sorry, but I’d like to live a bit longer.”

In a situation like this, not everyone had the same resolve to fight to the death.

Especially with a group of young Extraordinary Beings present—each expected to have a bright future. Who wouldn’t want to cherish their own lives?

The one who had suggested the desperate fight clearly got carried away in the heat of the moment. After being roasted by Roy, he quickly fell silent, embarrassed.

But amidst the oppressive silence, a young boy smiled nonchalantly.

“However, we don’t have to throw our lives away.”

His words drew the gloomy gazes of the crowd, which had been at their lowest point, back to him.

If the earlier shock was from the raw power displayed, now they felt a flicker of hope in the boy’s confident and steady tone.

“We need to fight, but we must have a plan. With our strength, there’s no way we could contend with the Cultists who can repel even instructors.”

Roy had struggled even when facing a mere puppet of Sharlane Blackwood before, and considering the massive barrier enveloping the entire Mist Forest, facing the true enemy would surely be a grueling battle.

Of course, Roy also held the [Blade of the Former King] as a last resort.

But that was purely a life-and-death gamble.

Especially since the [All Things Wither] Cultists had unbelievable regeneration abilities.

Though [False Dragon Breath: Heavenly Dome] packed a punch, it couldn’t restrain the Cultists’ regenerative powers. Roy feared that if he didn’t land a killing blow, he might end up being counter-killed instead, which would be a total disaster.

Roy shifted his tone and scanned the crowd with determined eyes: “But we don’t need to wipe out the Cultists completely.”

“As long as we can destroy their barrier and eliminate this poisonous mist, it’ll be enough to allow a second rescue team to arrive.”

It was understood without words that with such a big event occurring, the outside world was certainly keeping an eye on the movements within the forest.

Without the barrier, the pressure on the rescue teams would be greatly reduced, and the deadly miasma could be cleared, buying them more time to survive.

Most importantly, wasn’t this approach far more realistic than clashing directly with the Cultists?

Noticing the spark of hope finally returning to his classmates’ eyes, Roy laid it all on the table: “But the only issue is that this plan requires someone to stage an attack and buy us time.”

“Even a feigned attack would mean facing the Cultists directly and bearing the risks.”

“Everyone, I’m just a freshman, a marquis’s son—not top-tier in experience or rank. So this isn’t a command, just a request.”

Roy straightened his posture, his tone calm yet resonant, as if he could captivate souls, locking eyes with everyone: “The choice is yours!”

“Shall we just sit here and wait for death, or gamble for a sliver of hope?!”

There’s never a guarantee in this world, especially when it comes to life-and-death decisions. Very few could make such calls easily.

Roy had no idea how many of these classmates, whom he had only met once or perhaps never at all, would be willing to follow him. Yet, at the very least, he knew he had done everything within his power.

In the gloomy forest, a brief silence fell.

The crowd’s eyes were filled with hope, but also entangled with hesitations.

They were just one step away; it needed that final spark.

Just as Roy felt a tinge of anxiety, Douglas stepped forward.

“I’m in on this plan.”

Douglas raised his hand, his presence exuding authority, “As nobles, how can we tolerate the filthy Cultists trampling our dignity and our companions?”

“We will fight until the last moment, honoring the bloodline and glory we bear!”

The prince’s passionate stance invigorated the nobles, and soon, noble students from the Golden Sands faction rallied their courage.

Roy couldn’t help but nod slightly to Douglas, expressing his gratitude.

The commoners were still hesitating.

But upon seeing Roy’s nod to Douglas, Nia perked up immediately, spit out the root she had been chewing on, and felt a surge of defiance.

She was the one who could really help!

“I know what everyone’s afraid of. Those non-human, ghostly creatures are indeed disgusting, but they’re essentially just matchsticks waiting to ignite!”

Nia stepped forward, wrapped an arm around Roy’s neck, and confidently declared, “This guy right here? He turned their priest into ashes with a single sword strike, and scared the matchstick folks so much they ran for cover!”

“Who are we? We’re Extraordinary Beings! And who are they? Just a bunch of wooden-headed fools worshipping evil gods! Once we break their barrier, let the rescue team in, and we’ll see how tough they really are!”

Nia pumped her fist, dragging Roy along, proudly showcasing the adventurer’s knack for grandstanding. The energy in her voice left Roy a bit stunned.

If someone didn’t know better, they might think they had already stormed the Cultists’ base!

But it had to be said, Nia’s pep talk was even more effective than Douglas’s.

If Roy had sown the seeds of hope, Nia’s comments were like fanning the flames.

That was exactly what they needed most.

“Rather than wait to die, why not take a shot at it!”

“Right? Just a few measly Cultists—I could take on ten of them!”

The shimmering green elemental barrier was nearly dissipating with the wind, but no darkness remained in the crowd’s eyes.

————————

As dawn broke, just before the first light of day, a giant eagle soared across the sky, circling above the Mist Forest.

On the edge of the secret realm, countless weary noble children hung lifelessly from the ancient trees.

Not only that, the surrounding vines moved as if they had a mind of their own, rising ominously even before the eagle drew near.

In the distance, after bypassing various factions’ meetings, a second wave of rescue teams, composed of elite teachers trusted by the Academy Head, was ready and starting to infiltrate the barrier from the outside.

With hostages in front and massive barrier defenses, even the elite like the [Emerald Wood Rangers], as well as the Academy teachers, dared not act recklessly.

If the Cultists showed even the slightest opening, a fierce assault would come down like a bolt from the blue.

Now, they just needed an opportunity.

At that moment, a burst of fire erupted in the distance.

The giant eagle stirred in the sky, and the meditating teachers opened their piercing eyes, while the vines tasked with guarding the perimeter began to retract.

Deep within the forest, led by Douglas, a hundred students marched boldly towards the center of the barrier.

Though they couldn’t compare to Nia, the group included more than a few Extraordinary Beings capable of tracking, and it wasn’t difficult for them to find the right path together.

The moment they left the barrier, they exposed themselves to the watchful eyes of the [Fallen Tree Sea].

Initially, Sharlane was utterly unfazed, remaining still.

The rescue teams, comprising rangers and mages, kept a close watch from outside, while the [False King] and [Forest Elf] hadn’t yet revealed themselves. Sharlane had ample hostages and didn’t see the need to bother with the students.

Until she caught a glimpse of the true faces of these noble heirs, upstanding students known for their integrity, her face, covered in mycelium and vines, finally showed signs of cracking.

 

---