A Bottom-Tier Adventurer Devoted to Supporting Their Idol Activities: Every Time, They Offer Rare Materials and Stir Up the Elites - Episode 24: The Battle at the Border ①

Episode 24: The Battle at the Border ①

In Noland, the largest city on the frontier. A critical meeting was underway at the estate of the frontier margrave.

There, Captain Leopard of the Black Panther Knights, Captain Paola of the White Orchid Magic Corps, and A-rank adventurer Lamberto had gathered.

“You’ve come a long way. I appreciate your efforts.”

The elderly margrave entered the reception room and offered his thanks.

The members of the expedition stood up from their seats around the round table and bowed respectfully.

“No need to be so formal. Please, make yourselves comfortable.”

“Then, if you’ll excuse us.”

Leopard responded, sitting back down. It was followed by the other two.

The margrave was seemingly satisfied. He took his own seat at the round table.

“Let’s get to the point. Could you tell us about the current situation with the bandits?”

As commander of the expeditionary force, Leopard posed the question.

The margrave took a folded piece of paper from his coat and spread it across the table.

It was a map of the border region.

All three straightened up and leaned in to study it.

“Their base is located at the foot of the Divide Mountains, which separate our kingdom from the Empire—right around this area.”

He pointed to a specific location on the map with his knotted fingers.

“Do we know what kind of base it is?”

At Leopard’s question, the margrave’s face twisted slightly.

“There’s a highly skilled earth mage among the bandits. It’s said they’ve built a very sturdy fortress.”

“A fortress…,” Lamberto murmured.

“Even my frontier troops, known for their elite training, have struggled with this group. They must have some serious talent. But the one we need to be most cautious of is a lightning mage. All of my fallen soldiers were killed by that one.”

His expression tightened slightly—anger and frustration flickered in his eyes. It was as if he was recalling bitter memories from past battles.

“An earth mage and a lightning mage… Definitely not your average bandit group.”

Speaking for the first time, Paola’s clear, firm voice echoed through the room.

Her composed tone earned a small nod from the margrave.

“Exactly. That’s why we need your strength.”

“Leave it to us. The Black Panther Knights and the White Orchid Magic Corps specialize in magical warfare. No matter the opponent—we will crush them.”

Paola and Lamberto both nodded in agreement with Leopard’s declaration.

Their firm resolve shifted the atmosphere in the room.

“How reassuring. Your battles will be broadcast across the Kingdom via magical transmission. Show our people your strength and valor.”

“Of course.”

The four then began to devise concrete strategies for the coming assault on the bandits.

Outside the estate’s wide windows, night slowly deepened. It was cloaking the weight of their war council.

By the time their meeting concluded, stars had scattered across the sky. It cast a faint glow upon the mansion’s roof.

#

“This is… going to be a pain…”

At the foot of the Divide Mountains, which separate the Kingdom and the Empire. Lying there was a fortress—not far from where I once had that deadly battle with the White Dragon.

I had kept my distance and climbed a large tree to continue my reconnaissance. My vision was enhanced with magic.

The fortress had high, solid earthen walls.

Bandits patrolled the ramparts with no signs of slacking.

A deep moat encircled the base, with a drawbridge connecting the entrance.

There’s no way this is just some “bandit hideout.”

This is clearly a strategic fortress built by the Empire on our side of the border.

I bet it even has underground tunnels connecting to supply lines.

“The Empire’s not playing around…”

How long, and how much money, did they sink into this preparation?

It must have been in the works for years.

If reinforcements from the Empire are dispatched here in the future, this place could become a foothold to eat away at the margrave’s domain.

That’s how formidable this fortress looked.

“To see Ellel-chan crush the Empire’s ambitions…!! I want to see it! I want to see it so bad!!”

A startled mountain bird flapped away from the tree as I yelled in excitement.

I couldn’t help myself—the thought of Ellel-chan shining on the battlefield stirred me too much.

Just imagining it was enough to make my chest tighten—if I actually saw it, I might faint from ecstasy on the spot.

“In a few more days, the expedition will reach the fortress. The question is whether I can hold out until then.”

I felt a strong urge to burn off some energy. But doing anything reckless now would only raise the bandits’ alertness.

It was better to stay hidden and quietly await the arrival of Ellel-chan and her forces.

“Guess I’ll read a book.”

Leaning against the thick tree trunk, I pulled out a half-read book from my backpack.

The title was “Insects Living in the Frozen Lands.”

It chronicled the lives of people living in the northernmost reaches of the Central Continent.

『Those with gray hair and gray eyes were long seen as a threat by the Empire. The Empire sought to exploit the mineral resources buried deep in the frozen lands. But the native gray folks resisted time and again.』

『The conflict between the Empire and the gray folks escalated after a certain incident. A gray-haired man named Elgen was unable to endure the Empire’s continued brutality. He rebelled alone and attempted to assassinate the emperor himself. Though he paid with his life, he left the emperor gravely wounded. However, it was a foolish act.』

『The then-crown prince, Graals, flew into a rage and sent a massive army to the bitter lands. Thus, the conflict came to an end—with the Empire fully conquering the north.』

“…Haaah.”

Before I realized it, the world around me had sunk into night.

I quietly closed the book and placed it back in my backpack.

Instead, I pulled out some dried meat and a waterskin.

In the cold stillness of the night, I silently ate my dinner—then fixed my gaze on the now-lit fortress in the distance.