Chapter 50: The Beast Hunt Begins

A Secret Mission

Philok.

The academy’s patrol captain and the prince’s sword.

A recurring side character in the novel.

His role, as mentioned, was the canary in the coal mine, alerting the academy to powerful magical beasts.

Later, when Prince Theo and Orphe clashed, he ambushed Orphe repeatedly, putting him in a bind.

He was also the spark for their first conflict.

About a month after enrolling, an upper-tier beast appeared on the patrol’s usual route.

To counter it, a subjugation team was formed, pitting the prince’s and hero’s factions against each other, sparking their rivalry.

“Sorry for earlier.”

“It’s fine.”

“You said you had something to discuss…?”
‘Spill it already.’

Philok’s expression darkened.

His eyes flicked upward, he nodded to himself, then spoke calmly.

“What I’m about to say is confidential. Can I trust you to keep it secret?”

“Of course. I swear in the name of the gods.”

“Same as Saintess Erdike. No worries.”
‘My lips are sealed.’

If push comes to shove, I might break it.

What’s a god’s name worth?

[The God of Jealousy begs you to stop blaspheming.]

I ignored the god and looked at Philok.

He glanced at Agnes, who nodded.

Philok’s eyes hardened with resolve as he spoke.

“I’ll take that as agreement.”

He paused, pulling a clump of fur from his pocket.

The coarse, grayish fur looked more beast than livestock.

“An unidentified beast has appeared. This is its trace.”

“….”

I suspected the timing, but to think the novel’s event would unfold exactly?

“We’ll know more once the academy’s departments analyze it, but we estimate it’s an upper-tier beast.”

“U-Upper-tier?”

Erdike’s alarmed voice contrasted with Philok’s calm tone.

“Yes. You’ve heard of the forest east of the academy?”

“Yeah, a dangerous area with lots of beasts…”
‘That’s the double-beast event zone.’

“The patrol regularly sweeps the eastern forest for various reasons…”

Philok handed us the fur.

It felt rough, and when held up, it stretched over a meter long—a size no ordinary beast could have.

“Our main goal is to detect and eliminate threats to the academy early. The eastern forest is, well, that kind of place.”

His words weren’t hard to grasp.

About two weeks before the academy trip, Dominique stopped his usual saintess-thrashing and showed up with an armful of books.

“A History of War in One Volume”, “You Too Can Master Court Etiquette! (General Edition)”…

“What’s all this?”

“What? Crash course materials for our clueless saintess to survive the academy.”

“…There’s like ten books.”

“Memorize one a day, and you’ll have time to goof off! Let’s start!”

He didn’t hit me for mistakes.

Just didn’t let me sleep.

…More brutal?

Dominique didn’t make me memorize every sentence.

By 2 a.m., I’d finish a book.

I swear, I never studied as hard as those ten days.

I might’ve aced a civil service exam with that effort.

Even without Dominique’s random memorization defense, the eastern forest was unforgettable as the stage for the rivalry event.

I answered Philok diligently.

“I heard it was a major battlefield in the last war. Plus, heavy magical pollution makes beasts more common…”
‘Filthy places breed bugs.’

Philok nodded.

“Exactly. Such environments naturally produce stronger beasts.”

He sighed.

Agnes flinched but didn’t bolt.

Her eyes just darted around.

‘A perfect saintess in public, huh.’

Unaware of her antics, Philok continued.

“But we’ve never seen a beast this strong. We’ve faced mid-tier ones, but they’re nothing compared to this.”

“The gap’s that big?”
‘Stronger than mid-tier makes it upper-tier.’

“The guy Saintess Erdike healed today is a veteran who’s taken down mid-tier beasts, but he was helpless against this one.”

“That bad…”

Philok pocketed the fur.

“I’ve dragged on. I’d like you both to join the beast subjugation expedition.”

Here it is—the subjugation event!

I was on edge, but it matched the novel perfectly.

If you’re isekai’d, isn’t coasting on plot knowledge the rule?

But my life never follows the script.

Seeing the story unfold copy-pasted from the original, despite the grim infirmary, I was almost moved.

The only difference? No Orphe or Prince Theo here.

Philok probably plans to talk to them later.

Erdike, though, seemed reluctant.

“Why do we need to go?”

“You know blessed gear deals more damage to beasts.”

“I know. Then bless the gear before we leave. Why go to a dangerous place?”

Erdike’s point was solid.

How would Philok counter?

“If you say so, I can’t force you.”

“Even if you—wait, what?”

“We can’t make non-patrol members join.”

“Yes… right…”

True, but…

Giving up that fast?

“Just don’t leak what you heard.”

Erdike nodded.

Philok turned to me.

“What about you, Saintess Isidora?”

“Hm…”
‘Tough call.’

I want to see Orphe and Theo bicker, but isn’t the risk too high?

I started to shake my head, but Philok’s next words stopped me.

“It’ll count as a midterm substitute. The academy’s approved it.”

“What?”
‘Huh?’

Philok grinned.

“Midterms are soon, right? Skip studying, just check out the beast…”

“Count me in.”
‘Hell yeah.’

“Thank you. You’ll be a huge help.”

Now that’s a reward.

Bless a few things, and midterms are done?

Can’t pass that up.

I shook Philok’s outstretched hand.

Agnes grabbed mine too.

“Thanks, Isidora. Let’s do this!”

“…You’re going too, Sister?”

Agnes nodded.

“Yup. I know a lot of patrol folks, so it feels personal.”

“Oh…”

“It’ll be a big group. Your friend, uh, Opera?”

“…Orphe’s going?”

“That’s his name? Yeah, I heard he’s in.”

Erdike hung her head.

“…I’m going.”

“Huh?”

“I said I’m in!”

Her voice boomed.

Philok, startled, looked at her.

“But you said you wouldn’t…”

“When did I say that?”

Classic obsession saintess.

Mention Orphe, and she flips.

“Alright… Saintess Erdike’s in too.”

“Yes!”

A Calculated Move

In my bedroom-slash-office, I was buried in paperwork.

‘About time he showed up…’

Knock knock.

“Come in.”

Philok entered.

“You’re here.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

He stood before me, posture flawless.

“How’d it go?”

“Both agreed to join the subjugation team.”

“Good.”

When I didn’t reply further, Philok hesitated, then spoke softly.

“But, uh, Saintess Erdike…”

“You mentioned the hero? Worked well?”

“Yes. As you suggested, I asked Saintess Agnes, and she flipped the moment she heard. But is this okay?”

I set down my pen and looked up.

Philok’s eyes darted nervously.

A guy who lies without flinching but drowns in guilt after.

Loyal, but exhausting.

“What’s that?”

“The hero’s participation isn’t even confirmed, right?”

“True.”

He’s on his way now after I tipped him off.

Philok frowned, frustrated.

“Prince Theo, throwing around empty promises…”

“And?”

He faltered but pressed on.

“It could tarnish your reputation! Even if it’s your order, I’m uneasy.”

“Hahaha.”

“This isn’t funny! It’s about your honor!”

Such an upright guy.

Hard to believe he’s from the frigid north—warm and principled.

That’s why I keep him around.

Instead of answering his protests, I asked a question.

“So, Saintess Isidora’s coming too?”

“Yes, but that’s not the point—”

Knock knock.

“Speak of the devil. Come in!”

The kingdom’s hero, Orphe, strode in and stood beside Philok.

“You’re here.”

“Yes.”

“What’s your call?”

“Do I need to go?”

Tch, kingdom folk.

“Why not?”

“The patrol captain’s on your side, half the academy too. Just pick who you want.”

Orphe glanced at Philok, who flinched and stepped aside.

Seeing that, I couldn’t help but chuckle, recalling Philok reaping barbarians on the northern front.

“Ahem…”

“No more to say, I’m out.”

Orphe turned toward the door.

I called out leisurely.

“Hey.”

“Yes.”

“Saintess Isidora’s going.”

Orphe froze.

I knew what’d come next.

I waited, relaxed.

“Your Highness.”

“Go on.”

“When’s the subjugation team leaving?”

I stifled a laugh.

“Didn’t you say you weren’t going?”

“…Changed my mind.”

“Oh?”

Holding back a grin, I gave him the departure details and saw him off.

“See you.”

Click.

The door closed, and the room fell quiet.

Philok, who’d watched it all, managed one line.

“Your Highness, was this all planned?”

“Pure coincidence.”

I smirked.

“No, but how does it align so perfectly…”

“Philok, don’t you have work to do?”

“Oh, right. Excuse me!”

Yes, coincidence.

If the parties involved don’t know they were played, what’s the harm?

Results are what matter.

I resumed my paperwork calmly.