Chapter 98

Irtysh Station was a rural station in the south of Krasilov. There was a mine, but it was insignificant, and it had been abandoned and closed at the end of the war.

The nearby area consisted of insignificant rural villages living off trade, with Chelyabinsk being the only significant settlement, not even included in Chelyabinsk's main trade routes.

So, literally.

It was like a rural train station drawn in a picture.

The platform had only two tracks, up and down. Beyond the ticket gates, there was a station attendant dozing off. It meant it was a remote place where you had to ride a carriage for over 20 minutes to reach the nearest village.

"I really can't believe it." (Isabelle)

Isabelle stood on the platform, touching her forehead.

"All of you? Really? Seriously?" (Isabelle)

"I'm trying really hard to hold it in right now, so be quiet." (Elpheira)

"But there's something I don't understand." (Ecdysis)

Ecdysis looked around, gripping the iron rod tightly.

Isabelle, alright. We've had a few interactions, so she's within the realm of understanding.

Elpheira? What mischief could that elf girl have caused again? Our kind uncle wouldn't be mingling with elf-like creatures.

But, what about Oscar?

"It's not really acceptable for even men to be within the permissible range. I'm starting to lose track of where to start fixing things..." (Ecdysis)

Isabelle quietly nodded her head. Alright, let's not worry about that idiot.

"At least he didn't really mean for us to go on vacation, did he?" (Ecdysis)

"I got it right away." (Oscar)

Oscar smiled subtly and pulled out an invitation from his pocket. Isabelle gritted her teeth as soon as she saw the envelope.

I'm really annoyed.

"Miss Isabelle, Miss Ecdysis, Miss Elpheira. Do you know what you all have in common?" (Oscar)

"Thieves?" (Isabelle)

"...That's a very creative interpretation, but no, that's not it, especially with me around. No, rather, it's just... no." (Oscar)

Oscar silently agreed. Alright, let's not worry about these fools.

"Aren't we're the children of the hero party! And this is a sparsely populated rural area. Can't you tell just by looking?" (Oscar)

"But Lucia isn't here?" (Ecdysis)

"What about Lucia? She's not a daughter, she's a disciple, so she wasn't included? Professor Enrique is infertile, so she couldn't have a daughter, isn't that too much?" (Isabelle)

"I started to get scared of all of you." (Oscar)

Oscar lamented the cognitive impairments of two out of the four party members. Ecdysis, being the daughter of Einar, that's understandable, but what happened to Isabelle?

She was supposed to be a prodigy on Tylesse.

Unless she was poisoned to weaken the enemy's strength in Krasilov, it doesn't make sense that she's that stupid.

But fortunately, there's one more person among them who can understand what he means. She's not exactly a person (human), but she's a very intelligent individual.

Elpheira, listening to Oscar's words, turned her head and asked.

"So, does that mean Yermov intends to gather us to assassinate us?" (Elpheira)

"I doubt it. If that were the case, there would have been many better opportunities." (Oscar)

How many times has the recent attack in Frechenkaya happened? Civil unrest within the city always brings about a security vacuum.

If he had attacked during that time, it would have been a much cleaner job. For example, during the attack on the field internship, if Ivan hadn't intervened, Oscar and Isabelle would have surely lost their lives.

So killing isn't the objective. Rather, it's...

"Something he wants to show or teach only to us. Isn't it that kind of call? Yermov was a friend of the hero party, a close friend of Professor Enrique, and someone who showed overwhelming performance in the tournament." (Oscar)

Isn't it common sense that if your dad's friend is a knight, they would help with training in such situations?

In response to Oscar's words, Elpheira let out a bitter laugh.

"Humans can be cute sometimes." (Elpheira)

"What?" (Oscar)

"Assume you're right. Then what about me? It's true that Yermov handles a sword quite well, but can he also handle magic? Then what can he teach me?" (Elpheira)

If Ivan had been good at magic, he wouldn't have taken her to explore the underground ruins. And that means, more than anyone else here, she is more suitable to fill Ivan's shortcomings.

As Elpheira was an awake elf, she didn't doubt Oscar's presence here. Well, isn't gender necessarily important for sexual desire? Neither is race nor age. (The latter is more important.)

So, that's it.

Gathering people who are interested in themselves among humans and tactfully rejecting them because there's an elf present. Huh, you've really thought it through well. How cute.

Oscar despaired as he read that look in Elpheira's eyes.

There's no sane person?

Not just one crazy, but everyone except him is crazy?

Are these the successors of the hero party...?

Fortunately, Oscar's despair didn't last long. When the clock in the main waiting room began to strike exactly 5 o'clock in the afternoon, heavy footsteps were heard.

- Thud, thud, thud.

Elpheira's ears perked up. As everyone shifted their gaze, a man stood in front of the entrance to the station, silhouetted against the sun.

"You came on time." (Ivan)

"Uncle!"

Isabelle and Ecdysis ran towards Ivan with excitement. As they rushed forward as if to draw a sword immediately, thump. Bags were thrown at each of them.

"Huh? What's this? It's really heavy?"

"Each of you carry one and follow me. I've packed what we need."

Ivan gestured towards the black carriage in front of the station. It had armored plates, gunports, and barred windows, resembling a prisoner transport carriage.

"We're not being kidnapped or anything, right?"

"No."

Ivan nodded his head.

At his gesture, the station attendant dozing off, the beggar in the corner, the merchant selling dried herbs, and the farmer waiting for the next train all suddenly stood up.

Huh? At that moment, black cloths spread out over the students' heads.

With expert skill, the Counterintelligence agents swiftly surrounded and secured them, sparkling eyes fixed on Ivan.

"Excellent. Take them away."

"Yes, sir!"

The agents, greatly uplifted by the praise of the legendary agent, threw the students into the carriage like luggage.

Ivan entered the carriage compartment, where the students were piled up, and slowly reclined in his seat.

"It's not kidnapping, it's just abduction."

"Are you really crazy, uncle? You're not going to release us? If I get out, I'll really kill you first!"

"Uncle, abduction is illegal on Drovian. Let's talk."

"I have a human hair allergy!!"

Ignoring the squawking luggage, Ivan unfolded a map.

Soon, the carriage departed.

***

How to train students who are on vacation.

Unless students have status windows or quests, they will never voluntarily participate in training during vacation, as they are not normal students who think about studying. This is a fact that Ivan, who has lived his whole life as a student under the highly organized education system of the 21st century, knows very well.

Unless there is a 'motive' such as seeking revenge against a fugitive brother or a British phantom who has conspired with the government to carry out terrorism whenever bored, students will never participate in classes voluntarily.

So, in order to train the peaceful university students of this era, and even to conduct training during vacations, what 'motives' should be instilled in them?

It's not money. Isabelle, Ecdysis, Elpheira, and Oscar are wealthy enough to cover the annual operating expenses of Ivan's orphanage with their own individual assets alone.

Honor, wealth, goods, and rare artifacts should not be 'motives' but rather 'rewards' given after completing trials. Motives should be simpler and more intense.

Sergeant Kim Sun-woo, the Earth's top motivator, already knew the answer.

The correct answer is simply 'survival'.