Grandpa and Grandma We’d seen them off, but they didn’t say anything more than a quick goodbye. After the first… incident, they had learned their lesson; they got straight into the car and drove off without wasting a breath.

  “Come on, Arin, that’s not the whole story,” Bertho said, puffing up his chest like an old rooster. “You forgot to tell them how you ran off like a flustered schoolgirl the moment we reached the entrance. And Tom over there got spotted by pure dumb luck, panicked, and gave himself away. That’s why they left so fast. But that captain is sharp.”

  “Hmph. Someone seems to need extra lessons,” Grandma Lilly added with a sparkle in her eye.

  “Karl,” she called, turning to Grandpa, “I’m going to train this disappointment—” she held Tom up by the back of his collar like a stray cat “—and get Theun out of the bunker. Will you explain the rest of our decision?”

  She glanced toward the forest that looked empty only to the untrained eye.

  “And the rest of you, get out here. Unless you want to join this one’s lesson?” she asked sweetly, dragging a panicking Tom away.

  The bushes rustled. One by one, the others emerged—sheepish, guilty, very much caught.

  “Right,” Grandpa Karl began once everyone had gathered, “we’ve decided to remain in the forest until after the first Guardian Trial. First reason: the mana here is denser than anywhere else. We all felt it, yes?”

  Everyone nodded.

  “We suspect it’s because this is still a Primordial Forest, and one of the highest points in the country. Anyway. Second reason: we all saw that slimeball pretending to be our ‘guide’. I’d bet my beard they arranged it so the government would label us unstable elements and wipe us out.”

  A heavy silence fell.

  “And if not for that girl,” Grandpa added, “it could’ve happened. For dragging you all into danger, I apologize.”

  “No, Grandpa, you did better than any of us!” Jonhy protested. “It helped that you looked like a grumpy old—”

  “Say that again?” Grandpa raised an eyebrow.

  Jonhy paled. “Eep—sorry! Sorry! I won’t say it again!” he yelped as Grandpa grabbed him by the ear.

  “Good.” Grandpa released him and turned to his wife. “Dear, you were keeping an eye on the guide. Did he do anything unusual?”

  “Yes,” Grandma Lilly said. “He knew he was being watched. Still, he practiced a breathing technique. He must have sensed the increased mana. I suspect he ran straight to that little council of elders they have.”

  Her eyes swept over the group of serious-faced children.

  “So, if we need anything from our houses, we fetch it quickly. Also, call back all the children who went to work or study outside. I don’t believe they’ll refrain from doing something underhanded, now that they know what we possess.”

  “The kids know what’s at stake,” Karl said with a nod. “If we strike a deal with the military, the elders won’t have as much room to maneuver. Still, prepare for the worst. Grab your supplies and meet here in three hours.”

  Everyone began to turn when Karl added casually:

  “Oh, and when you call the brats outside, tell them it’s fine if their spouses or children don’t know how to play our games. But if they forgot—there will be hell to pay. And don’t go soft on them. Understood?”

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

  “Yes, Grandpa!” they answered, eyes gleaming like a pack of predators.

  “Good. Then let the hunt begin.”

  Military Base – Same Time

  The base commander greeted Sofie with an oily smile.

  “Miss Sofie! A productive meeting, I hope? The conference room is already prepared.”

  “Thank you, Commander,” Sofie replied politely. “I’ll join you shortly—I need something from my backpack.”

  “Of course, of course,” he said, walking away.

  The moment he turned the corner, Sofie’s expression dropped into pure disgust.

  “Lieutenant,” she whispered sharply, “what did you find?”

  “Yes, Captain. Just as you suspected—traces of bribery, intimidation, and ties to local elites. Not enough to prosecute civilians, but more than enough for military judges to rain hell down on this place.” His lip curled as he looked toward the commander strolling in the distance.

  “Good. We don’t need corrupted scum in the military,” Sofie said coldly. “I hope he’s the only one. Call the judiciary. Call the generals. They’re going to learn their base commander is rotten.”

  She spat on the ground.

  “And I’m calling Grandpa. If war is coming within the year, we need competent officers, not scumbags.”

  “Yes, Captain.”

  Sofie climbed into her car and dialed.

  Swiss Alps – Secure Bunker

  Deep in the mountains, inside a high-security bunker, sat Herman Merz, Grand Marshal of the European Army. Beside him were the Grand Admiral of the Navy, the Five-Star Air Force General, and an assortment of high-ranking defense officials.

  “Logistics are handled until we learn more,” the Marshal said. “Next: how effective are modern tactics when restricted to cold weapons? Any ideas?”

  The room went stiff. Before anyone spoke, the Marshal’s phone vibrated.

  “Excuse me. My granddaughter.”

  He stepped outside and closed the door.

  Everyone inside exhaled in relief. A miracle reprieve. Marshal Merz was considered “Old Guard”—dragged from retirement only because he was one of the few who had actually fought a real war against the Russians. His presence alone made seasoned officers sweat.

  Meanwhile, in the hallway—

  “Grandpa?” Sofie’s voice crackled through. “I think I found your friend. You were right—he probably enlisted under a fake ID and never updated with the local government. Not surprising, given what I learned…”

  “You sound distressed, Sofie. What happened?”

  “…Ahh, you noticed. When we went to the archery club, we were nearly wiped out because of improper intel and an incompetent guide.”

  “Sofie,” the Marshal said, his voice lowering, “tell me what happened. Word for word.”

  Fifteen minutes later, Herman Merz re-entered the room.

  But something was wrong.

  He looked colder—much colder—than when he’d left. Normally he was cheerful after speaking with his children or grandchildren. Now he was silent, his expression like carved steel.

  He sat.

  Looked at each face around the table.

  And said, in a dangerously calm voice:

  “Will someone explain to me why the army has gone to hell just fifteen years after I retired?”

  He let his bloodlust seep out.

  Every officer in the room straightened instantly, spines snapping to attention.

  This was no longer a meeting.

  This was judgment.