Chapter 4 - Part 43 (Book 1 - Fantasy World)

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The sun began to rise, slowly pushing back the night sky like a flaming orange spear and clearing away the oppressive air they had to travel through. With the arrival of the morning, Valessandria couldn't help but feel a tear starting to form as they raced down the road. They had yet to encounter any of the monsters that had left behind the distinctive markings on the horse, in addition to evading encounters with the chowon gwemuls.

Her eyes gazed with elation upon seeing the high walls like the face of a sheer impenetrable cliff surrounding one of the greatest independent cities she had ever seen. "We made it," She sighed with relief upon seeing her home. With how the sun struck the walls, it blazed like a beacon to their group, greeting them back into its protective arms.

As though symbolizing that their treacherous journey was over, the tall grass that had surrounded them ended. The terrain was opened at least a mile away from the city. Though the grass would still be taller than what would be found inside the city, it was to the degree of being around knee height.

Upon witnessing the city walls, William raised a hand to indicate the group to slow down and give their horses some time to recover after racing for so long towards their destination.

There were cheers behind her as the students praised their arrival and escaped the nightmare they had experienced. Though she felt the desire to reprimand them for letting their guard down, she couldn't help but empathize with their sentiments. Never before had the roads been as treacherous as they had been for them the night before. It was unusual and something she'd need to bring attention to later when she met with the Student Council and the Adventurer's Guild's leadership.

But as her eyes glanced at the surroundings of the city, she saw the forest of tents of prospective students waiting to be accepted to the Academy and allowed to become residents of the city. Compared to when she left for Leaf Village, there were far more tents and prospective students waiting outside the wall, making her think that more students had arrived while they were gone. She presumed they came from the capital and other more populated locations. With their large number, they would be unlikely to be attacked by bandits or monsters.

As they approached the sea of tents, her eyes caught a few insignias on the portable houses, in addition to guards keeping an eye out for any trouble. Even though this time of year when new students arrive the city would provide security for all participants, there would always be those who would have security specifically for when they camped outside the walls of Illumin. A few guards noticed the insignia on her horse that indicated her being the head of the Disciplinary Committee. They bowed their head and greeted her.

She nodded at the guards, aware of her reputation among those with power. But even if they didn't care for her, there was no chance that they would directly oppose her since she was part of the Student Council -- the supreme power of Illumin. Letting out a sigh, she questioned whether being in the grassland where monsters roamed or exposed to the cutthroat nature of the nobility and those with resources was worse.

While passing by the tents, she did notice the families that had formed a makeshift tent with a blanket to at least protect them against the sun. Observing their clothing and seeing that it was barely hanging from their bodies, she frowned. Leaning her head close to William, "I want you to find out what the Peacekeeper Company is doing and why they aren't providing resources to those who need them. Have them write a report about the people outside and how they will distribute aid. Even if not all the people here will become students, I still want those who attend to be taken care of while they are our guests."

"The different companies do seem to be slacking at their jobs, considering how dangerous the roads have become." William's voice was flat.

The only thing the Peacekeeper Company seemed to be doing properly was making their rounds through the camps and the immediate area, ensuring that fights and disputes weren't getting out of hand. But this was the bare minimum of their duties. She made a mental note to send out Disciplinary Committee members to keep an eye on things. With how strange the monsters were behaving, at least in the grassland they traveled through, she refused to have any loss of life.

"I think someone realized you returned," William pointed with his chin.

Raising an eyebrow at his comment, Valessandria checked out ahead of them, and her eyes widened slightly upon seeing five people from the Special Division of the Academy Guards approaching her. Seeing them, a groan escaped from her mouth.

"If they are here, I suspect the President is not happy with your actions." William chuckled. "I bet they were ordered to stay at the entrance until you arrived."

Rolling her eyes, "I can imagine our dear President doing that. He tends to not be pleased when someone intentionally disregards his orders."

Even if they were a separate force that had no oversight from the Student Council, basically allowing them to do whatever they thought was necessary to keep Illumin safe, she had to grudgingly admit that she got pretty close to the line of what she was authorized to do as the Lady Knight. And finding out that she had taken students and resources to charge into a battle they would have no hope of winning on top of losing students, it didn't take much effort to hear Nathanial yelling at her for how foolish she was. It wasn't unreasonable that she'd be thrown in jail for her insubordination. Even if it wasn't for an extended period, sleeping in the jails wasn't something she enjoyed.

As the members of the Special Division approached them, they slowed and gave a quick salute. One of the members in front moved her horse closer. "Lady Knight! We have happy to see you safely arrive." Despite the welcoming words and smiling, the smile failed to reach her eyes. Her blue eyes slowly scanned the students behind Valessandria as though tallying up the numbers and comparing them to a mental list. Returning her attention to Valessandria, the Special Division member lacked any warmth and was direct, "Upon spotting you from the wall, we have sent out members to report your return to the Council. We are to notify you that the President demands your presence and has asked that we escort you so you may give your report. I would hate for you to lose your way." The woman smirked.

Valessandria couldn't help but smile, seeing how the Special Division member was itching to drag her down from her horse and treat her like a common criminal, but even after her disregard for the Council's order related to Leaf Village, as the Lady Knight and head of the Disciplinary Committee -- meant that she could be seen as the leader of the Academy Guards. Though she didn't have any influence on the Special Division, it signified the woman couldn't outright show disrespect.