Testing the Waters

Meanwhile.

Less than a few kilometers outside the Hori Kingdom's military camp, in Locke City's council hall.

"Headmaster, your academy's invention is simply incredible!" an official said excitedly. "When the Holy Light flooded the entire city, I thought we were finished... But did you see that general's idiotic expression after the Holy Light vanished? He held up his right hand, wanting to lower it but not daring to—absolutely hilarious!"

The other officials in the hall were smiling as well, nodding one after another. Since the war began, the atmosphere in the council hall had never been this harmonious.

Even the peace faction members who had opposed them at every turn were now bowing and scraping before Benjamin, respectful to the extreme.

"Headmaster, please forgive our earlier discourtesy. The Rune Defense Array truly is a breathtaking invention. The Magic Academy will be written into history because of today's battle."

Facing all this, Benjamin merely smiled and nodded.

How should he put it... When the artillery fire came down, he had been filled with unease as well. And when the Rune Defense Array had completely withstood that terrifying volley, he had been even more excited than these officials.

But now, he had gradually calmed down instead.

"We merely blocked the Holy Light Cannon's first bombardment. We haven't driven back the Hori Kingdom's army," Benjamin said only after everyone had slowly emerged from their excitement. "It isn't time to truly celebrate yet."

At that, the acting prime minister nodded as well.

"That's right. Until we've driven them completely out of Ikor, none of us can let down our guard."

Just like that, the atmosphere in the hall quickly turned solemn, and the topic shifted from their impressions of what had just happened to how they should respond to the enemy's next assault. Such