Let's Train Heroine

"Honestly… How much longer are you going to keep me waiting? Don't irritate me."

A man's irritated voice echoed in the dimly lit room. The speaker was a well-dressed man in priestly robes, his narrow, cunning eyes gleaming with malice. This man, who resembled a sly fox, was Sholk, a high-ranking figure from the Solaria Sanctum and the mastermind behind the recent attacks on Lucan and Maris.

"You notorious criminals of the underworld are utterly pathetic. You can't even abduct a single man or a girl… Have you forgotten the hefty advance payment I gave you?" Sholk's voice dripped with disdain as he stared down the room's other occupants.

"No… I apologize. Everyone is doing their best," replied another man in the room, his tone strained with unease.

This younger man, while appearing gentle at first glance, possessed a well-built body that hinted at a history of physical training. He wore a black shirt, left open at the chest, revealing a necklace with a reversed pentagram—a symbol that gave him an unsettling aura.

"You said to leave it to the outlaws and Lost City's people, didn't you… Himan?" Sholk sneered, his voice dripping with contempt.

The young man's name was Himan. Once a promising student at Academy, he had become obsessed with forbidden magic. His obsession grew to the point of madness, and now, without the resources to continue his research, he had turned to crime, driven by the opportunity to earn money by capturing Lucan and Maris.

"Well… Honestly, I'm in a bind here too," Himan responded with a careless shrug. "Even though we've bribed some nobles to keep the knights quiet, the Crown Prince is being unusually proactive. It seems there are others moving behind the scenes as well… As a result, the newly formed organization is crumbling."

Himan laughed, a touch of bitterness in his voice. "Despite using Terra to lure out Lucan… To think we'd fail. Some groups have even returned their advance payments and said they want out… It's been a real mess, making me look like I set them up."

"Your circumstances are of no concern to me," Sholk snapped, his eyes narrowing with anger. "I paid you to bring those two to the Solaria Sanctum. You have an obligation to fulfill that… Do you not?"

"No, no, of course not. We'll give it our all," Himan said, raising his hands in mock surrender under Sholk's withering glare.

"I have no complaints as a hired man. Still… The power of a Saint is truly terrifying," Himan added, his hand unconsciously moving to the silver necklace at his chest.

"If I hadn't had this mark of the evil cult, I would've been caught too… Even this place would've been discovered without the dark barrier."

"…"

Sholk's frown deepened. Himan was indeed cunning, a man who knew how to cover his tracks. He had prepared various dark magic and protective items out of fear of the Saint's power, knowing that without them, both he and Sholk would be doomed.

"Don't look at me like that. I understand why such curses from the evil cult might displease you," Himan smirked, his eyes glinting with mischief.

"Silence," Sholk commanded coldly.

"Still, it wasn't a waste to be cautious. The Saint's power is stronger than expected… So, aiming for Lucan, then?" Himan grumbled, his tone shifting to one of frustration.

As their conversation continued, another figure slipped into the room, unnoticed at first.

"What? We have a guest," Himan noted with a raised eyebrow as he finally noticed the newcomer.

"Well…"

The newcomer whispered something in Himan's ear, causing him to stiffen slightly.

"What's the matter, Himan?" Sholk inquired, his tone sharp with suspicion.

"Ah… Well…" Himan hesitated, his eyes darting around the room before finally meeting Sholk's gaze. Under the pressure of Sholk's intense scrutiny, he sighed and spoke.

"It's information from an informant at the academy… It seems Lucan is planning to leave the academy for a short while."

"Leave? For what purpose?" Sholk asked, his curiosity piqued.

"The academy is hosting an event that requires a representative to venture out into the 'White Pegasus' for a ceremony. Lucan has been chosen to participate."

The "White Pegasus" was a sacred beast, who was companion of first and also strongest saint know to world. Every year, all major force send few people at White Pegasus Shrine for scared ceremony.

"So, Lucan will be leaving the safety of the academy and venturing into a shrine with only a small escort…" Sholk mused, a sinister smile creeping onto his face.

"Yes," Himan confirmed. "Given the nature of the ceremony, the group accompanying him will be small. It's the perfect opportunity."

"Indeed, it seems an opportunity has finally presented itself," Sholk agreed, his tone laced with anticipation.

Himan, however, remained skeptical. "It seems almost too convenient. Lucan must know he's being targeted. Why would he willingly walk into such danger?"

Sholk considered this, his brow furrowing slightly. "Perhaps he underestimates us… or perhaps he has no choice. Either way, we cannot let this chance slip by."

Himan clicked his tongue, clearly displeased. "Even if this is a trap, we have no choice but to act. Our forces are already stretched thin, and this may be our last opportunity."

"…Well, fine," Himan finally conceded. "But if things go wrong, I'm not risking my neck for this. I'll be coordinating from a safe distance."

"Do as you please," Sholk dismissed, his focus already shifting to the details of the plan.

They discussed the logistics, deciding to plant gang members within the White Pegasus Shrine to ambush Lucan and his escort. To go shine, they need to go through dungeon. In the dungeon, there is many hidden passages and dark corners, it would be the perfect place to capture him.

As they finalized the details, Sholk couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. The game was finally in motion, and soon, Lucan would be in his grasp. All that remained was to set the trap and wait for their prey to walk into it.

---

"Hm? White Pegasus Shrine? Why are you going there?" Maris asked.

"Why? I've been chosen by the academy to pay respects at the White Pegasus Shrine this year," Lucan said.

"I'm coming too."

"You can't. You have to go two months later. If you come with me now, you won't be able to go then."

Each group has its own designated time to send representatives to pay respects at the White Pegasus Shrine. In two months, it will be the Temple's turn, and since they have the Saint this year, they will, of course, send Maris.

However, right now, it's the academy's turn. In reality, Lucan wasn't actually going to the White Pegasus Shrine; he was just pretending. He had already spoken with the principal, who agreed to act as if Lucan was going.

Lucan made this plan when he heard that the academy would be reviewing all the teachers' reports to choose the best one to send to the White Pegasus Shrine.

However, Lucan didn't know that Maris was already aware of this plan. Before, when Maris spied on him, he could detect it, but because Maris had grown stronger in the last few days, Lucan was no longer able to tell if she was spying on him or not.