I remember that on the first day of school, we were warned to stay away from there if we were to cherish our lives. Later, we were reminded repeatedly... Griffith thought about it. His mind was distracted by many other things. There was no follow-up to the mountain monster in the forest more than a month ago. The school also took away the extraordinary properties extracted from the mountain monster for investigation, and there was no reward.
Regardless of whether there is any conclusion from the investigation, it will probably be shrouded in shadow like the previous events. However, the extraordinary characteristics of the mountain monster are very precious!
Griffith became more and more anxious. The battles with the trolls and Root were extremely risky and not at all in line with Griffith's past style. He originally planned to retreat after seeing the situation clearly, but the battle broke out in a hurry and involved him, and the final victory was a fluke. Over this period of time, the more he summed up, the more he felt that he was too careless that day.
After taking such a big risk, there must be corresponding benefits! I want to claim ownership of extraordinary properties.
"That's not true~"
The discussion at the long table continued, Galadia shook her head, "Food and accommodation are arranged by the school. High-ranking professors will take us to camp outside the forest. The monsters at the edge of the forest have no guts to approach us!"
"Monsters at the edge of the forest?" Fiona interrupted the conversation and asked curiously and worriedly, "Aren't powerful monsters from deep in the forest coming?"
"In that case, I would have had more specimens."
A dry and cold voice suddenly sounded from behind, startling everyone.
Professor Lordes didn't know when he came here. His eyes swept over the classmates who were still having breakfast, and he said steadily and indifferently:
"Winter camping is ahead of schedule. Now go back and pack your luggage. In half an hour, I will see everyone appear at the school gate to report to Velonos. If you are late for one minute, one point will be deducted for the practical class."
What?
Everyone can't believe their ears.
"Do you understand?" the professor said, "Leave at nine o'clock, the winter staff trip starts today."
…
White snowflakes fell on Griffith's shoulder armor. The light snow in the early morning has turned into heavy snow.
Today suddenly became the day for the first-year staff trip.
Freshmen who had just enrolled for a few months put on thick cloaks and warm woolen scarves, and lined up in a long line to follow the professors towards the Whispering Forest. The four colleges set off one after another according to different orders and destinations. The first stop of Minerva College was an abandoned castle 40 miles away from the college.
The brownie elves drove the carriage full of luggage and food through the soft white snow and walked behind the team. The 20 Shutorals who were exclusive to Minerva were put on the heavy armor they had just taken off, and they quickly spread out on the road holding spears and halberds.
"Spread out, spread out in guard formation along the way." Professor Erich did not participate in this camping trip, but this did not prevent him from shouting to the young man wearing armor, "Griffith, Ophelia, Don't be so slow, why haven't the scouts been sent out yet? Why are the skirmish lines so close to the main group?!"
"Ugh~ I didn't expect to scold us before leaving the house!" Ophelia came to Griffith's side and looked at the group of students slowly passing by not far away. "Young masters and ladies are walking so slowly. ."
"The snow made it very inconvenient for us to move, and we started in a hurry. The speed now is already very good," Griffith stared at Sonia's figure in the long queue, and then pulled his gaze back.
The school officials were so arrogant in letting untrained people march 40 miles in heavy snow.
"I'm going out with the Jaegers," the girl with the blond ponytail reached out and tapped the map in front of Griffith, "We will meet at Fort Watch, where we will camp tonight."
Starting from Homemonworth and heading west along the northern edge of the Whispering Forest, there is an abandoned fortress about 40 miles away. In the war a hundred years ago, the northern princes tried to pass through the Whispering Forest to raid Bjelan. In order to achieve this goal, the northern princes built a strong fortress on a high ground with huge rocks and stationed more than 200 soldiers. While monitoring Homonworth's movements, they forced nearby villagers to cut down the forest to create roads.
No one saw those soldiers or villagers again.
…
You are not allowed to ride in a carriage for the entire day's journey, and if you suffer from frostbite or a fall, you will be cured and continue walking. The winter sun sets early, adding a bit of chill to the cold hands and feet.
Griffith checked the route and direction and confirmed that he was not going the wrong way. He put away the map and ran down from the high point on the side of the road, towards the front of the team.
"Look, the tin can is back." The tired Master Fisher said angrily, "I just let them do this kind of nonsense."
"Yes, why do we still do such a thing with our status?" Young Master Badong on the side muttered in agreement, "Even if we have to lead the army in the future, we still have to maintain the dignity of the nobility, right?"
"Wouldn't it be great if there was a war!" Winston, another member of Fisher's small group, looked energetic. "I will let Ophelia come to my tent at night."
"Watch your words, idiot," Fisher shouted sternly before Master Badong could echo, "She is not someone you can covet. Before Lord Aaron speaks, take care of yourself."
The excruciating journey lasted all day, and the heavy snow filling the sky seemed to be turning into a blizzard. Fortunately, as evening approached, the freshmen could already see the towering outline of the castle ahead.
"Are we going to stay there at night?" Sonia lifted the hood of her fluffy cloak and looked at the ruins under the gray sky. "I'm a little excited just thinking about it!"
"This castle is maintained by the school every year and is the first stop for winter camping." Miss Fiona leaned close to Sonia and hugged her arm, "But~ I don't feel very good. In all aspects~ "
"Keep on holding on!" Galadia shook her head, took off the ear hats on her pointed ears and put them into her backpack, "When Brownie lights the bonfire, spreads the blanket and prepares dinner, you will cheer!"
"Stop," the voice of Associate Professor Velonos, who was leading the team, came from the howling north wind. "Faculty and Brownie, set up camp, we will rest here tonight. Everyone - I haven't said disband yet. "
The first-year students who had been walking all day held back their cheers and stood there staring at the castle on the huge rock in front of them.
The fortress is built on a naturally formed gray-white rock, more than ten meters above the ground. The builders of the castle dug a wide spiral upward passage along the edge of the giant rock, and built double-layered walls and towers with gray rocks on the flat ground at the top.
The erosion of the years has disintegrated the rock walls and most of the buildings, and also brought plant seeds and soil. Looking up from the bottom of the huge rock, you can see the trees and bushes growing on the rock that have not been completely covered by the snow.
The brownies quickly drove the carriage up the spiral passage. Before they set up the camp, the professors and students came to the nearby big trees and found a dry open space to sit down and rest.
Although there is no need for everyone to carry luggage, many students have never experienced walking on their own feet for a day. Sonia drank several energy supplements along the way, and it took a lot of perseverance to stand up after each break.
Griffith stepped on the snow and trotted towards the resting crowd. Like the other Shutorals, Griffith was in a state of war during this camping trip. Under this circumstance, his relationship with Sonia transformed into that of a sergeant and a commander.
For this reason, even though the Larmore girl was extremely tired, Griffith could not carry her on his back.
"Miss Sonia, gentlemen and ladies, the investigation work has been completed, and the scouts have found no signs of danger. This is the camp layout and warning plan for tonight." Griffith thumped his chest and asked a few tired people aside. The pale-faced girls and boys greeted them one by one, reported some of the routines required in the code, and handed over the map he drew very seriously.
Just as Griffith has an obligation to the Larmore family, the heirs of famous families must also respond to the call of their lord, His Majesty the King, or a certain Grand Duke to go to the battlefield when necessary. For the aristocratic students of Homemonworth, there is a high probability that they will receive a call-up order in their third or fourth grade to take their vassals and soldiers to the battlefield or complete a dangerous mission.
It is against this background that Hometown Watts holds camping or field teaching every semester, led by experienced professors or associate professors, simulating wartime marches and camps, and even conducting assessments based on courses and credits.
Of course, no matter how you simulate it, you can't create a large group of infantry accompanying them. In order to let everyone experience it, the school has been asking everyone to walk for many years.
A staff trip is not a trip, not an outing, it is the scariest lesson in Homemonworth.
