A business trip to the Human Kingdom was decided.
While it would have been ideal to take all the unit mbers, that was, of course, impossible.
There was the possibility, however slim, that the fortress could be attacked while they were away.
While the demon appearances had significantly decreased after the True Demons were repelled, monsters, conversely, had beco more rampant. It seed they were filling the void left by the demons.
After much deliberation, Hans chose two mbers to accompany him, Bayard and Helia.
The trip to the Human Kingdom wasn’t likely to be dangerous, but individuals suited to the occasion were necessary.
However, practicality couldn’t be sacrificed for re appearances.
Hans ensured sufficient forces remained to defend the fortress in his absence. This was why he had Cluna and Yuren stay behind.
Naturally, Cluna and Yuren strongly protested.
Their logic was that the Commander’s safety took absolute precedence.
To counter this, Hans had chosen Bayard.
“Bayard’s skill is more than enough to protect .”
“Thank you, Commander.”
‘Tch, it can’t be helped.’
‘She’s not wrong.’
While Yuren and Cluna wouldn’t compromise on the Commander’s safety, this ti, they were speechless.
Everyone acknowledged Bayard’s prowess.
However, the choice of Helia was t with surprise. While Helia wasn’t incompetent, she was still relatively inexperienced.
But Hans remained firm, and ultimately, Bayard and Helia were chosen to accompany him to the Human Kingdom.
The other unit mbers, though disappointed, didn’t openly object to the Commander’s decision.
After all, they ultimately had to abide by his choices, even if it ant risking their lives.
“Teacher, why did you choose ?”
Once the surroundings quieted, Helia cautiously asked.
Her love for Hans was imasurable, but lately, she had been losing confidence.
Her skill was exceptional for her age, and she had recently improved significantly, even surprising Yuren with her rapid progress.
However, Helia herself wasn’t satisfied. She felt like she was only holding her teacher back.
The thought of leaving had even crossed her mind. She had reached the point of such extre insecurity.
That’s why she was taken aback when Hans suddenly chose her.
“Because you haven’t seed very happy lately.”
“What?”
“You’ve been looking troubled recently.”
“…”
“That’s not a bad thing. It’s actually good. But sotis, you need a change of pace.”
Helia silently closed her mouth, holding back tears.
‘It’s not that I don’t want to be helpful… I don’t want to be a burden.’
She had committed such acts out of anxiety.
Already emotionally fragile from losing loved ones in the war, her sense of self had shattered.
Yet, her teacher had noticed her.
Helia trembled with emotion.
Of course, this was Helia’s perspective. In truth, Hans was worried about her potential for losing control.
She was manageable now, but…
‘In the original story, Helia was closer to a villain than a heroine. She was even the protagonist of a bad ending where she betrayed and killed the main character. She’s unpredictable.’
‘I need to take good care of her so she doesn’t lose control like she did in the original story.’
While Helia had already lost control once, the hypnotized Hans hadn’t realized it yet.
In any case, Hans departed for the Human Kingdom imdiately.
“Wyverns are incredibly convenient.”
“Indeed, Teacher.”
“Orcs have their uses after all.”
Unlike Helia, who readily agreed, Bayard expressed open hostility.
Hans didn’t reprimand her.
‘Beastn and orcs are enemies.’
Recognizing the sensitive nature of the topic, Hans quickly changed the subject.
Soon, they took to the skies on the wyverns, and the mountain scenery unfolded below.
‘The view is quite nice.’
“This… this is nice.”
“Take it all in. This is the land we will protect.”
“I will engrave it in my heart.”
Bayard’s unexpectedly serious reply startled Hans slightly, but he simply accepted it, thinking it was a good sentint.
However, Bayard interpreted his words differently.
‘The Commander is already looking beyond just driving out the demons.’
‘His next goal must be the true enemies threatening the continent… enemies like the orcs. They are nothing more than monsters clinging to this land for the sake of fighting.’
‘If we fall, there is no one left.’
Bayard steeled her resolve. After about half a day of flying, they finally arrived at the Human Kingdom. They had arrived much faster than expected.
‘Flying is certainly convenient.’
“It’s good that we didn’t waste your precious ti, Teacher.”
“Y-Yes.”
Her unexpectedly heavy words caught him off guard, but Hans simply smiled.
‘Thanks to sending a ssage ahead, we avoided being shot down.’
The wyvern landed gently in the palace courtyard. Soldiers watched them warily but took no further action.
Hans dismounted.
“I am Hans, Commander of the Royal Knights. Where is the King?”
“I am lissa, Captain of the Royal Guard. Please be mindful of your address.”
“Hmm, I see. Then…”
“How dare you speak so insolently?!”
‘I should be respectful. He’s the king of a nation that has helped us greatly.’
That was his intention, until Bayard interjected.
Bayard, who had been standing behind him, strode forward and confronted lissa. In that instant, everyone fell silent.
‘Like a wild beast…,’ they thought.
A primal fear silenced them.
lissa and the Royal Guard, and even Hans, were speechless.
Hans, being further away, was less affected, but even he was montarily stunned.
The Royal Guard, facing her ferocious aura head-on, were even more intimidated.
Hans, startled by the sudden outburst, spoke.
“Bayard, what is the aning of this?”
“They threatened us first.”
“Threatened?”
“Did they not demand you submit to them, Commander?”
“Ah.”
‘She’s a beastman, so her values are closer to an animal’s. And to her, I’m the leader to whom she has pledged loyalty. They challenged my authority… a group of weak prey, no less. Of course she reacted.’
‘Oh, my head.’
He felt a headache coming on, but dealing with the current situation took priority.
‘These are the Royal Guards, protectors of the royal family. Naturally, most of them are skilled.’
‘It wouldn’t be good to cause unnecessary conflict.’
He didn’t want them fighting amongst themselves and weakening their overall strength.
‘But dismissing Bayard would diminish the authority of the Royal Knights.’
He had to tread carefully.
“Bayard, we must be forgiving of others’ mistakes.”
“Commander, but…”
“For the greater good, we must endure this much.”
“If that is your will, Commander.”
Bayard quietly retreated.
The Royal Guard could finally move again.
Hans, observing the scene, clicked his tongue.
‘The killing intent that paralyzed them…’
“There was a bit of a commotion. Are you alright, Captain lissa?”
“I-I’m fine. Thank you for your concern.”
“Good. I’m glad to hear it.”
lissa inwardly clicked her tongue.
‘The ferocious killing intent that felt like being crushed by giant steel bars… yet he dispelled it with a single word. Truly, the Commander of the Royal Knights.’
However, she couldn’t overlook the previous outburst.
‘I made a reasonable request as a mber of the Royal Guard, only to be t with intimidation.’
‘No matter how prestigious the Royal Knights are, this is unacceptable.’
After so thought, lissa decided to report everything to His Majesty.
‘Before things escalate further.’
‘Besides, after eting him in person, I can’t understand what the Commander is thinking.’
‘He’s from the Human Kingdom and was chosen by our King and recomnded as Commander of the Royal Knights. But his actions just now didn’t seem like those of a loyal subject.’
‘Just who are you? What is your purpose?’
lissa’s wariness only deepened.
[Translator Notes]
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