novel(3)
| ← Ch.174 | Ch.176 → |
As the day dawned, people from the adventurer's guild headquarters, including myself, prepared to return to the capital. This was thanks to Guild Director Glont dismissing the summoned reserve forces after judging that the flooding of the demons and the subjugation of the great demon turtle was over. If the reserve forces were dispersed, it was only natural for the civil servants within these forces to return to their original work.
"But can we really just disband the army like this?" Flam asked.
Demuir answered with a smile, "Since it's only the reserve army that's going to be disbanded, there won't be any problems. Only the capital defense unit, the 2nd Corps of the main army, will return to the capital while the rest will remain for the time being."
As the reserve forces were originally vigilante adventurers, problems seemed to have begun to arise in many ways. On top of that, it appeared something happened in the capital, as Guild Director Glont looked to be in a hurry.
Well, I wasn't in a position to worry about others. I wanted to leave Warrant as soon as possible, so it was better for me that they were getting ready to depart in a hurry.
As most of the supplies were being left behind, all we had to do was hand over our work to the main unit's administrative officers. And so, the preparations for our departure were completed within the morning.
"Den, what's wrong? You don't look good, " Demuir asked anxiously, organizing the documents to be handed over.
"No, I think I slept wrong because I was cramped from sleeping in the shelter."
In fact, last night, I used mana too excessively, and the mana circuit was overloaded, so I was suffering from a sudden mana deficiency. If I were back in my hometown, it would have taken half a month to get better, but here, I could recover quickly if I stuffed medicine into my body and rested for two to three days.
"Yeah, my whole body is aching because I've been living in a cold tent and sleeping in a cramped shelter."
Demuir nodded, seemingly convinced, and as if it had suddenly come to mind, he asked Flam, "Oh, come to think of it, I didn't see you two in the shelter. Where did you go? For the first time in a while, Dano even saved spots for everyone from the headquarters."
When Demuir asked, I felt a prick but didn't show it."I went to go to the bathroom. It took a long time, and when I came back, the spot was gone."
Demuir smiled heartily as I said some nonsense."Yeah, well, there are a lot of people despite the shelter being small. Flam, were you in the bathroom, too?"
"Uh, I mean... Yes, I was in the bathroom." Flam nodded awkwardly.
To describe Flam's trembling voice or facial expression as a flavor, it tasted like lies! Well, where Flam went last night was none of my business. Flam's personality wouldn't have him stealing something.
Come to think of it, 20 percent of the chirps that I released into the demon's territory got done in by the demons and had to be rebuilt or repaired. In addition, it was time to begin the plan of mass-producing the dragon tooth soldiers, as well as start researching the cores from the golems obtained from the ruins.
There were many places to put my money, but I don't know if the money I had would hold out. Should I rob some illegal slush funds from the nobles again? I'll have to go through Count Druval's corruption ledgers.
"Ah! It's over!" Demuir tied the documents being transferred together and got up from his seat, stretching.
"I am all done, too." Flam worked in the battle rations sector, so he didn't have much work to do. At least, the stock quantity didn't go up and down like the arrows that were being retrieved.
"What about you, Den?"
"I've already finished." My head wasn't bad enough to spend hours on these simple documents.
"Then shall we just hurry and transfer them and get in the wagon for departure?" Demuir proposed.
Flam enthusiastically agreed, "That's a good idea."
"I want to hurry up and leave this horrible place."
It was not good for my mental health to stay in a place where I might be caught. We hurried and transferred the documents over before heading for the carriage leaving for Asterium. We'll be taking a direct train from Asterium to the capital.
* * *
Glont clicked his tongue at Bloody, who was lying on a bed."Aiing, tsk tsk. Why did you go and use the Dance of the Fireflies?"
In exchange for using a self-destructive technique, every capillary in Bloody's body had expanded, making it look like a bluish web had formed on the skin of his entire body. If it weren't for the strong body of the Crows, the vessels would have burst instantly and become spotty with bruises.
"Ahahaha, the blood just rushed to my head." Even though he laughed in vain, Bloody's face was full of anxiety.
Despite many years passing, he still couldn't get used to the death of his subordinates, who he had been good friends with for a long time. In particular, it was worse for the Black Water Buffalo Knights because the average mortality rate in battle was extremely low compared to other knight divisions.
"Well, we managed to beat the great demon because of it." Lying next to him, Dane Walker smiled and defended Bloody.
"By the way, how come Orphina and William haven't come to see you even once? Such a petty bunch, " Bloody grumbled.
Glont let out a sigh, "William is being briefed on the damage to the entire army and is planning the troops' future movements with the other officers. Orphina is... she's on the fortress walls all nervous after having a bout with your brother's child."
Bloody couldn't understand what Glont was saying."My brother's child? Did Leisha cause an accident?"
"Not Leisha, the other one."
"The other one... Then Gawain? If it's Gawain, he went back to hyung-nim, " Bloody said as he tilted his head.
Glont frowned, "You're so dull. I'm talking about Denburg."
"Why Den all of a sudden... ? Wait?! Was Den here?"
When Bloody was genuinely surprised, Glont shook his head at him pathetically."That Solar who said he was serving the sun is your nephew."
"What! Really? No wonder he suddenly hit me in the back of my head. I would've understood if Mac or Lancelot had hit me, but I was surprised. Hahaha."
Glont was unaware that Denburg had run away from home and just found out through this incident. Even though he didn't attend the secret meetings, he couldn't help but feel like he was missing out.
"Your nephew's magic was quite impressive. It didn't seem like he was just at a level of a madosa."
"Well, he's the one who beat up and caught a dragon in the Olympus Forest using magic."
Dane Walker freaked out when Bloody said that."Is that possible?!"
Glont was also surprised."Looking at the magic he used to beat the great demon, it doesn't seem impossible at all, which makes it even more surprising."
When Glont smiled insidiously, Bloody shook his head."You had the same look when you were drawing in the Dragon Tribe, but you should give up because he's the next chief. If you handle this recklessly, it'll be an all-out war with our village."
Glont laughed as if he had been dissuaded by Bloody's warning. It was clear that if there were an all-out war with the Crow Tribe, the Butterfly Tribe and the Dragon Tribe would immediately halt their exchanges with the empire.
"Ohhohoho, that's too bad. He's definitely a needed talent for the empire. Well, even if I managed to persuade the Crow Tribe, it'll be hard with Orphina still grinding her teeth."
"More importantly, what did Den do to make Orphina grind her teeth?" Bloody asked.
Glont told the story as he heard it upon Bloody's inquiry. With the addition of Leisha's testimony, he was even informed that Lupin, the notorious thief in the capital, was actually Denburg.
After hearing the story, Bloody burst into laughter."Kuhaha! Lupin! Befitting his notoriety in the village, he went and caused a big mess."
Despite the throbbing pain in his entire body, Bloody couldn't stop laughing.
Glont sighed once again at this display."I'm not kidding. Lupin is suspected of being a heretic. It could lead to a feud between the temple and the Crow Tribe."
It was something that had to be avoided from the point of view of the empire, which used the temple as its national religion.
"It's okay; he's very shrewd. I'm pretty sure he knows his identity as Lupin has been discovered, and he's working under a different name now, " Bloody said.
"Well, that would be better. Of course, the best thing would be for him to return on his own two feet."
"There's no way that kid would do that, " Bloody said with a grin.
Glont got up from his seat."You two are patients, so take your time coming back to the capital. I have to go straight back to the capital."
"What, so fast?"
When Bloody and Dane Walker looked at Glont in surprise, Glont answered with a serious face, "I got an urgent message from Arcanta. The palace was robbed by the 12 Zodiacs."
"What?! Is that possible? Through that horrendous magic circle?"
"I know. I'm worried about Eranto, who was on standby at the palace. I heard he got injured in the process of chasing after them."
"I see. He's too hot-tempered. That's the problem, " said Bloody.
Glont looked at him as if saying that he was one to talk."It's more of a problem that you're in this state!"
Bloody shook his hand at Glont's yell, "Uh-uh, here comes the old temper."
Glont coughed in vain at Bloody's retort."Khmm!"
Since he and Bloody spent their glory days leading the rugged knights together, when they talked, they sometimes spoke as they did in the harsh past.
Glont spoke softly with care, "Orphina originally had to stay and lead the main army. Now, because of you, she has to return to the capital with the Red Dragon Knights and the 2nd Corps. Do you think it makes sense for the field commander-in-chief to return?"
Glont sighed one after another and continued his nagging."Really, aren't you a little self-conscious? How can a commander who leads the army lie in bed? Did I or did I not tell you that the commander shouldn't fall until the very end?"
"Uh... Um, sorry."
He was looking for a chance to retire completely, but he felt like his retirement was becoming more and more distant.
"Ehew, ohhohoho, what can you do after the water has already been spilled? Anyways, take good care of your bodies, you two."
"I got it."
"Good luck."
Glont exchanged goodbyes and left the infirmary.
* * *
Around noon, I watched as Warrant's fortress wall moved further away from the carriage as we returned to the capital. Now, Orphina's dragon must be slowly returning to Warrant as I had controlled it to do. Orphina was now included in the list of people I had to avoid. Of course, there was no chance of running into her while doing regular duties as a civil servant.
"Why, are you sad to leave? Have you grown fond of it?" When I looked at Warrant, one of my companions in the carriage, Rosellis, asked playfully.
"No, I'm sick of military supplies."
Rosellis wasn't riding in a military officer's wagon, but instead, Flam and I were in Rosellis's wagon for commanders. Unlike the wagons that officers rode, this one was spacious and had fluffy chairs, so I liked it. As expected, having a backing is good in this regard.
"Ahahaha, but when we get back, we'll be closed for about two to three days, so you won't have to go straight to work. So rest well."
"Oh, really?" Flam asked delightedly.
Rosellis nodded lightly."Yeah, I guess Mr. Roseland hasn't told you yet?"
"Yes, Mr. Roseland was quite busy. If it's something that has been decided, I'm sure he will tell us at Asterium."
If we were really getting two or three days off, it would be enough time to get back to normal condition and repair the chirps.
"And you two will have plenty of reward vacations."
I tilted my head at Rosellis's remark."What? Why?"
"You two were brought to the frontline straight away after being dispatched to the ruins. Other people are also getting reward vacations, but I heard you two are being given more care since you guys went through additional trouble."
"Did the guild director say that?"
"Yeah."
At Rosellis's prompt reply, Flam and I did a high five.
"Yay! Vacation!"
Then I'll really get to study the core of the golem. If I don't have enough research money, I'll just put on a mask and steal some illegal slush funds.
By the way, since Lupin's mask was discovered by my youngest sister, I'll have to start by making a new mask. What should I name the new one? I'll think about it carefully.
| ← Ch. 174 | Ch. 176 → |