-Emperors Kingdom’s First Knight Commander’s POV-


    「Thank you for your hard work.」


    「I’m only doing my responsibilities as themander’s right-hand man.」


    Right-hand man huh?


    Then, you’ll be in a lot of trouble.


    Coordinating members, selecting them, preparing supplies…that’s a lot of work.


    -0-


    I thought that this ancient ruins investigation was a good opportunity.


    I had these young ones, who haven’t sin like us yet, go.


    I’ve prepared a group that will be the front of the investigation and another group as support.


    These groups of youngsters are those who served in the castle and children who were from poor families.


    I gathered them in the name of “Subsistence Aid”….it’s a bit of a stretch but I managed to do it.


    -0-


    Yes, the king is a frightening existence.


    However, everyone in the castle has experienced it.


    The power of the king of the world.


    The horror of being able to flex power without being seen.


    The king even charged those who talked about it for treason.


    The king doesn’t seem to realize it but he looks frightened.


    I guess he’s scared of reality.


    -0-


    After the sound of knocking on my door, my friend came into my room.


    He looks calmer than before.


    However, when his gaze met mine, he frowned and reported.


    「The investigation team has safely reached the safe zone. By the way, I blocked the road to the ve quarters and cleared the path.」


    「Thank you.」


    Since they reached the safe zone, they’ll be safe.


    Even if the escapees are discovered now, they won’t be able to catch up to them.


    They won’t lose the lives that they don’t need to lose.


    -0-


    The ves will probably be able to escape as well.


    The number of ves who had regained their minds in the past few days had increased too.


    The cause doesn’t matter. What matters is that they had a better chance to escape.


    I broke the locks of the cages and left maps showing the route in in sight.


    I’ve spread rumors to the ve dealers that if they get involved with the ves, they will incur the wrath of the forest, and the next time something happens, they will die.


    The fact that they were actually attacked must have an effect. No one hade near the ve quarters anymore.


    Then, my friend came and opened the door out of the castle that I had built in secret.


    Maa, I’m sure my men will be able to guide the ves and get them as far away from the castle as possible.


    I’ve been making preparations for this day and I’ve been making friends.


    I’ll have to be careful about the spies from the 5th knight order or they’ll let the king know.


    「What are the mages doing?」


    「The othermanders are checking on them. It seems like they are under house arrest and are being forced to examine the magic stone.」


    「I wish they’ll just give up.」


    My friend and Iughed at what his subordinate said.


    If they could do that, things wouldn’t be as bad as they are.


    I wish the 2nd knightmander and his subordinates were here.


    However, it is reassuring that they are with the investigation team.


    -0-


    Thinking about the future….I put my hand on my sword.


    This country has to change.


    -0-


    Suddenly, the entire castle was bathed in white light.


    Even my room turns white and I can’t help but close my eyes.


    「Commander」


    「It’s okay. Calm down!」


    An attack from the forest?


    I tensed up when I remembered how my body was almost crushed.


    By the time my vision returns to normal, the room has returned to its original state.


    I feel no difort in my body.


    「What was that?」


    The castle is unusually quiet.


    Perhaps everyone is too afraid to move.


    I took one deep breath in.


    Iughed a little by the fact that my heart was beating faster than normal.


    -0-


    I look out of the window.


    I can see the soldier running away from the castle.


    「What do we do?」


    「Stick to the n.」


    After answering my friend’s question, I picked up my sword and left the room.


    The light from the forest startled me but I had already prepared everything.


    Now, all I have to do is to execute it.


    -0-


    —Scene Change—


    -0-


    I arrived at the king’s bedroom easily.


    It was kind of a letdown since I’ve prepared for it.


    No one paid attention to our movements given the attack from the forest earlier.


    As someone who guards the castle, this is uneptable but given our n today, it saves us a lot.


    Was the attack earlier meant to help us?


    ….No way.