kscans

Chapter 181 - The Day It Begins

The next morning.

After working all night, my eyes were heavy, and sleepiness was washing over me.

Tina said.

"Are you really okay? If you want, I can speak to the general…"

She offered.

It seemed Tina herself hadn't slept much, perhaps out of worry for me.

I replied.

"I'm fine. I managed to finish before dawn, so I got about an hour of sleep."

I answered with false cheer.

I was forced to pull all-nighters like this more times than I could count during my corporate days.

Back then, when I tried to work overtime to finish what I couldn't, my boss would forbid it, saying, 'Paying for overtime is a waste.'

So I'd take my work home, along with a pile of documents he'd force on me, saying, 'Do this, too.' Among them was work that other employees had started but left half-finished before it was passed to me.

Naturally, if I couldn't finish it, I would be the one to blame.

Compared to that unreasonable labor, this was something I could actually enjoy.

I said.

"Besides, I have the chocolate I prepared for times like this. If I eat this…"

I chewed it a few times and swallowed.

A little while later, it felt as if my brain was boiling, my blood surging, and my body was pulsing with life.

In a way, I was in a pretty sketchy state.

"Here it comes, here it comes! Dokun! It's here! Today's work will be no problem!"

I was in a state of elation.

To an onlooker, I would look like a degenerate who had gotten his hands on some dangerous drugs.

Tina asked.

"Are you really okay?"

Her eyes held both worry and pity.

I said.

"I told you I'm fine. Come on, let's go. There might be some new developments."

With that, I left the tent.

Tina followed behind me.

In the Commander's Office, General Goltor was sitting in his chair with his eyes closed.

When he saw us, he said.

"My apologies. Even though it was for our convenience, I gave you a sudden break."

Seeing his apologetic face, I replied.

"Please don't worry about it. We were able to spend the time meaningfully. By the way, I heard a lot of adventurers came from the Royal Capital?"

At my question, the general said.

"Ah, what was he thinking? A bunch of them came, lured by a directive from the Guild Master and an unprecedented reward. And here we are, already having trouble moving with the number of people we have. When I sent a letter of protest about this matter… the reply I got was, 'I did my best for the country!' And here His Majesty the Emperor and I wanted to leave a decent amount of forces in the Royal Capital."

He slammed his fist on the desk in frustration.

Tina asked.

"Leave forces behind? You think something is going to happen in the Royal Capital?"

To this question, the general replied.

"It's a possibility. You two know about the strangeness of this front, don't you? It clearly feels like there's a strategy at play. We were trying not to significantly reduce our forces just in case. But because of that fool… phew… I sent a few dozen soldiers back to the Royal Capital under the pretext of balancing our forces. Some of the idiot adventurers who arrived yesterday had the gall to say things like, 'Are they cowards?' What is he doing, causing nothing but chaos?"

He was clearly very irritated.

I asked.

"General, do you happen to know that Guild Master?"

At this question, the general made a sour face.

"I do. He's been an adventurer since the time of the former emperor. He was originally from a noble family and sought only his own martial prowess and reputation. His reasons were selfish, but it's a fact that he was diligent. For the meritocratic Empire, he was a man worthy of being called a role model. But when the former emperor retired from the front lines and lost his aggressive stance on war, things changed. He became the Guild Master based on his past achievements, but that's when he changed. He no longer showed the same zeal for his work, nor did he display his martial strength. He ended up clinging to power just like the other nobles. When the former emperor's policies changed, he changed right along with them. I don't know how many stubborn old men like me are left in the Empire today."

He spoke with a hint of nostalgia.

I asked.

"So, does that mean this incident has something to do with the Guild Master's authority?"

I voiced a possibility based on what I'd heard.

The general replied.

"That's not it. Emperor Yorune did recruit adventurers, but it was purely to balance the numbers. Skilled individuals like you were negotiated with in secret to come to the base, and the recruitment was a camouflage for that. The C-rank and above requirement was, of course, for experience, but also to weed out those who lacked confidence in their skills. In fact, the reward for participating was negligible. It was safer to do a normal job. But he ruined all of that. Among the C-rank adventurers who've come, there are some who are clearly useless."

At his frustration, I asked.

"Even at C-rank, wouldn't they have a decent amount of skill in this country?"

To this, the general replied.

"They just throw their weight around. In short, they're useless individuals who command from the rear under the pretext of leading, never participating in the battle themselves, and just taking credit for the achievements of the adventurers fighting on the front lines. The accomplishments of a party's work are shared equally among all members. Have you not experienced that yourself?"

I thought about it.

Indeed, when I teamed up with Bardos, my rank went up to match his. The Kraken subjugation was the same; we both became A-rank together. So that's how it works.

Tina asked.

"But why would the adventurers fighting on the front lines agree to that? If that continued, they should have quit."

To this question, the general answered.

"Some of them have quit. But even if they do, they can just be replaced with new ones. I hear some are forced to stay because a weakness is being held over them, but the majority are just paying off debts. So I can't be too harsh."

He had a look of disgust on his face.

Tina asked.

"So, should we consider these reinforcements useless?"

She asked, bringing the conversation back on topic.

The general replied.

"That's right. I've instructed the soldiers to teach them the basics, but it will likely have no effect. The probability of fools like the ones from yesterday emerging is high. When that time comes, you must absolutely refrain from any rash actions. We must win this battle."

His words were serious and carried an intimidating force.

I said.

"Of course. But I believe it's also important to save as many lives as possible."

I answered with an equal amount of pressure.

Tina felt the same.

The air grew cold—so much so that a third party might have fainted.

After a brief staredown, the general said.

"Phew… You're right. What was I thinking? I've seen too many adventurers prepared to die and too many who act foolishly, and it seems I've forgotten what's most important. But only as much as is possible. It will be meaningless if you two get killed as collateral damage."

I felt a will in his last words that would brook no argument.

I said.

"Of course. I'll just do what I can."

Tina nodded as well.

The general said.

"Very well. Then I will have you two fight on the front lines. Don't worry about the flanks. We've done everything we can there. In short, we've added more fences and catapults. There's a difference in elevation there, so we can also have them support the front if need be."

He explained.

Tina said.

"Understood. Then we will take our leave."

She bowed and we exited.

We walked down the corridor toward our destination.

Meanwhile.

Empire. Royal Capital.

Throne Room.

Emperor Yorune was holding his head in his hands.

The Guild Master's unauthorized actions.

Normally, he would want to deal with it severely, but the situation was what it was. He couldn't be too harsh.

But to do nothing would be a blow to the royal family's honor. It was regrettable, but if the adventurers caused any problems, that alone would be grounds for punishment.

He was lost in thought, staring at his own dark shadow.

Just then, a knight rushed in, flustered.

"Pant, pant… Y-Your Majesty! An army of monsters has suddenly appeared about thirty meters from the main gate of the Royal Capital!"

The worst possible outcome had occurred.

Republic. Royal Capital.

Throne Room.

Prince Lustolfo was dealing with a line of nobles requesting an audience.

The topics were all boring, revolving around their own prestige and taxes.

Just then, a soldier rushed in.

"Forgive my interruption during an audience! A large army of monsters has suddenly appeared about fifty meters from the main gate of the Royal Capital!"

At this report, the nobles' faces showed shock, but Prince Lustolfo alone had a look of confirmation, as if to say, 'As I thought.'

Church. Headquarters.

Top Floor.

As Pope Altorine was organizing documents with a cardinal and several knights, a knight rushed in.

"Y-Your Holiness! A large number of monsters have suddenly appeared from the forest near the entrance to the church! Their numbers are unknown!"

Though surprised, Altorine remained calm.

Kingdom. Royal Capital.

Throne Room.

Queen Olivia was speaking with Chancellor Alphonse.

Their conversation—'Are there any oversights in our investigation? Is the balance of our forces adequate?'—was one that would make anyone who overheard it think a war was about to begin.

Just then, a knight rushed in.

"F-Forgive me! We've received a report that an army of monsters has suddenly appeared about fifty meters from the main gate of the Royal Capital!"

The Chancellor calmly considered the situation.

Queen Olivia said.

"So… it has finally come, hasn't it?"

She murmured as if she had foreseen it.