kscans

Chapter 40 - Captain's Appointment, Into the Vortex of an Unknown Political Struggle

"What! You're the new captain of the Tree Sea Defense Force?"

"Yeah... it's basically a form of harassment."

When he returned to the barracks, Leonhard locked his room door and drew the curtains tight. Though they had just met, he didn't know how much time they would have to see each other from tomorrow onward. He slipped on the ring and went to see Mireille.

As he grumbled about the exhausting events of their short time apart, Mireille gently stroked his head.

He knew that once he tasted this sweet time, he could never go back.

Even so.

After all this is over, she’ll probably reject me, he thought.

He wanted to be serious, to court her even if it meant getting shot down in the end.

"But... I feel bad for you, Leonhard-san, but this is actually a relief for me. I'll be able to get information from outside this tower... and also..."

Mireille's cheeks flushed as she lowered her gaze.

"Even if I find out something that leaves me helpless, I know you'll be on my side. I... I believe in you."

"Yes, you can count on that," Leonhard replied, his eyes serious.

"If you ever lose contact with me, it won't be because I betrayed you. It will be because I've been trapped somehow. If that happens, just focus on escaping this country. Don't worry about me."

Mireille's hand trembled slightly. Leonhard took it in his own.

In a small voice, she simply answered, "...I understand."

"Good, that's a good girl," Leonhard said, stroking her head in return.


The next morning, he changed his clothes for the royal audience.

Until now, the formal attire of the knight order had been a first-class, deep navy military uniform, its epaulets and chest adorned with emblems embroidered in gold thread. His black leather boots made a kotsu kotsu sound with every step, and his white, lined cloak was eye-catching as he walked.

But the uniform of the Tree Sea Defense Force was different.

Only his cloak, as captain, was a fresh green color, but it was shorter than the knight order's formal wear. The uniform issued to everyone else was a simple black, high-collared top and bottom with zero ornamentation. Even the leather shoes were cheap.

This kind of petty harassment would surely chip away at the unit's morale.

But Leonhard's face was unnecessarily handsome.

Dressed in plain clothes with a slightly melancholic expression, he captured the gazes of the Royal Castle's maids and female attendants. While the discriminatory attire may have satisfied the noblemen, it had the opposite effect on the women.

Not that Leonhard desired such attention.

His past experiences with women were mostly from his younger days, when he couldn't escape the advances of noble ladies. It had made him distrustful of women, and now he couldn't even properly court Mireille, the one he was falling for. Honestly, nothing good ever came of it.


The doors opened for his audience with the King.

At the end of the red carpet before him was the King, surrounded by many retainers and, to his chagrin, the hateful Julius. He also spotted Chancellor Adrian, who was rumored to be at odds with the King.

Until now, Darius had been of the King's faction, while Julius belonged to the noble faction led by the Chancellor. Leonhard wanted to remain neutral, but he was indebted to Darius for his personal kindness, leaving him no choice but to lean toward the King's faction.

The King, who held authority over the personnel of the Tree Sea Defense Force, a unit directly under his command, had deliberately sent him as its captain. There was a political meaning to this.

Meanwhile, the mass transfer of commoner knights from the First Knight Order was likely a scheme by Chancellor Adrian and Supreme Commander Julius, who valued noble blood.

In other words, I am now in a position where I’m being unwillingly swept into the vortex of a political struggle.

The King's faction was currently in a weak position, partly due to the incident with Darius. This appointment was surely the King's order, made after considering the balance of power between the factions.

Something must be happening in the Tree Sea Defense Force. He had no choice but to think so.

Leonhard let out a heavy breath and calmed his mind. No matter what schemes awaited him, he had to carry out the mission before him.

Just then, the emblem of the Tree Sea Defense Force was presented before the King. In that instant, Leonhard's gaze froze.

That emblem...

His heart leaped. It was the exact same mark that had been at the end of the document written by Mireille's master.

...It can't be...

He could not believe this was a coincidence.

Mireille's master is involved.

No, something is happening here.

Leonhard steadied his breath and hardened his resolve deep within his heart.

From this point on, no matter what dangers or conspiracies lay ahead, he had to devote himself fully to the mission before him.