Chapter 61

Chapter 61

As soon as he opened the door of the Commander’s office, Hizen’s expression changed subtly at the appearance of an uninvited guest. Elnos was sitting comfortably on the leather sofa like the owner of the room.

“Welcome.”

Hizen spat a curse word inside. I’m barely trying to finish the work with Leasis and breath a bit, but what’s wrong with that lunatic?

There was no one accompanying him, not even a servant. Then, he must have some kind of plan.

Hizen asked in a dry voice.

“What are you doing again?”

“I’m coming to see Sir Max. And to see you, at the same time.”

When Max’s name came out, Hizen’s eyes grew bigger. However, Elnos raised himself with an innocent smile.

He looked into the monotonous room and said meaningless things. Even though the Count’s only maid was missing, it was cleaner than expected, and he could feel a good energy in this room.

“I’ll come here to get some good energy from now on.”

The conclusion was that he would come here often. Nevertheless, Hizen did not show any displeasure. He could not fall for the cold-headed prince.

Hizen just gave strength to his neck and said low.

“It’s okay to touch me. But I can’t accept this.”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“Don’t pretend.”

I really don’t know. Elnos sat down on the sofa again, smiling naturally. Hizen stared at him and said.

“I won’t stand it if you play bad tricks on my subordinates again.”

It was as if he knew what was going on but had closed his eyes. Elnos felt good about Hizen’s words, even if they might be rude at first glance.

As expected, Count Dratius was wise and smart. It would have been better if he had been on the same political side as him. Elnos felt sorry for him.

“That’s enough.”

Despite the chilly atmosphere, Elnos had no intention of leaving this place. This was because the Emperor and Marquis Kyun had joined hands and engaged in secret activities.

Elnos leaned slowly on the sofa. Blix’s power was holding them back, but he needed a strong and solid guarantee.

Count Dratius, the head of one of the three major families, had a sufficient reputation. With him on his side, it would feel comfortable like this sofa.

“I have a suggestion.”

“I don’t need it.”

Elnos burst into a cheerful laugh thanks to Hizen, who refused even before he could say anything. He was also a right, straight-hearted man. He would not bend his convictions even in front of the next Emperor.

Elnos liked righteous people. Unnecessary sense of justice was the best way to use an opponent.

“Hizen, obey me.”

“…”

“If you obey me, I will help you stop the attacks of monsters occuring throughout the Empire.”

Was it related to the Crown Prince? Hizen’s blue eyes shone as he listened to him. Elnos whispered softly, thinking he wanted to draw his eyes out and turn them into accessories.

“Also, I’ll reveal to you the secrets of your past colleagues’ death. I will tell you why Commander Ramashter left the Imperial Palace.”

It was a sweet suggestion in many ways, so Hizen clenched his fists. The death of the members of the Imperial Elite Knights was an issue the Emperor had asked to bury.

There was an assumption that Ramashter, angered by the incident, had took off his knight’s uniform, but it was a subject that could no longer be investigated, not even by Hizen. But he could not believe such topic was coming out of the mouth of Elnos, a member of the Imperial Family.

Elnos finished convincing him.

“A colleague’s life. That’s more than enough.”

* * *

Leasis returned to the Imperial Palace and went first to the Commander’s office.

She took a deep breath as she looked at the splendid door of Schwalnon’s office, which was quite different from Hizen’s.

Hizen had said he had solved the situation, but she did not know what else would happen. All the knights of the 1st Division were warier of her than of their enemies.

Knock, knock. She heard a voice from the other side telling her to come in. When she opened the door, she saw the man who had been humiliated at the group affairs meeting.

Leasis was a little embarrassed, but she greeted him politely.

“I see the Commander-nim.”

Similarly, Schwalnon, who had been dismissed during the previous group meeting, coughed in vain. He said shamelessly, fiddling with his shallow-looking mustache.

“I’ve been waiting. Come on in.”

“Yes.”

Schwalnon’s feelings became complicated by her silent entry. He proceeded according to his contract with Hizen, but it was not going so well.

He had informed Karma and the other knights of her return, but there had been all kinds of protests because she had not revealed the truth.

Schwalnon had used his power as the Commander to forcefully cover it up. Eventually, the members had accepted the order, but had not accepted her. There must be even more bullying waiting for her than before.

Schwalnon felt guilty for some reason. He had little interest in her, a temporary trainee of only a few days, but he was moved by her sincere efforts to help Furgin.

It did not suit him, but Schwalnon was rather weak with affection.

“Ahem… I heard from Lord Hizen. He said you made a false statement because of one of our knights.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Wow, no need to be sorry…”

What’s next is the problem. Schwalnon hesitated for a moment and asked.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

Schwalnon’s unexpected serious voice embarrassed Leasis.

Maybe it was a trap. She pondered for a while, but remembered Hizen’s advice, saying that Schwalnon was only stupid and not evil.

“I’m all right.”

On the contrary, only Schwalnon’s face became darker. She was Count Dratius’ direct maid, and he had thought she was very talented and smart, but she could be stupid like this. She was like a fire moth jumping into a fire pit.

Schwalnon asked again with a false cough.

“Ahem. How about a second thought? To cover things up like this…”

“Commander Schwalnon-nim.”

At the strong call, Schwalnon shut up without realizing it. Leasis’ serious face was very similar to his beloved wife.

“Thanks for your concern, but I’m really fine.”

Sometimes there were truths that needed to be hidden. After refusing like this, Leasis asked him a favor. She wanted the truth of the theft to be taken to the grave.

It was better for everyone, and Shwalnon nodded as he recognized it. The two ended their conversation by pledging not to reveal anything about the theft.

After a while, Schwalnon’s predictions turned out to be right. This incident made Leasis completely out of place in the 1st Division of Imperial Knights.

Furgin, who had been her only conversation partner, avoided eye contact even if he bumped into her, and never said anything. Leasis did not blame him, and did not talk to him first either.

But Karma and Onjet were the most heated. They were dying because the Commander was paying attention to Leasis. He did not even care about her before, but now he suddenly covered her like she were a real knight of the Division.

As a result, secret conversations went back and forth in the Vice Commander’s office. Onjet and Karma, who had gathered there early, were facing each other.

“You’ve been bribed, haven’t you?”

I can’t even talk about that. Karma did not respond to Onjet’s words. Then Onjet added strength to his words.

“Listen, Vice Commander-nim. That woman managed to trick Commander Hizen-nim, so of course Commander Shwalnon-nim is the same. It’s not an ordinary situation.”

Leasis’ performance made Onjet more nervous. A woman who accomplished impossible tasks and gained the trust and love of her superiors. The fact that a woman who worked as a maid in the province came all the way up here was not ordinary either.

Onjet had to have outstanding results in the Division’s evaluations to have an opportunity to transfer to the Imperial Elite Knights. But now he looked like a stumbling rock in front of a supernova called Leasis.

Onjet thought of all sorts of tricks to get rid of her.

“Vice Commander-nim, why don’t you give her a new mission?”

“What mission?”

“The tomb of the old Empress was abandoned, and is not guarded anymore. But now the Crown Prince has returned and the old bridge has been unsealed, so if you tell the Commander-nim about it, he will gladly accept to send someone there.”

It seemed to be a good idea. Recently, other knights were also paying attention to Leasis’ outstanding moves. If they could not get rid of her, they had to put her away from their sight.

Karma ran straight to the Commander’s office. He explained Onjet’s idea to Schwalnon, who, unlike usual, was reviewing the Knights’ work.

“Hmm, do you want us to take on the task of protecting the former Empress’ grave?”

Karma had a mean smile. He said he would coordinate with the knights and assign the right person to it. As always, he was a reliable Vice Commander, so Schwalnon let him go without any doubt.

Karma went straight to Leasis. While working under the glare of the knights, she saw Karma and stopped moving.

Her face was sweating heavily because of her hard work. Of course, she looked abominable and dirty to Karma.

“Hello, Vice Commander-nim!”

The knights glared even more at her energetic greeting. Karma approached her with a irritated face.

“I will give you a new mission.”

“Me?”

Leasis pointed at herself with her index finger because she could not believe it even if she heard it with her ears. He was giving her a mission.

Instead of explaining kindly, Karma continued in an insincere manner.

“It’s about protecting the tomb of Her Higness the former Empress. I will not forgive you if you degrade again the honor of the 1st Division of Imperial Knights.”

“Ah… yes!”

“The mission will start tomorrow. Be very careful not to be late.”

“I’ll keep that in mind!”

This was her first mission as a knight. It was not about cleaning the Commander’s office or trimming the swords, but about protecting something. Leasis’ expression was joyful.

Karma was the only one who was embarrassed. He had expected her to hate it. For a knight of the 1st Division, protecting the tomb of the former Empress was a kind of demotion.

The Emperor and the Empress, still alive, had enough of their eyes to protect the tomb of an ex-wife. Even Prince Elnos hated his own mother.

Far from fame, it was a bit lacking in substance. However, Leasis bowed her head with gratitude.

“I’ll do my best!”

This isn’t it? Karma’s face crumpled.

*

Leasis moved diligently from dawn. It was to clean up the 1st Division. She was given a new assignment, but did not intend to stop cleaning.

In the past, Leasis had worked for many years under a headmaid similar to Karma, so she knew his tendencies well.

She had to prove her sincerity to open his heart. Although she was originally sincere, she had no intention of acting cute.

Having finished her service, Leasis took her wooden sword and went to her new mission. Before reaching the tomb of the former Empress, she had to cross the bridge where she had killed shadows.

Crossing the ruined bridge, she looked around. She could only hear the sound of grass bugs, but she felt some kind of unknown pressure.

Was it an illusion? She looked around for a while and started walking again. The dark forest seemed to suck her up. She wondered if it was going to rain, as the weather was gloomy.

Her body trembled with a sense of danger, as she saw a small light in front of her eyes. As she walked along the light, she saw three or four men in white robes talking.

Who was it at this hour? Leasis approached them, holding her breath.

“Why on earth would His Majesty the Emperor keep this garbage tomb intact?”

“Huhu, isn’t His Majesty generous? Don’t worry too much.”

“Even if he’s generous, it’s too much. Her Highness the Empress is getting upset. With the brigde unsealed…”

The man, annoyed, pulled out a cigarette and red paper out of his arms. It was a magic scroll of fire, shaped like a flame.