Volume 5 - CH 2.03

While trimming the roses in the greenhouse named “Garden of Philosophy”, Crown Prince Jeffren Isaac spoke to his subordinates behind him.

「How’s… the reorganisation of the aforementioned Second Army? Is it making progress?」

「It’s not “Second Army”」

Lindegaard-kyou cleared his throat and reminded the Crown Prince so.

「—Please call it “Red Left Hand”Sinistra Glauna」

Lindegaard, who had answered so, himself was wearing a uniform based on deep crimson and dark red. He was in marked contrast to Lucius Richternach who was standing right next to him in a blue uniform.

「We’ve hastened the tailoring of the remaining uniforms, mantles and hats, but a bit more time is needed for everything to be complete…」

「That’s because there’s a tacit understanding that concerning the equipment of the chivalric order, we’ll prepare everything as top quality products…」

「That’s not because of me, you know, Lucius-kun? The one who made such a precedent was Jeffren X, my grandfather」

Looking back at the young men who could also be called both arms of his, Isaac put the secateurs away in the pocket of his apron.

Isaac’s plan to reform the Seal Chivalric Order into a polished combat group had already started concretely as soon as he returned from the campaign in Heidelauta. The members who didn’t know the situation were told that the scale would be increased for further activities hereafter; it was also announced that the group, which had become huge, would consequently be divided into two and be managed.

It was because of Lucius’s idea that these two groups were named “Red Left Hand” and “Blue Right Hand”Dextra Blau respectively. Among these, the nominal group, which had gathered green young men from well-to-do families who were unsuitable for combat only, was the “Left Hand”, which wore red uniforms identical to Lindegaard’s.

From ancient times, it was a custom in Ahmad’s royal court that people of higher statuses would line up on the right side, that was to say the left side from the king’s view, of the audience room. In other words, Ahmad’s nobles perceived the left to be more superior than the right. That Lucius would concede the left to the group of green young men from well-to-do families was because he took the feelings of those circumstances into consideration.

Lindegaard-kyou would unify this group, which would most likely be called Left Army, as its vice-leader. The profligate sons of the great nobles who would find fault with family status would probably obey the instructions of Lindegaard-kyou, who was an influential noble, as well.

On the other hand, capable people, regardless of their lineages, were gathered in “Right Hand”, which used the traditional blue uniform as it was, and Lucius would lead it like he had so far. The left and right vice-leaders stood on equal footing under the leader, Isaac, but substantially, one could say that they, the Right Army, as a combat group, were the Seal Chivalric Order.

「Well, whether their uniforms are complete or not, there’s no particular mission for the Left Army yet」

「It’s very vexing, …but I, who, properly speaking, should have retired, have now decided to hold the reins on the group of green young man from well-to-do families tightly to the utmost」

Lindegaard-kyou showed an indescribable wry smile.

His child would be born shortly, and Lindegaard-kyou, who had used that as an opportunity to inherit the headship of the family from his father, had already decided to leave the chivalric order, but the Crown Prince got him to put it off under the condition that until a capable person who could command the Left Army was trained instead. The retirement of Lindegaard-kyou, who thought highly of Lucius despite having influence over the great nobles and also approved of Isaac’s reform proposal, was in fact quite a heavy blow.

Isaac, who had removed his gloves and apron, looked at the page in attendance and waved his hand lightly.

「You, leave here for a while」

「Yes」

Once the boy left the greenhouse with small, quick steps, Isaac sighed greatly and spoke to Lucius.

「—I want to request a job for the Right Army immediately」

「What is it?」

「Can you choose ten skilled members only and go to Taroma?」

「…Taroma?」

Just by hearing the name of the place, Taroma, Lucius had a feeling that he understood what the mission was related to, but he purposely didn’t ask about the details of the mission here.

「What an adult response, Lucius-kun. —Since the particulars of the mission are written here, read it after you arrive at the actual location. However, this is a top-secret mission so be inconspicuous」

「Understood」

Lucius received a sealed letter, on which sealing wax was applied, from Isaac and nodded. If Lucius’s conjecture was correct, then this probably wouldn’t be a very pleasant mission.

「Is it all right for me to choose the members to take along?」

「I don’t mind. —Ah, it might be better to take him along though」

「Who?」

「Angel-kun. I must get him to understand what kind of group he has joined」

Isaac mentioned the name of the newest member in the chivalric order and smiled meaningfully.