Chapter 78
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Chapter 78
"We should hold a meeting first."
Claude immediately summoned the knights and me to the Military Camp, excluding the two injured knights.
"First, let's hear an explanation of how this situation arose."
At Claude's gesture, the knight with a bandage wrapped around his shoulder spoke. His name was Kanis, and he had been on night watch duty that evening.
"I was guarding the Military Camp with four soldiers assigned to night watch. Then I sensed movement nearby, and before long, several werewolves attacked us."
True to their lupine nature, werewolves hunted in packs. By the time we realized it wasn't just a few but roughly a dozen creatures, it was already too late.
"Miss Rilprey, did you not sense any magical presence?"
"No. Before I fell asleep, I didn't detect anything in this area. After that... I'm sorry, but I was sleeping and didn't notice the attack."
I couldn't lift my head for the shame of it.
If only I hadn't fallen asleep. Or if I'd been a lighter sleeper from the start, I could have prepared for the attack.
"There's no need for you to apologize, Miss. You can't stay awake all night without sleep."
Xenon offered me comfort, and while I appreciated his kindness, the weight in my chest didn't lighten one bit.
"If I had scouted further ahead, I could have prevented this."
Like territorial wolves, werewolves also confined themselves to designated territories. The sudden attack suggested our Military Camp had been established within the werewolves' domain.
If I had flown further, if I had discovered that our camp lay within the werewolves' territory, I could have prevented the injuries.
"Commander, how many soldiers have been injured?"
"Two knights and five soldiers with serious wounds, and ten others with minor injuries."
"At least there were no fatalities."
It was a blessing in disguise, but hardly a situation to feel relieved about. We would have to continue fighting with reduced numbers for some time.
Moreover, the deeper we ventured into the forest, the more powerful monsters we would encounter.
'Can we handle the remaining monsters with this reduced force?'
The answer was no. With these numbers, we absolutely couldn't accelerate the subjugation.
'From now on, monsters far stronger and faster than werewolves will appear. I can't afford to let my guard down even while sleeping.'
I couldn't stand night watch every single day.
Then there was only one solution.
"Commander, I'll expand my working hours and range. No matter how I think about it, that's the only way."
"Miss."
"If I fly further out, I can at least prepare for monster attacks. I can calculate the distance between the monsters' location and our camp. That way, we can prevent blindly establishing our position within a monster's territory like today."
"That's not acceptable."
"Don't just say no outright. Think about it carefully. So many people were hurt because of what happened today."
Some nearly lost their lives to the werewolves, and others suffered facial wounds that would leave scars. I couldn't turn away from this solution simply because of the danger to myself—the reality facing my comrades was far too harsh.
"Commander, I didn't come here to rest. I came here to work."
If I were going to back away because of danger, I wouldn't have joined in the first place.
This wasn't merely for Lucian's future.
How could I stand idle when the lives of people I'd shared hardships with daily hung in the balance?
"As a member of this unit, I want to fulfill my responsibilities. Please don't make me feel helpless and useless."
"...."
My gaze locked with Claude's across the empty space between us.
I didn't look away from Claude's unwavering stare.
"Sigh..."
Claude was the first to avert his gaze.
Pressing his forehead with his hand, Claude opened his mouth with a pained expression.
"I understand."
"Really?"
The stoic Claude crumbled. Overcome with joy, my upper body lurched toward him.
"You're truly allowing this?"
"Yes. Only on the condition that we refrain from moving during inclement weather or after sunset."
"Of course! I'm well aware of how precious my own life is!"
The thought that I could finally contribute my strength made my lips curl upward.
"Commander, you've made a wise decision."
"Miss Rilprey's efforts will surely prove invaluable!"
The knights too rallied behind Claude's judgment.
Yet Claude's expression showed no sign of brightening.
I opened my mouth, hoping to lift his spirits.
"Don't worry. I'll make sure to end the monster subjugation in an instant!"
"What matters most to me right now isn't when the subjugation ends."
"Then what is it?"
Could the leader of the Subjugation Unit have something more important than that?
"What matters most to me is your safety. Above all else, I cannot bear to see you come to harm."
"..."
"So please, abandon any desire to accomplish something and make your own safety your foremost priority."
At Claude's words, the knights who had been chattering fell silent. Their eyes darted about as they gauged each other's reactions.
'Why does the atmosphere feel so... peculiar?'
His words were rife with potential for misunderstanding.
As if in his world, I was the most precious thing of all...
"Just trust me. I promise I'll never give you cause for concern."
I deliberately played it light to dispel the awkward atmosphere.
Claude stared at me intently before exhaling a deep sigh.
"I wondered who Lucian took after, but it seems he takes after you."
"Me?"
"Yes. Not only do you provoke nagging, but you're also oblivious to others' worries while brimming with confidence. You're exactly like Lucian."
"Is that... a compliment or an insult?"
"Interpret it however you wish."
The knights burst into laughter at Claude's words.
I was relieved that the hostile atmosphere had eased somewhat.
* * *
The Imperial Palace—said to be the widest and tallest place in the Imperial Capital.
The Emperor, master of this beautiful place, was enjoying a meal with his guests.
Or rather, it would be inaccurate to say he was enjoying it.
'This food is far too sweet.'
The Emperor picked up the pie before him and narrowed his brow imperceptibly.
By nature, the Emperor did not favor sweet dishes.
His preferred foods were steamed fish stew seasoned with savory spices or thickly sliced roasted mushrooms—the palate of an ordinary middle-aged man.
There was but one reason he forced himself to eat something that didn't suit his taste.
"This is delicious...."
It was because of Edwin, who beamed with joy with every spoonful he took.
The discomfort he had shown upon first meeting the Emperor was fleeting; the child who loved sweet things devoured the food before him as eagerly as a crab hiding in sand. Watching his plump cheeks quiver with each bite, I could only smile. If I could witness such an adorable sight, I felt I could endure even teeth-achingly sweet food with my eyes shut.
Seeing children appear so lovely made me wonder if the time had come for me to see grandchildren.
'How old is the Crown Prince now.... Fifteen?'
'There's still a long way to go.'
My spirits had begun to flag at the realization that much time remained before I would hear myself called grandfather.
"Your Majesty."
"Yes. Have you satisfied your appetite?"
"Yes."
Amelia gestured toward her empty bowl as she spoke.
"We've finished eating, and I believe it's time you told us why you summoned us."
"You're just like your uncle, you know."
Not only did she resemble him in appearance, but she had inherited his impatient temperament as well.
The Emperor shook his head with a wry smile.
"The reason I called you two here today is that I have something to deliver to you."
"Something to deliver?"
"Yes."
At the Emperor's gesture, an attendant approached bearing a silver tray.
Upon the tray lay several sheets of paper that appeared to be letters.
"These are letters from the Monster Subjugation Unit."
At the Emperor's words, the children's already large eyes grew even wider.
"This one is addressed to Amelia, and this...is a letter for Edwin."
The Emperor held the letters in his hand and waved them gently. The children's bright gazes followed his every movement.
'I'd like to tease them a bit, but...they might cry if I did.'
At my age, I had no desire to become an adult who made children weep.
"Here, take them."
Suppressing the urge to torment them further, the Emperor extended the letters to the two children.
So eager were they to know the contents that they could not restrain themselves and immediately tore open the letters.
The letter that had come for Edwin was from Lucella and Lucian.
The letter that came to Edwin was from Lucella and Lucian.
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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