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“Captain Leon. Those must be the Aslan, huh?”

Pers glanced over at the figures clad in black armor and muttered.

The legendary unit… known as the Steel Lion Brigade, Aslan.

“But with only 500 reinforcements… We have 100,000 troops. It’s hard to expect much from them.”

“Hmph! They came all this way to help us! Don’t speak so carelessly!”

“W-wait?! Captain, your voice is too loud! They’ll hear you!”

Leon Peiriguris, with a stern face, shouted.

As the head of the prestigious Peiriguris family and the commander of the Imperial Army, Leon was naturally one of the main figures in the northern expedition.

By the Emperor’s decree, a staggering 100,000 troops had gathered. Given the numbers, the Emperor had assigned temporary commanders from the Seven Stars. Among them, Leon, who already led the Imperial Army, was a natural choice.

Many of Leon’s subordinates were part of the expedition, so it was expected that the Imperial Army would revolve around him.

That is, until Count Ruelberta appeared.

‘Captain Leon should have been the overall commander…’

Pers, Leon’s long-time aide, swallowed his disappointment.

The northern reclamation was the Empire’s long-cherished goal. Leading the expedition to achieve it was an immense honor.

The candidates were Gale and Leon, who supported the Imperial Army. But Gale was in the navy, not the army. Moreover, he had recently stepped down as the head of the Wolfbert family, leaving Leon as the most likely candidate.

‘But then, out of nowhere, the Emperor placed Count Ruelberta in that position!’

Not just Pers, but most of the Imperial Army who followed Leon couldn’t comprehend this decision.

Of course, they had to obey the Emperor’s orders, but Pers had once vented his frustrations to Leon.

Yet, Leon himself dismissed Pers’ complaints like this:

“Hmph! I wouldn’t mind being the vanguard, but I have no interest in being the overall commander! It’s more cost-effective to take down one more demon myself than to waste time commanding!”

Ah, how much of a warrior can one be…? He has no interest in anything but fighting.

Whether he knew his loyal aide’s feelings or not, Leon seemed perfectly at ease. He rarely showed tension, exuding the calm of a true strongman.

Pers glared at the Aslan, Count Ruelberta’s private soldier group.

Known for their prowess in exterminating monsters on the Empire’s outskirts, Aslan’s strength was said to rival that of the Imperial Army, far beyond what a noble’s private soldiers should be.

True to their name, the Steel Lion Brigade, they all wore lion masks made of steel, making them stand out. But their faces and expressions were hidden, which made Pers uneasy.

Moreover, Aslan stood at the very front of the formation, as if the Imperial Army were mere bystanders.

To anyone watching, it seemed like these reinforcements, who were supposed to be secondary, were being treated with more importance than the Imperial Army.

Except for Leon, most of the Imperial Army shared Pers’ sentiments. For reinforcements to stand at the front of the formation and to have such a small number of troops was nothing but a show.

But with Leon staying silent, no one dared to voice their complaints.

What reason could there be to rely on such a suspicious group?

After all, the main force of this expedition was the 100,000-strong Imperial Army and Leon Peiriguris, the army commander.

Count Ruelberta and his mere 500 soldiers were not the main players.

“…Huh?”

Just as Pers was frowning, the Aslan members suddenly began to straighten their ranks.

About 500 people stood in perfect silence, their rigid postures focused on the platform. The eerie atmosphere began to infect the Imperial Army, causing a stir.

“Hmph! It seems they’ve finally arrived!”

“Huh?”

Leon, who had spoken with a strangely welcoming tone, was looking toward the front of the formation.

A man on horseback was leisurely passing by the Aslan members.

Pers had never met Count Ruelberta in person, but he immediately recognized the man as the Count.

The aura he exuded was anything but ordinary.

‘A black… nobleman?’

That was his first thought.

He looked to be in his early twenties. Despite his youthful appearance, which didn’t quite match the title of Count, what surprised Pers the most was how strikingly handsome he was.

If that were all, he might have been dismissed as just a good-looking young man. But when Pers met his gaze, he froze.

His icy stare sent chills down Pers’ spine, making his heart feel like it had frozen.

For a moment, Pers even felt as if the Count was glaring at him, though that couldn’t be the case.

When the Count’s horse finally stopped, silence fell over the gathering.

The silence that started at the front of the formation spread astonishingly through the entire 100,000-strong army.

So, when the black nobleman spoke, Pers could hear his voice clearly.

“I am Tristan Ruelberta, the overall commander of the northern expedition.”

*

After a brief speech in front of the soldiers, I immediately summoned the commanders to the command post set up at the gathering point.

Though I was the overall commander of this expedition, there were five key commanders directly under me.

Leon Peiriguris.

Patrick Wolfbert.

Laura Elsink.

Ariel Rizeute.

Bella Izakhel.

They all sat with me around a circular table.

Some were acting as proxies for their family heads, but they were all members of the Seven Stars, following the Emperor’s orders.

Mondri Cremont and Odell Riumin, who were absent due to their positions, had sent high-level mages from their families instead.

First, I distributed the mages and Aslan members among the five commanders.

Their experience in fighting monsters would serve as an example for the Imperial Army. Additionally, the presence of high-level mages would be reassuring in critical situations. Accordingly, I divided the Imperial Army into five units.

Then, I gave them their orders.

“Our destination is Roelgreen Castle, the key to reclaiming Northern Garden. All units are to head toward the castle via the fastest route.”

Roelgreen Castle.

Named after Kyle Roelgreen, the border lord who died fighting monsters in the north, it was the place where he made his last stand. Reclaiming it was the top priority of the northern expedition.

According to the scouts sent ahead a few days ago, there were no signs of large monsters or demons near the castle.

Unlike the first expedition in the original story, there shouldn’t be much danger until we enter the castle.

Moreover, with the expedition force five times larger than before, reclaiming the castle should be quick.

“Deal with any monsters that appear along the way as you advance. There’s no need to rush, but do not stop.”

“Hmph! So, we’re to reclaim the castle as quickly as possible!”

“Right. With this many troops, it shouldn’t be difficult.”

“Really? Seems like an unnecessary order.”

Laura Elsink, who had been listening with a sour attitude, spoke up. She looked like a girl Wendy’s age, but she was actually much older. Known as the “Ice Witch,” she had been picking on me with her cold attitude.

“One more order: if you find the remains of old soldiers during the march, gather them with proper respect or mark their locations. We’ll retrieve them on our way back.”

“Playing the good guy, huh? Doesn’t suit you. Such a pathetic order—”

“This is the Emperor’s command.”

“Ugh!? If that’s the case, you should’ve said so from the start…!”

Like someone who farted and then got angry, Laura was the one who ended up embarrassed.

I didn’t entirely know why she disliked me, but… compared to Ariel, her reasons were a bit ridiculous, so I let it slide.

After all, Laura was only hostile on the surface and didn’t pose any real threat to Tristan.

Though dealing with her was still annoying…

“Not a difficult order. Understood.”

Right. It’s better to have someone like Patrick, who reacts indifferently.

This expedition was Patrick’s first major action as the new head of the Wolfbert family after Gale. So far, he had been relatively well-behaved.

“But, Count.”

“Yes? Speak, Patrick.”

“Since all units are moving together to Roelgreen Castle, wouldn’t it be fine for the commanders to stick together as well?”

“…What?”

Scratch that “well-behaved” part.

Patrick’s suggestion was, of course, aimed at Bella, who was sitting next to me.

But Bella didn’t react much. No, upon closer look, she seemed completely uninterested. Patrick had long been out of her favor.

Whether he didn’t know or refused to accept it, Patrick continued.

“I’ve now officially taken over as a member of the Seven Stars after my father, so I’d like to get closer to those I’m not familiar with.”

“Patrick.”

I sighed and said.

“Do you think this is some school trip?”

“Huh? School… trip? What do you mean…?”

“Stop talking nonsense. Any other questions from the commanders?”

At my question, the Seven Stars commanders pondered for a moment. The first to speak was an unexpected figure.

“Chairman… I mean, Count. Which unit do you plan to move with?”

It was Ariel Rizeute. She had come in place of her brother Colin and, as a senior professor at the university, was a skilled mage.

“I don’t plan to move with any particular unit right now.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll be moving between units to oversee the situation. I also plan to operate a few separate task forces.”

“Task forces…?”

“Yes.”

Ariel looked puzzled.

“What are these task forces for?”

“There are many forests on the way north. Some may be hiding monsters or demons. If they spot our march, they might call for reinforcements from beyond the demon realm. The task forces will swiftly eliminate them while patrolling the forests.”

It was a kind of insurance. After all, you never knew when or where monsters might appear.

Of course, the task forces included the Annihilation Maids and Rian, who would be in contact with the demons, but that was a secret.

“The task forces will consist solely of my Aslan members.”

“I see…”

“Is there a problem?”

“No, not at all…”

Ariel looked somewhat troubled.

I decided not to press further, as it didn’t seem like a good conversation to have.

But Bella had been staring at me this whole time.

“…Do you have something to say to me?”

“No, not really. Don’t mind me.”

The more she said that, the more it bothered me.

Bella, who had initially opposed my appointment as overall commander, now seemed to accept my orders, at least on the surface.

The reason I say “on the surface” is that she had been staring at me sharply without giving any positive or negative responses to my orders.

Perhaps she was in a bad mood because she had come to the gathering with Helga.

Ah, now that I think of it…

As I pondered, something occurred to me.

“Bella.”

“…What?”

“I’ve thought of a favor to ask you.”

At that, Bella’s stiff expression softened slightly.

“A favor for me?”

“Yes. The task forces need someone with considerable skill. I want to form them with Aslan alone, but distributing them among the units has left us short-handed.”

“Ah…? So, you’re short on skilled people, huh?”

“Exactly. That’s why I need your help.”

“Hmph… Fine. I guess you can’t do without me, after all.”

Bella’s earlier displeasure vanished, replaced by a smile she was trying to suppress.

“If you’re in such a bind, I suppose I have no choice. But as a commander, it’s a bit difficult for me to leave my unit, so I’ll have my bodyguard knight take over—”

“Right. I’ll borrow your bodyguard knight, then.”

“…Wait. What did you just say?”

Bella froze.

“I said I’ll borrow your bodyguard knight for the task force.”

“…Not me?”

“Don’t joke. You’re a commander who needs to lead your unit. Your bodyguard knight alone will suffice for the task force.”

“Hmm… Is that so?”

“She’s quite capable, after all.”

“Ah, I see. Well, then. I’ll let her know. The Count praised her, after all.”

“……”

Bella nodded and smiled.

To an outsider, it would have been a captivating smile.

But beneath that expression… she was repeatedly kicking my knee under the table.

What the hell.

 

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