Vanguard Team (4)
Damn. Of all things, right through the head.
A bolt flying straight at me normally would've embedded itself in that giant's skull instead.
But no, it had to happen just as he was collapsing—perfect timing for disaster.
Not that it'd sound believable now, but I hadn't actually intended to kill Garlia.
Killing him wouldn't have changed a damn thing anyway.
The captain of the 4th Knight Division was usually the most valiant warrior picked for the role, and compared to other captains, they turned over fast because so many were frontline fighters.
And the transition was simple.
Just pick the strongest one to lead the charge.
In corporate terms, it was a position with minimal handover—barely any loose ends.
With someone capable of organization and brains potentially taking over as the next 4th Knight Division captain, having that brute Garlia on death's door was actually ideal.
Too late now, though.
At least this mess cleared up any worries about passing through the north gate.
Or would it make things more complicated?
Eh, whatever. Cross that bridge when we get there.
"Sir Preji."
"Yes!? Yes, sir!! Just give the word, Hero Kirgil."
"My clothes are soaked in blood today, so we'll talk later. If you could prepare some solid support policies in advance, it'd help me out a lot."
"Of course, we should. I will. He seems like someone we absolutely need to discuss."
Even rotten to the core, he was still a knight captain.
Scared as he was, he still mustered the guts to look out for his own interests.
Time to pull back for today.
I asked the palace guards to retrieve my bolt for me.
I needed to get out of this scene pronto.
Pulling it out in front of everyone felt too awkward.
And if the guards handled police duty, body disposal had to be in their job description.
They snapped a crisp salute at my request, carrying it out like it was the highest honor.
From their reaction, the palace guard really hated the Darania knights.
I'd hit the Kalderan Cathedral tomorrow.
Ashu was probably still at the palace, and I couldn't show up covered in blood like this.
Morning: I broke a palace guard captain's arm.
Afternoon: I killed a knight division captain.
Two massive incidents in a row—the palace was in an uproar.
No one said anything directly to me, but as I walked the halls, they kept glancing my way and whispering.
Wandering around splattered in Garlia's blood? Yeah, I'd look terrifying.
No one had come by the lounge—or interview room—in my absence, they said.
So I requested fresh clothes, bathwater, and quarters.
Mana was running low anyway; early night for me.
I'd heard the vanguard team needed at least five besides me.
Right now, we only had one mage.
At this rate, recruiting would take about a week.
Man.
This assigned room was ridiculously spacious.
Four of my old houses back in Agnes Village could've fit inside.
Heating efficiency had to suck here.
I asked if there wasn't a smaller one, like just the lounge—nope, interview room size.
They flatly said no.
Didn't bother asking if it was real or they just didn't want to bother.
Whatever. Roomy enough to practice sword forms inside.
Officially, we were excluding the queen's influence for the dragon subjugation.
So why keep me in the palace?
Shouldn't they stick me in some remote inn?
I figured it out over dinner.
There was parchment tucked under the meat.
The first line read:
'The heavens and the sun wish you military fortune.'
Below that was a list of recommenders.
Ashu's handiwork from a royal meeting, probably.
Looked like the queen wanted to back me hard—without the knights knowing.
Makes sense to pass notes through household staff.
All that "separating the king's will" talk was just a flimsy excuse.
The Darania knights cooked it up to manipulate me and the other heroes to their liking.
The next day.
The interview room was packed like rush-hour subway.
I pushed through asking what was up...
"Hero Kirgil, sir!"
Young folks snapping salutes.
Familiar poses, and a bunch of them. Off-duty palace guards swarming as applicants.
Word of me dropping Garlia had spread like wildfire.
I threaded the path they cleared into the interview room.
Academy President Paradilan was already there, sipping tea.
"Last night, your name spread across the entire Darania Palace."
"Unintended consequences. He came at me first—no choice."
"Not blaming you. Thanks to it, the queen has to appoint not just a new 1st Knight Division captain, but a 4th as well."
"That trouble her?"
"The opposite. A queen's appointment power is a tool to flaunt authority. Soon, the 4th Division will nominate their next captain internally, and seek her approval."
So the queen was thrilled about my rampage. Good to know.
But it complicated everything.
Was boosting the queen's power the right move?
That same queen who'd abused young Ashu?
Ugh, headache.
This is why getting stuck in power struggles makes morality a luxury.
Focus on what's in front: the vanguard team.
Saw a familiar face on the way in.
And now she sat before me.
"Never imagined you'd be palace guard."
"Missed those soft lips of yours. That's why I'm here."
A wavy pink-haired palace guard knight sat across from me.
"Raigiana—or Ragi, as I'll call you.
I'd suspected surveillance, but confirming it like this? Didn't see that coming.
How long? From Forest Hideout all the way?"
"Tell you and you'd freak. Don't wanna die."
Sounded classified, so I dropped it.
Could guess, though. Palace guard—probably tailing Princess Ashu, not me.
Been shadowing her since before Prosek.
Explained how Ashu's news reached here so fast.
"So why show up now, all blatant?"
"Told you—missed your lips."
"......"
"It's true. You don't believe me."
"Then lie to me."
"We were supposed to observe without interfering, no matter what. But I got dragged into your mess. Lost my surveillance clearance. Rejected here? I'm unemployed at best—demoted. Worst case, executed for secrecy breach."
Who knew what was truth or lie, but her cover was blown for sure.
Me recognizing her killed the stealth op.
Ashu probably clocked her too—from that kiss she didn't dodge.
Ragi passes.
Survival's key for the vanguard.
Quick on her feet, paranoid, action-oriented? She'd be a huge help.
Her agility and invisibility so far proved solid scout skills.
Her name was on yesterday's secret list too.
Had my doubts at first, but yep—THE Ragi.
Paradilan didn't object to my call.
Leaving warrior and adventurer picks to me, huh.
"Won't the princess's absence make this trip lonely?
I've got enough chest to catch that soft-hearted uncle's tears anytime—just ask."
She arched her back, flaunting her ample bosom.
Newbie sexually harassing the interviewer? Bold.
"Save the insincere lines. Next applicant."
"Women don't joke about this stuff. Remember that, Hero."
Her sudden flirt made fresh-off-the-pick me squirm.
Felt rude, so I glanced at Paradilan.
"Her words ring true."
No no! Not advice right now!
This elf—with kids—dropping wizard-of-life bombs.
Whatever, he seemed unfazed, so moving on.
After Ragi, more palace guards filed in.
Besides armored sword-swingers, they had mages—Paradilan vetted those personally.
Priests were the issue.
Before noon, I stepped out for lunch and a cathedral visit.
Kalderan Cathedral, naturally.
Excuse: seeking divine blessings for the adventure ahead... to see Ashu.
Couldn't meet openly in current circumstances.
Didn't realize till I got there.
Apparently, I ranked high in divine power at the Kalderan Cathedral too.
The diocesan head greeted me personally on entry.
Escorted to the brightest second-floor prayer room.
A few priests prayed besides me.
No Ashu.
Strike out?
Shrug. Prayed anyway.
Sudden urge to pray to Kalderan hit me.
"It seems your earnest light reached the divine."
A priest sidled up saying that—I nearly hugged her.
Ashu, obviously.
But sacred space, prayer time.
The saintess slipped away to answer other priests' prayers and fulfill her duties.
Too many eyes now—no helping it.
Ragi proved that.
Anyone could be watching, anytime, anywhere.
Shame Kalderan Cathedral wasn't Catholic.
A confessional would've been perfect.
No chat with Ashu, so still no clue on priests.
She appeared at joint worship later.
But no words, no glances exchanged.
Appearing as that stunning saintess? Untouchable idol vibes.
First time Ashu felt so distant.
So much I want, yet can't reach her.
Like a fan dying for an idol handshake.
Still, seeing her was a win. Gotta come daily.
...Feels fanboy-ish.