Resolute March Forth (2)
Having unburdened my heart with the letter to Ashu, I grabbed a sheet of paper and jotted down a simple update on my situation.
Selecting the vanguard, killing Garia, meeting Preji... and reuniting with Ragi.
After writing the letter, I slipped it into the promised spot.
Who would've thought I'd end up communicating with Ashu in such a bizarre way? Her cleavage isn't a mailbox, after all.
The agreed-upon spot was a history book in the cathedral library.
Just sticking it in openly risked some unknown watcher spotting it and reporting it, so I stopped time and wedged it in like a bookmark, a bit away from the pages.
To anyone watching, my actions would just look like browsing the shelves or flipping through other books—no way they'd imagine I slipped a letter in during that.
With my business at the cathedral done, I headed back to my temporary office in the royal palace basement, which doubled as an interview room and meeting space.
These days, it felt more like a proper office job.
Paradilan had a servant haul in stacks of documents and books.
Maps, routes, geography of the Artriana Dungeon, adventurer logs— that sort of material.
What the vanguard was about to do wasn't some reckless adventure into the unknown; we had a clear goal, so we needed to review the data thoroughly.
“Kirgil, you look in good spirits. Must be the blessing of the sun.”
“Th-thanks to you, President.”
Paradilan already knew about my relationship with Ashu.
“Before we start, there's some news. The 4th Knight Commander has been temporarily appointed.”
“Temporarily? What does that mean?”
“Like appointing an acting commander in wartime without the queen's approval—it's been done with the consent of Knight Commander Inario and Preji.”
Normally, a replacement for Garia would be nominated, and the queen would approve it before the 4th Knight Commander was officially appointed.
But they'd bypassed the royal authority entirely and picked one on their own.
It was outright rebellion.
“Inario claims it's an emergency due to a grave enemy threat, so they appointed a 4th Knight Commander on the spot and will report it later. The rationale is they can't leave the military command post vacant even for a moment because of the dragon.”
“But the dragon subjugation is supposed to be secret, right?”
“Exactly. The queen and we understand the implications, but ordinary folk will see this as highly suspicious.”
“Others might think the royal power has fallen so low they're even losing control over appointments.”
“That's how the queen's been cornered. This will make people think Inario has the momentum, and some will flock to his side.”
“Hmm...”
Sure enough, I shouldn't have killed Garia.
It's stirred up the rebel momentum.
Damn, this court scheming is so frustrating!
“No point brooding over it—there's no easy answer. Let's focus on what we need to do. By the way, President, aren't you in a tough spot?”
“The queen and Darania Knights won't want to make enemies of the academy, and we have no intention of meddling in their fight. Right now, I'm just here to help you, Kirgil.”
“Oh, then... N-never mind. Let's move on.”
I'd almost asked what he'd do if I sided with the queen, but it felt too probing, so I dropped it.
Paradilan saw right through my intent and smiled faintly.
“I only reject the foolish.”
Yeah, good call not asking.
We discussed things until evening, and I wrapped up the day writing a letter before bed.
The next day.
In the morning, I borrowed the Royal Guard's training grounds and gathered the selectees.
Parlen, the seasoned middle-aged knight with a shield and a varied career.
Chiria, the noble daughter wielding a spear that she could launch like an arrow.
Damish, the half-breed magic swordsman blessed by the earth god.
Raigiana, the deceptive Royal Guard knight specializing in scouting and surveillance.
Paradilan, the academy president, top authority, and my advisor mage.
Today was for final announcements and getting to know each other better.
So, we'd spar.
To fight efficiently, we needed to know each other's skills and decide on tactics.
Best to start with a demo from me.
I stepped forward and asked who wanted to spar first.
“Ragi, you volunteering?”
“Nah, opposite. I'm surrendering upfront— no way I can take you, Captain. See? Both hands up.”
Shameless, but I got it. Ragi had seen me fight.
Her style was striking when the chance came and bailing cleanly if not.
Next, Parlen raised his hand.
“A question first, Captain. You planning to adventure in that gear?”
My current kit: Killgent's Oath, hunting dagger, and five bolts at my waist. Armor was the light leather set from leaving Agnes Village.
“Yeah, I've always adventured like this. Why do you ask?”
“Your gear looks light, so I wanted to know if we should go full combat or not.”
“Make it real combat. This is to test real tactics. Don't worry—even if you accidentally kill me, I won't hold it against you.”
Parlen and Ragi burst out laughing at my joke.
But one raised her hand with a serious face: Chiria.
“......”
No words. She was ready to go right now.
Her tall frame straightened, hand up, and the joking mood turned heavy in an instant.
“Hmm, alright. Come on out, Chiria.”
“I am Chiria, daughter of Sreyran and Chisikara. I shall fight as in real battle.”
Her voice was low but crystal clear.
Was she mad because I seemed unserious?
That's the vibe I got.
Chiria raised her spear, and I drew my sword.
Or rather, she thrust before I could even grip it.
This girl— no room for complacency.
In stopped time, the spear tip right in front of my eyes sent a chill down my spine.
She's pissed, alright.
That would've been fatal if it landed.
I dodged the surprise first strike effortlessly, and Chiria recoiled in shock.
“Keep going, Chiria.”
Did my casual tone come off as taunting?
“Tch!”
She clicked her tongue hard and thrust again.
Once, twice...
The second miss transitioned seamlessly into a sweeping slash—unpredictable, covering more ground.
She'd only shown a fraction of her spear skills in yesterday's test. Good enough to pick her on spear alone, ignoring the great bow.
Horizontal sweep: duck under.
Vertical stab: twist aside.
Diagonal chop: lean head and waist away.
“Dodging sharp, rapid strikes like that without breaking a sweat, ten times in a row? Impressive.”
I was slipping in brief time stops to evade, but any lapse in focus would've been dangerous.
Pure genuine praise on my part.
“...Annoying.”
Her lips muttered it softly.
Whoops—must've bruised her pride without meaning to.
With that, Chiria spun her body wide, unleashing a fierce horizontal sweep that whipped up a gale.
A massive whoosh!! roared as wind blasted my vision white for a split second.
In that spin, she'd already drawn her great bow from her back and nocked the spear she'd just swung.
Fluid, like one motion.
What!? Sweep with spear, then instant close-range shot!?
Twang!!
The bowstring thundered through the air.
No doubt—this was Chiria's killer move.
She was seriously trying to kill me.
The incoming arrow—no, spear—trailed razor-sharp winds even in stopped time, drilling like a vortex.
A sloppy dodge and I'd get shredded.
In the end, I had to hurl myself aside so dramatically it looked awkward to onlookers.
“Stop, or I'll cut you down.”
My glowing magic sword hovered at her nape.
To her, I'd probably appeared there in a blink.
The moment I demanded surrender:
Boom!! A distant corner of the barracks crumbled under the spear impact.
Soldiers poured out, thinking it'd been hit by siege weapons.
And the culprit, Chiria...?
“I lost. Chiria will obey Captain Kirgil.”
...said that with sparkling eyes. Even with bangs half-hiding them, the gleam was obvious.
One second she's trying to kill me in a flash of irritation, the next this? Kinda disorienting.
Status Window
Chiria
“...”
The spar earlier, and now the Status Window info—girl's no ordinary personality.
I'll ignore her personal baggage.
At least she'll follow orders from now on.
“...”
“Give Chiria your command, Captain.”
“Return to your spot.”
“Yes.”
Chiria's Status Window listed her family background.
Martial house, so craving or protecting strong bloodlines made sense—but what if she latched onto some asshole who was just strong and mean?
Nah, probably not that sloppy a clan.
Her usual demeanor suggested etiquette training rivaling nobility.
For now, move on to the next spar.