Chapter 122
Chapter 122
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 122
Chapter Title: The Commander's Offer
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After safely slaying Asmodeus, we moved even more busily than before.
We had crushed every threat, but it still wasn't time to let our guards down.
Only after sealing the final rift could we finally relax.
Stab!
As I jammed the [Rift Closer] in place, Zayren and Ashion Gail let out sighs of relief.
“Phew... Just one more hour to hold out.”
“...The war is over.”
It felt like it had been ages since I'd last seen Zayren.
Our paths just hadn't crossed, but Professor Zayren's contributions in this war had been greater than I'd expected.
'Rumor has it she swept through the lesser demons at the other rifts?'
The places she'd passed through reportedly burned for a good while afterward.
Thanks to her, our main forces could focus entirely on battling the legion commanders.
Professor Zayren would no doubt receive a hefty reward from the royal family once the war wrapped up.
Of course, she wasn't the only one.
Me, Thompson, Kayla, Barundel, Roan, Shuhan, Ashion Gail, the Committee Chairman, and so on.
It was obvious that all the key participants in the war would reap massive rewards.
Well, it was only natural for a war we couldn't have won without them.
In any case.
“Just a bit more, everyone.”
We squeezed out our last reserves of strength to mop up the remaining stragglers and protect the [Rift Closer].
Fortunately, no further surprises cropped up, and the rift sealed without issue.
An hour later.
No trace of demons lingered around the rift, and as the flow of demonic energy came to an abrupt halt.
Whoosh!
The rift closed.
This marked the end of the grueling war at last.
“...It's over!”
“Woooo!”
Thompson and the soldiers erupted in cheers.
I didn't join in, but hearing them still filled my chest with emotion.
'Finally...'
The greater the hardship, the sweeter the triumph that followed.
Our joy was short-lived as we hurried to wrap things up.
We gathered the wounded and the bodies of the fallen, took a headcount, and returned to our assigned barracks.
All we wanted was to end the war as quickly as possible and get some real rest.
Not long after.
-...Assembly required.
A familiar voice echoed over the broadcast.
'Elbert.'
It was Elbert.
Barundel had told me he'd pulled through the worst and was recovering well.
We rushed to the assembly point as instructed, and there atop the makeshift stage stood a man wrapped head to toe in bandages.
The silhouette confirmed it: Elbert.
'...Is he really okay?'
He looked like he should be resting more, but thinking it over, it made sense.
There was no way Elbert's personality would allow him to sit it out.
'He probably felt he had to handle the finale himself.'
He was the type to prioritize ceremony over his own injuries.
For all his favoritism, he was a commander whose sense of responsibility was rock-solid.
Creak!
As everyone settled into their seats with buoyant spirits, Elbert, scanning the crowd, slowly began to speak.
“Everyone, you have my thanks for your hard work.”
His opening words.
Just a single phrase, yet it brought tears to the soldiers' eyes.
It wasn't surprising.
Every soul here had stared death in the face.
Even if I hadn't witnessed it myself, they'd fought desperately out of sight.
In truth.
'...We've taken heavy losses.'
Compared to the first day, when every seat was packed, the place felt eerily empty now.
Over half the spots were vacant.
It seemed more than half of those present that day had perished.
Elbert, who knew this full well, wore not his usual playful expression but a gravely serious one.
His voice was deeply solemn.
“Great soldiers, you have truly... suffered greatly. Your deeds will be etched into Asteron's history, and the fallen will never have toiled in vain.”
Rustle!
Elbert unrolled a scroll-like sheet of paper.
Even though it was an impressively long document, it was packed dense with text.
It was the same one I'd seen before.
“Your achievements are recorded here in exquisite detail! Right here!”
And then.
“Ashu Brihem! 27 lesser demons, 2 mid-tier demons slain! Rachel Sina, 12 lesser demons...”
Without further ado, he began reciting the names of the soldiers and their feats one by one.
Whenever a name was called, not a single soldier held back their tears.
The others applauded generously, praising their comrades' valor.
“Wooo!”
“Incredible! Karison!”
Karison! Karison! Karison...!
How much time passed?
At last, it was my turn.
“Yoo Han! 276 lesser demons! 384 mid-tier demons, 3 high-tier demons! 1 legion commander-grade force! Plus rift-sealing operations, civilian deprogramming, troop deployments, and...”
The recitation dragged on longer than any before.
These were all things I'd done myself, but hearing them listed out like this filled me with fresh pride.
My chest tightened with emotion.
I finally understood why everyone else had teared up.
As that thought crossed my mind.
“That's all!”
Waaaaaaaah-!
Yoo Han! Yoo Han! Yoo Han!
Mage! Mage! Mage!
The soldiers turned to me, chanting their homemade slogan over and over.
The roar was so deafening it nearly burst my eardrums.
But the soldiers kept shouting undeterred.
Mage! Mage! Mage...!
“Ahem...”
All eyes were on me, as if expecting me to say something.
Unsure how to respond, I just flashed a slight smile and waved.
Hahaha!
Waaaaaaaah-!
The soldiers broke into broad grins and cheered even louder.
I usually hated being the center of attention, but given the circumstances...
'It doesn't feel half bad.'
There was a strange thrill to it.
In any case.
“Good work, everyone!”
“You too!”
“Time to go home—!”
After Elbert's hours-long commendation ceremony finally concluded, we were dismissed.
“Hey, since we're connected like this, how about a drink tonight?”
“Of course! You're the one who saved my life—let me treat you big!”
“Hohoho... I won't say no!”
Cheers and chatter celebrating each other's victories buzzed everywhere.
I was about to turn and make plans for a small gathering with my war comrades when someone tapped my shoulder from behind.
Turning around.
“Ah, Commander.”
It was Elbert.
“Hahaha. Seeing you after cheating death feels even better. Now that the war's over, call me Knight Commander.”
“Ah, yes, Knight Commander... But what's up?”
“I have something to discuss with you. Got a moment?”
“Discuss?”
Nothing came to mind, but no reason to refuse, so I nodded.
“Sure.”
“Then follow me to the command room.”
“Yes.”
Step, step, step.
We headed straight to the command room.
“I called you here with a special proposal.”
“A proposal?”
“You'll like it, I'm sure. Accept it, and you'll achieve your dream.”
“...My dream?”
His words naturally brought our past conversations to mind.
But no matter how I racked my brain, nothing stood out.
I'd never even shared my dream with him.
'I never told him I want to catch Baal...'
So what was this man going on about?
The mystery cleared up quickly.
“How about coming to District 1 with me?”
“Pardon? District 1? Why there...?”
District 1 was where the king and his bloodline resided directly.
In simple terms, the royal district.
As that realization hit, Elbert nodded as if to confirm.
“You're right on the money. I'm saying let's go meet His Majesty.”
“...So why?”
“Because I'm planning to recommend you to His Majesty directly. As commander of the Royal Legion, that is.”
“...What?”
What in the world was this out-of-left-field nonsense?
Commander? Of the Royal Legion, no less?
My eyes widened involuntarily, and Elbert chuckled at my reaction, clearly amused.
“Hahaha, surprised? How's it feel? Dream come true?”
“No, surprised or not, that's not my dream...”
“Of course, don't get your hopes too high. Even with my recommendation, His Majesty's approval isn't guaranteed. But that's the price you pay. The Royal Legion command isn't for just anyone.”
“Excuse me, are you listening?”
“Even if approved, climbing to that post will take effort and time. But don't worry. From what I've seen of you, you're more than capable.”
“...”
“I've already cleared it with the Royal Guard. If you accept, you'll likely go with them when they return.”
Elbert barreled on with his preconceived notions, ignoring me entirely.
If this kept up, I'd be dragged to District 1 without a chance to refuse, so I stated more firmly.
“I think there's a misunderstanding. I have no intention of becoming a commander.”
At that.
“...What?”
Elbert's eyes bulged, his body flinching.
“No intention of becoming commander? No, that can't be...”
He pondered deeply for a moment, then nodded.
“Ah, you're intimidated? No need. My recommendation means you have what it takes. Have some confidence!”
...Was he always this bad at listening?
“It's not intimidation—seriously, no. I'm not doing commander.”
“...Why?”
“I just told you. I have no intention of becoming one.”
“You mean that?”
“Yes.”
“Huh...”
Elbert finally seemed to register my words.
Then, out of nowhere, he asked again.
“So what is your dream? What do you live so fiercely for?”
A question about my dream.
One I could answer without hesitation.
“Catch Baal.”
“...Baal?”
“Yes. That's why I'm planning to become a demon hunter.”
“...Demon hunter? So all that passion for magic was to become a demon hunter?”
“Well, yeah. To catch Baal, I need to reach high mage level.”
Silence stretched on.
Elbert broke it.
“I've been under a massive delusion... I thought for sure you dreamed of being a commander.”
“I have no idea what gave you that idea, but I get it.”
“Understood. Forget I said anything.”
With that, Elbert turned away.
He didn't seem pleased.
Given his expectations, disappointment was inevitable.
'Not my fault, though.'
Step, step.
After a few paces, Elbert tossed over his shoulder.
“If you change your mind, say the word anytime. I'm willing to open that door for you.”
“...”
Was that guy really giving up...?