The power to make even a flying bird fall (1)
Cloud didn't bat an eye when the training center released a couple of soldiers. The moment Hilde graduated and left the program, he personally pulled her straight into his own battalion. He gave her the rank of platoon leader—the one sitting just below centurion—and made it clear she now commanded his unit. He could even snatch troops from other battalions if he wanted. The emperor had absolute faith in him; a single request and approval came back faster than he could blink. Using the excuse that his priests were short-handed, he even transferred Vivian, the priestess who had been on Torres's night-duty rotation, into his own company.
"You're kidding, right? How can you just yank soldiers like that?"
Torres was furious, of course. But the man who used to tower over him now had his power halved, and the nobles who backed Cloud were simply too many for Torres to fight. Nothing stood in his way.
"Vivian is my night-duty attendant starting today~!"
"Again? You want a night-duty attendant here too?"
"No! This time she's my personal secretary!"
The second Vivian stepped into his office, Cloud gave her a new title. Same job as a night-duty attendant, but with a completely different name. He didn't even care that he'd dragged her away under the pretext of a priest shortage; he simply assigned her as his full-time secretary. Transferring her into his battalion was part of a larger plan to build his inner circle, but there was another, more selfish reason. Torres used to bully Vivian when she was his night-duty attendant, and the memory still made Cloud's blood boil. If he couldn't have her, he wasn't letting anyone else have her either. So he used his strength to take her.
***
"Kya~ Delicious. I've finally tasted Vivian's coffee. Living this long and eating this good? Life's been good to me."
Cloud's private office. The new 500-man commander had been given a room on the second floor of the command building. For reference, the other centurions—Torr, Tes, and Lucy—each had their own centurion quarters inside the barracks of the Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Companies, and they almost always stayed there. Hearing his praise, Vivian smiled brightly as she stood in front of the desk with both hands clasped and a tray in her arms.
"You really like it?"
"Yes, I love it. Being able to drink coffee like this every day makes me so happy."
"Whenever you want, just tell me. The moment the boss asks, I'll have it brought right over. Oh, and..."
She scratched behind her ear, looking shy. "From now on you don't have to use honorifics with me anymore. I'm your superior, so please use casual speech. It'll make me more comfortable too."
Cloud looked at her with a satisfied smile, then spoke. "Vivian."
"Yes?"
Even though she'd mentally prepared herself, the second Cloud switched to casual speech her heart started racing. The moment he was no longer "my boss," she felt like she was being claimed. Her body began to move on its own—submissive, obedient, heart pounding like a drum.
He rose from the desk, slid both hands into his pockets, and strolled back around slowly. A handsome smile spread across his face.
"Lunch time soon, isn't it?"
"Y-yes?"
"Want to go eat together? Let's grab that delicious jjapaghetti."
"I-I'm okay with that...!"
Cloud had been ignoring her for so long. Now that he was finally paying attention, Vivian was overjoyed. She wanted to spend time with him, to talk normally like a couple, to share a meal and make precious memories. On his side, though, he remembered the drunken woman from the streets who had screamed at him with slurred words—"Cloud, you trash kid!"—and decided he wouldn't let her slip away again. Even if the food wasn't something he paid for, he knew he could win her heart with his fluent, flowery tongue.
"Let's go."
With one arm wrapped lightly around her shoulder, he gently guided her steps.
***
Cloud was running low on cash lately. The reason? He'd emptied his savings to buy a three-story house with a yard for Elena. While working odd jobs and pocketing loot, he had finally managed to buy a nest on the outskirts of a neighborhood where nobles and wealthy merchants lived. The day they moved in, Elena was over the moon. She clung to his arm and helped carry boxes around without once thinking of resting. "I have to work too. Cecil's waiting for me." "I want to be with Cloud." "This is heavy." "Hold on." "I'm dropping it." "The baby will fly away!" "Ouch."
Now that they were officially settled in the new house, Cloud swore he would finally start tackling the plans he'd been daydreaming about. He called Sophia and Cecil to the new residence and explained everything. Since Elena was currently pregnant, he needed someone to help with daily care, so he asked them to move in and take turns talking with her or looking after her. He even added one special request to Sophia.
"You mean move into the battalion and cook for us?"
"Yeah. You don't think so?"
"It's not impossible, but it's so sudden..."
Cloud explained he wanted Sophia to take over the management of a nearby inn. He would hire a full-time cook to replace her so she could run the kitchens for his Third Regiment. He was already preparing to cancel the old contracts. The Valua army was different from other territories; they didn't use male cooks but hired women instead. Each regiment had its own staff, and the commander could hire or fire at will. In short, Cloud wanted to surround himself with his own people from the ground up. Cooking in a battalion meant there was plenty of money left over for ingredients. As a commoner, the profit margin was huge, but competition was fierce and ordinary lobbying rarely worked. Other commanders paid high salaries to get cooks. Cloud, though, decided he would just give the job away for free.
"You can earn way more money now. Once you own a few buildings, people will call you 'Madame Sophia' too."
"I'd rather see Cloud more often than I would a Madame title. It's been so hard seeing your face lately."
"You're sure?"
Sophia felt a vague fear about starting a whole new life, but she trusted Cloud and decided to take the leap. She pressed her lips together and nodded firmly. "I'll try it. If you want me to."
"Thanks."
Cloud smiled and pulled her into a hug, patting her back. After that, Sophia hired a manager for the inn and brought in several familiar local women to run the kitchens for his Third Regiment. "With Sophia here, the troops' energy is skyrocketing." The moment more friendly faces joined his battalion, Cloud felt a deep sense of security and could push his plans forward with even greater confidence. Days of peace and smooth progress continued this way until one day.
Felipe suddenly appeared in Cloud's office.
"What brings you here? Did Sylvia send you?"
"I came on my own initiative, no matter what Lady Sylvia thinks."
"What for?"
There was a solemn resolve in her eyes. She had come ready to deliver a grave message.
Felipe swallowed hard and spoke in a trembling voice. "It's been months since you touched my body. When are you going to leave me alone like this?"
Her voice cracked with long-suppressed resentment. Cloud gave a light laugh and sighed. "Felipe."
"Please speak."
"I was worried you would be disappointed if I didn't say anything before."
He stood up and began removing his uniform jacket. Turning his bare upper body, he showed her the golden tattoo on his back.
"You know what this is?"
Felipe's eyes widened in shock. "A-a tattoo like that?!"
"You have a broad knowledge, so you know. It's a holy mark filled with the power to hunt demons. You are a demon. Mixing your body with mine like this would only let my power drain you and kill you."
She shook her head in disbelief, then exploded with fury. "How did the witch's power disappear?! How did I end up hating you?! I've been working for you! Why didn't you say a single word?! Hic...!"
At that exact moment, Vivian pressed her ear to the door outside and eavesdropped on the entire conversation.
"Ah... Cloud you bastard. What exactly are you talking about with Lady Felipe? Why is she suddenly crying? No way...!"
She covered her mouth with wide eyes. "So they're... like that with each other?"