Move the Soldiers
That single command flowing from the crystal orb—"Move the soldiers"—freezes the office atmosphere in an instant. Kernax's hand stops dead, and the administrator's face, clutching the orb, hardens into stone. My own back goes rigid with tension.
"Is the connection poor, Administrator?"
"......No, my lord. The message came through clearly."
The administrator responds to the lord's question with a stiff face. The crystal orb flickers softly.
"So it seems. Then why no response, Kernax?"
"......My apologies."
Kernax sets down her quill pen, rises from her seat, and bows deeply toward the crystal orb. A few days ago, when Bellanis visited, she acted the same way—treating someone not physically present as if they stood right there. It feels utterly alien to me.
"When did I ask for your apology? You know that's not the answer I want."
The air in the office freezes over once more at the lord's question echoing from the orb. Kernax slowly lifts her bowed head. She's biting her lip.
"......My lord. The forces guarding Molingta are defensive troops meant to protect the city. Most of them trained specifically for maintaining urban security. Taking them outside the walls... it's no easy task."
"Kernax."
Chills race across my skin. The lord's voice from the orb cuts colder and heavier than the frozen office air.
"......Give me your orders."
Kernax, chewing her lip raw, finally steps forward and drops to one knee before the administrator holding the orb.
"Reach Bazelan in Viscount Vio Rin's territory before the end of the month. Once there, Viscount Vio Rin's second daughter will be in command. Get the details from her upon arrival."
"......Understood."
"Kernax."
"Don't forget—the command of the troops rests solely with you. And Administrator."
"Yes, my lord."
"Stay in Molingta until Kernax returns."
"As you command."
"Dismissed."
The light from the crystal orb fades gradually until it returns to being an ordinary stone. The administrator tucks it away, and Kernax rises from her seat.
"......Fuck. He's totally screwed."
Siron, who'd been lying on my thigh, sits up. Her eyes look a bit tired but sharp—clearly she's been awake for a while.
Kernax moves first among the three.
"For now... I need to assemble the soldiers, so I'll take my leave."
"Yes, that sounds best."
"Very well."
Kernax gives a slight bow to the administrator and exits the office.
"Haa... damn it. Hey, I'm gonna go tell my sister too. Take good care of our fucking mutt."
Giena nods silently, and Siron scratches her head furiously before leaving the office. In a flash, only me, the administrator, and Giena—who might as well be a folding screen—remain.
The administrator forces an awkward smile through her still-rigid face.
"This... caught me off guard too, with how sudden it all is."
"I get it completely."
Because I'm freaking the hell out myself.
The administrator stares at my face for a moment, then smiles wryly.
"No need to look so grave."
"Grave...?"
"Yes. Your face is really tense right now."
"Oh."
I hadn't noticed, but if she says so, I guess it is. I quickly knead my cheeks with both hands to loosen the taut muscles.
"Better now?"
"Haha, yes. And as I said earlier, no need to worry too much."
It's less worry and more just being stunned senseless... but as my mind settles, concern for Kernax and the soldiers starts creeping in. I quietly meet the administrator's gaze.
"Though she's called the guard captain here in Molingta, Lady Kernax is a full-fledged knight of the Filoria count family—apprenticeship completed under the lord himself and formally recognized."
"......Kernax is a knight?"