Adelia's Sortie
The Great Squad Leader had summoned me, albeit unintentionally, for a morning drinking session. His true intent was to interview the new recruit. As the overall commander responsible for managing the troops, he wanted to gauge my mindset, background, skills, personality, aptitude, and whether I might be an external spy. This led to a somewhat tense atmosphere as we drank and conversed, though the mood eased when laughter broke out. Seizing the moment, I casually mentioned Freyr and Nancy.
“The more the merrier! Call them over right away!”
His straightforward approval lifted the weight from my chest so suddenly that I nearly teared up. The Great Squad Leader—Bernhardt—was the complete opposite of the strategist Ision. While Ision preferred rational recruitment matching the unit’s scale, Bernhardt believed in sheer numbers without hesitation. According to him, modern warfare was a battle of headcount, and the side with more men always held the advantage.
“Halt right there!”
At Bernhardt’s command, the supply wagon that had just left the mountain stronghold came to a stop. I quickly informed the bandits of the situation, and at last Freyr and Nancy were released. They embraced me with expressions of pure joy, as if they had escaped hell itself.
“Thank you!”
“I won’t forget this debt!”
Thus, the three of us—Freyr, Nancy, and I—found ourselves seated across from the bear-like Bernhardt at the drinking table.
“Well then, let’s have each of you introduce yourselves. Tell me why you want to join our bandit group.”
Bernhardt scrutinized us closely while exchanging words. Though he appeared simple and boisterous on the surface, I was surprised to find him unexpectedly cautious and sharp. After the interviews, he assigned us to suitable squads. Freyr went to the 4th squad, handling raids and theft; Nancy to the 8th squad, responsible for reconnaissance and intelligence; and I to the 15th squad, dealing with fencing stolen goods and supply management. Each assignment was decided by Bernhardt’s discerning eye, and none of us raised objections.
Whether by chance or design, the three of us naturally ended up separated. Since we were essentially strangers anyway, it didn’t matter much. With Nancy, I had nearly developed special feelings—she was the first woman in either world to touch me so intimately—but realizing she had done it deliberately to join the bandits made any budding affection vanish instantly. She was a woman whose true intentions were unclear, so I resolved to stay wary. After all, there were plenty of vipers like her back on Earth too.
Thus began my life as a bandit in this other world.
“Reporting! I, Adelia, have been ordered to deploy for one year as part of the Wittenbach Knights’ policy to strengthen security in the southern region, effective June 25th, Franz Year 340!”
In the Wittenbach Knights Commander’s office, bathed in bright sunlight, a blonde woman clad in pure white knight armor announced her deployment in a resounding voice that belied her slender neck. Commander Gregory, seated at his desk, gazed at his now-adult daughter with a warm smile.
“It will be a difficult journey, but return safely.”
“Yes! I won’t disappoint you.”
“As I’ve said many times, take care of yourself. The southern region, due to its geography, is economically and socially underdeveloped, leaving public security unstable for a long time. If you can correct that during your stay, you’ll not only earn great merit but also leave behind a lasting achievement. It’s a fine opportunity to catch the King’s eye and advance your career. Once there, avoid excessive greed, but pursue and seize what you desire boldly.”
“I’ll keep that in mind!”
Gregory rose and shared a brief, gentle embrace with his daughter.
“Write often. Your mother and I will pray for your safety. By the way, did you see your mother?”
“Yes. I greeted her when I left the house this morning.”
“Good. Then go carefully.”
“I’ll return after completely eradicating all the bandits in the southern region, Father.”
Her eyes shone with fierce determination as she spoke with solemn resolve. A strong, unwavering will to establish justice in the southern lands, where disorder and crime spread like a plague, was evident in her gaze.
Recently, the southern region had become a lawless land. Various lords had mobilized city guards and troops to restore order, but internal corruption, the backward mindset of the populace, and financial strain from expanding forces rendered their efforts ineffective. In some territories, even vassals colluded with criminal organizations. “Security is no longer in our hands. It’s out of control.” When the situation reached a perilous point beyond their control, the southern lords finally appealed to the King for support. Concerned that unrest might spark rebellion, the royal palace decided to dispatch troops—the Wittenbach Knights under Commander Gregory. Along with his daughter Adelia, several knights led soldiers into the southern region on the same day. Nine knights and roughly seven hundred soldiers in total.
Among the deployed knights, Adelia stood out as the most promising newcomer. Twenty years old, bearing the rank of viscount. After passing through the central highway and descending into the south with unstoppable momentum, Adelia parted ways with the other knights and launched a large-scale purge upon arriving at her first territory. Over several days, her forces raided the strongholds of surrounding criminal organizations one after another. Her sole conviction and iron rule remained unchanged.
“Criminals will be dealt with under a policy of zero tolerance! There will be no forgiveness or trials! Execute them on sight!”
Driven by her determination to uproot all southern crime in the shortest time possible, she declared war on criminality. Her unit members sometimes executed those merely suspected of crimes on the spot, bypassing judicial procedures entirely.
“Lady Adelia has ordered us not to treat criminals as human!”
Adelia’s iron-fisted command over crime proved highly effective in a short period. Within fifteen days of arriving at the first territory, she had wiped out three bandit groups and five urban criminal organizations. Nearly three hundred people were either executed or surrendered in terror.
“Thank you, Lady Adelia! Thanks to you, the territory is at peace. As lord, I can finally breathe easy.”
“Not at all. It is all thanks to His Majesty the King’s grace.”
Having demonstrated leadership and prowess beyond her years, she prepared to depart with satisfaction. With the first territory stabilized, it was time to move swiftly to the next and resolve its problems. Facing her orderly assembled subordinates in the training ground, Adelia shouted loudly.
“Everyone, listen well! We’re heading to Nobern next!”
“Yes!”
“Aye!”
The adjutant, morale soaring from successive victories, bellowed once more.
“Now, let’s go! To Nobern!”
The faded gray tent was plastered with lewd paintings depicting sexual acts between men and women. Lifting the leather flap at the entrance and stepping inside, I saw a white-haired old man wearing a round hat, seated at a table carving wood with a small knife. The shape resembled a bird—no matter how I looked at it, it was clearly a bird. The old man, who had been shooting me sharp glances since I entered, received my bright greeting.
“Hello. I’m Kang Hyun-woo, the new recruit assigned to the 15th squad.”
“New recruit? Who sent you?”
His voice, like the rasp of metal, combined with his displeased expression, made me feel as though I were standing on a floor strewn with thumbtacks.
“The Great Squad Leader sent me.”
“Someone as scrawny as you?”
“Yes.”
The old man sighed deeply, shifting his gaze back to the wooden carving.
“The Great Squad Leader must be getting old. His eyes have gone bad, sending a useless fool like you.”
An awkward smile formed reflexively on my face. I hadn’t expected a warm welcome, but I hadn’t anticipated such cold treatment either.
“Hm? It’s you?”
Startled by the sudden voice, I turned to see a tall man peering inside, holding the leather flap open.
“Your appearance made you stand out among the prisoners. Looks like you’ve joined our squad?”
The man, with a clean-cut impression and wearing overalls, entered holding a sheet of paper in his right hand. He seemed to have received my personal information from Bernhardt. Passing by me, he handed the paper to the old man and turned back with a smile.
“Did the old man give you an earful? He wasn’t fond of your unusual looks to begin with. He hates other races.”
I glanced at the old man examining the paper and replied.
“Well, he was a bit cold toward me.”
“I figured as much. Don’t mind it. The old man’s always in a foul mood and picks fights with everyone.”
“Phelton. What nonsense are you spouting now?”
Ignoring the old man, the fellow extended his hand toward me with a grin.
“I’m Phelton.”
“Kang Hyun-woo.”
And so, I joined the 15th squad.