Hiatt (01) 030. The Northern Frontline

Hiatt (01) 030. The northern frontline. To the northerners, it was a source of pride and, at the same time, a lawless zone. Due to the characteristics that the "North" had always carried, its people held combat in high regard. Yet even in the most peaceful era, a frontline remained a frontline. The tension could never fully dissipate. Moreover, the number of magical beasts was steadily increasing, leading to frequent life-threatening situations.

Pride and life on the line. The warriors of the North took pride in bridging that gap. It hadn't been long since a new face appeared on such a frontline. Or rather, it was a face rarely seen amid the frontlines. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠No northerner was unaware of the name Selasier Hiatt.

"...Sorry."

A makeshift barracks had recently been erected on the frontline. For now, she could stay with those loyal to her, but that was a naive thought for anyone unfamiliar with the North. For a woman to become a renowned knight was an arduous path. A female knight on the frontline was even rarer. It was only natural that the place was filled entirely with men. Even after her coming-of-age ceremony, it was understandably tough for Selasier to live among them alone. As such, the hastily built barracks had many shortcomings. For instance, it was especially difficult to accommodate anyone else besides Selasier.

"Young Master Torun seems to come and go from the estate even while handling frontline duties. Isn't that not allowed?"

"For that to work, there needs to be someone capable of commanding the remaining frontline troops. Even though Torun monopolized frontline affairs, I could send my faction's soldiers because I conditioned it on removing any commander-level figures."

"So now, Lady Selasier is taking on that commander role."

"Yes. Exactly. Which means I'll have to stay on the frontline for a while..."

Selasier glanced around the barracks and let out a faint sigh. Under the pretext of preserving her privacy, there was little around the new barracks. No space for Kalen to rest or take a break. And inviting him into the barracks proper was impossible—the space was far too cramped.

"I'll ask Makbel or Craderus."

Makbel and Craderus were the ones who could truly be called Selasier's closest aides. It was only natural they'd come to the frontline with her. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Craderus had been back and forth, so he had a place to stay, and Makbel had tagged along with him. That left Kalen awkwardly hanging.

Selasier said this as she prepared to go find the two men.

"It's fine. Just remove one chair for me, Lady Selasier."

"Huh? A chair?"

Puzzled by Kalen's words, Selasier nonetheless fetched a chair from inside the barracks. Kalen took it, placed it roughly in front of the barracks, and sat down.

"I'm your bodyguard. I need to stay by your side. Following those two would just tire me out."

"You sure you're okay with that?"

"Yes."

Selasier tapped her chin with her index finger, murmuring to herself.

"Bodyguard..."

"We're not staying here forever anyway. You said frontline duties keep you busy with endless tasks."

"Yeah. True."

Flashing a bright smile and nodding, Selasier soon passed by Kalen.

"Let's go, Kalen. We've got mountains of work."

Just as she had since Kalen arrived, she took the lead in walking ahead. The word "bodyguard" echoed in her mind. Having someone at her back brought a slight sense of reassurance.

Is this really what a frontline is like?

Selasier's words weren't wrong. First, gather the troops from her faction and receive reports on recent events. Then, adjust personnel to fit the changing situation and handle the various issues that arose. Craderus and Makbel, who had come with her, proved invaluable. Of course, there was bad news too. Since Selasier hadn't been deeply involved in frontline matters, it wasn't surprising that hearts had turned. Those stepping onto the frontline were all valiant knights. Especially those shining under the Hiatt name—their loyalty, paradoxically, was easily shaken.

Torun, who moved freely across the frontline. Selasier's womanhood and her distance from frontline affairs played major roles. Her already small faction had turned its back. Selasier's expression upon hearing this was impossible to call anything but grim. Was this what they meant by having no one on your side? She began tapping her chin with her index finger again. The shorter intervals betrayed her unease.

"...Makbel."

"Yes, Lady Selasier."

"What should we do?"

Makbel was the one who had directly reported this situation to her. The elderly man, who had long served the Hiatt family, steadied her growing anxiety. In her frustration, Selasier unconsciously sought his help.

Makbel fiddled with his short mustache, silent for a moment, then cautiously spoke.

"How about cleaning up the magical beasts on the frontline, Lady Selasier?"

"Cleaning up?"

"Yes. In the end, isn't that why they left? They think you're a woman far removed from the frontline, unaware of its realities. Since you haven't experienced it firsthand, they assume Young Master Torun, who fights alongside them, is better."

Selasier flinched. The boy standing behind her shuddered at the sudden dissonance he felt. Those in the meeting were focused on Makbel's words, and even Makbel himself didn't notice the boy's subtle movement.

"I've compiled records of magical beast appearances."

Makbel glanced at the stack of documents on the table, prepared since the meeting began.

"They were already trending upward, but in the last five years, it's gone beyond mere increase."

"We already know magical beasts are multiplying."

"No. We've only known that fact superficially."

Peace had come to the Empire, but the North's work remained unchanged: combat. Endless battles, differing only in whether the foe was an enemy soldier or a magical beast. The sharp rise in beasts over the last five years was eroding the North in another way. It was still manageable, but no one could predict the future. It was enough to leave a lingering unease.

"And the epicenter seems to be Mount Hiatt."

"Magical beasts are spawning from Mount Hiatt?"

"I can't confirm it personally, Lady Selasier. But based on the information we have, it's almost certain."

Makbel slowly straightened, gauging Selasier's intentions as he rolled his eyes.

Selasier continued tapping her chin, deep in thought.

"Show them. That you have the qualities of a ruler. If you accomplish what even Young Master Torun couldn't, many will pledge their loyalty."

Selasier flinched again. The boy behind her, quietly pondering, gave a small jolt. This time, Makbel noticed but dismissed it, fixing his gaze back on Selasier.

After a long silence, as she pondered quietly, Selasier nodded.

"In the end, it's a fight for control."

"Yes, Lady Selasier."

"With Sir Craderus and me, cleaning up the beasts is feasible as long as we don't overdo it. If we take our time, it won't be dangerous."

Careful not to topple her chair, Selasier rose from her seat.

"Thank you all for not turning away. And sorry for asking you to take on the danger. But help me. I can't stand by while that trash ruins the North."

Meeting the eyes of each person in the meeting room one by one, Selasier spoke with a resolute expression. No one opposed. The knights exchanged uneasy glances before nodding one by one. That was enough. Selasier didn't expect unwavering loyalty. Reality in the North was as cold as its winds—no room for such illusions. If they followed her will now, that sufficed. She could only quietly wish that the festering wounds wouldn't worsen further.

*

As the late-running meeting concluded, everyone filed out of the room, leaving only Makbel, Selasier, and her bodyguard Kalen behind.

"Not leaving, Makbel?"

"I have some tidying up left, Lady Selasier."

"Thanks for your efforts. But don't push yourself too hard."

"Yes."

With that, everyone departed the meeting room.

Tzzt—

The meeting had dragged on so late that darkness had deepened. The dim light illuminating the room was inevitably swallowed by the greater gloom. In the quiet meeting room, a small, bright light flickered.

The item in his hand was a small communication magic tool. Far too expensive for just anyone to own—unless they were the eldest son of the Hiatt Grand Duke family.

A vile chuckle leaked from the communication tool.

In the dimly lit meeting room, the conversation continued for a long while. The light swallowed by darkness showed no sign of fading, only stopping once a satisfied, booming laugh echoed.