Chapter 178: The Kingdom's Guard (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 178: The Kingdom's Guard (3)
It was the second day since the Imperial army had stationed itself near the capital. A thick veil of anxiety hung over the city, which had officially entered a state of war.
"Mr. Guard, what’s with that army? Are we losing?"
"The Empire is just throwing a tantrum. Once we repel them, it’s our victory, so don’t worry."
"Thief!"
"Looks like we’ve got one more soldier."
I apprehended a brave petty criminal and handed him over to the recruitment officer. The officer looked delighted, noting that they’d just gained another piece of arrow fodder.
Because the majority of the guards were split into quarters for patrols, I frequently ran into my colleagues.
"Senior! Let’s walk together!"
"Sure."
"I happened to run into my junior. Since we’re here, shall we go together?"
"Of course, I’d love to."
Even though I was walking with Rena and Mehya, my mind wasn't at ease. Perhaps it was because it was the eve of war. The atmosphere was far too heavy.
While people weren't panic-buying daily necessities like they might in my previous life, everyone was trembling with fear. Some tried not to show it, but it was written all over their faces.
To think my delightful sex life is being interrupted like this.
"Let’s go patrol the city walls too."
"But there are soldiers there."
"Master told me to stop by the command post. Let’s head over there while we’re at it."
"Huh? She didn't say anything to me about coming over."
"Really?"
"Yes. Even this morning, she left the mansion just like usual. That’s strange. Why did she only ask for you, Senior?"
It was strange, just as Rena said. Why would she call only me and leave out her first disciple, Rena?
"We’ll find out once we get there," Mehya said.
As Mehya suggested, the answer would be there. We skirted the area near the walls and headed toward the command post. Looking up from below, the soldiers displayed strict discipline; every single one of them looked like an elite.
They don't look like copy-pasted assets from an eroge.
The faces inside the helmets were all different, and their armor varied slightly as well. One soldier had fine scratches on his armor, perhaps from poor maintenance; another had decorated his with tassels for flair; and another had a handkerchief tied around his waist.
Looking at the design of the handkerchief, it was clearly for a woman. He probably received it from a girlfriend or a lover before heading off to war. I truly hoped that soldier would survive.
"Look over there. It’s the soldiers."
"They’re the ones who will protect us."
There were other citizens near the walls besides us. Those who had been watching the soldiers scattered the moment they spotted us.
"You there! Entry to this area is prohibited!"
"We’re sorry!"
"You could get killed by a stray arrow or siege weaponry!"
"We’ll keep that in mind!"
Once the citizens had all fled, Rena shrugged her shoulders.
"I don't know why they do that when we’ve warned them so many times about the danger."
"It just shows how anxious they are."
In a world without social media, they must be dying to know how the war is progressing. Since they can't climb the walls, they probably just want to see the soldiers to feel some sense of security.
"Senior... you’ve changed a bit lately."
"Hmm? How so?"
Had I been neglecting Rena without realizing it? Was she disappointed?
"Your vibe is just a little different. You feel... kinder than before?"
"I felt it too. You’ve finally become an adult."
Mehya pulled my face toward her and buried it in her cleavage.
"Mehya Mama..."
"Am I 'Mama' now? Well, I am pregnant, so I suppose I have become a mother."
"I want to be a Mama too!"
Normally, Rena would fall short of 'Mama' status. But since she was pregnant, breast size didn't matter.
"Rena Mama."
"Why don't you call me... Mama?"
She sure wants a lot.
"Rena Mama..."
"Hee-eung. Senior..."
"We’ve had our fun, let’s get going."
Rena puffed out her cheeks, but it was only cute. When I poked them with my finger to let the air out, she got pouty and started playfully thumping my forearm.
As expected of a Low-Rank Aura User. For someone who just awakened, her hits were quite heavy. I’d better not tease Rena too recklessly from now on.
There were a massive number of soldiers near the command post. They blocked our approach.
"Civilians are not permitted beyond this point."
"But we’re guards."
"Uh..."
The soldier who had given the stern warning looked troubled and turned to the senior officer beside him.
"I’ve heard from the Vice Commander. Let them in."
"Senior?"
"You brat. Don't you even remember what you were told earlier?"
Following the now-polite soldier, we entered the command post. The place was filled with people who looked important at a glance.
Rainie, who was sitting in the center of a round table, welcomed us.
"You’ve come. And the two I didn't invite came as well. Why did you come all the way to such a dangerous place?"
"Master..."
"You should be resting. What if you get hurt?"
"Masteeeer..."
At first, Rena’s tone was rebellious, but by the second "Master," it was dripping with affection. After signaling to Rena, Rainie introduced me to the curious onlookers.
"This is the Sma I told you about. A genius who became a High-Rank Aura User at the age of twenty. Some of you here might have seen his skills at the last housewarming party."
"I didn't see it personally, but I’ve heard the stories. That he defeated a knight with ease."
The man sitting in the seat of highest honor stood up.
"A pleasure to meet you. I am Bucom, the Captain of the Kingdom’s 2nd Knight Order, commonly known as the Knight's Arm."
"I am Sma, disciple of Lady Rainie and a guard."
As we shook hands, I felt a powerful strength. I wasn't even putting strength into my hand, so why did it feel so overwhelming? It was a pressure similar to what I felt from Erwi back when I hadn't awakened my Aura.
When my expression shifted, Bucom shrugged.
"The world calls me Sword Master Bucom."
"Ah... a Sword Master..."
I see. He was a Sword Master. Since he held a higher rank than Rainie, who was a Peak-Rank Aura User, the logic was perfect.
After the handshake, Bucom sat back down. Rainie asked him, "What do you think?"
"He’s even more impressive than I thought. I wish our knights would look at him and learn. You’re saying the Vice Commander trained such an outstanding talent?"
"Yes."
"Between Rena and this Sma, it seems you’re as good at teaching people as you are at swordsmanship. Though there was that one unteachable fellow, that wasn't your fault, was it?"
"...Yes."
"Anyway, good. Very good."
Everyone else in the command post seemed pleased as well. Am I the only one who can't follow the mood? Just in case, I looked to my side, and Mehya and Rena looked just as bewildered.
"I’m not sure what you’re talking about..."
"We need to explain the situation first, so let’s move."
We climbed up onto the city walls. I kept looking at Rainie during the walk, but she only said things like, "I’ll tell you when we arrive."
From atop the wall, the Imperial encampment was clearly visible. In front of the tents that were packed together like a beehive, a man had stepped forward.
—Is there really no talent left to face me! Hahaha! Just as I thought! The Kingdom is nothing but cowards! To think you’d be scared after starting the war yourselves!
"Hahahahahaha!!!"
The Imperial army's mockery reached all the way to the walls. Bucom clutched his head as if he had a migraine.
"What is that?"
"That is exactly our headache. They’re desperately trying to boost their morale before the attack. He’s pestering us for a duel, but we can't just send anyone."
"Why not?"
"A few have already been taken down."
It was a dilemma I didn't understand. Since he was a Sword Master, couldn't he just step out himself? As if sensing my question, Rainie added an explanation.
"The Captain is the commander, so he cannot leave his post. The Kingdom’s other Sword Masters are out on the front lines, so they’re unavailable. Since even our knights were defeated, I should have gone out, but..."
Rainie stroked her stomach.
"The Captain would not allow it."
"Rainie is no longer alone. I was able to discover it because her Aura felt different than usual."
"Pardon?"
It was such an abrupt statement that I couldn't process it immediately.
"I am pregnant as well."
"Wow! Congratulations!"
"How many is this already? Anyway, congratulations."
Mehya and Rena were quick to react. Since I was late, I decided to show a more definitive action.
I pulled Rainie into a tight hug, and she tried to push me away. But there was no way I was letting go.
"Everyone is watching..."
"I love you, Master, so what does that matter?"
"Kuh..."
This should be enough to win her over, right? When I pulled back and looked at her again, Rainie looked even more lovely. The same went for Rena and Mehya.
—Cowards! Cowards! Cowards!
That Imperial bastard is really killing the mood.
"So, why did you call for me? Do you want me to defeat that man?"
"Of course not. That man is a Peak-Rank Aura User, and you are not yet a High-Rank, are you? In a little while, someone weaker will challenge us to a duel. I was planning to ask you then."
"Is it alright for me to step forward?"
Couldn't they just send a strong knight or soldier? In stories like Romance of the Three Kingdoms, anyone would go out and fight to make a name for themselves.
"We cannot afford to lose any more officers before the siege has even begun. We didn't predict the capital would be invaded, so we’re short-staffed."
"Aha."
So they needed someone with the skill but without a command position. That was exactly me.
"Yes. If you wait just a bit longer, your turn will—"
—Those of you huddled in your castle like turtles aren't scary at all!
While Bucom was speaking, the Imperial man shouted one last time and returned to his camp. Then, the army began to move.
"They aren't coming?"
I asked, but Bucom didn't answer. With a stiff face, he simply began barking orders to those around him.
"All units to your positions! The enemy assault has begun!"