Chapter 90
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 90
Chapter Title: Why Is Everything Running So Smoothly?
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Don't get mad right from the start.
I'm a rational Holy Knight.
No, I'm an emotional Holy Knight, but that just means I should think first.
'Is it because of what I said to Fred? That if they don't help, I won't either? Did that spark some pride?'
Why didn't the birds tell me? Oh, even if they did, I wouldn't understand, so pass on that.
Why didn't I see it even with Blue Eye activated? Oh, they're skilled guys who blended into the crowd and slipped away.
Why did he only tell Ibu?
Why didn't Ibu go with him?
Why.
Why.
Why.
As if understanding my questions, Ibu stammered.
"Ibu smelled jerky on Fred 'cause Ibu's super noble? Fred gave jerky. Petting Ibu nice and gentle. Said he caught 'em alive for Ibu. Ibu wanted to go too, but he said boss would notice if Ibu went, so stay put."
"Stay put? Who said that?"
"Requi-, Requiya-. Said someone gotta guard boss. Ibu thinks so too. Sitting like rock, if fall over, head cracks. Ibu super noble, knows that stuff."
"Who else went?"
Ibu, head bowed and peeking up at me, folded fingers one by one.
One, two, three.
I watched Ibu's hand and asked.
"Why did Yuderg go?"
"Uh....... I-Ibu......"
"Who's handling the mercenary band surveillance that Fred was watching? Without Requiya, who's monitoring spies and collecting intel? Without Yuderg, who's assigning new recruits and training the troops—"
I cut myself off and puffed my cheeks.
Ibu's face flushed red, like a kid who broke expensive porcelain.
He looked ready to burst into tears any second.
"Sorry. Didn't mean to scold you."
"Not 'cause scolded. B-Boss asks too much at once. I-Ibu's head don't turn fast yet."
Yeah, I know that well.
'Ha, these bastards are suddenly making me frustrated.'
Were they the type to shirk duties and just up and leave irresponsibly?
I was mad at myself too.
Felt like I hadn't earned their trust.
I quickened my pace.
Ibu, following right behind, chattered away.
"Boss tired, humans rely on boss lots. So Yudergu went instead. Yuderg strong now too."
"That's not the point right now."
I crossed the square toward the security office south of the central tower.
Steron, explaining something to three or four able-bodied men, shot to his feet.
"Greetings, Commander."
"You knew?"
Steron's eyes widened.
A look that said, what outta nowhere?
I didn't wait for an answer and turned on my heel.
'Steron didn't know either.'
If I'd planned to get actively involved in city affairs, I'd have stripped him of his security captain position on the spot.
But who was I to blame when even I didn't know?
I strode toward the central tower like the wind.
Ibu and Hama panted as they trailed behind.
"Ibu."
"Y-Yeah?"
"People gotta know to hold their posts. You know why I'm staying here?"
"Know! Ibu's house! Ibu said stay here 'cause Ibu's house!"
"Not that."
"N-Not? Then?"
"Still got stuff to take care of here. But reason I don't get too involved? If I take on too much responsibility, it'll be hard to leave."
The clumsy footsteps chasing me halted.
I'd nailed it down before, but Ibu must've hoped it wasn't true.
Leaving, that is.
"If I stay here forever, everyone's in danger. You, the bandits, the civilians."
Ibu went quiet.
Wondering if it's really that dangerous?
Or just repeating 'damn it' in his head?
"Even if we can somehow survive, young men might pretend to fight, but those kids and old folks can't."
At "old folks," Ibu's shoulders twitched.
He'd experienced it plenty.
An army's spear is merciless.
Pierces unarmed old bodies without mercy.
"Those geezers, grannies, young bucks die? If Ibu here?"
"No, if I'm here."
Even in our sanctuary, Drawn spies had infiltrated.
Even monitoring their every move, a gap could let them signal the homeland for troops.
Brad and Fiore could block under Hellite's name, but not Drawn.
I didn't want this plain turning into a battlefield.
I don't know war.
More than dying, losing limbs and becoming crippled, facing unknowns terrifies me.
If that happens and my wrong call gets people killed, could I handle it?
"Damn it......"
I get why Ibu says it all the time.
Not just a habit.
'Ibu was frustrated too. Lots he doesn't know, lots he can't fix alone.'
I turned from the central tower.
"Boss gonna follow Fred and Yudergu? Ibu go too!"
"Not going. Can't."
"Then? Where?"
"Barracks."
Much as I wanted to chase 'em, gotta handle what they left first.
The barracks command post was guarded by Medbedev.
Medbedev was great at jokes.
On grueling marches when guys felt like dying, one goofy line from him had 'em rolling in laughter.
His style self-deprecating humor made him popular.
Handsome face too, so young women peeked at the barracks often.
"Greetings, Commander."
Reading my grim face, Medbedev saluted crisply.
"Good work."
"Welcome, noble Ibu. Please, sit here."
"Oh, yeah? Ibu super noble, sitting pretty too."
Normally he'd tease and grin, mess with Ibu too. But Medbedev's face was stiff, braced for grilling.
Witty guys like him are sharp on cues.
"Today's schedule?"
"Maksim taught basic swordsmanship this morning. Gazdal's doing spear training now. After, Walter's on archery."
"R-Really......?"
Well......
Seemed like things were going well.
My anger fizzled out.
"Yes. Evening's basic formations. Square defense today, I'll instruct."
Sip. Not what I wanted.
His smooth report left me speechless.
"H-How many troops now?"
"Veterans about a hundred, new recruits two hundred."
"Pathetically few compared to population and city size. And training too intense? Besides farm clearing, tons of labor-intensive tasks."
Prodding unnecessarily.
"Lord Yuderg selected three hundred elites as standing army. Plus five hundred reserves training after work. Daily to keep skills sharp."
"I see......"
Sip. Not it.
Why's the barracks running so damn smoothly?
Even with reserves, troop count's low.
Yet organization solid, operations proper.
Truth is, I don't know barracks ops well.
My face softened a bit, and Medbedev piled on the report like he'd been waiting.
"Running per plan by Lord Yuderg and Instructor Fred. Tough, but all follow well. Thanks to their proper training of us, we're giving our all as instructors."
Clearly defending them, but not untrue.
Fred, Yuderg, Requiya enjoyed teaching bandits.
Fun with desperate students clinging hard?
"Got it...... Understood."
Couldn't badmouth Yuderg and Fred in front of Medbedev.
Practically his direct superiors.
"Doing great. Good work."
"Troops'll grow steadily. Civilians know the need best, plus pride in protecting family themselves. No taxes for now in sanctuary, can labor instead—"
I just nodded through the rest.
Led dozing Ibu out.
'Came to chew 'em out, got humbled instead.'
Eardrums bombed.
Headed to central tower third floor.
Where Requiya hangs out.
Voices leaked from inside.
Meant to barge in, eavesdropped instead.
At my sneaky move, Ibu and Hama held breath too.
"......That ain't the sound, right? Fiore army bridging the canyon? Just like Requiya brother predicted, eh?"
That booming voice, rustic speech—Grevare the dwarf.
This devilish Requiya's roped in a naive fat dwarf as minion.
"That many troops bridging? Nah, probably training."
Sergei? No. Who?
Unfamiliar voice.
"Arenoi, take a look at this? Requiya brother says Fiore rides Drawn's back, hides no greed? Taxes border cities, overlooks bandits for gold? Think those guys leave this bountiful land alone?"
"But they're sending merchants and refugees too? With Hellite behind sanctuary, Fiore wouldn't dare......"
"Requiya brother explain when back? Grevare proverb: 'Trusted hammer cracks your skull from behind.'"
Such a proverb exists?
Sounds painful as hell.
"Speaking of, Lord Requiya's nowhere today? Where'd he go?"
"Back soon? Arenoi low clearance, can't tell. Requiya brother's VIP, can't blab. Know VIP? Means important person."
Dwarf awfully educated.
Eloquent too—even I, mid-educated Holy Knight, nod along.
"C'mon, just a peek—"
"Work, eh? Grevare proverb: 'Dwarf chases ogre, pants rip.'"
Hm. Caught and stomped before ripping?
Anyway, Requiya's doing fine too.
Setting security levels himself, entrusting to tight-lipped smart underlings.
'Ha, damn. Came raging, leaving all warm and fuzzy.'
Gently shook dozing Ibu's shoulder, hand over mouth.
"Let's go."
Kicked Hama's butt awake too, tongue out deep asleep.
These guys stop a sec, they're out.
'Cats or what.'
Left central tower, headed to mercenary band and ronin guild street.
Fred's turf, rough crowd so Loginin watches extra close.
Entered street, shouting erupted.
"You rat bastard, how dare you!"
"Whaddya gonna do, you flea-ridden shit!"
Trouble brewing.
Knew it'd happen.
Leave the boss away, this is what you get.
Sighed inwardly—familiar voice rang out.
"You wanna get banished?!"