Wolves of Hader

Chapter 127

I went to the tavern.

Along with five young officers.

Once again, there were no customers in the tavern.

These five seemed displeased with me.

They had come because Lord Watts called them, but since I wasn't a soldier and looked younger than them, they probably didn't think highly of me.

So, none of them spoke.

It seemed they didn't even know what I had done in Tris.

Naturally, they also had no idea about my abilities.

"I'm Brai from the central army."

"I'm Lingo, a staff officer from the northern army."

"Call me Code. I'm Lord Watts's adjutant."

"I'm Oren of the Imperial Knight Order."

"I'm Mango. I'm with the Imperial Palace Security."

I almost burst out laughing when I heard their names.

But then, all five of them wore cold expressions.

"Are you laughing at us?"

"Not at all."

"I don't know why Lord Watts holds you in such regard, but frankly, it's a bit unpleasant."

I didn't care if they misunderstood.

After all, if we were to become close, the misunderstanding would disappear; if not, we'd never see each other again.

"Isn't the central army part of Syren's faction?"

"There are people from various houses in the army. Just because the commander sides with the grand duke doesn't mean the entire legion does."

"Is it the same with the western army?"

"The western army is an exception. Just as there's no grand duke faction at all in the eastern army, where your house is."

"I see."

These were the ones who would lead the next generation's army.

Everyone was here except for those from the western army and the royal guard.

If I considered myself the representative of the eastern army—

"Why didn't you join the army?"

So that's what they were dissatisfied with.

A noble not joining the army implied he had no intention to serve the state.

It's not something that would be respected.

"The house of the western margrave was not only exiled to the backwoods of the east, but we were also nearly assassinated by those who orchestrated it, and our family's fortress was burned down."

The officers' eyes grew wide.

They had no idea.

"Our house, which had been burnt to the ground with nothing left, barely managed to recover and is only now able to live decently. Only recently have we started paying taxes to the imperial family."

"Such a thing happened?"

"I don't think it's right to blame the second son of such a house for not joining the army."

"I'm sorry. We had no idea."

I answered with a smile.

"Are all of you of one mind?"

The five officers looked at each other.

They didn't seem to understand what I meant.

Perhaps Lord Watts hadn't told them.

"Among the five legions: the capital defense, northern army, and eastern army are clearly on our side; the central army still needs watching, and the western army is certainly with the grand duke, right?"

Only the central army officer nodded.

"With you saying it so plainly, I'm not sure how to answer. These men's fathers are close friends with my father, but who knows about the future."

Central army staff officer, brai.

He is Lord Watts's second son.

The eldest is the deputy-commander of the central army.

In terms of my previous life, their ranks would be captain or major.

They are commissioned at seventeen, so it's an average rate of promotion.

In another five years, they'll likely rise to chief of staff, a colonel-level.

It's hard to earn a star even in this world. One count's house and four viscounts, about twenty-two years old.

All possess magic power, and their houses have long held neutral stances.

"Then do you believe you can become your respective legion's commander?"

"How could I be sure of that?"

Displeasure flickered across the officers' faces.

Finally, the one called Oren spoke.

"Do you always say what's on your mind?"

"I find it better than causing misunderstandings through poor communication. I'm not one to speak indirectly or with sophisticated phrasing."

The officers were the archetype of nobility.

People like me had discarded that long ago.

"To be frank, if you don't become commanders of your respective legions, we'll have no reason to meet again."

"That's pretty harsh, don't you think!"

"If you're not confident, you don't need to stay in the army. I won't need your help, and I have no reason to help you, either."

"What!"

Two of them jumped up.

I drained the rest of my beer coolly.

"To judge a person from the eastern countryside without knowing the situation—you're not much different from the other side. I don't know all of Lord Watts's intentions, but we won't be seeing each other again. Farewell."

I stood up right away.

"Sit down! Are you mocking us? Are you disregarding the staff officers of the legions?"

I looked at Oren, the one who spoke.

He said he was from the Imperial Knight Order.

"For staff officers, are you unaware of the current situation and Lord Watts's intentions? Depending on your promotions and decisions, tens of thousands of lives are at stake. Can't I at least ask you to be prepared?"

"Tens of thousands of lives?"

"Brai, what is he talking about?"

"Well, that's..."

I continued.

"In about seven years, a civil war will break out in the empire. Then you'll have to choose: side with the grand duke or with Lord Watts. The losing side will die."

"A civil war? What do you mean?"

The officers became even more flustered.

They knew nothing at all.

Mr. Brai quickly spoke up.

"They just returned from the field yesterday. They only recently heard of the crown prince's birth. I didn't want to say anything until later, since it's not easy to discuss."

The officers looked puzzled.

I spoke to Mr. Brai.

"It seems Lord Watts expects these men to lead their legions. But I'm not so sure."

"Brai, is what this guy saying true?"

Mr. Brai nodded.

"My father thinks so. So do the other heads of house. I'm surprised because this friend here spoke so openly about things we can hardly say aloud."

Only then did they all understand what I meant.

I had intentionally been tough. They were soldiers, used to obeying orders and valuing rank.

Besides, they'd underestimated me from the start.

To properly convey my intentions, I couldn't be approachable or their equal.

Not even for smooth communication.

"For the sake of your houses, you won't be able to side with the grand duke. That means you'll have to fight him. To win that fight, you need to become commanders of your respective armies. Otherwise, your superiors on the grand duke's side will kill you before anything happens."

"But the northern army's commander is neutral."

"Do you think the grand duke would just begin the coup? He'll install his own people as commanders first."

"Then the crown prince..."

The officers were all speechless.

I knew why this was hushed up.

Mentioning treason could lead to a house's destruction. Still, what had to be said had to be said.

"Do you really believe the grand duke would go that far?"

"Lord Watts and Count Mals both believe so. That's why they introduced me to you."

"Introduce? Why?"

"Why do you think?"

Of course, Lord Watts might have other intentions.

Either way, they were too sheltered. They needed some toughening up.

"Are you all on leave right now?"

"Yes."

"How much time remains?"

"We each have about a week."

A week's leave wasn't enough.

"Then take a half-year leave of absence."

"Leave of absence?"

"With marriage, illness, or family matters, you can get half a year off. Your peers may get promoted in the meantime, but when you return you'll be promoted much more quickly than before."

"And if we take a leave?"

I grinned.

"I'll train you all very hard for six months. So you'll become Swords of Light within five years."

"What, swords of Light?"

"You're going to train us?"

All the officers scoffed.

They burst into laughter, finding it absurd.

Oren from the Imperial Knight Order spoke.

"Hey. Aren't you only eighteen? Did you have no rivals in your rural east? Learned some family sword technique, so you think you're invincible?"

"Shall we make a bet?"

"Anytime."

Oren rolled up his sleeves.

As if to say he'd thrash anyone in a fight.

"I have seven subordinates, and the youngest is a year younger than me. If you can defeat that kid in a fight, I'll give you ten gold coins each."

"Fight a seventeen-year-old?"

"If you lose, you'll have to obey me and undergo my training for half a year without complaint. Oh, and it doesn't have to be one-on-one—you can all come at once."

The officers looked at each other.

They looked baffled.

I continued.

"I'm saying this because your skills are less than those of an ordinary soldier. How can you be army commanders with such skills? If something breaks out, you'll be the first to die."

"What?"

Oren stepped forward again.

"All of us took first place at least once at the Imperial Sword Academy. I don't know on what confidence you're talking like this, but I'll do it if you change the terms."

"Fine. What conditions?"

"I don't need gold. If we win, you'll have to take ten blows from my fist."

"Fine. Then I'll add a condition of my own."

"Go ahead."

"If I win, you each have to take ten blows from me."

"Good! You'd better be ready."

All the officers stood up.

They left the tavern first.

"Let's go to that alley."

"Let's."

"We'll write a contract first."

"Hmph. Do as you please."

The officers marched boldly toward our merchant guild building.

I honestly had no intention of training them before, but I changed my mind.

Not just as allies, but as comrades.

At the banquet hall, Count Watts had told me—

The grand duke's side had seven Swords of Light, while our side only had two.

So I said, I could try to turn those five officers into Swords of Light.

Of course, Lord Watts just laughed it off.

The grand duke and Royal Guard captain, Art Syren.

Commander of the Imperial Knight Order.

Central army commander.

Deputy commander of the Royal Guard.

And Imperial Sword Academy director.

Those were the Swords of Light of the Syren faction.

On our side, there was Lord Watts and myself.

And those five officers.

There was also one unknown Sword of Light.

I was sure he'd be on our side.

Thus, along with the berserkers, he would be our hidden trump card.

Excluding the grand duke and the Royal Guard captain, the rest weren't difficult.

The elders had long stopped training, and their forces were only stronger than their personal skill.

Thus, Count Watts said—

If things explode, please lead our side with these five officers.

Of course, that would be shocking for them.

The problem was, these five needed to become commanders.

Count Watts said to trust him, but from my perspective, I thought otherwise.

So, I decided to push them hard.

Very hard.

A little later—

The officers faced off against Nabak, our youngest.

Nabak looked as if he didn't understand what was going on.

Nabak was about my size.

So, when the officers saw Nabak coming out of the building, they snorted.

The way they grinned, they clearly underestimated him.

"Nabak, beat these men."

"... Excuse me?"

"Until they're knocked out."

"Understood."

The officers scoffed again.

"Stand back. I can handle him myself."

Oren stepped forward first.

The other four folded their arms.

With mocking smiles.

/ / /

All five officers were sprawled out flat.

Every one of them was unconscious, drooling.

Nabak just stood there looking awkward.

The fight had ended quickly.

Nabak hadn't been hit once, and the officers went down with a single blow each.

One charged first, then three together, but this was the result.

"Will they be okay?"

"Yes. Good job. Take a rest."

"Yes."

Nabak glanced at the knocked-out officers, as if unsure what was going on, then went into the building.

Stallkeepers in the alley were watching, too.

I laid the downed officers side by side.

If you just beat them recklessly, their organs could be severely damaged, so I had to position them carefully.

They'd probably have some internal injuries.

"Keep the kids from watching."

"Ah, yes, yes!"

The stallkeepers ushered their children into the stores.

Only the adults remained, watching.

I began the treatment with Oren from the Imperial Knight Order.

Thwack— Thwack-thwack—

I struck Oren's solar plexus and lower dantian with a palm infused with magic power.

His upper body bounced up from the impact.

Then, flipping his body over, I struck down along his spine with my palm.

Precisely ten blows.

Next was Mango from the Imperial Palace Security.

Thwack— Thwack— Thwack—

Partway through, mango woke up.

"Aaagh! Why are you hitting me?!"

"We made a deal. Just ten hits."

Thwack—

"Help! This guy's going to kill—!"

Thwack— Thwack—

I turned Mango over again and continued after he passed out.

Only the sound of thwacking echoed down the alley.

"Oh, he's really giving it to them."

"What to do? At this rate, they'll die!"

"Leave them be. They must've done something to deserve it."

"Bandits, maybe."

"They look like nice kids, though. Tsk, tsk, tsk."

Listening to the merchants murmur, I didn't pause my beating.

I had to be careful, so sweat was beading on my own forehead.

I wondered if I had to go this far.

"Aaagh! I was wrong! We made a mis—"

"Yeah. Sleep tight."

Thwack— Thwack-thwack—

The alley resounded with the sounds of clobbering.

They wouldn't understand, not right now, what this meant.

I was opening their blood vessels and meridians.

Clearing blocked vital energy so their magic power would flow smoothly.

The best way to open the path for magic power is with magic itself.

Our team members didn't need it.

When they drank from the wellspring of magic, their pathways had already opened.

They went through so much pain growing up, they didn't need it again.

But these pampered officers needed to know.

What pain is, and what gratitude is.

I don't even expect respect.