After the uproar caused by the false article distorting Ophelia's words.
A strange tension began to creep into my peaceful daily life.
It wasn't because I was feeling burdened by the mission or because there was a problem with unit management.
It was for a slightly different reason.
In fact, the work-related parts were going much more smoothly than before.
It was thanks to the great effort I put into unit management that the Black Lion Knights' work system had made great strides. Now, it was running smoothly without me having to pay any special attention to it.
In addition, it was easy to see just by holding regular meetings that the knights under my command had become so elite that they would never be outdone anywhere.
"So. How's the unit's current status?"
"Yes! All troops are in good condition, and the cooperation with the training instructors and the facility expansion work are also going smoothly."
"Excellent. Anything special?"
"Slowly, there are people who are receiving Meister Remien's elixir because their performance and level are up to the standard. Three from the 1st Hundred, two from the 2nd Hundred…"
I nodded with a satisfied smile at the reports from my subordinates.
Looking at the way they are training these days, it's clear that there's no trace of their previous clumsy appearance.
"Yes. I guess we'll have a few more Aura users soon. That's great news."
Of course, I made that investment. Isn't it time for meaningful results to appear now?
Anyway, Remien. I should visit that elf sometime. I think I should make time for him after this mission is over. He asked me to visit his workshop at least once.
"Have all the people who were dispatched to maintain security in the operation area returned?"
"Yes. There were no problems during the mission, and there were no casualties."
"Yes. I will give the personnel a week off. We will soon have a large-scale mission."
"Understood!"
There was no particular concern in the operational meeting held by the key commanders before the mission.
"You said we would start moving in ten days?"
"Yes, that is correct."
[Argon Territory Purification Operation Instructions]
In terms of scale, it is a large-scale subjugation battle involving the Black Lion Knights, the Celestial Cult's priests, and the Heretic Inquisitors and Paladins who will escort them.
The expected difficulty itself was not that difficult compared to the previous missions.
Our unit is fine, but the Celestial Cult's forces to escort Ophelia are too strong. It's almost as if they've declared a holy war, to exaggerate a little.
Grand Inquisitor Malleus Ordos will personally lead the Celestial Cult's subordinates in this operation.
"You guys. I'm just saying this out of concern, but are you attending regular prayer services? You might be testing your faith."
He had said it as a joke, but the reaction of the centurions was truly intense.
"Oh, don't be ridiculous. These days, all of my subordinates live with Bibles in their hands. I wonder if some of them will turn into paladins."
"The same goes for me. I pray to the gods every morning these days, but when was the last time I lived so faithfully?"
The reaction of the other centurions, who were crushed by the weight of the title of Grand Inquisitor, was needless to say.
"Wow...! That fearsome old man is coming. I wonder if we will have a chance to step forward..."
The voice of the 3rd centurion captain, Raoul, who had a bold personality as if he had nothing to fear in the world, was trembling without being able to hide it.
"I agree. The Holy Fire that the Grand Inquisitor causes is almost on par with the highest level of fire magic. Until a few years ago, he was carrying a warhammer and smashing the skulls of heretics…"
"Just in case, shouldn't we prepare a catechism for all troops? It's unlikely, but if their faith is tested…"
The people of the Empire are more afraid of the Executors and Inquisitors, who could really be in big trouble if they get caught, than of the demons that they will never see in their lifetime.
That wasn't much different for the superhuman knights. Rather, it might be more uncomfortable since they are more likely to encounter each other in real life.
I snickered and calmed down my subordinates who were making a fuss.
"His Highness, Cardinal Malleus, is a decent man. There's no need to be unnecessarily afraid."
"Well, you're quite close to the Grand Inquisitor, sir. That's fortunate."
As the centurions said, as soon as they spread the news that Cardinal Malleus was with them, the behavior of his subordinates became noticeably more tidy, which had the unexpected effect of making them look more tidy.
When you actually meet him in person, he is just an ordinary old man with a somewhat scary appearance, but the blood of countless heretics and demons who died by his hands still lingered and evoked fear.
"We can't call it friendship. We're just friends."
"If the two of you were standing together, even the most serious monsters would probably run away in fear."
"Haha. How could that be?"
I laughed at my subordinates' jokes and thought for a moment, folding my hands.
The ostensible leader of the Cheonshin Church was Ophelia, but it was clear who the real leader was.
It seemed that the church was quite fond of Ophelia, a saint who had been born after a hundred-year hiatus. Perhaps he wanted to build up the experience of the immature saint as safely as possible.
Well, whatever the details, if the allied forces are strong, that's fine. The fewer variables in actual combat, the better.
"No matter what, we must not let our guard down. The enemy may be hiding their forces. Everyone, maintain your best fighting ability until the operation begins. Understood?"
"Yes! Understood!"
That was the end of the meeting. This week was truly eventful.
"You worked hard this week too, Agnes."
"No. The captain worked even harder."
If we put aside the intermediate process and only consider the results, it was truly faithful. It was a truly full week.
I became close with Ophelia, who had been reborn as a saint, and it seemed that things couldn't have gone more smoothly in terms of the growth of my subordinates and preparation for the operation.
But.
—Phuhihi!
"Glory to the Imperial Family! Eternal loyalty to His Majesty the Emperor! What... is the purpose of your visit?!"
"I have come to fetch the Commander of the Black Lion Knights. He must be inside."
As a huge carriage with a pure white body decorated with various precious metals rushed in front of the guardhouse, I could only shake my head.
In front of the Imperial Guards wearing gold epaulets over their uniforms, I could clearly see the poor servant on duty today saluting with trembling arms.
"Yes! I will obey!"
It was obvious who was riding inside.
Agnes, who had been watching the farce with me, tilted her head to the side and pretended to glare at me.
The swaying sky-blue ponytail brushed my shoulder as if in complaint.
"Haa, the most noble lady in the empire has come to see you. I'll have to leave work alone today…"
At that, I smiled awkwardly and briefly hugged her shoulder with one arm.
"I'm sorry."
"I'm joking. Have a nice trip. I'm fine, but it seems like the princess hasn't completely resolved her misunderstanding yet."
Agnes leaned her head on my chest for a moment and walked toward the studio without saying anything.
I was glad that she was understanding. Maybe it was because Alicia and I had become quite close after sharing various aspects of each other. She didn't seem to be anxious or obsessed like before.
The exact timing was unknown, but this was something that had been expected. I had already told Agnes in advance to avoid any more unnecessary misunderstandings.
'Master. I'll pick you up soon, so wait.'
'When are you coming to pick me up? If you want to meet, I'll go find you.'
'Huh! No. This time, I'll do it my way.'
Alicia had clearly said she would come to see me. I just didn't know it would be this loud.
At best, I thought she'd come to my house, but she came all the way to the front of the unit right after work.
'Wow, she's really loud.'
What on earth is her intention? Even if His Majesty had officially approved our relationship, I didn't think she needed to rush out like this.
Could it be that she's feeling impatient because of that damned article?
Meanwhile, the subordinates, who didn't know the situation well, were shocked and started talking nonsense.
"Chief, you wouldn't have abandoned the Vice-Chief…"
"No. That's not right, darling! Don't you know the flowers in both hands? You can definitely do it, Chief."
"Even so, having the princess and another woman at the same time… I feel awe at this point. I guess she's the male of the males."
"No, then what about that article? Then what is your relationship with the saint?"
"They say there are more people…"
Even though they were whispering quietly, I could hear it all, but I didn't feel like pointing it out or reprimanding them.
Since Alicia was acting like that, it was something I had to get used to by now.
The subordinates' reactions were closer to awe rather than jealousy, but I wondered how I would appear to others.
The world's biggest womanizer? Or human trash?
No matter what they called me, I honestly had nothing to say. I sighed softly and walked toward the carriage.
Fortunately, my relationship with my master was not known to others.
"Hehe! Nice to meet you, Lord Wolfgang."
"Why did you come all the way here? Isn't it right for me to come see you?"
"Well... because I miss you?"
Alicia could have just stayed in the carriage, but she came out and showed off her appearance.
The dress she wore was more elegant and flashy than usual, but it made her feel embarrassed.
—Oh…!
Ignoring the exclamations of admiration from my subordinates, I grabbed Alicia's hand.
--------------
You can read +110 Advance Chapters on my Patreon
p@treon(.)com/NightNovels
TIER 1 you'll get +20 ADVANCE CHAPTERS
TIER 2 you'll get +40 ADVANCE CHAPTERS
TIER 3 you'll get +70 ADVANCE CHAPTERS
TIER 4 you'll get +110 ADVANCE CHAPTERS