- Clop, clop.

The sound of hoofbeats echoed. Along a quiet mountain path, a procession in black cloaks passed by. At the head rode Konrad, Joseph, and Erich on horseback.

"We'll be arriving at the Great Wall soon. This must be your first journey so far from home, sir Erich, but you don't look tired at all."

"Perhaps it's because I steeled myself thoroughly when I left home."

Konrad's party had brought Erich from the southern part of the Empire, through the central regions, and up to the north.

It had taken a full month to get this far, and yet Erich showed not the slightest sign of exhaustion.

Even to the watchman, that seemed odd. Nobles or commoners alike, most people took on a pained expression at their first experience of such a long journey.

'... The Great Wall.'

Erich fixed his gaze on the faint ash-gray silhouette visible in the distance. A subtle look of longing appeared on his face.

When he first fled home and came here, what was he feeling back then? As those memories resurfaced, Erich wore a gentle smile.

"Joseph, once we arrive, have the men take Sir Erich's luggage."

"Yes, understood. But, sir Erich, you really have very little baggage."

Joseph glanced at the packs slung over Erich's horse.

"I'll be undergoing training anyway, and as I understand it, personal belongings aren't allowed."

"To know even that much... Krupp's intelligence network truly is impressive."

"No, not at all. I only heard it from people up north. By the way, you're still so formal. Sir Konrad, you as well, senior Joseph—you may as well speak plainly now. I'll soon be your subordinate anyway."

Konrad's forehead creased. But then, as if something dawned on him, he smiled broadly.

"Sir Erich, I think you're under a bit of a misapprehension."

"Sorry?"

"I've already discussed everything with the commander via letter. You will become a member of the Watch, sir Erich, but you won't be receiving the same training as the regular members."

"You mean... I'll become a member without training?"

"Yes. The commander gave special orders. And, sir Erich, you will become not just a member, but an officer."

Erich's eyes widened. There were two kinds of members in the Watch: Regulars, who were ordinary soldiers, and officers, who commanded them.

Officers were chosen from among those who stood out from the rest, tasked with leading the other members within the Watch.

This dual structure—sort of like soldiers and knights—was highly effective for managing the ignorant recruits who knew nothing about tactics.

'... Is it because I'm already a Swordmaster? No, more likely, Konrad reported everything about me.'

No doubt, Konrad had reported every detail of the abilities Erich had shown to the commander—a man with a keen eye for talent.

Even in his previous life, that very commander chose Erich and made him the next commander.

Erich had planned to quickly rise to officer rank in order to better address the threats posed by the dead.

But now, everything seemed to fall into place as easily as if handed to him. It was unexpected, but it meant less hardship.

Strictly speaking, from now on, Erich wouldn't be subordinate to Joseph or even Konrad. In fact, it was the opposite; though Joseph would definitely outrank Erich in terms of seniority, Konrad was a different case.

Among regular members, only the seasoned veterans could become seniors, and among them, only the very best became one of the five chief members.

They were directly under the commander and, apart from him, took orders from no one. They each headed a division and managed the Watch's administration and logistics.

Konrad, one of those chief members, could not be treated casually, even by fortress commanders—who ranked just beneath the commander among the officers.

Therefore, most of the fortress commanders treated the chief members with mutual respect and formality. Erich, a newly appointed officer, was no exception.

"That's surprising. I thought the Watch was strictly meritocratic."

"It is. That's all the more reason we can't keep you as a regular member. The commander is working on a bigger picture. The Watch has had quite a lot of trouble lately, as it is."

"... Trouble?"

"Yes. So if I dare to speculate about the commander's intentions, I think he plans to make good use of you, sir Erich."

Erich quickly began to consider what "trouble" might mean lately. It was true: since Erich's enlistment, the Watch had been increasingly on a downward slope.

That decline swelled like a tidal wave, and by the time Erich became commander, he inherited it in a nearly ruined state.

Suddenly, Ludwig's bloodshot gaze came to mind.

'Orca-roid. The first trigger in the Watch's decline. Maybe that's where I should start unraveling things.'

While Erich was lost in thought, Konrad spoke up.

"We've arrived."

At Konrad's words, Erich looked up ahead.

'The Black Citadel....'

An enormous black fortress, with walls so high it would strain one's neck to view, stretched on endlessly. Its sheer size was enough to inspire awe, to the point of feeling oppressive.

Everyone who joined the Watch would gape in amazement before its majesty and feel terror for what lay ahead.

But Erich's lips curled upward. Unlike them, Erich was here with a purpose.

"We call this place the Black Citadel. It's the Watch's headquarters and main base."

"An incredible scale. Krupp Castle doesn't even compare."

"It's said that all the people of the Empire banded together to build it during ancient wars. Ha ha."

Erich wasn't just being polite. The Black Citadel was immense, housing hundreds of thousands of soldiers.

In addition, the Great Wall—far taller and stronger than any other rampart in the Empire—was a stronghold worthy of the word "impregnable."

But suddenly, Erich's eyes twitched. For a split second, he recalled climbing these walls and watching the Black Citadel burn.

Even such a mighty fortress was easily overcome by the 'army of the dead', which slaughtered every living thing inside.

He could still clearly hear their screams in his ears.

"Let's go. The commander is waiting."

"... Yes."

The three riders and the black-cloaked members following behind advanced. The great gates of the Black Citadel opened before them. Erich looked around as he entered.

"You damned fool! Can't you do anything right?"

"Y-yes, sir!"

Numerous black-cloaked members were bustling about. That one being hollered at was probably a new recruit. Ordinarily, Erich would have been in that very position.

'Time travel certainly has its conveniences.'

The interior of the Black Citadel was like another huge city. It housed countless people, each busily about their assigned tasks.

Every time they crossed paths with Konrad, they bowed their heads, and many shot curious glances at Erich.

Who was bold enough to enter the Black Citadel's front gate shoulder to shoulder with Konrad...? It was a question on everyone's mind—especially since Erich wasn't even wearing the signature black cloak of the Watch.

"I imagine you'll have your work cut out for you managing these men, sir Erich."

"Is that so? But people are the same everywhere, aren't they?"

At Erich's reply, Konrad paused to think, then nodded emphatically. It seemed to be exactly the answer he wanted.

'That's right.'

It was, after all, what Konrad himself had told Erich when he first became commander and complained of the difficulties.

Konrad, the Watch's quartermaster and one of five chief members. Unlike the other chiefs, he didn't possess overwhelming strength, but he had another power.

"Chief Konrad. You're back."

"Oh. Did you get the flour delivery?"

"You sent an extra bag with it. The members were delighted."

It was the ability to manage the men.

At least within the Watch, no one could handle the men as skillfully as Konrad. That was surely why the commander put him in charge of logistics, where he would interact with everyone.

On their way to see the commander, Erich could see just how much the men trusted Konrad.

As they reached the center of the Black Citadel, a massive wooden building caught their eyes.

"That's the commander's quarters."

Erich knew it well—after all, he'd spent decades living there. The commander's quarters still retained a sense of old times and exuded a unique charm.

"Ah—one thing, just in case...."

"Is there something I should be warned of?"

"The commander is... a rather eccentric person. So, please, try not to be too surprised."

"It's fine. I've experienced plenty of surprises."

Konrad looked concerned. But Erich could fully understand his worry—after all, no one knew the commander better than Erich did.

Outside the quarters, Watch members stood guard. Upon seeing Konrad, they rushed over and bowed low.

"Sir Konrad. Did the competition go well?"

"Senior Paris. Is the commander inside?"

"He's not inside, sir."

"... Speak plainly."

"Uh, the moment he heard you passed the gate, he rushed to the rear garden with his aides."

"Incensus, good heavens."

Konrad rubbed his forehead as if he had a headache. His low muttering could be faintly heard.

"... What sort of antics is he planning now?"

With those words, Konrad led Erich and Joseph to the garden behind the quarters. What they found there was—

― Snip.

A handsome middle-aged man with black hair down to his shoulders and skin as white as snow sat in the garden. Behind him, other members were lined up as if attending to him.

"Sir Konrad."

"...."

Konrad's eyes darted around. Then, without responding, he sighed deeply.

"Commander. Erich von Krupp. I've brought the new officer."

"You've done well. I heard you successfully brought in Iceborn. That's all thanks to you, sir Konrad."

"Not at all. The one who truly helped was Erich here, who is now one of us."

"Welcome, sir Erich von Krupp."

The man introduced as the commander held out his hand to Erich. Yet Erich did not take it. He merely stared blankly at the man.

"... He is the commander, at any rate."

"Are you planning to leave my hand hanging?"

But before anyone else could say anything, Erich abruptly turned his back. He strode over to an old man in the corner trimming the garden with shears.

Suddenly, Erich placed his hand on his sword and fell to one knee.

"Erich von Krupp, reporting to the commander of the Watch."

"...!"

The old man stared at Erich in surprise. Everyone present turned their attention to him, and a heavy silence followed.

― Clatter.

The old man slowly brushed the dirt off his face. Scanning the dumbfounded men behind Erich, he swept his thinning hair back, and finally, he opened his mouth.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=Eccentric old man...【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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