Erich met Mikhail's cold gaze before finally opening his mouth.

"Well, if Sir Mikhail is Nicholas's man, that means I have no reason to die, doesn't it?"

"... How does that follow?"

"I can't imagine Nicholas could command a man of your caliber, sir Mikhail. If that's the case, then Nicholas must have someone even further above backing him. Someone with enough authority to move the greatest swordsman of the Watch."

"For example?"

"The commander, perhaps? He would have that ability, wouldn't he?"

Mikhail's eyes narrowed upwards. He looked quite displeased by Erich's words.

"That's not something I can just ignore. How is that related to your survival?"

"Though a bastard, I am still a child of the Southern grand duke. If I were to meet a suspicious death in this place, my family would send an investigation team. That's the outcome the Watch would least desire."

"So, if the commander is Nicholas's real backer, he wouldn't risk killing you and causing trouble?"

"That's correct. Frankly, the Watch is nothing more than prey that everyone's targeting. Currently, the Northern grand duke's influence is the greatest, but wouldn't everyone be waiting for their chance to gain influence over the Empire's mightiest force?"

Mikhail silently stroked his chin, then responded, his eyes a bit less rigid.

"However, what if I'm not the commander's man?"

"You and Commander August are from the same region, aren't you, sir Mikhail? From ordinary member to defeating the 'Immortal Barbaronga' together, and gaining renown."

There was a faint twitch around Mikhail's eyes.

He was clearly surprised that Erich knew of this.

'Of course he would be.'

For some reason, tales about Immortal Barbaronga had been treated like a kind of private legend, spoken by only those directly involved.

A king among barbarians, the Immortal Barbaronga who brought the greatest crisis to the Watch in centuries. The story of the two young swordsmen who defeated him was almost completely unknown within the Empire.

And for good reason.

There were always new recruits entering the Watch—but never anyone who left.

"This sort of story shouldn't have made it out. Where did you hear it?"

"Well, there are always things known only within a grand ducal family."

"So, you mean the famous shadows of grand duke Krupp?"

Mikhail quietly raised the corner of his mouth. The existence of an invisible group within the house of Krupp was an open secret.

In the south, rumors had persisted for centuries that if you so much as spoke the grand duke's name, you'd vanish the next day.

Fortunately, this was one of the best ways for Erich, newly arrived at the Watch, to justify his knowledge from before his regression.

"I know more than most think. So, I'm simply making proper use of what I know."

"... Hmph. Cocky brat."

Mikhail flicked his hand from his sword. But just then, a smile formed on Mikhail's wrinkled lips.

"I don't like you."

Erich's eyes went wide. It wasn't that he was surprised by Mikhail's words, but rather because he could already picture what Mikhail would say next before he even spoke.

For some reason, looking at Erich, a faint, indistinct afterimage seemed to overlay Mikhail's face.

"But do as you wish."

"Then may I pursue that man?"

"Yes, as acting commander, I give you full authority to act as you see fit in this matter."

"However, I can't leave the post completely unattended. There are too many wounded."

"I'll take care of that. That's why I brought those scoundrels from the Black Citadel, after all."

With those words, Mikhail headed over to where the officers from the Black Citadel were resting. Immediately, as if he'd been holding his breath the whole time, Frederick let out a deep sigh.

"Wh-what a relief, I thought I'd die."

"... Why? Why not try a bit of insubordination too while you're at it?"

"Are you crazy? I can at least tell what's honey and what's dung! But... did that really end well? He looked kind of upset."

"That's just the kind of person he is. In fact, that's actually how he acts when he's in a good mood."

"...?"

Frederick tilted his head in confusion. Had he really been at the Watch long enough to speak so confidently about that monster of a senior member, Mikhail?

"Well, leaving that aside, what was that about earlier?"

"What was?"

"The bit about how you wouldn't die."

"Oh, that if the commander is truly behind Nicholas, he wouldn't kill me?"

"Yeah, that. But did that 'not dying' include me too?"

"... Ahem."

Erich turned without a word and headed for his quarters. Frederick's eyes narrowed to a triangle.

* * *

–Creeeaak.

As the door opened, the men in black cloaks around the fire all rose at once. The one entering was Mikhail, who had until just moments ago been speaking to Erich.

"You're here, sir Mikhail."

"Yes, what are you all standing so stiffly for? There's work to be done."

"... Reinforcements won't arrive until tomorrow at the earliest anyway."

"Is that so?"

Mikhail walked between them and sat, propping his feet on the table.

–Thud.

When the standing members sat down again, Mikhail quietly curled up the corners of his mouth.

"... Sir Mikhail?"

"What is it?"

"Were you... smiling?"

But Mikhail quickly wiped away his smile and fixed a cold gaze on the Watch member who had asked, Peter.

"S-sorry, sir. It's just... so unexpected."

"You came here for him, didn't you—to report to August on what I think of that guy? Isn't that so?"

"... Yes, we heard those were our orders. So, did he impress you?"

"He's still raw. Hard to believe how he's already reached the level of Swordmaster."

"That's not exactly a good evaluation, is it?"

Mikhail's eyes narrowed. Everyone fell silent.

"But the truth is, when I tried to exert force, he measured the distance in an instant. That must mean he sensed killing intent before I even used force."

"... Is that possible?"

"A high-level swordsman could manage it, I suppose."

"But didn't you just say he was raw?"

"Boy, you sure are nosy."

"S-sorry, it's my job, sir."

Mikhail slowly rose to his feet. It would've been fine if it were just August he had to explain himself to, but with these men, saying it simply wouldn't suffice.

"In short, his actual skill barely reaches the entry level of Swordmaster, but his eyes and instincts are beyond that."

"Sorry for asking so much, but is that really possible?"

"Well, he'd have to be a tremendous genius, or possessed by the spirit of a great swordsman."

"Possessed? Do you believe in that sort of thing?"

"Would you like to find out for yourself?"

"...!"

Peter's face went pale, as if he'd really seen a ghost at Mikhail's tone and gaze. Mikhail grinned wickedly.

"I'm joking, idiot."

"If you say that so seriously, people take it for real, sir. But what am I actually supposed to report to the commander? Are you saying he's a promising talent? Or not? The commander sounded like he wanted you to teach him yourself, sir Mikhail. He could be the next you..."

"I'm not the kind of man to just swing a sword."

"Sir?"

"Rather than a swordsman..."

Mikhail thought for a moment, then smiled once more.

"He strikes me as someone who lays out the board, with swordsmen as his pieces. Just tell him that."

Peter tilted his head. He still didn't seem to fully understand Mikhail's words.

But there was nothing for it; he would have to relay what he heard as is.

***

Before dawn, Erich and Frederick stood at the main gate, chilling wind in their faces. They were waiting for someone.

At last, several shadows appeared in the waking mist.

"There they are."

It was Sergeant Kurz and several other members who had been sent out to track.

"Sergeant Kurz and three, returning to post."

"Good work. Where's the target?"

"I marked his location on this map. Are you heading out now, Captain?"

"I have to. If he recovers, he'll just disappear for good."

"... Will you be leaving the post empty?"

"Until you all recover, the detachment from the Black Citadel will be holding the post. Don't worry."

Kurz nodded quietly, but seemed to have more to say.

"Um, Captain."

"Yes?"

"If not for you, we'd all be dead."

Kurz and the others stared at Erich. Erich gave them a gentle smile.

'If only it had been like this back then.'

But deep down, there was a faint ache in his chest. If only he'd known how to deal with people like them earlier, if only he'd learned sooner how to help them survive.

If he had, perhaps he could have saved many more before coming back.

Now, not only did he know these things, he also understood what to say to people like this.

"I might have killed the elder, but surviving the fight with the barbarian warriors—that wasn't because of me. That was all you."

"...."

Kurz dropped his gaze, but then raised his face with newfound resolve.

"I want to come with you."

"To catch Max?"

"Yes."

"It'll be dangerous."

"This experience taught me something. We were sent from the front to the rear and thought this place would be safe. But it's not, not anywhere in the North. If that's the case...."

Kurz trailed off, glancing left and right at his comrades.

"We all decided it'd be better to follow you, Captain."

The others nodded in agreement. Frederick chuckled wryly and interjected.

"Well, if they want to come, let them. The more hands the better dealing with that monster."

Erich studied Kurz and the others thoughtfully. Having people loyal to him was certainly a good thing. But—

'Not now.'

He'd need men like them for something else, someday. He didn't know when, but at the very least, not yet.

"I appreciate it, but your job is to stay here and do your duty. That's how you help me."

"Honestly, it feels like if you leave, we'll never see you again."

Kurz didn't bother to hide his disappointment. The others' faces were much the same. Erich, however, just grinned at them.

"You will see me. And if you want to stay by my side then, I won't forget to call for you."

"Understood."

Kurz replied, handing something over from his sleeve.

"This is where the target's hiding. I let the patrols nearby know, so if he's not there, the others will look for signs."

"Right, but..."

Erich's eyes narrowed as he read the paper. Frederick took a shallow breath and spoke.

"You look troubled. Is it a place you know? Morris Village?"

"... How could I?"

That was what he said, but Erich fell into thought. The Black Serpent outpost where he had first been stationed when he came here was fated to be closed after all the members vanished suddenly.

And now, the 'Morris' village he had to go to next... Were not all the residents and stationed members there also rumored to have disappeared?

A chill crept up Erich's spine. He couldn't shake the feeling that all these events were connected somewhere—a premonition both ominous and unsettling.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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