Early in the morning, spectators gathered along the road leading from the main gate of the black citadel.

"... What's that?"

"Who got caught?"

Even for the Watch, where incidents and accidents were common, it was rare to see a prisoner who had lost an arm being dragged along, tied up in ropes.

Moreover—

"Isn't that Max?"

"That bastard dog of Nicholas?"

Especially if that prisoner was a veteran senior member of the Watch, it was all the more remarkable.

In any case, Erich, Frederick, and Barnes escorted the restrained Max toward the commander's residence.

"Damn, this bastard is big as hell."

"Is this your first time going to the commander's residence?"

"Would I ever have business there? There are only two reasons to come to a place like this. Either you did something damn good, or you're damn screwed. It's always one of the two."

"With you, I bet it was usually being screwed."

"... I've never gotten into that much trouble."

Even 'Frederick the Mutineer', as he was known, apparently hadn't been so severely rebuked by the commander before. Well, that made sense— the commander wouldn't have time to concern himself with each and every ordinary soldier like Frederick.

'Even ten bodies wouldn't be enough for him.'

As the largest military organization in the Empire, the Watch's commander had an unbelievable workload. He processed paperwork all day, only to find even more had piled up by the next morning.

At any rate—

As they chatted, Erich's group arrived at the relatively large commander's residence. The commander's guards, who were on duty, approached with their silver pauldrons clinking.

"Halt. Identify yourselves."

"Erich von Krupp. I am the post captain of the Black Serpent Outpost."

"Your business?"

"If you mention my name and say I have a personal order from the commander, he'll know."The guard narrowed his eyes, scanning Erich up and down. Erich looked too young for someone on a direct mission from the commander.

"The commander is currently in a meeting with the Chief Adjutant. Come back later."

But Erich didn't turn back. He finished calculating in his head in that fleeting moment.

'I can interrupt now.'

In normal circumstances, interrupting the commander's meeting was rude. However, the prisoner and information he had brought were more valuable than the meeting with the Chief Adjutant.

"No, I must go in now. It's that urgent."

The guard's expression darkened.

"... If you're making trouble over nothing, you'd better be ready for the consequences."

With a swirl of his black cape, the guard entered the residence.

"... Weren't you being too pushy?"

"Are you the one to say that, Frederick?"

Even Frederick seemed to feel the pressure at the commander's residence.

Then again, it was only natural—after all, it was like a low-ranking soldier having a private meeting with the grand duke, and even interrupting a meeting to do it.

However, unlike when he'd entered, the guard returned to Erich at a quick pace.

"You're to go in at once. Is the prisoner coming too?"

"No. The prisoner will remain here."

"We'll take custody of him. You go on in."

The guard now spoke with much more cooperation. Likely, the commander had responded very positively inside. Erich led Frederick into the commander's residence.

–Creeeak.

The residence was vast, befitting its size. Most of the interior was taken up by a table covered with various models.

'... A war table. It's been a while.'

The commander's residence housed miniature models of the Great Wall and all the fortresses and outposts, as well as depictions of barbarian movements.

This was where all operations and administration of the Watch took place.

"Erich, I was waiting for you. Looks like you've come with good news. Hoho."

As they entered, commander August greeted them with his characteristic hearty smile and laughter. To look at him, he seemed as friendly as the old man next door.

But sitting beside him was...

'Chief Adjutant Albrecht.'

White hair and pale skin, with not a trace of warmth about him.

Here, the title 'Chief Adjutant' meant, in effect, the head of the staff officers—the second in command in the Watch by rank.

Even before Erich's regression, he hadn't had much to do with this man. By the time Erich himself became commander, rumors abounded that Albrecht had already gone missing or died.

In any case, Chief Adjutant Albrecht also greeted Erich with a smile.

"So you're that Erich. Pleased to meet you. I am Chief Adjutant Albrecht."

Erich found his manner quite gentle and friendly, strikingly at odds with his uniquely pale appearance.

But that wasn't the main concern right now. He needed to report the Max incident and capture Nicholas as soon as possible.

"Outpost Captain Erich von Krupp, reporting in after completing my mission. This is Senior Watchman Frederick, who accompanied me."

"Ah, hello."

Frederick awkwardly added a formal greeting. The stilted speech was so unlike him that Erich barely suppressed a laugh.

But amid this, someone couldn't help but laugh—it was the commander.

"Khahaha, so you're that Frederick. They say you're more famous among the men than I am!"

"... Excuse me?"

"Whether in a good way or a bad way."

Frederick swallowed nervously, unable to hide his discomfort. After all, even Frederick couldn't behave as usual in front of the commander.

At the commander's reaction, Chief Adjutant Albrecht shook his head and spoke.

"Please, sir. You know he's a good man."

"Of course I do! Hahaha. I should introduce you to Mikhail sometime."

"You're quite mischievous, commander."

The 'Mikhail' the commander referred to was surely the Watch's chief inspector.

In fact, Frederick had run into him not too long ago. At the time, Frederick had apparently told him, 'You're dead meat'...

A bead of cold sweat ran down Frederick's cheek.

Then August let out a hearty laugh, leaned back in his chair, and reclined.

"Well, enough chit-chat. Let's hear what you found."

"Yes, commander."

Erich began to explain to August everything that had happened so far.

From his assignment to the outpost, to catching the Watchman climbing over the Great Wall, to hunting down Nicholas and fighting the barbarians he had sent.

He also explained the incident with Nicholas's subordinate Max in Morris Village, and what Max had told him.

August's smile faded as he listened to it all. He spoke with a grave expression.

"That's a mountain of unbelievable tales. And those dead..."

"There's definitely a greater force behind this,"

Erich said.

August looked deeply troubled. It was only natural—currently, the 'dead' were regarded as almost a legend in the Empire.

'... All but forgotten legends.'

If you asked a member of the Watch why the Great Wall was built, they'd always answer the same way—"To protect the Empire from the barbarians."

From lowly soldiers to officers of the Black Citadel, they'd all say the same. But stories passed down in the northern villages told a different tale.

That the Great Wall was built to stop the dead. That mankind, with that Great Wall, had repulsed the undead invaders a thousand years ago.

If Erich hadn't himself witnessed the undying army before his regression, he would have thought all talk of dead was nonsense—a superstition meant only to force children to sleep early and keep them from wandering at night.

Now, however, Erich knew the truth.

Albrecht, who had been listening in silence, finally spoke up.

"It's not that I don't trust you, Erich. You handled the Orca-roid affair admirably. But as for the dead... that's hard to believe."

"But Albrecht," said August, "we've had similar reports from Watchmen stationed at Morris Village. They said bodies with blue blood and blue skin were scattered everywhere."

"That alone isn't proof. It's common for corpses to turn different colors as they rot."

Albrecht expressed his skepticism. But Erich didn't care. In this situation, only one person's support mattered—Commander August.

'... Back then, no one believed me.'

Erich lowered his gaze for a moment. When he'd returned alone, having lost all his men, what awaited him was only scorn.

That he ran to save his own skin. That he blamed it all on imaginary dead to avoid punishment. No one believed him.

No one—except one person.

"However, I think Outpost Commander Erich has a point. I can't be certain without another incident, but it never hurts to be prepared."

"But, commander, the situation on the front is already bad enough."

"It's not a good situation, to be sure. Some fortresses have even stopped regular reporting."

"And yet you'd concern yourself with such tales?"

"Albrecht, I have always doubted the true reason behind the Great Wall's existence."

"... Excuse me?"

Albrecht raised his eyebrows as August spoke. The commander laced his fingers together and grew solemn.

"In a thousand years of the Great Wall's history, there have only been a handful of significant barbarian threats. For a wall supposedly built for them, the Great Wall is too grand."

"Commander, have you already forgotten the 'Mountain King', the undying Barbaronga?"

At Albrecht's words, August's brow furrowed. Albrecht quickly added,

"Forgive me. I only meant—"

"I know, I know. You're speaking out of concern for the frontlines. But I don't want ignorance to blind us to any possible risk. Therefore, Erich von Krupp, kneel."

–Clack.

August picked up the sword resting beside him. Despite his hefty body, he moved-nimbly toward Erich.

–Swish.

He placed the sword on Erich's shoulder as Erich knelt.

"By the name of August von Ludenwald, commander of the Watch, guardian of the Great Wall, and Overseer of the North, I hereby grant you the rank of Centurion."

"Commander..."

Albrecht looked at August with worried eyes. But it was a surprise to Erich as well. Had any member ever been promoted so quickly? None came to mind.

"Rise, Erich von Krupp, centurion of the Watch."

"Yes, commander."

August watched Erich stand with a pleased smile, then took off his own cloak.

–Flutter.

"I should have given this to you sooner, but I haven't even prepared it yet. Sorry about that. But I promise—when you return from this mission, I'll have your centurion badge and unit ready."

"No, it's fine."

"For now, I'll give you a temporary force for you to command as centurion. A couple of hours should be enough. Then you'll use Max's intel to strike the base producing the Orca-roids."

"... Yes, I will carry out your orders."

Erich quietly bowed his head. August smiled again and said,

"But you'll have to give that badge back, I'm afraid. Hoho."

"Oh..."

Erich noticed the gold insignia attached to the cloak fastening. It was the Watch's badge, symbolizing the commander.

"Here it is."

"Work hard enough one day to earn that badge for real. Ah, by the way, someone's been looking for you."

"Are they from the south?"

"Yes, from the land you gifted the Watch. They've been waiting for a day to see you. Go pay them a visit."

Taking the badge back, August clasped his hands behind his back and nodded, signaling Erich was dismissed.

–Clack.

The door closed behind them. Frederick finally exhaled.

"Whew... I thought I was going to die from the tension."

"Surprisingly, you're bad with this kind of situation, Frederick. You don't look it."

"Who's good at this, anyway? One wrong word and you could lose your head."

Erich allowed himself a faint smile. After all, the commander of the Watch wielded absolute power. Some had abused that power so severely, their tyranny was recorded in history.

"Still, this is such a fast promotion. I can't believe it."

"You'd have gotten promoted fast too, if you hadn't smacked your superior."

"... There's a sad story behind that, you know..."

Leaving the residence behind, Erich descended the steps at a brisk pace. Frederick hurried along after him.

"So, are you leaving right away?"

"... No. There's one last person I need to see."

"Who?"

"An old friend."

Erich's lips curled up into a slight smile. With his black cloak billowing, he headed somewhere with determined steps.

The direction was already decided: Now, having regressed to this world, he was finally going to claim his first reward for what he had accomplished.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=This is a nice end to the Morric Village arc...【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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