Chapter 73

The rebel cadres were a means to maintain the rebels and a defense to keep them alive.

A trustworthy person was put in the executive position, and his identity was not even revealed to avoid tracking.

They are the descendants of a long-extinct ducal family, and have been using the rebels to establish a new dynasty.

“what… what… … .”

“Did you know I didn’t know? Even His Majesty the King is aware of this. Can I speak plainly… Or would you like to die like this?”

Of course, the king did not know exactly.

I just listened to Shion’s opinion and foresaw another possibility.

However, just being aware of that fact could be used to its advantage.

“I… I don’t know. A ruined duke?”

“I said it was the last question. Are you going to keep wasting time?”

“How can you do something you don’t know… … .”

“Even if I die, don’t resent me.”

Shion returns the sword to the knight and pretends to leave the room.

Then, deliberately turning his head, he muttered slowly.

“Your family is hiding, right? It should be. I don’t know what orders His Majesty the King will give.”

Regarding that, the king’s name had not yet come down.

Even in the original content, this part was not mentioned, and I only guessed what happened to the main character.

However, if you use it well, you can psychologically pressure your opponent.

“I don’t know! It just moved as ordered!”

“Can I still say that after I die? It will be too late when you regret it. Good luck.”

Shion moved her steps again and winked at the commander of the General Knights.

The commander of the General Knights immediately recognized them and followed Shion outside.

“… How are you going to interrogate?”

“I am thinking of calling the person in charge separately. Do you have anything in mind?”

“You must find out about the fallen duke. We have to catch them to completely wipe out the rebels.”

“Yes, we plan to cooperate with reconnaissance teams in other regions, and we understand that the capital side is also sending troops separately. I will definitely catch them.”

“They might be trying to kill time. Even if you interrogate, you must not use the troops.”

“We will extend the stationing period and try to capture the rebels alive.”

“There must be troops moving in the western area as well, right?”

“We promised to move at the same time as us. You should be attacking their stronghold by now.”

Shion leans her back against the wall and lets out a small sigh.

Fatigue came later, but it wasn’t to the point that I couldn’t move.

If the commander of the General Knights had been incompetent, he would have been quite worried, but fortunately, he quickly took command and obeyed his words.

“It will be very difficult, but you have to look for things like secret passages.”

“Yes, I will ask my subordinates one more time.”

“There will be money hidden everywhere. Troops may try to siphon it off, so you have to discipline yourself in advance.”

“… Oh, I see. Couldn’t deliver the content yet. sorry.”

“It is not urgent. If it was the commander’s unit, he wouldn’t do such a thing. And… … .”

Shion leaves only the last word and sinks into agony.

It was a guess based on intuition, but I couldn’t ignore it.

If the environment and conditions were right, I could have used a trick.

“I want you to examine the women carefully.”

“… Are you referring to the women who were with the officers?”

“Yeah, maybe not a big deal, but… I am a little suspicious.”

“Are there any rebel leaders hiding?”

“It could be a rebel officer… They might be descendants of a fallen ducal family.”

Even in the original content, not all rebel cadres were made up of men.

If there were a few women in the mix, it could have been disguised as serving drinks.

If he was a descendant of a fallen duchy, he would be able to eradicate the rebels more quickly.

“I think I know what you mean. I will also interrogate the woman.”

“That should be enough. I’ll have to watch more now.”

“Then I will take immediate action on what you said.”

The commander of the General Staff bowed his head and went back into the room.

Shion watches it still and then slowly closes his eyes.

‘… I want to sleep.’

It took about a day to come to Rodav after receiving the command from the king.

It took about a day and a half to discuss with the commander of the General Knights Division and the subordinates and set up a strategy.

It took about a day to mobilize troops and raid the stronghold of the rebels.

After today, it would be about four days since I came to Rodav.

‘No big deal.’

Shion smiles faintly as she recalls Hanette, who will remain in the mansion.

He said he would not leave the mansion until he returned.

In order to make her go to the Magic Society, she had to return to the capital quickly.

‘I should be able to protect myself by myself… … .’

Harnette’s magical power had already surpassed her level, and her skills as a mage were recognized.

Even if skilled knights, not rebels, attacked, they would not be opponents.

‘Also… I can’t leave you alone.’

There were no rebels left in the capital.

Harnette was always accompanied by an escort knight, and even handled magic with superiority.

They are still sweeping up the rebels, but why are they so worried?

‘I have to stay by your side. That makes me feel at ease.’

* * *

Residence of the Duke of Adelaira, indoor gymnasium.

Harnette sat down alone and was proceeding to increase her magical power.

But I couldn’t concentrate more than before, and I wondered if even my motivation had faded.

There was no one to be by my side, so I felt empty and lonely for some reason.

‘Aren’t you starving?’

Harnette sighed as she stopped increasing her magic power.

Sweat ran down my cheeks, but I didn’t even think to wipe them.

Thirst has risen, but even that is slowly forgotten.

At most, he was dispatched to the southern region, so what was he so worried about?

‘Maybe I can stay up all night. You will be busy… … .’

Harnett pauses and looks to the left.

Nothing was there, but the shape of Zion seemed to be drawn by itself.

If he had been by his side, he would have whined like a child, or made a useless joke.

‘Wasn’t he hurt?’

Shion was a swordsman who used sword skills, and he was still getting stronger.

He was not even comparable to himself, and he was also a strong man that the king and the royal knight commander paid attention to.

He would not get hurt no matter who he fought, and it would bring only a crushing victory.

‘I need to be by your side… … .’

Unlike in the past, magic could be used freely.

In the meantime, he trained and reached a high level, and even obtained the title of mage to prove his skills.

Now, even if you stand in the same position as Zion, you can help as much as you like.

‘It means that a kid should behave like a kid… … .’

Zion was taking on the tasks she had to do.

Protecting yourself from raids, taking revenge on them, and accepting magic.

He was so good that he could do anything by himself, and he always had no choice but to get help.

‘What do you think of me?’

He regarded Shion as a friend and saw him as someone he could entrust his future to.

Maybe Shion also found something in himself and accepted the marriage.

‘no way… Seeing me as a woman… … .’

“Hanet! Zion has returned.”

“what?”

A lady-in-waiting entered the indoor gymnasium and announced the news.

Hearing the news he had been waiting for so long, Hanette hurriedly stood up.

“Where are you now?”

“He said he just passed through the front door.”

“Are there any injuries anywhere?”

“uh… will you be okay? I didn’t hear that you were hurt.”

“… yes?”

Harnette belatedly calmed down and answered calmly.

There was no reason to rejoice or run away just because Zion had come.

It would have been enough to lightly ask how he was doing as usual, and pass it off as if nothing was wrong.

‘ah… I have to change my clothes.’

Harnette quickly moved on, wiping the sweat with a towel.

I had to wear a suit, if not a dress.

It has always been that way, and I will have to show my consistent side to Shion.

‘Should I wash up? how should i dress? oh, kinda… Should I say something in advance?’

Of course, since Shion had returned from his mission, it must have been very dirty.

However, he was still in the mansion, and Shion had just returned from a mission.

I couldn’t greet the person who worked hard and came.

‘What perfume do you spray on? Make-up… Oh really!’

* * *

The mansion of the Duke of Adelaira, Hanette’s room.

As soon as Shion returned to the mansion, he washed his body and changed into a suit.

He urgently sent a letter to Fried, and had to go directly to the palace to report it.

Now, I took a moment to look at Hannette, but Hannette continued to ask questions.

“Did you eat properly? You look a little thin.”

“It’s worse than what they give here, but… I ate well.”

“You’re not hurt anywhere?”

“Sister, that’s already the third time. Are you not hurt?”

“You have to be able to believe it. Are you hiding it somewhere?”

“… Why are you hiding it?”

“uh… You want to pretend to be strong?”

“What am I doing that for?”

“I don’t know.”

“… … .”

Shion laughs and tilts the teacup.

It seems like he’s being forced, but isn’t Hanette trying to take care of herself in her own way?

It’s just that I’m not good at expressing myself, so it must have been that my words and actions were slightly off.

“There is also a paladin. And I was dispatched as a commander. I did not fight, even though I held a sword.”

“I think he made up his mind to kill the executives himself.”

“… didn’t you? I just stayed quiet.”

Shion remembered what he had said then and naturally lied.

If you can’t capture it, it’s better to kill it, and then you’ll do it yourself.

If he had been able to move independently without being commanded, he wouldn’t have used the sword skill at least once.

“Sigh… yes. I didn’t want to get hurt.”

“You don’t have to worry anymore. You won’t be attacked.”

“Looks like you finished well.”

“I captured all the officers there. The remnants will be caught soon.”

“But it doesn’t really matter. Can I fight now?”

Harnette answered nonchalantly and condensed magic into her right hand.

The movement of magical power seemed to stabilize immediately, but it soon turned into a small flame.

The red flame spreads heat and burns wildly.

“… I don’t want my sister to kill people. I can do that myself.”

While living in modern society, Shion had never beaten anyone, let alone killed.

However, after coming to this world, he had been killing people casually.

Of course, they were enemies that had to be killed, but I didn’t want to entrust this task to Hanette.

“you… What do you see me as?”

“This is not a good experience. So… … .”

“If you can do it, I should be able to do it too. Oh no. You have to do more than that. If you threaten me… Whether it be a beast or a person, I will definitely kill you.”