Chapter 17 The Commander, Visits

The Commander, Visits

“Sieg… It’s been a while since we last met….”

While the soldiers were busy preparing to move on the training grounds, I, Gideon von Crumbell, the lord’s son, went to the Fairtrack clan house.

Being familiar with the clan house, I greeted the members I passed and headed to the office.

I knocked lightly and entered, and Sieg greeted me with a tired smile.

“Oh, Gideon-sama! I’m glad to see you’re well! Thanks for your reinforcements this time.”

“Oh, no need for formalities; I’m just here as Gideon today.”

I pulled up a random chair and sat down, observing Sieg’s face.

He tried to hide it with makeup, but the dark circles under his eyes were undeniable.

As expected, I had heard that the clan members had suffered quite a lot in the recent battle.

Although he has a sharp tongue, this guy is surprisingly considerate of his comrades.

He’s trying to act tough, but it’s obvious.

It was a good decision to come here.

In fact, I half expected this to happen on that expedition.

Sieg was destined to marry into our Count’s family.

The plan was to have him marry into the family, then send him to a border area to open a town and become the lord there.

This expedition was meant to defeat the Demon Lord Goblin King, who was nesting nearby.

According to our investigation, it wasn’t just an ordinary goblin king.

There was probably something behind it.

In a way, it was a decoy to measure what that something was.

Well, it was unexpectedly bad that the decoy didn’t do its job.

Sensei… I didn’t realize that your absence would have such a big impact.

If the clan were to be handed over to Sieg as private soldiers, the balance of power would collapse.

It might be okay for a while after the wedding, but looking to the future, I want to weaken his power.

That’s what the Count’s family wants.

I know the members of the clan personally, and I don’t want them to die or get hurt, but that’s the nature of a noble.

This is probably taboo, but if Veiss-sensei had married into the family, things might have turned out differently.

He probably wouldn’t betray us unless we did something extremely unfair.

If he served us, he would undoubtedly devote himself as a loyal vassal.

Well, he was quickly rejected because he said he had someone important.

Of course, it’s not Sieg’s fault.

Sieg is talented in his own right; he’s well-educated for a commoner and can handle a certain amount of politics.

This must be due to Sensei’s influence….

It’s terrifying.

Sensei is in a class by himself.

If he had come to the Count’s family, Father might have even considered independence from the country.

That might be an exaggeration, but I respect him that much.

I sent horses in all directions after I heard that he had run away, but I still couldn’t find any trace of him.

I have to admire him; I can’t even find his shadow or his figure.

If his actions after leaving the gates are completely unknown, he could be a good spy or assassin.

Could he have been a spy somewhere?

No, it’s impossible for such a kind person.

The fact that there’s not even a trace of him, despite searching all the nearby towns, means that he’s surprisingly close, perhaps?

No, I’m not sure, but I heard that a woman, Monica, was involved in the problem, so that’s not possible, is it?

When that happens, men tend to want to go far away.

There was a time before when he disappeared for a while, and he might have moved in a similar way this time.

Well, wherever he goes, he will probably get into some kind of trouble and lose.

And he’ll end up with a troublesome woman.

That’s the kind of person he is.

The fish that got away is big, but I have to give up somewhere.

…I would be happy if he came back, sigh….

Thinking about such things, I sighed slightly and said to Sieg,

“Sieg, as a friend who studied under Veiss-sensei, let me say this: take a break.”

“That’s….”

Sieg, who knew he was tired himself, hesitated.

You fool, it’s because you let Sensei slip away that your workload has increased.

Even if the clan is running smoothly, it’s only natural that the workload will increase when the one who did most of the work is gone.

It’s a waste of time to argue about it.

I said it a little forcefully.

“We are going to fight now, not play, right? Sensei always said that, didn’t he?”

““Rest is also work, especially for those in a higher position. If you don’t rest, those below you can’t rest either.””

Sieg and I spoke in unison.

Did he finally smile a little?

“You understand, don’t you? You can’t rest for too long, but you should definitely take a break. I’ll help, too, so let Gomez do the work, he can handle it.”

“…All right. I’m sorry, Gideon. Just a little bit, please.”

Sieg bowed and headed for the bedroom.

Oh, what a troublesome little brother!

I went to the office to get the papers.

As usual, the documents were neatly formatted.

They were better organized than the ones our officers make….

My relationship with this clan is quite deep.

Since I had heard that there was an instructor who was really good at training people, when I felt stuck, I invited that instructor… Veiss-sensei.

I got the [Commander] job, but I couldn’t manifest the skills.

Well, it’s a pretty rare job.

I invited Sensei out of desperation….

Sensei saw what was wrong right away.

“The target of your abilities is not yourself, but rather the group level… think of it as about 25 to 50 people.”

He brilliantly saw a problem that even many instructors couldn’t see.

My father was delighted and tried to keep Sensei around, but he gently declined.

However, he said he was welcome to teach occasionally at the clan house.

That’s where I met Sieg.

Back then, we were equal and good rivals.

Now I’m ahead, but Sieg and I have different roles.

While reminiscing about those memories, I was thinking.

I knew Sieg respected Sensei, but he had feelings of frustration.

I should have stopped him.

Well, it’s too late to say that now.

But Monica and Chitose-san are missing as well.

Chitose-san… There’s a good chance she’s really lost, but Monica….

She’s pretty annoying.

She’s just a country girl, but she’s been spoiled by an overprotective man and hasn’t fully grown up.

A man who is bad at loving people and a woman who can’t grow up.

Frankly, I always thought they weren’t a good match.

So Monica is missing?

I hope she’s alive.

I don’t like her very much, but it’s still not pleasant when someone you know dies.

Well, I should go say hello to the other clan members.

Just as we were getting ready to leave, Sieg woke up. His complexion looked a bit better.

“How are you? Did you get some rest?”

“Thanks, Gideon. I’m fine now.”

Hmm, well, he seems fine.

“So, you know Father told me to let me deal the final blow to the Demon Lord, right?”

Sieg’s expression darkened, and he nodded.

“…Yes.”

As expected.

“I don’t need it. You should do the killing.”

“Huh, why?”

Sieg looked puzzled.

Hmm, maybe this is a perspective that adventurers wouldn’t quite grasp.

“I don’t need the title of hero. If I did, I’d be dragged to the front lines, wouldn’t I?”

I laughed jokingly.

It’s half-serious. Why would I volunteer to fight monsters?

Besides, I’m a [Commander], right?

What’s the point of fighting on the front lines?

“Sieg, you want to kill the Demon Lord, right?”

I continued.

“!?”

I sighed.

“Don’t think you can hide it forever. Killing the Demon Lord Goblin King would count for something, right?”

“You knew…?”

Sieg was stunned.

Honestly, I don’t know the details.

It’s not widely known, but heroes tend to die young.

And the more fiercely they fight, the faster they age.

Yet, for some reason, heroes are desperate to hunt down Demon Lords.

We can deduce that there’s something to be said for defeating the Demon Lord himself.

I don’t know the details, but I want to help my little brother, who is in trouble.

Even if it’s twisted, we’re family now.

“Well, you’re going to marry into our Count’s family, so don’t make my sister sad.”

“Understood, I’m sorry. I owe you one.”

Sieg bowed his head.

“I’ll explain it to Father; don’t worry.”

I patted his head lightly.

“I am your older brother, after all.”

I shifted my cloak and took the first step onto the battlefield.

My little brother, I’m here now.

Follow me without fear.

“Let’s go, Sieg. Let’s slaughter those goblins. Not a single one left!”