Chapter 12 – Those Who Stand Beside Him (Part 1)

Author's Preface

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Calm footsteps echoed through the main headquarters.

The grand white building reflected the morning sunlight. Standing proudly beside the imperial palace, it embodied the role it played-protecting the very heart of the empire.

"Hm."

Yuma quietly watched the workers renovating the training grounds in the eastern wing.

After a moment, his gaze landed on a familiar figure.

"Bonnie?"

"Ah! Commander!!"

A petite girl with twin ponytails widened her eyes the moment she saw him. Her face immediately lit up as she hurried toward him.

"How have you been, Commander?"

"I'm well."

Yuma gave a faint smile, instantly making Bonnie blush.

"Where are the others?"

"H-Hell training."

"Hm?"

"I mean they're being tortured-ah, trained by Lavis."

"Ah... because of yesterday's incident?"

Bonnie nodded enthusiastically.

She pulled Yuma toward a nearby chair where snacks and warm tea had already been prepared.

While watching a servant pour fresh tea into a cup, Bonnie smiled sweetly.

"The commander is as adorable as ever."

Then she covered her cheeks.

"I-I wonder who will end up becoming the commander's wife... she'll definitely be very happy..."

Yuma chuckled softly and patted Bonnie's head.

Even though Bonnie was actually older than him, her small frame and youthful face often made people mistake her for a teenage girl.

"You're very kind too, Bonnie. Your future husband will surely be happy."

"Kyaaaaa... I can die happily now..."

Although Yuma still didn't understand why compliments made people claim they would "die happily," he simply smiled and sipped his tea after the servant left.

"But why are you guarding this place?"

"Rue asked me to keep an eye on the construction workers."

"Keep an eye on them?"

"Yes. He's worried Lavis might chase them away and make the damage even worse."

Yuma fell silent.

It was true. Lavis tended to drive workers away whenever he felt they were getting in his way, which usually created even more chaos.

"Oh right! Commander, did you hear about Prince Mirsu arriving?"

"Yes. I received a brief report."

BANG!

The sweet expression on Bonnie's face vanished instantly.

Her usually gentle features were now filled with cold irritation.

"You don't understand, Commander. That bastard kept forcing his way inside and demanded our sweet Chloe use purification and calming magic on him. What does he think we are? Free labor?!"

Even her normally soft voice had turned rough.

"..."

"And the worst part is he knows his body easily attracts contamination and is hard to purify, yet he still keeps throwing tantrums! Does that idiot even know emotional management is important?!"

"...Hm. Emotional management is important."

Yuma looked at Bonnie, who was currently calling a foreign prince both a bastard and an idiot.

"So yesterday Rue gave permission to kick him out-and I did! Our sweet Chloe is too gentle, so I stepped in! And do you know what that bastard said, Commander?!"

"...I don't."

"He demanded we call the commander! Damn it! Who does he think he is?! Does he think this is his territory?!"

"Emotional management."

"Exactly! He lost control and started yelling. When we refused, he threatened to report us to the Imperial Prince because the soldiers rejected him. What is he, a child running to his parents? Report us? Disgusting! I nearly slapped him and shouted that the commander's will is the prince's will!"

"Secret."

"I held back because it's a secret! AAAARRRGGHH!!"

Seeing Bonnie repeatedly slam the table in frustration, Yuma snapped his fingers.

Tak.

"Oh."

Bonnie blinked several times before looking at Yuma again, who was still smiling faintly.

"Calmer now?"

"Eh-ah-uh... ahem."

Realizing how emotional she had become, Bonnie flushed in embarrassment and sat down properly.

Her expression quickly returned to normal.

She glanced at the golden glimmer in Yuma's eyes before lowering her head.

"Sorry, Commander... I got carried away."

"If necessary, ask Chloe or Kru to calm you down."

"N-No. Commander already did... that's enough."

"Rue handled the situation well. We exist not only for nobles, but for the people as well. There's no need to constantly cater to every noble's request. If he keeps insisting, use the commander's name-or even the prince's if necessary."

"He's already banned from entering the central district anyway, Commander."

"Good."

"Hehehe."

Soon, the sound of many footsteps echoed from afar.

"Oh, they're coming back."

"Then I should go."

"You won't greet them, Commander?"

Yuma shook his head.

"I have business with Rue. I only stopped by briefly. Since everything seems fine, I won't disturb them."

"I see..."

After parting ways with Bonnie, Yuma walked toward the western wing.

On the way, he noticed a commotion near the front gate.

"Will you take responsibility if my prince becomes ill?! Hey! Why won't you move aside?! We only need a calming specialist!"

"Apologies. Please contact the guard office or hire mercenaries. The palace does not provide calming services."

"But you did yesterday!"

"Please leave."

Yuma simply shook his head and continued walking.

Meanwhile, Merrick lifted his head as he sensed a presence within the gate.

"?"

But no one was there.

Strange... I definitely felt an incredibly strong calming aura just now.

Frowning, Merrick signaled his guard to stop escalating the situation.

"We're leaving."

"But Prince Oriel, we-"

"That's enough. The registration begins the day after tomorrow. Have all documents been reviewed?"

"Yes."

"Then we'll rest. My condition has improved anyway."

"...Understood."

The girl shot the gate guards one last glare before following Merrick away.

Still, Merrick glanced back toward the gate once more, as if searching for the presence that had disappeared.

Perhaps it was just my imagination.

Tok. Tok.

"Come in."

"Rue."

Rue looked up.

"Commander-ah, no. Don't be formal. Come in, Yuma."

Yuma smiled faintly and sat down on the sofa.

His eyes briefly flicked to Arfy's empty desk.

"Where's Arfy?"

"In his office. Several kingdoms have submitted requests to enter the empire because of the academy. He's holding a meeting to tighten inspections."

"Hm."

"Diana, bring him to my office now. Yes... yes. Tell him I'll cut off his head if Lavis is still holding you there. Hm. Good. I'll wait."

After tapping the earring on his ear, Rue sat back down.

"So? Who did you want to introduce to me?"

"Just a small guard."

The faint smile on Yuma's face disappeared.

His calm gaze settled on Rue.

"I know you're strong, Yuma. But since you're undercover, you can't use your abilities openly. And there might be situations that become... complicated. You need someone to assist you."

"A noble, I assume?"

"Yes."

"A noble acting as the guard of a merchant's son?"

"Yes-well, not exactly. He's more like a companion."

"The noble class and common class have different schedules."

"He'll attend the common class as well."

"Don't interfere with someone's education, cousin."

"It's not-"

Knock knock.

"They've arrived. Let them explain it themselves."

Rue walked to the door.

As soon as it opened, Diana stepped inside with a red-haired teenager tied in a ponytail.