20 - CHAPTER XX -- "Captain II of the Army after Audience"

The king leaves the audience chamber.

However, the corps leaders who remain in the audience chamber continue to stay there for a while as before.

After that, the corps leaders let out a deep breath, finally released from the tension by confirming that the king's footsteps have completely disappeared.

And then..,

"Hi-yah!　I got a title directly from the king!"

The first to jump up and down was the smallest of the corps commanders.

It was Robin, a mixed race of dwarf (korobokkur) and dwarf blood.

Robin, who has been given the position of Commander of the Seventh Legion, is a child in appearance. He is only about 120 cm tall and wears overalls that look like children's clothes.

He has no beard and looks almost like a dwarf (Korobokkur), but he has Dwarf blood in him and is very skilled at making things and machines.

Robin, the leader of such a small army, does his best to be quiet in front of Helian, but his usual behavior is often in keeping with his appearance. He is mischievous, cheerful, and energetic, as is his race.

However, he is not the only one who is happy.

As for the corps leader (member) who was not present at the last audience, he must have been a bit tired after a long time, but he was more than satisfied with the audience.

"Hm, wings. Not bad."

"You know what you're doing. That's what I'm talking about.

"I like the tongue or ....... I'm not trying to copy Camilla, but I'm thinking of carving a coat of arms on my tongue.

"My place is all legs!　You can't even stand up without us, guys!　The Seventh Legion, the power behind the scenes, is at your service!"

The four who have received the honor of an audience for the first time in a long while are talking about their impressions of the title given to them by the King of All Evil.

They were described by Balan as having strong habits, but they had at least a fair sense of collegiality and had a friendly relationship with each other to the extent that they talked like this.

The "original three" also seemed to be deeply moved, although they did not say so aloud, as they recalled the titles they had each earned.

However, one of the remaining members was .......

"How dare you ...... take advantage of me!

The miasma was emitting a miasma, muttering bitter words in a frightening voice.

The other commanders of the corps looked away from her, as if they could not believe that Camilla's voice was coming from such a beautiful woman.

"Hey, hey Camilla. You're leaking the miasma, the miasma. Calm down!"

"Do you think you can stay calm like this?

Camilla's fiery expression caused the dark-skinned woman who had called out to her--Celes, the last female corps leader and commander of the fourth corps--to retreat.

Like Ertina, she belongs to the Elves.

However, while Ertina was of the white elf lineage with excellent support skills, the leader of the 4th legion was of the black elf lineage, excelling in offensive magic.

Celes, with her strikingly slanting eyes and her tight bondage-like clothing that squeezes her well-developed body, gives an impression similar to that of a so-called dark elf. In fact, Celes was once a "dark elf" before her repeated reincarnation and evolution.

She is usually a strong-willed person, but this time she was a bit reserved, as she felt a bit guilty toward Camilla.

"But none of us have ever begged His Majesty for anything, you know?

"What a whitewash!　I've already appealed to you with my gaze!　If Nushi and the others had not done something unnecessary, only the concubine would have received the title. ......!"

Camilla glares at Ceres as if she is about to grind her teeth.

It was quite a powerful sight to see a woman of color staring at us with her beauty distorted.

"Ah,...... but even if only one of us had received the title,...... would you be able to just stand aside and watch it happen?"

It's impossible!

You see. Isn't that what happens?

"Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr ......!"

I understand the logic. But I don't want to accept it.

With such mixed emotions swirling around her, Camilla could only grit her teeth.

"Oh, dear. Don't fight, Camilla, Ceres.

Then Eltina intervenes with a soft smile, as usual.

It is a common understanding among the eight corps leaders that she is the only one who can prevent a full-scale clash between the heads of corps with strong habits.

For this reason, there is an unspoken rule among the heads of the eight major corps that if Ertina stops them, they should not go any further.

"Nuu...... well, that's fine. I'll be working with you from now on. You and the rest of you will go to work in the capital and watch my exploits from afar.

Camilla at least said something in return, and then retracted her argument.

"Well, the general is putting himself on the line again, isn't he? He's the kind of guy who's always on the front lines in the main battlefield, so it's a little late for that, but I don't think the general doesn't quite understand that he's irreplaceable, does he?"

"But it's just like a king, isn't it? Especially when he says it like it's a matter of course. Even though it's a dangerous role. But he's like a king...

"Humph. Bad habit of the king."

Sniffling and muttering is Nogard, commander of the Eighth Legion.

His race is the Twilight Dragon, and his original form is a Western dragon over 40 meters long.

However, he is now humanized and has the appearance of a dour-looking young man with long red hair that hides his sharp eyes.

Nogardo, dressed in a surcoat of light armor, stands with his arms crossed and a frown on his brow.

"Nogald! Do you have a problem with our lord?

Balan was the first to respond to Nogardo.

I have never complained. I only said it was a bad habit.

"That would be as good as complaining. At least, not to the master to whom I owe allegiance."

I did not say anything wrong. Or are you trying to say that it's a good habit?　What if something happens to the king now?"

Their gazes take on a swarthy air.

Nogarde retains "arrogance" as a character trait, which is incompatible with Balan's "discipline. Moreover, Balan also possesses stubbornness, and the two tend to clash easily.

Furthermore, Nogardo is extremely proud.

The dragon tribe tends to be arrogant and irreverent, and Nogardo stands at the top of this group.

He once half-killed a Giant tribe member on his side simply because he had been hit on the shoulder. He never breaks his will when there is a conflict of opinion.

"Well, well, now is not the time to argue, you two!"

Eltina interrupted the mood that was about to turn sour.

Celes, too, gave a covering shot, as if she did not want to get into any more trouble.

"Elle is right. His Majesty has warned me to do my job well.

If His Majesty hears that you're wasting your time arguing over some stupid thing, you're going to get away with it.

"M...... are certainly right, as you say."

"......, you do have a point."

When the situation finally calmed down, Levee, who had been quietly watching the situation, clapped her hands and drew attention to the situation.

"Then this is the end of the fooling around. As the Commander-in-Chief, I request you to take your posts immediately. --Ertina, Camilla, it's time for us to get ready to leave.

As soon as he said this, Levee left the audience hall with a quick step.

Eltina and Camilla followed him.

"Well, I'd better get ready too."

"Humph. Don't make a blunder this time."

"Shut up, Nogardo!　I know what you're talking about!

"You two are fighting each other since you said so?　Especially Gardi, you're the one who's supposed to be maintaining security."

"Tsk. ....... Hey Robin, I'll be there later with my men, so get ready to accept them!"

"Here you go. I'll see you later!"

The men of the corps commanders then leave the audience hall in droves.

Only one female corps leader is left.

"Huh?　Come to think of it, am I the only one in the women's group who has been left behind by His Majesty ......?"

Suddenly aware of this fact, Celes stopped in her tracks as she was leaving the audience chamber. A bead of sweat trickled down her dark-skinned cheek.

"...... is the result of the right person in the right place, isn't it?　I'm sure that Rieve and Elle are members of the traveler's group because they are set up, and Camilla was only chosen as an additional member because she was needed to gather information. ...... It's not because I'm being shunned by His Majesty... I don't think so."

Yes, it should be.

Celes affirms again inwardly and nods one more time.

However, although her rational mind was satisfied with this, a vague feeling remained deep in her heart.

"Let's go to ...... and get to work."

Shaking off her anxiety, she hurriedly headed for her position.