Chapter 298

Chapter 298

* * *

You look tired, Knight Commander.

Garuel said, perching lightly on the end of the desk. His gaze gently swept over the papers that filled the desk and Cadel, whose head was buried in the center of them. Slowly, Cadel looked up, his eyes clouded with the fatigue of the day.

Id rather deal with demons.

Oh, you must be really tired.

Cadel made a pained sound and rubbed his face with his hands. He wasnt being sarcastic when he said hed rather fight demons. Since returning to the Empire, hed been busy organizing his reports, and after the banquet, hed literally had no time to breathe.

Between predicting the location of the great magic circle fragments based on Kunras information, meeting with the Knight Order commanders to deal with the demons, and analyzing the magic circles he was allowed to participate in as a magician, the amount of work was unimaginable.

If the Scarlet Scales Knight Order were to be involved in the search for the great magic circle, Cadel feared he might die of overwork rather than war.

I can see why the Guardian Knight Orders commander is always willing to go out on his own. How is it that there is more work to be done than when hes not out there? Is this the way all commanders live?

Hmm, I dont know about regular commanders, but the commander of a Knight Order directly under the country does, and this is a bad time.

Cadels brow furrowed in frustration, and Garuel shifted to stand behind him, gently rubbing his rock-hard shoulders as if to massage them.

I could help you organize your report. Do you want me to do it for you?

Really?

Ive been a commander for years, and I have a form for every report.

Then do it. Please. Im begging you.

With your bare mouth?

What do you want? Ive got plenty of money. How about the Emperors wine? I use dark mana. I can go down to the cellar and steal it for you.

Garuel chuckled at the nonsense, wondering if Cadel knew what he was talking about. Garuel rubbed his arm over Cadels restless shoulder, leaned down, and kissed Cadel briefly on the lobe of his ear.

When did I want something like that from you, Knight Commander? Im a person who likes your body better than alcohol.

Cadel turned his head to look at Garuel, who stepped in front of him. Cadel blinked as if to clear his mind, and then his brow slowly narrowed.

You sound like a pervert.

I thought you said youd call me the Pervert Mask one day.

So what do you want? Kiss? Can I kiss you?

Kiss Im not confident that itll end with just that?

Garuel smirked smugly, and Cadels face quickly stiffened as he caught the devious glint in Garuels eyes. It was as if the rationality of defending the final Maginot Line and the survival instinct of not dying in the line of duty were in violent conflict.

Garuel watched the change in Cadels expression with amusement, then stroked his dark hair affectionately and said.

If you dont want to, Ill leave, Ive got my hands full.

Ill hear your conditions first.

Turning to Cadel, his eyes gleaming with the seriousness of closing an important deal, Garuel told him what he wanted Cadel to do while he wrote the report for him. Cadels face crumpled oddly when he heard Garuels conditions.

Are you sure thats all you need? Diiscover new stories at nove/lbin(.)c/om

Im sure.

Well, its easier than I thought.

What the. Did you finish the report already?

No, I still have a little bit left.

Then why are you waking me?

Sir Lumen came to see you.

His voice was tinged with irritation and drowsiness. Lumen, the real reason for waking the sleepy man, stepped forward to Cadels side, feeling faintly guilty. Reaching out, he helped Cadel to his feet, supporting his staggering body.

His Majesty wants to see you, Leader. He wants you to come to his office.

Why would he want me to come to his office when this is also an office? And does it hurt if he comes to find me? Im not in a hurry, hes in a hurry.

Cadel was clearly half asleep. Lumen took Cadels side and soothed him, watching for signs of disturbance.

We cant help it, its the Emperor.

When are they going to abolish the caste system here? Im so sick of it.

It was a bold idea, but please only talk about it in front of me.

Cadel, who had been grumbling in a daze for a while, slipped out of Lumens grasp with a loud yawn.

Well, I cant ask the old Emperor to come and see me. Garuel, can you finish the report by the time I get back?

Of course.

Lumen, you find Lydon and Yozen and bring them here. I think I know what the Emperor needs to discuss, and Ill tell you guys when I get back.

The Emperor pulled him aside to tell him something. It was obviously a decision about whether or not to include the Scarlet Scales Knight Order in the search for the Demon Realms great magic circle.

Cadel traveled to the Emperors office, not looking forward to what he would find.

Upon meeting him, the Emperor skipped the unnecessary preamble and gave Cadel what he wanted.

Your Knight Order will not be included in this search for the great magic circle of the Demon Realm.

Keub!

Cadel slapped his thigh, instinctively holding back the glee that threatened to leap out. If the Emperor had sent them on the search, the maddened illegitimate son of Lytos might have made a second attempt to assassinate the imperial family.

Whether he knew Cadels feelings or not, Derek spoke calmly.

Dont take it personally. The Scarlet Scales Knight Order will be dispatched to the area of greatest need after the search is complete.

I understand.

Were expecting the search to last at least a year, but if it goes beyond that, your Knight Order may become involved.

A year. During that time, no matter what the outcome of the search, the Demon War will happen. Cadels task remained the same. As he listened to Dereks instructions, Cadel cautiously spoke up.

During that one-year search, Your Majesty, we, the Knight Order, would like to wait elsewhere.

Elsewhere?

We need to train for the Demon War, but as you know, we have a black magician, an assassin, and a fairy in our Knight Order. We cant train in public.

Thats true. So, do you have a place in mind?

It was a plan hed had in mind the entire time before the search mission was finalized. A place to train his subordinates to peak their stats before the Demon War.

Id like to go to the Mountains of Silence.

There was no more suitable place.