Chapter 107

Episode 107 – Unwanted Deification

There had been reported sightings of the mysterious mercenary group in the northern imperial region of Tielens. Given its close proximity to the capital, the area was under significantly tighter security than most other provinces.

Even so, investigating an unidentified organization in such a place was no small matter.

The elite task force had already been mobilized—this was clearly a mission of great importance to the Empire.

“Well then, let’s get this meeting started.”

Command of the stationed forces here fell primarily to three members of the task force’s Mage Corps: Petra , Cornelia , and Lerval .

Those from other divisions—Blatty from the Wyvern Riders, Stiano from the standard infantry, and myself, not officially attached to the task force—had been added on in a supporting capacity.

“The mercenary group we’re after is believed to have a hidden base either in the underground waterways of the port city Noct, or somewhere in the surrounding mountain ranges. That’s why we, as magic users skilled in detection spells, were selected for this mission.”

Makes sense.

At first glance, it seemed like something better suited for Faddy’s assassins, but I had to admit—those from the Mage Corps had the magical expertise for this sort of reconnaissance.

Besides, the Reaper was currently focused on monitoring the Kingdom of Reshfelt, which made it difficult to spare personnel for the northern front. With that in mind, it was logical for the Mage Corps to handle this side of the operation.

“We’ve gathered a good number of magic users capable of detection spells. That does leave us a little short on firepower, but don’t worry! I’ve called in some top-notch reinforcements!”

…Which would be us, I suppose.

Everyone turned their eyes on us all at once, but I did my best to ignore it.

“We’ll split the operation like this: my First Unit will search the upper underground canals. Lerval’s Second Unit will handle the lower levels. And Cornelia’s Third Unit will scour the nearby mountains.”

After Petra finished speaking, someone in the group raised a hand.

“Um, isn’t the First Unit a bit short on combat personnel?”

I’d glanced at the division chart earlier, and it was true. Her unit had noticeably fewer members than the others.

They could’ve divided the teams more evenly… or so I thought.

No, wait. That might’ve been intentional.

Petra responded quickly to the question.

“That’s exactly why we’ve got reinforcements. There’ve been more sightings near the upper waterways than anywhere else. We’re not leaving them under-defended!”

So, she planned all along to have me and Stiano join her squad. That’s why she’d kept her unit’s numbers down from the start.

It was clear she’d been scheming to slot us in from the beginning.

“Any other questions?”

“If I may?”

“Go ahead.”

Lerval stood up next.

“I understand the reasoning behind the personnel split. However, both the Second and Third Units are heavily staffed with highly trained battle-mages. Even with reinforcements, I’m not convinced the First Unit’s combat strength is sufficient…”

That was a commander’s perspective, and a fair one.

Unlike me, who didn’t know everyone’s individual capabilities in the Mage Corps, Lerval had a detailed grasp of their skill levels.

I could only guess at the power of some of the more famous officers. Beyond that, I didn’t know much.

What was Petra thinking here?

Our reinforcements consisted of me, Stiano, and the unexpected addition of Blatty. Could she really be planning to rely on just the three of us to make up the difference?

“The reinforcements include none other than Sir Aldia=Greitz, personal knight of Lady Valtrune.”

“────!”

“You admire him, Lerval, don’t you? But it seems like you’re still not quite convinced of his strength.”

…Here we go again.

This was obviously about me. I had no idea how Petra could talk about me with such smugness.

Then she went full fanatic, gesturing dramatically like she was preaching to a cult.

“Do you all remember that incident from a few months back?”

A bad feeling crept up my spine.

Her words stirred a buzz among the magic troops gathered for the briefing.

“Yes, I’m talking about the Silent King Aldia Gone Berserk incident!”

I knew it.

The murmur of the crowd swelled noticeably.

“Wait, you mean that one—?”

“Yes. It happened a few months ago. During a battle with a band of thieves, when the task force troops were surrounded, who should appear like a blazing inferno but Sir Aldia=Greitz himself!”

“Ooooh!”

Please stop. Seriously.

It was so embarrassing I couldn’t even look anyone in the eye.

I’d always considered that day a major screw-up—something I never wanted to talk about again.

No matter how impressive it might’ve looked to others, it had been a reckless act. A mistake. Nothing to be proud of.

“He soared into the sky on his wyvern, leapt down midair, and struck a thief with a single blow! Then, faced with thousands—nay, tens of thousands—he charged forward without fear! One of the rescued soldiers later said this: ‘It was the presence of a true king. When Silent King Aldia flew into a rage, the enemy horde was reduced to ashes in an instant!’”

“Woooooo!”

Petra clenched her fist dramatically, as if recounting a true epic.

In reality, I hadn’t fought thousands—just a few dozen at most.

Her exaggerations stirred the crowd into a full-blown cheer.

This was unbearable.

“Hey, Al.”

“…Yeah?”

“Congrats. Looks like your legend just got even bigger.”

I twitched in irritation.

Easy for Stiano to say—it wasn’t his name getting turned into a myth. He could laugh it off like it was nothing. Me? I wanted to crawl into a hole.

I kicked him lightly in the shin and let out a deep sigh.

Stiano went down clutching his leg, his face turning pale like he was on death’s door—but I didn’t care. He deserved it.

“And that, my friends, is the man who will one day save the Empire! Sir Aldia, the personal knight!”

“Sir Aldia! Sir Aldia! Glory to the Empire!”

This is the worst. Seriously.

Despite riling everyone up, Petra just smiled smugly, completely satisfied with herself.

“What a lively and fun atmosphere!” Blatty chimed in innocently.

His cheerful comment pierced me like a dagger straight through the heart.

Please… stop rubbing salt in the wound.