Chapter 346

[Ja-han came looking for me…?]

It seemed unexpected, as Hersela’s voice trembled slightly.

Well, considering Ja-han the Paladin was the mid-boss in Hersela’s episode, he must have been one of her closest confidants. So, this reaction is somewhat understandable.

I guess I should meet him…

Does that mean I have to go through the capital and head east? Now that Leopold has become the emperor, he even sent a personal letter summoning me, so that should be my top priority.

‘What brings him all the way here…? Do you have any guesses?’

[Why wouldn’t I? You slaughtered the White Flag Troops and became a full-fledged traitor, so my Imperial Guard Cavalry must have been branded as traitors and persecuted as well. He probably came to ask for the truth… or maybe he wants to betray Ai-shan and return under my command.]

His tone was a bit scolding.

Well, I should understand. It’s true that I didn’t really care about what would happen to Hersela’s elite warriors.

So, what should I do…?

If he came to ask for the truth, I could just declare Ai-shan as my enemy now. But what if he came to offer himself as my subordinate?

…Should I accept him?

Brushing off the half-burnt cigarette ash, I continued to ponder.

Weighing the pros and cons of accepting him.

…It’s not exactly a pleasant thought, but no matter how I look at it, I’ll probably have to accept him.

If I turn away Ja-han, who came on his own, Hersela might just have a fit.

I’m not sure if Ka`har’s Paladin can adapt to the empire’s culture…

But, as the saying goes, “There are no bad dogs in this world,” so it’s not like there are only bad savages in this world.

With enough “correction,” I should be able to make him adapt somehow.

—

After deciding to head to Landenburg via the capital, I informed everyone.

Damien and Milia decided to follow me to the capital.

They said they’d look for a house to live in together and visit the Remnant Academy.

Honestly, now that they’ve accidentally reached master-level, staying in the academy as members is a bit ridiculous.

The academy is, after all, an institution for training knight-level forces.

There’s not much for master-level individuals to learn there.

Originally, in the game, the academy was just a place for character collection and early-stage training.

They could keep attending if they wanted, but it’s not exactly an attractive option for them.

They’ve reached a level where they could easily lead a knight order, let alone be students.

I must have trained them well, as their growth rate was incredibly fast.

Pain that doesn’t kill Damien only makes him stronger. The old saying isn’t wrong.

“If you’re leaving the academy, how about joining my knight order? It’s much better than becoming a knight for some lord you don’t even know.”

I didn’t miss the chance to make a recruitment offer.

If some random guy snatches away Damien and Milia, whom I’ve trained so well, I’d have no choice but to start a territory war while swallowing my tears.

I’ve built enough connections, and my wealth is starting to accumulate… It’s time to reap the seeds I’ve sown.

Freide, the daughter of a duke, or Lacey, who’s now the Archbishop, might be out of reach, but I plan to recruit everyone else under my banner. I can’t just give away what I’ve worked so hard for, right?

“Your knight order, you mean the Rose Cross Knight Order? Don’t they only accept female knights?”

Damien tilted his head in confusion.

Indeed, as he said, it’s impossible to enlist Damien in the Rose Cross Knight Order.

I could force it, but… seeing Milia’s eyes gleam strangely at the mention of “female knights only,” I can roughly guess what would happen if I tried.

“I never said the Rose Cross Knight Order. I’m planning to create a separate private military group. A small, elite force.”

Think of it as a reserve hero party.

Not a knight order for fighting large numbers of enemies, but an organization for defeating a few powerful foes.

It’s a knight order that will be essential in the future.

There’s a limit to fighting with a haphazardly gathered group like now.

“Hmm… I’m not sure, but what do you think, Milia?”

“Sounds good, right? It means we’ll keep fighting alongside Hasal. I’m in favor. Hasal has helped us a lot so far.”

That’s right, Milia! All that training paid off!

With Milia’s positive response, the hesitant Damien had no choice but to agree.

Even if he’s emotionless, he couldn’t withstand the pressure from his lover, who’d cling to him for three days and nights.

They say marriage is the grave of life, and it’s not for nothing.

Though they’re not married yet.

—

Now, if I can recruit Rana and Ophelia, the hero party’s draft will be complete.

All that’s left is to find additional members and decide on the knight order’s name.

What should the name be?

[A small, elite warrior group… So that’s what you’re planning? Not bad.]

‘Think of it like the Ten Swords of Landenburg. A combat unit made up of masters. Though I’m not sure if I can gather ten.’

Most existing masters already serve a lord, so I’ll have to discover or train new ones, which isn’t easy.

[That’s up to you, isn’t it? Work hard. If you complete it, I’ll grant you a special, splendid name.]

‘…A name?’

I was just thinking about the knight order’s name…

[Let’s see… Hmm… Ah, I’ve got a good name!]

Hersela, who had been muttering to herself, exclaimed with a brighter voice.

…A good name.

For some reason, I didn’t feel any anticipation. How strange.

[The Heavenly Demon Blood Sword Order! Let’s call it that! Doesn’t it sound strong just hearing it?]

Are you insane?

A blood sword-wielding demon god’s order?

Who in their right mind would name a knight order that?

‘…I’d rather go with something like the Radiant Knight Order or the Median Knight Order.’

[Tsk. Even after becoming so strong, your naming sense is still pitiful. Though the Median Knight Order is slightly better.]

Nonsense. Ask a hundred people on the street.

Which is better as a knight order name: the Heavenly Demon Blood Sword Order or the Radiant Knight Order?

If even one person votes for the Heavenly Demon Blood Sword Order, I’ll quit smoking.

—

Unlike the two who decided to follow me, Freide plans to stay at Pailoon Castle for the time being.

She said she’d oversee the basic design and interior decoration of my mansion.

It’s a surprisingly unsettling statement.

When I visit after the mansion is completed, will I find a beastman dissection lab straight out of hell?

I’d like to believe that won’t happen, but considering Freide’s usual tastes, I can’t be sure.

“Then we’ll head back to the capital. You take care too. Don’t do anything too weird.”

“Weird? What do you mean?”

Like decorating your cloak with beastman claws.

I wondered why she collected nails and claws, but then she drilled holes in them, strung them with silver, and draped them over her cloak like a giant necklace.

It looked surprisingly good, so I didn’t say anything.

After saying goodbye to Freide, we headed to the southern gate of Pailoon Castle.

When we arrived at the castle, it was just me, Leonor, Florence, and Rain. But on the way back, our procession included two carriages and thirty-five cavalry.

The entire Rose Cross Knight Order, who had been in the north, joined us on the return journey.

The threat of “quit the knight order if you can’t accept me as your master” must have worked, as they now bow respectfully whenever they see me.

Though I’m not sure about their true feelings.

“The hero of the north is leaving!”

“Long live the Winter Slayer!” “Blessings to the Beastman Devourer!”

As the carriages passed through the gate, the soldiers and northerners returning home cheered in unison.

Winter Slayer. A new nickname that had somehow stuck.

People in this world really love giving nicknames.

Since I killed Ryu-rik, the Winter Wolf and king of the beastmen, they call me the Winter Slayer.

Still, it’s the most satisfying title I’ve received so far.

The Radiant Knight was too embarrassing, and the Beastman Devourer or the Red Empress were a bit unsettling.

I’m not the only one with a nickname.

Leonor was previously called the Rose Princess, but now that she’s stepped down from that position, she’s known as the Rose Knight.

It’s a bit tacky, but if she’s happy with it, that’s all that matters.

Damien and Milia also earned their first nicknames thanks to their achievements in the war and reaching master-level.

‘Damien the Wingless’ and ‘Milia, Arrow of Imela.’

Apparently, I’m not the only one who found Damien’s obsession with jumping attacks strange.

Jumping around without wings must look peculiar to others too.

As for Milia, her obsessive display of affection on the battlefield must have caught people’s attention.

Even though she’s not a follower of Imela, the goddess of love and children, she earned the nickname ‘Arrow of Imela.’

Both nicknames are half-joking, but they’re decent for first titles.

My first nicknames were ‘Ka`har’s Prostitute’ and ‘Beastman Devourer.’ These are better than those.

—

And so, we left Pailoon Castle, leaving the cheers behind.

The frozen corpse hanging above the gate saw us off.

…Frozen corpse?

Ah, I forgot.

There was a soldier who was hung on the gate as a joke after I said I’d make Damien die of overwork.

I can’t believe no one took him down…!

Was everyone too busy to notice?

……I offer my deepest condolences to the soldier who froze to death.