Chapter 8 : Imperial Hearing (2)

Surprisingly, the hearings were held so frequently that they could be considered an annual event.

It was because the nobles had a passive habit of blowing things out of proportion and nitpicking over trivial matters.

However, it was rare for a hearing to be held over a baseless rumor whose credibility was even questioned.

Especially if the subject was a hero who had overwhelming support.

If the rumor had not been related to the kingdom, the opinions of a few nobles would have been easily dismissed.

Unfortunately, her rumor was indeed related to the kingdom.

The people of the Empire mostly—no, almost entirely—hated the kingdom to an extreme degree.

To the point where there was even a saying that no one would even relieve themselves in the direction of the kingdom.

That’s how terrible the relationship between the Empire and the kingdom was.

But the hero who saved the Empire turned out to be a villainess exiled from the kingdom?

There was no way they could just let that slide.

Or, if not that, they might have obtained solid evidence.

‘It’s unlikely to be the latter, given that it’s just a baseless rumor. It’s probably the former.

Even if it’s the latter, I’ve prepared for it, so there’s no problem.’

What she sought was peace, not the hassle of dealing with unnecessary troubles.

If, by any chance, it was revealed that she was indeed a villainess, things would get annoyingly complicated.

Of course, as a war hero, she had prepared for such a possibility, but having no memories related to her body made it all the more troublesome if they used her past against her.

Still, she had no intention of being easily defeated.

It wasn’t as if it was the first time the nobles had nitpicked over something insignificant.

This time wouldn’t be much different either.

“Captain, may I ask you a question?”

A young man with striking black hair and a statue-like handsome appearance opened his mouth.

Uncomfortably, he sat opposite her, staring at Wolfgang without the slightest movement.

At this, Wolfgang almost frowned.

What nonsensical thing was this clear-eyed madman going to say this time?

Honestly, she didn’t want to allow him to speak, but she had no excuse not to.

“…Speak.”

“Wouldn’t it be easier to just wipe out all the nobles?”

Damn it.

Crazy bastard.

For someone who looked so calm and composed, his actions and words were extreme to the point of absurdity.

They say a quiet cat climbs onto the stove first, and she never thought she’d see that saying in action.

But surprisingly, Black’s question was somewhat reasonable.

Wolfgang Leonhardt, the hero who led the Winter War to victory.

Of course, there were those who envied and resented her, but far more people believed in and followed her.

Her strength was even overwhelming, wasn’t it?

Yet, despite that, except for a few cases, she allowed herself to be taken too easily.

“If you wanted, Captain, you could take control of this country.

Who could possibly stop you?”

“Black, I know you hate humans, but that’s enough.”

“・・・・・・I’m speaking with the Captain right now, Galina.”

The meaning behind his words was clear.

It meant, ‘Stay out of the conversation and shut up.’

Naturally, if she had backed down at that remark, she wouldn’t have earned the nickname ‘Mad Dog.’

The atmosphere inside the carriage froze in an instant.

For a moment, it felt as though the winter of the apocalypse had returned.

Galina’s eyes, transformed like those of a beast, glared at Black.

However, Black didn’t even glance at Galina.

His ocean-like blue eyes were fixed solely on Wolfgang.

Feeling the pressure, Wolfgang opened his mouth.

“Enough, Black.”

“My apologies.”

“The apology should be to Galina, not me.”

“…I’m sorry, Galina.”

“Captain, I understand why you made that choice.”

Only then did Black turn his gaze toward Galina.

But this time, Galina didn’t even look at Black.

Wolfgang’s expression wasn’t particularly pleasant as he watched.

From her perspective, it just looked like two bombs were fighting each other.

And if one of them couldn’t hold back and exploded?

Peace would be gone just like that.

“Fine, let’s hear it.”

“It’s because you, Captain, are a true hero!”

“…??”

“Hmm, I can’t deny that.”

A reason that no one had expected came out.

Even Black nodded his head vigorously at Galina’s words.

What is this?

Why are they suddenly teaming up?

Wait a minute.

Calm down.

In Wolfgang’s eyes, this situation was a complete mess.

For now, he decided not to ask why Galina’s eyes had turned into hearts.

“Why did you come to that conclusion?”

“Didn’t you always say, Captain, that you didn’t want to bring another conflict to the Empire?”

“Yes, I did.”

“That’s exactly why.”

Of course, since the middle of the Winter War, reconstruction work had been in full swing in the southern regions.

But aside from the south, other places were still suffering from the aftermath of the Winter War.

Now, even with everyone working together to restore the damage, it wasn’t enough.

And if a conflict broke out now? Let me be clear.

The Empire would suffer irreparable damage.

That’s why the Captain endures humiliation and disgrace.

Not for something as petty as power, but for the innocent citizens of the Empire.

That was the reason she thought.

“I understand, but is there really a need to worry that much?”

“Black.”

Of course, Black, who hated humans, raised an objection.

Then, Galina’s heart-filled eyes instantly changed. Her eyes, now lifeless like a corpse, overwhelmed even Black.

“We are nothing more than tools of the Captain, aren’t we?”

“That’s right.”

“A tool should act like a tool. Shouldn’t you be loyal to the commander’s will?”

“I understand.”

Shit. What exactly did you understand?

It’s true that Wolfgang said such things to Vendetta, including Galina.

But for her, who fought for her survival, could there really be any such noble purpose?

‘The path to a legal discharge is already completely blocked. If I ignore that and recklessly discharge myself, Vendetta… I don’t even want to imagine it.’

Wolfgang’s concerns were deepening with each passing day.

Oh.

The capital city they arrived at sparkled with a grandeur that hadn’t existed in the past.

It was as if only radiant glory lay ahead for the Empire.

Soon, the carriage arrived at the Imperial Palace after a long time, and only then could Wolfgang finally feel a sense of relief.

For the three days on the way to the palace, Galina and Black had clashed several times, and every time, Wolfgang had to step in and break them apart.

‘I feel like I’m going to collapse from exhaustion.’

It wasn’t a lie.

Compared to the battle at the Bares River, where they fought non-stop for three days, this was far more exhausting.

Back then, he just had to beat them down, but now he couldn’t even do that.

“Phew, it’s hot.”

It was only May, but the Empire was already boasting some rather hot weather, as if it were already summer.

Well, I should be thankful I can even feel the heat.

After all, in the past, no part of the Empire ever felt warm.

While the southern regions were said to be warm during the summer, she, who had spent the last ten years in the north, had never once experienced that warmth during the winter wars.

Perhaps because the weather was quite hot, Wolfgang instinctively loosened a few buttons on his uniform.

This was because, even after ten years, her tendencies were still closer to that of a man.

Of course, given her physical body, it wasn’t as if she wasn’t affected at all, but she was still more like a man for now.

However, the problem was that her body was not male, but female.

Through the gaps in her slightly unbuttoned uniform, her sweat-covered, pale skin was exposed. Naturally, it caught the eye of Black, who had been watching Wolfgang.

“Commander.”

“What is it?”

“….My disguise has come undone.”

As Black said, it was clear that the chest, which had been so flat it made one doubt if she was really a man, had now formed a large mound.

And in that moment, her hand moved.

Her disposition was certainly closer to that of a man, but the form tends to change depending on the vessel.

Occasionally, without even realizing it herself, feminine actions would slip out.

That was more instinctual than anything.

She covered her chest with both arms and turned her upper body to the side.

Yes, just like a bashful girl.

It was an adorable action, but even so, she seemed completely unaware of it herself.

She calmly rebuttoned the undone buttons.

Before long, the mound disappeared, and a flat surface took its place.

“Sorry about that, it seems the spell wore off.”

“No, it’s fine.”

Her girlish actions came as quite a shock to Black.

It was enough to make even the iron-willed Black stagger.

For reference, Gallina had already fainted.

“Recently, my chest has gotten so big. It seems the spell wears off if I undo just a few buttons.”

“Is… is that so?”

“Yeah. But what’s with her?”

Wolfgang pointed at Gallina, who had collapsed on the floor, and asked the question.

But this time, even Black couldn’t give a proper answer and just worked hard to avoid Wolfgang’s gaze.