Ch.574574. Complete Annihilation (2)

When I met Sharenne, the leader of the Beastkin Special Forces, a status window appeared.

That beastkin overflowing with wildness, looking like she could twist an orc’s neck for hunting, had warned me about losing my position and cautioned me against corruption.

After hearing all sorts of things, I had no time to organize my thoughts as preparations for the complete eradication operation of the demon realm continued steadily.

‘Still, it seems the beastkin unit will stay at the County a bit longer.’

For now, I decided to take more time thinking about this Sharenne person and focus on what needed to be done.

So, at the command post inside the central building of the pioneer base, after coordinating:

“Nothing is more inefficient than having excessive troops wandering in areas where purification isn’t completely finished. It’s unreasonable to drag around our County’s special task force and the entire Baronial army.”

“We should just station troops separately at each supply base where the church priests have successfully stabilized. Those who are fatigued can immediately switch positions with others when they arrive at each base, allowing us to carry out the operation longer.”

Perhaps because they’d worked together in the demon realm for some time, they seemed to understand each other quite well. I just added a few words to their smooth progress.

“Count Siabel, didn’t you say this operation is significant not only for eradication but also for finding other ruins?”

“As Lord Sharenne said. As such, I was thinking of focusing on soldiers with excellent search abilities when heading toward some candidate sites.”

“Then it would be good to concentrate beastkin at nearby supply bases. Beastkin have innate senses of smell and vision that can see a little farther and more clearly than humans.”

“Good. But for searching… the Rangers in our special forces shouldn’t be underestimated either.”

“Underestimated? How could I underestimate the Rangers who follow Count Siabel when they’ve contributed to so many successful battles?”

After they finished praising each other and deciding how to distribute and lead the troops, Siabel, who had been looking at Sharenne, finally turned toward us. It was our turn to talk.

“And I’d like our original owner, Sione, to command the special task force. What do you think, Sione?”

“There’s no problem. But if I take command of the special task force, then sister—”

“The Baronial army has its own captains and brother-in-law, so there’s nothing to worry about. This time, I want to experience battle differently, not with the special task force but with Lord Sharenne.”

At Siabel’s words, Sione carefully looked at Sharenne.

“If Lord Sharenne is okay with it…”

“Of course. Rather, it’s an opportunity to work more closely with Count Siabel. We’ve already discussed it.”

“That’s good then. Ah, and would you speak comfortably to me as you do with my sister?”

“Would that be, appropriate?”

“I’d actually feel more comfortable that way. Please. Come on, Ray, hurry up too.”

Indeed, that awkward way of speaking did feel a bit jarring every time I heard it.

Thanks to putting aside some formalities, a friendly atmosphere emerged.

In the midst of this, I focused on Sharenne’s expression and words as her demeanor changed slightly.

“I’ve heard much about Lord Sione.”

“About me?”

“Your heroic tales have spread even to our Beastkin Alliance, beyond the kingdom. It’s an honor to stand on the same battlefield as Lord Sione. Additionally.”

Sharenne’s sharp gaze turned toward me.

“The same goes for Baron Karpel. I’ve heard that you lords are warriors who know justice and honor even among us beastkin.”

Her eyes, meeting mine, were unwavering.

The steadfast appearance of someone who views, understands, and accepts the world through their own righteous perspective.

Unlike Siabel, who had already made her judgment, we were first-time acquaintances and seemed to have just been placed on her mental examination table.

Arrogant nobles might find such straightforwardness disrespectful, but at least I—

‘She warned me to be careful that Sharenne doesn’t become corrupted.’

I could vaguely guess the meaning from her appearance, which reflected her will like solid steel.

“I only grow more expectant at the opportunity to witness your strength.”

It would be precisely when that standard and principle of hers breaks.

When the corruption that the status window directly warned me to be careful of comes to her.

* * *

“It is most fortunate that Princess Adelheid has returned safely.”

“Lady Eunice Kallia. No, now that you’ve become the head of the family, I should call you Marchioness. I’m delighted that the kingdom’s sturdy shield has come out to the border to welcome me.”

“It is the greatest honor. From now on, the elite knights of the Marquisate of Kallia will escort the princess.”

“I gladly accept that courtesy.”

“Then I shall personally guard the princess’s carriage—”

“That won’t be necessary, Marchioness.”

Adelheid declined as the Marchioness tried to board the carriage to escort her personally.

With an inscrutable expression, she said:

“I’ve been lonely riding alone in the carriage on my way back to the kingdom. I’d prefer if the Marchioness would keep me company rather than guard me. What do you think?”

“Gladly.”

Sensing the hidden meaning in those subtle words, Eunice Kallia carefully boarded Adelheid’s carriage.

The delegation began moving forward again, escorted by the elite forces of the Marquisate of Kallia.

Inside the quiet carriage, the mountainous terrain of the Marquisate, often called a natural fortress, made for a rough journey, especially near the border. After slowly advancing for a while, they finally reached a well-packed dirt road. As the carriage gained speed and the scenery outside passed by pleasantly, Adelheid finally spoke.

“Marchioness Kallia. It seems we need to strengthen the border security for a while.”

“Strengthen the security, you say?”

“Yes. On the way back… some Imperial lackeys briefly attached themselves to our delegation. The reason we returned two days later than initially reported to the Marquisate was because it took time to get rid of those pests.”

“…To act so cowardly even at a place meant for peace talks. That’s the Empire for you.”

Eunice’s expression soured.

She already had considerable combat experience with Imperial troops who had attempted to cross the border multiple times.

Even though they had reached the point of discussing peace, to Eunice, the Empire was still an untrustworthy neighbor, practically an enemy.

“We eliminated all those who attached themselves to us. But other uninvited guests might have already entered the kingdom, or might try to in the future. It wouldn’t hurt to be cautious. What do you think, Marchioness?”

“I will maintain a stricter and more certain state of alert than what appears on the surface.”

Adelheid smiled with satisfaction at Eunice, who understood these matters better than anyone.

She shifted her gaze from the window to the young Marchioness before her.

“The capital and central politics will be bustling for a while. But this is all just the aftermath of what we gained from this exchange with the Empire.”

The sunlight pouring through the carriage window gave Adelheid’s purple hair a dreamlike quality.

Perhaps it was because she had the blood of a dragon, but not only her atmosphere but also her calm voice had a charm that could bewitch people.

“Many news will reach us in the future, but I want the Marquisate to focus solely on checking the Empire for the sake of the kingdom, the royal family, and the role and honor your family has maintained.”

Beyond the noisy commotion that would come to the central politics and the capital, and beyond the numerous news that would reach the Marquisate of Kallia.

In such a situation, rather than expressing any opinion, she was asking them to be faithful only to their role, hinting at something big to come. For a moment, Eunice felt a great curiosity rise and wanted to ask why, but:

“I will follow your orders, just for the kingdom.”

She suppressed her curiosity and simply followed the command.

Sometimes, it’s wiser to just do as usual without showing excessive interest.

Nodding slightly at Eunice’s response, Adelheid began looking out the window again.

Looking up at the sun in the sky, she murmured:

“The weather is nice.”

As if welcoming her return to the kingdom, the sky was clear blue without a single cloud.

The sky seemed to be telling her that what she was about to do would proceed just as high and noble as its current appearance.

‘How does Amelie see that sky?’

She wondered if Amelie saw that sky as the Empire, or as herself within the kingdom that was overthrowing the Empire’s power.

At this thought, Adelheid let out a light laugh.

‘Well, never mind. Soon Amelie’s sky will fall.’

She was simply planning to depose her younger sister.