What Are You Doing?

A chilly autumn morning.

The castle’s training ground was filled with the sharp sounds of sword clashes.

A tense duel was in progress between the Knight Commander and Leus, two swordsmen.

Loen’s group stood to one side, watching this.

Clang! Crack!

Both were swordsmen at the highest level of 4-star. Their skills were evenly matched. However, the Knight Commander was a veteran who had been through countless battles. In comparison, Leus had absolutely no practical experience.

Nevertheless, Leus didn’t fall behind.

Sometimes leaping to avoid the sword, trying to catch the opponent off guard with feints, or attempting to break his stance by tripping him – he confused the Knight Commander with unpredictable movements.

‘His combat sense is no joke?’

Loen muttered inwardly.

Unlike his weak and timid outward appearance, Leus’s eyes shone sharply when engaged in combat. As if his personality had completely changed.

As felt during the battle with the assassins, his combat intuition was truly in the realm of natural talent.

Even Loen, who didn’t know much about swordsmanship, could feel that his movements were different.

Eventually, the duel ended in a draw.

“Whew…”

The Knight Commander patted Leus’s panting shoulder, not sparing his praise.

“Amazing, Count. Such skill at your age!”

“Th-thank you for your praise.”

Leus scratched the back of his head with a shy smile. His eyes glanced at Loen.

Loen, who had been watching the duel, gave a small nod.

‘His skills pass for now.’

That afternoon, in Loen’s quarters.

“Loen, Loen! So what are you going to do with Count Leus? I absolutely support recruiting him!”

Psyche, lying on her stomach on the bed, shouted while stomping her feet.

They had already shared the story about establishing Investigation Division Team 2. And both had already given definite answers about joining Team 2.

Therefore, the reason why Psyche was so excited and voicing her support was, well, obvious without even looking.

Seraphine, sitting in a chair and filing her nails, chided her.

“You’re not just blindly supporting because you want to escape being the youngest, are you?”

“No, I’m not?”

Seeing Psyche’s tail suddenly stop wagging, it seemed Seraphine had hit the mark.

For reference, after discussing the establishment of Team 2, Seraphine and Psyche had agreed to set aside formalities with each other.

Of course, this came after Psyche’s one-sided pleading and Seraphine’s reluctant acceptance. But since Seraphine was the older one, Psyche still used honorifics with her.

Loen, sitting with his legs crossed, spoke.

“I’m also positive about recruiting him. However, we need to first verify if he has sufficient qualities as an inspector.”

Since the Investigation Division’s work was by no means light, it was necessary to verify whether there would be any issues beyond his abilities.

Seraphine looked up from her nails and asked.

“That means you want to take him along and observe him, right?”

“That’s right.”

“What about Haven? It’s a major city, so we can’t just entrust it to anyone.”

Seraphine was right.

Being an important strategic city connected to the gateway, the city’s management needed to be entrusted to a reliable person.

“If the Count accepts, I plan to send a letter to Johan requesting the dispatch of capable deputies and administrators.”

Loen added.

“Anyway, that’s a matter for later. What’s important is his own intention. We need to ask if he’s interested in the Inspection Corps first. He might refuse.”

Seraphine murmured meaningfully.

“Hmm, I bet he’ll definitely accept?”

“On what basis?”

At Loen’s puzzled look, Seraphine and Psyche exchanged glances and simultaneously shrugged.

“Who knows~”

Shortly after, Leus, summoned by Loen, entered the room with a very tense expression.

“Y-you called for me, Inspector Loen.”

He shrank back considerably under the three pairs of eyes staring intently at him.

Well, aside from them being beautiful women with sparkling eyes, they were also individuals with overwhelming presence and strong personalities. It was understandable that he would be tense.

Loen asked directly.

“Count Leus. Are you interested in becoming an inspector?”

“An inspector… you say?”

Leus’s gaze briefly lingered on Loen’s black uniform.

The Imperial Inspection Corps…

He was well aware of its reputation, but didn’t have much interest. He was already struggling just to protect the territory inherited from his father. His personality, which lacked strong ambition for power, also played a part.

Seeing Leus lost in thought,

Loen was preparing his next move for persuasion.

‘Honestly, even I would say I’m not interested if I were in his position.’

Typically, a noble who rules a major city has no reason to choose to be an inspector. When one can live comfortably in their own territory, why deliberately choose the dangerous path of an inspector?

In fact, among the noble youth who joined the Inspection Corps, those who had inherited territories as first sons or daughters could be counted on one hand.

Therefore, Loen thought it highly likely that Leus would also give a negative answer. How should he convince him well—

Just then, Leus answered.

It was an answer far from Loen’s expectation.

“I’m interested! No, very interested!”

For a moment, Loen was inwardly taken aback.

‘What? Even with having inherited such a large city, he’s interested in becoming an inspector?’

Seraphine, watching this.

Nodded as if she had expected it.

And so Leus joined the group.

Loen immediately sent a letter requesting the dispatch of administrative personnel to manage Haven.

Meanwhile, public sentiment in Haven was truly soaring to the skies.

The legion’s brave stand against the invading demons and the beam magic that cut through the sky like streams of judgment.

The city’s residents, who had witnessed a scene straight out of mythology, almost revered Loen as a savior.

At this point, it was even confusing who was actually the lord.

“Did you see the beams of light cutting through the sky, everyone!”

“If it weren’t for the legion led by Lord Loen, we’d have been food for those vicious demons by now!”

“Loyalty to Lord Loen who saved Haven!”

Whenever Loen went out to inspect the streets to check the restoration progress, citizens would invariably rush out and pour out enthusiastic cheers.

‘Maybe I should wear a hood…’

Of course, Loen, the subject of this attention, was nearly going crazy from the pressure.

It would be better if they were trembling in fear. But this blatant adoration was, well, making him cringe involuntarily.

Anyway, that’s how it was.

“Wow! Hurray, guk.”

Psyche, who had just received a light blow to the head from Loen, grumbled.

Why only me when those people are left alone..!

After completing the inspection, Loen returned to the castle and held a meeting with his staff officers.

“Let’s start the final meeting.”

At Loen’s words, the staff officers all nodded in unison.

“How is the soldiers’ morale?”

“It’s at its peak!”

Thanks to successfully repelling the demon invasion they had only heard about in rumors, the legion’s morale was sky-high.

Especially the experience and confidence gained through this battle were the greatest achievements.

“Some soldiers and officers are even worshiping the new weapons! They’re even giving their weapons names like they were lovers…”

“Enough.”

Loen raised his hand to stop the staff officer’s overflowing words.

“I apologize. I got too excited…”

Loen waved his hand dismissively and turned to another staff officer.

“What about casualty reports?”

“Casualties amount to about three hundred men. The rest all suffered only minor injuries.”

Loen nodded with satisfaction.

It was a very small loss for having faced an unexpected invasion. If it had been the traditional legion, there would have been at least thousands of casualties.

Anyway, it was now time to head to the next destination.

“I’m sure everyone has heard the news from the Imperial Palace?”

“Yes!”

There wasn’t a single officer who didn’t know about the removal of various restrictions surrounding the legion. It was that big of a shock.

“Some of the staff should return to the South and begin recruiting additional troops.”

“May I ask how large a recruitment you’re considering?”

To the operations staff officer’s question, Loen answered as if it wasn’t a big deal.

“As many as possible.”

Still, it wasn’t like the forces would explosively increase in a short period. Recruiting troops across the vast South wasn’t an easy task either.

‘Maybe a few thousand will join? Anyway, let’s plan for a major additional recruitment when the western expedition ends.’

At that moment, the staff officers exchanged glances with each other. And they did so with very enthusiastic looks.

“Also, ensure that additional equipment being produced is delivered to the main force through the supply routes as soon as it arrives.”

“Yes!”

Just as Loen was about to end the meeting, the intelligence staff officer raised his hand.

“Commander. I have something to report.”

“What is it?”

“According to scout investigations, there are rumors in cities around the fortress that the Western Legion Commander has gone mad and is holed up inside the fortress. It may be related to internal division.”

Loen tilted his head.

‘A 6-star expert gone mad?’

That was something even a passing dog would laugh at. Surely someone had intervened, and it was most likely a high-ranking demon.

Considering the large-scale appearance of demons in Haven, it wasn’t just a possibility; it was a certainty.

In any case, they couldn’t afford to give the enemy time.

‘Let’s ignore the minor issues and quickly finish the core objective. That’s right.’

Loen’s eyes flashed coldly.

“Complete the preparations for departure as quickly as possible.”

“Yes!”

On the way to the Western Legion fortress.

Psyche, who had moved forward by pulling her horse, asked Leus who had joined their group.

Her tail swayed with curiosity.

“Lord Leus, are you really confident? The work of an inspector will be much more difficult than you think~”

Leus hesitated for a moment at the sudden question, but soon answered vigorously.

“Yes! Just assign me anything! I’ll do my best!”

It’s not like he was a newly enlisted soldier.

At his bold declaration, Loen and some staff officers let out a chuckle.

Psyche whispered to Leus.

“You’ve probably heard the rumors, but Loen is an extremely straightforward person? You’ll soon understand what I mean, so you should really prepare yourself mentally.”

Seeing Psyche acting like a senior already trying to teach this and that, Seraphine, riding a horse behind, shook her head.

She’s really excited. She’ll get muscle pain in her tail at this rate.

Speaking of the chilling rumors surrounding Loen?

Of course, Leus had heard them multiple times.

But rumors are just rumors.

Take the execution of Bishop Marcus and his faction.

Far from blindly beheading them, didn’t Loen identify the flaws in their logic, extract a confession from the bishop through interrogation, and carry out the execution through a somewhat proper procedure?

In Leus’s view, while Loen’s methods might be rough, he was quite rational and not at all ruthless.

Near a small city located on the way to the fortress.

Loen briefly pulled the reins to stop his horse, then extended his hand to Psyche.

“Psyche, give me those documents.”

“Here you go!”

Psyche quickly handed over a stack of documents. Loen, still on horseback, glanced through the papers and murmured quietly.

“So the lord is a traitor…”

Sure enough. As the legion approached the city, the city gates closed with a thud.

It was like they were shouting their suspicions with their entire body.

Eventually, the city’s defense commander placed his hands on the parapet of the wall and shouted in a loud voice—

“Due to unfortunate internal matters, the city is sealed, wait you madman! Dodge!!”

Boom!!

The firmly closed city gate was shattered into pieces by Loen’s magic bullet.

“Let’s go.”

After ordering the legion to stand by, Loen entered through the gate with his party. Leus followed behind in a daze.

Eh, what? Is this allowed? Shouldn’t we at least try talking first?

While Leus’s mind was in confusion, his horse was already moving forward.

They soon arrived at the lord’s mansion.

In the mansion’s reception room, among the terrified lord and his vassals, Loen listed the lord’s crimes in a cold voice.

Then he declared immediate execution.

“W-wait, I have something to say! This is a misunderstanding! I am innocent—”

The lord tried desperately to explain, but his words were never completed.

Slash!

It was because Loen’s mana sword had severed his head.

“Kyaaah!”

“M-My Lord…”

While the faces of vassals and maids turned pale.

Leus also froze in place with his mouth wide open.

W-what is this!?

It was the moment he faced the truth.

Then Loen, as if nothing had happened, lightly shook the blood from his sword and ordered Psyche.

“Psyche, take care of this.”

“Yes.”

However, Psyche’s behavior was quite different from usual.

Instead of moving at Loen’s command, she was just staring fixedly at Leus.

“?”

At this, Loen and Seraphine gave her a look as if asking what she was doing.

Then Psyche, with an innocent smile, said to Leus.

“What are you doing? Lord Leus?”

Loen, who knew very well the meaning of this behavior… involuntarily covered his forehead with his hand.

“…Pardon?”

As Leus asked with wide round eyes, Psyche opened her mouth again.

“Don’t just stand there blankly, move quickly.”

“Ah…”

In the end, the cleanup was entirely Leus’s responsibility.

Afterwards, Loen led the legion swiftly toward the Western Legion fortress.