The meaning was clear: do you want to be split in two like the pens in the trash bin?

Unfortunately, Tilis Garta did not catch on. She was as obtuse in daily matters as Canis, the captain of the guard.

With a sorrowful expression, Tilis shook her head.

“No, my aspiration is the captain.”

“So you want to live long?”

“Even if I live long, if the captain lives longer than me, how can I become the captain? I simply admire today’s captain.”

Asphayren once again realized that there was no reasoning with this child.

Then, his tension eased. Idly twirling a pen with one hand, Asphayren rubbed his temple with the other.

“…What do you admire?”

In a mood to hear nonsense just to clear his head, Asphayren tossed a curt question at Tilis.

Tilis answered excitedly, as if she had been waiting for this moment.

“You see, the captain is on vacation today, isn’t he?”

Canis, who was in charge of His Lordship’s close escort, was allowed to take two days off a month. On those days, another captain of the guard, who was on vacation, would fill the role.

That’s why Tilis, who was originally on vacation today, was here on duty.

“Why did he have to take today off? I had important plans!”

“Take a break if you want. Go and rest as long as you like.”

“No, not too long! I’m just missing a few hours.”

She seemed relieved to get that off her chest. The senseless and clueless Tilis grumbled.

“All I need is just enough time to keep my appointment.”

“What appointment was it?”

“You see, Miss Shuria invited the knights who are on vacation today to the breeding farm!”

Snap.

Upon hearing the sharply piercing word ‘Shuria,’ the pen rolling on Asphayren’s hand disintegrated into dust.

Shuria. That damn Shuria.
Asphayren tossed the pen newly offered by Tilris to the corner of the desk and stood by the window. Tilris, still unaware of the mood, followed closely and chattered.

“Perhaps the captain and the other knights are all having a good time?”

“……”

“So, my lord, you have no plans to visit the ranch today?”

“Why would I go there?”

Asphayren retorted sharply. That insufferable name, which he had taken pains to push out of his mind, was taking over again. It was maddening.

Asphayren took a small breath. He needed to calm down. Collect his thoughts.

For the time being, he should avoid going near the ranch. At least until he was sure he’d never have that grotesque dream again……

But then, a thought struck him hard.

…Come to think of it, yesterday the knights said they’d go to Shuria tomorrow. Was that what they meant by the appointment?

That means the guys who had been spouting nonsense about wanting to take hamsters or rabbits to Shuria are there right now.

“……”

It’s irritating.

Asphayren’s mind raced. Unlike his usual objective analysis of situations, he was considering only what would benefit him.

An irritation had emerged. Then it had to be eliminated. My instincts are accurate, and if I don’t act in time, it could become a hassle.

Yes, to resolve the problem, he’d have to go to the ranch as soon as possible.

This was definitely not for Shuria. It was to eliminate the irritation.

Ignoring the source of his irritation, Asphayren strode towards the door. Tilris nervously asked from behind,

“Where are you going?”

“Cleaning.”

“Excuse me?”

Asphayren moved without hesitation, and Tilris hastily followed.

And when they got outside the palace, Asphayren had already disappeared.

He’d used spatial magic.

“Aaah! My lord!”

Kwaaang, the abandoned escort knight wailed.

But his lord couldn’t care less whether his escort knight cried out or not.

The afternoon air, warmer than yesterday’s, gently blew in.

In my cozy ranch on this fine day, a cold tension was swirling.

I clenched my fists and looked around. Surrounded by knights boasting imposing statures and well-defined muscles.

All of them had seriously stern faces. I was probably the same. I quietly muttered, rubbing my hands together.

“So… shall we begin now?”

“The time has come.”

“Good.”

The knights nodded solemnly. Good. I took a small breath.

And then I solemnly shouted, raising one fist.

“Operation name, ‘Dog Wash’!”

“Begin!”

Urya! Urya! Urya!

We all enthusiastically shook our fists and shouted. Like primitive people dancing a dance of prayer before a hunt, we circled around.

The reason I was doing something this strange, even calling the busy knights, had its own justification.

To explain the situation, the story goes back a few weeks.