“Interesting.”

It was an unexpected response. Kailem looked at Cledius’s expression with disbelieving eyes. Surprisingly, he was reading the report with a faint smile on his lips.

What part was interesting? The fact that the Emperor’s guards were swept away by a few mercenaries? Or the skills of the mercenary group? Kailem waited for Cledius’s next words with his lips tightly sealed.

“The Rikas Mercenary Group… It doesn’t seem we’ve contracted them before.”

“Yes. They mainly contracted with small countries near the north. Or they took on minor errands.”

“That can’t be. They must have done work off the records.”

Assassinations, perhaps, or the elimination of political opponents. To carry out such tasks, they couldn’t have lacked skill. Cledius’s mind raced. Three or four members had subdued twice as many guards. They were certainly not ordinary individuals.

“What does the Captain of the Guards think?”

“That’s…”

“You may speak frankly. I already suspect that the guards’ skills have deteriorated significantly.”

“I apologize, Your Majesty. It’s shameful.”

“No. It’s my oversight for not empowering the Captain of the Guards.”

At Cledius’s words tinged with a sigh, Kailem’s head lowered. Despite his position as the leader of the imperial guards, Kailem Western had been granted almost no real authority. He was just a captain in name, nothing more than an empty shell with a fancy title.

There were no factions to support Kailem, who was neither of noble birth nor a graduate of the military academy. Despite his distinguished service since the time of the previous emperor, the nobles deliberately ignored Kailem due to his low-born status.

And the Emperor couldn’t completely disregard the nobles’ opinions. They were the ones supporting the wars Cledius waged. If the nobles wavered and lost power, naturally, the Emperor’s position would also become precarious.

Caught between this invisible tug-of-war of power, Kailem began to answer the question he had momentarily set aside.

“Their skills are not at rock bottom. As they mainly operate in the north, they haven’t contracted with the Empire, but…”

“Then they must be familiar with the northern geography.”

The folder in Cledius’s hand fell onto the desk with a thud. The Emperor’s interest had shifted from the incident caused by the guards to the mercenary group.

The north was a place Cledius’s hand had not yet reached. A vast plain appearing beyond the rugged mountain range. There, many tribes had established their own territories and led nomadic lives.

The north was not simply a wide and barren land. It was an undiscovered territory, a hidden treasure yet to be fully revealed.

‘If we could plant the Empire’s flag there as well…’

It was perfect. Seeing Cledius’s lips curl up slightly, Kailem looked down at the thrown folder with mixed feelings.

The Emperor would prepare for war again. He wouldn’t strike the north immediately, but would likely move to occupy a small city-state nearby that had claimed neutrality.

The problem was that dissatisfaction was erupting among the regular troops heading to the battlefield. It was natural, given that while some were fighting and sacrificing, the imperial guards enjoyed all sorts of privileges.

Moreover, once admitted to the imperial guards, many didn’t even bother with proper training or management. The complacency of only being tasked with guarding the Emperor in name, rather than being directly deployed to the frontlines, had made the officers lazy.

Getting into the imperial guards was considered a successful life. The arrogance of thinking it natural to enjoy privileges had melted like oil, filling their brains.

In the current situation, reorganization rather than conquest would have been a much wiser and correct choice. Everything from the military academy to the imperial guards and the nobles’ complacent attitudes needed to be thoroughly overhauled.

But the Emperor showed no interest in such matters. He moved as if only war and conquest made Cledius’s heart race.

The fierce desire to possess everything he wanted burned in his red eyes.

The Emperor’s gaze clawed at Kailem’s conscience as it passed by. He organized the words he had to say before Cledius, closing his eyes tightly before opening them again.

“Your Majesty. I have one request.”

“What is it?”

“It’s regarding the imperial guards.”

As soon as the words ‘imperial guards’ were uttered, Cledius’s eyebrows twitched. Though he realized it was an uncomfortable topic he didn’t want to hear, Kailem continued.

“We need to adjust so that officers are obligated to train. If left as is, it will be a great disgrace in serving Your Majesty. Also, the criteria for selecting imperial guards from the military academy should be reorganized…”

“We’ll consider that later. Kailem Western, those don’t seem to be the words that should be coming from your mouth right now.”

The Captain of the Guards’ fist clenched, but soon relaxed. He had no choice but to bow again before the Emperor.

“…I apologize.”

“I quite like you. You’re quick-witted.”

Now the Captain of the Guards’ task was clear. Kailem knew what the Emperor was concerned about.

To cover up the incident caused by the imperial guards, they needed to focus people’s attention elsewhere.

If news spread that the Emperor himself had hired a mercenary group, naturally, interest would shift to these outsiders from the north.

Cledius rose from his chair and approached Kailem. His hand rested on Kailem’s shoulder. Was it his imagination, or did the hand feel heavy?

“I’ll inform a journalist from a newspaper with ties to the royal family in advance. The article… I’ll have it break in about a day.”

“I understand. And I want to see the mercenaries in person. Where are they now?”

**

“…My ears are itching.”

“Why, Luth. Feel like someone’s talking about us again?”

“Quite a lot…”

“How many of those guys were there yesterday? Just counting them, you’ll be itchy all day. Don’t scratch too hard, you’ll hurt your ears.”

It was just transitioning from morning to afternoon. They needed to hurry as much as possible. The Rikas Mountains were not a short distance by any means. But the hands of the members packing their belongings were dripping with reluctance.

“The weather’s nice, it would be good to stay a few more days.”

“Everyone’s waiting. There are guys who envied us for coming here, we should get back quickly.”

“I wish we could take on one more mission here…”

“Eddie, your words might come true. I’d rather have a job we could do without thinking, like in the old days. Getting hired for a war or someone…”

The members’ chatter ceased. As if they had kept their ears open to the situation outside, everyone looked towards the window with cautious eyes.

Luth, who was closest, carefully pulled back the curtain and peered outside while hiding his appearance as much as possible.

“…It’s them.”

Tsk. Lailo clicked his tongue lightly. It must be people from the imperial guards, they never let things go quietly. He grumbled while finishing packing his bundle.

“What should we do? If we get caught, it might become more troublesome.”

Before the mercenary group could hesitate, a knocking sound was immediately heard. Lailo tried to step forward first, but Lebel held him back and took the lead.

He approached the door, ready to subdue and flee if necessary.

“Are you boys still here?”

The low whispering voice of a middle-aged woman was heard. For a very brief moment, relief enveloped the four. When the door opened, the innkeeper’s figure was visible, checking the stairs.

Perhaps due to the sudden situation, her voice was tinged with embarrassment and worry.

“Th-those imperial guard guys are here. Looks like they’re trying to pick a fight over yesterday’s incident…”

“The rumors have spread this far already? That’s fast.”

“Everyone’s been talking about it from dawn yesterday until now. Quickly, go out through the back door. We’ll cover for you somehow.”

“You’ll just end up in a difficult position, ma’am.”

“It’s not like this is the first or second time. It happens surprisingly often. Those imperial guard bastards raid inns and boarding houses, saying they’re catching remnants of the republican faction, and take people away.”

Like at the Clover Pub, it seemed everyone had a lot of pent-up complaints against the imperial guards. Through the open door, noise could be heard coming up from the first floor.

The anxious innkeeper gestured towards the room, urging them to hurry. But the mercenary group just looked at each other, exchanging light smiles, and calmly continued packing. Lailo tied his backpack tightly with a meaningful smile.

“Ma’am, we’re not strangers to this kind of treatment either.”

“We have our pride and dignity, running away doesn’t suit a mercenary group’s principles.”

“Still, this time the opponent is the imperial guards. Things have gotten messy.”

Lebel spat out. His long experience as a mercenary was giving orders to his body.

In situations like this, assume the worst possible outcome and act accordingly. Vague positive thinking only makes the body slack and dulls the flow of thoughts.

What kind of trouble were they trying to pick over last night’s incident? An expulsion order would be fortunate. In the worst case, they could be imprisoned in the imperial dungeon.

‘No, perhaps…’

Lebel recalled the woman he had encountered at the pub. If his guess was correct, the imperial guards’ visit now was also part of that woman’s plan.

Unlike usual, Lebel harbored a tiny hope. Since he always thought of the worst, it wouldn’t hurt to indulge in one sweet fantasy.

He quickly handed his packed belongings to Lailo and went out into the hallway.

“I’ll go down first. If it looks like there’ll be an arrest or detention, run to the back door immediately.”

“If it’s like that, I should…”

Before they could stop him, Lebel headed towards the first floor. The murmuring noise grew closer.

In the lobby were stiffened inn staff and onlookers. Lebel spotted the only person who remained detached amidst the tense atmosphere.

“You’re here at last.”

He met eyes with Kailem, who was standing in the lobby. Lebel immediately recognized that Kailem was from the imperial guards.

White streaks were visible here and there among his gray hair. Not just the sharply pressed uniform, but the firmness and uprightness flowing through his body showed that he had been in this position for a long time.

His deep gray eyes seemed to have just touched the edge of middle age. His gaze appeared stubborn, but there was no foolishness bordering on obstinacy.

Kailem stood with an unwavering posture, quietly observing Lebel as he came down to the first floor.

If anything, the people in the lobby seemed more tense. Lebel slowly approached where Kailem was standing.

“Judging by the uniform, you must be the superior of those we clashed with yesterday. What business do you have?”

“Are you the leader?”

“I am.”

Kailem’s eyebrow twitched slightly. The other’s tone of speech irked him a little, but he disregarded it and delivered Cledius’s message.

“His Majesty the Emperor is looking for the Rikas Mercenary Group.”

Hearing his words, Lebel’s blue eyes rarely wavered. The small piece of hope he had been holding sparkled brightly.