Soldiers belonging to the Imperial Army gain an advantage in promotions when assigned to work in other regions. However, the problem was that there were no Imperial soldiers in the Conwell Territory, especially those who wanted to be dispatched to the Blachnat Duke’s residence. Although it was highly confidential, soldiers who had served on guard duty even once knew about it—the occupation of the Phearpale Palace by the Blachnat Division.

While it didn’t seem to be an unauthorized occupation, considering that imperial soldiers were entering the imperial palace itself, it might be a questionable act. Even if the capabilities of the General in charge were remarkable, the Emperor and the Duke, who already had a strained relationship, became entangled in a love triangle with Agnomann Yea. It was a rumor circulating among soldiers who were not aware of the internal situation.

Thanks to this, even someone like Rugard, stationed at the lower ranks, got the opportunity to apply for a dispatch mission. It might be a grateful false rumor.

“Hey, do you think you can just raise your hand and say you’ll go without knowing where it is?”

Although he entered without even receiving basic recruit training and it was embarrassing to express it as a paratrooper position at the grassroots level, there was no ridicule or teasing in such a position. Moreover, having undergone formal knight training and being a member of the Blachnat Division who had also participated in the Tethear War, Rugard was even an object of admiration among people of similar age.

After finishing guard duty and changing clothes in the barrack, Rugard responded with a cheerful expression to the worried words.

“Oh, even if you look at me like this, I’m not from the Blachnat Division. Do you think I’ll die?”

“Yeah, yeah. We’re not going because we might die, either.”

Another senior lightly tapped Rugard on the back of his head, laughing.

“But if by any chance there’s something like a rag in the soup, report it. There’s no room for such mistakes over there.”

“Are you telling me to report if I find a cockroach? Oh, am I a child?”

Hahaha, the soldiers in the barrack, who were with Rugard, laughed together at his playful complaint.

He was confident that he wouldn’t be disliked.

“But who are we escorting? Princess Agnomann?”

“No! She belongs to the Palace Guard.”

Scatha’s identity was not known. There were rumors that she was from Attila Emperor’s government, and there were also rumors that she was a hostage of the Blachnat Duke.

To escort this mysterious woman, a security team of five was dispatched from the Imperial Army.

Guarding Scatha was not a difficult task. As a heavily pregnant woman, her range of activities was not wide, and what she mainly did was reading books in the main residence’s support area with the lady or taking a stroll in the vast garden with Nyx.

The biggest concern of the security team, which began to reside in one of the numerous detached houses of the Duke’s residence, was Scatha’s identity.

“Wasn’t it indeed the Emperor’s government, huh?”

“Wasn’t it the Emperor’s government? She was being protected in the palace, right?”

“Are you a fool? Who protected Phearpale Palace? It was the Blachnat Division.”

“Maybe it’s a deception?”
“Why would someone from the Blachnat Division deceive the Emperor? And if it was the Emperor’s government, would Agnomann Yea have come along?”

“True. Rugard, don’t you know anything? Haven’t you asked anyone in the Blachnat Division?”

“Please, don’t even mention it. It’s better not to ask about such things.”

As Rugard shook his head in disgust, laughter burst out among the security team members who were staying in the lodging. Rugard, to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings from curious colleagues whose curiosity was growing day by day, did not visit Scatha separately outside of working hours.

Instead, while others stood in pairs for duty, he intentionally chose to work alone during his shift. This was possible because the security team consisted of five members.

Scatha was surprised and delighted when she found out that Rugard had come as part of the security team.

And that day,

The problematic day was the day Scatha did not have a meal with the lady. Perhaps the lady refrained from eating to avoid motion sickness on the way to Corb.

The sumptuous meal prepared in the annex’s bedroom for the pregnant lady must have been quite burdensome for Scatha. Even when she stayed in Esnach, Scatha wasn’t accustomed to eating much in the morning.

“Rugard, let’s eat together.”

Rugard, who happened to be on duty, glanced at the eyes of the serving staff bringing the meal.

Here, the servants were difficult to read, as their emotions didn’t show through their expressions. Nevertheless, Rugard declined, saying it wasn’t appropriate during working hours.

After coaxing out the stubborn servants and being left alone, Rugard and Scatha sat facing each other.

“Is it bearable?”

“Yes. But, Miss, people seem to be very curious about your identity.”