Chapter 21

The king left the audience chamber.

However, the legion commanders who remained in the audience chamber, as before, continued to linger for a while. After confirming that the king's footsteps had completely faded away, the legion commanders, finally released from their tension, let out deep breaths. Then,

"Yay! Got a direct title from the king!"

First, the smallest-bodied legion commander, Robin, who has the blood of both a fairy and a dwarf, jumped up and shouted in joy. Robin, who was given the position of the Seventh Legion Commander, looked like a child. Standing only about 120 centimeters tall, he wore overalls that suited him like a child's clothes. He had no beard and, while he looked almost entirely like a fairy, he was exceptionally strong in crafting and machinery due to his dwarf blood.

Robin, the Seventh Legion Commander, tried to behave maturely in front of Helian, but his usual behavior often matched his appearance. Being a mixed race, he was mischievous and cheerful.

However, it wasn't just him who was rejoicing. The legion commanders who were not present at the last audience might have been tired from the rare meeting, but they were immersed in a sense of satisfaction that surpassed their fatigue.

"Hmm, wings. Not bad."

"You know your stuff, General. As expected."

"I got a tongue... that's nice. Maybe I'll carve a crest on it like Camilla."

"My place got legs! Without us, you guys can't even stand! Edge of the stage, Seventh Legion, please be kind to us!"

The four who had the honor of the rare audience were chattering about the titles bestowed by the King of Demons. Although Balan had commented that they had strong personalities, they had a decent sense of camaraderie and maintained a friendly relationship to the extent of having such conversations.

The "Three of the Beginning" also seemed to be immersed in their own reflections, though they didn't voice their thoughts, each recalling the titles they had received.

However, as for the remaining one...

"How dare you... How dare you ride on my coattails...!"

Muttering resentfully in a terrifying voice, she emitted miasma. The other legion commanders averted their eyes from Camilla's voice, which seemed out of place coming from her beautiful face.

"Hey, Camilla, the miasma is leaking, miasma. Calm down."

"Do you think I can calm down—!!"

Camilla's expression was so intense that the black-skinned woman, the last female legion commander and the Fourth Legion Commander, Selis, took a step back.

She, like Eltina, belonged to the elf race. However, while Eltina was of the white elf lineage, excelling in support magic, Selis was of the black elf lineage, excelling in offensive magic. With her slanted eyes and a body squeezed into a tight, bondage-like outfit, her appearance was closer to what one might call a dark elf. In fact, before her repeated reincarnations and evolutions, Selis was a [Dark Elf].

Usually strong-willed, she felt somewhat guilty towards Camilla this time and was somewhat hesitant.

"But, we didn't ask the king for anything, right?"

"What nonsense! You were all pleading with your eyes! If you hadn't done that, I would have been the only one to receive a title...!"

Camilla glared at Selis with a look that seemed ready to grind her teeth. The sight of a beautiful woman distorting her face in anger was quite intimidating.

"Ah... but, if one of us had received a title alone... would you have just watched and backed down?"

"Impossible!"

"See? That's what I thought."

"Grrrr...!"

She understood the logic but didn't want to accept it. With such complex emotions swirling inside, Camilla could only grind her teeth.

"Oh, oh. No fighting, Camilla, Selis."

Stepping in with a gentle smile to mediate was, as usual, Eltina. The fact that the eight legion commanders could avoid serious conflicts when the strong-willed ones gathered was largely due to her. Therefore, it was a common understanding among the eight legion commanders that if Eltina intervened, they would not push the matter further.

"Hmm... fine. From now on, I will be working with my lord. You all will be busy with your duties in the capital and watch my performance from afar."

Camilla, having made this small retaliation, put down her weapon.

"By the way, the General is going out on the front lines again. He always does that, but still, doesn't he realize that he's irreplaceable?"

"But that's just like the king. The way he says it as if it's a matter of course is especially impressive. It's a dangerous role, but it's so fitting for the king, you know?"

"Hmph. A bad habit of the king."

Muttering with a snort was the Eighth Legion Commander, Nogard. His original form, as a [Twilight Dragon], was a Western dragon over forty meters long. However, he was currently in human form, a young man with long red hair and sharp eyes, looking difficult to approach. Nogard, clad in light armor, stood with his arms crossed, frowning.

"Nogard, are you complaining about the lord?"

Balan was the first to react to Nogard's comment.

"I am not complaining. I merely stated that it is a bad habit."

"That is as good as complaining. It is not a word befitting one who has sworn loyalty to the lord."

"I am not saying anything wrong. Or do you think it is a good habit? What if something happens to the king?"

The air between them became tense. Nogard, who had the trait of [Arrogance], did not get along well with Balan's [Discipline]. Moreover, Balan also had [Stubbornness], making them prone to conflict.

Furthermore, Nogard had an extremely high pride. He was at the top of the dragon race, which was already inclined to arrogance. He had once beaten a giant ally half to death just because they bumped shoulders. He would not back down in a disagreement.

"Come now, both of you, this is not the time for arguments."

Eltina interrupted the tense atmosphere. Selis also chimed in, not wanting any more trouble.

"Eltina is right. The king clearly told us to do our jobs properly. If he hears that we are wasting time on pointless arguments, it won't end well."

"Hmm... you are right."

"...I admit there is some truth to it."

Finally, the atmosphere calmed down. Reeve, who had been silently observing, clapped his hands to draw attention.

"Then, let's end this foolishness. As the General of the Combined Legions, I request that everyone promptly take up their duties. —Eltina, Camilla, let's get ready to depart."

With that, Reeve quickly left the audience chamber. Eltina and Camilla followed.

"Well, I'll get ready too."

"Hmph. Don't make a mistake this time."

"Shut up, Nogard! I know that without you saying it!"

"Both of you, are you starting another argument? Especially Gardi, you are supposed to maintain order."

"Tch... Hey, Robin, I'll bring my subordinates to the site later, so prepare to receive us!"

"Sure thing. See you later~"

The male legion commanders also left the audience chamber one by one. The only one left was a certain female legion commander.

"Huh? Come to think of it, I'm the only female left behind by the king...?"

Realizing this fact, Selis, who was about to leave the audience chamber, stopped. A bead of sweat rolled down her black cheek.

"...It's just the result of the right person for the right job, right? Reeve and Eltina are part of the traveler group, and Camilla was added for information gathering... It's not because the king is avoiding me... right?"

Yes, that must be it.

Selis affirmed this internally and nodded. While her rational mind accepted it, a vague sense of unease lingered in her chest.

"...I'll get to work."

Shaking off her unease, she hurriedly headed to her legion's camp.