Chapter 19

When the bell signaling the lunch break rang, Grail headed straight for the training ground. It seemed that the first squad had been using it in the morning, as everyone was tiredly putting away the equipment they had used for training.

However, there was no sign of the white kit Grail was looking for. Instead, small footprints were left in the snow on the ground, indicating that it had headed towards the stables.

"Huh, what are you licking so enthusiastically?"

But the moment Grail arrived at the stables, she regretted coming. It wasn't just the horse and Mil there; Cromwell, the battalion leader, was also there, playing with Mil with a broad smile on his face.

Cromwell, known for his cold and composed appearance and always calm demeanor, is called the "Ice Battalion Leader" by his subordinates. However, at that moment, his ice seemed to have melted completely. He looked extremely happy as Mil licked his hand. Even though there was no honey on his hand, Mil was working hard. It was unclear what Mil was thinking.

The sight of Cromwell being charmed by an animal was endearing, but he would probably be embarrassed if others saw him like this.

Grail tried to turn around quietly, but Mil noticed her first.

Mil's eyes sparkled as she recognized Grail, and she let out a small cry, wagging her tail busily. Grail was pleased by Mil's obvious joy, as it was clear that Mil was becoming more attached to her.

However, Mil's gaze led Grail to look up at Cromwell, who instantly froze, as if to say, "I've been seen!" Grail felt awkward as well.

"..."

"..."

A tense atmosphere hung between them. Neither was particularly good at making small talk to ease the situation. Only Mil's tail continued to wag noisily.

Cromwell's love for animals—especially horses and small creatures—is well-known, at least among the members of the fort who aren't new recruits. They know that he goes to the stables almost every day to talk gently to his horse and brush it, that he diligently hangs fruit on trees for the birds in winter, that he feeds stray cats and even named one "Nora" and doted on it, and that he was visibly upset when Nora disappeared one day. They also know that if a white snow rabbit runs by during work, it can distract him, causing his icy facade to crack.

However, Cromwell doesn't realize that his subordinates know about his love for animals and believes he has successfully hidden it. He tries to act as if he has no interest in animals, and everyone goes along with it, pretending not to notice.

Grail, a commoner who has risen to her position in the knights through her own abilities, thinks that even if his love for animals were known, it wouldn't affect his capabilities and doesn't really matter. But Cromwell thinks differently.

Born into a noble family, Cromwell can't claim that his current position as battalion leader is solely due to his own abilities and achievements—though this was not by his own choice but rather the result of well-meaning superiors promoting him. He seems to be very concerned about how he is perceived by others. As a battalion leader, he believes he must be somewhat feared by his subordinates. Therefore, he cannot allow his soft side, especially his affection for animals, to be seen.

Grail, who has built her position in the knights through her own efforts, thinks that even if his love for animals were known, it wouldn't change his capabilities and doesn't really matter. But Cromwell thinks differently. He seems to be very concerned about how he is perceived by others. As a battalion leader, he believes he must be somewhat feared by his subordinates. Therefore, he cannot allow his soft side, especially his affection for animals, to be seen.

There is a rumor that Cromwell, who grew up in the capital, came to this harsh northern fort at his own strong request. Perhaps he wants to build a solid record of achievements and gain confidence. Although there are fewer crimes and border disputes here, the environment is extremely harsh. In the past, there have even been cases of people freezing to death in the fort during the dead of winter. Even a simple patrol in a blizzard is not easy, and daily snow removal and training are all physical challenges. Moreover, the knights in the fort are all troublemakers from other battalions with one or two quirks.

In the face of nature and subordinates who have no connection to power, noble connections are useless. However, serving as a battalion leader here will undoubtedly contribute to Cromwell's confidence.

"Grail, do you need something?"

Cromwell stood up with a nonchalant expression, as if nothing had happened, and said firmly, his voice lower and colder than before. He is currently doing a good job as a battalion leader but probably hasn't gained complete confidence yet. Therefore, he puts on the mask of a strict and icy battalion leader to avoid disappointing his subordinates.

"No, I was looking for Mil."

"Mil? Is that its name? If you plan to return it to the wild, giving it a name will only make you more attached."

Cromwell looked at Mil, whom he had just called "it," with a feigned lack of interest. He avoided direct eye contact, probably to resist the temptation of its cuteness. After all, he had been deeply upset when the cat he named "Nora" left.

"Are you here to see Ailax?"

"I'm here to take care of him. Properly managing one's horse is a knight's duty."

Cromwell emphasized that he was there to take care of the horse, not to visit it as a pet. Grail was oddly impressed by his thoroughness and wondered if he ever got tired.

"I'm leaving now."

After gently stroking the black horse's nose, Cromwell tried to leave the stables. He probably wanted to enjoy more of the calming time, and Grail felt a bit guilty for interrupting him. However, just as he was about to leave, he was stopped by a cute obstruction. Mil had clung to his leg.

"..."

Grail saw Cromwell's face light up with joy for a moment as he was followed. But he quickly composed himself and said in a cold voice, as if annoyed:

"You're in the way. Stop moving around."

In other words, "I might kick you by accident, so stop it. What if you get hurt?"

Grail frowned, wondering when Mil had become so attached to Cromwell.

"Don't follow me."

Cromwell's face contorted as he tried to shake off Mil, who was following him. He gritted his teeth and quickly left the building, as if trying to escape the temptation. He looked incredibly uncomfortable, and Grail wondered if he was okay.

"Mil."

Grail called out to the kit, who was watching Cromwell's retreating back.

"Are you cheating on me?"

When she jokingly accused Mil, the kit turned around and hurriedly came to her, looking up at Grail as if to explain. Grail stroked Mil's head while remembering when Cromwell first arrived at the northern fort.

"Look, the new battalion leader has arrived."

"Yeah, that noble's son. They say he got his position through family connections."

"It's frustrating to have someone like that in charge. I wish the deputy had become the battalion leader."

"He looked weak and feminine. He probably won't last a winter here."

"Well, I hope he leaves soon. I wonder why he came here. He wasn't exiled like us, so he could have stayed in the capital."

At first, the knights in the fort all disliked Cromwell. They doubted that a weak-looking noble could lead the fort.

However, it didn't take long for their opinions to change as they worked together.

"Hey, I had a sparring session with the battalion leader today. He's actually pretty strong. He doesn't have the deputy's raw power, but he's incredibly sharp."

"I saw that too. I didn't expect it. I thought he could only do basic sword movements because of his connections."

"He must be working really hard... It's a bit surprising for a noble."

"Yeah, I thought he'd be more arrogant, but he seems really reliable and trustworthy."

"He's strict with us, but even stricter with himself."

Grail listened to the changing opinions with a warm heart. Now, everyone in the fort recognizes and respects Cromwell. They know that beneath his calm and icy facade, he has a human side, and he skillfully blends this into his strictness when dealing with his subordinates. They also know that he lavishes his affection on animals, especially horses and small creatures, in private.

The Ice Battalion Leader is actually an animal lover. Even if this rumor spreads within the fort, no one would call him a "soft-hearted animal lover." The knights respect and value him much more than he realizes. His love for animals is even seen positively.

"It would be good if our awkward leader realized this sooner."

Grail stroked Mil while muttering to herself, smiling like an older person.