Chapter 55

This is a story set about two months before the side story "Albes' Daily Life" and roughly a year and a half before the main story begins.

The Third Army of the kingdom is based in the northern fortress. It is said that many of the knights belonging to it are from the north or east, but it also includes elite knights dispatched from the capital. One of these is the commander of the Third Army, Filuard. After several months away, he was traveling south on the road leading to the capital.

This man, usually referred to as "Fil," not only holds the position of commander but is also of noble birth. Because of the long journey, he is accompanied by a large number of knights. This time, the elite knight squad was at the forefront.

However, there was something odd about Fil, who was steadily advancing on horseback. He seemed to be deeply troubled by something. The popular prince, known for his martial prowess and affable nature at the northern fortress, occasionally became unexpectedly nervous. But it was rare for him to be so troubled for so long. What could he be thinking about?

The knight captain, who had been assigned the task of guarding him, was watching his superior's profile with interest. Sensing the gaze, Fil glanced at his subordinate and quickly looked away. After continuing to brood for a while, he finally hesitated and spoke.

"…Can I talk to you for a moment?"

"What's wrong? If it's about tonight's lodging, don't worry; I'll make sure the women don't come near."

"Ah, that would be a help. The mayor keeps trying to be overly accommodating, no matter how many times I refuse. …No, that's not the main thing. I have something I want to ask you."

"What, do you have a problem you want to consult me about? That's unusual for you, sir."

The knight captain's tone became casual, and he grinned. There was no sign of deference to his superior, as it was the same as when he had been both a mentor and a supervisor to the noble newcomer. Fil, too, accepted this attitude as a matter of course. He glanced briefly at the knights following behind, then faced forward and lowered his voice.

"…When it comes to gifts for girls, what do you think of?"

"………Huh?"

The knight captain's reaction was delayed by the unexpected question. He had assumed Fil was worrying about something trivial, but the words he heard did not fit any of his expectations. The knight captain tilted his head and ran his hand through his bright blonde hair.

"…Are you thinking of being a playboy again? Well, I won't stop you, and there will be plenty of women to welcome you. It's unusual for you to be troubled by such things. Oh, you said 'girls'? Let me give you a warning: it's best to avoid playing with innocent girls."

"Hey, don't misunderstand! I have no intention of…! —Forget it. I was foolish to ask you."

Fil, who had almost lost his temper, quickly calmed down. He fell silent, looking displeased. The knights following behind, of course, had noticed their conversation. They tried to look concerned, but their faces were clearly full of curiosity. Ignoring their gazes, Fil continued to ride his horse.

The knight captain smiled thinly but soon became serious and moved his horse closer to his superior.

"Sir"

"…What is it?"

"I don't want to get involved in anything unnecessary, so I won't ask for details, but as an older man, I have some advice for you."

The knight captain paused, then lowered his voice even further.

"If you don't intend to give them hope, it's best not to give expensive gifts."

"I understand."

"Well, you'll handle it well, I'm sure. But what kind of girl is she? How old is she? Is she around the age of a niece? Or is she a young lady you can't mention out loud?"

He spoke casually, almost jokingly. Fil did not answer, continuing to ride in silence, his blue eyes fixed straight ahead. His expression was like the one he had in the palace, but before it completely disappeared, he sighed and ran his hand through his silver hair.

"…You're listening, aren't you?"

"I've never seen you worry about a gift before. You always choose what the other person will be happiest with, so I'm worried that there's something new troubling you."

"Are you talking about gifts for my nephews and nieces? They're children, so it's easy to see what they like. …But once they're no longer children, it's hard to know what to give, even for a small gift…"

He spoke in a disgruntled tone, then suddenly fell silent. He raised his head as if he had realized something and looked at his subordinate, who was riding alongside him.

"…Right. If I see her in person, I might be able to figure it out."

"At least it's better than brooding here."

"You're right."

"So, did I help at all?"

"Somewhat."

Fil sighed dramatically and then smiled.

"You're a thoughtful and reliable man when you're not on the battlefield."

He smiled brightly, and the doubt from a moment ago was gone. The knight captain straightened his posture on horseback and gave a respectful bow.

"It's an honor, Commander Filuard."

"You're being too formal. It's making me uncomfortable. Hey, you guys think so too, right?"

Fil turned to the knights following behind, a carefree smile on his face. The knights made a serious face for a moment but soon couldn't hold back their laughter.

"There's no way we can say anything in front of our demon captain!"

"Please speak for us! We'll treat you to plenty of drinks next time!"

"…Again? If you're trying to get me drunk, I won't fall for it."

"It's a genuine offer. But if you introduce us to a beautiful lady from the palace, that's fine too."

"I want to be ordered around by the famous princess, too!"

"Hey, you're not good enough. Her standards are very high!"

The knights were laughing and joking freely, even in front of their superior. Fil only laughed, not reprimanding them. This kind of affability was what drew the knights to him, and people always gathered around Fil. It was a common sight at the northern fortress. And these laughing men would become fierce soldiers at Fil's command.

"…Really, that's what makes him scary."

Not because of his birth or position, but through the continuation of such trivial daily interactions, the knights gradually became devoted to him, willing to charge forward for him. Does he even realize the mysterious charm he has? The knight captain sighed and smiled wryly.

(End of Side Story: The Troubled Man)