Chapter 95

"Aah~ so boring..."

At the border between the Kingdom of Rumiun and the Empire of Garlean, among the imperial soldiers returning to the empire with high spirits after completing their mission, there was a man who muttered this with a bored expression.

(How unpleasant.

This war was just a one-sided slaughter from our side!

This isn't a war.

It's just a massacre. Damn! So boring.)

It's boring. I didn't gain anything from it.

I can't understand why anyone would enjoy doing such a thing.

The man who often thinks about such things is Wingerd Duchs Wind, one of the quasi-heroes of the empire, one of the four swords guarding the emperor, known in the various countries as the Storm.

He was supposed to spend his days leisurely guarding the emperor in the capital.

If something happens in the capital, there's a possibility that Wingerd will have to move. That can't be helped.

If something happens to the emperor, their existence becomes meaningless.

If the emperor dies, they will certainly be executed, so it's not an exaggeration to say that their lives are on the line.

However, this time, Wind is dissatisfied that he had to leave the capital for this mission.

And now, he has finally completed his mission and is returning to the empire.

Waiting for him was a messenger, presumably from the capital.

"I have been waiting for you, Lord Storm!"

"Huh?!"

I have a bad feeling.

It smells like trouble.

"This is an imperial decree! Please accept it with respect!"

Wingerd roughly snatched the decree from the messenger's hand and opened the parchment.

And the content was...

"What!? You want me to go and take Orion's head now!? Don't joke around!

It's impossible!" Wingerd spoke with a murderous aura, and the officers behind him were also shaken.

However, the messenger clearly stated, "This is the emperor's command!"

The reason the messenger isn't afraid is that he has served as a messenger for the four quasi-heroes, including Wingerd, many times.

Only those with thick nerves are chosen for this job.

Wingerd and his troops have already returned to the empire. The imperial soldiers he brought are in high spirits, ready to return home.

Thanks to Wingerd, the battles were much easier than usual.

However, there were still casualties. Most of them are foot soldiers, and they were forced to travel by ship, which they are not used to, due to the upper echelons' convenience.

Moreover, after a brief rest, they had to fight consecutive battles, which were mentally very demanding.

After enduring such a grueling time, they finally returned, only to receive this order.

Their morale will surely drop.

"Where are the troops?"

Wingerd, worried about this, asked first.

"You are to lead these troops as they are," the messenger replied.

This made Wingerd even angrier.

"What?! They're not prepared!!"

The messenger, undaunted by Wingerd's outburst, calmly continued, "Yes. However, you are free to use any imperial troops within the kingdom. There are eighty thousand, which should be sufficient."

Eighty thousand is enough.

But that's not the issue.

"Don't joke around! I'll pretend I didn't come to take your head."

As he said this, he drew his sword.

However, the messenger remained calm.

"It's futile. Another messenger will be sent.

Moreover, if you kill me now, your position will worsen."

Wingerd stopped at these words.

That would be bad.

Wingerd has a noble title but was not born into nobility.

He rose to his position through his strength and talent.

He already has many enemies within the empire, and he can't afford to make more.

For the sake of his beloved wife and children.

He spat, "Tch," out of frustration at his unfulfilling life.

Immediately after, a sound of clapping hands was heard from beside him.

Looking over, he saw the deputy commander of this army, who had been silent until now, clapping his hands.

"Then, Lord Wingerd, are we turning back now?"

Wingerd reluctantly agreed, "Yeah."

"Then it's settled.

Everyone! Did you hear that?

Inform the troops!" The deputy commander said, but the other officers were still struggling to keep up with the rapid developments.

The deputy commander, however, remained cheerful, "What's wrong? This is the emperor's decree! Hurry up! Hurry up!"

He quickly urged them on.

"Why are you so cheerful?" Wingerd asked the deputy commander after he finished.

"Well, we can't get through this if we're not cheerful.

Besides, marching with a gloomy mood doesn't suit me."

He said this with a bright smile.

"Hmph."

So boring.

Despite this, he reluctantly got up.

To take Orion's head.