Chapter 75

"Sir Altrius, what do you mean by that? Surely you don't mean to adjust to the methods of just one person—"

"Scarlet."

Altrius smoothly raised his hand to stop the person who had just spoken—a girl in a robe with red lines. The girl, called Scarlet, stopped speaking, though her face showed dissatisfaction.

Despite her earlier agitation, it was impressive how she could be restrained by just that. Still, it was clear she had her grievances. Even though they didn't voice it, the other officers seemed to have their own thoughts.

However, Altrius, who maintained his usual pleasant expression, continued in the same tone.

"Now... let's start with introductions. Quon, the members here are part of the team that will directly command the combat operations for this World Quest."

"...There's a lot I want to say, but I suppose that's necessary first. Sir Quon, I am K. In 'Camelot,' I serve as the leader of the production team. I also act as Altrius' assistant, so if you talk to me, it will reach Altrius as well."

"I've heard of you. I look forward to working with you."

The dwarf man in glasses nodded stiffly in response to my answer. He seemed to be a rather serious person. However, if he was Altrius' assistant, he must be a capable individual. He seemed like a difficult man, but as long as logic was applied, he would be easy to deal with. In a sense, he was quite a conventional person.

"Next, it's my turn. I am Dean, the leader of the first squad of the frontline attack team."

"First, so there's a second as well?"

"Yes. My team is mainly composed of members who focus on physical attacks. Your combat style is similar to ours."

The next person to speak was a tall, blonde man sitting next to Altrius. Despite his rough appearance, he was quite polite. His posture was straight and steady, showing that he was skilled in martial arts.

"Next, it's me. It's been a while, Sir Quon. I am Dylak... the leader of the second squad of the frontline attack team."

"Hmm... does your team have a different characteristic from the first squad?"

"Yes, the second squad consists of what you might call magic swordsmen... those who use both weapons and magic. Your disciple, Lady Red, has a similar build."

Following Dean was a silver-haired man sitting on the opposite side of Altrius. I had seen him fight with Scarlet, so I could imagine what it was like to use magic in combat. His firepower would be considerable, and his destructive power could be expected. However, he was also excellent in pure swordsmanship, possibly even matching Scarlet. He seemed to be a capable leader, worthy of his title.

"...I am Takadama. Leader of the shooting team. Nice to meet you."

"Support from the rear, huh? I look forward to working with you."

The next person to speak was a beastman with a mask covering his mouth. He seemed to be a wolf beastman, carrying a large bow on his back. He gave an impression of being somewhat quiet and gloomy, but his presence here suggested he was a capable individual.

"I am Scarlet, the leader of the magic attack team..."

"I see, the star of large-scale battles, huh."

"Hmph. You understand, don't you?"

The last person was Scarlet, who had protested earlier. Magic is excellent for destruction. In this battle, where the enemy is expected to be numerous, her skills would be fully utilized. Despite her dissatisfied expression, she blushed slightly when complimented, indicating she was still a child at heart.

That seemed to be all the members present.

"There are also recovery, support, and defense teams, but they are busy preparing, so we'll leave that for another time. Now, let's get to the main topic."

At Altrius' words, I straightened up. This was the main event. What was Altrius thinking? To find out, I met his gaze. Altrius, still with his usual gentle smile, continued.

"I know you won't be satisfied with just formalities, so I'll be straightforward. Team leaders, please listen without interrupting."

"...Understood."

"Then... Sir Quon. I believe it would be best for you to take the lead on the battlefield."

"Why? If you have such command skills, I don't see why you would give them up."

Scarlet had vouched for Altrius' command skills, which were genuine. If so, his ability to set the rhythm in battle should be top-notch. I couldn't understand why he would hand that over to me. In response to my question, Altrius closed his eyes and spoke as if to tease.

"Sir Quon, I know about your battle two years ago."

"---Where did you hear that?"

My voice froze, as if it had cracked and spread through the space. Scarlet held her breath, Luminar shuddered, and the team leaders of 'Camelot' shifted in their seats, a hint of fear in their expressions. However, Altrius remained calm, his smile never faltering.

"The two who told me about your wartime experiences were your grandfather. I have a good relationship with him."

"Ah? That old man, you mean he's with you?"

"No, he only visited once recently, and hasn't since."

"...I see. And the other person?"

"The team you were part of. He plays this game, so we can talk later."

"That team... I see, that's why you want to know about my combat style."

I sighed, dispelling the killing intent. I rubbed my temples and leaned back in my chair, then looked at Altrius with a suspicious gaze. When I was 18, right after graduating from high school, I was taken by the old man to battlefields abroad. The team I worked with was a certain unit of the UN army. If someone from that unit is here, it makes sense why Altrius would understand.

"However, you want to let me act freely after hearing that story."

"I want to see your full potential with my own eyes. And—"

Altrius paused, narrowing his eyes. With a sharp intellect, he continued.

"—I will adapt to maximize your movements. That would be the most efficient, wouldn't it?"

"---Hah."

I met his gaze straight on, a smile forming on my lips. Because in his challenging gaze, I saw a firm resolve and fighting spirit.

Ah, this man is even more interesting than I thought!

"Heheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheh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