Chapter 60

On the day Viela set out on her expedition, Lukas stood in the square of the Divine Beast Knights, wiping the sweat from his brow as he gazed at the charm in his open palm.

Inside the small glass tube attached to it was an earring made of a stone the same color as Viela's eyes. The pink stone still emitted a faint light, asserting its presence.

(It's amazing how it makes me feel like Viela is really close. I can't compete with her.)

When he heard that Viela was going on an experimental expedition, Lukas realized he had pouted to an extent that surprised even himself. He had become emotional, not wanting to be separated from his fiancée, to the point where he could be laughed at for being childish.

However, Viela did not laugh but thought seriously and prepared various things for Lukas. Not only the charm, but she also researched and implemented things that would make him happy.

Just thinking about the enjoyable night before made his face relax.

"Kyu!"

Albertina gave Lukas's head a gentle bite. "You're so unfair," she seemed to be saying.

While removing her beak from his head, Lukas directed a triumphant smile at his partner.

"I'm Viela's fiancé, so it's only natural that I get better treatment than Tina, right?"

"Kyu..."

Albertina lowered her head in disappointment, seemingly deeply hurt.

"Sorry, I was being childish. You're also feeling lonely, aren't you?"

Lukas lowered his eyebrows, put the charm in his pocket, and stroked Albertina's head to comfort her. It seemed that recently, his partner and Viela had become so close that Albertina was even jealous. This griffin had become a lot like her foster parent.

"It's just a week. Then Viela will come back. Can you bear with me for now?"

"Kyruru?"

"Alright. We'll sleep together in the stable tonight."

As he firmly hugged Albertina's neck to convey his promise, he heard a chuckling voice from behind. Turning around, he saw that the supreme commander of the knights, Gerald, was there.

"Hey, Lukas. Are you so lonely with the griffin that your fiancée ran away because of your possessiveness?"

"Of course not. Viela will never run away. She's just on an experimental expedition out of the capital."

"Oh, oh. Just kidding. Don't give me that death glare."

"It's not really effective, anyway."

Gerald was the former commander of the Divine Beast Knights. The 'real hero' who led the charge in the war with the neighboring country would not be intimidated by the glare of a young man in his mid-twenties.

As proof, even though Lukas did not soften his gaze, the supreme commander returned to a carefree expression and started laughing.

"You're completely smitten with that mage lady. I hear good things about her from outside, and it's rare to find someone with no bad rumors."

"Viela is a wonderful woman."

From the perspective of others, Viela was not the type to seduce or toy with people. Moreover, she had the talent to bridge the gap in status. Viela had no elements that could be criticized.

The young ladies who had previously targeted Lukas had given up, and the false rumors that initially circulated had stopped. Now, Viela was even treated as a pitiful small animal that had been left behind by a fierce beast. It was a relief that the nonsense about her using her charm to manipulate the hero and force his retirement had not reached her ears.

"From the looks of it, you're determined to retire."

Gerald smiled as if lost in thought.

"Yes. I've waited for five years in this position..."

"Is it too late now?"

Lukas nodded and gestured with his eyes for Gerald to move to the edge of the training ground, away from the other knights. Leaning against a wall without windows, he lowered his voice.

"The result of waiting is that His Majesty has not changed but has taken the opposite path of my wishes. Since you became the supreme commander, the atmosphere in each knight order has improved. But I worry about the future of the country if His Majesty replaces you with someone more convenient, just as he did when you took the position. In fact, the Magic Bureau, which is secretly collapsing, is being held together by people like Lord Zen and Director Dressel. After all, with a director like that..."

The director of the Magic Bureau is the king's yes-man. If the top is competent, it's not a problem, but if not, the burden falls on the subordinates.

The former supreme commander of the knights was a high-ranking noble who had been appointed to the position due to his family's favor with the king. He focused on flattering the king to repay his favor and did not listen to the opinions of the knights on the ground.

As a result, the initial response to the war was disastrous. The focus was on the enemy country's divine beast knights led by wyverns and the defense of the palace, leading to unnecessary casualties. Lukas's acquaintances also died. Caught off guard, several barrier stones were taken over by a magic formula that attracted monsters. The victory in that war was achieved through the desperate efforts of the knights and mages on the ground to survive.

After the war, Gerald, who had growing concerns about the former supreme commander remaining in his position, used the king's character and intentions to take the position from the former supreme commander.

Isn't the Ambrosh family more attractive than the supreme commander's family? If you make me the supreme commander, I will persuade Lukas to become the commander of the knights.

Gerald, who felt guilty for betraying his subordinates, knew that he was weak towards Lukas.

"Supreme Commander Gerald, you must understand that true loyalty and the real peace of the country cannot be achieved with one-sided favors from His Majesty."

"Is it your job to make him understand that? Only someone with the right lineage, experience, and reputation can boldly reject the 'favor' and make His Majesty realize the reality and change his mind... That's why you were hesitant but suddenly decided to take the position of commander. You anticipated this future."

"I anticipated it, but my father did too. Now, the sympathy for me, who cannot retire, is turning into distrust of His Majesty. The support within the palace is shifting to me. I will soon request permission to retire again, this time without holding back... Will you be on my side then?"

Lukas directed a soft, innocent smile at him. A smile that seemed to say he didn't expect to be refused, a pure and simple subordinate's face.

Gerald was slightly taken aback and then laughed in exasperation.

"You're still skilled at manipulating people's hearts with your cold and sweet faces. Even if you know you'll be deeply involved in the future, the answer is already decided when you rely on a subordinate you've nurtured."

"Thank you for understanding. You are a wonderful superior."

"Thank you. So, will you cut your hair when you retire?"

Gerald looked at Lukas's braid that reached his waist. Lukas had started growing his hair when he became the commander of the Divine Beast Knights. He had resolved not to let any of his comrades die while he was in charge and to be a beacon of hope. He grew his hair as a symbol of his resolve and wish, and braided it daily to pray that the bond with his comrades would never break.

"Probably, I'll keep it as it is. Even after retiring, if something happens, I'll ride Tina and rush to the scene."

"That's reassuring. Well, I've disturbed your break."

"No, thank you for your hard work, Supreme Commander."

Gerald was supposed to be probing the king's intentions regarding Lukas's retirement and trying to persuade him to stay. When Lukas hinted at this, Gerald laughed and left the training ground, seemingly acknowledging the truth.

(Now, I have all the allies I need for my retirement. I hope he will finally agree... If he doesn't change his mind, Your Majesty, you will disappoint those around you and be seen as a foolish king instead of a wise one.)

Lukas thought he just needed to wait for the perfect moment to push the king to make a decision, but that moment came sooner than expected.

"Lukas Herring and the Divine Beast Knights are not permitted to leave my side to search for Viela Yubert."

Five days after Viela set out on her experimental expedition, the king of Tresstia directly declared this to Lukas.