Chapter 13: You’re Not One of My People
2024.01.13.
After hearing Hernant’s request, Martin refused without a moment of hesitation.
“We’ll be attending the event as a group. I can’t let the vice-captain go alone.”
“Yulia is attending not as the vice-captain of the knights, but as my partner.”
“……”
Martin, who had shown no reaction until now, slightly furrowed his brow.
Not missing that subtle signal, Hernant pressed on.
“This was something we already agreed on. She’ll be wearing a formal dress, not her knight uniform.”
“……”
“She was very pleased when I said I’d provide the dress myself. I suppose she’d rather wear a fancy, expensive gown than a dull uniform.”
As Martin remained silent, Hernant added one last thing.
“So don’t interfere with Yulia about the event. Just make sure she’s there on time.”
With that, Hernant turned and walked away.
Even as he watched the man’s back grow distant, Martin couldn’t bring himself to say a word.
Yulia had said herself that she preferred being the emperor’s partner over being the vice-captain of the knights.
If that was truly what she wanted, then neither Martin nor anyone else had the right to deny her.
So Martin remained silent until Hernant had completely disappeared from view.
After Hernant left, I rested for three full days.
I had frostbite on my arm, cuts on my legs—too many injuries from all over. No matter how strong I was, my body needed time to recover.
So I spent the time in my tent relaxing, eating, and enjoying a peaceful routine.
My closest friend Elma personally brought me my meals, and during those times, she filled me in on all the news.
Like how the knights were excited about the founding anniversary event, or how the captain was unusually on edge—things like that.
Even now, Elma chatted away as we shared a meal.
“And then the captain gave me this really sharp look! I almost fainted, I swear! I’ve never gotten such a scary glare before!”
Unlike how she usually acted in meetings, Elma’s voice was light and cheerful.
She normally presented a serious front around others, but when it was just the two of us, she became bubbly and chatty.
Since I was used to seeing this side of her, I responded casually.
“Really…? He’s in that bad of a mood these days?”
“Yes. I think it has something to do with His Majesty’s recent visit… He always seemed a little agitated after seeing the emperor, but this time it’s worse than usual. I wonder if something happened between them we don’t know about.”
“Hm… I should probably go talk to the captain, then.”
The moment I said that, Elma—who had been stuffing a bread roll in her mouth like a chipmunk—suddenly froze.
Then, after a long pause, she finally spoke again.
“Umm… I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“I just think… it’d be better if you didn’t. Because—”
She hesitated, clearly unsure whether to say it or not. But in the end, the chatterbox in her won.
“I heard the captain isn’t just upset because of His Majesty… but also because of you.”
What she said was enough to surprise me.
I slowly put down my fork and asked,
“He’s angry because of me?”
“No!! Of course not! It’s not your fault at all! You didn’t do anything wrong! It’s just… I heard something from Simon—”
Once again, she hesitated but eventually spoke.
“You got injured that day, right? And after that, His Majesty helped support you.”
“Ah…”
“Captain Martin wasn’t comfortable with His Majesty’s presence and tried to send him back to the palace immediately. But since you were leaning on His Majesty at the time, you unintentionally stopped that from happening… Simon said that might’ve upset the captain.”
“Simon? The one who serves directly at the captain’s side? Then it’s probably true.”
I rubbed my aching temples, and Elma quickly shook her head.
“But Simon’s words aren’t always reliable. He likes to exaggerate things. That’s why I wasn’t sure if I should even tell you…”
“No, I’m glad you did. Thanks for letting me know. I really should go talk to the captain.”
“But… what if you get caught in the crossfire? Wouldn’t it be safer to just wait until he calms down?”
Sure, it would be safer to wait like Elma suggested.
Time tends to soften sharp emotions.
But—
“We don’t have time. The founding festival is coming up soon. I want to clear one more rift before then. I’ll need the captain’s permission for that, so I have to talk to him.”
“What? You want to clear another rift before the event? Isn’t that pushing yourself too hard?”
“If we keep going at this pace, it’ll take five years to close them all. I want to shorten that—to three years, ideally.”
“Wow… I’m just struggling to get through each day, and here you are with such a big goal. Do you really think peace is possible in three years?”
Elma’s voice was full of hope.
I nodded confidently.
“It’s possible. I’ll make it happen.”
“If you keep saying cool things like that, I might really fall for you, Vice-Captain!”
“Haha, don’t. You should fall for someone even cooler than me.”
I ruffled Elma’s hair playfully and stood up.
As I was about to leave with the empty tray, something came to mind that I had to tell her.
“Oh, and Elma—before the event, there’s something I want to warn you about.”
“……?”
“During the founding ceremony, watch out for a brown-haired man who asks you to dance.”
“A brown-haired man?”
I nodded, trying to recall from before the regression.
“His name was… ‘Ollen,’ I think. Anyway, if a guy with that name approaches you, avoid him at all costs. He’s trouble. He’ll make your life miserable.”
Elma looked completely confused.
I must’ve sounded like I could see the future.
She probably didn’t understand what I meant, but she would when the event came.
I didn’t explain further and left the tent.
After returning the tray and brushing my teeth, I went straight to see the captain.
I felt nervous—especially since I might’ve been the reason for his bad mood—but I couldn’t put it off.
I needed his approval to clear the next rift.
“Captain, are you busy?”
I called to him from outside the tent.
No answer.
I had heard from the others that he was inside, but maybe he stepped out?
I didn’t want to assume he was ignoring me, so I figured he was out for a walk.
Since I couldn’t wait around forever, I turned to leave—
“Come in.”
Just as I turned, I heard his voice.
I entered the tent cautiously.
He was at his desk, absorbed in some paperwork.
I hesitated, then spoke.
“Um… I’d like to go to Rift No. 1 in the Parmat territory. Alone.”
“……”
“If you grant me permission, I’ll leave tonight. I need to move quickly to get it done before the event.”
Even after I finished speaking, he remained silent.
The growing tension made my mouth go dry.
I wished I had a glass of water.
Finally, he opened his mouth.
“Do you really need my permission?”
“…Pardon?”
“Since when have you ever followed my orders so well?”
A pointed remark.
I lowered my head, already knowing why he was angry thanks to Elma.
“I only accepted His Majesty’s help that day to avoid complications. If it seemed like I was defying your orders… I apologize.”
“No. That’s not why I’m acting like this.”
“…It’s not?”
“No. It’s true that you took his support, let him into our tent, became his partner, and acted independently. That made me realize something—I almost forgot you’re not one of my people. But thanks to that, I came to my senses.”
He paused, then walked over to me.
Standing close, he looked down at me coldly and continued.
“But the truth is, I’ve felt uneasy about you for much longer. Ever since you barged into the knights a year ago on the emperor’s orders and suddenly became the vice-captain.”
“……”
“So there’s no need to apologize for following His Majesty’s command. After all, I’m not your real superior, am I?”
It was true—I joined the knights a year ago under Hernant’s orders.
To observe the captain and report everything back to Hernant.
So if the captain had been uncomfortable around me back then, I could understand.
But—
“When we entered the rift together… Didn’t you trust and accept me as your subordinate?”
“I told you—I almost forgot that you weren’t one of mine.”
