IPMPBB 33

Chapter 33

“Yeah, I’m going out.”

I answered Carlos’ question with a firm voice.

Carlos’s eyes trembled as he looked at me.

The heretics in my memories had been quite threatening, but the 3rd Knight Division had never once failed to subjugate them.

And more importantly, I knew the original storyline, so I could respond even if a crisis arose.

Besides…

“I’ve managed to get back into shape with the sword, and I plan to fully cooperate with the operation, so I won’t just be dead weight.”

With Elia’s slowly recovering strength, there was nothing to worry about.

“……”

Carlos looked at me with an unreadable expression.

“What’s wrong? Do I have something on my face?”

Embarrassed by his gaze, I shrugged awkwardly.

“…No, nothing.”

Carlos shook his head and then gathered the documents on his desk and handed them to me.

“This is the material for the subjugation mission. Please review and approve it by tomorrow.”

Ah, since I’m joining, I become the final decision-maker, so my approval is necessary.

“Thanks.”

I accepted the papers with a reply.

Carlos averted his gaze as if he had nothing more to say, and I returned to my office.

As soon as I was back, I closed the door and unfolded the documents.

“The heretics are a wicked group who use sorcery that defies the will of the god, aiming to overthrow the empire’s system. They must be eliminated.”

The first page had a formal description of the heretics and reasons why they had to be purged.

“Especially their human sacrifices… ugh, disgusting.”

I frowned while reading about their gruesome rituals.

Still, it was too important to skim over, so I forced myself to keep reading.

After the human sacrifice details, the concrete subjugation schedule appeared.

“The mission is divided into three stages, and this is the first one.”

The first stage was mostly exploratory, so actual combat would be minimal.

Hence, fewer troops would be dispatched.

But knowing the enemy was key to victory, so this first phase held great strategic importance.

After reading the overview, I turned to the next page.

“Head to the Latham Valley, wipe out the heretics who have settled nearby, and interrogate them to learn more about those in the Masunt Mountains… Oh, this was in the original story.”

Once the fighting started, the original plot details came back quickly.

The original Elia didn’t participate in every subjugation.

So…

“During the mission, discussions begin about promoting Carlos to division commander. Everyone thought Elia had gone too far.”

This mission would be a turning point for me too.

“The first person who advocated for Carlos as commander was Cesare.”

Cesare had become more cooperative after our duel, so he wasn’t a major concern anymore.

“Next… Sir Gilbert and Sir Melk.”

They weren’t as important as Cesare in the original, but played key supporting roles in backing Carlos and reporting Elia’s corruption.

“I must win them over. Or at least earn their goodwill.”

My redemption didn’t erase Elia’s past crimes.

If Gilbert and Melk chose to accuse her, there’d be no stopping them.

“So I have to get them on my side somehow.”

It was a tough task.

Unlike the rigid, knightly Cesare, Gilbert and Melk were more… flexible—or, less charitably, opportunistic.

“Hmm. What should I do…”

I flipped through the report, thinking of ways to win them over.

“…Yeah, this should work.”

After long consideration, I found a suitable approach.

Having knowledge of the original really was a powerful weapon.

I stamped the document with my seal and sent it to Carlos via Cesare.

“Any more tasks left?”

If not, time for a break!

I rushed out the door.

“Should’ve brought some chocolate muffins with me.”

Snacking during break time made me feel great.

As I returned to my office looking satisfied, I saw someone standing rigidly by the door.

As I approached with clear footsteps, the person flinched and looked up.

“C-C-Commander!”

“Yeah, what is it?”

“D-Deputy Commander said he’s reviewed all the documents and approved the operation as is!”

A nervous young boy—probably one of Carlos’s aides—delivered the message, stammering.

“Thanks.”

I smiled at the cute, anxious boy.

The boy’s eyes widened in surprise.

“See? I’m not as wild as the rumors say, right? Pretty calm for a so-called troublemaker, don’t you think?”

I joked as I grew used to reactions like this.

“I-I’m sorry!”

Startled, the boy blurted out an apology.

“No need to apologize. It’s understandable.”

I patted his head and went into my office.

I think I heard him gasp behind me.

Even sitting at my desk, no new paperwork came in, so I spent more time bored until the official workday ended.

Clocking out on time is always a joy.

Carlos seemed to trust me now and didn’t follow me home anymore, so my commute was pure bliss.

Riding my black horse through the sunset-drenched cityscape was a beautiful sight.

“Departure is in a week. Hopefully, nothing happens until then.”

That was the thought I had as I entered the Elvington estate.

“Elia!”

A loud, stern voice rang out.

I tilted my head—who could raise their voice like that here?

Then I saw Michael hurrying toward me through the garden with a serious face.

“Brother—no, my lord?”

“What on earth are you thinking!”

As I dismounted, Michael grabbed both my shoulders tightly.

“Ouch, that hurts.”

I grumbled awkwardly, and he quickly let go.

“…Sorry.”

But he didn’t step back.

“What is it? Did I do something wrong again?”

Michael wore a complicated expression—equal parts concern and disbelief.

He stared at me for a long time, as if trying to read my thoughts.

After a long silence…

“…I heard you’re joining the subjugation mission at Latham Valley.”

“Ah, that.”

“‘Ah, that’?! Do you even understand what that means?!”

“Of course I do.”

“Then you should’ve said no!”

“Why?”

“Because…”

Michael faltered, his eyes falling to my right hand, and he pressed his lips into a tight line.

I already knew what he was thinking.

“You think the mission’s dangerous for me, don’t you?”

Michael leaned back slightly, as if I had struck a nerve.

“Haah…”

He sighed deeply, clearly disliking the argument that was about to follow.

“I understand that you’re worried about me, Lord Michael.”

Then I spoke up, directly to him.

“You… understand that I’m worried about you?”

Michael’s eyes widened in shock.

“You understand that I’m not scolding you but worrying about you? That I’m not underestimating your skills but weighing the objective risks?”

“…Yes, of course I do.”

I smiled gently at his disbelief.

“Why else would you wait for me and rush out here like this?”

Michael was dumbfounded.

‘So he can make that face.’

Amused, I observed him until he returned to his senses and wiped the expression off.

What a shame. I liked seeing a little humanity in Michael.