Chapter 6.1

“Select the right people properly.”

Noah Forrest, a subordinate of Lian Clyde, looked up in surprise at the sudden command from his superior.  

Some members of the Imperial Knight Order conduct search training during certain daytime hours in locations other than the training grounds. These are places unknown to the general public and are currently sealed off, known only to select security forces like themselves. It was a former underground city.  

When Forrest saw Lian suddenly appear in such a place and call for him, he was quite taken aback. He couldn’t help but wonder how he had even found this place. 

Could it be that his memory had returned?  

But before he could even ask about that, Lian strode toward him through the darkness and dragged him to another spot. It seemed he had something to say, avoiding the attention of the other subordinates. Then, in a heavy tone, he began to speak.  

“Sort out ten people into two teams of five. Assign one team to the western port and the other near Hestia. Have them guard discreetly from a medium distance.”

“What? What are you talking about? And what’s with the port?”

“In a few days, a neighboring country will visit to propose marriage to the second princess. But something might happen there. Prevent it in advance.”  

“What are you talking about…? And why are we assigning guards for Miss Hestia? Don’t you know it’s against the rules to use the Imperial forces for personal matters? Ah, right, you lost your memory. That’s impossible—”  

“Assigning guards near Hestia isn’t an official action. I’m just sharing information and asking for a favor.”

Forrest immediately questioned what he meant, but Lian interrupted and answered firmly. His blunt voice, crossed arms, and dignified tone felt oddly familiar.  

This wasn’t the foolish version of Lian he had seen over the past few months. It was the commanding superior who had once led the Knight Order from above.  

When Forrest widened his eyes in surprise and tried to ask about his memory, Lian was the first to explain.  

“Listen carefully. From now on, I’ll give you certain pieces of information. In return, gather and assign guards near Hestia.”  

“What? Are you asking me to assign personal guards from among the subordinates?”  

“Yes. While mercenaries can be hired with money, they can’t be trusted since they’ll betray you for the right price.”  

“What nonsense… I don’t understand what you’re saying. Have you gone mad again?”  

Forrest asked with a suspicious look. His face clearly conveyed confusion at the absurdity of what he was hearing.  

“Don’t tell me that strange delusional phase has started again…”  

Forrest narrowed his eyes and spoke with a worried expression as he glanced at Lian. After the fire accident, there had been a time when Lian had spouted all sorts of crazy nonsense. Forrest couldn’t help but wonder if this was happening again.  

But the man standing before him now looked completely composed, unlike back then. His expression was cold, rational, and indifferent, leaving no room for doubt. It was the same face of the Deputy Commander he had followed all this time.  

“No.”  

Lian replied curtly, and Forrest’s eyes widened. It seemed this visit wasn’t just a coincidence.  

“Have you regained your memory? When? You didn’t show any signs of it until just a few days ago…”  

“Shut up and make a decision first. What’s it going to be? By the way, if you refuse, I’ll find someone else and make the same proposal to them. That person will take over the Deputy Commander position in the future.”  

Lian Clyde spoke in a resolute tone, cutting off the barrage of questions. Forrest, who had been about to argue further, shut his mouth and after a brief moment of thought, replied.  

“I’m not interested in the Deputy Commander position, but I’m curious about what kind of information you’re offering. If this is a personal request, aren’t you telling me to take leave or submit a vacation request?”  

“Correct.”  

His response was so blunt it bordered on shameless. Forrest couldn’t understand what he was hearing. Didn’t Lian know how busy the Imperial Knights were?  

“But I’ll compensate you accordingly. Just think of it as a few months of hard work.”  

“Guarding Miss Hestia isn’t exactly hard work. That’s not the issue. What’s the reason behind this?”  

“It’s something that can’t be uncovered publicly. The culprits are probably only now starting to plan it in their minds.”  

Culprits? 

Clyde sounded certain that an incident was about to occur.  

Forrest’s eyes widened. His Deputy Commander was known for his extraordinary intuition and quick thinking in such matters. Forrest assumed this was another one of those cases. However, the explanation that followed seemed slightly different.  

“If we don’t respond in advance, the Empire will suffer significant damage in the future. The neighboring Principality of Riata might even declare war on the border territories.”  

“What are you saying now…?”  

“That’s why I’m offering this information. Use it to monitor and prevent it. You can take the credit.”  

“What? Then the credit would be enormous. Why are you trading such an important matter for something as trivial as guarding Miss Hestia?”  

Forrest asked in disbelief, but Lian’s sharp gaze immediately shot toward him.  

“Trivial?”  

The displeasure on Lian’s furrowed brow was so intense it felt like a growl. Realizing his mistake, Forrest gulped nervously and quickly apologized with an awkward laugh.  

“Anyway, I’m not interested in gaining credit anymore. I plan to retire as soon as I handle the necessary matters before the Founding Festival.”  

“What?!”  

Forrest, shocked by Lian’s firm declaration, clutched his forehead as if he were about to faint. He had assumed Lian would return to his former self once his memory came back, but this was completely unexpected.  

The Imperial Knight Order, while officially under the Crown Prince, was practically led by Lian Clyde. The Crown Prince, preoccupied with sibling rivalries, paid little attention to the knight order.  

In this situation, Lian’s sudden announcement of retirement was a significant blow to Forrest, who had been relying on him.  

“What are you talking about?! Is it because you got married and now don’t want to wield a sword anymore? How can you just decide this all of a sudden?”  

Forrest shouted, trying to persuade him, but Lian remained indifferent.  

When Lian gave him a calm, questioning look as if to ask if he was done ranting, Forrest sighed deeply and finally fell silent, signaling he was ready to listen. Only then did Lian speak again.  

“What are you talking about? This field is one where anyone can die and be replaced at any time. Why would replacing the Deputy Commander be such a big deal?”  

“No, but still…”  

“If you have the energy to whine about it, you might as well take off your uniform and leave the knight order now.”  

The sharp criticism confirmed to Forrest that Lian had indeed regained his memory. It was the same cutting tone as before the accident.  

“Who said I’m whining and leaving? It’s just that quitting so suddenly is irresponsible!”  

“What’s irresponsible? I could leave right now, but I’m staying until the Founding Festival to handle the major issues for your sake.”  

“Ugh…”  

“So listen carefully. From now on, you’ll act as my proxy. Got it? You’ll take the credit, and that’ll make it easier for me to leave.”  

It seemed Lian intended to groom him for the position. While it wasn’t a bad offer, Forrest still looked reluctant. He clearly wasn’t mentally prepared, but Lian didn’t seem inclined to wait.  

“Decide quickly. Are you going to do it or not?”  

“What if I don’t?”  

“Then I’ll go to Ronald and make him the same offer.”  

Forrest’s mouth fell open. Ronald was a knight who constantly clashed with him, a braggart who claimed to be Lian’s right-hand man while lazing around with women.

“You’d offer the deputy commander position to him? Are you crazy? That guy’s probably off fooling around somewhere right now. You want him as my superior?”

“If you don’t want that, then you do it.”

“Damn it… First, explain everything to me and make me understand. Otherwise, I won’t follow.”

“Just shut up and do it. Why does my situation matter so much?”

“It matters! I don’t want to dig into your personal affairs! You have to tell me what this ‘credit-worthy task’ is, how you know about it, how I should handle it, and why you’re not dealing with it yourself.”

“I’m too lazy to go into details.”

“Then why should I trust and follow you? I’m already frustrated with your arbitrary decisions!”

“Then consider it a test and follow me once.”