‘Why doesn’t he just go around advertising, “I’m a Grand Master~” or something?’

Charlie glanced sideways at Hector who was sitting next to her.

Of course, Hector hadn’t revealed his dark power.

But he had not only mobilized the knights but also used his fire ability.

This was very contrary to the original work.

In the original, Hector had hidden his power until Liliana was kidnapped by Kaisis.

Charlie remembered clearly.

In the latter part of the original work, when Hector ambushed the imperial palace, the scene where the imperial army, encountering the Hunt Knights’ aura and fire ability for the first time, was thrown into chaos.

She couldn’t count how many times she cheered in exhilaration.

That was because in the original, Kaisis had Cedric, Noel, and even the temple on his side.

On the other hand, Hector and the Hunt family were isolated and alone.

But Hector, who casually strode through the corpses of the imperial army, fluttering his black cloak as if mocking all of that, was truly thrillingly chilling.

‘It’s still exhilarating to think about it.’

She had read and reread the passage where Miller grabbed Leon’s pant leg, begging for his life.

Anyway, revealing his power already was very bad.

‘The original story hasn’t even started yet…’

The situation had already deviated from the original.

In fact, Charlie was the one who wanted that more than anyone.

She hoped it would deviate completely from the original so that Liliana wouldn’t appear before Hector.

But in a corner of her mind, she was also afraid that because of her, things might be heading towards an even worse situation than the original.

Just a moment ago, it was like that.

If it weren’t for Charlie, Hector surely wouldn’t have used his fire ability.

Unaware of Charlie’s conflicted feelings, the conversation between Leon and Percy continued.

“That’s just an advantage in equipment, isn’t it?”

As Percy spoke, giggles could be heard from various parts of the knight group.

“Tsk, advantage? This is clearly my skill, so it’s my achievement.”

Leon raised his nose high.

It was then.

“You’re all too noisy.”

At Hector’s single word, the knights’ lips pursed as if they had been sewn shut.

Hector cleared his throat after scanning the surroundings.

“Charlie.”

“Yes?”

Charlie turned at Hector’s call.

“……”

But for some reason, Hector just stared at Charlie without saying anything.

“……?”

Charlie blinked, utterly confused.

On the other hand, Hector raised his eyebrow slightly and stared intently at Charlie.

“……”

“……”

Silence fell between the two for a moment.

Just as she was wondering if he wanted to have a staring contest, Percy, who had read the atmosphere, chimed in.

“No matter how great the commander’s sword is, it can’t compare to His Grace’s, right?”

“……”

Don’t tell me, is he asking to be praised too?

Charlie made a disgusted expression.

‘Is this really not some other novel?’

* * *

The warm atmosphere disappeared as soon as Charlie, the main figure, left her seat.

More precisely, Hector had sent her away temporarily through Percy.

“I’m sorry……”

A chilling current flowed inside Hector’s tent.

Leon and Luke were waiting for their punishment with their heads bowed low.

Luke had left the formation without reporting to his superiors. Moreover, he had even caused a conflict with the Wilkins family.

Would it be probation, or would they be thrown into a monster habitat?

Just as the lips of the members eavesdropping outside were drying up, it happened.

“I strip you of your position as vice commander of the knight order and the name bestowed by the Hunt family, Louis Foster.”

“……!”

In an instant, Luke’s eyes widened.

Louis Foster was Luke’s real name.

His golden eyes, slightly more brownish than Leon’s, shook.

But the red eyes looking down at Luke showed no hesitation.

“Also, you are excluded from all knight order schedules and your position is changed to Charlie’s guard for the duration of the expedition. If you don’t want this…”

Hector, who had been staring at the stiff Luke, continued with a cold expression.

“You’re free to leave.”

“……!”

Leon unconsciously raised his head.

Originally, Hector favored Luke.

It was Hector who had brought in Luke when he was on the verge of starvation in the back alleys after losing his entire family as a child.

Not only did he personally bestow a new name, but as a patron, he sent him to the academy and even entrusted him with the position of vice commander despite Tanner’s opposition.

To Luke, Hector was like a parent.

But to leave? Leon hurriedly spoke.

“Your Grace. That…”

“Leon.”

A chilling voice cut off Leon’s intervention.

“If the imperial army and Cedric had attacked the knight order when you were away.”

“……!”

“If there had been an armed conflict with the Wilkins family in that situation. How many casualties would there have been?”

At that moment, a chill ran down Leon’s spine.

The knight commander wasn’t responsible for protecting just Luke.

The faces of Percy the mood-maker, Gerard who particularly liked Percy, Sam who lacked tact, the quiet Derek, and numerous other knights flashed through Leon’s mind.

He had forgotten in the unprecedented peace since Hector regained his power.

Perhaps he had become complacent.

The imperial family and the Hunt family were still hostile to each other.

The Wilkins family couldn’t be considered friendly either.

Therefore, it could have happened at any time.

No, it was rather strange to feel peaceful at a time when monster activity was unusually high.

If Cedric had launched an attack while Leon was away, the damage to the knight order would have been severe.

Moreover, Leon and Luke alone were not enough to face Noel and the Wilkins knights.

Of course, the Hunt family had Hector, a Grand Master.

But that power was meant to be hidden.

Therefore, the Hunt Knights had been training under the premise that Hector wasn’t there.

Regardless of the circumstances, their actions couldn’t be justified.

“You will be on probation after the expedition ends.”

Hector’s gaze turned back to Luke.

“I’m very disappointed.”

“……”

“To the point where I regret giving you that name.”

* * *

“Wasn’t that one just now pretty good?”

Charlie was on her way back with Percy after tasting Mateo’s new menu item, ‘Carrot Cream Soup’.

“The yellow color made it somewhat better.”

The soup, simmered with cream and potatoes that Charlie liked instead of various vegetables, was sweet, savory, and full of umami.

Though not a main dish, it was a recipe that came to mind while pondering what to serve for a late lunch.

It was also because easily digestible food would be good for bodies that were tired from long travel and encountering trolls.

“Still, when it comes to carrots, I shudder.”

Percy made a face.

“The day before yesterday, I even had a dream of being chased by a carrot monster.”

“A carrot monster?”

“Yes, when it cast an attack spell, carrots kept getting stuck in my mouth. Just thinking about it terrifies me to death.”

Charlie burst into laughter at Percy’s words, wondering how he could be scared of carrots when he was smiling while beating up trolls earlier.

As they walked along laughing, Charlie’s head tilted as she suddenly noticed Leon with a serious expression.

“Sir Leon, did something happen?”

Leon awkwardly raised the corners of his mouth.

“Nothing happened. Oh, what did Mateo say about the lunch menu? The delicious smell is wafting all the way here.”

“……”

No matter how oblivious one might be, how could he not notice this atmosphere that’s like that of a funeral?

Charlie’s narrowed eyes scanned the knights.

All of them had gloomy faces. Luke’s absence suddenly caught her eye.

By now, it should have been bustling with talk about the lunchtime carrot onslaught.

“Where’s Sir Luke?”

“Louis has a separate task, so he’s away for a moment.”

“Ah, I see. Lu……”

Wait a minute. What did he just say…?

“Who did you say?”

Charlie’s head creaked as she stared at Leon.

Leon awkwardly avoided Charlie’s gaze and continued speaking.

Now that Hector had taken back the name, he couldn’t let Charlie call him that.

“Luke was an alias, and Louis is his real name. So from now on, Miss Charlie should also…”

“No. His full name?”

“Pardon?”

Leon hesitated at the sudden question.

Moreover, Charlie looked pale and frozen.

“It’s Louis Foster, why do you ask……”

“……!”

At that moment, Charlie staggered.

“Miss Charlie!”

Leon quickly supported her, but Charlie stared into space like someone who had lost their mind.

“Louis Foster……”

Why did she only remember now?

The character who killed Kieran in the original work, and who was killed by Noel.