Looking at the knights lined up before me—that is, the appearances of those who would now perform their duties as my subordinates—a sigh escaped me on its own.
It was a complete mess, to say the least.
'Now, usable-looking guys, one, two…'
At best, the talents who looked in decent condition could be counted on one hand with a slight exaggeration, while the rest were all below standard.
Frankly, if you excluded the somewhat proper-looking uniforms and the plumpness around the waists of most members, indicating good supply conditions, it would have been better to gather stragglers from the frontlines and use them.
At least those guys, after being fed, given a change of clothes, and handed proper weapons, would go back out and fight risking their lives. I'm talking about ordinary soldiers, not even knights.
No matter what, how can you compare the combat power of ordinary soldiers with superhuman knights?
On the battlefield, where no means or methods are off-limits, martial prowess does not always hold absolute value.
It might sound like nonsense, but there are facts you only know from direct experience.
By my standards, if you can't handle aura anyway, it's far better to have obedient, quick-witted ordinary people rather than half-baked superhumans with slightly superior physical abilities.
Of course, a knight order composed of properly trained knights exhibits devastating combat power that renders numbers meaningless, as widely known…
But at least, it didn't seem like these guys were capable of that.
"All, salute toward the Empire's sun, which watches over all people!" "Eternal glory to the Imperial family! Eternal loyalty to His Majesty the Emperor!"
Look at that. There are hundreds of personnel, and that's all the voice they can muster.
Moreover, everyone's eyes are dull and hazy from the start, as if their mental state is already in bad shape…
I wonder just how much effort it would take to somehow patch these guys up into a usable state.
'Come to think of it, I wonder what everyone is doing, where? The survivors are probably getting along well on their own.'
I know well that comparing the past and present is the most foolish act in the world.
But I couldn't help constantly recalling the faces of my former subordinates with whom I shared life and death, joy and sorrow on the battlefield.
"Next is the award ceremony of the plaque of appreciation for the former Knight Commander Pietro de' Medici, who 'spared no various efforts' for the Black Lion Knights over the past three years."
But why on earth is the deputy knight commander conducting this inauguration ceremony?
Normally, events like this should be presided over by the administrator. It seems internal affairs are running quite complicatedly.
Still, since it's a meaningful inauguration ceremony, I tried to let things pass as smoothly as possible, even if somewhat lacking.
"You've been reeeally~ hard at work." "After all that hardship, the reward is just this piece of carved stone? Isn't there anything more?" "Truly consistent to the very end."
Seeing the situation grow increasingly strange, my patience is gradually reaching its limit.
"All! Salute to the former Knight Commander!" "Loyalty! May God's grace be upon the footsteps advancing forward!"
Not only the ordinary knights but even the commanders—the squad leaders and century leaders—swayed soullessly like zombies or skeletons, half-heartedly shouting their responses.
From conducting the event to commanding personnel and the award ceremony, it's all being handled by that petite deputy commander alone.
Honestly, this is the first time I've ever experienced such an absurd inauguration ceremony.
I want to overturn everything right now, but the only reason I'm still holding back is because of the deputy commander, who gave me a somewhat decent first impression.
Just how terribly did the former commander manage the unit for it to come to this state? Or is the rear always run like this?
Or perhaps, because it's a knight order, not a regular unit, its norms and traditions are a bit peculiar?
Of course, that's probably not the case, but seeing such a chaotic scene, I felt as if all the common sense I had built up until now was being entirely negated.
Suddenly, Her Highness the Princess's aloof face came to mind, brought on by the intense lethargy and sense of emptiness that had already begun to creep in without me doing anything.
The most beautiful woman I've ever seen in my life. Both her appearance and figure.
'What happened between us today. Absolutely do not forget it.'
…Well, I don't know about her personality.
Even after receiving such a threatening statement, I still want to see her again. Have I really been bewitched by her without even realizing it?
Strangely, recalling Her Highness's face seemed to slightly soothe my irritation.
"The next order is the farewell address from Sir Pietro, the 13th Knight Commander. Please be quiet and listen attentively."
Finally, what was coming has arrived.
I decided to hear just what nonsense the former commander, who brought the knight order to this state, would spout.
From the Medici family, a quite prestigious marquis household whose name alone makes you think of it immediately, yet so incompetent.
Was he just a naked emperor running amok under his father's protection?
Personally, they are the type of person I despise the most. Of course, it could be prejudice, but judging by his appearance, that didn't seem to be the case.
An oily, shiny face and a smirking expression, with attire also not being neat.
To think such a person was the commander. It's understandable why the knight order hasn't been functioning properly.
"Ah, dear Black Lions. During my tenure, this commander has shared joys and sorrows with you all for a long time…"
However, his farewell address itself was surprisingly normal.
Not particularly excellent or moving, but a plain content with no particular flaws to pick on.
In short, it was a textbook speech.
"Then next, we will have the inauguration address from Sir Wolfgang, who will assume the position of the 14th Knight Commander. Please welcome him with applause!"
—Clap clap clap clap!
Applause? It's just unnecessarily burdensome. The former commander's farewell address just passed quietly.
—Wink
As expected, the deputy commander's face, looking at me while blinking her left eye, was filled with anticipation.
So it was deliberate. I should warn her not to do that from now on.
Since I'm not particularly eloquent to begin with, I cleared my throat to finish as short and impactful as possible.
"Gentlemen, pleased to meet you. My name is Wolfgang of House Schwarz."
A commander is someone who must establish a certain degree of dignity before his subordinates. Otherwise, proper command becomes impossible.
Bonding with subordinates can be done later without being late, but the only opportunity to properly plant a first impression is right now.
Moreover, since they are men whose discipline has become lax to the extreme, it shouldn't matter to apply some overt pressure as a means of seizing the initiative.
"No need for long speeches, I'll keep it short."
Sometimes, one action resonates more than a hundred words.
I fully release the aura I had been suppressing. They're all knights, so I believe they can withstand this much.
—Gahhhh! —Hii, hiiiiik! —Uuugh…
'If you have power, you should think about how to use it! What are you saving it for?!'
My Master clearly said that.
If possible. Those who stand before others need to show as overwhelming a presence as possible.
You must properly bend your subordinates to your will so that when you go to the battlefield, even one fewer person dies.
Even now, I'm merely following in my Master's footsteps. But now I can at least imitate him.
—Crack, craaack…! —Gurgle, grrrrr…
As I continued applying pressure, some guys began wetting themselves, and there were even those who foamed at the mouth and fainted.
Those still standing properly were the former knight commander, staring at me with wide eyes while sweating cold sweat, and the deputy commander, whose face was reddened likely due to the pressure.
And four squad leaders, only one century leader. Why are the lower-ranking commanders holding up better?
The ordinary knights are wiped out. Pathetic bastards.
The warriors of the northern tribes, even the lowly soldiers, would try to fight back even if they feared my aura.
What use are knights if they're this weak?
Still, there's no need to torment my subordinates more than necessary, so this is enough. I slowly withdrew the widely spread aura and shouted loudly.
"Black Lion Knights, all attention!" "A-attentioooon!"
From those who hadn't completely broken down and could still open their mouths, a thunderous voice returned, incomparable to before.
Now, I'm finally starting to like these guys a little.
"I look forward to working with you. Under this commander's command, the Black Lion Knights will be reborn with a new appearance. That is all."
As stated earlier, I finished the speech as short and impactful as possible.
The not-so-pleasant inauguration ceremony ends here.
From now on, since I'm the leader here, the rest of the events were unnecessary.
I immediately called the deputy commander.
"Deputy Commander." "Y-yes, sir?!"
The strangely weak, odd reply automatically made me frown. I thought the deputy commander was somewhat usable. Turns out she was barely holding on until now.
Well, since she was standing on the platform with me, she must have felt the pressure more intensely. That much can be considered.
"Including the commanders. The guys who just wet themselves, collapsed, foamed at the mouth… too many. Anyway, list the names of all members who couldn't stand on two legs to the disciplinary committee." "Y-you mean all of them?" "Deputy, did you perhaps not understand my words properly?"
I approached the deputy commander, whose face was flushed as she swayed, and whispered directly into her ear. She seemed to finally snap back to her senses.
"No, sir! I will carry out the order as soon as the inauguration ceremony concludes!" "Good. Now you're starting to be more to my liking."
At my words, the deputy commander returned to her seat at the far right corner of the platform and assumed a parade rest position.
The ceremony is over now, does she think something still remains?
I was about to tell her to go work immediately, but since the deputy commander's condition looked so poor, I decided to leave her be for a moment.
First, perhaps due to her posture, it looked like the buttons on her jacket might burst at any moment. The uniform size seemed much too small for her physique; alterations seemed urgently needed.
Seeing that the red flush still hadn't faded from her face and instead her ears were bright red, it seemed there was an issue with blood circulation too.
"Haa, haa… H-heet…"
Heavy breathing. Could there be a respiratory issue?
As a knight where physical strength is important, that's unlikely; it's probably just the clothes making it hard to breathe.
It would be problematic if her physical characteristics hindered her duty performance.
Due to my own extraordinary physique, I could easily guess her troubles. I should introduce her to a tailor who takes custom orders.
In many ways, the deputy commander seemed to be the type of person who required more attention than I thought.
However, paying attention to subordinates is also a virtue of a superior. As long as she shows competent performance proportionate to the attention given, it doesn't really matter.
Moreover, since I'm not particularly familiar with paperwork, I desperately need an intelligent subordinate, so I must get along with the deputy commander as well as possible from now on.
Of course, the person who single-handedly performed all roles throughout the event couldn't possibly be stupid.
"Haha…! Not bad. House Schwarz? How did someone like you come from such an insignificant family…"
Meanwhile, the one showing an unexpected side was none other than the former commander.
I thought he'd be the first to collapse, but he endured to the end. So perhaps he wasn't completely unqualified for the knight commander position after all.
Or maybe, it's thanks to the Medici bloodline.
But why on earth is he picking a fight now?
"You, on the other hand. I thought you were completely useless, but it seems you have at least the basics."
Not wanting to get flushed myself, I retorted as politely as possible. It seems he wants to keep clinging to my coattails.
"Wh-what did you say! You, a half-baked count family brat, how dare you speak out of turn!"
Right. That's the kind of remark you'd expect from such trash.
When lost for words, bringing up status or family. That's the act of those who have nothing else to boast about.
"Isn't the one speaking out of turn actually you?" "Y-you… such an insult to me…"
Not bothering to hide my rising displeasure, I let it show. The trash began trembling, his face turning bright red.
The deputy commander's blushing face is at least aesthetically pleasing to see. A disgusting man's blushing face is just creepy.
Also, someone who isn't even the Marquis Medici himself, a nobody whose inheritance rights are unknown, is in no position to challenge me from the start.
So, in this current situation.
It's not that I'm daring to defy him.
It's that he's daring to defy me.
"I will definitely lodge a formal protest at the family level regarding this matter! If that happens, your insignificant family will surely meet a miserable end…"
But listening to it is becoming nauseating, to the point where I can't bear to hear more.
"Did you say something just now?"
I grabbed the talking trash by the neck with one hand and lifted him high into the air.