The experience of unintentionally capturing the attention of a crowd was all too familiar to me. Ever since I hit my growth spurt, I had been a head taller than most grown men. A body forged to its physical limits was impossible to hide, no matter how hard I tried. To make matters worse, the war had left my face and body littered with scars of various sizes.
"Good heavens... how can such a dangerous-looking man walk the streets so freely in broad daylight?" "Wow, Uncle! I've never seen anyone that big!" "Shh, be quiet! Never make eye contact!"
This was why I preferred wearing armor. In plate, I transformed from a "dangerous individual with a menacing face" into a "dignified veteran who survived countless battlefields." If I couldn't avoid the stares, it was better to inspire awe than fear. Ideally, I wouldn't be noticed at all, but that was a functional impossibility. It was also the reason why, despite my hobby of walking, I used to stubbornly break curfew just to wander at night. I wanted to avoid situations exactly like this one.
"Commander... I feel like the people are staring a bit too much." "It's because you're such a beauty, so don't mind them." "I-it feels more like they're looking at us with... extreme wariness..."
If the Vice-Commander hadn't been by my side, the guards who had been tailing us at a ten-meter interval would likely have approached me by now, politely asking me to accompany them to the security office.
—Waving arms frantically!
'Cannot handle alone! Requesting backup immediately!'
The specific hand signals used by guards to call for comrades were technically classified, but I had seen them so many times I could read them perfectly.
"Oh, dear! You said it was safe here! Look at that man! We'll have to start paying protection money from today!" "H-hush...!"
I had merely glanced at an interesting item for sale, yet a middle-aged woman was already wailing and clutching her husband. At this point, such reactions were more tiresome than insulting.
"How dare they!"
Apparently, the Vice-Commander didn't feel the same way. She had likely only known the admiring glances of men or the respectful stares of subordinates impressed by her early achievements.
"Calm down. I'm used to it." "But those insolent people are treating you like a common thug! You should never be treated this way!" "What can I do? I was born looking like this. It's easier once you give up." "But..."
I had to struggle to soothe the fuming Agnes, whose loyalty was burning a bit too bright. Though I wanted to look around the streets, it seemed better to duck into a restaurant as soon as possible. Just as I was beginning to feel a bit dejected—
—Soft pressure!
"Vice-Commander?" "Please stay still for a moment. If we act like a close couple, perhaps their hostile gazes will soften a bit."
I was momentarily speechless. Agnes, dressed in her light blouse, had suddenly hooked her arm through mine. Beyond the sudden weight on my arm was a soft, surprisingly pleasant sensation that enveloped my elbow and forearm.
"Isn't this... a bit too close? Our bodies are touching quite a bit." "To help my life-saver out of a predicament, this much is nothing."
I tried to stop her, but she looked stubborn, as if she wouldn't hear a word of it. Where did the loyal, obedient Vice-Commander Agnes go? Even if this was a private setting, this was...
—Waving arms!
Curiously, as soon as she linked arms with me, the group of guards that had grown to five men immediately dispersed. The wariness in the air lightened significantly.
"Well, they look quite good together. Though the lady will likely have a rough time tonight." "She looks so haughty, but apparently she has... quite a bold taste in men. Look at the size of him." "She barely reaches his chest. If he just picks her up... Oh, wow..."
However, there was a trade-off. The crude gossip of the townspeople, whispered from a distance, pierced right through my enhanced superhuman hearing. It was the same for Agnes; her face turned a shade of crimson that rivaled a mana backflow.
"The way commoners think is... very daring. Having lived mostly in female-only knight dorms since I was young, this is quite interesting to hear." "There's a way to dampen your hearing. When you adjust internal pressure, you fill the space in your ears with mana instead of air—" "I apologize. My level of mastery is too low to understand such a technique."
That was strange. My Master told me that was a basic trick even a low-ranking knight could do. He said the principle was very simple. Was he wrong?
—Squeeze!
Instead of listening to my explanation, Agnes tightened her grip on my arm and even began to lean her head against my shoulder. The pleasant scent wafting from her was the "sweet-smelling hair soap" I had complimented once before.
"Vice-Commander? Is this really necessary?" "Once an operation begins, one must see it through decisively. Is that not an old proverb among knights?" "True, but... what if our subordinates see us? This is a busy district." "Who among the Black Lions would dare speak a word of nonsense to their leader? You may do as you please, Commander."
I had sensed this during our encounter with the Princess, but the Vice-Commander was quite the silver-tongued orator. She had held her own in a verbal spar against royalty, after all. My martial power was superior, but I stood no chance against her in an argument.
"Fufu..."
I eventually gave up and let her be as she began to subtly rub her head against my bicep. Seeing her act like more than a mere subordinate, I figured she had developed a sort of survival-based dependency after I saved her life. It was common on the battlefield, so I didn't find it too odd.
"Commander. That pocket watch... I think it would suit you well. Do you like it?" "I'm not much for carrying trinkets."
She kept leading me around, seemingly desperate to buy me something.
"I see... then how about that belt?" "Hmm... I do need one. Let's take a look."
I ended up choosing a belt, the most practical and modest option.
"Indeed, a lion-hide belt is the only thing fit for the leader of the Black Lions. May I gift this to you?" "I'll take it. Thank you for the gift, Vice-Commander." "No, it's nothing compared to what you've given me... Ah! When we return, the new uniforms you ordered should have arrived. I'm looking forward to it."
It seemed that Agnes, despite her usual perfection, was the type to talk more and act a bit spoiled in a private setting.
"Vice-Commander. I think we can separate now." "D-do you find it unpleasant? I'm sorry..." "No, it's not that. You can stay."
Even considering the circumstances, her behavior was teetering on a line that required a firm warning. Yet, seeing her reminded me so much of Second Lieutenant Laurent that I couldn't find the heart to push her away.
—Glare!
In that moment, the gaze of the white snowy owl still circling in the sky felt inexplicably sharper. Hasn't it left yet? It was impossible, but it felt as if the Princess herself was watching us. Suddenly, I felt a strong urge to go indoors. I was hungry anyway.
"Shall we go eat? I'm starting to get famished." "Ah! Yes, understood!"
Wandering through the bustling streets of the Bartok territory, a sign in front of a restaurant caught my eye.
[5 Silver for Unlimited Freshly Slaughtered Beef! Add 5 Silver for House-Brewed Beer! Enjoy Unlimited Joy for 10 Silver!]
This was the beauty of a gateway city. With so many people passing through, there were bound to be unique shops and restaurants that you wouldn't find in a regular fiefdom.
"This place looks good." "...Are you sure about this? This looks like a place only commoners frequent. I think we should find somewhere more elegant with a better atmosphere."
Agnes looked skeptical. Why, when faced with such a perfect establishment?
"I can't put too much of a burden on you. You already bought me a fine gift." "Phew..."
Clutching the fancy box containing the lion-hide belt, she sighed and followed me inside. I knew that as nobles, we should maintain our dignity, but how could anyone resist unlimited beef and beer? The smell alone was heavenly. Back in the capital, the fear of social scrutiny would prevent me from even dreaming of entering such a place. If not now, when would I have such an experience?
"I'm looking forward to this. I'm already excited." "If you are happy, Commander, then I am happy as well."
Once inside, Agnes's mood seemed to shift as she saw the piles of beef being grilled in the center of the room. A soft smile graced her lips. Just as we were eyeing the meat—
Several familiar faces appeared.
"Huh? Commander! And the Vice-Commander is with you, sir!" "Oh, is that Squad Leader Raul?" "Yes, sir! Hey, you lot! Saluting time! Did you quit being knights just because you're on leave?" "No, sir! LOYALTY!"
Of course. How could energetic knights resist a place like this? I had already taken note of Raul for having skills that exceeded his rank. He was clearly a man of culture.
"Commander! Your overwhelming martial prowess from the last battle still haunts my dreams!" "Our Commander, who floored an Ogre with one punch and turned monsters into dough just by passing by!"
In an instant, the quiet table for two was surrounded by a boisterous crowd of Black Lion Knights.
"Ha, haha..." "Hang in there, Vice-Commander...!"
The quick-witted owner, seeing a group of clearly formidable men gathering, immediately pushed several tables together.
"Squad Leader Rachel... what did I do wrong? I was almost there." "You should have stopped him from entering this shop in the first place! Why this of all choices...?"
For some reason, a blonde female knight was patting Agnes on the back, seemingly scolding her. It didn't look like insubordination; they seemed quite close, so I let it be.
"To the Black Lion Knights! To the Commander!" "FOR THE COMMANDER!"
The atmosphere quickly turned into a festival. Just as a few men were getting so drunk they had to be carried out by their comrades—
Two men, who had sat at a nearby table thirty minutes ago without eating a single bite of meat, acting incredibly solemn and serious, approached me.
"So this is where you were, Sir Wolfgang. We looked everywhere for you at your lodgings." "Who are you?" "We apologize for the intrusion during your rest, but we are from the 'Merchant Guild.' The Guild Master is requesting a speedy delivery."
Their refined pressure and disciplined movements, combined with the "Merchant Guild" label, meant only one thing. These were agents from the Imperial Counter-Intelligence Department.
Commonly known as the "Ravens."
"Could you wait outside for a moment? I'll wrap things up here shortly." "Yes, of course..."
I had called for Security, yet the Ravens showed up instead. I knew involving a son of the Medici family would be serious, but it seemed the higher-ups were taking this even more seriously than I anticipated.
I had wanted to get a little drunk for once. Now, I felt stone-cold sober.