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    The mediation between the 12 Tribes and the Orcs had been a sess.


    The Elves remained hostile towards Hans, but they were pursuing their own independent course of action.


    The situation was progressing favorably.


    Back at Lionheart Fortress, Hans savored a rare moment of respite, rxing in his chair.


    The simple act of staring at the ceiling felt therapeutic.


    He had aplished so much.


    The Human Kingdom, the Dwarf Kingdom, the 12 Tribes, and the Orcs. He had intervened and resolved conflicts for almost every race, with the exception of the Elves.


    It was only natural that he felt exhausted. He hoped this peace wouldst. Naturally, it didn’t.


    “Commander, do you have a moment?”


    Cluna entered his office, a gentle smile on her face.


    Hans nearly jumped out of his skin. Cluna, always busy with her duties, rarely sought him out.


    If she did, it usually meant trouble. He had enjoyed three days of uninterrupted peace since Cluna’sst visit.


    And now, it was over.


    ‘Well, that’s just my luck.’


    But he couldn’t show his frustration. He was the Commander of the Royal Knights, a pir of strength.


    Or so he thought. The reality of the Royal Knights was far more twisted.


    Their loyalty, their motivation, revolved solely around Hans. They cared little for anything else.


    They had each joined the order with their own goals, their own paths to glory.


    But that path had ended in ruin. They had witnessed devastation, the brutal ughter of theirrades.


    Even the strongest individuals could be broken by war. And they had witnessed the horrific deaths of theirpanions, those they had fought alongside for over a decade. ?А?????


    It was Hans who had saved them, offering them salvation. Though it hade at the cost of a twisted possessiveness.


    If Hans were to fall, the Royal Knights would unravel.


    They might even ally with the demons to save him. It sounded absurd, but they were capable of it.


    “What is it, Cluna?”


    Unaware of the depths of their devotion, Hans addressed Cluna calmly.


    She smiled, handing him a letter.


    Hans took it and read the contents slowly.


    [A monstrous creature has appeared, wreaking havoc in the Human Kingdom. The casualties are significant, but more importantly, this Minotaur is searching for you, Commander.]


    A Minotaur rampaging through the Human Kingdom, searching for him. There was only one Minotaur that upied Hans’s thoughts.


    ‘Is that bastard causing trouble again?’


    He had encountered the Minotaur shortly after arriving in this world, before he had fully grasped his situation.


    He had been forced to let it go.


    Imprisoning it had been an option, but the refugee campcked the facilities, and the risk of escape was too great.


    More importantly, he hadn’t been confident in his ability to defeat it. But things were different now.


    Hans nced at the sword at his hip.


    Sensing his gaze, the holy sword pulsed with a brilliant light.


    Hans looked back at Cluna.


    “Didn’t the Royal Guard send a subjugation force?”


    “They failed.”


    “Failed?”


    “Yes. The Vice-Captain of the Royal Guard, along with many knights, were killed.”


    “The Vice-Captain was quite skilled.”@@novelbin@@


    He was strong enough to rival Helia, a testament to his abilities. And yet, he had been killed.


    This Minotaur was a serious threat.


    “If the casualties are that high, we have no choice. We’ll handle this ourselves.”


    “Understood.”


    “Then let’s depart immediately.”


    Hans began his preparations.


    He didn’t realize it, but his actions, his willingness to personally confront danger, only intensified his unit’s devotion.


    Even Yuren rarely took the lead, preferring to conserve his strength for greater threats.


    Amander typically delegated such tasks to his subordinates.


    But Hans had always led from the front, taking on the most dangerous missions himself.


    He only delegated when absolutely necessary.


    This had earned him the unwavering loyalty of his unit.


    ‘Besides, I can usually get myself out of trouble.’


    Hans’s confidence stemmed from his ability to manipte time.


    ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇


    Acquiring wyverns from the Orcs had been a brilliant decision. It allowed him to reach the Human Kingdom quickly.


    Hans grinned.


    He enjoyed flying, the sensation of soaring through the sky. This time, he had brought only ra as an escort.


    A single Minotaur shouldn’t pose much of a threat.


    He had considered going alone, but his unit had insisted he bring at least one escort.


    ra had won the honor through a fiercely contested game of rock-paper-scissors.


    “I’m so excited! I’m alive!”


    “What’s got you so excited?”


    “Isn’t it obvious? I won this privilege fair and square!”


    “I suppose…”


    He had noticed the other unit members’ disappointed expressions. So, this was the reason.


    Hans chuckled.


    It wasn’t a bad way to build camaraderie.


    “Regardless, I trust you’ll focus on the mission.”


    “Of course! I’m a member of the Royal Knights!”


    “Good. I trust you.”


    “D-don’t just say things like that so suddenly!”


    ra blushed, averting her gaze.


    She was always so transparent.


    Hans, however, remained oblivious. Or rather, he had no intention of acknowledging her feelings.


    His mind was preupied with the current situation.


    The Multi-Racial Alliance had finally begun to reim their territories, but the demons were still a formidable threat.


    Even weakened, they had fought the Alliance to a standstill for centuries. There was no room forcency.


    Hans, at least, couldn’t afford to rx.


    ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇


    The Human Kingdom’s pce remained unchanged. It prioritized function over aesthetics, more a fortress than a pce. Hans, after a brief pause, continued inside.


    “Wee, Commander Hans.”


    “We meet sooner than expected.”


    “I apologize for the circumstances.”


    “No, I think it’s for the best.”


    The Human King prioritized efficiency, avoiding unnecessary expenditures of resources and manpower.


    This was one of the reasons Hans held him in high regard.


    “So, the Minotaur. That’s the problem?”


    “Yes. He now calls himself Ayanhar. I don’t know why.”


    “Ayanhar?”


    “Do you know what it means?”


    “…I believe it’s a fragment of a myth.”


    Hans suspected it was a corruption of “Einherjar.” The pronunciation was simr, and it suited the Minotaur’s obsession with seeking out strong opponents.


    “Regardless, that’s not important. He’s looking for me?”


    “Yes.”


    “Where is he?”


    “…Right outside.”


    “Right outside?”


    “Follow me.”


    Hans followed the King, escorted by the Royal Guard, to the castle walls.


    From atop the ramparts, Hans spotted the Minotaur sitting calmly.


    “He’s just sitting there, waiting.”


    ?? Important Notice ??<hr>


    ); }


    “Yes. He ims he sensed your presence when you were here before.”


    “Sensed my presence?”


    “That’s right.”


    “…”


    ‘Crazy stalker bastard.’


    Hans swallowed the words.


    He wouldn’t damage his image with such outbursts.


    “There’s no choice. Let’s deal with this.”


    “I apologize for the trouble.”


    “No, he’s stronger than before. We can’t underestimate him.”


    The King, encouraged by Hans’s words, nodded. He hadn’t shown it, but the thought of the soldiers and knights lost to the Minotaur filled him with rage.


    But now, he felt a sense of relief.


    The Commander would handle it.


    ‘He’s stronger than before. So don’t me me too much if I lose.’


    Hans was simplyying the groundwork, just in case.


    ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇


    [Trantor Notes]


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