What awaits at the end of this road is (9)
As soon as Rahon finished caring for the wounded, he went to Ian's barracks.
The knight standing guard in front of the barracks raised his sword and blocked the entrance.
"Stop, please enter the password."
"Do I have to do this?"
"If you refuse, we will attack."
"The guardian is a beauty."
"Please come in."
As soon as he heard the news of the appearance of the top-tier monster, Kalit ordered the entire coalition forces to create a code.
The passwords were different for each unit and changed every morning and evening, so memorizing them was a task.
In particular, Rahon, who had to go back and forth between units to treat the wounded, was going through a difficult time.
'But that doesn't mean I can't memorize it.'
If you don't enter the correct password, you will be attacked immediately regardless of your status.
Rahon entered the barracks and slumped down on a chair without even asking permission.
Ian, who had just finished his bath and was changing his clothes, glanced at him.
"Why is your expression like that?"
"Hey, who sets your unit's password? I think that guy is some pervert."
"Why are you arguing again?"
"No, is 'The Guardian is beautiful' the correct code? Even yesterday It was 'The Guardian's eyes are beautiful'! Do you know how embarrassing this is?"
"Why?"
"Yes?"
"Why are you embarrassed?"
"..."
Rahon just blinked with a blank expression.
lan shook his slightly dry hair as he watched the sight.
He doesn't know why he's so nervous when he didn't even say he was beautiful.
Ian, the cryptographer, saw no problem with the password.
"Is that what you came here to say?"
"Uh? Oh, right."
Rahon shook his head and came to his senses.
"You, try to stop it."
"Speak straight. Who are you talking about?"
"The Marquis! Millenia's father!"
Ian stared at Rahon silently.
Rahon continued speaking without even knowing the meaning contained in that gaze.
"At that age, how can you fight a guerrilla war? But no one stopped him during the meeting. How could that be possible?"
"Have you ever thought that the Commander-in-Chief gave him permission because he was more than capable of doing it?"
"I healed the Marquis's leg, but he is not fully rehabilitated. No one knows that."
Rahon, who was not a knight, had no idea how much of a disrespect his actions were to Marquis Astrod.
lan let out a small sigh.
"The Marquis is the greatest knight. He was once one of the most powerful men in the empire."
"Is that still the case? Can you really guarantee that the Marquis won't get hurt?"
"A knight refuses a mission because he is worried about getting injured? That's not a knight, that's a mercenary."
"So you're going to leave it like this?"
"I have no authority to interfere nor do I want to. The Marquis will carry out the operation successfully."
"Whew... I'm going to go back."
Rahon rubbed his rough face.
In fact, he also knew that he was being ridiculously stubborn.
So, isn't it Ian who is doing this, not Marquis Astrod?
He wanted to fulfill Millenia's wish even by doing that.
Even though he couldn't completely stop the bleeding from her body, he wanted to stop her from crying.
"I can't participate in guerrilla warfare... right?"
A look of wonder finally appeared in Ian's golden eyes.
"What the hell is going on? It's strange that you suddenly came to the front... What's going on?"
Ian doesn't know what happened at the launch party.
How pale Millenia was lying on the waiting room floor, and how desperate he was when he realized that the healing power was not working on her.
Ian would never have dreamed of that feeling of blood rushing to his head.
Rahon quietly lowered his eyes, suppressing his despair.
"I'm nervous. While you guys fight, I have to wait here..."
"That's why I told you that it wouId be too hard for you here. Move to the rear right now. That's okay."
“No.”
"Why."
"I have to protect you."
"..."
"I will protect Kalit and Marquis Astrod, and 150,000 soldiers."
"Why do you do that?"
Rahon smiled weakly.
"Because this is all I can do for you."
***
That night, further investigation into the monster's location revealed that it was a cave inside the stone mountain.
The monsters were hibernating, but some were also found to be in hibernation. These were mid-level or higher monsters.
Marquis Astrod had already planned out his forces before their exact location was confirmed.
The final unit members decided on that way were only ten people, including him.
But no one took it lightly.
Because one of those ten people is capable of doing the work of a hundred knights.
Before the operation, Marquis Astrod visited Ian's barracks.
"Commander, do you have a moment?"
"Your Grace, please speak at your convenience."
"It's an exhibition. The chain of command must be strictly observed so that military discipline does not become lax."
lan smiled softly at the terribly knightly answer.
"Please sit down."
As Marquis Astrod sat down on the chair, Ian personally brought out some warm tea.
Other high-ranking officials, including Chancellor Halsteil, had separate attendants.
Even the Marquis of Astrod had an adjutant, but Ian handled everything on his own.
Of course, there was Beorn, but he didn't take care of Ian.
"Do you have anything to say?"
"Are you really going to participate in the operation?"
"Yes."
Among the unit members participating in the guerrilla operation, Ian was the one who carried out one hundred tasks.
In fact, for this operation, those with stealthy and nimble movements were more suitable than those with outstanding swordsmanship skills.
The goal is not to deal a big blow but to hit them and then run away so they don't have a chance to rest.
But, unexpectedly, Ian volunteered for the guerrilla operation, so Marquis Astrod couldn't help but be worried.
Considering Ian's abilities, it's a welcome thing for a lieutenant, but he's the commander of the Imperial Army.
It was unlikely to happen, but if Ian made a mistake, it was a problem that could shake the entire Allied Forces.
"Why did you decide to do this so suddenly? At first, you had no intention of participating."
"It wasn't sudden."
Ian added calmly.
"I often heard from my father that the Great Rift 30 years ago was won thanks to the Marquis. He told me that since you were a great commander, I should definitely learn from you when I had the chance."
"You flatter me. I am absolutely not a commander worthy of learning from."
"He said you would say that too."
"..."
Ian's answers flowed naturally as if he had been waiting for the question to be asked.
"I applied because I thought it would be an opportunity to broaden my horizons. But now that I think about it, it's actually a very personal reason."
Marquis Astrod lowered his eyes and swallowed a sigh.
He had been secretly suspecting that Ian was trying to help him because of his connection to Millenia, but it didn't seem to be the case. Fortunately, he still felt bad about it.
'What a great commander...'
Marquis Astrod rose from his seat, hiding his emotions behind his expressionless face.
"The operation will begin at midnight."
"All right."
Marquis Astrod saluted and left the barracks.
lan leisurely sipped his already lukewarm tea.
From the moment Marquis Astrod volunteered for the guerrilla operation, Ian had decided to participate.
However, that does not mean that he is trying to protect Marquis Astrod like Rahon.
Because protecting the knight he respects second only to his own father is an insult to him.
What he said to Marquis Astrod was sincere.
He wanted to experience his conduct, which his father always praised until his mouth dried.
And if a crisis arises, it might be helpful.
Because the duties of a unit member include protecting the safety of the unit leader.
lan put down his teacup and took out a white handkerchief that he had hidden deep in his bosom.
And after staring at the ugly initials embroidered on the corner for a while, he secretly kissed it.
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