Chapter 38

"...Welcome to my army, Rex. I’m glad to have you."

"Tch."

General Mino flashed us a smug grin, full of sarcasm.

Seated on the large desk in her office, she had her hands clasped before her face, wearing a confident, almost mocking smile as she waited for us.

"Let’s get right to business, shall we?"

It had been two days since we arrived in the royal capital. Under General Mino’s command, we were finally being deployed.

"Rex, you are not to take the field until I give the order. Don’t act on your own. Well, if you really must go rogue, I won’t stop you... but know this—if you do, you won’t be paid. I’ve already predicted your behavior and prepared countermeasures. Trust me, nothing good will come of it."

"...God, you’re insufferable."

The air in the room was thick with tension as the two faced off.

Rex glared with a hardened expression, while Mino smirked, casually issuing threats. Honestly, she couldn’t look more like the villain if she tried.

Like something out of a play—she was a picture-perfect antagonist. You really play the part, Mino.

"And I see more came along than just Rex. You didn’t need to bring anyone else."

"Wouldn’t more hands be better in a fight? What’s your problem with that?"

"Our job is to protect the capital. With the exception of a handful of elite adventurers, most of you are vastly inferior to the national army—expendable pieces, really. To be blunt, you’re just in the way."

"Oh yeah? I accepted this job as a party."

"There’s no need for a party. What I want from you is a one-on-one duel. If the enemy commander appears, I want you to face them, Rex."

Mino twirled a lock of her short hair, glancing up coyly—but her eyes were cold and dismissive as they scanned the rest of us.

"Like hell I’d lose to some demon. So? That’s my whole job?"

"Yup, that’s all. So please, don’t do anything extra. Which means... the rest of you behind Rex aren’t needed. Would you mind leaving?"

"Like hell we’re leaving. No way we’re handing over our leader to you and walking away. You can never have too many healers."

"I can provide magical support too!"

"Well... if you insist, I won’t force you out. But there’ll be no pay, and don’t interfere. You chose to tag along, so you’re responsible for your own safety."

Mino looked at us like we were a pile of garbage in the way. She really is a cold-hearted pragmatist. In her eyes, if she has Rex, the rest of us are dead weight.

"You sure look down on my party, don’t you?"

"If you can’t tell what’s necessary and what’s not, you don’t belong in command of an army."

Still dripping with sarcasm, Mino looked at us like we were just Rex’s accessories. This must be her ‘villain mode’—but man, is she infuriating.

"...You really think guys like Melo and General Penny are good judges of that stuff?"

Right? Penny maybe, but Melo? That guy doesn’t think at all.

"General Penny relies on Emma to be his brain. As for Mello... I fill in for him."

"Huh? What do you mean you cover for Mello?"

"Because he doesn’t do a damn thing..."

Oh. Mino’s eyes just darkened. That wasn’t acting—she really meant that.

...Yeah, that tracks. Mello doesn’t seem like the workaholic type.

"Anyway! Karin and Mei won’t be paid, and I won’t be assigning any guards to protect them, so keep that in mind!"

"Fine by me! I didn’t take this job for the money anyway!"

"Rex doesn’t need guarding. Not with me around."

Sparks flew as Rex and Mino continued to stare each other down. Yeah... the rift between them runs deep.

"Also, since this involves military secrets, none of you are allowed to attend strategic meetings. You’re to stay in Rex’s tent and not leave it without permission. You’re only being allowed to remain here because of Rex. Don’t think you can just roam the base freely."

"...You really don’t give a damn about cooperation, do you?"

"This is a simple client-adventurer relationship. The adventurer has a duty to assist the client—but not the other way around."

"You’re a real piece of work..."

Wait, I’m stuck in the tent all day? It’s cramped—I won’t even be able to swing a sword in there. That’s a problem...

"Alright then, could the rest of you step out for a moment? Rex and Flatche, stay. Let’s discuss the specifics of your assignment and the rewards."

"If you do anything to Rex, I won’t forgive you. Let’s go."

"Damn right. Let’s move, Mei, Flatche... huh?"

"Huh?"

My sword relies on technique. Daily training and tuning make a huge difference in my performance.

So I was just about to beg Mino to at least let me do some practice swings when I realized—I wasn’t being asked to leave.

Wait, what?

"...I’m staying too?"

"Yes. I was going to call you in after speaking with Rex anyway, but since you came with him, we’ll just do it all now."

"Mino, what the hell are you thinking? Leaving someone as dumb, gullible, and useless as Flatche behind—what could you possibly want with her!?"

"Say that again, I dare you!!"

Unbelievable. The nerve of him, talking about me like that. Like he’s not a brain-dead meathead himself.

I’m gonna stomp on his foot.

"...Actually, I planned to offer her a job from the start. A swordswoman who can keep up with Melo? I’d pay through the nose for that."

Oh? So I am getting paid? Lucky me. As I stomped on Rex’s shin with all the glee of a gremlin, I couldn’t stop smiling.

Seems Mino thinks pretty highly of me as a swordswoman. I mean, Melo’s supposed to be the strongest in the kingdom... I guess the army doesn’t have many decent swordsmen.

"...I’d like to think I’m pretty elite as a healer too, you know."

"Yeah, but my army is built around mages and healers. I know you’re skilled—I did my research—but honestly, you’re surplus to requirements."

"Wait, you’ve got extra healers?"

"I mean, I’m the best healer in the kingdom myself. My healers aren’t so much soldiers as they are students. As long as I’m here, I can handle all the wounded myself. But a top-class swordsman like Rex or Flatche? I’d kill for more of you."

"So that’s how it is."

Just a matter of demand, then. In a magic-heavy army, of course they’d value the best swordsmen more.

"Even aside from that, someone like Flatche is worth recruiting no matter what."

"Y-You think so?"

"Anyway, we’re almost out of time before deployment, so let’s make this quick. Karin, Mei—please leave."

"...Yeah, yeah. This sucks."

The two rear guards left the room with sullen faces. Once they were gone, Mino smirked and began explaining the mission details.

---

"A divide-and-conquer tactic, huh?"

In front of the carriage protected by the core unit under Mino’s command—meant for VIPs—Karin and Mei were waiting for us, having been guided there.

"Since the information’s going to be shared anyway, there’s no problem with us joining the strategy meeting or hearing about the request, right?"

"So we were deliberately excluded—just Karin and me—to stir up discord among us?"

"Ah, so that was the angle."

"Someone like Flatche would probably just get excited about the reward without thinking it through. That kind of thing plants the seeds of discord. By intentionally creating that kind of disparity between us, the plan is probably to shake up our unity and then absorb us into the military if things fall apart."

In front of the carriage, we were now going over the request Mino had just given us.

"Th-that’s downright vile…"

"General Mino is terrifying."

"That’s the kind of person she is. As for the reward this time—both shares go into the party fund. End of story."

"Sounds fair. Now then, about the request itself…"

I had almost gotten happy for a second there, but so that’s what it was about? Though honestly, was Mino really aiming for something that nasty?

It might’ve just been unintentional. She’s a total pragmatist, and it seemed like she just didn’t want to spend money on Karin, the healer, or Mei, the black mage, since they were already part of our team.

A perfect example of how a bad first impression makes you suspect everything, which then worsens that impression even more.

"Take down the enemy commander. But absolutely do not engage without orders."

"So basically, the national army will handle the general fighting, and we’re only responsible for the commander duel."

"The only offensive spell I have is Explosion, which is an area attack… so I don’t think I’ll be needed this time."

"Don’t be stupid, Mei. I want you covering me from behind—cut down any demons that get in the way. It’s a pain if the small fry interfere."

Huh. So Rex plans to have Mei on the battlefield too? That seems a little risky…

But we are a party, and leaving Mei behind alone would be wrong. We just have to protect her properly.

"Then how about Mei and I support Rex from the rear while Flatche covers us?"

"Yeah, that works. Flatche, don’t charge in—just focus on guarding them and clearing the area around us."

"What? But I wanted to fight the enemy commander too…"

"If you beat me after I take down the enemy commander, then you’ll be number one, Flatche. Since you’re planning to fight me anyway, might as well save the effort."

"You’ve got a point!!"

Yeah, yeah. Since I’ll end up clobbering Rex eventually, I might as well focus on protecting Karin and Mei for now.

"What do we do if they try to split up Rex and Flatche on purpose?"

"In that case, we just refuse the request. I’m not her subordinate—Mino and I are equals: just a client and an adventurer."

"Exactly."

So basically, we’ll always be moving as a four-person unit. Simple enough.

"My job will be a duel—so the key is what kind of demon the enemy commander turns out to be."

"If they’ve already deployed, that means the Demon Lord’s army has been found, right? Why hasn’t General Mino done any scouting or intel gathering on them?"

"Nah, she wouldn’t do something as slow as deploying after spotting the enemy. She mentioned an intercept encounter—she’s probably predicting the Demon Army’s movements and planning an ambush."

Now that I think about it, Mino did say she sent Clarise out based on her predictions of their movements.

"Back when I served with the national army in a war against a neighboring country… her command back then was creepy good. It felt like she always anticipated their moves and struck first."

"Interesting. So instead of reacting to the enemy’s actions, she acts before they do. A strategist who prioritizes the initiative."

"That’s… not as easy as it sounds."

"According to her, she’s not relying on gut instinct—she’s just making probabilistic, strategic choices based on logic. ...She doesn’t care what sacrifices it takes, as long as it’s tactically effective."

Rex spat that out with obvious disdain. ...It’s said that the reason he ended up all alone in the world was due to Mino’s command. No wonder he can’t accept her.

"There aren’t any villages around here, so there’s no risk of getting civilians caught up in this. As far as her command this time goes, maybe we can trust her for now."

"Don’t let your guard down. You never know how many layers of meaning Mino’s packed into a single operation."

"So we have to be more cautious of General Mino than the Demon Army…? That’s kind of messed up."

Honestly, for someone being this distrusted, how the hell is she still running the politics around here so smoothly?

"Well, leave the mind games to me. Not that I’m bragging or anything, and it’s definitely nothing to brag about…"

With a wry smile and a joking tone, Karin tried to blow away the gloom hanging over us from all this caution and suspicion.

"────See, I’ve got a knack for understanding how bad people think. Not that that’s something to be proud of."

Her eyes gleamed with quiet confidence, even as she half-laughed at herself.

---

"Hey, self-proclaimed Sword Saint."

"Who the hell are you calling self-proclaimed, brat?"

After the meeting between the parties ended, Rex and I went out to patrol. There wasn’t much time left before departure, but we might still pick up some useful information.

We walked down what used to be a bustling main street, lined with merchant shops. Now, we talked about things like the morale of the Mino forces and the training level of the soldiers.

Among the ruins of the shops stood rows of national army troops, and around them were the remaining townsfolk, watching silently.

From among those people, a cocky-looking boy who seemed familiar called out to us. Yeah, it was that little scam-apple-selling brat from before.

"You heading out to fight too?"

"Well, I am the Sword Saint."

"Is that for real? You're the famous Sword Saint? You look more like some spoiled noble kid getting all smug being surrounded by girls."

"I’ll knock you flat."

The boy eyed Rex suspiciously. Can’t blame him—Rex is built like a wall and ridiculously strong, but with Karin and Mei always by his side, he does sometimes look like a lovesick noble playboy.

His armor looks expensive, too.

"...Here. Take this."

"Huh?"

"This used to be one of our wares. …Also, it was my brother’s keepsake."

The boy handed Rex a small flower ornament.

"You know about the Lily Flower Ornament?"

"Wait, seriously!? You mean the one that automatically activates healing magic when its owner is in danger?"

Rex’s eyes went wide as he looked at the flower ornament the boy gave him.

I’d heard of it too. A legendary traditional craft made by a tribe that supposedly died out ages ago. It's a one-time-use artifact imbued with healing magic—something modern magic can’t replicate.

If it’s the real deal, it’s probably worth a fortune on the black market.

"Wait, this is the legendary—!?"

"Yeah, it’s a real Lily Flower Ornament. It’s yours. Take it."

"Whoa, hang on—I can’t just accept something like this. …I’ll pay you for it. Come to my base later."

"Don’t worry about it. …It’s already been used."

...

"Once it’s activated, it’s just a flower that never wilts. I was gonna lie and sell it as unused."

"Oi."

"But just wearing it might be enough to make people who know what it is cautious. Especially old demons—they’ve probably seen one before. Even used, a Lily Flower Ornament still has decent value. And honestly, I’ve got no family left. If I carry around something expensive like this, I’ll just get killed by thieves. So I’m giving it to you to settle a favor. No payment needed."

"A favor?"

"Yeah. You're the real Sword Saint, aren’t you? Then there’s no better person to owe me a favor."

The boy grinned with a mischievous smile.

"Taking you down to claim the strongest title can wait. Not that I’ve got any talent with a sword anyway. …I'm a merchant at heart."

"I see..."

"From now on, I’m gonna rise to the top. I’ll become a wealthy merchant who can hire a swordsman strong enough to beat you. Then I’ll take your title."

"..."

"So don’t you dare die, okay? If you die, this favor I gave you will be for nothing. …I’m Souta. Remember the name. I’m gonna become the merchant who rules this country’s economy someday."

"You’ve really perked up, haven’t you, kid?"

"…Well, yeah. Oh, and actually, I’ve got a favor to ask already."

As he said that, the boy pulled out a second Lily Flower Ornament from his pocket.

"You’ve got two of these?"

"Yup. …Give this one to General Mino, will ya?"

Uh, okay? Why General Mino?

"...What, trying to score points with the General? Don’t bother. That woman—"

"You mean Mino the Heartless, right? I know. Give it to her anonymously. It’d just annoy her if she got something from a citizen."

"Huh?"

Souta shoved the second ornament into Rex’s hand. Rex looked at the boy like he’d just grown a second head.

"Why Mino? What’s in it for you?"

"It’s not about gain. It’s just a thank-you. Everyone in the castle town is grateful to her. She gave people like us—a bunch of strays—a place to belong."

"...What are you talking about? What does Mino have to do with this town?"

"Wait, you seriously don’t know? The castle town was directly governed by General Mino, you know? She got people jobs, arranged the shops to help business run smoothly, and even came out personally to mediate disputes and give rulings."

...Wait. This town was under Mino’s direct control!? And she did all that stuff?

When does she even sleep?

"Back then, anyone who tried to open a shop outside the capital would get chewed out hard. But it was General Mino who said that was a waste, that expanding commerce outside the capital was a good opportunity. Thanks to her, we were allowed to open shops out here. In just a few years, this town grew into what it is now under her leadership."

"...You're serious?"

"She probably doesn’t show it, but I think the person most devastated by the attack on the town is her. She raised this place from the ground up, carefully and patiently."

"That’s… probably just because she was thinking about the national interest. She only wanted commerce to grow in the capital’s favor, so there’s no need to—"

"That’s fine. Doesn’t change the fact that we rootless folks got to live happy lives these past few years thanks to her. It’s not much, but this ornament is our way of saying thanks. Give it to her, anonymously."

With that, the boy handed over the ornament. ...And Rex’s face turned pale, like he was physically in pain.

What the hell. He always says everyone hates her, but she’s more respected than I thought. Mino’s gonna be ecstatic about this, isn’t she?

“Ugh... guh… Th-that’s… good to know… I-I shall… h-hold onto it…”

"Hey, Sword Saint, why do you look like you’re being tortured?"

"He’s got his reasons. Just let him be."

Grimacing like he was being stabbed, Rex accepted the ornament from the boy. ...Man, he really doesn’t want to go see Mino.

"I’m counting on you, Sword Saint. See ya!"

"U-Uh… sure..."

…Still, Mino, huh. She never let even a hint of that slip.

The castle town must’ve meant a lot to her. Normally, people in power end up being resented by those they govern.

But for the townsfolk to actually feel fond of their ruler—that only happens when someone has genuinely poured their heart into looking after them.

"...Hey, Rex. Want me to go deliver it real quick for you?"

"Please do…"

I sighed in response to Rex’s utterly deflated voice.

---

"...Huh? This… is for me?"

"Yeah. A gift from one of the castle town survivors. Said to keep it anonymous."

"R-Really? Fwaaah..."

By the way, when I handed over the ornament and explained the situation, Mino’s face lit up.

"They said they’re grateful to you."

"F-Fwaaah… R-Really? Truly?"

Clutching the ornament tightly like it was the most precious thing in the world, the great general broke into a beaming smile.

Honestly, I’d expected her to play the cold villain, something like, “Why would I accept such a suspicious gift? Toss it.” Especially with all her soldiers around.

But… she looked genuinely overjoyed. Did she forget to keep up the act?

"Delivery complete. Later."

"Fwaaaaaah..."

Later on, I heard from one of the soldiers.

Even after I’d walked away with a smug grin, Mino stood there holding that flower ornament close, a melting, dreamy smile on her face, and didn’t let go of it for a long time.