Chapter 102

Even though she knew it was a baseless stunt, she looked through the report.

If they were to use something similar to this as an excuse, about half of the existing noble families would be suspended from their duties.

The number of people working in the imperial palace departments would be considerable, and even if she narrowed it down to those related to the military, countless nobles would be implicated, to the point where the social season would not function properly.

But the only one who was implicated was her friend, Latine.

“Hmm…”

She could have ignored it.

She had the authority, and there was plenty of evidence to refute this ridiculous report.

But if she did that, she couldn’t escape the suspicion of having a private relationship with Latine.

Moreover…

[Temporarily suspend the duties of Latine Modilac and dispatch Stella Eden from the Administration Bureau as acting commander.]

Stella Eden was also a noble from the aristocratic faction.

It seemed they were trying to take command of the Azure Knights.

It looked like they were up to something.

Ameris’s mind raced.

It was dangerous for them to touch the position of the Azure Knight Commander. But with the current Azure Knights, there was no problem.

As long as Vice Commander Aivert was there.

How many people from the Administration Bureau could get him to move?

Moreover, he would move to protect Rodella Syveric, who was by his side.

Ameris hid her smile.

In that case, it would be more advantageous for Latine, a powerful sword, not to be bound by the position of commander.

In case of an emergency, that is.

“I will speak to His Majesty and get his approval. You may leave.”

Ameris made her conclusion.

Ryan Diepelt, who had clearly seen her sign the report, smiled to himself in satisfaction.

Yes, the head of the Administration Bureau, who must always monitor the military, couldn’t tell them to ignore the suspicions!

He thought his calculation was correct.

The Emperor would also not block the investigation of the Azure Knights without reason.

Because the Red Knights, who were there to protect him on paper, were clearly present, so there was no problem with his escort.

“Oh…”

The result of that process was what flew to Latine.

Of course, Latine, who knew nothing of the complicated procedures that preceded it, was simply dumbfounded.

He was blocked from entering the headquarters on his way to work. He swallowed the angry words he was about to say once more and grumbled.

“It’s hard to be a patriot.”

It was at that moment.

“Commander!”

Rodella Syveric ran out of the headquarters.

Latine was just about to back away from the headquarters.

The problem was that he had nowhere to go.

If he went back to the Modilac mansion, he would have to face those guys from the Administration Bureau, and he, who was weak at political maneuvering, was likely to have his weaknesses exploited by them.

And so, as he was contemplating, Rodella ran up to him.

“Are you alright, Commander?”

At her words, Latine let out a hearty laugh.

“Those guys won’t be able to touch a single hair on my head.”

“…”

At that, the guards from the Administration Bureau subtly looked away.

It was a story that was pride-damaging for someone who used a sword, but their opponent was simply too strong to argue with.

“I know that, but I thought you might be surprised.”

“I was surprised, yes.”

Latine led Rodella to a place a little farther away from the headquarters.

The Administration Bureau guards didn’t follow them.

Thanks to that, the two of them could talk comfortably in a place where no one else was.

“But you don’t seem as surprised as I am.”

At Latine’s words, Rodella scratched her cheek.

“That’s… yes. Since the political situation is complicated, this is…”

“Not a very good situation, is it?”

Latine crossed his arms.

“Yes. To be honest, I thought the Chancellor wouldn’t give her approval.”

In conclusion, taking away Latine’s full authority was only possible with the approval of the Chancellor and, beyond her, the Emperor.

But what were the two of them thinking, to…

Rodella fell into thought for a moment.

Since Sir Latine had been suspended, he was now a civilian.

But because no signs of a crime had been found, he was also in a situation where there were no restrictions on his whereabouts.

What if they were aiming for this?

Rodella looked at Latine.

“Do you have a plan of where to go?”

“I was thinking about it.”

At his words, Rodella whispered softly.

“Then…”

At Rodella’s suggestion that he go somewhere, Latine raised his eyebrows.

“Go there? Why?”

“I’m worried that they might be concerned since the situation is like this.”

Latine nodded without a second thought.

“That’s not a bad idea.”

“But let’s do it secretly.”

At Rodella’s addition, Latine shrugged.

“I suppose so. But won’t I be kicked out? They’ll probably hate it because it could get politically complicated.”

At that, Rodella shook her head.

“They’ll be happy to see you, on the contrary.”

Latine, who looked at Rodella’s face for a moment, convinced by her confident words, readily nodded.

“If I get kicked out, I’ll just come out. Anyway, I understand.”

“Then, please go. We’ll be protecting the Azure Knights.”

At her reassuring words, a smile bloomed on Latine’s face.

“Make sure to tell me what those guys do to the Azure Knights after all this.”

“I will.”

Rodella bowed her head like a knight.

It wasn’t as sharp as their salute, but it was knight-like enough, so Latine burst into laughter.

* * *

“An acting commander from the Administration Bureau is coming?”

After Latine was barred from accessing the knights.

That was the next piece of news to hit the unsettled Azure Knights.

The knights naturally protested.

“We have a vice commander, what for?”

“Well…”

They already knew what Latine was being suspected of.

Following the ridiculous situation where even having a meal together was a crime.

“So, the Vice Commander is supposed to be the acting commander, but since he probably had meals with the commander, he can’t be one?”

“Exactly. They say he might have built a private relationship with the commander while having meals with him.”

At that, the knights were collectively dumbfounded.

“Is a relationship built with meals? Don’t you have to go to the battlefield?”

How could a ‘meal buddy’ compare to the strong camaraderie forged in a warzone?

But the desk jockeys from the Administration Bureau seemed to think differently.

“Anyway, that’s why the Vice Commander can’t do it, and that’s also why Dame Syveric from the Administration Bureau can’t do it either.”

“Why? Because she had meals with them?”

“No, they’re engaged. It’s ‘private.'”

“What the…”

The knights swore a mouthful. The Red Knights were even more private!

But Rodella gave them a warning.

“They will try to find a flaw in us at the slightest opening. Don’t disobey orders unless you have to. It could cause problems for your families.”

Given her past experiences, from the incident with Gareth Ortin, there was no one in the Azure Knights with better political judgment than her.

Because of that, the Azure Knights kept their mouths shut despite their dissatisfaction.

Their silence was, of course, due to Rodella’s order, but also because…

“I don’t want to.”

…they knew there was someone who could openly defy orders like this.

The ever-unshaken Aivert Royden stood facing the newly dispatched acting commander, Marvin Tilcot—a man known to be one of Duke Benerix’ recent close associates.