Chapter 94

The recent cult arrest incident had caused quite a stir.

To begin with, the number of people officially rescued by the Azure Knights in this case alone exceeded several dozen.  

More missing persons continued to be discovered, and with the extermination of the cult that had been plaguing the Empire and the Emperor since the time of the monster war, the uproar was only natural.  

On top of that—  

“Not a single person was hurt, right?”  

“They say the Azure Knights’ vice-commander led the charge.”  

“Oh, that vice-commander? The one who wrecks buildings but always catches the culprits?”  

Rumors about the walking human disaster were already widespread, so everyone drew the same conclusion.  

“I used to think the Azure Knights were a death sentence…”  

“I heard they don’t even care about your background anymore.”  

Hearing that the knights ensured safety and didn’t discriminate based on origin, people even began to seriously consider applying to the order.  

“I didn’t expect the Azure Knights to help out around here, though.”  

“Right? Strictly speaking, isn’t this the Red Knights’ territory?”  

Especially among the commoners living within the Kalmaron Mountains—who were used to the Red Knights—there was a particular sense of admiration.  

The Red Knights typically ignored commoners and only dealt with the elite.  

But the Azure Knights were different—whispers had already begun circulating.  

And now, with this undeniable show of proof, people couldn’t help but be impressed.  

“People living outside the Kalmaron Mountains have it good.”  

Some commoners even began considering relocating to other territories.  

Naturally, this all became a positive signal for the Azure Knights.  

“There are too many civilian assistance requests coming in!”  

Whether it was a blessing or a curse, the Azure Knights were inundated with support requests—so many that they had to start being selective.  

According to rumor, even the Emperor was extremely pleased with the outcome of this incident.  

With everything having gone so smoothly, people began focusing on the woman who had sparked the change in the Azure Knights:  

Rodella Syveric—chief quartermaster and a top contender for the next chancellor.  

And yet, the very center of all this commotion, Rodella Syveric herself…

“Please make sure one of us accompanies you whenever you leave!”  

“Just ask us to carry you on our shoulders!”  

“Carry her? Are you insane? Did you even get the vice-commander’s permission?”  

“Nope.”  

“You’ve lost your mind.”

Rodella stared in disbelief at the knights bickering in front of her.  

In the past, even if previous quartermasters collapsed from overwork, the Azure Knights had simply brushed it off.  

“They’re just frail desk jockeys, nothing new.”  

That had always been their attitude—but this time was different.  

“We deeply apologize for failing to protect you properly!”  

Even if it had been a special circumstance, they were extremely remorseful that the quartermaster had been injured and nearly died.  

Had the previous quartermasters seen this scene, they’d have clutched their necks and collapsed all over again.  

Rodella tried her best to ignore their overprotective attitude—she knew they meant well.  

But even so—

“…Why do I need an escort just to go from the first to the third floor?”

Rodella turned mid-staircase to glance back at the knights trailing her.  

The knights, following closely, spoke in unison:  

“We’re concerned you might trip!”  

“I won’t trip.”  

She wasn’t as clumsy as to suffer critical injuries from just walking!  

Yet the knights made such a fuss that in the end, Rodella had to drag an entire squad wherever she went inside headquarters.  

“What about your guard duties?”  

“We’re using personal time! It’s no problem!”

In all of Azure Knights’ history, this had to be the closest a quartermaster and the knights had ever been.  

Of course, much of it stemmed from her being Aivert’s fiancée…  

Or so Rodella thought, baffled by it all.  

But the real reason was something else.  

She only realized it after overhearing a knight shouting:

“Protect Dame Syveric, Guardian of the Household!”  

When Rodella turned toward him, he even saluted proudly.

“Guardian of what now?”  

Eventually, she questioned the trailing knights and learned the full story.  

Latiné had brought in only the most energetic and “talented” knights—which unfortunately meant they were also the most destructive.  

However, after undergoing strength-control training with Rodella, the number of broken objects had significantly decreased.  

Naturally, this carried over into their homes, where they now broke fewer things—leading to improved family harmony.  

“From now on, we’ll serve you faithfully wherever you go!”  

“We even got the vice-commander’s permission!”  

They hadn’t gotten approval for the shoulder-carrying, but they had received permission for the escort detail—and proudly declared it.  

Rodella finally burst into laughter.  

Well, it was a good thing in the end.  

Even amid the chaos, she felt a sense of satisfaction—it did brighten her mood a bit.  

“Alright, but you know you can’t come into the office, right?”  

“Of course!”  

Once she confirmed their energetic replies, Rodella entered her office.  

“Whew.”  

Their loud declarations still rang in her ears.  

Still, a smile lingered on her lips.

Guardian of the Household, seriously?

They were strong, sure—but ridiculous.

Rodella chuckled to herself as she took her seat—  

—Rustle.

Suddenly, the office curtain drew back, and someone stepped out.  

Making his presence known deliberately to avoid startling her, it was Rodin.

“Oh, Sir Rodin.”  

He wasn’t a knight, so he hadn’t been able to appear openly in front of the others.  

He’d no doubt gone to great lengths to follow in secret.

“Are you feeling better, my lady?”

“I’ve heard that so many times now I’m sick of it. I’m fully recovered, don’t worry.”

Rodella stretched lightly and smiled.

“It’s been a while. I heard you weren’t by my side when I was in the hospital, right?”  

According to Aivert, Rodin had left to undergo special training.  

‘You told me not to punish him, so I won’t. But he clearly needs more training,’  

Aivert had said something like that.

As Rodella recalled his words, Rodin bowed deeply.

“Yes. However…”

He hesitated a bit.  

Rodella tilted her head, encouraging him to continue.

“I assumed that, since I failed in protecting you, you’d naturally dismiss me and assign another personal attendant. But I heard you chose to keep me instead.”

Rodella nodded at that.

‘Are you sure you don’t want to replace him?’  

Aivert had been skeptical.  

But Rodella thought differently.

“It was a mistake, that’s all.”

“But even a mistake can cost someone their life.”  

Rodin trailed off, realizing he may have spoken out of turn.

But Rodella didn’t mind discussions like this—so she simply replied lightly: “Well, I didn’t die. So I’d like to give you a second chance.”  

“That’s…”

It wasn’t the Royden way.

Aivert, being strict with himself, wasn’t the type to tolerate failure.

And given the precarious nature of Royden’s shadowy operations, swift action to protect the bigger structure was the right move.  

If a single failure risked exposing Royden, it was better to sever that link quickly.

But this time, Aivert made an exception.  

He said she wanted to give Rodin another chance.

“May I ask why you made that choice?”  

“Hmm…”

Rodella paused briefly, then answered casually: “Because I trust your sense of responsibility.”

Someone who clearly felt guilty like this—he would do everything in his power to avoid repeating the same mistake.

Rodella could see that.

Those who understand the weight of failure are more cautious and vigilant.  

They become stricter with themselves and more meticulous.

“I trust you, Rodin, precisely because you feel the burden of not being punished.”

“So—Because I trust you, you’ll do well, right?”

She asked gently.

“…!”

Rodin’s eyes widened.

Merciful.

That was his first thought.

But it was a heavy kind of mercy.  

Rodin felt a weight settle on his shoulders heavier than the idea of being told, no second chances.  

‘I believe you won’t fail again.’  

Given that trust—even after almost dying—Rodin couldn’t imagine turning her down.

He bowed deeply.

“I will repay that trust without fail.”