I, reincarnate as the leader of the villainous knight order

Chapter 102: A New Order

“Aww, we wanted to check out the inside too! It’s not fair that only Jest gets to go.”

Returning to the Third Knight Order’s training ground after visiting the mansion where the dwarves were staying, I found Simon sulking.

“Simon! I asked Basil, and he said you can go inside just for today! From tomorrow on, though, it’ll be off-limits since they’ll be moving things in and working inside.”

“Really!? Jest, you’re the best! So different from a certain captain!”

Simon twirled Jest around in delight. I heard his cheeky remark but decided to let it slide since Jest was happy. Jest had gotten bored of hanging out with Simon and the others and had headed to the mansion with me after the new dormitory was built.

While Jeanne, who came to see Jest, had Jules acting like a fan meeting his idol, Jest managed to get Basil’s permission for the tour. His sharp judgment proves that dragons are indeed smart.

“Remember, it’s only after training. Don’t try to sneak off to see it.”

As I turned to leave the training ground, my subordinates started to complain.

“Hey, you’re skipping training too, Captain!”

“Idiot! It’s better when the captain isn’t… oops. We’ll train properly, so don’t worry about us, Captain.”

“We’ll watch Jest! Have a good time!”

“Jest, want to train with us?”

“Sure!”

Simon, complaining to me, got elbowed in the ribs by Arnault, while Marius and Gaspard were trying to send me off conspicuously. Simon still didn’t seem convinced, so I turned back and slowly, clearly explained.

“I have paperwork to do! There’s some that even Orel can’t handle! Like the final decisions on personnel…”

Seeing my grin, Simon’s expression changed dramatically.

“Alright, let’s focus on training!”

Simon’s quick change of heart was because, besides Marius, a squire, the other members of the Justin squad had the skills to become platoon leaders. However, being a platoon leader comes with many responsibilities and challenges, making it unsuitable for Simon and Gaspard. Arnault, who can keep those two in check, is essential for the Justin squad. Though I can’t let my guard down as he sometimes joins their antics.

As I was about to enter the captain’s office at the back of the office, Alban cautiously approached me. Since regaining my memory, we’ve built a good relationship through various gestures, so this was unusual behavior.

“Captain Vandière, it looks like we have a bit of a problem.”

“What’s the matter?”

“We just received an order from the royal castle. It’s likely we’ll be escorting the Saintess to a neighboring Holy Kingdom instead of going on an expedition.”

“What? Isn’t the Saintess’ escort the responsibility of the Holy Knights? If they’re feeling marginalized due to the recent monster incident, this is their chance to redeem themselves.”

“That’s explained in the attached document. Here.”

I took the document and read it thoroughly in the captain’s office. The document, stamped with the royal seal, emphasized that the Saintess was born in this country and is our citizen.

The main temple of the Holy Kingdom, the origin of the grand temple where she currently resides, had sent an envoy to invite the Saintess. However, there were concerns that they might forcibly take her. If the escort were left to the Holy Knights alone, there was a risk that the main temple’s authority would override ours, preventing her return.

Additionally, there were reports of a sudden increase in monster numbers near the border town, suggesting we accompany them under the pretext of addressing this issue, with most of the troops staying in the town, ready to head to the Holy Kingdom if needed.

“This is quite…”

What a troublesome mission. With the royal seal on it, it’s a royal command, leaving us no choice but to comply.

My subordinates would be excited about the rare expedition, but considering the additional tasks, it gave me a headache. …Alright, I’ll assign the task of accompanying them to Orel’s squad. As a young captain, I might be disregarded at the main temple anyway.

Thinking that lightened my mood a bit. Sorry, Orel, but this is part of the vice-captain’s duties. I reviewed the related documents and signed a few. There were still things to check, so the rest would have to wait for another day.

Even after dealing with the most urgent documents, there’s still a stack of paperwork waiting on my desk. If Ryuka from the Vandière Marquisate were here, he would take care of these documents for me since he thinks similarly to me.

Since we’ll be passing through the Vandière Marquisate on our way to the Holy Kingdom, I could ask him again then. I’ll request His Majesty to draft a letter asking the Vandière Marquis to offer the annex of the mansion for the Saintess and her companions to stay for the night. We can have the envoys from the Holy Kingdom stay at the temple within the territory, which should ease our stress for that night a bit.