Ashes and Kingdoms

4-6. Expectations and Rewards

In front of the young man that he was an envoy from Calsum, Glaus was uncommonly confused about how he behaved.

The sealed book bag handed to me does belong to the Legion, but the young man who brought it puts together a Sarda tribe coat. According to the ensuing decree, we talked about coming on foot down the street from the mountain, but the dirt at our feet doesn't look as good as it has come over the snow canopy.

That's weird.

Even though he is old enough not to carry a single dagger and doesn't seem to have any experience in warfare, the air all over his body gives him a glimpse of the strength of a warrior.

(Though it doesn't seem like a trick...)

Without falling to his heart, Glaus removed the seal and spread the letter. Be the first to confirm your signature. Commander of the Eighth Legion, the name and seal of Ancius.

"Ancius?"

What's wrong with Dilgius, frowns. When he raised his face and asked with his eyes, the young man nodded small.

Commander Dilgius is dead.

The terminal answer had a complex sound. Glaus glanced at the letter to find out what it meant, and - with a deep sigh.

"Right. Are you the rumored dragon marquis, Phineas?"

Called his first name, Finn wandered. I don't know what kind of rumor it is, but I just want to say yes. Glaus looked at him like that once again.

Quiet willed blue eyes, white lingering cheek wounds, slightly thin but powerful shoulders, both feet standing firm without breaking posture.

Having seen a large number of soldiers, Glaus made one assessment based on experience and consideration.

(You'd be relieved if this guy protected your back)

After completing his assessment, he nodded, and Glaus had a somewhat unraveled tone.

"According to this writ, Dilgius died surrounded by the beast of darkness in the mountains, but you saw it?

"Yes, I tried to let as many of them escape as I could... especially since the leading troops were already deep into darkness"

"Do you mean you can't collect corpses and corps flags until spring"

"No. Before I got here, I stopped by a Sarda village. They can also move in the winter mountains. There will probably be no bodies left, but only the Legion flag managed to find them and asked them to deliver them to the Karsum barracks"

Because you don't mind me liking any legacy other than the flag, when I said, the funny face of blue fog crosses the back of my brain. As for Finn, I didn't mean to treat him like a bandit, but rather risked what he lived in the mountains, so I took that degree for granted as atonement. No, I know Blue Mist is in such a mind, and I guess I went out of my way.

"You're close."

Turning his attention back to the present with the voice of Glaus, the general was staring at this one with some manipulative flair. When Finn was alert, Glaus laughed more.

"Did they tell you to get back to me?

"... no"

Finn has a bad feeling and slightly distorts his face. Glause's grin grew even louder.

"Right. Then take your time and go. Calsum to this point, let's get tired. Fill your stomach in the dining room and take a rest. I need to ask you a few questions later, so come back here."

"Ha... ah"

In an ambiguous reply, Finn punched his eyes for a while. I was frightened when I remembered that I was surrounded by dragon marquees in Karsum's barracks and became like a spectacle, but no one here knew I was a dragon marquee. There was no reason to dare defy the General's words, so Finn had no choice but to leave the room, as he was told, in a courtesy.

Sounds like you're up to something.

I was anxious, Finn said, and Lena agreed (yes), but she didn't look worried.

Looks like he's trying to surprise Finn. But it didn't feel mean.

Yes, it is.

It can be annoying without malice. I remember Euches, and Finn thought, uh, would he be all right? I guess Eucis didn't snitch on Dilgius after all because the Finns were able to spend a few months in peace at Comlis. But if he stayed in the Legion, he could have joined the Enforcement Force to the Mountains...

(No more stopping)

Finn shook his head small and paid for his thoughts. Didn't Nellis tell you, you can't be responsible for someone else's life, you have to let go somewhere, too? That's nothing limited to Farnayne.

In my chest, I touch it with emotions that Lena cares about just a little bit. Finn smiled alone, nothing, he responded.

Let's hope it's not too clappy.

Say it in light shape and walk out. A little anxiety remained, but what, the other person is a general, so he wouldn't even be free enough to spend time amazing the young man with no title whatsoever.

- But that reading was sweet.

When Finn hung out for a while before returning to the Command Office, dark blue clothing was available that he could see at a glance was fine. Although slightly faded, the embroidery of silver thread is understated, giving it a sense of majesty and nobility. In addition, swords and sword bands loaned to army officers, even new shoes on deep red capes.

"General Glaus, this is..."

"Try it on."

Smiled, asked in an unspoken tone - no, ordered, Finn stared seriously at the other person's face. Indoors, men think of themselves as shoemakers and tailors.

"What the hell are you kidding?

To Finn, who asked carefully, Glaus looked out of his mind.

"A joke? You're not free enough to make fun of Dragon Hou. Just put that on. If it doesn't fit your body, let it fix right away. You have to be what Dragon Marquis deserves."

"You don't have to. I'll be right back."

"I don't suppose they're asking for a return?

"I'm not going back to Calsum. My family is waiting for me."

Apparently it was an unexpected reply, and for a moment, Glaus showed himself being poked at the void. but i think hmm and i'll be right in the face.

"Apparently, tickling vanity doesn't work. Then let's be frank, I want you to give us a hand. No, don't look like that, it doesn't mean join the line"

"I'm not in the Legion anymore..."

"Well listen. If family matters, all the more so. Look, we have to reconcile with Dragon Marquis, either east or west, than the Eighth Corps is no longer covered. His Majesty the Emperor said that there is no prospect of Elesia in the east, and the one who wants it can negotiate better. He will therefore consult with Nakte lord Senato-Austra. I don't think our offer is a trap now that we don't have to worry about the Eighth Regiment getting behind us."

…………

Finn nods silently that the explanation is understandable, and that's a good thing if the situation is to be calmed down by the Wah. Glaus breathed so much that he took his seat and walked up to Finn's side.

"Meanwhile, more than ever, we have to be alert to the betrayal of our opponents. Even if we make a pact, it doesn't immediately seem to conspire with Elesia to pinch the Imperial Capital, it will be nothing. Even if you do not swear allegiance to the Emperor, at least for a while - until you calm down the rebellion in the east, you must make a threat not to let that happen."

"Is that what Dragon Marquis is for?"

"You're quick to understand. Yes, I would like you to be present at the consultation and to be present so that the peace process is fair and respected. You can say you're on our side, but you're practically without the strength or the financial resources, right? That doesn't seem to work very well. Neutrality alone, just keeping the pact, putting pressure on old Senato."

"... I understand what you're saying"

How can you say dragon marquis, that is the only young man with no strength or financial means, for a skilled aristocrat, to be recognised only as a fly stuck in a wall?

"I don't care if you fix it in a costume like this..."

"What to say," Glaus shrugged back, not acting. "Even a human being can be majestic just by changing his clothes. Even as you are, you make people feel different. If you study costumes and train a little in standing and behaving, you will cross with nobility in splendor."

"Is it?

Finn openly responded with a voice of suspicion, but after tilting his neck, he noticed a little.

"Wait a minute, I'll train you to stand and behave."

"I don't have much time. I decided on the date and place of the meeting, and I went to the emperor, hoping, um, less than a month away?"

Glause doesn't understand what Finn is trying to say, or he sends a barely correct reply. Finn left his mouth open and put an end to it.

I told you my family was waiting. You want me to stay in this barracks for another month and do my "Behavioral Apprentice”?

I don't know. He looked sad. Glaus closed his eyes and then laughed out lavishly.

"Don't look like a little girl forced to sell herself! Of course, you can go see your family. Don't let them yell at you for not knowing what happened to your son."

Not funny, Finn snuck a sigh as he penetrated his heart. Glaus is going to encourage or slap that shoulder vigorously.

"Besides, you'll have to bring the dragon. It's more compelling to have dragons with you as well as dragon marquises who are human beings"

"... If it's a dragon, I'm here."

"What?"

"I just can't see him, he's right around the corner."

It's such a feeling, present in different dimensions separated by thin curtains. I can't reach out and touch it straight, but my heart can touch it.

But Finn couldn't explain it well in words, and Glaus didn't pursue it just because he seemed dull on such mysterious matters, did he?

"Anyway, try matching your costume for one second. Behavior or whatever, after that. Plus, I guess I'll have to pack my upbringing. He says that Mitsuhito is familiar with the history of war, and his opponents, who don't know the famous battles of old or their tactics, will be looked down on."

Talking, Glaus takes his clothes and puts them on Finn's arm. Then he took the sword and looked a little sorry.

"I'm sorry. The truth is, Dragon Marquis has to have a special sword to match, but somehow this place is just a barracks. Something would have happened to the Imperial Capital."

"No, that's enough. If Marquis Senato is like that, he'll laugh at you with his nose like a decorated sword."

"I see, it makes sense"

Glaus tried, but he continued immediately.

"The weapons used by Dragon Marquis will not last long unless they have been trained by magic or given to them by the gods. If your dragon won't ask the gods, we'll have to find an old warehouse somewhere."

"That's the first ear," Finn said softly. "I've been using the Legion's sword before, but it didn't interfere."

"If you're just going to fight humans, whether it's a regular weapon or something like this, it seems sufficient. But if you pour the dragon's power into a weapon, or you kill another force on it, like a dark beast or a magician, you can't stand it with a coarse weapon, and it's going to shatter or break."

Listening to Glaus, Finn remembered a book he borrowed from the Temple of Comrith and read. Speaking of which, although it did not say that it should not be a normal weapon, the Dragon Horsemen carried a dedicated weapon. Was the Dragon Marquis of Lofurus a spear of flame, and the Dragon Marquis of Nakte a crystal sword? I thought they were all legends of things per hero Tan, but maybe they were actually specially made. Will there be some of them left in the Imperial Capital? If so...

Thinking blurry, Finn slipped his hand into the sword for the officer handed over.

"General Glaus. If I did what you asked, what would the Legion... what would the Empire do to me? Can I have one of the legendary weapons?"

"Interested? Right, you can talk to His Majesty the Emperor. You hate costumes, but you're full of weapons."

Glaus stirred up his sense of companionship, but Finn didn't even grin. Face up and look straight at Glause.

"With such a sword, you can fight the beast of darkness no matter how long. We may be able to reclaim the land of the north from the darkness, towns and villages that have been abandoned and abandoned. So, I don't know how much you'd appreciate it if you didn't have to take care of that... because maybe you can't."

Glaus lost his voice and was stunned by the dialogue he was told to thrust.

I didn't expect such a young, rural young man, who has never been involved in politics or in the military, to turn a cold eye toward one of the highest powers in the centre and say you don't expect it anymore - and I didn't know it was justified. It was felt that some of the wars and political crises that I had been through had turned the medals and honors I had obtained into toys for Ampikato.

Such insides were also visible to Finn's eyes. Not only the colour of shame and fear that has surfaced in the face of the General, but also the remorse of not being able to exert his power over the people of the border with one hand to protect the Emperor, flows into his heart in a sinking tone.

Hence Finn couldn't say anything more. Spill a small exhale and return to your usual attitude to flatter your shoulders. Everyone has their limits.

"So, General. Where do I get dressed?

As the topic changed and saved, Glaus showed the corners of the room divided by collisions.

"Use it over there. It's a little messy, but never mind."

Apparently, a little personal space for the commander. I guess I'll rest between jobs or change my dirty clothes with ink. Finn nodded and turned behind the clash. And.

"Ugh..."

Groans unexpectedly. Somewhat scattered, nowhere. Stripped clothes, bands and underwear scatter over the simple sleeping area, buried there as if it were or even books. I can barely see the floorboards with dirty shoes, empty water bottles, and oil paper scattered around the bottom thinking it was wrapped in something.

"Don't you have a squire?

I couldn't find a place to change, and Finn had no choice but to collide his clothes with his sword belt and cape and start cleaning up the spot properly.

"There he is, of course," Glaus gives swallowing answers. "You make them clean up there every day, in the evening. Not today."

…………

I shouldn't have asked.

(The orphanage's younger brothers were more dubious)

I wonder if I will be given special training under this commander in the coming month, which is completely inferior to the magnitude of the matter, but certainly likely to be enjoyed.

"Oh, boy."

Finn twitched so that he could not hear, stretching out the wrinkles of a miserable book, he felt sorry for each other that they had been caught by troublemakers.