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This was the third conference room on the first floor of the Amukham House. It was about one-third the size of the main council chamber, and within it, several men were deep in discussion.

One was Cameron Fourier, the envoy representative who had arrived the previous day. Another was Connor Clarke, who served as his assistant. They sat together with the three great families of Amukham and Howard Cloud, discussing the upcoming departure of the investigation team.

At that moment, Fourier and Clarke were openly voicing their dissatisfaction; they claimed the fighting force Amukham had offered was insufficient. August Dulles, the village chief, was trying to calm them down and explain the current situation.

“It’s not the people who don’t want them, it’s you,” muttered Silense Croque venomously.
“Stop it, Silense!” snapped Alphonse Beers, trying to rein him in.

Howard Cloud, meanwhile, remained silent, simply listening to their debate.

“If you want higher-grade fighters… those of Grade A or above… you’ll have to wait at least another month.”
“You expect us to wait another month?! We’ve already spent nearly three months since leaving the capital! The people demand swift action! Are you telling us to prolong their unease by another month?!”

Connor leapt to his feet, shouting in response to August’s calm explanation.

“Then why don’t you just go by yourselves?”
“I said stop it, Silense!”

Silense muttered again, and Connor Clarke glared daggers at him, his face twitching.

“What’s the meaning of this shortage of high-ranking combatants? Does your management system have no oversight?”

Cameron Fourier raised his hand to quiet Connor Clark and spoke with cold politeness, questioning Amukham’s leadership.

“To begin with! Most of our high-grade fighters are away on royal assignments! Do you even realize that this is the kingdom’s fault?!” Silense could no longer restrain himself and shouted back.
“That’s not our jurisdiction! And the whole investigation group was unreasonable! So, what I’m now asking is how you intend to make up the shortfall in manpower!”

And Connor Clarke immediately joined the argument.

“How many times must I repeat myself? The high grades won’t return for another month!”
“And it’s your duty to make something of that, isn’t it?! What of your treaty with the crown? Do you mean to abandon it?!”
“You…! You dare bring that up now?! We’ve already provided manpower, technology, and resources in abundance!”

“Hmph! And yet your attitude toward us has been disgraceful for some time now! Where is your respect?! Lord Fourier is of the line of General Baldemonte! In another era, he’d hold a noble title, and yet—!”
“Hmph! No one in Amukham bows to bloodlines!”
“Tch! As they say, ‘frontier blood runs thin’…”
“And as we say, ‘central blood is meek’.”
“How dare you! Are you insulting the kingdom?!”
“Clarke, enough.”
“Silense! That’s enough out of you!”

Fourier restrained the enraged Clarke with one hand, while Alphonse gripped Silense’s shoulder, trying to break up the escalating argument.

Then, after quietly observing for some time, Howard Cloud finally spoke.

“So what you’re saying is… You don’t think the people of the tenth are enough?”
“O-of course not. Only with fighters of renown can this investigation succeed. The people will feel secure only if such men are deployed.”

Cameron Fourier faltered under Howard’s heavy gaze. His voice quivered slightly, though he tried to maintain composure by leaning forward and pressing his point. However, a faint sheen of sweat appeared on his forehead.

“You say time is precious. That you wish to depart immediately. Is that correct?”

Howard’s eyes gleamed with a stronger light.

“Y-yes… yes, indeed. It has been nearly a year since the first incidents occurred… For the sake of the people, we must proceed to the Great Forest as soon as possible.”

As he spoke, Fourier realized his lips had gone dry. He licked them awkwardly, swallowed, and tried to steady his trembling throat under the weight of Howard’s presence. Beside him, Clarke had gone wide-eyed, paralyzed; it was his first time in the presence of such overwhelming power.

The air in the room seemed to grow heavier, pressing down on everyone’s shoulders.

“I see… Very well then. I shall go!”

Howard’s words dropped lightly into the oppressive air, yet they struck the room like thunder.

“W-what?! You mean—?!”
“Boss! What are you saying?!”
“That’s reckless, Boss!”
“Boss, please wait!”

Fourier gasped, while August, Silense, and Alphonse all spoke at once in protest.

“Am I not enough of a fighting force, then? Hmm, Lord Fourier?”
“N-no, not at all! To have the legendary Iron Demon God himself, Lord Cloud, take the field, what complaint could anyone possibly have?!”
“Then it’s settled. We depart in three days. Prepare everything at once.”
“Boss! Please! Reconsider!”
“Worry not, August. It’s been too long since I last stretched my legs. Silense, Alphonse, make ready!”

Ignoring the bewildered Fourier and the desperate August, Howard’s voice rang out.

“Give it up, August,” sighed Silense. “Once Boss has made up his mind, there’s no stopping him.”
“But… what will we tell Lady Sonia?!”

Silense tried to soothe him, but August still fretted over Howard’s wife.

“I’m sorry, August. This will be my final selfish act… I’ll speak to Sonia myself.”
“B-Boss…”

Howard placed a firm hand on August’s shoulder, his expression calm yet resolute.
Feeling that warmth, August clenched his fists, biting back his frustration.

“Lord Fourier, see that your men rest well. Iroshio is no ordinary land. You’ll need your full strength for it.”
“Y-yes. Thank you for your concern.”
“August, Silense, Alphonse, prepare for the Iroshio expedition! We depart in three days. On the 29th of the Second Blue Moon!”

And so, that day, Howard Cloud officially declared the expedition’s departure.

***

“You’ve come a long way, Sir Meyers. Rest well tonight, gather your strength.”
“Thank you, Lord Cloud. On behalf of my men, I offer our gratitude.”
“Good, good. I received Linebalt’s letter. You’ll lack for nothing during your stay in Amukham.”
“We’re honored. The Knight Commander himself also sends his regards to you, Lord Cloud.”

“Hmm, Linebalt Kleiner… glad to hear the man’s still doing well. If you need anything during your stay, just ask.”
“Thank you. You’re already acquainted with the three members of our advance team, I believe. If you need anything, you may contact them, me, or my vice-commander, Kyle Irvine.”
“Excellent! I’ll count on you, Sir Irvine.”

“Yes, my lord. I am Kyle Irvine, serving as vice-commander. It’s an honor to make your acquaintance.”
“By the way, Sir Irvine,” Howard said, “I hear you’re the most promising knight in your unit?”
“Oh, hardly, my lord. I’m still quite inexperienced…”
“Good, good. Ah, humble too! Good! Then how about a quick spar after the banquet?”

“…After… the banquet, my lord?”
“Yes! Linebalt told me to take care of talented men. The sooner the better, eh?”
“…If you insist, my lord…”
“You don’t need to worry! It’s nothing serious, just a light match to loosen up after the journey! Might help you sleep better, eh?”
“…Y-yes, my lord.”

“Excellent! Then tomorrow morning, we’ll have a proper session! Good, good! Let’s train to our heart’s content tomorrow morning! Won’t we, Sir Irvine? Fu ha ha! Fu ha ha ha! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!”
“Of course…”
“Uh, Commander… doesn’t Lord Cloud seem a little scarier than usual…?”
“Keep your voice down, Raisa! He’ll hear you.”
“I-I swear there’s a dark aura rising off him right now!!”

“This, Raisa, is what we call karma. The vice-commander brought this on himself.”
“Eek! Lord Cloud’s eyes are glowing red! I’m not imagining it, am I?!!”
“It seems Lord Cloud witnessed the vice-commander’s ‘greeting’ to the Princess earlier.”
“Djimon… does that mean the vice-commander’s…? Ah! The aura’s getting even darker!!”
“Look at the commander, he’s already pretending the vice-commander doesn’t exist. We should do the same. Don’t make eye contact. Understood?”
“Uuugh… Vice-Commander, rest in peace. You really brought this one on yourself…”