Why was he suddenly asking that? Even if Kiole never worked a day in his life, no one in House Diarca would say anything. After all, when he’d insisted on becoming a knight, not a single person had been pleased about it.

Kiole replied hesitantly.

“Yes... I suppose so. I’d need some word from the Imperial Guard or Father for my next post to be confirmed, but nothing’s been said yet. For now, I believe I’m still officially on leave. But why do you ask...?”

“That’s perfect. Tomorrow, I’d like you to go outside the seventh wall in my stead.”

“Excuse me? Me? Why...?”

“As you know, many of the faces among our house’s soldiers have changed recently.”

Kiorne was referring to the newly recruited Awakened soldiers.

“Ah. Yes, that’s right.”

“There’ve been reports that management has become difficult due to all the new recruits. I was going to go personally, but an urgent meeting came up.”

Kiorne let out a sigh, expression still flat.

“Given it involves dangerous individuals, I couldn’t ask any of our other siblings. But you’re the only one in the family who actually knows how to wield a sword—and since you’ve spent time with the Cavalry, I’m sure you’d know how to handle yourself around dangerous people.”

“Handle myself... I wouldn’t go that far...”

“I heard you did an excellent job managing the Crown Prince’s incident in the South and returned with honor, earning recognition from Father. Isn’t that true?”

Me? Really? The only things Kiole remembered from that trip were wanting to cry thanks to the Crown Prince’s madness and then spending his confinement reading his favorite books. But hearing that from the usually distant ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) eldest brother made him feel a bit bashful and oddly confident.

“Ah, ah. Of course. Haha. I’m not sure about Father’s recognition, but I did try my best for the sake of the family.”

“Father definitely acknowledged you. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have released you from confinement so quickly or taken notice of you.”

Kiorne’s tone seemed the same as usual, but there was a faint shadow behind it. Kiole, oblivious as ever, simply flailed in confusion.

“R-Really...?”

“Yes. I was also surprised back when you tried to protect him during that walk with Father, fending off those dangerous people. He must have seen how much effort you put in. It impressed him.”

“Ah...”

“Up until recently, I thought you were just a troublemaker who didn’t care about the family. But not anymore. You’ve grown a lot without us noticing, Kiole. Talking with you today made that clear.”

“Brother...”

“You seem more devoted to House Diarca than some of our other siblings who, despite their age, still rely on Father and me for everything. I think it’s time you started learning about other duties within the family. Don’t you agree? You’re not going to reject it all like before, saying you only care about swinging a sword, are you?”

Kiorne casually brought up Kiole’s past behavior. And Kiole, who truly had neglected all family affairs after joining the Imperial Guard, felt a guilty pang in his chest.

Honestly, I do find it annoying... but if Big Brother’s saying this much, I guess I have to go.

Most of the new Awakened soldiers were rough ex-mercenaries. How could his older siblings, who’d never even held a proper sword, deal with them? At the very least, Kiole understood how fast Awakeners could act, and how dangerous they could be. Even the well-trained Cavalry could be temperamental, let alone this lot.

Swallowing hard, he nodded.

“...Alright. I’ll go.”

“Good. Thank you.”

Kiorne smiled as he patted Kiole on the shoulder.

“When you return, let’s sit and talk leisurely about your time in the South. I should catch up with my children too—it’s been a while.”

I’d really rather not... Kiole winced at the thought of his nieces and nephews, who weren’t much younger than him thanks to Kiorne’s early marriage. They didn’t openly hate him like the other siblings did, but they’d never once looked at him kindly either.

...Frankly, neither had Kiorne.

“...Yes.”

Seeing how Kiole drew out the word, Kiorne chuckled softly.

“Oh, by the way. I just realized we’ve been standing the whole time talking. Forgive the rudeness. Would you like some tea—?”

“No need. I’ve got other places to be.”

Kiorne declined immediately.

“Well then, Kiole. I’m counting on you tomorrow. Ah, and let’s keep this matter between us. Father entrusted this task to me, and if he hears I passed it off to someone else, he may not take it well. You understand, don’t you?”

The ring on Kiorne’s finger caught a faint glint. It was a magic tool—one that could leave a trace on whoever it touched, allowing for their location to be tracked for a certain period of time.

Kiole noticed none of it and simply nodded.

“Yes. Understood.”

“You’re dependable. I’ll be counting on you.”

After giving Kiole the destination for the next day, Kiorne quickly left. As though he couldn’t stand to remain in that space a second longer.

For the cautious heir of House Diarca to come alone—without any followers—and personally visit a younger sibling’s room with whom he’d barely spoken in his life... it was highly unusual. But Kiole didn’t find it all that strange.

The next day, Kiole headed for the place Kiorne had instructed.

Beyond the seventh wall of the capital, there stood a small fortress housing House Diarca’s private soldiers.

Ever since House Diarca had saved the Imperial family from a rebellion centuries ago, they had been the only noble house granted the right to station private forces in a specific area closest to the capital.

Now, only direct-line members, the Duke, or the heir could freely enter and exit. It was said that even the Emperor didn’t know the full scale of the place.

“Young Master, you’ve arrived.”

One of the more familiar soldier-managers of House Diarca immediately bowed upon seeing Kiole.

“Yes. I heard my brother couldn’t make it today, so I came in his place. I heard the new recruits are causing trouble—what exactly do I need to do?”

He spoke quickly, wanting to get things over with. The manager’s expression shifted strangely for a moment.

“...You really are Young Master Kiole, yes?”

“What?”

“Ah, no, my apologies. There’ve been rumors that you’ve grown more gallant lately, but seeing you in person caught me off guard. Please forgive the slip.”

“What the hell? Don’t say weird things—just tell me what I’m supposed to do.”

“Haha, of course. It seems... Lord Kiorne didn’t send the wrong person after all.”

Leaving behind that cryptic comment, the manager led Kiole inside.

“We need to instill loyalty to House Diarca in these new soldiers, but it’s been quite difficult. Lately, they’ve been complaining about being overworked. We’re paying them several times what regular mercenaries earn, and yet they’re still whining...”

“We’re giving them work? What kind of work would Father assign them?”

“You weren’t told?”

“Told what?”

“No, never mind. Anyway, Lord Kiorne planned to commend them for their service, hand out some rewards to the better performers. I suppose you can handle that in his place.”

“Alright... got it.”

Just then, a loud crash came from outside, followed by someone shouting for help.

“Manager! There’s another fight! Send someone, quick!”

The manager’s face twisted with frustration and exhaustion.

“Damn brats... Haah... I’ll go handle this. Please wait here—or if you’d like, I’ll send someone to show you around.”

He rushed off. Kiole waited a moment... then quickly grew bored and stepped outside. A thin, small-statured boy bowed hurriedly.

“Ah, hello, Young Master.”

“I’m bored. Gonna look around. Is there anything worth seeing?”

Who knew if he’d ever come here again. Might as well look around. The boy, though flustered, dutifully guided him.

The House Diarca soldiers’ barracks were better equipped than most knight training grounds. But the atmosphere was vastly different from when Kiole had last come with his father.

Crashing and yelling everywhere... What a mess. No wonder they wanted someone to come observe.

“Do you know why the mood’s so bad?”

When Kiole asked, the boy hesitated, then answered.

“W-Well... the older soldiers really don’t like the new ones... so they keep fighting...”

It was a strangely familiar situation. Kiole furrowed his brow, recalling the time he had picked a fight with the Cavalry and gotten utterly demolished by Yuder Aile.

“...No one tries to stop them?”

“There are some who tried, but...”

“But?”

“Those people... the managers didn’t like them, so they’re locked up in the prison now... After that, the fights got worse...”

What the hell is that supposed to mean?

Even the short version was enough to give him a headache.

Does my job here really boil down to tossing some cash to a few guys? That’s not going to fix this...

Kiole sighed but held back the urge to turn around and go home.

“Take me there.”

“Excuse me? Where—”

“To the ones who are locked up! Take me to them!”

The prison was, unsurprisingly, filthy. Normally, Kiole wouldn’t have stepped foot in a place like this—but after having been kidnapped and nearly killed in a far worse cell by House Apeto’s lackeys in the East, this didn’t faze him anymore.

If not for that incident, I wouldn’t have crossed paths with that Cavalry monster again...

He was still bitter. While he brooded, the prisoners inside noticed him.

“W-Who are you?”

“I am Kiole la Diarca. I heard you were the ones trying to stop the fighting here. Is that true?”