Episode 12: The Evil Legion Sets Out

Izakko’s head rolled across the floor, and silence descended upon the room.

“A splendid end, befitting a petty villain… Izakko.”

I offered words of praise to the former knight commander before turning to face Beatrice and the fifteen knights.

“Now… despite everything, the reorganization of our forces is complete for the time being. Beatrice, I hereby appoint you as acting knight commander. However, this is merely temporary. If I deem someone more suitable during this expedition, I will grant them the position of knight commander.”

“Yes, sir!”

Beatrice dropped to one knee, placing a hand over her chest—a knight’s salute to their lord. Yet, a faint trace of unease flickered across her expression.

“What’s wrong, Beatrice? Are you dissatisfied?”

“N-no, not at all…! I am deeply honored by your overwhelming strength, Lord Siegfried. I am truly grateful that you would appoint someone like me as acting knight commander. But… precisely because of that, I can’t help but wonder if I’m truly fit to hold such a position. As Izakko pointed out, I am a woman. And from a lower knightly family. If someone like me serves as acting knight commander, I fear the Arving Marquisate might look down upon you, my lord…”

“So what? Let those who judge us by such trivial standards mock us if they wish. Listen, Beatrice. I have deemed you capable. That is the most important fact. There’s no need to conform to their worthless measures of value.”

At my words, Beatrice’s fiery eyes wavered. Then, with even greater resolve than before, she saluted me once more.

“Yes, sir! Then I, Beatrice Nightray… humbly accept the role of acting knight commander!”

I responded to Beatrice with a villainous smirk, “Heh…” before sweeping my gaze over the other knights.

“Let the rest of you take note. As I said before, I will promote those I deem competent to positions befitting their ability. But those who seek advancement through flattery or engage in petty squabbles to undermine their comrades will meet a fate like his.”

I turned my gaze to Izakko and his lackeys, sprawled lifeless on the ground. Izakko’s eyes remained wide open, as if unable to accept the reality of his demise.

“If you wish to avoid such an end, flee now. I won’t punish you for it. Those lacking resolve are nothing but a hindrance. But if you have the will to prove your worth and claim the status you deserve… then fight with everything you have.”

At my words, one knight dropped to his knees as if struck by lightning. One by one, the others followed suit. Before I knew it, all fifteen knights were kneeling around me.

“Very well. Let us march… to our battlefield.”

I smirked inwardly.

Standing alone in the hall, stained with the blood of Izakko and his followers, surrounded by fifteen kneeling knights—what a picturesque scene, perfectly befitting a villain and his loyal minions…

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The composition of Siegfried’s army for this expedition is as follows.

The supreme commander is Count Siegfried von Kreving, with Evan as his aide. At the top of the knights is Beatrice, the acting knight commander, under whom serve fourteen commanding knights. Beneath them are approximately three hundred soldiers.

Under the clear autumn sun, the legion advances toward the Arving Marquisate’s territory. Siegfried, Evan, the knights, and messengers ride on horseback, while the remaining soldiers march on foot.

(To think that I, even as a temporary appointee, would be named knight commander…)

Beatrice, the acting knight commander, let her thoughts drift to the past. Her father, a lower knight driven by a strong sense of duty. Her decision to follow in his footsteps and become a knight. And the scorn she faced due to her lowborn status.

Beatrice tightly clenched her gauntleted hand. Then, her gaze settled on Siegfried’s back as he rode diagonally ahead of her. Siegfried was currently clad in sleek, black-based armor. Its somewhat sinister design somehow suited him perfectly.

(Lord Siegfried…)

The one who acknowledged her, when no one else ever had.

(Cold, brilliant… and incredibly strong.)

Strength, in this case, went beyond mere combat prowess. The decision to execute Izakko, a high-ranking knight, and appoint Beatrice, a lower knight, as knight commander was unthinkable in a society of nobles and knights where lineage reigned supreme. It would undoubtedly cause ripples. Yet Siegfried showed no fear of such consequences.

From the edges of his words, Beatrice could sense his resolve to cut down any obstacle in the path of his beliefs.

(I want to see what lies at the end of this man’s path. No… I want to stand by his side and support him!)

There was the gratitude for being appointed acting knight commander, of course. But more than that… Beatrice wanted to aid Siegfried von Kreving, this extraordinary man, in realizing his ideals.

“We’ll take a short break here to eat.”

As they reached the bank of a small river, Siegfried, leading the vanguard, reined in his horse. The rest of the column halted, breaking formation to sit on the ground. Soon after, the quartermaster began distributing meals.

The meal consisted of rye bread, cheese, and dried meat—standard fare for armies in this world, prioritizing preservation over taste. Siegfried accepted his portion and began to eat.

“L-Lord Siegfried, you’re eating the same food as us…?”

Beatrice couldn’t hide her surprise.

It was common for nobles to lead expeditionary forces, but they rarely ate the same meals as their knights or soldiers. Most would have lavish menus prepared exclusively for themselves. Some even brought personal chefs to the battlefield, or so Beatrice had heard.

“What’s that? Are you dissatisfied, Beatrice?”

“N-no, it’s not that I’m dissatisfied… It’s just, for the head of a count’s household like yourself, Lord Siegfried, to eat the same food as us…”

“Having separate meals prepared just for me is nothing but a waste. Besides, eating the same food as the soldiers can lead to new insights. This meal could use some improvement, don’t you think?”

(Even in this moment, he’s thinking of new reforms…!)

Beatrice was astounded by Siegfried’s words. And so… she failed to catch his murmured remark.

(An ideal evil legion deserves meals befitting its grandeur… I must make that a reality.)