FMVR | Chapter 42

Recently, the Imperial Army Headquarters had managed to resolve the issue of vacant commander positions and regained a semblance of stability and balance. However, as the saying goes, “From afar, it’s a comedy; up close, a tragedy,” a closer look revealed that things were not entirely at peace.

One unresolved issue was the sudden surge in monster appearances in the mountainous regions surrounding the capital.

It wasn’t uncommon for monster appearances to spike at certain times. The ominous energy and magic emitted by monsters often attracted their own kind. Negative energies would gather, drawing in more monsters, creating a vicious cycle. This phenomenon was even given a name in the magic world: the “Monstrum Cycle.” While this cycle usually subsided naturally if monsters were dealt with quickly and consistently, the Imperial Army had been struggling with it for weeks.

Most of the monsters appearing were low to mid-level, but it didn’t make the situation any less exhausting.

“I feel more like a monster-slaying machine than a soldier these days.”

“Exactly my thoughts.”

Philip sighed heavily as he stepped back into headquarters through the warp gate. Beside him, Milo, a senior member of the 1st Division, also sighed as though he was carrying the weight of the world.

“Things felt easier back in the day, didn’t they?”

Milo waved his fists lightly in the air, tilting his head in thought.

“Philip, do you think I’m finally getting old?”

“You’re still in your prime! What nonsense are you talking about?”

Philip gave Milo a sympathetic look. Milo, who specialized in close-combat magic, was always on the frontlines during monster subjugations. Naturally, he expended far more energy than his comrades.

“Maybe it’s because of them—the Special Task Force.”

Philip flinched at Milo’s comment but didn’t outright deny it.

“Philip, this whole ordeal really made me realize something.”

“What’s that?”

“How crucial the Special Task Force is to this army.”

Milo wasn’t the only one with this sentiment. Philip, known for his affable personality, respect towards superiors, and reliability as a leader to his subordinates, often heard similar opinions. Among his many acquaintances across various divisions, the common thread in their conversations was how they had underestimated the importance of the Special Task Force.

“But it’s not just about the Task Force’s role…”

“Hm?”

Milo stared at Philip, who hesitated to finish his thought.

“Isn’t it more about Commander Luke’s contribution?”

“……”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Philip glanced at Milo, who was staring at him intently. He was visibly startled.

“Well… it’s just surprising. Hearing you say something positive about Commander Luke feels… off.”

“It’s not exactly a compliment…”

Philip trailed off, unable to finish his sentence. Whenever the topic of the Task Force’s importance came up in conversations, someone inevitably mentioned Luke, and it felt oddly satisfying, like a weight had been lifted off his chest.

“Why did he retire, though?”

“To think I’d hear you say that about Commander Luke.”

Milo chuckled. Philip had idolized Theo since his days as the 1st Division Commander, even acting as his aide despite being a mid-level officer. Naturally, he had harbored no goodwill toward Luke. When Theo defeated Luke to become the Commander-in-Chief, Philip had been elated. Hearing of Luke’s retirement had been surprising, but also a relief—one less obstacle for Theo.

Yet now, mere months later, Philip found himself having a complete change of heart.

“Maybe it’s because he fell short of the top spot?”

“I still don’t understand why he retired without a word.”

“Think about it. He raised hell here trying to climb to the top, and when it didn’t work out, maybe he just gave up.”

This was the prevailing theory about Luke’s retirement. He had gone to great lengths—some would say extremes—in his quest for power, only to fall short.

“That might be true…”

Philip had believed that at first too. But the more he thought about it, a small question started to form in his mind.

“Was Commander Luke really a bad person?”

“Huh? Hmm…”

Milo scratched his head, caught off guard by the unexpected question. If Philip had asked any random soldier this question before, the response would have been immediate and dismissive: “Of course, he was bad! Why ask such an obvious question?”

But Milo found himself hesitating.

Just then, the 1st Division members walking ahead suddenly stopped and snapped into a salute. Instinctively, Philip and Milo followed suit, raising their hands in salute before realizing who had arrived.

“Back from a subjugation?”

It was none other than Theo.

“Yes, sir!”

Theo scanned the tired faces of the 1st Division soldiers before offering Philip a faint smile.

“Well done.”

With just those few words, Theo turned and continued on his way. Philip lowered his hand, watching his commanding officer’s retreating figure.

“Philip? What’s up?”

“Did you see the Commander’s face just now? He looked completely exhausted…”

“What? Haven’t you heard?”

Milo sighed, patting Philip on the shoulder.

“These days, the Commander’s stress and fatigue are through the roof.”

“Really?”

Philip’s eyes widened. Theo and stress didn’t seem like words that belonged in the same sentence. As Commander, fatigue was understandable, but stress? Theo was known for his unshakable composure, never letting his emotions show. That stoicism was a big part of why so many respected him.

“Even the Commander’s human. Let’s go, we’ve got to report to Captain Loena.”

Theo, oblivious to Philip’s concern, made his way into the main building. Sion greeted him as he entered, and to Theo’s mild surprise, followed him inside.

“Do you have something to report?”

“Not exactly…”

Sion cleared his throat, looking unusually serious.

“Sir, do you realize you’ve never taken any leave?”

“I’m aware. I just haven’t had a reason to.”

Theo had been in his position for quite some time but had yet to take a single day off. He had worked tirelessly without pause.

“With all due respect, even Veil says that resting is part of the job.”

Theo opened his mouth to reply but found himself at a loss for words.

“Many people are worried about you, Commander.”

Rumors of Theo’s recent change in demeanor had spread throughout the army. The once radiant Commander-in-Chief seemed to grow more irritable by the day, as though he was constantly on edge.

“A commander causing concern among his subordinates? That’s unacceptable.”

“No one thinks that, sir. Everyone respects you. Even a single day off would make a difference.”

It wasn’t wartime. While the monster issue persisted, Theo’s absence for a day wouldn’t make or break the situation.

“I wouldn’t even know what to do with myself on a break. I don’t have hobbies.”

If he stayed cooped up in the Duke’s residence, he’d likely end up working on family matters anyway.

“How about visiting the outskirts? Ludrain Square also has plenty to see.”

“The square…”

Theo tapped his desk thoughtfully. Memories of wandering the square, particularly the fountain and dessert streets on Third Avenue, surfaced unbidden. He quickly shook them off.

“Any recommendations for the outskirts?”

Sion’s face brightened.

“What about Eremen? I hear it’s becoming a popular tourist spot.”

Eremen was familiar to Theo, having coordinated with the local guards during a recent subjugation.

“…I’ll consider it.”

Theo picked up a document from the shelf—a notice outlining the army’s leave policies. It was time to seriously consider taking a break.