Akila Amset

“Lieutenant Amense, report.”

The carriage was already on its way out of Syressa’s gates, and our next stop was going to be Romellus itself. As the carriage moved ever onwards, I continued my last stand against the ever-growing pile of official documents I was responsible for.

“The ranged contestants have all purchased enchanted armor from Syressa. Contestants Nishem and Nuhem Serapis have purchased new weapons, and contestant Kiara Azoth purchased accessories of attribute regeneration.”

Good. While mage robes may hold more enchantments, no number of enchantments is enough to block a monster’s bite or an archer’s arrow. In the coming tournament, expecting to not be hit like it was a mere dungeon delve is foolish.

“Did anything noteworthy happen aside from that?” I asked, careful to keep my voice neutral as ever.

The lieutenant shuffled nervously as he tried to think of something.

“Contestants Azoth, Sept, and Durreg have encountered the famed philosopher Platon on the road and conversed with him. The content of their conversation seems to have had an effect on contestant Sept, and she seems to be struggling with it.”

An unexpected outcome. This is not the time for self-doubt, but I can turn this into an opportunity for growth if handled delicately.

“I see. Anything else?”

The lieutenant thought over some more before answering.

“Ma’am! The only thing I can think of past that is a minor incident between contestant Azoth and a shopkeeper who insisted on purchasing an item in the contestant’s possession. She politely refused and did not escalate the situation.”

So, nothing else of note.

“Good work, lieutenant.”

Brrrr. Brrrr. Brrrr.

Before I could dismiss the lieutenant, the communication device began buzzing.

“One moment.” I said, having the lieutenant wait.

An order from headquarters may need to be implemented immediately, and having a reliable subordinate on hand will help with that.

“Major Amset, reporting.” I answered the call, placing the enchanted slab on my ear.

“Major, how very nice to see you again.” A smooth voice said from the other side, carrying with it the unmistakable stench of noble arrogance.

I maintained my neutral expression and tone of voice, both for my subordinate and the noble over the connection; not a shred of a hint was visible to either, as it should be.

“Count Hor, this is a sensitive military communications device. I do not know how you acquired access to it, but unauthorized access is highly illegal, regardless of whether or not you are a noble.” I warned, allowing a hint of threat to appear in my tone.

“Oh, I assure you Major, my access is perfectly legitimate! You’re welcome to report this matter up the ranks. No matter: I wished to speak with you for another reason.”

My eyes narrowed ever so slightly. I knew where this was going.

“You see, major, you’ve assaulted my son and accused him of an unspeakable crime. Now, I am sure we can come to an agreement regarding the court-martial that will not leave either of us dealing with the consequences, can’t we?”

I held the phone in silence for a moment.

“Was that a threat, Count Hor?” I asked.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“Perish the thought! I would never threaten a member of our illustrious armed forces. I was instead hoping to work with you regarding my son’s current predicament, as a show of sincerity on your end towards solving the problem you caused for us.”

A statement I must contest wrapped in a provocation. As expected from a snake in that den of vipers called the nobility.

“Unfortunately, Count Hor, the incident occurred in the view of dozens of witnesses, including multiple military officers. Even if I were to retract my claims, which I emphasize that I do not, it would still not do anything to shield your son. Furthermore, Count Hor,” I said, not allowing the man to speak, “this connection exists for me to report to those with a military rank of Brigadier General or higher, though my communications primarily go to the Pharaoh’s secretary. If you use this channel for a personal request like that once more, I assure you that there will be consequences.”

The line went quite for a long time before the Count finally responded.

“…An unfortunate conclusion to our discussion. I was hoping for a more productive and fruitful agreement. It seems that I will have to resort to more drastic measures. I wish you good health, Major Amset.”

The line disconnected, and the glyphs on the communication device ceased glowing. I placed it back on my table before looking to the rest of my documents.

“…Major, permission to speak?” Lieutenant Amense said.

“Granted.”

The man’s fist tightened.

“Forgive me for overstepping my station, but how dare that assho-”

“Lieutenant Amense.” I said.

The man immediately shut his mouth.

“On an unrelated matter, I believe a reminder would serve you well. Slander of the nobility is a crime, and Tameryian law still applies to us even outside of its borders. A good thing to keep in mind if we ever have the fortune of encountering such esteemed figures on our mission.”

The lieutenant got the veiled hint and nodded hesitantly. Considering how we’re both bound by our oaths to the armed forces, it would not have ended well had he finished that sentence.

A quiet settled over us as I continued working and he continued standing at attention.

“Major, may I ask a question.” He asked.

“Go ahead.”

“I’ve heard that wind-attributed creatures tend to possess freedom-loving and non-committal personalities, which makes them unlikely to join organizations like the military. If I am not overstepping, could you tell me why someone such as yourself joined, and why you were able to do so well at obeying its rules and climbing its ranks?”

For the first time in this day, I cracked a genuine smile. Instead of smothering it entirely, I let a hint of it show to put the man at ease.

“That’s a good question. While people of a certain attribute tend to share certain traits, it is not an absolute rule. There are many notable exceptions to that rule, not that I am one of those.”

My answer seemed to confuse the man, but he made no move to ask for more.

“It’s a matter of perspective, lieutenant. We all live by some rules and restrictions, and freedom in my view is making a choice on which chains you want shackling you. In a nation like Tamery, I see the military as freedom from the metaphoric chains I did not want on me. After all, only here do I possess the authority to disregard social classes for a different, somewhat more merit-based hierarchy.”

I put aside one document I had finished filling and started on the next. Today was going to be a long day, for me and the contestants both.

“But aren’t you concerned about trouble with the Count?” the lieutenant asked.

“Don’t worry about me, lieutenant. I am not concerned about anything the nobility could do to me, now more than ever, with the Pharaoh, the military, and the Gods themselves at my back. For their faith and good will towards me, I will lead the youngsters on the teams to great success and ensure their healthy growth. They are the treasures of the future, and it is my honor to be entrusted with them.”

With the enchantments in place on the carriage, no hint of the rough terrain or desperate fighting going on outside could be discerned from within.

“Ah, forgive me, lieutenant. I should have dismissed you and let you rest. Dismissed!”

The lieutenant gave me his best salute yet before stepping out of the carriage’s door and closing it behind him. The gods have blessed with good, loyal men and women, and I fully intended on making the best of this opportunity for them.

With a week remaining until we arrive at Romellus, the constant fighting should be a good learning experience for both teams. Abilities and power are all well and good, but battles are won with unit cohesion, performance under pressure, and enduring constant attrition.

“Haaah.” I sighed.

While I’d prefer to be watching them personally to ensure they don’t develop bad habits, I have too much to do as it is. I have to trust in my people to do their jobs.

“What a headache.”

***

“Halt the convoy! Prepare camp!” I yelled.

Immediately, the convoy ground to a halt. The commoner and noble teams were still hard at work fending off the monsters, but they seemed to be in much better shape than yesterday, when they’d had to use their own bodies to shield the convoy. A sign of improvement.

Lieutenant Khai moved to the center of the convoy and placed his hands on the ground. Immediately afterwards, walls rose around us, covering us in an earthen dome and separating us from the monsters.

With a few holes punctured here and there to allow for ventilation, the convoy settled down as the monsters tried to claw on the walls and failed.

“Contestants, my aides will take over security while you rest for tomorrow. Eat your dinner then go to sleep!”

Hearing a satisfying ‘yes, ma’am,’ I walked back to my carriage. I still had a mountain of documents to get through.