As I climbed over the tower guarding the entrance, the drawbridge and the moat filled with water below immediately caught my eye. The outer wall loomed high, surrounding the inner fortress alongside the castle tower.
The sturdy castle walls connected, forming a grand fortress, though it was far from being glamorous. This was indeed the Lionheart Fortress, where the Royal Knights were stationed.
I can’t believe I’ve made it all the way to Lionheart Fortress. How on earth did I end up here? As I pondered with a bittersweet heart, a loud voice echoed from behind.
“If you don’t go first, I’ll go first! Commander!”
“Yeah, we gotta go in… of course…”
“Come on! Hurry and get inside!”
The voices belonged to the elf Clara and the dwarf girl Ruby. Over the past two months, we had shared simple conversations while riding in the carriage, including introductions.
Clara dashed ahead toward the drawbridge, while Ruby slowly pushed me from behind, hesitating outside. However, a girl naturally slipped into the gap between us.
Her short hair, initially mistaken for that of a boy, had grown long enough to reach her back. Thanks to washing off the grime, her white, smooth skin beautifully showcased her figure.
The girl wore garments similar to those of knights. They were practical for movement, yet far from flashy. Although the girl was smiling, there was a slight rigidity to her expression.
“I will personally escort you, sir.”
“In that case, I’m counting on you!”
“Yes, please leave it to me.”
This girl was Helia. After meeting her six months ago, Helia had officially become my apprentice. Naturally, I had no interest in exploiting a minor and was about to refuse.
[Sir, is there something lacking in me?]
[On the contrary, it’s an honor.]
[Ah, I see. You’ve grown to dislike me.]
[It’s not possible for me to dislike you.]
[Then why?]
[Well, you’re just too… um… awkward.]
[Why? Why? Why?]
[Um…]
[Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?]
Helia’s determination was too unwavering; I had no choice but to accept her as my apprentice. It wasn’t that I folded under Helia’s momentum or was scared.
I glanced sideways at Helia, who was clinging to me like a mochi. What is she so happy about? She was smiling brightly. Such a cute kid.
What I had seen back then, it couldn’t have been a mistake… could it?
I felt like I had poked a beehive. But this issue could be resolved slowly later. For now, I need to put out the immediate fire. I have to somehow rebuild the Royal Knights.
The current state of the Royal Knights barely clung to life.
In essence, they had lost all the prestige they once had.
The inauguration ceremony for the commander, originally to be held at the Racial Alliance meeting, had to be conducted informally due to various refusals from the other tribes. As a result, it had to be held in a simplified manner.
This alone showed how much the name of the Royal Knights had fallen. Of course, I preferred it this way, but if not for that, we would still be stuck in the royal castle.
At that moment, the elf walking ahead suddenly turned around. Her silver hair followed a beat later as she spun. Clara smiled and spread her arms wide.
“Commander! And Helia! I sincerely welcome you to our home, Lionheart!”
“Well, the commander and Helia already know that.”
“Still, we have to greet you! It’s your first time here!”
Watching them bicker again, I shook my head in disbelief. During the carriage ride here, we had exchanged names and a few simple stories.
The elf’s name was Clara; she proudly claimed to be 180 years old, which was quite young for an elf. In human years, that would probably be around 17 to 19.
And Ruby, who often argued with Clara, was also 18. Although she looked like a mere chick, she was officially a member of the Royal Knights.
“But why is there not a single person around?”
Lionheart was a fortress, a huge castle, and also a home. Naturally, a manager would be needed to oversee such a vast castle. Upon my statement, Clara smiled bitterly.
“Well… everyone quit.”
“Quit?”
“Yeah, half of them. The other half took their people back to their respective races or kingdoms.”
It’s insane. I had heard it in words, but now I felt it in my bones. The fractures in the Alliance were just starting to emerge. No wonder the original story went so horribly wrong.
For the time being, they were likely to adopt a conservative approach to protect their own territories rather than collaborate. Because right now, the Royal Knights were like a toothless tiger.
Still, the situation was better than in the original story. Although only a few, there were still three surviving knights from the Royal Knights, allowing the name to endure somehow.
Furthermore, the condition of Lionheart Fortress was, surprisingly, better than in the original story. While it had accumulated dust from months without management, the original version had turned the fortress into ruins.
In fact, in the game, players could reclaim Lionheart Fortress, which had been occupied by monsters in the mid-game. After reclaiming it, the protagonist’s reaction was a masterpiece.
[Is that a fortress? Not a ruin?]
[Yes, this is where the Royal Knights used to be stationed.]
[There’s only one wall left?]
[The rest was thoroughly destroyed by the monsters. They probably hated the Royal Knights that much.]
In the original story, Lionheart Fortress was nothing but a single remaining outer wall. According to the original descriptions, monsters would mockingly defecate there.
Restoring it would obviously be the player’s task. Everything from stones and timber to the money needed for various manpower had to be gathered by them.
“I need to contact the kingdom to replenish our manpower.”
“There’s a forest nearby where the elves live. I can go ask them directly.”
“….”
At that moment, I almost had a PTSD flashback. Asking the elves for help? Those guys who freak out at the slightest touch? I shook my head. Was this really the time to be shy?
I should use everything available at my disposal. Anyway, Helia and I surveyed what we needed with their guidance as we moved on.
Lionheart Fortress was much broader and grander than I had thought. At least compared to the restored version in the original story. Now, we had gathered in the dining hall.
“As you already know, let me formally introduce myself. I’m Hans, the newly appointed commander of the Royal Knights.”
I heavily pondered this. Could I truly shoulder the responsibilities of the Royal Knights’ commander? I contemplated repeatedly, and the conclusion was always the same. I truly am not fit to be a commander.
I lacked the transcendental strength expected of the Royal Knights and didn’t possess strategic brilliance either. After all, I was just the Time Stop Breeding Uncle. What more could I ask for?
“The problem we currently face is the rebuilding of the Royal Knights. We must resolve that as a top priority.”
“Of course.”
“We’ll help as much as we can.”
“If that’s what you want, sir.”
“With that in mind… when the manpower we requested from the kingdom arrives, we will go fetch the deserter from the Royal Knights.”
Among the three remaining knights, one had deserted. Unfortunately, at this moment, every single person was invaluable.
So, I’d catch that runaway and put them to use again. Punishing them for desertion? You need to have breathing room for that. In times like this, when even faeces is precious, it can’t be helped.
Especially since this wasn’t just any ordinary soldier. This was a middle-ground talent within the Royal Knights. Clara mentioned that the deserter was one of the core members.
“But, Commander, is that really the right thing to do?”
“What?”
“I understand where you’re coming from. I mean, they couldn’t protect even a single comrade, and everyone died right before their eyes.”
“….”
“So, it’s not unreasonable for them to run away.”
I never expected such a skeptical reaction. Having experienced hell directly, was it uncomfortable to drag someone back into it? However, I could not concede.
“That’s precisely why.”
“What does that mean?”
“I’ll ask you back. Why didn’t you run away?”
“That…”
“…I don’t really know.”
“It’s simple. You were each other’s support.”
It’s ironic. The elves and dwarves, who had the deepest quarrels among races, supported each other. That just meant how hellish that place was. And here it was, I brought this logic up.
“But how about that person now?”
“Right, my sister is all alone now.”
“We’re the only ones who’ve experienced that hell.”
“Yeah, and over time, they’ll likely start to break down.”
Of course, that was nonsense. How did I know if they would break down or not? But either way, there was an answer. If they were breaking down, I’d have to persuade them by any means.
If they weren’t breaking down…
I’d beg on my knees. If that didn’t work, I’d cling to their pants. Is that pathetic? Whatever! Who cares about dignity right now, when we’re in a situation where demonic forces might strike at any moment?!
When I took office as the commander, I had a thought. I ended up taking on the role of the Royal Knights’ commander, but I don’t intend to hold onto it for years on end. Because I don’t have the capability.
Exceeding one’s limits is no better than being deficient. If one covets a position beyond their capability, a limit will eventually find them. It might make things far worse than they are now.
However, since I had opened my mouth, I couldn’t simply say I’d quit. The best case would be for the Royal Knights to kick me out without me having to resign…
However, I couldn’t just fool around in a situation where the Royal Knights were in ruins. So, I thought: I’d give it my all for a year while setting the stage slowly.
[We’re not outsiders, we’re family! Family!]
[I’m fine. I’m okay, but what would your seniors think?]
[Isn’t this something the underlings should be taking care of?]
There’s someone like that. Not incompetent, but moderately annoying. If that person’s my boss, I’d be losing my mind. But what if that boss suddenly decides to quit one day?
Who would possibly stop that?
It’s the same now. The deserter was a key member and mid-tier talent. What if that core member, pent up with frustration, asked me to resign? Then I’m out of a job.
“As long as we’re in the same boat, we’re family. How can family ignore each other’s pain?!”
But for now, mental care is a priority. I need to catch that deserter, make them my mental support, and then subtly annoy them.
Of course, if it becomes overly bothersome, they might leave. So I have to walk that fine line. That ‘subtlety’ is precisely what I am all too familiar with.
To put it succinctly…
I’ll be the ‘good uncle’.
I’ll show them what a family-like knight order truly is.
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