Chapter 125

After Jereuth conducted his own 'hazing' just for me.

Max, who had taken back full command of the new recruits, shouted loudly.

"Follow the instructor leading from the front! Keep the lines straight! You are soldiers now! This is the army!!"

—Follow me!

—You! Are you not going to follow quickly?!

Soldiers who looked like seniors—the 'drill instructors'—led the new recruits while yelling at them. The recruits flinched every time they heard the noise.

They all seemed very scared.

Unlike the other new recruits, I wasn't particularly scared. I didn't know if it was because I was the king.

However, there was something a little uncomfortable.

'...It really feels like I've re-enlisted.'

Like most adult men in the Republic of Korea, I had also served in the military. It seemed that memory still lingered a bit.

—Hey! You blond pipsqueak over there! Aren't you coming quickly?!

I was following the person in front of me well, but a senior soldier pointed his finger at me and shouted. It seemed he was randomly picking on recruits, whether they had done wrong or not, to break their spirits.

'Hmm... seeing that, it seems that besides Max, no other soldier knows my identity.'

Whether it was during the purge or when I went to Misty Port, I had met quite a few soldiers.

During the coronation, I wore a mask and covered my face, but in daily life, I didn't wear a mask, so there were quite a few soldiers who knew my face.

But seeing that there were no soldiers in this training ground who recognized me... it was probably because Jereuth had taken measures so that I could train as an 'ordinary recruit.'

Of course, I wasn't offended at all by what the soldiers were saying to me. I was the one who had instructed them not to give me special treatment.

'I'll reveal that I'm the king someday, but not now.'

So, I answered like a recruit without any complaints.

"I'm sorry!"

"If you're sorry, your military life is—!"

Just as the senior soldier was about to say a line I'd heard many times before.

Max, who had run over in a hurry, spoke in a very flustered voice.

"Hey, hey you! W-why are you shouting at that... 'soldier' for no reason!"

"...Pardon?"

"You bastard?! 'Pardon'?! Get over there, you bastard!!"

"Ah, understood!"

Max seemed to have been startled by the drill instructor yelling at me. Well... for Max, who knew my identity, it would be a natural reaction.

The drill instructor who was about to yell at me went towards the other recruits, wondering, 「"Why is the knight like that today?"」

It seemed it would be very difficult for Max to treat me like an ordinary new recruit.

That aside.

'It seemed like Jereuth and some knight were having a serious conversation earlier. Is something wrong?'

Before the new recruit entrance ceremony, I had checked the Future Diary in advance.

About an hour before now.

The reason I checked the diary was not because I was worried about the new recruit entrance ceremony. I just habitually checked the diary before doing anything.

'If something big had happened, it would have been in the diary. But there was nothing special in the diary... hmm, but why were Jereuth and that knight talking so seriously?'

If Jereuth had been near me, I would have been able to overhear his conversation with the knight. But the distance was too great for that.

After thinking for a moment.

I shook my head.

'For now, let's focus on 'recruit training.' Just as important as any other task is for me to gain the trust of the other soldiers while training as a soldier.'

That's right. My enlistment as a new recruit was not a simple hidden camera prank or a game. It was to lay the foundation for the soldiers to trust and follow me in the future war against the monster army.

What could be more important than this at the present moment?

"Halt!!"

From the front, Max pointed to a large warehouse and shouted.

"You will each take your weapons, armor, and other supplies from this warehouse! As you all know, these supplies were provided by the royal family! If you lose them or damage them for some pathetic reason, be prepared! Understood?!"

—Yes, yes...!

"Look at that voice.... You worm-like bastards!! Get in the push-up position!!"

—Quickly, aren't you getting down?!

—Hey, look at that posture!

—You, you're exempt! Don't you know what exempt means, you bastard?! Come out to the back!!

—Sheesh, you, the one who's been fumbling since earlier! You! You, man, you! The one looking around!

—Me?

—'Me'?! You son of a... Hey! Aren't you going to get over here?!

—W-why!

—'Why'?!

As the new recruits were in disarray, Max's punishment began again, as if he didn't like it.

The drill instructors responded by shouting.

I was getting PTSD. It felt like I was back in guerilla training. Even the deadbeat who asked the drill instructor 'Me?', perfectly stimulated my PTSD.

'...They're being tough from the first day. And whether it's the new recruits of this world or my original world, they're all just as clueless.'

If it were my past self, being in the push-up position would have been really burdensome.

But after going to the Wasteland of Ruin and the Minotaur's dungeon, doing various training, and always wearing the health necklace, my stamina had become quite strong. My strength had also increased.

'The most important thing at times like this is not to stand out.'

Having the experience of being in the 'army,' I had a rough idea of what to do.

But then.

"This bastard, a new recruit comes wearing a necklace?! Isn't this guy a dolt?!"

The drill instructor who had shouted at me earlier and gotten scolded by Max stood in front of me and spoke. The sandy ground of the training ground was scraped by his military boots, and sand flew into my face.

"You, blond hair! On your feet!"

"Yes!"

For now, I did as I was told.

***

Max, the junior knight and training instructor.

He spotted that soldier yelling at Leonardo again.

"What's with that necklace! You've gotten sloppy, a new recruit trying to look good?!"

At the drill instructor's outrageous remark, Max broke out in a cold sweat.

'Th-that crazy bastard, really...! What is he doing?!'

He had given a hint not to touch that 'blond-haired recruit' earlier.

That drill instructor was a truly clueless fellow.

Tatataat—!

Max quickly ran to Leonardo before anything could happen. If by some chance the soldier were to slap Leonardo's cheek or kick his shin... he didn't even want to imagine it.

"Hey, hey! Stop—!"

Just as Max was speaking.

Leonardo, who was a head shorter than the drill instructor, looked straight up at the soldier and spoke with clear politeness and discipline.

"This is not a necklace worn to look good! It is a memento from my father, who passed away protecting the kingdom! I am wearing it only so as not to forget my father's teachings!"

“……?”

"If it is against military law for a new recruit to wear a necklace, I will take it off! But as far as I know, there is no such military law! Therefore, I ask that you permit me to wear this necklace!"

The drill instructor who was yelling at Leonardo, Sam, was taken aback.

'...What's with this bastard?'

Although he hadn't been a new recruit drill instructor for a very long time, Sam was still a relatively experienced instructor.

Even for Sam, this was the first time he had seen a new recruit talk back to a drill instructor so articulately.

'There were occasional guys who couldn't control their anger and suddenly shouted... but what on earth is this one? Military law? It's something I don't even know.'

Not only that. This blond-haired new recruit had a certain 'dignity' that was different from his own.

Although he was the drill instructor and that guy was the new recruit, he felt as if that guy was his superior.

'This blond... he looks familiar, too.'

Blond hair like Leonardo's was very rare. So if Sam had just jogged his memory a little, he might have been able to figure out the new recruit's identity.

But because he couldn't even imagine that 'the king was among the new recruits,' Sam just stared at the new recruit blankly.

"What's your name?"

"It's Nar!"

"Nar? A strange name."

"I'm sorry!"

"No, well... there's nothing to be sorry about your name. Your father must have given it to you."

Sam cleared his throat and continued.

"Alright, Nar. I'll allow you to wear your father's memento. But I will be watching you. To see if you can become a soldier who can protect this kingdom like your father who is said to have passed away protecting it."

"Yes, I understand!"

"If you get on my nerves, or fail to meet the standard, be prepared. I will deal with you very specially. Understood?!"

"Yes, I understand!!"

"...For your face, your answers are quite brisk. Now get back in the push-up position."

Thud—!

The blond-haired recruit immediately put his hands on the training ground and got into the push-up position. The other new recruits were so engrossed in watching that they lost track of time.

The new recruits and drill instructors each evaluated the blond-haired new recruit in their minds.

—'That guy... he's got a lot of guts.'

—'To talk to a drill instructor like that.'

—'He enlisted to follow his father, what a cool guy. I enlisted to make a living.'

—'I really need to introduce that guy to my sister. That guy is worthy of being my sister's husband!'

Just then.

"Ahem!"

Max, who had been trying to stop Sam, cleared his throat and shouted loudly.

"W-well then, we will begin distributing equipment in order! Those waiting for their turn will begin basic physical training to the drill instructor's count! This is not punishment, but training to arm your minds and bodies! Once the equipment distribution is finished, you will each change into your armor on your own and do a full-gear run around the training ground. Understood?!"

—Yes, I understand!

"Look at that voice! Understood?!"

—Yes, I understand!!!

Max finished speaking in his original stern instructor-like voice.

And then, he cleared his throat again and said to Leonardo.

"Ahem! You, you... did you say your name was Nar?"

"Yes, that's correct!"

"You will be issued your equipment first! Follow me!"

Originally, the new recruit at the very front should have received his equipment first.

But Max made him stand up first to give Leonardo even a little convenience.

Thud—.

As Leonardo stood up, Max led the way and said to the drill instructors.

"Bring the next in line yourselves!"

***

Inside the supply warehouse.

Max, who had brought Leonardo deep inside the warehouse, spoke to Leonardo in a voice that the other soldiers wouldn't hear.

Max's voice was trembling.

"I-I'm sorry, Your Highness. For the soldiers to not recognize you and commit such rudeness."

"It's not. It's fine. Rather, I dislike it more when you take care of me separately like this."

"Pardon?"

This isn't good? What does he mean?

"Did I perhaps commit some rudeness—!"

"No, that's not it. I clearly said to treat me like an 'ordinary new recruit.' But right now, instructor, you are treating me as a king."

“……”

"If you are not trying to defy my order, please do not give me special treatment anymore. Understood?"

"I-it was never my intention to defy your order!"

"Your voice is loud."

"I-I'm sorry."

Leonardo smiled lightly and straightened his posture.

"There will be no punishment or disadvantage whatsoever for treating me as an ordinary new recruit. So please treat me like the other soldiers. That is what's best for me."

"...I understand. Still, I have already set aside the best-quality supplies for Your Highness separately... so I hope you will take those."

Max pointed to a warehouse shelf. There, looking like brand new items, were particularly good military gear and supplies even among the new items.

Leonardo was not one to miss that, so he shook his head.

"No, I will take something else. Because I am an ordinary new recruit."

"Th... Hah, I understand. Then you can take one of each from the items on this shelf here."

Max pointed to the left shelf. On the shelf, each supply item was organized by type.

Leonardo packed one of each supply item, including the military gear, armor, boots, and spear.

The supplies were so numerous that they were heavy, and since Leonardo was still a young boy and small, it looked difficult for him to carry the supplies.

Max, who was watching this anxiously, did not help Leonardo. Instead, when Leonardo had finished packing his supplies, he spoke quietly.

"W-well then, from now on, I will really treat you like an ordinary new recruit. For now, please follow me. There is something to do outside."

"Yes."

"Ah, Your Highness. But may I ask just one thing?"

"Of course."

"Th... the scars on your arm, Your Highness, how did you get them?"

As Max asked, pointing to the various scars etched on Leonardo's jade-like skin, Leonardo smiled faintly and replied.

"They are scars I got while training with my father."

"Training...."

Max still had many questions.

But he decided not to ask any more and nodded his head.

"I understand. Then please follow me. As I said again, from now on, I will treat you the same as an ordinary new recruit."

"Yes."

Leonardo picked up his supplies and followed Max out of the warehouse.

And as soon as Leonardo stepped outside the warehouse—.

Thwack—!

Max kicked Leonardo's shin. This too was a kind of hazing ritual. It was a dog-like training where he would kick the new recruit's shin to make them drop the supplies they were holding, and then make them pick them up again.

While doing so, Max's repertoire was to yell something like, 「"How dare you drop your supplies?! The royal family's property?! This bastard, look at his mental state!!"」

But.

'...Hmm?'

Leonardo stood firm. As if he had experienced this level of pain many times and it was nothing.

Of course, Max had kicked Leonardo a little lightly. No matter how much Leonardo asked to be treated normally, he couldn't treat him the same as the other new recruits.

But no matter how lightly he kicked, he should have at least flinched when his shin was kicked. It wasn't just a regular shoe, but a military boot.

But Leonardo didn't even flinch.

To Max, who was looking at him with a hesitant expression, Leonardo spoke powerfully.

"Then I will change into my armor and run the training ground!"

"D-do so!"

Max's voice was awkward, but no one noticed. Everyone was just staring at the blond new recruit who, despite being kicked in the shin, and quite strongly at that, showed no sign of pain and was about to run the training ground.

And so, Leonardo's first day of enlistment was passing.

***

Jereuth.

Having heard the report that a 'giant monster' had appeared on the Ness Plains near the royal capital, he immediately went to the scene, leading twenty knights and soldiers who knew how to ride horses.

The number was 120, combining knights and soldiers.

It was not a very large number. But these were all senior knights and veteran soldiers, the strongest elite in the kingdom's army.

"It's around here, Commander."

Senior knight 'Edan' said to Jereuth. He was the knight who had been on patrol on the Ness Plains before, and was the first knight to witness the unidentified 'giant monster' from a distance.

"Is this the place where the unidentified giant monster appeared?"

"That is correct. However, as I mentioned, at that time I retreated as soon as I spotted the monster from a distance, so I do not know if this is the exact spot. I judged that the monster was difficult to handle with the patrol forces I was leading."

"That was an excellent judgment. I will not take issue with it. Then let's search this area. Find traces of the monster."

"Yes, understood."

Thud—.

Thud—.

Thud—.

Thud—.

At Jereuth's command, the knights and soldiers all dismounted from their horses and began to search the surroundings. Monsters, depending on their type, leave footprints or other traces, so they were checking for that.

Jereuth also surveyed the surroundings while on Kartum.

'Hmm... I didn't find any traces of any monster on the way here. They also said they didn't see anything unusual in the nearby villages. It's possible that it returned to the Monster Mountains from here.'

If the monster had advanced this far and then returned, it was fortunate.

But even if that were the case, Jereuth did not let his guard down. Because this Ness Plains was too close to the royal capital, the center of the kingdom.

'It's a half-day's ride on horseback. From here to the royal capital.'

As Jereuth was thinking.

"H-here! Over here!"

From a little distance to the right, a soldier's urgent voice was heard. Jereuth immediately rode Kartum and galloped in that direction.

"What is it? What did you find?"

"Yes! Here... there is a large pit!"

"A pit?"

Thud—.

Jereuth dismounted from Kartum and examined the pit the soldier was pointing to.

'This is….'

Generally, monsters do not make 'pits.' Most build settlements on top of the ground like humans, or make dungeons in caves.

But among monsters, there are occasional cases where they dig pits—'tunnels.' Small monsters, like goblins and kobolds, use tunnels when they secretly attack villages.

"Commander, could this be a goblin's pit?"

"Hmm."

At senior knight Edan's question, Jereuth knelt on one knee and looked closely inside the pit.

'No, this is different from a pit dug by goblins. The hole is too wide to be a tunnel dug by such small monsters.'

Besides the size of the hole, there was another difference.

'The shape is different from something dug with a shovel or by hand. It looks like something that has risen from the ground... a natural hole shape created as something that was underground came out. And the long mark outside the hole, a snake-like mark that moved while digging deep into the ground....'

Fwoosh—.

Jereuth shone the inside of the pit with a torch. The inside was so deep that the end couldn't be seen.

To see the end of the pit, Jereuth threw the torch inside.

...Thump.

It was so deep that the torch was no longer visible.

'It's deep. Too deep to be a tunnel dug by monsters like goblins or kobolds. ...Could it be?'

"Edan. You said the monster you saw at that time had the appearance of a giant snake, right?"

"That's correct. I couldn't see it clearly because of the fog that rose early in the morning, but from the shadow seen through the fog, it was definitely a giant snake. But it wasn't a single snake's form. It looked like several giant snakes... like the legendary 'Hyd...', no, never mind!"

Edan did not mix his own speculation and only stated what he had seen. He didn't want to unnecessarily confuse Jereuth.

But it didn't matter. Jereuth had already figured out the monster's identity.

'...This is a pit made by an Anakros. It made this pit as it moved underground and came out. And the long mark on the ground must have been made by the Anakros after it came out of the pit. And what Edan called a 'Hydra' was probably because several Anakros were clustered together.'

Jereuth took a deep breath as he looked at the long 'snake path' outside the hole.

'I saw an Anakros when I went to the Wasteland of Ruin with His Highness. And here too, there are traces of an Anakros. ...Did they send an Anakros as the vanguard of the monster army that His Highness was concerned about? Or is there another reason?'

No matter how many battles Jereuth had been through and how skilled a knight he was, there was too little information to make any kind of determination.

'I tried my best not to disturb His Highness while he is undergoing recruit training... but this is not a matter for me to judge. I must report it.'

"We are returning to the royal capital right now! Ride the horses at top speed!"

Jereuth immediately mounted Kartum and rode towards the royal capital. Despite the sudden order from the commander, the knights and soldiers each mounted their horses and followed behind Jereuth.

***

While Jereuth was leading the knights and soldiers back to the royal capital.

Meanwhile, there was a being watching from a distance.

It was the Anakros that Jereuth had predicted, the elder of those Anakros, 'Risilbak.'

'Hmm... I deliberately showed myself to the humans to call my covenant-holder. But the covenant-holder I wanted didn't come, only another human. That old human knight seems to be the knight who was with the covenant-holder.'

That's right. Risilbak had come to say that he too would keep his promise, since Leonardo had kept his promise by sealing the Minotaur.

That promise was to 'side with the humans in the war against the monster army.'

'I need to meet the covenant-holder somehow to confirm the covenant. Hmm, should I just go into the castle, into the city? No. That would unnecessarily frighten the humans. If I come out of the ground, the human buildings might collapse.'

Sssss—.

Risilbak made a hissing sound and, after thinking, came to a conclusion.

'I will have to wait until my covenant-holder comes outside the castle. In any case, there is still quite some time until the monster army's advance.'

—You all return to the Monster Mountains. If our entire race is absent for too long, it might arouse suspicion.

—Yes.

At Risilbak's words, the Anakros hidden deep underground answered.

The number of Anakros was twenty-three. Even with the entire race gathered, it was only twenty-three.

But even though their numbers were small, the Anakros should not be underestimated. That race was a being with the power and ability to definitely change the tide of a battlefield.

One of Leonardo's most powerful allies was already prepared.

Ready for war.