CHAPTER 62: CHAOS AND PAPER NIGHTMARES

"Hey, are we supposed to carry this box of documents?"

"Yeah, carry it! Stack it in the front hall!"

"What about these damaged weapons? Should we just throw them out?"

"Nope! They’re going out for sharpening. Put them in the side storage room!"

The Dashtadem Fortress had been in complete chaos for the past two days.

Louis and the rest of the knights under Dominic were ordered to return to the royal capital.

"The capital, huh? I don’t wanna go..."

That was the captain’s first reaction when he got the orders—his voice full of irritation and displeasure.

It was probably because the capital came with all kinds of political headaches and annoying responsibilities. Honestly, it was hard not to sympathize. Still, most of the knights were absolutely thrilled at the idea of going back to the royal capital.

"The replacement garrison has already been appointed. They’re on their way here as we speak. Now that the magic circle has disappeared and the number of magical beast sightings has returned to normal, there’s no reason for our second division to stay here anymore. Just give it up and start packing, Captain."

"We could always send that garrison back. This is the border, after all. It never hurts to be extra cautious."

"Even so, there’s no need for our second division to keep stay here. Besides, the area that needs guarding now is mostly forest. It’s not exactly ideal for a knight squad that fights on horseback! If you keep dragging this out, even Shiao Yi’s going to get sick of your whining."

"...Speaking of which, where is Shiao Yi?"

Ah, so that’s why he’s in such a bad mood.

He doesn’t have Shiao Yi sitting on his lap like usual.

"Shiao Yi’s in the infirmary getting checked out by Sayu. Even though you’ve already healed him, Captain, the burns and injuries were really serious, remember?"

And yet, the Captain went and made it so Shiao Yi couldn’t even get out of bed the next day. Seriously, how much of a beast is he?

"...He’s not over at Aaron’s place, is he?"

"Eek!" Louis stiffened. That voice—it was low, cold, sharp like frostbite. Absolute zero. A deep tone that could freeze your soul. Terrifying.

"O-of course not! No way! He’d never go there!" he shouted, frantically shaking his head.

Ever since the news came in from the Central Magic Association that Aaron would also be returning to the royal capital, things had been like this.

Shiao Yi had gone to Aaron’s place a few times because he was supposedly teaching him some chemical formulas or whatever, and every time Louis even heard the name "Aaron," the captain’s mood dropped like a rock.

—Please, Shiao Yi... for the sake of everyone’s mental stability, especially mine... just come straight back here when you’re done!

With the entire division preparing to relocate, piles and piles of belongings were being uncovered. Personal items, military gear, expedition equipment—you name it, it was there. It felt endless. They had no idea where all this stuff had even come from, but it had clearly multiplied during their time at the fort.

They were trying to leave behind whatever the next knight division could still make use of, but some things couldn’t be left behind—like all the paperwork in the office. And that, unfortunately, was a nightmare all on its own.

There were documents that had come in from the capital, from other forts, from expedition squads... just an endless stream. Louis began to wonder if the people sending this stuff had way too much free time. It just kept coming and coming.

And of course, it wasn’t just boring reports. There were confidential files in there, too—the kind that absolutely couldn’t be seen by the wrong person. If they left them behind, the new garrison would have to deal with the mess. And if someone without clearance stumbled on those secrets, it could be a disaster.

Honestly, Louis wanted to burn the whole pile.

But that was out of the question. There were too many important files mixed in. They couldn’t just torch it all and hope for the best.

That’s right—everything was mixed in. Confidential intelligence reports, casual letters, official records, payment reminders, debt acknowledgments, receipts for deliveries, even handwritten letters stamped with the king’s seal!

Captain Dominic wasn’t called the Iron Knight for nothing. He didn’t care about people. Not even himself, it seemed. He showed no interest in others and treated everything with cold detachment. It was like the only thing that lived inside him was the urge to fight.

Sometimes Louis wondered what that man even lived for.

He had thought about asking once—what do you enjoy? But the thought that the captain might actually answer, "A fight to the death," was so chilling, he never worked up the courage.

—Until now.

He always gave off an aura like frozen iron—just getting close to him felt dangerous, like touching something so cold it would burn.

At least, that’s how it used to be.

—Shiao Yi, thank you! You’re an angel, a savior!

That was how Louis truly felt.

So of course, with someone like that, it was no surprise at all that he paid no attention to letters or documents. It didn’t matter if the sender was the King, the Supreme Commander, or even the Central Magic Association—he wouldn’t even break the seal. He’d just toss the letters on his desk without a second thought.

Eventually, they piled up so high it turned the room into a chaotic labyrinth of papers.

With the captain completely abandoning all administrative tasks from the beginning, it was Louis who took over and handled the necessary paperwork day after day.

But Louis was still a knight through and through—a combat maniac. He much preferred holding a sword to reading any kind of report. Honestly, reading ten lines of text gave him a headache. Organizing and sorting papers wasn’t his thing either.

And yet, he was the one doing all of it. That alone should tell you how messy things had gotten.