Inside the grand chamber of the Palace of Glory.

“What did you say? Say it again.”

I slammed my hand on the desk as I spoke, and the Prime Minister and current Supreme Commander, Marquis Terserion, replied without changing his expression.

“I will say it one last time. As Supreme Commander, I cannot approve your reassignment.”

That was the response to my request to be sent to the frontline where my clan was stationed.

It was an expected answer, but hard to accept.

Because none of the reasons made sense to me.

“Why is reassignment impossible?”

“You are a titled noble.”

“I heard that reassignment is possible if the person requests it?”

“In the military, decisions ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) are made for the good of the group, not individuals.”

“How is me going there not in the interest of the group?”

It might seem uncharacteristic of a barbarian, but this time I laid out my argument as logically as I could to persuade him.

But...

“You have duties within the Military Command. I have judged those duties more important than you fighting directly on the frontline.”

“Duties...?”

“I am telling you in confidence. Ecliptic Karnon is not safe. Ruthless Noirark have infiltrated here that day, and the Intelligence Division has yet to uncover what plots they hide.”

“...And what does that have to do with me?”

“No matter how sturdy the building, if its pillars collapse, it must fall. The titled nobles gathered here are those pillars supporting this nation.”

“I asked what that has to do with me.”

“There’s no one more specialized in ‘protection’ than you. I don’t ask much, only that you stay here to prepare for emergencies.”

“Ha...”

Despite the sigh, I could understand why they clung to me like this.

Of course, that didn’t mean I accepted it.

‘After all, I’m a barbarian.’

A simple brute warrior who knows nothing but fighting.

A barbarian of this era unbound by laws or etiquette.

‘Still, I’m a little worried about what happens behind.’

Sigh. Then what should I do?

Ignore everything and smash the fool?

‘Or...’

Just then, sensing my strange thoughts, the Marquis muttered to soothe me.

“But well... the reason I can’t send you out is because of those Noirark hiding in this city. If you can find and eliminate them all, who knows? Then I might consider your request.”

At those words, some sort of ‘ding!’ alert sounded in my mind.

‘A kind of preliminary quest...’

So all I have to do is solve this?

In games, sometimes there are places you can’t enter due to ‘No Entry’ signs, but certain quests unlock them.

In some ways, this situation was just like that.

[Exterminate all Noirark special forces hidden in Ecliptic Karnon.]

Completing this quest would allow me to leave the Ecliptic and legally join my comrades at the frontline.

However, there was one downside...

“Then bring my clan here. I’ll take full responsibility to find them.”

“Impossible.”

“So you want me to find them all alone?”

“No matter what you say, it’s not possible. If only your clan gets special treatment, how would other explorers feel? No one would truly fight for the royal family.”

I considered scheming, but the Marquis dismissed it immediately.

“Of course, you’ll need personnel. I’ll assign suitable people to you.”

Getting some manpower made it not a totally pointless attempt.

“Let me tell you in advance: you and your assigned personnel will be specially organized for this mission, but their affiliation is the Military Command.”

“Understood.”

“You seem not to get it, so I’ll say again: never leave Ecliptic Karnon without permission. Doing so will be considered desertion.”

“...I said I understand.”

“Good. Then you may leave.”

With that, my private meeting with the Marquis ended, and I returned to the main hall of the Palace of Glory to chat and gather info with other nobles.

“Haha! What’s there to worry about? This incident is nothing but their last desperate spasm. The royal family’s power is absolute, after all.”

“I’ve heard they plan to ‘cleanse’ everything soon, but who knows how it’ll turn out.”

“Also, His Majesty the King has not appeared even now, so it seems his health shows no sign of improvement.”

Most of it was useless talk, but I tried to talk with as many as possible to gather news.

And how long had passed since then?

“Baron Yandel, all the troops the Supreme Commander mentioned have arrived.”

I was able to meet the ‘personnel’ the Marquis mentioned sooner than expected.

Nineteen people total.

Including me, that makes twenty, who will be organized as a ‘Special Search Squad’ under the Military Command...

I didn’t really care about that.

Only one thing surprised me.

“...Yandel?”

“Raven...?”

Haha, I never thought the Marquis would assign this guy to join us.

“Are you seriously the leader of this Special Search Squad...?”

Raven was also shocked, probably not having known beforehand.

“Well, that’s how it happened. Let’s work well for now.”

Knowing Raven’s ability, I was glad and reached out my hand.

But Raven had a troubled expression even while shaking it.

“...I’m really starting to feel nervous.”

“Nervous?”

“Nothing much. I just suddenly realized this mission is going to be very dangerous.”

“Don’t worry. I don’t plan to screw up.”

“When have you ever done that?”

...Hey, that’s harsh to a barbarian.

“Anyway, what exactly will we be doing?”

“Hmm? Didn’t you hear anything before coming?”

“No, I only know we’ll be searching for something. It was so urgent I only guessed it must be important. So, what exactly is it?”

Because it seemed we were dragged in knowing nothing, I explained the mission.

“In short, we’ll start from scratch and find those people even the royal intelligence hasn’t located?”

Raven’s expression soured, as if sighing.

Feeling a little sorry, I swallowed my pride and bowed.

“Please take good care of this.”

“Well, even if you say that... I don’t have any supernatural powers or anything...”

“You can only do this if you want to reach your comrades.”

Seeing my desperate gaze, Raven finally exhaled.

“Ha... I understand. I’ll do my best.”

“That’s enough.”

I wasn’t just flattering him. After all the time spent together, I knew him well.

Given his personality, such words meant he was sincerely ready to roll up his sleeves and help.

‘The Marquis actually cared enough to send us.’

It was strange for him to do something I liked, but I shook hands with the other new squad members.

“As you know, I’m Bjorn, son of Yandel. What’s your name?”

“Marcus Beitlan.”

“Oh, from the Beitlan baronial family?”

“Not direct line, collateral branch, Baron.”

I took time to check each person’s identity and skills.

There were ten knights, three mages, and five ‘search operatives’ treated as special posts even within the military...

“Do the search operatives have detection abilities?”

“Yes, Baron.”

“How strong?”

“No one can escape our sight within a 20-meter radius.”

Their voices brimmed with genuine pride.

It wasn’t baseless.

“You know, even when the royal knights guard the city gates, at least one search operative always participates.”

If the royal family uses them for gate security, their abilities are definitely proven.

I stopped focusing on the operatives and looked at the last man.

He wore plain black uniform with no markings or insignia.

“You’re from the Intelligence Division?”

“Yes, Baron.”

“Name?”

“I ask your broad understanding that I cannot disclose that under Intelligence rules.”

“Then at least answer this: is your name or surname ‘Hans’?”

“...?”

“This is important. If you don’t answer, I’ll have to kick you out regardless of Intelligence.”

“I don’t know why you ask, but I am not Hans.”

“Swear by the royal family’s name?”

“...I swear.”

Okay, so no Hans at all.

A member of the Intelligence Division wouldn’t lie under the royal family’s name.

“Then what should I call you?”

“Call me Nameless.”

That tone, that outfit, and that name ‘Nameless’—

Definitely someone without many friends.

Alright, decided.

“Nameless is too long.”

“What do you mean by Nameless is too long—”

“I’ll call you Mumu from now on.”

The new name ‘Mumu’ had no meaning to him; his face was puzzled.

“...How is that shorter?”

“Mumu and Nameless. Isn’t the pronunciation shortened?”

“...?”

“If you hate it, tell me your real name and I’ll call you that.”

Saying that slyly, Mumu sighed deeply and shook his head.

“Enough. What does a title matter? Call me whatever you want.”

“Alright, Mumu.”

“......”

Even after consenting, he still looked like he’d just bitten into something sour over the name.

Well, I didn’t care.

Clearly, the Marquis planted this guy here; no reason to treat him well.

“Anyway, before we start the search, I want to hear what Intelligence has found so far.”

“I came prepared for that.”

Mumu then shared everything the military had searched, what was found, what clues were uncovered.

Of course, nothing useful.

“So basically, they searched everywhere but didn’t find a single hair?”

“Basically, yes...”

“Hmm, then maybe all the Noirark hiding here are bald.”

“...Are you serious?”

“No, just kidding.”

Does he really think barbarians are a brainless race?

“Alright, let’s head out.”

“Any leads?”

“No, but wandering around might jog some ideas.”

“......”

Mumu looked like he wanted to say a lot but held back.

Like he thought this was just wasting time.

“But thanks to you, we narrowed it down a bit.”

“...?”

“Means the Noirark didn’t hide in normal places.”

Mumu looked at me like I was stating the obvious but this was important.

“Looks like noble family mansions haven’t been searched.”

When I pointed out the areas Intelligence hadn’t checked, Mumu flinched and hurriedly spoke.

“Baron? Surely you don’t mean...”

He sounded doubtful as he spoke, but I wasn’t willing to compromise on this point.

“It wouldn’t be strange if some families were colluding with the Noirark.”

“W-We’re not ignoring that possibility, you know?”

“Raven, does our Special Search Squad have authority to search inside noble mansions?”

“I don’t know.”

“Then let’s say we do.”

Mumu looked shocked at my casual answer, glancing at Raven, who simply nodded.

“Yes. Since the Marquis formed this unit, he’ll handle the aftermath. Besides, all the branch leaders are gathered in the Palace of Glory; servants won’t dare stop us.”

“What are you two talking about?”

“Good, then it’s settled. Hurry up. We must raid many families before the branch leaders catch wind and intervene.”

“Yes, but what does ‘raid’ mean exactly...?”

“Who knows? If we find suspicious items, we take them for examination.”

“Ah...”

Raven’s disdainful look showed he understood I meant secretly pocketing useful things while searching noble houses.

Maybe he was just tired of stopping me.

He gave me a resigned look and asked:

“Which family do we start with?”

Oh, that one?

Of course.

“Our first destination is the Terserion marquisate.”

I wonder what the Prime Minister is hiding in his mansion?