Against the World II: Transgression
Chapter 21: The Flow of Wind, Part 4
The old man chattered about how great and admirable General Clown was without pause.
Xavier had lost interest in listening since the initial ten minutes. When the old man whose name was somehow ready stopped glorifying the Clown, they had already arrived before the gates of Avarecia to undergo an examination. And, since Xavier was in their entourage, the gate guard soldiers did not bother themselves to check on him.
The three-horse-drawn large wagon quickly entered the city after the leader of the merchant group spoke to some soldiers.
Thanking the merchant group, Xavier then darted away looking for a mask seller.
A cloak hood is only enough if it does not meet in person, but to test the power of General Clown requires a mask. He is a commander, football certainly makes important people remember his face and name. Clown might recognize him if he doesn't wear a face mask.
Getting the mask he felt he deserved, Xavier immediately shot to the main headquarters of the Royal Army.
Avarecia was the largest city in Kazarsia Kingdom, but when compared to Nevada, it was only about half the size of the imperial capital. No different from Nevada, there is almost no place where the land is not covered with bricks. If the capital was showered with heavy water, muddy land would be impossible to find. Even in a wordless garden, the water will not pool. Avarecia is known for its excellent drainage system.
Xavier had never stopped in this city, but it did not make it difficult to find the main headquarters of the Royal Army. No country hides the main headquarters of their military organization. In fact, every country is trying to show off their military might. Hence, without even asking here and there, Xavier could bring himself to the place in just a dozen minutes.
Although its name was the main headquarters of the military organization, it was not a place filled with soldiers. There were many soldiers, indeed, but it was not comparable to the number of soldiers who were in their barracks. The main headquarters of the military organization is where the military administration takes place, and there also all information related to the military is stored.
After making sure he didn't find a strong person there with [Sensory Magic], Xavier relied on [Reverse Law] and darted there.
As he infiltrated the heavily guarded Asura Castle, Xavier's infiltration this time was very easy.
...—Royal Palace—...
Being a general who in total commanded 22,439 soldiers and 1276 staff was not an easy matter. What's more, Clown doesn't know about management. He was not raised to be a leader. Clown is a former criminal, living by stealing. Being a great general never crossed his head at all, let alone marrying the king's daughter.
But here comes Clown now. Not only had he become a great general, but he had a daughter's wife.
Should he curse the gods, or praise them? Clown no longer understood. Frustrated, he was tired. Throwing scolding at the god, he was tired. Refuting the ridiculous delusions of Krasia whose incidentally forerunner misunderstands all his rumors circulating, his mouth has long been frothy. Trying to escape? Clown has exhausted the ways. Resignedly. That's what Clown can do.
However, it is inevitable that Clown has guilt for his wife. It was not Clown who could not do anything that the princess loved, but Clown who was in their irrational delusions. As a man, he wants at least his life partner to understand him. He wanted to have someone to pour out his mind. He wants to have someone he can count on.
“Ah...” Clown immersed his face into the palm of his hand, a sense of fatigue and resignation as soon as it emanated clearly from his body. “How exhausting is life. If only wa—”
“General Clown, I would like to report that the gate guard soldiers found a large mana capacity among the merchant entourage that had entered the capital recently. We tried to find him, but we lost track of the man. Either he was deliberately hiding or was in a place that reached our sensory magic user warrior, which obviously we were worried in case he was an intruder from outside the kingdom. The horn action is too suspicious.”
Clown's flat expression did not change, but a panic hit filled his head. Various wild assumptions are so actively passing by. What if his peaceful life here is ruined because of that intruder? What if the entire capital finally realized that he was just an ordinary man who was far from what they had assumed? What if his wife sees Clown as disillusioned, and then demands a divorce?
If it was before marriage, Clown would instead be happy if people finally realized that he was just a loser. But now it's different. Whatever happens, Clown doesn't want to let go of what he has now. The face that greeted him as he woke up.Clown did not want it to turn quiet.
Nevertheless, how could he overcome that person—assuming he had malicious intent?
“I will visit the Royal Army headquarters,” Clown said suddenly while standing. “You lead the others to tighten the palace guard. Don't let anyone in. And, for prone positions, I want the number of guards there doubled.”
“Ready, carry out, General!”
Nodding in satisfaction, Clown left his room. He stepped out of the palace quickly. This man with the head of a plontos wanted to find soldiers who had magic that he could use to find the existence of the intruder. Hence, he had to head to the headquarters as quickly as possible. Only there was data about all the soldiers stored. And, at the same time, Clown would also gather the names of all the powerful warriors.
As soon as General Clown left the palace, the sturdy young man who had just given the general a report immediately carried out the instructions given to him. His soldiers he directed to tighten the guard. For vulnerable places, the number of soldiers he doubled. More than that, the young man himself also guarded the front door of the palace.
“Captain Elland!” shouted a soldier who had just entered the gate of palace—dia guard outside the gate. “I was just told that a suspicious individual was spotted heading to the main headquarters.”
“Call it!” screeched the captain with an enlightened expression on the face. “Has fast he's there!” yell again.
“Call it?”
The sturdy young man called Elland nodded. “After I reported about the suspicious individual earlier, General Clown immediately said that he was going to the main headquarters. I was surprised by his words. I think he should have ordered me to send a search team to find that individual. Now I get it. Apparently General Clown already knew the target of the intruder. Since he was likely strong, General Clown decided to intervene on his own.”
“Oh, it's worth General Clown in such a hurry! As can be expected of him. His mind is sharp. The reasoning is unstoppable.”
Elland nodded in agreement to the soldier's words. “As long as we have General Clown, everything will be safely under control. As long as General Clown lives with us, there is nothing to fear. And because of that too, we must also exert everything we have to ease his duties.” Elland's hands clenched, her spirit fiery. “Now you go back to where you stood guard, Warrior.”
“Ready, Captain!” exclaimed the soldier, his spirit also flared up. He ran quickly outside the gate.
…General Clown, he was amazing, like a hero in legend, the inner Elland was accompanied by a smile of admiration on his lips.