My Fiance Is The 2nd Male Lead
The Imperial Family Order

“General, are the rumors true? That the reason why the Ginryuu Kingdom is increasing the number of troops at the border is because they will try to dismantle the human trafficking syndicate?” Gilbert asked the General.

The General was observing a miniature of the situation at the current border. Occasionally he moved some miniatures to imagine new strategies.

Just before he left for the border, a letter from the imperial palace came for him. It was the second time this week that a letter came from an imperial family. Although the second letter did not make him surprised like the first letter he received. The letter was written directly by the Emperor which contained an order to guard the border with all souls to hinder the purpose of the Ginryuu Kingdom troops that is to dismantle the human trafficking syndicate in the gold mines of the empire.

Although the Imperial Knights were not directly under the Emperor's or the Imperial Family's command, they still could not escape the imperial family's influence. The empire region that was divided into four each had its own war council. The Eastern territories immediately adjacent to the Kingdom of Ginryuu are under the jurisdiction of General Themisree. Everything related to the defense and security of the eastern region was left entirely in the hands of the general.

However, it did not rule out the possibility for imperial families to intervene in it, as they now do.

“The Knights will be very cooperative if you order us to help the Ginryuu kingdom troops, General.” Gilbert.

“No. We are given the command to guard the border with all our physical souls. That means no matter what happens, the Ginryuu Kingdom Army must not penetrate our defenses.” Answer the General.

Gilbert frowned. “I don't understand, General. Are you saying that we should protect the human trafficking syndicate?”

“Do you listen to me Gilbert? We must guard the eastern border of the Ginryuu Kingdom's army. This is an issue of the Empire's security, Gilbert. That is the main task of the Imperial Knights.” Reply to the General.

He knew very well how the mind of his men. Idealistic and pure. He also used to be like that, before he became a General who felt for himself what his predecessor had felt before. The grip of the imperial family and the stress that comes with it is inevitable. Everyone has their own interests, and everyone strives to realize those interests. Even though the way it is done will cause suffering for others.

He also has a lot of things he wants to protect. Careers. His family. His life. If he does not do what he is told, the things he wants to protect will be disturbed.

Gilbert clenched his hand. “Two summers ago, a grandson of a bakery owner in my hometown disappeared without news. He was looking for work in a neighboring town, but never returned. Until then, the owner of the store is still waiting for the return of his grandson.”

General Themisree glanced at Gilbert.

“He asked me to help him find his grandson, so I helped him. I traced all the way to a neighboring town only to find that the place the bakery owner's granddaughter had been running was managed by one of the human trafficking syndicates. My story is only a small part of the stories of my colleague, General Themisree. There are so many who have been victims of this human trafficking syndicate and so far there has been no order to dismantle and subdue them.”

“Does this mean that the Imperial Family really interfered in it?” ask Gilbert.

General Themisree took a deep breath and took it out. He knew exactly what these men were feeling.

“You're right, Gilbert. I'll set you free to do what you want. If you object to our mission this time, I will relieve you of your duty as the leader of the army. You can help the Ginryuu Kingdom army and try to dismantle the human trafficking syndicate.”

“But I won't be behind you. I am attached to the Imperial Family and if I do not do what they ask, they will take and rob me of all my happiness. I am a coward, but though I must be a coward to protect the things I love, let me be a coward.”

“I tell you all this because you've been by my side for a long time. This is heartfelt advice I give you as a family, not as a boss. Right now you're gonna think of me as an incompetent leader, Gilbert. But someday, you will also be in a position where you can actually choose but decide to assume that you have no choice.”

After speaking at length, Gilbert simply looked at the General. He swallowed his mouth and breathed his breath. He looked at the sky blue eyeball of the General who was looking back at him with a sincere look. He remembered someone who had given him such a look. His Late.

“I will guard the border with all my body, General.” After saying that, he bowed and left the General's tent. He has made his choice, and he has chosen to be a coward who attaches importance to his personal interests.