"He is Sir Pilgram of the Royal Knights."
"I am honored to meet the Commander who is called the Kingdom's Shield, as well as the rest of the authorities. It is a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Johnstein Pilgram."
The man gently introduced himself as Johnstein Pilgram. It was familiar, and interestingly enough, Sunhyuk stared blatantly at Johnstein.
Johnstein, who was neither large nor small in size for a Stranger, had a good-looking face with a lasting impression. He was wearing a colorful coat, in contrast to the uniforms of the cavalry, and his appearance was quite magnificent, as even he subconsciously admired it.
"Sir Pilgram is an official Knight, a up-and-coming individual who has already been given his own first and last name by the Royal Family."
Although the initial plan of having a large troop force had been resolved by the Commander. It seems that he was quite keen on recalling back the Strangers, especially those who were dispatched elsewhere in response to the Sastanes threat.
"In addition, the Royal Family hopes to make up for the peoples distrust towards the Strangers. Due to repeated failures, it is expected a display of sorts, that not all Strangers are the same."
Johnstein added, while listening to the explanation of the Commander, showing quite a dignified and bold approach.
In fact, Johnstein was staring at Sunhyuk quite daringly. Whether he was treating him the same as all of the other Strangers who broke down in the battlefield, or as if a challenger who had claimed first place in achievements by annihilating the Sastanes, his expression was too ambiguous to tell.
However, he was nonchalant about him either way. Since he already had experience, he has no reason to be looked down upon, and since his path ahead was a struggle against himself, he didn't have to bother with presence of competitiveness either.
Bastard. Playing cute.
As such, he casually handled the glare which Johnstein gave him. It was a very calm and confident face that caused his opponent to be somewhat surprised.
"We are thinking of including Sir Pilgram, and his group in this current strategy. Since the Sastanes will surely send over an invitation to eat us, we will provide them with a menu that is extremely hard to digest, though it'll be their problem, not ours."
The Commander ignored the strange atmosphere and proceeded with the meeting.
What is this old man conspiring now…
Knowing that the Commander in front of him was being disingenuous, Sunhyuk sighed in the end.
Once the size of the supporting troops was determined, the meeting proceeded to the end, and a quickly completed trap was outlined for the Sastane Cavalry. Whether it was the border patrol, or the Commander who was responsible for this, he did not know. However, it wouldn't be easy for the Sastanes to return to their own borders, that part we can be sure of.
"That's as much as I can help with."
What remained is; the direct fight against the Sastanes.
"How is it? With this much support, are you satisfied?"
"This is truly sufficient support. I thank the Commander's favor."
"Is that so? So what do you think? You have more than enough support to surpass the resources of your Captain, have your odds of victory increased?"
With Frederik as an excuse, the Commander asked Sunhyuk this time.
"My answer is the same as before. I will make sure that we will never lose."
It was an ambiguous answer, but the Commander chuckled this time as well, as he looked pleased.
"Alright. This much is enough. For soldiers protecting the borders, what's more important than that?"
The Commander amicably rose as he patted Sunhyuk's shoulder.
"Don't lose, just like how you declared it. By not kneeling in front of the Sastanes, it is just enough to give our cavalrymen more courage than ever."
With the strategy of capturing the Sastane Cavalry completed, the Heavy Cavalry of the 24th Regiment quickly rushed their return. It was because they were worried about the Sastane Cavalry lying in wait, if they might start attacking the nearby vicinity as more time dragged on.
"Do not get it dirty. It took a long time to squeeze it."
While the cavalry were preparing to return, Emma came in search of them. She had directly prepared handkerchiefs for all of the 3rd Squad, and one was unexpectedly for Sunhyuk as well.
"Why? What? You don't want it?"
Accepting the handkerchief with a hesitant face, she frowned and tossed out some words.
"No. It's not that. Thank you."
The scent of the woman's heavy perfume caused him to subconsciously tighten his grip on the handkerchief, and shake his head. Then he was able to see what was written on the handkerchief.
"Immortal Cavalry?"
Emma had engraved a phrase that did not really match their characteristics, but even he felt the amount of concern from her. A thoughtful sentiment for the well-being and safety of their cavalry. But seeing that immature name caused him to unknowingly laugh.
Emma frowned at his impression, as she extended her hand.
"Since I received it anyways, I'll use it well."
Quickly avoiding her hand and storing the handkerchief aside, the woman frowned, before turning her head towards the other men.
"Make sure not to get blood stains on it. The color will never go away. Never."
"Alright. I'll try. I'll make sure to not have my blood on here at least. Unsure about our enemies, who would tremble from seeing a man like me though."
"How reliable."
As expected, the conversations between the men and a woman were not so smooth, but what was conveyed in those words were warm feelings, just like yesterday.
"Don't ever die! If you die, I'll follow you to hell and complain!"
"What to do. If I die, the place I'm destined for is heaven and not hell, so make sure not to spout such useless things, and just take care of your store!"
Hansen thought that he retorted sufficiently, but the Riders determined that he was rude, so they began a fist-fight amongst one another.
"She's still following us?"
"Leave it be. She'll feel temporarily empty, but she's a strong child, so she'll overcome it."
Looking back at Emma, who was following behind them, Sunhyuk had asked. The cavalrymen replied back with crestfallen faces. Despite saying so, they suppressed the urge to slow down their pace and look back.
'Hm. I should make sure not to tell them that she's crying.'
The tear marks on her cheeks were enough to be clearly seen from afar, as Sunhyuk sighed.
"You mean bastards! Come back alive! Keep your promise of seeing me married off before you die!"
"Then I can never die! Who'll take a girl like you!"
Eventually, the sobbing sounds full of emotion were heard from both sides, as the cavalrymen forcefully left Emma and departed.
Of the support forces dispatched from the Royal Family, there weren't that many members. However, each member was an individual whom was not easy to ignore.
"Nice to meet you. Your name is Kim Sunhyuk? I am Ahn Yoojung, the Leader of this dispatched group."
Surprisingly, the leader of the dispatch group was not Johnstein. The woman who introduced herself was a beautiful damsel with long curly hair tied up, and wearing elegant clothing.
"My class is an Elementalist."
Briefly being lost in that beautiful face, the moment she revealed her class, she confirmed her position. If all the Knights received mediocre ranks, then the Elementalists and Magicians were both classes that consists mainly of a few Advanced Ranks.
It was not unusual for her, with Ranks meaning everything to Strangers, to be assigned the leader of this group.
"Nice to meet you. My name's Kim Sunhyuk and my class is…"
"I know. Dragon Rider, right?"
She quickly cut him off and clicked her tongue, as a bit of ridicule was mixed in her laughter. If it was in the past, Sunhyuk would have been agitated. However, he currently knew better than anyone the true potential of his class. So he provoked her by smiling back.
"But the mobility of the cavalry is quite rough. Are you sure you'll be fine?"
Those words were meant for all four Strangers gathered in this place. The Knights of this world were existences which focused more on prioritizing swordsmanship rather than fighting mounted, so it was a given that their skills would be lacking in mounted combat.
Poking around such an obvious fact, this time that side laughed and replied.
"Do you think the Royal Family did not consider this when sending us? All of the people here have Advanced Horsemanship Skills."
"Ah, Yoojung as well?"
Accepting that the knights possessed Advanced horsemanship, he queried if the Elementalist can ride, causing her to explain her reasons.
"Before I came over to this world, I already had a hobby in horse riding."
No wonder there was some elegance leaking out from her face, it seems that she was already a heir to a great fortune prior to entering this world as well. After nodding and quietly listening, the woman belatedly revealed her conditions.
"You did not forget that all of the Strangers are affiliated with the Royal Family? Then, even Sunhyuk needs to be wary of one's responsibility as well."
'What kind of bullshit was this,' he thought as he opened his eyes wide.
"So from now on, when you call me in the future, call me Viscount, and not Yoojung. Isn't there a saying that, if you go to Rome, do as the Romans do?"
He was wondering why she had called for him a day prior, but it seemed to be to sort out the ranking system. He initially thought that she was born as a heir of a wealthy family, but with that attitude, he was even more confident.
"Even if you feel bad, it's the law of this place."
"Yes. I will call you that in the future, Viscount."
"…"
Sunhyuk did exactly as she wanted. In the beginning, she had a higher rank and a higher rating than him. Not only that, she had a title of nobility, so he felt no reason to refuse her words.
Just like how democracy is the equality of all people, they were values which were called for in that world. As such, in this world - where such values did not exist, it was a stubborn and foolish thing to do; not adhering to keep such mannerisms.
It wasn't a problem for him to lower his pride. As a person whose had experience in the military life within the Army, it wasn't strange at all. However, that wasn't the case for Ahn Yoojung.
As if things did not go her way, she was glaring at him with a frowning face. However, she found no fault or holes. It was because he had simply accepted her, 'request.'
"You will follow my orders. It'll be much more effective to accompany us, rather than those savage barbarians."
"That would be a bit troublesome?"
It wasn't hard to match her standards, but he had no thoughts of being ordered around. As such, he adequately crossed the line, as he cut her off.
"The Commander has definitely assigned me under the Heavy Cavalry of the 24th Regiment, and my role is the company's Spearhead. If you do not like the decision, please appeal separately with the Commander. If there's a command, I will accept it whenever."
No matter if these Strangers were under the affiliation of the Royal Family, they were currently at war. It was hard to defy the orders of the Commander, the greatest authority here at the moment. And that sneaky old man was never easy to deal with, so it'll be hard for them to persuade him also.
"If you're willing, it'll be possible."
"It's because I do not want to."
He cut them off, as he drew the line, staring at the Strangers. Aside from Johnstein Pilgram, he had not received introductions from the other three Knights yet. All of them were harbouring complaints in their expressions which conveyed that people in identical circumstances should flock together.
Identical circumstances?
He had no thoughts of being tied down to those of the Kingdom. Be it those whom are already spoiled with the riches, and fame distributed by the Royal Family. At this moment, he even found Lee Eunse a better comparison, someone who had to rise up in the ranks through her own ability. That was how irritable he found them.
"With your current accomplishments, you will soon be called to the stage. There shouldn't be anyone else to believe in, other than us?"
Although she was maintaining a soft tone, whether it was due to her birth or nobility, there were no intentions of showing respect at all. She was precisely a person who did not match his style.
"I'm originally good at ordering people, but I don't really have a style of taking care of others."
That unbending form caused her to become speechless, so he struck the first blow.
"Do you manage the Element of the Wind attribute?"
From that sudden question, Ahn Yoojung nodded her head.
"How did you know? I don't recall revealing my ability in public. Apparently, my affinity was determined by you."
From her question, Sunhyuk chuckled.
"Affinity, you say?"
The smile hanging on his face became wider.
"Answer the question."
"Well, I just feel it."
Attribute Expertise/Dominance vs Attribute Affinity. There was no need to think about who had the upper hand.
TL Afterword:
Calvis: Wow that girl sounds so irritating.
TL Notice: Although I wrote Attribute Expertise, it can also be translated into Dominance literally. Basically, that's what the author is referring to.
PR Afterword:
Sai101: Ahhhh - always the beautiful ones with the flaws.. Until next time :-p
BM: Ahn Yoojung sounds like a girl who thinks they are very smart but are actually quite dumb.
PR Notice: New schedule will be posted on the discord server in the following days. Also, Calvis and us minions have taken, 'I am the Monarch,' under our wing, so look forward to that!
Link to the Discord Server:
Translator: Calvis
Proofreader: Sai101, Borderline Masochist