He had already heard from the Commander about how he would receive a medal, and a rank of nobility. So Sunhyuk's face did not change from hearing that information. However, considering he couldn't maintain his reserved attitude for long as he now received a much higher position of nobility than he had originally expected.
"The title you have earned is above a Viscount."
Unlike the Knight Bachelor which is only a mere gentry rank title, anything above the Viscount were the true nobility. It was one of the rare positions which makes you a true peerage of the aristocrat, thus allowing him to converse with other nobles, and even a few princes, so it was one of the highest positions. Not only that, once you receive such rank, your name will go up on the list of nobles within Kingdom of Ardenburg so that it was impossible to withdraw.
"Your position is not yet determined, but you will be able to take charge of one group from the elite Strangers in the Center."
At this time, his intention of ending relations with the Royal Family was completely overturned.
"Does my opinion not matter at all?"
In response to Sunhyuk's question, the Captain replied that he did not know whether your personal opinion mattered or how a special case of Strangers had their ranks distributed.
Following that, Frederik told him that he would temporarily visit the Royal Family to confirm his exact title after being promoted to an Intermediate temporarily, but Sunhyuk could not hear anything.
"Do not forget that until you are granted the title formally, you are a soldier of the Heavy Cavalry so be wary of your actions until the time comes."
Seeing that there was no point in continuing further, Frederik gave a word of caution before sending him back.
"That sly old man!"
As soon as Sunhyuk left the barracks, he kicked the ground roughly and swore. Due to the Commander reporting his achievements, it now seems that he would receive a title of nobility and thus becoming bound to the Kingdom. There was no reason why resentment would not form within him.
The Commander would definitely have expected this result. A bit later, the Commander visited the army post with one of his cavalry units.
"Don't act so distant. It is much easier for you to live with a title of nobility than without one."
"I did not want to be shackled down originally, so how do you think I'll feel?"
The Commander did not become angry from his stern, agitated voice.
"Why are you so angry?"
"That is because the more you receive the favor of the Royal Family, your debt will also increase likewise…:"
"You have a very strange way of thinking."
The Commander cut off his answer as he rose from his seat.
"What you have received in terms of resources from the Royal Family is indeed an incurred debt. It is not easy for a Stranger to live in this world alone without knowing anything. So, we provide you with resources out of grace, so that you can soon reap the benefits of the power within your body. In that sense, I have nothing to comment."
"That is why I do not want any more grace…"
"However."
The Commander spoke in a smooth tone in front of Sunhyuk's face full of complaint.
"Have you not already cleared your debt?"
The voice of the Commander was resolute.
"The rewards and title that will be bestowed on you, all of these are to compensate for the worthy achievements that you have accomplished so far."
Then, the Commander's gazed straight at him.
"Yes, in the perspective of a Stranger, you can say it like this."
The commander gently looked at him as he finished.
"You've paid all of your debts. Now it is the Royal Family's turn to pay their debt to you."
The Commander did not stay for long before leaving. When the borders had become somewhat quiet, the officials and authorities began to leave the army post. In that time span, Ahn Yoojung and her party also took the opportunity to depart from the army post with the Commander.
"I'll see you at the fort."
Ahn Yoojung said goodbye to him with a somewhat regrettable face, and thanked him for his generosity.
Soon, after the guests had left, Sunhyuk was lost in his thoughts.
Just when had he thought of wanting to run and escape from this place. When he had first arrived at the recruitment training camp, he thought for sure that it wouldn't have been so bad to live in this world leisurely.
After thinking for some time, he realized why his thinking had changed.
The fear of war and the pressure to survive caused him to feel the need to leave this place. In addition, the leisure and calmness of the other world had influenced him to desire peace and stray away from aspirations and the riches of this world.
'Though I would like you to stay in the army, I have no intentions of forcefully binding you down. Even if you were to change your mind and stay in the army, I will not emphasize on you being loyal to the Royal Family. What I want is for you to work your best in the present position assigned to you. In the end, I believe that with such a mindset and determination will eventually lead the Kingdom in becoming stronger.'
Sunhyuk frowned as he recollected what the Commander had said before he left.
"That damn old man. He looks so strict, yet he's so soft inside."
He had to admit honestly. When he first arrived here, he couldn't deny the fact that he was very impatient.
'You have kept your promise with me impressively to the best of your ability. Now it is my turn to keep my promise with you.'
It wasn't the old Commander who was good at speaking. He was also adept at managing his people.
'As the Supreme Commander of the Border Defense of the Western Front for the Kingdom of Ardenburg, I, Bittenfeld Roen Mengsk will assign the Stranger: Kim Sunhyuk. A portion of my fief permanently as a concession. This is a sanctioned right, guaranteed by the Royal Family in reference to an agreement signed with the Mengsk Family, and a legitimate condition that no one can object to.'
The Commander, Bittenfeld Roen Mengsk had surprisingly given him a letter within an envelope. In addition, what was included was a sanctioned promised bequeathing me the right to deny the calling of the Royal Family, and acknowledges me the privilege and rights to concentrate on living in his territory.
'And if you want, I can arrange for you to be with your comrades together.'
With so many good baits here and there, he could not help but only contemplate further.
'Of course, all of these will be possible after you have formally been knighted into nobility.'
In his letter, the Commander had promised that he will not ask for anything from him in compensation, so he was faltering. Since he had started a new life in the Kingdom of Ardenburg, it would be too regrettable if he were to stubbornly discharge, and leave all of this delicious food left on the table.
When Sunhyuk was helplessly lost in contemplating from the current situation at hand, it was then that the whole infantry soldiers of the 24th Regiment had finally returned from the battlefield; having gone there to support them.
Fortunately, it seemed that there wasn't a big battle as there were a lot of faces which he remembered, but there was a lot of exhaustion and fatigue from those faces of returning infantry units. Among them, he was able to find Soohong and Jungtae as well.
"You've returned."
Even leaving aside the absurd nature of their relationships were like between them, he hugged them because he was pleased that they had returned, and they replied with exhausted voices.
"We've heard that you accomplished a great war achievement. Congratulations."
"Congratulations."
The jealousy that he had seen before was nowhere to be found as their voices were exhausted and croaky.
"Well done. It's good as long as you've returned alive."
Sunhyuk, having already endured a similar experience, comforted them.
A few days after the infantry units had returned, Sunhyuk and the Heavy Cavalry departed for Mengsk Fortress once more. Unlike the previous time, the mood was completely different as they rode without any concern of a possible threat, as they arrived at the fort within two days.
"Hmm. That was fast."
With how close the fortress was, he was still able to clearly recall the previous time; of how far it felt to reach here at that time.
"We welcome the return of the heroes to Mengsk Fortress."
A huge crowd, grander than before, welcomed them as people cheered and revered the victors who had destroyed the Sastane Cavalry, whose been a thorn of the Kingdom of Ardenburg all this time. The Commander also stood in front of the cheering soldiers and welcomed him. It was so loud and great that even he felt a bit embarrassed from this situation.
After that enthusiastic warm welcome, Sunhyuk was led to his residence.
And a day later, Sunhyuk and the cavalrymen were called for by the Commander.
"I did not call for you to be uncomfortable, so you can eat and relax as you listen."
As always, the free and easy Commander welcomed the cavalrymen as he offered them meat and broth.
"Soon, an official document will be relayed down and all of you will receive a great reward. A lot of you are probably expecting a great amount of money and accelerated promotions. As for the case of your Captain, he has already been promoted to an Advanced Knight."
While they were passionately eating, the men stopped eating and quietly listened to the Commander once the topic of rewards arose.
"However, all of this are compensations from the Royal Family for the loyal and brave soldiers of the Kingdom of Ardenburg. As such, I was considering of giving you one more award with my authority of Commander."
From his words, the men were full of anticipation.
"I know that all of you are friends who have devoted their lives towards the battlefield, but don't you all miss your hometown sometimes?"
"Ahhhhhhh! Long live the Commander!"
The men all erupted into cheers. However the Commander laughed softly as he continued.
"The duration is one month, so meet and see the faces of your family and return. Once you return, it'll be quite busy. It'll be then that the Royal Family will come, so know that anyone late will not receive their awards or promotions."
"Hooray! Commander is the best!
"I pledge my loyalty once more to the merciful Commander!"
While the Riders were cheering clamorously, Sunhyuk was unable to melt into the atmosphere as he sat there awkwardly.
He wanted to return to his hometown too, but alas he could not.
With a gloomy face, the cavalrymen suddenly rushed over to him and rose him up.
"Come with me!"
"What the hell are you saying?! Let's go to my house. I've already sent them a letter saying that I was going to bring the youngest over!"
"Tch. What is there in the countryside for you to bring a guest over. If it's my neighborhood, then it'll be better."
His sense of nostalgia for his home and that alienation was only brief, as his comrades surrounded him trying to take him to their hometowns, causing him to laugh subconsciously.
"Everyone go away. I'm taking the youngest."
"Hansen, if you were to take the youngest and your Noona sees it, your future will be at risk!"
Though there were some dangerous suggestions, thanks to his comrades, his depression quickly dispersed.
Sunhyuk answered that he was not intending to make a decision right away, but the cavalrymen were trying to convince and persuade him, as they introduced their hometowns as if they were salesman.
Though this was a troublesome situation, he had to decide despite the feel-good situation, but if he were to choose one, then the others would become sad.
However, he would decide where he would go as the Dragon spoke in his mind on that night.
[Head north.]
Calvis: Ooh, I called it. Damn, I'm kinda stoked where he'll go next. And damn, I guess the MC is already pretty highly recognized in the country already.
Sai: LOL! Salesman trying to sell their hometowns as the place MC should visit. Ahh – I would have gone to all of them if it did not take a whole month travelling just to one place.. Ahh the middle ages & their meagre transport system…
BM:
TL Afterword:
Calvis: Ooh, I called it. Damn, I'm kinda stoked where he'll go next. And damn, I guess the MC is already pretty highly recognized in the country already.
PR Afterword:
Sai101: LOL! Salesman trying to sell their hometowns as the place MC should visit. Ahh – I would have gone to all of them if it did not take a whole month travelling just to one place.. Ahh the middle ages & their meagre transport system…
Translator: Calvis
Editor: Sai101