Chapter 63: Townsman A Volunteers for the Front

"I am Otto von Jukes, Captain of the Knight Order! The Order is looking for brave young souls to defend our homeland from the Est Empire’s unilateral, unlawful, and barbaric invasion! If you are prepared to stand up for your country, raise your hand!"

I was the first one to raise mine. My heart was heavy with worry for Ana, and I wanted nothing more than to rush out and find her this very second, but without a single clue, a blind search would be a fool’s errand. I had to do what was within my power right now.

I had already discussed this plan with The Duke. Besides, heading to the front lines to prevent the destruction of the Royal Capital wasn't a bad opening move.

More importantly, if she really has been taken to the Est Empire like in the game... if they’re planning to turn Ana into a weapon...

I have to be the one to stop them!

"I see. You're Allen, the scholarship student. Are there no others?"

The students flinched at the Captain's booming voice echoing from the stage. Then, I began to hear their pathetic whispering.

"Isn't it, like, really bad if a commoner goes and we nobles don't?"

"But look, the Crown Prince isn't volunteering. If he's staying, shouldn't we be fine too?"

"Good point."

"I-I’m not cut out for fighting..."

Despite the cowardly chatter, hands started going up here and there. Ultimately, about a third of the student body volunteered. However, the Crown Prince and his cronies never raised their hands.

What good is a royal family? What purpose do these nobles serve?

And Leonard... even you?

The volunteers were taken straight to the Royal Palace and issued military uniforms. We were classified as apprentices, meaning our duties would mostly consist of rear-line support—transporting supplies, handling paperwork, and assisting at medical stations.

That wasn't going to work for me.

Once we had changed into our new uniforms, we were ushered into the presence of the King.

"You have done well to answer the call, brave students. To crush the ambitions of the villainous and atrocious Est Empire..."

I knelt in silence, letting the King’s long-winded, "gracious" speech go in one ear and out the other.

"I wish you all the best of luck."

"""Yes, Your Majesty!"""

I couldn't tell if the others were actually moved by his platitudes, but I raised my hand and requested permission to speak. I couldn't allow myself to be buried in the standard chain of command. There was one demand I absolutely had to force him to accept.

"Hm? Very well. Speak."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I am Allen, an adventurer under the protection of House Ramslett."

"Mm? Ah, you’re that commoner he mentioned. I heard that fellow wouldn't be cooperating this time. Is your presence here a sign that Duke Ramslett intends to unite with us in the face of this national crisis?"

"No, Sire. However, The Duke does have the country's best interests at heart. His withdrawal to his southern territories is part of his intent to support the Sentlaren Kingdom and the Royal Family from afar."

"Is that so? Then what is it you wish to say?"

"Yes, Sire. I have a request—one I must reiterate. I ask that you secure the safety of Lady Anastasia of House Ramslett as quickly as possible. Furthermore, I ask for the appropriate punishment to be dealt to those involved in the theft or forgery of the Royal Seal."

"What did you say?"

A mask of rage twisted the King’s features.

I see. So he does have a guilty conscience.

Seeing his reaction confirmed it for me. This man was the root of all this evil. The fact that he’d lose his temper and let it show on his face over something like this told me everything I needed to know.

I’d suspected as much from my conversations with The Duke and Sebas, but there was no longer any doubt: the King was a total dullard. I didn't know his reasons, but he was clearly shielding and spoiling the Crown Prince despite the magnitude of the boy's crimes.

Because of that indulgence, that idiot prince would stay an idiot forever, and the sycophants around him would follow suit, assuming that being a fool was perfectly acceptable.

"Forgive my rudeness, Sire. However, I intend to take full responsibility for my words by fighting alone on the front lines. I ask that you issue your orders accordingly."

"What?"

Confusion replaced the King’s anger. It was only natural; he thought I’d come here to pick a fight, only for me to immediately volunteer for a suicide mission.

"However, should I brilliantly defeat the Imperial Army, I wish to be granted a suitable reward."

The King let out a smirk and made his declaration.

"Fine. So be it, Allen of Ramslett. Go to the front lines alone and scatter the Imperial soldiers to your heart's content. You are forbidden from returning to the Royal Capital until then. But, should your actions bring victory to our Sentlaren Kingdom, your reward shall be whatever you desire. Gold, treasures, a peerage, women—name it, and it shall be yours."

It went exactly as The Duke had predicted. If I played my cards this way, a man like the King would happily agree to such a preposterous arrangement.

"I am deeply grateful, Your Majesty. On which battlefield should I deliver this victory?"

"Capture Fortress City Cardacia and retake the Bulzeni Region. Succeed, and the war is won."

"Understood. I accept the mission."

I offered my thanks and made my exit from the buzzing audience chamber, holding a written order personally signed and sealed by the King.

I could hear the nobles whispering behind my back, calling me a fool or Duke Ramslett’s lapdog, but I didn't care. I’d cleared this with The Duke beforehand; nothing I did here would put him at a disadvantage.

Moreover, I’d extracted a perfect, hundred-point answer from that moronic King. This was more than enough.

The situation with Ana was the only thing I hadn't foreseen, but I had been preparing for the outbreak of war for a long time.

It was time to show the Est Empire exactly what I was capable of.