“Huh? Isn't Tao-san here?”
Ren looked around, but Tao was nowhere to be found. Sylpha shook her head, looking somewhat disappointed.
“I searched everywhere, but she was nowhere to be found. Honestly, she usually barges in even when she isn’t invited, and yet now...”
I wondered where she could have gone. I spread my mana out to search for her presence within the city, but I couldn't sense her anywhere.
“I checked her home and the places she usually frequents, but to no avail.”
“So you couldn’t find her?”
Sylpha nodded at my question. I hadn’t thought Tao and Sylpha were on particularly good terms, yet Sylpha seemed to know exactly where she lived and where she liked to hang out. That was unexpected.
“Does the Receptionist know anything?”
“Hmm, now that you mention it, I haven’t seen her for about a month,” Katarina said, placing a finger to her lip and tilting her head.
A month ago... that would be around the time of the Golem Martial Arts Tournament. Come to think of it, Tao had seemed unusually depressed after losing her match back then.
“Could she have been so shocked that she went back to her home country?”
“That girl isn't quite so virtuous. However, she isn’t the kind of weakling who stays down after a loss either... I’m sure she’s off honing her skills somewhere. She’s a persistent one, after all.”
Sylpha nodded with a sense of certainty. What was with this sense of mutual understanding? Perhaps those two were actually closer than I realized.
“Regardless, there is nothing we can do about those who are not here. More importantly, Master Lloyd, with a force this large, there is a limit to how much you can command on your own. What would you say to adding a Military Strategist to your ranks?”
“A strategist, huh?”
True. As a practical matter, it would be difficult for me to lead them all by myself.
“Besides, knowing Master Lloyd, he'd probably ditch his command the moment he finds something more interesting to look at,” Grimo remarked.
“A person to cover for that would certainly be necessary,” Jiriel added.
The two familiars nodded in agreement. Hey, now. No matter how much of a magic nut I am, I wouldn't be that irresponsible... probably. I couldn't say for certain, though.
“...Fair enough. But can we find a strategist on such short notice? The Stampede will hit the Continental Gate the day after tomorrow.”
The deadline Albert gave me was the day after tomorrow; we had to be at the Continental Gate by then. If we were late, I’d miss out on a major event. I wanted to avoid that.
As if waiting for my words, Sylpha’s cheeks flushed slightly and she let out a small cough.
“If I may be so bold, I would be honored to fulfill that role myself. I may not look it, but I have been tutored in the art of war by Lady Cruse...”
“If that’s how it is, I’ve heard rumors of a damn strong bandit gang right on the road to the Continental Gate.”
Galilea cut in just as Sylpha was about to speak.
“Supposedly, it’s a massive group of over three thousand men. A few years back, a man calling himself the Night King unified all the separate bandit factions. He’s incredibly sharp; the army has moved against him several times, but they were forced to retreat every time because they couldn't break his defenses. But even though they’re holed up in the mountains, they don’t seem to attack civilians, so the kingdom has stopped messing with them. How about making that guy your Military Strategist, Master Lloyd?”
“Wh—! You intend to use a bandit as a Military Strategist?! Master Lloyd, no matter how you look at it, that is—”
“Sounds good to me.”
I nodded at Galilea’s suggestion before Sylpha could finish. I wasn’t particularly interested in bandits, but you couldn’t hold off an army without considerable tactical skill and leadership. Furthermore, maintaining a force of three thousand without attacking people meant they were likely self-sufficient with food and supplies.
To manage all that alone, this Night King must be quite capable. I might even get to see some interesting tactics or ways of using magic. It was worth a look.
“Besides, if they’re on our way, it’ll be good practice for everyone to get used to operating the Magic Soldiers.”
It would be better to have them fight now than to go into the real battle without any experience. Even if I couldn't make this Night King fellow an ally, the trip would still be productive.
“But Master Lloyd, are you sure it’s okay to entrust such an important role to someone you don’t even know?”
“If he rebels, we can just use Holy Magic to provide a Purification. With that, no matter how wicked a person may be, they will become obedient to Master Lloyd.”
Yes, if I used the Holy Magic ‘Purification,’ their evil intentions would vanish, turning even the worst criminal into a decent person. ...Well, calling them a “decent person” might be a stretch; it was essentially a personality-altering spell, so it was a bit questionable ethically.
“Ah, that unorthodox magic again... This is why I can’t stand you angels.”
“Who are you calling unorthodox?! This is a sacred tool for those who serve God! Take that back, Majin!”
Jiriel was indignant, but Grimo had a point. At any rate, I intended to be selective about who I used it on. I didn't plan on using it if they followed orders naturally.
“If that is what you wish, Master Lloyd, then I have nothing more to say. We shall crush this bandit hideout, and if the leader seems useful, we will make him the strategist.”
“Haha! They might not be much of a match for Master Lloyd, though.”
“Actually, I wonder if there’s anyone who can even fight Lloyd properly...”
“In the first place, I wonder if there will even be anything for us to do... No, if we want to make Lloyd-kun an S-rank adventurer, we should earn his favor here. Let’s do our best, everyone!”
“U-Um... Let’s just do our best in our own way.”
“By the way, we’re allowed to come along... right?”
“Idiot, if we don’t, Lady Sylpha will kill us.”
“Eek! God help us...”
Everyone seemed to be muttering amongst themselves, but their voices were all mixed together and I couldn't hear them clearly. Well, whatever.
“Then, Master Lloyd, please go to Master Albert and report that the formation of the unit is complete. I will begin providing these people with their military education.”
“Then I’ll teach everyone how to use the Magic Soldiers.”
“Thanks, Sylpha, Ido. I’m counting on you.”
Leaving everyone in their hands, I headed toward Albert’s room.