When I stepped into Albert’s office, I found the place in absolute chaos.
Civil officials scurried back and forth, while the high-ranking officers in charge of the various units were swept up in a flurry of activity.
"Well, well... if it isn't Lloyd-kun."
The voice belonged to Saias. He squinted at me, the corners of his mouth curling into a faint smirk.
"Whatever are you doing in a place like this? Heh... though I suppose I should ask if you really have time to be dawdling. If you don’t gather your troops soon, you won't be ready for tomorrow’s departure. I heard the number of soldiers left in your unit was a mere pittance."
Despite the mock concern in his voice, Saias wore an expression of pure triumph.
"That bastard! The nerve of him, acting like he’s not the one responsible!" Grimo snarled.
"An absurd man indeed. He deserves ten thousand deaths!" Jiriel added.
"Now, now. Saias was just trying to bolster his own unit," I said, trying to calm them down. It wouldn't do to have comrades fighting amongst themselves.
"Thanks for the concern. But Saias, shouldn't you be more worried about yourself than me?"
Saias’s eyes went wide for a split second. Then his shoulders began to shake as he struggled to stifle a laugh.
"Heh... you really are just a child. Let me inform you that my army’s total strength is currently approaching seven thousand! I’ve far exceeded Master Albert’s request for five thousand. Rest assured, your concern is misplaced!"
"Oh, that’s good to hear."
It seemed Saias had managed to pull together a respectable force. Albert was leading ten thousand personally; adding Saias’s troops and my own, we’d easily surpass the goal of twenty thousand.
I turned my back on Saias and started walking toward Albert’s desk.
"Wh—Hey, Lloyd-kun! You aren't seriously thinking of begging Master Albert for soldiers, are you!?"
Ignoring Saias as he grumbled behind me, I spoke to Albert, who looked buried in work.
"Albert-niisan, I’ve finished organizing my unit. I’m here to report."
"Oh! That was fast, Lloyd! So, how many did you manage to gather?"
"Ten thousand, two hundred and five."
Thud! The sound of a chair scraping back echoed through the room as every eye turned toward me.
"That’s impossible!" Saias shrieked. "I absorbed nearly every soldier assigned to you! Where on earth did you find those numbers!?"
"Well, they just sort of... came together on their own, I guess?"
"Nu... gugu...!"
Saias was audibly grinding his teeth. First laughing, now fuming—he was certainly a busy man. Personally, I thought a boost in the army’s overall strength was something to celebrate.
"Gyahaha! Serves him right!"
"He underestimated Master Lloyd’s virtue and power. How foolish," Jiriel remarked. My familiars seemed just as busy with their own celebrations.
"Pfft... ahaha!"
I looked over to see Albert hiding his face behind his paperwork, letting out a snicker.
"Ahahaha! See, Saias? I told you, didn't I? A little predicament like that is nothing to Lloyd."
"Master Albert! But that's—"
"Silence. I’ve already investigated your little stunt. I know you made deals with the soldiers Lloyd was supposed to command to bring them into your own unit. I imagine you were so intimidated by Lloyd's potential that you tried to crush him while he was still starting out."
"It wasn't like that! Master Albert, I would never—!"
"Save your excuses. We’re short on time, so I’ll let it pass for now, but your conduct will be reviewed at a hearing once this war is over. Between now and then, I suggest you accumulate enough merit to offset your misconduct."
"Ugh... I understand..."
Under Albert's stern glare, Saias hung his head in dejection. Once he had slunk out of the room, Albert watched the door and let out a heavy sigh.
"Honestly, that man... he still hasn't shaken those bad habits from his academy days."
"What do you mean by that, Albert-niisan?"
"When he was a student, Saias used to find any excuse to pick a fight. He’d challenge anyone more talented than him to a duel and crush them. It seems those of lower status were his favorite targets. He has talent, and I’ve always appreciated his competitive spirit, but disrupting order like this is a problem."
That sounded familiar. I vaguely recalled some nobles picking a fight and challenging me to a duel in my previous life. I couldn't remember the details, but it was probably the same sort of thing.
"...Still, I knew you’d manage somehow, Lloyd. Though even I didn’t expect you to pull together an army this large."
"Please don't overrate me, Albert-niisan. I didn't really do anything."
"That’s exactly what I like about you. It’s likely that very humility that draws people to your side."
Actually, they were mostly Magic Soldiers I’d constructed myself. He was definitely overestimating me. Still, I was grateful for the actual people who had joined up.
"In any case, Lloyd, good work. We plan to set out tomorrow, but what about you?"
"I’m planning to leave right now. I’d like to bolster our strength a little more on the way."
"Hahaha! That’s so like you. Very well. We’ll meet at the Continental Gate in two days."
"Yes. You take care as well, Albert-niisan."
I bowed to Albert and left the room. On my way back to the others, I ran into Saias again. He looked down at me, his expression sour.
"...Well played, Lloyd-kun. I didn't think you could gather that many men under those conditions. However, you don't seem to have any actual regular soldiers. You might have the quantity, but what about the quality? My unit is currently being trained by Lady Cruse, the woman hailed as the strongest in Saloom! They will be even more powerful by the time we march! The gap between us is one you cannot possibly bridge! Kuhahaha!"
As Saias barked his laughter, Cruse came marching up behind him.
"Oh? Saias, is it?"
"Well, well, Lady Cruse. How are my troops? Every one of them comes from a family of distinguished lineage. I imagine they’re making quite the impression?"
Seeing the oily smirk on Saias's face, Cruse spoke with an exasperated tone.
"Impressive? What are ye talking about? Thy soldiers are far too soft. I thought I’d give ’em a light workout, but they went and collapsed during the warm-ups. Do they lack even the most basic stamina?"
Cruse let out a long, weary sigh. Saias turned pale, his voice trembling.
"That... I see. I will speak with them immediately."
"I don't care if they're mostly mercenaries—it's a pathetic showing. At this rate, they'll be nothing but a hindrance. And thou shouldn't be dawdling here either! Come along, join in the training! Move it!"
"Ow, ow, ow! Lady Cruse! Please, let go of my neck!"
Cruse hauled Saias away by the scruff of his neck, dragging him toward the training grounds.