Reincarnated with the King’s Power

Chapter 22

When Julian entered the training ground, fully armed knights were moving about busily.

“Decurions who are ready, report!!”

“The supply unit will follow, so keep your gear to a minimum!!”

Huan and Jesse shouted, infusing their voices with mana.

“Move it, unless you want your asses kicked!!”

Hector was encouraging the knights with his somewhat crude behavior.

Julian quietly passed them and opened the door to the commander's office.

Killian, sitting in the guest seat, was drinking tea alone.

“…….”

Dressed in comfortable clothes unlike his usual attire, he had an old backpack next to him.

If it were not for the Cheonghwageom on his waist, he could have easily been mistaken for a traveler.

“You were here first.”

“Did the commander’s summons go well?”

Killian handed a cup to Julian, who had just sat down.

The cup was filled with tea brewed from Hebraim, a medicinal herb supplied personally to the Head Apothecary.

“Yes. The subjugation has begun. It seems the older brothers plan to move out immediately.”

Julian, who emptied the cup in one gulp, tilted his head.

‘The tea tastes different from usual. Did Hebraim always taste like this?’

Tea brewed with Hebraim had the effect of relieving tension and promoting mana recovery.

For that reason, it was a medicinal preparation that the Blue Knight Order also received through Sephiroth, but the tea he was drinking now had a deeper flavor than usual.

‘It feels like I drank a recovery potion. I think Killian brewed it himself…….’

“What were Lord Escardo's orders?”

At the question, Julian was shaken from his thoughts.

“The Blue Knight Order will be in charge of the right side of the mountain range.”

He recited the Commander of the Knights' orders exactly as he had heard them in the conference room.

Killian, who had been listening silently, brought out a map and spread it on the table.

It was a topographical map centered on the territories of the frontier families and those near Eurasia. An item updated by the Sepia Merchant Guild over the past month.

Killian pointed to the right side of the mountain range on the map, the location designated as the Blue Knight Order’s subjugation area.

“This is where monsters from one to three stars appear.”

“Right. It’s a suitable place for the current level of the Blue Knight Order to build up achievements.”

Julian’s voice was excited as he nodded.

The front line, which the White Knight Order was to take, had monsters of up to six stars, and the left side, which the Black Knight Order was to take, had monsters of up to five stars.

Those places were far too dangerous for the Blue Knight Order to handle.

‘Even so, to have the Red Knight Order positioned in the rear for support. The Matriarch must have pulled some strings.’

Emma Eurasia.

She must have made some kind of deal with Escardo. Otherwise, there was no way he would use the family's finest elites to support the Blue Knight Order.

If not that, then…….

‘Or perhaps the head of the family wants to conserve his strength to hunt the master of the mountain range.’

Currently, the only person in the family who clearly knew the family head’s condition and its solution was Killian.

The other young masters would likely think of this subjugation as part of the competition for the family head's position or as a way to rally their forces for a full-scale leap forward.

“At this rate, the current Blue Knight Order should be able to handle it.”

“Of course, they should.”

Julian subtly revealed his confidence.

The past month had been like hell for both himself and the knight order.

Constant physical training and practical combat sparring using mana.

‘The medicinal herb warehouse in Sephiroth was nearly emptied supplying recovery potions…….’

The memory of the sickening smell of the decoction he had drunk so much of made him shake his head involuntarily.

As a result, the average combat power of the knight order had increased by nearly one star.

All of this was thanks to Killian, who had been appointed as the tactician.

“If we finish this successfully, the status of the knight order within the family will change. Wouldn’t that be a good thing for you as well?”

“I see. That’s good.”

‘What is this?’

Julian furrowed his brow with a sense of déjà vu.

He knew that whenever Killian showed this kind of attitude, it always led to unfavorable results.

Sure enough.

“I think we need to adjust the schedule a bit.”

“What are you talking about? Changing the plan now will cause problems with supplies.”

The Kurt Mountain Range was a good three-day ride on horseback from the Eurasia castle.

“Don't tell me you're suggesting we use a warp stone? Setting aside the cost, that doesn't align with the purpose of this subjugation, does it?”

This subjugation was partly to help the Bastoni Family, which was suffering damage from the monsters of the Kurt Mountain Range, but it was also a formal training exercise to assess Eurasia's military strength.

Using large-scale warping, which was nearly impossible in wartime, did not fit the purpose.

Even the means of transportation had to be chosen with a wartime scenario in mind.

They were not wanderers, but knights who were no different from a family's weapons of war.

“It’s fine. I will be the only one departing.”

“Departing…? Alone…?”

“If it takes three days to reach the Kurt Mountain Range, it should take about the same time to reach the nearby Bastoni Family.”

“What on earth are you talking about!”

Julian’s voice rose, unable to understand.

Gulp.

Killian drained the remaining tea in his cup.

“Three days from now, I will rejoin you separately from the Bastoni Family.”

“……!!”

Killian was the knight order’s tactician. If such a person was absent from the departure ceremony, it was obvious what would happen to morale.

“To suddenly act individually… As commander, I can never permit it!!”

“Brother.”

In that moment, Julian’s heart sank at Killian’s cold tone.

“I’m doing this so that everything turns out well.”

‘What kind of bullshit is that!’

His tightly sealed lips quivered involuntarily.

“Was I not the tactician?”

“…….”

‘I cannot permit it! Do you dare defy the commander’s order!?’

Julian had to swallow the words that rose to his throat.

He belatedly recalled what Escardo had said.

“Well done. He is lacking as he learned the sword late, but he is a good-natured fellow. ……You will be able to build a good brotherly bond.”

‘Brotherly bond, my ass…….’

“Commander.”

It was a tone that seemed to ask for permission.

“Would that be unacceptable?”

“…….”

Julian flinched reflexively.

When teaching the sword, Killian would alternate between honorifics and informal speech depending on the situation.

‘He’s using honorifics now because there are many eyes on us… but if his training personality comes out, it will only be troublesome for me.’

In the end, there was only one thing Julian could say.

“Since it must be for the good of the knight order, I… permit it.”

“Thank you. I knew that as the commander, you would say so.”

Killian stood up from his seat and picked up his backpack.

“I will see you in three days at the Bastoni Family’s estate.”

The tactician who left the commander's office after a polite bow.

And.

‘That damn Killian. I won't let him off if he's late.’

It was a commander who, contrary to his thoughts, could only watch silently.

***

After leaving the commander’s office, Killian headed for the Head Apothecary’s office.

Loen, who had grown even more gaunt since he last saw her, and Haman, who was gaunt in a different sense, were waiting for him.

“I’ve prepared it as Chamberlain Haman said… but are you really going to use that?”

Loen asked, pointing with her chin to the three pillars situated in a corner of the room.

It was a two-way warp stone installed over a decade ago in case of an emergency.

Having not been used for a long time, a thick layer of dust had settled around the three pillars.

“Yes. I have just received permission from my brother.”

“I’m not asking for Julian’s opinion.”

Warp magic was one of the best ways to travel long distances in an instant.

The downside was that the user’s mana consumption was significant depending on the distance.

Even for a knight or a mage, if one was not properly trained, there was a risk of mental collapse.

The warp stone before them, engraved with a fixed formula, was what reduced that risk.

The destination coordinates were the closest temple to the family. From there, it would take less than half a day to reach the entrance of the Kurt Mountain Range.

If successful, the travel time would be significantly reduced.

“Fourth Young Master, I’m sorry, but I’m not in a state to assist with the operation of the warp stone.”

Loen held up her pale hand.

Originally, with her six-star Mana Heart and the power of spiritual medicine, she had looked young for her age, but since falling into a slump, she looked twenty years older.

“The only thing I can help with for our deal is recovery potions.”

“That is enough. You even provided me with a backpack in addition to the potions, did you not?”

Killian showed the shabby backpack he was wearing. It was a backpack engraved with a capacity expansion formula, which was as good as a famed sword to apothecaries.

Since the magic stones of ogres and trolls were quite large and heavy, he had borrowed it from Loen for a while to transport them secretly.

‘To think this child is only twenty-one.’

He must know what kind of plan he was concocting, yet his attitude remained nonchalant and brazen.

“That composure of yours doesn’t even make me laugh anymore.”

“Shouldn’t you be used to it by now?”

After a brief greeting, Killian stepped into the center of the warp stone and released his mana.

Ssssss.

The engraved formulas on the three pillars, having accepted the mana, lit up.

“Young Master, you must take care of yourself.”

Haman politely cheered for his master’s departure.

“Do not neglect your physical training while I am away.”

“How could I do such a thing? I will work twice as hard as when you are… no, supervising me.”

“It’s a body that was built with great effort.”

“P-please believe me.”

“The body doesn’t lie.”

“Heek…….”

Haman stepped back without realizing it.

Loen, who was watching, let out a dry laugh.

‘When he’s with Chamberlain Haman, he’s just like a boy his age.’

She shook her head.

She could get to know the Fourth Young Master little by little.

“I will be waiting.”

“It won’t take long.”

With those last words.

Fwoosh.

Killian’s body, enveloped in mana, disappeared in an instant.

***

Voom. Voooom.

It was around the time he had poured a four-star equivalent of mana into the warp stone.

Fwaat.

Suddenly, dizziness struck him, and a wave of nausea surged.

“Uhm…….”

Killian staggered and groaned at the unfamiliar sensation.

Before long, he heard a murmuring sound.

When he opened his eyes, the surrounding scenery had changed.

‘Is this the Pantera Temple?’

A space as wide as a knight order’s training ground came into view.

Around him, pillar-shaped warp stones, incomparable to the one installed in the Head Apothecary’s room, were diligently performing their roles.

Fwoosh. Fwooaak.

People using the warp stones appeared and disappeared in succession.

The coordinates of the Pantera Temple were publicly designated, and it was one of the few places in the frontier with excellent stability.

“Those who have completed their transfer, please step down from the warp stone.”

A woman in pure white priestess robes said in a rather cold tone. It was a nuance suggesting he should get on his way quickly as the next in line was waiting.

It was not just her tone.

‘An unpleasant aura.’

Pantera, the god of livestock. One of the Gods who had opposed me in ancient times.

The thought of his nemesis, who had now vanished without a trace, made him frown involuntarily.

‘Once I regain my power, I’ll have to raid this temple too.’

Contrary to his thoughts, Killian obediently stepped down from the warp stone.

There were countless Gods in the world, and just as many temples that believed in them.

In Pantera’s case, he had heard that the number of believers was among the highest, even for the frontier.

‘Even Edan tried to avoid straining relations with the temples as much as possible.’

What was needed more than outstanding apothecaries in a kingdom's war were the priests of the temples.

‘The time is not yet ripe.’

He quietly exited the temple and entered the village right away.

On the streets, there were people pulling carts, performers, and children running around and playing.

It was peaceful.

“To think that monsters come down to a place like this.”

In three days, the main force of the knight order would arrive at the Bastoni estate.

To finish his work by then, he needed to hurry.

“…….”

Killian suddenly looked down at himself.

Because he had changed his plans so abruptly, his equipment was poor. If he were to climb the mountain in this state, he would have to endure various inconveniences.

‘It would be best not to use the Cheonghwageom if possible.’

In any case, he planned to rest today and start climbing the mountain tomorrow. If so, buying equipment in advance would be the way to save time.

Right after naturally blending into the village, Killian began to look for a nearby weapons shop.