Chapter 11: Greed and Promise

The average office worker in Korea finishes work at 6 PM.

In the Korean military, the average daily schedule ends at 4 PM.

Then, what is the end-of-work time for the Northern Escort Knights, a fantasy workplace?

The answer is: there isn’t one.

An assassin’s favorite time to strike is at night. Would there be any logic in clocking out between 4 PM and 6 PM, leaving the shift to an assassin?

The duties of the escort knights continue not only when their protectee is awake but also when they are asleep.

The only way for an escort knight to truly “resign” is if their protectee is killed.

That’s why I consider the escort knights one of the most grueling jobs out there.

Of course, escort knights are humans, too, and working 24 hours a day is impossible. While they don’t have fixed end-of-work times, they do have shift rotations. However, in the event of an emergency, every member, without exception, must immediately be deployed.

So, where do they live, given the challenges of commuting?

There is a dedicated dormitory for the escort knights inside the inner fortress of Wintercanon, the northern capital. Every member lives there.

Since there are only 20 to 30 knights per team, with a total of fewer than 100 members, the space is quite spacious.

Additionally, there are separate dormitories for men and women, as well as staff who manage the facilities, making daily life very convenient.

The only time knights return to their own homes is during their leave.

Think of it as similar to soldiers living in barracks during military service and going home on vacation.

Even Elaine, the captain of the escort knights, lives in the dormitory despite owning a private property in the capital’s prime area.

This is because, as captain, she must always be ready to rush to Grace’s side in case of an emergency.

Why am I suddenly bringing this up?

“After getting approval from the leaders of each team and Assistant Team Leader Anduril of Team 1, I’ve completed the process.”

I stayed late into the night to find Elaine, who was acting as the lighthouse of the barracks, and reported to her.

Usually, Elaine guarded Grace’s bedroom until she fell asleep, the time when Grace was most vulnerable after her shower. However, today, Team 4’s leader, Weasel, took over the bedroom guard duty, as Elaine seemed to be catching up on work that had piled up during her leave.

Elaine blinked in surprise when I arrived before giving her response.

“That was fast. Were you that eager to go?”

“The deadline is next week, so there isn’t much time to apply.”

The plan was already in place, and if a rookie suddenly said, “Wait, I want to join too,” at the last moment, no one would take that kindly.

It’s better to handle it now while the topic is still fresh.

There was no need for written approvals or stamps from the team leaders. Both Elaine and I knew exactly what would happen if any lies were involved.

“I understand. I’ll review your participation with the team leaders.”

“Thank you.”

As I bowed and expressed my gratitude, Elaine observed me closely before asking,

“Are you perhaps overworking yourself?”

“?”

Her tone, which had been formal and businesslike, now carried a hint of emotion.

That emotion was concern.

I looked up to meet Elaine’s gaze.

Her hand had stopped moving, and her eyes were fixed on me.

Gone was the resolute and strong gaze she usually carried. Instead, her slightly trembling eyes conveyed a faint vulnerability.

I smiled faintly and replied,

“Isn’t this still work time?”

“Coincidentally, I just finished. I was about to head back.”

Elaine set her pen down.

It seemed her paperwork had truly just concluded, and she was on her way to the dormitory when I showed up.

This time, it was me who had impeccably timed my interruption.

“Hmm. But since a rookie who’s pushing themselves too hard just appeared before me, I can’t ignore it as the captain. Perfect timing. I have some free time, so let’s have a little chat.”

She said this while gesturing for me to sit down.

I felt a bit conflicted.

Was this Elaine in work mode or something else entirely?

‘Let’s say it’s a mix of both.’

Her words carried emotion, so it didn’t feel like she was strictly in work mode. Yet, she maintained professional boundaries, so it wasn’t entirely personal either.

Fine, I’d respond accordingly.

As soon as I sat down, Elaine asked again.

“So, what’s your answer?”

The question of whether I was overworking myself.

The sharp gaze, determined to hear an answer, softened slightly as I gave my best response after much deliberation.

“I have something I want to do, even if it means pushing myself too hard.”

It wasn’t a lie to hide my struggles, nor was it a display of weakness to cause concern.

It was an acknowledgment of the difficulty I faced, coupled with a firm determination to overcome it.

Perhaps it was the right answer, as Elaine’s lips curved into a faint smile, and her gaze softened slightly.

“In my selfishness, I wish you would stay here. While going on a mission would allow you to gain experience, I can’t bring myself to send you into another grueling situation after the ordeal you endured during the Mountain Bear subjugation.”

The Mountain Bear subjugation, for which we were rewarded with three days of leave, was a challenging mission.

Driving the Mountain Bear back down the mountain was relatively successful. The real problem came afterward.

Due to the treacherous terrain where the Mountain Bear’s cave was located, only a small number of people, including Grace and the first unit of the Escort Knights, were selected for the mission.

At that time, I was assigned to the scouting team and advanced alongside Garen and a few other members. However, we were caught in a sudden snowstorm and ended up stranded on a cliffside.

No matter how elite the Escort Knights were, the power of nature was beyond human control.

With the extreme weather making it impossible to request support from below, we found a suitable shelter and waited for the unpredictable mountain weather to clear.

But then—

Of all the unlucky possibilities, a Mountain Bear stormed into our location.

And not just any Mountain Bear—it was one enraged from its earlier encounter with humans.

Escaping wasn’t an option due to the blizzard, and the terrain was unfavorable.

With no other choice, we drew our weapons and engaged in a fierce battle with the Mountain Bear pack.

During the skirmish, Garen and a few others sustained injuries, and just as we were nearing a desperate situation—

“I’m sorry I’m late. You’ve held out remarkably well.”

Help arrived in the nick of time.

Elaine braved the snowstorm alone and climbed the mountain to stand before us.

With her decisive intervention, we managed to drive the Mountain Bears away.

The bears retreated deep into the mountain and were ultimately eradicated by Grace and the remaining Escort Knights as soon as the snowstorm subsided.

Thanks to Elaine’s timely support, I avoided serious injury like Garen, and the salamander scales I carried protected me from the cold. However, I was completely exhausted after the ordeal.

Elaine must have been referring to that mission.

“I believe what you need right now is not reckless experiences but the growth of your skills. That’s why I taught you

the Frost Blade technique. So, instead of throwing yourself into danger, I’d prefer you to focus on training and

enhancing your skills before your next mission.”

Elaine’s reasoning was sound.

If not for the Ice Crystal issue, I wouldn’t have considered joining this mission.

But the value of the Ice Crystal made it worth the risk. And since I had decided to prepare for knighthood, it was important to observe their battles from a new perspective.

So, I decided to be a little stubborn.

“Elaine.”

“?!”

“You said you would help me with anything, as long as it wasn’t cheating, didn’t you?”

“That’s true, but…”

“I’m sorry for being stubborn. And I really appreciate your concern. But I must participate in this mission.”

Looking into her eyes and speaking sincerely, Elaine responded.

“You’re playing dirty. Don’t whisper like that. And don’t look at me that way. Even though this isn’t work hours, this is still the Escort Knights’ barracks.”

Elaine covered her slightly reddened face with her hand and turned her head away.

Admittedly, that was a foul move on my part. So, I knelt on one knee before her and declared:

“If I make a mistake and get hurt, I’ll take full responsibility.”

“Responsibility? What kind of responsibility?”

“Well… uh, I haven’t thought that far yet. Oh! How about I grant you one wish?”

At that moment, the sparkle in Elaine’s eyes was not my imagination.

She was definitely sparkling.

Even now.

“Promise me. No, there’s paper here, so let’s write a contract on the spot.”

“Is that really necessary?”

“Do I look like someone who jokes around about these things?”

“You didn’t write down your last promise, though.”

“Well… ahem.”

In the end, we agreed not to write a contract.

Losing a document with “If you violate this contract, you must fulfill her wish” written on it would be a disaster.

Especially when her conditions could include a clause like “that night,” making it genuinely risky.

“Fine. Since your attitude shows sincerity, I won’t be greedy anymore. I’ll consider this matter positively. But since I’m making a concession, you must make one as well.”

“What is it?”

“I’m overwhelmed with worry. But if these feelings interfere with the mission, it would violate the promise I made to His Excellency.”

“Very well. I’ll acknowledge your participation, but I will decide on your assignment.”

“Please don’t relegate me to the reserves.”

“Since you’ve chosen to take this journey, I won’t let your time go to waste. So, you need not worry unnecessarily.”

Even though she was adamant about contracts earlier, she wasn’t petty.

‘Asking for more would cross the line.’

I already insisted on joining this mission. Demanding to choose my post freely would be overstepping, and Elaine wouldn’t tolerate that.

There was no choice but to trust her and back down.

“Then I’ll leave it in your hands.”

“Wait.”

“???”

Elaine stopped me as I was about to leave. She grabbed a coat from the hanger and spoke.

“Didn’t I tell you? I’ve just wrapped up my work too. I’d like to return to the dorm and rest for tomorrow. Surely, you’re not suggesting I walk alone on this dark road.”

“……”

“Or perhaps I should phrase it differently. It’s the leader’s duty to protect their subordinates. I’m concerned about what might happen to you if you walked alone and encountered trouble.”

It was amusing to hear the second-strongest person in this fortress speak that way to an elite northern guard.

It wasn’t the kind of laugh born from disbelief—it was genuine amusement.

“Forgive my lack of manners. Since we’re headed in the same direction, I’ll escort you. And—”

“And?”

“It’s a subordinate’s duty to serve their leader.”

Elaine seemed satisfied with my response.

“Let’s go. The road is slippery, but don’t expect me to hold your hand. Walk carefully.”

Watching her suppress a smile with superhuman effort, I couldn’t help but chuckle.

This is entertaining. Workplace romance, huh?

We didn’t hold hands or link arms, but we walked side by side back to the dormitory.

Grace was in her office, diligently working in her pristine uniform when her knight approached her and handed over a document.

“Here is the list of escort knights participating in the next expedition, Your Excellency.”

“Let me see.”

As she scanned the document, Grace frowned slightly.

“This mission consists of three squads as the main force and one squad as the reserve.”

“That’s correct.”

“But I see a name here that isn’t assigned to either of those groups.”

She pointed to a particular name with her finger. Elaine, her knight, answered without hesitation.

“This individual strongly requested to participate. After discussing it with the squad leaders, we decided to include him.”

“Is that so?”

If the squad leaders had collectively agreed, Grace had no objections. However, something about what she’d just heard stood out to her.

‘Luke personally insisted on participating?’

What reason could he have to insist on joining a mission outside his assigned squad?

Only one possibility came to mind.

‘Is he challenging himself to grow in preparation for the knight examination?’

What else could it be?

It wasn’t as though he had any connection to the Silver Sabertooths.

‘Hmm…’

Luke belonged to Squad One, which had recently endured a grueling battle against Mountain Bears.

Despite that, he had volunteered for another mission.

Even as a top-ranking knight, Grace found consecutive major missions exhausting. For a new recruit like Luke, it would be even more taxing.

‘This must be because of me.’

Grace couldn’t shake her concern.

She didn’t want to feel responsible if a promising talent pushed himself too hard because of her.

She had resolved earlier to take responsibility for this situation to some extent.

Since he had strongly expressed his desire to join, and both Elaine and the squad leaders had approved, she couldn’t deny Luke’s participation now.

The solution was simple: accompany him while ensuring his well-being.

‘Yes, I’ll assign him to stay by my side.’

By placing him next to the strongest knight, he’d have an excellent learning opportunity. She could also offer some useful advice, lightening her sense of responsibility.

With her nearby, there’d be no danger like the Mountain Bear incident. Elaine wouldn’t have to feel uneasy either.

“Sir Elaine, Luke hasn’t been assigned to a specific squad. Do you have a plan for his placement?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Hmm? Where would that be?”

“I’ve assigned him to accompany me as my squire.”

“?!”

Elaine answered without batting an eye.

“As both the commander of the escort knights and the leader of Squad One, I’ll personally take responsibility for him as his superior.”

Elaine’s confident response left Grace momentarily puzzled.

Elaine had previously vowed to act without personal feelings during missions.

Her current demeanor showed no trace of ulterior motives, only the care of a leader looking out for her subordinate.

‘Then… it should be fine, right?’

It didn’t seem like a bad arrangement.

Elaine was an exceptional knight with many qualities to emulate.

Having Luke by Elaine’s side essentially meant he’d be near Grace as well, aligning with her initial plan.

In fact, the idea of the two of them guarding her together felt oddly satisfying.

“That’s a good plan.”

Grace nodded her approval of Elaine’s report.

Thus, Luke’s participation in the Silver Sabertooth expedition was officially decided.