Before purifying the Demon Nest in the North.
Early in the morning, just as the sun began to rise, Rudbeckia was deep in thought even as she prepared for work.
‘The purification mission is almost over.’
Once this Northern Demon Nest purification is complete, the Purge Corps’ role will come to an end. What will happen afterward is still uncertain, but the Rahardt Knights will probably take over.
Most of the martial officers will likely transfer to the Rahardt Knights as well.
The aides too. Elena and Rudbeckia will also be under Rahardt’s command. However, what she wanted wasn’t simply to be affiliated with Rahardt.
She wanted to be ‘the one’ to walk alongside him, by his side.
To do that, she had to formally express her feelings…
‘I don’t know when to do it.’
She missed her chance to confess. They were close enough that she could do it anytime, but shouldn’t there be a romantic atmosphere for such an important moment?
But she didn’t know how to create that atmosphere. She may have been married to Yohan before her regression, but there were none of these romantic elements. She was just as clumsy.
‘But I don’t have much time…’
Rudbeckia unconsciously bit her nails. What she felt now was clear impatience. She couldn’t help but be anxious. She had to have a child before Francia Ferbache.
Francia and she were in a cooperative relationship, but now she was close to Yohan. Now they were in competition.
‘What day is it today?’
Day of the Moon.
The day the week begins.
And unless something special happens, it’s also a day when Yohan’s schedule is open.
‘Today is the day.’
Rudbeckia clenched her fist.
It was a bit of a shame that she had to wear her uniform on a day like this, but her underwear was perfect, so it would be fine.
* * *
The Purge Corps, like any other day.
“For the continent, loyalty!”
The martial officers Yohan met as he passed through the hallway saluted with determined faces. Usually, the atmosphere was relaxed and laid-back, but whenever they met Yohan, they were on high alert.
“Good to see you, First Class Knight Lutera.”
“You remembered my name…! I’m honored!”
“It’s not that difficult. Keep up the good work.”
“Loyalty!!”
The moved martial officer saluted even more vigorously. It was a perfectly angled salute. It was a bit overwhelming, but he was getting used to it.
Yohan was looking around each department to make sure the preparations for the expedition were going well. His aide, Rudbeckia, was by his side. Elena had other business, so they were walking around alone.
But…
“…”
There was a strange scent coming from Rudbeckia. To be precise, an alluring fragrance that muddled his mind. He knew she wore perfume, but it felt stronger today.
Her makeup was also strangely seductive, unlike usual. Red, luscious lips and languidly drooping eyes, flawless white skin.
Was she trying to change her image?
He didn’t know what it was, but it was quite distracting.
It wasn’t that he disliked Rudbeckia’s changed appearance or that the perfume was too strong.
It was just…
‘It’s distracting.’
Yohan was a man too. Her scent and eye smile muddled his mind. The more he tried not to be conscious of her unusual seductive atmosphere and deeper, more alluring gaze, the more he was aware of her.
As proof, the managers and martial officers he encountered in the hallway were glancing at her.
Anyway, he couldn’t concentrate on his work. Looking at her slightly upturned lips and curved eyes, his inner desires soared.
“Hoo…”
Yohan squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head slightly. Then, rubbing the bridge of his nose, he opened his mouth.
“Aide Rudbeckia, are you attending a banquet after work today?”
“Pardon? A banquet?”
“You seem to have a different aura about you today.”
“Ah.”
Rudbeckia smiled softly and took a step closer. Her scent brushed the tip of his nose. Yohan unconsciously inhaled. It was a subtly different scent than usual.
Today, it felt deeper and more pervasive.
“Are you perhaps drawn to me?”
“…”
When Yohan didn’t answer and turned his head, Rudbeckia chuckled.
“Hehe, I guess so. I suppose it’s understandable. Today is a specially prepared day, after all?”
It wasn’t that he was immune to women. How many young ladies had he dealt with so far? But they only made him feel bad. He could feel their greed.
But the feelings Rudbeckia harbored were different from greed. She purely liked him. Yohan also had those feelings.
It was as if the defense mechanism created from experience had disappeared.
“…I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tease me.”
“I’m sorry. I can see that Minister is conscious of me.”
Rudbeckia smiled playfully and chuckled. She could feel Yohan’s gaze constantly sweeping over her. She didn’t dislike that fact. No, to be honest, she felt good.
“…Focus on work.”
“Yes~.”
Yohan and Rudbeckia toured various departments.
The Purge Corps had surprisingly many departments. From the reconnaissance unit focused on investigation to the archives with researchers and managers knowledgeable about Demon Nests, and so on.
The first place they visited was the strategy department, which focused on Demon Nest strategies.
“Ah, Minister. You’re touring the departments?”
“That’s right. How are the preparations for the attack going?”
“We are currently procuring magical tools and artifacts for the final time.”
What was needed to attack the Demon Nest were various artifacts and magical tools. Because it was a place where anything could happen.
Moreover, the place they were going this time was the North, where cold weather was the norm, and they might have to stay in the snowy mountains for several days, so thorough preparation was essential.
Not that the preparations were ever lax at other times.
“Can you secure the number of body temperature maintenance magical tools?”
“We are procuring them, but we are still a little short.”
“The Magic Tower isn’t doing its job.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
It was no exaggeration to say that most of the magical tools on the market were made by the Magic Tower. It was only natural since people with knowledge in that area went to the Tower in the first place.
Of course, there were wizards who made them individually. Research cost a lot of money. Some were carried out as businesses by noble families.
But they couldn’t compete in terms of quantity. The same was true in terms of quality.
Yohan asked.
“How short are you on supplies?”
“About forty.”
“…That’s only enough to supply the elite unit and the second squad.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
The elite squad had a total of twenty people.
The regular squad had nine people.
But since they also needed them for investigators and detectors, the number was woefully insufficient.
“That’s troublesome.”
Yohan narrowed his eyebrows and stroked his chin. He didn’t expect to feel the impact of killing the Archmage in this way. But he didn’t regret it. He just killed a guy who deserved to die.
“It would be a problem even if they knew how to use body temperature maintenance magic.”
“That’s right. This operation is very draining.”
They had to climb the snowy mountains in already cold weather, so they had to avoid constantly consuming Magical Power. They couldn’t prepare for unexpected situations.
“I understand for now. Secure as much as possible, and if you really can’t, reduce the number of units climbing the snowy mountains to a minimum. A small scale would be better.”
The head of the strategy department, who immediately understood Yohan’s words, nodded.
“It would be better to set up an advance base first and then go up after the investigation is complete.”
“That’s right. Find the crack in the Demon Nest and clean it up quickly.”
“Yes, I understand. Then I will change the direction and prepare accordingly.”
“I’m counting on you.”
That was the end of the strategy department.
Yohan gave a light greeting and left the department.
“The preparations are going smoothly, but there’s something bothering me in the minor details.”
Rudbeckia pouted her lips. Yohan shrugged and replied.
“It’s because the Magic Tower is broken.”
It was an expected result from the moment the Archmage died. The Magic Tower played many roles in this world.
“Well, there won’t be any big problems. Don’t worry.”
“Hmm, because you’re here, Minister?”
“…You could say that.”
Yohan answered awkwardly. He didn’t say it on purpose, but she was pointing it out.
“Let’s focus on work for now.”
“Yes.”
The two went around to other departments and listened to reports on how the preparations were going. From what they heard, everything was going well except for the strategy department’s procurement of magical tools.
But there was one problem.
“That snowy mountain has not been investigated. To be precise, it’s more accurate to say that we couldn’t.”
The head of the investigation department continued.
“The cold becomes too strong even if you go up a little, and the number of magical beasts increases abnormally. It’s as if the entire snowy mountain is trying to protect something.”
“Hmm.”
Yohan narrowed his eyebrows and stroked his chin. That something was likely the crack in the Demon Nest. But the entire snowy mountain was affected? That was the first time he’d heard of that.
In fact, since nothing was known about the Demon Nest, it wouldn’t be strange for any environment to occur.
“I’ll have to see the details for myself.”
“Yes, we have limitations in entering.”
“Okay, I understand for now.”
Yohan nodded and left the investigation department.
This visit concluded the tour of the departments.
Yohan looked at his pocket watch as he walked out of the hallway with Rudbeckia. The current time was 3 p.m. It was still early to leave work, but-
“The work for today is over.”
“That’s right. Now we just have to wait for the preparations to be completed.”
She was right. There was nothing more to do at the top. The rest was up to the subordinates.
“Are you leaving work now?”
“I’m thinking about it.”
Yohan smiled slightly. He felt guilty and sorry for the people who were left behind if he left work alone, but it would be more comfortable for them. Usually, it was uncomfortable to be with the boss.
It would be better to leave quickly so they could be comfortable.
“Hmm, then am I off work too?”
“That’s right. Aide Rudbeckia doesn’t have any work either.”
“Hehe.”
Rudbeckia smiled and took a step ahead. Then she stood in front of Yohan and tilted her head slightly. Her rustling blonde hair flowed to the side.
“Then please give me some time today.”
“Time?”
Yohan tilted his head.
“Yes. I’m asking you to go on a date with me.”
“A date…”
Certainly, no appointments were scheduled for Monday. Francia was also in the final stages of completing her service, so she was making various preparations.
Rudella was waiting for him, but he heard that she had been painting as a hobby around this time, so it was better not to disturb her. It was a new pastime she had found.
Of course, Rudella would be happy if he visited her suddenly.
“I will.”
“Waha!”
When Yohan agreed, Rudbeckia smiled brightly and gathered her fists near her chest. Her smiling face was cute.
“Then I’ll go get ready right away?”
“Already? Do you have a reservation somewhere?”
“No? I don’t have a reservation, but I have a place to go.”
“Do we have to go far?”
“Not really. Where are we going—”
Rudbeckia looked at Yohan and slowly smiled. The corners of her lips turned up slightly. Her green eyes were mixed with anticipation and playfulness.
“We’re going to my house.”