The returning convoy of the Council’s Central Branch, lined up in formation, arrived safely in front of the main building along the path created by the Imperial Knights. Although they had expected a sea of reporters crowding the main gate to confirm the rumors, just like the plaza, not a single outsider could be seen.
This level of control was not something that could be achieved by simply asking for cooperation. Only absolute power and pressure could make such near-perfect order possible.
Knowing this, Hugo and Leonardo kept the curtains firmly drawn over the car windows and stared only straight ahead until they entered the inner courtyard of the main building. Not even a conversation passed between the two, and although Hugo occasionally checked Leonardo’s complexion, he judged it better not to speak to him.
After confirming the outside, Leonardo’s face had noticeably darkened. Hugo also felt as if Leonardo was subtly distancing himself from him.
"We’ve arrived."
As the escort vehicle slowed to a smooth stop, the driver who announced their arrival immediately got out of the driver’s seat. She approached the back seat and, with a ceremonial knock, opened the car door about two seconds later.
Click–
Hugo briefly closed his eyes, then opened them as light streamed in from above. Fresh air circulated through the car for the first time in a long while, since the windows had been kept closed throughout the journey.
Soon after, as Hugo glanced to the side and stepped out first, a thunderous "Loyalty!" and cheers resounded throughout the inner courtyard of the main building.
The unified voice that sent chills down his spine renewed his emotions. He had heard similar cheers before leaving Fidele, but the sense of belonging given by the Central Branch was particularly unique.
Hugo placed his hand on the vehicle body and looked around. The majestic white buildings surrounding them on all sides, the Council’s flags fluttering in the breeze. Familiar faces encircling the convoy in an arc. Things he hadn’t paid much attention to before made him truly feel his return in that moment.
'I’m back.'
The sun in the imperial capital had been quite hot when they left, but now it felt pleasant even in the afternoon, which suggested that the time spent on the peninsula had not been short at all. Faces he had missed occasionally caught his eye. Although it would be nice to greet them right away, Hugo shifted his gaze and shook hands with the driver.
"The long-distance drive must have been tiring. Thank you for your hard work. We were able to arrive safely thanks to you."
"It was an honor to escort you personally."
While patting her shoulder as she bowed her head politely, Hugo lowered his voice and made a promise for later:
"I’ll issue instructions in the near future, so until then, wait at the mansion."
The driver’s eyes flashed sharply as she quietly nodded. After briefly exchanging eye greetings with other subordinates, Hugo poked his head into the back seat of the vehicle and casually called out to Leonardo.
"Leonardo, we’ve arrived. It’s time to get out now."
Leonardo, who had been sitting with his head bowed and fingers interlocked, slowly turned at Hugo’s voice. In that brief moment, his lips had turned red. When nervous, he would habitually chew on them until they were just short of bleeding.
Whatever the change in mood, Hugo felt that the eyes looking at him seemed very anxious. They had a sharp edge to them, like on the day they first set out from this place. However, when he extended his hand, telling him to hold on tight, Leonardo placed his hand in it after a moment of staring.
"The car is high, so be careful."
"Okay."
Led by the large hand, Leonardo stepped out of the car. However, perhaps because he hadn’t walked for a long time, his legs gave way and he stumbled as soon as he ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) got out.
"Ah–"
As Leonardo tightened his grip on the hand he was holding, his face startled, Hugo reflexively wrapped an arm around Leonardo’s waist and made him lean against his chest.
"Careful—"
His whole body was so weak that Hugo’s earlier caution seemed meaningless. His hand, usually dry and warm, was drenched in cold sweat.
Leonardo, barely regaining his balance, placed a hand on Hugo’s shoulder and stood on both feet. When he raised his head, their distance was quite close. But perhaps conscious of the gazes around them, he quickly stepped back.
Although Hugo clearly noticed the atmosphere had shifted strangely, he had too many things to focus on immediately. Seeing that Leonardo seemed to want to pull his hand away, fidgeting, Hugo let go for now.
Meanwhile, Council members who had been waiting swarmed the long line of escort vehicles, quickly moving the injured to the infirmary. Not far away, the figures of Delua and Marlen, once again surrounded by a crowd, flashed by. Judging by the atmosphere in the plaza, it was fortunate that they had coincidentally joined up with the 6th Battalion in front of the gate entering the imperial capital.
"Commander."
Just as he was about to confirm the return of the 3rd Battalion, a welcome title reached Hugo’s ears, cutting through the commotion. Turning around, he saw Loren Opience, the 2nd Battalion Commander, approaching with the headquarters’ medical team and her subordinates.
"Loren."
Hugo’s face, which had been tense, relaxed as soon as he saw his trusted friend.
"I’m glad you’re safe."
Loren, who smiled on her otherwise cold face, gave Hugo a formal salute. Then, as she shook hands with him, she patted the Commander’s heavy shoulders a couple of times, as she always did. Although it was an inappropriate gesture for a subordinate to make toward a superior, it felt natural, reflecting their closeness.
Leonardo watched as the two exchanged greetings with familiar gestures.
Feeling the searching gaze, Loren turned her head that way. Following her, Hugo turned and wrapped an arm around Leonardo’s back, pulling him to his side.
"Say hello. This is the main contributor to our subjugation team’s victory."
At the embarrassing introduction, Leonardo awkwardly tried to push away the hand resting on his waist. But Hugo’s hand wasn’t one to let go so easily. Now seemingly used to it, Leonardo instead grabbed Hugo’s forearm and rubbed it as if to show it off.
"Leonardo, this is the 2nd Battalion Commander of the Council’s Central Branch."
Loren alternately looked at the two, who seemed very different from before the expedition. Then, noticing whose loose combat uniform Leonardo was wearing, her expression gradually turned strange from that point on.
"I heard the news a while ago, but..."
After her gaze fell on the handkerchief tied around his neck, she trailed off and blinked. Soon, Loren placed her hand over her left chest and nodded slightly, giving Leonardo a light bow.
As confusion spread across Leonardo’s face at the greeting, Loren turned back to Hugo and spoke in an awkward tone:
"It was hard to believe, since I hadn’t seen it myself."
"Well, most people would think similarly if they weren’t there. But now everyone will know."
"...Shorendo was so frustrated. The battalion commanders barely stopped him from going to the peninsula to greet you himself."
Hugo chuckled softly at Loren’s words, delivered with a serious face.
"It must have been quite an ordeal, given the Deputy Commander’s personality. Was he adept at handling the duties?"
"It became an opportunity for everyone to feel your necessity. I think it’s best not to think about resting for a while."
A bitter smile appeared on Hugo’s lips at the statement that seemed to hint at future schedules. Just then, the escort vehicles parked in a line behind them began to file out of the crowded courtyard at a signal. Soon after, the stretchers were lowered to the ground, and the figures of the injured who had been hidden came into view all at once.
Loren, taking in the situation that couldn’t be entirely joyful, changed the subject with a more serious face:
"By the way, is the outside situation your doing?"
Hugo, who had been watching the escort vehicles leave, turned his head.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean the complete blockade of the passage from the gate entrance to the front of the main building. There’s been a lot of talk from the higher-ups about the Imperial Knights taking action without even a request for support coming to our side."
Hugo’s brow furrowed slightly. He briefly lowered the arm that had been wrapped around Leonardo and answered, stepping about two paces away:
"What are they trying to find fault with now."
"They seem to think you petitioned unilaterally, but judging by your reaction, it seems you’re not involved."
"I don’t know the situation yet either. When I report later, regarding that point..."
Leonardo quietly listened to Hugo’s voice as he distanced himself, as if watching his reaction. At that moment, a group cutting through the busy crowd in the inner courtyard gradually approached them.
The group, armed with protective gear from head to toe, stopped and saluted Hugo when the gazes of the Commander and the 2nd Battalion Commander fell on them.
"Loyalty. Commander, congratulations on your safe return and victory."
Hugo, receiving the congratulatory greeting with a puzzled look, quickly scanned their appearance, which seemed thoroughly prepared for something.
"What’s the matter?"
When he asked bluntly, the one at the front gestured behind him and received a heavy pair of mana-restraining handcuffs from a member who had come with them.
"To prevent Leonardo Blaine’s appearance from being exposed to the outside, there were orders from above to transfer him to a detention facility immediately upon arrival."
"...What?"
"If you hand him over, Commander, we will take charge of the transfer from here."
Hugo’s expression hardened in an instant. Similarly furrowing his brow, Leonardo scanned the gathering with a noticeably tense gaze.
'Surely not.'
Although wariness toward him had eased due to the many urgent injuries, this place hadn’t been particularly friendly to him even before the expedition. He had anticipated that he might face a different kind of hostility once the place and people around him changed.
But beyond that, the outside situation was not good at all. Even if he had to wear those damn handcuffs and be confined somewhere again, he’d rather be stuck in the Council’s underground prison at this point.
'But if they say they’re sending me somewhere else...'
As he weighed the ominous possibility, he unconsciously recoiled and took a step back. In response, the armed members flinched and surrounded him warily.
Two of them cautiously approached Leonardo to put the handcuffs on him first. At that moment, Hugo suddenly stepped in, pulling Leonardo behind him as if to shield him.
"What do you think you're doing?"
He snatched the handcuffs from their hands, abruptly cutting off the situation before it could turn uglier. The member whose hands were suddenly empty stammered in confusion:
"Ah, for safety, first we..."
"All dispositions regarding Leonardo Blaine are solely under my jurisdiction. Who dared to try to put handcuffs on him without my permission?"
"Hugo."
As cold anger surged around him, Loren placed her hand on his forearm as if to tell him to restrain himself. Then she calmly asked the visibly tense armed members on his behalf:
"As far as I know, there were no separate instructions. Has an additional order been issued from above?"
The hesitating members looked at each other, and then the one at the front carefully reported:
"Ah, yes. Council Upper Member Gladias Agrizendro..."
"...Ha."
Before he could finish, a cold sneer escaped Hugo’s lips the moment he heard that name. Sudden silence fell, and everyone present watched the Commander’s reaction.
'Gladias Agrizendro?'
Leonardo, behind Hugo, raised his eyebrows and turned the name over in his mind. At that moment, Hugo firmly grasped Leonardo’s wrist and pulled him right beside him, issuing a warning to the gathering:
"Leonardo Blaine is a meritorious person who contributed to the peninsula subjugation, and at the same time, a patient who needs stability and recovery. Until he receives appropriate treatment and a formal judgment is made, he cannot be handcuffed within the Council. If any problems arise, I will take responsibility. Tell the Council Upper Member that if there are any separate instructions, they must consult with me through a staff member, or delegate me decision-making authority to execute orders."
With pressure bearing down on them the moment they arrived, without even a second to breathe, Hugo had no choice but to respond coldly even to members who were simply carrying out orders.
The atmosphere froze in an instant. Regardless, Hugo tightened his hold on Leonardo’s hand and made it clear to them:
"And let me say this once again. All dispositions given to Leonardo Blaine are only valid under my orders, except for the trial. Keep this in mind."
Waving the confiscated handcuffs in front of their eyes once, Hugo emphasized again in a solemn voice. Then, after leaving no room for argument, he turned and strode off with long steps.
"Let’s go, Leonardo."
Pulled along by his force of will, Leonardo hurried to match his pace without a chance to reply.
Following in a daze, he glanced back to see the 2nd Battalion Commander looking very perplexed, and everyone else unable to move in the heavy air.
Leonardo, still confused, then looked up at Hugo beside him.
His profile, which had just relaxed, had turned as cold as ice. Even through their clasped hands, Leonardo could feel how furious the Commander was.
