Chapter 118
The order was to strike the tents even farther behind the enemy's main force.
Hearing that order, Ray, who was in charge of the unit, could only be confused.
Attacking the rear of the enemy's main force made sense, but what would attacking the baggage train and tents even farther behind accomplish?
Burning their provisions would have made sense, but the Demon Army, which continued plundering as it moved, kept its food packed in the wagons without unloading it. Even if they attacked from here, the distance was too great, and the baggage train would simply escape. With the enemy away, the tents would naturally be empty as well. Attacking a place like that was meaningless.
But the thought of disobeying a direct order from Romelia-sama never occurred to Ray. He immediately set the thought aside, mounted his horse, rode over to the cavalry under his command, and gave them their orders.
"We'll reorganize the unit. Squads Eleven through Fourteen, move to the front."
He pulled out the troops to be assigned to Miecha and the others and created four new small units. As he hurriedly arranged everything, one of the cavalrymen approached at a walk.
"Lieutenant Ray, is it true that Romelia-sama will be taking command?"
He must have heard it from somewhere. Word traveled fast.
"It's true. Romelia-sama will lead us from the front."
The soldiers erupted in cheers. Fighting alongside Romelia-sama would be an honor for Ray as well. Having her see his performance up close was a greater joy than he could ask for.
"But don't get carried away! We cannot allow Romelia-sama to suffer so much as a scratch. Protect her with your lives! Is that clear?"
In response to the stern command to defend her to the death, the soldiers raised an even louder battle cry. It was clear that every one of them had sworn to protect their commander with their own bodies.
The soldiers' morale was high, and they were full of fighting spirit. That was a good thing, but Ray watched their high spirits with mixed feelings.
"We have a lot of competition."
A voice came from behind him. When Ray turned, he saw Al riding toward them, a red decorative cloth tied to his spear. He was smiling, but this was no laughing matter.
"Is this the time to be smiling?"
Ray was beside himself with worry.
It had all begun with something Romelia-sama had suddenly said several days earlier.
Defeating a Demon Army general would mean marrying Romelia-sama.
The rumor had taken on a life of its own, already drifting far from Romelia-sama's actual words, but the soldiers were excited by the opportunity that had fallen into their laps.
Of course, everyone understood that it was an incredibly difficult task, nearly impossible by any measure. Even so, the possibility of marrying Romelia-sama was not quite zero.
"Honestly, you lot!"
"You're one of them yourself, you know."
As Ray irritably glared at the soldiers entertaining such hopes, Al hit him where it hurt.
It was true. He himself was one of them, placing the faintest hope in that possibility.
"Still, Captain Rome sure is something. She has no idea how people see her. I wonder what kind of look she'd have if I brought her a general's head and asked her to marry me."
Al had said something Ray could not let pass without comment.
"Al. Are you trying to win Romelia-sama too?"
Ray's hand tightened around his spear. Perhaps it would be best to reduce the number of competitors while he had the chance.
"Don't be ridiculous. Unlike you, I know my place."
At Al's words, Ray relaxed his grip on the spear.
"Even so, if a general's head happened to roll right in front of me, I wouldn't hand it over to you. She has no clue when it comes to matters concerning herself. I don't intend to marry her, but I can't hand her over to some nobody of unknown origins."
What Al said was perfectly reasonable.
No one knew whom Romelia-sama would marry or whom she would choose.
But one thing was certain: the man who stood beside Romelia-sama should be strong. Anyone who could not defeat a general had no right to stand at her side.
But of course, that was only the minimum requirement. It was an obvious prerequisite, and marrying Romelia-sama would require many more qualities besides that.
He would have to be a national hero and a flawless, perfect man—someone recognized as such by everyone in the country.
The question was whether Ray himself could become such a man.
As Ray asked himself that question, a clear, dignified voice reached his ears.
"Huh? Is someone getting married?"
When he turned around, Romelia-sama was there, mounted on a white horse and clad in pure-white armor.
"Oh no, did you hear that?"
Al grimaced openly, wondering whether she had heard their conversation.
"No, I heard something about marriage. Is one of you two getting married?"
Romelia-sama tilted her head slightly. Apparently, she had not heard the whole conversation.
"I'm not getting married, you know."
Al pursed his lips.
"That's a shame. But if you find someone nice, let me know. I'd love to attend both your weddings."
Unaware of what lay in their hearts, Romelia-sama continued speaking. At her words, Al shut his eyes and groaned without a word.
Ray steeled himself and stepped forward.
"Romelia-sama. When the time comes for me to marry, please attend my wedding."
Having made up his mind, Ray asked her to attend his wedding.
"Of course. I'd be happy to attend."
Romelia-sama readily accepted.
"Please. I'll make sure to reserve the best seat for you."
Ray placed a hand over his chest and vowed.
"I see. Well, our unit is ready, isn't it?"
Having brought the conversation to a close, Romelia-sama checked the unit. As Ray watched her from behind, Al, standing beside him, let out a sigh.
"She definitely didn't get what you meant."
His partner, Al, pointed out that she had not understood his true intentions.
He intended for Romelia-sama to attend his wedding in a pure-white bridal gown.
She had not understood what he meant, but that was fine for now.
"It doesn't matter. That can wait until the time comes. For now, all that matters is the enemy in front of us."
Ray looked past the infantry engaged in battle to the red-armored commander standing in the center of the enemy's main camp.
"First, I'll protect Romelia-sama, then I'll slay that man."
Everything began there.
"Let's do this!"
Ray raised his spear and let out a war cry.