We left Randolph early the next morning and, after a roughly two-day journey, made it back to Astaroth.
I sure hope they managed to handle the monster attack without any trouble...
I had been worried about it our entire way back, but the city looked as peaceful as ever, and the guards at the gate reported that they had been able to successfully drive off the monsters.
“I’m so glad the capital is all right!” Seira sighed in relief.
“Yeah... Agreed.”
“Hm? Is something bothering you, Sarge?”
“Nah, it’s nothing.”
When we had gotten back to the capital, something had been off about the gate guards’ demeanor. They had been strangely cold with us—or rather, it had felt like there were some hidden undertones in their responses. Either way, I had gotten the impression they had been trying to keep their distance.
“I’m quite pleased to see you all made it back safely.”
Leobolt greeted us with a pleasant smile when we made it back to the guard station. Together, we then headed to the commander’s office to give our respective activity reports to each other.
Once he had made sure it was only the Fifth Squadron, Commander Bolton, and himself in the room, Leobolt asked us about our trip. “So did you make it to Randolph City in time to assist?”
“Well, about that...” the commander began.
“They told us there weren’t any monsters attacking,” I explained.
Hearing that, Leobolt raised an eyebrow. “So it was false information, then...?”
“That’s what it looks like,” I agreed.
“They say where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” Commander Bolton followed up. “But if there was no fire, there shouldn’ta been any smoke. Somebody had to have started that rumor—probably to destabilize things here in the capital.”
“So that person may have known about the commander’s personal life,” Leobolt stated.
“We came to the same conclusion. They spread the rumor that Randolph was in danger to draw Commander Bolton away from the capital,” I suggested.
“I see.”
“You managed to defend the capital successfully, though, right?” the commander asked.
“Yes.” Leobolt nodded, smiling. “A few of our men were injured, but we succeeded in slaying all of the monsters without any fatalities on our side. We were fortunate that the enemy forces weren’t particularly robust.”
“Way to get it done,” Commander Bolton said in appreciation. “I heard the guards talking. They said you did one hell of a job leading the troops out there. You sure made up for us not being there.”
“Thank you, Commander.”
“At this rate, you might end up being the next commander, eh?” Grinning, the commander gave Leobolt a grateful pat on the back. “Whatever the guy who started that rumor was scheming up, it all came to nothing in the end. He was probably tryin’ to take advantage of the window when Eleanor’s main knight forces and I were all away from the capital.”
“Yes, of course...” Leobolt cracked a faint smile upon hearing Commander Bolton’s statement.
The expression on his face felt somehow off to me. But just as I was thinking that, we heard a commotion in the distance.
“Huh. They sure are making a big fuss out there,” the commander grumbled.
We heard not just one, but an entire chorus of overlapping, angry shouts erupting.
“I presume those are the citizens,” Leobolt explained. “I believe they’ve come in protest against you, Commander.”
“Protest...?” Commander Bolton raised a perplexed eyebrow.
We ran out of the commander’s office and exited the barracks. Immediately, we saw the citizens of the capital gathered there, surrounding the premises of the building. The enraged mob was shouting angrily.
“Go to hell, Bolton!”
“Resign as commander right now!”
The citizens all seemed to be furious with Commander Bolton.
“What...? What the hell’s going on?” Without the faintest of ideas, the commander simply stood there, bewildered.
“You cannot blame them for being angry.” Leobolt slowly walked up to Commander Bolton from behind. “You did abandon your post when the royal capital was in danger.”
“Huh? What are you talkin’ about—”
Just as the commander was about to interrogate Leobolt, a shout pierced above the rest.
“Hey, it’s Bolton! He came out!”
Upon seeing him appear, the people closed in on the premises.
“You bastard! How could you even think of putting your own issues first when the capital is under attack by monsters? And you even took the Fifth with you—our ace squadron!”
“Abandoning your post like that—do you not even care what happens to us citizens?!”
“H-Hey, now! You can’t be serious...” Standing there in dismay before the advancing crowd, Commander Bolton called out to some guards who were nearby. “Don’t just stand there, hold these people back!”
However, none of them came to his aid; they just stood there, glaring coldly at him.
“You abandoned us, you know.”
“And that means we have no obligation to help you.”
After that, they broke off eye contact and walked over into the crowd.
Seeing their reaction, the commander was at a loss for words. His gaze shot over to Leobolt. “What’s the meaning of this, Leobolt?! You said you’d explain to the others what was going on!”
“Yes, of course. I most certainly explained everything,” Leobolt informed him nonchalantly, a gentle smile on his face. “You made your personal affairs your top priority and traveled to Randolph City—not only abandoning your duties but taking the all-important Fifth Squadron along with you.”
“Wha...?!”
Commander Bolton’s eyes shot open in shock. He had thought Leobolt was going to give the guards a reasonable explanation for his disappearance; instead, he had misconstrued the situation to give an unfavorable impression.
Leobolt was a man who knew how to communicate properly. He wouldn’t have made a mistake in the way he had conveyed things to them. Which meant only one thing—he had deliberately tweaked the information to make it sound as bad as possible.
“Leobolt... You were the one who spread the rumor, weren’t you?”
“Rumor? I have absolutely no idea of what you are speaking.” Leobolt gave a slight grin. “Commander Bolton, I cannot see the Guard Corps progressing while you remain at the helm. And that fact will put the world in danger,” he went on, devoid of any emotion. “What the Guard Corps needs is someone who can provide it with stronger direction.”
“And you think that someone is you, huh?”
“It wouldn’t matter who it is, provided they’re qualified for the job. I merely happen to be the most qualified person at this point in time—more so than you, at least,” Leobolt said. “Commander Bolton, you are a wonderful man who cares greatly about his family. I respect that. However, you are not fit to be Commander of the Guard Corps.”
“So that’s why you’re trying to force me out?”
“Well, it would be difficult for you to remain in place as things stand, would it not?” Leobolt looked out over the populace as they continued to shout in protest. “The people no longer want you in your current role, nor do the guards. Do you believe they would trust your word over mine? Shall we find out?”
Commander Bolton looked over at the people. Their display of fury was pushing toward him in a massive swell, with enough momentum behind it to swallow someone up whether they liked it or not.
By that point, they probably wouldn’t have listened to anything we could’ve said. Any attempt to defend ourselves would’ve fallen on deaf ears.
“Planning on getting rid of me for good, then?” Bolton spat.
“Surely you jest. I only plan on relieving you of your command and expelling you from the Guard Corps. Once a leader has been replaced, they hardly make reliable workers.”
Leobolt turned back to the commander and offered a subtle smile—the kind someone gives when they know they’ve won.
“You may leave the Guard Corps in my capable hands, Commander. I swear to protect the Orb of Light—along with the entire world.”