'd*mn, that guy ...... is on a roll again!

Franz Argmann snorted as he slammed the sympathetic stone on the table.

The imperial city of Zebrudia. It's a great way to make sure that you don't end up in a situation where you can't get out of the house.
At the same time, it is also an order under the emperor's direct command that operates widely in the event of an emergency in the empire. It's not as numerous as other knightly orders, but it is a genuine elite order that sometimes gives orders to other knightly orders, depending on the occasion. And the investigation of the "nine-tailed shadow fox" and the prediction of a calamity were both reasons enough for the order to move.

It was the emperor's direct order, and there was no reason to complain about the move.

I hold my stomach in a knot. The Order's subordinates looked at Franz, who couldn't hide his anger, as if they were completely used to it.

'What the hell are you thinking? It's not as if you don't know the accuracy of the Astrological Institute's prophecies - you hid everything, and as a result, you've just triggered the Key of the Earth, and you're not remorseful at all! In fact, it's gotten worse!

I'm getting angry just thinking about it. There has never been a man who has ever said yoo-hoo to Franz, the current head of the Argman family and the leader of the Zero Knights. No matter how crude the hunter, he would not be like that. Whether he was teasing me or just being honest, he really is a helpless man. I wonder if his divine power and ingenuity came at the cost of such a personality?

The reason why Franz listened to Krai's request and put pressure on the newspaper about the Demon Sword incident was because he believed that the curse of the Demon Sword was the cause of the disaster.
So, if he had asked the Sage to help him get rid of it, he would have been able to make some sense of his outrageous behavior. I'm sure you're not the only one who has a problem with that.


You're right, Commander. You're right, Commander. You're nothing but a hunter, and your arrogance knows no bounds. Isn't there any need to listen to me? We have an excellent intelligence unit, don't we?


At that moment, Franz clenched his teeth tightly, and a young knight nearby with a thin smile on his face spoke up.

It's a young knight who has just recently joined the Order. He has blond hair with a loose wave and blue eyes. He has a neat appearance and a slender body, which is unusual in the Zero Knights, where most of the members are large. He has just graduated from an academy that trains knights, so he is too young to be assigned to the Kingsguard, but I guess that's why they expect so much of him.

I think his name is ...... Hugh LeGrand. He is from a low class noble family, but he graduated from the academy with first class honors.
He admonishes the other men who are trying to stop him with a look. I haven't had a chance to meet the newcomers in my short time in the capital recently. It would be good to have a little chat around here.

Franz glared at the newcomer and crossed his arms as he replied.

'Your Majesty has given me an order. To the point of communicating with the sympathetic stones.

I thought about giving the sympathetic stone to someone else, such as a civil servant or the head of another knightly order responsible for maintaining public order, but the incomprehensible nature of Krei Andrich would certainly be too much for the nobility of Zebrudia, and it might cause problems in the transmission of information. There is also the possibility that this will cause problems in the transmission of information. In the end, it is best to have it yourself. Even if you are asked to do so in a casual manner, as if you were a friend.

No ...... subordinate, no friend, no yoo-hoo!

I never thought ...... that at my age I would be anguishing like this over someone who is not a family member. I'm not sure what to say, but I'm sure you'll understand.

'But the intelligence unit is in trouble, isn't it? It's not worth it to lose to hunters in terms of information gathering ability.

'............ This newcomer seems to have a lot of guts. Watch your mouth, Hugh.

They're all so young. Just a few tens of seconds ago, they were calling themselves an excellent intelligence unit--.

The Intelligence Corps is a shadowy contributor to Zebrudia's national power. Due to the nature of their duties, they are rarely seen on the public stage, but their abilities are reliable, and they have even prevented incidents from happening in the past.
A nation as large as Zebrudia has many enemies. Without them, Zebrudia would not be what it is today. It is as important a position as the regular knights.

'But, Commander. You said that the intelligence unit monitored the Thousand Transformations for several days and twenty-four hours and found nothing. I'm sure I can come up with something.

'...... It's fine to be confident, but I'm not so sure. I've seen a lot of hunters in my life, but I've never seen a man like that. Not at all. ......'

It's true that the Thousand Transformations got the information before those troops, but that doesn't mean that the intelligence unit is incompetent.
If it had been the Franz of old, he might have been sympathetic, but that man, after all, has shown Franz an incredible amount of wisdom and ingenuity, even assuming that he had an intelligence network.

In the event that you have any questions regarding where and how to get in touch with us, please do not hesitate to contact us at .......
In the event that you're not sure what to do, you can always ask for help.
In other words, the conditions are almost the same as last time. If we don't do something, we'll be taken advantage of by the "Thousand Transformations" again. I'm afraid I will be.

Unaware of Franz's anguish, Hugh continued without hesitation.

'It would be nice if the Astrological Institute's predictions were a little clearer. ...... In the first place, the Imperial City is well defended. Most spell attacks from the outside are ineffective, and there are countermeasures in place to prevent spells from being brought into the capital. In the first place, even the incident with the Sword Saint Thorn was on a smaller scale than we assumed. Aren't you thinking too much?''

The words that came out so easily and the manner in which they were spoken implied a strong confidence.

His words were, in a way, right on target. Based on the vision of the Astrological Institute's prophecy, Franz had expected casualties in the tens of thousands. Even if Krai hadn't acted, there wouldn't have been that much damage from the sword riots.
In the first place, the art of witchcraft is not as physically destructive as other forms of offensive magic, so it is easier to take magical countermeasures. This is the basis of the art of curses, which can cause horrible damage if received without countermeasures, but can be easily countered. The historical imperial capital is also well prepared in this area, and it is almost impossible to kill people by cursing the capital from the outside.

The only exception to this is, as Hugh said, the pattern of curses being activated by items brought into the city, as in the case of the recent riot with the magic sword, but in the first place, there are no items lying around that could cause tens of thousands of deaths.

However, I know this without needing to be told. The problem is that the prophecy is still alive and well.

'You're all too nervous. Don't look so frightened, Commander. Let's relax our shoulders a little. Don't you think that a glorious Zero Knight Order needs to have some leeway?

'............'

Asked to agree, Franz narrowed his eyes. The other subordinates also looked at Hugh as if they were dumbfounded.

What is required of the Zero Knights is absolute discipline. It is a prerequisite that they are competent, and since the Kingsguard often work at the Emperor's side, they are obliged to fulfill their orders with a firm attitude no matter what the situation.

In that sense, Hugh was too light. As a top graduate of the academy, he must have had talent. He was slender but well built, had a good eye for detail, and was said to have been a bit flamboyant in his relations with women.
He was probably well-liked by the people around him, and he probably had few setbacks. In a sense, this boldness in the face of Franz, the leader of the group, is admirable, but unfortunately, I've had enough of boldness, probably because I've been following the "thousand changes" for a while now.

What should I do? Franz stared at the rude junior for a while, then nodded gravely and said.

'Hmm ...... I see. In that case, Hugh, I'll give you a task for your confidence. You're going to go underneath the Thousand Transformations and squeeze information out of him with the pride of a nobleman. Stay close to him for a while and work together to get the job done. Don't tell me you can't.



Well, it's not going to work out in the proper way. In terms of age, Hugh and Chika are the same age, but their experiences, abilities, and achievements are all too different. His position as the head of the academy is also useless in this situation.
The man who comes to escort me in a patterned shirt is far more daring, and the man who seems to owe a lot of money to his childhood friend is more flamboyant in his relationships with women. It's all a mess.
The only thing worthy of praise is his fearlessness. If he can talk like that to Franz, the leader, he won't be intimidated even by a level 8.

In this situation, a single newcomer won't lighten the load for Franz and the others. If that's the case, it would be better to break his confidence first for the future.

At Franz's words, Hugh's eyes widened for a moment, but then he quickly smiled thinly. But his eyes were not smiling.
Behind those eyes was a burning ambition. A full body and soul. Is this what youth is all about?

Hugh made a reverent, somewhat grandiose gesture of thanks.

'I humbly present my orders, Commander Franz. I, Hugh LeGrand, will do everything in my power to make sure that the Commander can sleep with his head held high.

'Go to .............'

Hugh leaves the room, his back straight. Franz looked at him with a scowl for a moment, but then quickly returned his gaze to the rest of his men.
I don't have time to worry about the newcomers. As the leader of the Zero Knights, Franz had a duty to fulfill the orders of the Emperor.

I've made arrangements to borrow strength from the Sword Saint. But if the prophecy still persists, then we need to take the next approach.

'If pure strength is not the problem, then it must be sorcery. We have no choice but to contact the specialists at ...... and ask for their advice. Confidentially.




.




Commander Franz's worrying is also a problem,......, or should I be glad that I got my chance early?



The Zeroth Order is the only knightly order in Zebrudia that is under the direct control of the Emperor. It is one of the most flamboyant orders among the knights, and it is easy to catch the attention of the emperor if you perform spectacularly.
Hugh's family is a low class noble. It's not a great family to begin with, but with two older brothers, Hugh doesn't have much of a chance of inheriting a title. The position of a Kingsguard knight was the best thing for Hugh.

There was a good chance that he would be given a knighthood if he performed well as a Kingsguard, and there was even a chance that he might catch the eye of some nobleman who didn't have a son and be asked to be his son-in-law.
Hugh is young. He's not rich, but he's good-looking, and he's learned a thing or two at the academy. His mana and material absorption rate isn't bad, and he's got some luck.
Zebuldia is a real meritocracy. That's why Hugh, who came from the bottom of the list of children who attended the academy, was chosen as the head of the class. If he can make good use of this opportunity he was given early in his career, he will be able to make a name for himself soon. He may even be able to aim for the position of Vice Commander in his twenties.

The opponent is the Level 8 Hunter, the "Thousand Transformations", who has been the subject of many rumors, both good and bad. It's an opponent that's said to boast an uncanny ability, and Commander Franz seems to have had his hands full with it, but that's precisely why it's so rewarding.

Hugh doesn't underestimate the "Thousand Transformations". It was just a performance when he spoke abusive words against it in front of the Commander. The Explorers' Association's level assessment is strict, how can they mock the youngest level 8 in this sacred land of treasure hunters?
He is the youngest person to reach level 8 in this holy land of treasure hunters. His ability to rise to level 8 without much of a background is somewhat similar to Hugh. However, Hugh had a secret plan that no other nobleman would do.

As the clan house building came into view, he tightened his grip even more. He slowed his pace, caught his breath, and made his expression serious.
In the polished glass, he could see the reflection of a young man with excellent eyes, dressed in the armor of the Zero Order.

The Commander told me to go and get some information. But if things were so easy, the Commander wouldn't have bothered so much.
What Hugh has that the other nobles don't - no, what the nobles have that Hugh doesn't. It's pride.
He's not someone who can be controlled by power, money or force. Because he misjudged that, so far Commander Franz has known who has information and has gotten nothing.

That's why Hugh is taking the low road. He must put aside his temporary pride and seize the glory of the future. If he can cross paths with a powerful hunter in this case, he will be able to help Hugh in the future.

Outwardly calm, but inwardly in the mood for battle, the door to the clan house suddenly opens and a tanned, pink-blonde woman steps out. My eyes widen involuntarily.

Long pink blonde hair tied high on the back of her head. Her skin is healthy and tanned, and her slender limbs look slender, but they are strong and tough. The overexposure of her bandit's attire--there's no doubt about it.
That's Liz Smart of the Zekage, a member of the party of the Thousand Transformations, feared for her merciless punishment of her opponents.

Apparently, our luck has turned in earnest. If she can gain the trust of the Zekage, who is both a party member and a childhood friend, she will be much closer to completing her mission.
In addition, Hugh has some confidence in his ability to handle women. Aside from his intelligence and military prowess, his good looks are one of the few strengths he has inherited from his parents. Treasure hunters are often stern men, so a sweet mask would be a great weapon.

That's good. Play it cool and talk to them like a gentleman. It doesn't matter if he says he's intense or not, as long as you compliment him on his "thousand changes.

Take a deep breath, smile your best smile, and approach. Liz stops and turns to face Hugh.




And Hugh's consciousness was cut off there.