Chapter 163 – Frozen Tears
The reason I nominated none other than Agnes as my successor was not just because of personal feelings.
Because she had the right to become the leader of the Black Lion Knights after me.
First of all, the most important aspect of force is already a passing score.
Her swordsmanship, which became sharper day by day, had already reached a level where a mediocre Aura user could easily be defeated with a few sums.
In addition, even possessing the imagery of the expression system of the elemental system specialized in actual combat.
Comprehensive force and the ability to create variables on the battlefield should be considered high enough even if the category is expanded to all knights of the empire.
His skills were too wasteful for him to stay at least as vice-captain.
In addition, her administrative processing skills were also excellent. It was because I was supporting the Black Lion Knights alone, which was on the brink of bankruptcy before I took office.
In terms of office work, Agnes is dozens of times more competent than me.
His commanding power has already been proven as he has led the main unit in place of me several times in real battles.
His personality was also at the level of an adult soldier, just because he endured without killing his predecessor, Pietro.
If I were to express the commander’s ability as a figure, I would probably be drawing a deformed spear shape with only the armed part sticking out and being highlighted.
Agnes is probably drawing a hexagonal shield shape that is tightly packed in harmony.
Calmly judged, Agnes’s qualities as a commander were better than mine’s.
I thought so and said it again.
“Please.”
Agnes lowered her head with her fists clenched.
-Shaking…
What a violent reaction. It looks pretty impressive.
He is appointed as the leader of the Black Lion Knights, which he has been serving for a long time since his seed days.
How meaningful is this? From Agnes’ point of view, it must be really emotional.
Maybe it feels like you’ve been given a surprise gift.
“You are my only successor.”
“…”
I patted Agnes on the shoulder and added a warm word.
Sooner or later, golden epaulettes symbolizing the Imperial Knight Commander will be placed on these small and slender shoulders.
I wanted to take off and attach mine right now, but I hadn’t even officially taken over yet, and it seemed like too much of a fuss, so I just gave up.
But, how long are you going to keep doing this?
“Agnes?”
“…Is.”
Let’s shake his shoulder quietly, wanting something strange.
Instead of a proper answer, all I hear is an incomprehensible mumble.
—Tuk
Soon, a small drop of water fell and soaked the dry wooden floor.
Suddenly, I thought water was leaking from the ceiling.
It didn’t take long before I realized that it was a foolish delusion.
“I don’t like…”
Agnes’s voice trembled.
At the same time, a cool breeze began to cover the skin.
The water droplets that start to fall like raindrops hit the floor and split, creating small waves and freezing in the air one after another.
—Bad…
The hallway in front of the office where daily memories from the past year remain.
An insignificant wooden plank that I stepped on every day just before entering the office.
On top of that, the appearance of an unfamiliar craft that appeared in an instant seemed to embody the emotion of sadness.
It precariously maintained its shape, but within a few seconds it was shattered and not even a shape remained.
I stared at the ice fragments that were fleetingly scattered in the air with stunned eyes.
‘…Why?’
Agnes’s frozen tears embarrassed me a little.
Since it was a sudden notification, I wouldn’t be overtly pleased, but at least I knew I wouldn’t hate it.
But, to the point where I shed tears like that.
A piece of uncontrollable image comes out and is so sad that it freezes the surroundings.
“Agnes. Why are you doing that?”
“I can’t be the captain of the knights!”
What is the reason for expressing such fierce refusal?
Agnes had never refused my orders before.
The first protest of my precious lover and always loyal and trustworthy subordinate.
The unexpected situation that came too suddenly made me very uncomfortable in many ways.
-What? Didn’t you just hear a loud noise?
—I heard it too. Upstairs, there must be only the director’s office. Who the hell dares…
“…Let’s go inside first.”
I grabbed Agnes by the arm and hurried into the room.
It is an absolute specification that useless noise is generated just in case.
There aren’t many days left to spend with his subordinates, so he couldn’t leave bad memories for them.
—Clap!
The door to the office that was immediately locked so that no one could enter.
Basically, it was a door that was always left open for anyone to enter.
This will probably be the first and last time you lock the door during the day.
It may seem flimsy at first glance, but this is definitely a second-class military security facility.
As soon as I locked the lock, the soundproofing magic immediately activated, making my office a space for just the two of us in an instant.
“Huh…! I hate it, I absolutely hate it! How could that be…!”
Agnes slumps down on the sofa and wipes her eyes with her sleeve.
Her crying showed no signs of stopping.
It was clear that any attempt to appease it would only backfire, so it seemed better to leave it alone until it calmed down a bit.
… No, but do you hate it that much?
It was an incomprehensible reaction to me now.
I think we need to have a proper conversation.
This was the second time I saw her cry.
If the tears shed when the people who were not like her parents separated the Baron Helm and his wife were tears of joy, now anyone can see that she is just crying out of sadness.
“Sniff… Keuhheung…!”
Agnes, who had been crying for a long time, took a handkerchief from the inside pocket of her uniform and wiped away her tears.
Only then could I put her words to her.
“Have you calmed down now?”
“Yes, yes…”
Agnes, whose pretty face has been ruined because of her crying so much, has become a bit of an idiot.
Seeing it makes me feel uncomfortable.
I wanted to see her distraught expression only in bed.
Ruler. Therefore… Why did you hate it so much?
I asked with a serious expression on my face, holding my chin on top of my clasped hands.
“Agnes, don’t you hate being the captain of the knights so much?”
“No. That’s not it…”
“Then why are you doing this? Did I do something wrong?”
As I carefully asked, Agnes’ eyes once again formed thick teardrops.
“Wrong… Yes, you’re wrong. How could you do that to me, Captain? You haven’t been back in a while, and now you’re saying so casually that you’re leaving me completely?”
“Even if I don’t become the leader of the Black Lion Knights, I will never leave you.”
“It’s not like that!”
Agnes suddenly burst out screaming.
No matter what, no matter what, yes, is it? She was the one who was passing her off with her grave.
Even when Alicia, who is younger than her, shows off her relationship with me and subtly treats me as a lower rank.
Ophelia openly appeals to me for her liking in front of her.
Her jealousy boiled over, and she was the one who didn’t particularly care about anything that might upset her.
If that’s the only time Agnes shows impatience.
When I misunderstood that it might be abandoned right away by me.
But even when there was such a misunderstanding, she was Agnes, who quickly regained her original self by grieving for a moment or complaining in my arms.
So, I only knew that Agnes was a really strong woman.
Like ice, the image she carved into her heart.
But no.
She was showing me raw feelings for the first time.
Anger, sadness, embarrassment. Besides, it was as if her indescribable tangle of emotions were bubbling up inside of her and melting her away.
“I know very well that I look very foolish for blaming the captain. Yes, I can’t help it. .But, but…”
There is no time to be surprised by that fact.
Agnes continued to pour out her inner thoughts that I didn’t know about.
“When the captain is no longer the leader of the Black Lion Knights, and I am no longer the vice-captain… What will the link between the captain and me be left…?”
Agnes is tearing at my chest as if it is difficult to speak.
The dripping tears were soaking the bulging uniform top, and her large, well-shaped breasts were being crushed mercilessly, but she didn’t think of anything erotic.
“I don’t need the position of knight commander. I prefer now. The vice-captain position where I can always be with the captain is the most satisfying thing in the world!”
The feelings she had for me were heavier and more affectionate than she thought.
Why didn’t I know until now?
“If this happiness of being able to post reports every morning and see the captain’s face, to be able to lean on the captain’s arms as we leave work together every evening, and to feel that the captain is always by my side is taken away from me, then I would just be the person I am. It will turn into an empty piece of ice. So please,”
Agnes got up slowly and knelt down at me.
Then, he bent his upper body and hit his head on the ground.
An extreme low profile, worse than that of a slave in front of the emperor.
As a nobleman and knight of the Empire.
No, it was as if he had thrown away even the least self-respect as a human being.
“Please remain my own captain. Please…”
