Chapter 11
I tried my best not to look too excited as I walked.
Apparently, this Nephile Territory used to be called the Holy City. But that was before the temple’s power collapsed—nearly 200 years ago.
Back then, the temple didn’t just influence the Razak Kingdom—it held immense sway across the entire continent. With terrifying monsters roaming around, it’s no wonder people clung to their faith.
But everything changed 200 years ago when the Great Temple was destroyed by monsters. Countless priests and believers died without even making it out. After that disaster, the temple’s decline was rapid.
Now, priests hardly have any influence at all. I heard that every territory used to have at least three or four temples. These days, unless it’s a major region, you’ll be lucky to find even one.
Nephile, once a holy city, had since become royal property. As the temple weakened, the royal family only grew stronger.
The territory of Nephile itself was small—barely the size of a minor lord’s land.
But the buildings clustered in its center were impressive.
The most eye-catching one was a giant cylindrical pillar right in the middle.
It was as wide as ten grown men linking arms and tall like a tree. Inside its semi-transparent body, a glowing liquid shimmered.
At first glance, it looked like a giant display beaker filled with some mercury-based, dangerous chemical.
That liquid, sparkling in the sunlight, was Ichor—a vital ingredient used to forge the Holy Sword.
When a monster is slain with the Holy Sword, about three large jars’ worth of Ichor appears inside that pillar.
No special place, no ritual, no wait time. As long as a monster is killed with the Holy Sword, this liquid would just materialize.
It was a secret technique the royal family guarded tightly.
And right now, the level of Ichor inside was rising again—someone somewhere must’ve just killed a monster.
‘It’s even more fascinating seeing it in person.’
One of the main reasons the royal family pays so much for monster hunts isn’t just because of the danger. It’s to collect this Ichor.
The military gets Holy Swords from the royal supply, but other kingdoms can only get them through official agreements.
****
“Ah, Supreme Commander!”
Suddenly, a group of people rushed out of a building. The man in charge looked like he’d seen a ghost.
He was pale—like someone had yanked him out of bed and smacked him with a burning stick.
“Oh dear! I didn’t think you’d actually come all the way here! Aren’t you terribly busy?!”
“You asked me to come.”
“W-well, yes, but…”
“You tried to dodge the paperwork by making everyone else sign it.”
“That was… uh…”
“You wanted to see me so badly—how could I say no?”
“…Ahem.”
The people in charge couldn’t even meet Schloitz’s eyes properly.
“As I mentioned in the letter, traces of monsters were found near the goldstone pillar in the northern forest…”
“Alright. Show me the way.”
“Pardon?”
“Guide me. I came here to deal with it myself, didn’t I?”
“…?”
The chief looked completely confused. Schloitz had already started walking toward the north, making sharp gestures for the rest to follow.
Only then did the administrators and knights rush after him.
“You’re really going to fight monsters by yourself?”
“Aren’t the other knights going?”
“Seriously?”
“What if something happens to you, Supreme Commander? How are we supposed to take responsibility?”
“How should I know? We’d all be dragged to court martial and kicked out.”
The murmurs were loud and clear.
‘Yeah, you’re shocked. I’m shocked too.’
Schloitz was so strong, he could crush a legendary artifact like it was a piece of candy.
His power couldn’t be put into words.
Still, I told him not to use more than three artifacts a day—for his own sake.
Enrico didn’t say anything, but I bet even he was stunned by how fast Schloitz was burning through them.
****
“Sir Blandea.”
Agnes whispered beside me.
“Could I borrow you for about an hour? The Commander gave me a personal task.”
“Sure. I’ve got nothing else to do.”
Schloitrz didn’t bring me along on the hunt. That meant he didn’t plan to reveal the artifact (Opats) to others just yet.
So aside from quietly giving him my blessings, I had nothing to do.
I followed Agnes deeper into the central building.
‘It’s so fancy here.’
The religion may have declined, but the grand buildings hadn’t vanished.
These offices were actually old temples from the height of religious prosperity, now repurposed.
Each part was extraordinary.
Grape vines symbolizing divine abundance were carved into elegant pillars, and the molding was adorned with lush leaves.
There were half-domes and painted pendentives, niches holding ancient statues of gods, and even a carved demon statue made of dark marble.
That one made me smile.
It reminded me of Lord Balrock.
****
The reason Schloitz had taken time out of his packed schedule to come here was simple.
Although Nephile was under royal control, it still operated somewhat independently. In other words, the Commander’s authority could definitely reach here.
Former Commander Lord Madros had already proven that.
“We need to stockpile as many Holy Swords as possible at the base, but these people keep giving excuses and delaying shipments.”
“What kind of excuses?”
“Well, like I said, they’re claiming the monster traces near the northern forest make it unsafe to forge swords. That’s the first one.”
“There’s more?”
“Yes. Second, they say they need the secondary seal from Lord Madros.”
“Seriously.”
I thought to myself,
Are they seriously trying to push Schloitz around?
Do they not fear death?
‘Are they looking down on him because he’s young?’
Or had I underestimated that sly old fox, Lord Madros?
I’d heard he had dragged his feet during the leadership handover too.
As I was silently hoping the Nephile staff would survive this mess, Agnes added,
“There’s a third reason.”
“More?”
“Yes. A few years ago, Lord Madros changed the rules so that every shipment of Holy Swords required a signature from the 2nd Commander.”
“But we don’t have a 2nd Commander right now.”
“Exactly. Sir Dios is the likely candidate, but as you know, he’s currently imprisoned.”
“Right.”
He was locked up right alongside Raphael.
“He can’t perform any official duties, and the Supreme Commander thinks sending a 2nd Commander here is a waste anyway. The old rules set by Lord Madros will officially be abolished later this year.”
As Agnes explained everything, she suddenly shot a sharp look at the administrators. They flinched and looked away awkwardly.
She sighed and said,
“You know how brutal the Commander’s schedule is. If he gets held up here for too long, nothing is going to end peacefully.”
“Mm…”
I had to agree. I had no idea Schloitz handled the military so aggressively…
“So my first goal is to take care of everything I can before he returns from the hunt.”
Agnes looked determined now.
“Please stay behind me. They’ll never take me seriously otherwise.”
Fair enough—Agnes was the 8th Commander.
Unlike Raphael, who handled everything smoothly, or Dios, who tackled problems head-on, Agnes still felt like a newcomer.
She looked tense, and I wouldn’t be surprised if her sweaty palms were clenched tightly.
I tilted my head.
‘Just standing here won’t help her, will it?’
****
“The Supreme Commander has already changed, so why are you still asking for Lord Madros’s secondary seal?”
“That’s just how it’s always been, okay?”
“‘Always been’ doesn’t mean it’s the law!”
“A low-ranking 8th Commander dares to question our customs? Know your place!”
Agnes looked like she wanted to strangle someone—but she was barely holding it in.
Thank goodness she got some sleep during the carriage ride, or someone’s collar would’ve been grabbed by now.
Even the Nephile staff, who didn’t know the full situation, seemed a bit startled.
“Ahem… Sorry, but could you just go ask Lord Madros yourself?”
“You want me to get permission from someone who’s retired? When will Supreme Commander Schloitz be right here?”
“Then… When the Commander returns, we can discuss this further. We’ve got too much paperwork right now.”
There’s no time to discuss anything!
Agnes looked ready to scream. Her frustration was so obvious, I felt bad for her.
Just as I was about to step in—
The Chief, who had been silently observing everything like I was, suddenly turned and looked directly at me.
