Theo asked the question casually while Sion helped him prepare to leave the office.

“By the way, Sion, how’s the list of candidates for the next Detached Force Captain coming along?”

Sion’s previously composed expression twisted into an awkward smile.

“Apologies, Commander. It might take a little more time.”

“I don’t mind, but… is there a problem? Something difficult about it?”

Sion was an exceptionally competent aide. He always carried out his responsibilities with utmost precision, anticipating what Theo needed without being told and meticulously preparing everything. He was professional yet personable, maintaining good relationships even with the more difficult division captains.

Seeing Sion so hesitant now was a first for Theo, and it raised a slight concern. Perhaps the workload was finally getting to him. After all, Theo was still settling into his role as Commander-in-Chief, and Sion might very well be feeling the weight of that transition.

“Well, the thing is…”

“Sion, just say it. I may be your superior, but I’m also your colleague in this.”

“It’s not that the work itself is overwhelming. The real issue is finding someone worthy of becoming the next Detached Force Captain.”

Sion scratched his head and gave an embarrassed laugh.

“As you know, the Detached Force Captain is in a position as unique as the 1st Division Captain. The role demands mobility, as well as the ability to act decisively when operations don’t go according to plan.”

Theo didn’t argue. The Detached Force was a unit that specialized in unpredictable and high-stakes missions. They struck quickly, hit hard, and adapted instantly when plans fell apart. In monster hunts, they were the first line of attack, setting the stage and minimizing damage.

To lead such a unit, the captain needed strategic brilliance, a calm resolve, and unmatched combat prowess to take down threats personally if necessary. Given the unit’s small size, its success hinged almost entirely on the captain’s ability.

“Finding someone even remotely as capable as… well, the previous captain is proving to be the hardest part,” Sion admitted, trailing off.

“Just compile a list of candidates who meet the basic qualifications and performed well in combat evaluations. I’ll review it myself.”

“But…”

“There won’t be anyone in this army who matches the previous captain’s abilities,” Theo said, cutting off Sion’s hesitation as he exited the room.

He didn’t wait for a response.

Even though he’d come to terms with Luke’s departure, Theo’s expression darkened slightly at the mere thought of him. Luke had left the military and vanished, cutting all ties as if he’d been waiting for this moment. It was a fact that wouldn’t change, and Theo had no desire to dwell on it any longer.

There was no real reason for it. Yet every now and then, when he thought of the silver-haired man’s dazzling smile, a heaviness settled deep within him, like a stone pressing against his chest.

Shaking off those thoughts, Theo entered the mana preservation zone and used the teleportation array to head to the southern district’s 15th Guard Station.

His failure to send advance notice resulted in quite a stir when he arrived. The guards’ expressions turned to stone as soon as they saw him.

“The person who defeated the monster—is he still here?”

“Yes, Commander! He is currently detained within the station.”

“Detaining someone who saved countless lives from a monster. Interesting choice.”

Theo’s sharp comment sent the guard scrambling for words, eyes darting nervously.

“Well, sir, the shipping company filed a formal complaint directly with us… The fact remains that the ship was severely damaged, and we’re required to respond when a report is filed…”

“The guard stations in this city have much to learn.”

The weight behind Theo’s words shut the man up instantly. All he could do was wish fervently for this ordeal to end quickly.

“This way, sir.”

As Theo turned a corner, he stopped abruptly. Something—some faint presence—caught his attention. He turned his head, scanning the empty corridor.

“What is it, sir?” the guard asked, puzzled.

“Nothing,” Theo replied, shaking his head.

It must have been his imagination. His senses were probably on edge due to a lack of sleep.

“This way, Commander. The suspect is—wait… What? Where did he go?”

The guard’s shocked voice echoed through the hallway as he realized the room was empty. He rushed out, frantically questioning his colleagues to see if anyone had noticed the detainee leaving.

Meanwhile, Theo walked calmly to the desk and picked up a small, yellow note left behind.

[Be right back. Bathroom break.]

“...This bastard.”

The handwriting was jagged and uneven, as if deliberately disguised. It was the kind of trick someone would use when they wanted to conceal their penmanship.

Theo recalled the faint presence he’d sensed earlier and immediately stepped out of the room. Following the trail, he reached the back of the building.

There, just past the door, he saw a figure in a dark brown robe, hood pulled low over their head, trying to slip away.

“You there,” Theo called out.

The figure froze, their back still to him.

“You don’t look like one of the guards. Who are you?”

The person didn’t respond, tugging their hood further down instead.

“Identify yourself. This is an Imperial Guard Station, under the jurisdiction of the Empire. If I find your presence suspicious, I will use force.”

Theo began walking forward, his footsteps soft but deliberate on the dirt path. For some reason, his heart was beating faster than it should have. There was no mana, no killing intent emanating from this figure—so why did he feel so unsettled?

The robed figure still didn’t move. Theo reached out a hand to grab their shoulder when—

“Commander!”

A guard’s voice called out from the building, drawing Theo’s attention for the briefest of moments.

“Ah, damn it.”

By the time Theo turned back, the figure was already vaulting effortlessly over the high wall.

He hesitated, debating whether to give chase. But if that person was truly suspicious, they wouldn’t have been allowed to wander freely. Criminals were held securely in the station’s underground cells.

So maybe they were a guard after all? Yet scaling the wall like that was anything but normal.

Theo sighed, releasing the tension in his shoulders. He had other priorities right now.

“Commander, there you are…!” The guard appeared, panting heavily.

“Has the suspect returned from the bathroom?”

“Well… It seems he’s… escaped, sir.”

Theo raised an eyebrow.

“We explained everything—that the monster subjugation would be officially recognized, and the complaint would be dropped. I didn’t think he’d actually run away. But we’ve already sent out men to search the area—”

“It’s pointless,” Theo interrupted, his voice low and final.

“Pardon?”

“He’s already gone.”

Theo gestured toward the high wall, and the guard paled.

The Commander-in-Chief had personally come to investigate a monster incident, only for the suspect to escape. It was a monumental failure.

“The individual’s identification document—please tell me you had him fill it out.”

“Of course, sir!”

The guard handed over the document confidently. Theo skimmed the paper, then let out a dry, disbelieving laugh.

Name: Sebastian
Age: 52

The guard looked confused as Theo shook his head.

“That man never intended to leave anything truthful behind.”

Theo stared out toward the wall the man had disappeared over, his expression unreadable.