The Imperial Army Headquarters seemed to have regained stability and balance now that the vacancies for division captains had been filled. However, as the saying goes, "A tragedy up close, a comedy from afar," a closer inspection revealed that it wasn’t entirely peaceful.

The surge in monster appearances in the major mountainous regions surrounding the capital remained unresolved.

It wasn’t uncommon for monsters to appear more frequently during certain periods. The dark energy and mana monsters carried naturally attracted their kin, creating a vicious cycle as the accumulated energy summoned even more monsters. The magical community referred to this phenomenon as the "Monstrum Cycle." While this cycle generally resolved itself over time with consistent and effective monster eradication, it was often not too dangerous, as the monsters that appeared were typically of lower or intermediate rank.

Yet, for weeks now, the Imperial Army had been grappling with this cycle.

“Lately, I feel more like a monster disposal machine than a soldier.”

“Exactly.”

Philip sighed deeply, having just returned to headquarters via warp. Beside him, Milo, a senior officer of the 1st Division, looked equally worn out, sighing heavily as they walked.

“It feels like it used to be easier somehow,” Milo said, waving his fists lightly in the air as if testing his strength. “Philip, do you think I’m getting old?”

“You’re still in your prime. Don’t say such things.”

Philip glanced sympathetically at Milo, whose exhaustion was evident. Milo specialized in close-combat magic and was always on the front lines during monster subjugation missions. Naturally, his stamina was drained much faster than his peers.

“Then again, maybe it’s because of that—because of the Detached Force’s absence,” Milo muttered, causing Philip to flinch slightly. He didn’t refute it, though.

“Philip, I’ve come to realize something through all of this.”

“What’s that?”

“How crucial the Detached Force is to this army.”

Milo wasn’t the only one expressing such sentiments. Philip, known for his easygoing personality and reliability as a senior officer, often mingled with soldiers from various units. In these conversations, the same remark surfaced time and time again.

They hadn’t realized just how significant the Detached Force’s role was.

“Well, that’s true, but…”

“But what?” Milo tilted his head, sensing hesitation in Philip’s tone.

“Don’t you think it’s more about the former captain, Luke, than the Detached Force itself?”

“…”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Philip looked bewildered as Milo stared at him silently.

“It’s just… surprising. Hearing something positive about Luke from you feels a bit strange.”

“I wasn’t trying to say something positive, per se…”

Philip trailed off, unable to finish his sentence. However, as he found himself amidst conversations about the Detached Force’s role, thoughts of Luke naturally surfaced. Whenever someone mentioned how incredible Luke had been, it felt oddly cathartic, as if someone had voiced a truth Philip couldn’t bring himself to say.

“Why did he retire, though?”

“Coming from a fan of the Commander, that’s rich,” Milo teased with a chuckle.

Philip had admired Theo since his days as the 1st Division Captain, to the point of taking on the role of an unofficial aide despite being a mid-ranking officer. Naturally, this meant Philip harbored little goodwill toward Luke. When Theo surpassed Luke to become Commander-in-Chief, Philip had felt triumphant. Hearing of Luke’s retirement had surprised him, but he had been relieved, believing it removed a potential irritant to Theo.

Yet, within just a few months, his perspective had shifted entirely.

“Maybe it’s because he didn’t get the Commander position.”

“Even so, retiring without a word doesn’t make sense to me.”

“Think about it. That man caused all kinds of trouble trying to reach the top. If he couldn’t achieve his goal, maybe he just gave up.”

This explanation was the most commonly accepted reason for Luke’s departure. Having committed questionable acts in his pursuit of power, it wasn’t far-fetched to believe he left when he failed to secure the ultimate prize.

“About that…”

Philip had once believed the same. However, as he mulled it over repeatedly, a nagging question began to form.

“Do you think Luke was really such a bad person?”

“Hmm?” Milo hesitated, caught off guard by the unexpected question. Previously, if Philip had posed such a question to random soldiers, they would have scoffed and dismissed it as obvious.

“Not sure.”

But Milo, scratching his head, found himself unable to respond decisively.

At that moment, soldiers walking ahead of them suddenly halted and saluted sharply. Philip and Milo instinctively raised their hands in salute before recognizing the figure approaching.

“Returning from a subjugation mission?” Theo asked.

“Yes, sir!”

Theo briefly scanned the weary faces of the 1st Division soldiers before offering Philip a faint smile.

“Well done.”

With that, Theo resumed his stride, heading toward his destination. Philip, lowering his hand awkwardly, stared after him, lost in thought.

“Philip? What’s wrong?”

“Did you see the Commander’s face just now? He looked completely exhausted…”

“You haven’t heard?” Milo sighed, patting Philip’s shoulder. “The Commander’s stress and fatigue levels are through the roof these days.”

“What?”

Philip’s eyes widened. Stress and fatigue didn’t seem to align with the image of Theo, who was known for his composure and rationality. While it was understandable that the demands of his position could wear him down, it was hard to reconcile Theo with the idea of being overly sensitive or irritable.

“Turns out the Commander’s human after all. Come on, we’ll be late reporting to Captain Roena.”

Unaware of Philip’s concerned gaze, Theo continued toward the main building. After exchanging brief greetings with Sion, he entered his office, only to notice Sion following him inside.

“Do you have something to report?” Theo asked.

“Not exactly…” Sion cleared his throat, as if gathering courage. Whatever he was about to say seemed significant.

“Commander, did you know you’ve never taken leave?”

“I’m aware. I just haven’t had a reason to.”

Though some time had passed since Theo assumed the role of Commander-in-Chief, he had yet to take even a single day off. He had worked tirelessly without rest since day one.

“With all due respect, sir, Vale once said that resting is also part of the job.”

Sion’s words were earnest, almost formal, but Theo could only part his lips slightly in response, unable to form a reply.

“Many are worried about you, Commander.”

Rumors about Theo’s recent change in demeanor had already spread throughout the military. The once radiant and vigorous new Commander had, at some point, begun to grow increasingly tense, as if suffocated by an invisible weight.

“A superior who causes concern among his subordinates is unfit for command.”

“No one thinks that way, sir. Everyone respects you deeply. But even just a day off could make a difference.”

It wasn’t wartime. While the issue of monster subjugation persisted, Theo’s absence for a single day wouldn’t worsen or improve the situation.

“I wouldn’t even know what to do with myself. I don’t have any hobbies.”

If he stayed holed up in his residence, Theo would inevitably find himself buried in family matters instead of resting.

“How about visiting the outskirts? Or perhaps Rudrain Square? There’s plenty to see there.”

“Square…” Theo tapped his desk rhythmically, deep in thought.

“I don’t think I’ll be going there.”

The mention of the square brought back memories he would rather forget: the Fountain of the Path’s Beginning, the dessert streets of Third Avenue, and a companion he had walked alongside. Shaking off the thoughts, Theo quickly turned his attention back to the present.

“Well, the square would be crowded with people who recognize you,” Sion said, unaware of Theo’s inner turmoil.

“Do you have any recommendations for places on the outskirts?” Theo asked, brightening Sion’s expression immediately.

“What about Ermen? It’s a village south of the capital that’s becoming a popular tourist spot.”

Theo nodded slightly, recalling his previous visit to the area for monster subjugation with the local guard.

“I’ll consider it.”

Theo reached for a document tucked neatly on his desk—none other than the military’s leave policy. Detailed regulations about vacation entitlements for soldiers were outlined on the page.