It had been about eight months since Theo assumed the role of Commander-in-Chief. The monster surge that had caused significant trouble a few months prior was finally stabilizing.

However, this stability was not because the Detached Force had found its footing. Dylan, the new captain of the Detached Force, was still struggling to adapt. As a result, other divisions had gradually started reshaping their strategies to operate independently, relying less on the Detached Force. In response, Theo had begun personally overseeing Dylan’s training.

“Sion, I’ll head to the training grounds and then make it to the meeting room on time, so there’s no need to arrange anything separately.”

“Yes, Commander.”

Theo’s demeanor had shifted noticeably since his appointment as Commander-in-Chief eight months ago. Specifically, after returning from a solo vacation recommended by his aide, Sion, the murmurs about Theo’s irritability or unusual behavior had completely disappeared.

He seemed as if he had either fully regained his composure or completely let go of something, bringing a sense of ease to his presence. This change contributed to the Imperial Army’s steady operation.

“Dylan, you can’t just rely on quick hand movements.”

“Yes, sir!”

At the training grounds, Theo was once again sparring diligently with Dylan. If Dylan continued to underperform, his evaluation would inevitably decline. Repeated failures could force him to step down as captain.

If that happened, not only would they have to select a new captain, but the carefully balanced and stabilizing structure of the Detached Force might falter. Frequent leadership changes would harm morale and disrupt the cohesion of the troops.

“Put more strength into your lower body,” Theo instructed.

Dylan was doing his best to keep up with Theo’s pace, but after 30 minutes of intense training, he finally collapsed to his knees on the training ground.

“That’s enough for today. Take a break; we’ve got a meeting soon.”

“Th-thank you,” Dylan panted, wiping the sweat pouring down his face with a towel.

Theo looked at him with a tinge of pity. Dylan’s reputation had plummeted since his promotion. As a senior soldier, he had been regarded as skilled and experienced, but the high expectations of his new role made him seem inadequate by comparison.

If Dylan had been assigned as a captain in a regular division rather than the Detached Force, he might have adapted and performed well by now.

“Dylan, as I always say, don’t lose your confidence.”

“I’ll remember that.”

“The captain of the Detached Force is a special role compared to other captains. You’ll adjust soon enough.”

Dylan smiled awkwardly and lowered his head.

“Actually… when I was a senior soldier, I didn’t have a favorable opinion of Captain Luke.”

As a senior soldier, Dylan had served in the 3rd Division under Mile’s leadership. Soldiers often absorbed the characteristics and biases of their division leaders, just as many from the 1st Division admired and respected Theo. Mile had been one of Luke’s detractors, so it wasn’t surprising that members of the 3rd Division held similar views.

“But now that I’ve been in his position, I understand.”

“Understand what?”

“That he was truly incredible…”

Theo pressed his lips into a thin line. The irony wasn’t lost on him. When Luke had been part of the military, he had been criticized, hated, and ridiculed, both behind his back and openly. But after his departure, perceptions of him had gradually reversed.

“Commander, may I ask you something?”

Theo nodded.

“Do you happen to know where Captain Luke is or what he’s doing now?”

“I don’t.”

Theo cut him off sharply, his tone leaving no room for further questions. It was as if he were warning Dylan not to pursue the topic.

“Refrain from discussing those who are no longer soldiers. The meeting starts soon—wrap up and head out.”

“Yes, sir!” Dylan replied, his voice louder and more formal than usual, regretting his question. Of course, bringing up Luke—Theo’s longtime rival—and even asking about his whereabouts was bound to irritate him. Dylan resolved to be more mindful in the future as he finished tidying up the training grounds.

By now, Theo’s presence in the meeting room had become familiar. He adeptly led the discussion, reviewing the documents Sion had prepared.

“The number of monster subjugations reported by each branch is increasing,” Theo noted.

“That seems to be the case, likely due to the overall rise in monster numbers,” Roena promptly replied.

The report detailed the monster subjugation counts from the Empire’s eastern, southern, western, and northern branches. As Theo carefully examined the data, one section caught his attention.

“The number of high-tier monsters subjugated by the western branch seems to have decreased compared to the previous report. Is that correct?”

The captains turned their attention to the section in question.

“Yes, it appears so. It’s definitely lower than the last count,” Seth confirmed.

Theo furrowed his brow. Monster numbers had been steadily increasing over the years, including high-tier ones, so naturally, the military’s subjugation numbers should have risen accordingly. The decrease was puzzling.

“Monster activity in the western region hasn’t declined, so this is unusual,” Theo mused, tapping the table with his fingers—a habit he had when deep in thought. The captains exchanged uneasy glances, as they couldn’t pinpoint a clear reason for the anomaly.

“The western branch is managed by Calon, correct?”

“Yes, that’s correct,” Seth replied.

Calon was the head of the Kyleum branch and a highly capable soldier. Known for his rationality and intelligence, he was often compared to Theo, with soldiers referring to him as “the Theo of the west.” It was unlikely that someone of his caliber would handle his duties carelessly.

“Commander,” Leo interjected cautiously, raising his hand.

“Go ahead,” Theo nodded.

“Well, it’s just a rumor I heard, and I can’t verify its accuracy…”

“That’s fine. Let’s hear it.”

“During my recent leave, I met a merchant from the west at a tavern. He mentioned something interesting…”

Leo had a wide social circle, owing to his laid-back and easygoing nature. As such, he often picked up stories and rumors from various sources. While most were exaggerated or false, occasionally, there was a grain of truth worth noting.

“He said there’s an unusual mercenary mage active in the west.”

“Unusual?”

The comment piqued Theo’s interest, and all eyes in the room turned to Leo.

“Yes, according to the merchant, this mage is highly skilled and capable of easily subjugating mid-tier or higher monsters.”

So the decrease in subjugation numbers wasn’t due to a drop in monster activity or negligence by the branch—it was because someone outside the military had been handling it. A mercenary with such abilities was surprising. Typically, those with that level of skill joined the military or the Imperial Knights.

“What do you mean by unusual?” Mile asked.

Leo stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“No one knows what this mercenary looks like.”

The room buzzed with surprise.

“Unknown? How is that possible?”

Theo’s frown deepened. Mercenaries typically delivered monster carcasses to the military to claim their bounties.

“According to the merchant, this mage leaves the scene immediately after defeating the monsters, without touching the bodies.”

“Not even collecting the bounty?” Mile let out a skeptical laugh. “What kind of mercenary doesn’t take the reward?”

“It’s just hearsay, so I can’t confirm the details,” Leo admitted.

Theo fell silent, pondering the implications. With the rise in monster activity, freelance mercenaries had naturally increased in number, assisting the military and easing its workload. The relationship was mutually beneficial—mercenaries earned money, and the military gained extra hands.

But a mercenary who didn’t take the bounty and avoided recognition? That was highly unusual.

“Leo, do you know where this merchant said the mage was active?”

“Herba, in Kyleum,” Leo replied.

That was where the western branch was located.

“...I may need to arrange an inspection soon.”

The rhythmic tapping of Theo’s fingers on the desk came to an abrupt stop.