"There's been a disturbing rumor going around among the knights lately." "A disturbing rumor. What on earth is it?"
Agnes pauses for a moment while continuing her report.
"That's... so absurd..."
"There's no need to be concerned, just tell me honestly."
I don't know what the rumor is, but if Agnes and I have heard it, it means it's already spread throughout the unit.
If that's the case, there's a high possibility that the members are already being affected in some way.
There was nothing wrong until yesterday. There's no way something like that could happen in one day, and it's possible that they only discovered a problem that had existed for a long time.
"There's a rumor that the commander is planning to adjust the knights' personnel selection. As the reputation of the knights has grown, they'll weed out the inferior talents and newly recruit excellent talents."
At the sound of such an embarrassing remark, I frowned and showed my displeasure without hiding it.
"This is truly ridiculous. Who on earth is the source of this rumor?"
"I guess I'll have to investigate further to find out... According to the report of Captain Rowan, such rumors started to circulate right after the Knights' Competition."
"This..."
What kind of nonsense is this?
I don't know what kind of filthy author did this, but if I get caught, I will never let it go.
"I'm sorry. As the vice-captain, I should have paid more attention to the internal affairs of the unit. I am largely responsible for this situation."
Agnes muttered, lowering her head with an expression of shame.
I calmed down and spoke as calmly as I could.
"No, wasn't your workload too much until recently? If the rumors that had been going around before are only now reaching my ears, I can't blame you. Lift your head."
"Yes. But if I had paid a little more attention..."
Agnes had been full of energy just a little while ago on her way to work. I didn't want to see her, who was the source of my daily energy, so depressed.
Also, there was no need for her to feel needlessly guilty about this incident. Did I get angry in front of her for no reason?
'This atmosphere is not good.'
I jumped up from my seat, hugged Agnes' small body tightly, and patted her on the back.
"Huh?! Manager?"
"Who told you to be so gloomy? This isn't really a serious matter. Lighten up your expression quickly."
"Haaah...!"
If it had been a normal boss-subordinate relationship, it wouldn't have been possible to lighten the mood like this, but it was possible because they were lovers.
As Agnes' face, which had turned bright red from the brief hug, quickly returned to her original appearance, I gave her an order with a smirk.
"First, summon all the white captains. It would be better for several of us to put our heads together rather than just two of us trying to fight. We should also listen to their reports."
"Yes!"
In this kind of case, finding a solution is the most urgent priority rather than judging who is right or wrong.
Furthermore, this incident was relatively light compared to the unpleasantness.
If nothing had happened yet and it was just a rumor that was spreading, it would be better to fix it right away.
When all the white captains gathered in the conference room, I briefly summarized the situation and asked for their opinions.
"…So, do you have any guesses as to why?"
"Hmm…."
It seemed that they were already aware of this incident to some extent, as they began to glance at each other.
After a battle of wits, the first one to open fire was Raoul, who was acting as the 3rd Hundredth Captain.
Normally, in cases like this, the youngest of the leaders, the 5th Hundredth Captain Kenneth, would step forward, but he linked arms with the other Hundredth Captains and watched the situation unfold.
He seemed to be somewhat satisfied, as if he was finally free from the role of the youngest.
"Ha... That's right, I... No, in my opinion, it seems like this happened because of a misunderstanding that arose due to the retirement of my predecessor, Sir Karl."
"Really? Now that I think about it, the grace period was until today."
"Yes. In fact, it's been a while since Sir Karl announced his intention to retire. He's been hinting at it since the day after the main office manifested the Aura, and he must have already made up his mind when he visited the commander."
"So, how is that connected to this situation?"
"T-That..."
Sir Raoul, who is just learning the job of a centurion. He still looks a little awkward, as if he hasn't gotten rid of his days as a ten-man captain.
In a place like this, he should be explaining only the core of the incident. Isn't he just lingering around?
Unable to stand by and watch, the 1st Hundred-man captain, Royce, sighed in frustration and continued the explanation in Raoul's stead.
"Whoa, I'll explain it for you. Currently, rumors are rife within the unit that Sir Karl's retirement was not a voluntary retirement, but rather a dismissal from his position due to incompetence."
"What?"
Listening to him, I finally started to understand what was going on.
Agnes, who had heard Sir Royce's explanation, swallowed her groan and sorted out the situation.
"Then, the rest of the subordinates are probably thinking that the centurion, Sir Karl, will be an example and that from now on, the relatively underperforming personnel will take their places one by one."
When I heard that, a question suddenly occurred to me and I asked the centurions.
"Why on earth did none of you report this to me? Didn't you all clearly say that there was nothing unusual at the commanders' meeting?"
The response I got back was so weak that it was almost a bit disappointing.
"Oh, so you weren't actually planning to do that? I thought that was definitely the case and was preparing to replace the personnel."
"I'm the same."
"Me too…"
So, is this an incident that could happen in any organization due to lack of communication happening in my unit?
This was the downside of the 'do your job neatly and tidy' culture unique to the Imperial Knights.
At this point, I even thought that this was largely my fault for neglecting my duties as a Knight Commander while spending a lot of happy times with my lovers recently.
Like Agnes said earlier, if Nana and her had paid a little more attention, this wouldn't have happened in the first place.
Their discipline must have been eroded by the successive successes. I pressed my eyebrows together and scolded my subordinates as I felt my frustration rising.
"I've never said anything like that, but do you usually believe the rumors that are floating around?"
"I'm sorry!"
Repentance burst out all at once. He didn't even make any excuses, but humbly admitted his mistakes.
Well, they were all a little disoriented, but they were all capable people in their own way. If we just let it slide, they'll be careful on their own.
"Everyone, submit a report... Phew, let's just let it slide this time. But next time, there will definitely be disciplinary action. Do you understand?"
"Yes! I understand!"
Anyway, the cause was identified, and now it was time to find a solution.
This incident was something that was bound to happen someday due to the nature of the Knights.
Knights are individuals who are far superior to ordinary humans and constantly hone their skills.
'This is really becoming a headache.'
If hundreds of such people gather, it's natural that there will be a distinction between the high and low, and if a group battle breaks out, it's inevitable that a few exceptional individuals will monopolize the action.
In that sense, those who lack achievements are rarely given the opportunity to prove their abilities, so they cannot help but feel a sense of crisis or impatience.
I am also aware of this fact, so I have taken measures to ensure that my subordinates have as many opportunities to grow as possible through regular training or inviting external advisors.
However, it seems that even that has reached its limit due to the Knights' War.
"Sir Raoul, go and call the administrator."
"Yes, Commander!"
As a commander, there were two major solutions to this incident.
First, as discussed earlier, replace those who lack ability with more capable personnel to increase combat power.
Second, somehow polish up the existing personnel and make them elite so that no one falls behind.
The first method has the advantage of being fast and convenient, but it also reduces the unity of the group itself, and there is a concern that the existing personnel will rebel and lower overall loyalty.
On the other hand, the second method is the most ideal solution 'if only it could be realized', but it has the fatal flaw of being extremely difficult to achieve.
"Did you call me, Commander?"
"Nice to meet you, Sir Bias. Please take a seat first."
"Thank you. But why did you come to the Commander's Meeting to find the Administrator...?"
If this were a battlefield, there would be no choice but to choose the first solution.
In a situation where life-threatening bloody battles continue day after day, and those who fall behind are literally falling to their deaths, considering the lack of personnel is nothing more than a meaningless luxury.
However, it is different now.
"I have not yet received the reward for winning the Knights' Competition. There is also some remaining reward for the conquest of the Persen County Territory. Isn't that right?"
"Yes, as you said."
"Combining the two, sending a training unit with an elixir of a level that can be consumed by more than 500 people and an instructor who has reached the realm of the mind. And expanding the unit's facilities. Can you request all three?"
"...I can't tell you anything specific right now. I think we'll have to submit a suggestion to the higher-ups to find out."
"Then let's do that. Let's start right away today."
The white captains gathered here all expressed shock at my declaration.
Officially, except for the basic salary of each individual knight, all rewards for the achievements of the knight order are paid in the name of the knight commander.
How to distribute it is entirely up to the knight commander's discretion.
It is a system that cannot help but be talked about, but the laws of the empire are originally quite advantageous to those who have. If you have any complaints, it means that you should go up to a higher position.
"Master! Of course I respect your intention to be generous, but is that really okay?"
"Oh my. If the Master himself said he would do it, why are you making a fuss?"
In other words, the Black Lion Knights without me would never have achieved this kind of achievement.
Also, if the main leaders had swallowed up most of the rewards and distributed the remaining dregs to their subordinates, as is customary in other knightly orders, there wouldn't have been a problem.
However, I am not so hungry for money that I would go that far.
I already have enough gold to spend my entire life, and I enjoy living a life of luxury.
Rather than oiling my stomach here, I will be happier to see my new subordinates grow little by little after the war ends.
"Well, I think my intentions have been conveyed by now. Let them correct the rumors on their own, and tell everyone to stop thinking useless thoughts and focus on training."
"Yes! I understand!"
Lacking skills and talent can be easily compensated for with constant effort and external factors, but people's loyalty is hard to obtain no matter what you do.
If this incident can lead to loyalty from my subordinates, wouldn't this level of investment be worth it?
In that way, the incident that started from a small rumor ended with a very satisfying result.
............…
Behind a large commercial district. A back alley located on a street with little light.
A small woman with a hood completely covering her face looked around continuously and headed somewhere.
Judging by her quick movements that were definitely not ordinary, she was clearly a knight who had trained in mana, or someone with similar skills.
Her destination was set.
[Make your night with your lover even hotter! A female-only adult goods store run directly by a succubus]
The woman stared at the pink signboard that made her blush for a long time with meaningful eyes before rushing inside, as if no one was watching.
"Oh my~ Welcome, customer! Oh my~ You're so beautiful that it makes you wonder why you came to a place like this? With that face, those breasts... Are you, unnie, gay?"
"I, absolutely not! I'm just..."
"Ahahaha! Just kidding, just kidding! Come here quickly! Everyone has a secret or two they want to keep. Our species is very~ tolerant of such things. Now, what should I show you first?"
"Ah, ahhhh...! Oh, how come these masculine things..."
At that moment, a blue ponytail peeked out from the gap in the woman's hood, who was completely flustered.
"Oh my, a medicine that makes you breastfeed even if you're not pregnant... Is this really a good thing?"
"Of course it's okay! In the name of our species, everything we sell in our store is absolutely harmless to the human body! How about one?"
"Sexy underwear? What the... does this even fit? I'll look around a little more."
"Yeah, yeah~ Of course~"
The butterfly effect caused by one man's clumsy push and pull.
The result is something he will have to endure alone.
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