The Knight Commander Abandoned The Kingdom

To the Empire

‘Excuse me, but is it still far?’

‘We’re almost there. Just around this corner, one more block…’

‘That’s the third time you’ve said that.’

After walking for 30 minutes, Leon was beginning to lose faith in the woman before him.

‘See~ We’re really here now. This is the Blackwood Inn that my father runs.’

Following Anne’s guidance, they arrived at a modest inn.

It was an inn that showed its age while blending well with its surroundings – though somewhat worn, it was still something.

Above all, the homely feeling of this place brought back old memories for Leon.

The nostalgia of those happier times was truly welcome to him.

‘It’s quite shabby, isn’t it? Our inn has quite a bit of history.’

Anne was concerned that Leon might be disappointed as he stood there in a daze, but

‘Ah, I apologize. I was just lost in thought because I like the inn so much.’

Her face brightened at Leon’s sincere compliment.

‘Hehe, you don’t have to say that. It’s so old now that we barely get any customers. These days, father doesn’t even visit the inn.’

True to her words, there were hardly any people at the inn, but unlike its worn exterior, the interior was kept immaculately clean.

Without affection, such maintenance would be impossible.

‘Despite what you say, it seems you care deeply for this inn.’

‘How did you know? Well, this inn holds memories of my childhood, so it’s a special place for me.’

Watching Anne smile brightly as she said this, Leon realized why the inn felt so familiar to him.

Unlike his own sanctuary that now existed only in memories, this place remained intact as someone’s warm remembrance.

Though not exactly jealous, Leon somewhat envied her.

‘Cherish it well. Regret comes too late after something is lost.’

As Leon spoke with a faint smile, his expression seemed somewhat sorrowful, which stirred something in Anne’s heart.

‘Um, would you like to have a drink with me? I’ll treat.’

Though Anne was subtly flirting,

‘I’m sorry. While I appreciate the offer, I still have a long way to go to my destination.’

Leon politely declined.

‘…If that’s the case, I can’t help it. Since we don’t have any guests today, please use whichever room you like.’

Anne, who had confidently made her move only to be cleanly rejected, felt quite embarrassed.

Though she didn’t like to say it herself, she had been quite confident in her looks.

‘Thank you for your consideration.’

Leon tactfully excused himself, noticing that her ears had turned red despite her attempt to appear composed.

And so, the day at the inn came to an end.

***

Anne was a beautiful woman.

How many men could resist falling for her alluring smile?

Yet there was one reason why I rejected Anne’s subtle advances.

It was because Alice, who had spent a lifetime with me – or should have – still remained in my heart.

I still cannot understand why she left me.

Killing just one noble wasn’t a problem at all. Alice meant everything to me.

Even if it meant living as a fugitive, I would have gladly abandoned everything to spend my life with Alice.

Though she surely knew this, she left my side without a word. Perhaps I’ll never see her again for the rest of my life.

To Alice, I wasn’t such a precious existence.

Though I understood it intellectually, it would take more time to fully accept this fact.

What’s clear is that even if I meet Alice again, our relationship can’t be the same as before.

With these thoughts, I set out on my journey again.

‘Thank you for your hospitality.’

‘Are you leaving already? I prepared breakfast.’

Though Anne spoke with regret, she knew she couldn’t stop Leon’s footsteps. After all, this wasn’t his destination.

‘I’m already sorry for imposing on you this much. I’ll repay this kindness someday.’

‘Come to think of it, you don’t look like a traveler. Where are you headed?’

‘I’m heading to the Empire, hoping to find work. I hope we’ll meet again.’

Though Anne felt regretful watching Leon leave without looking back, she collected herself.

Hoping, as the man said, that they would meet again.

***

If asked about the most powerful nation on the continent, anyone would mention the Empire.

The Empire’s status was as powerful as all other countries combined.

Naturally, many wish to live under the Empire’s protection, but that privilege isn’t easily obtained.

The Empire’s threshold is too high for foreign criminals, and the only way for outsiders to be recognized as Imperial citizens is to demonstrate overwhelming talent.

And now, Leon found himself in a difficult situation at the Empire’s gateway.

‘What’s your name?’

‘Leon Meyer.’

‘And where are you from?’

‘Ragion.’

Hearing this, the guard burst into laughter and waved his hand dismissively.

‘Hahaha!! If you’re Leon from Ragion, then I’m the Sword Saint. Seems you’re trying to hide your identity, but you can’t enter the Empire without revealing your accurate status.’

From the guard’s perspective, it was preposterous. Why would that Leon be in a place like this?

However, Leon, who had no idea what was going on, started to get irritated after arguing.

Setting aside how the guard knew of him, why wouldn’t he believe him?

‘This conversation isn’t going anywhere. How can I make you believe that I am Leon?’

‘Well, you’d need proof. I heard Sir Leon has a lifelong companion, but you’re alone, aren’t you?’

Leon considered explaining but gave up. He didn’t want to dredge up painful memories.

The Empire wasn’t the only country in the world.

It seemed he had no particular connection to the Empire after all. As he was about to turn away with this thought, a figure descended behind the guard.

The emblem on their chest and the distinctive black uniform matched the characteristics of the Imperial Intelligence officer he had seen before.

‘Y-you are?’

The guard, positioned at the bottom of the Empire’s hierarchy, turned pale at the appearance of his far superior.

Before he could say anything, the man in the black uniform began beating the guard.

‘You crazy bastard!! Do you even know what you’ve done?’

“Ugh! I-I’m so sorry!!”

The suddenly appearing man, after thoroughly beating the guard, quickly bowed his head to me.

“I apologize for the late greeting, Sir Leon. I am Jade from the Empire’s Intelligence Department. Please forgive this fool’s rudeness. The Empire has been looking for you.”

“Ah, yes. Nice to meet you.”

Actually, there was nothing to forgive. The guard had been beaten quite severely just for failing to recognize one person.

However, the man called Jade seemed to think it wasn’t enough.

“If you were offended, I apologize again. That incompetent fellow will be dismissed immediately, so please let go of your anger.”

“That won’t be necessary. I think he’s already paid enough for his mistake.”

Though I was a bit annoyed earlier, we couldn’t ruin someone’s life over something like this.

“Thank you for your merciful decision.”

The intelligence officer finally calmed down at my words.

“But what do you mean the Empire was looking for me?”

“Exactly that. When news spread that you had left Ragion, countries across the entire continent, including the Empire, have been desperate to find your whereabouts.”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“Other countries?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“……”

Leon couldn’t understand those words. How could it make sense that other countries would be searching for a knight from a small country in the frontier?

Jade couldn’t understand Leon’s attitude either. Why was he pretending not to know when his legendary feats were famous across the entire continent?

Thinking that perhaps Leon was trying to raise his price, Jade decided to play along.

“You don’t need to be so modest. Sir Leon’s reputation has spread across the entire continent.”

“That’s exactly what I don’t understand…”

Jade continued his recruitment attempt, paying no mind.

“Whatever treatment you desire, we can offer more. The Empire has such capabilities, and Sir Leon deserves such treatment. Instead of staying here, how about meeting with the person in charge?”

“Uh… should I?”

I ended up following Jade without much thought.

Though I didn’t know what this was all about, I had come here looking for work anyway.

Since they were welcoming me, it wouldn’t be wise to pour cold water on the situation.

At our destination, there was an elderly man who exuded an extraordinary presence.

“I couldn’t believe it, but the rumors were true. This is unbelievable.”

“Do you know me?”

The old man let out a dry laugh at my question.

“Heh heh, I know you very well. I suppose I should introduce myself. I’m Elric. Though you might not know the name of this has-been old man.”

“!!”

My thoughts froze for a moment at this all-too-familiar name.

Elric Baldwin. The protagonist of the stories my father always told me when I was young.

The name of a legendary hero.