Chapter 72

As promised, we were supposed to pull back the army, so we had retreated to the fort’s position.

Since the agreement was only with the noble I met face-to-face, the units under people like Herbert and Werner were to continue pressuring other nobles.

According to reports from the Beastmen, the noble we made the promise with hasn’t disbanded their army. However, it seems there are no signs of them preparing for an attack.

Well, in a sense, we remained at the fort as a reserve force.

But it’s so boring…

While sitting in a chair, I bask in the sunlight.

Occasionally, I take out my notebook to write, either to organize memories from my previous life or the current situation. But overall, it’s still pretty boring.

I glance at Kurt, who is standing next to me.

“Kurt. How’s it going lately?”

No, wait. That was a poor attempt at conversation.

I was so bored that I tried to make small talk with Kurt, but I did such a bad job of it.

“I’ve been living fulfilling days.”

He still responds earnestly, which is kind of sweet.

“I see. Is there anything troubling you lately?”

When I ask this, Kurt pauses for a moment to think.

“Troubling things…? There’s one thing.”

“Oh? What is it?”

As their superior, I want to be sympathetic and help resolve any troubles knights like him may have. Of course, I can only do so much.

“I don’t need any time off. I just want to stay by my lord’s side. If possible, I’d like my room to be next to my lord’s…”

Eh…

This feels more like a yandere kind of devotion than simple loyalty… Is that okay? What if the moment I disappoint him, he stabs me from behind?

“No time off for you, then. Denied.”

In this world, there’s obviously no system like the two-day weekends from my previous life. But I believe rest is important, so I make sure to allow it.

After all, knights and nobles are often tied up during wars for long hours. So, I want them to rest when they can, except during such times.

“Resting allows you to keep going, you know?”

“But… my lord doesn’t take rest, does he?”

“Ugh…”

He hit the painful spot.

It’s not my fault! There’s work to train civil officials, and there aren’t enough hands!

I want a break too… But there’s just too much I have to do.

“My lord should try to relax a little more.”

“…I’ll see what I can do.”

Well, even if I get a break, I don’t think much will change. It feels uncomfortable when everyone else is working so hard and I’m not doing anything. I guess this is what they mean by peer pressure?

Well, maybe the lower ranks find it hard to rest if the higher-ups don’t.

I didn’t learn about the mindset of being a superior in my previous life…

“Well, there’s nothing to do right now. Please take some rest, my lord. If anything comes up, I’ll wake you.”

“…I’ll take you up on that.”

I get up from my chair and head toward the barracks. As I do, a certain thought crosses my mind, and I turn to look back at Kurt.

“If it’s something trivial, don’t hesitate to wake me.”

I’d be troubled if he held back too much.

“As you command, my lord.”

Hey, don’t look so disappointed.

I know he’s doing it out of consideration for me, and I appreciate it.

I give Kurt a warning and then crawl into the bed in the barracks.