Chapter 19: Chapter 10.1

“Is it Askan?”

“Yes, sir. As soon as I heard the news, I sent our Knights, but they had already been dealt with. Most of the beasts were of lower-level, but they also had one intermediate-level with special abilities.”

“Right… I see.”

Baron responded briefly to Lieutenant Alec’s report. In the first place, with the possibility of an attack in mind, his calculation was right to put Askan at the rear.

In order to lead an army efficiently and win a battle, it was necessary to use all of his resources effectively. The extra holy water that the priests brought was also part of his consideration. After all, wasn’t it the soldiers in his army that guarded the carriage full of holy water?

It was not much of a loss at all. They used resources that had to be returned to the system to compensate for its weakness. In addition, he just found a justification to pay Askan an additional allowance.

‘I can hand over the whole carriage,’ he thought.

Although Seira might be oblivious, Baron was actually trying to be considerate of Askan within the powers of the commander-in-chief. Like Damebon’s Pommel, Baron had never conceded to increase the number of personal encounters with Seira. Other than that, he supported her as much as he could.

Baron shook his head, ‘I am getting much too excited.’

Seira’s beaming face that stood out from the rest flashed in his mind.

Baron swallowed a groan. It was terrifying that his body turned hot as soon as he thought of her. He was extremely calm that no one would’ve noticed he had entered the rut phase, but the thought of Seira made him waver in an instant. A greedy hunger made him lose control of his Alpha’s instincts.

Seira Askan was the only stimulant in his life, to which he knew nothing of but martial arts to the extent people said he should marry his sword instead.

With his eyes glued forward, Baron’s hands clenched and released the reins of his horse. It was not a wide plain that reflected his bright yellow eyes, but that of a beautiful woman.

“Melton!”

As soon as his name was called, one of the knights in blue uniform who stood behind him approached Baron. He bowed his head to Baron and said, “Yes, my lord.”

The man was Melton Kernell, the Knight Commander of the Duke of Jeff.

“Encamp on the plains and search the surrounding area once more. It’s no use sending our men in if there’s a magic spell over it,” Baron instructed.

“Are you moving the knights?” Melton asked.

Baron nodded.

“Send them in groups of four in the case an intermediate-level beast appears. Sei… The Duchess Askan… I will go meet her at the place where the beasts were hiding.”

Melton saluted in acknowledgment, “Yes, sir.”

Baron turned his head after watching Melton deliver his orders to the knights. He wanted to go to Seira. Alec followed him closely behind.

Seira Askan stood out from a distance.

She was alone in a camp predominantly consisting of Alphas. Seira was slender, and ecstatically beautiful even when she was all covered in dust. Her platinum hair was dazzling under the midday sun. Her one-of-a-kind purple eyes were as mysterious as precious jewels.

Her wrist and ankle were exposed, but the first thing that attracted Baron’s attention was Seira’s fair nape. It was extremely tempting that any Alpha would want to sink his teeth into her.

Sure enough, Alphas from other noble families were glancing at Seira’s neck. Baron knew very well the promiscuous scenes that played in their minds.

Feeling frustrated, Baron hastened his pace. It wasn’t until he narrowed the distance between them that he started to notice everything else around the Duchess of Askan.

Aven Helford was right next to Seira, holding the reins in his hands. What they were talking about was vague, for only Seira’s laughter was clear to Baron. Other Knights of Askan were already on horseback too, waiting for orders to be issued.

Seira was about to receive the reins from Aven’s hand, but all of a sudden, her head turned to the side where Baron was approaching.

The smile on her face wavered, but she quickly recovered. Seira smiled even wider, as if she had swapped a mask on her face in the blink of an eye.

“Commander-in-chief,” she greeted him.

Alec held his breath as he stood next to Baron. It had now become common practice for those of Jeff’s knights who saw Seira. It was mostly for precaution – they were always reminded how terrifyingly enchanting the pure-blooded Omega’s beauty was every time they looked. Not to mention how strong her pheromones were.

She was one of the three Dukes of the empire, and the woman whom their master is greatly infatuated with. It was going to be a huge pain in the ass if she’d actually succeed in bewitching the whole of the Jeffs.

“What brings you here?” Seira asked without beating around the bush.

“I heard there was a battle,” Baron replied shortly.

Seira herself may be oblivious to how he felt, but to Alec’s ears, Commander-in-chief Baron’s voice was so sweet that it took him by surprise. Perhaps the same was true in his eyes. It was pretty much one of the rarest of occasions which could never be witnessed against anyone.

“Well, yes,” Seira said, and then quickly added, “it wasn’t much of a big deal. Although, there had been one intermediate-level mixed in.”

“It seems that the reconnaissance was not enough,” Baron sighed, “Good work.”

“What? I still need to look around again. There might be more of those intermediate-level beasts with magical affinities that we missed.”

“I’m going to send some knights to scout. And… I’m thinking of going to one of the beast’s possible hideouts.” Baron leaned toward her and whispered indiscreetly, “I want you to come with me.”

The corners of Seira’s lips raised as she met his gaze.

“For free?” she asked him.

“Absolutely not,” Baron shook his head, “Don’t you need a carriage to carry holy water?”

A mischievous grin spread over Seira’s face, “Oh? Are you giving it to me?”

“Yes,” the commander-in-chief confirmed.

Seira was quick to accept his proposal. In addition to the holy water, there was quite a lot she had to take with her.

“Okay, then I’ll be your guide,” she waved for Baron to follow her.

Aven had quietly watched and listened to their conversation from the sidelines. He handed over the reins to Seira and she gladly took them. The Duchess then put her foot on the stirrups before finally heaving herself up onto the horse’s back.