Chapter 707
Episode 707 Summoning Order (2)
After hearing Kaislan’s story, I have a lot to think about.
That would be the case, the moment I show up to the public, I’ll be dragged to the military headquarters, and our clan could go to the dangerous front lines without me.
‘Should I just stay hidden underground like this?’
Lose three comrades
Having seen such records, the very idea of being separated from my colleagues is so unsettling.
but····
“I have to go, Captain.”
As if he could guess what I was worried about, Kaislan approached me in a persuasive tone.
“···I have to go?”
“Looking at the official document, it seems like it hasn’t been long since the summons was issued. The summons deadline has not yet passed, so there won’t be a problem, but if you don’t respond to the summons after the deadline, it could become a big problem later on.”
“For example?”
As if he was asking them to tell him everything, Kaislan cautiously opened his mouth.
“First of all, it will be a great stain on the captain’s reputation. Regardless of our circumstances, to others it will be no different from desertion. It will look like we ran away because we were afraid of the war.”
In short, it means that the name value of Baron Bjorn Jandel, the ‘giant’, will be thrown into the gutter.
I am not unaware of the value of fame, as I have been helped by it quite a bit since long ago.
but····
“That doesn’t matter at all, next time…”
Kaislan paused for a moment as he watched me answer without a moment’s hesitation, then chuckled.
“That is truly a captain-like answer.”
“Anyway, that’s enough, next time…”
“···The second is the damage the clan itself will suffer. As I said before, since it is classified as an act of ‘desertion,’ when the war ends, we will all stand on trial. And we will be severely punished. Desertion is considered a very serious crime under military law.
“If it is a severe punishment, what exactly will happen?”
“The death penalty is the greatest purpose of military law, which is to make an example.”
It was a story that could not be simply passed over like before.
If these many people were not going to hide their identities and live in the sewers for their entire lives,
“What if… Noark wins? Then he won’t be punished for desertion, right?”
“That may be so, but······”
When I spoke of what if, Kaislan looked at me and said firmly:
“There will be no defeat for the royal family.”
“How can you be so sure? The fact that the summons was issued in the first place means that the royal family was so driven that they had to ask for the help of explorers.”
“Well… I don’t think they were really driven out, they just lent a helping hand to reduce their own damage.”
After that, Kaislan drew the line and said to take into account his own opinion, but he couldn’t ignore it.
This guy was in the military.
No one knows the power of the royal family better than he does.
“Is there a third one?”
“The third is the captain.”
“···me?”
“Yes, it won’t go as far as ‘death penalty’ like ours, but in the worst case, they could revoke your title on the grounds of ‘desertion’.”
I wondered what was going on because he was giving me such a serious look.
“The random retrieval····”
In fact, the recovery of the title itself is good.
However, the problem is the members.
If the country had a proper title, it would have been possible to somehow prevent the ‘death penalty’.
“I don’t know what you’re so worried about, but can I just say a word to my captain?”
As soon as I stopped thinking and nodded, Kaislan looked at me with the eyes of a ‘soldier’.
“We didn’t follow you because we wanted to be your little brats.”
“······”
“I just want to go the same way as you.”
As soon as Kaislan finished speaking, everyone around him nodded in agreement.
“You’re letting me say what I’ve been wanting to say for a long time.”
In Amelia’s case, she had a really satisfied expression on her face, as if she had just drunk cider.
“You must go, Captain. The royal family will never be defeated. If you want to survive in this world, you must go now.”
In that situation, I had no choice but to nod my head in agreement with the straightforward words that followed.
“Okay, I’ll go, but I have something to do before that.”
“If you were to do it···?”
What could it be?
If I go out, you and I will have to break up?
“We will now elect a vice-captain.”
There has to be someone to lead the group during this time.
***
The position of Vice President, which has been vacant since its establishment,
Actually, I didn’t leave it empty on purpose, I wanted to fill it up a long time ago···
‘I guess I just ended up picking this now.’
Well, there are many reasons why I postponed the selection.
From the beginning, everyone felt uncomfortable with that position.
Even without a vice-president, the team was running smoothly with each member taking charge of their own field. In addition, the team members wanted a more horizontal atmosphere.
But from now on, it’s different.
“Vice-Chief… Are you speaking?”
“okay·”
There is a saying in the world:
A flock of sheep led by a lion is stronger than a flock of lions led by a sheep.
The role of the leader is that important.
thus····
“Is there anyone who would like to run for office?”
First, I asked the members indirectly, but no one raised their hand hastily.
Kaiserlan seems a bit greedy…
‘Those two are a bit unexpected.’
Bersil Gowland and James Calla, both former vice-captains of medium-sized clans.
In some ways, these two, who are more suited to this position than anyone else, seem to have no interest at all.
‘Is it because you know it’s a difficult position since you’ve done it once?’
Well, it’s not that I don’t understand.
Our clan is a little different from other clans.
Even if you become a vice-president, it is obvious that the ‘duty’ will be greater than the benefits such as power.
‘Hmm… Then who would be the right person for the job?’
In that sense, I looked at the members standing around me one by one.
Who is the most suitable for the vice-captain?
I don’t know yet, but one thing is certain:
The position of vice-president is not something that can be achieved just because I give it to you.
Of course, if I were to give the position of vice-captain to Auyen here, would the kids listen to me?
Only those who can create authority within the clan through their own power can take that position.
And in that sense···
Meland Kaislan·
At this level, the minimum standard has been met.
He has experience leading a group, and as a former soldier, he has some charisma, and···
‘Above all, he is good at strategy and tactics.’
The disadvantages are that they lack information and are not proactive because they have their own beliefs.
To put it simply, I’m saying that I’m a bit lacking in improvisation…
‘Amelia Rainwales·’
Amelia is just the opposite.
He always thinks and judges rationally and is good at improvising as he has experienced all sorts of things.
However, the group’s understanding is lower than that of Kaislan.
It’s not that I don’t have charisma, but I prefer to move alone····
‘I think everyone will be like that even if I take on the vice-captain position as an original member.’
Still, this was a huge advantage.
I need to get away from him right now and lead the clan, but I think everyone would accept him without question.
‘Bersil Gowland·’
···This is also one of the good options.·
He was the first member to join after the Icerock Expedition ended, so he has been in the clan for a relatively long time and has experience as a former vice-captain.
‘Well, I think I lack charisma compared to the other two····’
That’s because you’re a regular member, but you’ll act differently when you become a vice-captain.
‘He seems to be quite good at strategy and tactics… and when I listen to what he usually says, he doesn’t seem that old-fashioned or stubborn…’
When I organized it like this, it felt like Bersil was a mix of Amelia and Kaislan.
Exactly in the middle?
‘Anyway, other than these three, no other candidates come to mind.’
After looking through the remaining members, I narrowed down the candidates to three:
Well, Erwen and Misha are original members, but they are not fit to lead anyone.
“Excuse me… Vice-captain!! Can I… do it?!”
Not to mention Ainar.
“You stay still”
“Why! Didn’t I say that if there’s anyone who wants to do it, they should come forward!!”
“···You are excluded·”
“This is too much! Bjorn!! How can you treat me like this—·”
“Pnellin, the captain is speaking. Be quiet.”
As Amelia opened her eyes wide and spoke, Einar became quiet as if nothing had happened.
“······”
Well, looking at this, it seems like Amelia is the right choice····
“I’ll tell you in advance, I have no intention of doing it.”
“···huh?”
“Because you’ll never get along with me.”
Well, I guess you’re the only one who thinks that.
If you look closely, you will see that this child also has a habit of underestimating himself.
It’s similar to how Erwen and Misha never wear skirts or bright clothes.
Do you think that anything doesn’t suit you?
Without even trying it on
“But don’t worry. Whoever becomes the vice-captain, I will help them as hard as I did with you.”
Well, it would be wrong to force someone who talks like that to do something.
At this point, I have neatly given up on creating Deputy Commander Amelia.
“Since there is no one to run, I will take care of it—·”
“Me! I said I would do it… Aah! Why, why are you pinching me!”
The situation was brought to an end when Misha pinched Ainar’s waist, who was showing his will not to give up, and interrupted him once more.
“Since there are no candidates, I will make the decision. Meland Kaislan and Bersil Gowland. I think you are the right choice for the vice-captain position.”
“If you entrust me with it, I will not avoid that duty and burden.”
“Me too… In the end, someone has to do it.”
Okay, so these two are finished with their candidacies and…
There is only one process left.
If one of them gave up, I was going to let the other one do it, but since they both showed their will to do it…
“I will start voting now. All members come to me and whisper to me. Who do you think is more suitable for vice-captain?”
“A whisper… is that what you mean?”
“Don’t worry! I’ll keep your secret!”
“······”
James Calla looked somewhat bewildered, but did not voice any further objections.
and····
“Okay, let’s begin!”
That’s how the Bavarian-style secret ballot began.
The first one to start was Erwen, whom I had pointed out.
“Amelia Rainwales.”
···huh?
Did I hear something wrong?
“I just thought she would do it best.”
“No, but I still have to choose one of the two······”
“Then just abstain. It doesn’t matter who does it.”
“i get it·”
Then, from the beginning, there is one abstention (Amelia)
“I am Mr. Gowland… He seems a little nicer than Kaislan… “
The second, Misha, chose Bersil.
···I wonder what being good has to do with the vice-captain.·
‘···It’s not like we’re electing an elementary school class president or anything·’
I wondered if what I was doing was a popularity vote, but the subsequent votes were a bit better.
“Bersil Gowland·”
Amelia left after saying just one word.
“I would like to vote for Miss Gowland…”
James Calla, former vice-president
“If I had to trust my life to one of the two, I would choose Miss Gowland.”
Sven Parab, with his unique sense of survival.
“I will be Mr. Bersil Gowland.”
Liris Marone, who voted without any particular reason, cast one vote for Bersil, giving a total of five votes.
“I will go to Kaislan! It is better to be a knight than a wizard!”
“Hey… can you hear it all the way here?”
Ainar, who seemed unaware of the secret ballot, cast another vote, and Kaislan also got the first vote…
‘Then the result has already been decided.’
Voting is effectively over since the candidates have decided not to vote.
But I still wanted to hear opinions, so I called out the last person and had them vote.
“I, I······”
Auyen Rockrob, a navigator of plundering origins
Who will this guy pick?
“I think… it has to be you, Madam.”
It was a completely unexpected line.
“lady···?”
“Ah, no… Mr. Raines, I mean… No matter how much I think about it, it seems like there’s no one else who would be the most suitable for the position of Vice-Captain….”
Hehehe····
“Okay, then go back.”
“Yes… I’m sorry for talking nonsense”
“No, it is your freedom to express your opinion.”
Anyway, the vice-chairman election ended with Auyen finishing his vote and returning to his seat.
“······”
“······”
Kaislan and Bersil, with somewhat tense expressions.
Also, other members are curious about what the results will be.
“Don’t worry, Kaislan! Everyone would have chosen you! A knight is better than a sorcerer! Of course it’s going to be you!”
“Haha, don’t give her too much credit. Miss Gowland is also very capable. We won’t know until we see the results.”
Um… I’m hesitant to announce this because it happened so suddenly…
Well, I don’t plan on not doing it, but
“I will announce the results. Bersil Gowland received five votes and will now serve as the Vice-Captain of our Anabada Clan.”
When the first place winner was announced, Kaislan looked somewhat regretful but also relieved.
“Miss Gowland had five faces and I had three votes. If the difference is that small, it’s not that bad—”
“Emily Raines gets two votes, Meland Kaislan gets one vote.”
The voting results were as neatly organized as the expression on Kaislan’s face that I made a while ago.
That’s why Kaiserland took a long time to react.
“···Huh? What do you mean?”
“Is that literally true?”
When I shrug my shoulders naturally, Kaislan shouts as if it is nonsense.
“But Ms. Raines didn’t even participate in the vice-captain competition!”
Well, that’s true.
That’s why I thought I should just keep it to myself.
But if we do that, wouldn’t the fairness of the sacred secret ballot be compromised?
“Don’t worry, all the votes that went to Raines have been disqualified.”
So, cheer up.
“Kaislan, you are definitely in second place.”