The Forest Race Clonne

Chapter 6

“What? You refused the transfer offer?”

The office became uproarious as the news spread. Roil’s reaction was particularly strong.

“Getting into the Operations Team is like getting a promotion! And the investigation department is the most promising of all! Why on earth did you refuse?”

“It seemed too busy.”

“Of course, it’s busy! That’s why it’s called the Operations Team! But it also comes with higher pay and rank!”

“That’s true.”

“That’s true? Hey, remember you’ve been at the bottom for three years? You know promotion opportunities are rare for us commoners! How much longer are you going to watch people who joined after you climbed the ranks? This was a once-in-a-lifetime golden chance!”

This is why I hadn’t wanted to say anything. Watching him jump around like this made me sigh. If the Investigation Head hadn’t come personally, this could have blown over quietly. Even thinking about it again made me click my tongue.

“I like things as they are. I don’t want to be any busier.”

“You really…!”

“Hmph, he knows his place well.”

A sharp voice cut in. A man with curly blonde hair stood elegantly with his arms crossed, glaring in my direction—Adol Lucen, a noble like the chief.

“You made the right choice. The Operations Team is mostly composed of nobles. How could a commoner like you possibly endure it there? It seems you’re not entirely stupid for not biting off more than you can chew.”

Adol, the second son of a viscount, was a typical noble supremacist. He had a tendency to look down on commoners and particularly disliked me, probably because I held the title of the youngest successful candidate in the Security Department, a title he had coveted.

“Continue to know your place. Don’t get arrogant just because you can think a bit. No matter how capable you think you are, you’ll always be trailing behind, picking up scraps.”

“Officer Lucen, your words are excessive.”

“What? Did I say anything wrong?”

Adol smiled slyly at the bristling Roil.

“Commoners should live like commoners. A maggot remains a maggot no matter what it eats. How dare you even think about the Operations Team?”

The office fell into a brief silence, with most of the staff being commoners. Everyone struggled to maintain forced smiles when,

“…And yet, you’re a noble but too incompetent to make it to the Operations Team.”

“What? What did you just say?”

“Huh? Me? I didn’t say anything.”

Adol trembled with rage at Roil’s brazen retort. “Roil, let’s step outside for a moment.” Realizing things could escalate, I quickly dragged Roil out of the office. Even after we reached the secluded backyard, his anger hadn’t subsided.

“Wow, the more I think about it, the angrier I get. Did you hear him? Commoners should live like commoners. What’s he got besides his title?”

“What were you thinking, responding to him like that?”

“He picks fights all the time! I’ve held back as much as I could. Honestly, is the Lucen Viscount family that prestigious? He’s practically disowned. A noble who hasn’t been promoted in over a year, his situation is obvious. What can he do without backing?”

“It’s not that simple. You never know how things will turn out. You should be more cautious.”

“I don’t know. Can’t you just join the Operations Team? Hearing things like that, do you really want to stay here?”

I gave a bitter smile at his sighing question. Roil, born from the son of a tenant farmer and seeking success in the capital, was desperate for promotion. It wasn’t pleasant to show this attitude in front of someone like him. Roil seemed to understand my feelings and gave a wry smile.

“Why that face? Do you think I’ll curse you for refusing a chance I can’t even grab?”

“…It might seem insensitive.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m not that narrow-minded. Honestly, I’ve known for a while that you’re not interested in climbing the ranks. Someone as smart as you would’ve already pushed their way up if you wanted to. It just feels like a waste for you to rot in such a dead-end position.”

“You’re giving me too much credit, Roil.”

“Heh, you’re so humble it’s almost deceitful. But where did you go and what did you do that day to make the Investigation Head come looking for you?”

“I told you, I just helped out with some odd jobs.”

“Haha, Sei, do you think I’m that gullible? Should we start by asking why the Director came to see you in the first place?”

“…I just shared a few opinions. Those thoughts slightly helped the investigation. That’s all.”

“It wasn’t just a little help. It must have been significant for them to be so eager to take you.”

I don’t know why he asks questions when he already assumes the answers. I sighed, and Roil, seeing my reaction, laughed as if to say he had proven his point. Still, it was good to see his mood lighten, showing a brighter expression.

When we returned to the office, the atmosphere seemed unusually upbeat. The previously tense situation had evaporated, leaving an almost party-like vibe. It was better than the earlier tension but still puzzling. Roil also looked confused as he joined the conversation.

“What’s going on? Did something happen?”

“Ah, you two! Big news just came in!”

“It’s a huge deal!”

Everyone’s voices were filled with excitement. Adol, who had been standing with his arms crossed, gave me a meaningful look and smiled. …Whatever it was, it didn’t seem like good news for me.

“What’s the big news?”

“The Security Department exam is coming up soon! Do you know who’s taking the exam this time?”

“Oh? It’s time for the exam?”

“Ten days from now.”

When I mentioned the date, Roil looked a bit sheepish. The Security Department exam wasn’t held regularly and was announced separately at the beginning of the year. It was understandable if you missed it without keeping track.

“But who’s taking it?”

“Well, it’s someone really surprising.”

“Oh, is it a famous person?”

“A famous person?”

It was Adol who answered, naturally drawing everyone’s attention to him. After enjoying the spotlight for a moment, he spoke like a judge delivering a verdict.

“Camille Rouster.”

“…!”

The mention of the name made my body stiffen instinctively. It was such an expected reaction that everyone seemed to anticipate it. The only unexpected response came from Roil.

“Who is that?”

Everyone was shocked by his indifferent reply.

“What, Roil! You don’t know who Camille Rouster is?”

“I know the Rouster Dukedom. But is he from the ducal family?”

“He’s not just from the family! He’s the grandson of Duke Rouster! The only direct descendant!”

“…Wow, really?”

Roil’s mouth dropped open at this revelation.

Duke Kales Rouster, the Chief of the Security Department and the Supreme Commander of the Three Imperial Forces, was a renowned warrior with numerous battle honors. He was also the emperor’s brother-in-law, with a claim to the throne himself. He had a daughter and two sons, with Camille Rouster being the only son of his eldest son.

He was said to have inherited his grandfather’s martial prowess. At nineteen, the same age as me, he was already known for his exceptional swordmanship and good looks since childhood.

His renowned achievements are as impressive as his fame. At sixteen, he was admitted as the top student to the prestigious Kello Imperial Academy, which only accepts prodigies. At seventeen, he manifested his Aura, and at eighteen, he was knighted for winning the national swordsmanship tournament. Earlier this year, at nineteen, he graduated from the academy at the top of his class.

It was well-known (though Roil’s ignorance proved there were exceptions) that Duke Rouster cherished his only grandson as his counterpart. Rumors even suggested he was being groomed as the heir.

“So… this incredible person, no, noble, is joining the Security Department?”

Roil rubbed the back of his head in disbelief. Even someone as bold as Roil couldn’t dismiss the great nobility lightly. Especially since the Rouster Dukedom was a founding family and had held key positions in central politics for generations.

“But how did you find out? The exam list isn’t public.”

“Officer Lucen told us.”

“Officer Lucen…?”

All eyes turned to Adol, who smiled as if he had been waiting for this moment.

“I thought I mentioned that I was his senior at the academy.”

“…Oh, really? I didn’t know. You were from the same academy. So, were you close with him?”

“We were in the same department and club board all year round. I was also often invited to his family’s estate.”

“Wow, I see. Hahaha.”

“What did you say earlier? That a noble like me can’t get into the Operations Team? You should bite your tongue for saying that. Camille will get me into the Operations Team first.”

“Hahaha, when did I ever say such a thing… Anyway, interesting to know. Seems like that young master struggles to distinguish between personal and professional matters.”

“What did you just say?”

“I said he’ll have a very busy schedule ahead.”

With a charming smile, Roil quickly wrapped his arm around my neck and whispered,

“Oh, crap. What do we do, Sei? This seems bad.”

“…Didn’t I tell you to be more cautious?”

“Damn it, among the empire’s three Imperial Forces, one is the Imperial Guard. Whether for heir training or social experience, shouldn’t he join the Imperial Guard? Why come here as a knight? It couldn’t be because of that guy, right? Please tell me it’s not.”

Despite his desperate plea, I couldn’t find a reassuring answer. I wanted to alleviate his concerns, but Adol’s confident demeanor suggested his words weren’t baseless.

‘What new twist will this be…’

Of all people, Camille Rouster. I couldn’t help but sigh.

My previously tranquil life was showing signs of turmoil.

It felt like the calm before the storm.