Temporary 5th Team Leader (1)
‘The Assassination of Thorkell.’
After all the encounters are over.
Theo was deep in thought all the way back to his quarters.
‘Why didn’t something like this happen in my past life? Or did it happen and I just didn’t know about it?’
Thorkell, who was renowned as a genius of great skill in his previous life, failed in the competition for the throne.
The cause of death known to the world was death in battle.
I only knew that he died during the battle with the Holy Demon Cult… … but it seems that wasn’t the truth.
The Black Dragon didn’t even tell us why he had to assassinate Thorkel.
But his obsession with Ragnar was even more serious than that of the head of the household, so there must be a reason why he made such a decision.
Or that he colluded with the Catholic Church.
Or maybe there’s something else… … .
‘It’s a headache that Evelyn is chasing after Denglong. What on earth is going on in the family?’
Theo let out a long sigh, feeling a little suffocated.
The family that seemed so great on the outside was actually in such a precarious state that it wouldn’t have been surprising if it collapsed at any moment due to various invisible cracks.
I wonder if this can be properly handled.
Can we stitch them together and reborn into a bigger family?
What should I do?
My head is getting complicated.
Still, one thing was certain.
That we have to do it somehow.
That’s it.
It was the weight of fate that he had to bear as he returned.
* * *
The moment he entered the barracks of the 5th platoon, Theo was congratulated by his platoon members, including Shelford and Arin.
“Congratulations, Captain!”
“Congratulations!”
“Wow! It seems like only yesterday that I became the youngest practical prosecutor, but now I’m already a senior prosecutor and a team leader… …! How much longer do you plan on doing this?”
Boom! Boom boom!
Even firecrackers exploding right before your eyes.
Theo scratched his cheek with his index finger, his face looking embarrassed.
Because I never even thought about something like this.
The large dinner table was filled with all kinds of food and drinks.
I wondered when on earth they had prepared such things.
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“Jjarajan.”
Even Shelford, who is presumed to be the mastermind behind this incident, came with Arin and brought a cake and even put a cone hat on Theo’s head.
“… … What is this?”
“What is it? It’s a crown. Wow, it suits you really well.”
Shelford winked and stuck out his thumb.
Theo let out a deep sigh.
“Sister! Sister, sister, sister, sister!”
On the other hand, Holkus, who was clapping along with his crew, grabbed Erica’s arm in a hurry.
Erica threw her arms nervously.
“Oh, I’m listening, so let me put this down!”
“What should I do? What should I do?”
“What should I do?”
“Theo, the second sword position! It looks like it’s going to be stolen, what should I do?”
“When did you say you were going for first place?”
“Well, I folded it because it crossed the water. What should I do with the second sword?”
“It’s simple.”
“Simple? What is it?”
“Let’s go win from Ray.”
“shit……!”
Holkus’ face turned red.
This was because the memory of rushing at Ray with all his might and getting his soul completely stripped away came to mind.
Erica snorted lightly with her arms crossed, her eyes never leaving Theo.
Ray’s words about Theo being complete thanks to countless crossings of the line were ringing in my head.
Ray was silently watching Theo.
“Now, would you like to say a few words to the new leader, Theo Ragnar?”
Shelford held out the transparent microphone to Theo.
Theo asked with a hollow laugh.
“What is all this?”
“What? It’s a celebration party. When there’s such a happy event, it’s a waste to skip the party. Isn’t that right, everyone?”
“Right! Right!”
“I got rid of all the black bastards I didn’t like, and it felt so good!”
“Hahaha! That’s right, that’s right. You should have seen the look on their faces when the tower was finally completely conquered, ugh… …!”
“I told you, my insides were completely empty?”
“But where on earth did all those dragons come from? It’s so fascinating.”
The other crew members chattered and recalled the divine presence Theo had shown them.
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From then on, they had already agreed that it would be absolutely no problem for Theo to become the leader.
“What are you doing? My arm is gone. Hurry up and say something.”
At Shelford’s continued urging, Theo said with a bitter smile.
“My name is Theo Ragnar, and I will be temporarily assuming the role of captain.”
The chaotic atmosphere disappeared as his voice took on a serious tone.
‘Everyone has a sharp gaze. As expected.’
There is a hint of laughter in their eyes, but their expressions are very serious.
Theo straightened his clothes and continued speaking, clearly realizing why they were the Baek-Gap-Yong-Gi-Bae.
“For the convenience of the command, the honorifics will be limited to midnight today. Since this is your first time as a team leader, you may be nervous, but I intend to do my best. I won’t ask much of you. I only ask for one thing: trust.”
A captain who is not even twenty years old.
Although it was understandable to doubt his ability, it was difficult to find even a hint of hesitation in his eyes.
“If you trust me, I will reward you accordingly. And I will give you victory. However, if you disobey my orders, I will punish you immediately.”
Shelford looked at Theo, who was now leading the crowd, with satisfaction.
‘This kid definitely has talent.’
Now, I know it’s not right to talk about children to someone who is now your boss.
In fact, Shelford really liked this younger brother-like, yet respectful junior and superior.
“In that spirit, I am very sorry to be in such a bad mood, but I will give my first order. The party will be postponed until tomorrow at this time.”
Then, at the one word he said, Shelford and the other crew members were all taken aback.
I finished all the preparations, so why all of a sudden?
The confusion was bound to be even greater, as the preparations were made with great difficulty while they were exhausted from the conflict with the Black Iron Age.
“At 4 AM today, there will be a joint operation between the White Armored Cavalry and the Black Iron Cavalry. The goal is to remove the Holy Magic Cult altar installed within Troyban’s barracks, as ordered by the higher-ups.”
At that moment, each member showed different reactions.
Some looked surprised, while others looked at Theo in confusion.
But one thing was the same.
The eyes were hardened.
Shelford hesitated for a moment before saying:
“Captain, the Black Iron Corps… …!”
“Yes. It was only a few hours ago that we had a conflict with them. But there has been no change in orders.”
“Hmm.”
“Eeeeeeeeeeeee!”
Groans came from all over.
There seemed to be a conflict as to whether or not one could really trust their backs.
“and.”
From this point on, it was the most important, so Theo continued, changing his tone.
“This is an external order from the Baek Gap Yonggi Unit. Our 5th Group has a different real mission. It is to take advantage of the chaos to assassinate the Black Iron Corps Captain.”
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“… … !”
“… … !”
“… … !”
The shocked crew members belatedly tried to control their expressions, but it didn’t look easy.
“So please be especially careful to ensure that no one has any problems while carrying out their mission. For security reasons, all outside activities will be prohibited from now on. That’s all.”
The air inside the barracks became hot and humid.
* * *
Group 5 was busy moving around.
There are only three or four hours left until the mission.
There was very little time to get everything ready inside.
There was a lot to do, like packing up the gear and feeding the dragon.
“… … I don’t know what’s going on.”
Keeeeek!
Shelford pulled hard at the reins fastener on his partner’s wyvern’s snout.
Arin, who had been keeping an eye on the wyvern from making a fuss, tilted her head.
“what?”
“This operation.”
“There’s no problem, right?”
“No. We’re just soldiers who do what we’re told from above. But.”
Shelford paused, collected his thoughts, then continued.
“I feel like my family is in too much disarray these days.”
“It’s messy?”
“You don’t feel that way? Am I the only one who feels that way?”
Arin stared blankly at Shelford.
Despite his cheerful personality, Shelford was quick to read people’s moods due to his illegitimate birth.
So, there were many times when I could roughly guess the information that hadn’t been relayed to the unit yet just by looking at the atmosphere.
Since it was still like that, Arin couldn’t help but be worried.
“Explain to me clearly what you mean.”
“No, that’s right. It’s like Evelyn, who was preparing for the Yongmun Inspector promotion exam, suddenly went on a solo mission, and Theo took her place right away. And this mission… … even.”
Arin, who had served in the Baek Gap Yonggi Corps for a long time, knew it very well.
How great is the loyalty of the Black Iron Guard towards Thorkell.
They were the kind of people who would die if Thorkel ordered them to, and would live if he ordered them to.
The assassination order is virtually no different from the suppression of the Black Iron Corps.
“Perhaps the importance of this mission is why Black Dragon proposed it and the Lord approved it. But do you really think this is Ragnar’s usual way?”
“If it were like before… … I would have just grabbed him and dragged him out.”
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“That’s it. I heard the copy. It’s not like Ragnar at all.”
This means that there has been a change in Ragnar’s administrative system, where orders from above were absolute.
Only then did Arin realize the danger of the situation.
“I feel like I’m being chased by everyone, from the head of the household to the nine dragons.”
“… … .”
“Of course, it’s only natural that a huge fight is taking place where one side has to be completely defeated to end, so it’s only natural… … But I have a feeling it won’t end here.”
“What else is there after this?”
“well?”
Arin fell into silence.
Because if there was something more to it than the assassination of Thorkell, there was no way to guess what else there could be.
“What are you thinking so seriously about? I’m just trying it out. Anyway, let’s get our heads together. I’m going to miss out on a lot of sleep tonight.”
After Shelford finished the remaining preparations, laughing loudly.
While preparation time was passing very hecticly, Theo was welcoming new guests.
“Finally met. The gatekeeper. New.”
“It is an honor. A blessing. For our tribe!!”
Despite the late hour, the people who came looking dusty were the natives who had been guarding the Baektap for a long time.
Theo felt sorry for them, who were not even in good health, and tried to meet them after their treatment was over.
The enthusiasm they exuded was something that simply could not be done about.
“It’s okay. Even if our bodies break, we can’t see the gatekeeper. Not even our ancestors!”
Roadbroke laughed.
“I don’t think I’m in a position to have a proper conversation?”
‘But we can’t just leave it like this forever.’
“Haha. I’d believe you even if you said they were a group of fanatics over there.”
‘Please don’t say such terrible things.’
But still, looking at the natives with their eyes sparkling, I wondered how I could dissuade them.
Suddenly, someone stepped forward towards the natives and stretched out both hands, and the commotion died down as if by magic.
She was a young beauty with long, silky hair.
However, their clothing was clearly different from that of other natives, starting with the color.
“Is that woman their leader? She smells quite familiar.”
‘You’re familiar with me?’
“Yeah. This woman doesn’t seem like an ordinary person at all.”
While Theo’s eyes widened, the woman spoke in an unknown language to appease the natives and then looked back at Theo.
“I apologize for suddenly coming to you like this and being rude. I am ‘Black and Blue Bird’, the ‘Danggol’ of the Baektap Clan.”
The imperial language is fluent and familiar, unlike other natives.
“This woman is a Dragonian.”
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‘… … !’
“It is an honor to meet you, gatekeeper.”
Theo was wide-eyed in the woman’s obsidian eyes.
But somehow, the face seemed familiar.
‘Lordbroke.’
『Yes. I see it too. The face, the temperament… … It’s just like me. It’s like a copy.』
How the bastard of the Return Sword Family lives
