In Colonel Samantha's private office inside the royal palace:
The air in the room was heavy with the scent of the night, as Colonel Samantha and I met late after the coronation ceremony. Clad in elegant black attire that complemented our dark hair, we stood beneath the dim glow of the moon and a modest chandelier.
"Franz, have you thoroughly reviewed the reports I just handed you?" inquired Colonel Samantha, her expression serious.
"Yes, ma'am!" I responded crisply, executing the customary military salute.
The Colonel and I delved into the discussion of the kingdom's affairs, finding that while the situation in the capital was relatively calm due to our presence, the same could not be said for the other regions. The Herssian kingdom, financially strained by the ongoing war against the demons, faced challenges such as rampant monster attacks and escalating crime rates in various cities and towns.
"Unfortunately, even with the demon threat subdued, the government lacks the financial means to address all regions simultaneously," Samantha explained. "Considering the Queen's plans for another Great War, it's unlikely they'll allocate additional funds. Hence, our focus must be on the most urgent matter, and without a doubt, that lies in…"
"The South of Herssian," I interjected.
Samantha nodded somberly. The southern region, plagued by massive disappearances and severed communications, had become a lawless territory.
"I'll ask you a favor, Franz. Go to Winterland, the main city managing the southern Herssian. Your priority is to assess the situation and try to resolve the widespread disappearance of people. If you find the issue beyond your capabilities, return to the capital promptly, and we'll strategize with the kingdom's authorities," Samantha requested.
"It sounds like a complex and perilous mission," I remarked.
"Indeed. I wish the disappearances were solely due to monsters, but the reality in such lawless areas…"
"Will I undertake this mission alone?" I inquired.
"Given its complexity, I'd like to provide substantial support. However, until a preliminary investigation is done, it's best to proceed with a small squad. Maintain discretion about your Hero status. And, should I be concerned about your safety?" Samantha asked, her tone betraying no hint of worry.
I offered a reassuring smile. "When do I depart?"
"Tomorrow before noon. Your assigned squad will await you outside the Royal Palace."
"Who will accompany me?"
Samantha handed me a document with the mission's team members. After perusing it, a small laugh escaped me.
Hahaha.
"So, this will be reminiscent of old times. In that case, I have no objection."
"With this, the meeting concludes. You can rest now, Franz."
"Yes, ma'am!" I bade farewell, executing the military salute once again. As I left, Samantha couldn't help but show a slight smile.
'This fool… There's no need for you to salute me like that.'
But Franz had always tried to show utmost respect to the Colonel, the highest-ranking officer who had chosen to follow him in the coup.
Samantha gazed at the door, contemplating the kingdom's fate. The wind entered through the window, extinguishing the chandelier. Yet, even in the dim moonlight, Samantha's red eyes gleamed with hope.
In my room at the Royal Palace:
The room welcomed me as I entered, and I collapsed onto my bed with a heavy sigh. Despite being the man responsible for preventing the kingdom's collapse, the recommended eight hours of sleep seemed elusive, burdened by the weight of my thoughts.
The documents Samantha shared left a deep impression. The Herssian Kingdom, teetering on the brink, posed an enigma in its survival. The urgency of the southern region, with its mysterious disappearances and severed contacts, was apparent. However, the plight extended to other regions, complicating matters further.
Originally, I planned to intervene in other kingdoms to avoid conflict with the demons. Still, Queen Isabella's actions had shifted the focus to impending conflicts on the continent, postponing the resolution. It was a temporary reprieve, though, as the kingdom's internal issues loomed large.
My primary objective now was to avert the colossal war Isabella envisioned. Such a conflict would spell the continent's demise. Considering the kingdom's current state, a return to war seemed implausible. The kingdom might collapse even before a continent-wide war unfolded. My immediate priority was to save the kingdom from impending ruin.
After aligning my goals, sleep enveloped me, steering my thoughts into the realms of dreams.
***
The next morning.
Prepared for the journey with essentials packed using [Dimensional Storage Magic], I made my way to the designated meeting point for my squad. Outside the Royal Palace, three familiar faces awaited me.
"Franz! Right here!!!" Eva's enthusiastic voice rang out.
"I see you're in good spirits, Eva," I responded, a smile playing on my lips.
"I'm excited! We'll finally have a mission together after so long, hahaha!"
Our differing ranks during the war had limited our joint operations. Yet, as long-time friends, we often embarked on quests and adventures individually.
"How about you, Angelica?" Eva inquired.
"Well, I'm glad we're reuniting, but Eva, remember, this isn't a leisurely adventure. It's an official army mission assigned by the Colonel. So, try to-" Angelica began to lecture.
"Fraaanzz~ can you carry my bags with your dimensional storage, pleaseee?"
Eva paid little attention to Angelica's advice, instead directing her request to me.
"No problem," I replied, accepting Eva's bags.
Angelica, feeling somewhat ignored, frowned but eventually handed me her bags as well.
"Don't bother with Eva, Angelica. You know her personality," Jessica interjected.
Hearing Jessica's comment, Angelica relented, and with her bags also in my possession, I asked about our mode of transportation.
"So, Franz, will we teleport directly to Winterland?" Angelica inquired.
"Hmm. Unfortunately, that won't be possible."
"Due to the distance from the capital?" Jessica guessed.
"Not exactly. I've used massive teleportation magic before to move the army between continents," I explained.
"Then what's the issue?" Angelica questioned.
"Mass teleportation only works with places I've been to before. Additionally, it's not wise to teleport directly, as anyone with a certain level of mana sensitivity could detect us."
"That makes sense. We wouldn't want to compromise the secret operation from the start," Angelica agreed.
"Exactly."
"In that case, what's the plan? We're not walking all the way there, are we?" Jessica inquired.
"Of course not. Walking would take months. The best option is to teleport to a nearby town and proceed on foot from there."
"That sounds like a reasonable plan," Angelica nodded.
"Are you three ready to go?" I asked.
The trio nodded in unison.
"Very well, let's leave immediately," I declared.
With hands joined, we prepared for the teleportation.
[High-Level Magic - Mass Teleportation]
A surge of mana emanated from my heart, enveloping everyone.
In the blink of an eye, we vanished from our location.
Reappearing many kilometers to the south, we found ourselves in the center of the town of Veracruz—or so it should have been.
"Woah!" (Eva)
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh" (Jessica)
"Kyaaa! Fraaaaanzzz! Wh-What happened!!!" (Angelica)
"..."
Unexpectedly, we were plummeting from an incredible altitude. Eva struggled to stabilize herself in the air, Jessica was in tears, and Angelica, afraid of heights, desperately shouted for me to use teleportation magic again.
Fortunately, Angelica's plea snapped me back to reality.
"EVERYONE HOLD HANDS NOW!!!"
[High-Level Magic - Mass Teleportation]
Once again, we vanished.
"Kyaaa!"
Only to reappear in midair.
"SOMETHING IS INTERFERING WITH MY MAGIC HERE!!!" I yelled.
"I CAN SEE SNOW BELOW TO CUSHION THE FALL, BUT WE NEED TO SLOW DOWN SOMEHOW!!" Angelica shouted.
Falling from such a height—covering myself with all my mana would barely ensure my survival. And for the others, it would be even more perilous.
With no time to spare, I unsheathed my sword, Merlina.
'Merlina can cut through anything, right? I've never attempted anything like this, though.'
As the ground approached rapidly, hesitation vanished.
'This better work!'
Pouring more than half of my mana into the sword, I swung it in the air, generating a massive wave of mana beneath me.
Just before impact.
!!!
We managed to halt the fall in midair.
...
Moments later, we descended into the snow without major issues.
"Mmmhh!!"
Except for Eva, who landed on her head, buried in the snow with only the lower half of her body visible.