The site of the attack was a small oasis village near the desert, six days' ride from the capital by horseback.
What Ciceros received at the tournament venue was an urgent message flown in from the vicinity.
The swift spread of the news, despite the village's annihilation, was due to the existence of a survivor.
As the village was attacked, only one person managed to escape alive. More accurately, the monsters seemed to have deliberately spared him, as if to ensure the attack's news was quickly spread to other humans.
All members of the Palma Knights were gathered. After a brief overview by an elderly knight, Ciceros broke the silence.
"The survivor reported seeing a leader commanding the monsters."
His eyes darkened.
"A giant scorpion of a blood-red hue."
Murmurs erupted among the Palma Knights. Time had passed and generations changed, leaving few who had witnessed the desert's ruler, Scorpion.
Even the staunchest among them couldn't help but feel alarmed at the mention of Scorpion, a name synonymous with terror from childhood for the people of Basor.
Voices began to rise.
"So, this is the new Scorpion we've only heard of."
"I heard the Sword Saint vanished while pursuing it."
Luke twitched at the mention. His gaze fixed on the speaker.
Ciceros nodded gravely.
"Indeed, whether it was severely injured at the time, we couldn't find it, but it seems to have resumed its activities now."
Helmut's lips curled in a smirk. Such an obvious lie.
"The king has given his approval. Starting today, the entire Palma Knights will mobilize. Though this is an unexpected situation, it's similar to our annual monster subjugation. It might be a bit more arduous, but we are the Palma Knights. Many of us have experience with subjugation, so I trust we'll manage."
An aging knight asked.
"What about reinforcements?"
"We'll join forces with the soldiers from the border region in that area. However, they will only be involved in reconnaissance, not combat. As you know, against powerful monsters, the slow movements of soldiers are of little help. They would only increase casualties. A large number would only provide the monsters with places to hide. We'll conduct hit-and-run tactics to eliminate them."
Palma Knights. It meant operating strictly within their own ranks. There seemed to be more to it than just operational efficiency.
No one questioned whether this would be burdensome. The commander's word held that much power.
He was the de facto ruler of Palma, surpassing even the king. Ciceros's judgments were always precise.
Helmut glanced sideways. Luke's expression was tense.
He hadn't been with the Palma Knights long enough to have experienced monster subjugation.
"And Helmut!"
Ciceros's booming voice called out to him, maybe intending to apply pressure. The Palma Knights' gazes converged on him.
Even if Helmut was considerably stronger, facing off against over thirty platinum-tier knights at once was impossible. This was the strongest group he had encountered since coming to the human realm. A novel sentiment filled him. Helmut calmly met their gazes.
"Yes."
"You are the only one here not a member of the Palma Knights. You will follow Deputy Commander Dasim Alvis."
"I have a problem with that arrangement."
Sharpness filled the gazes directed at Helmut. How dare he contest the commander's orders! Such was the implication.
'Acting high and mighty, are we wolves now?'
Even if that were the case, it had nothing to do with Helmut. Ciceros's gaze hardened.
"You agreed to follow orders."
"Yes, but I have a reason for participating in this subjugation, don't I?"
"To determine the winner of the tournament through deeds of valor."
Helmut's reception changed. It was as if they finally grasped that fact. To them, Helmut, a delicate-looking blond youth, was easy to overlook.
But as "Helmut," he had defeated several Palma Knights, showing formidable prowess.
Those he defeated were not low-ranked within the Palma Knights. They too were present here.
Even as an outsider, achieving finalist status in Basor's tournament granted him certain rights, such as a voice in situations like this.
"I need to act alongside Luke. That way, the opportunity remains fair."
"Opportunities will be provided fairly."
"How can I trust that? Palma Knights might secretly support him, right? I want to compete fairly."
"Helmut!"
Luke glared as if questioning Helmut's statement. Helmut didn't flinch.
It was all for his sake, a sort of parental mindset.
"How dare you view the Palma Knights in such light!"
Horsten Ciceros, whom Helmut had defeated in the main tournament, erupted in anger.
As he tried to stand, Deputy Commander Dasim Alvis held him down. This was the man seated next to Ciceros, the second highest rank present.
Helmut faced increasingly hostile gazes. To them, he was too presumptuous, not someone to be taken lightly in this place or against these people.
However, Helmut was not punished, thanks to his status as a tournament finalist.
That status demanded a sort of reluctant respect from the people of Basor.
"Rather than fairness in words, I prefer fairness in action. Am I wrong?"
In a situation that could be described as oppressive, Helmut boldly countered.
'He's got nerve.'
Luke, dumbfounded by the argument, forgot his anger. Helmut was indeed unusual, making Luke slowly realize why he insisted on staying close.
'Is it because someone might ambush me?'
But the reason for such concern remained a mystery. Helmut and he had only met at Basor's tournament, not spending enough time together to build such a relationship.
It seemed unlikely they had any connection before arriving in Basor. Then why?
Luke quickly arrived at a conclusion.
'Ah, it must be. My charm attracts even men...'
Being so handsome was indeed a sin. Since advancing to the tournament's finals, Luke had received considerable attention from ladies, leading to an inflated sense of confidence.
Nodding inwardly, Luke's mood naturally improved, thankfully unaware to Helmut.
Ciceros spoke sternly.
"Luke has no experience with monster subjugation. Your insistence on being with him is because of some friendship, isn't it? This mission is not some light-hearted affair to be taken lightly because of friendship."
"Friendship? What does that have to do with anything? I'm not here for fun. There's 2 million marks at stake."
Helmut emphasized strongly, and it sounded plausible. 2 million marks was a significant amount, worth risking one's life for some.
"Those who prioritize money over duty do not fit the role of a knight."
Someone sneered, Horsten Ciceros. There was a hint of envy.
Helmut snipped back.
"Those unfit for the role are those without skill."
"What did you say!"
Horsten stood abruptly. This time, even the Deputy Commander couldn't stop him in time. He approached, ready to strike.
'So easily provoked. Truly a pampered young master.'
Helmut thought disdainfully. Ciceros glared coldly.
"Sit down! Such impatience is useless."
"But he...!"
Unable to defy the commander's order, Horsten reluctantly sat, his face flushed with anger and hatred glaring towards Helmut.
'So, what now? Weak and yet so presumptuous.'
Eliminating monsters or potential threats might be in Ciceros's plan, but Helmut was ready for either. His gaze turned fierce.
But it was time for a decision.
"I've dealt with quite a few monsters. Where I lived, they were abundant."
The Forest of Faeh, teeming with monsters, stirred a slight commotion.
Ciceros studied Helmut with an inscrutable gaze.
"Not in the desert, I presume."
"I'm confident."
"I hope that confidence isn't misplaced. Very well, have it your way. It's also a matter of honoring the tournament's victor."
Ciceros relented. He might have hesitated, thinking it disrupted his plans, but it seemed to matter little in the end.
'Either he's confident he can sideline me, or he believes he can take care of me too.'
Helmut was curious about what Ciceros had prepared. He must have some awareness of Helmut's abilities.
Whatever the Palma Knights had in store would likely present Helmut with a challenge unlike any before.
"Thank you for your consideration."
Helmut recited a courtesy learned at the academy. A fleeting smile crossed his lips before vanishing.
It was time to depart.
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To reach their destination as quickly as possible, they rode day and night for three days, even using healing magic scrolls on their horses to keep up the pace.
The wealth of Basor enabled the Palma Knights' expedition to afford such expenses.
'I did well to modify this cloak.'
Helmut was impressed. The cloak, keeping him cool, made it bearable to ride under the scorching sun.
Though his body ached from riding all day, accustomed to enduring pain, the intense heat posed a greater challenge.
Without the cloak, he might have gone berserk from the heat.
"That cloak is enviable. I should get one myself."
Luke, now tanned, spoke earnestly after days under the sun.
The Palma Knights had small artifacts to fend off the heat, but their effectiveness was limited.
Consequently, during short breaks, a few knights, close to Luke, annoyingly clung to Helmut, drawn by his cloak's chill.
'As Luke said, he does have quite a few friends. Even if Ciceros orders it, there are those who won't comply.'
There were more allies than expected. Ciceros would find it challenging to act.
Throughout the journey, Helmut observed the Palma Knights' relationships and ranks, knowing it would be useful.
Arriving near their destination on the third morning, they reached a large city called Deser, close to the desert. The attacked village was just one of many small settlements around Deser, easily reachable within a day.
The city had prepared accommodations for them. Representatives sent by Deser's lord welcomed them.
"Rest here today. Everyone replenish your strength."
Even in his advanced years, Ciceros showed no signs of fatigue.
As he commanded, all knights sighed in relief.
While they rested, he and a few subordinates would receive reports from the lord.
Even a city lord of this stature was ranked below the Palma Knights' commander.
Helmut took note of those loyal followers. They were potential enemies.