The Imperial Knights prepared to set out on an expedition. It was a historic event, as for the first time in the entire history of the empire, five orders of knights were being mobilized at once. The sight of hundreds of Imperial Knights marching in formation had made the citizens think that a war had broken out somewhere.

Rumier, who was on the back lines, muttered something when they were about to cross a small mountain. The knight at the forefront shouted loudly, “All forces! We will now take a break!”

Even though it was time for a break, none of the knights took their armor or weapons off. Some of the knights rested in the shade of trees, while others sipped water from their canteens.

The captain of the Fourth Order of the Imperial Knights, Kahwelin, grumbled while chewing on a cigarette in his mouth, “I can’t understand this at all. Why should the Imperial Knights listen to the commands of a mere alchemist?”

“Lower your voice, Sir Kahwelin. Even Sir Helkin is staying silent right now,” Sorden, the captain of the Fifth Order of the Imperial Knights, replied.

Both of the men had been able to become knight captains despite their young age, and their swordsmanship alone was renowned all throughout the empire.

Kawhelin continued grumbling, “Let Rumier overhear if he wants to. The only ones I serve are her majesty and Sir Helkin.”

“Her majesty was the one who bestowed Rumier with the authority to lead this expedition,” Sorden replied.

“Damn it… That’s why I’m even more irritated. What backing does that alchemist...