When asked which commander I wanted to follow, I looked around again.
There are many chairs around the round table, but not even half of them are occupied.
The number of chairs here probably includes the chief and the commanders, but it seems that only the commanders who work in the vicinity of the capital have gathered today.
Apart from Chief Savis, Commander Quentin of the Fourth Monster Knight Regiment, and Commander Zachary of the Sixth Knight Regiment, who are standing around me, only four other commanders are seated.
Two of them are familiar to me: Commander Cyril of the First Knight Regiment and Commander Desmond of the Second Knight Regiment.
The other two are new to me. Judging from the color of the sash draped over their commander uniforms, the long-haired male knight must be Commander Enoch of the Third Magic Knight Regiment, and the female knight must be Commander Clarissa of the Fifth Capital Guard Regiment.
However, the moment my gaze shifted to the female commander, I was shocked and my eyes widened.
She stood out among the tall and muscular commanders.
Her pink hair floated around her face, complementing her porcelain skin.
Her large eyes were amber, sparkling like jewels, and her plump lips were the same pink as her hair, trembling slightly.
I was surprised that such a beautiful young girl was a high-ranking knight, but what shocked me the most was her upper body, which was visible through her uniform, which was unbuttoned in a way that suggested it couldn't be buttoned at all.
Not only were several buttons undone from the top, but the shirt underneath was also unbuttoned at the top, revealing an incredible cleavage!
...Ah, no, it's not that she unbuttoned them, but rather that they can't be buttoned.
What is this? She looks like a young girl, but her figure is so voluptuous. Is this my ultimate form...?
I was drawn to her, moving closer to the Fifth Knight Regiment Commander.
Wow, as I get closer, she even smells good.
Then, a flustered voice from behind me called out.
"Hey, Fia, don't be fooled! She's the most cruel, merciless, and mentally steel-strong creature in the regiment! Despite her weak appearance, she mimics the weak to prey on them. It's an unbecoming attitude for a commander! And she's not as young as she looks! ...In other words, she's definitely not a girl of the age you might think she is!!"
"Zachary is right. Fia, she is the 'Pink Female Praying Mantis'! Despite her appearance, she is a terrifying creature that continues to lure young knights to their doom. Not only young men, but women should also stay away! You'll be influenced by her terrible influence!!"
Commander Cyril stood up and warned me.
Oh, oh, that's not a good look. Criticizing a fellow commander is not becoming of a knight.
To be honest, I'm a bit tired of muscles and sweat. I prefer someone soft and fragrant like this!
"I will follow the Fifth Knight Regiment Commander!"
"No, we have nothing to do with you!!" they all exclaimed.
Despite their objections, I ignored them. I saluted the Fifth Knight Regiment Commander and greeted her.
"I am Fia Rude of the First Knight Regiment. Please allow me to stand behind you during the commander's meeting."
The Fifth Knight Regiment Commander blinked her long eyelashes and smiled gently, like a flower blooming.
"Oh, how delightful. I am Clarissa Abanese, the Fifth Knight Regiment Commander. Nice to meet you."
Oh, her voice is so cute. Her unique way of speaking, with a rising intonation at the end, is quite charming.
With me positioned behind Commander Clarissa, it seemed that a decision had been made, and everyone, including the chief, took their seats at the round table.
"Let's begin the commander's meeting now."
The chairperson declared the start of the meeting.
It seems that the commander's meetings are held regularly, but this one was convened urgently to coincide with Commander Quentin's return to the city.
First, a few routine matters, such as the schedule for the month and the budget for the regiment, were addressed, and then the main topic of the day was discussed.
"Regarding the capture of the Black King,"
Commander Cyril, who was in charge of the agenda, introduced the new topic.
"Originally, the plan was to capture the Black King while he was in his larval stage. Once his location was identified, 300 knights, mainly from the Fourth Monster Knight Regiment and the Sixth Knight Regiment, were to be assembled to handle the situation. However, reports from the 'Starfall Forest' indicate that the Black King has grown beyond our expectations. Quentin, what are your thoughts on this?"
"The plan needs to be changed. From the reports, the Black King is no longer in his larval stage. In that case, capturing him is impossible. To avoid disrupting the ecosystem, it would be best to guide him back to his den, the Spirit Peak Black Mountain, as quickly as possible."
Commander Zachary of the Sixth Knight Regiment sighed disappointedly.
"I thought we'd have a big catch for once. What a letdown. So, how many are going?"
Commander Quentin, deep in thought, ran his long fingers through his hair.
"Too many people wouldn't be ideal. If the Black King perceives us as enemies, he might attack. Assembling enough knights to subdue him would be dangerous. A number that doesn't make him perceive us as enemies... how about 15 from the Monster Knight Regiment and 35 from the Sixth Knight Regiment?"
Commander Clarissa of the Capital Guard Regiment interjected.
"Oh, how scary. Make sure the Black King doesn't wander into the capital. If my dear citizens are put in danger, I'll be very upset."
"......I'll do my best."
Commander Zachary answered briefly and continued.
"Since he just reincarnated, his memories might not be fully set. The Black King might have wandered into the 'Starfall Forest' in confusion. Quentin, didn't you bring back a stone or part of a corpse from the Black King's den? If you show it to him, his confused memories might return, and he might return to his den."
"......I'll try it."
Commander Quentin answered with his eyes downcast but briefly raised his gaze to look at me.
—Understood, Commander Quentin.
When exploring the forest with the regiment, a black dragon appears, and Commander Quentin throws a stone, causing the black dragon to fly away in the direction of the den. That's the plan, right?
Peeking into the gap at my neck, I saw Zabiria sleeping contentedly on my stomach. Hehe, just a child. But I'm sure Zabiria wouldn't object, right?
I smiled to signal my understanding, but Commander Cyril, noticing it, criticized me.
"Quentin, please stop sending flirtatious glances to our member during the meeting. It's disruptive."
"It's just a signal, Cyril. I asked Lady Fia to accompany us on the Black King search, and she agreed. ...Ha! I just met Lady Fia today, yet we can communicate with just a glance. You've spent so much time with her and still can't do that?"
Commander Quentin answered mockingly.
Instantly, Commander Cyril's smile faded, and he narrowed his eyes.
Hey, hey, I'm not a child, so please stop bickering and retaliating!
As I was at a loss about the tense atmosphere, Commander Clarissa chuckled.
"You're quite popular, Fia. But don't rush it. It's fun to see them get flustered and try to stop you. You need to tease them more, push them to their limits."
Commander Clarissa, enjoying the sight of Commanders Cyril and Quentin, made Commander Desmond sigh in exasperation.
"Look! Women always bring trouble."
"............................"
Commander Enoch of the Third Magic Knight Regiment remained silent.
Commander Zachary looked around and sighed dramatically.
"You're in the presence of Chief Savis. Tone it down!"
He glared at the commanders, who fell silent, and continued.
"If there are no objections, we'll depart tomorrow. I'll gather 35 knights, and Quentin, you gather 15. Both of us need to go. ...Any objections?"
After waiting a moment and confirming no one had any objections, all the commanders looked up at Chief Savis.
With the chief's approval, the departure for tomorrow was set.
Instantly, the commanders stood up in unison, placing their fists on their opposite shoulders. The knights, including me, who were standing behind them, followed suit.
The chief stood up last, looking at us with a solemn voice.
"Heaven and earth are with the Nerve Kingdom Black Dragon Knight Regiment."
"Heaven and earth are with the Nerve Kingdom Black Dragon Knight Regiment!"
The chief raised his hand in acknowledgment as we chanted in response, then left the room.