Chapter 10: The Colonel Invites You to the Military Headquarters for Tea

Imperial Calendar, December 6th, 1029.

As the sun rose the next day, Roland awoke to a steady knocking at the door. Having spent the night in an uneasy sleep on a lounge chair, his rest had been less than ideal, yet he mustered the strength to sit up.

He knew exactly who would be knocking so early.

Opening the door, he found a squad of city defense soldiers waiting outside.

“Mr. Roland, our investigation suggests you may be connected to last night’s explosion. Colonel requests you come to the City Defense Headquarters to provide an account of the events,” the lead officer said politely. Though his tone was somewhat stiff, his demeanor was courteous.

Roland smiled and nodded. “No problem, it’s only right. But must I go immediately?”

The officer maintained a stern expression. “The Colonel said you may come today at your convenience. He is always available in his office at headquarters.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“This is your pass. Please keep it safe and present it upon entering the headquarters.”

The officer handed Roland a card bearing his photo and brief details, embossed with the Imperial Crest of Hurst Empire—a black-winged griffin soaring aloft.

“Thank you. Please inform the Colonel I will arrive shortly.”

Roland exchanged a few casual words with the officer, extracting some information. As the City Defense investigated the explosion near the suburban forest lake, Colonel Odmeyer had ordered martial law across the city.

The governor criticized Odmeyer for exaggeration, accusing him of damaging the nighttime business environment in Riskan.

But with the military’s backing, Odmeyer, as City Defense Colonel, paid no heed to the governor’s complaints.

Without command authority, the governor’s words were mere venting; martial law would continue unchecked.

After the brief conversation, the officer nodded and led his unit away.

Roland watched them disappear before closing the door.

Everything unfolded as he had anticipated.

Surprisingly, this time the lead officer had been unusually courteous—uncharacteristic of the Empire’s typically ironclad military demeanor.

Yet Roland quickly found a plausible explanation.

He had accepted a commission posted by Odmeyer through the Adventurers’ Guild.

Being a City Defense Colonel, it would be easy for Odmeyer to find out who took his assignment.

After all, such commissions were rarely accepted by just anyone.

Likely, the officer had been taking a chance; the division of the Continental Historians most likely holding the records was currently deserted, with every member adrift on the Storm Ocean.

Yet unexpectedly, luck favored him—Roland was the one who had taken the commission.

This was the only reason he could fathom for the officer’s unusually gentle manner.

Roland glanced toward the staircase leading to the second floor, contemplating whether to bring Kalia along to the City Defense Headquarters.

Leaving Kalia alone in the house was clearly unwise.

After all, Roland’s identity had been exposed—only the location of his residence remained unknown.

Perhaps the killing of the two assassins last night had forced their associates in the city to lay low for the time being.

During that confrontation, Roland overheard the assassins discussing having informed their comrades in the city about the investigation into his identity.

With the two assassins now missing—no, more likely deceased—their associates, unless utterly blind and deaf, would suspect their fate.

His identity had probably been completely uncovered.

The reason nothing happened last night was likely due to the martial law imposed by the City Defense.

That, inadvertently, worked to Roland’s advantage.

The martial law remained in effect, though less strictly enforced than last night.

The once bustling streets, teeming with carriages and merchants, were now noticeably subdued.

Trade caravans had been replaced by patrolling City Defense soldiers and Surveillance Bureau agents.

Though daily life continued undisturbed, the overall atmosphere in Riskan had grown tense.

“It seems I must bring Kalia when I meet the Colonel, and soon,” Roland analyzed the situation.

Leaving Kalia alone was clearly not the best choice.

Not to mention, she seemed prone to losing control; what if the enemy took advantage of her solitary vulnerability?

Although this young witch had never displayed combat skills—her talents seemingly devoted entirely to escape—Roland now suspected she simply dared not unleash her full power.

Had it not been for his experience as a two-life transmigrant, with superior mental attributes and high alertness against a midnight attack by the black-clad gang, combined with the shadows and nightmares she unconsciously released in sleep—the three factors allowed Roland to realize he was trapped in an illusion and break free at the last moment.

Otherwise, he might have already faced reincarnation anew.

Though he dispelled the spell with a simple flash last night, Roland did not underestimate the threat of that shadowy creature.

On the contrary, that monster, a reflection of fear itself, posed a far greater menace than any foe he had previously encountered.

Even if Kalia possessed combat ability, Roland doubted she would unleash her full potential, even in mortal danger.

This prolonged half-month pursuit was the clearest evidence.

Given Kalia’s enigmatic and unpredictable magical talents, Roland believed she could have easily eliminated the two four-ring assassins—who could not even withstand landmines.

“Why is she still not up? It’s already nine o’clock,” Roland thought, preparing to check upstairs.

Delay could cause complications; no one knew what might happen if he hesitated.

Climbing the stairs, he knocked on the door and called out loudly, “Hey, Kalia! Time to get up! We’ve got important matters today.”

“Did you hear me? Get up!”

He knocked and called for a full minute without a sound from inside.

Sighing, he carefully pushed open the door and looked toward the bed.

Hmm?

Why was the blanket so neatly arranged? Could she have run off?

That seemed quite possible.

Suddenly pushing the door wide, he found Kalia curled under a blanket and cloak, asleep at the table.

“You actually can sleep like this… you’ve got a bed but choose the table,” Roland muttered in disbelief.

He gently tapped the wooden table and softly said, “Hey, time to get up.”

“Mmm... I told you, sea salt bread tastes better dipped in mushroom cream soup...” she murmured.

Roland fell silent.

Apparently, she hadn’t eaten enough last night.

“All right, time to get up,” he said, tapping the table more firmly this time, successfully rousing her.

“Whoa!”

Kalia let out an adorable shriek and toppled backward onto the floor.