After hearing Kaislan’s words, I found myself deep in thought.

It made sense—once I publicly show myself, I’d be dragged to the Military Command, and our clan would have to face the dangerous frontline without me.

‘Should I just keep hiding down here underground?’

I would lose three comrades.

Having seen such records before, the very choice to separate from my comrades feels unbearably uneasy.

But...

“You must go, Captain.”

Kaislan spoke as if he could guess what I was worrying about.

“...Go?”

“Judging by the document, the mobilization order was issued not long ago. There’s still time before the deadline, so it’s not a problem yet, but if you don’t comply even after the deadline, it could become a major issue later.”

“For example?”

He looked at me as if telling me to name everything, then cautiously began.

“First, your reputation will be severely tarnished. No matter our internal situation, to outsiders, it would look like desertion. You’d seem like you ran away from the war out of fear.”

In short, the ‘giant’ Baron Bjorn Yandel’s name value would be dragged through the mud...

I wasn’t unaware of the value of reputation, having relied on it quite a lot since the old days.

But...

“That doesn’t matter at all. Next.”

Seeing me answer immediately without hesitation, Kaislan paused briefly, then chuckled.

“That’s an answer befitting a captain.”

“Anyway, next.”

“...Second is the damage to the clan itself. As I said before, it would be classified as desertion, so when the war ends, we’d all stand trial. We’d be severely punished. Desertion is treated as a very serious crime under military law.”

“What kind of severe punishment exactly?”

“Death penalty. Military law aims foremost to set an example.”

This wasn’t something I could just brush off this time.

Unless all these people planned to live hiding their identities forever under the sewers.

“If... Noirark wins? Then wouldn’t there be no punishment for desertion?”

“That might be so, but...”

When I raised the hypothetical, Kaislan looked at me firmly.

“The royal family will never be defeated.”

“How can you be so sure? Isn’t the very issuance of a mobilization order proof that the royal family is so desperate they need explorers’ help?”

“Well... they just called for help to reduce their losses. I don’t think they’re really desperate.”

He prefaced that it was just his opinion, but I couldn’t just ignore it.

This guy was a military man.

He’d know better than anyone about the royal family’s power.

“Is there a third thing?”

“The third is you, Captain.”

“...Me?”

“Yes. We probably won’t go as far as ‘death penalty,’ but in the worst case, your noble title could be revoked on the grounds of desertion.”

He gave me such a serious look that I was curious.

“Revocation of title...”

Honestly, I don’t care much about ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) losing the title itself.

The real problem is the members.

If I still had my title, I could have done something to prevent the ‘death penalty.’

“I don’t know why you worry, but may I say one thing to you, Captain?”

I stopped worrying and nodded; Kaislan looked at me with a soldier’s gaze.

“We didn’t choose to follow you to become your lackeys.”

“......”

“We chose to walk the same path as you.”

As soon as Kaislan finished, those around nodded in agreement.

“It’s refreshing to hear what I’ve wanted to say for a long time.”

Amelia even wore a satisfied expression like she’d just drunk a refreshing drink.

“You must go, Captain. The royal family will never lose. If you want to survive in this world, you must go now.”

With such blunt words, I had no choice but to nod in agreement.

“Alright. I’ll go. But there’s something I must do first.”

“What is it...?”

What else could it be?

If I go, I’ll have to part ways with you all, right?

“I will elect a vice-captain now.”

There must be someone to lead the group in the meantime.

The vice-captain position has been vacant since our founding.

Not intentionally left empty, but although I wanted to fill it earlier...

‘Somehow it’s only now that we’re doing this.’

There were many reasons to delay the election.

At first, everyone found the position burdensome.

Even without a vice-captain, each took charge of a field and things ran smoothly. Plus, the members preferred a more horizontal atmosphere.

But now, things are different.

“Vice-captain... you mean?”

“Yes.”

There’s a saying.

A flock of sheep led by a lion is stronger than a lion led by sheep.

Leadership is that important.

Therefore...

“Is there anyone who wants to run?”

I casually asked the members, but no one dared raise their hand.

Kaislan seemed somewhat interested though...

‘Those two are surprising.’

Bersil Gowland and James Calla, former vice-captains of medium-sized clans.

Both seemingly perfect for the role, but neither showed interest.

‘Maybe they know how hard the job is from experience?’

I can understand that.

Our clan is a bit different from others.

Being vice-captain doesn’t mean enjoying power or perks—it clearly means more duty.

‘Hmm... who would be suitable then?’

I started carefully observing the members around me.

Who would be the best fit?

Still unknown, but one thing is certain.

The vice-captain is not a title I can just hand out.

If I gave the position to Auyen, would the others listen?

Only someone who can command authority within the clan by their own strength can take the role.

And in that sense...

Meland Kaislan.

He meets the minimum requirements.

Has experience leading groups, is a former soldier with some charisma...

‘Above all, he’s skilled in strategy and tactics.’

His downside is lack of information and a strong personal belief that makes him inflexible.

Simply put, he’s poor at improvisation...

‘Amelia Rainwails.’

Amelia is quite the opposite.

Always thinking and judging rationally, experienced enough to be good at improvisation.

But she understands groups less than Kaislan.

She’s not without charisma, but prefers to work alone...

‘Since she’s a founding member, if she takes the position, everyone would probably accept it.’

That’s a big advantage.

She’ll lead the clan separated from me, and I think everyone would acknowledge her without complaint.

‘Bersil Gowland.’

...He’s also a decent candidate.

Joined soon after the Ice Rock expedition, so he’s been with the clan relatively long, and is a former vice-captain.

‘Though he seems less charismatic than the other two...’

That’s probably because he’s been an ordinary member, but he’d act differently as vice-captain.

‘Seems decent at strategy and tactics... He’s not too rigid or stubborn from what I’ve heard...’

Putting it all together, Bersil feels like a mix of Amelia and Kaislan.

Kind of in the middle.

‘Anyway, no other candidates come to mind besides these three.’

After scanning all the remaining members, I narrowed the candidates to three.

Erwen and Misha are founding members but not the type to lead others.

“Hey... Vice-captain!! Can I... do it?!”

Ainar, of course.

“Stay quiet.”

“Why?! Didn’t you say if anyone wanted to, they should step up?!”

“...You’re excluded.”

“That’s unfair! Bjorn!! How can you treat me so badly—”

“Fnelin, the captain is speaking. Be quiet.”

As soon as Amelia sharply told him to shut up, Ainar instantly quieted down.

“......”

Sigh. Watching this, Amelia does seem the most fit...

“Just to be clear, I’m not planning to do it.”

“...Huh?”

“Because it would never suit me.”

Well, I think you’re the only one who believes that.

She tends to underestimate herself, like how Erwen and Misha never wear skirts or bright clothes.

She just thinks things don’t fit her.

Without even trying them on.

“But don’t worry. Whoever becomes vice-captain, I’ll support you as I have supported you.”

Still, I can’t force someone who says that so firmly.

So I gave up on making Amelia vice-captain cleanly.

“No one’s volunteering, so I’ll decide—”

“I! I said I would... Ah! Why am I being pinched?!”

Ainar tried to keep insisting, but Misha pinched his waist, ending the matter.

“No candidates, so I’ll decide. Meland Kaislan and Bersil Gowland. I think you two are fit for vice-captain.”

“If you trust me, I won’t avoid the duties and weight.”

“Me too... Someone has to do it eventually.”

Okay, with those two candidates set...

Only one step remained.

If one gave up, the other would take it, but since both showed willingness...

“Now we start voting. All members come to me and whisper who you think fits better as vice-captain.”

“Whisper... you mean?”

“Don’t worry! Secrets will be kept!”

“......”

James Calla looked a bit baffled but said nothing more.

And...

“Let’s begin!”

The barbarian-style secret vote began.

The first vote was for Erwen, whom I nominated.

“Amelia Rainwails.”

...Huh?

Did I hear wrong?

“Just because. I think she’d do the best.”

“But you have to choose one of the two...”

“Then just count mine as abstention. I don’t care who it is.”

“Alright.”

So, one abstention (Amelia) from the start.

“My vote goes to Ms. Gowland... She seems a bit kinder than Kaislan.”

Misha was second, voting for Bersil.

...Kindness and vice-captain don’t really seem related though.

‘...This isn’t an elementary school class president election.’

I wondered if this was a popularity contest, but the later votes were better.

“Bersil Gowland.”

Amelia said just that and left.

“I want to vote for Ms. Gowland.”

James Calla, a former vice-captain.

“If I must entrust my life to one, it would be Ms. Gowland.”

Sven Parav, with his exceptional survival sense.

“I’ll go with Bersil Gowland.”

Lilis Marone, without any special reason, also voted for Bersil, tallying five votes.

“I’ll vote for Kaislan! A knight is better than a mage!”

“Hey... everyone can hear that.”

Ainar, unaware of how secret votes work, gave one vote for Kaislan as well.

‘Well, the results are decided.’

Candidates didn’t vote, so the voting was basically over.

But I wanted to hear the opinions, so I summoned the last member for a vote.

“Um, I...”

Auyen Lokrov, the pirate-turned-navigator.

Who would he pick?

“I think... it has to be Lady Rainz.”

A totally unexpected answer.

“Lady...?”

“Ah, no... I mean Miss Rains. I just think she’s the best fit for vice-captain...”

Haha...

“Alright, go back.”

“Okay... sorry for the nonsense.”

“No, it’s your right to express your opinion.”

Anyway, with Auyen finishing voting and returning to his place, the vice-captain election ended.

“......”

“......”

Kaislan and Bersil looked tense.

Other members were also curiously awaiting the results.

“Don’t worry! Kaislan! Everyone must have voted for you! A knight’s better than a mage! You’ll be the one!”

“Haha, don’t flatter me too much. Ms. Gowland is very competent too. We won’t know until the results are announced.”

Hmm... Suddenly, I don’t feel like announcing it.

Well, not that I’m going to back down though.

“I will announce the results. Bersil Gowland received five votes and will serve as the new vice-captain of the Anabada clan as of today.”

Upon announcing the winner, Kaislan looked both a little disappointed and relieved.

“With five votes, Gowland must have had three. That’s not a bad gap—”

“Emily Rains received two votes, and Meland Kaislan got one. That’s all.”

The results were as neatly arranged as Kaislan’s earlier expression.

Because of that, Kaislan reacted after a long pause.

“...Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Exactly as it sounds.”

Shrugging nonchalantly, Kaislan shouted in disbelief.

“But Miss Rains didn’t even participate in the vice-captain race!”

True.

I even wondered if I should keep that secret to myself.

But that would taint the fairness of the sacred secret vote.

“Don’t worry. All votes cast for Rains were counted as abstentions.”

So keep your spirits up.

“Kaislan, second place is officially yours.”