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Chapter 13 - Chapter 11: Monster Subjugation (IV).

Chapter 11: Monster Subjugation (IV).

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Outside of Alamana Town: Alarie Military Camp

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A group of knights were chatting with one another as they set up their tents. The camp lay just outside the city walls, but from the hurried way they moved, it was clear they had only received their orders at the very last minute.

Some sat on overturned crates, gnawing at stale bread and dried meat between exchanges of news. Others knelt in the dirt, sharpening their swords with slow, deliberate strokes, the rasp of whetstone against steel mingling with the crackle of small campfires.

A few wrestled with stubborn tent poles, muttering curses under their breath, while others hauled bundles of arrows from supply carts, stacking them neatly beside their shields.

"I miss my wife, ya know, been through a lot." A few soldiers got to talk to one another about their life.

"Aye… miss me kids too. I wanted them to get to a good primary school here… but the bills just keep piling up. How about you Ed? I heard your girl got pregnant attaboy." The others patted his back for doing a good job, congratulating him for bringing forth new life.

The young man was happy with their praises, "We're thinking of a name right now. My wife is hoping for a boy but honestly just having a healthy and happy baby is enough."

They all nodded in agreement.

"Oy move it, move it- can't you see I'm walking here?" The air was thick with the mingled scents of oil, leather, and smoke, underscored by the low hum of anticipation.

The commander stood at the edge of the encampment, arms crossed, his gaze sweeping over the chaos. His breath came heavy, not from exhaustion but from simmering irritation. Fifty troops, and somehow every single one of them had found a way to be loud-laughing, clanking armor, shouting over each other as if they were at a tavern instead of a staging ground.

"Back in line, chumps!" He barked, his voice cutting through the din like a whipcrack.

The clamor faltered. A few knights froze mid-bite, others paused mid-swing of a whetstone, and the unlucky ones holding half-raised tent poles glanced at each other in awkward silence. Slowly, the troops shuffled into formation, the earlier noise replaced by the metallic clink of armor plates settling into place.

Commander Lenof, he has only been promoted for a year so his attitude in managing his soldiers needed work. A man who respects the Alarie family, he once worked with Duke Vernon from the main branch, he was impressed by the sheer power and intelligence he held.

"All of you lot!" The commander's voice boomed again, sharp enough to make a few helmets jolt. "Ye best be on your best behaviour! I swear to the goddess above, the young lady from the Alarie family is coming to visit us!"

That got their attention. A ripple of whispers ran through the line- Alarie was not a name one heard without straightening their back.

"She's taken it upon herself to lead the monster subjugation quest," The commander continued, pacing in front of them with deliberate steps.

"And our job-" He stopped and jabbed a finger toward the lot of them. "-is to keep her safe!"

Before anyone could nod in agreement, a clear, confident voice cut in from behind him.

"I'm perfectly capable of defending myself."

The commander nearly tripped over his own boots as he spun around. "A-Ah!"

Standing there, framed by the fading sunlight, was the young lady herself- posture straight, eyes keen, travel cloak brushing the ground as if she'd just stepped out of a painting.

"I-I did not see you there, Lady Alarie." He lowered his gaze and saluted as a sign of respect.

"Clearly." She eyes the fifty soldiers that her father has prepared, Olivia feels a sudden heavy weight on her soldiers- commanding this many people is not her first rodeo. Back in her first life being in the upper management she had her own set of experiences being a leader.

But commanding soldiers is a new experience, with the help of some of the old villainess' memories she should know what to do. "Soldiers it is my honour to have you by my side today, there have been reports of a new goblin nest residing outside of town- still it possesses a threat for the safety of my people."

"My name is Olivia Charlotte Alarie," She declared, her voice carrying across the camp as if she were addressing a court rather than a crowd of armored men. "Daughter of Duke Owyn Alarie. It is my honour to stand before you and make use of your time."

Her gaze swept across the rows of knights, meeting more than a few startled stares. "As you no doubt have heard, I have volunteered to lead this expedition. The goblins' nest grows bolder by the day, and their numbers now threaten the safety of the town."

"I hope you will all stand with me," (Olivia) said, her voice steady, cutting through the murmurs of the camp. "I have a plan- one that will be carried out tomorrow. It will be swift, decisive… and effective. But for that, I will need every ounce of your strength."

A ripple of unease passed through the ranks. Some knights exchanged wary glances, while others stared at her as if she had just suggested they storm a dragon's lair.

From the back of the formation, a grizzled soldier muttered under his breath, "The young lady's out of her mind… Does she really think she can wipe out a goblin nest in one day? It takes weeks at best."

Another knight leaned closer, speaking in a hushed, doubtful tone. "Who knows? She's mad to even try something like that. I'm not sure if milady even realises the goblins have other settlements nearby. We've tried tracking them down, but every scouting mission has come back empty-handed."

A third chimed in, shaking his head, "It's a waste of time. Impossible, even. With all our magic and this many soldiers, the best we could do is cut their numbers in half."

"Shame," A younger soldier added grimly, "they breed faster than rats or a horny rabbit in season."

Their quiet muttering was broken when the commander's voice boomed across the camp, "Quiet, you dogs! Save your doubts for when the goblins have you by the throat- until then, keep your mouths shut and your blades ready!"

Olivia stood unflinching, her sharp eyes sweeping across them. There was no trace of hesitation in her stance, no flicker of doubt in her expression. If she had heard their words, she gave no sign- only the faintest of smiles touched her lips, as though she already knew something they didn't.

She let her gaze sweep over the fifty soldiers her father had assigned to her- each one armed, armored, and watching her with a mix of curiosity and doubt. The campfires flickered against their faces, throwing long shadows across the clearing.

"Commander, may you give me a few moments to take a look at your camp before we proceed talking about our tactics?"

"O-Of course, milady!"

Olivia herself stood out sharply against the rugged backdrop of tents and mud. She kept eyeing all the other soldiers who have dispersed and was waiting for the next meeting to be issued, some prayed that they wouldn't die at the hands of an inexperienced noble lady.

"Oh goddess, please don't let this be my last time I eat. I want to have a family, to die by the hands of an inexperienced woman commanding- sniff… she's not even wearing proper armor."

Olivia overhears the dramatic prayer and gagged.

'He's right.' She glanced down at herself, taking in the sturdy leather of her hunting uniform- practical, yes, but in stark contrast to the disciplined ranks of soldiers before her.

Each man and woman wore the regiment's matching colors, their armor catching the firelight in a uniform gleam.

"I suppose I should've brought something more formal," She murmured, half to herself feeling disappointed with herself for not thinking this ahead, sure she decided to go with a hunting uniform but that's only because it's better to wear for riding horses. "Everyone has their own soldier's uniform. They would look at me as if I am inexperienced, now I know why. As Duke Owyn's daughter I should've known that first impressions matter."

Sebastian, who had been quietly observing from her side, let out a faint, knowing sigh. Without missing a beat, she reached for a folded bundle resting on a nearby crate.

Duke Owyn has everything prepared, realizing that he needed to be better as a father.

"You did," (Sebastian) said simply, pressing it into Olivia's hands.

The young lady blinked in surprise. "I did?"

"A gift from your father," (Sebastian) explained, her tone casual but her eyes sharp. "He had it sent ahead… after your talk I had it quickly tailored to fit the young lady."

Olivia gave him a narrow look, but within moments, curiosity and a faint swell of pride overtook her hesitation. The garment was finer than she expected- sturdy enough for combat, but with the elegance and insignia of command.

"...!"

The villainess was touched by the gesture and couldn't help but smile.

"Tell father… I'll do well. I will be back home with honor." By the time she stepped back out of the tent, clad in uniform, the murmurs in the camp had quieted.

A few of the soldiers straightened unconsciously, as if their bodies reacted before their minds caught up. She could feel their eyes on her now- not with idle curiosity, but with measured attention.

Gone was the light travel attire she had worn earlier; now, at Sebastian's firm suggestion, she had changed into the crisp, tailored uniform her father had secretly sent ahead. The dark, reinforced coat hugged her frame neatly, the silver-threaded insignia glinting faintly in the firelight.

A polished sword rested at her hip, its hilt bearing the Alarie crest- clear proof she was no mere noble playing soldier, but a commander in her own right.

Sebastian, standing just behind her, already sees the young former frame of his young master on his own daughter. He couldn't help but stifle a laugh, the plan that she explained is down right hilarious but if it works then it'll be gold.

"If you're going to lead them," He said quietly while fastening the last clasp, "Then let them see you as a leader from the very first glance."

Now, as Olivia stood before the assembled troops, she looked every inch the strategist she intended to be- calm, authoritative, and utterly unshaken by the murmurs of doubt drifting through the camp.

"M-Milady! Y-You truly embody the military spirit of an Alarie!" (Commander Lenof) already knew what the Alarie family could do and dared to not underestimate the young lady who was rumored in recent months to have been taking her training recently.

"Many thanks, Commander. I will live up to the responsibilities of my name," (Olivia) said with a small, confident smile, already getting used to the perks of being an Alarie baddie. The armor that her father gave her is really working wonders, the insignia of their family is truly amazing. "This afternoon, I'll have all of you scouting the area but tomorrow, we'll have our work cut out for ourselves. We will destroy the nest by any means necessary!"

"Is that clear?!"

"Yes, ma'am!" The soldiers chorused, their voices shaking the air.

Olivia stepped toward the tent's entrance, lifting the flap just enough to peer outside. She held it open slightly and glanced back, wordlessly signaling for the commander to follow.

"Good," she said, her voice carrying the same cool authority. "Eat your fill. I will tell the commander my plan, and in one hour… we move out."

The murmurs of the troops returned, hushed and curious, but none dared question her further.

After all… in their lineage- the family is well known to carry crazy military genius strategist, perhaps the young lady who was once well known to be lazy and a partygoer is now taking the Alarie name seriously.

"Will we live to see tomorrow?" One soldier asked, and the others slapped him in the back for bringing the morale down.

"Shut up man."

"Ow."

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