The other officers, except the commanding general, wore expressions of relief.

But the commanding general looked as if the sky had fallen.

‘Looks like he finally realized which side is losing out.’

He knelt and pleaded desperately.

“Marshal!! Please forgive me!!”

I stared at him with wide eyes.

It wasn’t just “please show mercy”—it was almost a historical drama.

Judging by how readily he shed tears, he’d be fine making a living even after retirement.

‘He could become an actor after retirement.’

“No, no swapping. I won’t replace you. Go back quickly.”

Thus, my marshal career began with wrecking the management.

That afternoon.

I stayed pinned in the administrative office until sunset.

‘So, the funds needed for the ghoul extermination... hmm.’

They’d promised to return the embezzled amount by next week, and more...

The parchment was densely covered in numbers.

‘Why doesn’t this world have calculators?!’

They had magic tools to regulate garden temperature, yet no simple calculator.

So I furiously clicked an abacus with my short fingers.

No matter how much I calculated...

“It’s not enough.”

Not nearly enough to carry out the ghoul extermination task.

They would get the embezzled money back, but not fully compensated immediately.

‘Those greedy rats have already spent a lot.’

Even if I completely overturned the budget and collected everything, I wouldn’t recover half by the year-end festival.

When I glared fiercely, the “rats” flinched.

“Ma-Marshall, would you like something to drink?”

Gorgo, Western Army’s chief administrator, smiled awkwardly.

“I’ll prepare refreshments!”

“It’s cold! Blankets! Bring blankets...!”

“Please tell me what you need! I’ll get it immediately!”

The other unit commanders, also embezzlers, were restless.

“Needed...”

“Yes! Please say anything you need! Whatever it is—”

“Funds for the ghoul extermination.”

“...”

“...”

The rats went silent.

Then Gorgo said,

“Well, if you need funds, how about asking my father?”

“Your father? Baron Manin?”

“Yes. If I ask, he’ll promptly provide the funds.”

He spoke with overflowing confidence.

Gorgo’s family, the Manin Barons, were famous moneylenders.

They had been commoners until the great-grandfather bought their title with huge wartime funds.

‘They basically bought their noble title with money.’

They were still immensely wealthy.

Despite no land holdings, they lived in a mansion nearly rivaling great noble houses in the capital.

‘So among these rats, only Gorgo returned all the embezzled money right away.’

I looked at Gorgo with disdain.

“Why would a wealthy family like Manin embezzle?”

“Haha, my father’s motto is ‘My money never leaves my pocket.’ He’s an extreme miser!”

“Are you saying your father taught you to embezzle?”

“N-no, that’s not it...”

He babbled nervously, averting his eyes.

“But if it’s a request from my lady, he’ll provide any amount.”

He’d likely demand to meet my grandfather as soon as he gave the money.

I crossed my arms and sighed.

“That’s enough.”

“But with the current state of the Western Army, you won’t be able to participate in the ghoul extermination.”

“If I could borrow from outside, I’d ask Dad directly instead of Manin.”

Who’s my dad?

He oversees the continent’s delivery of Baeksujeong liquor.

He’s wealthier than the Manins.

‘How would the Imperial Palace bring in noble family funds?’

If the emperor knew, it’d be impossible to fix.

“What will you do then?”

“I’ll squeeze you all until I recover every last embezzed coin...”

The unit commanders’ faces turned pale.

Most were minors under 19.

‘If the family finds out, it’ll be a disaster.’

This wouldn’t end with just a spanking from Mom.

If it went well, I’d get beaten by my parents.

If not...

‘I’d be kicked out of the family.’

Embezzling Imperial funds is a grave offense.

Families might even disown their children to save their name.

“Ma-Marshall.”

“Please....”

I glared at the desperate knights.

“...”

Everyone was silent, nervously watching me.

‘Hold on, at least these rats are needed for the ghoul extermination.’

I stood up.

“Gorgo Manin, you’ll make sure the commanding general issue is handled. If you two team up again, I’ll hand you over as well.”

“I-I will definitely handle it.”

“Good. Then.”

I said that and began gathering my coat.

The rats flinched and looked at me.

“W-Where are you going?!”

They looked terrified I might report upstairs.

I shot a sharp glare and said,

“Home.”

“...What?”

I pointed with my index finger out the window.

“The sun is setting.”

“Yes, the sun is setting, but...”

“I have a curfew at six.”

The commanders blinked dumbfounded.

Just a moment ago, the rats were being rounded up like vermin, now this kid is talking curfew.

I ignored them and put on my coat.

Ten years old?

Dad would scold me.

But I’m a good kid who never does anything to get scolded.

When I got home, Dad was already back.

I handed my coat to Heidi and ran to the study where Dad was.

“I’m back!”

Dad and my older brothers were gathered inside.

“So. You went to the palace?”

“Yes.”

“You still have official appearances to make, right?”

“The year-end festival task was announced. I went to check on the knights.”

Balzac, who had taken the sofa first and was lounging, said,

“Anyway, that prep is a wall.”

He grinned and squeezed my cheek like a sticky rice cake.

“Ha-hee ma. (Don’t.)”

Dad lightly tapped Balzac’s head with some papers.

“Stop teasing.”

“I’m not teasing.”

I rubbed my cheek and sat down on the remaining sofa.

No sooner had I sat, Joshua kindly asked,

“How was the Western Army?”

“Reviews were accurate.”

At that, Balzac clicked his tongue.

“A mess, huh? No decent men? The palace evaluates knights yearly, so it’s easy to know.”

“The highest rating was 4th class...”

There was one holy knight at 4th class.

The unit commanders were 5th class.

Soldiers were the lowest, 6th class everywhere.

“Are you crazy?”

Balzac said incredulously.

Joshua and Richmond were silent, but their furrowed brows showed they agreed.

Richmond said,

“Holy class gets bonus points in evaluations, so their real skill is probably worse.”

“Probably.”

“Can you exterminate ghouls with such men?”

Ghouls were extremely dangerous monsters.

‘Next to ancient monsters, they’re among the strongest.’

They have no physical form, so physical attacks don’t work.

Hence holy knights are essential...

‘But that holy knight is only 4th class.’

I sighed deeply and leaned back on the sofa.

“Even if it’s impossible, we have to try.”

Balzac frowned.

“Do you have to go that far for the year-end festival?”

“Injuries are tempting, but to shine in the festival, I need to recruit good knights.”

“How about I join the Western Army?!”

Of course, it’d be good if Balzac joined.

He’d be a big help with the ghoul extermination.

But...

“You fool.”

“Balzac, think before you speak.”

Joshua, Richmond, and Dad all gave Balzac cold stares.

“Why? Isn’t it a good idea?”

Balzac smiled slyly.

“I like being with Eril all day, and Eril can do the ghoul extermination.”

“Brother, if you join the Western Army, your strength belongs to the emperor. Would Grandfather want to give his family’s heir to the emperor?”

“Hmm... I guess not.”

Balzac groaned.

“What will you do then?”

“Then...”

Dad, who had been quietly listening, spoke.

“We’ll have to spend money.”

“Excuse me?”

“Huh?”

“What...?”

Joshua, Balzac, and Richmond spoke one after another.

Dad looked smug.

“Buy knights from other armies with money.”

At Dad’s words, Richmond responded,

“But sir, aren’t knights fiercely loyal dependents who prize their honor like their lives? Will money easily buy them?”

“Then offer riches that make them willing to forfeit their honor.”

Joshua, quietly listening, nodded.

“That makes sense. Offering vast riches means you treat them well—thus it’s an honorable recruit.”

“Right.”

Balzac and Richmond nodded too.

But I wore a gloomy expression.

“There’s none.”

“Huh?”

Balzac looked at me, puzzled, so I rubbed my face with both hands.

“No money.”

We couldn’t even afford to join the ghoul extermination, so how could we pay huge sums to recruit knights?

“The Western Army has no money?”

Joshua asked, and I nodded.

“It’s negative.”

“...Embezzlement, huh.”

That’s Joshua for you.

He’s the sharpest in «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» Daymond’s jurisdiction.

‘So the problem boils down to funds...’

What to do?

I narrowed my eyes and gathered my thoughts.

While thinking, a familiar voice came.

“Miss, shall I bring the letters to your room?”

Mikelan, the butler, appeared carrying a bundle of letters.

“I’ll look now.”

“Yes, these are party invitations for the ladies, these are greetings from noblewomen, and these are letters from the heirs.”

That was when—

“Heirs?”

“Heirs?”

“...”

The three brothers glanced sharply at Mikelan.

Mikelan, familiar with this kind of situation since Daymond’s jurisdiction, smiled and replied,

“Well, I can’t confirm the contents of the letters.”

I was also puzzled by the heirs’ letters.

‘We haven’t had contact with the heirs.’

I picked up envelopes to check the names.

Ted Madillo.

Wiel Langro.

Cassian Jermo.

Familiar names.

‘They’re the kids from the club we met last time.’

I tilted my head, and Balzac suddenly leaned over toward me.

“Wiel Langro?! Why’s that bastard writing to you?”

Joshua picked up a letter I had put down.

“Ted Madillo...”

Richmond’s eyes also went to the letter envelopes.

“Have you been in contact with Jermo’s heir?”

I shook my head.

“We just greeted each other last time.”

“Then why are those bastards sending you letters?”

“Maybe it’s just year-end greetings.”

“Then why send greetings at year-end!”

“I don’t know. But it’s not just the heirs.”

Cousins at the manor sent letters too.

Dionera, Liantin... and...

‘Wow, even Selene sent one.’

Milan, my older brother, sent a letter too.

The three brothers widened their eyes and each grabbed a letter.

“Should I read this one?”

Balzac’s glare was so terrifying that I was a bit taken aback.

“Huh?”

“It could be a suspicious letter.”

Joshua smiled and supported Balzac’s words.

“You know some letters carry curses, right?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Some senders have dangerous blessings. Above all, some might try to use you.”

“...”

“We know the heirs better than you do, so we can filter.”

Since the heirs’ letters weren’t so important, I nodded.

“Yeah, well...”

As soon as I spoke, my brothers’ eyes gleamed fiercely, and they tore the envelopes open.

With no letter opener, just bare hands.

Rip!

Snip—

Crack!

The ripping sounded fiercely brutal.

With Dad in the middle, my brothers started reading the letters.

“Since our last meeting, you’ve had sleepless nights? What nonsense.”

“If you’re okay, may we meet separately? That’s ridiculous.”

“The duke is curious about Eril. It’d be better if he wondered how much time his son has left.”

My brothers’ eyes were frighteningly fierce.

I half-wondered if their eyes might catch fire.

Dad, calmly in the center, said,

“Bring me the list of those who sent the letters.”

...Dad was scary too.

Erilot was the first to finish dinner.

“I’m going upstairs first!”

“Why not eat more?”

“I ate enough. I need to go up and check documents.”

Knowing how busy I was with Western Army affairs, no one tried to stop me.

Joshua asked kindly,

“Let me know if you need help, Erilot.”

“Okay!”

Erilot went up first, and Daymond and the three brothers continued eating.

To be exact, they were eating while mentally planning the “heir extermination.”

Joshua’s smile was cold; Richmond wore a grimmer face.

Balzac clenched his teeth and bit his fork.

‘How dare they...’