Did she already know what I would ask her for?

Ch 220: What do you mean?

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After passing through the illusionary gate to reach the forest near the war zone, I head for Commander Cael's tent.

Since my two women have decided they're better off without me, it occurred to me that I could use the time alone to explain to Cael that neither Delia nor I will be returning to the war zone.

As I walk, I look at my surroundings curiously.

'How strange... It's as if the female members of the military have gained several beauty points overnight.'

Whenever I come across a female soldier or female adventurer, I find their movements to be incredibly graceful and sensual.

'It's... It's as if they're moving to seduce me. Or maybe it's just a side effect of my sexual abstinence… It's been a while since I've had a night without sex.'

And the fact that I woke up today without getting my good morning blowjob must not be helping either.

'I hope Alessia's anger passes soon.'

Based on what I'm seeing, abstinence is clearly bad for my mental health.

'Could it be that I've become so used to being with Delia and Alessia every night that sex has become a basic necessity in my life? Hmm, I don't know whether to be proud or worried.'

Maybe if I go several days without sex, I'll end up sleeping with the first woman who crosses my path.

'I have to be careful from now on. I don't want to become a jerk who will do anything to get laid'

"Emir! I thought I wouldn't see you for a while after we gave you all that money as a reward for your exploits in the full-scale war," says Cael, mockingly mouthing the last words.

As I enter the tent, I see that the recon group commander is sitting behind his desk, as usual.

In front of him is a pile of papers, which he is poring over.

"You know very well that I have never been in this place for the money," I say with irritation as I remember the stone I once thought was my payment for my actions in the war zone.

"Yes, that's what I tried to explain to Dorian, but he wouldn't listen to me. However, it was to be expected that he would think that way about you, since he believes that money is everything in life. But let's leave that aside... I suppose if the Golden Archer, the great war hero, has come to my tent, it must be to report something important," says Cael, continuing in the same mocking tone.

'#%@# I'd forgotten that it's probably his and Dorian's fault that I have the Hero class....

So it means that it's partly his fault that I so stupidly confessed all to my girls.

Haa... Calm down. Calm down. Just tell him what you came to say, and you won't have to see his smug, disgusting face again'

"Yes, I've come to report that Emilia and I won't be coming back to this place anymore," I say, and I happily see the smirk wipe off Cael's face.

"What do you mean?" he asks cautiously.

"I meant exactly what I said with my words. Yesterday I was ambushed by almost two hundred people, specifically looking for me, in the forest between the two armies, and that, coupled with the attempted attack that Emilia had received, has made our protector believe that this is no longer a safe enough place for us," I say, appearing contrite and trying to appear as sincere as possible in my actions.

"Haa... I can't do anything if that's Saint Delia's will..... And I can't say I'm entirely surprised. Most of these papers are from like-minded people. The idea of being in the military is quite appealing to many, but only until a real battle actually starts..." says Cael wearily, rubbing his brow with one hand.

"...I didn't think the award ceremony could play this kind of dirty trick on us with you.... I thought it would be the other way around, but I guess there are still a few enemy spies in our ranks.... Haa."

Cael seemed to have aged several years in one fell swoop after receiving my news.

I knew it would be hard for him to accept my message, but I never thought he would care so much about our presence in the war zone.

"I don't accept it." he says after a moment of silence.

"Sorry? What do you mean? You can't go against the word of a Saint. They are the closest people to God," I say in disbelief.

It is the first time I have seen someone openly say that they are going to go against the words of a religious person.

After all, people are all afraid of divine punishment.

"Yes, I know, and I can accept that the priestess Emilia should leave the war zone if it will appease the Saint. It would be for the better. If it is true that there are still high-level spies in our army...." he says, pulling out a piece of paper and beginning to write on it.

"...But I'm not going to let you go so easily. You're too useful, and I think you're strong and smart enough to deal with whatever group of people you're up against."

'Wow... I didn't know the old commander thought so highly of me. However...'

"You can't keep me here against my will, and you have nothing to interest me; is it that you don't fear divine punishment for antagonizing a Saint?"

"No, I do not fear God. My relationship with the Solus temple has always been a bit.... complicated. But that's my business..." he says, rubbing his chin and smiling with a villain's grin.

"...Back to the first thing you said, it's true that I can't keep you here against your will, but that's not what I intend."

"Right. And what can you offer me that I would choose to ignore my protector's will and continue working for you?" I say, hiding my irritation with difficulty but determined to keep squeezing as much as I can out of my false background.

"My friendship," says Cael, smiling again.

'Haa... Probably the years are taking their toll on the old commander.... He's getting too sentimental. He should retire... But that's not my problem.'

"No thanks," I say, laughing out loud and starting to leave.

"Wait, you ignorant brat! I'm serious. It's a very simple thing. As my friend, I could give you classified information about what's going on in the kingdom..." says Cael, standing up.

'As if such things interest me!'

I continue walking towards the exit as I laugh, but his next words force me to stop.

"...And, obviously, I would protect your information." he says, and I don't like the way his smile widens as he says that last word.

"What do you mean? You don't know anything about me," I say, for the first time, a little afraid that my masquerade might be revealed.

After all, he and Dorian are the only ones who know my real name.

"I wouldn't say I don't know anything. I've been doing my own research. You should have figured it out. With your skills and history, anyone would think you were a spy," he says playfully, because he knows he has me where he wants me.

"I'm not a spy! It won't do you any good to threaten me with such a stupid thing. Besides, you need me free, and if you accuse me and lock me up, I would escape and no one would be able to find me," I say with more conviction than I really feel.

'I don't understand what Cael is getting at with this empty threat...'

"Yes, I know. I also know your name is Emir..." says Cael, pulling a piece of paper from a storage ring he wears and beginning to read its contents.

"There are many Emirs in the kingdom," I say, but Cael ignores me and keeps talking.

"...That you are very skilled with sword and bow, despite your title as 'Golden Archer', and I know you can use space travel, which makes you all the more valuable to me. I also know that you have a friendly relationship with three skilled adventurers named Zia, Miria, and Irina..."

'Shit... That complicates things a bit, but I'm sure the three annoying beauties aren't going to rat me out.'

"... And you have a rather affectionate relationship with a person named.... Alessia."

Reading the name, Cael hesitates and frowns for a moment, but keeps talking anyway.

'I didn't know I'd been working for a stalker all this time! But that doesn't change anything either; Alessia will also stop coming to the war zone. There's no way they'll use her to find me.'

"... In closing, I know you have a rivalry with the young man of house Cangani." says Cael, revealing his trump card at the end of the list of information.

'Yair... Yair is going to expose me for sure.... He knows a lot of things about me, but it's nothing that would put me at risk either.'

"Okay. I admit it, you know more than what I expected. But that doesn't change anything," I say with growing irritation.

"The thing is... It's true that there are many Emirs in the kingdom, but, considering all those details, there aren't that many people who fit that name, age, and skills in the capital..." says Cael without stopping smiling.

"...I'm sure you'll agree that it would be a shame if, obviously by mistake, the location of the Golden Archer's home and family were to be revealed.... That could land you in a lot of trouble. Besides, as a commoner, you could be forced to serve the kingdom, though I would not want to bring nobles into this…."

At Cael's words, I am speechless.

It seems the old commander has been weaving webs around me for some time now without me noticing it.

'This should be illegal! This is blackmail, pure and simple! But this old shit is going to learn the hard way that some things are not to be trifled with. My family and friends are untouchable.'

"...Come on, don't get mad. It's not as bad as it looks..." says Cael, since surely my fury must be showing on my face.

"...I'm not asking you for anything unreasonable. I just want you to keep supplying the recon group with maps marking the locations of enemy groups from time to time, and if you can get rid of some enemy soldiers in the process, so much the better..."

'That's exactly what I've been doing so far....

And I could do it without any problems if I were alone, but it's impossible with Alessia and Delia following me...

Anyway, it doesn't matter anymore. This asshole crossed a line that no one should cross, and I'll make sure he regrets having done it…

Even if it takes me years to do it.'

"... I think that's the least you owe me for saving your life a few days ago. Also, given the actual circumstances, I won't ask you to fight in the full-scale war again if the situation arises. You are too valuable to be risked like that. But it is highly unlikely that the situation will repeat itself, as things stand."

"What do you mean?" I ask curiously, forgetting for a moment my as yet unelaborated plans for revenge.

"Well..."

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