The members dispatched for the request began to return one by one. As expected, they effortlessly resolved the task and brought back appropriate compensation. It was an outstanding result.
With this, the Royal Knights’ reputation would rise, and we could widely announce our presence on the continent. Of course, there were still many areas lacking. But that was okay.
Demons felt the same way. It was merely a prediction, but considering the records of the demons written in the setting book and the original story, it’s true their power has greatly weakened.
If the demons were still strong, there’s no way the continent’s beings could survive for seven years—wait, is it six years now? Anyway, no creature could withstand that much time. Even if there were dragons.
In fact, the dragons, who were called the strongest race on land, were annihilated by the demon onslaught, and the surviving dragons became slaves. That’s why the dragons ended up as enemies.
Among the bosses that appeared in the original story, there are even two dragon bosses. One boss is from the original storyline, and the other boss only appears after unlocking a DLC.
I think the name was Tyrant Helia or something like that.
…Wait a moment. Helia? No way, it can’t be the Helia I know! I immediately shook off that ominous possibility. Just imagining such a thing made my head hurt.
Anyway, negotiations were wrapped up easily. The members returned safely after completing the mission. Everything turned out well. Just then, Bayard spoke up with a serious expression.
“Uh, Commander. Did someone from the Beastmen tribe come here…?”
“The envoy from the Beastmen is currently staying here. Do you know anyone from there?”
“I, I smell something similar…”
Upon closer inspection, Bayard was trembling, unable to sit still. It felt like he faced some terrifying something. His behavior had been a bit odd until now.
At first, I thought it was just trauma from the expedition. But looking more closely, it was trauma, but a different kind seemed to be torturing him.
What should I do in such a case? No sharp solution came to mind despite rolling it around. So I raised my hand and stroked her reddish-brown hair.
“Uh, w-what?!”
“You did well. Now go back to your room and rest.”
“N-no, I still have things to do…”
“Clara, Ruby. I’m leaving Bayard in your care.”
“Huh? What do you mean…?”
“Come on, let’s head to the room quickly!”
Thanks to the perceptive Ruby, I could easily entrust Bayard to them. If what I was thinking was correct, leaving Bayard alone would be very dangerous.
Fortunately, she had comrades she could trust and rely on. I thought I needed to ask Helia later, and then I turned my head. It was time to check things out myself.
If I kept pressing Bayard, she would never reveal anything. It might even touch on her wounds. Instead, it would be better to ask someone I thought might know.
And in my head, there was only one person I knew who would likely understand this story. Yuyoung, the leader of the Rat Clan. If I met someone who had no idea, it would be Bayard, a member of the Royal Knights.
If she was the leader of all twelve tribes, I might get at least a tiny hint about her. With that thought, I headed to her hospital room, but I was blocked in the hallway.
“I’m sorry, but Yuyoung can’t see anyone right now.”
The woman had long blue hair with soft fox-like ears on her head. Her sharp, cat-like eyes made me slightly hesitant.
“It will just be for a moment. I have an urgent matter.”
“May I ask what that urgent matter is?”
“I can’t say.”
But I couldn’t back down either. This wasn’t just any matter; it involved the members. Especially since Bayard caught someone’s scent and was showing clear anxiety symptoms.
In other words, someone who instilled trauma in her was here at the Lionheart Fortress. That was why I wouldn’t step back. The woman twitched her eyebrows and moved her hand to her waist.
At her waist, a long black iron chain was tied; she wrapped her hands around it like a whip, snapping it between her hands. Was she using the chain as a weapon?
“I am Yana, a warrior of the Beast Tribe. I serve Yuyoung, the leader of the Rat Clan.”
“My name is Hans.”
“Sir Hans, your actions are very rude. Please show some proper courtesy.”
I couldn’t deny Yana’s words. Even knowing her state wasn’t good, demanding to meet like this was quite presumptuous. Still, I couldn’t back down.
If the members weren’t in a good state, it was the Commander’s responsibility to resolve it. But revealing that reason in front of everyone couldn’t happen; it might involve privacy matters.
“I’m well aware of that.”
“Then…”
“However, I cannot back down. I’m sorry.”
“This, I’ll have to teach you some manners…”
“Who’s lacking in manners here?”
Just a single word. But that statement pressed down on her shoulders like a vast mountain range. The destination of that weight wasn’t towards me, but towards Yana, who had pulled out her weapon in front of me.
Cold sweat began to trickle down her forehead, which had been emotionless. She was gritting her teeth and holding on, but her body trembled slightly, unable to overcome her fear.
Soon, Yana slipped into the gap between us. Her black hair blazed like flames. Just her presence alone pressured everyone.
“Show some manners.”
“Ugh?!”
“Before the Commander.”
Crack! The sound of breaking bones. Yuren lightly kicked Yana’s knee, causing her to collapse to the ground naturally.
However, her cat-like eyes were still alive, glaring here. Then Yuren raised her fist. Before her fist could hit, I flicked my index and middle fingers.
I was the one who made the first mistake. I was not foolish enough to not realize that. Therefore, I intended to let her hit me lightly. More precisely, I tried to take the hit more easily using Time Stop.
Sure, there is a cooldown, but using it was better than not using it at all. But I never even dreamed Yuren would directly intervene here.
“Stop it, I won’t allow any further conflict here.”
It wasn’t a lie; when I stopped time and grabbed her wrist, it felt like I was holding a hand made of steel. If I hadn’t shaken my arm for a while to loosen her grip, I might not have been able to hold on.
And that was the same now! If she were to exert force here, I would fly away with my entire body. Please just stop. Was my desperate prayer heard?
As I wished, Yuren slowly lowered her raised fist. I was slightly surprised she complied more easily than I expected. She looked at me with a slight blush and said.
“I-it’s okay to be a bit stronger next time.”
“What do you mean?”
“Oh, it’s nothing! I just meant I wanted you to speak up more firmly next time!”
“That’s not wrong. I’ll keep that in mind.”
It’s better to resolve fights firmly. Though I had no confidence to be more assertive. Anyway, I needed to wrap this up quickly and meet Yuyoung. I had many questions to ask.
“Did you say you had some questions to ask?”
“Lady!”
“It’s okay, Yana. Since we had to meet anyway.”
“That’s right, Yuyoung.”
“Please, come on in.”
She looked more relaxed than when we first met. Was she alone, meditating or something to sort her thoughts? Thanks to that, it seems I can have a bit more conversation. That’s quite a relief for me.
Following her inside was the guest room I had dedicated to her. Many guests visited the Lionheart Fortress, so guest rooms also existed.
Yuren spoke to me directly. I thought it was just a lodging at first, but the members had their own lodging elsewhere. And Yuyoung was alone in her guest room.
“Isn’t guarding unnecessary?”
“I’m fine. There are two reliable Royal Knights here, after all?”
“That’s reassuring to hear.”
“By the way, what brings you here to find me?”
“I came to ask about Bayard.”
“…Bayard?”
That drew a different response from her. I hadn’t been watching her for long, but I had never seen such a reaction before. Yuyoung looked shocked, and I tilted my head, asking.
“Do you know her?”
“I know her name.”
“At first, your reaction was more than just that.”
“…We were close friends. My only friend.”
The warm emotion I felt from her voice. However, contrary to her feelings, her tone was in the past tense. Immediately, I realized it. I couldn’t help but notice that something had happened between them.
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