Chapter 47

Chapter 47

"How long do you plan on calling me junior?"

Evangeline queried, a crease appearing between her brows. I answered with a nonchalant shrug.

"Whats wrong? Dont like being referred to as junior?"

"It sounds like youre poking fun at me..."

"Well, you can always call me senior in return."

"...Huh?"

"Refer to me as senior. Im from the 369th batch of the Royal Academy, and youre from the 375th. We are indeed senior and junior, arent we?"

On hearing my earnest request, Evangeline seemed slightly taken aback.

"Am I allowed to call you that?"

"Why not? Feel free to address me as such, junior~"

After a moment of hesitation, Evangeline took a deep breath.

"...Fine. Its not common to address a royal this way."

She inhaled sharply, then spoke.

"From this point on, Ill refer to you as senior. Im relying on you... Se, Senior."

She managed to get the words out, her tiny fists balled up as if she were grappling with embarrassment. I let out a soft chuckle. If my actions could provide even a modicum of comfort to her, it would be worth it.

Lets tread lightly and build a friendship.

Just then, Lucas, who had been trembling slightly behind me, piped up.

"Hold on, Your Highness!"

"Whats up now?!"

Was it because the term senior seemed too casual? Was Lucas throwing a fit?

"Thats not fair!"

That wasnt it...

I held my throbbing head.

"What exactly is not fair to you...?"

"I want to call you senior too!"

"But, were classmates..."

"Then, classmate!"

"No, forget that. Just stick to Your Highness or Lord."

"Your Lordship? Lord? Hmm, Lord..."

Lucas savored the word Lord in his mouth.

"I prefer Lord, Your Lordship."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes, Your Lordship!"

"Call me whatever suits you."

He seemed to be getting a bit carried away. The continuous battles must be taking a toll on him. Ill need to manage his battle stress.

"Oh my dear classmate~ Oh my dear country~"

Jupiter was nursing a bottle of whiskey and humming some odd tune from behind. Quiet down, old lady.

"Well, then..."

As the commotion around my title was settling down, Damien asked in a tentative tone.

"What should we call Evangeline...?"

"For now, please address me as Miss."

Evangeline awkwardly twirled a lock of her hair as she mumbled.

"I was referred to in that manner while growing up here... yes."

Being the Lords daughter, she must have been called Miss by the locals.

I tried picturing a younger Evangeline.

Her toddling around the town, locals affectionately calling out "Miss!" "Miss Evangeline!"... The thought was endearing.

"Im Damien. I serve as a sniper and a healer. Nice to meet you, Miss Evangeline."

Damien greeted her with a gentle smile.

"Im Jupiter, a lightning wizard. Youre about the same age as my granddaughter, Miss Evangeline. Quite a darling, I must say."

With a warm, grandmotherly smile, Jupiter chimed in. Dont let her fool you! That old woman is a penny pincher at heart!

"...Its Lucas."

Spitting out his name with brevity, Lucas widened his eyes and added,

"You. Jerk."

"..."

Evangeline responded, her expression fiery.

"Pleasure to see you again. You. Twit."

"..."

"..."

A palpable tension flowed between the two frontline knights.

One might assume people within the same field would understand each other and get along, but on the contrary, could they be rivals, vying for the same position...?

"Alright, lets delve into the specifics about our team as we move along. For now, lets get going. Junior."

Positioned between colleagues and juniors, I threw an arm around the shoulders of both.

Hisssssss...!

While the others adeptly ignited their torches or lanterns to ward off the darkness, Evangeline recoiled in surprise.

"Ah! What, what is this darkness?!"

"Youd best get accustomed to it, junior. This entire dungeon is shrouded in such darkness."

I grinned at Evangeline, who hesitantly retreated.

"If the darkness unnerves you, would you like to turn back now?"

"...! Dont, dont mock me. This is nothing!"

Evangeline hoisted her torch high. She was petite, so it flickered at my eye level. Nonetheless, it appeared she was ready.

We made our way into the desiccated sewer.

[Section 1: The Dried Sewer]

- Progress to Clear: Normal Room 0/4

There was no boss room to conquer, the previous raid having already taken care of that. We had also secured all the treasure chests at that time.

All we had to do now was deal with the monsters that regenerated inside the dungeon.

Lucas, take point. Damien, youre up next, watching our front. Jupiter, youre in the middle, casting magic. Im fourth, with Evangeline holding up the rear.

As I issued these orders, the party members promptly fell into line, all except for Evangeline.

Wait a minute, Im a shield knight! I should be at the front...!

Evangeline.

I interrupted her, my tone chilly.

Theres one rule I neglected to mention. In the field, the chain of command rests solely with me.

...!

This is the den of these monsters. One misstep could mean the end. If you want to defy or dispute, leave. Otherwise, obey my orders without question.

...

So, whats your decision?

...Ill follow.

Evangeline raised her bowed head.

Her small face regained its composure. Once childlike, now there was a trace of the knight about her.

I apologize for my previous childishness. I thought maybe I was being underestimated due to my youth and stature, so...

The rear guard is just as crucial a role as the front. In this gloom, we cant predict where the enemies might emerge. Youre tasked with safeguarding our rear. Dont minimize the significance of your role.

Yes.

More importantly, I dont gauge your value by your looks.

This might seem odd, but my attention is always fixated on the system window.

What I trust is not your physical appearance, but your stats displayed on the system window.

Its incredibly amazing.

Whether youre tall or short, old or young, its irrelevant. I trust in your proven abilities.

With her lips tightly sealed, murmuring something under her breath, Evangeline quietly nodded.

So, as long as youre part of my party, Ill position you where youre most needed. Follow my lead, without complaint.

Yes, senior.

Great, lets move!

Evangeline took her place at the tail of our formation. At long last, the five of us began our forward march.

We navigated a twisting passage and arrived at the threshold of the first room. I took a deep breath and charged into the room, throwing caution to the wind.

What will be this seasons monster~!

Thud!

Thud! Thud! Thud!

As we infiltrated the room, colossal forms detached from the four walls and began to lumber towards us, their feet reverberating with each step.

A massive creature comprised of earth and minerals, a magic core emitting a faint glow from its chest.

Its a golem...

A system window promptly materialized before me.

[Dried Sewer - Room 1]

- Wipe out all the enemies!

- Lv.6 Rock Golem: 4 units

The monster we must vanquish in this dungeon exploration, and the monster horde we must confront in the subsequent defense stage, is indeed, the golems.

"What a damn mess weve stumbled into now..."

Golems fell under the category of large monsters. These huge bastards were charging at us in a pack.

I cursed under my breath, even as my party members formed a defensive circle around me.

It seemed that each of us would have to take on one golem. I clapped my hands together in approval.

"Alright, everyone. Shall we show them what were made of?"

Lucas drew his sword, and Damien took aim with his crossbow. Jupiter conjured lightning in her hands, and Evangeline...

Gulp!

She positioned her shield forward, swallowing loudly enough for all to hear.

She seemed unaccustomed to real combat. A hint of nervousness showed on her face.

Observing the young prodigys side profile, I couldnt help but chuckle.

"Lets mine these rocks! Take them down gently!"

At my shout, the four members of the party and the four golems launched into attacks against each other.