CH 119

“I swear.” Mayer nodded all too willingly. I frowned at his instantaneous change of stance, sensing something off. I felt like I was done in somehow… Had he been trying to make me take Robur without arguing in the first place? But it was already too late for suspicion since I had accepted his offer. Moreover, upon thinking further, it wasn’t even something bad for the special unit. Robur was an elite defender of the Dark Knights; Nova would have much to learn from her. It was most satisfying to imagine him improving even further.

Suddenly, then, a question popped into my mind. How come Nova joined the elite squad of the Dark Knights in the first playthrough when there was Robur? Only one person was allowed for each role in that squad. In short, it signified being the strongest in the expedition corps. Nova was also a good defender at the time, but he was very lacking compared to the present Robur.

The reasons for a corps member leaving the corps were simple: injury, death, resignation, or betrayal. But the Robur I knew wasn’t the sort to give up challenging dungeons due to their difficulty, and she was not one to betray. Mayer would never have assigned her to the special unit otherwise. If she had died or suffered an injury in the first playthrough, I should know in advance. I immediately asked Mayer, “How did Robur end up being left out in the first playthrough?”

“She was wounded during a raid. Lost an arm.”

“Oh, dear.”

As someone who had also experienced losing an arm, I could imagine how miserable Robur must have been then. Not to mention, she was a melee defender. While I could still use magic even without my left arm, she would have had no choice but to retire.

“After that, she trained her juniors in the Dark Knights… Nova Ferrum was one of those taught by her.”

I exclaimed in pity. Robur was an excellent shield keeper. Even with Nova around, losing her would be a huge loss of power for the Dark Knights. Seeming to read my anxiety, Mayer chuckled as he said, “Do not worry. We have already gone through the dungeon where Robur was injured, last year.”

“So you changed things, Captain.”

I let out a sigh of relief, pressing a hand against my chest. I thought Mayer would laugh at his proud achievement, but contrary to my expectations, his face was full of self-mockery. “Unlike with the Green Spirits… the difficulty of that dungeon did not change much.”

He still seemed very bothered over the Green Spirits incident. Having no words to give him, I accepted his bitterness in silence.

“As for the other elite members… Axion and August, you know as well that they have been fine since then. Only…” Mayer hesitated to continue. He stroked his sturdy chin with a hand big enough to completely cover my face. “Tragula. He is currently out on an expedition, but… Keep your distance from him. The man will be leaving the Dark Knights soon enough. He is a traitor.” I stared at him in silence and he added, “You are also aware of this, yes?”

“Haha…”

Of course I was aware… I looked away with an awkward laugh as, all of a sudden, I felt like I was sitting on needles and pins. After all, Tragula had betrayed the Dark Knights to join none other than Fabian Corps. Moreover, I was the one who insisted to Fabian that we recruit him.