CH 130

Until now, I had thought Tragula’s past decision of joining Fabian was quite daring. Not anyone could switch to another expedition corps, after all. But seeing how he continued to bide his time, even though—forget giving a reward—his superior was raring to mete punishment, I could tell that the man was more opportunistic and safety-oriented than I had thought. He had only abandoned the Dark Knights because he had the option of joining Fabian instead. If there had been no expedition corps more successful than us, he would have kept clinging on like he was now, enduring the neglect without promise.

Unaware that I had grasped so much about him, Tragula grumbled the emotions pent up in him. “I am an elite member of the Dark Knights. Shouldn’t I be made aware of a sudden new superior? I know Your Excellency is a very busy man, but don’t you think I’m being treated too harshly for someone who’s roaming the imperial borders for the Dark Knights?”

“If you do not wish for such treatment, then qui—”

I hastily interrupted Mayer. “Ha! Hahaha. Hello. I should’ve told you in advance. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Jun Karentia, the new vice-captain of the Dark Knights. A support mage.” If left alone, I felt like our captain would kick Tragula’s rear end and tell him to scram.

Mayer wrinkled his face at my abrupt intervention. Rather than the fact I had cut him off, he seemed horribly disgruntled by me talking to Tragula. And as for Tragula himself… He had gone round-eyed. It seemed he had no idea I was the vice-captain. The man probably didn’t hear that I was a support mage. Was I to consider it fortunate that the rumors weren’t yet detailed to that extent…?

Letting out a small sigh of relief, I put on a broad smile and went on to nicely wrap up this situation caused by Mayer’s hostility. “It’s been busy since I took office, what with forming the special unit and everything. Things have been hectic for all of us. I was a bit greedy because I wanted to settle into the corps and that’s why the captain was late in giving notice. I don’t think he meant to exclude you, a hard worker of the elite squad, so I hope you’ll understand.” I gently persuaded Tragula. Even if he had no intention of ditching Mayer for the time being, it was better to be without negative emotions in the long run. The urgent thing was to ease his resentment and indignity toward Mayer.

But the more I spoke, the more Mayer’s face crumpled. His complexion reddened like a volcano and it looked like he would refute my words at any moment. “Jun Karentia,” he called out quietly. I could plainly read his implication for me to stop, but that I couldn’t do.

I continued trying to appease Tragula, and it worked so well that I didn’t need to wag my tongue anymore. Quickly grasping the situation, he suddenly put on a smile and held his hand out to me in a natural manner. “Come to think of it, my introduction was late, Vice-captain. I’m Tragula Nerus, and I’m in charge of squad Yellow Lightning.”

Having experienced plenty of discrimination living as a support mage, I was sensitive to goodwill and hostility. Tragula’s change of attitude was the greatest among anyone I had ever met. It was completely different from the first playthrough as, at the time, I didn’t get along very well with him. Back then, he had paid me little regard as I held hardly any influence in Fabian Corps. He wasn’t without insight, that was for sure. To Tragula, it didn’t matter much whether I was a support type or not. The important thing was probably that Mayer, the man in power, cared about what I said. It was clear that since the captain was dead against listening to him, he planned on getting his way through me. I welcomed that plan, so I gladly accepted Tragula’s handshake… or would have if not for Mayer’s blatant intervention. “Enough with the greetings. The Vice-captain and I have something to discuss regarding a raid, so you should go back and rest now.”

It was an obvious dismissal. The chilly expression on Mayer didn’t allow for any retorts. No doubt even Tragula feared him and so the man failed to openly complain at the cold treatment. He smiled awkwardly and took a step back, saying, “It can’t be helped if you’re busy then. It appears I’ve arrived at a bad time.”

I felt the polite thing to do was to say otherwise, but Mayer didn’t bother for any of that. He didn’t give any reply; the disgruntlement on his face spoke for him. Tragula seemed accustomed to his captain’s attitude as he didn’t pay it any mind. Instead, he went on to craftily change the subject as if he had just thought of it. “Oh, by the way. Is the raid in question related to a dragon?”

Mayer showed no intention of answering, so what else could be done but for me to answer instead? “You must have heard the rumors.”

“Haha. I caught wind as soon as I set foot in the castle.” Tragula chuckled. While we shared what seemed like a friendly conversation, Mayer unreservedly expressed his discomfort.