CH 141

Immediately, Axion cast a look at me, desperately shaking his head as if asking me to stop. Oh, this wasn’t the answer? I shut my mouth quickly. It was too late to take back my words, however, as Mayer’s voice turned colder than before. So cold it was almost murderous. “Jun. Even if you do not mind, the way others view you matters. And there is no need to bring on any needless misunderstandings either.”

Misunderstandings? What misunderstandings? I tilted my head in confusion. He was saying that calling my name was the problem, yet Mayer himself was doing it. If he meant for me to be treated as the vice-captain, then shouldn’t he be the one to start addressing me as such? Something didn’t seem right… but I felt it wasn’t the time to point that out. Mayer grabbed my shoulder and called out to the other elite members. “Do you understand? Make sure you all properly treat her as the vice-captain.”

“…Yes, sir!” Everyone answered stiffly out of nervousness. It kind of felt like he was enforcing discipline.

Uncaring whether I or the other corps members were uncomfortable, Mayer turned around after saying what he wanted. The first step was important, yet we seemed to be off to a bad start for the dragon-slaying. It made me a little anxious. I sighed quietly enough to go unheard by Mayer.

* * *

After departing from the base, we headed toward where the gate of Furka dungeon had opened. The vice-captain and elite members had the privilege of riding horses. Since everyone aside from the three rookies was on horseback, I was very worried they would feel alienated.

“And do you know what Vegan said then? That he took down ‘thirty’ goblins alone when he was level 30.”

“Blowing hot air in front of your juniors, Vegan? I think the story’s different from the one I heard?” Zinnia, the shield keeper of the Red Wolves, cackled. She slapped Vegan on the back and the spearman staggered like a leaf swaying in the wind.

Mm… They were getting along well on their own. Perhaps it was thanks to Vegan playing the role of a bridge, but the three were mixing in well with the others. The problem here, in fact, was me. Because Mayer caused a scene right before we departed, I couldn’t strike up a friendly atmosphere. Everyone was glancing silently at the front where Mayer was leading the group. Moreover, the captain wasn’t the only one they were being cautious around.

Squad Darkfall, a squad under Mayer’s direct command, was mobilized for this expedition. They were a separate team from the elite squad. Created for raiding dungeons and defeating the demon lord, the team consisted of six knights donned head to toe in black armor like Mayer. They were the true Dark Knights, the original Dark Knights, having served the Knox family since the previous generation. Also, these were the only ones who had resisted the grand duchess’ order to have Mayer killed. The other original knights had died one after another while closing dungeons. Only six remained. As they were vassals of the grand duke, to begin with, all of them possessed outstanding skills.

Being age-worn veterans, they couldn’t stand at the vanguard of dungeon raids. Still, they had years of wisdom and experience. Plus, since they held strong influence in the noble house of Knox, nothing good would come of falling into their disfavor. For some reason, though, I kept feeling stares from the side where squad Darkfall was. It couldn’t be that they believed the rumors of me seducing Mayer or the like, could it? Or thought of me as a wicked woman that was blinding the wise eyes of their grand duke…

I shuddered a little, the mere thought of it making me feel suffocated to death.

* * *

Later, after settling down in the woods to set up camp, Axion straightened his stiff waist and groaned. “Ugh, I can’t breathe, I tell you.”

“Is it always like this?”

“Nope. Truthfully, he’s never been in this bad of a mood very much before… Although, of course, he’s never been in a good mood before either.”

Axion didn’t say it out loud, but it was clear that the matter about calling my name had made Mayer cross indeed. Which made me think, why was he angry because of that? Why, oh why? Then again, who knew what exactly went on inside Mayer’s head? In any case, we had to appease the man’s mood, or else we’d have to enter the dungeon with this terrible air around us. Before that happened, it was better to remove any concerning elements as best as possible. But who would step up to the job?

Well, of course… Who else but me?