CH 164

However, Mayer didn’t seem very keen on making it known that there was nothing between us. “…But what if some strange fellow comes harassing you?”

“The strangest fellow harassing me was you, Captain.”

“…It was that bad?” Mayer asked, sounding as if he genuinely didn’t know. No wonder he had failed to realize the gravity of the situation until now.

“Anyway… That’s what I’ll be telling the others. That we’re not in any relationship,” I said firmly.

Mayer couldn’t find any way to persuade me further, so he had no choice but to agree. Finally, I was going to be free of the false title of being his lover. Of course, suspicions would still remain because of the special treatment I received. At least no one would be certain of it like how people were at present.

Good. I was going to get through the performance meeting report in the capital without a hitch too. At least I hoped so and inwardly said a prayer.

* * *

Having to prepare for the performance report meeting in the capital, every day was a busy one. That didn’t mean I could leave out training the special unit members. I made some spare time to head to the training room. As I came in, the three kids stopped idling in the corner and leaped to their feet in surprise.

“We weren’t playing! We were taking a short break after training until just now!”

“Did I say anything?” I replied in a scolding tone as I examined the party window. Their weapon proficiency was slightly higher than in the morning. It didn’t seem like they were lying, but they were particularly overreacting today.

Even Nova, who never made excuses usually, seemed panicked as he said, “It’s true. We haven’t rested for long. Squad Leader Robur was just here too. She told us to take a break while she was gone for a while…”

“Alright.”

“…You mustn’t chase us out of the special unit for turning lazy.”

“I won’t.” So they were feeling anxious due to the soaring popularity of the special unit recently. Space for members was limited, after all. “Oh, you silly kids. If you’re going to rest, then rest well so you can focus on training.”

Finally looking reassured, the three relaxed the tension in their shoulders. Nova let out a small sigh of relief as he asked softly, “Uh, Vice-captain. Have you ever been to the capital?”

“She joined last year so she probably hasn’t,” Sevi said knowingly. Thinking of which, the boy had been in the Dark Knights longer than me. I had only joined a few days earlier than Nova, after all. In any case, this answered the question of what they were doing in the corner. They must’ve been talking about the upcoming performance report meeting. It was natural for them to be looking forward to it since it would be their first time.

“So it’s the first time for us all, then,” Nova said, casting a broad smile across everyone. Then Julieta, who had only been listening so far, slightly raised a hand and began, “I, I know a bit about the capital.”

“Oh, right. Julieta was a noblewoman,” Sevi exclaimed, clapping his hands as if only remembering. The acolyte smiled awkwardly and scratched the back of her neck.

Now that was news to me. As Sevi and Nova were existing members of the Dark Knights, I got a simple report on their past and family history. Julieta was a different case, though, as I had recruited her myself. At the time, I had no idea she was of nobility; I looked at nothing but her stats. Surprised, I asked, “You were a noble?”

“Yes. Although I was pretty much kicked out of the house…” Julieta answered with her usual faint, weak smile. I couldn’t bring myself to ask how that had happened, not with the look she was wearing. She laughed out loud then as if she knew what I was thinking, but even that didn’t sound very bright. Her laugh wasn’t much different from a cough.

“I was always careless, breaking things, ripping my dress while dancing… My parents got angry at me for completely failing at acquiring the skills of a noble girl. They chased me out into an abbey to build some discipline. They told me to come back after I learned to behave.” Then Julieta slightly hung her head as she finished, “Which was practically telling me to never return.”