Monster Season (6)
She introduced herself the moment she entered the conference room.
"I'm Elraim, captain of the Arden Knights. I've come to join late on the family head's orders."
Her voice filled the room. It carried that signature stoic edge, but there was an undeniable force that drew every eye. With Arden's reinforcements and the knight captain's arrival, the atmosphere in the room buzzed with energy.
"Haha, what a relief. Arden's sending support."
"Elraim, huh... Come to think of it, I heard their knight captain changed recently."
The kingdom alliance murmured among themselves.
"She looks strong."
"Hatan, heads up—don't pick a fight with her."
"Got it, Elena. I'll behave here."
"Haa..."
The Holy Kingdom reined in their natural-born brawler, the beastkin. The empire gave Elraim a brief nod of respect, while Parun eyed their biggest Magic Kingdom customer like they wanted to rush over and chat. The northern continent barbarians, with their slight grudge against Arden, shot wary glances. In any case, with Arden joining late, they continued the meeting with her included, briefing her succinctly on the situation and plans discussed.
"Understood."
Elraim nodded at the explanation.
"Lady Elraim, do you have any differing opinions?"
At the question, she glanced at me briefly. She'd heard that I'd proposed the plan under discussion.
"I'm well aware of Monster Season. If that assumption holds true, it's worth trying."
"I see."
Elraim was young, but no one dismissed her. Just claiming the Arden knight captaincy proved her skill. Her name alone commanded trust— that was the Arden family's standing on the continent.
"Will Lord Decal not be coming, by any chance?"
"The Arden Knights are fully deployed, and the family head is with them, so he can't make it. We're barely managing to send me and the knights as it is."
Sympathy rippled through the room at her words, and no one pressed further. The family head stepping out meant things were that dire. Still, they seemed grateful she'd come at all. Even one knight order from Arden was Arden.
"That's a weight off our shoulders. Our plan's even more solid now."
"Then, about assignments..."
The headache of a situation had eased somewhat, so they moved on.
"We'll take this area."
The barbarians pointed squarely at the Thousand-Year Mountains vicinity. They'd cleared monsters there during yesterday's drill, but the beasts had already regrouped.
"The mountains definitely suit you best."
Most of the northern continent was rugged peaks, so the snow-mountain-savvy barbarians got the nod.
"We'll handle this plain."
The mage-heavy Parun Kingdom claimed the vast open fields—perfect terrain for spellcasters.
"Then our kingdom alliance will..."
One by one, zones were assigned. Then it was Justia's turn. The elf Elena spoke up.
"The Holy Kingdom will move with him, the provisional saint. We'll protect the capital and Tianis."
What? Who with who?
"What bullshit is that? Why the hell would you tag along with me? Take another zone or join the boss-hunting squad. The imperial knights can handle the capital, and the academy just needs a few extra bodies. Tianis has students too."
But the stubborn Holy Kingdom bastards wouldn't budge.
"It's the gods' will. To move together."
"Goddamn it!"
Those fucking gods, gods, gods. No wonder they're the gods' lapdogs—their whole mindset's locked that way.
"We respect the Holy Kingdom's decision."
"Taking on the toughest spot, eh?"
"Justia strong."
Amid it all, the faction leaders approved Justia's choice. Made sense—they could redeploy the imperial knights elsewhere. Defense-wise too. Holy magic excelled at protection when it counted. But having seen it, I was frustrated to hell. Stuck with those damn zealots? Might as well die.
"How will Arden move?"
"We'll operate as a mobile strike team for support."
"With the Arden Knights' mobility, that's feasible."
Wide-open empire territory was a hassle to cover, but Arden-bred warhorses made it doable.
"Good. Let's wrap today's meeting. We'll fine-tune as intel comes in."
With conclusions reached after hours, the meeting finally ended.
The Student Council Hall emptied after the meeting. Plans set, everyone dispersed to prep for their roles. The barbarians left first, followed by the kingdom alliance, then the empire and Magic Kingdom together for furball analysis. Last were the Justia Holy Kingdom folks. Some glared at me as they went—especially the beastkin Hatan, who looked ready to kill. Justia's rep and elf Elena departed too. As she left, Evan hurried after her.
"Elena!"
"Evan."
Tsk tsk, totally smitten. A sigh escaped me. He'd earned it through the grind, though, so I let him go. The hall gradually cleared. I should've left too, but...
"Long time no see, sis."
I stayed put.
"Yes, it's been a while, young master."
Elraim hadn't budged either. Rana had tactfully left first, considering me and sis. So just us two remained.
After a brief greeting, we slowly approached each other. I spoke first.
"Sis, you've changed a lot."
"Have I?"
"Yeah."
Half a year apart, and Elraim was transformed. Her aura flowed nobly around her; even her expression and posture were worlds apart. Swordmaster realm did that—once reached, one's presence solidified, sometimes dramatically.
"Didn't expect Master so soon."
"You've given me so much, young master. It didn't take long after returning home."
A smile touched her face as I glanced down. At her waist hung the emblem of Arden's knight captain.
"Knight captain now?"
"Yes. Got lucky."
I chuckled. What a ridiculous thing to say.
"Luck doesn't make you knight captain."
Like students clamoring for Tianis, knights vied for Arden's orders. Competition was fierce, talent poured in. Captaincy demanded supremacy in skill, evaluations—everything. Sure, sis led the lowest of Arden's five orders, the Azure Knights. But reaching the top at 22 proved she was no ordinary.
"I worked hard."
Classic sis answer. I laughed again, but her speech grated.
"Sis."
"Yes, young master."
"How long you gonna keep the formal talk? Even as captain?"
Arden's hierarchy was unique: family head on top, then kin, elders, knight captains side-by-side. We were equals now—no need for deference like before. Public settings aside.
"......"
Sis fell silent, eyes fixed on me. I met them steadily. Our reflections stared back. After a long gaze, she stepped forward abruptly. I wondered what, but she didn't stop. Pinned against the wall, she finally spoke.
"Kyle."
"Yeah, sis."
No reply. She called again.
"Kyle, Kyle..."
Ragged breaths. She gasped my name repeatedly, her pounding heart audible even here.
"Kyle..."
"What's up, sis."
She bowed her head, crown pressing softly against my chest. Then continued.
"I... worked really hard. Cut sleep to train."
"Good job."
"Missions nonstop, no days off."
"You hustled."
Mastery and captaincy? No small feat.
"You were on my mind every time, your words echoing. Every single day..."
"Must've been tough, sis."
"...Yeah, even woke up thinking of you. But it's okay. Now that we're... together."
She lifted her head. Her eyes burned with resolve not to let me go. No shame in her voice.
"Why change so much? Trying to seduce me?"
Emotions spilling over—nothing like half a year ago.
"Your fault. You sent me back home... You have no idea how sad I was."
Her grumbling tugged my lips up. A new side.
"You made the call to go, sis. Blaming me feels a bit unfair."
"...Still your fault."
She looped arms around my neck, pulling me into an embrace. Our height difference meant no kneeling.
"Missed you, little brother."
"Missed you too, sis."
I hugged back. I wasn't immune to missing her. Reunion done, I asked.
"How'd you make it? Veil said reinforcements were tough."
"Long story... Becoming captain freed up resources. Couldn't leave the former captain hanging."
Father had formed a new order around the ex-captain, easing black mage hunts enough to send aid.
"Lucky break. We needed it."
"Heard."
She nodded, hesitating before asking.
"Kyle."
"Something on your mind?"
"The saint thing... true?"
Father knew, so she did too. No point hiding.
"Yeah. Provisional, but. You'll see."
"Since when..."
"Couple months."
"Not from the start?"
"Would I lie to you, sis?"
I knew why, for whom—but truth only. She bought it.
"Got it. I'll tell the family head."
Figured. Rare chance. Father'd been mum since last time. We chatted after. Much to catch up on after half a year.
"Time to head out? Rana's waiting."
"Yeah. Rana's still so sweet, even yielding the room."
"That's Rana."
Summed her up. We left the hall. Rana waited at the entrance—with Evan. Elena too, naturally.
"Elraim sis!"
Rana rushed into Elraim's arms.
"Missed you so much!"
"Me too, Rana. A ton."
Like close sisters. Long time since I'd seen it—common when she was around.
"Doing well?"
"Hehe, thanks to Kyle. You?"
"Not fun, but fulfilling."
"Mmm, Elraim sis~."
Rana hugged tighter.
"Long time, sis! Great to see you!"
"Same. How was with young master?"
"Haha, bro was..."
Evan's face hardened at Elraim's question.
"...Hell. Sis! Please rein him in!"
Evan tattled on my "deeds"—nothing major.
"And this is..."
"You saw earlier? Elena from Justia Holy Kingdom."
Evan introduced the elf.
"Pleased to meet you. Elena, Justia rep."
"Likewise. Elraim, Azure Knights captain."
Brief greetings. Elraim eyed Evan and Elena; Elena eyed me and sis. Some knowing glance, then handshake.
"Looking forward to working together."
"Same here."
Beats me what it meant. Same first initial, both sword knights—maybe that.
"Elena, what's that about?"
Evan seemed clueless.