Assembly (2)
A short time later, the kingdom's knight orders—which were notorious for not budging unless it was something major—were mingling with the district guards, actively pitching in with event preparations. Another rare sight.
"We're approaching this with the mindset of sweeping away anything that could threaten the city before the esteemed guests from various nations arrive. Understood?"
"Yes, ma'am!"
Claire nodded lightly at the sight of her troops standing at sharp attention. Having become the youngest captain of the White Flame Knights, she had gradually earned their respect, and a fitting air of authority now clung to her like the countless monster scars on her body.
Tch.
Glova figured she thought coordinating with the guards was all about showing off her prestige, in the crassest terms. A shitty mindset. But the White Flame Knights' asses were that heavy, which was exactly why they commanded fear and respect from other nations. Patrolling the city streets alongside the guards just didn't look right. For all his posturing, though, Glova decided to carry out his orders diligently.
'Cause I overheard all the backstory.'
The Demon King was on the move in this city. The odds of running into her were slim, but not zero. So what then? The captain was dead set on killing the Demon King. Whatever came after? She probably wouldn't give a damn. Claire believed she could save more people by slaying more monsters. The epitome of a justice-driven hero.
And Glova? Honestly, he had no grand life goals. He'd married way above his station and even climbed to vice captain. But ask if he'd gotten as strong as Siroko? Hell no. Siroko was captain material. Without a once-in-a-generation genius like Claire, she'd have taken the seat ages ago and held it for a decade or two—her whole career.
So why was he here...?
'Frankly, it doesn't suit me.'
Imagining himself facing off against the Demon King just made him chuckle. What was that? If the captain took her down, it'd make a fine painting. But some middle-aged uncle stealing that heroic moment? No way.
"What're you thinking about?"
"Jonah."
He bumped into the long-haired male knight in the royal palace corridor. Glova grinned at Jonah, who had aged just like him. They were friends. Used to be three, but now down to two inseparable buddies.
"Pining for Vice Captain Siroko's tits."
"...You tell Diana, and you're dead."
"Gah! Kidding. Kidding!"
"Same old you."
Yeah, same old. Glova heard that a lot. Right, the ever-unchanging Glova here. The guy who'd already peaked in life and now just slid downhill like some boring old fart.
"Jonah, from now on, we're teaming up with the guards to protect the city. Pretty cool, huh?"
"Why skip the escort duty? Headache thinking about tailing kids all day instead of getting vacation."
"That's some future worry that hasn't hit yet. Whatever."
"But it's a future that's definitely coming."
They exchanged glances and smirked.
"At least I snagged something better than lookout duty. Wanna see?"
"What is it?"
Captain Claire happened to pass by and greeted them.
"Jonah. Uncle Glova."
"Captain see it too?"
"Yeah, what is it?"
"Lately, we've had a string of disappearances in the city."
Glova frowned as he flipped through the documents Jonah handed him.
"Fifty in four days...? Something's off."
"...Nothing else you found, Uncle Jonah?"
"Mostly in the western district, and all the missing are young women."
"Targeting women—some violent crime?"
"Of all times..."
"I think it's related to the precursors."
Jonah lowered his voice. Info on the Demon King's precursors was known only to those in the know. Not exactly top-secret "get in huge trouble if leaked" stuff, but no reason to shout it either. News of the Demon King would just terrify people.
"Any evidence?"
"No organization in Furnaul could pull off something this big. None of the missing have turned up yet."
Fifty straight disappearances, and zero bodies? If even a corpse had shown up, it wouldn't feel this eerie. Claire nodded, sensing the oddity.
"Worth looking into."
"What'd the guards say?"
Glova asked flatly.
"Eyewitness saw someone vanish near a manhole... but checking there turned up nothing."
"Manhole? Hiding in the sewers?"
"Stink of it?"
"Hmmm."
Only bad smells down there. Not the most appealing job.
"I'd love to investigate right now..."
The captain's eyes burned with enthusiasm, but she looked troubled.
"Why? Something come up?"
"Schedule's packed. Saintess Esilla and her daughter are visiting soon, so I have to go greet them..."
"Claaaire~."
A sultry voice called out.
"Eek, Captain Riana..."
"Time to go~. You packed?"
"Get off..."
"Cheeks so soft~."
Seongyul Knights Captain Riana. Claire always felt a bit burdened by her overly touchy colleague.
...Jonah and Glova secretly wished they were the ones getting touched up. Glova, married man that he was, snapped out of it quick. But he'd thought it anyway—couldn't help it.
The Star Church garb had deep side slits, basically a tight miniskirt that hugged her curves blatantly. Riana's figure was infamous, rivaling even Princess Aira's. Massive tits and ass, yet a slim waist and slender calves. Her pretty face went without saying, and her long brown hair cascading to her waist was stunning. Some found her ever-curious sparkling blue eyes and constant smile a tad unsettling. But with her fair skin, she was an absolute beauty.
"Off to greet the saintess."
"...Couldn't you handle it alone, Captain Riana?"
"Hmm? Something happen?"
"Jonah."
"Yes, ma'am. I'll report."
Riana listened intently to Jonah's briefing, nodding along, sometimes gasping "Oh my!" She was all reactions.
Jonah thought to himself: Thirty-four—not too late to start loving someone...!
But the temptation faded fast.
"Heh... intriguing."
Her eyes chilled, and the air around her tensed. For someone so alluring, oddly enough... no one had ever heard rumors of her tumbling with a man. Her relationships, her strength—much was shrouded in mystery. The Star Church itself was like that.
"Could be a Demon King precursor..."
"You think so too?"
Claire geared up to insist she handle it herself.
"But Claire, you have to come with me."
A somewhat forceful tone. Sparks flew in Claire's eyes.
"Princess's orders?"
"Ear here..."
Whisper whisper. Claire's eyes widened at Riana's words.
"...What the."
"So... we go, right?"
"...Understood."
Jonah and Glova exchanged clueless glances, standing there dumbly, no idea what passed between the captains.
"Uncle Glova... ahem. Glova. Take this case for me, please."
"Got it."
"You too, Jonah."
"Yes, ma'am."
"And..."
Claire eyed Glova's group with faint worry.
"Heh. Vice captains who worry their captain..."
"...Sorry. I'm a sorry excuse for one."
"If you like, I can lend some Seongyul Knights strength."
"Really?"
Claire asked, surprised.
"Just captain-level for the saintess greet. Our vice captain's competent—team her up, and you'll be solid."
"Appreciate the support. With the capital so unpredictable..."
"Conveniently nearby. I'll call her."
After Riana left, Jonah spoke up.
"Who's the Seongyul Knights vice captain?"
"Not sure... Used to be Boni, but heard she changed a few years back."
"Seongyul Knights feel like a secret society."
"Heard stories during deployments. Supposedly a powerhouse."
The Seongyul Knights. Unlike the outwardly active White Flame Knights, most members were Star Church folk, operating as an intel network centered on Captain Riana. Their flashy uniforms made public operatives easy to spot, but plenty blended in plainclothes. They alone had royal permission to conceal affiliations and identities. So even vice captain changes often flew under other orders' radars.
"Uncle Glova. If it seems dangerous, wait for me. Got it?"
"Guess I'm not trustworthy, huh."
"You're the sleazy harassment uncle."
Jonah snickered. Glova had no comeback.
"I can at least buy time. Like Vice Captain Siroko!"
"As if."
"I'm serious—I'm worried."
Glova fiddled with his battered sword's hilt, feeling like a vice captain who just leeched off everyone around him.
"Wasn't planning to send the captain anyway."
He blustered.
"Sewer crawling'd reek—you know she hates dirt."
"You can handle it, uncle?"
"Eh, should be fine. My old man stink's no joke either."
"...You sounded reliable for a sec!"
Claire laughed.
"Take care of Jonah too."
"He'll overpower it with widower funk."
"I'm not a widower! Got a girl I'm seeing!"
"'Seeing a girl' he says."
Moments later, Riana approached down the corridor, chatting cheerfully with someone.
"She's here."
Jonah and Glova straightened up, putting on stern faces for a good first impression.
Glova marveled inwardly. 'Ass that rivals Captain Riana's!'
The Seongyul Knights vice captain owned a killer backside. Pretty face too. What was with today—blinding beauties left and right? Claire had that untouchable noble beauty, but this new vice captain was a fresh-faced black bob-cut girl with a pure, puppy-like cuteness. Even at her age, she looked barely twenty. Her beaming smile was so adorable, you'd do anything if she asked nicely.
'Snap out of it...'
Glova desperately pictured his wife, Diana. Dark thoughts vanished. No—her smile made his heart race again.
'The kingdom knights are just stacked with hotties! I'm innocent!'
Glova screamed internally.
"Hello?"
The pure black-haired beauty stepped up with a greeting. Even Jonah flinched, cheeks flushing.
"Vice Captain of the Seongyul Knights, Tia."