The Captain's Return
"Black Raven." Someone unfamiliar with the term might think it referred to the bird itself. But when Bella heard it, she looked at Adeline with a startled expression. And her next words shocked Bella once more.
"The Captain's back."
Bella echoed in disbelief at the mention of the Captain's return. "Th-the Captain, you mean...?"
"Yes, my master."
Adeline replied in a subdued voice. Bella, as Adeline's disciple in the Magic Tower, knew it well. Her teacher had once been a mage without any talent. Then, at some point, her gift for magic had blossomed, elevating her to a grand mage of 6-star rank. Once Adeline reached that level, not only the Arcadia Empire but various kingdoms had tried to recruit her. She turned them all down. There was no official reason given, but Bella knew the truth.
'The Captain...'
The leader of the Black Raven. In truth, the Captain of Black Raven. Adeline had refused to affiliate with any nation to follow the Captain's orders as a member of Black Raven. Soon after moving her base to the Tower of Fire, she claimed the position of Tower Master. Unlike her teacher, who was part of Black Raven, Bella was not an official member.
When Bella began her serious activities as a disciple, Adeline had told her the truth.
"I'm part of Black Raven. Yes, that's what they call it in the world—the Ravens."
Hearing that her teacher Adeline was actually part of the mysterious group known only as the Ravens had been a huge shock at first. She never imagined her master would belong to such an enigmatic organization. In the end, once Bella learned the truth, she was made to swear a soul oath not to reveal it. Of course, she had no intention of spilling it anyway. Adeline had already shared so many stories with her. There was even a separate agency in Black Raven that assassinated traitors. For Bella, whose curiosity about magic outweighed any fear of assassins, it was more intriguing than scary.
'My teacher's teacher...'
Adeline had always said it: her awakening to magical talent and rise to Tower Master were all thanks to her master. That's why Bella was very interested in this Captain. Just how incredible must they be to elevate Adeline to grand mage?
'Must be an amazing mage, right?'
A grand mage. Perhaps even serving as the imperial court's mage. But Bella had never seen Adeline's master—the Captain of Black Raven. By the time she learned about Black Raven, the Captain had already vanished. And now, the long-awaited Captain had reappeared. Bella was swept up in excitement. It was the spark of a mage's innate curiosity.
Unlike the thrilled Bella, a shadow crossed Adeline's face. She closed her eyes briefly, then opened them sharply.
"And with the master's return, the High Council was convened. An audit was conducted in the High Council's name at the same time."
Bella recalled the mysterious visitor to the tower a few days ago. Adeline had instructed her not to question the guest and just let them in. That must have been it.
"Bella, right now Black Raven is conducting a massive investigation into the principality's mines."
Black Raven investigating the principality? Bella tilted her head. Given the mention of mines, it had to be the Hailstone Principality, famous for its underground resources.
Adeline continued. "And wouldn't you know it—the village where that noble's bastard lives is right nearby."
Her voice grew icy. It bothered her that the village Bella was visiting for her commission fell within Black Raven's area of operations.
"You probably won't run into Black Raven, but just in case, be careful with your actions."
Adeline warned her disciple out of concern. Bella was a child with magical talent. Having reached 3-star rank at a young age—second only to Adeline—she was hailed as the next Tower Master. But her scatterbrained personality made Adeline anxious as her teacher. Moreover, Bella wasn't an official Black Raven member. Still, if she had to choose, sending her disciple was the best option. Adeline was a Black Raven member. If her disciple made a mistake, there was room to cover for her.
"Listen well, Bella. With the master back, their personal guard will be moving too."
Personal guard? It was the first Bella had heard of it. She knew Black Raven had the Captain, Vice-Captain, High Council, and various agencies—but not a personal guard.
"No one knows who's in the personal guard. Not even the Vice-Captain, and the High Council has no influence over it. It's a secret organization that only the Captain—my master—can command."
The so-called direct subordinates of the Captain. Bella felt the air grow heavy. Then Adeline delivered her final warning.
"If someone introduces themselves as 'Phantom,' mention my name immediately. Got it? No one would dare impersonate that name—never defy them."
In the ominous atmosphere, even the playful Bella could only nod. Yet Adeline's expression remained grave.
'Phantom'—the name for the Captain's secret guard. Unless they were Black Raven affiliates, no one who heard that name survived.
Emilia and I trudged along an endless barren road under the scorching sun. Sweat-soaked hair clung to my forehead, and thirst scorched my throat. We'd gone so long without proper nutrition, surviving on thin gruel, our delicate bodies worn from brutal labor now screaming in exhaustion.
But we couldn't stop here. Step by grueling step south, we pressed on. Along the way, I glanced back now and then to check if Emilia was keeping up.
'She's got better stamina than I thought.'
That level of endurance was far above the other kids in the mines.
'So why was she stuck just handing out rations?'
I'd assumed at first it was because she was too weak physically, assigned to easy duty. But seeing her now, that was wrong. With that stamina, she could handle two or three boys' worth of work easily.
"......"
I was curious but didn't ask. Judging by her expression, she seemed just as curious about my identity. She hadn't pried either.
"......"
And so we walked on in mutual silence. How much time passed? The sandy ground gradually changed. Green weeds appeared sporadically, soon giving way to fields. At the end of the dunes, the path sloped gently. Further ahead, dense trees loomed, a narrow trail winding between them.
"Whoa..."
Even Emilia showed relief at the verdant sight. It had been worth the nonstop trek.
"Keep going and we'll hit a village. We'll rest there a bit."
I told her. No matter her stamina, she was still a girl. After today's ordeals, she needed a break. The question was whether the village would take us in.
Even if we reached it, we had nothing—no money, no food.
"Hm."
I considered summoning my status window but decided against it. Calling on Black Raven here would just broadcast that I was the Captain. Issuing orders to Black Raven was a last resort. Even if not, it was safest only when the orders had no direct link to me.
Lost in such thoughts while searching for the village, Emilia spoke up.
"Um... Ethan."
She hesitated, then asked, "Why are you helping me, Ethan?"
I'd half-expected her to ask who I really was. She'd seen me command the Shadow Hounds firsthand. But this age-appropriate question about motives made me chuckle inwardly.
What was the real reason I was helping her? Just a few days of chatting and I'd grown fond? No. Fond, sure—but that wasn't why I was kind to her.
If she'd been from a noble house, I'd help even without fondness—for my gain. But current Emilia was a nobody. Still, the reason was simple: in my situation, traveling with someone beat going solo. Emilia filled that role.
'Ah, calling her "useful" sounds kinda harsh?'
Maybe years as a slave had eroded my humanity. Blame the asshole overseers.
Anyway, her role was key. Take begging: a guy alone vs. a brother begging for his little sister—who gets more pity? Yeah. Emilia fit the sibling setup perfectly. And our names both starting with "E"? Perfect.
'Sibling cover story—nailed it.'
Of course, I wasn't dumb enough to say it straight.
"Just 'cause. We're friends, right?"
Strictly speaking, she'd called the guy begging for extra gruel her "weird friend." Friends, anyway?
"...Friends?"
Emilia murmured, then trailed silently behind, head down.
"?"
What's with her? Touched by my words? Whatever—I kept eyes forward. We'd walked far since escaping the mines. We'd burned hours; delay much more and night would fall. We had to find a village before full dark.
'Should've brought one Shadow Hound...'
It'd be easier, but too risky. Dodging foxes into a dragon's den—Celestia was dragon-level. No contact with Black Raven or her now, so I shoved the regret aside.
"Uh, Ethan. Village ahead."
Snapped from my thoughts, I followed her pointing finger. A small village came into view.
"Some festival?"
As she said, people clustered in the village. Was it really a celebration? My hand drifted to the dagger at my waist.
This wasn't Earth. Possibilities swirled.
'Not bandits, I hope?'
In Isekai Conqueror, bandits sometimes raided villages. Good early XP—I'd done those quests. But this was reality. One slip meant death.
"Emilia, if anything feels off, we bolt. Got it?"
"Yeah."
She nodded and we advanced slowly. Nearing the village, the crowd's purpose became clear.
'A real festival?'
No bandit disguise. Villagers bustled with food, prepping a genuine event. Voices carried.
"Come one, come all! Today we celebrate our village's pride, young master Brooks of the Hartwell family!"
"Raise your cups and share in Brooks young master's glory!"
"Wooo!"
Brooks? Hartwell family? Hartwells were counts in the Hailstone Principality. Imperial vassals, so a step down, but nobles. Brooks was new, though.
'How much time between my game era and now?'
I'd come here ten years ago, at least...
'Minimum ten-year gap.'
Game lore might've changed. Why would a count's son slum it here anyway?
"Hm."
Likely the Hartwells had fallen.
'Aw, poor young master.'
Curious for details, we slipped into the village quietly. No one noticed us amid the racket. Why was a Hartwell scion here? We headed to the crowd for a look—and
"......?"
No noble air. Just a regular villager soaking up cheers.
What? Hidden camera? Hartwells really crashed hard.
'Yikes...'
They say even ruined rich last three generations—but this guy? Pitiful. Gazing sympathetically, he noticed us. Not me—Emilia. He eyed her up and down, flashing a sleazy grin.
"?"
What the hell's his problem?