Chapter 61
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Group Bullying, Stop! (3)
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For some reason, a reply came from the Rat Tribe stating they would send a delegation directly. The letter even thanked us for the invitation. What the hell? Why?
If we could go, we would have headed there immediately, of course. Even though the Royal Knights' situation had improved significantly, it was an undeniable fact that we desperately needed support from the other races.
However, even more pressing were the problems right in front of us that needed solving first. If we wasted time on pointless politics, we wouldn't be able to fight properly when it truly mattered.
"Cluna, you're sure we sent a properly polite letter?"
"Of course, Captain."
"I see. And yet they're still coming in person."
Just to be safe, I'd double-checked with Cluna herself. She insisted she'd politely declined. If she said so, then it must be true. There was no reason to doubt her further.
Right now, I was in the office with Cluna. Since the Rat Tribe—the foremost of the Twelve Tribes—was sending a delegation directly, we had to prepare some kind of welcome in our own way.
Not that we'd complain. In our current situation, where we desperately needed support from the other races, this was actually an opportunity. We'd lacked the spare manpower to go to them ourselves.
But if they were coming to us, then making a good first impression—including a proper welcome—would be the best approach. We'd be relying heavily on the beastkin tribes moving forward.
"We'll need to prepare a proper reception. Do you know anything about beastkin customs?"
"Of course. Naturally."
"In that case, Cluna, I'm putting the reception preparations in your hands."
"Understood. I'll handle it perfectly."
She had far more experience than I did. Plus, she'd never failed at anything I'd entrusted to her so far. It was that seasoned vibe born from real expertise.
Besides, our priority right now was handling the requests from the Dwarf Principality and the Human Kingdom. Large hordes of magical beasts had launched a full-scale invasion against both nations.
I'd originally planned to send everyone without exception this time too. But that wasn't possible now. With the delegation incoming, at least the captain had to stay put.
"No helping it."
The dispatch team could total four: Yuren, Clara, Bayard, and Ruby. Helia was still too young, and Cluna needed to prepare for the delegation.
After some deliberation, I finalized the lineup. Send Yuren solo to the Human Kingdom, and the remaining three to the Dwarf Principality. That was the best we could do right now.
Even though her heart had taken a major hit and weakened her greatly, a dragon was still a dragon—worth any number of mere magical beasts. Clara and Ruby, on the other hand, were a concern in reality.
So adding Bayard to them would make it solid. He was a solid mid-tier member, after all. Satisfied that this would suffice, I summoned all the knights.
No sooner had I called than the knights filed into the office. Everyone except Yuren was covered in wounds. Yuren, meanwhile, wore a refreshed expression. That smug look in her eyes.
"Hm! What's up, Captain?"
"We've got requests. Official support calls from the Kingdom and Principality."
"Another support request from the Principality?"
"Makes sense. Those two are basically on the front lines. They've gotten the most aid."
Ruby and Clara chimed in. As Clara said, the Kingdom and Principality were practically the continent's front lines. Their situations were worse than most other races'.
The Human Kingdom itself was formed by survivors gathering after all other human nations fell. It was essentially a massive refugee haven for humans.
At least it had a kingdom's form now. In the early days, it was little more than a refugee camp, according to the lore. Things had improved a lot since then.
The Kingdom was directly sponsoring the Royal Knights now, after all. That had barely kept us afloat at the start. Without their support, there'd have been no rebuilding—just total collapse from the beginning.
I made sure the dispatch team had ample supplies. I believed they'd handle it fine, but I couldn't shake the nagging fear of something going wrong.
"You can do this, right?"
"Of course. We've trained hard all this time."
"We'll be fine, Master."
"...Yeah, let's hope so."
For the past six months, we'd trained relentlessly without rest. To be precise, it was their choice. They'd reviewed our last defeat and sought vengeance for their fallen comrades.
Clara and Ruby had shown the most fervor. They'd felt their own powerlessness acutely during the Royal Knights' annihilation and were determined to overcome it.
Cluna's gentle words finally calmed me. Right—they weren't just any knights. Even as rank-and-file, they were official Royal Knights.
Plus, they'd trained properly under Yuren and Cluna. Cluna herself was sending them off with confidence. If she'd truly thought it dangerous, she'd have stopped it.
Sudden crises had piled up one after another.
But a crisis was also an opportunity.
We could turn this into one.
If we handled all these requests successfully and welcomed the delegation for solid negotiations, we'd secure far more resources than imagined. Rebuilding would accelerate.
And two weeks passed.
Every three days, letters arrived via messenger birds from the dispatched knights. Fortunately, they reported smooth progress on the requests. Yuren even said she was already heading back.
"Good. Really good."
"You can trust the knights a bit more now, Captain."
"Yeah, I worried too much. Oh, right—is today the day?"
"Yes. I'm going to greet them personally."
"Got it. Handle it."
I nodded with a pleased smile. Cluna had never been wrong. As expected of the Royal Knights. My lack of faith had been foolish.
Two major tasks down. All that remained was welcoming the delegation... Honestly, no worries there. Cluna had handled every detail.
Even if I was just interim captain.
Still, as captain, I needed to trust my knights.
Her gray hair fluttered in the wind, announcing her presence far and wide. Behind the girl trailed warriors clad in leather armor, beast ears atop their heads.
Killing intent gleamed in their eyes. To protect their master. She was the leader of the Rat Tribe, foremost among the Twelve Tribes—a queen in all but name.
They had to defend her at all costs. That resolve burned in every heart. Then, the girl's round ears twitched as she walked demurely. She halted.
"Didn't expect a welcome already."
"Still that fake smile, Yu Young."
"Good to see you again. Two hundred years, give or take?"
"Shameless. Bringing up that day first."
Elves and beastkin had clashed in the past. It was ancient history now, but back then, both sides had been ready for a war of survival.
And she—the culprit—was dredging it up first. Cluna, who remembered it all vividly, couldn't help but be dumbfounded. Yu Young flashed a small smile.
"Never thought the Forest Guardian would set foot in the Royal Knights herself."
"That's life for you."
"True. In this harsh world, you'd cherish your last remaining blood kin even more."
Cluna clicked her tongue unwittingly. As annoying an opponent as ever. A woman who foresaw the future and schemed to get what she wanted.
Her cunning was beyond measure. Yet despite the barbs in their words, Yu Young and Cluna kept smiling, eyes locked.
"Is this the captain's order?"
"Of course. The captain knows everything."
"Not what I heard. You seem awfully relaxed."
"We wouldn't ally with schemers."
"Sometimes you have to shake dirty hands."
"Not this time, at least."
No give, smiles fixed. They traded words, eyes unwavering. Silence fell briefly. Then Cluna cut to the chase.
"We have no business with you. Head back."
"We've come this far. At least share some tea?"
"Negotiations failed."
"A shame it's not as smooth as back then."
Yu Young raised her hand. Instantly, her waiting warriors charged forward. Cluna drew her sword and lunged at them.