Chapter 65
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Stop the Bullying! (7)
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The members dispatched for various requests began returning one by one. As expected, they handled the tasks without much trouble and brought back fitting rewards. It was an outstanding result.
This would elevate the Royal Knights' reputation. It would also spread word far and wide across the continent that the Royal Knights were still going strong. Of course, there were plenty of shortcomings for now. But that was okay.
The demons were in the same situation. It was mere speculation, but considering their movements outlined in the setting notes and the original storyline, it was clear their power had weakened dramatically.
If the demons had been at full strength, seven years—no, six years now? Anyway, no creature on the continent could have endured that long. Not even with dragons around.
In fact, even the dragons—hailed as the strongest race on land—had been wiped out by the demons' assault, with the survivors reduced to slaves. That's why dragons showed up as enemies.
Among the original story's bosses, there were no fewer than two dragon bosses. One appeared in the main storyline, while the other only showed up after unlocking the DLC.
The name was Tyrant Yuren or something like that.
...
Wait a second. Yuren? No way it's the Yuren I know, right? I immediately dismissed the grim possibility. Just thinking about it gave me a headache.
Anyway, the negotiations wrapped up smoothly too. The members returned safely after completing their requests. Everything ended on a high note. That's when Bayard spoke up, her face clouded over.
"C-Captain... H-Has anyone from the b-beastkin tribes come visiting...?"
"A beastkin delegation is staying here right now. Know someone in the group?"
"A s-similar scent..."
Looking closer, Bayard was fidgeting restlessly, her body trembling. It was like she'd come face-to-face with something terrifying. Her behavior had seemed a little off lately.
I'd chalked it up to trauma from the expedition at first. But no, it was trauma—just a different kind gnawing at her.
What do you do in a case like this? Racking my brain yielded no clever solutions. So I raised my hand. And gently stroked her reddish-brown hair.
"E-Eh?!"
"You did great. Head back to your room and rest now."
"N-No... I still have work to..."
"Clara, Ruby. Look after Bayard."
"Huh? What are you..."
"Come on, let's all head to the room—now!"
Thanks to the sharp Ruby. I could hand Bayard off to them without issue. If my hunch was right, leaving her alone would be extremely dangerous.
Fortunately, she had comrades she could trust and rely on. I'd ask Helia to keep an eye on her later too, I decided, turning away. Time to dig into this myself.
Grilling Bayard wouldn't make her open up. It might just poke at her wounds. Better to ask someone who might actually know something.
And only one person came to mind: Yu-young, leader of the Rat Clan. Strangers might not know, but Bayard was a Royal Knight.
If she commanded all twelve tribes, she might have even a tiny clue about her. With that in mind, I headed to the sickroom where she lay—but got blocked in the hallway.
"I'm sorry, but Lady Yu-young isn't in any condition to see visitors yet."
She was a woman with soft, fox-like ears perched atop her head and long blue hair. Her sharp, cat-like gaze gave me just a slight chill.
"It'll only take a moment. It's urgent."
"Might I ask what this urgent matter is?"
"Can't say."
But I couldn't back down either. This involved one of my members. Especially since Bayard had picked up a scent—and was showing blatant anxiety.
In short, whoever gave her that trauma was here in Lionheart Fortress right now. That was why I stood firm. The woman twitched her brow and reached for her waist.
A long black iron chain was fastened there. She coiled it around both hands like a whip, snapping the center line with sharp cracks. A chain as her weapon?
"I am Yana, warrior of the Cat Clan. I serve Lady Yu-young, head of the Rat Clan."
"Hans."
"Sir Hans, your conduct is utterly rude. Please show the decorum befitting the occasion."
I couldn't refute Yana. Knowing her poor condition and still barging in to demand a meeting was impolite. Yet I couldn't yield.
If a member's well-being was at stake, resolving it fell to the captain. But airing the reason in public wouldn't do. Privacy might be involved.
"I'm fully aware of that."
"In that case..."
"But I can't step back. Sorry."
"Then... I'll have to teach you manners myself..."
"Who's the rude one here?"
One word. Just one. But it bore down like an endless mountain range. It wasn't aimed at me. It targeted Yana, who had drawn her weapon in my presence.
Cold sweat soon broke out on her impassive forehead. She clenched her teeth to endure, but her body quivered faintly, fear winning out.
She had wedged herself between Yana and me. Her black hair flickered like roaring flames. Her very existence weighed down on us all.
"Show some manners."
"Kh?!"
"This is before the captain."
Crack! The sound of bone snapping. Yuren's casual kick pulverized Yana's knee. Unable to stand, Yana dropped naturally to her knees before me.
Yet her cat-like eyes still burned with defiance, glaring my way. Yuren raised her fist. Before it connected, she flicked her index and middle fingers.
We'd started it. I wasn't fool enough to miss that. So I planned to take the hit. More precisely, use time stop to soften the blow.
Sure, there's a cooldown. But better than nothing—it'd help me endure. I never imagined Yuren herself would step in here.
"Enough. No more disputes here."
No joke—when I stopped time and grabbed her wrist, it felt like clutching a steel vise. If I hadn't wrenched her arm for ages to loosen her grip, I couldn't have stopped her.
And it was the same now. If she flexed here, I'd go flying, body and all. Please, just stop. Did my fervent prayer get through?
As I'd asked, Yuren slowly lowered her raised fist. I was mildly surprised at how readily she complied. Blushing faintly, she looked at me and said.
"Y-You could speak a little more firmly, you know."
"What do you mean?"
"N-Nothing! Just... next time, stop me more firmly!"
"Fair enough. Noted."
Better to halt fights decisively. Though I had no confidence in doing it stronger here. Anyway, sort this out fast and meet Yu-young. Plenty to ask.
"You mentioned having questions for me?"
"Miss!"
"It's fine, Yana. I needed to see him anyway."
"Indeed, Yu-young."
"Come inside, then."
Her expression seemed more at ease than last time. Had solitary meditation helped her sort her thoughts? Either way, we'd get to talk more. A relief for me.
The room we entered behind her was the guest quarters I'd assigned. Lionheart Fortress saw plenty of visitors, hence the separate lodgings.
Yuren had explained it to me directly. I'd assumed it was regular barracks at first. The members' quarters were elsewhere entirely. And Yu-young was alone here.
"No need for escorts?"
"It's fine. With two trustworthy Royal Knights right here?"
"Music to my ears."
"So... what brings you?"
"Came to ask about Bayard."
"...Bayard?"
An odd reaction. I hadn't observed her long, but this was a first. Yu-young looked stunned. I cocked my head and asked.
"You know her?"
"I know the name."
"Your first reaction suggested more than that."
"...She was my friend. My only friend."
The faint nostalgia in her voice. Yet her words were past tense, belying the emotion. I caught on immediately. I had to.
That something had happened between them.