Chapter 67
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Stop the Group Bullying! (9)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The relationship between Yoo-young and Bayard.
At first glance, it might seem like something not worth worrying about. To Yoo-young, he was just a mere knight, after all. Of course, being a member of the Royal Knights was no lowly position either.
But compared to Yoo-young's status ruling over the Twelve Tribes, Bayard's position couldn't help but fall a bit short. Still, I kept feeling like their relationship was important.
So, I had no choice but to make a decision. Let's let Yoo-young and Bayard meet each other. Have them meet and talk it out. It felt like the right thing to do right now.
Because Yoo-young thought of Bayard as a friend, and Bayard thought of Yoo-young as a friend too. But I had no intention of forcing it. I opened my mouth.
"Bayard, if you want, I can arrange a chance for you to meet Yoo-young and talk."
"Y-Yoo-young... and talk...?"
"Yeah, only if you want to. I'm not forcing you."
"......"
Bayard wore a complicated expression. She was probably agonizing over it. I doubted she'd answer right away. Their relationship had been awkward for so long. I stood up from my seat.
"If you make up your mind, tell me directly. Or you can pass it through the other members; I don't mind."
"Wh-Why are you going so far out of your way for me...?"
"Hm?"
"N-No, it's nothing. I've just been curious for a while now. Why you're paying so much attention to someone like me, a total stranger."
I tilted my head, and Bayard averted her gaze slightly as she continued. Her voice was laced with guilt and fear. I listened to her words.
"At first, it was just nice to have someone to rely on, but as time passed, my thoughts started changing bit by bit."
"Changing into what?"
"I started wondering if I was being a burden to you, Captain. If I was tarnishing the Royal Knights' name."
"Why would you think that?"
"......Because the Royal Knights were practically wiped out because of me."
"Is that because you failed in your duty as vanguard leader?"
Bayard nodded quietly. People handle failure differently. Some avoid it, some face it head-on and move forward. Others simply accept it.
Accepting it isn't bad. The problem is when the weight crushes you. That's what was happening to Bayard right now. No wonder she'd been avoiding me lately.
So that's what she'd been thinking. Her pride as vanguard leader must have been greater than I'd realized. I racked my brain quickly. What should I say to her?
I couldn't recklessly offer empty comfort. Soulless words could wound her more. There was something I could say in a situation like this, though. After some thought, I spoke up.
"Everyone makes mistakes. What's important is what comes after."
"You mean... even you, Captain...?"
"Overcoming fear isn't easy, no matter how it sounds. But in the end, you overcame your fear and chose to come back. I just decided to believe in that version of you."
"......"
"Did you think you convinced me? No. Your actions convinced me."
Well, in my memory, all I recalled was my shoulder hurting like hell and Ruby just watching from behind. But saying it this way would probably be more helpful.
"Then, let's talk more later..."
"I'll meet her."
"Hm?"
"I'll meet Yoo-young again this time."
"......Uh......"
As if she'd suddenly found courage from somewhere, Bayard's gaze no longer wavered. Her resolute eyes were fixed on me. I scratched my head and replied.
"No need to push yourself. If you're really okay with it..."
"I'm okay. I... want to muster up some courage too."
"I-I see."
"Yes, because you believed in me, Captain."
"W-Well then, I'll set it up."
It had been decided all too suddenly, but in the end, it wasn't a bad outcome. Solving it as quickly as possible would be best for both of them. I left the room with Bayard.
"Teacher, I'll escort you."
"When did you get there?"
"I've been with Teacher from the start."
"Uh......"
With me from the start? I'd asked her to get tea and thought she'd gone somewhere when I didn't see her after. Did that mean she'd been following me the whole time since then? What the hell?
"He-Helia!!"
"Bayard, don't bother Teacher too much."
"Got it! Sorry!"
"......"
Bayard seemed thrilled to see her and immediately hugged Helia. Helia recoiled in disgust and pushed her away with her palm, of course. I let out a sigh.
Whatever, it wasn't a bad thing. Helia might not feel the same, but Bayard saw Helia as a friend. I headed with everyone to the cabin where Yoo-young was waiting.
"......You've come again."
"Yeah. Got some business."
"I told you to show some manners."
"This isn't the time for manners."
"Hm? And who's that with you...?"
The beastkin knight Yana of catfolk origin tilted her head as she spoke. Yana's gaze was directed elsewhere. Following her eyes, it landed on none other than Bayard.
But Bayard's condition was off. She was trembling like she'd spotted her natural predator right in front of her. She even hid behind me.
Then, like a bolt of lightning, a memory flashed through my mind. It wasn't even from long ago. Just a few days back, while organizing the armory, Bayard had seen a whip and reacted poorly.
And coincidentally, Yana's weapon was a chain similar to a whip. Was she reacting like that to the weapon? If not, then maybe to the person in front of her?
"Well, this is unexpected. Running into someone I know here of all places."
"......"
"No way... You're the one who asked to see Yoo-young, aren't you?"
"......"
"Enough. Don't speak to her on your own."
"As Yoo-young's guard knight, it's my duty to check each and every one of her guests."
She wasn't wrong, so I was at a loss for words instead. Yana smiled for the first time. But even to me, it looked extremely unpleasant. She spoke with that smile.
"Lady Bayard, are you really requesting to see Yoo-young?"
"No, I mean, that's..."
"Captain, I'm asking her directly."
I tried to step in myself. Because I'd realized this woman was connected to Bayard's trauma. But before I could, Bayard answered first.
"Yes, that's right."
Yana's face twisted severely.
The Captain had always looked out for me.
On the day we first met, instead of scolding me, he embraced me and accepted me as a squad member. And he kept giving me chances. Chances to cover up my past mistakes. Far too many chances.
How could I ever forget that kindness? But every time, that thought crept in. Did I really belong here? Was I insulting the Captain? The doubts gnawed at my heart.
[You're useless now.]
[Don't make me laugh—what gives you the right to say that...!!]
[Yoo-young said so herself. You know that, right?]
[......!!!]
At some point, meetings with Yoo-young dwindled. I'd thought we were friends. Was it all just her using me? No, no. We were friends. So I kept believing, right up to the end.
But that faith was ultimately betrayed. After persistently seeking out Yoo-young, who had refused to meet, I finally got a chance. But Yoo-young never showed.
Instead, her beastkin followers were there. And that day, Bayard was beaten half to death. But the pain in her body paled compared to the sting of betrayal from her friend.
And from that day, the relentless bullying began. She couldn't tolerate injustice, but her spirit was still fragile back then, so her personality gradually darkened bit by bit. This was the result.
"Well, this is unexpected. Running into someone I know here of all places."
Still, Bayard thought of Yoo-young as a friend. There must have been some misunderstanding. Someone might call it naive, but at least Bayard was sincere.
But she hadn't expected to encounter this person here. Yana, the catfolk leader of the group that had bullied her in the past. Meeting her here froze her body stiff.
Memories from back then crawled up her body like insects. Helplessness and terror gripped her. She couldn't utter a word. Not until the Captain moved.
"Enough. Don't speak to her on your own."
[Overcoming fear isn't easy, no matter how it sounds. But in the end, you overcame your fear and chose to come back. I just decided to believe in that version of you.]
The first person to believe in her. He was right there beside her. Realizing that alone made the fear crushing her vanish in an instant. Only then did Bayard speak.
"Yes, that's right."
There was no fear left in that voice.