Wyvern Subjugation Request (1)
“Hey, isn’t that the apprentice Juno?”
“That robe is something else.”
“Must be from a noble family. The elegance just pours off him.”
The next day, on my way to work, the mages of the tower kept stealing glances at me. It was all because of the robe.
Velvet of the finest quality. Intricate golden patterns embroidered with gold thread. Diamonds and colorful gemstones studded all over. It was so dazzling that I could hardly tell whether I was wearing a robe or a mirror ball.
—A robe I specially commissioned from the royal designer. Do you like it?
—Whoa. It’s incredibly flashy……
—I knew you would like it. I wasn’t sure what style you preferred, so I told them to use only the most luxurious materials. An excellent choice, if I do say so myself. It suits you perfectly!
—……Thank you. I’ll wear it well, Master.
Last night, after returning to my room from the underground stone chamber, Natasha had presented me with this gift. She said she wanted to give her disciple something splendid to mark his first foray into society. Since I had been needing a spare robe anyway, it worked out perfectly. I was genuinely grateful for the thought and care she had put into it. The only problem—if it could be called one—was that the design was so extravagant it bordered on the ridiculous.
“How much do you think it cost?”
“Enough to buy a mansion in the capital and still have change left over.”
“I’m jealous.”
Under a barrage of envious stares, I headed toward the Exploration Department building. Because I had arrived early, the Team 3 office was empty. I took my assigned seat and was reading through the existing expedition logs when Zakan walked in.
“Good morning.”
“Diligent. Too diligent……”
Zakan perched sideways on his chair and clicked his tongue. On my third day of work, it was becoming clear he had lost our bet, and the sigh escaped him naturally. He pulled an apple from the leather bag slung over his shoulder and asked,
“Had breakfast?”
“No.”
“Want one?”
Without waiting for an answer, he tossed the apple. If he was going to throw it anyway, why bother asking? I caught the fruit mid-arc. Well, I had been hungry.
“I was actually feeling peckish. Thank you.”
I wiped the bright red skin on my sleeve until it shone, then took a big bite. It was sweet, as if someone had drizzled honey over it. Zakan also took out an apple and began crunching away.
He glanced at my luxurious robe and remarked,
“Newbie. Heading to a party or something?”
“A bit flashy, isn’t it?”
“Flashy enough that walking beside you might be embarrassing. We should probably keep some distance on the street.”
“That bad?”
“Too many decorations crammed together. It screams ‘country bumpkin.’ Even the tailors in the market wouldn’t sell something this gaudy. True elegance requires restraint.”
“But it was a gift.”
“From who?”
“My master.”
“On second thought, it’s the most magnificent and fantastical robe in the world. A true work of art that captures the abstract profundity of magic through sensory patterns and dazzling aesthetics.”
Zakan flipped his opinion at the speed of light the moment he heard the robe came from Natasha. He was promptly roasted by Cynthia the moment she arrived.
“Stop talking like a country bumpkin. You’d be better off keeping your mouth shut. Anyone can see it’s a luxury item. Honestly, I’m embarrassed just standing here.”
“That’s not what I meant. It could look a little rustic, but……”
“Juno, I apologize on behalf of this tactless colleague. Please understand—he may look decent, but his head is completely empty.”
“Look who’s suddenly cultured.”
The two of them bickered as usual. Eventually the conversation shifted to the article about me in the Kingdom Times. While the three of us were chatting, Team Leader Gengor returned from the morning team-leader meeting.
“Everyone, conference room. Now.”
. . .
In the conference room attached to the Team 3 office, Gengor, seated at the head of the table, spoke first.
“We’ve received a wyvern subjugation request from Portri County.”
Wyvern! My heart pounded the moment I heard the word. Wyverns were classified as distant relatives of dragons—elusive, veiled creatures that rarely showed themselves. Because of their reclusive nature and their habit of avoiding human settlements, very few people had ever seen one, and almost nothing was known beyond their appearance and basic ecology.
To think I would get to see a wyvern with my own eyes, something I had only read about in books!
I wasn’t the only one surprised. Cynthia’s and Zakan’s eyes widened as well. Zakan asked,
“It’s really a wyvern? Not some other draconic species that looks similar?”
“Quite a few villagers saw it because the wyvern came all the way to the village. According to the count’s investigation, it’s definitely a wyvern.”
“Huh. An actual wyvern……”
Zakan shook his head in disbelief. This time Cynthia cut in.
“What about erosion?”
“They say a hole suspected to be an erosion entrance appeared near the village. The wyvern likely came from that erosion. It keeps coming out, wandering near the houses, then slipping back inside and vanishing.”
“This is serious. If even one wyvern is moving in and out, it means the erosion is already progressing toward full opening.”
It was a grave problem. If the erosion fully opened and all the wyverns inside poured out, it would cause a terrible disaster. Countless casualties and a great catastrophe were inevitable. It was a ticking time bomb that could explode at any moment.
“Considering the urgency and importance of the matter, the higher-ups have decided to dispatch two teams.”
“Two teams? One is us. The other team is…… Surely not. Right?”
“Why else would I be making this face like I just bit into something rotten?”
“Damn it.”
Cynthia’s expression matched Gengor’s exactly. Zakan also grimaced and muttered,
“Working with those annoying bastards is already killing my appetite.”
Annoying bastards? Which team could make everyone look so displeased? Curious, I turned to Zakan beside me.
“Senior, which team is it?”
“Team 1.”
There were four teams in the Exploration Department, numbered one through four. Judging by everyone’s allergic reaction to the mention of Team 1, their relationship was far from friendly. Had they fought before?
“Did something bad happen with Team 1?”
“It’s been going on too long to call it ‘something bad.’ I can’t really explain it here. You’ll understand once you meet them.”
The workplace was always a battlefield of petty rivalries, politics, and invisible power struggles. Even without knowing the details, one thing was clear: we absolutely could not lose to or be outdone by Team 1. It seemed their pride wouldn’t allow it.
“You think I wanted to send you on a joint operation with Team 1? Orders are orders.”
Gengor looked around at us.
“Count Portri is a major figure in the east, and the target is a wyvern—uncertain and dangerous. The higher-ups are taking this matter very seriously. Not only must the mission succeed, but the credit must go to us.”
Big projects and major contracts carried far more weight in performance evaluations than minor achievements. Cynthia and Zakan’s eyes blazed as they clenched their fists.
“Of course! A big job like this has to be ours!”
“Who do you think we are? We’re the mad-dog Team 3 that never lets go once we bite! Don’t you worry!”
It was the first time I had seen the two of them united in purpose instead of bickering. I joined in enthusiastically.
“Yes! I’ll do my best to support my seniors and see it through!”
Gengor nodded at our eager resolve and gave his final instruction.
“Good attitude. But as I always say, your safety comes first. Never forget that your lives are more important than the mission. If things turn for the worst, abort the operation immediately and abandon the task. I’ll take full responsibility afterward.”
* * *
We used the teleportation circle in the Exploration Department to travel east. Branch offices and key teleportation circles of the Heavenly Moon Tower were installed throughout the kingdom, allowing instant long-distance travel. After riding a carriage for two more days from the eastern branch, we arrived at Portri County.
“The mages from the Heavenly Moon Tower are here! Open the gates at once!”
Portri territory was a vast, fertile land of endless fields and farmlands. The city was so large and populous that I could truly appreciate how tiny my old village with Altrong had been. Though I felt overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the land and the refined buildings, my two seniors—who had traveled far and wide—remained unimpressed, saying they had seen bigger cities.
“Welcome to Count Portri’s estate. This way, please.”
A neatly dressed elderly butler guided us inside the mansion. As we walked down the corridor, he asked Cynthia, who was leading the group,
“I thought both teams would arrive together. It seems you came separately.”
“Our schedules differed.”
Team 1 had apparently arrived earlier and was already waiting. When the butler showed us into the room, three unfamiliar figures were seated, drinking tea. We took the sofa opposite them.
“The count is currently away on urgent business. If you wait, he should return shortly.”
After the butler left, servants brought in tea and refreshments for the new guests. Meanwhile, I studied the members of Team 1 across from us.
A green-haired man with antlers sprouting from his head. A man with wolf ears. And at the very end, a pretty blonde girl.
That girl……
She looked familiar. Then I realized her face matched the photograph in the article “Top 10 Most Promising New Mages of the Year.” She was the girl ranked fourth—right below me.
Third Princess Claire.
She was supposedly fifteen. As expected of a princess, even the simple act of lifting a teacup carried an air of noble dignity and grace. Her posture was flawless, her bearing upright and proud. She possessed a mature presence that made it hard to believe she was still a child.
If I had run into her at the Exploration Department, I would have greeted her. But because our offices were on different floors and we were often out on fieldwork, this was my first time meeting Team 1 in person.
Yet Claire seemed to recognize me. While sipping her tea, she stared at me with a subtle gaze. When our eyes met, she naturally looked away again. Her expression seemed to say, So that’s the kid.
Once the servants left, the antlered man broke the silence first.
“The dispatch order was issued ages ago, and you’re only showing up now? You’re as slow as ever. Why not just rename Team 3 the Slug Team while you’re at it?”
The antlered man twisted his lips and sneered openly.