Chapter 37

"Where on earth did you find the Knight Commander...?"

"Ah, well... After the fierce battle with the Observer...! I fell into some space, and there I found a woman who was isolated there. So I brought her along..."

"And that woman... was the Knight Commander?"

"Yes, that's how it turned out..."

While the Hunter, who had left saying he would check if there were more Outer Gods near Rondan, was behind us, I was unconsciously spinning a tale as I walked back with Muyeon, the Immortal Woman, and the Knight Commander.

"But, how long will this..."

However, for some reason, Muyeon had been tightly gripping my wrist while walking.

She was holding it so tightly that my wrist was starting to hurt a bit.

So I asked awkwardly, but Muyeon suddenly turned her head to the opposite side.

"Ms. Muyeon...?"

"U-ugh... Just think of it as punishment. Please..."

"Punishment... I don't think I've done anything wrong to you, Ms. Muyeon..."

When I grumbled like that, Muyeon finally looked at me.

With tears slightly welling up in her eyes.

"...Eh?"

Because of that, when I showed signs of surprise, Muyeon closed her eyes tightly and said in a loud voice.

"W-well, if you think about it, it's because you surprised me, Mr. Tanton! Just be quiet!"

"Y-yes, ma'am."

Didn't they say that a woman's tears are stronger than anything else?

I really couldn't say anything.

On the other hand, it wasn't incomprehensible either.

Actually, it's like this, right?

If I think about my actions from a third-person perspective, I had rushed in prepared to die to stop a giant wolf trying to tear through space to come out for Rondan's sake, and then fell into another dimension.

I think even I would be shocked.

"Um, I'm just asking in case..."

"Ask me anything!"

Muyeon said with a prim expression, seeming to have calmed down a bit.

"By any chance... after going beyond space with the Observer..."

"Yes."

"You were fine, right?"

"For now, yes?"

"S-so..."

Muyeon said with her face turning slightly red.

"You didn't... do that kind of thing with other Outer Gods, did you...?"

She was casually saying the words that had become my trigger since being possessed in Snow Castle recently.

"I didn't! I didn't do anything!"

"Eek!"

When I shouted almost like having a fit, Muyeon was startled and shriveled up again.

Is it these people's hobby to scratch others at every opportunity?

"Th-that's a relief..."

"What did you say?"

"Nothing! I'm sorry, I was just curious..."

...Sigh, alright.

What's the use of getting angry?

It's all karma accumulated by that guy 'Laydan Tanton'.

So, with Muyeon still holding my wrist, we headed towards the hearth.

Following Muyeon's guidance, we went underground and soon arrived at what seemed to be the Vice Captain's office.

"Oh!"

"Hm? Do you remember something now?"

When the Knight Commander exclaimed as if she had just remembered something, I thought maybe her dementia was finally getting better.

"It's food!"

...The Knight Commander said, pointing at a piece of stale bread stuck in the gravel wall on the side.

Of course, that couldn't be it.

My subtle expectation was utterly destroyed.

"Wait a moment."

Muyeon said that and knocked on the Vice Captain's office door.

Knock knock.

"Vice Captain. It's Muyeon."

"What's the matter?"

A heavy voice was heard from inside.

That man is still the same.

Would it be stranger if he changed in just a few days?

"Um... There are people I need to explain about..."

"Come in for now."

At the Vice Captain's words, Muyeon finally let go of my wrist and opened the office door.

Muyeon entered first, and we followed behind.

The first thing that caught my eye was the enormous pile of documents stacked on the Vice Captain's desk.

The Vice Captain's movements of quickly pulling the papers, scanning them with his eyes, stamping them, and moving them to the side were as disciplined as watching an artistic performance, but was it because of that teddy bear armor?

Poof.

Every time he stamped, a soft sound was heard.

Looking closely, all those documents seemed to be already finished, as he quickly went through the few remaining piles of papers and then raised his head to look at Muyeon.

"So, who are these people you need to explain about?"

"These people here..."

"What kind of people are they that..."

The Vice Captain said that and shifted his gaze to the Knight Commander and me with indifferent eyes.

At the same time, the eyes of the teddy bear mask the Vice Captain was wearing literally turned round.

I didn't know that doll masks could change so dramatically, it felt almost like a physics engine error.

The Vice Captain didn't stop there and slowly started to rise from his seat, then gradually walked forward until he finally came to a position facing me and the Knight Commander.

What is he going to say now?

Considering the Vice Captain's image so far, I thought he would say something like 'Is this the kind of person you needed to explain about? Just take them to the dormitory.'

But the Vice Captain's subsequent action was enough to bewilder me.

He suddenly knelt down on the spot.

"...?!"

Muyeon was equally surprised, her mouth gaping open in shock.

No way.

The Vice Captain, of all people, suddenly kneeling?

Ah, come to think of it, I came in with the Knight Commander.

Of course, since someone higher than the Vice Captain who had been missing has returned, from the Vice Captain's perspective, he would bow his head.

"...I sincerely welcome the return of Rondan's hero Laydan Tanton, and the Knight Commander."

I was about to think that, but he emphasized me to the extent of putting even the Knight Commander in the background.

With an uneasy glance, I looked at Muyeon and mouthed 'What is this?!'

But Muyeon also mouthed 'I don't know either!' and shook her head.

"Hmm? Who are you to suddenly kneel?"

Meanwhile, the Knight Commander spouted nonsense again, but the Vice Captain either didn't hear or ignored it as he slowly rose from his position and turned his gaze to the Knight Commander.

"The cleaning of the Knight Commander's office will be done as soon as possible. In the meantime, please go to where Alpha and Beta will guide you."

"Eh? I'm the Knight Commander?"

"...It's strange that your memory is intact after what happened. Quickly, guide her."

At the Vice Captain's call, those two androgynous figures I had seen before quickly entered, gently took the Knight Commander's hand, and started leading her somewhere.

The door closed behind them, and belatedly, I had that thought.

Wait.

What about me?

"...Ahem."

The Vice Captain began his preface as if he was about to say something.

No, can't you just let me go without saying anything?

I really hate this atmosphere!

"Can you forgive the treatment I've given you so far, Laydan Tanton?"

"W-what do you mean? What did you do?"

As I spoke, trying my best to move my stiffened vocal cords, the Vice Captain continued in a calm tone.

"There's no need for excuses. I didn't trust you, and so I treated you harshly. But with this hearth rift incident, you've proven yourself. That you're prepared to sacrifice yourself for Rondan!"

The Vice Captain suddenly raised his voice, and I could tell it was a kind of self-rebuke.

"I thought you were dead. Thinking that I wouldn't even be able to say these words of apology to you made me feel so worthless. But not only did you return safely, but you also brought back the Knight Commander. There's no greater saint than one who repays enmity with kindness."

...What's wrong with this person suddenly?

Honestly, even when I crossed the rift, I thought he would think something like 'The vermin has finally disappeared.'

Is he the type of person who is just strict with standards, but infinitely benevolent to his own side?

After saying that, the Vice Captain fell silent, staring at me as if lost in thought.

When that gaze started to become uncomfortable, the Vice Captain spoke first.

"Right, as a token of gratitude for this incident and the rescue of the Knight Commander, I'd like to reward you. Is there anything you need? You can say anything. I'll grant whatever is within my power."

Judging by the Vice Captain's expression, it seems like he would grant almost anything, but.

Come to think of it, I didn't have any particularly useful weapons.

"Then, could you recommend a good blacksmith?"

"Hm? Why a blacksmith?"

"I want to get a weapon."

"Didn't you get a weapon from the hearth's armory?"

Oh, right!

That's right.

I hurriedly waved my arms and said.

"No, that's! The weapon got smashed while fighting the Observer! So I was thinking of making any usable weapon."

"...So it was the Observer after all. To think it could destroy a weapon that wouldn't even be scratched by ordinary impacts."

Meanwhile, I was even more flustered by his tone that was deifying me.

Don't suddenly do that!

When someone who doesn't usually act like this does, it makes them seem like they're about to die!

"There is one good place. Go there later with Muyeon's guidance."

"M-me?!"

"All your protective gear was made there too. Do you still remember the way?"

"Well, yes..."

The Vice Captain nodded at Muyeon's answer.

"That's settled then. Is there nothing else you need?"

"It's really okay... Haha. I didn't do anything great."

"...Are you showing modesty until the end? This doesn't balance out at all."

"Really! It's really okay."

Why is this man being so burdensome?

Stop it, stop!

Fortunately, with those final words, the Vice Captain seemed to be returning to his seat.

But just before sitting down, he took off his head mask.

With it draped over his arm, the face that turned to face me was full of scars from long battles, and had an infinitely hard yet respectful human expression.

"...I sincerely congratulate you on your return, Tanton. I sincerely hope that your chivalry will continue to shine brightly in the future. Go and rest for today."

With those words, the Vice Captain saluted me first.

As I stood there bewildered, not knowing what to do, Muyeon gave me a signal to return the salute, so I quickly did so.

Only then did the Vice Captain lower his hand, and from somewhere, he placed another mountain of documents on the table and seemed about to start paperwork again.

I guess that means I can leave now.

I quickly took the atmosphere and hurried out of the room.

Muyeon, who followed me out, started mumbling something.

"W-with Mr. Tanton, just the two of us..."

"It reminds me of when we went to deal with the Gardener."

"Y-yes, that's right!"

For some reason, Muyeon, who was startled, bowed deeply to me and then disappeared somewhere.

She had always been like that, but today Muyeon seemed particularly flustered.

By the way, the blacksmith Muyeon used.

I couldn't help but feel a bit excited, as even the protective gear Muyeon was wearing now had considerable durability.

Now that my physical abilities have improved from eating the Chef's food, I just need to directly increase my defense and attack power.

A sword? Or an axe? Or a gun?

In the current situation, Muyeon is the person I can be most comfortable with, so if I learn from her, it might be good to choose an axe.

...I can't bring myself to ask the Hunter because of what happened, I feel too sorry.

I'll have to think about it when I get to the blacksmith.

For today, as the Vice Captain said, I just wanted to go to my room and space out, taking a mental rest.

***

In the Vice Captain's office, where only the sound of stamping documents quietly spread.

The Vice Captain, who had finally processed all the distant piles of documents, leaned back in his chair and let out a deep sigh.

Knock knock.

At that moment, a sound of knocking on the Vice Captain's door was heard.

"Who is it?"

"It's me."

"...Come in."

At the Vice Captain's words, the person who opened the door and entered was White Mask.

Although her expression couldn't be seen due to the mask, the Vice Captain could tell from her somewhat clumsy gestures that she had some complaints.

"What business do you have?"

"Do I need business to come?"

"Are you saying that while so openly showing signs of dissatisfaction?"

At the Vice Captain's words, White Mask was silent for a moment, then let out a deep sigh.

"That man, I heard he's back?"

"You mean Tanton?"

"Yes. That's right."

Saying that, White Mask sat down in a chair placed in a corner.

White Mask was silent for a moment as if thinking about something, then soon opened her mouth again.

"Shouldn't you promote him? He's the hero who stopped the hearth rift incident."

"I was going to report that to the Imperial Princess. She is infinitely generous, so she will probably give a more generous reward than we expect. Maybe he could even become a high-ranking officer, befitting the meritocratic Knight Order."

"Well, yes. If that happens, can I teach him?"

"...It's the first time you've volunteered to be a teacher."

White Mask shrugged her shoulders and spoke as if partially denying the Vice Captain's words.

"I'm not that cold-blooded."

"That's up to you to decide. And."

The Vice Captain said with a deep sigh.

"That wasn't your original business, was it?"

"...You're right. I just wanted to talk a bit more, but you're still no fun."

"Since when did you like chatting so much?"

"Heheh. That's true."

The somewhat warm atmosphere around White Mask turned cold.

"I heard the Knight Commander has returned. They say that man brought her back."

"That's correct."

"That's good. We even created a small elite search team to find her."

When everyone else had given up and declared her dead.

Hearing White Mask speak in a disinterested tone, the Vice Captain snorted and said:

"So what do you want to say?"

"...I hear her memory isn't intact, but are you going to put such a person back in the Knight Commander position?"

"Knights must follow the rules. She hasn't received a formal retirement order from the Imperial Princess."

"...You really have a good personality at times like this."

White Mask stood up and headed towards the door as if to leave the Vice Captain's office.

Before opening the door and leaving, White Mask said:

"The fact that you can so easily forgive the main cause of the Snow Mountain Expedition Disaster. Or do you still have feelings for her?"

"...You're not leisurely enough to talk such nonsense, Railroad Manager."

"Yes, yes. I get it. Anyway, I came because I wanted to say this. I was just curious about your thoughts."

With those final words, White Mask left the Vice Captain's office.

From the Vice Captain's office, only the quiet sound of paper being crumpled could be heard.