Lucifal

"If I'm not mistaken, you're Roa?"

A few days after my exchange with Drew, Wickhart, Rufa, and I were walking through the royal palace when someone called out to me from behind.

When I turned, I found the worst possible person standing there: Lucifal Velas, commander of the First Knight Order.

Three subordinates stood behind Lucifal, all watching us with sharp looks.

"Ah... Lucifal-sama. Hello." I gave him a small bow, and Lucifal approached with long strides and held out his hand.

"I heard about the Battle of Haksha the other day! You performed marvelously!"

I stood there, blinking in confusion at his guileless smile, when Lucifal said, "It's a handshake," and continued waiting with his hand extended.

To be honest, I wanted to refuse, but I didn't want to leave some bizarre grudge behind by doing so here... I reluctantly shook his hand, affecting an outwardly nervous air as I said, "Ah, thank you very much." He withdrew his hand with a fresh, satisfied smile.

"Forgive me for saying so, but when the king took an interest in a civil official with no particular accomplishments, I wondered if there was something going on behind the scenes... But I see now that the king and Rays had a discerning eye. It is a pleasure to see a promising commander emerge in our army."

Lucifal showered me with praise. If I hadn't known what the future held, I would probably have been thrilled to hear such words from the hero of this country and its most popular general. But I couldn't shake the feeling that there was some ulterior motive behind it all...