Chapter 20 : A Slightly Different Farewell

The news Glenn brought turned Sharn Castle upside down.

It was that shocking.

“…Is it true? That the Necromancer was commanding those Red Hood scoundrels?”

“I’m not exactly sure what kind of relationship they had, but it seemed they were under his orders.”

The Count of Northshine’s eyes widened in response.

Necromancers are despised everywhere on the continent.

And they are terrifying beings.

“By the tongue, it was a close call. But I don’t know how fortunate we are that the Young Lord handled it.”

“Not exactly me, but Eredin took care of it.”

At Glenn’s praise, the expression of the woman standing beside him brightened.

“Heh heh, yes. Eredin, you really pulled off something big. I’m truly grateful.”

“…I only did what was natural for my family. And I merely finished the job. It was really the Young Lord who resolved it.”

“That’s right, heh heh. I will personally thank the Baron for this.”

“If you do, I will be grateful.”

There’s no point in competing with one’s father.

After all, I will be indebted to him many times over in the future.

“We are thinking of holding a banquet. Are you leaving soon?”

“Yes, thank you, but let’s postpone the banquet. I have some rather important business.”

“I heard you’re heading to the Arian Kingdom. When do you plan to depart?”

“Just resting for a day, and I plan to leave tomorrow.”

Glenn’s visit to Sharn Castle had two main purposes.

One was to recruit Eredin, and the other was to eradicate the Red Hood and track down the escaped patrol squad.

In that sense, the mission was already accomplished.

Unexpected variables arose, but they were resolved, and they even obtained a Mandrake.

Considering all this, it was the best possible outcome.

“That’s quite unfortunate.”

“There will be other good opportunities. Oh, Eredin, you know as well as I do that those enemies weren’t completely wiped out. According to the information from the interrogation, some are still hiding here and there.”

“Don’t worry about that. Our family will clean them up properly. Were there any serious injuries?”

“Fortunately, none that severe.”

Most of the auxiliary forces suffered minor to moderate injuries in this operation.

Especially during the battle inside the abandoned mine, likely due to unexpected circumstances.

Nedian was dissatisfied with how poorly the knights adapted to the situation.

“Ah, I heard the Young Lord was also injured…?”

“It’s nothing serious. Don’t worry.”

Glenn himself was injured.

If you count it up, he was the most hurt.

But he shrugged off concern, saying he’d be fine after a day’s rest.

The most severe injury was to one who was struck by the Mountain Fortress’s power order.

Fortunately, recovery was possible, but it was impossible for him to accompany them to the kingdom.

So they decided to send him back to Lepent City with Brunel.

Brunel also suffered a nerve injury on his forearm inside the mine, but it wasn’t serious.

Seeing Brunel stubbornly follow him into the mine, Glenn made a decision about his treatment.

“Brunel, as soon as you recover, return to Lepent City.”

“Understood.”

“And deliver this to the Baron.”

What he handed over was a letter.

“What is this?”

“It’s about your treatment and a report on your performance.”

At those words, Brunel swallowed dryly without realizing it.

“…What will become of me?”

It was naturally tense since, strictly speaking, he was still a criminal.

Meaning, depending on the contents of Glenn’s letter, he could be sent back to prison.

“You’ll probably have to undergo soldier training for a while. We can’t leave the scoundrels unchecked. After training, you’ll manage the operations that the Black Hand controlled. Of course, you’re not allowed to touch anything like drugs.”

In other words, he had passed.

Brunel let out a small sigh and expressed his thanks.

“…Thank you.”

“Consider it a hard-earned reward.”

Finally recognized by him, Brunel’s eyes slightly reddened.

The next day, he left the castle immediately with his subordinates.

By midday, Glenn had also finished preparing to depart.

***

From the morning, Eredin felt a strange mood.

The problem was, she didn’t even know why she felt that way.

She had successfully completed the task and built up her reputation well.

So why was she feeling like this?

“Miss, why do you look so different since this morning?”

As she walked through the corridor, Tillen approached.

She thought about correcting the way Tillen addressed her as “Miss,” but left it as is.

“What do you mean?”

“I know when your lips twitch because something’s bothering you.”

Eredin quickly fixed her expression.

“…It’s nothing. Are you feeling better?”

Tillen seemed quite shaken by what had happened inside the mine.

No wonder—thinking about that place still gave her chills.

It was a scenery she never wanted to see again.

“Well… I have gotten better. After sleeping on it, I feel better. Ah, could it be that you’re feeling that way because of it too?”

“Hm? Not particularly.”

Of course, Eredin also thought the place was horrifying beyond words.

But that was all—she was no longer there now.

Tillen suddenly made a mischievous expression.

“Ah, could it be because the Young Lord is leaving?”

“…What kind of nonsense is that?”

Her naturally beautiful face creased in a frown.

“Why? Weren’t you two pretty close? If he leaves today, when will you see him again?”

“Tillen, what kind of teenage girl nonsense is that?”

“Oh? Then you’re not bothered at all?”

At the question, Eredin’s footsteps paused briefly.

…Does it really not matter? She wasn’t sure.

“…It’s not like we won’t see each other again, so what.”

“Heh. So you think.”

Tillen scowled in annoyance.

“That expression’s awful. Don’t make it.”

“That’s mean.”

***

When heading to the castle gate, the Lion Knights were busily preparing to depart.

About twenty of them remained.

Brunel and some others had returned, so it looked slightly emptier than before.

In the midst of that, Glenn tended to his own affairs.

“Ah, Eredin. Good morning.”

Eredin smiled faintly as he greeted her.

“Good morning, Young Lord.”

Good morning…? She wondered, but simply replied.

“Luckily the weather is fine. A good day for a long journey.”

“You know that much?”

She felt some irritation she couldn’t explain.

Despite the curt reply, Glenn smiled.

“Ha, I just meant the saying. Oh, have you thought about what I mentioned before?”

“You mean about the Lion Knights?”

Glenn nodded with the meaning of recommendation.

“…I’m still considering it.”

“If you end up going to the Lion Knights, show them this. It’s my letter of recommendation.”

“Do you still want me to go there?”

“That’s a strange question. Do you want to go or not?”

Clearly, for Eredin, the Lion Knights were a dead end.

But leaving the family just because of that was unreasonable.

…Why did she want to get stronger in the first place?

“I’m… not sure yet.”

“You’re worried, huh?”

“Just… I was thinking about why I want to get stronger as a knight.”

“Why want to get stronger? It’s a childish reason, but it’s also a necessary worry.”

Sometimes this man spoke as if he was far older than her.

Eredin didn’t like that.

“You sound like an old man who’s lost his edge.”

“That may be true, but compared to you, I’m the younger one.”

“…Did you know I’m one year older than you?”

“So what? Hah.”

“First.”

Eredin pouted.

Glenn thought for a moment, then spoke.

“The reason you want to get stronger is simple. To protect.”

“What do you mean?”

“This and that. When you live, those things happen.”

“That’s not something an adult would say.”

“Well, anyway, think it over. As I said, you have enough talent, so whatever you choose will be fine.”

“Thank you.”

“Though I did beat you.”

Glenn teased her, and she frowned.

“Do you have to say that on the day we part?”

“That’s unfair.”

She bit her lip.

Such an annoying person.

“Still, I won the bet.”

“That’s the first I’ve heard of it.”

“I heard it from Sir Nedian. He said it was at fourteen.”

Such a gossiping knight.

Glenn muttered as he frowned.

“If you include the people caught near the mine…”

“I was the one who killed the Necromancer in the end.”

Glenn was left speechless, and Eredin felt cheerful.

“Do you admit it?”

“…Hoo. Well, yeah, I admit it.”

“Try harder.”

“Alright, alright. I guess I have to learn how to slaughter pigs.”

Eredin hesitated, then continued.

“You’re going to the Arian Kingdom?”

“It’s quite a long journey.”

“If I get stronger by then, what will you do?”

“It’d be good for me. That way, maybe I’ll win at least once next time.”

Such a petty person to the end.

Eredin bit her lip lightly.

“Next time, I absolutely won’t lose.”

“Yeah, good luck. Well, I’ll be off then.”

The Lion Knights, having finished preparations, began boarding the horses one by one.

Glenn also climbed onto his horse.

“Farewell, Young Lord Glenn.”

“…I hope to see you again, Eredin.”

Glenn paused briefly as if recalling a conversation from long ago.

He had heard the same words and spoken the same words.

But this farewell was clearly different from before.

This time, there was certainty they would meet again.

With that thought, Glenn left the castle gates.

It wasn’t snowing today.

It was a rare clear day.

***

Eredin, watching the Lion Knights leave, finally spoke.

“Tillen, do you think Young Lord Glenn will become stronger than now?”

“…What nonsense is that?”

“Answer me.”

“Don’t you think so? He seemed like he was being chased by something.”

“Not just me feeling that.”

He gave off the impression of someone preparing for a massive storm.

Though she wasn’t sure what he was looking at, it was clear he was looking far away.

“Why did you suddenly ask that?”

“…Because we have to win next time. For that… I have to give it my all too.”

“You’ve been saying strange things since earlier. Are you hungry? Ah, now that I think about it, I want some warm bread too.”

Tillen gave a look as if she didn’t understand English.

Eredin stared at her intently.

“…Why?”

“You should come with me.”

“To where? The kitchen?”

“To the Lion Knights.”

Tillen’s eyes widened at the unexpected reply.

“…Huh? Why would I go there?”

“Because I’m going.”

“No, Eredin, though the Young Lord gave you a letter of recommendation, I’m not that person. That place isn’t open to just anyone…”

“He gave you one too.”

“What? Me? Why?”

“Sir Nedian personally recommended you.”

Tillen’s eyes grew even wider.

“He did? Why…?”

“I don’t know. So are you going or not?”

“…Well…”

“You’re not going to refuse, are you? They went so far as to write the recommendation letters themselves.”

A week later.

Two female knights left Sharn Castle.

Their destination was Lepent City, to the Lion Knights.