Silver Lance Knights’ Headquarters.
A gray-white stone building, no advertising canvases on the outer walls, no neon lights, only a Silver Lance Knights’ flag hanging above the main entrance.
The galloping horse emblem on the flag fluttered gently in the night wind.
The reception room was small.
Walls painted light gray, a pale blue magic lamp on the table.
Olivia, Zijiang, and Liliana sat on this side of the table.
Zijiang’s equipment case rested at her feet, Liliana held a paper bag, her ears occasionally twitching.
Olivia still wore Masiweiluo’s dark gray top, sleeves rolled several times, hem reaching below the knees.
Across the table sat a horse-kin knight.
Blue short hair, horse ears sticking out from his hair.
Silver-white half-armor, chest plate engraved with the Silver Lance Knights’ emblem.
A piece of record paper lay spread before him.
The pen tip moved swiftly across the paper.
“I’ve roughly understood the matter.”
He put down the pen.
His blue eyes looked at the three people across from him.
“After this, we will investigate the matter with the Commercial Federation. Please rest assured.”
He stood up and put the record paper into a folder.
“I am Kacnide, the current vice-captain. I apologize for tonight’s incident. The Silver Lance Knights will strengthen patrols in the area.”
“Thank you, Vice-Captain.”
Zijiang picked up her equipment case.
Liliana slid off the chair holding the paper box.
The three walked out of the office.
Olivia was at the back, the hem of the dark gray top swaying below her knees.
Exiting the headquarters gate, the cold night wind hit them.
Zijiang turned her head.
“Hey. Little Olivia, aren’t you coming? It’s time to go back to sleep.”
Olivia stopped.
She looked down at the dark gray top she was wearing.
“I have to return the clothes to her.”
“Maybe just forget it… There are things to do tomorrow.”
“Then I’ll go quickly and come back.”
Zijiang yawned.
Liliana’s cat ears had already drooped, the paper box held in her arms, her eyes half-closed.
Olivia shook her head.
Zijiang glanced at her, then turned and pulled Liliana toward the inn.
Olivia turned back.
The corridor was the same one as before.
She reached a door.
The door wasn’t fully closed, and light seeped through the gap.
She raised her hand to knock.
Then she stopped.
Voices came through the crack.
‘Oh well, might as well listen to what they’re saying.’
Then she pressed her ear to the door.
Grand Captain’s Office.
The room was twice as large as the reception room.
A Silver Lance Knights’ flag hung on the wall, and beneath it was a dark wooden desk.
On the desk were several documents, a pale blue magic lamp, and a pot of ivy.
The ivy leaves hung over the edge of the desk.
Grand Captain Kaishibetz stood behind the desk.
A tall horse-kin female, silver-white long hair tied in a low ponytail hanging behind her shoulders.
Plate armor, shoulder guards engraved with the Silver Lance Knights’ emblem.
“Masiweiluo, how have you been lately.”
Masiweiluo stood in front of the desk.
Her dark gray long-sleeved top was off, leaving only a white inner shirt.
Her brown long hair hung from behind her shoulders.
“I’m fine.”
“Our knights have been looking forward to your return.”
“I know you’ve been expecting it for a long time.”
Masiweiluo’s voice was not loud.
“I understand that this tournament means a great deal to you and our knights, and I also know why you left back then.”
Kaishibetz withdrew her fingers from the documents.
“I know.”
“Our knights’ current source of funds also mainly relies on the Commercial Federation’s supply. If you, Masiweiluo, can win the championship, we will have the confidence to break away from the Commercial Federation.”
Kaishibetz walked out from behind the desk and stood in front of Masiweiluo.
“But this is no easy task.”
Masiweiluo tapped her fingers lightly on her short staff.
“Our knights cannot intervene in the competition. So the help we can provide is limited. I hope the tournament goes smoothly and gives the Commercial Federation a surprise.”
“Thank you all.”
Kaishibetz placed her hand on Masiweiluo’s shoulder.
The metal plates of her glove reflected the light.
Kacnide stood nearby, his blue short hair shimmering faintly in the light.
He closed the folder.
“Do your best, senior.”
Masiweiluo nodded.
Then she turned around.
Olivia bounced off the wall, took a few steps back, and stood in the middle of the corridor.
The door opened.
Masiweiluo walked out, saw her, and paused.
“Why haven’t you left yet?”
“I came to return the clothes.”
Olivia slipped the dark gray top off her shoulders.
The sleeves slid down her arms.
She folded the clothes and handed them over.
Masiweiluo took them.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome, Little Silver Dragon.”
That voice was steady, very reassuring.
Masiweiluo shook the top open and put it back on.
She rolled the cuffs above her wrists and adjusted the collar.
She looked down at Olivia.
The silver-white high twin tails were crooked, the hair tie still askew.
The tear at the collar of the pink dress swayed slightly in the night wind.
“Go back early, be careful on the way. A girl can’t stay out too long.”
“Mm.”
Olivia turned and walked toward the end of the corridor.
The silver-white high twin tails swayed a few times behind her shoulders.
When she reached the door, she glanced back.
Masiweiluo was still standing in the corridor, seemingly lost in thought.
‘Truly a respectable knight.’
Olivia pushed open the door.
The night wind poured in, blowing her skirt to one side.