The next morning, I woke up earlier than usual. Of course, I was excited about the exploration of the "Starfall Forest" under the name of the Black Dragon search, and I naturally woke up.
Just like the previous hunt, I was treated as non-combat personnel because I was a new knight, but since I was designated by Quentin, the Fourth Monster Knight Regiment Commander, I wouldn't hear any complaints about my participation. Training within the knight regiment and taking care of the monsters are important, but knights are really important on the front lines, right?
The exploration was decided on short notice, so there wasn't time to request a holy maiden from the church, and it was said that one would come from the royal castle. The Monster Knight Regiment would send 15 knights with 15 servant monsters, and I was looking forward to seeing the servant monsters in battle for the first time. In my previous life, monsters were just something to be defeated. The idea of making them allies and fighting together is really impressive.
After I finished my preparations, I moved on to Zabiria. After all, Zabiria is the star of the day, so I had to make her look more stylish than usual. "Hey, Fia, it's fine to put a ribbon around her neck, but what about decorating her head with flowers? What am I aiming for?" "Of course, the number one cute and strong servant monster! Since 15 servant monsters from the Monster Knight Regiment are participating, we can't let them look down on us!!" "If you want, I can kick 15 monsters away in an instant?" "Ah, no, that's not good. Then you'd just be a strong monster. You have to show off your cute side too." "I see. It's quite a dilemma."
After putting a bright red ribbon around her neck and a yellow flower crown on her head, I placed Zabiria on my shoulder and left the room.
I arrived at the meeting place much earlier than the scheduled time, but several knights were already gathered. I spotted a familiar face from the Sixth Regiment and called out to them. "Good morning. I look forward to working with you today!" "Fia! Ha, it's great to have you with us. I look forward to working with you too."
While talking with the familiar knights, I noticed that most of the knights had gathered.
Knights are large in every dimension, but Zachary, the Sixth Regiment Commander, and Quentin, the Fourth Monster Knight Regiment Commander, were especially large and exuded an overwhelming presence.
Hmm, they say a tree is hidden in the forest, but this doesn't work. These big trees would stand out in any forest. Hiding in a similar group works better for average things, but when they stand out so much, the difference becomes even more noticeable. I'm glad I'm a small tree, I thought, patting my chest.
At that moment, Quentin, the Commander, pushed through the gathered knights and came straight to me. "Good morning, Lady Fia, Lady Servant Monster. Thank you for coming so early." "Good morning, Commander Quentin. How did you know where I was? I thought you wouldn't notice me surrounded by tall knights." When I asked, Quentin laughed. "Ha ha ha, what a funny joke! Your presence is so overwhelming that I can sense you from anywhere. Would you mind having a brief discussion later?" After confirming my nod, Quentin returned to Zachary.
As Quentin left, the surrounding knights asked in surprise. "Fia, are you acquainted with Commander Quentin?! I thought he was only interested in monsters. I've never seen him talk to knights from other regiments!" "More importantly, were you not addressed with 'sama'?! What's going on...?" "Fia is Quentin's queen!" Zachary, the Commander, interjected in an unpleasant manner.
What's wrong with the expression of the regiment commanders?!
"Ah, I see. A queen..." "Quentin is big, strong, and overwhelming. You're his complete opposite... Do you like that?"
The knights' acceptance of Zachary's incomprehensible remarks was infuriating.
While complaining about the drawbacks of a hierarchical society, I followed Zachary to Quentin. Gideon, the Deputy Commander of the Fourth Monster Knight Regiment, was also there.
"Ah, Lady Fia! I came to you instead of calling you here!" ...Upon hearing it again, Quentin's way of speaking is strange.
I, who was dissatisfied with the irrationality of a hierarchical society, began to notice his way of speaking, which I usually didn't.
In the first place...
As a mere knight, it's presumptuous for me to comment on the behavior of a high-ranking commander, but isn't Quentin the cause of everything?
I thought he was polite to everyone like Cyril, the First Regiment Commander, but it seems he isn't.
...Ah, that's right, when I first met Quentin, Cyril said something about new playthings to Quentin. Is this Quentin's plaything?
...Really, Quentin and I have such different sensibilities that I can't understand him.
I sighed softly, but it was drowned out by Zachary's loud voice. "Quentin, is your strange way of speaking to Fia still not fixed? I understand Cyril, but it's disgusting when you speak like that to anyone other than the Chancellor. It gives me a bad feeling, like something bad is about to happen!" "Hmph, are you insensitive too, Zachary! Why can't anyone see Lady Fia's greatness!!" "Ah, yeah... I guess I'm insensitive. I can't understand Fia's greatness at all." While agreeing with Quentin, Zachary beckoned Gideon. "Hey, Gideon, is Quentin serious? Should we shake him to wake him up or just ignore him?" "I don't think shaking him will wake him up. I've never seen a commander like Quentin, so I have no idea how to handle him." Gideon, the Deputy Commander, answered politely.
Zachary shook his head and sighed. "Alright, let's just ignore him! For now, sit down! We're having a strategy meeting." He pointed to a makeshift table and chairs set up in a corner of the meeting place and sat down. The strategy meeting began with me, Zachary, Quentin, and Gideon.
Zachary started the discussion. "We prepared for a week-long camp. The 35 elite knights selected from the Sixth are all capable. Even if we encounter the Black King, they should be able to handle it well, so don't worry." "I selected the knights based on their servant monsters. Ten have wings, and five don't. I thought it would be better to have more winged servant monsters to guide the Black King back to his lair." "I see. By the way, what do you think the probability of encountering the Black King is? About 10%? ...No, probably less. Finding one monster in such a vast forest is like looking for a needle in a haystack. It's also possible that he's already left the forest." Zachary stroked his chin and asked Quentin.
"100%." "......What?" "There's a 100% chance we'll encounter the Black King." Quentin said with confidence.
"No, no, I understand your desire to meet the Black King you've longed for! But, you know, don't get your hopes up too much and don't be disappointed if it doesn't happen!" Zachary patted Quentin's shoulder and continued.
"Anyway, if we encounter the Black King, we'll approach him at a distance where we won't be attacked. ...We shouldn't surround him to avoid showing hostility. ...Once we're properly positioned, you'll persuade the Black King to return to his lair. The Black King should understand human language, right? If your sincerity is conveyed and understood, the servant monsters will carry the lair stone or a piece of the Black King's remains and fly off in the direction of the Black Peak. That's the basic scenario, but of course, it won't go as planned, so we'll adjust on the spot." "No objections." Quentin answered briefly and looked at Zachary. "We'll avoid contact with other monsters as much as possible. The sudden appearance of the Black King has likely disrupted the territories of the other monsters. We might encounter abyssal monsters that we don't usually see. Once the Black King leaves, things should return to normal, so it's best to avoid unnecessary conflicts." "Right. I'll tell the scouts." Zachary stood up and ruffled my hair. "Still, we can't completely avoid encountering monsters, so we'll adjust the knights' movements through a few battles. ...Fia, you did well in the previous hunt, but be quiet today. We might encounter high-level monsters that you don't usually see."
...Indeed, my sword skills aren't that great.
Yes, I'll be quiet.
I nodded obediently, but Zabiria on my shoulder sighed softly.
...Well, this attitude of not believing from the start, is it really okay?