The day after the Black Dragon exploration, I returned to the First Knight Regiment.
It seemed that a sense of belonging had been cultivated without my noticing, for even though I had only been away from the First Knight Regiment for a few days, I felt happy to see Commander Cyril's face.
"Commander Cyril—!"
I called out his name and ran to him as soon as I opened the door to the commander's office and saw Commander Cyril. The commander stood up from his desk and came around it to meet me.
I stopped in front of the commander and performed the knight's salute.
"Commander Cyril, Fia Rude, I have returned!"
"Welcome back, Fia."
Lifting my head at the gentle voice, I saw Commander Cyril smiling faintly.
"Hehe... I thought you had already greeted me about your return last night, but that's right. You tend to forget everything when you drink. ...Fia, it seems you had a tough time, but I'm glad you returned safely."
I blinked at Commander Cyril's words.
...Huh, I thought I needed to report on my performance at the Fourth Monster Knight Regiment, which is why I came early, but Commander Cyril already knew about it?
Could it be that I reported to Commander Cyril when I met him at last night's meat festival?
When I tried to recall last night, I remembered that Commander Cyril, Commander Quentin, Commander Zachary, and Commander Desmond were all at the meat festival, and I greeted them... but that's about where my memory cuts off. In other words, I remember almost nothing.
However, even though I don't remember, it seems I reported to Commander Cyril despite the festivities.
I must be amazing! I'm a model knight.
Thinking this, I smiled, but Commander Cyril sighed softly.
"Fia, it was Zachary and Quentin who reported on you. Last night, you were just enjoying the meat and drinking."
"Ah, s, so that's it..."
Seeing me dejected at the reality different from my imagination, Commander Cyril chuckled.
"I was relieved to see you being yourself, Fia. According to Zachary and Quentin, you've become such an important figure that I was worried you wouldn't even acknowledge me anymore."
He said this with a sad expression, though I doubt he really thought that.
"An important figure? ...Ah, no, no, I must have misunderstood! For a moment, I thought I was being praised, but that can't be. After all, I didn't do anything praiseworthy this time. ...Um, it's like this! It's a sophisticated technique of indirect criticism, right? I learned it from Commander Zachary. So, does that mean I'm being criticized for being so incompetent?"
Since I couldn't understand the true meaning of the commander's words, I asked, and he looked puzzled.
Since he didn't seem to understand my words, I tried to explain further.
"...Um, in other words, I couldn't quantify the life force of the familiar as commanded by Commander Cyril, and during the Black Dragon exploration, the Black Dragon did all the work, and I couldn't help much... ...So, I'm being criticized for my performance, right?"
As I spoke, I became more and more dejected.
Then, I suddenly thought of something and hastily added.
"Maybe, did Commander Quentin file a complaint?"
Commander Quentin was infatuated with the Black Dragon, Zabiria.
I must have looked like a slacker, making Zabiria do all the work and doing almost nothing myself.
"Or, did Commander Zachary file the complaint?"
During the battle, I just stood next to the Holy Maiden.
After the battle, I didn't answer most of Commander Zachary's questions, and I suddenly collapsed, making him take care of me.
...What am I making the busy commander do?
Moreover, my tears had soaked Commander Zachary's clothes.
This must be a huge inconvenience.
...This is bad. The more I recall, the more I remember only useless things.
To redeem my honor, I need to show my effort in front of Commander Quentin and Commander Zachary next time...
"Well, since I didn't accomplish what I was ordered to do, I have to accept whatever they say..."
As I spoke, my voice became smaller and smaller, and Commander Cyril chuckled.
"You really are yourself. ...That's right. Just because we've started to recognize your abilities doesn't mean you've changed. You're still the same Fia."
"Huh?"
"It's nothing. Don't worry about quantifying the familiar's life force. I called you back early for my convenience, so if anyone is to be blamed, it's me. And there's no one who would dare to criticize the head of the First Knight Regiment, so that's settled."
"...Huh? Is it that simple?"
Staring at Commander Cyril, who casually dismissed the fact that I had been entrusted to another regiment for days and hadn't done any important work, I was speechless. The commander smiled.
"Regarding the Black Dragon exploration, there seems to be a difference in perception between you and Zachary and Quentin. They testified that you did more than enough. It's a great honor for a regiment commander to have their subordinates praised by other regiment commanders. Fia, well done."
"Y-Yes...?"
Commander Cyril praised me happily, but I could only tilt my head in confusion.
Commander Zachary and Commander Quentin praised me?
No, no, from what I recall, there was nothing praiseworthy about me yesterday.
Commander Zachary thanked me for using the hidden power, but in the end, it was revealed that it was Zabiria's power, not mine, thanks to Commander Quentin's insight.
Yeah, in that sense, Commander Zachary must have felt he thanked me in vain.
...Why was I praised?
I had no idea, but since Commander Cyril was smiling happily, I didn't want to ruin the mood, so I nodded as if I understood.
"It's an honor to be praised. I must have been praised for that incident. Yes, I worked hard on that."
"Fia, that's just the kind of person you are..."
Hearing my words, Commander Cyril stared at me intently.
"That's what's lowering your value. ...Well, I doubt you'll change even if I say it."
Sighing as if giving up, Commander Cyril then spoke in a bright voice to change the mood.
"By the way, how are you feeling? I said earlier that you were just enjoying the meat and drinking last night, but in fact, you were dejected for a while during the feast."
"Dejected? I was dejected?"
...I don't remember at all.
"Yes, you were very dejected because your dear friend had gone far away."
"Oh..."
...That must be true.
This morning, I felt dejected when I woke up and noticed the emptiness in my stomach.
I realized for the first time how lonely it was to not have the warmth that was always by my side.
Zabiria left to become the Dragon King.
Zabiria was incredibly strong when we fought the Blue Dragon, so I don't think anything will happen to her easily, but you never know.
After all, the first time we met, Zabiria was severely injured.
Zabiria is more physically imposing now than when we first met, but it's uncertain whether she can win if she faces the monster that injured her again.
Ah, it's not good to be apart.
The more I can't see her, the more worried I become...
Thinking about Zabiria as Commander Cyril spoke, I looked sad, and the commander spoke in a gentle voice.
"That's why, yesterday, you and I became friends."
"......Huh?"
I stared at Commander Cyril, not understanding what he meant.
"You said, 'I'm sad that a good friend has gone away,' and I said, 'Then, why don't we become friends?' and you agreed."
"No, that's a lie...!!"
I immediately retorted.
Even if I don't remember due to alcohol, I know my own actions.
There's no way I would agree to become friends with Commander Cyril.
To confirm my actions, I looked at Commander Cyril standing in front of me again.
Commander Cyril, dressed in white knight's armor, had a slender but well-proportioned build.
The gold on his shoulder epaulettes shone, and combined with his handsome face, he exuded an elegant and graceful aura.
However, I know that this graceful appearance is just a facade, and Commander Cyril is the best swordsman in the knight regiment.
Moreover, I experienced firsthand how he skillfully cornered the knights with praise and smiles during the first meat festival held after defeating the Flowerhorn Deer.
Being on the receiving end, I was terrified by his ability to the core.
Furthermore, in Commander Quentin's office, he cornered Deputy Commander Gideon with a smile, breaking the coffee table as a threat.
It was terrifying enough that he could corner someone by showing evidence one after another when they were off guard, but he also demonstrated his strength by breaking a piece of furniture that no one could destroy.
Then, he grabbed the terrified and trembling person by the collar and threatened them.
That was the work of a demon king.
And, though I only imagine based on what I've heard, Commander Cyril's elegant demeanor suggests he might be from a noble family, and a high-ranking one at that.
High-ranking nobles are nothing but trouble.
...Even with the information I know now, there's nothing that makes me want to get close to him.
"No! There's no way I would agree to become friends with Commander Cyril!!"
"Ah? Do you remember last night?"
I was speechless... but Commander Cyril's faint smile was suspicious.
Though I have no evidence, I'm sure Commander Cyril is lying.
"Once you've made a promise of friendship, you can't easily cancel it. That wouldn't be following the 'Ten Commandments of Knights,' which includes 'Honesty.' Fia, as a knight, you must keep your word."
"Ugh..."
I'm absolutely, absolutely in the right.
I think I am, but with a head that remembers nothing due to alcohol, I can't argue back.
And the commander, knowing this, is cornering me with a suspicious smile.
"Fia, it hurts to be rejected like this. Please, let it go. I'm honest, my sword skills are not bad, and I don't betray my comrades. I think I'm a good deal as a friend."
"Ugh..."
As I stammered, Commander Cyril pressed me with a smile, saying, "Okay?"
"O-Okay. Not as a replacement for Zabiria, but... Commander Cyril is my friend."
Answering with a bitter choice, Commander Cyril smiled amusedly.
"Indeed, whether you're drunk or sober, your opinion doesn't change. Yesterday, you stubbornly refused, saying, 'No one can replace a friend who has gone away. His seat is his.'"
Thinking that I must have refused Commander Cyril's offer, I was surprised, but he quickly added,
"Of course, you then said you would prepare a new seat for me."
...Grr.
It's possible that, in my weakened state after Zabiria left, I accepted Commander Cyril's kind offer and agreed to be friends.
Normally, I wouldn't choose someone like Commander Cyril, who is too sharp and too big a catch, as a friend, but considering the situation, I might have said I would be friends.
Or, maybe Commander Cyril is just a great storyteller and I'm being tricked...
"Thank you, Fia. I promise to be a good friend."
Either way, now that I've agreed to be friends while sober, I have no choice but to accept it.
"Thank you. I promise to be honest and a good friend to the commander."
As I answered and placed my right hand on his, Commander Cyril smiled beautifully.
Seeing his innocent, beautiful smile, I thought he would indeed be a great friend.
Commander Cyril is kind, caring, and reliable, and would be the best friend under normal circumstances.
However, the biggest problem is that he's too much of a catch for me...
Despite my hopes, I felt drained as the conclusion was reached that I would be friends with Commander Cyril. Then, Commander Cyril spoke casually.
"So, Fia, as a friend, I have a request..."
Looking up at Commander Cyril, I realized I had fallen into a big trap.
"Commander! The talk about being friends was just a setup for your request...!!"
...But by the time I realized it, it was too late.
Commander Cyril continued to speak with his beautiful smile intact...