Chapter 69: Snooping in the sky
"So this royal knight, what do you know about him?" Ren asked as they sat down around a flame at night. The party was seated there as well and were given roasted meat to eat for the night.
Leon looked up and then back to his meat. He stayed silent for a few seconds and then finally spoke.
"Royal knights are knights beyond the normal. Each one, even their weakest ranks, has made it to the four-star realm.
The difference between the three-star and four-star realms is massive, like the moon and the world beneath our feet.
But as for the captain with them, he is definitely at the peak of the sixth-star realm, or even further. I do not know much about him, but I, for one, know that he is capable of doing damage of grand proportions," Leon explained and looked down.
"They are elites trained to do the bidding of the royal family alone. Which means if they are here, there is an issue worthy of them being here," the tank spoke.
"I see, then I can already imagine why they are here, and that would be me. You guys should get some sleep and, when you can tomorrow, head back.
You can leave Gerald here. He’ll be taken care of," Ren said and got to his feet to leave.
"Wait!" Leon called out and got to his feet. "Are you going to fight the knight?" he asked with a bit of worry in his voice.
"I’m not going out to search for fights, but if he comes, I’ll have to deal with it the best way I know how to.
Oh, also one more thing. I know both of your names, Leon and Mira. What about the rest of you?" he asked casually.
The tank rose to his feet. "My name is Roger. I’m grateful for all that you have done for us."
After him, the mage got to her feet. "My name is Lena, daughter of a former baron, from the Chester family."
’Former baron? That means nobles lose positions. Good to know.’
Last was the assassin. He bowed his head with his hand on his chest as a sign of respect.
"My name is Shadow."
"Fuck no," Ren blurted out.
"Huh? Sir Dragon, is there an issue?" Shadow asked.
"Of course there is. There is no way in hell your name is Shadow. You happen to be an assassin named Shadow? What sort of joke is that?" Ren asked.
"I’m sorry, but it is indeed my name."
Ren looked at him and realized this dude was not joking at all. He was dead serious with that name.
"You know what? It’s nice to meet you, Shadow. It’s nice to meet all of you."
He spoke with them a bit more and then proceeded to leave them there and head towards the top of the mountain. He was followed by Ezra.
Ezra stood behind him as he looked into the night sky for a few minutes before he finally uttered a word.
"Hey, Ezra."
"Yes, Master?"
"A lot of trouble is coming, a lot, and I can’t defend everyone. We might need to start training properly."
"Understood, Master. Whatever you want to do, we will go ahead with it," she replied.
"Good. Also, another thing, would you like to be stronger if there was a way?"
Her eyes widened when he asked the question. She nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes, Master."
"Hmm, but why, though?" he asked and turned to look at her.
"Why? To serve you, Master, to protect wha..."
"No, that’s not a good reason. Well, it is, but it’s not enough."
"It’s not?" she asked.
"Yes, it’s not. Listen to me. I’ll keep growing stronger, and I’ll keep growing fast. If your desire is only for the sake of protecting them, you’ll stop when they are safe.
Have your own selfish reason to grow. Have your own reason to rise. As for me, my reason is to ensure that I can be what I want and do what I want, and that desire drives me.
Your reason is good, but no worker rises to the top if all you want is to serve the master and the organization."
He tapped her on the shoulder, then spread his wings.
"I don’t know why I felt like telling you this, but take it to heart and use it."
After saying that, he shot into the air and flew off. She watched him fly away until he was out of range.
"Look at me, giving her advice like some smart-ass boss, haha.
But really, no one ever made it to the top by working solely for the benefit of someone. Some level of selfishness is always good."
While he was talking to himself mid-flight, his dragon eyes spotted something down in the forest. He looked down and saw Aris, Tempest, and a man in a suit standing there.
"What are those two doing here?"
Curious, he did not fly down to get close. Rather, he flew higher into the sky. He wanted to ensure that there was no way they would be able to see him.
When he was far away enough, he focused on them while he glided.
"What are you lot talking about?" he asked.
"Probably plotting against you," Vel suddenly spoke right inside his mind.
"Whoa, whoa, you can do that?" Ren asked in shock.
"Yes, I can, but that’s not what is important. Those monsters down there, you can only see three, but there is a fourth presence there that’s pulled my attention and made me come check, though I cannot stay long."
"Fourth presence? I can’t sense anyone." Ren looked closer. "But it does seem like they are speaking to someone."
"They are, and whatever being they are talking to is, it’s very strong. It’s managed to even make itself somewhat invisible to me.
I can sense their energy, but I cannot verify what they are or who they are," Vel explained.
Ren looked back at them. "What are you lot planning, hmmm?"