CHAPTER 12

***

While traveling around the castle of Nokentoria, which was so much like a touring performance, I did everything I could because I didn't want to be seen.

However, it was impossible only because the guide was Meyer Knox.

He stood out because he had a large build, and he was the best boss.

Every time Meyer Knox passed, everyone lowered their heads, and the moment their heads came up again, their eyes turned to me.

What a strange expression!

Thanks to such a large-scale impression, I firmly imprinted my presence on the entire Black Knights.

"It seems like a senior high school student who was brought to a family party where they were introduced, or a job applicant…"

Whether I was squalid or under the stress of rapid external exposure, Meyer who achieved his purpose seemed satisfied.

He said as if giving a bottle and a medicine.

"Then I'll give you some free time. I want you to adjust to this."

"How long will it last?"

"Until your joining ceremony is scheduled."

"… Do I have to do a separate joining ceremony?"

"Of course. You're the vice commander of the Black Knights."

"Then, do I have to go to the podium and make a speech and stuff?"

"You should say a few words or aspirations, right?"

"Ah… I hate it."

It was so terrible that I had to wrap my head up without even realizing it.

The student council executive also thought it was great, but the expedition executive was really not going to do it.

Meyer, who saw my attitude, asked me with a close look.

"Do you have stage fright?"

"That's not it, it's not something I'd prefer. I'm a backup man."

I don't want to be chosen as the presentation manager in the group study, so I'll take the PowerPoint first.

Meyer said sadly.

"I can't help it. Do your best."

You won't tell me not to speak.

In the meantime, my room was ready, butler Vince came.

"We have a place for her to stay."

"That's just in time. Yes. Where is the room?"

"It's the white deer's room in the South Tower."

"Good room. You're well-prepared. All right, Jun Karentia. I'll escort you to the end."

"Yes? No. I can find it well on my own. I can go to the side where the greenhouse is located. The leader can also go and relax."

I desperately dissuaded Meyer from leading me to my room. Of course, he wouldn't back off easily.

Eventually I just chose to run away. Fortunately, Meyer didn't follow me.

When I managed to get to the room, I breathed a sigh of relief.

Maybe it's because I'm out of people's eyes. When I was relaxed, I laid down on the bed without even thinking of looking around the room.

My room had a high floor, a viewable room. It was just as I told Meyer.

To some extent, the bigger the bed, the better it was, was reflected.

I rolled around on a bed large enough for five people to sleep.

'Now I can stretch my legs and rest.'

I felt relieved just to have my own room.

Then I fell asleep. I stayed in my clothes.

I didn't even know I had fallen asleep, so I could wake up to the sound of knocking on the door.

"Excuse me… Are you in there?"

"Why are you looking for the vice commander here…. W-wait a minute!"

When I realized belatedly that I was the vice commander, I hurriedly got up from my seat.

I dispersed quickly to see if there were any saliva marks on my face or if my hair was fine.

There was a blanket mark on my cheek, but this is enough. I strode up and opened the door.

"Yes. What's the matter…"

"Hello, Vice."

In front of the door stood a calm woman of my age, dressed in a maid's uniform, with her light brown hair neatly laid down.

"My name is Mary, who will take care of you while you're in the castle. I think you're getting up, so I brought you some cleansing water to wash your face."

Then there was a wash tray behind her.

Care? Wash my face?

I didn't quite understand the sudden situation, but I couldn't keep her out for long. I stepped aside and said.

"Come inside for now."

"Yes."

Mary, strutting along, put the washing water on the table.

Then, two drops of herb oil and thin herb leaves were sprinkled in the cleansing water.

I washed my face awkwardly with the washing water.

Wash your face while others watch you. It was the first time except when I stopped by the palace for a performance report.

When I raised my head, dripping water from my face, Mary immediately walked over with a towel. The heated towel made me feel good.

Mary asked as she cleared the wash.

"Do you want to eat at the executive cafeteria or should I bring it here?"

"Well… Can I ask you to bring it here for now?"

Although it's cumbersome to have people staring at the cafeteria, I didn't mean to avoid the cafeteria.

Now there was only a separate question for Mary.

Mary dragged the tray out and prepared a plausible breakfast.

Yesterday I didn't look around, but the room also had an office and a simple dining room.

The white deer's head was stuffed in the middle of the dining room, just like the white deer's room.

'The bad taste… Don't tell me there's such a stuffed animal in another room.'

In the meantime, Mary prepared a meal. After I was ready, I sat at the table, tore the bread, and asked Mary.

"Then Mary… What's the exact scope of your work?"

"I'll help clean the room, prepare meals for the vice commander, arrange clothes for maintaining dignity, manage and apply for fixtures, and manage schedules. As the vice commander prepares for the dungeon attack, I'll provide all necessary support."

It's the support of the supporting wizard…

It seems to be a kind of secretary-like concept.

"Is there someone like Mary attached to every expedition?"

"No. This one-on-one is limited to five elite people, excluding Your Excellency and vice commander. It's your honor to focus on attacking dungeons at that time, rather than paying attention to trivial things."

"Aha."

"If you're the original vice commander, more members should be attached, but… Since you're still temporarily appointed, I, the maid chief, have been assigned first."

"Wait… More people?"

"Yes."

Mary nodded her head for granted. I had a small admiration.

I'm glad you're the Grand Duke!

I was amazed by the exceptional treatment I had never received.

Without any distraction throughout the conversation, she was perfect as a service worker.

Her job is to take care of me.

My job is to target the dungeon. All right, I'll work as much as I can.

I reached out my hand to Mary.

"Then… Please take good care of me, Mary."

"I'll do my best to help you. Vice commander."

Mary also smiled softly and held my hand together. The two held hands were firmly connected with their own will.

***

The beast opened its smelly and dirty mouth.

A needle mixed with blood that might have belonged to someone dropped to the floor.

The muddy floor held its feet, and the flashing red eyes surrounded it all over the place.

It was the dungeon I was so opposed to.

Although we said it was still too much for our level, the expedition members, who were elated by the successive victories, pushed ahead with the attack.

Here's the result.

Mana ran out, and there were many injuries. Fabian's physical strength was also seen as a key part of the expedition's attack.

The holy water ran out, and April, the priest who restored the strength of the expedition members, had long run out of steam.

There's nowhere to run.

Is this where my grave becomes…

I could hear the heartbreaking sounds of all the expedition members.

Even Fabian was seen feeling helpless, and his hand with the sword slipped out.

Is this how it ends? I clenched my lips. The bloody smell filled my mouth.

I can't let Jun's life go this smoothly.

Life is a bet. There's nothing you can get without sacrificing anything.

It's better to give it a try than to die like this.

As soon as everyone was about to give up, I scraped together the last remaining mana and used the skill.

『Strong Muscle』

『Strong Muscle』

『Strong Muscle』

『Strong Muscle』

Fabian's blue eyes, which felt the rising power, had a small spark of hope.

"Fabian, it's now!"

As soon as I shouted after I finished my skill start, Fabian ran out toward the beast. Fire horsepower surged on his sword.

With a much stronger force than usual.

Fabian slaughtered the monsters in front of him as if burning the last flame.

I might be able to live. Expectations and hopes spread over the faces of the expedition members.

So the beasts fell to the floor one by one.

At the moment when he thought he had defeated almost all the beasts, Fabian, who was tired, was off guard for a moment. I shouted in embarrassment.

"Fabian, back! Be careful!"

"Geuk…!"

It was faster for the monster's mouth to close than my voice could reach.