Inside the Inquisition's flagship, the lights blazed brilliantly.
Maid dolls moved in and out, arranging all kinds of food and drinks on the tables. Gentle music filled the air, making the golden hall before them look exceptionally grand.
"I really didn't expect the first banquet we ever held to be for this…"
Looking at the people chatting in front of him, Duanmu Huai couldn't help but complain helplessly.
"What's wrong with that, Sir Knight?"
Hearing Duanmu Huai's grumbling, Anne smiled cheerfully and hooked her arm around his.
"It's rare for everyone to gather together—what's wrong with holding a banquet to entertain them?"
"Well, I suppose that's true…"
Duanmu Huai shrugged. He simply wasn't used to this kind of occasion, but he didn't oppose Anne's words either.
In truth, the reason Duanmu Huai was hosting this banquet was simple. All the different factions had sent people to help, and as an Inquisitor, he naturally couldn't fail in his duties as host. So he simply found a banquet hall on the flagship and held a feast to entertain the representatives of the various forces.
"Then I'll go say hello to the others. Sir Knight, remember to chat with everyone too—everyone's really been wanting to see you."
After saying this, Anne smiled, lifted her skirt, and left. Duanmu Huai shook his head and silently let out a sigh. Just then, a voice sounded beside him.
"It's been a long time, Sir Knight. It's wonderful to see you looking so well."
Hearing the voice, Duanmu Huai turned his head and saw an elf girl in formal attire smiling at him and giving a polite bow. Seeing her, Duanmu Huai froze for a moment.
"Ah, President Hanna. It really has been a long time. It seems you've all been doing quite well."
The elf girl before him was none other than Hanna, the student council president of Manaria Magic Academy. Back when Duanmu Huai had studied at Manaria, he had interacted with her several times.
"I've already graduated. I'm now the captain of Her Highness's personal guard."
Hanna smiled at Duanmu Huai.
"This time, I'll be leading the team alongside Her Highness to that world. When the time comes, I hope you'll give us your guidance."
"That's no problem, but… you all just graduated from Manaria, right? Is it really okay to go straight into an actual battlefield?"
Duanmu Huai had seen far too many heroes on training grounds turn into cowards on real battlefields. Even though these graduates had undergone combat training, training and real combat were still two completely different things.
"Please rest assured. This is precisely one of the reasons we came here. As Her Highness's personal guard, this is a trial we are destined to face."
As she said this, Hanna gave Duanmu Huai a meaningful look.
"On the other hand, Princess Guleya's side… we'll need to trouble you to pay her a bit more attention, Sir Knight."
"Oh?"
Following Hanna's hint, Duanmu Huai looked over and saw Guleya sitting in a corner of the banquet hall with a few people. She looked rather… lonely.
"Alright, I'll go take a look."
Duanmu Huai nodded to Hanna, then strode over to Guleya.
"Guleya? What's wrong?"
"Ah? Sir Knight?"
Hearing Duanmu Huai's voice, Guleya jumped as if someone had stepped on her tail. Then she lowered her head dejectedly.
"I—I'm sorry…"
"Hm?"
"Well… I didn't manage to find many people…"
As she spoke, Guleya bit her lip and lowered her head. At first, she had followed Anne's suggestion and thought she would be able to bring quite a few people. But to her surprise, many Dragonkin not only refused her invitation, they even resented her. In their eyes, if Guleya's father—the King of Regnis—hadn't been crazy enough to marry a human woman, their own parents wouldn't have followed suit, and they wouldn't have been born as these neither-human-nor-dragon hybrids.
As a result, Guleya's invitation didn't achieve much effect, and in the end she only brought three or four people… no wonder she felt so dispirited.
"Alright, that's not important. Sometimes quality matters more than quantity."
Seeing Guleya hanging her head, Duanmu Huai patted her on the head to comfort her, then looked at the people beside her.
"And you are…?"
What caught Duanmu Huai's attention most was a pair of twin girls standing not far behind Guleya. One had long golden hair, the other long silver hair. Like Guleya, they both had dragon horns and tails—but that wasn't the main point. The key issue was that each of them had only a single wing.
That's right—only one, not a pair.
The golden-haired girl had only a right wing, while the silver-haired girl had only a left wing… honestly, anyone with obsessive-compulsive tendencies would probably feel uncomfortable just looking at them.
Noticing Duanmu Huai's gaze, the golden-haired girl's expression stiffened slightly. Still, she stepped forward and introduced herself.
"I am Lumiore, the eldest daughter of the One-Winged family. This is my younger sister, Argent. We have come to participate in the battle at Princess Guleya's invitation. Greetings, Lord Inquisitor. We will not disappoint and will display the honor and power of our clan."
"Mm. Then I'll be counting on you."
Hearing Lumiore's words, Duanmu Huai didn't say much more and simply nodded. He could tell that these sisters had their own secrets, but since they didn't want to speak of them, he had no intention of prying.
After a brief exchange, Duanmu Huai turned to leave. But just moments after he turned around, someone else appeared before him.
She was petite, with short green hair, and wore a large white bow-like ribbon on her head. She looked very much like a noble young lady.
"Greetings. It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Duanmu Huai."
The girl lifted her skirt and performed a noble's curtsy.
"I am Kirti Sharp, captain of the Lias Royal Guard. I have come under Lady Lia's orders to lead the guard unit in support."
"You're the captain of the royal guard?"
Looking at her, Duanmu Huai was somewhat surprised. He knew that Lia indeed had a royal guard composed entirely of girls clad in golden armor—elegant and beautiful—but such a small girl was part of it too?
"Of course. Although I am not yet equal to Captain Layla, I have been constantly honing myself. It was precisely for this reason that I volunteered to Lady Lia to participate in this mission. Please observe my performance with confidence—I won't disappoint you."
As she spoke, Kirti quietly sized up Duanmu Huai.
So this is Lady Lia's beloved? He certainly is outstanding… but just what kind of ability does he possess?
Thinking this, Kirti laughed inwardly.
If I can latch onto someone like this, I could naturally gain greater status and power. That would bring me one step closer to my goal. That's why I personally requested Queen Lia to let me serve as captain and lead the team here.
As for this man's true strength… I'll just observe it up close for myself.
Naturally, Duanmu Huai had no idea what thoughts were spinning around in Kirti's little head. He merely exchanged a few polite words with her before she excused herself and left—because at that moment, yet another person appeared before him.
"It's been a long time, Lord Inquisitor."
"Uruze… you've really changed a lot."
Looking at Uruze before him, Duanmu Huai couldn't help but sigh with emotion. He still remembered when he first met her in the resistance camp—she had been confined to a wheelchair, looking like a quiet, frail girl. Now she wore a military uniform, looking valiant and resolute, every bit a true soldier.
"I never expected King Gandhi to send you."
"Neither did I. But King Gandhi said that in this regard… I'm quite experienced."
As she said this, Uruze gave a bitter smile. Duanmu Huai naturally understood what she meant—back in Seth, she had been the leader of the resistance organization Ice Flame. Now that Duanmu Huai was going to stir up trouble in Herman, this was basically her "returning to her old profession."
"No matter what, I still want to thank you, Lord Inquisitor. If not for you, Seth wouldn't be what it is today. Although the divide between mages and ordinary people still exists, things are gradually improving."
"That's good. You can handle those matters yourselves."
Duanmu Huai didn't particularly mind. After all, it was their own choice—what kind of outcome it would lead to depended entirely on their own fate.
"Ah, so you're here, Lord Inquisitor."
Just as Duanmu Huai finished chatting with Uruze, another woman approached him. She had long aqua-blue hair, wore a beret and white clothing, and held an abacus in her hands.
"Thank you very much for taking care of my business this time. I'm here to express my gratitude."
"Uh… and you are?"
Looking at the woman, Duanmu Huai quickly ran through his memory and confirmed that he definitely didn't know her. At that moment, Shizuka walked over and said to him with a helpless expression,
"This is Miss Kopandong Dott from the Free Cities Alliance… she's in charge of the entire team's logistical supply work."
"Oh, I see…"
Hearing this, Duanmu Huai nodded. He had heard Shizuka mention that the Free Cities Alliance would be sending a team to handle logistics and supplies—apparently, this woman was the leader.
So Duanmu Huai extended his hand.
"Nice to meet you, Miss Kopandong."
"No need to be so formal, Lord Inquisitor. In fact, whether I can make money this time depends on all of you."
"Make money?"
Hearing this, Duanmu Huai raised an eyebrow.
"We'll naturally pay for the supplies."
"It's not just about supplies."
Kopandong smiled and shook her head, tapping her abacus.
"In fact, I'm currently taking the opportunity to short the Kingdom of Herman. If your resistance actions go smoothly, Herman's financial market will inevitably collapse. When that happens, I'll be able to make a huge profit… so this time, I'm not here purely for business, but also for cooperation. You are my partner."
"..."
Good grief. That abacus of yours is really clacking away.
"Aren't you afraid of losing money?"
"Of course not. After all, you're a powerful figure who defeated the former Demon King and numerous Demon Men. I believe placing a heavy bet on you this time is worth it. That's also one of the reasons our Dott Trading House is willing to cooperate with you!"
"..."
Well… that really is the nature of a capitalist.
"Then… I hope you'll get what you wish for."
Duanmu Huai silently shook Kopandong's hand and spoke.
Perhaps the Inquisition really does need someone like this.
(End of Chapter)