I, a formal knight of the Lord's Castle Black Knights, had received a special order from Lady Balderic. Escort the new Jin Gang Regiment Captain safely to his territory.
Just who could this person be...
My heart raced. It was the position of Jin Gang Captain, vacant for five whole years.
Four candidates had come before, but all fell short.
To claim it in one go like that.
They must be no ordinary person.
Even before the escort began, my heart pounded with anticipation, ready to burst.
But when I first laid eyes on Astra, I couldn't hide my bewilderment.
If we'd crossed paths on the street, I might have mistaken him for some ordinary territory folk. There was no presence to speak of, no trace of training on that slender frame.
Yet that doubt vanished in an instant, replaced by shame at my own impudence in questioning a Haven captain.
For an elf like me to presume to judge the Captain's strength... My mental discipline is sorely lacking.
After seeing him safely to the territory, I vowed to return and meditate until I collapsed.
"Astra, sir. I'm Rowen, assigned to escort you to the territory."
"Looking forward to it."
That brief warmth in his words only deepened my remorse. I'd been rude from the start, yet the Captain had shown proper courtesy first.
If I disappoint him... I'll atone with my life.
Watching him converse with Kain, the natural charisma that seeped out confirmed it. Not the intimidation of raw power, but the true dignity of a leader who effortlessly commanded those around him.
Just being near him made it hard to breathe. He didn't need to flaunt his strength.
His mere existence proved his greatness.
How enviable the Jin Gang members must be. To serve such an extraordinary person...
I was a Black Knight, but I envied them. His orders would make even death an honor.
What a profound blessing.
"Astra, sir, this is your carriage."
He glanced at the carriage for a moment, then met my eyes.
"Thanks."
Clank—
The carriage door shut, and I barely held back a nosebleed.
A... Ah... Astra himself thanked me... For such a trivial thing...
I swore to escort him without the slightest discomfort. But that oath shattered because of one insolent scum.
"Get out of the way!"
This fool bellowed despite revealing his aura, refusing to budge even with three low-grade spirit beasts in tow.
How dare he... block the Captain's carriage?
We could have gone around, but I couldn't let such trash tarnish the Captain's authority. He deserved to atone with death.
I halted the carriage at once and knocked apologetically on the door.
With this, I'll prove my loyalty.
Unexpectedly, Astra showed interest at the mention of spirit beasts and insisted on handling it himself.
No way... Someone like Astra taking interest in three low-grade spirit beasts? He's surely testing my loyalty.
A chance to show my prowess before the Captain. Future generations would proudly recount how my blade defended his dignity.
I gripped my sword hilt tightly.
This was the perfect moment to prove my devotion to Astra.
"I clearly told you to clear the path. Why haven't you? Do you even know who's in that carriage you're blocking?"
"I'm sorry!!"
Hah. Even trash like him recognized a Haven captain's mark and dropped to his knees.
Too late.
Your pathetic life couldn't repay the inconvenience to the Captain. I'd love to capture you alive and torture you... but he's waiting, so I'll wipe out everything related on the way back.
I raised my gleaming sword coldly.
Tarnishing the Captain's dignity demanded payment.
As I swung, a flash of clarity hit me.
I hadn't even heard his orders yet.
Damn, another mistake nearly made.
"What would you like to do, Astra, sir?"
"Forgive him. But what were you doing out here?"
I froze in shock.
Forgiving this scum...?
But wasn't this the mark of true strength? Mercy even for the weak.
"Th-that is..."
This trash stammering before Astra?
Shing—
I drew my sword instantly. Such rudeness before the Captain.
"You worm, the Captain asked you a question. Speak!"
"Eek! I'll t-talk! Just spare me, please!"
Hah. At least he valued his skin. Prostrated like a bug, forehead grinding the dirt.
"It's... they say if you stay here, you can befriend spirit beasts..."
Blood surged to my head. Trying to deceive Astra with such nonsense! I pressed my blade to his neck.
One word from the Captain, and I'd sever this worm.
"Daring to mock Astra with lies?"
"A Supernatural Ability...?"
A Supernatural Ability...?
Astra's words made me pause. This trembling coward on his knees looked utterly ordinary.
This nobody had a Supernatural Ability?
"An ordinary person taming three spirit beasts? More plausible it's a Supernatural Ability controlling them."
Only then did it click. Even low-grade, three spirit beasts meant something special.
"And... clinging to the spot despite apologizing? Interesting. If it were me, I'd have fled for my life. Unless you don't know a Haven captain's authority..."
With each word from Astra, my face paled.
"You know, don't you? Your quick apology proves it. All signs point to it. You're an ability user, and your words are true. That you can befriend spirit beasts here... that's true too."
Cold sweat drenched me.
This idiot... daring to doubt Astra's insight...
I sheathed my sword and bowed forehead to the ground. I wanted to end it all right there.
But even my life belonged to Astra. Death required his command.
"A... I'll await your orders, Astra, sir."
As Astra conversed with this worm, my fingers trembled. How dare this scum reject the Captain's scouting offer...?
Hold it... I must hold... Acting rashly again would be an unforgivable rudeness, even in death.
But the next words were too much.
"Th-then... maybe wait for the wolf spirit beast... and stop by the village to greet the chief...?"
What? This worm...?
Astra himself had named it and offered, yet this trash would make him wait?
Blood boiled over.
"You dare make Astra wait? Know your place—"
"Rowen."
The Captain's icy voice froze me solid.
"Don't act without permission."
"My apologies."
I bowed deeply. Another blunder.
Why am I such a fool?
The Captain said he'd wait for the wolf spirit beast. And then... sat on the ground?
"A-Astra, sir!"
I rushed over in horror. The Captain on this filthy dirt...?
"Please rest comfortably in the carriage..."
"I'll wait here."
"But your dignity as Cap—"
His eyes flashed cold.
"Rowen, last warning. Don't question my decisions. And..."
Silence fell.
"Is the dignity you imagine for a captain diminished by sitting on the roadside?"
Me, questioning the Captain's dignity? No better than that worm...
I loathed my own existence. Unworthy of life.
"I spoke out of turn. Kill me."
Death here was the only atonement. No other path came to mind. I didn't deserve to think of one.
"You're Balderic's assigned knight, so I'll show mercy. Don't let it happen again."
"H-how can you be so merciful...?"
I prostrated myself. What a blessing to serve him, even briefly—an honor beyond death's repayment.
Never again... never doubt Astra's will. Until my last breath.
As that oath burned in my chest, a wolf approached us.
Is that the one the worm mentioned...?
I went on alert instantly.
But something was off. If it was drawn by Hanji's Soul Companion ability, it should head to him—yet it approached Astra.
"Hanji, why's the wolf heading for Astra, sir?"
"Sorry... I suddenly can't sense its instincts. This has never happened."
Even beasts sense Astra's greatness.
His presence overwhelmed even Supernatural Abilities. But still...
As the wolf stepped forward, I blocked its path.
I couldn't allow a dangerous creature near the Captain.
Facing it, I was mildly surprised. Its aura matched mine.
A mid-grade spirit beast after all...
"Grrr..."
I'll block it, even if it kills me.
As I steeled for death—
"Wolf, show no hostility before me."
Astra's voice rang out.
Just those words...
The pressure from him shook heaven and earth like an illusion, snuffing the wolf's momentum like a candle flame.
"Yelp..."
The wolf prostrated submissively, begging for life.
As expected of Astra. He knew—a mere word suffices for mid-grade beasts.
I wiped the blood from my nose, reveling in indescribable ecstasy.
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