Chapter 109 - Changing Opinions

The constantly changing atmosphere in the castle of Nochtentoria left the Dark Knights restless. The starting point of this change was plain—none other than that support-type mage, Jun Karentia! That mage had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, wreaking chaos. Her recruitment wasn’t even made formal, but then she was appointed as vice-captain during her joining ceremony. It was an unconventional, unique case of personnel recruitment. It would’ve been understandable if she was like Axion, an outstanding mage at first glance. But a mere support-type mage?

Due to the public view on support-type mages being “useless outside of dungeon raids”, they were no different from ordinary humans. Ironically, these mages held the same reputation among the expedition corps’ that raided dungeons. It was bad to the point that people would prefer to clear a dungeon with six members than to fill the seventh slot with a support-type mage. At least they’d gain more experience points that way, after all. Of course, Jun Karentia might have had some other abilities, like being extraordinarily clever or the like. She didn’t seem to lack in resourcefulness, judging by how she had solved the Blue Flames incident. But even so, it was ridiculous to give her the position of vice-captain. Vice-captain! The highest authority in the Dark Knights who was second only to Mayer Knox!

The decision to make Jun Karentia vice-captain was irrational, unbecoming of Dark Knight Mayer Knox. The man was cool-minded, fair, and devoted himself to dungeons like a machine. And when humans made irrational or insensible decisions, love was a common cause. The Mayer Knox? Love? But he was human too, wasn’t he? There were many cases of tyrants falling in love and acting crazy. As many as the stars in the sky. But what part of her was it that was so charming? Unable to tell, some of the Dark Knights enquired about her from the Red Wolves who had returned with Jun Karentia.

Zinnia, the shield keeper of the Red Wolves, claimed that she deserved the treatment she received. “I’m telling you, the dungeon raid went faster thanks to her. She knows how to match the optimal timing. Besides that… I think she has a lot of other talents, too.”

“So her unprecedented treatment is because of her abilities? Nonsense. If the dungeon raid went faster thanks to her, then what magic did she use?”

The Red Wolves had only exchanged glances then as they didn’t know exactly about Jun’s magic. The others snorted at that as if to prove their point. “Sure, she’s vice-captain now, but do you have to kiss ass like that already?”

“We don’t know exactly, but the squad leader does. Why don’t you ask him then?”

“You think Axion would give us ordinary members the time of day?”

Axion was notoriously cold toward the talentless, regardless of status and background. As someone who put talent before all else, he didn’t even talk to the ordinary members. To quote him, answering pointless questions was a waste of time.

“As if you dared to ask in the first place!” Zinnia burst out angrily, turning away and leaving them to murmur among themselves in speculation.

“Even Axion goes gaga over Jun Karentia. Like he’d be objective about her.”

“Right. I hear he chatted with that woman, eating at the same table? With a real good mood going on, apparently.”

“Not to mention, they say he went out of his way to look for her in the regular mess hall, which he usually never goes to.”

These gossipers didn’t realize that they were contradicting themselves, all because they were unwilling to acknowledge that Jun Karentia was that capable. Not everyone was like this, however; someone who was quietly listening wondered in an undertone, “But the fact that Axion would go so far… Doesn’t that mean that she must have some amazing talent?”

“Talent, shmalent, she’s still a support-type mage. Just because an ant can use magic doesn’t mean it isn’t an ant, right?”

“Axion’s a man too. He might’ve become smitten with her. The woman has already charmed His Excellency and Reverend August, after all.”

Mayer Knox was so worried she might get hurt that he assigned Reverend August to her. And yet, that shameless woman Jun Karentia held secret meetings with the priest at the crack of dawn.

“Just what part of her did they fall for? Sure, she’s got a pretty face, but isn’t that all?”

“She must be incredible in another way.” One of them suggested with a smirk.

“Yeah, since it’s got to be a ‘talent’ Axion would acknowledge.”