Chapter 19 - Who’s the New Girl?

This was my second life—in more than one way—but it felt new and that wasn’t bad. In fact, I liked that it didn’t feel like I was living the same life again. Repeating the same experience wasn’t very pleasant, especially when I could feel the discrepancy between the information I knew and the reality that would come to pass. If it wasn’t for the big advantage I had from my insider knowledge, this life would’ve been almost no different than a curse.

While I was absentmindedly looking around the castle, Mayer got off his horse and said, “Welcome to Nochtentoria Castle, Jun Karentia.” 

“Who would’ve thought… Me, in Nochtentoria Castle… Now I truly feel like I’m a Dark Knight,” I replied, also getting off my steed; I couldn’t stay on horseback after he had dismounted, after all. 

I spoke without much thought behind my words, but it seemed Mayer didn’t like my reply; his face turned rigid in an instant. “…Finally feeling? It appears my treatment of you hasn’t been satisfactory.”

“I… That’s not what I meant…” I uttered, panicking. Nothing good would come from offending my superior, especially since I had no one to back me up in this place. I opened my mouth, ready to give an excuse amid my bewilderment, but Mayer cut me off. 

“This is also your base now. Remember that,” he said, eyes shining intensely. It was almost as if he was being wary of Fabian, who wasn’t even around us. He must have been really bothered by Fabian stealing his thunder in the final battle.

And now that I thought about it, that was entirely possible. Moreover, he could be thinking that I still had lingering attachments to Fabian. It couldn’t be helped that Mayer didn’t trust my loyalty; after all, I had none. However, it wouldn’t be good for me if he ended up distrusting my words because of that. I needed to pacify him somehow.

“But of course, Captain,” I replied in a flattering tone and smiled at him. I noticed a while ago that, for some reason, Mayer seemed to enjoy having me address him as ‘captain’. And sure enough, although his expression didn’t appear to change in any noticeable way, his aura significantly mellowed. “Well, then… How about I show you around the castle?” He suggested, drawing closer to me.

 Show me around the castle? Wouldn’t I have to stick to his side all day long then? “No, thank you. You don’t need to go so far.”

His suggestion had been so sudden, I even forgot I had to keep him as happy as possible. To my surprise, I had stepped back, but what was the point? One single step from Mayer was enough to cover two of mine. Maintaining a distance that was practically no different than a moment ago, he asked, very naturally, “Do you dislike going around with me?”

 “It’s not that, Captain. I’m just aware that you’re a very busy man,” I replied.

“Indeed I am, but you are the vice-captain of the Dark Knights, no? Nothing could be more important than introducing the base to you at the moment,” he said, repeatedly emphasizing the word vice-captain. I felt oh so very grateful that he was driving my new status into my head for me, just in case I somehow forgot, I suppose. But still, a tour through an old castle with Mayer just didn’t sit well with me. A stranger being guided by the grand duke around the base? Might as well ask for a spotlight and some trumpets to go along.

It would be better if someone else escorted me… Like Axion, whom I had struck a fair friendship with on the way to the castle. I tried to insist that guiding me around the castle could be left to the others, but everyone was too quick on the uptake; the captain had yet to even give the order yet they had all dismissed themselves.

 Mayer asked, “What are you looking around so much for?”

I slumped, defeated. “Haha… It’s nothing, let’s go.” There was no helping it. I needed to try my best to hide behind Mayer and avoid being seen. Unfortunately, just as I was about to follow the captain, head lowered in resignation, a gray-haired elderly man came out to welcome him. 

“What a relief to have you return safe and sound, Your Excellency,” the man said. “Did the performance report meeting go well?”

“Vince.” Mayer greeted the old man with a smile, which was rare of him. Judging by the uniform, the old man seemed to be a butler. “You came in a good moment; I have someone to introduce to you. This is Jun Karentia, the vice-captain of our expedition corps.” Mayer introduced me in an elated voice, pulling me forward. My efforts to hide behind his cape were futile; I was dragged right before the butler.