02 — Warriors of the Kitchen

02 — Warriors of the Kitchen

I had anticipated trouble with such a large group, but our trip was smooth. Until we reached the village, that is.

The sun was nearing the ridge of the western mountains as we neared our destination. It was a well-traveled border village but a small place that a company of our size couldn’t very well stay in for long. I decided it would be wise to ask the village chief if we could camp just outside the town. Lionel joined me, while the others prepared our meal and watched the mercenaries.

What met the two of us as we entered the village were armed citizens. When they saw us, they promptly dropped their weapons and cheered. Lionel and I cocked our heads.

The mayor was bowing to us in his own home.

“Let me get this straight,” I said. “A band of beastfolk bandits have been attacking nearby villages?”

“That’s correct,” he replied. “Not just ours, but other villages as well. They’ve only come here once, but I don’t want to imagine how it would have turned out if there hadn’t been mercenaries staying with us at the time.”

Beastfolk bandits... Mercenaries pretending to be bandits... Was I thinking too much or was there more to this? Regardless, I needed to report this to Her Holiness and Galba ASAP.

“And you want us to get rid of them for you.”

“Yes, exactly. We’d never ask this of any ordinary healer, but you, sir, have defeated a dragon all on your own! Your valor is our only hope!”

His eyes were bloodshot, conveying the extreme stress he must have been under. I was confident that Lionel was itching to go on a bandit-busting crusade, but we didn’t have the sort of manpower for that.

“I’m afraid that might be difficult,” I said.

“B-But...” the mayor stammered.

“We would gladly take care of them for you if they were to attack at this very moment, but we don’t have the resources to go looking for them. There’s a small town to the north that we need to reach tomorrow.”

“Then later! Later is fine! Please, just save our village!” The mayor flung his head straight into his desk. I cast a quiet Heal on him.

“I don’t particularly like bandits running amok, so once our business is settled, I can certainly promise that we’ll come back to help.”

“You are our savior!”

“Please. Would you mind if we set up camp outside the village?”

“Not at all. We can provide as many supplies as you need.”

“That won’t be necessary. We had our own run-in with some bandits recently, so we’d like to keep our distance.”

“You’re too kind, Mister Luciel!”

“If you’ll excuse us.”

The mayor’s sniveling face was starting to make me feel awkward, so I conducted a hasty retreat. Once outside, I heaved a sigh. Lionel watched, trying and failing to stifle his laughter.

“What’s so funny?” I asked.

“Nothing,” he said. “I’m simply amused by your ever-growing following.”

“At least one of us is.”

He chuckled again. I sighed, praying that things would calm down.

When we returned to the group, several golems were stationed around to form a perimeter, and in the center, the mercenaries were cooking.

“What’s going on here?” I asked.

Kefin looked up from his hand in his face and noticed us. “Mister Luciel.”

“Explanation, please.”

“So, Dhoran, Pola, and Lycian took over watching the mercs while Ketty and I started cooking, but the mercs told us that we...didn’t appreciate the ingredients enough.”

“They’ve seized our kitchen and utensils?”

“I wouldn’t say ‘seized.’ More like Ketty, er, lost her temper.”

“And she made them cook.”

“Yes, sir.”

The dwarves and elf were completely lost in their magic gems, but from the look of the golems they hadn’t abandoned their duty. Progress.

Ketty and cooking, however, was a sort of Pandora’s Box. Despite Nalia’s best efforts, the cat-woman’s culinary creations always turned out like flavorless slop. Nalia’s smile was supposedly enough to make Ketty shudder. This was a worrying deficiency, considering how long we’d be on the road, but it seemed to be taken care of for the time being.

Noticing our return, the mercenaries suddenly stopped, except for their leader.

“Hobby of yours?” I asked him.

“Just don’t like seeing fresh ingredients go to waste and get turned into garbage.”

“Likewise.”

“What?”

“I agree,” I repeated. The mercenaries stared at me in silence. “We’ll go over tomorrow’s plan once everyone’s eaten.”

“You’re not worried we might poison the food?”

“No one with as much appreciation for food as you would do that.” And if he would, my resistances made it a moot point.

The merc continued to quietly cook. Meanwhile, I started setting up beds and the yurt-like tents that nomads of this world used. Kefin came to fetch me for dinner just as I finished. I followed him to a table that Dhoran had put together, lined with delicious plates of food. Only our portions, though. The mercs’ plates were still stacked in a neat pile. Kefin explained to me that they’d eat whatever scraps we had left over.

Personally, I found it uncomfortable to eat while others watched me. “Thanks for cooking,” I said. “But we all eat together. That’s how we do things around here, so come on.”

“There’s plenty for everyone. We’ll eat what’s left,” their leader insisted.

“Well, I don’t like being stared at during dinner, and it’s important to me. Plus, I think I told you we had things to discuss afterwards.”

“Right. If you say so.”

“Good. Now eat up before it gets cold.”

At last, the mercs hesitantly joined us. It didn’t take long for amiable conversation to start up. Hoping that this might help everyone let off some steam and relieve the tension, I began to eat as well.

Everything was incredible, and I couldn’t believe it was possible, but their dishes actually rivaled Gulgar’s, and he was the best chef I knew in this world. What were they doing trudging around as mercenaries? I almost wanted to ask why they hadn’t settled down as cooks or something but didn’t want to come off as rude. So I settled for a simple compliment, which put an amusing blush on the boss’s face. I couldn’t help but wish we had met under better circumstances.

After dinner, I told him about my conversation with the mayor regarding the bandits and our plans for the next day, then left him to divide the tents among his men. From the expression on his face, he looked like he’d been sucker punched.

“Call for help if the bandits come,” I said.

“Wait, what’s going on here?” he asked, incredulous. “Is it because Shurule hired us?”

“Oh, I couldn’t care less about that. I treat everyone equally and humanely. Guess you could say it’s for my ego.” Of course, that didn’t apply when my life or the lives of my companions were at stake.

“You don’t care that we might make a run for it?”

It was cute that he thought he’d be able to get away from Ketty or Kefin on night watch, or that Forêt would let their horses leave.

“You can go ahead and try, but I’d only expect that sort of behavior from bandits, if you get what I mean.”

I nonchalantly waved my hand as I entered my tent. I didn’t hear the merc leave until some time later. Once I was sure he was gone, I contacted Her Holiness and the Yenice Adventurer’s Guild by arclink crystal.

An explosion like the one from earlier that day woke me up in the night. I shot up from my angel’s pillow, changed into my armor with the transformation dresser, and dashed outside to find several tents burning like bonfires. A cacophony of screams reached my ears.

“Calm down,” I said to myself. “Just stay calm.” I looked in the direction of the explosion. Lionel, Ketty, and Kefin were locked in battle a ways away. “They’ll be done quickly. No point worrying about them. Dhoran and the others are putting out the fires. Everyone seems safe.”

I noticed a merc nearby. “You there!”

“You tricked us!”

“I don’t have time to argue with you. Tell me what’s happening,” I demanded.

“What?”

“I need to know the situation before I can save anyone! Now!”

“W-We were attacked by bandits. Our tents suddenly went up in flames.”

Fire arrows could burn through in seconds. Some people might not have made it out.

“Then some of you were hurt. Bring them to me—no, take me to where they are. If they’re alive, I can save them.”

“O-Okay!”

He led me to a group of badly burned comrades. I quickly approached and cast an Area High Heal. They looked surprised to find that I was a healer, but I ignored their shock.

“Who’s missing?” I asked.

“Sagius ran after the bandits with a few others,” one of them answered.

“Sagius?”

“Our leader.”

“Got it. If you feel like repaying me for the healing, go help extinguish the fires or make sure the bandits aren’t in the village.”

“What about you?”

“I’m going to save lives.” Forêt Noire suddenly trotted up to me. “There you are. Wait, you’re hurt!” I cast High Heal and Purification on her, and she brayed in reply, as if telling me to hop on and hurry to the rescue. “Right. Thanks, girl.”

I hoisted myself up onto her back, and she kicked into a gallop. Was it fortune or misfortune that the brigands had come straight to us? All I knew for sure was that I wasn’t as prepared for a surprise attack as I’d thought. I had learned a hard lesson.

The landscape flew by as we darted towards Lionel’s group, but Forêt stopped away from them, next to several casualties on the ground.

“Purification! Area High Heal! There, they’ll make it. To the next one, Forêt!”

She made straight for Lionel this time.

“The attackers have been captured, sir,” he reported as I cleaned the blood off everyone with Purification from my horse’s back.

“Was the explosion you?” I asked.

“Yes. I used the greatsword’s flames to prevent them from escaping.”

“Got it. Is anyone hurt?”

“The mercenaries’ leader took a wound to the back and also lost an arm. Three others suffered lacerations.”

“I healed those three on the way here. Where’s the leader?”

“That way. We stopped the bleeding with a potion taken from the bandits, but he still needs attention.”

“I understand. I’ve already healed several of the mercs, so there’s no point in hiding the fact that I’m an S-rank healer at this point. Or hiding Extra Heal, for that matter.”

Lionel led me to the leader, where I dismounted. He was staring vacantly at where his arm had been.

“I’m glad you’re alive,” I said.

“You’re glad I’m alive,” he parroted. “You’re glad I’m alive? Looking like this?”

“I am.” Because I had the miracle spell.

“I’ll never hold a sword again. I’ll never hold a damn kitchen knife again. And you want me to be grateful that I’m alive?”

“I do.” Because I was a miracle worker.

“My merc career’s over. My enemies are going to be after my life. But thank fucking Crya I’m alive, huh?!”

“That’s how I’d feel in your shoes.”

“Shut up! What do you know?! What do you know about what it feels like to lose an arm?!”

Quite a bit, actually, but I definitely would have felt much the same if I hadn’t had Extra Heal. That said, surely he’d been prepared for this. Surely, as a sellsword, he should have been at peace with injury and death.

Suddenly, Lionel grabbed the man by his collar and forced him to his feet, then let go. “Listen to me, fool. Decry your fate and the loss of your arm, but do not turn your rage on those you know nothing about. Or shall I relieve you of your remaining arm?”

The boss’s knees quaked before finally giving out, and he fell to the ground. And here I was about to lay down the truth that he’d surely have dismembered his own share of arms in his line of work. Lionel had stolen my dang spotlight.

“Anyway,” I said, “we don’t have a lot of time to waste here. Sa-jee... Say-jee...”

“It’s Sagius,” he corrected me.

“Right, Sagius. You have a couple of options.”

“Options? What?”

“You can stay a mercenary, selling your life for money, condemning the loss of your arm. Or you can wash your hands of this business, repent for those you’ve hurt, and live an honest life.”

“Wait, you can fix me?!”

“Sir,” Lionel firmly interjected.

“Life’s long. And I might be biased, but I’m sure he’s done his fair share of wrong as a mercenary,” I argued. “I don’t think he’s going to have it so easy anymore, though. I doubt he’ll be able to after this.”

“This man has no shred of loyalty, dignity, or dedication, so as long as he doesn’t join us, I’ll hold my tongue.”

That was one way of putting it. Lionel might have been thinking the same thing I was: our group could’ve made good use of a cook.

“What are you guys, demons?” Sagius stuttered.

“Let’s leave this fellow to his wallowing,” Lionel insisted. “His life alone is a burden to us.”

“Maybe,” I admitted. “And no, Sagius. I’m just a normal human with a bit of a knack for holy magic.”

“You...” He gaped at me. “You’re the S-rank.”

“That’s me—”

“Please, heal me! I’m done with the merc business! I’ll go clean!”

“Er, you sound like you’ve been ready to do that for a while.”

“None of us are any good at fighting. We’d rather gather mushrooms and herbs and cook all day before any of that.”

Kefin and Ketty had said they were surprisingly weak. But why had they tried to fight the bandits, then? Maybe they were the impetuous types to never leave a favor unrepaid.

“Why didn’t you quit?”

“The, er, retaliation. From the enemies we’ve made.”

“Well, let’s start with a contract. First, I forbid you from speaking to anyone about the magic I’m about to perform. Second, you’re to live an honest life from now on. Third, you’re to treat all beastpeople with respect, but you may seek help if your life is ever at stake. Do you swear to these terms?”

“I-I swear!”

“The contract is made. Purification! Extra Heal!” I chanted. “And now my part of the deal is done.”

“Um,” he stammered, “so, I’m glad my arm’s back, but is that really all? No pomp and circumstance?”

“I regrew your arm. What more do you want?”

“Fair point.”

“I get what you mean, but just be glad you have all your limbs again.”

“Right.”

“Oh, and for the record, I’ve lost more arms and legs than I can count, so I know a thing or two about how painful it is. Physically and mentally. Lionel lost the use of his legs before too.”

“I’m... I’m sorry. I was insensitive.”

“Forget it. You’d better go show your men you’re alive. Just don’t think about—well, not like you can run away, even if you tried.”

“Er, um,” he continued to sputter.

“We’re going to handle the bandits, if you feel like joining.”

“No. They’re all yours.”

“By the way, I healed some of your men over there. Might want to wake them up or get some people to carry them elsewhere.”

“Right, yeah.” And with that, he ran off.

“He’s an impressive chef,” Lionel muttered as he watched Sagius leave. “He would have made a promising personal cook, if it weren’t for his imprudence and short temper.”

“You could always pick up a ladle,” I suggested.

“I’m more suited to greatswords than kitchenware.”

“Figured you’d say that. Let’s go see what this bandit gang’s deal is.”

“Yes, sir.”

The two of us made for the thugs, who Ketty and Kefin had been keeping a close eye on.

The captured bandits were black and blue when I found them.

“What happened here?” I asked.

“Sorry... Sorry ’bout that.” Ketty stumbled over her words. “But I don’t regret it.”

“I apologize for getting violent too,” Kefin added. “But I feel the same. They deserved it.”

“I’m not mad at anyone. I just want to know why they’re all beat up,” I said.

“That’s all you, Kefin. Just...tell him.”

He took a breath. “If I have to. Take a look at this.”

“A mask?” I looked closer. “Of a beastperson.”

“They were disguising themselves as beastfolk.”

No wonder Ketty was so livid. We were bending over backwards trying to get all races to get along, and these fools were directly opposing our work.

“Let me guess: they’re mercs hired by human supremacists.”

“Yes, sir,” Kefin replied. “Except these clowns aren’t like the ones we met on the way here. There’s not a single good bone in their bodies. They’re worthless.”

I’d never heard Kefin speak so venomously about another person before. The bandits had probably miscalculated and gone a few steps too far, thinking they’d weasel their way out of their predicament with ease.

“Don’t bother healing them,” Ketty spat. “They’re... I wouldn’t waste the effort, Chief.”

“We don’t want anyone dying, but otherwise that’s fine by me,” I said. “Just don’t let them get to you anymore.”

“Right.”

“Oh, and see if Sagius recognizes any of them. The townsfolk are probably scared. I need to go fill in their mayor.”

“I’ll accompany you,” Lionel said.

I nodded. “Keep your heads cool, guys.”

“Sure thing,” Ketty said.

“Understood,” Kefin agreed.

I had a feeling that when the bandits woke up they would pull the exact same garbage again. But karma hurts.

The villagers had lit a bonfire and formed a barricade with their bodies, holding weapons.

“Relax, guys. The bandits have been captured,” I said and was greeted with cheers. “Does anyone here remember what the mercenaries who rescued the town look like? I’d like you to check something.”

The group dispersed and a few people stepped forward, including the mayor.

“I’ll explain while we walk,” I told him. “Turns out the bandits were beastfolk.”

“I knew those beasts were up to no good,” he said.

“That is, they were humans dressed as beastfolk. Mercenaries.”

“What?!”

“There’s more to this than meets the eye. We don’t have enough information to know for sure, but it seems likely that a human supremacist, maybe a whole organization, is behind it.”

He slouched dejectedly. “Then I take it we’re not going to get back what they stole from us during the last raid.”

“What did they take?”

“Several horses.”

“Horses. Noted. It might not be much, but I am an S-rank healer with connections to Her Holiness and Yenice’s council. I could get in contact with them.”

“Yes, I’m well aware, of course.”

“Well, they attacked me. It would be a simple request to ask them to take action. I’m friendly with several adventurer guildmasters too, and could have them put out hits on bandits.”

“You continue to impress me. But wouldn’t our belongings end up as possessions of whoever completes the job?”

“I’ll figure something out.”

“No, no, no, you’ve figured enough out for us! We’ll never be able to repay you at this rate!”

“Okay, then how about we say you owe me a favor? You help me out if I’m ever in trouble.” I really wasn’t looking for a reward, but the Spirit of Tides’s prophecy still weighed heavily on my mind. I hadn’t even intended to make the offer, to be honest. My mouth had moved of its own accord.

The mayor looked directly at me. “That, we can do. Even if the entire world turns against you, you’ll have allies here.”

“I’ll hold you to that if I’m ever public enemy number one.”

“Please do.”

I showed the villagers the bandits, but their faces were too beaten and swollen for anyone to recognize, so I cleaned them up a bit with Purification. The result: several of them were the same mercs who’d fought against the “bandits” last time. Sagius’s men also identified them as being fairly high up in their guild. We learned that Sagius’s horses were the ones that had been stolen from the village, so they were returned.

With fewer means of transportation and ever more people to cart around, I decided to contact the pope to inform her of the new circumstances and request assistance with transporting the mercs.

The mercs-turned-bandits spent the next two days quietly in Dhoran’s specially made magic-enervating cell that he’d dug into the ground.

As I was wrapping up my training with Lionel, Sagius, our temporary chef, called out, “Lunch is almost ready!”

“Let’s end it here,” I suggested.

“Very well,” Lionel agreed. “We can power through the indigestion and continue in the afternoon.”

I grimaced. “We’re not done for the day?”

“Strength requires determination.”

“Yeah, I know.” I sighed. “Not like I have anything better to do, I guess.”

Suddenly, Ketty and Kefin came running up.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“There’s a big group comin’ for us,” Ketty reported. “I’d say Knights of Shurule, from the white armor.”

“Ten or so horses and two carriages,” Kefin added.

The assistance I had asked for was earlier than expected.

“Thanks,” I said. “Sagius, mind cooking for a few more?”

“Can do,” he replied excitedly before shouting instructions to his men and getting back to work.

The regiment from Church HQ gradually approached, and when they finally reached us—

“No way!” I shouted. “The Valkyries?! Why?!”

“Because we were given a mission. It’s good to see you, Luciel.”

“I-It’s good to see you too, Lumina.” I nearly lost myself staring at her until I saw the rest of the Valkyries waving happily. “And you too, everyone. You look good.”

“Indeed, as my Valkyries should,” Lumina said. “Now, I need to conduct a few formalities, if you don’t mind.”

“Please do.”

“In acquiescence to S-rank Luciel’s request for aid and additional personnel, and by order of Her Holiness, the Valkyries are reporting for duty with four supplementary healers. We are yours to command until such time as our mission is complete. The healers may remain hereafter should you see fit.”

“It may not be for long, but I look forward to working with you again.”

“Likewise, sir!” Lumina saluted with a fist to her chest. The Valkyries behind her followed suit. Strangely, though, the four healers were nowhere to be seen.

“Where are those healers?”

“Still in the carriage, I presume.” She put a hand to her chin and tilted her head cutely. “I suspect the journey was tiring for them.”

I smiled. “Then we can save introductions for later. We were just about to eat, if you’d like to join us.”

“You have enough for us? We never received your herald.”

“My scouts noticed your white armor from a ways away, so we were prepared.”

Lumina glanced at Lionel and the others. “They escaped our notice entirely. I see now.”

“See what?”

“I heard you left your entire Order in Yenice. And rumors have been circulating in the Church that you slew a dragon.”

“Ha ha! Ha... So there are rumors, huh? Well, as you can clearly see, I’m still a fraidy-cat. Rest assured, I would never leave Yenice without making sure I’m defended by the best.”

“Ever the...I see,” she mumbled.

I could’ve sworn I heard something in the middle there, but I must have been imagining things. “Anyway, I think you’ll understand once you’ve heard the story. I’ll introduce you to my companions too. Shall we eat in the meantime? The Valkyries are looking a little ravenous.”

Lumina glanced back at her troop. “Really, girls? Very well. We’ll indulge you.”

The ladies yelled in excitement, and I guided them to Dhoran’s improvised dining area. I also urged the exhausted healers to join us, but something about them felt a little off to me.

Praises for Sagius and his men’s cooking were swift and unanimous. With the mood amped up, I began the story of my escapades in Yenice, beginning with my efforts to revive the Healer’s Guild, then my battle with the dragon and life as a representative, and ending with my departure without the Order of Healing. Marluka had looked particularly excited when I reached the dragon part, and Myla had teased me about “finally hearing the legend,” but their interest died down substantially once they learned the truth.

“...so, after we captured the bandits—that is, the mercenaries—we ended up with so many people that we needed extra help.”

Lumina gave me an oddly sympathetic look. “I never imagined your life would be so...eventful.”

The pope had told me the Valkyries were having their own share of problems lately, so I wouldn’t have thought that my life was particularly harder than theirs.

“You know, Mister Lulu, if I may be so emboldened, I think you can be very proud of slaying a dragon,” Marluka stated with that trademark awkwardness every time she tried to speak politely. And she still remembered that ridiculous nickname.

“Yeah, bein’ proud doesn’t gotta mean bein’ arrogant,” Gannet agreed in her usual casual tone.

“Exactly. Most people would freeze up in the face of a threat like that, but not you,” Ripnear added. “Just because you did the deed with Substance X doesn’t lessen the fact that you did it.”

“Yep. Good job,” Queena said simply.

“Er, thanks, guys,” I replied.

“I can hardly believe you’re the same guy who got cold feet about taking out a measly forest boar,” Beatrice remarked.

“It’s not often you see a guy respond to punishment so well,” Kathy concurred.

“Can you please forget about that boar thing?” I begged. “And my team was jealous every time you guys handed my butt to me, Kathy. I had to get better or the Order would’ve fallen apart.”

One wrong move and I would’ve been back to living life all on my lonesome again. Regardless, I couldn’t believe the Valkyries were actually complimenting me on something combat related.

“You never were a normal healer,” Lucy remarked.

“Oh, that’s hardly a standard worth holding him to,” Elizabeth scoffed. “The people in Yenice wanted nothing to do with him, and his first destination was the Adventurer’s Guild, a veritable nest of healer-haters. He’s strange by any measure.”

I had known the lambasting would start sooner or later. I cracked a pitiful smile. “Actually, I—”

“Speakin’ o’ weird, I heard the first thing he did in Yenice was shop for slaves to help relieve some...pent up stress,” Saran interrupted suggestively with a blush, which I did not appreciate. I never understood why she always acted all embarrassed about her own dirty jokes. Still, I could tell by the way everyone looked away from me that that particular rumor hadn’t just been her imagination running wild.

“Luc— Mister Luciel, we know the gossip around you comes from jealousy,” Myla said comfortingly, cutting through the awkward mood and returning to her food. “It’s your strangeness that’s gotten you so far and inspired you to do so much in such a short time.”

Weirdly enough, I didn’t recall the rumor mill getting so out of hand during my time with the Valkyries. I had only gotten envious glares. Maybe there were more healers who hated me than I thought. Either way, I didn’t regret anything I’d done so far.

“We see and acknowledge the efforts you make as well as the achievements they’ve led to,” Lumina said.

“Thanks. Guess there’s no point letting bad faith arguments get me down,” I replied.

“Indeed.”

“There is one thing I should correct, though. I do make an effort, true, but that’s hardly where my successes come from. I owe everything to the Order and my comrades for standing with me through it all. And the Yenitians themselves, of course.”

“Hm. Some things never change, do they?”

“It’s the truth. Anyway, speaking of slaves, I think it’s time I introduce everyone.”

“They’ve had my curiosity for some time now. That man next to you... If I’m not mistaken, he’s the Illumasian general, master of the defender class, Lionel Gurst Elphens, otherwise known as the Lion of War.”

She sure was well informed.

“I am Mister Luciel’s attendant,” Lionel replied. “Nothing more.”

“My apologies. I don’t mean to offend. I simply thought the Lion was fighting on the Luburk front. I’m a little bewildered.”

It was rare to see Lumina so flustered, but this wasn’t the time or place to discuss this sort of thing.

“I know it’s confusing, but just understand that he’s been my trusted companion for over a year now,” I said.

“If you insist,” she conceded.

“Moving along, this is my head of reconnaissance, Ketty.”

“The Nightgleam?” Lucy exclaimed in shock.

“I’m Mister Luciel’s attendant,” Ketty replied. “Nothin’ more.”

“Er, anyway,” I continued, “this is our craftsman and the one who built this little hall for us, Dhoran.”

“Y-You’re the fellow disciple of the master smith, Grand!” Queena shot up and cried. “The Dhoran?!”

“Aye, he’s my brother-in-steel, but Mister Luciel’s tinkerer is all I am now,” Dhoran replied. “Nothin’ more.”

“Next to him is his granddaughter, Pola. She’s an artificer.”

“I’m just a genius, nothing more,” she proclaimed. “Until I’m famous.”

“And the elf next to her is Lycian, another artificer.”

“I can introduce myself, if you like,” Lycian said. “But it will cost you magic stones.”

“She’s stupid,” Pola stated.

“Only imbeciles insult the intelligence of others, Pola.” Her rival didn’t even blink. “Well, say something!”

Lord, those two never knew when to quit. I cleared my throat loudly, and they quieted down. They did continue to kick each other under the table, but at that point, I couldn’t have cared less.

“Ahem, lastly, this is Kefin, human-wolf twinblood and former gang leader. He grew up in the slums. He’s a good, loyal man, so I decided to bring him along.”

I noticed several frowns among the Valkyries.

“My name’s Kefin,” he introduced himself. “I know I’m not worthy to be traveling with Mister Luciel, but I have a debt to repay, and I’d gladly lay down my life for him.”

Lionel huffed in anger, but Lumina was faster.

“Indeed, Kefin, of Luciel’s followers, you are certainly the least qualified,” she stated.

“I-I know.”

“And surely you know that sacrifice is simply to be expected of all Luciel’s attendants.”

“Right.”

“I will never understand what drives him to weaken his party with company like you, but be that as it may, he has chosen you. Thus it is your responsibility to prove your worth and be of use to him.”

“Right.”

“And you would do well to remember that prepared as you may be to end your life, Luciel is not one to easily allow it.”

“I will.”

“One last thing. To deprecate yourself is to deprecate your master. Do it alone if you must, but never show it openly. Be proud that he saw something in you.”

“Thank you.”

By the time her rant ended, Lionel’s frustration had abated as well. She seemed to have covered pretty much everything he’d wanted to say.

“Thanks for that, Lumina,” I said.

“I merely spoke the truth.”

“Well, how about we speak the truth over some dessert?”

“Dessert?”

“Dessert.”

I left my seat to go prepare some cookies I’d had Nalia make from the vespians’ honey, a yogurt cheesecake drizzled in the same honey, and tea made from some of Yenice’s finest leaves.

＊

Lionel and Lumina locked eyes the moment Luciel left the table.

“Mister Luciel trusts you. If you have questions, ask them before he returns,” the ex-general offered.

Lumina was taken aback, but she could see the man’s sincerity and loyalty emanating from him with her magical vision.

“Thank you for the offer, but I’m confident that your devotion is genuine.”

“So you are. I had heard talk of the Church’s corruption, of how the pope placed her hopes of salvation in a single woman and her paladin regiment. I see now that this woman was you.”

“The empire’s intelligence network was always efficient.”

“In so many words. However, I feel as if I’ve seen you before. On the battlefield.”

That was a campaign Lumina would rather forget. Her very first. “Is... Is that so?”

“I apologize. It wasn’t my intention to make a friend of Mister Luciel’s uncomfortable.”

Lumina could see with her Aura Sight that he was being honest. But what she could not see was where his devotion came from. She wanted to ask but couldn’t bring herself to.

“Mister Luciel became my master because he gave me hope again. Life,” Lionel divulged. “But what drives me to stay at his side is his world. A world that moves at a blistering speed, where the days are never boring.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I saw that you wanted to ask. It also makes a convenient ending for our conversation.”

Just then, Luciel returned with a delicious-looking cake in hand. Lumina stared at him in a daze, unable to get the ex-general’s playful grin out of her mind. It wasn’t an expression that belonged on the Lion’s face. She couldn’t help but wonder, just a little, how happy she might be to spend time with Luciel as he did.

＊

The Valkyries weren’t the only ones ecstatic about the dessert. Ketty’s, Pola’s, and Lycian’s mouths were watering as well. By the time I finished passing out the tea Galba had given me, my own share had vanished. But before I could investigate the curious case of the missing cookies, the Valkyries surrounded me.

“Uh, can I help you?”

“Where’dja get those cookies, Mister Lulu?! You gotta tell us!” Marluka shouted.

“The heavens may forgive you for hiding the sweets,” Queena said, “but the Valkyries will not.”

“Be wary, Luc— Mister Luciel,” Myla warned. “Food-related grudges are divisive things.”

“Behave yourselves, ladies,” Lumina snapped, sending the girls scurrying back to their seats. “We are guests. And Luciel would never hide things from us.”

“Thanks,” I said, relieved.

“I apologize on their behalf. Where did you purchase these desserts, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“I didn’t buy them. I got them in Yenice.”

“The man lies,” Elizabeth said accusingly.

“What? No, I don’t. Why would I lie?” I asked.

She frowned. “But they were honeyed. Such an elusive ingredient used to be sold in Yenice’s markets, but that was a long time ago.”

I’d forgotten that she was from a family of merchants.

“Is the ‘elusive ingredient’ you’re referring to vespian honey?”

“Precisely. Only a handful of bottles are sold a year, and only by Luburk.”

“You mean this stuff?” I produced a small barrel and a keg from my magic bag and opened the lids.

“C-C-C...” Elizabeth started to cluck like a hen. “Can it be?!”

Beatrice and Saran behind her began to repeatedly mumble “mead” under their breath like they’d lost their minds.

“I had a bit of a run-in with the vespians and gave them a hand with something. We’re on good terms now.”

“Luciel.” Lumina grabbed my shoulders and put her face right up to mine. “Would you be willing to share?”

My heart skipped a beat. “Er, well, you guys did get here in record time. You can have some honey and mead as a thank you.”

“Really?!”

“It’s the least I can do for everything you guys have done for me.”

“You have our thanks, Luciel.”

Lumina threw her arms around me, and I stiffened like a board. We quickly separated and blushed, noticing our awkwardness, until the rest of the Valkyries dogpiled me. I looked to Lionel and the others for help, but I was abandoned. With a new lesson learned about the strength of women’s hugs, I remembered what I’d forgotten.

“Oh yeah, I haven’t met the healers yet,” I said.

“Right you are,” Lumina replied. “But a moment first, please.”

“What is it?”

She guided me away from the table.

“Yes?” I asked again.

“It concerns the healers. Three of them had their own clinics but shut them down when your guidelines were passed.”

“Why would the Church send them to me? Was it the human supremacists?”

“I believe so. The fourth healer, however, was put forth by Her Holiness herself. She just... How do I say this?”

What could have been wrong with a healer recommended by the pope?

“Go on.”

“She has a rather poor opinion of you.”

“I see. Well, worst case scenario, I can leave them at some Healer’s Guild.”

“Be on your guard.”

“Thanks for the warning.”

After being introduced to the healers, I took Lumina to the underground cell where we were keeping the mercenaries. Their exhausted state surprised her at first, until I explained that Dhoran was the one who’d made the magic prison, and she instantly understood.

Later, once the following day’s plans were settled, my team and I got back to planning our journey to the Kingdom of Dwarves. When I told the mayor that we intended to leave the next day, he bowed and insisted that we allow the village to throw a banquet in our honor. It went on late into the night, but the Valkyries weren’t in attendance. They decided to abstain until their mission was complete, upon which they would enjoy the mead I’d given them once they returned to the Holy City.

It was the middle of the night when I remembered that I hadn’t cleaned Forêt Noire with Purification that day. I left the tent, waved to Ketty and Kefin on night watch, and headed for the stable Dhoran had set up. But before I could enter, I heard a voice. I peeked inside, wondering who else would be up at this hour, and saw the female healer. She seemed to be talking to Forêt.

“Having a nice chat?” I called out.

She started. “Wh-What?!” Then she mumbled something.

“I forgot to clean up my partner here.”

“Oh. Excuse me.”

“No need to apologize. As long as Forêt likes you, I don’t see any problem.” I approached and cast the cleansing magic. “Sorry it took me so long, girl.” The horse brayed in reply. “I know. I won’t forget next time.”

Suddenly, I felt a strange chill down my spine and whipped around, but only the woman was there. She simply stood and watched me in astonished silence. Something felt strange. Had she tried to cast a spell on me? Something felt very off.

“Did you...” I began before finally recognizing her. “Wait, Estia? Is that you?”

“What? Y-Yes, that’s my name.”

I’d heard it when we were introduced, obviously, but the pieces were finally falling into place.

“I mean the Estia from the Merratoni Healer’s Guild. Excuse me if I’m mistaken.”

“H-How do you remember that?”

“Well, your name jogged my memory, for starters. And I thought you looked familiar. I wasn’t positive when I first saw you, though.”

“Oh,” she muttered quietly.

Lumina had told me that I wasn’t exactly her favorite person, and I’d gotten strange vibes from her earlier, but Forêt seemed perfectly calm. Maybe we had just gotten off on the wrong foot.

“I’m gonna head out. We’re leaving tomorrow, so don’t stay up too late.”

“Okay,” she muttered again. “I won’t.”

“Goodnight.”

I returned to my tent and let the angel’s pillow whisk me off into a wondrous dreamland.

＊

Estia remained in the stable after Luciel left. She held herself, trembling.

“How? How does he remember me? No one remembers me unless I want them to.” A black magical aura emanated from the woman. “What do I do?” she asked the arcane mist.

“Be calm, Estia,” a voice echoed inside her head.

“How am I supposed to be calm? I tried every kind of magic I have, but nothing worked.”

“That man is more resilient than he looks. Status ailments will be hard to inflict on him.”

“Then what am I supposed to do? I can’t use holy magic, let alone healing magic!”

“I will help, though it will cost a great amount of your mana. Save what you can.”

“I don’t want to spend the rest of my life running away! I can’t go back to that!”

“Calm yourself, Estia. Fluna will help you again if she must.”

“You think she will?”

“She will.”

“Okay.” The aura dispersed as peace finally washed over her.

“I will save you, sister,” the voice said. But not to Estia.

Forêt Noire simply watched the poor girl in lonely silence.