Act 8: The Dragons Orb

The special units after-party was already in full swing by the time I got there. I could hear raucous noise through the gap in the door. Seviwho noticed my arrival, to my amazementopened up in a hurry and cried, Why are you so late, Vice-captain! Eh, I smell alcohol What, did you already have a drink with His Excellency?

I gestured in denial. Barely enough to get me started. Only just.

The boy pouted as he grumbled, Whatever His Excellency tries to monopolize you too much.

What nonsense is that?

But its true. Im sure he deliberately kept you so long for going late because of measuring our levels.

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You were so reluctant to lose the captains favor before, yet now youre all for cursing him?

This and that are separate matters, Sevi retorted primly, swerving his head away.

I cackled and mussed the boys green hair. You say that, but it looks like you guys already started without waiting for me, no?

At that moment, a cheerful voice called me from afar. Oh! If it isnt the glory of our Dark Knights! The dungeon addict who is second only to the captainVice-captain Jun Karentia!

Startled, I looked to where the sound came from. Axion? And wasnt that Robur beside him? Why were they here again? I frowned as I watched Axion and Robur, who sat in the middle of it all exchanging drinks. I thought this was a party for the special unit.

Haha. Dont be so inflexible, Jun. Axion gave a wily laugh. I came to see Vegan after so long and coincidentally saw a party going on. Its always more fun to have more people on such occasions, isnt it? Which is why I decided to shamelessly join in.

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I cast a look at Vegan to confirm with him. The spearman had spent six months restlessly chattering in his lively way, yet at this moment, he laughed awkwardly. Clearly, Axion had crashed the party using him as an excuse. The man wasnt the sort to make a personal visit to the spearman in the first place. Had he noticed the suspicion in my eyes? Axion grinned broadly, perhaps intent on using his smile as a shield. I turned to Robur with a sigh and asked, And who did you come to see, Robur?

Me? I came for the drinks. Id never miss out on that. Robur raised her cup beaming. On one side, August was sighing deeply as he glanced at the two intruders. The priest seemed disinclined on getting involved with them despite being in the same elite squad.

The special unit will soon join the elite squad anyway, yes? Shouldnt we get to know each other beforehand? Right, Sevi?

Ughh. Sevi returned a shudder and a scowl as Axion signaled to the boy with his eyes. They seemed to have grown quite friendly already.

While Axion and Robur were indeed intruding, Axion didnt say anything incorrect. Especially considering that our next schedule was to go hunting a dragon together. Well, youre not wrong.

Axion asked deviously, I take it youre allowing us to stay?

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I smiled slightly and nodded. Watching everyone gathered and chattering like this, I thought of the lonely figure of Mayer who I left alone in his office. Perhaps that was why I lost control of my tongue. If Id known youd have all gathered up like this, I wouldve brought the captain over too.

Are you mad? Axion exclaimed while Robur spat out what she was drinking, and August crinkled his face. Axion expressed utter rejection to my words with his entire body as he shouted, Is there a need to ruin the mood? Drinking with the captain?

I was only half-serious, and it made me a little awkward to see them react so intensely. I retorted defensively, Its not like the captains that bad at reading the mood.

Well, thats what you think, Vice-captain, Axion said, looking at the others for agreement. Robur, August, and even Vegan nodded. Receiving their support, he continued, Do you know what it feels like to drink with His Excellency? With him, a victory celebration turns into a funeral.

I recalled how Mayer was like when we always drank together, somberly tipping liquor into his glass by himself. It couldnt be helped if the air around him was mistaken for someone attending a funeral. Not to mention, Mayer tended to draw a clear line between himself and the others, excluding me

Whoose fooneraal? someone slurred. I turned around at the familiar voice and saw Nova. With a crimson face from intoxication, he was blinking drowsily and nodding off. Meeting my eyes, he let out an uncharacteristic giggle. Viice-caaptiin

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What were you thinking, letting the kids drink too! Look, hes a complete goner

Kids? Id say Novas old enough for some alcohol.