Act 10: Performance Report Meeting

All squads with elite members as their leaders would take part in the upcoming performance report meeting. That meant the Red Wolves, squad Velvet, squad Yellow Lightning, and the special unit. The only exception was squad Darkfall. Other expedition corps would participate with all their members. The Dark Knights, however, had to be selective due to being so many in number. And even after going through a selection, we still had close to thirty people slotted to go. That was a large number for an expedition corps.

It would take about five days to get to the capital from Nochtentoria Castle. Although it wasnt that far, the way was inconvenient. As there was a mountain in the middle, even traveling on horseback wouldnt make much of a difference to that.

I frowned at the pain of my buttocks bumping against the saddle. I only showed it for a fleeting instant, but Mayer somehow noticed and asked promptly, Tired?

I shook my head. Nope. Compared to walking, this is heaven. And that was my honest thought. Besides, it wasnt like we could stop because I was tired.

Mayer tsked and muttered, I would have brought a carriage had I known this would happen.

Why? I asked.

I had a hunch about what hed say. The kind of hunch that was usually spot on. Mayer answered as if it was obvious. To have you ride it.

Ridiculous.

Why?

Do you think it makes sense for a dungeon raiding corps member to ride a carriage from being tired?

I shot an incredulous look at him. Last time he offered to carry me on his back because I was tired, and this time it was a carriage? But Mayer shook his head as if he couldnt understand my reaction. You are neither an attacker or defender to whom stamina is important. Mages and priests often travel on carriages, to begin with, so I would say it does not matter.

Thats because they have to save whatever strength they can before entering a dungeon. Its a different case from participating in a ceremony.

Mayers suggestion wasnt entirely out of the question, of course. Mages and priests were few, and they were treated extraordinarily well. It was to the extent that expedition corps would appeal to have them join up. And, as a matter of fact, these spellcasters were given less load to carry in dungeons. But support mages werent counted as mages. If our kind showed the slightest lack of stamina, wed get chastised and questioned for our usefulness. When I lost an arm in the first playthrough, someone even wondered about taking me to dungeons. Their argument pointed out that I wouldnt even be able to carry supplies. I could cast magic even without an arm, but apparently, to them, I seemed more useful as a burden-bearer than a mage.

I smiled bitterly upon recalling the past. Shaking my head, I said, People find fault with support mages even for lacking stamina. I dont want others picking holes in me.

Mayer burst out angrily, Who would pick holes in you!

Right. Who would find fault with the vice-captain of the Dark Knights who is under the protection of His Excellency? Axion agreed with his captain swiftly from the side.

Sevi, who had been barely keeping balance on his horse, also joined in. Ill tell off anyone that says something bad to you.

Yes. I wont just stand by either.

Me, me too.

Even Nova and Julieta added their voices to the bunch. The other two werent accustomed to riding on horses, unlike Julieta, who was of the nobility. They were practically clinging to their mounts. I glanced back at them and asked, teasingly, You guys arent agreeing with the captain because you want to ride a carriage, are you?