Everyone will be surprised when we return to base.

Because the captain brought along a support mage?

Because His Excellency personally recruited somebody, Axion explained, eliciting nods of agreement from the others.

I still couldnt wrap my head around it, though. Players had a nickname for Mayer: Cao Cao. Yes, that Cao Cao from the Three Kingdoms period in Chinese history. The reason for the nickname was the collector-esque talent trait given to Mayer; the majority of the useful characters in the game were under his flag. All the recruitable characters of the Dark Knights had good stats, and naturally, Axion was included, despite being non-recruitable. This begged the question: How is it that a talent collector like Mayer had never personally recruited somebody?

I couldnt hold back my curiosity and asked, But isnt the captain quite the greedy one for talent?

That he is. And hes meritocratic too. He treats his men according to their ability rather than their social standing.

The captain is incomparable to those other expedition corps that give out positions based on noble status or sum of donations.

It isnt like he lacks money, after all. In fact, His Excellency has ample finances, being a grand duke.

Whew It really aint easy having a boss like him, one with power, skill, and lots of money. Isnt that why you joined as well, team leader? Spearman Vegan asked and Axion nodded. Vegan was in his early 40s and was the eldest in the corps, but his rascal personality belied his age.

Visit . for a better_user experience

I shot a quizzical look at Axion, who shrugged and explained, You see, Im not one to listen to those weaker than me.

Ah I nodded. It was questionable whether that was something that anyone should be proud of, but the man held his head high, so what could I do? Uncomfortably play along, it seemed.

Vegan smirked and continued, As a Dark Knight, your most important task is to be useful in a dungeon.

Exactly. No matter how much potential you have, if you arent ready for immediate action, you start from the 3rd corps.

In that sense, Jun was really amazing. She was so well coordinated, it felt like she had been with us for 3 years already. Totally His Excellencys type.

Exactly. Completely His Excellencys type.

Those two seemed to be omitting some words, making everything sound misleading Couldnt they say His Excellencys preferred talent?

Speaking of which, didnt Jun say it was her first time in a dungeon?

Wow, then she really must be a genius.

Visit ., for the best no_vel_read_ing experience

I had been so certain theyd be displeased with me suddenly joining the team as their superior To my surprise, they were being quite friendly. Whether that was because we cleared a dungeon together or because Mayer had given them a warning, I didnt know. However, this warm atmosphereincomparable to what I had experienced during the first playthroughwas certainly unfamiliar to me. Still, one question remained: why had Mayer never stepped up to recruit somebody before? It was odd, especially considering his meritocratic personality.

Another corps member called Zinniaa little older than me and in charge of taking the vanguard as a shield keeperspotted the wondering look on my face and giggled. Dear me, we ended up going off-topic, she said. Anyway The Dark Knights is the expedition corps furthest in the lead, is it not? The force people all over the world aspire to join.

You mean, theres no need to go scouting for people because theyll come looking to be recruited on their own?

Yep.

But, but For example, maybe you come across someone of fine caliber on the road, by coincidence! And then maybe you scoutem! Were there really no cases like that?

Not until now, but Zinnia paused for a moment. With you as the precedent, I dont know how His Excellency will act from now on.

Now that Juns one of us, therell be more people from high society hoping to get recruited by the duke. Theyll go Ill become the 2nd Jun or something along those lines, Vegan said with a teasing laugh.

People from high society wanted to join? The very thought of it made me shudder; I was against the idea of having my name become synonymous with Cinderellas.

As we continued to chat, we ended up talking about enlisting with the Dark Knights. Normally youd take an enlistment exam to join the corps. Youve heard of it as well, right, Jun?

Visit ., for the best no_vel_read_ing experience

I have, I nodded. The Dark Knights enlistment exam was famous, nothing short of a grand event where talented people from all over the world came to exhibit their skills. Some would challenge the examination many times over, while others would apply only once before trying their luck with another corps.

Thats how we joined too Oh, by the way our team leader was the best among the other candidates in his time.

Id say that Im top out of the entire Dark Knights, not just compared to the exam candidates back then, Axion declared confidently. The other members seemed used to his attitude; they merely glossed over his remark with disinterest.

Come to think of it, its already time for us to start receiving rookies.

Indeed. Its supposed to begin a few weeks after we arrive at the base, so its probably not that far off.

Jun will probably have to attend, I think?

Silently, my expression twisted in an odd grimace, involuntarily expressing my reluctance. Zinnia quickly noticed it and worry flashed across her face. In any case she began in a concerned tone. There are many whove had to fight to join the Dark Knights. You can expect some envy directed at you for just popping in from nowhere, Jun.

Well I suppose Id react the same way if I were them. I nodded understandingly. A vice-captain dropped out of nowhere and just so happened to be one of those mages? It would be strange if people saw me favorably. Even during my time with Fabian, I was ignored and ridiculed for being what I was. Because I had been a regular member of a corps at the time, it had ended at unkindness, but now that I had become a vice-captain

It wasnt like I was going to get bullied, right? Getting bullied at this age?

Visit . for a better_user experience