I assumed that it had something to do with the demon lords core inside Mayer, but I couldnt say anything about that.

Whenever His Excellency hears about an open dungeon, he cant be satisfied unless he goes and closes it. It must be why there was an incident two years ago where he closed three dungeons in a row, Axion said.

Three in a row?

Yes. Thanks to that, we had to stick it out with nothing but jerky and dry rations for half a year. It took a whole week to get rid of the stench of monster blood on our bodies. It was just horrible. Even as he said that Axion looked strangely elated as he recounted the suffering he went through. Clearly, he wasnt sane either.

The incident of closing three dungeons in a row was publicly known because the Dark Knights often mentioned it in pubs during performance meeting days. As a country bumpkin from a rural village, I wouldnt normally know about this, so I feigned ignorance and nodded. Thats awesome.

That, Jun, is your future. You mustnt run away.

I wont.

Truly? Axion jokingly asked. I couldnt wash properly for months. Because our uniforms are black, I couldnt tell how dirty it actually was. Oh, the streams of blood that came out whenever I did laundry! Phew.

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Was he indirectly telling me to run? The faster we close dungeons, the faster we can defeat the Demon Lord, and then Ill be completely free. Ill have an easier time in retirement if I work hard in advance, I replied, shrugging. Besides, I had already gone through such experiences many times when I was with Fabianlate runners had to work their legs to the bones to barely catch up. Moreover, the Dark Knights had plenty of funds and didnt need to be miserly. Fabian Corps, on the other hand? I could only sigh whenever I thought about them.

In a way, I think youll get along very well with His Excellency, Axion muttered with a frown, unaware of my circumstances.

Thank you for the compliment. Coming from him, that could indeed be considered a compliment. For some reason, though, when I gave Axion a nod of thanks, he scrunched his brows even more, inexplicably muttering birds of a feather under his breath.

But it seems that your goal isnt to close dungeons.

Well, of course. I plan to sit on the honorary post of the Last Seven and live gloriously.

My apathetic reply made Axion smile sadly. At times, His Excellency gives the impression that closing dungeons is his only purpose in living. Honestly, its to the point where Im curious about his plans after the demon lord dies and everything is over, he said. Then, with a sigh, he confessed, Im telling you this because you said youre not running, but we have the occasional deserters here too.

Deserters?

Pushovers attracted by the glory of the Dark Knights, he explained. They have decent magical abilities but are wimps with no backbone. Every one of those fools tried to gain some fame with the contribution of casting a few spells from the rear line, but they have dropped out.

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It was understandable. Mages capable of joining the Dark Knights would be eagerly welcomed in other expedition corps. Here, though? On top of the regular member treatment, there was darn hard work to do

However, there are those who remain despite it all. Of course, they all have some other motive in mind rather than improving themselves.

Could they be enduring it for the sake of the future after the demon lord is slain? I wondered.

Yes. Only the officers will join the final battle anyway, so theyre avoiding the truly dangerous fight. Wouldnt the world belong to the Dark Knights after our elites finish the job? Axion sneered. Theyre fixed on the petty gains theyll get from being one of us by then.

Figures. The Dark Knights have a relatively low death rate since they thoroughly prepare before entering dungeons. It wouldnt be difficult to just hang in there.

You even know the death rate among us? You mustve been researching a lot.

Haha, I laughed it off innocently. I knew already, but I was glad he had misunderstood it.

Going back to the main topic The duke has firm ideals and he tends to march straight towards them. Its an aspect of him I admire a lot.

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So, you mean to say? I prompted.

Hes a bit far from what youd call being tactful as hes crazy about dungeons. Admiration aside, Axions appraisal was rational.

Yes, well. He didnt seem to be much of a listener. I thought back to how Mayer had dragged me around the castle despite my obvious reluctance. But Axion firmly shook his head at my reply.

No, you havent even seen all of it.

I havent?

Whenever youre involved, he becomes extremely, exceptionally considerate! Axion exclaimed. Although only relatively, he added.

Oh Is that right?

I wondered what he meant by considerate, but I didnt need to ask out loudAxion began to explain every little thing. His Excellency asked what sort of room youd like, didnt he, Jun? Thats the thing Hes not the kind to even give such an option, to begin with. And what about the enlistment gift? Hah! He chuckled. How about guiding you around the castle himself? It was two days ago that I realized, for the first time, he even had the common sense to do that!

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I stared at him, speechless, as he went on. Also, didnt His Excellency tell you to call him Captain? Within the entire Dark Knights corps, youre the only one to call him that way.