“Huh?”
While walking down the corridor of the research institute with a box of potions in my arms, I noticed the Commander riding up on horseback. Is he here to see the Director? That’s unusual. Usually, when there’s business related to the Knight Order, the Director goes to their barracks. The only time Lord Hawk comes to the institute is probably when he’s escorting me here.
“Hey, Sei. Is Johan around?”
“Hello. The Director is in his office.”
“Thanks.”
As I passed by the entrance of the institute, I happened to run into the Commander just as he came in. It seems he really did have business with the Director, and upon hearing where he was, the Commander headed straight to the office as if he knew the place well. I wonder if their conversation will take long? Even though he’s used to riding, he might be thirsty after coming all the way here on horseback. With that in mind, after delivering the potions, I headed to the cafeteria to prepare some tea.
“Excuse me.”
After knocking on the door to the Director’s office, I waited for permission to enter before stepping inside. Both of them turned to look at me, but their expressions seemed rather stern. For the Commander to come all the way to the institute, it must be something serious or complicated they were discussing.
The Commander and the Director. The leaders of the Third Knight Order and the Research Institute. Naturally, it’s not a conversation I should be privy to, so I planned to leave as soon as I set down the teacups and a plate of cookies as a snack. However, just as I was about to exit, the Director called out to me.
“Would you like to join us?”
“But weren’t you discussing something important?”
“That’s already finished.”
Adjusting his expression back to his usual demeanor, the Director invited me to stay. It seems the important talk is over, but is it really okay for me to be here? For one thing, I’m technically on the job right now. And if we’re having tea, I’d at least like to go get my own cup of black tea.
… Oh well, I guess it’s fine. Giving up on fetching my tea, I sat down next to the Director. When I glanced at the Commander, he was just taking a sip of his tea. As he swallowed with a small gulp, the creases between his brows softened. By the time he popped a cookie into his mouth, his face had returned to its usual relaxed expression.
It might not be something for me to worry about, but seeing them both with such serious faces does make me anxious. Feeling a bit relieved on my own, I accidentally locked eyes with the Commander. Oh no. I’ve gone and stared at him again without thinking. Seeing his eyes soften with a gentle smile, I felt embarrassed and quickly averted my gaze.
“Hey, have you two forgotten I’m even here?”
“N-No, of course not!”
I protested against the Director’s exasperated tone, but I doubt it sounded convincing. Even if I truly hadn’t forgotten about him.
“I hear Al will be leaving the capital for a while.”
“Eh?”
Ignoring my flustered state, the Director suddenly dropped that bombshell. I couldn’t help but look at the Commander, who gave me a troubled smile.
“Things have calmed down around the capital recently. So now, I’m being sent to the provinces.”
“By ‘calmed down,’ do you mean the monsters?”
“Yes.”
“Does that mean the entire Third Knight Order will be relocating?”
“Some will stay behind, but most of us will be heading out on an expedition to the provinces.”
My first thought was, “So it’s finally happening.” With spring just around the corner, it’s probably a good time for travel. Considering the situation, I understand it can’t be helped, but I still felt my body tense with anxiety. It had been some time since the expedition to the Western Forest, so I might have let my guard down a little.
Several months have passed since that subjugation mission. Right after we returned, rumors spread that the surge of monsters around the capital had rapidly subsided. The knights felt it too, but the royal palace decided to observe the situation for a while just to be sure. Now, after several months, it’s been confirmed that the monster surge has indeed decreased and remained low. As a result, there’s a growing sentiment in the palace that the capital’s surroundings are safe for now.
As word spread throughout the palace that the situation around the capital had stabilized, numerous requests began flooding in to the civil officials. Nobles governing various territories started asking for the Knight Order to be dispatched to their lands. Apparently, just like the capital before, the provinces are struggling with an increase in monster surges.
The nobles who made these requests haven’t been idle either. Originally, in areas outside the capital, they’ve hired mercenary groups to exterminate monsters within their territories. Even with the recent increase in monsters, they’ve managed to maintain a balance by increasing the frequency of extermination missions. However, there are limits. Lately, the rate of monster appearances has outpaced their ability to eliminate them, and they’ve reached their breaking point.
“Where will you be heading?”
“For now, it’s Klausner Territory. We’ll head there while also checking on the state of other territories along the way.”
“Klausner Territory? The one known for herbs?”
“That’s right.”
I was surprised to hear a name I’ve come across often recently. When you mention Klausner Territory, it’s that place. It’s a territory famous as a major producer of medicinal herbs, something that’s been a frequent topic at the institute lately. Because almost no herbs have been shipped from there recently, the institute has even issued a ban on potion production. I wonder if this issue has become a concern at the palace as well? The Director answered my unspoken question.
“Apparently, the fact that herbs aren’t reaching the capital has become a serious issue.”
“Really?”
“Yes. You and Johan must be struggling with it too, right?”
“Not just us, but the Knight Order as well, aren’t they?”
“Exactly. Even though the number of monsters has decreased, they haven’t disappeared completely.”
As the Commander pointed out, since monsters haven’t vanished entirely, the Knight Orders still go on subjugation missions, albeit less frequently. Potions remain an essential item as always. Because of this, the shortage of herbs isn’t just affecting the institute but the Knight Order as well. That might be why the palace decided to dispatch knights to the provinces.
“When do you think you’ll be departing?”
“With preparations and all, it’ll likely be in about two weeks.”
“Understood. Then I’ll prepare by then as well.”
““Prepare?””
At my words, both the Commander and the Director gave me puzzled looks. Huh?
“Why do you need to prepare? Ah, do you mean potions for the expedition?”
“That too, but there are other things I need to get ready for, right? Like clothes and…”
“Clothes?”
Even as I continued, their expressions didn’t change. I’m starting to feel like we’re not on the same page. Did I jump to conclusions?
“You’re… planning to come along?”
“Didn’t we talk about this before?”
As if seeing right through my thoughts, the Director questioned me. It seems that, between the two of them, they had been discussing this under the assumption that I wouldn’t be joining the expedition. Looking at their surprised faces, that’s the impression I got. That’s strange. I’m pretty sure that when I was talking with the Director recently about the rumors in the palace, I mentioned that I might end up going to the provinces someday.
“I feel like we did talk about it… But still, you seem pretty eager.”
“Uh, well…”
“You’re hiding something. Spill it.”
Perhaps finding it suspicious that I was so enthusiastic about the expedition, the Director gave me a skeptical look as he pressed me for answers. I can’t blame him. After all, up until now, I’ve been trying to avoid anything related to being the [Saintess], so my sudden eagerness must seem odd. In fact, when I talked with the Director about the rumors before, I had a resigned attitude about going on an expedition to the provinces, not an eager one. Between going on an expedition and doing research at the institute, I much prefer research. There’s only one reason I’d be eager to go on an expedition.
“Um, Klausner Territory is called the Holy Land of Apothecaries, right?”
At that single statement, the Director’s expression shifted to one of exasperation, as if he understood. I’m sorry. But I feel like if I don’t take this opportunity, I might never get to go there. The Commander still seemed puzzled, not quite grasping it, until the Director noticed and gave him a brief explanation. Midway through, the Commander seemed to realize why I was so eager, and his expression turned into a smile.
“I see. So, Sei, you want to go to Klausner Territory to learn more about herbs?”
“Yes…”
When someone heading into dangerous work says that to me with a smile, my reason feels far too trivial, and I couldn’t help but feel awkward. I instinctively lowered my gaze. However, neither the Commander nor the Director seemed to mind.
“That’s a good point. There’s probably a wealth of knowledge about herbs in Klausner Territory that we don’t know about. It might be a good idea for you to investigate that.”
“We’ll likely be staying there for a while, after all.”
“Is it okay for me to come along?”
At my question, the two exchanged glances and gave me wry smiles.
“Actually, we’d like to request it ourselves.”
“In fact, the palace has been saying they want you to join the expedition as well.”
“Really?”
“Yes. But we were against it. We were just discussing how to refuse them.”
According to what they told me, although there was a request from the palace, they opposed taking me on the expedition because I can’t reliably activate the [Saintess]’s abilities. The palace wants the achievement of dispatching the [Saintess] to appease the dissatisfaction of the provincial nobles. However, if I’m sent and can’t use my abilities, there’s a high chance that not only the palace but also I would face criticism. That’s what the two of them were worried about. Additionally, the fact that I wasn’t very enthusiastic about it before was another reason they were against it.
“I’m sorry for causing you trouble.”
“No, it’s fine. We’re the ones pushing back, after all.”
“Exactly. You don’t need to worry about it.”
I felt guilty and apologized, but both of them laughed and told me not to worry. Not just this time, but I’m sure they’ve been protecting me like this for a long time. Since coming to the institute, I haven’t had many unpleasant experiences related to the palace. I couldn’t help but feel deeply grateful for having such wonderful superiors.