ESL Chapter 72

Zender slowly looked around at the six Black Kavan members who were watching him. It was plain to see that everyone was so excited about this operation that their bodies were practically bouncing. The last time they had moved to rescue Arhvina, only the three members specialized in combat had been deployed, so the truth was that the remaining members had missed their chance. He looked around at his subordinates, whose eyes were gleaming with anticipation, and opened his mouth. Though it was unlikely, he needed to brief them on the mission one more time to make sure no one would act independently out of a desire to prove themselves.

“Let me be clear — we are not going there to fight. Our objective is to secure the hostages. Except for those assigned to draw attention, avoid unnecessary confrontations. Our role today is to infiltrate as quickly and swiftly as possible and ensure the safety of the hostages.”

Watching his subordinates openly showing their disappointment at being told they weren’t going to fight, Zender smirked and spoke. And his next words silenced everyone.

“Anyone whose body is itching for a fight, I’ll send them to the red-haired man waiting for us inside that building.”

There wasn’t a single member of the Black Kavan who didn’t know about the red-haired man who had, at some point, taken up permanent residence in the building where the hostages were being held. He was handsome — so handsome it was a genuine feast for the eyes — yet he gave off a dangerous feeling, as though crossing him would leave you without even bones to collect. He let his powerful qi flow out in the most blatant, here-I-am way imaginable, and just sensing that qi was enough to make your body run cold. Even Lu, the only woman among them, declared that he was absolutely her ideal type in terms of looks, yet said she was too frightened to want to get anywhere near him.

“Then who’s going to deal with him, Captain?”

Lu, who was still sitting with her feet propped on the table and repeatedly throwing and catching her dagger, asked the question, and Zender responded with a glance toward Jacques, who was sitting expressionlessly in a corner. He had arrived before the rest of them, suppressing his presence and sitting quietly in his spot, so the Black Kavan members kept forgetting he was there. But there was no one who didn’t know who he was.

“Ahh~ Knight Commander of Mihael~ But will he be alright on his own? That man seems like an absolute monster.”

At Lu’s words, Zender replied bluntly.

“Knight Commander Rombel will be providing support in the fight.”

“Huh? Then who’s actually fighting that monster?”

“….It must be about time.”

Zender took a pocket watch out of his pocket, checked the time, then shifted his gaze toward the door. As if on cue, the tavern door swung open and Lea and Ian entered, wearing robes.

“Welcome. My Lady.”

The Black Kavan members looked at each other with bewildered expressions at the sight of Zender greeting someone with such formal courtesy. The only person the Captain ever showed that kind of respect to was the Young Lord Luciel. Yet here he was, showing it to someone they had never seen before — what on earth was going on? But the confusion reached its peak when Lea removed her robe.

Her long black hair, tied up in a ponytail, came cascading down to reveal a small, pale face with jewel-like crimson eyes gleaming brilliantly, and the eyes of the Black Kavan members widened to the greatest extent they physically could. She was exceptionally beautiful, yes — but more to the point, why on earth was such a slight and beautiful girl here?

“Su-surely you’re not saying that beautiful girl is going to deal with that red-haired man, Captain?”

As Lu pointed at Lea with a trembling finger and asked, Zender warned her with a look to lower her hand, then nodded. But far from Lu lowering her finger, all of the Black Kavan members began loudly denouncing their captain at once.

“C-Captain, have you finally lost your mind?”

“Is the operation codenamed ‘Honeytrap’ or something? Is that what this is?”

“Even if we’re short on people, how could you send a frail girl like that!!”

“I’ll go instead!! Please send me!!”

Watching the tavern instantly devolve into chaos, Lea tugged the corners of her mouth up slightly. She’d heard the Black Kavan members had strong personalities, and seeing them in person, they really were just as Zender had described.

“……”

Zender looked at his subordinates with cold eyes. He had told them so many times not to judge people by appearances, and yet seeing these fools carrying on like this was truly pathetic beyond measure.

“All of you, shut your mouths.”

At Zender’s voice — quiet but carrying a distinct edge of anger — the clamoring Black Kavan members instantly fell silent. Only then did he turn to Lea and bow in apology.

“I apologize, My Lady. It seems they all still lack sufficient training.”

“It’s fine, Zender. More importantly, what’s the situation?”

At Lea’s response, unbothered and nonchalant as though this was nothing unusual, Zender warned the Black Kavan members once more with a look not to behave rashly, then answered.

“There are no unusual movements. But are you truly all right with this? That red-haired man seems to be waiting for you, My Lady.”

“There’s nothing to be done about it. It’s not like it’s the first or second time I’ve dealt with a madman… And Sir Rombel will be going with me.”

Lea turned her gaze to Jacques. Since the moment she had entered, he had not taken his eyes off her, so their gazes met immediately. Jacques slowly rose to his feet and, as he would for Luciel, knelt on one knee in a gesture of greeting.

“Jacques Rombel, Knight Commander of the Mihael Order, presents himself to you, My Lady.”

With his head bowed, he recalled the Young Lord’s letter. The letter he had received before coming here told him to think of the beautiful girl before his eyes as if she were the Young Lord himself, and to provide support from her side when fighting the madman. It had particularly emphasized that he must ensure the madman could not so much as lay a finger on her — but in truth, he had not known who this madman was. It was only upon arriving here that he realized the madman they spoke of was the red-haired man they had all mentioned, but that man struck him as by no means an easy opponent, even by his own judgment. Yet from the Young Lady’s body, he sensed neither any flow of mana nor any flow of qi — nothing whatsoever. As though she were someone who had never trained with a sword in her life.

“Forgive me, My Lady. But would you show me your skill?”

Jacques raised his head, looked at Lea, and requested that she demonstrate her ability. Even through the letter alone, he had been able to feel how deeply the Young Lord cherished this Young Lady. If she was someone the Young Lord held so dear, then he too must protect her, even at the cost of his own life. In order to do that, he needed to know what level of ability she possessed — even if it might offend her.

At his request, Lea nodded as though not bothered in the least and held out her left hand to Ian.

“Very well. Ian, my sword.”

At her words, Ian placed the scabbard he had been holding into her hand, and Lea raised her right hand and drew the sword from the scabbard. Then she let the sword hang naturally at her side. In that instant, a silence fell over the tavern. Anyone who handled a sword could see it. The girl stood holding the sword naturally, yet there was not a single opening to be found anywhere. But what surprised them even more was what came next. Jacques’s eyes went wide, and a cry of shock burst out from among the Black Kavan members.

“Huh!!”

“Is that real?”

“Impossible… at that age…”

What had caught their eyes was a red, rippling energy flowing across the entire blade of the sword. The condensed mana known as sword qi — it was said that one could only produce it upon reaching the level of Sword Master. Watching the Black Kavan members staring slack-jawed as though their jaws might unhinge, Zender clicked his tongue inwardly. He thought to himself that he would need to put them through training again once this was over, and regarded them with a cold gaze — yet even that gaze went unnoticed by anyone, so great was the panic inside the tavern.

“I apologize for the presumptuous request, My Lady. I will do my utmost to remain by your side.”

Jacques bowed his head and apologized for his rudeness. To have reached the level of Sword Master at such a young age — it was astonishing. Only then did he understand why Luciel had told him to provide support. Lea, who had withdrawn her sword qi and sheathed the blade, smiled at him.

“Please rise, Sir Rombel. Your request was entirely reasonable — there is no need to apologize.”

At Lea’s words, a flash of admiration crossed Jacques’s eyes. Despite possessing such ability, she showed no arrogance, and maintained courtesy toward others — it made him think that she was indeed the kind of person the Young Lord would choose. As Jacques stood, Lea lowered the hand holding the sword and continued speaking.

“I’ll be in your care, Sir Jacques. And Zender.”

“Yes, My Lady.”

Zender looked at Lea at her call.

“My escort knight Ian will be joining you as well. He was originally from the Shadows, so he’ll be of help in the infiltration. Please, make sure to secure the hostages.”

Yan gave Zender a slight bow of his head at Lea’s words. It was a shame that he could not follow the Young Lady, but he wanted to help with her affairs in whatever way he could. And Zender, too, had no reason to turn away capable help.

“Thank you for your consideration. We will do our best to repay the Lady’s kindness.”

Having expressed his thanks to Lea, Zender turned his murderous gaze toward the Black Kavan members, who still had not fully pulled themselves together. At that gaze, they flinched and quietly fixed their eyes on their captain. It seemed as though one wrong move, and mission or not, they’d be getting a glimpse of hell first.

“We begin the infiltration shortly. The vanguard will be Fortre and Lu, as previously decided.”

“Understood~ Captain.”

“Don’t worry~ Captain.”

Fortre and Lu answered immediately, confident expressions on their faces. Having gone around and confirmed each Black Kavan member’s assignment one final time, Zender approached Lu, who was the last one still tending to her dagger, and spoke in a low voice so as not to be heard by Lea, who was talking with Jacques.

“Lu. Watch the situation, and if things are going fine on this end, follow after the Young Lady.”

“Hmm? Why? From the looks of her ability, she doesn’t seem like someone who’d get taken down easily. Are you saying we need to keep an eye on her?”

“Not keep an eye — protect her. Lord Luciel wishes for there to be absolutely no exceptions where the Young Lady is concerned.”

At Zender’s words, Lu’s expression shifted to one of surprise. To think that the Young Lord would be so attentive to someone… just what kind of relationship do they have? She felt her curiosity surge wildly and sneaked in a question.

“Got it, Captain. If the situation gets urgent I’ll throw every dagger I’ve got. But what exactly is this Young Lady to Lord Luciel? Is she his…?”

Lu waggled her pinky finger. Zender, watching her little pinky wiggle, quietly raised his hand and gave the back of her head a firm smack.

“Stop talking nonsense.”

“Tch.”

Leaving Lu behind as she clutched the back of her head as if in pain, Zender returned to Lea’s side. Then he looked around at the Black Kavan members and spoke.

“I’ll say it once more — our mission is to secure the hostages. Then, let’s begin the operation now.”

“Yes, Captain.”

Answering in one voice, the eyes of the Black Kavan members shone with anticipation for the mission.