Dark Fantasy: Super Coward Mode

Chapter 37

“Where on earth did you find the Knight Commander...?”

“Oh, that... After the fierce battle with the Watcher, I ended up falling into some dimension, you know? And there I found a woman who was trapped. So, I brought her along...”

“So that’s the Knight Commander, huh?”

“Yeah, that’s how it turned out...”

While I was awkwardly sharing this story about how I got tangled up with the Undying Woman, having left the Hunter behind who claimed he would check if there were any Outsiders near Rondan, I realized something.

“But how long will this go on...?”

Muyun had been gripping my wrist tightly the entire time, her hold so firm that it began to hurt.

I asked her awkwardly to let go, but she turned her head away with a defiant shake.

“Mu-Muyun...?”

“Just think of it as punishment. Please...”

“Punishment...? I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong to you...”

As I grumbled, she finally looked at me, with tears glimmering in her eyes.

“...Huh?”

Seeing my shock, Muyun tightly shut her eyes and shouted in a loud voice.

“Th-That’s because you startled me, Tanton! Just keep quiet!”

“Y-Yes, ma’am.”

They say a woman’s tears are stronger than anything else. I really had no words to say.

At the same time, I couldn’t say I didn’t understand.

I mean, think about it from a third person’s perspective; I had charged with the resolve to take down a huge wolf trying to tear open a dimension for Rondan and ended up falling into another one myself.

I would be freaked out too, honestly.

“Uh, just to make sure...”

“Ask me anything!”

Perhaps she was calming down a bit, because Muyun replied with a slightly sassy expression.

“After that... thing with the Watcher, you were... fine, right?”

“At least for now, yes?”

“So, um...”

Muyun’s face turned slightly red as she spoke.

“You didn’t... do that particular thing with the other Outsiders, did you?”

She casually dropped words that triggered my own alarm button and nearly caused an outbreak.

“I didn’t! I absolutely didn’t!”

“Eek!”

Muyun just looked shocked and crumpled again.

Is this a habit for her, to panic the moment there’s a chance?

“Phew, thank goodness....”

“What was that?”

“Nothing! I’m sorry, I was just curious...”

...Well, whatever.

Getting mad at this point won’t help. It’s all this ‘Leydan Tanton’s’ fault.

As I remained with Muyun still gripping my wrist, we headed toward the Hearth.

Following her lead, we soon arrived at what seemed like the Deputy Director’s office.

“Wow!”

“Hm? Are you starting to remember something?”

The Knight Commander exclaimed like something had just clicked, and I thought maybe her amnesia was finally starting to clear up.

“It’s food!”

She pointed at a stale piece of bread wedged in the gravel-coated side wall. Of course, it couldn’t be anything else. My subtle expectations were utterly dashed.

“Wait a sec.”

Muyun knocked on the Deputy Director’s door.

Knock, knock.

“Deputy Director, it’s Muyun.”

“What is it?”

A heavy voice came from inside.

Ah, that guy hasn’t changed a bit. It’d be more surprising if he did, really.

“Well... we have some people here who need an explanation...”

“Then come in.”

Upon the Deputy Director’s words, Muyun finally released my wrist and opened the door to the office.

She entered first, and we followed behind her.

The first thing that caught my eye was the massive stack of documents piled atop the Deputy Director’s desk.

As he quickly pulled the papers, scanned them, stamped them, and moved them aside, his movements held an artistry about them, but perhaps because of that bear costume armor he wore...

Soft.

Each time he stamped the papers, a gentle sound echoed.

Upon closer inspection, it seemed that pile of papers had already been completed, and after flicking through a thin stack left, he raised his gaze to Muyun.

“Okay, so who are the people we need an explanation for?”

The face that met me was scarred from years of battle, exuding an unyielding determination, but his expression showed a wealth of respect.

“Congratulations on your return, Tanton. May your knighthood always shine brightly. Now go and rest.”

With that, he offered me a salute.

Unsure what to do, I stood there dumbfounded until Muyun sent me an encouraging signal and I hurriedly returned the gesture.

Only then did the Deputy Director lower his hand and resume his paperwork, seeming to dive back into a mountain of tasks once more.

Well, I guess I could leave now.

Hastily, I stepped out, seizing the moment before anyone changed their mind and rushed outside into the hallway.

Muyun trailed after me, mumbling something.

“I-I remember when we went to handle the Gardener...”

“Yeah, me too!”

For some reason, Muyun seemed flustered, bending low and swiftly disappearing.

It was like she was particularly fidgety today.

Speaking of which, the blacksmith Muyun used, given the gear she had on now already showed decent durability, I couldn’t help but feel hopeful.

After all, not only was my physical ability improved by the cook’s food, but I also needed to boost my defense and attack.

Sword? Axe? Or maybe a gun?

Considering she’s the one I feel most at ease around right now, it might be wiser to go for an axe, particularly if learned with Muyun.

...But with how things ended with the Hunter, I can’t very well ask him.

I guess I should head to the blacksmith and ponder it over.

Today, I just wanted to follow the Deputy Director’s advice and head to my room to chill mentally.

—

Only the sound of paper stamping reverberated quietly in the Deputy Director’s office.

Having finally processed that overwhelming stack of documents, he leaned back in his chair and let out a deep sigh.

Knock, knock.

At that moment, a voice called from outside the Deputy Director’s door.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me.”

“...Come in.”

The person opening the door was the White Mask.

It was impossible to know their expression due to the mask, but the Deputy Director could detect a slight frown in their rough movements.

“What brings you here?”

“Did I need a reason to visit?”

“Throwing a tantrum like that, and you say you don’t have a reason?”

After the Deputy Director’s remark, White Mask fell silent for a moment before sighing deeply.

“I hear he came back.”

“Tanton, you mean?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

As he spoke, White Mask plopped into a nearby chair.

He sat in silence for a brief moment as if lost in thought before speaking again.

“Shouldn’t we promote him? He’s the hero who stopped the Hearth Rift disaster.”

“I intended to report to the Princess about that. Given her unlimited generosity, she’s likely to grant him a substantial reward, maybe even elevate him to a high-ranking officer, typical of the Knights’ meritocracy.”

“Sure, but does that mean I get to train him?”

“...I’ve never heard you claiming the title of teacher before.”

White Mask shrugged, a bit defiantly brushing off the Deputy Director’s comment.

“Oh, I’m not that cold-blooded.”

“That’s for you to deal with. Besides...”

With a sigh, the Deputy Director continued.

“...It wasn’t just that before.”

“...Right. I was planning to talk more, but it’s still dull here.”

“Since when did you start enjoying small talk?”

“Well, that’s something.”

The once warm atmosphere around White Mask grew icy.

“I heard that the Knight Commander returned. They say he brought her back.”

“That’s true.”

“Nice, right? We even formed a small elite search party for her.”

While everyone assumed she was definitely dead.

Hearing White Mask’s indifferent tone, the Deputy Director snorted.

“So, what’s your point?”

“...I hear she isn’t in a fully recovered state of mind. Are we really putting someone like that back in the Knight Commander position?”

“Knights must follow the rules. She hasn’t received official retirement orders from the Princess.”

“...I don’t know how you can forgive someone who caused the Expedition Disaster so easily. Or do you still have feelings for her?”

“...It’s not that easy, and I’m not that lenient.”

White Mask made his way to the door, seemingly preparing to leave the Deputy Director’s office.

Before exiting, White Mask remarked, “You really are a curious person. Anyway, I came here just to ask how you feel about it.”

With that, White Mask exited, leaving nothing but the sound of paper shuffling in the Deputy Director’s office.