Avelyn and Gavin arrived at the commander’s office. It was a spacious, luxurious room, but quite simple, straightforward. Not much decoration. There were a few swords on display, though, and a couple of empty sets of armors at the corners.
There was one man who appeared to be in his mid-twenties standing by the window. He wasn’t the commander though. The commander was the man sitting behind his desk; he was a man in his forties. He had a short beard, short dark hair, and a large build. He had a scar down his cheek. Overall, he was a fierce-looking fellow.
The commander was named Volo Lindson.
“Gavin,” the commander spoke in a deep, powerful voice. “What a surprise to see you here.”
“Indeed. I apologize that I’m only letting you know now.”
“Well, nothing we can do about it now.”
Gavin stood straight in front of the desk while Avelyn stood behind him. As planned, Gavin would do all the talking.
“Oh? Is that the young knight? That girl.”
“Yes.”
“Step forward girl.”
Avelyn resisted the urge to frown and kept a straight face. She stepped forward, standing beside Gavin while keeping her hands behind her back. She would have preferred to not be noticed. “Sir.”
“This is our first time meeting, yes?”
“Yes.”
He nodded. “Mm. I hope you adjusted to your new life out there.”
“... I’m trying…”
The commander chuckled. “I’m sure it must be difficult for you to adapt to a whole new environment, but you’ll get there.”
“Yes, sir.”
What the hell? Why is he actually kind?
She expected he would be more stern and serious, as what a high ranking official should be. Especially a fierce looking man like him that had seen the horrors of war.
“Just know that your job is of great importance to the empire. What you’re doing has meaning.”
“Yes…”
“You know, even I was actually surprised to realize that our great hero himself would be worried about that cave. The heroes that beat the demon king, can you believe that?”
“Uh… Is it alright to talk about it now?” Gavin glanced at the man by the window.
“Oh, don’t mind him. He’s a lieutenant of mine, Girard Rasse Bellton. He's aware of your mission.”
“I see.”
The man, Girard, stepped forward. “I am aware that inside that cave is something dangerous, where several heroes perished. A place that the heroes wouldn’t dare to step back into.”
“Precisely,” Gavin said.
“They wouldn’t even let a raid, nor let anyone open the doors.”
The commander nodded. “I suggested cleansing everything inside, but Cyrus absolutely refused.”
“Whatever the true nature of that cave is, it is something that must be feared,” Girard said. “So, what are you doing here?”
Gavin raised an eyebrow. “I thought we are allowed to have a break at least every few months.”
“Hm.”
“Now now, I’m sure the soldiers left there can handle it just fine. Even if somehow they couldn’t, what’s important is sending a message. Seeing that Avelyn is with you, where is Elyscia? Did she come with you here?”
“She’s out there in the city.”
“Oh. Did you perhaps come here because of the festival?”
Gavin smiled. “It is good timing, isn’t it?”
“Definitely it is. I don’t mind letting you enjoy the duration of the festival, as a reward for your work. I’m still deliberating whether to send replacements, but the knights would also want to enjoy the festival.”
“Whoever you pick, they will be quite dissatisfied.” Girard shrugged.
“Of course… It has been a long time, and there have been no activities at that place. How is it anyway?”
“It is the same as ever,” Gavin answered. “Closed.”
“None has come out, maybe it can only be opened from the outside.” The commander leaned back on his chair. “You know, during the war, there have been a few scouts sent to watch over that cave. But nothing happened at all. Perhaps it really is a dormant dungeon. What do you think, young Avelyn?”
“M-Me?” Avelyn was shocked that she would even be asked that question.
“Yes. You’re too quiet, I would like to hear your thoughts.”
Dammit, so much for the plan of keeping quiet.
“... Um,” she lowered her head. “If it has been closed for years, and won’t do anything unless tampered with, perhaps there is no need to be so uptight about it.”
“You think so?”
“Yes. Some men might think they’re just wasting their career, their life, guarding that place.”
The commander smiled. “Of course you would say something like that. That’s how you feel, don’t you?”
Avelyn closed her lips tightly. Of course this commander would know of her situation.
“Even so, it is the command of the heroes. We owe them that.”
“Y-Yes…”
The commander leaned on his table. “I should ask Cyrus if we should send some knights as replacements.”
It was then that knocks came from the door. “Hey, I’m coming in.” Without waiting for a response, the door opened and someone stepped inside.
The commander spread out his arms. “Speak of the devil. You’re finally here, Cyrus.”
Hearing that name, Avelyn froze. That was the name of the very hero that the mistress was hunting. Among the ones that betrayed her. Their enemy. Avelyn took a deep breath as anxiousness grew within her chest.
“Yeah, sorry, guys. Got caught up. Just some food problems for the upcoming festival.” The hero walked past right beside Avelyn. “Have to look into it again to make sure we have no problems. Don’t want to mess it all up and end up having a shortage or any food related problem.”
Avelyn stared at the hero with widened eyes as he walked by. He was a young man, wearing fine casual clothing. Indeed, he looked so casual, like he didn’t care about appearance at all. His face was clean shaven, and short hair, a bit messy.
That’s him…
He stood near the desk, so he had his back facing Avelyn. Avelyn’s nervousness only grew. He was here, right at the reach of her sword. Unaware of the truth of the situation he was in. He was too open. Avelyn subtly took a deep breath and slowly reached out for her sword.
This hero was the enemy. He was within reach. If she could kill him now, it was certain that the mistress would be pleased. Or best, if they were to bring this hero right before the mistress’s feet. And thus, Avelyn’s hand slowly, and subtly, inched closer to her sword‘s hilt, staring intently to the hero. However, Gavin suddenly placed a hand on her back.
“Are you alright, Avelyn?” he asked with a small smile. But she knew it was forced.
“Uh… Um.” Her eyes blinked.
The hero then turned towards her with a friendly smile. “Something up?”
“...”
“It would seem that my subordinate is surprised by your arrival. Isn’t that right, Avelyn?” Gavin lightly patted her back.
Avelyn gulped. “... Y-Yes… I-It’s not always to meet a hero so close.”
“Is that so?” The hero awkwardly chuckled as he scratched the back of his head. “I know my reputation is big and all, but you don’t have to be so tense around me. I’m just a normal person, considering. Hehe.”
“Uh-huh…” He was more humble than she had expected.
The hero suddenly held out his hand to her. “To break the ice, let’s start with an introduction. It’s our first time meeting. I’ve already met Gavin, so it’s just for the two of us. I’m Cyrus Carver.”
Avelyn stared at the hand before her. Steeling herself, she reached out for his hand. “Avelyn Eluca Ismena.” They shook hands.
“Avelyn, what a nice name. Elegant.”
“T-Thank you.”
Once their hands let go, Cyrus’s smile widened. “See? I’m not so scary, am I?”
“Y-Yes.”
“Good, good. It always happens, people getting stiff around me. But I guess that comes with the reputation. Anyway, what were you talking about?” He turned to the commander.
“The cave outpost has no knights, only soldiers are left. We’re considering whether to send knights to take over or not.”
“Oh, nothing bad happened right?” He turned to Gavin.
“Nothing at all, milord.”
“Really? No ghosts that came out…?”
Gavin’s brow furrowed, puzzled. “Ghosts? No… There were no ghosts, the doors remained tightly shut.”
Cyrus slowly nodded and lowered his head, as if in deep thought. “You can enjoy the festival if you want. But please just send some knights as soon as possible.”
“Is this final?” Volo asked.
“Yes, of course. I would prefer to have as many hands as possible there.”
“Very well.”
Cyrus nodded. “Will that be all?”
Volo raised an eyebrow. “Rushing are we?”
“There’s still a lot of work to do.”
Volo nodded with an amused smile. “Yeah. That will be all.”
“Alright, I’ll be leaving then. Good luck everyone, and enjoy the upcoming festival.” With that, the hero left the room.
The commander turned towards Girard. “Pick the group that will be sent out.”
“Understood.”
“When will you send them out?” Gavin asked.
“For Cyrus’s peace of mind, later this afternoon, around sunset.”
“They’ll be traveling at night then, is that good?”
“Of course. They can’t be knights if they get lost just like that.”
Gavin chuckled. “Of course.”
“You need a place to stay right? Girard before you go, can you point them to their rooms at the barracks. There should still be plenty of vacant rooms.”
“Of course.”
“Alright then, we’re dismissed.”
On their way outside, Avelyn and Gavin looked at each other. She knew what he was thinking. The knights that were to be sent would be a problem.
We must let the mistress know.