Chapter 14

The main character's perspective and content in Chapter 07 largely overlap. If you don't like it, please skip it.

After misleading the guards at the city gate, the child who had been taken from Dilnan's arm ran towards the gate. Well, listening to adults talk must be boring for a child.

"So, Dilnan. What happened to that child?"

"...I rescued him from being eaten by a monster in the 'Deep Forest.'"

When I asked Dilnan about the reason for bringing the child, an unbelievable answer came back.

Not only did I doubt my ears, but the members of the outer guard team also held their breath and doubted their ears.

"When I went hunting for meat, I was chased by the prey. After calming down and searching the area, there was no sign of a guardian or magic. He was so thin, and yet he was left alone until he could only eat bird feed. The shock must have been too great, and he doesn't remember anything. If it weren't for the guardian ring, I wouldn't even know his name."

"Leaving such a young child in the 'Deep Forest'... How could such a thing happen?"

"Before bringing him here, I measured his magic. His magic is the lowest rank. The only thing he can handle properly is water magic. I couldn't leave a child with no decisive offensive power in such a place, so I brought him. From the situation, the most likely scenario is that he's a victim of the eastern family dispute."

Dilnan explained in detail, but even if it's the words of a squad leader, I can't just accept them at face value.

"…Could he be an assassin?"

"At first, I introduced myself, but he showed no reaction to the position of the Northern Demon King's Castle. He even tilted his head. He has no sense of caution towards others. He doesn't even know how to suspect others. Most of all, that Retz immediately took a liking to him without any caution."

When I asked the obvious question, Dilnan answered smoothly and without hesitation.

Being a squad leader in the Northern Demon King's Castle isn't all good. You can't help but know the dirty sides of others, and your judgment is honed. He must have filtered through many possibilities before bringing the child here. But what is he pointing at the gate for?

Perplexed, I obediently turned around and seriously doubted my eyes.

Retz, Dilnan's riding beast, is a fierce beast famous even in the Northern Demon King's Castle. He is so temperamental that only his master and a few select individuals are allowed to approach him.

The Tygus, a type of monster, is both fierce and intelligent, a rare solitary monster. He can easily see through lies, and the number of fools who tried to lie to a Tygus and ended up as victims of Retz's fangs is not small.

It's impossible for Retz to hold the child in question so tenderly on his belly, let alone lie down with him! How can the child be so at ease and asleep on Retz's belly?! Retz is a fierce beast!!

"Yuri needs to be investigated to find out who he is. But I also think there's no need to be cautious."

"...If the riding beast squad saw this, they would scream and go into a frenzy. Retz holding a child?"

"Relax. I saw a nightmare-like scene where Retz became all mushy when praised by Yuri."

"Wh-What!?"

"The proud and solitary rare monster was completely tamed. When he purred and tackled Yuri, I seriously doubted my own eyes."

Isn't this the ultimate filter? Dilnan hinted, but even with the scene in front of me, I don't want to believe his words. However, from the distant look in his eyes, it's clear that Dilnan was deeply affected.

I couldn't help but pat his shoulder to comfort him.

"...Yuri is a child, but he's too intelligent. He can calmly accept the loss of his memory. He comes from a family of high status, where he can clean up after himself and doesn't expect others to take care of him. As a result, he doesn't know how to be dependent and knows how to give up if he can't do something himself."

"Such a young child?"

"He thanks people for doing things for him and asks questions immediately if he doesn't understand. It's normal for adults, but it's unusual for such a young child. He listens carefully and understands well. His speech is a bit slurred due to his age, but what he says is clear and excellent. Even if he's using magic to disguise himself as a child, the difference in magic power between me, you, and Yuri can't be faked. Overall, I judged that he can work in the Northern Demon King's Castle."

"...Dilnan, are you saying you brought Yuri here to enlist him?"

I was continuously surprised by Dilnan's explanation of why he brought the child. Rarely does someone disrupt my pace so much. The surrounding people are also in a state of confusion, unable to process the information.

"It would be easy to leave Yuri with the surrounding villages. But if his magic is the lowest rank, it will eventually be known. The villagers are good people, but they might stifle Yuri's potential by doting on him too much. Because he's so intelligent, there's a possibility that his awareness of being raised will prevent him from speaking up. So, I think it's necessary to set some conditions. The work will be tough for a child, and the pay will be minimal, but I want to broaden his possibilities under my care."

"Are you serious?"

"At the very least, I want to teach him how to survive alone in the 'Deep Forest.' The environment surrounding Yuri doesn't seem to have been kind to him, even as a child. I'll take full responsibility."

Dilnan finished saying what he wanted to say and just stared at me.

Indeed, objectively looking at the situation alone, the conditions imposed on that young child are harsh. I understand Dilnan's desire to teach him how to protect himself. However, it's not appropriate to place someone of unknown origin without careful consideration. Moreover, it's out of the question to allow a child to temporarily enlist. The information team should investigate the child's background and return him to his family once identified. The Northern Demon King's Castle is not a daycare.

...Yet, there's something about that child that makes me want to have hope. Giving temporary enlistment permission here would be a huge gamble. Normally, I shouldn't act on emotion.

I couldn't help but sigh.

"Alright. I'll give temporary enlistment permission under my authority. However, if Yuri doesn't show some talent in a visible form to the other squad leaders by the time of the formal recruitment meeting, the possibility of formal recruitment is less than ten percent. And all responsibility for Yuri's actions will be on you, Dilnan."

"Fine. I wouldn't have brought him if I weren't prepared for everything."

This is a child that the calm Dilnan is willing to take full responsibility for. He might meet the slight hope I have.

"...If you say so, he must be a very promising child."

"That's part of it, but Yuri is cute and soothing to look at. What's wrong with seeking solace in that chaotic kitchen? Besides, I hope the bastards will soften up a bit when they see Yuri. If the newbies have someone to look up to, they might tighten up a bit."

"That's... I can understand the sentiment, but is that your true intention?"

"You'll see. ...I won't do it for anyone else, though."

"I want solace too. If he sleeps with a stuffed animal instead of Retz, I think he'd be even cuter."

"Who will give it to him? I brought him here to be with me."

"Isn't it a rule that you want what others have more?"

Still, is that the real reason? ...Indeed, the more you look at him, the cuter he becomes. He might become an oasis in this male-dominated, harsh workplace.

Next time, I might really give him a stuffed animal.

While talking to Dilnan, Retz suddenly made a noise. Dilnan called out to Retz, wondering what was happening.

Grrr

A moment after Dilnan's voice, a sound echoed. Dilnan looked at the clock tower on the city gate. ...It's noon.

"...Haha, really! Yuri's stomach clock is so accurate!!"

As soon as he checked the time, Dilnan burst out laughing and revealed the source of the sound. It was Yuri's stomach. He seems to be full of energy.

"Oh, this is a problem. Let's have a meal before deciding which squad he'll join."

"Food"

It was lunchtime, so when I suggested a meal, Yuri woke up from Retz's belly without fuss. It seems he really loves food.

"He won't go to the paperwork squad. Yuri is only interested in food. He wakes up at the mention of food."

Dilnan tried to dissuade me, but I have a way to handle it.

"Then, let's prepare delicious sweets every day."

Grr

I seem to have hit the right spot. Yuri's stomach reacted honestly, and Dilnan's slightly pained expression confirmed it. The surrounding outer guard team members are laughing at Yuri's honest stomach.

"Big brother, I'm hungry."

In the midst of this, Yuri held his stomach, looked up at Dilnan with a pitiful expression, and complained about his hunger.

...What is this cuteness?! Until now, I thought my riding beast, Philius, was the most charming, but Yuri surpasses him. I couldn't help but mutter, "This is..." But the surrounding outer guard team members are even worse, trying to hold back nosebleeds by pressing their noses and mouths with their hands. I must be better off, right?

The comparison is very subtle and unwilling, but...

"Big brother, right?"

"Yeah, calling him 'uncle' at first, so I corrected it."

But I couldn't help but laugh at Dilnan's next words. I'm pretty sure Dilnan and I are about the same age, but I'm older. I understand not wanting to be called "uncle," but using the child's appetite as a leverage point to correct it is... not admirable, but amusing. I don't know him well since we rarely interacted before, but I don't dislike him so far.

While laughing, Dilnan was holding Yuri. A moment later, Yuri looked up at Dilnan and said, "Huh?" so cutely.

"Are you hungry? It will take a quarter of an hour to get to the food on your own."

"Please."

When Dilnan told Yuri, he immediately bowed his head. Ah, this child is really honest about his hunger. I couldn't help but laugh, following Dilnan's lead.

After quickly processing the temporary enlistment and entry permits, we passed through the city gate and the city's protective barrier. The cafeteria is, of course, inside the castle. Riding beasts like Retz can only enter in emergencies, so they are usually returned to their stables. ...What is this scene? It's unbelievable. The knights of the outer guard team leading Retz to the stables are also grimacing.

Retz, a Tygus, seems sad to be separated from Yuri. When Yuri waved and said, "See you later," Retz perked up and wagged his tail.

Only Dilnan walked calmly into the castle, and I followed, but the unbelievable scene is still burned into my mind. I now understand why Dilnan had that distant look earlier.

By the time we reached the cafeteria, I had somehow regained my composure. I can't show my true feelings in this cafeteria, which is overflowing with various squad members during lunch break.

Seeing only one empty seat, I suggested that Dilnan and Yuri go get their food first. It's cruel to make a child hungry.

As I watched them go to the serving counter, Dilnan was being spoken to by someone. It was the new recruit that Dilnan is training. The others in the kitchen noticed Yuri and were wide-eyed, but the young man didn't notice, even though Yuri was right in front of him.

They exchanged a few words, but then...

Grr

Yuri's stomach loudly protested, "Hurry up." The young man finally noticed Yuri and looked at him as if he had discovered a rare creature, making me laugh. The kitchen staff whistled in approval.

The sound echoed in the hall, and the diners looked in the direction of the sound and noticed Yuri. Yuri, the source of the sound, looked apologetic for interrupting the conversation and made himself even smaller.

Dilnan gave some instructions, and the young man hurriedly started preparing the food.

When Dilnan, holding Yuri in his left arm, walked over with the food, the attention was on Yuri. I stood up to get my food and told them to start eating.

"Ah, Captain Elies, good work!"

"Good work."

When I reached the serving counter, the young man greeted me, and I replied.

"Captain Elies, is that little one really a new recruit?"

As the young man prepared the food, Schnas, the deputy leader of the cooking squad, asked.

"He's a temporary recruit, but it's true. Formally becoming a squad member might be harder than becoming a squad leader."

"Is that so?"

"...But personally, I have high hopes for him. I think he can do it."

Answering the reasonable question and adding my personal opinion, the cooking squad members were wide-eyed. I admit it's unusual even to me.

"To make Captain Elies say that..."

"Yes, he's quite a promising child. Dilnan recognized his potential and brought him here."

Just as the food was ready, I ended the conversation, took the tray, and returned to the table. There, Yuri was holding a fork and staring at the food, his stomach still growling.

"Oh, Yuri, you look like a waiting riding beast. What's wrong?"

I stopped and called out, but there was no response. Instead, Dilnan chuckled and spoke.

"Sit down. He was waiting for you."

"...What?"

Surprised by the unexpected words, I asked, doubting my ears. It sounded like "He was waiting for me," but...

"He wanted to eat with you."

Hearing Dilnan's further explanation, I was stunned. No one has ever waited for me to eat since I started working. What a sincere child. I couldn't help but smile. Ah, I must look very uncomposed right now.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Yuri. Let's eat, then."

"Itadakimasu."

I called out, and as Dilnan and I picked up our forks, Yuri bowed his head and started eating. To be able to greet politely and say "Itadakimasu" is truly a good child.