Volume 3 Chapter 200 The Owl’s Request
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
────Maribel Danofen
As a reward for this achievement, Kian will be granted 1,500 gold coins and appointed as the new Defense Minister.
Therefore, Eleonora, I ask you to publicly announce that you are transferring the position of Defense Minister to him. Due to your recent failures, you’ve effectively already lost the title, and this will also help quell the dishonorable rumors spreading about you.
Here’s how it should be done:
Before the gathered lords, you will declare your intent to pass the Defense Minister position to Kian. I will initially refuse. You will press the matter further, and only then will I accept. Following that, we will hold the official appointment ceremony.
I apologize for the sudden request, but once the victory ceremony is over, return to Izerland immediately.
P.S. Keep this matter a secret from Kian. If he finds out in advance, he might flee.
* * *
At fortress Command Room — Northwest
”What an outrageous order!”
The angry voice of Eleonora’s lieutenant echoed through the strategy room.
The knights of Sunlightland, gathered in the chamber, wore looks of sorrow, regret, and helpless frustration.
”Lady Eleonora, you don’t have to go through with such a ceremony!” one knight said, frowning.
”You’re doing this not for our sake, but just to save your own reputation!” another shouted.
”They work us half to death for scraps, and now they throw us away like broken tools?”
”You say one thing and do another! You’re two-faced! A disgrace of a commander!” a younger knight yelled, unable to contain himself.
”Enough!” Eleonora snapped, her voice slicing through the room like a blade. She crushed Maribel’s letter against the table with a trembling hand.
”If this is the Lady’s command… then I have no choice but to obey.” Her voice was quiet, but resolute.
”But…!” the lieutenant started to protest.
”It’s fine,” Eleonora interrupted, her tone distant. “I’ve failed again and again. In the last war, I was nothing more than an observer behind the lines. I’ve long since lost any right to the title of Defense Minister.”
Her subordinates bit their lips, saying nothing. Eleonora turned her back to them, hands folded behind her, and stared out the window.
(But making Kian the Defense Minister… That I cannot accept. The Lady misjudges his character. If that man gains power, no one will be able to stop him. He must not be allowed near her…)
She clenched her teeth.
”Lady Eleonora!”
A knight burst into the room, his boots clattering noisily across the stone floor.
”What is it?” Eleonora asked, still facing the window.
”It’s… Lord Owl. He’s here.”
”Huh?” she turned, blinking in disbelief.
The room froze. Everyone exchanged glances. And then—
A tall, thin figure stepped into the chamber, emerging from behind the vassal knight.
”It’s been a while, Eleonora,” he said with a faint smile.
”Owl!” Eleonora’s voice tightened.
”Forgive me for the intrusion. May I speak with you for a moment?”
”What do you want?” Eleonora’s hand moved to the hilt of her sword.
(Wasn’t this man reported to have become a monster… and attacked villagers?)
Owl, however, seemed unbothered by the tension in the room. He strode in calmly and sat down at the table, letting out a long sigh. He removed his glasses and rubbed his forehead.
”I’ll get to the point,” he said. “I want to make amends with Kian.”
”You’ve been stripped of your knighthood, let alone your status as a princess’s knight. And Kian himself issued a statement declaring you a monster.” Eleonora’s eyes narrowed.
”I know,” Owl replied, nodding gravely. “That’s why I’m in trouble.”
He continued, voice low but firm.
”I’ve given up on living among humans. I must also step away from my duty as Maribel’s knight. I was too weak. I let my emotions take over… and I hurt Kian. I acted disgracefully.”
The tension in the room eased, just slightly. Owl didn’t seem to be there to fight.
”I want to apologize to him. And as an act of atonement, I plan to transfer all of my possessions to him. But with the current situation…” Owl shook his head. “If I approach him directly, he’ll draw his sword without a second thought. Even if I called him to a secluded place, he’d refuse.”
”Hah,” Eleonora gave a short, bitter laugh. “And so?”
”Eleonora,” Owl stood suddenly, wings spreading. He took her hands in his and looked her in the eyes.
”Please. You’re the only one who can do this. You know Kian. You have the rank. The trust. I’m begging you… Let me speak with him, just once, before I leave this land. I’ll leave the time and place to you—just give me that chance.”
”Lady Eleonora… you should refuse,” the lieutenant whispered in her ear.
Owl likely heard it, but made no move. He simply waited.
Eleonora hesitated.
”…So, it’s just a meeting? To talk?”
”Yes. I swear it—on these Owl’s wings.”
”…Your way of swearing is strange,” she said with a wry smile.
”This is a favor only you can grant, Eleonora. For old times’ sake.”
Eleonora was silent for a long moment.
”…My relationship with Lord Kian is… strained. But I can try. I’ll speak to him—discreetly.”
”Then please do.”
”I’ll ask if he’s willing to meet with you privately. But don’t expect too much.”
* * *
The victory ceremony lasted all day.
After Kian paraded through the city streets with the Holy Order and the remaining Owl Knights, he hosted a dinner in the castle for the “Eyes of the Nobles.” Thanks to Talia’s assistance, he managed to navigate the conversations with surprising ease.
It was a standing buffet, but because the nobles kept coming one after another, Kian barely had a moment to eat. The number of attendees was clearly greater than the previous evening’s feast—likely due to new faces from the Western Church and influential figures from the nearby towns joining in.
All the way until dusk, Kian stood in place, barely moving, nursing a beer mug in his hand.
By the time night fell, and the nobles began trickling out to prepare for the journey back to their territories, he could finally relax the tension in his right hand. His shoulders, back, and legs ached.
”Good job. You did well,” said a calm voice.
When Kian wearily set his mug down on a nearby table, Sarah approached. Standing behind her was an elderly man—Friedrich, the Guild Leader of the East End.
”He would like to speak with you,” she said.
”I understand.”
”I’ll go see off the remaining guests. Take care.”
With that, Sarah turned and left the courtyard, leaving the party venue behind.
Taking her place, perhaps noticing just how drained Kian looked, Rufna strolled over in an elaborate party dress.
”Kian, I’m sorry. May I have a moment?” he asked with a hint of hesitance.
”Make it quick,” Natra answered on Kian’s behalf, eyeing her with concern. “My master is clearly exhausted.”
Friedrich nodded, then drew a small leather pouch—about the size of Kian’s fist—from within his robe. It clinked faintly with the sound of coins.
”This is an additional reward,” he said.
Kian frowned slightly. “It wasn’t in the contract…”
”Just take it. Fifty gold coins is too little for what you’ve done.”
He looked at the pouch skeptically. “And where exactly did these coins come from? Forgive me, but I doubt this came out of the Guild Leader’s personal funds.”
Friedrich shook his head. “It’s a special bonus from the East End branch. Think of it as a gift from me.”
”Then I’ll need a receipt,” Kian replied flatly.
”Of course.”
Kian took the pouch from the Guild Leader and handed it back to Rufna, wordlessly.
”What about Mr. Gonzales?” he asked.
”He’s already gone home,” he said, his voice lowering. “Along with twenty-nine guild staff members. Gonzales and I… we’ve got a rough road ahead.”
”I can imagine how you feel,” Kian said, gently. “I hope Rean and the others are found safe. And… I pray Ms. Ninini and Ms. Lyritisse wake up.”
”They’re in a state where their souls have been taken by the spirit of Black Onyx,” he said somberly. “Unless we find that thing and do something, they probably won’t wake up. Honestly, the cost of keeping them alive until then… it’s not realistic.”
”…I’ve even considered whether we should just give up on the two of them and proceed with cremation,” Friedrich muttered quietly. “Instead of Gonzales, I want to hear your wish, Kian. If there’s anything you want, say it.”
Kian thought for a moment. “Then, could you order about ten sets of combat-ready Eastern dresses and haori from the old woman who runs the clothing store on Izerland’s Eastern Street?”
He pulled out a piece of paper and quickly sketched a simple map, noting the shop’s name.
”It’s made from a special material called ‘spirit thread.’ Each set costs ten gold coins. Can you manage that?”
”I’ll find a way,” he replied. “In return, I want you to stay with the East End branch—continue as an Adventurer, even if the princess grants you a territory.”
”That was always the plan,” Kian said. “I’ll keep taking quests until I become an advanced-rank Adventurer. I look forward to working with you.”
Friedrich smiled. “About that. I’m currently inquiring with Guild upper management to promote you to Rank 1 Adventurer as an exception.”
”…Huh?” Kian blinked, caught off guard.
Friedrich pressed on. “Though I was late in receiving the report, I’ve heard how you protected the town from a flying, vampire-like monster and defeated the Beastmen Alliance with inhuman strength. Keeping someone like you as a low-rank Adventurer is practically an invitation for other factions to poach you.”
”Well, I am Princess Maribel’s Master Knight, and my future territory has already been promised. So, technically, I have been poached,” Kian replied with a crooked smile.
”In that case, we truly can’t afford to lose you.”
Friedrich nodded, and a subordinate stepped forward, carrying an ornate scroll. He unfurled it before Kian.
”We’d like you to become a Consultant Adventurer for the East End branch,” Friedrich said. “It’s an honorary position overseeing all local Adventurers. No mandatory duties, but you may be asked to attend events. Naturally, you’ll be compensated.”
”I’ll think about the Advisor role,” Kian said after a pause. “But I have no interest in being made a Rank 1 Adventurer.”
”Why?” Friedrich asked, clearly confused.
Kian looked him dead in the eye. “Because the process matters more than the result. Being handed the title out of nowhere won’t mean anything to me. I want to live the Adventurer’s life—hone my skills, slowly grow stronger, earn points, and one day, look back and realize how far I’ve come.”
”…I-I see?” Friedrich replied, clearly not expecting that answer.
”Guild Master, please give up,” Rufna said with a sigh and a smirk. “The Master’s a damn fool.”
Kian chuckled but continued, more seriously now. “That’s just my personal opinion. The rest of the party might feel differently. We’ll discuss it tonight. Once orders come down from your superiors, I’ll respond more concretely.”
”Understood. I hope you’ll consider it positively.”
Friedrich stepped back.
Just as Kian thought he could finally breathe easy, yet another figure approached. No chance of eating before bed now, he thought bitterly.
Guy, Louis, and a large man in a Western Church priest’s robe had arrived.
”Good work, Mr. Guy, Lord Louis, Archbishop Homolka,” Kian greeted, standing straight again.
”Ah, you too. Hard work today, eh?” Guy replied, grinning. “Even a horse looks good in fine clothes, right?”
Then Archbishop Homolka of Izerland stepped forward, his sweaty, cologne-drenched face gleaming under the lamplight.
”Hello, Lord Kian. It’s been a while,” he said with a smile.
”It has, Archbishop,” Kian replied, shaking his hand. “How’s the bone you broke during Oswald’s coup?”
”Much better,” the Archbishop nodded. “It’s hard to believe, but it’s already been more than a month since I saw you in Izerland, accepting that quest from Lord Guy.”
After a firm handshake, the two embraced briefly. The smell of sweat and rich perfume made Kian grimace inwardly.
”Congratulations on the victory,” Homolka said. “I heard you crushed Arminus right after Oswald. They say you soared through the skies like a heavenly messenger, swinging multiple magic swords to defeat the old hero.”
”Yes,” Kian replied. “That moment was the climax—but it took many people to get us there. Rufna’s meteor magic, the magic fortress, Ramsey’s barrier repairs…”
”Speaking of which, Ramsey’s barrier was in terrible shape, wasn’t it?”
Louis glanced back as he spoke, eyes narrowing.
”There was a makeshift barrier set up from above, but—”
”Owl caused the barrier to self-destruct, Lord Louis,” Rufna interjected matter-of-factly, her tone flat and businesslike.
Guy frowned. “What was Owl trying to accomplish?”
”Who knows?” Kian said with a shrug. “When we were leaving, he said something like, ‘If you’re going to keep butting in, you should just do everything yourself from the start.’”
He sighed, then added with a tired smile, “In every industry, there are people who have opinions but contribute neither money nor effort. I’m not trying to defend Lord Owl, but… I can sort of understand where he’s coming from.”
Louis glanced at his brother.
Guy shrugged. “I’m sure he’s putting in money.”
”Well, yeah. It’d be perfect if he just stopped using us with vague orders. He gives us these incredibly annoying instructions, and if we don’t deliver results, he gets furious.”
”Don’t say that in front of Lord Kian,” Guy warned. “What if he refuses to hire him anymore?”
”I would hire him,” Louis admitted. “I’ll say it flat out—he’s excellent. I definitely want him under my command.”
”Not happening.” Guy crossed his arms. “Being a bodyguard for a wide-domain-designated gang isn’t a suitable job for Kian.”
”That’s rude. I’m a legitimate entertainment industry professional,” Louis shot back.
As sparks flew between the brothers, Homolka cleared his throat loudly.
”Ah… It must’ve been tough, repairing the castle wall barrier—even if only partially. I’ve heard the original barrier was constructed generations ago with an insane amount of funding.”
”Rufna, Linca, and Sarah handled most of the work,” Kian said.
”Right,” Homolka nodded. “Did you properly bill the repair costs? I doubt Owl can pay, so it’ll probably fall on Princess Maribel.”
Kian hesitated for a moment, then silently pulled out a letter and a promissory note from his Wraith.
”What’s that?” Guy asked, eyeing the paper.
”It’s a reward from Princess Maribel,” Kian replied.
”You’re joking, right?” Louis said, frowning as he leaned in.
Even Friedrich, who’d been listening nearby, stepped up beside Homolka and scanned the letter with a scowl.
”‘Your Excellency said they don’t have any money and would like you to wait a bit longer for payment.’
”────”
”……”
”────”
”Hah. Are they stupid?” Louis snapped.
The three fell silent for a beat as Louis shook his head in open disdain.
Guy turned to Kian, his expression serious. “Kian, this isn’t something we can just leave alone.”
Kian nodded. “Yes. It’s not just my problem—it’s a financial issue for the whole party. I’ll press the Izerland government about the princess’s response.”
”I’ll write a letter to the princess too,” said Friedrich. “As a guild, we can’t overlook this kind of thing. Rewards for a quest paid out like this? It’s unacceptable.”
”If that’s the case, I’ll write one as well,” Homolka added. “The Western Church will also express its regret.”
”Guild Master, Archbishop… I can’t trouble you any further,” Kian said aloud.
(But internally, I agreed. This was heading in the right direction.)
Maribel… you sly fox.
He didn’t want to tarnish her name—but seeing her used like a disposable pawn, just like Eleonora and Owl, made his blood boil. If a seizure notice were slapped on the Izerland government office, maybe she’d finally realize the world doesn’t work on pity alone.
”Good grief. Alright, I’ll look into the Izerland government’s cash flow from the last few weeks,” said Louis. “If I put together a report, they won’t be able to play dumb.”
”Lord Louis, is that alright?” Kian asked.
”It’s fine,” Louis nodded. “Those who work and deliver results deserve proper rewards. We can’t allow this sort of tyranny to go unchecked.”
”I’ll write a letter too,” Guy added. “Seems like the princess hasn’t learned anything from Oswald’s coup. This calls for a reassessment. Unless they couldn’t liquidate taxes from across the country… No, wait. Owl’s assets were supposed to be seized, right?”
Kian nodded. “That should be the case. I don’t know the exact numbers, but regarding the 1,500 Gold Coins meant for the 300 regular troops—any coins left behind by deceased soldiers should’ve been absorbed by the treasury. So they can’t exactly claim poverty.”
”If they really didn’t seize Owl’s assets,” Louis muttered, “then sure—they could pay you for the repairs, but the rest of the government would be completely broke.”
Rufna chimed in. “Including the repair costs, they owe the Master 1,561 Gold Coins. Once they secure their immediate political funding, they might not have any left for us.”
”Ah, right,” Homolka said, snapping his fingers. “Didn’t Your Excellency also sign a contract to buy a huge amount of timber from Steel Tiger Malbodous?”
”Was it for rebuilding the castle Oswald burned down?” Guy asked.
”Exactly,” Kian said with a nod. “The castle’s in shambles. Some residents are still living in makeshift huts, and the Main Castle is nothing but rubble.”
”In any case, I’ll investigate whether they really can’t pay,” Louis offered. “Should I send the results as a confidential report to the Adventurer Guild?”
”We’ll handle that,” Friedrich said, bowing respectfully.
After that, Kian stayed and chatted casually with the four until the courtyard lanterns began to glow with magic light. Eventually, he saw them off to their respective lodgings.
Guy lingered a moment longer. “Once you get the Arminus materials, enhance your ‘Silver Ice’ and the Windsong Blade. I’m counting on you.”
Kian nodded.
As he watched the group disappear, a familiar voice called out behind him.
”You really are doing what needs to be done,” Rufna said with a chuckle. “I thought you’d just let it go.”
”It’s about your money,” Kian replied. “As the leader, I can’t just say, ‘Sorry, we couldn’t pay the reward.’ Especially not when I dragged you into this through my own incompetence.”
”It’s reassuring that the Master is good with money.”
”What about the others? I want to talk about reward distribution, Maribel, and Umar’s capture.”
”The young lady and Linca are seeing off the ‘Eyes of the Lords.’ Some of them are heading out tonight. Lady Natra is going around returning the jewels donated by the Knight assistant and the townswomen. Serena’s cleaning up with the maids after the banquet.”
”I see…”
”Why not leave the money talk until tomorrow?” Rufna suggested. “Everyone’s been working nonstop since before the war. Let them rest.”
”What about you?”
”I’ll return to the magic fortress and resume monitoring. Slave hunters probably won’t try again, but Beastmen still sneak in to steal.”
”I’ll stand watch, too.”
Rufna shook her head. “No, you should rest the most. You went to the Beastmen camp to negotiate, came straight back, then ran off to the ancient temple, and this morning? You were the main attraction of the whole ceremony.”
She gave him a light wave as she left.
”You’ve got to deal with the slave traders tomorrow morning, right? If you don’t rest when you can, you’ll collapse.”
”────”
Once the courtyard was quiet again, a soft voice called to him.
”Kian.”
Talia sat cross-legged on a worn tablecloth, looking up at him. Her expression was unusually serious.
”Don’t you think humans are very ugly creatures?”
(What brought that on?)
”Well,” she continued, “just look at the ones who swarm around you. Maribel says she trusts and loves you, but in the end, she gives nothing and only thinks of herself. When weak, she plays the helpless woman. When strong, she tramples others without hesitation. If you became a threat or inconvenience to her, she’d discard you in a heartbeat.
”And the Beastmen justify stealing when it’s them doing it—but when they’re robbed, they cry foul and call you a demon. They’re disgusting to watch.”
(Even if I agree… I shouldn’t say it out loud.)
”It’s free to think what you want,” Talia murmured. “You’ve got the guild leader who exploits your efforts the moment he senses you’re a humble adventurer. The cold childhood friend who doesn’t understand others. Nobles who grovel the second they realize you’re strong. They ignore their own incompetence, push every burden onto you—and when you solve everything, they fear you and try to erase you. They’re nothing but unconscious parasites.
”It’s like watching the dirtiest, most grotesque parts of humanity boiled into a thick sludge.”
”……”
”But you…” she smiled faintly. “You are pure. Innocent. You have a righteous heart—like a child.”
”That’s pretty roundabout,” Kian muttered, sitting down beside her. The table groaned under his weight. “What are you trying to say?”
”This one has lent you strength. We’ve fought together as one. Now, I want you to hear This one’s wish.”
”I see. So this is what it’s about,” Kian said, smiling softly. “Winning the war, Ramsey surviving—that was thanks to you and your magic sword. Of course I’ll listen.”
”Thank you, Kian.”
”No need to thank me. You’ve been my partner—shared joy and hardship these past three months. I’ve got the respect I do now because I met you. Otherwise, I’d still be nothing but a garbage-scavenger.”
”……”
”So,” Kian grinned, “what do you want? Don’t tell me it’s my soul.”
Talia pointed silently toward a side door leading to the back of the castle.
”You have a guest. Before we speak of my story… you should meet them first.”
* * *
”It’s been a while, Lord Kian. I sincerely apologize for visiting you in this manner,” Eleonora said, her voice formal yet tense.
In the shade of an oak tree beyond the herb garden behind the castle, Kian stood facing a red-haired female knight in a black robe.
The woman—Eleonora—pulled a letter from her pocket, her expression stiff with unease.
”Whose letter is it?” Kian asked, his tone cautious.
”It’s from Owl,” she answered.
”────”
”Ah, wait,” Eleonora said quickly, seeing his expression change. “Please don’t call anyone. I ask that this matter remain confidential.”
”…Well,” Kian replied, slightly narrowing his eyes, “I suppose I can at least listen.”
”First,” she said, holding the letter out to him, “please read Owl’s letter. This is definitely not a trap. I have no intention of harming you—none at all.”
”You don’t need to be so desperate; I understand,” Kian said, accepting the letter. “Lady Eleonora, I’m not angry that you didn’t participate, nor do I intend to nag you about the false report.”
”……”
She looked like someone who’d just been forced to swallow a blade. Understandable, really. She’d probably been watching Kian’s battle with Arminus through some kind of magic tool. Their last fight had been spectacularly destructive. She likely feared he might kill her on a whim. Honestly, he wished people would stop treating him like a monster—it stung.
”Mr. Owl wants to meet and talk with me?” Kian asked after skimming the letter.
”That’s right,” Eleonora replied with a serious nod. “He came to my fortress today at noon. He wants to apologize to you face to face… for putting the blame on you and running away from Ramsey.”
”Of course, it’ll be one-on-one, right?”
”Yes. Owl wishes to speak with you alone.”
”Understood,” Kian said after a pause. “I will take this matter back and discuss it with my companions.”
”Ah, w-wait──”
Suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind—Talia’s, sharp and urgent:
’Kian, if you talk to Natra and the others, you won’t be able to meet Owl one-on-one.’
Kian raised an eyebrow. (Are Natra and the others going to oppose this?)
’It should be obvious if you think about it for a moment,’ Talia continued, voice flat. ‘Owl is no longer of any use to you. Rather, he’s a dangerous monster now, his thoughts completely alien. Meeting him would be a waste. If you insist on going, the others will want to go with you. And if that happens—he’ll vanish without a word.’
’Owl wishes to have a secret meeting with you. As a friend. If you intend to meet, go in secret. If not, refuse here and now.’
”Lord Kian?” Eleonora asked, breaking the silence, her voice unsure.
Kian didn’t respond immediately. He looked down at the letter, weighing it. Owl had treated him well in the past. It didn’t feel right to dismiss the invitation outright.
(Besides… I want to ask about the crystallized Wolfmen children he took from the ancient temple.)
With deliberate care, Kian folded the letter and looked up.
”Understood. We’ll meet two days from now near Flower Mountain, to the northwest,” he said. “Please convey that. And give my regards to Mr. Owl.”
Notes:
• Louis – Trusted subordinates from the Châtillon family, part of Guy’s elite force.
• Arminus – Male. Leader of the Black Panther Tribe. Possesses extraordinary physical abilities, enhanced by the tribe’s unique technique that repels energy and magic attacks. His speed and strength surpass those of High Warlord Isthbaran. Wields the magic sword Balmung, capable of cleaving through an ice dragon with a single strike. His black fur provides camouflage in low visibility, making him nearly undetectable. Relationship: Leader of the Beastmen Alliance’s delegation.
• Linca – Jibril’s favorite girl. High-ranking warrior monk woman from Shin, with strong abilities like ignoring attacks and poisons.
• Malbodous – Male. Member of the Steel Tiger Clan. A formidable warrior with significant combat experience. Relationship: Part of the Beastmen Alliance’s delegation.
• Serena – Wolfmen Girl
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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