"T... This is... This is the boss's isn't this!!!?"
Utterly surprised, Elfina has let those words slip loudly from her mouth.
["B-Boss!? You mean Ruler defeated the Boss!? Then it means he is an A rank now?"]
Upon hearing what she said, the whole crowd immediately turned their sights towards us.
With a gaping mouth and couldn't believe eyes, Elfina was just looking at me with utter curiosity. Her brows twitching...
Surely there was no reason for you to continuously strike down the monsters in the dungeon. So why? Even the boss...
...Those words could just get clearly transmitted to me.
It appears she was no longer that surprised about my achievements and capabilities. What she was curious about now was why I was being too obsessed with striking the dungeon.
"How is the dungeon exploration doing?"
Not giving so much care about their reactions and commotions, I just asked Elfina as if she were my personal assistant.
"U-Uhm... You mean... Sir?"
"We are being too slow. We have to clear the dungeon. We have to open up its depths. We don't have enough time."
"...!"
Surprised, Elfina could just get her eyes widened.
The purpose probably got clearly displayed to her.
"The rulers seemed to be working on that... Sir. In your current status, you are not yet allowed for the information. I am very sorry."
"No, it was nothing. Just give me the update for my status."
"Uhm, Yes!"
Elfina immediately get to work. Flipping papers, writing on them, and casting whatever signs or attestation. She then pointed her hands at me just like the last time then cast something. It was the emblem for A-rankers. Asking me to reach out my hand and open them, a silver emblem appeared hovering above it.
"Congratulations, Mr. Intangible ruler! You are now officially classified as a rank A adventurer! Anything else you need, sir?"
"No, this is good enough."
This was indeed enough. Considered me free. With this rank... I won't be restricted.
"I'll bring you out to light... Dungeon."
I uttered, deciding to wholly spend my time on collecting crucial factors about the place.
But first...
I think I should check on what was happening in the castle.
I've probably been away for weeks or a month, so...
For my safety, I should at least carry on my knight duties once in a while.
...
Simply leaping back to the castle, I've reached the wide roof. The roof where the knights rest, hang out, and get some air.
It was nighttime so there was no risk of being found out.
I then just brought my cloak and other things to my room in the knights' quarters.
...
The morning comes. I was in my knight uniform. I was walking towards the castle to my post on the upper floor.
Although they were free, I was still amazed that these people were wearing their uniforms as they entered the castle. (The knights' quarter was just located somewhere near the castle. Not in the castle. So a considerable distance of walking was to be expected.)
There were many knights who were walking towards the castle alongside me.
"Hmm... "
I just turned my eyes to the castle.
This sight seemed to show a bright future for humanity. It was like seeing a peaceful prosperous place.
The green healthy trees, the tidy wide concrete area and pathway, and the pleasing view of the faithful obedience of the knights regarding wearing uniforms.
With a beam and a genuine amused laugh, I said...
"What, they were like children. Hehehe... "
"What are you laughing at? You look creepy."
"Huh?"
Talking indifferently, Hara walked beside me.
"Ah, ahahaha... That was nothing."
'I wonder if they noticed I wasn't around in a month?'
Thinking of that, I immediately noticed something was off. I mean, I was just praising the neat presentation of the knights of themselves by regularly wearing their uniforms, but... I just suddenly remembered.
"You were not in your uniform again today, huh?"
I asked rather disappointed.
Hara was wearing a black long-sleeve shirt and a black skirt. Although I wouldn't say her look wasn't presentable for she seems to look exquisite in that and the attire just really suits her well. With her white inner shirt having its collar tied in red ribbon, and her skirt gridded with red lines, the entire black attire of hers just enhanced her look alongside her finely stranded silky black long hair. However, the entire look of her was just so off when viewed along with the other knights in their uniforms. Also, I don't quite have a sweet memory of her in that attire. I mean it was what she was wearing when she attempted to kill me. That sheathed slim sword on her waist was just really making her look so fierce to be honest. Quick and instant kill. She was probably promoting such traits. That was pretty so unknightly.
"What are you talking about? This is my uniform."
"Ugh... Is that so? Fine then."
'I wonder why she isn't being pointed out about it by the higher-ups?'
"Uhm... "
Hara was just walking full of energy when she suddenly slowed down.
"Huh?"
"Well, uhm... How was that sparring at the training ground?"
"..."
...Whooosh...
...
"Huh?"
...
'What? What is she asking about?'
Out of nowhere, Hara asked about the sparring. What, was there something in there to note?
Seeing me digging up some memory...
"...!"
Hara could just react fiercely with her face being filled with red.
"I am saying I'm sorry!"
She exclaimed as she walked ahead at full speed leaving me alone without being able to say a word.
"Ugh... "
Is what I could just utter as I reached my hand out to her. Putting it down...
'What, she should just have said so. And here I thought she really just wanted to spar with me at that time. Sigh... Just an apology after all.'
Following my sight to her...
"Oh... "
Kiezy and Zetra were there too. It appears they were waiting for her. Or... H- Wai...!
'Did she just come back for me to apologize!? Wait, I didn't even sense it! I thought she caught up with me from behind!'
These people... Are they really just elite knights?
My face grimacing at that fact, I glimpsed Zetra waving to me in full swing.
"Ugh... "
Zetra was probably horribly laughing at Hara right now.
"AHahaha... " - I then just waved back.
Shifting my sight to Kiezy for an identical worn-out reaction...
...
"Eh?"
I could just wonder what's up.
Kiezy has her eyes looking at nothing with a sense of solemnity being strongly felt from them.
She was like too annoyed to even bother giving attention to her surroundings.
Noticing that I was looking at her, her eyes could just regain their composure bringing them back into reality. On that note, she just raised her hand a little as it was the farthest she could lift it and send back a wave at me. And it was with a worn-out smile. Worn out smile which was totally different from mine though.
They then go ahead with her eyes returned to their lifeless form. She was like annoyed. Really annoyed. From what though?
I was thinking of talking with her right now, but... Would it be a good idea? I was just here to check what was happening. I need to focus more on the dungeon. With them around I won't be able to act freely.
'That apology... '
I wonder why it was still going on up to now? Why did they even bother? Without further analysis needed, I know it was Kiezy who forced Hara to do it. But why? Was she not convinced I already forgave Hara?
'Wait, was it because I wasn't being in contact with them anymore that's why Kiezy kept being disturbed by the idea? No way... Why would she...?'
"I messed up."
Anyway, I should just tell them I was in the dungeon that was why I couldn't have the time to hang out with them.
'Yes! This input is perfect!'
Now I just have to reach out to them.
I ran towards them to immediately fix the misunderstanding and so I can finally return to the dungeon this very night.
"...?"
I stopped and looked around. They were gone.
"Those people... They're just too fast!"
Whatever. Don't blame me if that wrong understanding keeps bothering you the whole time. It was not my fault.
With that in mind, I just continued my walk to my post.
...
I was standing in this hall for several hours.
The weather was now cloudy. In fact, it was even already pouring. Just a drizzle though.
Knights began entering the castle.
Thunder will be heard as whooshes of wind spray the drizzle around the murky atmosphere.
The howl of wind was audible as it swayed the red curtains from side to side.
"Even though murky, this is still beautiful and soothing."
I just let my large window open to let the stray wind in with its cool chilly presents.