"Lord Lock."
Gazef offered a respectful greeting the moment he entered.
This was not empty courtesy. In status alone, Lock stood above him. More importantly, Lock had chosen—of his own will—to involve himself in this operation. That fact placed Gazef in his debt, regardless of rank or title.
Panasolei, however, did not bow.
As Mayor of E-Rantel and a noble of higher standing, etiquette dictated the opposite. Lock should have been the one to rise.
Yet Lock remained seated.
He did not even look up.
Instead, he calmly cut another piece of meat and ate, while beside him, the head maid stood close—far too close—attending him without restraint.
Panasolei's brow twitched.
A disgraceful lack of decorum.
Suppressing his irritation, he forced a genial smile. "Baron Lock, I have long heard your name, yet never had the opportunity to meet you in person. Today is—"
"You overstate it," Lock replied casually, eyes never leaving the plate.
The mayor's smile froze.
The dismissal was deliberate. And worse—effortless.
Lock had no intention of letting that bloated figure linger in his sight. The man's presence alone was enough to sour his appetite.
Before Panasolei could recover, Lock spoke again.
"Warrior Captain. You came to discuss our departure."
"Yes," Gazef answered at once. "I did not realize you were still dining. Forgive the intrusion, but I hope we may depart as soon as possible. The border villages—"
"I understand."
Lock nodded once and raised his voice.
"Barker."
The tent flap lifted immediately. Barker entered and knelt on one knee.
"Mobilize. Twenty minutes. We move."
"At once."
Lock turned back to Gazef. "Gather your forces as well. Do not be late."
The message was clear.
The meeting was over.
"I understand. I will take my leave."
Gazef bowed again and exited. Panasolei followed, his expression dark.
Once they were gone, Lock exhaled slowly. A faint current of air swept through the tent.
"…That stench," he muttered flatly.
He leaned slightly toward Vier and inhaled once, expression easing. "Better."
"Master…" Vier murmured, half-amused.
"Finish eating. We depart soon."
The matter was closed.
Outside the camp, Gazef walked in silence beside Panasolei.
At last, the mayor spoke. "What do you think?"
Gazef did not answer immediately.
The intelligence Lock had provided was too precise to dismiss lightly. Yet the means by which it had been obtained—and the power Lock wielded—were equally troubling.
If this were deception, then the consequences would be catastrophic.
But retreat was impossible.
If Gazef abandoned the mission, border citizens would die. Worse, the noble faction would seize the opportunity to accuse the King of cowardice. The Kingdom itself might fracture.
That was the true trap.
"I believe he is telling the truth," Gazef said finally. "At least about the enemy."
"And about himself?" Panasolei pressed.
Gazef shook his head. "That, I cannot judge."
Panasolei narrowed his eyes. "If he turns hostile… could you escape?"
"No," Gazef answered without hesitation. "Not with those Knights. Not with those beasts."
"What if we deploy E-Rantel's army?"
"It would only increase casualties," Gazef replied bluntly. "They would slow us down."
Silence followed.
At last, Panasolei sighed. "I will petition the Adventurers' Guild Master to provide support. It is the most I can do."
"That is enough," Gazef said quietly.
Before parting, the mayor placed a hand on Gazef's arm. "If the situation collapses… send word. Even a warning may save the Kingdom."
"I will."
Neither of them wished to imagine such an outcome.
Twenty minutes later, the city gates of E-Rantel opened.
Gazef's direct forces assembled—several hired adventurers gathered alongside them.
And before all of them—
The Tiger Knight Order.
Silver-white armor. Perfect formation. Tiger mounts standing in disciplined stillness, eyes cold and predatory.
The adventurers erupted in noise.
"You've got to be joking!"
"Since when did the Kingdom have troops like this?!"
"Are we dreaming?"
Awe replaced caution. Excitement drowned reason.
They saw allies. They saw safety.
They did not consider another possibility.
That the greatest danger on this battlefield did not wait ahead—
—but already stood beside them.
---
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