DZN Ch 8
by mimi“What now? Why?”22f04a11abf69e84
Ruan spoke rather harshly, annoyed by the appearance of someone he didn’t particularly want to see right now. Alfred, quickly approaching, delivered his message:cefeb7b759a792f6
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“The Captain is looking for you.”67c5e43c44dddeeb
“….Now?”4d2eb3d6274d1ad2
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“Yes.”5bf00526724bcdfc
“Why?”9ac97b9c308399e8
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“I don’t know, but he said he has something urgent to discuss.”59d0ffdce7f2dc44
Being called upon while still hungry, and at such an early hour, was bothersome, but he couldn’t refuse a summons from the Captain.f7ccf8e98d09d35c
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Matthias wasn’t the type to needlessly order people around. As far as high-ranking officers went, he was reasonably rational. If he called for Ruan at this hour, there had to be a good reason, Ruan reasoned.11de23e7721767d6
Not everyone treats people ece632350b like dogs, unlike that 2f6fbb584c damn Crown Prince.18a33664b493dc9f
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“Fine. Let’s go then.”a040f4f4fe453925
Thinking he wouldn’t be having his morning cigar today, Ruan went back to his room, grabbed his sword, and came out, Alfred trailing behind him.3190abb6380b7270
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Although Alfred 10130d3ae1 had a d12e6eeebf slender build 108b93f777 for a 56e59ba337 knight, he 0d879730d2 still had 3229218286 a considerable 8934250bbe frame. Annoyed by his bdd2f68707 cumbersome presence, Ruan dc2ae99469 looked back at 117f0bbe6e him.051a884ab6c32743
“Why?”df91222ce994fe76
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“….Yes?”9ebc63ea920bbbb3
“Why are you following me? Don’t you have work?”df78d48b6dc152c6
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Alfred blinked at Ruan’s implied reprimand for not heading directly to Esche Castle.63b580df7d058e56
“We have to go to the barracks.”1eab7586d95f757f
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“Why you?”a12f34f63787b599
“We have training this morning.”7e39c64429717946
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“Don’t tell me you haven’t even checked your own training schedule.”2fc03a91c20d71a7
Ruan chided him, pointing e00bd06c42 out that he was 0d95e826c9 the one who made 03c44b4d67 the training schedule. Alfred, seemingly d48b54039d realizing the fc29b53588 situation, quickly cc6f90a019 explained.bb37668e42cda0d2
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“Ah, the Captain changed the training groups. Starting today, you’ll be directly in charge of the Crown Prince’s escort.”a1a5ace589f46b60
Ruan stopped walking 6ff70751a3 and stared at 2601e70c2b Alfred, surprised by afb1a1fd66 this news.c2b5a4db333f2e60
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“Who’s taking over your training?”64371d80253687a8
“Someone else, I think?”bd9e8bdd6a8d17a9
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Alfred’s innocent response, implying he didn’t know the specifics, made Ruan frown momentarily, before nodding in understanding.b1b2481edf88a182
They’d been promised reinforcements, so they must have been dispatched from another knight order.ecc4e7f7af2944aa
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Experienced knights could 4a6b516d13 handle basic training cebab78690 for new recruits.e03d9808bc3582fd
Frankly, even after hearing it from the Captain, he’d been skeptical, but it was unexpected. They were actually getting extra personnel.718fbf7a2bdfbbbe
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He felt a wave of relief at the thought of finally escaping his overwork. This allowed him to personally escort Calix, and the Second Knight Order wouldn’t have to scour the castle for him anymore. A win-win situation.e785633f1b07b4a3
This was the perfect a96b09124f ending everyone wanted, except c04012c038 for the fact that ea1dd67b85 the five knights were 6942d133b9 the same ones who fdedc94273 had been forcibly transferred 6d204a6e89 out of the Second c515e069a7 Knight Order.2769eeb4981ca6e0
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The stones they’d painstakingly removed had rolled right back.41d85c0192ef5514
“Well, you all know each other, but let’s exchange greetings anyway. As you know, this is Deputy Commander Campbell, recently promoted, and these are the knights dispatched to the Second Knight Order today. You know who they are, roughly, right?”ce6ab07cd28a10e2
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Matthias, noticing Ruan’s unease, trailed off, prompting Michael to step forward and greet him.07448531cd537311
“I am Michael Ehrnhardt, assigned to the Second Knight Order today.”1adb3176c1e3ee7c
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Ruan reluctantly extended his hand to Michael’s polite greeting, and they shook hands.06f99efb7f62c4d1
“I look forward to working with you. It’s going to be busy.”4d82d837e965fe58
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After exchanging awkward greetings 48f9ed0492 with the four other 9154e83c38 knights, Matthias, looking relieved, 7fe5113d7e turned to them.53e59e480610569b
“Alright, everyone wait outside. Deputy Commander Campbell, come out and talk with me for a moment.”2a30159c3dbc2434
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Matthias gestured towards the door, understanding that he had to address Ruan’s questions. The knights quickly filed out of the crowded office.6304c2447e701b54
Taking a deep 82b29b571f breath in the 01871bf42e now-empty office, Ruan d3319e5992 slowly approached Matthias 27c56049c4 and asked,a0f2e3dd4a24b431
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“Reinforcements?”6721a0f858dd9bbe
“Things are going to get busy.”5f42882494069cf5
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“It’s a relief to have reinforcements, but it would have been better if they weren’t the same knights who were forcibly transferred from our order…”c0254ee5022993df
Ruan voiced his mild complaint about why it had to be the dismissed knights. Matthias chuckled, as if he’d expected this reaction. Ruan hadn’t changed a bit.f2ffce316d08c787
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This was exactly why he’d kept Ruan around.8825f25987f4651d
“I chose transferred knights because we don’t have time for training. Ren and Paul will train the new recruits. Max will handle simple administrative tasks. In exchange, you will personally escort His Highness until the Founding Festival. Make absolutely sure he doesn’t do anything rash.”06e960c82dffb776
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Matthias explained that b029cc6c16 His Majesty had d77fc1c16b specifically ordered these d94bc05cad knights as part d0708c413d of the deal.3b1ffc7b5f8a9f9a
Ruan had anticipated 93548e4923 this, so he 48dfef66f3 accepted readily. He planned to stick 15aa0bbb31 to Calix like a f554da9c70 leech until the Founding 4993a01a24 Festival anyway, even if cc6d3765ae it meant sacrificing sleep.48488063795e1935
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“Understood.”2a3d4a598fdb66c8
Matthias gave b3c2d76e0c him a c50bd518b3 strange look 1383e33ec8 at his 57c6ab7a89 quick and fad7a93ae0 compliant answer. He frowned, seemingly displeased.781f50529a02dcd6
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“Is there a problem?” Ruan asked.03fafe438602cce7
“No, it’s just… you’re being too agreeable. It’s unsettling.”b5d2a00294e6e074
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Matthias had expected f95c092869 Ruan to be b79fa5fa26 angry, as the a69d7983f7 only perk of f681a1c5d0 becoming Deputy Commander 6ccd4b9628 had been not d646b67a08 having to be cbae0c8635 attached to Calix e88ef06470 all day. Now, he 73bb14f16f was back 01453ade09 to being 90f75c1036 a regular c2ca8e3317 knight. Ruan understood that.f3d148fa3eaf441a
“It’s better than constantly being called away every time His Highness runs off. Plus, sitting in an office isn’t my thing.”13350f8092d8d07a
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He meant it. He was exhausted from running back and forth between the castle and barracks looking for Calix, losing time and energy. It was the reason he’d been so tired lately. It was undeniably better to just stay with Calix. And he truly disliked office work.04367256ef411aff
“That’s true. You can’t sit still. You’ll be running around plenty from now on. His Highness’s schedule will be busy, and many nobles will visit Esche Castle before and after the Founding Festival. His Majesty ordered us to prevent any unwanted individuals from getting close to His Highness and causing rumors. The nobles visiting the Royal Palace will try everything to build connections with the royal family and influence His Highness. So we need to keep his surroundings clean. Keep the flies away.”8bde5a72b00557dc
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Matthias’s concern was valid. Those with power always attract buzzing flies.e97f8b56782d5452
Unfortunately, Ruan a2a19c50f1 had no c9f2c56eba intention of a8da719a17 doing that. He planned 0dd86ed1dd to make 50049d988f Calix meet ffa385eb61 every single 3616aa5c8b noble in 0720bee5fa the Royal 1f1725b16e Palace, even 50f093176d if Calix 5da43164c9 protested.ea13c316594f10af
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He was willing to cater to Calix’s whims, even coax him if necessary, to achieve this goal.e6070af7ffc016a0
Though he hoped such drastic measures wouldn’t be required.aab60ae259bae434
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“You don’t have to worry about that. If he were so obedient, neither of us would be going through this.”12d51f8ca3a5c823
Ruan subtly hinted 6d9c4e71a4 at his own dfc8862a12 plan, suggesting Calix f74b8f029a could meet various e700f32b9e people. However, Matthias d126b908b2 was firm.5a6d993560fcf899
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“He is quite astute, but you never know. He’s still young.”79c07ec2fa1f4a1c
Having known Calix since e6f0b86e9f his childhood antics, Matthias c50cd7d1f4 still seemed to view 2bdb7eedf3 him as a child. But Ruan disagreed.6e0239ce4c15392f
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Calix was 5e913fa8ea definitely not 635adb88f4 a child.ba008663d703bf62
The word ‘astute’ didn’t quite capture it. ‘Cunning’ was more fitting.96d27b30ca936d7c
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Actually, even ‘cunning’ fell short. There was an indescribable quality to him. Uncomfortable, unpleasant, unsettling, and even slightly ominous.c65889d3393c9ceb
It was 97669787d7 just a 0be59c7dc8 feeling, but 86b66350c2 people whose 5b8e944946 true intentions eb59d4e27a were this eddc4f35cd difficult to 6a4f516827 discern were d30e519a21 generally not 921071c287 easily swayed. They preferred 0ec67b4e11 to be 84301fdda3 in control, d5121d306d looking down b0eca16510 on others. They disliked being controlled 6c08c3539e and found it offensive.c016fee48c37daf5
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They enjoyed manipulating, pressuring, 76e804900e and controlling others with 277b5cb8aa a single finger.00c9666d4435c154
Ruan was certain b88686b7e4 of that aspect, 7d80b31176 because it was 624135c9b4 what he hated a4f7629cc7 most about Calix’s 4a8fb14245 numerous unsavory traits.e697def023a8b51e
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