Even as Sesian fumed with indignation, complaining about being treated like a monster encyclopedia, he dutifully answered Zenon's questions.
Zenon casually brushed off his master's outbursts while peppering him with questions, clearly well-accustomed to such exchanges.
And watching from across, I found it fascinating. I'd sensed this when we met at the Imperial Palace—Sesian seemed to genuinely care for Zenon.
Of course, Zenon followed Sesian quite devotedly as well.
"Hmm, I understand for now. Thank you, Master."
—Is that all you needed? You ungrateful, insolent brat!
"Why make a fuss now? We've always been the type to only contact each other when we need something."
—You brat, this is exactly why they say raising a male child is useless!
"When did you ever raise me, Master? It was 80% the Magic Tower and 20% the Elders who raised me."
Seeing them converse so freely, I thought the atmosphere of the Magic Tower must be quite harmonious.
Not that I was envious, though.
Ignoring the tug-of-war between Zenon trying to end the communication and Sesian busy scolding him, I reviewed the conversation they'd just had.
Lizardmen lived in groups and had habits of especially valuing their young.
Since the pack members raised their young through communal child-rearing, if we brought a baby Lizardman, they would likely accept it well.
'I should have Ganic say his goodbyes in advance.'
The baby Lizardman had been following Ganic around, hugging him like a doll, so their intimacy must have grown considerably.
I should summon Ganic when we rest during our journey and give him notice. Ganic probably didn't intend to raise the baby Lizardman until it became an adult either.
As I was organizing my thoughts, Samuel, who had been quietly silent, suddenly spoke up.
"Did you happen to hear the news through the Prince?"
"News?"
"Rumors about the Crown Prince are circulating in the streets."
Samuel must have heard rumors about Maxel while he was out replenishing camping supplies earlier.
I opened my mouth in a casual tone.
"Ah, the monster subjugation?"
At my answer, Samuel nodded and pointed to the map.
"The wetlands are close to Montel Territory."
Montel Territory was the domain of Border Count Luejak.
After confirming the point Samuel indicated with my eyes, I tilted my head slightly.
"Well, it doesn't look like an easy path to take as a target from Montel Territory."
Looking at the map, the straight-line distance appeared somewhat short, but the connected terrain was rugged, making it seem difficult to approach with an army.
It wasn't a small force, either—leading a subjugation force through there would be far from smooth.
Samuel responded to my objection in a calm voice.
"I once tracked criminals through Montel Territory and its surroundings. During that process, I subjugated the monsters in the area once, so if he intends to earn merit through monster subjugation, he'll target the wetlands even if it's difficult."
Wait, so the absence of monsters near Montel Territory wasn't Border Count Luejak's merit?
At this newly learned fact, a dry exclamation slipped from my lips.
"……You certainly lived diligently."
Subjugating monsters even while tracking criminals.
Whether my voice sounded rather wry or not, Samuel coughed once and averted his gaze slightly. A trace of awkwardness appeared on his face.
"When monsters appear, reports mainly come to the Temple."
"Right, divine power is effective against monsters."
That's why everyone thinks monsters are evil creatures. Because they're particularly weak against divine power.
The moment I murmured quietly, Zenon, who had just finished his communication with Sesian, promptly interjected.
"Magic is also strong against monsters."
"Really?"
"Yes."
Magic and divine power were both powers derived from the authority of life. Though I wondered if tracing such origins mattered at this point...
I suddenly grew curious about what connection monsters' weakness to divine power or magic might have.
Death was said to have cherished all life in the world, and that included monsters and beasts. So there must be some connection, right?
After pondering for a moment, I shook off the complicated thoughts. That wasn't what I needed to focus on right now.
"It's impossible with the soldiers we currently have."
Lizardmen were strong monsters. The sea monster that nearly destroyed Rid was a Lizardman, after all.
Just one could ransack a village, so a group of Lizardmen would naturally be far more dangerous.
"If he grows his forces enough to target the Lizardman habitat, Heinri will take issue with that. He won't even make it to the Trebi Mountain Range before getting bound with ropes."
"Or he might force the subjugation through."
Samuel suggested another possibility in his matter-of-fact tone.
"He might carry out the subjugation quickly and earn military merit to quell the suspicions circulating about him in the capital."
"Hmm, then all the more reason to go to these wetlands."
At my nonchalant words, Samuel raised his eyebrows. He seemed to think I would avoid encountering Maxel or the subjugation force he led.
"I thought you didn't want to get involved anymore."
"Of course, I don't want to get involved."
It was now just a matter of time before the Crown Prince's political life came to an end. And the person who would handle the remaining work was Heinri, who was rushing about to reclaim his position in the capital.
All the necessary preliminary work was finished, so I could simply watch from afar as Maxel, Roam, and Lillia sank together while snacking on cookies.
"But there's no reason to simply let the subjugation proceed, is there?"
"You mean…… you won't turn a blind eye to the monster subjugation?"
A subtle suspicion mixed into Samuel's question.
As a paladin who had spent his life serving the Temple's teachings and eradicating monsters, my words about interfering with monster subjugation apparently didn't sit well with him.
I smiled gently at Samuel.
"God loves all life without discrimination."
Samuel, who understood who the 'God' I spoke of was, hesitated.
Zenon, who had been quietly watching, cleared his throat and remarked casually.
"The Lizardman habitat has soft ground and many swamps scattered about, so combat won't be easy. They'll flail about in the swamps trying to reach the center of the habitat. If we record that sight with an image crystal and spread it, it would be quite a sight."
An excellent idea. As I brightened and looked at Zenon, he shrugged his shoulders and tried to suppress the corners of his mouth.
However, he couldn't hide his triumphant gaze.
"My magic can capture it from an excellent angle."
Finding Zenon's proud appearance both amusing and endearing, I simply nodded to let him proceed.
Once I gave permission, Zenon lifted his chin and looked at Samuel with meaningful eyes. Samuel, with a cool expression, ignored him and turned his gaze out the window.
I didn't know what contest of wills they were having, but it was a moment where I could clearly tell Zenon had won.
* * *
Only after traveling quite far from Hali did I summon Soana.
Soana, in the form of a hawk, was larger than I'd thought. With Soana seated beside me, the carriage felt quite full.
Minte, who had been sitting next to me, moved to Palides' side. I had worried about him falling if he sat in the driver's seat, but since Palides promised safe driving, I had no choice.
He must have been terribly bored driving the carriage alone.
"Soana, does anything come to mind about Dasha? Or any guesses about where she might be?"
[Dasha was the most reckless among the knights. I remember even the Captain found Dasha the most difficult to handle.]
Soana answered with a laugh in her voice. After falling silent as if recalling the past, Soana slowly continued.
[I don't think Dasha has awakened yet.]
"……Not awakened?"
Hadn't all the knights opened their eyes when I was resurrected?
Looking at Soana with puzzled eyes, Soana explained in an even voice.
[If that child had awakened, the world wouldn't be this quiet.]
Somehow those words sounded quite ominous depending on how one interpreted them.
Combining Minte's earlier words describing Dasha as foolish, unlike Bak, with Soana's words now, the knight named Dasha seemed uncontrollable.
[She would have caused trouble long ago. Because she has such a fiery temper.]
Just how fiery of a temper?
Looking at Soana sitting demurely with her wings folded with anxious eyes, Mori, who had been huddled inside the silk pouch, poked her head out.
[S-Soana is right……]
Mori raised her dark eyes to look up at me.
[I-If Dasha had awakened, she definitely would have sought revenge. The Captain couldn't possibly not know Dasha's location.]
"……Revenge?"
I inadvertently murmured, and Zenon and Samuel, who had been sitting quietly to avoid interrupting my conversation with Soana, looked at me.
The two seemed bewildered, unable to understand the meaning of 'revenge' suddenly emerging from my mouth.
I was just as bewildered. Revenge?
"……Does Dasha also remember like you do?"
Awakening with the intent to take revenge on Samuel who killed her?
Recalling the rampaging Dullahan, I felt somewhat daunted. Looking down at Mori with a pale face, Mori hastily spoke.
[That won't happen! Dasha just……]
[Dasha was a knight who resented God.]
Soana explained in Mori's stead with a sigh-laden voice.
[More precisely, a knight who resented God's impartial love. She always fumed at all earthly creatures who received that love yet didn't know gratitude.]
A knight who raised objections against the philanthropic ideology the former Captain preached!
Joy arose briefly at the news that a knight who shared my views had finally appeared. But it was only momentary, because of Mori's gloomy words.
[Dasha didn't resist the traitor's attack.]