“Oh, Haria. Is this the new captain?”

A middle-aged man, perched on a barstool and puffing on a cigarette, addressed Haria. She nodded as a response.

“Yes. This is the new captain. Gather everyone, Gilbert.”

“Ah. But the only ones here right now besides me are Coil and Derrygan.”

“Three still remain? That’s quite unexpected.”

At Haria’s genuinely surprised remark, the man named Gilbert laughed as if to say it couldn’t be true.

“Derrygan finished his mission early this morning and is just sleeping it off. I’m on duty, so I’m watching the base. As for Coil… well, the bastard hasn’t said anything, but it seems he’s gone after a married woman again.”

“What a piece of trash.”

While testing a dusty piano’s keys, confirming that it was just for decoration and not a functional instrument, I made a short evaluation about this “Coil” character after hearing he’d gone after a married woman.

Gilbert’s face lit up at my words, nodding his head fervently. Judging from his tone earlier, it was clear he didn’t think much of Coil either.

“Exactly. Anyone who messes with a married woman is trash. They should be torn limb from limb and fed to pigs. Hm. At least our new captain seems to have basic common sense.”

I didn’t recall saying anything that extreme, but I figured there was no need to refute him. Finishing my inspection, I turned to the two of them and asked:

“You said that when there’s no work, everyone just goes about their own business. Does that mean I won’t get to meet my subordinates until a mission arises?”

“Oh, that’s not it. Unless something special happens, everyone gathers for dinner. It’s not mandatory, so you don’t have to join if you don’t want to, but if you want to see them, just come back in the evening.”

Gilbert got up, muttering about needing to clean. Judging by the state of the base, it was hard to believe cleaning was a regular occurrence. More likely, he simply didn’t want to talk to me any longer than necessary.

“Well, I’ll take my leave, too. See you at dinner.”

With both Gilbert and Haria gone, I also saw no reason to stick around. I knew the location now, so I could waste some time and come back later in the evening.

As I turned to leave, Haria’s voice rang out behind me.

“The brothel is off-limits.”

Damn.

After spending some time outside, I returned to the base after sunset. When I walked in, I saw new faces chatting and eating dinner. Their conversation stopped the moment I entered, as I expected. I wasn’t offended.

Leaning against the bar with my back to the others, I introduced myself.

“I’m Isaac Meyer. Or I suppose now it’s Isaac Blatta. You’ll call me ‘Captain.’ I won’t allow anything else.”

There was no response. Not even the usual subtle snark or attempts to challenge a new superior. Instead, their expressions showed something very familiar to me.

My new subordinates were scared—not of me, but of the situation.

I could already guess why.

“Alright, then. Introduce yourselves one by one. I don’t remember faces well, so it’ll take me at least three tries before I can recognize you.”

“Gilbert.”

“…Coil.”

“…Damus.”

“Derrygan.”

“…Boros.”

“…Gina.”

“…Garel.”

“…Selemin.”

“…Haria.”

The subordinates responded by curtly stating their names. As I listened, I counted to ensure the numbers matched up.

“One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine. And me—ten. That’s everyone.”

After confirming the headcount, I observed each of them. Like I said, I wouldn’t remember their faces just yet, but it was better to start learning as soon as possible.

“Hmm.”

But those fearful faces really weren’t to my liking. Maybe a little joke would lighten the mood.

The reaction was immediate. My new subordinates flinched, as though preparing to pounce on me at any second.

It was impressive, but maybe I’d overdone it. Too much stimulation, I guess.

Clap!

I changed the mood with a light clap of my hands and said:

“That’s enough for introductions. I’ll be going now. Enjoy your dinner, and we’ll see each other again when a mission comes up.”

I didn’t want to disturb their meal any further. Introductions were over, and we’d learn more about each other over time.

As I left, someone followed me.

“Wait a moment!”

“What’s up?”

It was Haria, looking furious as she accused me:

“What exactly was that just now?”

“What? The introduction? An introduction is a social custom where strangers introduce themselves to one another. Depending on the country, it might involve bowing, handshaking, or in some cases, hugging. I’ve even heard of—”

“That’s not what I meant!”

Haria yelled, ruffling her hair in frustration. The truth was, she probably didn’t even know what she wanted to say to me.

She finally settled on asking a completely ordinary question.

“Where are you going now?”

“To meet Lirian.”

“…Who is Lirian?”

“She’s a woman I picked up during my afternoon walk.”

Honestly, I was proud of myself for remembering her name. How long I’d remember it, though, was anyone’s guess.

“Well, I’m off then.”

As I turned to walk away, Haria started tailing me.

Whether she thought I wouldn’t notice or simply didn’t care if I did, I didn’t know. She probably just didn’t believe I was actually going to meet a woman.

The Hounds knew exactly what situation I was in. To them, the new captain was someone whose head could roll at any time.

Logically, they expected me to be scheming for my survival. That’s why Haria was following me—to catch me in the act.

But…

“Hello, Lirian.”

“Isaac!”

Unfortunately for her, I really was just here to meet a woman.

Haria knew there was no logical reason to tail him.

But it made no sense for a man, whose head could fall at any moment, to waste his time meeting women. Unless he’d given up on life, or was simply an utter fool.

It was natural to assume he’d be scheming to save himself. Given his confident attitude in front of Her Majesty, he must be planning something.

The first thing that came to mind was that he’d try to use the Hounds. Haria couldn’t allow that. She needed to uncover his plan and prepare for it.

Confident in her ability to tail him without being noticed, Haria followed. In the shadows, she observed the pair at a quiet mill.

-“Why are you so late? I was already trembling, sneaking out like this…”

-“Sorry. I got lost on the unfamiliar path.”

-“Ugh… fine. But you’ll have to make up for worrying me.”

-“I’ll pay you back right away.”

Listening to the conversation, Haria’s face grew complicated. Words like “pay” and “compensation” were being used, but judging from the atmosphere, it wasn’t about money…

-“Mmm.”

As Isaac and the woman, Lirian, began kissing passionately, Haria had to admit she was wrong.

He really was just an empty-headed fool who had already given up on life.

No longer interested and unwilling to see more, Haria turned away as Isaac lowered the woman onto a pile of hay.

She’d tell her colleagues.

The new captain—soon to die—was an irredeemable idiot.

“Good, she’s gone now.”

“Huh? But we’re just getting started?”

“Not you. There was a little ‘cat’ watching us from the roof.”

“Ew! That’s creepy! Are you sure she’s gone?”

“Yeah. She’s gone.”

Even I had a sense of responsibility. Whether or not I wanted to, these were now my subordinates. I needed to earn their trust.

Well, that could come later. For now…

“Ah, Isaac?”

I had a flower to pick.

After the new captain’s introduction, the Hounds sat in silence, lost in their thoughts. Dinner ended quietly.

Some went upstairs to their rooms, while others left on errands. A few remained on the first floor. Two of them sat side by side, brooding.

“…What do you think that was all about?”

“…No idea.”

The smaller one, Boros, broke the silence, and the larger Damus responded. Before more could be said, Gilbert interrupted, back from the kitchen.

“Watching two grown men mope is the most pathetic thing I’ve ever seen. Especially you two.”

As Gilbert said, the two were opposites. Boros was a delicate, handsome young man, while Damus was a hulking figure of sheer muscle.

Yet despite their differences, the two were good friends.

“But you were about to lunge at him earlier too, Gilbert.”

At Boros’s observation, Gilbert fell silent.

To his credit, it was true. Even Gilbert, who usually kept order among the Hounds, had nearly lost control. That overwhelming bloodlust had been unlike anything he’d ever felt.

“Don’t worry. I’m not blaming you.”

Gilbert sighed, rubbing his stomach. “I can’t stop thinking about him, though. I swear, I didn’t even taste my dinner.”

“Yeah, you just picked up the same plate and washed it without eating.”

“Damn it! That’s why I’m still hungry!”

“Relax. Haria went after him. I’m sure she’ll—”

“I found nothing.”

The group jumped as Haria appeared behind them, rummaging through the kitchen.

“Damn it, Haria! Stop sneaking around the base!”

“Mm.”

Ignoring Boros’s outburst, Haria pulled out a beer and some jerky before turning to leave.

“Wait, what do you mean you found nothing?”

Haria glanced back. “He really was just meeting a woman. I left when they started kissing.”

“…We’ll make a grave for him later.”

“If we can find the body.”

The night grew deeper.