Waking up to the training hall''s ceiling as a warm liquid coursed through his throat and battered body, Siegfried looked like he was having subtle internal struggles again.
He lost again.
"Sigh…That day would eventuallye…just keep doing what you do, Siegfried Lionheart…," Siegfried reassured himself, taking Shye''s extended hand for support as he stood up.
"Yo, Sieg, you alright?"
"Yeah, thanks for asking."
"Sigh…I can''t believe that I still lost despite breaking my back for the past two years just to catch up to you!"
Hearing his close friend''s words, Shye couldn''t help but stare at Siegfried for a second in astonishment.
The guy must be frustrated from repeatedly losing to him despite all his efforts. Yet, Siegfried''s attitude remained unchanged.
He was still the same likable and trustworthy friend he had always been, and for that, Shye was thankful.
However, he also knew that Siegfried would easily notice and wouldn''t appreciate a deliberate loss.
The best he could do for him was to give him a chance to reveal all his trump cards and then defeat him using his own.
"Ha! You think you''re the only one who has been pushing himself for the past two years? I knew you''d be training hard behind my back, so I also worked my ass off to make sure I wouldn''t lose to you!" Shye eximed with a smile, bringing a smile to Siegfried''s face.
The guy somehow had an idea that he was lying.
However, Siegfried appreciated that Shye at least understood his inner feelings and was making an effort to show he was being taken seriously.
''One day, you won''t have to pretend, I promise…'' Siegfried inwardly vowed.
"So, I heard you are now the division leader of a three-star division?"
"Yeah, I''ve been getting ready for the day you all arrive at the main branch, so I went ahead and established a division for us."
"Sigh, I can''t ever be a match for you, can I? Well then, can I join your division, o'' great division leader?" Siegfried said in a jesting manner.
"Hahahaha! dly! Come, allow me, the great division leader himself, to process your registration personally!"
By the time Shye was feeding the unconscious Siegfried a full recovery potion, most of the onlookers had dispersed.
This allowed the two of them to easily leave the training hall and head towards the shy Ravens Rising''s division lounge.
Upon arriving, someone who Shye hadn''t seen for quite a while greeted him.
"Oh? Division leader! How have you been this past month? I heard you''ve caught up to me and be a mithril-ranked adventurer?" Reginald said with a beaming smile.
Naturally, this was just a front.
Both he and Shye knew that he had been acting on the old man''s orders over the past month.
Hence, Shye easily got the message and replied ordingly.
"Hmph! It''s because you''re toozy that I managed to catch up! If you were the type to return immediately afterpleting a quest, you would be close to adamantite by now!"
"Hehehe, of course, I always return immediately after a quest! It''s just that I''m not that fast atpleting quests, no need to be angry, division leader!"
Acting goofily, Reginald nced at the young man standing behind Shye, his eyes widening momentarily before settling back to normal.
"And this is?"
"Ahh, good question. Since you''ve been searching for someone who could take over your position, let me introduce Siegfried Lionheart, the new deputy leader of shy Ravens Rising."
"W-What?! How heartless! Wasn''t it I who had been by your side since the beginning?!" Reginald said "sorrowfully" bringing slight guilt to Siegfried''s heart.
"H-Hey, Crowley, I didn''t hear about this. I can''t just join and take the second most important position in the division now, can I?"
"Worry not, Sieg. This guy is just acting. In truth, he wanted nothing more than to be free of his position so just ept it."
"...Oh! The sorrow! How could you rece me just like that? Can this guy even take on such an important role? Look at hi–"
"I ept the position of deputy leader, division leader Crowley."
"Oh! Guess I have no choice but to give it up then, hahaha! Well then, Division Leader Crowley, Deputy Leader…err…what''s your name again?"
"Siegfried Lionheart."
"Deputy Leader Siegfried! I hope that you and Shye can lead our division to greater heights! I have something important to attend to! Farewell!"
After behaving entrically, as if he had a mild to moderate mental condition, Reginald bolted off, leaving Shye shaking his head.@@novelbin@@
However, just as he was about to lead Siegfried inside, he received a private message from what seemed to be a short-distancemunication talisman.
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"Crowley, leave Siegfried in the division lounge for now; we need to talk in private. Meet me at the organization''s third secret establishment ten minutes from now."
''Regi?''
Upon hearing his former deputy leader''s serious words, Shye briefly nced at Siegfried with a confused expression, swiftly returning to his usual demeanor as if nothing had happened.
Still, he can''t simply ignore Reginald''s words, as the guy was his ally in the darker side of things.
Hence, he escorted Siegfried to the deputy leader''s office, leaving him there under the pretense that he was summoned by the guild master and promising to return promptly to assist him in settling in.
As Siegfried had just arrived and was weary from the journey, he dly agreed, temporarily unwinding in the office while waiting for Shye toe back.
…Ten minutester…
"Crowley, I''m here."
"Regi, what''s up?"
"Where did you get your "friend"?"
"Huh? What do you mean? He''s been my friend ever since our academy days. We''ve known each other for almost six years now."
"Well... if that''s how it is, then fine. But don''t lower your guard around him. He resembles someone I detestpletely. It could be mere coincidence that they look alike, but I won''t dismiss the other possibility."
Hearing Reginald''s exnation, Shye''s brows furrowed.
The guy was implying that his friend, Siegfried, might be an enemy.