After the heavy topic surrounding Jogrin's past and the bully incident, some lighter ones were brought up, mostly by Zanphia. Despite what she just went through, her sole purpose right now was to cheer everyone up.
Suzannia was the most responsive our of the six that were sitting at the end of the long table. And for some reason, in the middle of their chattering, Suzannia ended on Jogrin's lap, which the latter found a little obnoxious, but he decided to just let her be.
Most of what had been brought up were Zanphia reminiscing about the past between her, Zenover, and Garty. What Jogrin gleaned from this were that, the three of them were close, Zanphia was the one who always pulled the other two along to play, study, and eat together. And at some point, she wanted Garty to become her actual sister.
Zenover and Garty sent Zanphia intense glares when the latter mentioned that. However, Zanphia, rather than being intimidated, showed them a mischievous grimace. Those two also did the same to Jogrin, who could only wonder what the heck he did wrong.
Suzannia also vehemently expressed craving Garty to become her sister, but she didn't receive any glares, since Zenover and Garty couldn't bare to do that to her. In the end, they took it out on Zanphia by pulling on her cheeks.
'Zanphia's good at lightening up the mood.' Jogrin thought that about Zanphia.
A ringtone came from their sides. It was Captain Ryov's phone. He picked it up in a jiffy where wearing a solemn expression. After nodding several times and speaking words of consent, he turned to look at the six of them.
"Reinforcements have been sent to oversee Jogrin, in response to the incident just now. From now on, Grand Commander Kapel with lead all three teams with the leader of the team that just arrived... Ah right. The new team that'll be stationing here is the First Order of the Royal Knights."
Upon Captain Ryov's explanation, Jogrin gave it some thought.
Back when Kapel met with the Second Order, he griped a little about the fact that the king didn't send the First Order. Meanwhile, Captain Ryov underwent training under the Captain of the First Order until he was recommended by the same person to be promoted.
Just from these two points, it was obvious to Jogrin that this Captain was no one to be belittled. From what he could perceive currently, Kapel and one of the newly arrived presences were speaking with each other, and both of them were in pensive states. In addition to that, those who were following behind were also the same.
"I see."
"Just a personal question... How do you fare with forceful people?" Captain Ryov asked worriedly.
"Is the Captain a forceful person?"
"Well, you can say that, but not the kind you're thinking about."
Captain Ryov stole a glance at Zanphia as he said so.
"... Oh, so that's how it is. Sounds like I'll have trouble dealing with them."
"Whether that's the case of not, please don't speak of it so blatantly..." Captain Ryov showed Jogrin a wry smile.
...
"Everyone. I am glad to introduce you to the Captain of the First Order of the Royal Knights."
Kapel entered the tent and checked the surroundings. After ensuring everyone was present, he called out to them so that he could draw their attention. The one who entered after Kapel was a Knight, then two other Knights
Even though he was also a Knight, the armor was different in terms of color. Of every Knight he'd seen, their armors were silvery that barely reflected light, but for this Knight, his armor was black, and the helmet even had a pair of horns. Captain Ryov's armor wasn't different from his subordinates, maybe to hide who was in charge during combat.
For the First Order though, the identity of the Captain was plain to see, as only his helmet had a pair of black horns.
If "authoritative" had a form, perhaps this would be it.
Of course, since Jogrin couldn't see any of their faces, "emotional perception" couldn't register the three Knights. However, the Captain swiftly took off his helmet... Or rather, her helmet.
"Greetings, you all. I am the Captain of the First Order of the Royal Knights, Framard Honjok."
She gave everyone here a self-introduction as she put her fist in front of her chest.
Captain Honjok. A woman with azure hair and thick lips, looked to be in her late thirties. One of her most notable features had to be her sharp, brown eyes, which looked like they could freeze someone in place with just a stare. Another one would be her thick eyebrows which were the same color as her hair. If she had a beard that looked like Kapel's, she'd actually feel natural to the eyes.
Captain Ryov averted his gaze from Captain Honjok, muttering something in his mouth which was inaudible. When the latter noticed the former, she walked over to him and stood at his front. Captain Ryov finally took a look at her, whose face was screaming "authority" to anyone present.
Nonetheless, her emotions betrayed her expression.
In the next moment, Captain Honjok adeptly locked Captain Ryov in place by wrapping her arm around his neck... Rather than saying she locked him in place, it was more like he resigned to his fate as he shot a blank stare at nothing.
"I finally get to meet with you, Youuman!!! Why haven't you picked up your phone during your off-time?! Even when you did during work, you're all about tasks and missions!! You're hurting my feelings, you know!!"
Captain Honjok was pouting at Captain Ryov as she punched at his armor. The latter felt nauseous as his face became a little green.
Needless to say, the first impressions of Zanphia and the others who met Captain Honjok for the first time were nothing but shattered. Jogrin could also tell that those who had met her before, namely Kapel and Proxer, also felt awkward at her behavior.
'What's with this comedic display?' Jogrin, while being able to perceive her genuine misery toward Captain Ryov, didn't expect her to openly display it just like that.
Captain Ryov shot Jogrin a look, as if saying: "This is what I meant."
Jogrin shrugged his shoulders in response.
"Hmm..."
Captain Honjok followed Captain Ryov's gaze and caught sight of Jogrin, and scowled at him. She released Captain Ryov from her grasp, and folded her arms.
"So it's him who's the one why those guys from the Ministry insisted we come here? Jogrin, is it? Mr. Kapel told me all about you on the way here. If even he believes in 'emotional perception' and 'mind tampering,' I suppose there's some credit to them. Still, I'll have you explain everything. Alright?"
She showed Jogrin a smile, but he knew that she was extremely wary of him, and he was surprised by that. He gave her a small nod.
"Alrighty! Come out of the tent and say what you have to say to my fellow Knights!!"
She then urged Jogrin to follow her by gesturing at him repeatedly. Jogrin shot Kapel a bewildered gaze, and the latter simply nodded at him.
"Please do as Captain Honjok says." He added.
"Can I ask you something first?"
"Oho? Someone's being audacious. Alright, shoot."
"Why the other Knights too?"
That was the first thing Jogrin wondered about, and he didn't hesitate to have it answered, disregarding the position of the person he was asking from. Other than that, he was also testing her.
Captain Ryov, Griston, Tyron, and the two black Knights all had their eyes widened at Jogrin, then at Captain Honjok after she replied so.
"Good question, young one!... No, you're the old one here... Anyway, having great physiques is one of the requirements of us Knights, but it's not only brawn that matters! Brain also does!! That's why it's important to train their critical thinking at any given opportunity!"
"I see. Thank you for your answer."
A sound reason. Jogrin managed to glean something from this. It was that Captain Honjok was an insightful person.
"So? What did you learn from my answer?"
Her smile remained as she returned Jogrin a question of her own. Everyone, except Jogrin, Kapel, and Suzannia was aghast at her statement. When Jogrin was about to give his own reply, Captain Honjok spoke up before he could.
"No need to answer. Just don't forget what kind of person you're dealing with, alright? Now come on out!"
'As expected, another astute individual, despite being flippant on the surface. She even let me ask her so that she could flaunt her own intelligence. She's not one to be messed with.'
Jogrin kept that in mind as he obeyed Captain Honjok.