"Meanwhile," I pressed on, my voice steady, "Rosy acted swiftly in the face of an emergency. She used the flying motorcycle, reached the site faster than anyone, and saved both an elderly woman and a young girl who couldn't escape in time. She accomplished all that, and yet you, who contributed nothing, stand here blaming her?"
Colby let out an unearthly growl, his rage spilling into the room like a flood. His hand flew to the hilt of his sword, and the tension in the room thickened instantly.
Gasps rippled through the meeting room. Several people shifted uneasily, some whispering anxiously.
'Is he really about to lose it here?' I wondered, bracing myself.
But just as Colby's rage reached its peak, a calm yet authoritative voice sliced through the tension.
"The Knight Commander's stubbornness has been a matter of concern for some time now."
The voice was sharp, composed, and unmistakably female. All eyes turned to its source: one of the seated figures at the head of the room.
Colby froze in an instant, his hand slowly releasing his sword. His rage seemed to dissipate as if snuffed out by the mere presence of this woman.
"F-Founder…" Colby stammered, his tone suddenly deferential.
The woman, clearly a figure of immense authority, turned her gaze toward me. Her expression was unreadable, but her presence radiated power.
"In the article written about today's events," she began, her voice steady, "it is noted that Rosy was the first to respond to the crisis. It also acknowledges that the cooperation between the Light and Fire Heroes was ultimately what led to the monsters' defeat."
Her sharp eyes locked onto me. "Jack Dawson."
The sound of my full name from her lips made my heart jump. Who was she? And how did she know me?
The woman before us exuded an aura of mystery. Draped in the flowing robes of a priest, her age was impossible to discern. Her face was veiled, shrouding her features from view, yet her very presence spoke volumes. The way she carried herself—with grace, authority, and poise—hinted at a beauty beyond mere appearance, a peerless elegance that captivated all in the room.
"You were the one who provided this perspective, weren't you?" she said, her voice steady and commanding, yet carrying a quiet warmth. "Thanks to the information you gave the reporter, our Light Church has managed to uphold its prestige."
Her words struck me like a spotlight, and I shifted awkwardly. "Well, it's true that I spoke with the reporter," I admitted, unsure of where this was leading.
"I've heard of you," she continued, her tone softening slightly. "Rosy personally scouted you to improve the adaptability of the knight corps. It's gratifying to see her choice already bearing fruit. I understand your family comes from a lineage of hunters—a legacy that seems to have prepared you well for this kind of work."
Her attention shifted to another. "Vice Captain, Ponce Enrile."
"Y-Yes, Founder!" The gruff, bearded man rose from his seat in haste, his voice laced with both respect and unease.
So, he'd been here all along.
"It would be a waste to leave someone of such capability without a proper role," she declared, her gaze unwavering. "With my authority, I formally accept Jack into the knight corps. Vice Captain, I'm entrusting you with the task of assigning him a position where he can operate freely—unencumbered by the rigid structures of the organization."
"W-What? Ah, yes! Understood, Founder!" Ponce stammered, clearly taken aback.
I blinked, struggling to process what was happening. Had I just been… promoted?
Before I could gather my thoughts, Knight Commander Colby interjected, his voice rising in protest. "Please, wait, Founder! I was not informed of this! As Knight Commander, I should have been consulted on all personnel matters regarding the corps!"
The woman turned to Colby, her tone firm but calm, her words cutting through his objection like a blade. "Knight Commander Colby, you will bear responsibility for the delay in today's dispatch. To ensure this failure is not repeated, I expect you to draft a comprehensive reform plan immediately."
Colby flinched at her rebuke, his confidence faltering. "Ugh!"
"The Fire Church's headquarters in Isabela are uncomfortably close to our own here in Laoag City," she continued. "As a result, comparisons between the two churches are inevitable. If we allow them to surpass us again, the consequences will go beyond mere public perception. Do you understand this, Colby?"
"Y-Y-Yes, Founder!" Colby stammered, his bravado reduced to nervous compliance.
"I will overlook Rosy's use of the ethereal machine in this instance," she said decisively. "However, once the Knight Commander has presented a viable reform plan that ensures swift mobilization, the matter will be revisited. Does anyone here have further questions?"
The room was silent. The dozens of influential figures present throughout the meeting sat in complete stillness, their silence bordering on submission.
"Very well," the woman said, rising gracefully to her feet. "If there is nothing more, this meeting is adjourned. Rosy, Jack—well done. You may retire for today and rest."
"Y-Yes!" Rosy and I replied in unison, her tone enthusiastic while mine was more subdued.
As the woman departed, two maids fell into step behind her, their presence quiet yet purposeful. Her exit signaled the end of the meeting, and one by one, the other attendees rose from their seats and began to file out.
Only Knight Commander Colby lingered, his face flushed with anger. With a sudden burst of frustration, he kicked his chair, the loud crash echoing across the chamber. Without another word, he stormed out, his heavy footsteps resounding down the hallway.
It wasn't until later that I learned the identity of this woman, whose words carried such weight and whose presence commanded such respect.
She was Sarah—the Founder of the Light Church. Not just a figure of authority, but the most powerful and revered individual within its walls.
—————
And so, the meeting—a reflective session more than anything—about the monster strife finally concluded, setting me free. Yet, I walked away with a deep sense of confusion. Why had I, someone with no title or rank, been allowed to participate so freely? I had spoken my mind without hesitation, but now I couldn't shake the anxiety that consequences might soon follow.
"Jack! Jack Dawson!"
The sound of hurried footsteps and a deep voice calling my name made me turn. An imposing figure with a thick beard was rushing toward me, his expression a strange mix of urgency and relief.
"Vice-Captain Ponce?" I asked, startled.
"Jack, seriously, thank you!" Ponce said, his voice brimming with emotion. Without hesitation, he bowed deeply, his actions so earnest it stirred a pang of sorrow within me.
"I am truly sorry," he continued, his voice shaking slightly, "and thank you for standing up for Hero Rosy earlier! It should've been us knights shielding her, but I—I was too afraid of jeopardizing my rank and position. I let my fear control me. I failed her. I failed us all. It was pathetic!"
I blinked, taken aback. "Wait, doesn't that make it even worse for someone like me, who doesn't even hold a rank or post, to have spoken out like that?"
Ponce shook his head vehemently, a fire lighting in his eyes. "Not at all! The Founder herself backed you up! With her support, not even Knight Commander Colby can touch you. Serves him right!"
The enthusiasm in his voice was almost infectious, but I couldn't help feeling uneasy.
He sighed deeply, his voice softening. "I truly am ashamed. The Ilocos Knight Corps' main duty is to support Hero Rosy, yet we let the Knight Commander take the lead in blaming her, and none of us dared to intervene. What's the point of us even being here if we can't do our job?"
"Vice-Captain Ponce…" I started, unsure of how to console him.
Before I could say more, Ponce cut in, his voice resolute. "Jack, can we talk for a bit? There's something you need to understand."