Episode 25
Following behind Antonio, we arrived at a vast plain behind the moat that encircled the imperial palace.
In the middle of the field stood four tents. Inside, several sturdy warriors were stationed, about twenty by my rough count.
“You’re here, Captain!”
Everyone saluted Antonio, their disciplined posture making them look like well-trained knights.
Among them was Callen—it seemed he was also Antonio’s subordinate. A man with a particularly shiny bald head stood out. Ah, I remember now. His name was Nathan.
“These are the magic swordsmen of my unit, ‘Scorpio.’”
Antonio introduced each of them by name. I met their eyes one by one and gave a respectful nod.
“I am Josephine, Princess of Iote.”
“Greetings, Your Highness!”
The knights bowed their heads in a disciplined manner.
“I’m still new, so please just call me by name.”
But the knights shook their heads adamantly, saying they couldn’t possibly address royalty so informally.
“If she says to call her by name, then do it. Josephine joined today, and her unit is reconnaissance.”
Antonio declared this matter-of-factly. I blinked in surprise. This was the first time I’d heard what my assigned role was.
“Woohoo! One more person for night duty!”
One of the knights with spiky hair cheered, raising a fist.
“But how exactly will Lady Josephine do reconnaissance? If she only recently found out she’s a Vessel, she probably can’t do much.”
Nathan raised his hand and asked. His bald head and sharp eyes gave him a stern, critical impression.
“I don’t use the incompetent, Nathan.”
“Then can Lady Josephine prove her reconnaissance ability? According to the rules, all members must agree on a new recruit’s admission.”
“Knew you’d challenge this. That’s why I prepared in advance.”
Antonio gathered the entire squad outside on the field.
From his pocket, he pulled out a whistle and blew it hard.
A clear, sharp note echoed across the plain.
Before long, a massive bird flew in from the north and landed lightly on Antonio’s shoulder.
It was a strikingly handsome hawk. Its bright yellow eyes and fierce expression resembled its owner.
“Mateo, greet Josephine.”
Antonio ordered the hawk.
[Hm. Antonio’s female, huh? Smells like he marked her thoroughly.]
The hawk suddenly said something shockingly inappropriate.
“W-What?! That’s not true!”
[You reek of him. Wait—what? You can hear my telepathy?]
I quickly covered my mouth. Maybe my lips brushing Antonio’s palm earlier had transferred his scent. Though I couldn’t smell anything, this hawk clearly had an exceptionally developed sense of smell.
“Why are you denying so hard? What did Mateo say?”
Antonio asked suspiciously.
“Nothing important. So… why did you call the hawk?”
I carefully observed the hawk. A pale, milky light shimmered around it—just like the owl from the Sacred War. I had also seen that same light around Polka this morning.
It seemed to appear ever since I kissed Antonio.
Birds I didn’t know, especially ones on the streets, had yellow light strands when I looked closely. Yellow, I assumed, meant neutral.
Just a guess, but ever since I received that magical energy, I’d gained some kind of bird-related ability. At the very least, I could now sense a bird’s hostility—or lack thereof.
This hawk, while blunt, didn’t seem hostile.
Antonio handed me a rolled parchment. It was a map of the imperial city.
“Why the map?”
“I planted four red flags with a scorpion insignia in different locations. Tell Mateo to find out where they are. When he returns, you’ll mark their positions on the map.”
Antonio was clearly testing me in front of the others.
His steady gaze told me he believed I could do it.
I wanted to live up to that trust.
I nodded confidently and gave Mateo his task.
“Mateo, there are four red flags with scorpions on them around the imperial city. Please locate them and report back.”
[You mean those representing Scorpio, huh.]
“Include direction and distance. I don’t know the geography very well.”
[Such a trivial task. You’d better prepare a dead rat as payment.]
With those words, Mateo took off with strong wingbeats, soaring smoothly toward the north. Watching him glide away, I felt overwhelmed with excitement.
A new sense of confidence surged inside me.
The idea that I could achieve something with this ability I once thought useless—was exhilarating.
Ah, I’d better prepare that rat before Mateo returns.
“Antonio, can you get me a dead rat?”
“What for?”
“…Mateo wants one to eat.”
“That damn bird.”
Antonio glared in the direction Mateo had flown and summoned one of the knights.
“Hans, search the sewers if you must. Get a rat.”
“Y-Yes, sir.”
Hans bowed low and hurried off toward the palace.
A few minutes later, he returned, sweating and holding something wrapped in black cloth. When he unwrapped it, I shut my eyes tight—I wasn’t ready to see a dead rat with my own eyes.
“Good work.”
Antonio accepted the rat indifferently. It smelled faintly charred—maybe it had been burned.
Suddenly, a large shadow loomed over me.
Antonio had removed his cloak and was holding it up to shield me from the sun.
I stared up at him, confused. He reluctantly spoke.
“It’s hot.”
“I’m fine… Oh!”
From the western sky, I spotted a large bird flying toward us.
It was Mateo. He returned from his mission far quicker than expected, descending toward me with wide wings.
Just as I was about to step back, fearing he’d crash into me, Mateo landed gently on my shoulder.
[Did you bring the rat?]
Mateo’s voice was serious. Up close, his sharp, hooked beak gleamed, and his golden eyes shone under the sun.
He really did resemble Antonio.
“Mateo, first tell me the flag locations, please.”
I couldn’t reward him before the mission was complete.
Antonio handed me a short pencil.
[Tch. So demanding. First flag: on the roof of the Great Temple near the northern gate. Second: inside a hut in the Gorgon Forest, the emperor’s favorite hunting ground. Third: at the administrative office of the central market by the Ebron River. And the last one… atop Antonio’s quarters, the Fourth Prince’s palace.]
As Mateo spoke, I marked each location on the map.
I hadn’t been to Gorgon Forest before, but thankfully it was clearly marked in dark green on the map to the southwest.
After marking the last flag, I looked up. The magic swordsmen were staring at the map in surprise.
Antonio examined it closely and nodded.
“All correct.”
“…Wow!”
I silently rejoiced.
Now I understood why Antonio placed me in reconnaissance—to fully utilize my newfound ability to communicate with birds.
“Satisfied now, Nathan?”
“Is it possible the captain gave Josephine the answers beforehand?”
Nathan asked, still unwilling to let go of his doubt.
“No.”
Antonio replied firmly.
Then Callen smacked Nathan on the back of the head.
“You idiot! Can’t you stop being so paranoid? Enough already!”
“…I agree to Lady Josephine’s admission.”
Rubbing the red bump on his head, Nathan grudgingly accepted.
With the only objector now on board, I officially became a member of Scorpio.
