ITMBWFL 7

Chapter 7

“But Commander, isn’t today the day of the regular meeting? There isn’t much time left before it starts…”

My adjutant, Desers, reminded me of my schedule while staring fixedly at the rabbit.

Right—the regular meeting!

“Maria! Please take care of the rabbit for me!”

“Pii?!”

I handed the rabbit to Sir Beth, the oldest member of the Golden Lion Division, and immediately ran toward the meeting hall.

If Cassium was going to be there, I absolutely couldn’t be late.

‘If that guy even dares to tease me for being late…’

My pride wouldn’t be able to take it.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve seen Cassium.’

When I met him today, I planned to give him a proper scolding for standing me up last time.

Fortunately, I arrived at the meeting place on time.

But strangely, the seat of the Black Panther Division commander—Cassium’s seat—was empty.

Where did he go?

“Sir Valteir of the Black Panther Division is absent today due to other matters. Let’s proceed. Golden Lion, please begin the briefing.”

At Commander Denver’s words, I stood up and started the briefing.

But even while speaking, my mind was filled with thoughts of Cassium.

That jerk—today was the day we agreed to compete, and he didn’t even show up?

*

After the meeting ended—

“Golden Rabbit, sorry. You waited, didn’t you?”

When I returned, the golden rabbit had been beautifully decorated.

A pretty ribbon was tied around its black fur, and it was even wearing a cute yellow cape from who knows where.

The rabbit looked completely resigned.

“Commander! Please let us stay with the rabbit a little longer!”

“This rabbit is the mascot of the Golden Lion Division!”

“Give it back.”

“No! Kim Toki!”

I coaxed the clearly sulking rabbit and took it with me.

At that moment, the rabbit suddenly spotted someone walking in the distance—and dashed toward them at incredible speed.

Members of the Black Panther Division were approaching.

Why is the rabbit going there?!

“Aaaah! Is that a monster?!”

Knight Hedel quickly stepped back at the rabbit’s overwhelming momentum.

“Calm down! It’s just a rabbit!”

Knight Milia, who had retreated even farther, said while blinking rapidly.

The rabbit suddenly ran, and of all times, it was in front of the Black Panther knights, whom we didn’t get along with.

I couldn’t lose face, so I hurried toward them as calmly as possible.

*

“Sir Hedel, what’s wrong?”

“What do you mean, Milia?”

“You’re staring wide-eyed and twitching your fingers five times per second.”

“That’s because… Commander Cassium… I’m worried he might be starving somewhere…”

“Stop! Don’t say another word!”

Milia Aswid covered Hedel’s mouth. Hedel Busen coughed and looked at her unfairly.

“You asked, Milia.”

“Commander Cassium is not someone who would starve anywhere! At worst, he’d eat grass—but he wouldn’t be weak from hunger or become even more ill-tempered because he’s hungry!”

“O-okay, Milia.”

As Milia fired off words rapidly, Hedel’s fingers twitched even more nervously.

“Right, Milia. You’re right. The commander is probably eating well, even acting cute if needed, taking naps and resting. He didn’t disappear—he’s just enjoying a vacation!”

“Everything except the ‘acting cute’ part is correct!”

The two smiled hopefully and swallowed.

Then—

Something came running toward them.

“Aaaah! A monster?!”

“Calm down! It’s just a rabbit!”

Their words and actions didn’t match—they were calming each other while running away.

Behind the strong-looking rabbit, a knight approached quickly.

Hedel narrowed his eyes.

Red hair, a perfectly fitted white knight uniform, sharp green eyes with a hint of irritation, lips tightly closed, and a silver insignia on the shoulder…

It was Lize Artiella, commander of the Golden Lion Division.

“What is the matter?”

Hedel asked, unsure whether to look at the rabbit or Lize.

“The division commander didn’t come to the meeting today.”

“Ah, yes. The commander is currently on a mission.”

“The one where he’s going to retrieve Ragon’s heart?”

“Yes.”

“It’s been several days, and he still hasn’t returned. Seems like Cassium is quite slow.”

Hedel felt bitter hearing her say that.

Commander Cassium must be struggling somewhere, yet she was mocking him…

“Commander Cassium is—”

“Pii.”

At that moment, a sound came from below.

Hedel looked down at the rabbit.

The decorated rabbit was looking up at him, making a small sound.

“Pii.”

The rabbit made a slightly cynical sound.

‘What is this? That gaze feels strangely familiar…’

Hedel blinked.

Those cynical eyes… they looked like Commander Cassium’s…

“What is this strange-looking rabbit, Lady Artiella?”

Milia suddenly shouted.

Hedel snapped out of it.

“To call it strange, Sir Aswid. It’s a cute rabbit.”

“To me, it looks strange.”

“Pii.”

The rabbit extended its paw cutely, but withdrew it under Milia’s sharp gaze.

It looked a bit dejected—but strangely, it still gave off a strong aura.

Hedel felt intimidated, but Milia lifted her chin again.

“The Golden Lion Division must have plenty of free time to raise such a rabbit!”

“The Black Panther Division must lack the composure if they’re this tense over a rabbit.”

“Composure and liking rabbits aren’t related.”

Milia shot back boldly.

The rabbit tried to speak again—

“Besides, this isn’t just a rabbit. It looks like a monster!”

“Pik.”

The rabbit looked even more dejected.

Milia suddenly felt like she was doing something terribly wrong—but didn’t know why.

So she said coldly:

“What are you looking at, you ugly rabbit?”

The rabbit’s expression hardened.

“Ugly rabbit.”

And the next moment—

“Ah! Golden Rabbit!”

The rabbit pushed off the ground and leapt high in an instant.

Before the knights could react—

“Ugh.”

Hedel and Milia groaned as the rabbit lightly stepped on their shoulders.

Its hind feet landed right on the Black Panther insignia.

The two looked at each other and the rabbit.

The rabbit calmly landed and shook off the dirt from its feet.

“Oh my.”

Lize smiled lightly.

“The knights of the Black Panther Division are very kind. Even offering their shoulders to a rabbit.”

“Better than offering them to mud-colored lions.”

Hedel replied, but he couldn’t shake the feeling—

This rabbit was no ordinary rabbit.

“So, when will Cassium return?”

“Come back in a week. But why are you looking for him?”

“We were supposed to have a hunting bet today.”

Lize’s tone turned colder.

“When he returns, tell him this: among the people the Golden Lion Division doesn’t tolerate… one is someone who treats promises lightly.”

She turned and left.

Normally they would respond—but her cold tone stopped them.

And the rabbit inside her bag stared at them so intensely that they couldn’t say anything.

*

“That Cassium… how lightly does he think of me?”

As I walked through the forest, I muttered in frustration.

I stayed calm earlier, but my anger hadn’t cooled at all.

He stood me up—not once, but twice?

What kind of mission is he even on?

‘Is he even on a mission?’

I’ve known him for years.

No matter the mission, he always finishes within a week—and takes one of his adjutants.

But Milia and Hedel were at headquarters, and Nerban was on a date earlier.

And yet he’s on a mission?

It almost felt like he was just making excuses to avoid me.

“Whatever.”

I stepped harder on the ground.

Today was the day we were supposed to compete in the monster forest.

I recalled what happened a few days ago—

*

“We need to find the base of the monster Luxka in Bezen Forest…”

“I’ll do it.”

“I’ll handle it.”

Cassium and I spoke at the same time.

I glared at him—but he just looked ahead indifferently.

“I believe this task suits the Golden Lion Division better. Large-scale monster subjugation is our specialty.”

“It’s not about size—it’s about method. Whether you brute-force or approach strategically. The Black Panther Division can handle anything.”

I stared at him coldly.

But he looked back shamelessly, as if he’d done nothing wrong.