Original work by the author 'Pili.'
(Note: Italic dialogues enclosed by `*` represent the main character's inner monologues.)
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An uneasy tension filled the hall. Everyone watched the podium as whispers broke out here and there. Ryuuji himself was on the podium, which was a rare thing.
After a few seconds of the voices dropping as Ryuuji waited a little, he turned his gaze generally forward, ready to speak.
"I don't have much time, so I'll keep this brief. As you know, some news has spread in the past few days about the attack on the western side of the capital. This is certainly terrible news for everyone."
The silence then became darker for everyone, unlike Ryuuji, who remained standing with all determination and stoicism.
Hiroki on the other hand, sitting in his place with obvious tension, did not take his eyes off him. He was impatiently waiting to get to the point.
"I'm also sure that you also want to protect your homeland as well, whatever its current situation may be," Ryuuji continued in an even tone. "I'm sure many of you are wondering what role the PHG will play in the days to come."
He paused for a moment, letting the weight of his words settle over the hall.
"Our guild has always operated under one core principle: we are independent. We take contracts, we protect people, and we don't get involved with any political problems. However, when the safety of the entire kingdom is threatened, standing entirely on the sidelines ceases to be neutrality and instead becomes negligence."
After these words, some murmurs rippled through the members closest to his direction.
"What is he trying to say…?"
"…I wonder."
Their whispers were too low to reach Ryuuji anyway. However, for a few seconds he noticed some of the talking, but he continued anyway, cutting off the noise before it could build.
"As of this morning, the PHG has entered into an official cooperation agreement with the Kingdom and the Royal Elite Guards."
The shock was evident to most of the members present. Immediately, hissing spread through the hall, louder this time.
"A partnership with the Kingdom?!"
"Are we serious? Since when do the Royal Guards work with us?"
"Aren't those guys usually looking down on guild members?"
"How was that even negotiated in the first place…?"
The anxiety and discomfort were palpable. Ryuuji remained frozen in place, not really caring about what they were saying.
On the other side of the corner, Hiroki's eyes widened in shock at his words.
*"What…? What does this mean…?"*
Beside him, Yoru stared at the podium for a moment, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"An official cooperation…" she murmured, tapping her fingers against her arm in subtle frustration. "What is he really trying to pull here? Is he trying to increase tension between them or what?"
Hiroki looked at her face for a moment, before returning his gaze to Ryuuji who was about to continue.
"Please don't get it wrong. We're no longer working under them or anything like that," Ryuuji continued, his tone turning strict. "The PHG will not become an army, nor will our daily operations be placed under military command. However, to ensure effective coordination against these threats, they have decided to form a small group dedicated to this matter. The members have already been identified in advance."
Hiroki's expression changed immediately. He remembered what Ryuuji had told him day ago.
*"So, is that what he was implying back then…? Could it be that Seina had something to do with it?"*
Then, Ryuuji took a list from the hand of the assistant next to him. He glanced at it for a moment, a hidden smile barely appearing on his face for a brief second. He soon returned to his typical confident and articulate self as he carried on.
"…So, what will happen specifically is that a group of members identified as ideal for this job will be recruited into the Youth Elite Guards Team."
Both Kenji and Miyu looked a little confused by all this talk. Yoru on the other hand was feeling something unusual from this announcement.
As for Hiroki, he was still trying to comprehend and put things together.
*"What does this have to do with our group getting back to work in the first place? No, this is undoubtedly something more important. In this case… don't tell me…?!"*
"And now, the following individuals are the ones who have been selected for immediate assignment," Ryuuji stated, cutting through Hiroki's thoughts.
He adjusted the paper in his grip and read the names aloud.
"Izuhara Rumi. Yoru Hoshizora. Hiroki Kurogane. Kenji Nakamura. Ashikaga Taro."
A brief pause followed. He raised his eyes, scanning the groups and individuals, including Hiroki and the others. It took him only a few seconds before he continued, "These five were selected on the direct recommendation of the Senior Minister of Praga, Seina Karino."
After a moment of processing, Hiroki's expression changed completely. He looked unexpectedly shocked, his eyes slightly flinching as he looked at Ryuuji, before glancing around him. The tension was unnatural with such news.
Although most members didn't recognize the names immediately, suspicions began to circulate as they whispered among themselves.
"Who are they?"
"Have you heard these names before?"
"I dunno. Do they have any connection to Seina-sama?"
"Well… at least it's only a few people. I'd rather not get dragged into dangerous Kingdom business anyway."
A few seconds later…
"Wait, aren't they the same ones who found the injured little girl before?"
This time, some eyes, unnoticed by everyone, turned towards Yoru, who was easily recognizable, and then Hiroki as well.
At that moment, Yoru quickly lowered her gaze, trying to avoid drawing attention to herself.
"What a situation we're in," Yoru muttered.
"How did all this happen…? Seina decided all of this so suddenly?!" Kenji looked both slightly annoyed and shocked.
"I don't know whether to congratulate you on this or worry about your well-being," Miyu added, her voice quiet but tinged with concern.
Hiroki, on the other hand, didn't want to focus directly on the people around him. He was more nervous about Seina's sudden move to have them working alongside her. Although he didn't seem directly connected to the kingdom itself, it was clear that something was troubling him.
*"This… wasn't what I expected. Are we really capable of handling something like this…?"*
Ryuuji waited until the volume was just right before calling out again.
"Those present, raise your hands to confirm."
Kenji immediately tensed upon hearing these words.
"You must be joking…"
Yoru paused for a moment, a hint of determination in her expression. She knew that showing hesitation now would only make them seem unprepared to work with Seina. Then, she calmly raised her hand.
One by one, all eyes turned to them. This time, there was no word spoken about them.
At that moment, Kenji stammered, looking around nervously, unsure of what to do. He ended up mimicking Yoru; he too raised his hand.
Ryuuji spotted the hands from afar and held his gaze for a moment, especially on Hiroki, who seemed hesitant, causing his eyes to narrow.
Although Hiroki knew there was no escaping this, dealing with an entire kingdom, he still felt a certain unease about taking such a step.
*"Me… with the Elite Guards…? No, rather just the Youth Elite Guards. Yet still…"*
A slight knot formed in Hiroki's chest. Swallowing nervously, he could barely bring himself to look at Ryuuji.
*"Is this really happening? Just like that… everything is changing? Is this… the turning point…?"*
It took him several seconds before he finally forced his arm upward, his hand trembling slightly, almost imperceptibly, under the weight of dozens of eyes staring right at him. He swallowed hard, waiting for any reaction or comment from the others.
Ryuuji finally noticed Hiroki's hand raised. He showed no reaction or interest, keeping his thoughts to himself. Then, he continued scanning the rest of the room, searching for any remaining hands.
Apparently, the other two members mentioned were not present in the hall, which seemed rather strange to him. But for now, only Hiroki's group was present, which was just enough for him. After all, three out of five doesn't look bad.
Miyu as well looked around and noticed the same thing. Although she didn't say anything, she sensed the weight of the situation on them even more now.
Then, Ryuuji nodded once.
"The members who are currently absent will receive their official orders directly in their mailboxes."
Ryuuji's gaze then moved across the crowd, pausing again on Hiroki for a brief moment. A faint, knowing smile flickered across the master's face before vanishing just as quickly. He looked back, not focusing on the group so as not to add to their burden.
"As for the rest of you… stay focused and be ready as well. We are in a difficult time that requires you to give your all to protect your homeland and others."
And with that, Ryuuji's important announcement came to an end.
"Then, excuse me…" He turned around and continued toward the small side door of the administration building. His heavy footsteps commanded immediate respect. The members' eyes remained fixed on him until the very last moment, when he closed the door behind him. His elderly assistant followed him with slightly quicker steps, though he hadn't seemed particularly interested from the start.
As soon as the doors clicked shut, the noise in the canteen surged back to full volume. People at nearby tables were still glancing over, openly discussing the announcement. Although some had already begun to leave, a few remained, watching the group with curiosity.
Hiroki kept his gaze down, doing his best to ignore the attention.
Kenji, who had just pulled his hand down quickly, soon collapsed onto the table, exhausted from the stress.
Yoru, despite trying to appear composed and the leader of the group, was betrayed by a bead of sweat trickling down her face, revealing her inner turmoil.
"Man… that's a lot of eyes on us," Kenji muttered in a strained whisper. "Shouldn't we just get out of here for now?"
Yoru crossed her arms, clearly annoyed by the unwanted attention.
"You're right. We should leave before people start asking us questions this time."
Beside them, Miyu rested her cheek against her palm, puffing it slightly with a small pout.
"~Meeh… I kind of feel a little jealous. You guys are getting special treatment while I'm stuck sitting in the library doing research all day."
Although her tone betrayed her lack of seriousness, Yoru didn't want Miyu to feel excluded.
"It's not like that, Miyu. Your role is completely different. Actually, the research you're doing is just as important as swinging a sword out there. Who knows, they might give you an official research position soon too."
Miyu's face brightened slightly, a shy, relieved smile returning to her lips. She lowered her gaze to the wooden table, visibly comforted by Yoru's reassurance.
"…You really think so?"
Before Yoru could reply, a gentle hand rested lightly on Hiroki's tense shoulder from behind. He quickly snapped out of his daze and glanced up behind him.
It was Ayuri. She stood there, by the wooden wall, looking down at him with a calm, friendly expression.
"Ayu-ri…?" Hiroki blurted out, almost unconsciously, when he saw her, completely taken aback by her sudden and perfectly timed arrival.
She tilted her head to the side with a smile that seemed more genuine than usual, before speaking in a gentle voice.
"Congratulations…"
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[TO BE CONTINUED…]