Summary

During Mirari's training, Gaven criticizes her fighting style but acknowledges the benefits of her unpredictability. He tries to inquire more about her background, but Mirari deflects his questions. Additionally, Mirari is regularly subjected to abuse from Shiba, who belittles her lack of fighting skills. Meanwhile, Fangbane struggles to find more fighters willing to join the Knights. In an attempt to build a positive reputation, he sends Shiba, Neo, and Mirari on their first mission to deal with bandits in Evaleen, a northern region of Althaea. The Knights successfully capture the bandits and return the stolen topaz. However, Mirari grows angry, realizing that her role is not about performing good deeds but merely impressing and winning favor from nobles.

Another fight occurs between Shiba and Mirari, but is interrupted by a young celta princess named Hime Alta. Shiba recognizes her as the sister of his late betrothed, Mecate Alta. Hime expresses her desire to join the Knights. Dorain Kampht, a skilled aegis and the son of Councilor Dareh, appears and duels Hime for the position. Although Hime loses, Fangbane decides to recruit both of them into the Knights. With the addition of Hime and Dorain, the team of Knights grows closer. However, Mirari distances herself from the group, longing for her previous life and still mourning her missing brother. Starlight, the medic who regularly examines the Knights, expresses concern to Fangbane about Mirari's deteriorating state and Gaven's frequent panic attacks. Starlight and Fangbane discuss the unresolved memories of Mirari and Gaven and consider the possibility of them helping each other.

Analysis

The theme of prejudice continues with Shiba's initial attitude towards Gaven, given their positions as region leaders of rival empires. However, this prejudice fades when Shiba falls in love with Mecate, an Althaean princess. His feelings for her break down the barriers of prejudice, leading him to develop a soft spot for Hime, Mecate's sister.

Similarly, prejudice is evident in Dorain, who immediately undermines Hime and underestimates Gaven's power solely because they are Althaean. However, he is taken aback by Hime's kind nature and Gaven's willingness to train him, despite Dareh’s previous desire to execute Gaven. Dorain’s prejudice stems from Dareh, who likely instilled biased views in his son. Dorain's preconceived notions hinder his ability to recognize the true worth and capabilities of Hime and Gaven, thus highlighting the destructive nature of prejudice. Over time, Dorain develops a fondness for Hime and sees Gaven as more of a father figure than Dareh ever was to him.

The novel emphasizes the profound impact of grief on individuals' lives and explores the complexities of human emotions in the face of trauma and loss. Grief is a prevalent theme throughout these chapters, particularly in Mirari, who secretly grapples with anger and confusion over her missing brother. Her grief manifests as disassociation from others and a sense of feeling out of place among a team of skilled fighters. Additionally, Gaven's post-traumatic stress disorder serves as a testament to the emotional complexities faced by individuals who have experienced war-related trauma. Gaven is burdened by guilt over the lives he took during the Althaean Siege and frustrated by his inability to recall those events. However, unlike Mirari, Gaven conceals his emotions, refusing to show weakness, and his mental state remains unknown to anyone except Fangbane and Starlight. His struggles underscore the enduring effects of trauma and the challenges of navigating everyday life while grappling with emotional wounds.

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