The Hunt mission was executed throughout the night, leading to a success. Many of the warriors gathered materials from the ogre corpses, for they can be used as ingredients in potions, be turned into mana crystals for armory, and such.
Clarissa took at least eight big ogre teeth, with Luminous helping her of course. She was delighted to be able to gather materials for herself. Ogre teeth are equal to hard steel and can be forged into any weapon.
"It's the first I've seen a woman so happy being given monster parts." Luminous said, knowing better than to question his rider's liking. "What do you plan to do with it?" He asked,
"Hmm? I plan to have a blacksmith make a sword out of it, but I still don't have the necessary materials to make it." Clarissa said, patting the hilt of her sword. "This one has been a gift from my mom when I entered the Knight's course. It's been with me for seven years. I decided to replace the blade and make some adjustments for her hilt, since I don't wanna change it too much." She explained,
Luminous hummed as they made their way back to the camp.
Upon arrival, Apollo was turning the hard flesh of the ogre into mana crystals with Virgil, along with his two other apprentices. He was also guarding the stone corpse, hoping to study it at the Archives upon going back to the capital. They're currently using their own power to change it and make it easier to carry. Sensing their presence, the Second Pendragon brother greeted them.
"I see that you've returned." Apollo said and noticed Clarissa's monster haul. He smiled, "Is that all you need, Clarissa? Don't you want anything else from the ogre corpses?" He asked patiently,
"No, this is plenty for me." Clarissa said, looking back at the rest of the corpses being dragged around by the other knights. "I might return to gather some crystals, but these are quite plenty, Sir." She said,
"You know that there might not be any left later." Virgil said to her, "There's no doubt that most warriors will use the monster's corpse to turn them into jewelry and give it for their intended. I thought that you'd want those."
"That's sweet of them." Clarissa said, not thinking much of it.
Virgil was about to say something else, when he caught Luminous glaring at , much to his confusion. Clarissa wasn't aware of the angry Dragonborn behind her as she waited for Virgil to say something else. The Silver Hybrid knows of their comradeship, but seeing the Dragon being overly protective of his rider, was questioning.
Apollo noticed his brother's expression, chuckling quietly then turned his to avoid Luminous's death glare.
"Is there anything else, Virgil?" Clarissa asked her friend, confused,
"Uhh... Nothing, nothing." Virgil waved her off her question, "You should go rest. It's been a long night."
"Nah. I'm good. Besides it's just a few hours left till dawn." She said then looked at Luminous, "I'll be checking on the men and see for any wounded from the Hunt earlier." Clarissa stated permission to her commander.
"You may go, Clarissa." Luminous said, "Today's mission is a success thanks to you. Well done." He gave his praise, surprising the people listening to this interaction,
Hearing the genuine praise, made Clarissa embarrassed causing her cheeks to flush. "It's nothing, Sir. Just... doing my job." She said before excusing herself away almost immediately, as if she wanted to escape.
'He seldom gives anyone praises.' Apollo thought as he looked back at Luminous. His eyes widen at the calm expression his giving. 'It would seem the Stone-Cold Dragon is finally thawing.'
A few minutes later after gathering their loot, the warriors from the Voland House started discussing the events from the mission, especially the one who started it.
"It was crazy with the Hunt."
"Yeah, did you see the Commoner killing the ogres? It was like she was flying."
"Sir Luminous was with her the whole time too."
"Obviously, she's his rider. Everyone knows that Dragonborns and their Riders are partners in the fight."
"Hey, Gunter. What's the girl like?" One of them asked. Which is the man who rushed first into battle with ignorance.
Gunter looked at him with disdain. "Clarissa's a strong woman with a stubborn personality." He said earnestly, "Get on her bad side, and you'll be kissing the pavement with her fist."
The man scoffed. "The mission earlier must be dumb luck. A pathetic woman like her couldn't possibly be that smart."
"She led us in the mission with precise directions on how to deal with the monsters." Gunter defended his friend's honor. "Her example earlier with the Pendragons following is proof that she's not an idiot like you."
"What was that, you Lower Noble?!" Insulted, the man along with Gunter faced each other with disdain. He scoffed then smirked. "Oh, I see now. She's a Commoner, it's normal that you would defend her honor as a Lower Noble. I bet the pathetic bitch seduced you to side with her-"
"WATCH YOUR MOUTH!" Gunter yelled, grabbing him by his cape. Fury was present in his expression. "Don't you think it's improper for you, an Upper-Class Noble, to say such vulgar things to a woman you've never met!"
"Guys, stop!"
"Yeah, break it up guys!"
"What's going on here?!" Luminous's voice roamed over them as he, Apollo, Virgil, and Clarissa approached them,
"Explain this mess, Gunter. What's gotten you two riled up?" Virgil asked his bodyguard,'
"This scumbag dared to speak ill of the person who led this mission to victory when she practically saved his life!" Gunther said, shoving the man to the ground,
"And you, Alfonso?" Virgil urged, calling him by the man's name.
Getting up from the ground, Alfonso looked at Clarissa with disdain and smirk. "Well, Young Master Virgil, I see no reason for me to know what I said is wrong. The girl is a dirty plebian. Why should she be praised for something anyone can do?" He spoke with arrogance,
"So, you're both getting riled up because of Sir Alfonso calling me pathetic." Clarissa bluntly asked,
"Riz, he's not only talking down on you, but also degrading your status as a Commoner-" Gunter tried to clarify more but what cut off,
"Enough!" Luminous roared with anger as he glared over the men. "The mission was a success due to everyone's participation in the fight." He spoke, raising the smug look on Alfonso's face. "However, I did pass the lead to my Rider, for it is natural to strategize a formation and follow her example. So, tell me, Alfonso... Who was the pathetic idiot who ignored protocol from the leader?" He asked, stunning the man with a piercing cold glare,
"W-What?" Alfonso trembled,
"A warrior must follow their leader's order when engaging in a battle. What part of that did you fail to understand?!" Luminous pointed out,
"But sir, she's just a Commoner with no authority over us nobles." Alfonso pleaded his case,
"That may be true." Apollo said, standing by Clarissa, showing his support. "However, you're forgetting that Dragon Riders hold the same positions as Upper and Middle classes of Nobility, for they hold authority in leading the frontlines." He explained, glaring at the man. "Simple knowledge but it didn't cross the mind of an arrogant fool."
Refusing to be stumped, he pushed his limits. "It doesn't matter. It will not change the fact that the woman is a dirty Commoner. Don't be swayed by her, Sir. She must've seduced you both to bending on her will! It's to be expected of a seductress who-" Alfonso was cut off from his nonsense rambling, and was punched to the face, so hard that his head slammed into the ground, causing his mouth and nose to bleed.
Everyone who heard this was both uncomfortable and disgusted by the way this man thinks. The display of arrogance in front of his superiors, was enough to send him to an early grave if they wanted to. However, what they witnessed was more shocking as Alfonso has plummeted to the ground.
By none other than Clarissa Romana.
"Clarissa..." "Riz..." Both Virgil and Gunter called her name quietly in concern, but from the look on the redhead's face, was enough to tell them that she was at her limits for enduring.
"You think you're so high and mighty that you can do and say whatever you want?" Clarissa asked, her voice low with anger as her eyes glared at Alfonso's figure. She knocked him a few feet from their position, but she walked slowly towards him. "You think your status as a noble is sufficient to scare me with that pathetic arrogant attitude of yours. That doesn't seem very gentlemanly of you to say such vulgar things to a woman you've never met, let alone, a dirty commoner such as myself."
Unconsciously, Clarissa's magic was swirling with her emotions to the point that everyone sensing this, could feel a dangerous power to that point it left them frozen in fear. Gunter and Virgil were aware of this, knowing their friend couldn't be stopped. The Pendragon brothers watched as they observed her behavior and interfered when necessary.
If anything, everyone thinks that Alfonso deserves what's coming to him.
Clarissa picked him by the cape, her expression never fading. Fear was present in Alfonso's eyes as he stared at the woman holding him like he was nothing.
"Since you want to prove you're better than me, then let's have a duel." Clarissa suggested in a venomous tone. "Let's see if your arrogance can save you in a Knight's Sword Duel."