Is this guy just openly protecting himself?

"Well, now that you know."

Ryuto urged the other person to continue.

"Okay, there's no need to rush. I'll explain myself. The person leading the group is Rote Mafei, a noble."

"A noble?"

"Yes, technically speaking, he is the son of a baron."

"The son of a baron...? And then?"

"The baron is the lowest-ranking official in the nobility, you know that, right?"

"Well, kind of... and how does that relate to this?"

"It's because of that, his father sent him to this department to make achievements, after all... without resorting to such methods, it's hard for a baron to climb the ranks."

Upon hearing this, Ryuto nodded.

"Right, although to the average person a baron is still considered a noble, within the noble circle, a baron is actually the lowest ranking."

"Exactly, so in other words, he has been in the team for so many years with the goal of becoming the captain, but..."

"And the captain position was snatched away from him?"

"Yes, by a junior who joined the team later than him, thus he ended up as just an ordinary leader."

"So, does he feel resentful? But it's quite strange, even if he feels resentful..."

"Well, the reason is not solely that, it mainly has to do with the captain's status."

"Status? Is it because the other person is the daughter of a duke, he feels he didn't become the captain because someone was mindful of the duke's status, or trying to please the duke, and thus schemed so he couldn't become the captain?"

To this, Tenan Mas just shook his head helplessly.

"No, it's not that. If it was only because of that, he wouldn't have much to say, after all, with his status, even if the other person did that, he wouldn't have the right to say anything."

"Then what is it?"

Strictly speaking, it's the captain's other status."

"..."

I see.

Upon hearing this, Ryuto finally understood.

If they were both nobles, it would be tolerable, perhaps even if it was just an adopted daughter it wouldn't have ended up like this, but...

it's exactly because she is...

just a slave, although Ryuto may not think much of it, for the people of this country, a slave is the most contemptible existence, the lowest.

The contemptible slave that he dislikes the most has now become the captain, with a higher position than himself, riding over his head, this is something that a noble cannot tolerate.

After the young man said a lot, he suddenly shifted the topic.

"But, Captain, if I heard correctly, you've only been here for a short while, right?"

"Well..."

Although not understanding what he meant, Crepes Clair still nodded.

Seeing the other party admit, the young man's voice became even more assertive.

"This captain isn't diligent at all. As a captain, shouldn't you be at the scene early? Useless subordinates like us aside, shouldn't a capable captain achieve results? Isn't there a saying 'those who can, work harder'? Everyone, am I right?"

"Yes!"

The others who joined in went along with it.

It seems that treating them to that meal earlier had an impact.

Well, although one doesn't know what they ate just now.

"Now that everyone agrees, it proves I'm not wrong. But in that case... it seems like this place doesn't need us, let's go back and deal with other matters. Everyone, let's go back."

Saying that, the young man turned and started walking, with the others following him.

"Wait..."

Even though Crepes Clair extended his right arm wanting to say something, he ultimately didn't say a word, just looking puzzled ahead.

At the same time, the group got on their waiting car and left.