"Lord Tibilus, I apologize for my recklessness."
After leaving the infirmary, Igg dropped to one knee.
Levis turned around. "There's no need to apologize. We've been together for so long—how could I not understand what's going through that head of yours?"
Igg lowered his head in silence.
Levis let out a sigh. "I know that because of that thing's prophecy underground, you've developed a sense of crisis about the future. But it hasn't reached the point where the women need to be sent to the front lines too, has it?"
Even in Coriel, aside from dragons, the severely gender-imbalanced Drow, and certain young beast-type creatures, it was rare for women to serve as frontline warriors.
For one thing, women bore the burden of giving birth and carrying on the race. Heavy casualties among them could easily deal an irreparable blow to the population of their people.
For another, in most aspects relevant to combat, the vast majority of women were indeed inferior to men.
"I'll pay more attention to that in the future."
Igg offered no further explanation. So long as it was the will of the one before him, and did not violate his bottom line, he would choose to obey.
Besides, he was now even more interested in something his lord possessed—or rather, some kind of ability.
Levis, whose skin was beginning to crawl under Igg's stare, rubbed his forehead. "Put that aside for now. I haven't even figured out what exactly is going on myself, and I don't have time to cooperate with your research for the moment. We'll talk after this hibernation of mine is over."
"As you command."
Understanding, along with a trace of regret, appeared on Igg's face.
Levis's day of hibernation was drawing near, and Igg was probably among the first to learn