"How could I possibly do something like that? I only went to gather information in advance, so we could learn what those people hiding in the shadows were plotting. That was all."
Kallen frowned at the captain.
"What, you don't believe me? Hey, you're questioning my loyalty to Order."
"Captain, I've never questioned your loyalty to Order."
"Exactly."
"But I have ample past experience to suspect that, without compromising your loyalty to Order, you'll try to rake in as much credit and as many Order Vouchers as possible, while also... finding as much amusement for yourself as possible."
"Faith is faith, work is work, and life is life."
"But..."
"No buts. You've always drawn those lines more clearly than I have, yet you have the nerve to criticize me."
"Captain, that's slander."
"Oh, the dappling of the Dark Moon, the contours of the Dark Moon, the tracing of the Dark Moon. How did those lines of poetry go again? I've forgotten."
"That was an accident."
"Yes, an accident. Mm, an accident. You managed to steal a princess's heart on a security assignment. You're better than I am, because you work within a life adorned with faith."
"Captain, I only ask one thing. If anything happens on your end, I don't want to be kept in the dark."
"Of course, of course. After all, we know each other's secrets."
The captain walked to the door, pushed it open, and shouted into the courtyard, "Assemble!"
All the squad members came out of their rooms and began forming up. After changing his clothes and putting on his mask, Kallen also came out and joined them.
"Where were you all day yesterday?" Richard asked quietly.
"I had something to do."
"Did you sleep at Her Highness Ophelia's place?"
"Don't talk nonsense."
"Then conjure up