Contract of Submission with the Enemy - Chapter 27
At that moment, Benyak burst into a friendly laugh. โYou make me sound like a villain! Youโre the first woman to treat me like this!โ
โ…Thatโs another line Iโve heard somewhere. You must really like plays?โ
โCaught me,โ he admitted with a hearty laugh.ย
โBut on the battlefield, arenโt we all actors? Each of us performing our assigned roles on the stage of war. Itโs easier to think of it that way. Not just anyone can be an assassin. At the moment of assassination, you have to separate your identity from the assassinโs. You have to act like someone else.โ
Ritรฉ lowered her gaze, pondering his words. Though he spoke jokingly, Benyak was sharing something crucial. His advice was about how to survive as an assassin without losing one’s mind. For the first time, she felt like she might find a way to endure in this place.
Benyak suddenly stood up. โFinish your meal and come out. Iโll show you the path Eisen used to take for his walks. That kid loved walking. He was like a puppy with his antics.โ
With that, he closed the door and left, leaving her staring at the chocolate bar heโd given her. She took a big bite, letting the large chunk melt slowly in her mouth. Imagining Nox enjoying the chocolate made her feel a bit better.
After finishing her meal, Ritรฉ went for a walk with Benyak. The quiet path seemed surprisingly peaceful for a war zone. As they walked, Ritรฉ asked quietly, โDid Eisen really like chocolate?โ
โOf course. He was crazy about it. I was his snack supplier. He hadnโt tasted chocolate before, and once he did, he got addicted to it. Thatโs how heavenly tastes work.โ
His casual tone brought a slight smile to Ritรฉโs face. Benyak glanced at her with a softer expression.ย
โSorry. I used to think you were just a crazy woman.โ
Ritรฉ shot him a glare. Benyak looked away, chuckling.ย
โBut if my younger sibling were conscripted, Iโd probably go mad too. Maybe itโs a blessing they went to heaven without seeing this mess.โ
Though he smiled, there was a hint of bitterness. It seemed he had a sibling too.ย
Ritรฉ pulled out the chocolate bar sheโd carefully tucked away. She broke off a piece and handed it to him. When he looked at her in surprise, she said indifferently, โItโs a sedative. You look like you could use it.โ
Benyakโs eyes widened before he burst out laughing. โYouโre funny. But you eat it. Iโm not that into chocolate.โ
โYou said you were saving it earlier,โ Ritรฉ pointed out.
Benyak raised an eyebrow playfully. โSeems the Major was right. Youโre pretty observant and have a good memory, remembering everything people say.โ
โWhen it comes to my brother, I remember everything. Nothing else is more important to me.โ
Despite her stern tone, Benyak spoke gently. โHonestly, I just forgot it was in my pocket.โ
โWhat?โ
When she frowned, he explained, โI got into the habit of saving chocolate for Eisen. Even now, I instinctively pocket it when I find some.โ
Ritรฉโs eyes widened slightly as she looked at him. Benyak scratched his nose, looking embarrassed. She softened her expression a bit. โYouโre a better person than I thought.โ
Benyak smiled, pleased. โGlad you finally see me as a person. I wish youโd do the same for the Major.โ
Mentioning Aster made Ritรฉ frown again. Benyak spoke softly, โDonโt worry. Eisen didnโt have as bloodless and tearless a military life as you imagine. The Major did a lot to take care of him, even in this desperate war.โ
Ritรฉ found it hard to believe that Aster had been considerate. His level of care was far from ordinary.
Though she wanted to believe the words, even if they were lies, she found solace in thinking that her brother hadn’t spent every moment in despair after their separation. She desperately hoped that, at least in those moments when Nox enjoyed chocolate or went for a walk, he had been happy.
Ritรฉ glanced wistfully at the pathโs scenery. She wondered if Nox had often come here to catch his breath. Thinking about how many times he must have walked this path, she almost felt like she could see his shadow. The lost ten years of his growth seemed embedded in this path.
Closing her eyes briefly, she inhaled deeply, listening to the sounds of birds chirping, water trickling, and leaves rustling in the wind. Hearing these beautiful sounds of nature instead of gunfire, she felt a bit more at ease.ย
Now she understood why Major Aster had ordered her to go for a walk. Following in Noxโs footsteps and experiencing what he had felt was a refreshing change. She clasped her hands together and prayed for Nox, who was out in enemy territory. Though God had never answered her prayers before, something made her want to pray in this moment, for both Nox and herself.
To Benyak, who stood silently watching her, she looked like a saint bathed in sunlight, praying with her hands clasped and head slightly bowedโa figure wholly incongruous with war and assassination. There was an inexplicable sacredness about her, and he waited quietly until she finished her prayer.
After the walk, Benyak had urgent business to attend to, so he left, and Ritรฉ returned to her room alone. As she walked down the corridor, she suddenly encountered someone.
A woman with light brown hair in uniform spotted Ritรฉ and raised an eyebrow. It was the same woman who had been cowed by Aster during the trial.
โ…Hey, where have you been?โ Her voice was filled with resentment, but Ritรฉ replied calmly, โFor a walk.โ
The woman snorted derisively. โA walk? And what makes you think you can talk down to me?โ
โYou spoke informally first,โ Ritรฉ responded.
โHow dare you be so insolent to a superior…!โ
โSorry, but my superior is Aster.โ Ritรฉโs firm reply seemed to trigger the woman, whose face twisted in anger.
โStand with your hands behind your back against the wall. Iโm going to teach you military discipline,โ the woman demanded, seemingly waiting for this moment to pick a fight. Ritรฉ hesitated, knowing she couldnโt afford more trouble after what happened yesterday.
Reluctantly, she put her hands behind her back and asked, โDoes Aster know youโre doing this?โ
At that, the woman slapped Ritรฉ, her head snapping to the side. โAster? Is Major Cloud your friend?โ
Ritรฉ turned back, her cheek swelling, and glared defiantly. โI didnโt want to be here either. I didnโt want to be involved with him.โ
This time, a fist struck her, and she fell to the side. The woman looked down at her arrogantly. โSo, thatโs how you really feel. Pretending to be his loving partner in front of him, but you canโt fool me.โ
Ritรฉ wiped the blood from her mouth with the back of her hand. The woman continued, โYou let the Awakened Hunt that Aster worked so hard to capture go free? And he even let you visit him? Thatโs how you repay his kindness?โ
โ…โ
โDo you even know how much trouble youโve caused Aster? And yet you went out for a walk so casually?โ
Ritรฉ stiffened slightly at the mention of causing Aster trouble, but she slowly stood up and replied, โAster ordered me to go for a walk. I was just following his orders.โ
Facing the woman directly, she added, โDo you want to impress Aster? I donโt.โ
The woman poked Ritรฉโs chest with her finger, pushing her back against the wall. โItโs Major Cloud. How many times do I have to tell you?โ
โYouโre wrong. Acting like this wonโt make Aster notice you. Even if I disappear from the military, it wonโt change that.โ
Ritรฉโs blunt words hit the mark, making the womanโs face contort with rage and her body tremble. โ…Thatโs it. Iโll fix your attitude today. Youโll never defy the Major again. Bite down.โ
The woman glared, raising her hand high. The sound of slaps echoed sharply down the corridor.