Chapter 4

“I’ll inform you as soon as we get news about the unit. Since the matter you came to discuss has been disrupted, please rest here for now.”

“I should greet the Commander. Could you show me the way?”

“Ah…… The Commander isn’t here right now. We’ll report to him later.”

“I see.”

“If you need anything, just let me know.”

After being assigned a tent, Kan left. As soon as Eria realized she was alone, exhaustion rushed over her. She took off her armor and lay on the bed, but sleep wouldn’t come. Lying there comfortably when she couldn’t even check if her comrades were alive felt like she was committing a crime.

In the end, Eria couldn’t rest as comfortably as Kan had intended. She checked the wounded subordinate’s condition and nursed him, as time passed mercilessly and night fell. The subordinate had barely survived massive blood loss and was only barely breathing. He hadn’t even opened his eyes properly once, and for some reason, Eria couldn’t leave his side.

“You’re here.”

“Is there any news?”

As soon as she saw Kan, Eria stood up. She skipped any formalities and went straight to the point, unconsciously. Realizing it belatedly, she worried, but Kan seemed to understand. His expression wasn’t good. A wave of unease swept over her.

“The attack was so sudden, and the enemy knew our camp’s exact location…… It seems it wasn’t easy to defend.”

Eria had a habit of imagining the worst possible outcome first. That way, when she saw the result, she could think it was better than the worst. At Kan’s words, she thought the entire army might have been wiped out. 

‘Please, no.’

He hesitated before speaking again.

“Captain Rumic has fallen.”

Even though she’d included Captain Rumic in her worst-case scenario, hearing directly that the man she’d thought of as a father had died hit her like a blow to the head. When Eria staggered, Kan quickly supported her.

“Are you alright?”

She didn’t answer because she wasn’t. After being helped to a chair, her body trembled. Kan looked at her seriously before disappearing from sight. He returned after a while, handing Eria a steaming cup of tea.

“Please drink. It will help you calm down.”

“……You wouldn’t joke about something like this, would you, Sir?”

Eria accepted the cup and looked at Kan. They’d just met, but she wished he would tell her it was all a joke. Just yesterday, she’d eaten with Captain Rumic and discussed the upcoming battle. Now, he was gone forever. She couldn’t accept it.

“I’m sorry.”

Kan apologized. He couldn’t lie and say it was a joke, and he was sorry for that. Eria smiled weakly and shook her head. There was nothing for Kan to be sorry about.

“I think I need some time to accept it. Can we talk again tomorrow?”

“Understood.”

“Is the Commander still not here?”

“……Yes. He’s a very busy man. I’ll tell him when he arrives.”

“Thank you.”

“Will you be staying here tonight?”

“Yes. I want to try to save this friend.”

“……Alright. If you need anything, call me.”

Eria nodded in thanks, and Kan left the tent. As soon as he was gone, her hand holding the warm cup trembled. She pretended to be fine, but all her tension had finally released. She sat blankly until the hot tea spilled onto her hand, only then setting the cup down.

She had lost many comrades on the battlefield, but losing the seniors who treated her warmly without prejudice, and the captain she’d followed like a father, was a shock many times greater. When she’d first lost her cherished comrades and felt despair, they had never called her weak; instead, they encouraged her to endure, saying it was inevitable and that the living must carry on the work of the dead. She’d never had anything like a family, but now it felt like she’d lost them all.

Her hands trembled so much they felt numb, and Eria clenched and unclenched her fists. She wished her seniors would burst into the tent, joking as if nothing had happened.

* * *

Ter was sweating coldly, and it seemed Eria had fallen asleep while nursing him all night. When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was her own hand holding a wet piece of cloth. Another hand lay atop the cloth. Eria raised her head and looked at the person quietly.

“Ah, I’m sorry if I woke you. You looked uncomfortable……”

“It’s fine.”

It was Kan. Eria shook her head slowly and blinked. Sleeping hunched over the bed made her back stiff. She managed to sit up and looked at Kan properly. He seemed to have tried to take the cloth from her hand, and smiled awkwardly.

“The doctor came by. Fortunately, he’s out of danger. He’ll recover gradually.”

“……I see.”

She wished yesterday had been a dream, but nothing had changed when she woke up. Ter was still lying in the sickbed, and this was still the special forces base. It wasn’t a dream. Eria sighed deeply. Kan, who had been standing and watching her, spoke.

“What should be done with the spy?”

“You’re leaving it to me?”

Eria asked Kan in return, her voice cold and sharp. Just thinking of the traitor made her hands itch. Killing him wouldn’t be enough.

“The Commander said you may do as you wish.”

“The Commander is here?”

“No. The Deputy Commander relayed the message. The Deputy Commander went to Captain Rumic’s camp yesterday and returned at dawn. Shall I guide you?”

“Isn’t he resting?”

“No.”

“Then please.”

“Follow me.”

Eria first checked her appearance. She looked a mess, but did her best to tidy up. Stay sharp. She kept repeating it to herself as she followed Kan. Just being a woman meant she was subject to many prejudices. She was only staying here temporarily, but she didn’t want to be looked down on, even here. If she was, her knight order would also be criticized.

Soon, Kan stopped walking, apparently having reached the Deputy Commander’s tent. The soldiers guarding the tent greeted Kan and Eria.

“Deputy Commander, Sir Kan is here.”

A guard went inside to announce their arrival, and soon returned to guide them in. Kan and Eria entered the large tent.

“Deputy Commander.”

“Ah…… You have company.”

The Deputy Commander, who had been reading something, stood up, then awkwardly sat back down and looked at Kan.

“This is Knight Eria. She wished to greet you, Deputy Commander.”

“I see. Welcome, Dame Eria. I am Robet, Deputy Commander of the special forces.”

Robet looked about the same age as Captain Rumic. Eria stared blankly for a moment, then quickly bowed.

“Please speak comfortably, Deputy Commander Robet. It’s an honor to meet you. I am Eria.”

“What happened is unfortunate. News reached us too late……”

“No. Thank you for doing your best for our army.”

“That’s our job. You’ll soon be transferred to another unit. Make yourself comfortable while you’re here.”

“Then Captain Rumic’s army is to be completely disbanded? It wasn’t wiped out, was it?”

This was the first she’d heard of it. Complete disbandment. She’d thought it possible, since the captain had died, but hearing it for real made her uneasy.

“It seems Kan hasn’t told you yet. Captain Rumic’s army will be disbanded. Too few survived. There’s no other way.”

“……I see.”

Disappointment showed on Eria’s face. But she quickly collected herself, straightening up even more to face the Deputy Commander.

“Understood, Deputy Commander. I wanted to thank you for your help. Thank you for letting me stay until my new assignment is decided. I’ll do my best to help while I’m here.”

“I’d appreciate that.”

“When will the Commander return?”

“He rarely stays with the unit. If you have something to say, let me know.”

“Oh…… No, I just wanted to thank him.”

“I’ll pass on your message.”

“Thank you.”

Eria and Kan bowed respectfully and left the tent. Eria took a deep breath.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.”

“Please speak comfortably with me too, Dame Eria. I joined the army much later than you. So you’re my senior……”

“I’ll do that.”

There was no reason to refuse, so Eria immediately spoke more casually. Maybe that was easier for Kan as well.

“Where’s Sanchez? That traitor…… No, the spy.”