Captain! Where is the Battlefield?

 

  Rosalie swiftly left in response to Aaron’s clever actions. Then, she noticed Derivis petting his horse. 

 

  “It’s better to take a break. Tomorrow is another tough day.”

 

  “Are you feeling tired?” 

 

  “Not really.”

 

  Although she didn’t feel tired right now, she knew she needed some rest, considering the upcoming schedule. Rosalie obediently approached Derivis, who gestured for her to come over. 

 

  When he extended his hand, she placed her hand on top of his, a somewhat puzzled expression on her face.

 

  “Channeling your auror can relieve your fatigue.”

 

  A gentle and comforting sensation enveloped Rosalie. Just as he had said, it felt like some of her fatigue was melting away.

 

  “…My body does feel a lot lighter.”

 

  “It’s not a cure-all, but it has its uses.”

 

  Neigh.

 

  At that moment, Derivis’s black horse, as if acknowledging Rosalie’s presence, whinnied and pawed the ground. It seemed to be calling to her, so she looked at the large black horse, which was noticeably bigger than the others.

 

  “I’ve thought about this before, but you have a magnificent horse.”

 

  “But his temperament is a bit unpredictable. He doesn’t let unfamiliar people touch him.”

 

  Derivis grumbled about the difficulties he had in taming it. However, the well-defined muscles and the glossy black fur showed how much care he had given the horse.

 

  “I guess he doesn’t like me.”

 

  The black horse continued to observe Rosalie, almost as if it were sizing her up.

 

  “Well, he usually ignores other people. It’s the opposite this time.”

 

  “What’s his name?”

 

  “Dani. I took it from my first initial.”

 

  Rosalie slowly approached Dani.

 

  “Hello, Dani.”

 

  Whinny.

 

  Dani seemed to greet her back, rearing his head. Derivis, intrigued by Dani’s uncharacteristically docile behavior, moved closer.

 

  “They say sensitive horses can spot a good person right away.”

 

  “Then does that mean I’m a good person?”

 

  Rosalie couldn’t help but chuckle at Derivis’s joking words. Despite being called temperamental, the horse looked at her with gentle eyes, which she didn’t mind. Honestly, it was kind of cute.

 

  “Well, being called a ‘good person’ doesn’t feel bad.” 

 

  “Would you like to touch him?”

 

  When Derivis extended his hand, Rosalie nodded and reached out hers. Derivis covered her hand with his so that Dani wouldn’t be startled by the unfamiliar touch, allowing her to touch the horse’s beautiful, black fur.

 

  Dani seemed to enjoy the sensation as he nuzzled Rosalie’s hand. Derivis said that it was the first time the horse was this friendly with someone.

 

  “It tickles.”

 

  Dani licked her hand, causing Rosalie to laugh at the ticklish and unfamiliar feeling, along with the strong gust of air from his nostrils.

 

  “It seems like he really likes you.”

 

  Rosalie couldn’t help but find Dani even more adorable despite his imposing size.

 

  “I think I like him, too.”

 

  As she answered, Rosalie unconsciously turned her head and froze. She and Derivis were standing very close to each other, and she couldn’t tear her eyes away from his deep blue eyes.

 

  “Derivis?”

 

  Why is he looking at me like that, and with that indescribable expression? 

 

  Rosalie called out to him, feeling strange. And as soon as she called his name, Derivis’s lips formed a gentle curve.

 

  “I also like it when you smile.”

 

  “…”

 

  Rosalie could feel her usually calm heart start to race. The word ‘like’ seemed to grip and shake her heart.

 

  Neigh.

 

  When their hands stopped, Dani grumbled as if he were dissatisfied and pawed his hooves. Finally coming to her senses, Rosalie turned her head slightly and withdrew her hand.

 

  “…I’ll go inside now. I’m feeling tired.”

 

  “Sleep well.”

 

  Rosalie didn’t even properly hear Derivis’s farewell as she quickly walked away. 

 

  Watching Rosalie disappear with faster steps than usual, Derivis raised his hand and patted Dani.

 

  Neigh, whinny.

 

  Dani lowered his head toward the retreating Rosalie. It seemed as if he were urging Derivis to follow her quickly. Derivis chuckled and then withdrew the hand that had been patting Dani.

 

  “Not yet.”

 

  Whinny.

 

  “Stop pawing the ground and rest. We have to run tomorrow, too.”

 

  ⊱⊱⊱────── {.⋅ ✧✧✧ ⋅.} ──────⊰⊰⊰

 

  As day broke, another forced march began. As they ran all day until the darkness, the exhausted horses whinnied, and the knights arrived at a small village within the duchy’s territory.

 

  “Haa, we have about two days left.”

 

  Rosalie dismounted, and Aaron did the same behind her.

 

  “Yes. Are you very tired?”

 

  “No, I’m fine. Fortunately, there are big and small villages along the way, so we’ve avoided camping.”

 

  “Since Your Grace sought permission from Count Heffdin for the knights to pass through, there won’t be any more camping in the future, which is a relief.”

 

  Aaron laughed heartily, relieved. There were two routes to transport the life stones mined from the Dita mine: through the territory of Marquis Windell, which had been reclaimed by the palace, or through the territory of Count Heffdin, which was next to the Dita mine.

 

  Rosalie had chosen the latter. Passing through Count Heffdin’s territory was not only shorter in terms of distance but also relatively gentle and safe in terms of the terrain.

 

  Fortunately, Sarnon convinced the current Count to sell them passage rights when Rosalie asked him for a favor.

 

  ‘I’ll have to give Sarnon a good share once this is over.’

 

  Yesterday, she had urgently sent someone to request passage rights for the knights, and Sarnon had promptly persuaded his father, who readily granted permission. 

 

  Apparently, the Count was satisfied with the fact that his heir, Sarnon, was building a friendship with Rosalie.

 

  “What are you thinking so much about?”

 

  Derivis, who had approached Rosalie without her noticing, asked. Rosalie shrugged as if it was nothing important.

 

  “Just rest soon. It’s getting late.”

 

  “Rosalie~ Can I borrow a blanket~?”

 

  Nathan, who had been sleeping in the distant woods since yesterday, had been constantly borrowing a blanket from Rosalie.

 

  “Would you like another one?”

 

  “No~ One is enough. I don’t really need it, but it’s surprisingly cozy.”

 

  Nathan rubbed his face against the thick blanket he’d taken from Rosalie. The cozy feeling was subtly addictive. That, coupled with his cat-like demeanor, made Rosalie laugh and point to the house.

 

  “Go inside and rest on the bed. The bed is cozy, too.”

 

  “But the forest is quiet~.”

 

  “Don’t go too deep.”

 

  “Alright. Do you want some chocolate?”

 

  Nathan pulled a piece of chocolate from the inner pocket of his coat and handed it to Rosalie. Then, he waved.

 

  “Bye-bye~ see you tomorrow.”

 

  “Come in the morning to receive rations.”

 

  As Nathan walked into the woods, Rosalie watched him and then entered her lodging, shedding her thick clothes with a deep breath of relief. The long ride had left her body stiff, so she stretched to loosen up.

 

  ‘It seems my stamina has improved.’

 

  Although her body was a bit stiff, she didn’t feel very tired. She sat on the bed and closed her eyes, taking deep breaths.

 

  The meditation, meant to relieve fatigue and clear her mind, made her feel even sleepier.

 

  ‘Maybe I should do some stretching.’

 

  Eventually, Rosalie got up from the bed and looked out the window. Thousands of stars filled the night sky, creating a magnificent sight.

 

  Drawn by the beautiful night, she stepped outside, walking gently in the moonlight. Just as there were paths on the ground created by people’s footsteps, there were also paths in the sky paved by the stars.

 

  “I should have worn a coat.”

 

  Rosalie, gazing at the sky while walking, began to feel the cold and thought about going back to get her coat.

 

  “Your Grace.”

 

  As she walked along, she heard Toronto’s voice, and she turned to see him standing there.

 

  “What are you doing up so late?”

 

  “I was looking for a round stone.”

 

  “A stone?”

 

  “Whitney and I have sore backs from riding, so we were planning to use it to massage our backs with the stone.”

 

  Toronto was patting his back as if he were about to die.

 

  “Whitney was also looking for one, but since he doesn’t seem to be around anymore, I guess he found one and went in first. Ungrateful bastard. I’m dying here.”

 

  Rosalie lightly teased him about his fussing. But contrary to her words, she swept the ground with her eyes and picked up a small, round stone of just the right size, which she handed to him.

 

  “Ah~ as expected of the Duchess. You have a good eye. But what were you doing?”

 

  Toronto took the round stone and turned it in his hand, satisfied with its size.

 

  “Just admiring the stars. They’re beautiful, aren’t they?”

 

  “You have a more romantic side than I thought.”

 

  “I get sentimental when I see good scenery, too.”

 

  Toronto nodded in agreement. Then, he patted his back again.

 

  “I should go inside now. By the way, someone other than Your Grace seemed to be drawn to the stars.”

 

  “Who else came out?”

 

  “Over there~ Just go that way. Both you and His Highness have good stamina.”

 

  Toronto pointed at a long, narrow path with his finger. Then, he bowed and turned back the way Rosalie came.

 

  ‘Derivis was out, too.’

 

  Hesitating briefly, Rosalie followed where Toronto pointed. Walking slowly, she soon saw Derivis, dressed lightly and leaning against a tree—obviously, he too had been drawn out by the stunning night sky.

 

  “Rosalie?”

 

  Derivis, who heard the sound of her footsteps on the dirt, turned his head toward her. Rosalie smiled faintly and spoke.

 

  “Are you also out to admire the night sky?”

 

  “Yes. But if you come out dressed like that, you might catch a cold.”

 

  As Rosalie approached, Derivis immediately took off the coat he was wearing and placed it on her shoulders.

 

  “…You will be cold if you take off your coat.”

 

  Thinking she should quickly get her coat, Rosalie tried to take off the coat that Derivis had placed on her shoulder. However, he gave a faint smile and spoke.

 

  “There’s a way for the both of us not to be cold.”

 

  “What is it?”

 

  Thinking he had brought a blanket, Rosalie looked around but found that he hadn’t brought out anything. When she tilted her head, he quietly spread his arms.

 

  “Come here.”

 

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