Episode 2
At that moment, the Swordmaster’s eyes, which had been tightly closed, opened. Exhausted eyes lingered on my face.
“There needs to be a decoy. I’ll move, so you must guard Sir Raphael.”
“No, I must be the one to move. We’ll soon be joined by the magic legion led by Natasha, and I’m not in good shape at the moment.”
Now that I’d encountered the Swordmaster, it was clear that the meeting point with the returning magic legion was nearby. However, I had been swinging my sword for three days straight now, and my state of mind had been wavering for the past half-day.
—Kill.
It was right to move as far away from our allies as possible since we didn’t know what might happen. The pitiful state of a sword demon losing control… it wasn’t one I wanted anyone to see me in.
“Sir Andert, you have always been fearless.”
“…”
“It’s a curious thing. It’s not like you have a very strong and clear sense of conviction like Raphael Zenail. Then, there’s only one answer… do you not have any regrets about living?”
“Who in this world has no regrets? I’m just a little less afraid than others.”
“I think I understand a bit why battle-hardened warriors like you get nervous in front of me.”
The Swordmaster, who said something I couldn’t understand, stared me in the eyes and asked.
“When the war is over, will you follow me?”
I didn’t have enough time to ponder his intentions.
“Thank you very much just for those words.”
I turned away from his unwavering gaze. Strangely, my mouth felt dry.
Unfortunately, after that, considering my flashy rise and disappearance, the outcome was not favorable.
The key was my lack of focus due to not having had proper sleep for three days. I almost lost an arm, but luckily, I encountered the Swordmaster on my way back and was able to avert the mishap.
Looking back, I wondered if it was just luck.
“Why don’t you just live as a cripple? You seem like you’d be more obedient with a crooked limb.”
“Are you serious?”
“Do you think I am?”
Although I heard some harsh words and curses, at least I didn’t have to live as a one-armed swordsman.
So, I survived again, enjoying my first break in eight years since the declaration of war at the command headquarters.
“That day, Sir Raphael reached a state that is difficult for a human body to attain. In this case, what’s a mere 50 meters to him? Wouldn’t he surely sense movements even beyond 500 meters? I envy you for having experienced such a historical moment together, haha.”
500 meters? Wasn’t that a monster, not a human?
“But what words did His Excellency the Duke of Berkeley-Gratten leave to you that day? Today’s question seems to have been related to that.”
“You’ve got it exactly right.”
I wondered if Raphael’s condition that day matched the state of ‘no-self’ mentioned by Count Rosebell.
It was a pretty plausible assumption. However, that state of no-self seemed very dangerous… Did the Swordmaster and Count Rosebell overcome such a crisis without my knowledge?
Suddenly, I felt the intense gaze of the other person piercing through me.
“Why are you looking at me with such insidious eyes?”
Count Rosebell, who stroked his sparse beard, answered with a searching look of his own.
“Sir Andert, you’ve changed a lot too. It feels like just yesterday you were swinging a sword like it was a club… You were always reluctant even when I subtly offered guidance to you, a swordsman ignorant of the sword. Haha. I can’t believe that a day has come where you’re still alive and seeking to learn like it’s your first day today. Time is truly remarkable. Or perhaps it’s just that war is cruel.”
“Don’t speak as if you’re an old man about to croak tomorrow.”
“I’m at an age where it wouldn’t be weird to see my grandchild soon, what else am I if not an old man?”
He chuckled heartily and casually inquired,
“So, do you feel a bit more greedy with your swordsmanship now?”
“A little bit.”
“Hmm…”
He stroked his beard once more.
“Hmm.”
Moreover, he had a deep, almost profound look in his eyes now.
“Hmm.”
What was he trying to say with that ‘hmm’? His cautious behavior was unlike his usual self, but instead of urging him to speak frankly, I just waited quietly. Fortunately, the wait wasn’t long.
“Well, I’m not forcing you, it’s more of a suggestion, just in case. If you’re truly willing to learn properly, then under me…”
At that moment, a rush of cold air swept from behind, enough to send a shiver down one’s spine.
“Vice Commander, a message has arrived from the estate!”
The Count’s forehead creased at the unannounced visitor.
“Huh? Regardless of what message has arrived, I’ve clearly ordered not to be disturbed during my rest…”
“It’s a letter from the Countess!”
As the aide presented the pale yellow letter, a faint mixture of surprise and joy came to the Count’s face, which hadn’t been hiding his annoyance.
The commander’s hand, full of scars, asked me for a moment’s understanding, and he received the crumpled letter from his aide. I watched the scene with a renewed sense of emotion.
‘A letter, indeed.’
It was already the time for that.
Every winter, a wave of secret missives arrived at the Union’s front lines.
Thousands of paper envelopes, not bearing the Emperor’s edicts, arrived in silent carriages. Letters from the soldiers’ loved ones.
However, since replies were not allowed for security reasons, the carriages would immediately return after they’d stopped to unload.
“I’ll take my leave now.”
“…Hmm? It’s fine, Sir Andert. I’ll read it in a minute, so just sit and wait. It’s not even a few pages.”
“No, I will come back later. Please rest comfortably.”
Count Rosebell nodded without any particular formality, despite my rude attitude to a superior’s orders.
Perhaps he was being considerate of my situation. After all, on a day like today, there would be no letters arriving for Andert Fager.
Sure enough, the outside of the barracks was already buzzing and bustling as if peace had already come.
Despite our painful defeat, the soldiers’ weary faces were adorned with nothing but bright smiles now, like flowers in full bloom.
I gently nudged those busy reading letters into the corner on the bare ground one by one. The soldiers, who’d unintentionally been gathered into groups, shared the news of their households with smiles on their faces.
How many seemed to have just had their screws loosened? One of them was so lost in his letter that he even bumped into me, nearly stumbling over himself.
“Sorry, Sir Andert!”
I waved my hand to say it was fine, and the man saluted hastily before hurrying off, his military bearing askew.
Crossing through the center of the commotion, I suddenly remembered the faces of my close friends who were probably in a similar state as them. That naturally made me laugh.
“I can clearly picture how their faces are going to be.”
Natasha must have received the letter from her brother whose name I didn’t know.
I think I’ve heard the name a few times, but elegant names, especially of royal origin, are difficult to pronounce, so I forget it after a day or two.
Natasha used to persistently torture me in that way.
“Natasha… Why do you keep picking on me? Didn’t you hear me say I remember? How can I not know the owner of the letter you’ve been receiving for three years…”
“So, just tell me instead of beating around the bush.”
“….”
“Come on, Andert. It’s the princess’s command! Quick, tell me my brother’s name!”
“Ah..”
“Ah?”
“A.. Ash… Ash… Ashcream?”
“….”
“….”
“Oh, bahaha! Ashcream! It’s Ashernik, Andert, you rude man! How dare you make a mistake in saying the name of the Imperial Prince? But your clueless expression is cute, so I’ll let it pass.”
“I’m truly sorry.”
“Even so, I’m amazed. If you’re not interested, you can’t even remember a name properly. When on earth will you ever remember my family’s names, I wonder.”
Did the author return just to hurt me? Glad that we get to see Natasha planning marriage and Daisy being Daisy
Also, I’ve checked it now, all 7 side stories will be set during the war – but that does not mean they won’t be entertaining – the opposite, really, they’re lovely. also, you can expect to see a certain someone who once said he too, joined the war, though in disguise in the last few ones.
I wish there were 100 more episodes 🥲
Thank you for the chapter!
Ash must have been lonely but she would just laugh at her friends silly faces. It contrast hers friendly Andert persona and taciturn, catch-these-hands Daisy character. Guess it is similar to acting differently around different friend groups.