Vol. 1 - Ch. 21 - Bedside Beauty

Fortunately, the place where I woke up was on my bed. I thought I had crossed the river to the other shore this time, but apparently I am alive.This place looks familiar. It's the tent of the medical team. It was where I had gone for treatment the night before the mission, after Lindel had beaten me.

"Hmm? You're awake?" The assistant nurse looked at me and said.

"Stay where you are. I was told to call her when you wake up."

Who? Before I could ask, she left the tent. Her demeanor is sterner than the last time I was treated. She probably found out that I was not blessed.

After a few moments, Commander Tisserius appeared.

"Rolf! You're awake!"

"....Rolf?"

<"Commander Tisserius.">

"No need to get up. Stay where you are."

Commander Tisserius sat down on the chair beside the bed, restraining me from getting up. She was strangely flushed, perhaps from the fatigue of the battle.

"How are you feeling? Does it hurt anywhere?"

<"I think I have a slight fever, probably from the fracture, but I'm fine. Were you injured, Commander Tisserius?

"No, I'm fine. You covered me up and kept me down."

<"I see. That's good.">

"Mm....."

<"...?">

"Remember when you called me....?"

<"I remember.">

It's true that I called out her name that time when I saw the fire arrows being shot into the tent.

<"I was so spur of the moment that my innate rudeness came out. Forgive me.">

"Do you also remember how you held me from behind and pushed me down when you made me get down?"

<"I apologize again.">

"Do you remember that?"

<"Yes.">

"Fufu ... that's right"

She is rubbing her shoulder, which I grabbed at that time. Her mouth is loose, but I wonder if she is the type to get angry with a smile.

"I'm glad you're awake anyhow. You've been asleep for a whole day."

<"How did the battle go?">

"The enemy retreated. There were some who insisted on a pursuit, but we turned them down. That was the end. We won."

A sigh of relief escaped my mouth. It's over.

"Your superiors and your sister are safe."

<"Thank you for your concern.">

My, Emily's, and Felicia's first battle ended in victory. Everyone will return home safe and sound. No, it is debatable whether I can say I am safe or not. Well, it's over anyway.

After a short pause, Commander Tisserius begins to speak.

".....Just before the bridge was blown up. That moment."

<"Yes.">

"You saw it coming, and you ran for the other side."

<"And you, Commander Tisserius?">

"Yes. I know I'm always too forward, but it's not normal for a commander to jump into the water in that situation." Commander Tisserius says as if repenting.

"But if I hadn't done so, the entire crossing party would have been wiped out. My body naturally turned toward the other side of the river."

<"A decent commander would not have allowed his entire army to be swept away by the muddy waters. I think it was the right decision to go to the other side of the river at that time.">

"Thank you. I'm glad to hear that. You thought of the same thing, before I did. And you acted quickly on the other side of the river, heading for the tributary."

<"You were watching?">

"Yes. You took the horse and ran down the tributary, carrying that crate full of gunpowder. When I saw that, I decided to bet on you. I decided to protect the crossing party until the tributaries were liberated."

<"I understand that Captain Lindel and Captain Melnes of the Fifth were also crossing the river.">

"Yes. After a few minutes of the three of us holding off the enemy attack on the crossing party, we heard an explosion upstream, and after a few more minutes, the current subsided and the crossing party was free to move on."

<"What was the loss to that point?">

".....About 30% were either swept away or hit by enemy fire. As for those who were swept away, we have sent out a search, but have not found them."

<"I see.">

The damage was heavy, but it was probably the best result in that situation where the Dezel Bridge could no longer absorb the enemy's forces.

However, Commander Tisserius squeezed out her voice in frustration. "It is truly regrettable. I could not have foreseen the blocking of the tributaries..."

She cast down her eyes and recalled the scene.

"The crossing force was at the end of its ability to withstand the torrent. One more minute and I think it would have burst, and we would have all been swept away."

It seemed they were on the verge. When I encountered the enemy craft unit on the tributary, it was a good thing I didn't hesitate to charge in. If I had hesitated there, I would not have made it in time.

"Without you, we would have suffered a historic defeat. I can't thank you enough."

<"The fifth crossing was too slow to begin with. If it weren't for our mistake of exhausting ourselves before reaching the battlefield, we would have won before they blew up the bridge.">

"If you had not advised a night march in the first place, the Fifth Knights would not have arrived here at all, would they? And before that, you would have suggested the route they should have taken, wouldn't you?"

<"How do you know so much?">

"I asked the Fifth Krantz."

<"Yeld Krantz?">

That's surprising.

"And what were you doing after you liberated the tributary? Why did you come out from behind enemy lines?"

<"I got swept up by a tributary.">

"When you were blowing up the blocked area?"

<"Yes. There was an enemy craft unit in the tributary, and I couldn't afford to blow it up while keeping it safe. I blew it up after a forced breakthrough, and I was swept away into the tributary.">

"...You really are reckless, aren't you? I'm surprised you're still alive."

"Because this body is sturdy, ma'am."

Should I thank those parents for that point? To those parents who no longer consider me a child.

"And then you broke into the rear of the garrison and created a diversion, siphoning off the enemy's forces to the rear while you rushed to the front."

<"Yes.">

"A praiseworthy move."

<"What?">

"To go alone into enemy territory with so many wounds and achieve so much. I admire everything you have done on this battlefield."

<"..Thank you.">

The redness in Commander Tisserius' eyes. To praise a knights' squire with such enthusiasm. This is the reason why she is such an outstanding leader.

"By the way, let me ask you something."

<"Yes.">

"How did you learn to use such a sword?"

<".....?">

I don't understand the question.

"Captain Tisserius, what is that sword?"

"It's a sword technique you used against the demons."

<"It's a sword that I swung with one hand, only twice, and I couldn't use my broken hand.">

"But it was the most perfect stroke you could ever imagine. It was a sword that had to be swung millions of times to reach its full potential."

<"Millions.....Oh, I've swung it millions of times.">

"I see."

Since I was a child, I haven't taken a day off just to swing. However, I couldn't do it during this operation. I'm going to have to increase the amount I couldn't do for the time being when I get back home.

"I want to ask you one more question."

<"What is it?">

"Why did you swing your sword against the demons in the first place? You can't reach their bodies with your sword. You knew that, didn't you?"

<"Oh, you mean...">

The hand naturally gripped the sheet.

<"I wanted to convince myself that the sword would never reach them. I knew of course that it would never reach me. But I needed to experience it with my own hands.">

"...."

<"I know it sounds crazy, but I...">

"No... yeah. I see. I know you do. You're a man who thinks that way. You're not crazy." Commander Tisserius agrees with me in a gentle tone.

The most powerful knight in the kingdom understands my irrational thoughts. That makes me happy.

She straightens up her posture and says with a serious and slightly sad expression on her face, "Rolf. I cannot interfere with the merits of the Fifth Order."

<"Yes, you are right.">

"Your merits are unparalleled in this battle, but you will not be justly rewarded."

<"....">

"....I can only imagine what you're going through."

<"No, I'm having a good time.">

"Oh....I see."

Commander Tisserius' face breaks into a thin smile. She is a woman who is picturesque no matter what her expression is.

"...Rolf, what would you do if you were asked to transfer to the First Order?"

<"────?">

While I was thinking about the intention of Commander Tisserius' question, a voice came up from behind her.

"Well, wait! Rolf is my subordinate!" It was Emily.

"Captain Melness, you're here."

"Yes, I am. Just now. I heard Rolf woke up. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to eavesdrop."

"No, there's no door to knock on in the tent. I'm the one who should be sorry. I'm sorry for talking directly to you, overstepping my superiors. It was against the rules."

Commander Tisserius gets up from her chair and says, "Forget it."

"I apologize again to both of you for what happened with Eric. I am sorry. He has been reprimanded."

<"What do you mean about Captain Lindel?">

"It's about terrible violence against Rolf. I told you I would protest." Emily said.

<"Oh---">

Before the operation started, I told Emily that I would protest after the battle was over. She actually protested. I feel a little sorry for Lindel, whose obsession with Emily shows no sign of being rewarded.

"He's always been a dangerous man, but I didn't know he was that dangerous."

<"It doesn't matter if you kill him," he said while beating me. I am used to malice, but that was close to insanity. Frankly, he looks dangerous.">

Since Emily went out of her way to protest, I'll take the opportunity to give her a heads up. I think he is a danger to the organization, even without my quarrel with him.

"Well... I'll keep that in mind. But he's a good politician. That's why I can only reprimand him. I'm sorry if I've been a bit of a disappointment to you."

"No, no..."

Emily is sad. The actual fact is, even though it was an act of violence, the other party is without blessing.  Even so, Commander Tisserius reprimanded her subordinate.

<"That's enough, Commander Tisserius. I thank you.">

"I appreciate you saying so. Now, both of you, I must take my leave." Commander Tisserius leaves the tent.

She says one last word. "Rolf, take care of yourself."

<"Yes. Thank you.">

After Commander Tisserius left, Emily stared at the exit of the tent she had left.

"Rolf."

<"Yes">

"When did they start calling you by your first name?"

<"Just a few minutes ago. Commander Tisserius always calls her troops by their first names.">

"Rolf is not Commander Tisserius' subordinate. He's mine."

<"....? Yes.">

I am happy to hear that the most powerful knight in the kingdom remembers my name. That's all there is to it.

".....Why did you save Commander Tisserius that time?"

<"Because we couldn't afford to lose our commander."> I gave the obvious answer.

"She was wearing armor. You didn't have to protect her, did you?"

<"No, she would have been in danger had she not gotten down and taken a direct hit from the blast.">

"But....well." Emily's face seemed to be filled with an emotion that was not quite right for her.

"... Well, Rolf. The first knights are still here, but the fifth will leave here tomorrow."

<"I'm sure they will.">

We will record and re-examine what happened here. Make a draft of a restoration plan by summarizing various damages including the destroyed bridge. The troops to be stationed in the area will be organized and deployed in the basin.

(Organize the battlefield.)

The Knights of the Kingdom of Londosius are, in essence, the national army, and this type of work must be done well. The First Order will still be busy for the time being. But for the Fifth, this is not a duty station. Now that the battle is over, they can only return home.

"The wounded members of the Order who are still receiving medical treatment will stay behind for a while. Rolf, too, heal your wounds and then come home, okay?"

<"I understand.">

"I really want to stay, but Commander Tarian won't let me. I will be back soon."

<"The knight, who is in an important position, should not be allowed to stay behind with the squire.">

"......Yeah, then I have a meeting about the march on my way home. Take care. Don't get up and swing your sword until you're healed."

<"I understand, Miss Emily.">

With that said, I put my head on the pillow. I then looked sideways at Emily as she left the tent. She stopped at the exit, and after a moment of silence, she turned and opened her mouth.

"Rolf....  Commander Tisserius said earlier that you would like to come to the First Order?"

<"I won't go."> The first thing that comes to my mind is the fact that I am not going to go to the First Order.

"Even if you are invited again?"

<"Yes.">

"....Okay, I'll go. Come back soon, Rolf!" Emily smiles and leaves.

I will stay with Emily as long as I can. As long as I am allowed to do so.

With this thought in mind, I closed my eyes.

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