The hill was composed of lumps of mud, with sparse weeds growing here and there. However, they were too few, and the heavy, thick soles of military boots sank into the mud with every step, pushing through to the ground beneath.
The sky held a moon. The pitch-black storm clouds that had been present for the past few months had finally dispersed after releasing all their lightning, revealing the full moon hiding beyond the clouds, which now illuminated the barracks and its surroundings.
The surrounding air was as refreshing as right after a rainfall.
The cool breeze, combined with the slanting path up the hill, made the journey not feel overly arduous thanks to my experience.
“Add, if you’re not handicapped, why would you climb such a high hill?”
I voiced a trivial complaint while enjoying the cool breeze. It was a leisurely moment, perhaps even peaceful.
On this hill, under the moonlight, faint flower buds among the glowing weeds caught my eyes. Seeing those flower buds naturally made me think I should bring Lir here someday. This hill, with less blood smell than the dreary battlefield, had a story to tell.
“Are you planning to desert now?”
However, such peaceful thoughts vanished instantly at a single word from Rex atop the hill.
“Huh?”
Desertion.
The act of a soldier fleeing without permission is a grave military offense, with deserters in wartime typically facing immediate execution.
Additionally, if I had the skill to survive an attack from the grand marshals, desertion might be the dream crime I’d instantly commit.
…Though “dream crime” does sound odd, but that’s precisely what it is.
“That’s correct.”
Add replied quite calmly and nonchalantly.
Since I hadn’t reached the top of the hill yet, I couldn’t see the expression on his face.
“I’m your superior officer. Moreover, it was my recommendation that got you the position you’re currently in. Are you planning to bring shame to my face by leaving?”
“…Why did Rex come to the battlefield?”
“Because I’m a warrior.”
Though Add’s response to Rex’s rebuke was a rhetorical exchange, Rex didn’t hesitate a second to answer him.
“…I envy you,” Add said, his voice trembling.
Add’s voice revealed clear signs of exhaustion. I doubted this was the same person who was once characterized by an overly cheerful and bright demeanor.
“I wanted to be a hero. People called me a hero since I was a child, and I believed I would become one soon enough.”
Add’s voice began to choke up, though I wasn’t sure what exactly he’d witnessed on this mission—it certainly wasn’t normal.
“…But, today I realized I can’t do that.”
What could have possibly happened to make Add, who usually exudes strength, sound so weak?
“I abandoned someone to die. No matter how much I told myself it was for the mission or the greater good, the cries of Corporal Danny being dragged away by a big, dirty hand still won’t leave my head.”
Now Add’s voice was almost a whisper.
His faint voice barely reached my ears through the wind.
Who exactly was Danny?
…What had he witnessed?
“Today, I saw Bin adorn the sky, and I wanted to be someone like him too.”
Add paused briefly to catch his breath before continuing in a choked-up voice.
“But probably… I’ll never reach such heights. After all, only a handful of people in centuries are born with such talent.”
It was unclear from Add’s voice alone whether he was overwhelmed with anger or sadness.
“I’ve seen it now. At first, I didn’t know what it was about his gaze… but now I understand. Bel Artura, the mage currently assessed as the most powerful among all, he was envying that young child who adorned the sky.”
It might be both anger and sadness.
“That means something, doesn’t it? Even those with talent like Bel can’t become heroes.”
“…”
Rex remained silent, watching Add as he choked back tears and sorrow.
He seemed to be simply watching a child struggling in pain.
“There are only a very few who can reach such heights—right now, it’s probably just Sword Saint and Bin. I thought I was good. I believed I had talent without a trace of doubt. Although I couldn’t compare to a General, I thought I was somewhat strong!”
Add’s realization of how arrogant he’d been was apparent, and even sarcasm didn’t come naturally.
He took a deep breath.
Then, the sound of him pounding his chest with his palms echoed.
“…How foolish of me. Look at me. The one who aspires to adorn the battlefield with spirits wasn’t even able to save a comrade’s life.”
Add sobbed as he caught his breath.
His clumsy and uncertain breathing weighed heavily on my shoulders.
” Heroes are predetermined from birth.”
With that note of despair in Add’s voice, the sound of squelching mud followed.
Perhaps Add was finally setting off on his way.
“I find this unpleasant.”
Finally, Rex spoke, his voice low.
“…”
The sound of shoes mixing with mud paused momentarily.
“Your birth is not important. What’s important is the way you die. It seems you wanted to be a jester, not a hero.”
Add gave no response to Rex’s words.
The squelching sound of mud resumed.
It grew softer, eventually fading away entirely.
Silence reigned on top of the hill for some time.
I wasn’t sure when I could finally ascend to the almost reached summit.
…Should I just go back?
“Come up already.”
Hmm.
Right. I can go up now.
At Rex’s call, I slowly climbed up the hill. There, a large orc and the clear footprints left behind were the only things remaining.
“Uh…”
Rex’s back, turned towards the direction Add had departed, looked profoundly bitter.
“I’m sorry. You trusted me with personnel decisions, and now this happened.”
“No, I don’t blame you, Rex. It’s just…regrettable, that’s all.”
Honestly, I didn’t feel the immense regret Rex might have felt over Add’s disappearance. We’d only known each other for a few days, and even then, my first impression of him wasn’t especially good.
“Always talking about being a hero like a child. His behavior… seemed detached from reality. So, I’m not that surprised.”
Since he’s already gone, I figured I could freely express my thoughts.
I openly shared my true feelings about Add with Rex.
“Actually, he’s like a child.”
“…I’m younger than you!”
“Has the General experienced a lot? Meeting grand marshals, visiting dangerous dungeons since childhood where artifacts are discovered?”
Even though the part about visiting dangerous dungeons since childhood was a lie, I hadn’t anticipated how useful such a little fabrication could be.
“Compared to Add, he’s a child. He only faced weak marauders or mutants, and thus, a person who never experienced devastating failures or losses in his life.”
As Rex quietly descended the hill, he concluded with that.
“Twenty years old is an appropriate age to become an adult. At least, that’s what I believe.”
While looking at Rex, I wondered how we would compensate for the reduction in my security personnel since Add left.
Though Rex looked disheartened by Add’s departure, it didn’t evoke any feelings of loss on my part.
Whether Add grows into an adult or remains a kid forever, it’s none of my concern now. He’s no longer my security detail; he’s simply a deserter.
*
The generals’ tents are always brightly lit late into the night.
Gridia had to record the total number of casualties and deaths of the day, and Arthur, the mage, needed to analyze the current situation and plan for what was coming next.
However, tonight was different from usual. Instead of the bright glow, a faint lantern softly illuminated the tent. Normally, these two would be working on endless paperwork late, but tonight, the volume of their tasks was much lighter than usual.
The reduction in Gridia’s workload was due to liquor and tobacco.
On regular days, soldiers under extreme stress might cause self-inflicted wounds or accidentally cast spells on allies due to waning focus. But today, thanks to liquor and tobacco, there was a noticeable reduction in such accidents as soldier stress levels decreased.
The soldiers, regaining their composure, proved that they were the elite of the continent by easily repelling marauder and mutant attacks without significant casualties. The wounded numbered merely eleven, and no one was killed, except for Arthur and those on a special mission.
Arthur, who typically would wrestle with reports and maps until dawn, could rest his eyes much earlier tonight.
The infiltration mission to plant the parchments in the enemy camp was a roaring success, and what’s more, the young man caused a spectacular diversion—beyond expectations.
The marauder grand marshals wouldn’t idly wait under these circumstances. They would undoubtedly launch aggressive offenses to eliminate the presence of Bin, and all the continental army would need to do is hold their ground.
The traps had been set.
All that remained was to wait for the fish or crabs to take the bait.
“General Arthur, are you asleep?”
A small voice reached my ears through the faint lantern light from the tent entrance.
“What’s the matter?”
Arthur, lying on his cot with his eyes closed, asked without changing his position. Gridia and the young man were already deep in sleep despite the relatively early hour.
“A letter has arrived.”
Upon hearing this, Arthur, who had been waiting for something, opened his eyes and got out of bed.
“…From?”
Arthur slowly walked toward the entrance as he asked.
“The Supreme General.”
