novelraw Chapter 192: Engagement - Marching
Chapter 192: Engagement - Marching
192: Engagement - Marching
The happy days at Avril Castle did not last long. News of the war broke, causing unrest among the stationed troops.
As a temporary knight, Leo was able to observe all the proceedings. Lord Diallo Brina summoned key military figures such as the general, the quartermaster, and the knights, and informed the chief of the Ainar tribe of the mobilization order.
Following wartime protocols, they requested a priest from the church, but the request was denied. It was as if the Cross Church had anticipated the war, having already issued orders not to involve any church.
Avril Castle became bustling with activity. Soldiers were selected for the battlefield, and military supplies were pulled out from the storerooms.
From the underground of the lord’s castle to the outer training grounds, soldiers lined up, passing wooden crates to one another with constant amazement.
"Who would have thought this day would come."
"Indeed. Thanks to Sir Leo, it will be much easier."
Leo’s reputation was improving.
In truth, Leo Dexter’s reputation had been nearly rock bottom. He had only briefly gained favor due to his uncharacteristic behavior for a newcomer."We are short on supplies."
"We need to clean the blankets and tents."
"The weapons in the armory are in poor condition. They are all rusted, and most are damaged. They need to be repaired immediately."
He invoked various regulations to set things in motion.
He was right about everything.
As a military base, Avril Castle had an obligation to stockpile dried food and other supplies for the frontlines.
However, the opponent Avril Castle was facing was the Holy Kingdom of Jerome. It was unlikely a war would break out, so vigilance was lax. They neglected to stock supplies properly and often replaced broken weapons with those in storage without proper maintenance.
This had been the old practice at Avril Castle.
The dispatched soldiers, who would only be there for a year anyway, did not see this as a problem, but the rookie knight challenged this practice.
As a result, the soldiers dusted off years of accumulated dirt. They polished the rusted weapons and loaded the broken ones onto carts to send to the blacksmith. They washed the blankets and tents on a large scale during the cold winter.
It was natural that the soldiers' gazes towards Leo became sharp. They belittled Leo, saying he didn’t understand the ways of the world.
But then the war broke out. Faced with an urgent situation, public opinion reversed.
Had they not spent two months preparing military supplies, the soldiers would have had to work around the clock, so they began to view Leo differently.
“Well... I apologize for everything. The foolish one was not you, Sir.”
Even the quartermaster, who had looked at Leo with disdain, apologized sincerely. He sighed in relief, saying he had almost lost his job.
Thanks to this, the preparations for departure were completed leisurely. The army left Avril Castle after only three days of preparation.
The sound of drums and horns echoed from the castle. Leo, mounted on a horse, looked back. The soldiers and warriors filled the winding downhill path, and he was at the very front. Lena was with other junior knights, guarding the wagons loaded with supplies.
What will happen this time?
Phew. Leo took a deep breath and turned his head. Survival alone was no longer the goal, so he gripped the reins tightly.
[You have died. 5/5 - The player shares a life with Leo.]
Of course, this was the last life. While I could return to the beginning if I died and the cycle restarted, Minseo would not. From now on, I must never die.
And, I know. There is a very simple way to avoid death. If absolutely necessary, Lena...
Must die first.
This was the thought Minseo had after discovering the life limit. It was grim, but undeniable. There had been similar instances.
[Forced Termination: Lena's Murder 2/3]
Killing Lena would result in a forced game termination, a truly horrendous constraint, but this was unrelated to the engagement scenario.
2/3. While it was hard to be certain due to the mixed-up counter display, it was likely that all versions of Lena across various scenarios had to be killed 'by type' for forced termination to occur.
Therefore, it didn’t matter if Lena Ainar, already included in the counter, was killed...
Leo Dexter, feeling extremely unpleasant, spat. The spit landed on the helmet of a passing soldier.
It was a revolting thought. It was absolutely unthinkable and I would not let it happen.
Moreover, while Minseo might think the game would end if he died, Leo believed quite differently.
The game does not end.
Whether Minseo exists or not, the remaining cycles will repeat. Thinking it all ends with his death is arrogance. Who does he think he is?
Leo fumed briefly, breathing heavily before taking a deep breath to calm himself.
This was merely considering possibilities rationally. Knowing that Minseo no longer viewed Lena in that way, Leo apologized to the soldier who was hit by his spit. The soldier was annoyed but forgave the young knight.
Now, let's reconsider.
[You have died. 5/5 - The player shares a life with Leo.]
This cycle, I must not die. Even if the game continues without Minseo, it would be extremely troublesome.
Without Minseo, memories cannot be passed on. If I die in this cycle, it will certainly cause serious problems in the next scenario, the Beggar Siblings cycle.
What would the prince, Leo, do without any passed-on memories? Would he become a simpleton? Or would he finally become the real Leo, free of impurities?
I don’t know.
But even if he becomes the real Leo, having no memories would be disadvantageous.
He wouldn’t know what achievements and abilities I possess, who is dangerous, who is helpful. Without knowing what lies ahead, neither a clear nor a happy ending would be possible.
Furthermore, the scenarios are somewhat interconnected, requiring mutual actions.
Honestly, I have no ties with the other Leos, but I have no intention of being harsh. I want to do something for my sister Lena, who ultimately died by our hands.
And for 'my' Lena as well.
"This seems like a good place to camp."
At that moment, the guide who had gone ahead returned, informing them that there was a suitable clearing nearby for camping. As the sun was already setting, the knights agreed.
Soon, the campsite was set up. Leo busied himself, comforting the tired soldiers, and soon stakes were driven into the ground, forming a camp 600 meters wide and 800 meters long.
Though it was just a one-night camp, they couldn’t simply fall asleep without precautions. Always preparing for the worst-case scenario was the essence of the military.
Fortunately, the soldiers were easy to manage. Being professional soldiers, they skillfully set up the camp and relaxed in the tents they quickly put up.
The problem lay with the warriors drafted from the Ainar tribe. It was their first time marching all day in full armor, and they stumbled about awkwardly. Their tent-pitching skills were poor, and Lena was no exception.
“Leave it. I’ll do it.”
“Oh, sure.”
Lena was struggling to pitch the tent. Despite her training as a junior knight, she had probably only set up a tent once, and her skills were clumsy.
Seeing this, Leo tried to help. But Lena snapped, “I said I’ll do it!” and pushed him away. After much struggle, she finally finished setting up the tent.
“It’s done! How is it? Not bad, right?”
It wasn’t good. The entrance of the tent was sagging and sloppy, which was unfit for a knight’s tent. Leo chuckled softly and asked quietly.
“Where’s your tent?”
“...Oh.”
“Just come in. Let’s eat first.”
A knight, not a servant, brought the meal. It was a humorous situation given the reversed roles, but the soldiers, knowing about Lena and Leo’s engagement, chuckled and gave way for them to receive their rations first.
“Take off your socks.”
“Huh? Why?”
“Just take them off.”
Leo had also brought hot water from the cooking area. Inside the sagging tent, Leo took Lena’s foot and removed her socks.
As expected, her feet were full of blisters.
She was an inexperienced woman. The junior knights had taken turns riding in the cart, but Lena didn’t know how to do that. Despite being a poor walker, she marched faithfully, which was foolish but also endearing...
“Ah! What are you doing! Let go of my foot!”
- Thud!
Leo, who had been lost in thought, was kicked by Lena. He clutched his throbbing jaw and shouted, “You idiot! Put your feet in the water!”
After a brief struggle, an awkwardness settled in. Lena apologized with a sheepish grin, “Hehe, sorry. I thought you were trying something weird.”
“...Let’s just eat.”
The clattering of utensils sounded.
Lena, feeling embarrassed, watched Leo eat while her feet soaked in the small water container.
“Let’s just use this tent together. It’s spacious enough, no need to set up another one.”
“...Okay.”
Leo said it nonchalantly, but Lena blushed. Luckily, the setting sun’s red glow masked her blush. Without it, it might have been noticed.
After finishing their meal, Lena quickly collected the dishes. “You rest, since you set up the tent, I’ll do the dishes,” Leo said, but Lena retorted, “That’s my job!” and went outside.
Ow, ow, ow, ow. It hurt a lot. Soaking in the hot water had helped, but her feet, having briefly rested, screamed in pain.
After doing the dishes, Lena waddled back. Her feet hurt more than during the march, so she soaked them in the water again.
Leo was nowhere to be seen. She assumed he had gone off to do some work and blushed again.
Sitting with her knees drawn up at the tent entrance made her feel shy. It was as if she were a newlywed bride waiting modestly for her husband to return, making her heart flutter. Normally, she would train in swordsmanship to forget such feelings, but her feet hurt too much for that.
‘...Where did he go?’
She had never waited for Leo before.
She was always busy trying to catch up to him, and his door was always open. Now, sitting still and waiting made her acutely aware of his absence.
At that moment, Lena took something out from her tunic. It was a hand mirror that Leo had given her. She looked at herself.
She was a mess.
Her hair was matted with sweat from the day's march, and her face was dirty. Her swordsmanship skills were poor, and she couldn’t even set up a tent properly. But,
Leo loved her despite all that.
Lena stared at her reflection in the mirror. She felt happy but also a twinge of sadness.
He loves me as I am...
It made her feel small.
She didn’t like it.
Lena stood up. She thought about washing her face but instead sheathed her sword. Despite the pain in her feet, she began to swing her sword.
“Lena, you should rest.”
But she couldn’t continue for long. Leo had returned, carrying a steaming water container, probably to change the water.
Lena felt lost between the emotions of elation and shrinking self-worth. She let herself be led back to the water by Leo, grateful that the setting sun offered a convenient excuse.
So, this too is an excuse.
Lena pulled down the sagging flap at the tent entrance.
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