Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: A Needle in the Pocket Will Eventually Stick Out (2)
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I'd always had ridiculously good recovery ability.
This time was no different.
While the Bluecoats who'd barely escaped their sickbeds were shuffling around the fortress, I was already well enough to lightly mount and ride a horse.
"What kind of body is that?"
"No way. Wasn't the captain more seriously injured than you?"
"I'm younger too. Why? Just why?"
The Bluecoats stared at me like I was a monster.
Not even considering that they were the weak ones.
"It's not that they're frail. You're the freak. Getting back on your feet in just ten days after wounds like that? It doesn't make sense."
Evgen Sanov Lieutenant Colonel—he'd taken my strong advice, given up pretending to be a strategist, and settled into the role of legion logistics staff officer, staying at the fortress to manage supplies for the 8th Legion—shook his head.
"How's the front lines?"
Given the situation, I asked him about the front every single day.
"Our guys are pounding away, Astoria's holding out. They're just lobbing shells and arrows from a distance. What's gonna change?"
Our army's strategy wasn't anything special.
-Besiege the castle, cut off supplies, and continuously force the enemy to expend troops and resources.
Simple and crude, but the surest method.
A conservative choice befitting the Thracia army.
The problem was they'd likely stockpiled plenty of supplies in preparation for war.
"They'll handle it somehow."
Evgen Sanov Lieutenant Colonel's tone was detached.
"Leave the front to the other staff officers and legion commanders, and stick to our duties."
He looked utterly at peace flipping through papers.
"I'll plan supplies so the army gets what it needs when it needs it, and you focus on recovering. That's it."
Just one career change, and he looked free of all worries.
People really needed to find work that suited them.
"Then I'll stick to my duty too."
"You mean slacking off."
"Tactical rest."
He waved me off at the lame joke.
Meaning get out.
"Take care."
I gave an awkward salute and left his office.
Wandering aimlessly through the fortress, I found myself atop the walls before I knew it.
"Captain. Feeling better now?"
A few soldiers on watch duty noticed and greeted me.
"Yeah. Just scratches."
"Man, twice more and your head's gone."
They grinned back at my bravado.
"Keep up the good work."
"Don't push too hard, Captain."
"Got it. Go."
After bantering, I perched on the wall's edge.
Open plains all around.
The clear weather made the distant horizon sharper than ever.
"Yannick, Yannick."
A familiar voice called.
"What're you looking at?"
"Nothing."
I turned.
Natasha gazed beyond the horizon with a languid face.
"Being like this reminds me of the old days."
Her unusually sentimental tone made me widen my eyes.
Had this maniac finally grown a human heart?
"Why, remember when we were surrounded, packed tight? That was fun."
"...?"
"That sea of people! Allies shoving into my spells like moths to a flame!"
As if.
"I wanna see it again!"
Suddenly excited, she jumped up and twirled.
"Yannick, Yannick."
"What."
"Will days like that come again?!"
I barely remembered whatever time she meant.
"Better not."
I didn't know exactly when, but it was clear they shouldn't.
Chased every day, surrounded every day, barely surviving every day.
Back then, it was just daily life.
"Really? You really think that?"
She spun and asked.
She looked so precarious I had to speak.
"Natasha. You'll fall."
Oddly, she obediently stopped.
"Why? Don't like me falling?"
She stared at me.
"Blood-crazed bitch. Murderer. Arsonist. Inhuman monster. Devil's spawn. Parent-eater freak."
Wouldn't it be better if someone like me just died?
Her bright tone made it creepy.
"Natasha. Whatever, just come here."
She looked so unsteady I reached out.
"..."
Natasha beamed.
Then leaned back.
"Crazy!"
I yanked her hand, pulling her in.
Her body felt weightless.
"Saved me again."
She stared, then grinned wide.
"Like back then."
She burrowed into my arms.
I was about to scold her carefree ass.
Captain and that mage lady...?
Hey, hey. Pretend you didn't see. Don't look. You oblivious bastard.
Whispers from behind.
Appreciated the discretion, but not like that, idiots.
I grumbled internally, unheard, and forcibly pulled Natasha down from the merlon.
"Natasha. Please don't do that."
"Won't if Yannick says not to."
Sure you won't.
"Anyway, let's go down."
She was always unpredictable, but today especially tricky.
Feeling tired, I dragged her off the wall.
Thankfully, she heeded me and didn't do anything risky after.
But that didn't mean I got peaceful rest.
Not at all.
Anyway.
When the shuffling Bluecoats' steps became somewhat decent—about half a month after the 8th Legion main force left Kilirgrad.
"Captain! Captain!"
A soldier found me.
His face pale as a ghost.
"G-Go to the lieutenant colonel quick!"
His urgent tone made my heart sink.
"Something happen on the front...?"
"Not that. Just go see!"
Not the front, so why the fuss?
"Hurry!"
Urged by the soldier, I headed to the office.
"Captain, Yannick. You called...?"
I froze entering.
Evgen Sanov Lieutenant Colonel knelt, head bowed.
Whoosh. Swish. Whirl.
Even bowing, his hands moved busily.
Following his gestures, I spotted the guest late.
...Huh?
My mind blanked.
"Yannick Schrelgriff greets His Majesty's envoy!"
When I snapped to, I knelt beside him too.
"Never thought I'd ride a royal carriage in my life."
"What's all this about?"
The Bluecoats gawked endlessly at the carriage.
These country bumpkins, four days in and still.
"Enough. We have Bluecoat pride."
"Aren't you curious, Captain? When else do we get this luxury?"
"Not really. Rode one before."
They widened eyes at my reply.
I puffed up more.
But briefly.
The king's envoy visiting Kilirgrad was odd enough; the decree even odder.
-Yannick Schrelgriff, 44 other Bluecoats, mage Natasha, and Captain Lenin: Depart Kilirgrad immediately for the palace.
They said it was to commend our great achievements, but doubtful.
Not our first big wins, so why call us now? Couldn't guess the real intent.
"Captain, why so tense?"
Captain Lenin's words snapped me from thoughts.
-He was the only light cavalry captain included, unlike the Bluecoats.
I touched my face unconsciously.
Even I felt my muscles rigid.
"Your face looks like you're heading to punishment."
The Bluecoats giggled at the lame joke.
I couldn't laugh.
"Makes sense. His Majesty isn't some benevolent sage-king. More a fearless warrior monarch. No wonder you're tense."
Smiling at their laughter, he consoled belatedly.
"His Majesty wouldn't send precious royal carriages just to punish us."
True enough.
No reason to tense up.
Two great nobles' heads, four elite cavalry companies, nine knights, infantry too.
Considering our feats, this wasn't absurd.
We were heroes.
No need to fret.
Yet as the capital neared, my heart burned.
Unlike other Bluecoats, I had guilty secrets.
What if the princess snitched?
Or command's old fogeys confessed my past?
So many sins, wild thoughts swirled.
Logically, no reason to report now.
Punishing me would unsettle the high-morale troops.
I knew, but hearts don't follow logic.
Wouldn't calm.
I even seriously pondered fleeing.
Erased potential post-escape headaches, planned hundreds of schemes alone.
Bottom line: Executed none.
"Whoa! Redcoats!"
Capital near, Redcoats surrounded us.
"Redcoat escort? We really dodged death."
"Only the dead miss this fun."
From then, the carriage-clingers started peeking out.
"Thanks for the easy ride!"
"Weak wounded weaklings love sturdy Redcoat uncles!"
Redcoats flushed at Bluecoat teasing.
They gritted teeth, pretending not to hear; Bluecoats laughed more.
"..."
My insides rotted.
Others thrilled by luxury; I found no joy.
Felt dragged to slaughter.
Lie if I said joining Thracia army, I never imagined this.
If commended by king for big feats.
Or promoted to general, facing him proudly.
Fun fantasies then; now reality, pure dread.
No way. Nah. He won't recognize me.
I was young then, low-rank, no attention-grabber.
No king remembers small fry like me, decade later.
Less chance of face recognition.
Never faced him bare-faced.
Worrying about the rude, oblivious, disloyal mage causing trouble was more rational.
"The rightful ruler of Thracia, noblest and wisest, bravest and most merciful King Igor Trakieri enters! All kneel and pay homage!"
So I thought.
Limp, limp, stop.
Of many heroes, halted right before me.
"..."
Heavy silence, burning stares on my head.
Thump-thump-thump-thump.
Heart raced mad.
No need to look up.
Narrow-minded Igor Trakieri recognized me at a glance.
God help me.