Forsaken Before the Battle
After that long business trip, you'd think they'd let us rest and regroup. But things were so urgent they shipped us right back out. I'd hoped for some downtime if supplies or troops were delayed, but everything was ready to go, like they'd been waiting just for us to leave.
"That's odd..."
"...?"
Inside a carriage rumbling toward the orc-infested area amid the procession, Mari muttered with her arms crossed.
"What's up, Mari?"
"Have you two heard?"
"...?"
"All of Lady Amelia's top paladins are missing from this march."
Mari smacked her lips. She always traveled with the finest escorts...
"(Maybe she sent 'em ahead to prep! That yellow bitch is all about being ready!)"
"Uh... but she didn't mention anything this time."
After that huge blowout with Ludia, Amelia had gone radio silent. The first time we saw her after just a few days:
— Long time no see, Master Huu.
— ...?
Behind her kindly smile, she looked haggard, like shadows overlapping her face.
"Master Huu has a point. She prefers setting the stage in advance."
Mari, oblivious to the real situation, nodded emphatically at my words. Then she gave me a surprised look.
...What? Does it feel weird hearing me say that?
"And her handmaid Medel is nowhere in sight either. She's probably leading troops ahead."
"(Yellow bitch! Gotta admit, she's thorough with prep!)"
"Hmph... so lecherous..."
Ludia grumbled in a barely audible voice, puffing out her cheeks.
Being thorough isn't bad at all. But she seemed pissed for a different reason.
"(Bitch! You sulkin'? Still got a grudge against the yellow bitch?)"
She flinched. When I whispered secretly through the ring, Ludia reacted instantly.
"I-it's just... probably... or maybe not..."
Even she realized her reaction was childish and quickly backed down. Then, as if struck by a thought, she peeked out cautiously, rolling her eyes.
"No way. Did you secretly tell Master Huu something...?"
Even while gauging reactions, she spoke her mind. Without words, her eyes sparkled: Please say no, right?
"(Kuhahaha!!! Why the hell would that bitch do that!!)"
Nothing to hide. Why's she even curious? I told it straight, and her brows relaxed peacefully.
Should tell her to quit worrying and get some sleep.
"Phew..."
"(Don't worry! I don't hide shit like that! At night, I'll show you everything!!)"
"!!"
Shit. Did I tack on too much? Ludia jolted, shoulders shaking, and I flinched too.
Lately, she's been super sensitive. Even a hint of weird talk makes her all hot and bothered...
Squeeze.
""......""
In the end, again. Her warmth settled over my hand.
Mari, sitting opposite, had seen it all—her eyes widened dramatically. Ludia launched into a non-excuse excuse.
"I-it's... g-going to the battlefield... my heart's pounding..."
Her face beet red, what a convincing line.
I'd just rested my hand on my knee, and now Ludia's overlapped it. Was plain stacking not enough? Was she protesting for a proper hold? She couldn't stay still, tickling my hand to provoke a reaction—what the hell?
"Don't misunderstand, Mari! So, this is..."
"(Yeah, bitch! This is like... a warm-up exercise...)"
"I-I... ahem! I'll step out for a bit! This carriage is stifling!"
Clunk!
Mari bolted out fast. Her flushed face and "Whew, hot!" exclamation were so... awkward.
In this cramped carriage, she tried pretending not to notice, but that was doomed.
"Huu... What if Mari misunderstands??"
"..."
"We're really not like that..."
Ludia, fingers intertwined with mine, wore an aggrieved expression.
"Ugh... (Shouldn't you pull your hand away first to say that...?)"
The words nearly burst out, but I swallowed them—afraid something weirder would slip.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
We barely crossed paths with Amelia on the way. Maybe at mealtimes? But the changed scenery nagged at me.
— Yellow bitch! You holdin' up?
— Oh my. To think Master Huu would speak first. I'm fine.
A light greeting, and she'd pretend not to hear at first, then reply briefly and warmly.
"Lady Amelia must have more handmaids than just Medel. Eating alone like that is strange."
Like a lone beast straggled from the pack, she ate quietly. Even Mari, no fan of hers, found it odd.
"Maybe she sent everyone ahead to the battlefield?? She's so thorough, right?"
"No. Even attendants for personal service wouldn't be sent."
"..."
It felt off. She acted leisurely as usual, but everything around her had changed, amplifying it.
And then,
"What??? No troops...?"
"Exactly, Mari. But I'll lead the vanguard this time."
The unease became reality. Inside the main tent at the paladin headquarters for the orc subjugation.
Amelia's words stunned us.
"But..."
"(Yellow bitch! Such a liar! Where'd you stash those shiny-armored punks?! Is this part of the plan too?!)"
"Sorry, but circumstances demand it. No troops at all."
""...""
Her calm voice, kindly curving smile. Maybe because her spat with Ludia lingered in my mind? Today, that formal demeanor felt terribly... off.
"See you on the battlefield tomorrow. Have a peaceful night."
Emotionless. She said it curtly and left.
We were left speechless for a moment.
"This hurts only us. All the knights here support Lady Ludia... If the battle intensifies, we'll take all the damage!"
Mari spoke first, as if waking from a dream. Anger surged late; veins bulged around her jaw.
"Ugh... Is Lady Amelia doing this on purpose??"
"But this battle is her trial too. No way she'd gamble like this..."
Even excited, she couldn't shake the doubt. The mid-evaluation for saintess candidates was imminent. Risking it all now?
"(She's hid 'em somewhere secret! Gotta fool your own to fool the enemy!)"
Classic Amelia. Mari said she'd crushed monsters before with brilliant ambushes.
"Impossible. The battlefield's the great plain. There's a valley nearby, but orcs fortified it... No hiding troops."
"Hmph... Then what? Does she wanna smash 'em solo like Master Huu? Her family wouldn't allow that..."
""...?!""
Solo. Family. Amelia's appearance. Ludia's offhand words meshed memories into one conclusion.
Mari seemed to reach it too, opening her mouth slowly with a tense expression.
"No way..."
"...? What's wrong, Mari?"
"(...The yellow bitch got dumped by her family.)"
"Huh?? Lady Amelia, by the Rubystones??"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
At 4 years old, realizing I outshone other children, my life was hurled toward one goal: becoming a saintess.
Now, 16 years later, sadly, it was all ending.
"...Father, really. As if I'd die from something like this."
Chuckle chuckle...
Wine and celebratory foods left in my quarters by someone. No need to eat. I knew who sent them, what was in them.
But a foolish maid might sneak a bite, causing hassle. So I buried the food after digging a hole, poured the wine on the ground.
Sizzle...
"Not much aroma. Cheap wine, huh?"
Bubbles rose from the soaked earth. The acrid acidic stench stung my nose—a poor nightcap for the end.
Clunk.
I tossed the empty bottle carelessly and lay down.
...No different from that bottle. Discarded once useless.
"Is this... right?"
Was becoming saintess truly my dream? Having lived serving and scrambling nonstop, this sudden idleness brought all sorts of thoughts.
Even abandoned by my family and setting off alone felt like a trip.
Clumsy assassins or threats midway? Nothing new from Rubystone days.
"...At least this is worth taking."
I held a wooden ring to the dim lantern light. Unfamiliar in my hand, yet my eyes kept drifting to it.
Who knew this was how it worked.
"...Should I try talking?"
But late hour. He'd be deep asleep. Waking to my voice in his head? Nightmare fuel.
Do it. Don't. I wavered, but decided against. Wanted my final image to be a good one.
"With Ludia... probably."
My heart sank.
Her type? This body never lacked for looks. Without saintess candidacy, marriage proposals from elites would've lined up.
Bitter, a hollow laugh nearly escaped.
"Ludia... Ludia..."
At first, I ignored Ludia. Poor immigrant farmer's daughter. Admired her grit amid contempt, but knowing her story, she seemed no threat—changed my mind.
Still thought I'd win. Overwhelming gap too much for one to bridge alone.
"Master Huu... is amazing."
Then it flipped in an instant. Because of that man, Huu.
So... my instincts wanted to cling to him?
Started as pride and curiosity over what I lacked.
That strange dream? Fixated on a faceless man, heart drawn inexplicably. Even Medel found it odd; I couldn't explain.
...Too late now.
"Phew..."
Thoughts tangled chaotically in my head. Unexplained frustration. Somehow, I toyed with a dagger from my bosom.
— Lady Amelia. Even if you return home, I'm always on your side.
Before leaving, Medel urged, handing it over.
Black sheath with faint blue glow.
— Deadliest poison. Even Holy Power can't antidote. Use on Ludia... reclaim your place!
She stuffed it secretly into my pocket.
— Don't lose hope. Good days will come again. Surely!
"......"
Medel's teary farewell. The one person I bonded with in that jungle of Rubystones... was that why?
"...I'll think about it. Thanks, Medel."
She couldn't hear, but for her, I'd muster a bit of strength.