Chapter 48
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Chapter 48
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"Protecting the child in place of the comrade who went on ahead. That's the natural duty and responsibility of us survivors."
"Didn't expect to find a kid here too."
Marlboro said, sounding surprised.
Marigold's brow furrowed sharply in an instant.
She was already on edge from thinking about Asrania.
Her frayed nerves reacted to even that offhand remark.
"Is there some reason I can't be here?"
Marigold crossed her arms defiantly.
"Or does my presence just bother you?"
"Uh... well, you see..."
The Commander tried to interject in a panic, but Marlboro held up a hand to stop him.
Marlboro stared at Marigold for a moment before bowing his head politely.
"Don't misunderstand. That's not what I meant."
Marlboro continued in a troubled tone.
"I was just surprised to see you in a place like this. If I've offended you, I apologize."
Marigold whipped her head away with a huff, as if the steam was venting out of her.
She kept her arms crossed, tilting her head stubbornly, showing no sign of lowering her guard.
"Fine. I didn't even ask for an apology."
Silence fell.
The Commander swallowed dryly, trying to lighten the awkward atmosphere.
"...How's Esira doing? I came because I was worried."
"Worried."
Her voice bristled with undisguised thorns.
"...It's utterly revolting."
Marlboro cut in.
"That's a bit harsh. I even apologized."
"That's not what I mean. Your mere presence here is an insult."
Marigold didn't hide her disgust.
"Let's be honest. You're not here out of worry—you're here to investigate, right?"
"...Pardon?"
"Since Asrania died, you want to check on the state of the daughter she left behind. Hmm, did Beatrice send you?"
Marigold's eyes cooled to a chilling glare.
"Slithering into a house where someone's died to pry for information—it's disgusting."
Marlboro's eyebrow twitched at Marigold's sharp accusation.
"Hey, Miss Marigold. That's going too far..."
"The one going too far is you, Marlboro."
Marigold cut him off, as if she didn't want to hear it.
"Marlboro, Number 44. And here you are, tagging along like a lackey on some house call with the Commander. Are you really with Exim? Or have you become that man's errand boy?"
"Watch your mouth, kid. My patience has limits."
Marlboro growled, but Marigold didn't flinch.
She even took a step closer.
"Want to throw down? Fine. Did you forget I'm Number 30?"
You're the kid.
A ferocious aura poured out of her, unbelievable for a child.
"Get out. If you spout any more nonsense, I might just kill you."
Marlboro's eyes widened for a moment.
It wasn't bravado—the killing intent was too thick.
The eyes of someone who truly had the ability to follow through.
The tense air was on the verge of reaching a breaking point.
"Stop! Both of you, stop this!"
The Commander hurriedly stepped between them.
He spread his arms to separate Marigold and Marlboro, looking at Marigold with desperate eyes.
"Please, clear up this misunderstanding. I swear, we're not here to investigate."
"Move. I can't stand the sight of your hypocrisy."
"Call it hypocrisy if you want. But please understand this: I'm not here as a soldier."
The Commander pressed his bandaged hand firmly against his chest.
"I'm here as an adult who cares about the child."
Adult.
That unexpected word shook Marigold.
Her bloodthirsty momentum faltered in an instant.
"Don't you remember? We crossed the line between life and death together with Asrania."
"..."
"In that desperate moment, what use were affiliations or ranks? We were just comrades who survived together."
The Commander swallowed his surging emotions.
"The pain of losing a comrade is the same for me. How could I possibly come here to investigate?"
"...Are you saying that sincerely?"
Marigold asked, still suspicious but noticeably softer.
"I swear it. On my honor."
The Commander answered without a hint of hesitation.
"Worrying if the child's eating well, if she's hurt anywhere—what reason do we need for that?"
The Commander looked straight at Marigold again.
"Protecting the child in place of the comrade who went on ahead. That's the natural duty and responsibility of us survivors."
Marigold was speechless for a moment.
This man who tossed out silly jokes even when death was at the door.
She'd thought he was just a dimwit who followed orders blindly.
"...Hah."
Marigold let out a deflating sigh as she uncrossed her arms.
"Now I get it. Why Asrania talked about you so much."
"...She talked about me? Asrania did?"
The Commander asked incredulously.
He'd figured the only thing out of Asrania's mouth about him would be curses.
"Think about that later. I need to correct what I said earlier."
"Was there something wrong with my words?"
"An adult worried about the child? No."
Marigold's eyes narrowed.
"You came here as a father figure. Right?"
The Commander's pupils wavered, losing focus.
He swallowed the words rising to his chin and shook his head with effort.
"...That would be an insult to both Asrania and Esira."
"A bit much. It's a reasonable suspicion."
Asrania had denied any relationship with the Commander to the end.
"You really slept with Asrania, didn't you? And that's the kid who came out of it."
"No. There's someone who can vouch for my innocence."
"Beatrice, right? Don't make me laugh. She's on your side. A kiss and she'll say whatever."
Seeing words weren't getting through, the Commander shook his head.
"The timing doesn't even match."
"Timing?"
"I came from another dimension. I haven't been in this world long."
The Commander glanced at the closed door and lowered his voice.
"Ten years ago, I didn't even exist here. How could I be the father?"
"Hmm..."
If what he said was true, it all lined up perfectly.
How could he make a child from another dimension?
There was no better alibi.
"How do I know that's true?"
"I'd appreciate it if you believed me."
The problem was, it didn't convince her.
From the listener's perspective, it sounded like nonsense.
Marigold crossed her arms again, peering deeply into the Commander's eyes as if appraising him.
"But it's weird. If that's true, you two should be total strangers."
"..."
"Asrania acted like she knew you inside out."
The Commander's brow furrowed.
"Knew me well?"
"Exactly that. Asrania wasn't the type to let anyone get close in Exim. But with you, it was different."
Marigold looked up at the ceiling, as if recalling memories.
"You'd just met, but it felt like you'd known each other for over ten years. Like she knew exactly how you'd act, your whole personality."
"That's..."
Even the Commander couldn't explain it. Just the fact they'd been seen together with Asrania had shocked those around them.
"That's why I'm asking again. Just to confirm."
Marigold's eyes gleamed coldly.
"Commander. You really had nothing with Asrania? Not even in the past, not even a brief fling?"
The Commander answered instantly, without hesitation.
"Nothing. I swear on everything I have."
"Good. You swore? Noted."
Marigold stepped right up to him, looking up.
"Then make one promise."
"What promise?"
"Just in case you say something different later."
Her voice dropped low.
"If it turns out you're lying, and you did sleep with Asrania in the past..."
Marigold mimed slicing her throat with her thumb.
"Then you'll die by my hand. No time for excuses—I'll cut your throat right then."
This wasn't the childlike demeanor she usually showed. She seemed like someone who'd rolled through battlefields for decades.
The Commander was suddenly at a loss for words. He was innocent, after all.
He hadn't been in this world long, and he hadn't had the physical time to share more than battlefield camaraderie with Asrania.
Was it because her intensity overwhelmed him?
Or the unease that human memory might be imperfect?
He couldn't answer right away.
Marigold's eyes narrowed.
She'd caught his hesitation.
"What? No answer?"
"..."
"Scared? If there's nothing between you, nothing to feel guilty about—why hesitate?"
The Commander clenched and unclenched his fist silently, quelling the fleeting doubt in his heart.
He had no reason to feel shame. So no reason to hesitate.
The Commander met Marigold's gaze with steady eyes.
"...All right. I promise."
He pointed to his own throat without hesitation.
"I swear on my honor. If I'm lying..."
The Commander finished calmly.
"Cut my head off anytime. I'll offer it willingly."
"Good."
A satisfied smile curved Marigold's lips.
The murderous talk of throats was gone in an instant. As if it had never happened, she pointed to the firmly closed door.
"Go in. Esira's in there. She might open the door for you, Commander."
"...She won't come out?"
"She's practically dead."
"...Understood."
The Commander turned away with a curt nod.
Marigold and Marlboro stayed put until he fully vanished into the corridor's darkness.
A strange awkwardness hung between the two left alone.
"...Let's step out for a bit."
Marigold broke the silence first, unable to bear it.
"Is something bothering you?"
"No. Need some air. The air in this dump is suffocating."
She shook out her collar irritably.
Marlboro nodded without protest.
"Got it."