The Empire's Hearing (2)
The imperial hearing was held quite frequently, almost like an annual event. Nobles had a passive talent for nitpicking and twisting even the smallest matters into faults. Still, it was rare for a hearing to be convened over a single rumor whose credibility was doubtful—especially when the target was a hero who enjoyed absolute support. Had the rumor not involved the kingdom, the voices of a few nobles would have been dismissed without a second thought. Unfortunately, the rumor about her was tied directly to the kingdom.
Most people in the empire—nearly all of them—harbored an extreme hatred for the kingdom. There was even a saying that they wouldn't so much as piss in its direction. The relationship between the two nations was that poisonous. And now the hero who had saved the empire was supposedly a villainess banished from that very kingdom? It was something they could never simply overlook. Either they had obtained solid evidence, or they were simply unwilling to let the matter drop.
'It's rare for mere rumors to be backed by real proof. Most likely the former. Even if it's the latter, I've already prepared countermeasures. There's no problem.'
What she sought was peace, not hardship. If it were ever proven that she truly was a villainess, things would become annoyingly complicated. As a war hero she had naturally made preparations for the worst, yet because she possessed no memories tied to this body, any attack that dredged up the past would be troublesome. Still, she had no intention of rolling over and accepting defeat. Nobles had always been quick to manufacture scandals out of nothing; today would be no different.
"Commander, may I ask a question?"
The black-haired youth, whose appearance was as flawless as a statue, spoke up. He sat directly across from her without the slightest movement, his gaze fixed solely on Wolfgang. She nearly frowned. What nonsense was this clear-eyed lunatic about to spout now? She wanted to refuse, but had no grounds to do so.
"……Speak."
"Wouldn't it be simpler to just wipe out all the nobles?"
Damn it. This lunatic. Despite his docile looks, his words and actions were brutally extreme. They said even a docile cat would eventually climb onto the stove; she just hadn't expected the saying to apply quite so literally. Yet Black's question was surprisingly reasonable. Wolfgang Leonhardt was the national hero who had ended the Winter War in victory. While some envied and resented her, far more believed in and followed her. Her military strength was overwhelming as well. Even so, except in a few cases, she accepted the harassment far too easily.
"If you wished it, Commander, you could seize this entire country. Who would dare stand in your way?"
"Black, I know you dislike humans, but keep it in check."
"……I am speaking with the Commander right now, Galina."
The meaning was unmistakable: stay out of it. Had Galina backed down at that single remark, she would never have earned the name "Mad Dog." In an instant the atmosphere inside the carriage froze, as though the winter of the apocalypse had returned. Galina's beast-like eyes locked onto Black, but he never once glanced her way. His ocean-deep blue eyes remained fixed on Wolfgang alone.
Feeling the weight of that stare, Wolfgang spoke.
"That's enough, Black."
"My apologies."
"Apologize to Galina, not me."
"……I'm sorry, Galina."
"Commander, I understand why you made that choice."
Only then did Black turn his gaze toward Galina. This time, however, it was Galina who refused to look at him. Wolfgang's expression soured. To her, the two of them simply looked like a pair of bombs colliding. If either one lost control and exploded, her peaceful retirement would vanish in an instant.
"Fine. Let's hear it."
"It's because you are a true hero, Commander!"
"……??"
"Hmm. That cannot be denied."
A reason she had never imagined tumbled out. Even Black nodded vigorously in agreement with Galina. What on earth is this? Why are they suddenly in agreement? She forced herself to stay calm. From Wolfgang's perspective, the current situation was nothing but a mountain of problems. Therefore, she decided—for now—not to question why Galina's eyes had turned into hearts.
"How did you reach that conclusion?"
"You have always said it yourself, Commander. You do not wish to bring further conflict upon the empire."
"I did."
"That is precisely why."
Of course, restoration work had already begun in the southern regions midway through the Winter War, yet the rest of the empire still bore its scars. In a time when every hand was needed simply to recover from the damage, any new conflict would be catastrophic. The empire would suffer wounds from which it could never recover. That was why the Commander endured humiliation and disgrace—not for power, but for the sake of the innocent citizens. That was the reason Galina believed in.
"I understand your reasoning, but is there truly a need to care so much?"
"Black."
Black, who despised humans, naturally voiced his objection. In that instant Galina's heart-filled eyes transformed. Those corpse-like eyes overwhelmed even him.
"We are nothing more than the Commander's tools. Isn't that right?"
"That is correct."
"Then a tool should behave like a tool and remain loyal to the Commander's will."
"I understand."
What the hell are you understanding? It was true that Wolfgang had once told the Vendetta, Galina included, that they were merely tools. But would someone who had fought solely for her own survival truly harbor such noble ideals?
'Legal discharge has already been completely blocked. Even if I ignore that and leave on my own, the Vendetta would…… I don't even want to imagine it.'
Wolfgang's worries only grew heavier with each passing day.
◇
After a long absence, the capital glittered with a splendor it had never possessed before, as though the empire's future held nothing but boundless glory. Eventually the carriage reached the imperial palace, and only then was Wolfgang finally liberated. Throughout the three-day journey, Galina and Black had clashed repeatedly, and each time Wolfgang had been forced to mediate.
'I'm so exhausted I could collapse.'
It was no exaggeration. Compared to the three sleepless nights she had endured during the Battle of Bares River, this was far more draining. Back then she had only needed to beat her enemies down; now she could not.
"Whew, it's hot."
Though it was only May, the empire already boasted summer-like heat. Feeling warmth at all was something to be grateful for; during the hundred-year winter, no corner of the empire had known such a thing. The south was said to grow warm in summer, yet she, who had spent the entire decade in the north, had never once experienced that warmth during the war.
Perhaps because of the heat, Wolfgang instinctively undid several buttons of her military uniform. Even after ten years, her habits remained closer to a man's. Of course, her body was no longer unaffected, but she still felt more like a man than a woman. The problem was that her body was, in fact, female.
Through the gaps in the loosened uniform, her sweat-slicked white skin was revealed. Naturally, the sight entered Black's line of sight as he watched her.
"Commander."
"What is it?"
"……Your disguise has come undone."
Just as Black said, the once-flat chest that had seemed almost masculine now bore two massive hills. At that moment her hands moved on their own. Though her tendencies were still largely male, the vessel that contained them occasionally produced instinctive, feminine gestures. She crossed both arms over her chest and turned her upper body aside, exactly like a shy girl. It was a rather cute reaction, yet she herself seemed entirely unaware of it. Calmly, she began refastening the buttons. Soon the hills vanished and the flat cliff returned.
"Sorry. It seems the magic has worn off."
"I-it's fine."
The girlish gesture had clearly shaken even the steel-like Black; he actually staggered. For reference, Galina had already fainted dead away.
"Lately my chest has grown so large that a few undone buttons are enough to break the spell."
"I-is that so?"
"Yeah. By the way, why is that one acting like that?"
"……."
Wolfgang pointed at the unconscious Galina, but this time even Black could not give a proper answer. He merely avoided her gaze with desperate intensity.