Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: The Necklace's Origin
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Chapter 8
“Are you awake?”
At the sound from outside, he lifted the lantern shade he had extinguished. The faintly burning lantern light illuminated the interior of the tent.
“Come in. I’m up.”
He spoke, then let out a small yawn. The owner of the voice lifted the tent flap and entered.
“What’s the matter? Is it something to discuss about the cavalry?”
He asked Gesthalt, who had entered the tent. Was the damage to the 2nd Legion’s cavalry from the daytime battle worse than expected? Or had he come to discuss command authority?
“There are no issues with the army. I just needed a drinking buddy.”
At Gesthalt’s words, he relaxed his stiff expression.
“I was startled when you came in the dead of night. Being in this position, everyone who visits brings problems. When I want to be alone quietly, I pray. Please, let no one come today, at least.”
“That’s the nature of a commander’s position. It seems the gods didn’t hear that prayer, since I’m here. Should I just turn back now?”
“If I sent back the 2nd Legion Commander who went to the trouble of coming here, my sleep would be anything but peaceful. Besides, it’s making me think of liquor.”
“Then I’ve come to the right place.”
He offered Gesthalt a seat and then sat down himself. His body shivered slightly in the chilly air. He hadn’t noticed when he got up, but it was quite cold.
“It’s snowing fiercely.”
Gesthalt spoke while brushing off his neat beard. The moisture settled on his beard glistened in the lantern light.
“The long winter has begun.”
“We’ll be staring each other down in a standoff for a while now. Fighting won’t be the issue anymore; it’ll be about endurance.”
“We’ll need to ensure no disruptions in supply transport.”
“That’ll be a worry for both sides. The terrain is so rugged that bringing in supplies is no easy task. Someone said, ‘Why not use Giant Soldiers for transport?’ I just laughed, thinking what a genius that guy is. Knowing a fool like that is leading a unit makes me worry about the Empire’s future.”
“He must be a newcomer just assigned to the front. Guide him patiently with a generous heart.”
“I’m sending him to the capital tomorrow anyway. I’ll have him go to the repair depot and find out how much it costs every time a Giant Soldier takes a step.”
“That’ll be a good lesson.”
Gesthalt set the bottle he held in his left hand down on the table. Complex letters were inscribed along its rim.
“It’s a thermos. It’s enchanted with magic to maintain temperature even in weather like this. It was researched for military use, but it ended up as a convenience item.”
“Better than war supplies. Is the liquor inside?”
“You seem excited?”
“Liquor brought personally by the Legion Commander deserves some anticipation. But I don’t have any decent cups.”
He held out a dented tin cup.
“That’ll do.”
Gesthalt opened the bottle cap. Steam rose up. Just looking at it conveyed warmth.
“It’s warmed liquor, and it’s pretty good. It’s a tradition from the Nua region; the men down there drink it like this.”
“Warm liquor.”
He stared at the liquor poured into his cup. Gesthalt urged him with a smile. He lifted the cup and took a sip.
A strong sweetness hit the tip of his tongue. It was sweet to the point of bitterness. The liquor melted over his tongue and seeped inward. He grimaced, then exclaimed in admiration, exhaling hot breath.
“My body’s warming up right away.”
“It’s the greatest luxury you can enjoy in a place like this. I’m putting in a request to the rear support for more of this liquor. It’s pretty cheap. Won’t be able to get much, though.”
“If we boil it and share with the soldiers, it’ll help them get through the winter.”
He finished the remaining liquor and opened his mouth.
“Something Lord Jun-gong once said comes to mind. Sometimes a sip of liquor is better than a medal.”
“That man would say liquor is better in every season. He loves—no, adores—liquor so much. Imagine what the university students would think if they knew the Empire’s sage loved liquor more than books.”
“We have to show only the good sides to the future intellectuals who will lead the nation, so that stays a secret. And these days, he’s cut back quite a bit on drinking.”
“That’s a relief. If the sage fell ill from liquor bottles, even His Majesty would have a headache.”
Gesthalt, who had been laughing as they talked, pulled something from his pants pocket.
“You’re celebrating your birthday in a place like this again this year. It’s late, but here’s a gift.”
He looked at the carving Gesthalt held out. It was a white triangular pyramid. He examined it from all sides, then checked the base.
Crooked letters were engraved there: “Always in peace.” And Gesthalt’s initials were visible too.
“Did you carve it yourself?”
“It’s my only hobby. It’s not good enough to show off, but carving clears my mind of stray thoughts, so I tinker with it in my spare time.”
“It doesn’t look particularly well-made.”
“That’s when you’re supposed to praise it, even if insincerely. That’s your flaw as a commander—you can’t say smooth words.”
“I wrap my words well for those who need it. You’re not one of them, 2nd Legion Commander.”
He looked at the center of the carving. A small hole pierced through from side to side.
“You can string it on a cord and wear it, or stick it in some hidden warehouse.”
“Who’d put a gift from someone in a warehouse? I’ll treasure it as a lucky charm and carry it with me.”
“That’s an honor.”
They cut the chatter and drank. A gusty wind howled outside. Foul weather. With the heavy snow, it was surely piling up.
The change in environment would bring new problems. Perhaps because of his worries, the intensely sweet liquor that burned the throat now tasted bland.
“No major issues. We’ve prepared well.”
Gesthalt said. That single sentence eased his mind. The 2nd Legion Commander was a man who knew the weight of his words.
“Want to see this?”
Gesthalt grinned broadly and pulled a photo from his breast pocket.
“I asked an acquaintance magician to make it.”
“It’s clear.”
He examined the person in the photo. A girl in an Imperial uniform was saluting. She looked about ten years old.
“Your daughter?”
He asked.
“Yes. My one and only. I wanted a son, but now I’m glad it’s a girl. She’s such a tomboy that I’m getting a taste of raising a boy too.”
“She looks healthy. The student uniform suits her well.”
“Don’t get me started. This little one has so much strength and stamina that when she sets her mind to play, she runs around all night. The servants ended up bedridden with exhaustion.”
“Blood will tell.”
“She’s my pride and joy. Word is she’s got the boys at Schola wrapped around her finger.”
“What’s her name?”
“Ariel.”
“I’ve heard about her through school connections. If she’s already standing out at Schola, her future is promising.”
“We’ll see when she grows up, but if she aims for the military, I’ll support her fully. She was born to run around rather than sit still. Of course, it won’t be easy. She’ll have a lot to prove.”
“Someday she might stand on the front lines with us.”
“The Empire has so many talents; I don’t know if my daughter can pass through that narrow gate. But if she does, I’ll welcome her with joy.”
Gesthalt, laughing heartily, gathered the empty thermos and photo and stood. He was about to leave.
He rose to see him off, but Gesthalt said it was fine.
As Gesthalt lifted the tent flap and stepped out, he paused for a moment.
“Hus.”
He called him by name, not commander. He smiled and replied, “Yes.”
“Mind if I ask a personal favor?”
“Go ahead.”
“If you ever meet my daughter on the battlefield someday, could you help her? Even with something small.”
“Is this a request from a friend, not the 2nd Legion Commander?”
“Call it a request from an older friend. Plus, you got a gift, right? Nothing’s free in this world.”
“So it was a gift full of ulterior motives.”
He spoke while holding the carving in his hand.
“I’m not sure if I can be of help, but if I meet your daughter in the future, and if she’s in a situation where she needs assistance, I’ll remember this conversation. Though with the Legion Commander’s daughter, she probably won’t even need advice?”
“That’s why I’m asking just in case. And advice alone would be a huge help. Words from the commander of the Empire’s knights are priceless.”
Gesthalt clasped his hands behind his back and bowed his head slightly.
“Then rest well, Commander. I’ll be off.”
* * *
“If you can’t speak, does that mean you didn’t really get the gift?”
The voice pulled Lander, lost in reminiscence, back to reality. The woman before him glared with arms crossed.
Her name was Ariel. Her piercing gaze was just like her father’s.
“It’s not a lie. Legion Commander Gesthalt made it and gave it to me as a gift.”
Lander replied, recalling Gesthalt’s hearty laugh.
“Really… You know my father?”
Her sharp tone softened a bit.
“About eight years ago, we were on the same battlefield. I was in a unit under his command. I received it during winter in Andun, where the snow falls heavily.”
He could see Ariel’s eyes, which had been glaring, tremble faintly. To keep the conversation from dragging, he spoke first.
“If my memory serves, the lady before me is the Legion Commander’s cherished daughter, Lady Ariel.”
“How do you know my name?”
“The day I received that necklace as a gift, the Legion Commander showed me a photo. There was a young girl in a Schola uniform. He said she was his pride and joy.”
Upon hearing that, Ariel turned to look at the man in uniform standing behind her.
The man nodded gravely and said that the master had indeed been there at the time.
“Just one more thing.”
Her aggressive tone returned.
“Why did my father give this to you?”
“It was a tough operation day. I was just a lowly soldier, but I ended up assisting the Legion Commander during it. He comforted us when we were exhausted.
He’s such an open-hearted man that he treats everyone warmly, regardless of rank. The gift wasn’t a big deal. Carving is his hobby, so he gave me one of the extras, saying take it. Of course, it held special meaning for me, so I’ve treasured it ever since.”
He tailored his words considering Gesthalt’s personality. It wouldn’t raise suspicion. Excluding the gift part, Gesthalt was close with even the infantry.
“That’s right! Father used to carve things like this as a hobby. He didn’t like giving them to others because his skill wasn’t great.”
Ariel returned his necklace. At the same time, she bowed her head slightly.
“I’m sorry. I got emotional. I knew it seemed forced, but I couldn’t help it.”
“No, not at all. Thank you for hearing me out.”
“Anyone who served on the same battlefield as my father deserves respect. That’s what Father taught me.”
This seemed to settle it for now. It was a lie that would be exposed in time, but if he could escape here, he’d never see her again.
The name was welcome after so long, but now he had to live as “Lander,” not “Hus.”
The Empire’s knight was dead, and all that remained was a man living by sifting through memories of his wife.
(To be continued in the next installment)