Chapter 112
Chapter 112
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 112
Chapter Title: Reorganization of the 5th Legion
-----------------------------------------------------------------
With so few people moving right away, the preparations were quickly finished.
"...I don't even know how many times I've asked this."
"It's part of my duties, so don't worry about it."
"Ah. Make sure to keep Florian and the other 5th Legion officers in check so they don't cause any trouble."
"I'll keep that in mind."
The Red Dragon Legion would once again be under Alexandrov's command.
With Volker awake now, there was a need to continue controlling the 5th Legion's forces.
They would temporarily garrison in the west until reinforcements from the center arrived, then join the southern front after the handover.
"Can you ride a horse?"
"Yes. Though I might struggle with very fast speeds..."
Since Erika said she could ride a bit, they could reach Manzheim quickly on horseback.
"You have to take all of this?"
"Yes! Anna, could you help me a little?"
"...Hand it over."
"Thank you!"
In that way, Victor, Erika, and Anna sorted out the essential luggage.
"...Legion Commander Victor."
As they loaded the last piece onto the saddle, Axel Ryubek, who was traveling with them, approached hesitantly.
"Are your preparations complete?"
"Yes. But... there's one thing I wanted to ask."
"What is it?"
He was asking out of courtesy, but Victor could already guess from Axel's lingering expression.
"What will happen to Brigadier General Volker Rommel...?"
His cautious question was exactly as expected.
"Well..."
Victor stroked his chin as if pondering,
"He'll be heading to the capital with us, so you'll find out soon enough."
"I see."
"Ah. One more thing."
He put force into his eyes and stepped up to Axel.
"From now on, I recommend not referring to him as 'Brigadier General' or the like."
"..."
Victor understood his complicated feelings, but he had no intention of letting Volker, who could become a lingering problem, go free.
To keep the normally competent general Axel out of it, Victor warned him bluntly.
"You won't have many occasions to address him anyway, but it's better to be careful."
"...Understood."
It wasn't a harsh warning, so Axel quickly nodded in understanding.
His expression stiffened, but it was better than needless fallout from pointless lingering attachment.
"Let's depart."
The group of four, including Victor, mounted their horses and left Ceres Pass.
"Ugh..."
Volker had regained consciousness a few days ago, but he hadn't fully recovered from the aftereffects of his injury.
Lying on the sickbed, he stretched out his left arm, fumbling with his trembling hand across the bedside table for a glass of water.
-Clink.
"Guh, haaah..."
He pulled over the tray caught on his fingertips, sat up to swallow some water and medicine, then lay back down.
"...You mustn't overdo it."
"Hoo..."
Volker felt excruciating pain with every movement, but he himself had ordered no assistance with such basic actions.
The attending physician simply stood by, watching his unsteady motions.
A few minutes later, as the medicine took effect, Volker's expression softened a bit.
"Count Rommel. How is your condition?"
"Nngh... Dizzy."
When he first opened his eyes, he had grabbed the doctor's collar demanding the battle situation, but after learning La Leon's siege had long ended, he had quietly followed the doctor's instructions.
"Any specific pain?"
"Pain? My whole body hurts..."
"Your shoulder, arm, chest—multiple bones are fractured. The more you move, the slower your recovery."
"...Tch. But I'm alive, aren't I? Gotta move."
"That's true, but..."
After lying still and taking deep breaths, Volker turned to the doctor.
"So, how's the war going?"
"..."
The doctor fell silent at Volker's question.
On Victor's separate orders, he had delayed giving detailed reports, citing risks of emotional agitation reopening wounds.
"You can tell me now, right? Waiting in ignorance is more unsettling."
"..."
"If you keep hiding it... I'll have to demand your name. Answer me."
Today's Volker tugged at the doctor's collar, intent on pressing until he got an answer.
The doctor, having heard Victor's explanation, wasn't truly afraid of Volker, but defying a noble's words outright was still burdensome.
"...I don't know the exact details."
"Come on. You know more than I do."
"I'll prepare some food, so if you'll excuse me..."
As the doctor tried to slip away,
-Slam.
Axel pushed open the tent flap and entered.
"Oh, my deputy commander."
Volker greeted Axel warmly, but
"...It's been a while."
Axel could only manage a simple greeting after his lips trembled briefly.
"Then I'll take my leave..."
The doctor quickly departed, and Axel walked to the bedside.
"I heard you pulled the 5th Legion together after I collapsed. You did well."
"...Thank you."
"Now that you're here, I can finally get the battle report."
"..."
"I heard La Leon's siege succeeded, but no one's telling me anything after that."
Even to Volker's question, Axel silently took a seat by the bed,
"...Deputy Commander Ryubek. Is something wrong?"
Volker sensed an inexplicable unease from Axel's unfamiliar demeanor.
"Did we suffer a major defeat? You don't have to force it. Reports will come anyway."
"...You'll know soon enough."
"Hm?"
To Volker, who was forcibly lightening the mood despite his pain, Axel replied meaningfully.
As Volker quieted to mull over the response, awkward silence stretched for a few minutes.
-Flutter.
"...Legion Commander Victor?"
"Good to see you, Count Volker Rommel."
Victor entered through the tent flap.
Reminded of when Victor stormed out of the meeting, Volker gave a slight smile.
"...Looks like we won the war."
"What makes you say that?"
"For you to come all this way, it must be either a great victory or a great defeat... but your expression isn't that of a loser."
It was rude, but he didn't mind officers returning from the front acting cocky.
"Haha."
Victor, who had waited for Volker's slow words to end, grinned back at him.
"Indeed. We won."
"How far did you advance? Al Kante? La Tredo? Ceres Pass? I'm curious."
Volker mentioned midpoints, figuring not enough time had passed for massive gains, but
"We're right in front of Ordova now."
"...What?"
"We signed a peace treaty, but you know treaties aren't always reliable. It's only a matter of time. One stretch of the arm, and Esperia crumbles."
Victor boldly declared they had seized up to the kingdom's capital, Ordova.
"Ha, haha... kuh. Don't make me laugh."
"Still not fully recovered?"
"...Can't you tell?"
"That's a shame. We have to head to Rainesberg today."
Victor approached Volker, who dismissed it as bravado, and placed a hand on the bed.
"Rainesberg..."
"Riding alone seems tough. Want to ride with me, or with Deputy Commander Axel? I'll let you choose that much."
Volker frowned at Victor's attitude.
He didn't like Axel, who had led many troops and earned merits, standing idle, nor Victor stepping forward alone.
"Is the reward that urgent?"
"It is urgent, but not reward-urgent. Fine. If it doesn't matter, ride with the deputy."
"...Heh."
At the sight of Victor now ordering him like a subordinate, Volker let out a hollow laugh.
"I get you're excited, but rein it in. I'm the 5th Legion commander and a count of the Dragonia Empire. No matter how much His Majesty's favor you..."
Irked by the continued rudeness, Volker pointed it out, but
"Hahahahaha!"
Victor burst into loud laughter, ignoring him.
"Victor Legion..."
"Hey, Volker Rommel."
Victor's voice was firm, though still laced with amusement.
"What, right now...!"
"Why are you so slow on the uptake? Or are you deliberately turning a blind eye?"
He glanced at Axel, who stood with his head bowed.
"You haven't told him yet?"
"...No."
"Good. Tell him now. What happened to the 5th Legion during the war."
Axel looked back and forth between Volker and Victor, his face unable to hide his conflicted feelings.
"..."
"I could say it, but..."
"...Yes. I'll tell him."
Uncomfortable seeing Volker weakened, Axel decided it was better he explain than Victor, who seemed to harbor ill will, and carefully chose his words.
"The current 5th Legion..."
After hesitating for over thirty seconds, biting his lip, Axel finally spoke,
"...is essentially undergoing disbandment and reorganization."
At the shocking words that followed, Volker's eyes widened as he stared at him.
Under the blanket, Volker's hand trembled wildly, just like before taking his medicine.