Antlion Pit (12) Today's Trivia
Today's trivia, courtesy of Ser. The drug's effects, as she explained them, were as follows: it stripped the user of reason, plunging them into a half-dead, hibernating state while leaving them highly susceptible to suggestion. A side effect of the process was the dulling of most sensations, pain included.
"He—he's up!"
The eyes of everyone nearby flew wide open, as if they'd witnessed something impossible. The patient who had been lying motionless on the ground had slowly risen at my words, moving as casually as if nothing were wrong. After a stunned silence came the cheers.
Instead of acknowledging the praise, I moved on to the other patients and repeated the process. It wasn't out of embarrassment—I simply wanted to prevent anyone else from accidentally planting suggestions before I could.
"He's like a living immortal..."
"No. I couldn't save everyone, after all."
Even with Ser's instructions, there were limits to what could be done without a proper pharmacist. Human bodies varied too much for a single standardized method to work perfectly on everyone. In the end, only about twelve of the twenty critically wounded managed to stand; the rest remained bedridden. Still, more than half of those who had seemed likely to die overnight were now on their feet. To the onlookers, this was nothing short of miraculous. Instead of criticizing me for the dead, they showered me with awe and admiration.
"Even this much is extraordinary. You've done well."
I offered a modest reply, only to find Ju Tae already at my side, offering her own praise. Receiving compliments from her on this particular matter felt awkward for several reasons, but I wasn't green enough to let it show. I simply scratched my head with an embarrassed grin. Ju Tae smirked at the sight, then took advantage of the gathered crowd to lay out today's plan.
"After yesterday's clash, the enemy will have finished their preparations. Breaking through today won't be easy. We'll spend the day resting and gathering our strength, then smash through in one decisive push."
Ju Tae was right—the enemy had likely completed their encirclement. Given Ye Gwan's meticulous nature, she would have driven her troops through the night to seal the net, fatigue be damned. Any hope of surprise was gone. The wiser course was to conserve our strength and attempt a single, overwhelming breakthrough. The soldiers had no objections to the plan itself, though many looked doubtful about its chances of success. One of them voiced the collective concern.
"Chief, will the breakthrough really be that simple? They looked ready to bite our heads off."
"Simply forcing our way through would indeed be difficult," Ju Tae admitted without hesitation. "That's why we'll use a diversion. We'll draw their attention with a feint, then have the main force escape."
There was no other way. Numbers, stamina, and the enemy's state of readiness all made a direct assault too risky. The real problem was making the enemy believe the decoy was the main force. When the question came, Ju Tae answered as if she'd already decided.
"I'll lead the decoy."
"You, Chief?"
"The more I rampage, the more likely they are to fall for it."
According to her, Ye Gwan's side wouldn't expect her to act independently of Sun Quan, which would make the ruse more convincing. After the recent battles, the enemy had surely noticed the bond between them and would be watching Ju Tae closely. Her reasoning held weight. Still, with our forces already depleted, the question remained whether we could spare enough troops for the decoy.
"Will you be all right?"
"Fortunately, this humble one has always been sturdy and quick. I have no fear for my own safety."
Sun Quan's worried question was met with Ju Tae's usual peculiar brand of confidence. Yet the wounds covering her body made it clear she had already paid a steep price, and more scars were inevitable. Sun Quan looked at her with pity, but soon hardened her expression and offered encouragement instead of restraint.
"Ju Tae is an irreplaceable vassal to me. You must return alive."
"Of course. Besides..."
Whether thanks to the drug or the trials she'd endured, Sun Quan carried herself with surprising dignity. The sight seemed to move Ju Tae deeply; her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she bowed her head. I didn't fully understand it, but that was probably what a parent's heart looked like.
I had been watching the touching scene from the sidelines when Ju Tae's next words dragged me straight into it.
"With Hwanin here as well, there is no need for excessive concern."
Hwanin. I tilted my head at the unfamiliar name before remembering it was the alias I'd hastily invented yesterday. Huh?
"Really? Then I can rest a little easier. Hwanin, help Ju Tae and make sure you both come back alive."
"...Yes."
Still somewhat dazed, I gave a vague reply while trying to parse Ju Tae's intentions. With her forced to leave Sun Quan's side, she was deliberately placing me—an able assistant—under her own command. From a purely tactical standpoint it made sense, yet Ju Tae had always prioritized protecting Sun Quan above all else. Something about the decision didn't add up.
Then it hit me.
"She noticed."
She had decided that leaving me near Sun Quan was even more dangerous. Her reaction had been faster than expected. I couldn't pinpoint exactly when she'd figured it out—there had been no obvious signs this morning. The fact that she was handling it quietly suggested she took the matter very seriously. To match her pace, I kept my expression calm and began preparing with a smile.
[Are we proceeding with the plan?]
"Things are just moving a little faster than expected."
According to Ju Tae's strategy, we would rejoin Sun Quan tomorrow afternoon. After striking into enemy lines, we would circle around and link up with the main force. There was a chance she might try to eliminate me during the chaos, but Ju Tae wouldn't risk that kind of danger. That meant any direct confrontation would likely come tonight or at dawn after the breakthrough. Either way, I needed to be ready.
[Will you use the ones you revived?]
"Given how Sun Quan's troops operate, they'll probably join Ju Tae's group on their own even if I don't push them."
If possible, they would be saved; if not, they would become shields to protect their allies. That was the unspoken rule among Ju Tae and the others. With a light suggestion, I directed them toward Ju Tae's unit, and she accepted them without question. The fact that the seriously wounded couldn't speak properly was a minor inconvenience, but their silent alignment with her side conveyed their intent well enough. Ju Tae seemed to take it as a greater form of eloquence than words, so the matter resolved smoothly.
"We won't have time to fill our stomachs properly until this evening, so eat as much as you can now..."
Ju Tae moved among the soldiers, offering encouragement, while Sun Quan followed behind, personally handing out rice balls and water. The troops looked deeply moved by her efforts to help in her own way. I, too, found myself strangely impressed by the sight.
"A beautiful scene."
The soldiers ate their fill of warm rice cooked over a rare fire, packed rice balls and canteens for the road, then split into their assigned groups. I moved to stand with Ju Tae's unit. She ordered me to stay at her side.
"Assist me. We'll be the ones opening the path at the very front."
"Understood."
"Good... Everyone, steel yourselves! The charge begins now!!!"
"Uwooooooo!!!!!"