TOPWL 202

At Yudit’s command, the archers moved in perfect order to that side. Hundreds of arrows drew arcs through the air and fell down at once. Puh-puh-puh-puk! The dye burst and a thick mist spread. Yesterday they had waited for the mist to clear, but today was different.

“Shoot again, then fall back behind the archers and guard the rear! Markel, lead the soldiers down! The moment the fog clears, attack! We have the advantage from above, don’t be afraid!”

At Yudit’s words another rain of arrows followed. The soldiers quickly filled the gap left by the archers. With wooden swords in hand, the soldiers went down the slope. The soldiers of the 3rd party, who had been waiting for the fog to clear, faltered when they met the soldiers descending from above. Then a long horn blast rang out from within the 3rd party. Soon after, one of the archers in the rear shouted.

“They’re coming from the rear too!”

It seemed the horn blast was a call for reinforcements from the opposite side.

“Archers, keep shooting! Rear unit, protect the archers!”

“Yes!”

A loud reply rang out. The 3rd party also fired arrows, but since the hill was high and sandbags had been piled, their attacks were not very effective. Just as they felt reassured, an archer was hit in the knee and fell, losing his balance. Soldiers tried to rush into the gap, but Yudit picked up the fallen archer’s bow and shot three dye arrows at once. Two of the soldiers charging into the gap were hit and withdrew powerlessly. In that time the archer came back to his senses and picked up his bow again. Watching this, Markel said,

“Commander, you’re good with a bow as well.”

“At this distance, anyone could shoot.”

Since the time when he could barely wield a sword, Yudit had practiced archery. It was to prepare for the possibility that his swordsmanship might not improve as much as he wished. Even when fully devoted to sword training, he had kept up ten shots a day. Thanks to that, he had skill comparable to an ordinary archer.

“Look below, Commander. Half the field is dyed blue.”

Markel spoke in an excited voice. Glancing down, it was as he said. Half of the 3rd company was dyed blue. Yudit felt both pleased and worried. On the battlefield, they would all have to fight in the 3rd party’s place. Could they really recapture the castle under such disadvantage? Yudit’s gaze deepened.

***

“Haa.”

After washing in hot water, Yudit let out a long sigh. The sun was already setting outside the window. Yudit looked at the sunset reflected in the glass and rubbed his wet hair with a towel.

Today’s victory went to the 1st and 2nd parties, who won both the first and second halves. The leading contributors to the mock battle victory were rewarded, and one of them was even promoted to centurion.

Though it was only a mock battle, being in command made it clearer which soldiers were good. There had been two candidates for centurion today. One was a soldier who, bleeding from a head wound struck by a wooden sword, saved five comrades through self-sacrifice. The other was a soldier who minimized losses and led his unit to victory. The centurion rank went to the latter. Yudit felt he understood a little why Noban had stressed that sacrifice was not the only answer.

“Is it already tomorrow?”

The three days spent at Devlin Castle had passed in the blink of an eye. Tomorrow they would depart, and the day after they would reach Breda Castle. It would not be practice where they risked an injury if unlucky, but a real battle where there would be deaths. The burden of knowing that hundreds of lives hung on his command made his stomach churn. He could not enjoy the last banquet at Devlin Castle and shut himself in his room instead.

Edmond and Garen had not come back since that day. It seemed they thought it best not to show themselves after realizing he knew. Their behavior was so childlike that he was not even angry. Because of that, Yudit was alone in his room. If he told the butler, he would be sent a new attendant, but being alone felt easier.

Knock knock. At the sound of knocking, Yudit sat up from the bed. He thought it would be one of the guards, but the visitor was unexpected.

“Edmond?”

He had only just thought of him, and yet he came. He must not be much of a noble. Garen was not behind him. He had come alone. Edmond closed the door with a determined expression. His stance was as if he were here to challenge him to a duel, and tension filled the room.

Edmond, standing about three steps away from Yudit, suddenly took off his wig. The gray hair hidden beneath was identical to that of the Lord of Devlin. With a somewhat arrogant air, Edmond flung the wig to the floor.

“Why do you look surprised? You already knew who I was.”

“I thought you’d stay hidden until I left. I didn’t expect you to come into my room and throw off your wig like this.”

“..…!”

Edmond glared viciously at Yudit. But with his cheeks still round with baby fat and his boyish look, he did not seem frightening. Yudit smiled wryly as he watched him. It seemed he had earned Edmond’s resentment somehow.

“Why didn’t you tell anyone?”

“Tell what? That you’re the son of Lord Devlin?”

“Not that. You knew I caused trouble, but on the first day you took the blame instead of me!”

Was that something to be angry at me about? Yudit looked puzzled.

“Then did you think I’d be grateful?”

“Aren’t you?”

“I am grateful!”

“……”

Yudit paused, unsure how to respond.

“So why did you do it? Why did you take the blame for me? Do you… like me or something?”

Yudit quickly shook his head in fluster. For some reason Edmond looked disappointed.

“It wasn’t because I liked you specially… I just thought it was the right choice. You heard it too, didn’t you?”

At Yudit’s words, Edmond pressed his lips together. Like a guilty thief, Edmond had once come to Yudit’s room. By chance, Yudit had been speaking with Noban then. To reassure Edmond, Yudit had allowed him to overhear their conversation. Noban also noticed Edmond and signaled, but Yudit had nodded as if it was fine, so he did not intervene further.

‘Are you leaving now?’

‘Yes. Do you have anything else to say?’

He had spoken that way deliberately, to give Edmond time to run away. Yudit thought he had done enough, but for him to show up now so rudely, it was ungrateful.

“As I said then, I took the blame because I thought that was the best choice. You don’t need to feel indebted about it.”

Yudit spoke in a gentle voice, as if he were soothing him. He owed much to Lord Devlin. Taking the blame for a moment was a cheap price to pay.

“I thought yo–Your Highness wasn’t a proper person.”

“……”

It seemed Edmond had almost said “you” instead, but changed his words quickly.

“I thought you’d be an arrogant man hiding behind your royal title, demanding soldiers and food without reason….”

Yudit considered whether he should tell him about the crime of insulting royalty, but Edmond looked too serious, and he missed the chance. Edmond raised his head and looked directly at Yudit.

“But you weren’t. The arrogant and messy one was me. I couldn’t even beat Garen… I hurt people and yet was too afraid to admit it, I am a piece of trash.”

Was there really a need to put it that harshly…? Yudit thought, but then Edmond suddenly dropped to his knees in front of him.

“I’m sorry. For daring to test Your Highness. I’ll accept any punishment.”

Looking at Edmond, so dejected, Yudit thought,

He really is a child who grew up loved.

A child who could speak his mind honestly and convey his feelings. He would become an adult who could do that. Yudit, who had grown up in the royal family, felt a little envious of such a thing.

“Stand up. I’ll accept your apology.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Not even a spar?”

Yudit wondered what he meant, but then thought that Edmond must have seen Lucius getting beaten up earlier. Did he come to apologize even though he thought he’d be beaten? If so, maybe he was worth looking at again.

“No. Unless you want it, then I’ll accept.”

“N-no, I don’t want to.”

Edmond paled and shook his head, then after thinking a moment he spoke.

“No. I do want to. Not today… next time.”

“If not today, then it’ll be a while before we can.”

At Yudit’s words, Edmond shook his head.

“I’ll manage. Because I decided I’ll follow Your Highness.”

“..…?”