Merchant Noble is out (2/4 chapters for today)
Thoughts
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“Tyr-sama. Tyr-sama.” (Hal)
“Hah. A dream, huh.” (Tyr)
Tyr, who had been sleeping, was shaken awake by Hal.
“You seemed to be having a bit of a nightmare, though.” (Hal)
Hal said with concern.
For some time now, Tyr had been mentally and physically cornered, and even at night, he was unable to sleep soundly. Being completely asleep while under siege is something that even a warrior as skilled as Tyr finds difficult.
“I was dreaming of Mikanda. Arc was sleeping carefreely. Even though we departed from there just a few months ago, it already feels like years have passed.” (Tyr)
Tyr spoke as if he was somewhat reluctant to wake from the dream.
One must not escape reality by wishing for a dream to never end. Tyr, as the supreme commander, has the duty to ensure the soldiers return safely to Mikanda.
“When I first set foot in Mikanda, I was stunned by how rural it was, but now I find myself longing for that peaceful nature.” (Tyr)
Hearing Tyr murmur distantly, Hal furrowed her brows.
“What are you saying? You’re going to return alive to Mikanda, aren’t you?” (Hal)
“…Ah. That’s right.” (Tyr)
At Hal’s reprimand, Tyr nodded slightly delayed.
Then, as he stood up from his bedding, he opened the drawer of the old desk placed in the command room.
“Hal.” (Tyr)
Tyr handed Hal a letter.
It was something he had written yesterday, in the midst of the fortress’s defensive battles.
The addressee read “House of Duke Edel”.
“Take this and go to the House of Duke Edel. No, I suppose it’s the former House of Duke Edel now.” (Tyr)
The former House of Duke Edel was a coastal city located on the border with Laplace Kingdom and served as the gateway to the Kali Kingdom.
Because of that, when Arc and Hangue led the trading company to expand, the first person they met with was Duke Edel. As Warden Trading Company expanded its sales routes in Kali, the relationship between the Warden Household and the House of Duke Edel deepened as well. Furthermore, the Edel Household had held key positions in the Kali Kingdom until the coup d’état of King Rudolf, making them the kingdom’s most prominent noble house.
“For these reasons, even now, though it is still within the Kali Kingdom, there are many anti-Rudolf, pro-Warden people there. You understand that too, don’t you, Hal?” (Tyr)
While showing the letter, Tyr explained the mission.
“We’ll borrow a ship there and return to Mikanda by sea. Given the current situation, this is the most realistic method. I want you to escape ahead to the former duchy and make the necessary arrangements for our departure.” (Tyr)
To this explanation, Hal immediately responded.
“I can’t accept that order. Please assign someone else.” (Hal)
Tyr grimaced slightly but continued to coax and repeatedly persuade her despite her reluctance.
“Hal. There are very few personnel with enough experience to break through this siege.” (Tyr)
“But it’s not just me, is it?” (Hal)
Hal had realized Tyr’s true intention.
The person given this role had a high chance of survival. If they departed alone in the dead of night, there was a high chance they could slip through the enemy encircling the fortress unnoticed. If they made it to the House of Duke Edel, they could board a ship and safely return to Mikanda. In other words, Tyr intended to at least save Hal. That was why she shook her head stubbornly.
“Give this order to someone else.” (Hal)
“Hal.” (Tyr)
Tyr seemed to notice that Hal had realized his true intentions.
Unlike usual, she was persistently refusing, making Tyr sigh as if troubled. But no matter how much Tyr tried to persuade her, it was futile. Hal’s mind had long been made up.
“Tyr-sama. I once told you before, didn’t I? Your end is my end.” (Hal)
Hal looked Tyr straight in the eyes and declared firmly.
“If you are prepared to die, I have no intention of surviving alone.” (Hal)
“I’m not planning to die. I fully intend to return to Mikanda. This task is a crucial preparation for the entire army, which is why I’m entrusting it to you.” (Tyr)
“Liar.” (Hal)
Unlike usual, Tyr’s words lacked sharpness.
Somewhere, his words sounded like an excuse. Tyr was bad at lying. Unlike Arc or Yanna, he had not taken the path of a merchant, precisely because of this nature. For Hal, who had been his adjutant for so long, it was extremely easy to see through his lies.
“This task is just a pretext to save me. You’re trying to ensure that at least I return alive. How long do you think we’ve been together? Of course, I can tell.” (Hal)
“……” (Tyr)
Tyr waved both hands as if in surrender.
And this time, he moved to persuade her more directly.
“I’m at a loss. You notice my intentions, yet you refuse to follow them?” (Tyr)
“A world without Tyr-sama is worthless to me.” (Hal)
“You must live.” (Tyr)
“No. If I am to survive, so must you. We will live together.” (Hal)
“As someone wise and courageous, respected by soldiers and students alike, if even you survive, I can rest easy—” (Tyr)
“I love you.” (Hal)
As Tyr desperately tried to persuade Hal to return alive, she finally dropped it.
Tyr, who had been trying to continue speaking, fell silent.
“Tyr-sama. I love you.” (Hal)
In the slightly awkward silence, Hal repeated herself.
“From the moment we first met at the military academy, my feelings have never changed. The reason I came to Mikanda, the reason I continued as a soldier, it was all because I wanted to stay by your side.” (Hal)
Who would’ve thought I’d end up confessing my feelings in a situation like this…! But I’ve already done it. I might as well say it all!
Inside, Hal’s emotions were in turmoil, but outwardly, she spoke with confidence.
“That’s why. I won’t run away. I will stay here as your adjutant until the end.” (Hal)
“…” (Tyr)
As Tyr remained silent, Hal, having said everything, bowed her head in apology.
“I’m sorry. For letting my emotions out like this on the battlefield. But once I saw the end closing in, all the regulations started to feel ridiculous. I must be a terrible officer. If we manage to return to Mikanda, I’ll have to research this. How about ‘Leadership Management in Crisis Situations’ as a title?” (Hal)
A complete mix of public and private matters. And the “private” matter was a romantic affair, no less. Utterly selfish. Normally, Tyr would have been furious. That was why Hal had kept silent until now. Her feelings had been an open secret, but for the above reasons, she had never confessed, and Tyr had respected her decision by pretending not to notice.
“Hal.” (Tyr)
Tyr stepped closer to her.
Hal flinched, expecting a scolding, but instead, Tyr placed his hand on her head and ran his fingers through her hair.
“Shall we? Get married.” (Tyr)
“Eh?” (Hal)
Completely unexpected words. She instinctively looked up at Tyr’s face.
Unlike the cold and composed expression he had on the battlefield, he smiled—just a little shyly.
“I love you too.” (Tyr)
That smile was just like the first time they met. Kind, dazzling, and peaceful.
“…Yeah. Make me your wife!” (Hal)
Hal jumped into his arms, and the two tumbled onto the bed.
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