“Don’t leave alone……”

“Don’t make me hear the story of you dying alone where I’m not.”

Benjamin didn’t forget the knights who died on the subjugation front.

“Why would I die?”

“Soldiers on the subjugation front are always close to death.”

“I’m neither a mercenary nor a knight.”

“You held a sword. Even though I told you not to grasp the hilt, you stubbornly did.”

Benjamin wrapped Charlotte’s hand.

“After swinging the blade until your grip was torn.”

“……”

“I know you, Charlotte.”

When you have to let go of something.

You’ll let go of yourself first.

“The subjugation front is closest to death. And, having experienced many deaths, I know.”

I know because I remember those who died on the subjugation front.

“You resemble them.”

“In what way do I resemble them?”

“I will never, ever tell you.”

“……Why not?”

“Because the day I utter it with my lips, you too will become aware of yourself. Because you’ll end up walking the path I told you not to.”

I hope you don’t realize,

that you are what you can let go of most easily.

“Were you worried?”

“Is that even a question?”

“I knew the subjugation front was dangerous. I never took it lightly.”

“……”

“It’s just that my vision was blurred as if covered in ink.”

Charlotte whispered softly.

“I felt dazed as if buried underwater.”

“Are you alright?”

“I’m still a bit dazed.”

Benjamin touched Charlotte’s forehead.

“You have a slight fever. It would be greedy to expect your body to be fine after rushing through the night’s Poputa.”

“It’s a bit hot.”

“Even if I plead with you to take care of your body, the owner of the body doesn’t seem to care about their own well-being.”

Charlotte awkwardly scratched her cheek. Benjamin gently pushed that cheek with his fingertip.

“You said you wanted an easy path, but I’m worried because you only choose to walk through thorn bushes.”

Charlotte touched Benjamin’s cheek. It was cold.

“Don’t worry.”

“I’m worried.”

“I’ll be careful.”

“If you had been careful before stepping on the subjugation front, I would have worried less.”

Charlotte briefly kissed his lips.

With a soft sound,

She sucked on his lower lip as if gnawing at his breath. She reached out with both arms to feel him. His jawline was indeed thick and firm.

His skin was rough from being exposed to the dusty wind on the subjugation front. Charlotte, feeling this, whispered softly.

“Your skin is rough.”

“I just came back from the subjugation front.”

Benjamin trailed off at the sudden kiss.

“Mmm.”

Benjamin silently wrapped his arms around Charlotte’s waist.

Charlotte, who had been sitting at the dressing table, quickly inhaled.

With a floating sensation, her feet lifted off the ground.

Charlotte wrapped her legs around his waist.

Benjamin carried Charlotte to the bed. The bed shook slightly.

Instead of long words, they explored each other. Benjamin lowered his lips to Charlotte’s collarbone. A wave of heat rushed in.

It’s hot.

No. My body is hot.

The dazed body gradually began to boil. Bubbling. As if water reaches its boiling point and starts to bubble up.

Her throat trembled, and a moan mixed with tears burst out.

Flutter.

Her eyelids trembled.

“It’s the first time.”

“What?”

“I couldn’t breathe. My breath was caught up to my chin. It felt like my body was half-submerged underwater. I couldn’t breathe, my vision was blurred, and I was losing awareness of whether I was breathing or not… Then I thought of you.”

You, who went to the subjugation front and held a sword.

“I felt like I had to come here.”

“……”

“I needed to be by your side.”

It felt like I could hide behind you.

“I needed to hide by your side.”

“……”

“Because I felt like I could breathe. Because I felt like you could pull me out of the water I was buried in.”

Her eyelids heavy, the delicate body kept closing and opening her eyes, dozing off.

“Are you sleepy?”

“My body is tired.”

“Charlotte.”

“Stay by my side.”

Charlotte drifted off to sleep.

[This is the timeline separator]

This was weariness.

‘I’m tired now.’

‘I’m exhausted.’

‘Let me go already.’

Like an infection eating away at the skin, life had become infected.

Everything was over.

I split my bones and skin and ended it all.

My death is the end and freedom,

Oblivion is my consideration, and a plea for you to forget me.

Don’t wake me.

This eternal sleep is my rest.

Forget everything.

Forget and live on. Oblivion is my last… for you.

No. It’s my last plea for myself.

[This is the timeline separator]

“Those who wield swords lead hard lives. That’s how it is for all sword-bearers.”

Fedlin approached, limping.

Outside, the view was obscured by dark clouds. The sight was blocked as if covered in fog.

Considering the distance between the count’s mansion and the subjugation front,

the subjugation front must be even worse now, mixed with poisonous mist from the corpses of dead monsters.

“This old man’s back feels like it’s about to bend.”

“Even though you’re told you can put down your sword and retire.”

“When this old warrior dies, it will be on their graves. The life of this old man who has fought on the subjugation front has been tough from the start. There’s no more righteous death than dying alongside them.”

Fedlin touched his aching arm. Where his forearm had been cut off, phantom pain took its place. Even with his arm gone, the pain of monsters gnawing at his body sometimes flared up.

“How is it?”

“What do you mean?”

“The sense of disconnection… I feel like I’m starting to notice it around me.”

The words of the 2nd Knight Division weren’t just an excuse.

“Don’t let it exist alone.”

Don’t let those melancholic eyes reach the void alone.

The gloomy depression had settled deep in the bones, gnawing at the body like bone fragments.

“I think I understand why words failed me.”

“Leave it be.”

“Don’t worry, this old warrior has no reason to provoke.”

Benjamin remembered Charlotte, whom he had saved the night before.

“…As always, you don’t seem like someone who just picked up a sword.”

“There was always something a bit strange about her.”

Fedlin recalled the Empress.

“She doesn’t protect her own body, focusing only on killing the enemy. Like struggling to kill one more, realizing death. Ugh, remember this. That’s her nature.”

“Her nature, you say?”

“It’s innate. Such people are usually sacrificial.”

“Indeed, she’d sacrifice herself first.”

When something needs to be let go.

The Empress will let go of herself first.

“Did you expect this?”

“That’s how the lives of sword-bearers are. If I said I didn’t expect this day when I first handed her the sword hilt, it would be a lie.”

Fedlin doesn’t regret his decision.

The sword was a weapon to cut down enemies, and a shield to protect oneself.

“The more means to defend oneself, the better.”

It’s better to protect oneself than to breathe one’s last helplessly in the face of death.

“There’s no need to feel guilty.”

“If there’s any change on the subjugation front, report it immediately.”

Fedlin placed his left arm on his chest and bowed.

“I receive the imperial command.”

With his outer garment draped over his shoulder, Fedlin exuded a strong spirit that made it hard to notice the gap of his missing arm.

Even with one arm cut off, Fedlin gripped the sword hilt more desperately to lead the mercenary group.

To kill the monster bastards who killed his children and grandchildren, to pile up their graves,

And to die there together.

That was Fedlin’s final death.

“What should I do with you.”

Benjamin sat quietly beside Charlotte.

“Why did you cry again.”

The sleeping Charlotte kept crying for some unknown sadness.

“Crying silently.”

“……”

“Your body trembling like a child.”

Benjamin stroked Charlotte’s cheek. His hand, wiping away tears, became wet with the droplets of tears.

“Don’t cry.”

I won’t just let you cry anymore.

[This is the timeline separator]

Day broke. Unlike the previous day when mist had settled, the rain had washed away the dust, and the day dawned clear.

Charlotte slowly blinked her eyes. Her eyelids fluttered.

The furniture was unfamiliar. A fireplace crackled on the rough wall.

The window was wide open. Sunlight poured in, not fully blocked by the curtains.

‘Has day broken?’

Charlotte removed the blanket and stepped onto the carpet.

As her bare feet touched the carpet, her body curled at the soft sensation.

“Your Majesty, have you awakened?”

Charlotte blinked.

“Your Majesty?”

In the distance, a magnificent city wall unfolded before her eyes. Even from afar, the city wall, backlit, was majestic, and the grandeur of the city gate seemed to speak of the steadfastness of Poputa, which had guarded the subjugation front. The wall stretched long, protecting the domain.

A flag fluttered. The family crest of a valiant shield with a sword stuck in it was the symbol of Poputa.

This place, called the ‘White Mansion’, looked like a grand military facility, and because the white fence looked just like a city wall, it was also called the ‘White Castle’.

“Come in.”

“I’ve brought water for washing.”

The maids of the count’s mansion were busy outside.

“You were sweating cold. You were shaking so we were about to call the doctor, but you soon stabilized, so we let you sleep comfortably for now.”

“My body feels refreshed.”

“If you feel any discomfort, please feel free to say so.”

“I’m fine now.”

As Charlotte looked at the empty space, a maid of the count’s mansion spoke on behalf.

“His Majesty the Emperor is away for a meeting with the subjugation team. He instructed us to make sure you eat when you wake up clearly.”

Charlotte gently shook her head.

“A light stew will be enough.”

“Hmm, if your stomach feels heavy, I’ll tell the kitchen to prepare easily digestible food.”

Soon, a maid brought seafood stew. The plump shrimp meat was savory. The finely chopped abalone gave it a good texture.

The spices were not too strong and enhanced the umami. As Charlotte ate the stew, she looked out the window and tilted her head.

“What are you looking at?”

“There are many mercenaries outside.”

“Poputa has many mercenaries because monsters often appear.”

If it weren’t for the monsters, Poputa would have been bigger, but because of them, it became a city of mercenaries.

“There’s no mist today. On days when the mist is thick, even the city walls are covered and can’t be seen.”

“I can smell the unique salty sea scent.”

“The day is clear, so you should be able to see well beyond the city walls. When you finish your meal, you might want to go up to the spire. The top of the spire has an unobstructed view of the coastal cliffs and shoreline. The day is clear, so your vision should reach beyond the horizon.”

Afterwards,

Charlotte sought out the spire.

She climbed the spire stairs one step at a time.

The view gradually became higher.

Charlotte stopped at the top where the stairs ended, and looked down from the spire.

Armored mercenaries passed by busily. Mercenaries who had taken off their helmets slapped their comrades’ backs with a thud!

Fedlin mixed familiarly among such mercenaries. Then, comrades gathered around Fedlin. Their bodies in iron armor were backlit.

Soon Fedlin noticed Charlotte and bowed his head.

“Your Majesty?”

Charlotte slowly closed her eyes.

The vast coastline was expansive.

Somehow.

It felt like tears were welling up in her throat.