143 – Prisoner (1)

An unfamiliar ceiling.

Sensing a presence, I turned my head. An Elf. A woman with water-colored hair, dressed in the uniform of a medical officer. She brushed a stray lock behind her ear as she spoke.

“You are awake.”

She spoke Hazka’il, the common tongue. Her tone was clinical.

“Where am I?”

“You are aboard a hospital ship belonging to the Pinar Confederation. We rescued you and administered treatment. We are returning to a nearby base. Roughly two hours until we arrive.”

I quickly scanned the room. Besides the officer before me, several armed soldiers stood guard. Their bearing suggested they were special forces.

“My comrades… the women soldiers who were with me, how are they?”

“They all appear to be out of mortal danger. There was a woman missing a leg. She also seems to suffer from aphasia. Other than that, we detected nothing particularly amiss.”

The medical officer rose to her feet. She replaced the fluid bag connected to my IV, then inquired if I felt able to stand. I responded affirmatively and shifted my body.

“First, you will eat. We can speak in detail afterwards. We have many questions for you.”

Soon, food was presented. Cream of mushroom soup, warm, perfectly baked bread, and a dish of fish, fried to a tender crisp, accompanied by a salad dressed with an Elf-style vinaigrette.

It was a lavish meal, the likes of which I hadn’t experienced in so long. Even the seasonings used were extraordinary. I almost wept.

There was only one thing lacking: it did not taste quite like the food I’d eaten on the island.

“Is something not to your liking?”

“No, that is not it.”

Why was this? The flavor was superior, yet it felt inadequate.

I understand the reason for this emptiness. I miss the food that Tiria made.

After arriving at the base, I cooperated fully with the Confederation’s investigation. I recounted everything that had transpired on the deserted island, omitting nothing. I presented the materials I had brought with me, endeavoring to persuade the person in charge.

The investigator seemed incredulous, but the evidence was irrefutable. The women soldiers rescued alongside me had provided similar accounts. The cross-verification was essentially complete.

Tap, tap.

The Elf officer, having finished organizing the documents, spoke.

“From this moment forward, you will be considered a prisoner of the Pinar Confederation. According to the laws of armed conflict, you will be treated with the deference due to an officer of field grade rank.”

“What will happen to the women soldiers who came with me?”

“The women soldiers of the Holy Nation will return to their original unit. The remaining general officer will remain here with you as a prisoner. The woman missing a leg – you stated she was a survivor rescued from the island, yes? She will also remain here.”

For now, this was enough.

“Thank you.”

“We are the ones who should be giving thanks. Thank you for your cooperation.”

Not handing Adora and me over to the Holy Empire was a gesture of consideration, in the United States’ own way. Who knew what kind of treatment a mage would receive there?

Of course, this also meant the United States held one more diplomatic card against both the Holy Empire and the Magic Kingdom. They were probably aiming to profit during the prisoner exchange after the war’s end.

[‘As if that’s all? You and that Major are very important hostages, you know.’]

[‘That’s right. One’s called a General, and the other, a hidden war hero of the Magic Kingdom’s naval air force, or so they say?’]

Amidst all this, the pebbles were all still in my hand.

[‘Even while you were losing consciousness, you held onto us tight, sir.’]

[‘Felt like I was suffocating! Even though I’m already dead!’]

David and Kahlon were one thing, but even Daisy and Olivia were here. Having mentally conversed with the two female soldiers, I asked the officer who was about to stand up.

“Excuse me, but could you hand these two stones to a Holy Empire officer named Rachel Brokenheart?”

“Stones, you say…?”

“Yes. She has some trauma, and perhaps holding onto these will make her feel a little better.”

“Seems you got close on that deserted island.”

“Well, the environment left us with little choice…”

The officer took the stones, examined them from every angle, and then nodded.

*

War hero, Ace Dragon Knight, ‘Black Cat’ Rachel, had returned from Tatankur.

The Saintess of Purification, who went missing while trying to rescue that Valkyrie, had also returned.

The Holy Engineering Corps member, dispatched to rescue the missing Saintess and who also disappeared, had returned as well.

It was an event that had the Holy Empire practically turned upside down. The morale of the Ascalia Holy Empire, which had been gaining the upper hand since the United States joined the war, was now soaring through the heavens.

“Major Brokenheart, I truly think it’s fortunate that you’ve returned.”

Said Commander Harrington, Rachel’s superior and the commander of the Holy Empire Air Force.

“The mages will be finished off soon. Which is why, I’m wondering, would you like to rack up even more achievements this time around? I’m planning to put you in the operation for bombing the mainland.”

“…I, don’t want to.”

“Hmm?”

“I don’t want to. I can’t go. Never, ever…”

Rachel shook her head violently.

“I’m sorry, Commander. I just can’t do it. I’m… sick of war.”

Rachel’s hands trembled uncontrollably. Her breathing was uneven. Harrington was silent for a moment.

“…That’s unusual. To think you, who couldn’t wait to kill any mage, would say such a thing.”

A different unit member would have chewed her out, told her to fight like a proper soldier.

But Rachel was different. There was a reason she was called the Ace of the Holy Empire Air Force. Fearless of death, she’d flown hundreds of sorties, ravaging enemy territory.

So much so that when told to rest, she’d retort, “Just kill me instead.” Even vacation time she’d forfeit, ceding it to her subordinates.

The Commander chuckled softly.

“Major, your eyes have changed.”

“My eyes…sir?”

“Indeed. The sharp edge you used to have has faded considerably. The wildcat playing in the wilderness has become a complete housecat. Tell me the truth. What happened on that deserted island?”

Rachel sighed deeply. Erich was gone. Even his absence brought a chill. Was this the influence of the forbidden magic?

“Then, I will…tell you the truth.”

She had to speak. Give the reason she needed to resign.

“Sir, it seems…I might be pregnant.”

“…What?”

“I spent a night with an enemy soldier on the deserted island. It was during a fertile period, and it’s highly likely…a child may have been conceived.”

Not grasping the meaning immediately, Harrington remained rooted to the spot, dumbfounded for a long moment.

“So, the mage kingdom officer who was shipwrecked with you during that naval battle…he assaulted you?”

“No, sir. We…fell for each other.”

“You did? With a mage?”

“Yes, sir.”

“You, who hated mages so vehemently?”

“Meeting him…changed my thinking.”

Remembering that day, Rachel scratched her cheek. It was the face of a woman in love.

“Heh.”

His legs giving way, Harrington slumped into his chair.

“If the chaplains or soldiers loyal to the Holy Church heard this story, they’d faint.”

“I suppose so.”

“Most certainly… huh?”

The answer wasn’t Rachel’s. Someone had entered at just the right moment.

Glossy white hair, eyes holding profound wisdom, and the insignia of a Colonel emblazoned on the clerical robes.

Tiria, one of the Holy Maidens of Purification, stood in the doorway, holding a document.

“Colonel Tiria Carsten, a chaplain officer directly under the Joint Chiefs of Staff. General Harrington, may I come in?”

“Saintess… or rather, Colonel Carsten, what brings you here? Ah, well, come in, come in.”

“I have some urgent information to share.”

With a soft rustle, Tiria presented the documents.

“What’s this, then?”

“Data compiling the old Demon Lord’s army’s atrocities on the deserted island.”

Harrington frowned as he meticulously read through the pages.

“Absurd tales, these.”

“Yes, even I find them hard to believe. Still, the evidence is overwhelming, forcing one to accept it. The crucial materials are currently being analyzed; their true nature will be revealed soon. As a Saintess of the Order, I can assure you.”

“If the Saintess of Purification herself says so…”

“Thank you. Ah, and Rachel? This is for you. Erich asked me to deliver it.”

Tiria held out a handful of stones. No voice accompanied them, but Rachel recognized them by their shapes. Daisy and Olivia.

“…Erich!”

Rachel’s hand, previously trembling with anxiety, steadied as she received the stones. She clutched them, taking a deep breath. Already, she felt much better.

Harrington tilted his head, puzzled.

“Erich? Erich Ronstein?”

“Yes, the Magestone Artificer from the Sorcery Kingdom, the same one.”

“Isn’t he on our kill list? And that one’s gotten friendly with Lieutenant Colonel Brokenheart, you say?”

“I was there, so I know. What the Lieutenant Colonel says is true. Despite appearances, he’s a truly good man. Oh, and I think I might be pregnant, too.”

“What? Ah, no… what?”

Harrington stumbled, again. He ceased thinking.

Tiria spoke, “I plan to undergo an examination and be discharged from service soon. The Lieutenant Colonel is exhausted from her long time on the deserted island, so I’d appreciate it if she could rest for at least a few weeks. Have her examined like I will be, and then decide what comes next.”

In effect, the Colonel was ordering a General. However, Harrington could only groan, unable to rebuke Tiria. He, too, was a believer in the Holy Spirit Order.

“Understood. The Lieutenant Colonel has a commendable record of service, so a bit of rest is warranted. Besides, the tide of war has shifted, so there’s no immediate urgency.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Tiria and Rachel bowed their heads slightly.

“Commander Harrington, this war has lost all meaning. The young men and women of both armies are innocent. It was all a plot by the fiends. The only solution is to expose this truth and turn the Sorcery Kingdom’s soldiers against their own leaders.”

“I understand what you’re saying. But is this common knowledge?”

“Not yet, it’s classified. I’m traveling around, personally persuading those in higher positions. Some disagree, but most are willing to consider it.”

“There’s not much a mere general like me can do, but… I understand. I’ll try to minimize the conflict.”

Tiria thanked him profusely, then grasped Rachel’s wrist. Rachel nodded, and the two departed. Harrington sighed, alone in his office.

“Erich Ronstein… just what kind of man is he…?”

He’d been struck with too much, too fast. He barely remembered what they’d discussed moments ago. Harrington flipped through the documents Tiria left behind, murmuring Ronstein’s name.

And at that same moment, within the Holy Engineering Corps’ encampment…

“Sergeant, I think… I think I’m going to be a father.”

“What?”

“Twins, I reckon.”

Riyo, too, was preparing for his discharge.

Unbeknownst to Erich, his name was spreading far and wide within the Holy Empire.

*

Quite a bit of time had passed. During that time, I was a prisoner of the Unified Republic, focused on revealing the truth alongside Adora.

Perhaps that was why the Republic treated me with such deference. I wasn’t restrained as a prisoner, nor was I subjected to hard labor.

If anything, I offered…counsel to the soldiers.

Some prisoners from the Magic Kingdom had suffered breakdowns, and after I calmed them, the Republic officers began assigning me this little task.

I wasn’t thrilled, but I did it. I was an officer of the Magic Kingdom, after all.

“Hoo.”

“Another hard day, Teacher.”

The soldiers of the Republic called me Teacher. Why, I didn’t know, but it had become the norm.

“It’s unnerving, the way you treat our own soldiers so well. At this rate, they might start following you instead of us.”

“Then perhaps you should give me other duties?”

“There’s no one else to do it but you.”

The Elven officer gazed at me intently. She was the nursing officer who’d taken care of me on my first day. Since then, she’d often lingered near me.

“You’re a kind person, Teacher.”

“Not entirely.”

“Even if you say so, everyone knows. You have a lot of empathy, wouldn’t you say? Cold, yet warm…”

“You flatter me.”

The Elven officer smiled.

“If it’s alright with you, I’d like to offer some thanks on behalf of the soldiers. How about we grab a coffee together? Oh, and I almost forgot, I have some cookies in my quarters. Meringues, the really expensive kind.”

What *is* this, this tidal wave of information?

Do I even deserve such favor in my position?

“Ms. Ione, I’m a prisoner right now. I should be fetching you coffee, and you’re doing this? People will notice.”

“Hmm, that’s true. Then, let’s say I’m dropping by briefly for surveillance and a nutritional check. It’s my duty as a nurse officer, after all.”

With her putting it like that, I couldn’t really say anything else. Rejecting her further might only arouse suspicion, considering my situation.

I’m doing a lot of thinking on the way.

The Holy Kingdom’s female soldiers, especially Rachel, worry me. Can they manage without me? Tria’s there, and I sent Dol back…it should be alright, right? Still, I feel uneasy.

Uneasy?

Yeah, maybe *I’m* the one who’s most uneasy. Because I can’t see the women I love. Because I can’t know what will happen to them.

Maybe this is the effect of *kyeolhon* (結魂), that is, the Binding.

“Sir, could you walk a little slower, please?”

“Ah, my apologies.”

Lost in thought, I’d arrived at the prisoner-of-war camp.

A “camp” it may be, but for officers only, so it was closer to a hotel. A bed and a desk; that says it all. Truly humanitarian.

But standing in front of my room was a woman.

“Major, you’ve already charmed another woman in less than a month.”

It was Adora.

“And you are…? Aren’t you a fellow prisoner officer?”

“Indeed.”

Adora replied tersely. The elven nurse officer blinked, saying,

“Why are you here? Your rooms should be different, shouldn’t they?”

“You could say that. Perhaps it’s because this person is my husband, wouldn’t you think?”

Adora gestured towards me, a flirtatious smile playing on her lips. The next thing she did was draw a finger across her throat, and I instinctively took a step back.

*Senpai.*

Do you *want* to die?

It was as if she was saying that.

The elven officer went, “Oh wow!” and looked back and forth between Adora and me, wide-eyed.

“You two were… lovers?”

“Yes.”

“…Ah-ha.”

“What brings the Nurse Lieutenant here?”

“Nothing of particular importance. Just a brief check on your well-being, and I wanted to quickly express my gratitude for the counseling you’ve provided the soldiers.”

“…I see.”

Adora never took her eyes off me until the Elf Lieutenant had departed.

As soon as the officer scurried away, I glanced around. The guards standing watch over us prisoners had their ears perked up.

[‘The Republic’s soldiers sure are living the high life these days. They’re even screening daily melodramas in 4D.’]

Keep it down.

Adora sighed, as if on cue.

“Don’t worry, no misunderstandings arose. I saw you put up an iron wall.”

“I did my best, but it wasn’t easy.”

“Well, given our status as prisoners, it’s understandable.”

Adora tilted her head, a gesture directed at the soldiers behind me, not me. When I turned, the Republic’s soldiers were giving me a thumbs up. One of them pointed to the upper floor, then commanded in my native tongue,

“You two, let’s go upstairs.”

Exactly three minutes later.

I found myself locked inside Adora’s room.