kscans

Chapter 45 - The Sacrificial Captain, a Shadow Reunited in the Trench

Leonhard focused on getting the shaken unit members under control. People can mask their anxiety as long as they have something to do.

"Everyone, I know you're surprised that things are different from what you were told when you came here. I feel the same way."

He said it aloud on purpose. Knowing they weren't alone should calm them down a little.

"But first, I want to gather information. Do the five of you who were here know your way around this base?"

"We all know where things are, more or less," answered the soldier who had been waiting at the trench entrance.

"What's your name?"

"I'm Cerio. I was in charge of reconnaissance."

"Alright, Cerio. First, bring me every document you can find outside the captain's office that might tell us about the situation in this Tree Sea. Also, anything that could be used as a weapon. And I want everyone to search for any other storage places for alchemy items... If you find anything else that seems strange, tell me."

After giving his orders, the soldiers, though still anxious, split up and disappeared into the depths of the trench. The most important thing now was to keep them moving.

There were soldiers who had holed up here for two weeks and survived. That meant this hole itself was likely protected for some reason. The problem was what came after.

...I was completely set up by the King.

Mireille's master, the former captain Ariel, and Supreme Commander Darius had disappeared, and the chain of command had collapsed. After that, the King dispatched the Imperial Guard, but they were useless against the monsters.

That's when the choice fell upon the First Knight Order, who were of low birth but highly skilled. In other words, us.

And the reason I was made captain. I had thought it was because I was part of the King's faction, but...

...So that was it.

Julius's words from this morning echoed in his mind. Those whispered to have 'received favor' at court also become targets for elimination...

At first, he thought it was just talk from jealous nobles. But he was wrong. It had been about the King himself.

When the Queen unilaterally made advances on him, a young commoner soldier had no way to refuse. And knowing that, the King still treated him as an inconvenience.

He should have heard the circumstances from Darius, and I was technically on the King's side. The Queen had plenty of other transgressions. Yet, the King's feelings were apparently a separate matter.

No supplies. No information. Unable to defeat monsters. In other words, if we die, we die, and he doesn't care.

That bastard...

His clenched fist dug its nails into his palm, drawing blood. But he didn't even feel the pain. He had no outlet, no place to direct his anger.

Leonhard silently headed for the captain's office. Though it was more of a hollowed-out space in the trench than a room.

Only a desk and a bed were inside, and the drawers were neatly organized with writing utensils. Even if he turned them upside down, nothing would come out.

A bed... no, more like a thin mattress. It had almost no cotton or stuffing. Is this the kind of environment Mireille's master spent her days in?

Just then.

He suddenly sensed a presence behind him. He spun around on reflex, about to assume a combat stance, when...

"...I'm sorry, Leonhard."

Along with the voice, Darius stood before him. And on his wrist, something similar to the ring he had given Leonhard was gleaming.

"You've held out well until now. I've more or less got things sorted out."

...Wait, why is Darius here!?

Leonhard's heart suddenly pounded in his chest.