A week has passed since Arjen’s capture.

As I enter the palace for a moment of solitude with Agnes, I hear the voices of men murmuring about me. They must be worried about the soldiers who died first. The ones who antagonized me also sought my forgiveness. I was being sainted, mythologized, and heroized in their heads. I did not return their gaze. The door to the throne room opened slowly, and I bowed politely to the Queen, who smiled faintly.

“Greetings.”

“Since you are here, come and sit.”

Agnes offered me a seat with a soft voice. I forced a smile and sat down on the chair. The overly plush velvet felt uncomfortable. I stiffly faced her, unable to keep my back against the backrest or my arms across the armrests.

“I have withheld judgment. But I can’t put it off forever.”

“You’re right. Keeping him alive now is demoralizing the knights.”

Death. That was the fitting sentence for Arjen. I took the words in stride, but I couldn’t hide my reluctance. Agnes stared at me in silence. I explained to her what had happened, at least roughly. I wasn’t trying to overturn the verdict; I just wanted someone to understand what had happened to him.

“We won’t rush it. I suspect he has more secrets than we realize, so we’ll need time to get them out of him. However, he insists that you should be the one to talk to him.

Agnes said with a sigh. I could see the guilt flickering in her eyes. The deaths of her soldiers and knights. They were buried beside those who had fallen in the Meteor’s War. The grave did not distinguish between those who died to the Disaster or the Mercenary. They were buried three days after his rampage. I stayed for hours, watching as each was lowered into their graves.

“As much as it pains me, I want you to take on the role of interrogating the Mercenary.”

Agnes spoke softly. ‘It must hurt you to even say such a thing to me, and you must be sorry.’ I nodded, curling my lips inward.

“I accept your refrain.”

“…I wish you success in your final mission.”

Final. I glanced down at the Holy Sword at my left hip. I hadn’t tested it yet, but I had a hunch that I would never see its power again. I could no longer sense it’s mana or presence.

“As Your Highness wishes, I will bring peace to the world.”

“You are a man who knows how to say the right thing, and while I don’t dislike it, I am concerned about your behavior. Once the interrogation is over, please refrain from activity for the time being.”

“…Yes, I will.”

The Queen asked me no more questions. I rose from my seat with a bitter smile. It’s the middle of Fall. I blinked while gazing at the clear sky.

“Elroy!”

It was Daphne’s voice. She was coming toward me, dressed in a simple, unobtrusive outfit. Of course, dressing modestly never hid her charm.

“Did it go well?”

I nodded, and Daphne sighed in relief.

“Are you going to go visit our sick member?”

I couldn’t answer. Georg did not regain his severed leg. The Holy Power of Iris couldn’t heal him because of his high magic resistance. It might be possible to sprout a new limb for someone with little magic in their body, but the physical attributes of a knight capable of using aura made it impossible.

“…It’s not Elroy’s fault, and I’m sure Georg would agree.”

“You shouldn’t say sorry after making a joke.”

Maybe she’ll resent me, too, though she’s changed enough to take it in moderation.

“…If he says it’s your fault, I’ll slap his face.”

“If you’re going to hit him, do it properly. Smash his jaw so he doesn’t remember.”

I turned my steps with difficulty to the hospital. I hadn’t been in the best spirits even before the battle with Arjen, and it was hard to imagine what kind of mess I’d be in now. At least, that’s what I thought until the door to his hospital room swung open….

“Now, be quiet and open your mouth, honey.”

“My arms are fine…”

“No, but the doctors told you it’s best to avoid using your body for a while.”

“I said I can eat by myself.”

“Say ahh~.”

A lady was holding a spoon and trying to scoop porridge into Georg’s mouth, and he was pretending not to like it, but I could see the grin on his face. Seeing them like that in the hospital room, spilling food on the floor, I realized I was worried for nothing. Daphne watched the scene with wide eyes, then turned to me.

“Shall we go back?”

“They seem to be getting along much better than I thought.”

Only then did Georg turn to me.

“Oh, so about Arj-.”

“Sorry to interrupt. Bye.”

“Okay, wait.”

Georg’s wife, Camilla, stopped me and Daphne just as we were about to turn around. She looked flustered and unsure what to tell us. I stopped in my tracks and stared at her in disbelief. She looked at me as if she were about to cry and opened her mouth. I was prepared to take all the resentment she had for me.

“Thank you.”

“…For what?”

“Thank you for saving my husband.”

I didn’t save him. If only I hadn’t made a lapse in judgment by going to the Holy Land. If only I had gotten to the Kingdom a little sooner. I stood dumbfounded, unable to spit out the words that swirled in my head.

“I may not have a leg, but I can still wield a sword.”

Behind her, Georg’s thick voice came in.

“You saved my life and captured Arjen, Elroy.”

There was no anger in Georg’s smile. He looked away from my ambiguous expression and turned to his wife.

“I wonder if I could speak with them in private for a moment.”

Camilla nodded meekly and headed for the open hospital room door.

“I’ll be back in the evening.”

Georg stared at the closed door momentarily, then turned back to us.

“You’re late, Elroy. It’s been a while since the incident.”

“It’s you who woke up late, lucky bastard.”

I grumbled, pulling up a chair and sitting down.

“How’s your leg feeling?”

“I’ve ordered a prosthetic. I’ll probably be in rehab for a while, but once I get used to walking and running, I think I can get out of the hospital.”

Georg gestured to his severed leg. It was cut off below the knee, neatly and cleanly. Georg stared at the amputation for a moment, then turned to me.

“Elroy.”

“What?”

“I think it’s time for me to quit.”

Georg said it nonchalantly. I had expected it and dreaded it.

“Though I don’t think it needs explaining.”

“…I’d be willing to take you back if you could get used to the prosthetic.”

Georg frowned and threw up his hands.

“Forget it. I’ve had enough of rolling in the front lines. There’s no place I’d rather be than here. I’ll be readying my resignation to the Templars as well.”

“So what are you going to do now?”

“I’m thinking of becoming an instructor. Teaching is more enjoyable than I thought.”

He would have wanted to fight more. That’s the Georg I know. Even when he says he doesn’t want to roll, he’s the first one up front, blocking attacks and being a wall. He doesn’t fight out of hate; he fights out of responsibility. Even if you can find someone as skilled as Georg, very few people have that character.

…But it’s a bit too late to find new members.

“…I really wanted to order you around more. Thanks for all your hard work.”

“Are you not going to give me a severance package?”

“Why would I give you one?”

(TN: For the kids, when someone leaves a company unwilfully, such as getting laid off, the company provides some benefits so the person doesn’t starve to death.)

Georg’s face instantly turned grim.

“You have no conscience.”

“I’m sure you’ve saved plenty of money, so what’s the point?”

I sounded like the owner of an unscrupulous corporation, and Georg nodded with a grimace.

“When you’re better, let’s go on another fishing trip.”

“If you can’t talk.”

I smirked. Georg turned his gaze to Daphne.

“Thank you for everything.”

“Don’t talk to me like we’ll never see again. I know you’ll still come by the headquarters when you’re free.”

“That’s true.”

Georg chuckled.

“Take care of Elroy, Daphne.”

Daphne blushed at Georg’s abruptness. Then she looked at me, and when our eyes met, she gave me a look with emotions I couldn’t quite understand before she bowed her head.

“I don’t know when you two plan to get married, but you are dating, right?”

“We’ll figure it out ourselves, uncle.”

Did getting married make people weird? I responded with an embarrassed smile. Georg chuckled as if relieved, and Daphne, next to me, looked like she was about to blow steam out of her hair as she repeatedly lifted her face, lowered it, and turned her head to the side. When she buried her face in her hands, Georg chuckled.

“Well, that’s enough. It’s not like we won’t see each other again. The only difference is that I won’t be mobilized for expeditions and events.”

“Well, it’s not like you did all the heavy lifting.”

“I didn’t get paid either. Well, I’ll be taking a nap; I’m feeling sleepy.”

I rolled my eyes, picked up the broken Daphne, and stood up. Daphne was still murmuring in my arms.

“…Marriage.”

I smiled bitterly and left the hospital room.

***

Drops of blood dripped into the sink. Dead blood. I washed my palms and looked at myself in the mirror. My eyes weren’t clear. They had gone from turquoise to a color close to a deep navy blue, the green all but gone. My face is ashen. The running water sounded distant.

“….”

I brought my hand to my heart. It was pulsating regularly but weakly, like the breathing of a comatose man. It got weaker by the second, and it seemed to stop abruptly at one point.

“Elroy?”

I heard Daphne’s voice and careful steps. I quickly rinsed off the residue and turned my head.

“What are you doing up at this hour?”

“I just woke up. What about you?”

“I… I couldn’t sleep.”

I rubbed my eyes and picked up the towel. I buried my face in it and walked out of the bathroom briskly, not wanting to alert anyone to my strange state.

“Good night.”

I ruffled Daphne’s hair lightly with my fingertips. Smiling at her stirring, I slowly returned to my bedroom. My heart beats with each step. A resounding reminder that I was still alive.

But now, I couldn’t even feel the pain in my heart.