SOTBW - 151

For instance, there were soldiers who, even under the influence of drugs, couldn’t overcome their fear and attempted suicide; others who, overwhelmed by the terror brought by the Serith, believed that dying was the happiest option and killed sleeping comrades before taking their own lives; and some who, with no malice, simply used their comrades as shields to survive, only to realize what they had done and resort to self-harm.

Soldiers who were so seriously wounded that they could no longer wield a sword would take off their uniforms and return to their hometowns. However, the king issued a strict order that soldiers who could not wield a sword due to psychological issues should never be sent home.

Since the fortress had no space to house soldiers who were beyond recovery, they asked the nearby cities for help. The cities built prison-like structures, confining soldiers suffering from mental breakdowns in solitary cells.

Recently, a few thousand soldiers returned to Noctis Fortress, having spent time in solitary confinement, praying and meditating. They were judged to have improved enough to rejoin their comrades.

But Maximón knew the truth.

They hadn’t gotten better. They had simply returned because they’d rather die on the battlefield than remain locked in cold, prison-like cells that would drive them further mad.

“Speaking of which, I have one question.”

At that moment, Phesis tapped the side of his chair with his finger. Maximón, who had been focused on the table, glanced at him.

Olkoni, seated beside Maximón, looked back and forth between the two men with a nervous gaze.

“Why are you keeping that knight, Najane Schnicks or whatever her name is, in the rear?” Phesis asked.

A heavy silence fell over the meeting room at Phesis’ remark. Brito, looking flustered, tried to stop him.

The commanders had heard rumors about Najane Schnicks. Whether true or not, they knew it was better not to mention it in front of Maximón.

But Phesis ignored Brito’s attempt to stop him and taunted Maximón openly.

“If you’re going to use her like that, you might as well give her to me.”

Phesis, leaning arrogantly in his chair, grinned.

Phesis didn’t like Maximón, but he neither respected nor feared him like others did. Maximón silently stared at Phesis, his dark green eyes showing no emotion.

Olkoni tensed, his hand gripping the sword resting against his chair, afraid Maximón might suddenly lash out.

If Maximón had spoken up in response to Phesis, they wouldn’t have been so tense. But Maximón’s silence, as he simply stared at Phesis, was as terrifying as a Serith staring without blinking.

Everyone watched with nervous eyes, their gazes filled with silent reproach. Phesis, despite feeling the ominous tension, continued to speak.

“Am I wrong? If you don’t like what I’m saying, then put her in the front lines. How much longer are you going to protect that knight while the situation keeps worsening? She must have some backbone to have risen from being a maid to a knight.”

“Phesis... that’s enough...” Brito lightly shook Phesis’ arm, signaling him to stop. But Phesis, like a rebellious child, brushed Brito’s hand off.

Now Alec was watching Phesis with anxious eyes. Phesis, noticing this, leaned back arrogantly and continued to look at Maximón.

Just as Phesis was about to speak again, Maximón muttered in a calm voice.

“I didn’t realize you were so interested in my knight.”

“Am I the only one interested? Anyone living in Noctis would be curious about her. She’s a special knight just for using sword energy, and with the bizarre scandal surrounding her, it’s only natural that people would be paying more attention.”

“I’ve warned you before. Don’t meddle with my knight.”

Maximón’s voice remained cold and dry. There was no trace of irritation toward Phesis in his tone.

Alec, thinking Maximón would throw Phesis aside at any moment, was surprised by the turn of events and quietly observed the two men. The atmosphere was different from what the other commanders had expected.

“She’s too talented to be left in the rear.”

“That’s for me to decide, not you.”

“You’re too harsh. I’m just worrying about her as a comrade. If you keep her in the rear, other knights will start to complain, don’t you think?”

Suddenly, Phesis let out a painful gasp. Maximón gripped Phesis’ chin tightly. Brito, startled, immediately jumped to his feet.

With just a little more pressure, it felt like Phesis’ jawbone might shatter. He exhaled sharply, glaring at Maximón.

“Schnicks.”

Maximón leaned in close to Phesis, whispering so low that the sound reverberated.

“Call her Schnicks, not Najane. Don’t address her casually like a friend.”

The atmosphere in the meeting room instantly froze. Olkoni carefully watched Maximón’s sword at his waist and fiddled with his own scabbard.

No matter how much he trusted Maximón, it had become difficult to do so after the incident with Nathan’s ear.

Alec, with dry lips from tension, stood up and walked over to stand next to Phesis.

“Lord Elgort, please calm down. There was no intention to provoke. It’s just… it’s a shame that such a skilled knight is stuck in the rear.”

Alec tried to soothe the situation with soft words, worried that Maximón might harm Phesis. Curis also looked uneasy, his face full of worry at the potential for bloodshed.

But Maximón, to everyone’s surprise, released Phesis without hesitation. Phesis, rubbing his throbbing jaw, opened and closed his mouth repeatedly, checking if his bones were fractured.

Seeing the situation resolve so easily, Alec and Brito, who had just stood up, awkwardly looked down at Maximón.

“I honestly thought you’d draw your sword.”

Alec asked, somewhat surprised, and Maximón nonchalantly crossed his arms.

“Why bother with such an idiot?”

“What? Idiot?”

Phesis, hearing that, was about to charge at Maximón in anger, but Brito quickly stopped him. Olkoni, now relieved, quietly set down the sword he had been holding. Maximón, though still visibly annoyed, didn’t seem like he was going to use any more force.

It was unexpected. Olkoni had thought Maximón would snap and fight Phesis immediately, but instead…

Instinctively, Olkoni realized that Najane was somehow affecting Maximón.

Taylor seemed to be subtly concerned about Najane, so Olkoni occasionally kept track of events happening in Romsoa. There had been rumors about the relationship between Maximón and Najane, but it was hard to believe until the parties involved spoke.

However, seeing Maximón calmly sitting, unaffected by Phesis’ provocation, Olkoni couldn’t help but believe the rumors were true.

Perhaps it’s the power of love...

Olkoni inwardly marveled. If anyone else had heard his thoughts, they might have laughed, wondering if Maximón Elgort would really hold back his temper just because of love.

But this time, Olkoni was right. Maximón hadn’t thrown a punch at Phesis because of Najane. He knew that if Najane found out, she would either be upset or worried, so he held back, showing maximum restraint.

There was no other reason. So, Phesis had owed his life to Najane.

“Is the meeting over?”

Maximón asked Olkoni. The room, which had been in turmoil, fell silent again. Phesis glared at Maximón, rubbing his chin. Olkoni cleared his throat and spoke up.

“Actually, I have one more thing to mention to the commanders.”

Curis waved his hand, looking exhausted, signaling for it to be over quickly.

Olkoni turned to face the commanders, speaking with an unusually bright tone.

“Divine power user Boris Eloman is expected to arrive at Noctis Fortress the day after tomorrow.”

________________________________________

Belshua watched as Najane walked up the path leading to her residence, then glanced at Amelia, whose eyes were swollen from crying.

Amelia, dressed like a soldier, seemed out of place. But it was also her destiny to fight on the battlefield. Though Belshua had always known this would eventually happen, it came sooner than expected.

Since the moment Amelia met Najane, she was destined to fight against the Serith. However, as mentioned earlier, now was not the right time. Amelia Royan, who had not yet gained any understanding, would not be able to perform her role perfectly on the battlefield.

Belshua pondered how it had come to this, how Amelia was pushed into the field so early, and with a short sigh, turned away.

“I’ll escort you to the maid’s quarters.”

Instead of replying, Amelia sniffled and nodded. Belshua glanced at the sword at Amelia’s waist, then sighed again.

This girl has always had a knack for digging the wrong wells...

But there was no reason for Belshua to help Amelia right now. Whether then or now, divine power was something one had to awaken on their own.

“Chernon.”

Belshua, who had been walking ahead, turned around.

Amelia looked down at the ground with somewhat melancholic eyes, then put on a pitiful expression, like a dog cautiously watching for signs.

“...Could you teach me how to use a sword?”

“I’m too busy for that.”

Before Amelia could finish speaking, Belshua rejected her immediately. Amelia, startled, quickly dropped her pitiful look. Standing beside Belshua, she desperately clasped her hands together and begged.

“I’ll be fine even if it’s early morning. I’ve been a maid for so long, I’m used to waking up early. Really, I can do it. Please, just teach me a little. I’ll work hard. Please!”

“You can learn enough from Recheo.”

“It’s not enough, that’s why I’m asking you!”

“I’m busy training the boy soldiers in Romsoa. Ask someone else.”

Belshua quickened his pace, signaling that he didn’t want to hear more. Amelia’s face fell further into a pout.

Although Gwyneth had suggested she become a priestess, Amelia couldn’t understand why such a great person would bring up such a topic with her. It seemed like an incredibly great opportunity, but it was a choice that would alter her entire life.

Becoming a priestess meant serving and sacrificing for one person for the rest of her life. Amelia had no desire to live that way, but she also knew her situation was too pitiful to argue about such things.

Gwyneth’s offer was incredibly tempting, and when Amelia considered it, she couldn’t predict where her life might lead.

Dying on the battlefield or living her life as a virgin, to Amelia, seemed almost the same. But if she had to choose, she’d prefer to select something she could do well, rather than be pushed into something again.

If she rushed to become a priestess just to pay off debts, she knew she would resent her decision. Amelia wanted to act cautiously, and luckily, Gwyneth had given her time to think. So, she planned to practice with a sword during that time and, if it didn’t work out, she would have no choice but to consider becoming a priestess.

Amelia stared resentfully at Belshua’s disappearing back, then shouted.

“If you don’t help me, I’ll spread the rumor about Chernon’s gambling debts!”