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“Make your decision, Hero. Whatever you decide, no one will blame you.”

After suffering severe injuries in the battle against the Demon King, Walter could only exhale deeply. A sigh while signing documents, a sigh while fixing his armor, a sigh while checking supplies in the storage room, and yet another sigh while delivering today’s orders.

While ordinary soldiers and generals might think the Hero was merely worried, stepping back to give him space, Bernard, who could not leave the Hero’s side, was reaching a point where he could understand Walter’s thoughts merely by hearing his sighs.

“Decision. Yes, what decision? What fight can be waged with only a bunch of kids left behind without Rose, Margaret, or Jeongjae!”

“It’s as if you’re treating me like just a child,” Bernard muttered. Walter let out a hearty laugh and nodded.

“Exactly, you’re the most useless child among them. What good are you in a fight? Can you even find edible grass somewhere?”

“I’ll charge into the enemy camp, hunt some Orcs, and roast the meat for everyone. Once they taste it, they’ll come to their senses.”

“Now that’s nonsense. How can a human eat Orc meat?”

“I’ve had it before.”

Walter was taken aback by Bernard’s words, removing his glasses and widening his eyes in surprise. Seeing Walter gradually distance himself, Bernard held his forehead and shook his head.

“You were raised so delicately you don’t know what a real hunter in a dark land has to deal with. Listen, Hero. I can’t assist you if you’re that reckless. I can’t care for a Hero who’s easily riled up and sensitive.”

“It’s shocking to think that taking care of you is equivalent to eating Orc meat.”

Walter said this and then plopped down tiredly onto his bed. Bernard also sat on a nearby chair and nodded in agreement.

“So make your decision. Will you send Rose back to Caprice, or will you continue her treatment here at the military camp?”

This was one of the significant decisions troubling Walter for several days. Rose Caprice was not just an able commander or knight; she was a strategic weapon capable of turning the tide of war single-handedly.

Even though they had lost, the fact that she had held her ground against the Demon King until falling under a confusing spell proved this. On the day when Rose and the Demon King fought their brief battle, the Demon King had to flee to the north, staggering while clutching his golden ribs.

“What do you think, Bernard?”

“My thoughts?”

“Yes, your thoughts. Should Rose stay here, or should she… return to the Empire on her own? Bernard, what do you really think?”

“Well, having or not having Rose can make a significant difference in the military. But what’s most important is her health, right? I would send her back.”

At Bernard’s nonchalant remark, Walter’s expression suddenly darkened. He nodded, as if agreeing with the hunter’s words, letting out a deep sigh.

“That’s true… For Rose’s sake, she must get proper rest now… But you know, Bernard, even if Rose can handle it, I… right now, I can’t bear the thought of being away from her. Is it okay for someone like me… even as a Hero? I mean, I’m making my soldiers leave their families to follow me, yet I enforce rules so they can’t even touch a prostitute.”

“You even had to enforce rules on the prostitutes?”

“There’s no need to. In a lawless place like this, it’s hard to even find one person. Regardless, I couldn’t bring my wife or family, but seeing myself crying over not being able to keep a lover around while giving such orders…”

“Damn, I was wondering what you were talking about.”

Bernard looked at Walter with a chuckling grin. Walter raised an eyebrow, his expression perplexed.

“What’s that grin about? You think what I’m saying is funny, Bernard Silverpoint?”

“Didn’t you ask me to write your autobiography back when you first met me? I still don’t know if that was a joke or serious, but if it’s sincere, then yes, I will. I’ll write it down and expose the world to how you’ve troubled me with your ridiculous complaints.”

“I think I asked you to also embellish me a bit when you write that.”

“Hah! Embellish? I won’t leave out a word. I’ll note how you enforced discipline on the soldiers to keep them away from lust, yet couldn’t bear to part with a lover by your side while whining about the child next to you all day. Hero, do you really think that will earn you respect and avoid condemnation from the world?”

“Some might think so.”

“Then tell me to bring them! I’ll use them as prey right there. Well, not to belittle the foot soldiers, but how could swinging a spear under a couple of orders be compared to governing everyone from the highest place under the heavens? You are the Hero, after all. I thought you had the guts worthy of that title when we first met, but I don’t know where you tossed it!”

Listening to Bernard’s words, the Hero fell into a moment of thought. Bernard’s way of thinking was different from Walter’s. Walter rigorously adhered to asceticism like a monk. He wasn’t a paragon who absolutely refused any special treatment compared to the soldiers. For instance, several supplies, including coffee beans, were transported from the Empire solely for the Hero’s convenience.

However, Walter was a person who feared getting caught for his deeds, particularly terrified of being accused of applying an unfair standard between himself and his soldiers. On the other hand, Bernard approached with a light-hearted thought of, “What’s wrong with someone with complete military authority asking for a little special treatment?”

In a way, that might be the most typical and reasonable thought.

“What was it like when we first met?”

“I thought you were a soldier sent to capture me, so I started casting spells immediately.”

“Spells? That was a non-lethal spell, remember?”

“That’s why you hired me, right? You sneered at me and knocked me out right there after snatching my dagger without a word. You kept hitting me until I begged you to stop.”

“To be precise, I kept hitting you until you tried to invoke another spell.”

The two faced each other and chuckled. Unlike the romantic first meeting of Rose and Walter, this scene did not present a beautiful picture.

The Hero, who came after hearing rumors of Bernard, misunderstood him as part of the Imperial security forces sent to capture him due to the incident of Bernard dealing with the dark guild members in the alley, resulting in an all-out brawl.

However, that very fight had impressed Bernard with Walter’s ‘guts’, and that brawl had become a strong motivation allowing Bernard to follow Walter without question even now. Perhaps he didn’t consider compensation important from the start. What truly mattered was how much help his employer could be in driving away the Demon tribe.

As Bernard momentarily recalled their first meeting, he offered serious advice.

“What I mean is, don’t mistake your desire to keep Rose by your side for some excessive privilege. If you don’t want to send her back, just order her to stay. No one will oppose you, so why suffer on your own while pondering some fight? Remember, the lives of the 100,000 soldiers here depend on you, Hero, and naturally, all the soldiers expect you to do your utmost with the best mindset. That’s how you live your life!”

Bernard’s words held weight. Deciding to accept his advice, the Hero patted Bernard’s shoulder and stood up.

“I need to go see Rose. Get up.”

“Let them talk it out. Watching you two get cozy makes me squirm.”

“Yeah, I’ll be back. Oh, and…”

As the Hero was about to leave the tent, he glanced back at Bernard.

“Thank you, Bernard. Truly. Every day.”

“Not a big deal.”

The hunter waved his hand dismissively. The Hero then left his tent and headed straight for the tent where Rose was resting. As usual, Alex Caprice was stationed at the entrance, guarding it.

“Oh, you’re here, Brother.”

The red-haired youth, Prince Alex, opened his arms and greeted Walter as if he had been waiting. Walter nodded, patting Alex on the shoulder before asking.

“How is Rose?”

“Sister is fine. She has a fast recovery rate. She usually wouldn’t need recuperation, but the Great Sage is quite capable as well. Just…”

“Just what?”

“She wishes you would visit more often. It’s a rare chance for her to be cared for, yet she says her boyfriend is being too indifferent.”

“Does Rose throw a tantrum sometimes?”

“That’s true, but I also think she’s worried about you overworking yourself. Ever since Sister collapsed, you’ve been busier than ever. Even when we offer to share the workload, you won’t listen…”

“Those were tasks Rose was handling. Who else can take her place?”

“I see. You seem to trust everyone, yet deep down, it appears you trust no one.”

Alex made a slightly sulky expression, pointing toward the entrance of the tent. Walter sensed a hint of bitterness in Alex’s voice and shook his head.

“Alex, what I mean is… you lack experience. It might be a long way off, but sharing Rose’s role wouldn’t be a good idea for both of you.”

“When I first donned my armor, Sister was already a commanding officer on the front lines. It was thanks to your guidance that I could even step onto the frontline at that young age, wasn’t it?”

“My presence on the battlefield was also due to Rose convincing His Majesty the Emperor.”

“And that girl over there, praised as the Great Sage who can manipulate Reyna’s red eyes, can’t be too much older than you either. Heroes seem to carry a certain radiance befitting them. Such a gift is innate, so I suppose it’s excessive of me to hope for such a glow… but still…”

“Margaret from Eramenia didn’t start making her mark until she was 400 years old. There’s no need to worry about age at this time, right?”

“The difference between what can be reached and what cannot is understood when you begin to recognize it. I cannot be like Sister. But I don’t wish to be a burden either; I don’t want to remain the immature brother who is of no help.”

“I trust you. Just like I trust Rose.”

“I’m fine. Just tell me this. Will Sister stay, or will she return to the Empire?”

“I think I will ask her to stay. Probably, she won’t refuse…”

A faint smile touched Alex’s face.

“That’s a relief. If Sister disappears now, there will be no one to fill her spot here.”

“That’s not the only reason, Alex Caprice. Perhaps… it may simply be that I’m weaker than you think. I want to say this: you need to break free from Rose’s shadow someday. Whether I’m the one blocking you from the front or whether you’re doing it yourself, you should think about that.”

 

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