01. Clear after cancer.

* * *

 

 

 

 

As I’d heard, Estelle was released and was no longer a prisoner. Moreover, despite being from another country, she was even given the position of Head Archer.

 

The conditions Estelle set were surprisingly simple.

All she asked was to be promised the position of Head Archer and to be allowed to bring her family to live in the Vasa Kingdom, that is, the Persian Empire, later on. Plus, a small amount of money as a bonus.

 

 

If she had asked for all the people who had tormented her to be punished, it would have been quite troublesome, but she didn’t go that far.

Whether that was because of her remaining conscience or because she thought such a request would never be granted, there was no way to know.

 

 

,”Formally, you’re assigned to the archers, but you’re only there to help. Just because Estelle is the Head Archer doesn’t mean you have to follow her. You only need to follow my orders, the knights’, and the Baron-nim’s. Understand?”

“Yes, Theodora-nim.”

 

 

The operation began the very next dawn after Estelle was recruited.

 

Knight Theodora and the 3,000 soldiers she led headed towards the towering mountain.

 

 

The size of the mountain had grown even larger in the meantime, still creating a mountain range as if to encircle something.

 

 

“By the way, this power called mana is really amazing. To be able to create a mountain.”

 

While admiring the sight, Aran vowed to obtain mana next time.

 

The way to subscribe to the desired power is simple. Just subscribe to the related books. Then the books turn to ashes as if burned, and Aran acquires the knowledge or ability related to it to the ultimate degree.

 

 

“It certainly is amazing. It allows you to do things that pure human power could never do.”

“I want to see magic too.”

“Magic, huh~.”

 

 

Euphimia murmured in a tone that seemed nostalgic.

 

“Aran. What do you plan to do when we return?”

 

She suddenly asked.

 

 

“Huh?”

“Our army will eventually return to the homeland. What will you do then?”

“Um… I haven’t really thought about it… I think I’ll have to stay in the army for the money anyway.”

“As an archer?”

“Yes.”

“But archers….”

 

As she made a worried expression, Theodora stopped the army.

 

 

“Euphimia. Go scout ahead for a moment.”

“Ah, yes!”

 

 

Euphimia rode her horse into the misty distance and disappeared.

 

 

“You’re planning to stay in the army? That’s welcome news.”

 

 

As Euphimia disappeared, Estelle filled the empty spot. She stood next to Aran.

 

 

“…”

 

 

Aran turned his head as if he had nothing to say, and Estelle chuckled as she looked at him.

 

 

“How about tonight? I’ve been through that kind of thing too, so I won’t rape you anymore. Let’s have some hot fun.”

“…Get lost.”

 

Would she still want to have sex after going through something like that?

Aran suddenly became curious about this woman’s brain.

 

Leaving aside the violence he suffered from the soldiers, Aran stabbed her genitals with a dagger. The next day, he cut off her breasts, forced a knife into her mouth, and later cut open her stomach and took out her organs.

Even though it was only limited to Estelle, the pure him had become so corrupted.

 

 

And yet, Estelle, who had suffered such things, came to Aran, who had done those things, and was flirting with him.

 

 

It was logically impossible.

 

 

“Oh my, why? I think I’m pretty good, you know. Hehe.”

 

 

She’s definitely teasing him. The fact that she raped and gang-raped Aran was already very famous in this army, and she had received unlimited punishment for it, so she couldn’t rape or harass Aran anymore. So it seemed like she had switched to this approach.

 

 

“I feel disgusted just looking at your face.”

“Oh, really? That’s a shame. Then are you sleeping with the knight? Is she demanding you sleep with her as a reward for saving you? Is that it?”

 

Aran’s face turned red as he spoke.

To insult someone who was like a benefactor who had saved him. He couldn’t stand it.

 

“Don’t insult the Knight-nim.”

“Insult? Why is that an insult? Sexual desire is a natural desire that humans feel.”

“The Knight-nim doesn’t force anyone like you, taking advantage of their position.”

“Then did you sleep with the Vice-Captain Knight-nim?”

“You…!”

“I’m telling you this out of pity, but it’s best not to trust Vice-Captain Knight Euphimia too much. Even though she seems like a warm older sister, she’s a complete sex maniac. She’s probably after you.”

“Shut up!”

“Ahahaha! It’s your freedom to believe it or not.”

 

 

Estelle left him with only confusion in his head and returned to her place.

Of course, Aran didn’t believe a word she said.

That the kind and warm Vice-Captain Knight Euphimia is a sex maniac and is after him?

That’s nonsense.

 

 

“Estelle…! I’m holding back now because I don’t have the power… but someday… someday I will definitely drag you to hell with my own power!!”

 

 

.

.

.

 

 

 

 

Chwarak!

 

 

Euphimia’s silhouette could be seen in the distance.

She was alone, having lost her horse, and was running towards them, her splendid uniform fluttering.

It was like she was lightly skipping across the grass.

 

 

“Knight-nim!”

“So, the enemy is ambushing us.”

“Yes. There are quite a few of them. It seems they’ve replenished their numbers, there are probably two thousand archers.”

“Hmm……”

 

 

It doesn’t end with just blasting a tunnel with ballistae. Since the mountain was forcibly pierced, it will collapse if left unattended, and to prevent this, soldiers must be mobilized to create temporary facilities to support the tunnel.

 

 

That period will take at least a day, so in the end, they must defend this place during that time, and they must not suffer great damage because there is a possibility that the enemy is ambushing them even outside the tunnel.

 

 

“Send a messenger to the main camp immediately to inform them of the size of the enemy ambushing us here and request reinforcements.”

“Yes!”

 

Several cavalrymen who received Theodora’s order left the camp.

 

 

“Estelle.”

“Yes~, Knight-nim.”

 

Theodora frowned slightly at the unpleasant face, but it was only for a moment.

She made an effort to manage her expression and gave the order.

 

 

“Don’t use the ballistae yet, take the archers and restrain the enemy.”

“Aye~.”

 

 

As Estelle, who maintained a relaxed attitude even towards the knight, disappeared, Theodora gritted her teeth.

Regardless, Estelle went to the archer unit and gave orders, and they followed Estelle’s orders with dissatisfied faces.

 

 

“The archers’ morale is not good.”

“Of course. Until recently, she was a prisoner, and that heinous criminal is brazenly acting as their superior. I don’t like it either.”

“Me too. Above all, I don’t like the fact that she inflicted such wounds on our cutie.”

“…”

 

 

Theodora stared at her without a word.

 

 

“Why, why are you looking at me like that?”

 

Euphimia slightly averted her eyes from the meaningful gaze, which could be described as profound or full of suspicion.

 

 

“You… keep in mind that having sex in the military camp is a violation of military law.”

“E, even so, I’m a Vice-Captain Knight?! Do you think I wouldn’t know that much about military law! What do you think I am!”

“A sex maniac, a lecher, a playgirl.”

“Ugh….”

 

Euphimia, who seemed to have taken a big hit, took a few steps back.

 

 

Theodora, who had a slight smile on her face as she looked at her, looked towards Aran, who was moving busily.

 

 

“Military law is strict, but I don’t intend to say anything about the affairs between men and women. It’s a problem if you’re too promiscuous, but appropriate sex has many good benefits.”

“That’s not something a virgin should say.”

“Shut up.”

“Heh.”

“…If you’re thinking of seducing Aran somehow, I won’t stop you. But… that child is hurt by sex. You have to heal that first. Don’t do anything rash.”

“…Of course. My Knight-nim.”

“…I don’t have lesbian tendencies.”

“Neither do I.”

 

 

The two women were patting each other.

Euphimia hesitated for a moment and opened her mouth.

 

 

“Knight-nim, are you planning to leave Estelle as she is? Don’t you have any plans in mind?”

 

Theodora, who received the question, stared at the back of Estelle’s head for a moment before shaking her head slightly.

 

“…The Baron made her the Head Archer. I can’t do anything about it on my own.”

“Is that so….”

“Even more so if that bitch achieves merit. If Estelle achieves merit in this war and returns… well, she might even become a knight.”

“N, no way…! A knight….”

“She’s already the Head Archer, isn’t she? The Head Archer alone is a high position in the army. Considering her skill and position, and considering the merit she has achieved, it’s not impossible. In the old days, even the crimes she committed when she was in the enemy army, regardless of the homeland, would be easily washed away.”

 

 

Euphimia also knows this fact.

But she was upset.

That the situation is turning out like this.

 

“…Then, Knight-nim. To that person….”

“Euphimia. Do you want to die?”

“……I’m sorry.”

 

 

Theodora revealed a sharp aura.

She rebuked Euphimia with a serious expression.

 

 

“That person is not someone I can casually ask for favors as I please.”

 

 

Euphimia, who had been bickering without hesitation, also lowered her head and apologized.

 

“…Yes… I misspoke.”

“And… don’t you know? Since then, my relationship with that person has been strained. They might even try to kill me.”

 

 

Theodora had a wistful expression. It was an expression that made one’s heart ache just by looking at it.