Ch.283283. Six Clock Hands (3)

“What about the chain of command?!”

“There’s no word yet…”

“Damn it, are we supposed to keep maintaining the Hasirt 3 formation?! How long are we supposed to trust the orders from that wet-behind-the-ears kid!”

I had been prepared for everyone’s dissatisfaction with the sudden change in commander. After all, the leadership had shifted from heavyweights like Professor Muniher, Duke Zelbarten, or Marquis Emerald to a mere rookie—the most pathetic member of the most reliable party.

‘Yes. It’s not strange at all that voices of doubt are rising. But…’

The strategy should have been clearly communicated.

Yet the frontline is gradually being pushed back. Because one person hasn’t arrived. Because that person didn’t relay the strategy.

“Then what about Lady Senia? When on earth is she coming?”

“Well… there’s no word from her either…”

Are they telling us to die in their place? Honestly, isn’t the commander insane? Looking at this absurd strategy being forced through, the commander must be crazy—even the squad leader, a veteran, was saying the same things as his subordinates.

But I could understand.

Senia, who had praised the strategy as good just yesterday, was deliberately keeping herself out of sight.

It wasn’t sudden. Hadn’t there been plenty of signs already?

And yesterday I could be certain. Whether she realized it or not, her eyes never left the Sirah front.

Plus, her preparations for maintaining the frontline the next day were much sloppier than usual.

By now, I can pretty much guess what Senia is trying to do.

‘You’re trying to escape from here, aren’t you? If so.’

I should prepare a horse on a visible path.

“…I think this should be enough.”

She’s a sharp one, so she’ll figure it out. I packed minimal supplies in the saddle so she could quickly return after taking care of her business.

Now, it’s time to go back.

I need to fill Senia’s empty spot.

“Damn it all… Of all things, why is that thing coming this way…!”

As soon as I returned, an Abnormal-grade magical beast—not particularly strong but with many variables—was flying toward them.

I could have warned them in advance. I could have checked with mana vision. It would have been entirely possible to respond without breaking formation.

But she appeared late. As if she had been waiting for this moment.

“Everyone, fall back.”

Judging by her order to join Aris’s unit, she seemed to have calculated the extent of damage. The formation would collapse somewhat, but if support was requested, the urgent situation could be quickly contained.

However, the blocked line of sight due to the collapsed formation couldn’t be prevented.

So that’s what she was aiming for.

Bang-!

As the formation collapsed from the Flame Harp’s self-destructive attack, Junon threw his chain shield and stepped forward.

“Get a grip. I told you to maintain the Hasirt 3 formation!”

“You…!”

“Not ‘you.’ I am the commander of this army, officially appointed by Professor Muniher.”

I guarantee the damage will be minimal.

These people… no, all citizens of the Principality will point fingers at me and question my qualifications again.

But it’s fine.

Even if Senia has disappeared, even if morale is somewhat broken.

And even if I face greater criticism until she returns.

When Senia comes back, she’ll surely explain everything well.

After relaying the operational details, I glance back slightly.

There was Senia, still hesitating, unable to leave.

Go. Now.

Understanding the sign I mouthed, she flinched and then finally left her position.

***

Despite fighting with all their might, the magical beasts driven from Schütt by Ashpern were too numerous, and the front-line battle was not easy as they had to abandon all advantages in this harsh environment.

With food, supplies, and all available manpower needed to care for refugees, the days passed without a moment’s rest.

In this situation, Senia’s absence was truly significant.

“Huff, huff… ugh…”

This was the passage Charlotte was responsible for.

She was sweating profusely against an even larger wave of magical beasts than yesterday. Due to Senia’s absence, she had to handle more magical beasts.

Dealing with the magical beasts was manageable, but the blue-haired girl sensed something awakening within her.

It wouldn’t end with just sweating. This time, truly this time, something inside would burst forth.

The time of suffering began.

“Ugh…!”

“Huh? Why is Lady Charlotte suddenly like that?”

“She suddenly clutched her stomach… I’ll go check.”

A soldier approaches Charlotte. As he kneels to check her condition, dark blue mana flows out abundantly.

“Lady Charlotte. Are you alright?”

“R-run away…”

“Pardon?”

Thud!

“R-run… AAAAARGH!”

Crack!

In an instant, the area begins to freeze. Dark blue turbidity spreads thickly, and an intense chill sweeps through the sweltering summer.

-GRAAAAAAAH!!!

Ice fragments shoot up with a monstrous cry. They’re so murky and irregular that it’s hard to believe they belong to Charlotte.

The most chilling thing is her appearance.

She glares at people with rolled-back eyes. Eerie mana surrounds her, sharpening her fangs and nails.

She would normally have projected a delicate and cute image. Seeing her eyes suddenly roll back and her appearance turn so fierce would terrify anyone.

“Lady Charlotte has gone berserk!!”

“What, berserk?!”

“Quickly, alert Tembris!! Hurry!!”

The soldiers flee. She is no longer Charlotte. She’s just a monster wrapped in dark blue mana, tearing apart both humans and magical beasts.

Only fellow Tembris members can stop her in this state. The soldiers scattered in panic immediately after the battle ended.

-Grrrk?!

As the hungry frost monster moves to fill its stomach, the host’s mana flowing from within blocks this movement.

‘No. I absolutely won’t let you hurt people…!’

-Grrrr…!

Since it was impossible to completely prevent losing control of her body, she left mana only in her legs to prevent movement.

To hinder movement and buy time, if possible.

Those few seconds of resistance were quite effective. If someone could stop her berserking form and buy time, all Tembris members could arrive and calm her down.

However, now, of all people, the most concerning person had arrived.

‘Why, why is it senior coming!!!’

It was the black-haired boy with the chain shield.

The one person who couldn’t face her. She had hoped he of all people wouldn’t come.

‘Ugh…!’

She was at her limit now. Even restraining her ankles with her barely maintained consciousness.

She could only hope he wouldn’t die. Until the soldiers spread the news and other Tembris members arrived.

Tap.

As the host’s strength gave out, the monster immediately pushed off with both legs.

It charges toward the weak prey approaching head-on.

Crash!

Whoosh!!

“Hah…!”

Who would have thought such strength could come from this small frame?

Despite knowing in advance and raising his shield, Junon was pushed back, unable to fully withstand the monster’s power.

But this wasn’t his first time.

He knows how to tackle opponents stronger than himself with his weak body. And he knows what magic Charlotte uses.

By the time the other members learned of Charlotte’s berserking and arrived, Junon had already handled the situation.

***

Charlotte opens her eyes in the hospital bed.

She immediately checks her condition by moving her hands, making sure the monster within hasn’t taken control.

Realizing with relief that the inner beast isn’t dominating her body, she lets out a sigh.

“You can stay in bed longer if you want.”

A familiar voice reaches her as she rises from the bed.

It was the party member—no, the party leader—who had first noticed her berserking and rushed to her: Junon.

‘I should… thank him.’

But when she turned her head, the words of gratitude disappeared.

“Hmm? Oh. Are you worried about my injuries? It’s fine. Just a little blood, nothing serious.”

“…”

“Don’t make that face, Charlotte. This will heal in a few days. You should worry more about yourself.”

If it wasn’t a serious injury, why was there blood? Why were there bandages wrapped around various parts of his body?

If it takes days to heal, that counts as a serious injury.

He must have been covered in blood.

Even after applying medicine generously and receiving Erica’s divine healing for a long time, he still looks like that.

He could have… died. While facing her berserking self.

Yet there’s nothing wrong with her own body.

Though her muscles ache a bit, it’s nothing compared to his injuries.

So.

She bites her lip hard before speaking.

“Others might accept you, but I will never acknowledge you as my senior.”

“…What?”

“How can you be Tembris’s party leader? It makes no sense. You couldn’t even properly subdue me!”

The reason Charlotte joined Tembris.

It was because there were people who could stop her when she went berserk. Any member could.

But look at him.

Does he look like someone who subdued her with ease?

“Why are you still in this party when you’re completely useless? You’re just holding everyone back!”

She’s afraid.

Afraid of hurting someone.

But what’s more frightening is hurting someone precious with her own hands.

Having their blood on her hands.

Yes. If he were to leave Tembris.

If he did, she wouldn’t risk going berserk and hurting him.

So Charlotte spews even harsher words. Even knowing she shouldn’t say them.

“It’s because of you… it was all because of you!! This party fell apart because it was dragged down by one incompetent person like you!!!”

She knows it’s nonsense.

“If you have any conscience, step down as Tembris’s party leader and leave. Now!!”

Please give up, Senior Junon.

It’s obvious we’ll face even more dangerous magical beasts in Sirah, and I can’t guarantee I won’t go berserk each time.

Please don’t let me kill you…!

“…I’m sorry. I can’t do that.”

Why.

Why…!

What’s so important about being party leader? Or commander of the Principality’s army!

Stop thinking about sacrificing yourself for others and live a little more selfishly!

Charlotte trembled, gripping the soft quilt tightly, the words rising to her throat.

“You conscienceless human…! You incompetent human…!”

Unable to say what she truly wanted, she left, uttering different words instead.

But her face was always honest.

“I’m sorry, senior… I’m sorry…!”

That wasn’t what she wanted to say at all.

She had spoken out of concern, not wanting him to get hurt.

“───!”

Once she was far enough that Junon couldn’t hear her voice, she finally cried out loudly.

Someday, if she honestly brought this up to apologize, he would understand as he always did…

But she never managed to express her true feelings from that day.

Because the dead have no ears to listen.