Campfire at the Campsite

In the center of that place filled with darkness, a bonfire exuded its presence.

Lighting a bonfire while being pursued was no different from a desperate plea to the pursuers, but they had no other choice.

At least, they tried to soothe the anxiety in their hearts by posting sentries around the perimeter.

The season was now entering early autumn. The sleepless heat of summer had vanished without a trace, and so the night forest was cold.

The horses tied to the trees puffed out their breath and swished their tails, chasing away the insects clinging to their hindquarters.

Crackle, crackle, the sound of branches breaking in the flames echoed through the forest.

Several members sat around the bonfire, warming their hands. Some wanted to grill jerky, but they weren’t so oblivious to the situation as to do something so crazy as to spread the smell.

Silence hung over the campsite in the middle of the forest. Hardened faces turned towards one tent.

Members warming their hands by the bonfire, members standing guard around the campsite, members maintaining their gear…

Their gazes were directed at the tent.

That uncomfortable gaze and silence continued until a woman emerged from the tent.

The woman, with a very tired face, had short golden hair.

With fatigue evident in every step, she slowly sat down in front of the bonfire. The members sitting by the bonfire shifted to make room.

“Anna, how is the Cavalry Commander?”

As soon as the golden-haired woman sat down, the woman sitting to her right asked. She had long brown hair and a similarly exhausted face.

“He’s resting.”

The woman named Anna exhaled her fatigue and tension with a sigh.

As soon as she finished speaking, the members of the camp also let out sighs of relief.

“Hah… that’s a relief. Actually, his injuries were so severe… I…”

The brown-haired woman, Agnes, swallowed her words, afraid of jinxing it.

But the battle from the afternoon was still vivid in her mind. The sound of weapons clashing, the sound of hooves, the screams, and the image of the Cavalry Commander.

The Cavalry Commander with an arrow piercing his neck and two more arrows lodged in his chest.

The seasoned cavalry members were certain when they saw the Cavalry Commander’s condition. That the Cavalry Commander was dead.

But the vice-commander thought differently.

The vice-commander, Anna Irwena, put the Cavalry Commander on her horse amidst the chaos and led the cavalry.

Following Anna, the cavalry fled, evading the pursuers here and there until they entered this forest.

“Yuda said it wouldn’t have been strange if Yuda had died instantly.”

Anna said in a hoarse voice, throwing a stray branch into the bonfire.

‘She seems to have calmed down a bit.’

Agnes recalled the earlier situation.

[Quickly! Heal him! Yuda! Yuda! Where are you, you bastard!]

Clutching the Cavalry Commander’s pale body, Anna screamed.

Startled by her fierce energy, Yuda hurriedly ran over with the medical supplies.

[Save the Cavalry Commander! Quickly!]

[Vice-commander. The Cavalry Commander is already….]

Yuda’s pale face was almost as pale as the Cavalry Commander’s.

[Shut up, the Cavalry Commander is still alive. So hurry! Do everything you can. You haven’t forgotten what position you hold in this cavalry, have you?]

[Y, yes. I understand.]

Agnes felt sorry for Yuda, who had resolutely started treatment.

“Apologize to Yuda later.”

She said softly to Anna.

“……..”

Anna lowered her head, belatedly realizing how she had acted towards her comrade.

“Yeah, you’re ashamed, aren’t you?”

“Shut up.”

Anna threw another innocent branch into the bonfire.

Crackle, crackle, the bonfire blazed.

The warm heat spread around, and the members sitting around it could finally feel the warmth properly.

The Cavalry Commander was alive. It was news that allowed them to relax.

“Will the Cavalry Commander be able to move right away? We can’t stay here for long.”

Agnes said, staring blankly at the burning flames.

“…Right. Actually, I’m planning to move as soon as dawn breaks. The Cavalry Commander… I’ll have to carry him in front of me.”

Anna stated her thoughts.

“He can’t ride a horse for long in his condition.”

“I know. But there’s no other way. We can’t stay here.”

When Agnes pointed out the reality, Anna flared up.

“How about leaving tomorrow morning, even if it’s a little late? It’s the only way for the Cavalry Commander to recover even a little.”

“Should we?”

Worry about the Cavalry Commander, pressure to move the location.

Anna had to face reality.

“Anna!”

Before they could decide about tomorrow, Yuda, who was inside the tent, called for the vice-commander.

At Yuda’s voice, Anna jumped up, and tension filled the camp again.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen to the Cavalry Commander?”

As anxious gazes poured over him, Yuda gave an awkward smile.

“The Cavalry Commander is fine. He just opened his eyes.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I thought it would be good for you to explain the situation to him.”

“Thank you.”

As soon as Yuda finished speaking, Anna quickly walked towards the tent.

“She’s fast….”

Yuda, watching Anna’s back as she quickly moved away, sat down in front of the bonfire.

“Yuda, how is the Cavalry Commander?”

Agnes didn’t leave Yuda alone.

“It’s a miracle that he’s still alive, but I didn’t expect him to regain consciousness. The Cavalry Commander must really be blessed by the Divine Doctor.”

Yuda let out a hollow laugh.

“If he were blessed by the Divine Doctor, this wouldn’t have happened in the first place.”

Agnes muttered, fixing her gaze on the bonfire.

“To the sun of Rosen, the rightful ruler of the Empire…”

“Such greetings are unnecessary, speak.”

At the cold voice, the commander’s back, who was kneeling, flinched.

“I am sorry to report, but there was a battle with the 4th Cavalry.”

“Weren’t you supposed to pressure the cavalry and lure them in? But a battle?”

“The cavalry targeted a weak point in the formation and broke through.”

“So, you’re saying you lost the cavalry?”

“Y, yes, that is correct.”

“Disappointing. I hope you know why I left the Imperial Palace to be here.”

“…My inadequacy has caused His Majesty great distress, and I have no words to offer.”

“Indeed, if you had words to offer, I would have severed your head.”

“……..”

“So… is that all? You lost the cavalry?”

“That is….”

“I dislike lengthy explanations, Commander.”

The commander tightly closed his eyes.

The deed was already done, and the incident could not be hidden. He hoped for the Emperor’s mercy and opened his mouth.

“Due to an unexpected clash, the soldiers were shaken, and some soldiers who were out of control fired at the fleeing cavalry.”

“…And?”

The air grew heavier. The commander struggled to control his chattering teeth and continued to speak.

“Among them, several arrows… are said to have hit the enemy’s Cavalry Commander.”

“…The Cavalry Commander was injured? To what extent?”

“I am not certain, but judging from the fact that the enemy’s vice-commander carried the Cavalry Commander away while fleeing, it seems to be a serious injur….”

The commander could not finish his sentence.

Thud-

The commander’s severed head rolled across the floor. Blood flowing from the cut stained the Emperor’s residence.

“How dare you-“

The Emperor’s voice, drawing his sword, was filled with rage.

“How dare you injure anyone. He is mine. He is the one who will become my subject, the man who will become my consort. I cherish him so much, how, how, how could you inflict wounds on his body….”

“Is there no one outside!!”

At the Emperor’s cry, the captain of the guard, who had been waiting outside, entered.

“You summoned me, Your Majesty.”

“Clean up this trash from my residence immediately, and execute all those who allowed the defensive line to be breached and fired the arrows.”

“As you command.”

The taciturn captain of the guard bowed and disappeared.

The Emperor’s residence after the captain of the guard left.

The Emperor sat on a chair, tapping his feet and biting his nails.

“Ah- he must be safe… it must be a minor injury… Ah- my Cavalry Commander….”

A vacant gaze turned towards the lamp.

“He must be safe. No, he must be safe. You are mine, so even getting hurt requires my permission.”

“Remember this, Kang In-ho….”

The Emperor’s eyes, reflected in the blade, gleamed.