Signe, who had been to the car ahead, returned with her arms full of snacks. Like a squirrel just before hibernation, she stuffed small-volume sweets like candies and chocolates into her military gear pockets, saying she would share them with her peers when she arrived at the Port.
Leonardo, who was spraying the muscle relaxant she had brought on the back of his hand, was about to say something when he saw the increasingly bulging volume of her military gear but decided against it. She was someone who couldn't sleep because of excitement about her upcoming enlistment, and he didn't want to ruin her mood by telling her that her personal items would be confiscated as soon as she entered the Port.
The military was an organization where nine out of ten regretted joining once they were in anyway. There was no need to scare her in advance. He only told her to eat as much as she wanted as she was opening a new packet of crackers.
The mark on the back of his hand that had been bothering him all along left only a faint outline before disappearing after traveling with the train for about 2 hours. It didn't hurt. However, it occasionally felt very hot and itchy, enough to make him, a fire mage, feel as if he had been burned by fire.
When they had about 30 minutes left to their destination, Leonardo and Signe changed trains. The newly boarded train was a modern locomotive heading toward the military demarcation line, and it was much faster as it added mana as a propulsive force to the internal combustion engine.
With no seats left, they put down the military gear in a corner by the window and leaned against the wall. Inside, there were many general passengers, but greenhorns in military uniforms like Signe were also frequently seen. They were smoking cigarettes heavily in the car due to their anxiety.
In fact, Signe was an unusual case, and the typical expression before enlistment that Leonardo remembered was mostly gloomy like those people.
Unlike the Imperial Knights or the Council's army, which were difficult to join among the empire's three main military institutions, the Imperial Army had a relatively low barrier to entry. As long as one passed the physical test, everyone could become a trainee unless there were major disqualifications such as mental disorders. Though becoming an official soldier was more difficult than that.
In other words, this meant that among the enlistment candidates, those who had lived at the bottom of society were quite common. The reasons they volunteered for the military were generally similar. To survive.
"The atmosphere seems dark..."
"That's how the military is. It's not like you're going on a picnic."
To Signe, who was muttering while reading the atmosphere, Leonardo answered firmly this time. He also cautioned her, gesturing not to look to the side in case someone picked a fight.
Perhaps it was because he was reminded of his own appearance when he enlisted in the military.
The boy, who was so small that there was hardly a military uniform that fit him, had folded his long trouser cuffs and was smoking like them. The boy's eyes reflected in the window were full of animosity. There was anger toward the enemy, but also a deep desperation to survive alone in this land.
Jumping into a war zone to survive. It seemed like a contradictory choice, but it was also the most certain fence to protect a boy of that age from the threats of human traffickers or pedophiles. Though he later realized that such people were rampant in the military as well, at least there weren't many bold ones who would covet an ally's backside when the enemy was approaching to slit their throats.
'Has it been more than 10 years already?'
On that day, he had boarded a train heading to Lederpol, the old downtown. In the early stages of the war, as people were evacuating to Castbell while the Turandos Army was conquering the western fortress of Bellmayer, that was the only train heading toward Lederpol, going against the crowd.
The old material transport ship, which wasn't as fast as it is now, slid into hell carrying boy soldiers who had volunteered for the military, practically being sold off. Of course, after the end of the war, the military imposed an age restriction that at least only those 15 years or older could enlist. But at that time, the war was in full swing, and it was a period when they were conscripting indiscriminately, without distinguishing between children and the elderly. The military wouldn't refuse cannon fodder that had rolled in.
Outside the window, which was cloudy and gloomy as if it would rain, flames and ashes were scattered. Beyond the horizon, the sky soaked with the sparks of explosives and blood was dyed completely red. Inside the train, an unpleasant silence circled, as if those who were about to die were barely breathing.
The damp and sticky heat unique to cargo ships. The noise of makeshift chairs creaking with each roll of the iron wheels. At that time, one guy who was sobbing was tightly holding an old-fashioned communication magic tool. A voice mixed with static flowed from it. The owner of the voice was bringing the news that the Raina Logia Army, which had been confronting on the frontlines, had failed to recapture the fortress.
Following this came the gloomy news that even the rear units and boy soldiers were being deployed to the front lines.
Perhaps someone had connected the communication to inform the walking corpse on his way to enlistment about the current situation, but it was an unnecessary kindness that made one want to kill them.
At that moment, Leonardo realized that not only himself but all the unnamed comrades in the car were focusing on the voice flowing from the magic tool. The thread of fate that bound them together was tightly pulled, and the emotional fluctuation was fully felt. Afterward, two guys vomited in the car, and one wet himself. None of those on the train cursed or spat at them.
"This station is Bellmayer Port, Bellmayer Port!"
At the attendant's shout coming from the next car, Leonardo woke from his heavy thoughts and returned to reality. The outside view he had been unconsciously glaring at had already retreated from flames and ashes, and vegetation recovering from the scars of war was sprouting buds and new leaves.
"Teo, seems like we've arrived."
"Yeah."
The sour and disgusting smell of the past was about to brush his nose following his memory, but disappeared. The smoky smell that still filled the car was still there, but Leonardo thought at least this was much better. Because it was an era when an enlistee on the train could envision a future.
And until that era arrived, he thought his role wasn't entirely absent. Even though his name remained as a dishonorably discharged person in this land.
The two passed through the checkpoint without difficulty after getting off at Bellmayer Port Station's platform. After passing through the waiting room side by side and going out to the square in front of the station building, they purchased various private military supplies that Signe said she needed. Remembering that while snacks weren't overlooked, camouflage cream was somewhat tolerated, Leonardo helped her by disassembling her military gear so she could hide the purchased items throughout her luggage.
Afterward, they walked together to near the tram stop leading to the escort vehicle boarding area. In the distance, figures in the same colored uniforms were swarming. It was a sight that naturally drew a sigh from a former soldier.
From around that time, even Signe's words decreased noticeably, perhaps as the reality of enlistment set in. Somehow her stride also seemed to have shortened, so Leonardo quietly matched her pace. It was just as they were about to cross the last crossing to the stop when she suddenly stopped walking and awkwardly spoke.
"Thanks for coming with me this far."
Leonardo, who was about to cross the street, stopped in place. Signe continued with a broad smile.
"Still, coming while talking with someone on the way to enlistment, I'm not lonely."
After briefly scanning the surroundings, Leonardo pulled her to the inside of the sidewalk. The traffic guide, seeing that the two had no intention of crossing the road, blew his whistle again toward the congested path.
The crawling carriages began to pick up speed again. Leonardo, who fixed his hat in the shade behind the corner of the wall, soon casually retorted:
"No need for thanks. I did as much as you did. I went with you to that strange place."
"Still. You could have just parted ways there, but you came to see me off thinking of me."
Signe, perhaps a bit embarrassed by her own words, nudged Leonardo with her elbow as if asking him to admit it. Leonardo shrugged his shoulders, meaning she could think as she pleased. After a moment of awkward silence, feeling it was time to wrap things up, he took out the wallet from his inner pocket.
One, two, three... after counting the bills one by one, he gave up and grabbed a dozen or so all at once. It was excessive for pocket money, but his hand moved on its own.
Leonardo flattened the several bills, folded them twice, and knelt on one knee at Signe's feet. Then, without permission, he slightly rolled up her trouser cuff. Signe, who was startled, reflexively took a step back.
"Wh-what are you doing?"
"Stay still. This is the safest place."
Leonardo approached Signe again on his knees. He grabbed her ankle with one hand and pushed the bundle of bills into the inside of her sock and military boot. Then, after properly arranging her trouser cuff again, he even retied her loosening military boot laces firmly.
After checking both sides alternately, he suddenly grinned and looked up.
"Sometimes there are bad guys who extort money from kids under the pretext of playing instructor. At those times, don't fight back, just give them the money in your wallet. You use this."
Leonardo, having finished his business, stood up from his place and patted around his knees. Signe, who had been looking at him, lowered her gaze and stared blankly at the bootlaces he had tied for her. They were much prettier and denser than if she had tied them herself. When she faced him again, it was only natural that her face had subtly heated up.