As the sun's rays pierced through the soil and tents, an officer struck an iron plate with a heavy club. The metallic clang echoed across the camp, rousing the army from slumber. Soldiers began filing out of their tents, quickly packing up and preparing to march. Chainmail clinked as infantry fastened their armor; knights donned heavy plate and mounted their horses; archers secured their bows while the logistic carts gathered at the rear.
"We march to the northeast!" Alphonse commanded from atop his horse.
With Alphonse's army taking the vanguard, the second army soon followed in formation.
The path to the hill was clear and safe, though the sky above threatened rain with its heavy clouds. Valen rode near the front with his own men, keeping a sharp eye on the surroundings.
"Um, Valen… is the hill far from here?" Velichia asked as she rode beside him.
"Well, if you ask me, I don't know either," Valen admitted. "When we marched with the second army, it took us five hours to arrive. But with an army this large… my guess is at least nine."
"N-nine? That feels like a lifetime…" Velichia's expression turned serious.
Seeing her solemn face, Valen couldn't help but laugh.
"What are you laughing at?" she asked, frowning.
"It's just funny. You look so grown-up when you're serious," Valen teased.
Her cheeks flushed. "V-Valen! I told you not to tease me!"
"Yeah, but I can't help it. You're so cute when you pout, I just want to tease you more."
"Hmph… if you want to look at my face that badly, then fine." Velichia muttered under her breath.
"Did you say something?"
"Eh?! N-no! I didn't say anything!" she replied, panicked.
"Oh, maybe I misheard," Valen said with an easy smile, though he clearly suspected otherwise.
Their lighthearted moment ended abruptly when the vanguard halted. Curious, Valen rode forward with Velichia trailing close behind. His eyes widened as he saw the collapsed remains of a wooden bridge spanning the river they needed to cross.
"What should we do now, Captain?" an officer asked Alphonse.
"There's no choice but to rebuild. Send three detachments with carts to fell trees and construct a new bridge here," Alphonse ordered.
"Yes, sir!" The officer quickly rode off.
"Valen," Alphonse turned, "your men are mostly new recruits—farmers with strong bodies. I want you to take them across the river, scout ahead, and secure the path for the main force."
"Yes, sir!" Valen saluted before riding back to his unit with Velichia.
"Soldiers! We've been given a mission," Valen announced. "We're crossing the river ahead and scouting the path for the army."
Though confused, his men quickly began preparations. Valen tied his horse to a nearby tree and ordered guards to watch over it.
Velichia, however, refused to stay behind. "I'm going too. You hear me?"
"You can't, Velichia. Horses can't cross here. The only way is to swim, and we'll have to remove our armor."
"Then I'll—"
"Velichia!" Valen's voice cracked like thunder. Everyone turned to look. Velichia froze, her wide eyes filling with tears.
Sob sob
"Fine… go die alone out there… I hate you, Valen. I hate you!"
She ran off, leaving Valen with a crushing sense of guilt.
"Um, sir?" Nugi approached. "The soldiers have finished preparations. Armor removed and ready to cross. Shall we move out?"
"Y-yes… we'll go," Valen replied quietly.
He stripped down to leather armor provided by the second army and led his men into the river.
On the far side, the regiment advanced cautiously. At first, everything seemed calm. No ambush. No threat.
"It seems clear," Valen said to Nugi. "What do you think?"
"Maybe so, Sarge. The sun's high already. Should we rest or keep moving?"
Valen glanced at his men. Exhaustion weighed heavy on their shoulders, fear still lingering from their last ambush. He made his decision.
"We'll camp here. Rest, eat, and recover before we move on."
Tents were pitched, a fire built, and soup began simmering in the pot. Valen and Nugi kept watch from a small rise overlooking the camp.
"Seems we're managing well enough," Valen remarked.
"Yes, Sarge. Once everyone's rested and full, we can continue."
"Wait…" Valen narrowed his eyes. "Do you hear that?"
CRAAACK!
He reached for his sword, but before he could draw it—
BANG! A shield slammed into his head. Darkness swallowed him.
---
Time passed. Valen's eyes fluttered open, his vision blurred. Slowly, a familiar figure came into focus. Velichia, asleep with her head resting against his chest.
"Velichia…?" he whispered.
Her eyes snapped open. The moment she saw him awake, tears streamed down her cheeks as she threw her arms around him.
"Thank the gods! You're awake—I was so worried!"
"Velichia… i-it hurts…" he groaned.
She pulled back instantly, scolding him fiercely though her trembling voice betrayed her fear.
"Why are you so calm about this?! Do you know how I felt, seeing you bleeding out? You've been unconscious for nearly three days!"
Sob sob
"V-Velichia… I'm sorry—"
"Shut up! From now on, if I tell you not to go, then don't go. Understand?"
"But, Velichia—"
"No buts. Okay?"
Seeing the terror in her eyes, Valen could only nod.
"Good. Now wait here. I'll get food for you."
She hurried out. Valen lay back, bewildered.
What happened to her? Why the sudden change?
When she returned with a bowl of warm soup, Valen sat up to take it—but Velichia pulled it back.
"Velichia? Can I… have the soup?"
"No. You're wounded. Until you recover, I'll take care of you."
"But—"
"Valen?" she interrupted sharply.
"…Fine."
She spoon-fed him patiently until the bowl was empty.
"Good. Now rest," she ordered firmly.
Valen lay back, staring at the tent ceiling. It feels like she's starting to control me… Honestly, it's scary. Sleep soon claimed him.
---
The next morning, Valen awoke with Velichia asleep beside him, her hand draped across his chest. He gently tried to move her arm, but the motion stirred her awake.
"Mm… morning, Valen."
"Morning, Velichia. I just wanted to step outside for fresh air."
"But you're still hurt."
"I know, but being trapped inside is maddening. And besides, it's been three days—I feel fine now."
She sighed. "Fine. I'll get your clothes."
After changing into a tunic, Valen stepped outside. His regiment immediately rose from their meals in surprise.
"Sarge, you're awake!"
"Thank the gods!"
For once, Valen felt grateful. But their words confused him.
"…Wait, you didn't know I woke up yesterday?"
"Yesterday? No, sir!"
He turned to Velichia. Suspicion clouded his gaze.
"Fine, fine," she admitted, flustered. "I didn't tell them. If I did, Captain Alphonse would've rushed here, and I wanted you to rest undisturbed."
"Velichia…" Valen said heavily.
"What? You don't like that either? Then what do you want, mister Valen?"
"But—"
"Cut it out, Sarge." Nugi stepped in at the perfect time. "Miss Velichia did it for your sake."
Valen sighed. "…So, Nugi, where are we now?"
"We've reached the hill you suggested. Scouts report the enemy camping three kilometers away, planning their strategy."
"Then what about the regiment that go with me? Are they alright?"
"Yes sir."
Velichia added quickly, "And you're the one who returned bleeding from the head, Valen."
To prevent another quarrel, Nugi changed the subject. "Captain Alphonse wants to see you."
Valen exhaled. "Alright."
Despite Velichia's protests, Nugi's logic forced her to relent.
At HQ, Valen studied the map with the officers.
"I suggest spearmen in the front, supported by wooden palisades. Archers will fire from behind them. Knights should stay in the rear to counter enemy flankers. Our swordsmen will remain in reserve—when the enemy tires, they'll launch the counterattack."
The officers nodded. Captain Alphonse approved. "Excellent. Prepare your units. Battle may come tomorrow."
"Yes, sir!"
Valen left the tent with renewed determination.
Later that evening, Velichia waited outside his tent.
"So? How was the meeting?"
"Good. Everything's ready."
"Fine then. Tomorrow… don't you dare get wounded again."
"Yeah, yeah, I know."
"Good. Now let's get to bed." She followed him inside.
"Wait, my tent?!"
"Of course. Where else?" she said innocently.
"Velichia, you're a noblewoman—you can't just—"
"Oh, come on. I know you won't try anything."
"Huh?! I'm human too, you know. I can lose control."
"Well… even if you did, I wouldn't care…" she whispered softly.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing! I said nothing!"
"Huft… fine. Just tonight. But don't sleep too close to me."
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say."
And so, side by side, they lay down. Beyond their tent, the camp was restless. Soldiers sharpened blades, prayed softly, or stared into the fire. Tomorrow, battle awaited on the horizon.
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Well, it is finally done. Sorry for being late. There is midterm test in my junior high school. But, now that the test is end. I will try uploading more often. Hope you guys enjoy this one. I'm Vicky darmawan, I'll take my leave.