The Branded Female Fencer

"Why? You weren't that deep, were you?

"The absence of Arnelia's treatment squad was fatal. The enemy's weapon was poisoned. The wound on the surface managed to block it, so no one was watching the course of Lloyd's. By the time the rations guy looked around in the morning, he was already dead."

"Alfie, I'm sorry. If the eagles keep a closer look..."

"It's not Uty's fault. I took care of all those wounded soldiers, regular and mercenary. I'm gonna miss it. The enemy's poison is also a slow one. I can't help but notice."

The line comforts the nagging utility. Alphilis had listened to the words, but gradually began to return them to me.

"... so what's the immediate problem with Lloyd being gone?

"Oh, proxy would be fine with Furn. Out of the knight's house, he's also good at command. Return is the only thing to do for the moment, and I'll take Lloyd's place without a problem."

"Yes. Then let that Farn represent the captain. Let me come directly to you later. If we don't have a problem with that, we'll be officially captain of the battalion after we get back to Arnelia."

"You won't have a problem with that flow. Then I'll take care of it myself. Alphilis, we still have more than half a day before we leave, so rest a little. Your face is getting worse."

"... extra help."

Alphilis returns a less energetic reaction to Rhine's irony as well. Rhine left the scene with a slightly worrying look on his face at the reaction. Later all that remained were Lisa and Alphilis.

"... Lisa doesn't have a job? Are you worried about me?

"For once. Because sometimes it's delicate for a big woman."

"Thanks, but I'm fine, give me a break"

"It's something I don't really force myself to do. Lisa has a job to do too, so we'll leave, but let's keep the payroll here. Take a good rest before you return. On second thought, aren't you eating all kinds of meals? Let someone bring it to you later."

That being said Lisa left the scene, but after a while Layer brought in an easy meal, as I said. At that time, Alphilis was still nagging.

Layer put the meal gently on the table by the chair where Alphilis was sitting.

"Captain Alphilis, I brought you a meal... are you okay?

"Yeah, I'm just a little tired. Thanks."

Layer thought about what was wrong with the look of Alphilis, who didn't see much, but he also couldn't find the words to speak, so he quietly set aside his meal and tried to leave the scene.

From behind it, Alphilis speaks a little finer than usual.

"Layer, you must be pretty pushy too. Why don't you take a break?

"No, I'm just working."

"Today's siege would not have fallen so easily without your help."

Layer's eyes opened to surprise at the words.

"... did Cowen tell you?

"Yes, it's Cowen's order. You're doing a lot of things to me, that girl."

Seeing that response, it was too late for the layers to realize that they had been scratched. I thought the layers had gone inside, but it was already too late.

"... since when have you noticed?

"It was when I first made you one of us. This is what I look like. I couldn't help but see you as a normal child.

I was so sure earlier. There are times these days when I know what's going on around me so I can take it. It's an unexpected feeling, I'm sure it's from the sensor or something different, but it's not inhibited by the junction or magic. I tried to sharpen my senses because at the beginning of the Siege Battle there was so little resistance from the enemy that I wondered if I knew what it was, but I could see signs of great sorcery disappearing in the castle. I could see you fighting around it. You disappeared after that. No one but Valsas and Father has noticed you. "

"That's it..."

Once again, Layer found out what kind of person he was serving, and sipped his spit. After all, Alphilis is not a normal person. Layers feel that they are closer to the beast than they are to humans, but while Alphilis is definitely human, it sometimes makes them feel something more than that.

Alphilis continued.

"Nevertheless, it's dangerous for Cowen to hold onto the reins. You seem to be working for me right now, but if you can get that fang over here, it's not a hoard."

"If you have to, I'll take care of it. To that extent, they can be made into two parts more easily than salary scales."

"It's not much of a scary thing, Layer. Orders that pollute your sword are not so easy to give. I still have some ethics, don't I?

"No, the other way around, Alphilis. Within the regiment - no, the group always needs a dirty man. Sometimes Renatica alone won't do anything about it. For that matter, consider me here. Fortunately, I have no honor or family to spare. Both Elsia and Gail are already starting to walk their way. It won't be long before I watch - so use my sword fully if you need it. It's not that big a sword yet."

"I can't do black magicians with a sword that's no big deal... but let me know if there's any strange moves in the regiment, not just for Cowen. I just decide what to do. I'm asking you not to like to get dirty yourself."

"If that's your order."

Layer tried to leave the scene in a gracious manner. More voices come from behind it.

"Layer, just one more thing. Sooner or later, find your way. Obeying orders isn't the only way to live. And whoever you think you are, you're human, I assure you."

Layer's eyes were opened again to the words, and Layer left the scene in deep gratitude. Layers don't even know why tears seeped into those eyes.

It seemed that at this time a single determination had been created in the layers.

Continued