The Little Prince in the Ossuary

# Fancy invites (10)

Horses were animals that could not control their feces in the first place. However, it is only rare to see the appearance of such a strong affection for the owner. Winter was only after Excel calmed down that he could barely scratch his neck. The hair is soft and there is little smell unique to horses, so it seems to have been taken good care of. As winter comes to the saddle, the caretaker who missed the beep comes running.

“Look, I'm sorry. ”

“Forget it. Nobody got hurt. ”

Winter glances down at him, overwhelmed.

“Manuel Hayes, right? ”

“Yes……. You remember something like me. ”

Longer than I had ever seen, he was a prisoner I met at a ranch along the Russian River, a religious retreat. Unlike other caretakers, he is still wearing a prison uniform.

"What a spectacle."

In other words, it was one of the evidence that showed the deeds of winter. For the public information only, citizens knew almost everything about winter. In some ways, I know more about it than I do about winter. Detailed analysis of places and environments that have passed or stayed, reflections and ratings of people you've been with, photos you don't know when they were taken, etc. I even went around interviewing civilian pilots and old Luke, who had signed comic books to give me grandchildren.

The prisoner apologized again.

“Sorry……. ”

“Never mind. Never mind. ”

“…… No, there's one more thing to be sorry about. ”

Winter leans slightly.

“What's that? ”

“I didn't take good care of the Commander's words... He... died. ”

“ ……? ”

It was difficult to understand because the context was lacking. Winter isn't until you find out what Hayes is talking about. A Cavalry Search Party encountered in Olema was riding a golden fine horse, and he had never heard of the variety that would be given to Winter. The president of Central Asia, who abandoned his country, is showing interest in war heroes in the United States.

“So, the horse that the President of Turkmenistan gave you is dead? ”

“Yes……. ”

“Hmm.”

It doesn't matter, but the winter I almost said swallowed the horse consciously. A human horse species that prioritizes the preservation of fine horses rather than the evacuation of its own people, but he didn't expect annoying repercussions to come if he ignored his intentions.

‘Rumor has it that the central bank's dollar and gold ingot were the top priority. ’

In other words, human garbage was a very rich human garbage.

I don't keep an investment in mind. Winter was concerned that the funds would explode in the wrong way. Rich funds are easy to use as firewood to raise a warm fire.

In other words, it was a potential risk I hadn't even thought of yet. A tremendous amount of money held by people who have no common sense at all. What happens when it's combined with an impure political force? Like the disrespectful alliance.

Therefore, it would be better for such humans to remain friendly to the current regime.

On the other hand, I think the FBI is a little overwhelming. Where are some opaque refugee funds coming from overseas? I have a lot of people to watch out for and a wide range of people, so I can't afford my existing abilities. That's why the CIA, which had once gone to decommissioning, was able to maintain its organization safely. Unifying the organization will only lead to more discord and fights.

‘I hope I don't miss anything...' ’

There are too many anxieties.

Winter came to an okay question.

“I'm sorry. How did you die? ”

The curly-headed prisoner, Manuel Hayes, points fingers at Excel.

“This guy... in one backkick... ”

“Sequence dispute?”

“Yes, that's it. Sequence disputes.”

“ ……. ”

Whether you know what I'm talking about, Excel makes an elongated blubbering sound. As a person, it was an expression of satisfaction and relief. From the perspective of this guy who remembers being chased around by mutants for a long time, he doesn't have to be afraid of anything when he burns winter.

‘You wouldn't feel bad about this...' ’

Thinking about it, there was some concern in the heart of winter. The dictator was so unreasonable that he could hear it.

After all, the accident itself was enough. Horse kicks are sometimes strong enough to break through a 10-centimeter-thick wooden plank and tear through thin iron planks. In some sequence strife, tears of more than a centimeter of depth may occur. Of course, Excel, who sent a world-renowned horse into the same room, was not uncommon.

Winter scratches the black horse's neck.

“Why don't you go easy on him? ”

Bluish. Excel grunts again.

“Sorry, sir……. ”

Winter shakes its head toward the apologizing Hayes.

“That's enough. What's already happened. ”

“But… they say it's worth 600,000 dollars…. ”

“Stop. Even if I got the gift, my horse is dead, and if I don't hold it responsible, that's it. You don't have the ability to pay it back anyway, do you? ”

The prisoner's face is slightly dull. If I asked him to pay, I guess he was worried about something.

“It's no good for me to extend your sentence. The person who gave the gift will have the opportunity to gain his/her personal understanding later on. So stop it. ”

Behind you is the camera's consciousness. Prisoner Hayes thanked me with tears.

The event is now a safety demonstration in the suburbs of the city. However, the number of heroes who rode through the Hoover Dam did not exceed twenty. There were many people who could not ride horses. They were looking around the Hoover Dam first.

Major Long was an exceptional minority who dealt with horses at a level comparable to Winter's Horseback. It is because Greenbury, an affiliated unit, has served as a cavalry on the battlefield of the Middle East. Though he was not a party to the operation, he practiced riding skill diligently because he did not know when and by the nature of the troops. Above all, he was a cowboy.

As you show off your skills, the major's distance with the other party draws closer to winter.

“May I ask you a question? ”

“What is it?”

“How do you usually respond to first-timers who say they'll give you something endlessly? ”

“…… why do you ask such a question? ”

“Well, I need your advice. ”

“Experience Advice? ”

“Yes. In fact, there have been a lot of lazy bastards approaching from the mess hall. Wanting to do business together, wanting to give gifts. The FBI and the Bureau of Public Works picked it up once, and even if they did, it would be awkward to just take it. ”

“ ……. ”

“I was distracted when I heard you talking to that prisoner earlier... Oh, I didn't mean to eavesdrop. Anyway, after hearing that, I thought you might have had more experience with this. That's why I'm asking. how you usually respond. ”

Winter, who cleared her mind for a moment, replied.

“I don't think it's a bad idea to take it. as long as you don't screw yourself up. ”

The major looks suspicious.

“Are you serious?”

“I was advised. Even if it's a bit of a problem later on, it's better than worrying about everything in advance. ”

“Who did it? ”

“There were two of them, and it wouldn't matter who they were. ”

General Raplin and elderly Kang Young-sun. Either way, Major Long is a complete stranger. Winter came to mind.

“First, one of you said, Even if you want to do this, take it when you say you will give a crazy gift. Interest and affection for you may be the trend of the season and an opportunity to never come back. For example, the heroes of Iojima who had been loved and respected by the entire nation in the past. Late in the year, they weren't very good, and there were even people who died on the side of the road. The world's attention is so fickle……. ”

It was thoughtful advice, but also an ominous prediction about the future of winter.

One of Iojima's heroes who died on the side of the road was Ira Hayes, an Native American. There is a similar side to winter, a refugee. That's what Captain Laplin was thinking.

Major Long reacts with a trembling reaction.

“…… everything? I would seriously think that if someone had said that to me, they would have tried to beat me. ”

You said that to Captain Palmer before he died. Major Long asks again without hesitation at the appearance of a bitter winter smile.

“And what did the other one say? ”

“" The kindness of those who are not deep is like drinking in an exciting drink. The act of drunkenness is the act of regretting after being sober. "." Depending on the other person, you meant to use them appropriately. ”

“Hmm……. ”

The major strokes his chin. Kang Young-soon's advice was short and deep.

“I understand. I feel like I'm going to ruin myself if I get a Flounder... In a way, it won't be any worse here. I don't want to live alone and die alone, and I don't want to see my kids again. ”

“Come on. Let's invite him this time. You haven't contacted her? ”

Family invitations were the basis for events in Washington, D.C. The major blurted out.

“What's the call for a girl who calls her shriveled wife after her father's name? He'll come if he wants to. I would have received an invitation. ”

“ ……. ”

It was a stained horse for some reason, but winter did not point out that part. The advice they will not accept is merely self-satisfaction.

After arriving at the destination past the substation, the cavalry photographed a huge history of blocking the Colorado River. It was the American history that recovered.

The march returns to Las Vegas. The thunderous moans and cheers remained, and the naked man ran in front of the march line and was captured by the guards, and some organizations struggled to get their relief pickets exposed to the camera or to see winter.

Among those slogans, there was one thing that was memorable:

"The Queen of England must not steal our hero.

It was a message I saw when I met the citizens of Hawthorne City on a winter solo digestive event.

After returning to the lodge, winter asked Anne what she meant.

“Ah, that's ……. ”

Anne narrows her eyes.

“It's... it's a politically delicate problem. ”

“What are you talking about? ”

“There is a story about the Queen of England granting knighthood to you and some of the honorary medalists. It's not just a rumor, but it's being discussed quite seriously in your cabinet. ”

Embarrassing winter.

“Why are you giving me a title in England? ”

“You know what's at the heart of the Democratic nomination pact, right? ”

“Establish the Union of Humankind? ”

“Yes, that. ”

This made me feel like I could feel winter. Anne's continued description confirmed her guess of winter.

“Winter has never directly contributed to British security. Yet to bestow your title is to support the view that war on defense is a human issue that transcends borders……. It's a symbolic act of expressing indirect support for the Democratic Bunse candidate. ”

“Well……. But there's something I don't understand. ”

Winter frowned slightly.

“I hear the U.K. is strongly opposed to leaving the Federation of Canada, but is it contradictory to support the United Nations plan? Horses are the United Nations, and as a result, the United Kingdom is absorbed into the United States. ”

“Even within the British government, the table is divided. It's just... ”

“Only?”

“It's better to be a Burns candidate than a Republican Kramer who represents American seclusionism. And there's no guarantee that the Joint Chiefs of Humanity plan will work to the end. ”

I will put a banner on the Republicans at once. Now, the British government, who was voting for Burns, could be lobbying on the other side of the street. It's more like a prophecy than a prediction.

But Anne said something unexpected.

“The Korean government is likely to do the same. ”

“What are you talking about? ”

“There's a South Korean president in Washington. I actually bought winter time. ”

By buying time, he donated his defense money and was allocated a portion of the winter. Usually, politicians, economists and celebrities wanted to spend winter and time in a way that wouldn't cost millions of dollars to create their own image. It was the equivalent of a $5 million Super Bowl ad for 30 seconds.

I wonder what kind of money the Korean government had to buy in winter.

Is that what you're warning me about? ’

Winter reminded me of dinner with Senator Talton Brannon of California. He has a legitimate Republican. I guess it wasn't intentional after I turned on the broadcast for the presidents before the meal....

From this point of view, Brannon would have delivered a message that winter would have to be cautious for his proposal to be valid. Somehow, it was too bad.

Of course, I couldn't tell you straight from the inside. It will be controversial to threaten winter later. I don't know, but could the conversation have been recorded? As a safety measure in case winter tries to pollute.

“I understand what you're saying. ”

Winter nods.

“I have one more question. ”

“What is it?”

“When I met the people of Hawthorne earlier, I noticed a lot of people wearing similar clothes. In black and white with a skeleton pattern, it says Prince of Doom. What religious organization is this? Seeing that they didn't stop it from the security team, it doesn't seem like a violent group, but I was concerned about why……. ”

I doubted whether they were members of an unholy coalition, or an equivalent extremist group.

But Anne burst into laughter before she even heard all the winter questions.

“I was nervous about something else, but I can't just barge in like this. ”

“What do you mean, you just barged in? ”

“You really don't know? That's what they call it in winter. ”

“…… my nickname? ”

“Yes.”

“Why is that nickname...... ”

“Maybe it was when the war footage of Santa Maria came out. Especially when it comes to killing ghouls with a skull. It's a cult hit. ”

“ ……. ”

Then I think I heard a story about a POD Faction. Team Leader Chadwick has been talking nonsense about the fanclub's faction from the beginning.

Somehow, the bearded macho men dressed as skeletons showed an overly warm reaction. Some of them held hands in winter and were moved to tears.

“… I shouldn't have asked. Better not to know. ”

Anne said it was fun.

“No?”

“I hate it, but it's embarrassing. ”

“Hehe.”

Anne smiled satisfactorily and corrected herself.

“Winter. You may care about a lot of things, but don't worry too much. because we're doing our best not to let anything happen to us. We can prevent distractions in advance. So you only think about your own problems. ”

“…… Okay. ”

“Speaking of which, I heard the Independent squads are meeting at the bar. Why don't you go? I said I'd wait for you. ”

“What about Anne?"

“It's a little burdensome for me to fit in there. ”

She pushes off the winter a little.

There were a few bars in the luxurious hotel where Independent squads seemed to have decided to gather in relatively small locations. But winter stopped before opening the door. It was because the conversation leaked from inside was much more comfortable than during winter.

“Huh? What are you doing here? without going in.”

It was Yura who brought it. She smells a little alcohol on the way in.

Winter pointed inward with its thumb.

“I was on my way back to my room. I don't think I'd be able to talk about it if I were you. ”

“A story like that? ”

He listened for a moment, then made a groaning sound on his forehead.

“These guys... I don't know who's listening. ”

“Why don't you swear? Why don't you tell me a dirty joke? It could be. ”

When I had a rough experience, it was normal for me to be rough. I just don't want to make any controversial remarks, but there were people I could control. If he was so worried, winter would go in and leave a note of caution.

Although the former Independent squadrons should be cautious of the details, controlling this too was excessive.

Yura notices winter.

“Just in case, don't feel bad. ”

“What?”

“Watch out for the kids in front of the commander. That's not like keeping your distance. Well, at your age, you have to be more careful not to look like you're ignoring yourself. The less I feel about it, the more I like and respect the little commander. ”

Winter made me smile.

“You don't think I know that? But when you play, you want everyone to enjoy themselves. I'd be better off without you. And in principle, you're not allowed to be under 21. ”

At the end, Yura, who was looking at winter, asks, even though he mixed jokes.

“…… aren't you always lonely like that? We all rely on you, but you don't have to rely on yourself. And there's no one to treat them as comfortably as they are. ”

Winter thought for a moment and replied.

“There is.”

“Yes?”

“I have someone who will. ”

You might say exactly who you want to rely on. Starlight and Ann. Two and one and one and two.

I would say two if I asked the Starlight Kid. He would, too, have said it himself. In front of winter, he becomes one that distinguishes himself from everything that makes up the afterlife, from the flowing river, the blazing campfire, the clouds in the sky, the sun beyond it, and the moon rising at night.

Therefore, from the point of view of the starlight child, the virtual personality was like a stone on the side of the road. In other words, he was not himself at the same time. At least in that moment of winter.

“Ah……. ”

Yura reacted a little late.

“I see. There you are.... ”

She mutters, soon smiling softly.

“Thank God. Really, thank God. ”

He didn't want to know who winter relies on.