Chapter 89

"Hey, Yui, you look well."

As I was walking down the long corridor of Pajé Castle in the Medilen territory, I was called by someone unexpected.

I stopped and glared at the familiar face.

"It's quite a feat for you to show up in front of me, old man. Or should I call you Josef Funkthaut?"

The old man, my former partner, waved his hand.

"Don't be like that, it's obviously a pseudonym. Just like 'Poacher Schreiber' or 'Pazo from Third Street.'"

Ah, that's right. He used a different name with every person he met, and it seemed he had long-term relationships with all of them. This old man apparently used multiple pseudonyms over a long period.

I sighed and smiled wryly.

"So, you're 'Great Chrombertz' now?"

"If I kept using my own name, they would eventually give me a new one. Maybe this life is finally catching up with me."

The old man, who had a mountain of pseudonyms, said this with a friendly smile.

"But I'm grateful. That princess hired my subordinates."

"I was against it, though..."

Strictly speaking, that was a lie. I desperately wanted experienced veterans like squad leaders and sergeants, and they were worth hiring.

However, since they were former enemies, I didn't let my guard down.

"Haha, you're cautious. Making them instructors in the training corps, that's why, right?"

"Exactly. I can't trust your subordinates; they might betray me at any time."

Instructors who train new recruits and non-commissioned officer candidates don't participate in front-line operations.

They might become spies in the rear, but I can't let them underestimate the Medilen family's counter-espionage capabilities. If they make any suspicious moves, they'll end up as shark bait.

But of course, that's not the only reason.

"Besides, if the war drags on, we'll face a shortage of personnel. Losing veterans will weaken the army. I plan to have experienced soldiers train the next generation to improve the overall proficiency of the army."

"You're still the model student, aren't you?"

The old man chuckled, but his eyes were smiling.

"Well, that's for the best. They retired and returned to the battlefield as mercenaries, and this time they fulfilled their missions admirably. They even earned recognition from the enemy and got jobs as instructors. I like that kind of ending."

... Did I just feel a hint of sentimentality?

I sense something elusive about this old man. He seems to be hiding something deep inside. For a moment, I thought I saw it.

I looked at the old man.

"You didn't join the military, right? You weren't planning to hire them anyway, were you? Are you thinking of retiring soon?"

"Teasing me like that isn't nice, you know? You really are a nasty person."

The old man smiled slyly.

"My war isn't over yet. The next time we meet, we might be enemies again."

Being around him makes me uneasy, but I feel a bit lonely when he leaves. It's a complicated feeling.

"Are you going to be a mercenary somewhere else?"

"Yeah. I'm done with the Duke of Bruges' ambitions. No matter how I interpret the information I have, you'll interfere and Bruges will lose. I'm tired of losing; I want to win this time."

This old man apparently had a string of losses during his military days.

"Still, Kionis won't hire Filnian believers, and Eobenia and Fynis have stable internal and external politics. Maybe it's just Agan?"

"Ah, well, I'll figure it out when I get there. I don't want to destroy the empire. I've already had my revenge."

He doesn't intend to reveal his destination. The old man is still cautious. Still, he just said something that caught my attention. Revenge?

I deliberately scowled and glared at the old man.

"Don't attack me out of the blue next time. Last time, you attacked me as soon as we met."

"Well, it was a job, what can I do? I do feel bad about it. Here, take my hand."

What, are you going to give me candy? I won't be bought that easily.

Normally, I should be wary of him, but I casually extended my hand. I know there's no real danger from the 'Scythe of the Reaper.'

The old man laughed, finding my reaction amusing.

"You haven't changed, even after all this time. I'm relieved. Here, take this."

What he rolled into my palm wasn't candy, but a ring. A gold ring with five small gems set in it. It looked quite old and worn.

"What's this?"

"You're slow. Give it to that princess. A civilian officer's salary won't buy you a ring, right?"

Ah, this is meant to be an engagement ring. In this world, rings or necklaces are given as proof of marriage.

"Wait a minute, it looks dirty... and isn't it too big for a woman's finger?"

"Oh, right, it's a man's ring."

"Come on..."

Major Alzé has small hands, so it might slip off even her thumb. What am I supposed to do with this?

I wanted to return it but felt something nagging at me, so I put it in my pocket.

"Whatever. Gifts from you usually turn out to be useful. This one probably will too."

"Do you trust me?"

"I trust 'Great Chrombertz' because he's my former partner."

As I smiled slyly, the old man scratched his head and turned away.

"Tsk, you're no fun. But I guess that's what makes you happy. Make that clumsy princess happy. You two do care for each other, right?"

"Being a commoner and a noble isn't that simple."

Especially considering my age, including my previous life... Physically, I'm younger, but in reality, I'm much older than Major Alzé. It makes me hesitate.

But as he walked away, he raised his hand slightly.

"I understand that too. Nobles are no good. But thanks to you, I finally won. ...Or at least got a laugh."

"What are you talking about?"

I felt something odd about the old man's words, but he didn't turn back.

"Don't worry about it, it's just talking to myself. See you, Yui."

"Yeah, see you."

As a strategist, I know I should have detained him here, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. His back seemed a bit smaller than before. I'm really soft.

After he left, I fumbled in my pocket and took out the ring. It seemed familiar...

Looking closely, there was an engraving inside the ring. It was covered in grime, which was unpleasant, but it was in the ancient script of the empire, which I learned a little about in the officer's academy.

"Let's see... 'I am' 'the supreme' 'Filnian's' 'blessing and' 'trust'... 'grip the' 'five fingers'... 'king among' 'kings'?"

It's quite grand. It's a bit concerning.

I decided to show the ring to Major Alzé and started walking towards the brigade commander's office.