By Zephyria “The list of necessary supplies will be organized as is, and additional official letters will be sent to the nearby territories of Philonel, Seion, and Aurelos. However, in the case of Seion, we have received information that there is a severe famine due to the recent crop failure, so we would like to exclude requests for food or related relief supplies. In addition, the entrance of the temporary Portal needed to procure supplies is requesting the relevant territory to open its own…”
Each time the discussion on the main agenda was concluded one by one, the meeting gained momentum and was heading towards the end.
However, since it was proceeding without a break, the commanders’ faces were clearly tired. Hugo felt that his subordinates’ stamina was almost exhausted and focused entirely on the meeting for the second half.
He led the overall atmosphere in place of the struggling Bruno and resolutely cut off his gaze that occasionally moved to Leonardo. Thanks to this, the meeting, which had been going on since early morning, was able to clear all the remaining agenda items around 2 p.m.
When the last commander stepped down from the stage, Gray, who had taken over the baton, went up to the stage for the final summary.
“With the previous agenda as the last, all briefings and deliberations for today are over. However, in the case of the proposed installation of a temporary Portal in the Fidele Territory, which was discussed earlier, it was rejected because Sir Hares, the final decision-maker, did not approve it.”
At Gray’s words, some commanders sighed in disappointment. Not being able to install a temporary Portal within the territory meant that even if the necessary supplies arrived, they would have to be carried in one by one from outside the Gate. It was one of the most inconvenient factors in the current situation where manpower was lacking.
However, the sighs quickly subsided when Hugo gestured as if to restrain them. At Hugo’s gesture to continue explaining, Gray continued again.
“As you all know, the administrative execution schedule of the Council’s Southern Branch has been generally postponed due to the peninsula issue. For this reason, the Barmot and major slums attached to the north of the Fidele Territory are not being properly managed. Therefore, if a Portal leading to the inside of the territory is installed outside, he said that there may be problems with security and safety.”
As he recited the contents he had received step by step, the commanders were generally in an agreeable atmosphere. Since the crime rate in Barmot has been increasing rapidly recently, it was a natural concern and a reasonable measure as the lord’s representative.
After speaking, Gray looked at Hugo on the head table. If he, as the Supreme Commander or Duke Agrizendro, insisted on enforcing it, the Fidele Territory would have to follow the decision without complaint.
However, Hugo had an expression that he fully understood, and he was inwardly grateful for her decision to block unnecessary arguments.
When he nodded, meaning that he approved the disapproval, Gray opened his mouth again.
“Then we will move on without further discussion on that matter. Is there anyone who wants to speak regarding other agenda items?”
When Gray asked, scanning the audience, the commanders were all silent. Bruno, who also looked around, added as if it was enough.
“It seems there is no more. Let’s wrap up.”
At the same time, the gaze of all the commanders moved to Hugo. Even those whose posture had been disrupted by fatigue straightened their backs and focused on the head table. They were waiting for the final decision-maker’s remarks to conclude the last meeting.
Hugo glanced at his wristwatch and then looked up at the sun shining strongly from above. A moment later, when he slowly rose from his seat, everyone in the meeting place stood up as well.
Leonardo, who had been cynically watching, also stood up, resting his arms on the armrests, following Flynn’s wink.
Hugo, who confirmed that Leonardo had also risen from his seat, looked ahead and opened his mouth.
“The Operations Department should deliver the matters decided at today’s meeting to the Fidele and Paren military executives, excluding confidential matters. Everyone must have been tired from the meeting that has been going on since early morning, but thank you for following along without showing any signs of it for a long time. I think I can breathe a sigh of relief now that it has been completed more smoothly than expected.”
Hugo did not point out shortcomings or mention points to be reminded of as in the previous meeting today. Instead, he first expressed his gratitude to the tired commanders in a soft voice. It was not the usual stiff tone that kept an appropriate distance, but a friendly tone that was formal yet affectionate, as if speaking to those who were relatively close.
That made the commanders of the Southern Branch feel a new emotion. While they were listening attentively and quietly holding their breath, Hugo, who had been pausing, continued to speak.
“As it has been mentioned several times, everyone knows that I and the Central Branch will return to Zodiac tomorrow morning. Until the last breath of the last one is cut off, until the remains of the last one are recovered. I am sorry and regretful that I cannot be with you.”
Hugo’s heavy gaze fell to his feet for a moment, then he raised his head with a more subdued look.
“Unfortunately, we still have countless problems to solve. But despite that, we have fought for the Empire with our lives on the line, and we have endured on this land with only the sense of duty to protect it. I believe that we can finish this arduous journey, which is not much left, well.”
His low voice echoed in the middle of the plaza. It contained a somewhat heavy emotion, different from before.
“The introduction was long. Let’s keep it short.”
Hugo took a small breath and looked around. His blue eyes, tinged with the sun, shone even more transparently today.
“You have fought well, and you have endured well.”
He continued in a calm tone.
“Thank you for overcoming, and thank you for surviving.”
Each time the Legion Commander delivered a word in a slow tempo, an indescribable sense of elation filled the eyes of the commanders.
Bruno, who was watching from the side, slightly opened and closed his lips. His thick Adam’s apple slowly rippled. His eyes becoming moist was probably a sudden physiological phenomenon that was as bewildering as it was sudden. Gray, who was standing on the platform, was the same. He clasped the baton with his politely gathered hands.
Dellua, who was used to the suffocating pressure of the bandage, felt her strength drain away at the words of her superior praising her hard work. Isabella’s heart was not much different. It felt as if the pain of the crushed bone fragments was washed away for a moment.
Squad Leader 8, who was standing among the lower-ranking commanders, looked directly at Hugo’s face as he spoke. Her expression was indifferent, but her gaze was complicated. She was unconsciously recalling the corpse of a comrade she had missed in front of her eyes.
They stood blankly in their places, each reflecting on their past footsteps.
Hugo felt the gentle breeze of the peninsula blowing loosely in the swamp of recollection where not a single breath could be heard.
Then, he closed his eyes tightly and opened them, conveying in a calm but powerful voice.
“The noble spirit you have shown on the battlefield is a great achievement and example that will remain in my consciousness, as well as in history. As the Supreme Commander, I will always engrave your courage in my heart, reflect on my shortcomings, and remember our pride forever.”
There was not a single tremor in his deep bass voice. But like a large rock dropped on a lake, his voice caused a huge wave in people’s minds.
Hugo slowly scanned the pensive faces of his subordinates, then gazed at the peaks of the peninsula that soared beyond the buildings.
The eyes of others followed the end of his gaze. The sunlight sweeping down the high mountain range of the peninsula was so warm that it was cozy.
“Our colleagues who left first will also be with us until the end, as long as we do not forget them. So that not a single person’s enthusiasm and death will be in vain, let us live their share in the future and cherish this moment deeply in our hearts.”
It was a sacred ritual befitting the final meeting. As if everyone had promised, they turned their bodies toward the land where their comrades were sleeping.
It was a strangely sunny afternoon. As the breeze shook their hair, Hugo’s heavy voice echoed softly.
“All, silent tribute.”
The backs, soaked in bitterness, bowed their heads toward one place in unison. Among them, the head that was dropped first was a golden color that seemed a little out of place among the navy blue combat uniforms.
Leonardo Blaine, who had momentarily suppressed his personal feelings, put his fist on his left chest and closed his eyes tightly. Knowing the weight of death better than anyone else, he sincerely hoped that the souls of the fallen would rest in peace.
Flynn, who glanced at Leonardo Blaine, also quietly closed his eyes and bowed his head. The feeling of mourning spread like a wave throughout the small plaza, following the stagnant air.
For about a minute, not even the sound of a small bird could be heard there. As if all things were comforting the souls of the dead, they kept silent for that moment.
“Attention.”
The commanders raised their heads one by one. After that, Hugo, who slowly raised his eyelids, turned to one place and opened his mouth.
“And there is one more person we must honor.”
This time, the commanders followed his gaze. At the end of it, Leonardo Blaine, who had awakened from the silent tribute last, was just raising his head.
Leonardo Blaine, who had been looking at the head table without thinking, widened his eyes at the gaze that suddenly poured on him. Hugo, who was standing at the head table, reached out his hand from his position toward him.
“Leonardo, come here.”
Leonardo Blaine, seeing that, pointed at himself with his index finger. He tilted his head with a dumbfounded expression and mouthed.
‘Me?’