By Zephyria It was the fifth day since the Peninsula subjugation force returned to the Central Branch. That day, it rained particularly hard from dawn. The dark sky, as well as the faces of the people hit by the falling raindrops, were filled with dark clouds.
Today is the day of the fallen soldiers’ funeral.
Since ancient times, Laina Rogia had a saying that if it rained on the day of a funeral, the deceased would be blessed. This was a story that originated from the superstition that even the sky felt sorry for the death of the deceased and cried with them. Of course, it was not certain whether that was true or just a lie to comfort those who were getting rained on on a sad day. Only the sky would know the truth.
A wave of black uniforms rippled over the lush green grass in the vast Council courtyard. The mourning clothes, which contrasted with the white uniforms, were a sign of mourning that was rarely taken out once a year.
The smell of rain and musty dust floated in the air. That sinking energy would be imprinted in the minds of the members as the smell of death.
The magnificent formation that stretched out around the main building was now split in half, silently guarding the final journey of their comrades who were finishing the ceremony and leaving.
“To the fallen soldiers, salute―!”
Tens of thousands of hands saluted the procession of coffins being carried out in response to the commander’s solemn cry. The same was true of the 30 or so senior commanders leading the Council Legion. Lined up at attention, they paid their respects to the subordinates who were going to the bosom of their ancestors.
The heavy coffins, covered seamlessly with the Imperial flag, were loaded one by one onto the funeral carriages lined up outside the main gate, receiving everyone’s blessings. Soon after, the carriages departed, and the standard bearers vigorously fluttered their flags. The escort guarded the fallen soldiers to the Hall of Glory and Rest, matching the speed of the carriages.
The magnificent requiem played by the honor guard echoed throughout the streets beyond the walls of the Council. It was cheerful music that didn’t fit the situation. It was an old custom of the Empire to send off the fallen soldiers of victorious battles as joyfully as possible.
[ Thanks for your courage and sacrifice. ]
[ Rest in peace, heroes. ]
The memorial spaces set up throughout the Council grounds were piled high with white lilies and chrysanthemums left by mourners. Occasionally, phrases commemorating the fallen soldiers were scrawled in paint on erected signs or pieces of cloth hanging on the walls.
Hugo looked down at the street from the terrace of the third tower of the main building and loosened the tie that was choking his neck. His sunken blue eyes scanned the black dots guiding the mourners near the main gate. It was relatively quiet than before, but as the rain grew heavier, he couldn’t help but worry about the struggling members.
“Ah, I’m tired.”
Andreas, the 4th Division Commander, who had approached from the side at just the right time, leaned against the railing with a sigh.
“My body isn’t what it used to be.”
He took out a cigarette and put it in his mouth as if his body wasn’t what it used to be, then bent his head and lit it with a lighter. The familiar smell of tobacco quickly spread throughout the terrace. Andreas tilted his head back and blew smoke into the sky.
It was the same scent that he had occasionally smelled from Leonardo, so Hugo glanced at him.
“But it passed more quietly than I thought. Even though the councilors held an emergency meeting.”
He seemed to be saying that the situation was surprisingly calm, considering that there would be a barrage of criticism regarding the unprecedented number of casualties.
Just looking at the mourners and reporters who had gathered today, the atmosphere was one of refraining from even wailing for the rest of the fallen soldiers. Thanks to this, the funeral was able to be completed solemnly and honorably. But Hugo, who knew the inside story, wiped his wet face with a tired look.
“They must have spent the budget on unnecessary things again.”
“Hmm, so that’s why it was so quiet.”
Andreas let out a cynical laugh and flicked off the cigarette ash.
“It’s so easy, public opinion.”
It was the result of printing a large number of biased articles centered on media companies that were friendly to the Council. It was a funeral packaged as a bloody battle for the people of the Empire, a victory, and an honorable death. And within it, there was still no story of Leonardo.
Andreas rattled on about how if even one of his ex-lovers had been a niece of the councilors, he might have had to take off his uniform right away.
It wasn’t a suitable topic to hear on the day of a funeral. However, Hugo knew that Andreas was comforting him in his own way.
“I think I should settle down with one person soon, too. My stamina is running out, and sometimes I even get my lovers’ names mixed up.”
He rattled on with extremely personal stories. Hugo turned his gaze to the distance, using Andreas’s nonsense as background music.
It wasn’t the first time he had experienced the deaths of his subordinates, but he couldn’t help but feel bitter every time. He thought that he would become desensitized to this as well, but that in itself was another bitter thing. Still, he preferred hearing about trivial love affairs to a cheerful requiem that didn’t consider the dead souls.
Hugo smiled dryly and replied.
“Yeah, you should start dating seriously now. You’re getting old.”
As if a corner of his inner self had been scratched, Andreas glared at Hugo with an unpleasant look. He felt as if he had been lumped together and labeled as an old man along with Hugo, even though he was just trying to lighten the mood, because he knew that even a casual meeting would be cautious from his point of view. Andreas clicked his tongue and changed the subject instead of arguing.
“But aren’t you going straight in today? You always go to that guy after work these days.”
He was talking about Leonardo. Hugo rested his arm on the railing and replied.
“I think he needs some time alone. He doesn’t seem to be in a good mood today.”
“…Your commander’s dignity is not looking good. It’s not like you’re watching your mistress’s every move. If that’s the case, why don’t you just get him another room? Why are you so pathetic that you can’t even go into your own room?”
“Other places are dangerous. And there’s the handcuff issue…. It’s safest to keep him in my territory.”
Andreas sucked on the filter and stared at Hugo intently. He seemed to have a lot to say but was glossing over it appropriately.
Then, Hugo, who seemed to be lost in thought, suddenly asked.
“Andreas, do you know a guy called Vampire?”
Andreas tilted his head and replied without much thought.
“Vampire? I know, he’s a blood-sucking monster. Oh, should I call him a race?”
“No, not the race. I was wondering if there was anyone with that nickname.”
“A nickname like Vampire? Hmm… I don’t know. If he was famous enough to have a nickname, I would have heard about him several times.”
Andreas shrugged, saying he didn’t know, after thinking hard. Hugo rubbed his chin and nodded.
‘Indeed, if he had a nickname, there’s no way I wouldn’t know.’
“But why?”
“…It’s nothing, I’m just looking into something.”
Andreas made a disgusted expression.
“How long has it been since you got back? You’re sick, you’re sick. You need to rest.”
He nagged Hugo, saying that he was a workaholic. Hugo gave a small smile without much meaning.
“I can’t help it for the time being. I have to schedule Leonardo Blaine’s trial, too.”
Andreas, who was about to put the filter in his mouth, paused at the mention of the trial.
“What’s the date for that? Wasn’t it supposed to be around today?”
Originally, Leonardo’s trial issue should have been the biggest topic of discussion today. However, the funeral was rushed first due to the requests of the bereaved families and the pressure from the higher-ups of the Council, who valued the external image. In addition, a problem was found in Leonardo’s detailed examination results, so the official trial date was postponed indefinitely.
“The higher-ups are delaying the official public announcement. In order for the trial to be held, Leonardo’s achievements in the Peninsula must be recognized, but there’s no way the councilors will readily acknowledge that in this situation. They even want to hide the fact that he joined the subjugation force.”
“It never deviates from my expectations.”
“But the blood test results are more of a problem. The viscosity of his blood is higher than I thought. They say it will be fine if he undergoes drug treatment and exercise for a few days… but we’ll have to wait and see.”
Hugo stared in the direction of his private room with a worried expression.
“Anyway, I’m asking the Duke to put pressure on the councilors, so the date will be set again within two days. All senior commanders are given voting rights, so please encourage them to attend. I made a big fuss about the handcuff issue, so the atmosphere has become stiff, and it’s hard for me to force them.”
At Hugo’s request, Andreas slowly nodded, recalling the recent internal atmosphere. Then, he flicked his fingers on the ashtray made by pulling in ivy and said.
“Well, that’s not difficult…. I don’t know if Leonardo Blaine knows that you’re having a hard time. Will he understand that the schedule is being delayed? He made such a fuss about just one blood draw, what if he tries to escape―.”
“No.”
Hugo cut him off in a firm tone.
“That won’t happen. He’s smart. He won’t want things to get bigger.”
“……”
“He’s also quick-witted, so he probably knows roughly what’s going on. That’s why he’s waiting quietly. Until I keep my promise.”
Andreas was inwardly surprised. He had heard from Loren that the two had a fairly strong trust, but it felt new to actually hear it from Hugo’s mouth.
Hugo Agrizendro is generally kind to his people, but most people commonly say that he has a wall of trust that is not easily crossed. Andreas also felt this and agreed with it. But a guy who he hasn’t even known for very long is already about to break through that wall and drill down to the core.
Andreas stared at Hugo out of the corner of his eye. He puffed out donut-shaped smoke with his mouth and then suddenly spat it out.
“It’s because you keep protecting him so much that strange rumors are spreading.”
One of Hugo’s eyebrows shot up.
“What? What rumors?”
“That there’s something fishy between the two of you.”
Andreas smiled slyly and let out a word.
Hugo felt as if he had been hit on the back of the head. His head was not only dazed but also numb.
He frowned and asked again.
“Who’s saying that?”
“Oh, you’re not denying it?”
“No, that’s not it. I know people like gossip, but I hope you don’t do that either. He’s a person who has been hurt a lot by what the public easily says. He’s just relying on me a little bit right now.”
Hugo, who had become serious, added with a laugh as if it were absurd.
“And, what could I possibly do with a kid like him? I must look like an old man to him, it’s rude to even get involved.”
Andreas’s eyes became ambiguous. He felt as if he had been lumped together and labeled as an old man along with Hugo, who was calling himself an old man, even though that wasn’t his intention. Of course, that wasn’t his intention, but Andreas felt a pang of conscience because he had often dated lovers who were much older.
Anyway, seeing Hugo’s expression that it was absurd, it seemed that what he had heard was a rumor that had been inflated by guys who liked to spread rumors.
Well, the commander’s scandal is a serious matter that affects the political world. That’s probably why he’s still single even though he’s constantly being courted by suitors. When he thought that far, he leaned more towards the rumor being false, but he still wanted to test him once because he was a commander who had never had any noise.
Andreas smiled and asked.
“Then can I seduce that kid?”