Chapter 13
Étienne Rochefort’s life had been surprisingly tumultuous. After all, considering that he was the same age as Mia and had solidified his reputation as a war hero, it wasn’t shocking at all. To achieve such accomplishments in a short time, one could only imagine how difficult his path had been.
Étienne was a more upright person than Mia had assumed, and his life was filled with schemes from those trying to bring down the young hero. Even knowing this, Mia felt a faint pity for him. It was something she would never have imagined in her previous life.
“…So, you joined the army because of that, huh? I thought you must have had some grand ambitions.”
“Do you think that’s the case? I was essentially forced to enlist before I could even have any ambitions.”
“But if primogeniture is the principle, wouldn’t the inheritance rights naturally go to the eldest son, even if you hadn’t hurried to enlist?”
“That’s true. However, my brother seemed to want to eliminate even the slightest possibility of me becoming the head of the family. Every time I achieved a noteworthy accomplishment, he did his best to tarnish my reputation.”
“Ah, I see.”
“Do you understand how I feel, Your Grace?”
Of course, Mia twisted her lips in a wry smile. It was likely that Étienne’s remarkable ‘older brother’ had orchestrated matters much like her father had with her. Mia, who had worked hard to cause Rochefort’s downfall in her previous life, knew this fact better than anyone.
But that was precisely why she couldn’t reveal her true feelings at that moment. How could she feel discomfort with what others had done when she herself had a hand in his death?
Thus, Mia changed the subject. Though it was somewhat awkward, this method was more effective at disrupting the flow of the conversation. It would not benefit her to expose her guilt in a lighthearted discussion.
“Just call me Mia.”
“…What?”
“Would you like to try calling me that?”
“…”
Étienne looked bewildered by the sudden suggestion. His mouth opened but seemed at a loss for words.
“If we’re going to pretend to be lovers, shouldn’t we get used to calling each other more familiarly?”
Mia added with a gentle smile.
In truth, it didn’t matter much whether Étienne obliged her request or not. Mia’s purpose was to lighten the atmosphere, and her words had served that purpose perfectly.
“Oh, of course, I’m not forcing you. Since it’s getting late, for now…”
Just as Mia was about to retract her statement, thinking Étienne had felt discomfort with her suggestion, he slowly began to move his lips as if released from a spell. The three syllables that flowed from his mouth were exceedingly familiar.
“Mia.”
Mia. It seemed he couldn’t believe he had called her that a second time.
Seeing the boyish joy fill Étienne’s face as he said it, Mia couldn’t bring herself to say to forget what she had just said.
…
“Oh, and finally.”
“…Yes?”
Mia tossed a remark at Étienne, who was fading in and out of consciousness. Perhaps he was on the verge of falling asleep, as his response was a beat behind.
“When we arrive, there will be a banquet.”
“Of course…”
His voice was still hazy. It was only natural. It was a long-standing tradition of the Etalon army to create a ruckus in a city that had surrendered, demanding food from the outset, and the territories, scared by their infamous reputation, often prepared meals and supplies even before they heard news of the Etalon army’s invasion.
However, Mia hadn’t brought it up to state the obvious.
“Don’t drink the wine given by the lord. Or rather, don’t eat the food at all.”
“Pardon?”
“Actually, that’s not just for Glen. Étienne, be careful with the food.”
“That sounds like you believe there’s been some sort of poisoning.”
Mia’s silence was a sufficient answer to his question.
“In that case, I will inform the officers first thing in the morning.”
“Well, there’s no need to go that far.”
“…Hmm.”
Étienne left a vague response and said nothing more. There was no way to tell if he accepted Mia’s words or was simply subdued by her insistence.
***
Looking at the furrowed brow of her commander, it seemed he had not spent a peaceful night.
It was understandable. The last time Mia had seen Étienne before sleeping, he had been in deep confusion. The argument that they had to pretend to be lovers to win was something Mia found difficult to accept even after chewing on it several times.
But as long as this matter was tied to Mia’s guilt, explaining it in depth would also be awkward. So, she had pressed Étienne to trust her. She pushed him to believe in her judgment, in her ability to maintain a unique position after years of navigating the political arena filled with cunning foxes.
Though she didn’t know what he was thinking, Étienne accepted her proposal after hearing those words.
So there was no reason to be surprised that the morning Étienne looked more troubled than usual. He was likely still struggling with the memories of the previous day. Perhaps he was regretting that impulsive decision now. Either way, the agreement had been made, and Mia didn’t need to concern herself with it.
“Mia.”
Startled, Mia belatedly realized that Étienne was calling her, having been too focused on observing those around her.
“Yes?”
Étienne placed a hand on her shoulder. The movement felt very natural.
“I’ll be going on a reconnaissance mission for a bit.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
Shouldn’t it be something to inform the vice-commander about? Mia asked tersely. Étienne chuckled softly.
“It’s something a lover should know just as much as the vice-commander.”
Shouldn’t one know where their partner was to worry less? Keep that in mind moving forward. His teasingly light tone tickled Mia’s ear.
***
Even though Étienne had left, Mia couldn’t just sit idle waiting for the commander’s return.
She had been to Glen before, but during her first life, she had passed through without deeming it important because it was not a battlefield. In hindsight, everything had started to fall apart when she visited Glen.
Mia took in the surprisingly large number of taverns and grocery stores for the size of the territory. It was clear that the local inhabitants enjoyed eating and drinking. And a more plausible hypothesis was…
Mia saw a man approaching her from across the street. It seemed that the world was not content to leave her reasoning alone.
“Léonard.”
“You’re treating me so casually that I hardly know how to respond, Your Grace. You could just call me Vice-Commander.”
“Is that so? It seems our lines of formality differ. I believe I’ve shown sufficient respect to the vice-commander by now.”
Mia thought that not being condescended to as she had been last time was the best she could hope for. The laughter that disguised discomfort came out as a half-hearted chuckle.
Mia chose not to point that fact out. She knew Léonard’s temperament well and could see the inferiority complex he harbored from their previous confrontation.
“Ah, I see. I thought you might be different since you received a prophecy, despite having no combat experience.”
Even the dishonor of being the vanguard filled with jealousy.
“Not even possessing divine power.”
Finally, he was insulting even the will of the goddess.
“To think you’d shamelessly take the position of strategic officer.”
He was hell-bent on belittling Mia.
“What is it that you want to say?”
“Indeed, I’ve heard you’re quite brazen. But I didn’t expect it to this extent.”
Hahaha. The malicious laughter erupted after, transparently filled with malice, making it seem rather ridiculous. How much of an impact could it have on Mia, anyway?
Inept individuals often soothe their unfulfilled desire for recognition by mocking those who achieve more than they do. Mia had experienced enough of these types in the political world to be unimpressed.
Seeing Mia’s expression remain unchanged, he added provocatively.
“Seeing you so carefree makes me think you believe you’re on vacation.”
There was no trace of respect for her, yet he still used honorifics, indicating that his confrontation with the commander had left a deep impression on Léonard. Mia simply raised the corners of her mouth.
It seemed that the news of her manifesting divine power had yet to spread within the troops. Whether Étienne had kept it a secret or this clown was particularly out of touch with current events was uncertain. Given that even Pavel knew, the latter seemed more likely.
“Care to make a bet?”
Not seeming to expect a response, Léonard continued with a grin despite Mia’s silence.
“I wonder how long a certain undeserving strategic officer can endure the harsh military life after rising to such a high position. Would you like to wager on that?”
He showed no fear even while standing in front of her, and it seemed the mockery would continue indefinitely. Mia felt a pressing need to end this conversation promptly.
“Enough.”
Thud.
Mia struck Léonard on the back of his neck. It was a basic yet effective suppression technique. Had he not been completely caught off guard, busy ridiculing her, he likely wouldn’t have been so easily overcome.
He fell down so effortlessly that it was almost absurd, struggling to get back up but forced back down as if bound by an invisible force. Though it was clearly the effect of divine power, a pathetic man who had mocked Mia’s capabilities and lack of divine power could hardly accept that fact now.
Crack.
A sound of something breaking echoed.
“Oh, my apologies.”
I’m still not accustomed to handling divine power, Mia said with a smile.
Looking at the bewildered man staring up at her, Mia finally burst into laughter. Seeing him sprawled out pathetically, she didn’t even feel humiliated.
“What should I do with you now?”
—
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