Chapter 18
The phrase was a code used by those trading in substances like Shaten to recognize one another. Of course, there were other verification procedures for confirming identities, but in these remote territories, security tended to be more relaxed.
‘I never thought I’d actually use this.’
It was one of the few pieces of information Mia had learned while investigating substances in her previous life.
As expected, the owner’s demeanor visibly softened upon hearing Mia’s words.
“May eternal blessings be upon us.”
Perhaps he assumed she was a noble hiding her identity. Stuttering as he completed the code, he led Mia deeper into the storage area.
Mia followed behind, noting the arrangement of the items in the warehouse.
At the farthest corner of the storage area, there were rows of bottles identical to the ones she had seen at the banquet, enough to fill an entire wall. When Mia moved closer to inspect the goods, the owner, unable to hide his nervousness, made room for her.
“Here it is. Take as much as you need, and just mark it as wine in the ledger…”
“Is this the price?”
Mia lightly pushed away the ledger the owner offered and asked.
“Y-yes. This is all the Shaten currently in the territory.”
Mia observed him intently, her words carrying an unmistakable undertone of mistrust.
She circled the storage area a couple of times, as if verifying whether he had hidden any reserves. Although it seemed suspicious, it appeared that this was indeed all the Shaten in this place.
‘Then I should consider the possibility that the baron is hiding something.’
Mia furrowed her brow. Both this man and the baron had the same issue—lack of honesty.
“Thank you.”
It was a dry and perfunctory expression of gratitude.
The last thing the owner saw was Mia’s back as she walked away. A heavy blow struck the back of his head. Before he closed his eyes, the last thing he glimpsed was a flash of brilliant red light.
Mia stuffed a couple of bottles of Shaten under her cloak, cast a glance at the unconscious owner, and securely locked the warehouse door behind her.
‘If I were more skilled with my divine power, I could have sealed the door so that no one could open it.’
Setting aside a small regret, she slipped out through the back of the shop. Aside from her bulging cloak, there was no evidence that she had ever visited this place.
When Mia returned to the tavern, Léonard was still being assaulted by the angry crowd. Etienne was expertly playing the role of a decoy, keeping all eyes focused on him. Thanks to this, Mia managed to exit the warehouse without being seen.
Mia was once again impressed by her commander’s ability to draw attention. She had thought that his good looks naturally attracted people’s gazes, but he could manage to do it even with his face covered.
It was a skill entirely different from what Mia sought, but she couldn’t deny that Etienne Rochefort had a charisma that drew people in.
With Etienne doing his part well, the two of them were able to slip out of the tavern without much difficulty. Despite his earlier complaints about avoiding people’s attention, Etienne didn’t appear troubled at all.
Even amidst their playful banter and jabs, neither of them gave much thought to the fate of the vice-commander of the Holy Corps. They didn’t believe that someone with divine power would be seriously harmed by an attack from ordinary people.
But if this incident became known within the unit, it would likely be a stain on his reputation that he could never live down. So, he would keep this event a secret forever.
The winter night air was particularly chilly.
“Eli, aren’t you cold?”
“Oh… I’m fine.”
Etienne spread his cloak to shield Mia from the wind. Her small frame was almost entirely hidden under the fabric. Despite his gesture, Mia was more focused on hiding the bulging shapes under her coat.
Etienne watched Mia quietly.
“Did you ask for my help just so you could steal something?”
“Yes, well…”
Strictly speaking, she wasn’t wrong. Mia absentmindedly confirmed.
“The corps has plenty of funds, so you really didn’t have to go through this trouble.”
“Do I look like I did this because I needed money?”
The commander’s playful remark was quickly shut down.
That wasn’t it… Etienne murmured weakly. As he continued to glance at the rustling beneath Mia’s cloak, his gaze grew sharper.
“Mia, is that perhaps…?”
“Do you have any idea what it is?”
“…I haven’t the faintest idea.”
She had waited for a while, hoping he’d come up with something, but that was the best he could muster. Had he been acting foolish for so long that he’d actually become one? Mia thought idly, finishing straightening her clothes.
“So, what is it?”
“You’ll find out when the time comes.”
Even with her dismissive reply, Etienne only nodded without raising any questions. Mia couldn’t quite grasp what was on his mind.
A pair of “lovers” walked side by side along the night path.
“Max.”
“Yes, darling.”
“I never gave you permission to call me that.”
“Haha, sorry. So, what’s the matter?”
“You brought your sword, right?”
It was a rather sudden question, considering the current situation. If she had a reason to ask something like that…
Her pale eyes glinted playfully in the dark.
“Of course. Are you proposing a duel?”
“I happened to see an abandoned clearing near the mountain slope earlier today.”
A deserted path greeted the two visitors. Step by step, their strides slowly fell in sync.
It was peaceful. Not exactly joyful, but not entirely unhappy either. Considering that the war had already begun, even this much was quite remarkable.
They stopped only when a timid voice called out to them.
“Um… you’re soldiers, right?”
It wasn’t really a question. They hadn’t been thoroughly disguised, so they expected someone might recognize them, but anyone wandering the streets at this hour would be different.
A chill ran down her spine. Tension naturally tightened Mia’s shoulders. Hoping desperately that this wouldn’t turn into a bloodshed, she turned around.
‘Gasp.’
Mia barely caught her breath. The person who had called out to them was none other than her.
The one who had plunged the Etalon forces into chaos, who had thwarted every strategy Mia devised, and who had etched her name as the first fear into the mind of the once-arrogant strategic officer of the 1st Holy Corps.
Ciccy.
Just as her body was about to freeze with irrational fear, a familiar warmth touched her fingertips. It was Etienne.
“…Max.”
Mia called him softly.
Even though it was just a makeshift nickname, in that moment, it became her lifeline. Pressure tightened on the hand that held hers. It was then that Mia fully realized it once again.
Etienne Rochefort was by her side. He was still here, having lost nothing, standing with her in the midst of the glory she intended to achieve for him.
The realization that someone who had never stood by her in her past life now sought to support her was enough to pull Mia out of her dark thoughts.
This life differed in many ways from her past, and there was room for more changes. Etienne was willing to play the part of her lover for the sake of victory.
Ciccy had not yet shown any hostility toward Etalon. Perhaps she hadn’t even entered the temple yet.
Yes, they had a chance. The goddess was merciful enough to grant a glorious opportunity even to Mia, who had once ruined everything. That fact gave Mia an unprecedented courage.
After taking a shallow breath, Mia turned back.
“What do you want?”
There was no trace of fear in her firm tone.
Pitch-black hair, drooping eyes. A gentle overall impression. Her clothes, slightly expensive-looking for a commoner, were worn and frayed as if they hadn’t been changed in some time.
She didn’t look at all like the dark figure who had driven Mia and the Etalon forces into terror.
She seemed timid, and even speaking to Mia appeared to take a great deal of effort. From the corner of her vision, Mia could see her shoulders trembling.
If it was all a façade meant to lower their guard… well, Mia had dealt with enough deceitful power players to see through such ruses. This woman seemed genuinely fearful.
Whatever the case, the woman certainly appeared afraid. Why had she feared someone like this so much in the past? When Mia first encountered her, that meek appearance was already long gone, but now her past self seemed laughable.
Mia let out a sigh. Even if there had been ill fate in a previous life, she didn’t want to waste her energy bullying a clueless girl if it wouldn’t help her plans.
“Go on, speak.”
The woman took a deep breath and finally began to speak. Flawless Imperial words flowed from her mouth.
“I-I am Chloe Galua, and I am… nineteen years old…”
Her eyes were red and swollen, and her voice wavered. Even her breathing was unsteady. The woman was on the verge of tears and couldn’t hide it well.
Perhaps her young age made her perceive them as an even greater threat.
It seemed that speaking with two soldiers was too overwhelming for this pitiful girl.
“Calm down and speak slowly.”
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