Chapter 38

As I moved to the fort, the one-eyed knight was in the process of saddling his horse, which is the leader of the fort's horses—so I call it "Leader" for convenience.

Nearby, Kicks and Tina were also preparing their horses and loading them with supplies. Ayraux, the beloved horse of the battalion commander, was there, but the commander himself was not. There was also another large, brave horse, about the same size as Leader, but it was a new face. Whose horse could it be?

(Are they all going somewhere?)

I had hoped that if I told the one-eyed knights about my errand to the capital, they would worry and come with me, but it seemed they all had their own tasks. As the fairies flew around in circles, my tail rapidly lost its energy and drooped.

"Whoa! There you are, Mil!"

Kicks, who was about to kick me as I stood still at the one-eyed knight's feet, was surprised and leaned back.

"Mil, you're here?"

"Mil! You're all dressed up in your shawl today. ...Oh? What's that glowing?"

The one-eyed knight and Tina said in turn. I put the letter I had been holding in my mouth on the ground and answered.

"This is from a fairy. It's going to guide me to the capital..."

As I explained that Mother had asked me to go on an errand to the capital, I tried to create a somber atmosphere. If I looked pitiful, maybe the one-eyed knights would let someone else come with me, even if they had something to do. Even someone from the intimidating army would do.

However, contrary to my expectations, the one-eyed knights' reactions were casual.

"An errand, huh? Good job, Mil."

"It's a long way to the capital, but you can do it, Mil."

"Good luck!"

They patted my head, but none of them said the words I wanted to hear. I thought they would say something like, "To the capital? That's dangerous for Mil alone," or "No, no errand! I'm worried," or "You can't do it alone. Don't go."

But they didn't.

"Wait. It must be hard to carry that letter in your mouth. I'll get you a bag."

Tina gave a quick nod to the one-eyed knight and ran into the building to prepare a bag for me so I could go on my errand comfortably. But that's not what I wanted! I wanted them to stop me from going on the errand!

"Knight... Knight..."

Even as I looked up at him with teary eyes, the one-eyed knight just said, "Going on an errand, Mil is a good girl," and kept petting me. What's going on with everyone?! They've been so overprotective before! They've always been so indulgent with me!

Why is today different...?

My chest felt heavy. This must be despair.

"Mil, I found a perfect bag for you."

I thought it would take longer to find a bag that fit me, but Tina came back quickly with a small white backpack. It even had a rabbit face and long ears, which seemed unnecessary and might get in the way.

"This is from Battalion Commander Cromwell."

From the battalion commander? When did he buy this? He must have had it custom-made to match me, a fox. The rabbit face rounds nicely when you put things inside.

"Try it on. Put your front paws here, yes, and the other paws too... Oh, how cute!!"

Tina swooned when I put on the rabbit backpack over my shawl.

"You look good."

"A new killing machine is born."

The one-eyed knight smiled, and Kicks joked. Normally, I would have gotten carried away, but I wasn't in the mood.

The backpack was light but bulging. I wondered what was inside, and Tina explained.

"The bag is full of jerky. Eat it when you're hungry. There's also lunch for today. Be careful not to mess it up too much."

As she spoke, she stuffed the letter, which had gotten a little soggy from my saliva, into the gaps in the backpack. It seemed fuller than just jerky and lunch.

Still, it was impressive that she prepared food in such a short time.

"Thank you, Tina. Please thank the battalion commander for the backpack too. ...By the way, where is the battalion commander?"

I asked Tina and the others while looking at Ayraux.

"The battalion commander is talking to the commander now."

"Oh! That's right!"

I perked up my ears. The commander of the knight order, who usually stays in the capital, had been here since yesterday. I had been so preoccupied with my own affairs that I had completely forgotten.

"Will the battalion commander stay here?"

"He'll probably be fine. They're probably discussing it now."

Tina answered my question, but as soon as she finished, Kicks was punched by the one-eyed knight.

"Ow...!?"

"You told Tina. I told you not to say anything."

It seemed Kicks had shared the uncertain information that the battalion commander might change with Tina. Kicks, holding his head and teary-eyed, angrily said, "Tina! Pretend you don't know!" but Tina didn't seem very apologetic and replied, "Oh, sorry."

"I'm going now, so please tell the battalion commander I said hello. I'm going now..."

With my shawl and rabbit backpack, I slowly walked towards the gate, trying to create a sad atmosphere. I looked back at the one-eyed knights with a pitiful expression, but no one stopped me. Even after I had walked about ten meters, the three of them just waved calmly.

...With no other choice, I turned around and went back to the one-eyed knight. The fairies followed me.

I lay down casually and placed my front paws on the top of his foot, then rested my chin there and closed my eyes. It was a sunny day but a bit chilly, which was just right for me. I wanted to sleep.

"Aren't you going?"

As I was escaping reality, the one-eyed knight said with a suppressed laugh. I almost pulled my foot away, so I held onto his ankle with both hands to keep him from moving.

"Mil, if you don't leave soon, it will be dark."

He ruffled my cheek fur, but I grumbled and didn't let go. I stayed like that for a while, but the one-eyed knight and Tina didn't say anything like, "Do you want us to go with you?" or "It's dangerous, don't go."

They must have noticed that I didn't want to go on the errand.

I felt a mix of sadness and anger.

Fine, then! I'll go alone! But if I make it to the capital safely, I won't bring you any souvenirs!

"Mil—"

"Fine! I don't care about the one-eyed knights! Stupid, stupid, stupid...!"

I ran off, muttering words I couldn't even understand, and started my errand to the capital, half in a fit of pique.