Chapter 5

"Alright."

Saying this, Noel turned around. Wiping the blood on her face with her sleeve, she approached Cynthia.

"---Guh"

Cynthia, overwhelmed by the approaching terror, involuntarily took a step back. She had no idea what this girl intended to do next. The fear of not knowing what she might do was unbearable. Noel's innocent smile seemed strangely out of place.

"I'm not afraid of dying. I've always thought that. I've even killed bandits. But I've never faced death so directly."

Looking at the mangled bodies of Ned and the others, the fear of death welled up inside her.

"We have three options, I guess."

"…What are they?"

Milt, who had been staring at the bodies in fear, managed to squeeze out a response. Milt had never seen a dead body before, let alone killed anyone. This was his first time in a life-or-death situation. The rapid developments left him dazed. He was more focused on understanding the current situation than feeling relieved to be alive.

"It's about what we should do from here. This concerns you too, Milt, so stop spacing out and think with us."

"…Well, what do you suggest? Shouldn't we just return to the main force? We know they're heading to Rockbell."

Milt tilted his head.

"That's one option. But I think it would be quite troublesome if we chose that."

"Why?"

"---Here's a question. Who killed Captain Ned?"

"…You did."

"Why were we almost killed?"

"Because we heard that Captain Ned was from Bahar. …If the rumor spread, it would be troublesome, so they wanted to silence us."

"What would happen if we went back and told the truth? Would Leader Ristih forgive us?"

Noel continued speaking in a playful tone, but it was hard to tell if it was an act or genuine. She had just killed three people, yet her tone was as casual as ever, showing no sign of tension.

"…If what Captain Ned said was true, we'd probably be killed. The content was pretty bad."

"Yeah. So, going back to the main force isn't a good choice."

Noel exhaled deeply and sat down next to Cynthia again. Cynthia tried to move away, but Noel grabbed her cloak and wouldn't let go.

"The second option is to not think too much and just go back to the village and sleep. That's the easiest."

"Hmm. That does sound easy."

It wasn't a bad idea. Milt had never been particularly enthusiastic about joining the rebellion. He had complaints, but he never thought about taking up arms. So, pretending nothing happened and going back wouldn't be a problem. He had been coerced into joining.

"However, if we're caught by the rebel forces, we might be in serious trouble. We'd have to go against the flow of the march to get back to the village, which would make us stand out. Geb knows about us, so if we're caught and arrested, they'll definitely ask about Captain Ned."

"…That sounds pretty dangerous. Even if we try to avoid being caught, I don't know any other way to the village. It would be suicidal to try to get back without the road. And if we follow the road, we'll definitely run into them."

Milt had only ever been to the nearby mountains. Without the road, he'd have to navigate through unknown territory. With no money or food, it would be a suicide mission. Following the road would lead to a sure confrontation.

"Hmm, that's a problem."

"Stop stalling and tell us the third option. Isn't that what you think is the best?"

"Yeah. That is, we help guard the governor's family. The rebellion probably won't succeed, so it's better to join the winning side and get rewarded."

"---What?"

Noel's words shocked Cynthia. It made sense. The person who had been trying to capture her as an enemy suddenly suggested becoming an ally.

"Hey, you make it sound easy. We're part of the rebellion. If we're caught, we could be executed. I don't like that."

"We were coerced into joining. Besides, the leader was from another state. If we explain it properly, they might understand. Plus, staying with the rebels probably won't make us happy."

Noel's tone was unusually cold. It was hard to imagine this was the same person who usually made silly remarks. Maybe it was just the shock of the situation.

"Hmm."

"If you don't like it, Milt can do whatever he wants. I'm going."

"Alright, I get it. Then we have no choice but to go with the third option. But what if that woman doesn't agree?"

Milt agreed hastily, not wanting to be left behind.

"That's easy. We just cut off Cynthia's head and run."

Noel said this as if she were a fierce general, moving to stand in front of Cynthia.

"So, if you promise to ensure our safety and reward us, we'll help you. What do you say?"

"…If it's just for profit, you'd betray us in an instant. You scum, have some shame!"

Cynthia spat out her disgust. She seemed to have regained her composure and the dignity of a knight.

Noel, who appeared to have some strength, gave a strong impression of being a despicable person. She had made a mistake earlier, but she was determined not to lose again.

"For our happiness, we have no choice. Everyone is fighting for that. …So, if you promise, we'll help you. This is the last time I'm asking, we don't have much time."

Noel picked up the mace from the dead soldier's hand. She gently placed it on Cynthia's head and asked with a blank expression. If she said no, the mace would come down, and another tragic body would be added to the pile. The cold threat immediately dissipated the determination that had been building up. Upon reflection, it wasn't a bad deal. Cynthia convinced herself of this.

"Alright, I promise. I'll guarantee your lives with my honor."

"It's a promise."

"Y-Yes."

Cynthia averted her gaze. She thought she could endure for now and wait for reinforcements to capture them.

"If you break the promise, I won't forgive you. So, please be nice."

Noel smiled, showing her white teeth.

---

At the hidden passage exit of the Sevtem fortress, the tunnel dug from inside the fortress connected to a natural cave in the forest. The Coinbra soldiers who had escaped with the governor's family were ambushed as they emerged from the cave. About fifty rebel soldiers, pre-positioned by Ned, surrounded them with spears. They had already received a volley of arrows, and several were already dead. The governor's wife, Sara, had been hit in the right arm.

The rebels outnumbered them by about two to one, and their lack of discipline provided some opportunities to exploit. However, the defensive battle made it difficult to launch an effective offensive, and the situation had become a stalemate.

"Drop your swords and surrender! If you do, we'll spare the lives of Groll's family!"

"Shut up, you bandits! We'll protect Lady Sara and Lord Elgar with our lives! Everyone, fight harder!"

The two sides, shouting and brandishing spears, faced each other. The rebels couldn't use their bows aggressively because they were ordered to capture the governor's family alive. They knew Ned and the others would eventually arrive from the fortress, so there was no need to rush.

From the cave, Noel and Milt, with red cloth tied to their right arms, and the bound Cynthia appeared.

"Captain Cynthia!"

"Lady Cynthia, what's happened to you!?"

Cynthia, who did not respond to the calls, remained bowed. The rebel squad leader smirked, thinking that the long-awaited Ned had finally arrived.

"Finally, the captain is here! Is this woman the enemy commander?"

"Hah, she is the Coinbra army centurion, Cynthia Eadrich! Thanks to Captain Ned's assistance, we've managed to capture her!"

Noel folded her right arm in front of her chest and performed a perfect Horsheed-style salute. Her tone was not the usual casual one.

"Huh, you kids have grown up in no time. Did Captain Ned teach you that?"

"Hah, he gave us a lot of guidance! Captain Ned should be arriving soon!"

"Good, good! Keep her restrained. If you want to keep that lady knight alive, drop your swords!"

"---Guh"

The Coinbra soldiers hesitated but eventually dropped their swords and sat down. They were surrounded and had no chance of winning. They couldn't risk the lives of the governor's family by resisting.

"Alright, you scum, collect their weapons and tie them up! Make sure they can't move! Kill them if they resist!"

"Yes, sir!"

The squad leader gave the order, and the young rebels, holding ropes, approached. They seemed inexperienced and couldn't tie them properly.

"Damn, you're useless. Can't even use a rope. I'll show you how it's done."

The squad leader pulled Sara away from the protection of the others and grabbed Elgar by the head.

"What are you doing!"

"Stop it!"

"Release me, you insolent scoundrel!"

"Hey, hey, the young master is getting worked up. You know, this brat thinks he's great just because he was born into a good family. He can't do anything on his own. It really gets under my skin!"

"Release Elgar!"

"Shut up!"

Sara groaned in pain as she was kicked.

"---Mother!"

Elgar tried to help but couldn't reach. The squad leader twisted his mouth and pulled Elgar's hair.

"Don't worry, I won't kill you. For now, that is."

He laughed and poked Elgar's head before tying him up. Elgar, frustrated, shed tears but could do nothing.

"…But Captain Ned is late. By the way, are the others still in the fortress?"

"There's something I need to report!"

"What is it? You should have said it earlier. I'll be the one to get scolded by the captain later."

"Really, I'm very sorry!"

Noel replied and approached the squad leader. Elgar glared at her, but she ignored him and saluted again.

"Here we go."

She then swung the hidden mace in a fluid motion.

The squad leader didn't even have time to scream and collapsed on the spot. His helmet had a large dent, and his limbs twitched.

She stepped on his throat with her right foot to finish him off. There was nothing more terrifying than a half-dead enemy. She had to finish the job properly, as she had been taught.

"---What, what?"

"Milt!"

Noel called out, but Milt stood frozen, unable to move. The plan was for Noel to take out one and for Milt to kill the Bahar soldier while he was distracted. But when the moment came, he couldn't act.

"---Eh, a, a"

Noel clicked her tongue and moved to finish the job herself, but a blade was already swinging down.

"…Don't hesitate on the battlefield. If you don't want to end up like this."

Cynthia swung her sword, wiping off the blood. The Bahar soldier was cleanly cut from the right shoulder. Cynthia had not been bound; she had just wrapped the red cloth behind her back.

She raised her sword and declared to the surrounding rebels.

"I am Cynthia, centurion of the Coinbra army! I've heard everything from Noel. If you surrender now, I'll let it go! Follow me or leave the rebellion peacefully!"

"You, shut up! We don't have to listen to you!"

After a moment of silence, a brave young man shouted. He had joined the rebellion of his own accord.

"Do you think untrained civilians can defeat us, the regular army? Drop your weapons if you don't want to die!"

Cynthia shouted and knocked the young man's spear out of his hands. The rebels, overwhelmed by her presence, finally began to drop their spears. Cynthia's subordinates immediately stood up, picked up their weapons, and took a fighting stance.

"I'll explain the situation. Why the rebellion started and what happens next is up to you. But joining the rebellion is a serious crime. Don't think that excuses like being coerced will hold up in the end."

After explaining the rebellion's background, the Coinbra soldiers, angry at times, listened. The members of the separate unit, half-believing, chose to leave the rebellion. Not only those who were coerced but also those who joined voluntarily realized they were being used by higher-ups.

Most chose to return to their hometowns, but the Zoim village group and a few others decided to follow Cynthia. Formally, they were treated as volunteer soldiers joining the Coinbra governor to repay a debt of gratitude. Of course, no one really believed in such noble intentions. "Form is important," Noel yawned, and a vein popped on Cynthia's temple.

"Lady Sara, are you hurt---"

"I'm fine. The arrow wound isn't serious."

"This failure, how can I apologize?"

"Thanks