Chapter 56 (1/2)

56.DANGEROUS OPPORTUNITY

At the same time, tumult and discussions also broke out in Arcadia´s side. Not only the signs of their defeat started to become more visible, but the head of their regiment commander was also taken. It was already impossible to prolong the war. In case they had to do so, then where were they supposed to find another regiment commander? To begin with, who was supposed to take responsibility of this situation? The scapegoat was obviously going to be…

“How are you going to take responsibility for this, Karl!?”

Karl was startled. Next to him at both of his sides were Frank and Ignahts, who had a sullen complexion in their faces, giving him their support. They already knew this was going to happen. (TL note: ->両隣にはフランクとイグナーツがカールを支えるも、顔色は冴えない<-never seen=”” mo=”” being=”” used=”” like=”” that=””>

“Didn´t the enemy attack from the gap you created? If you hadn´t moved out, the regiment commander wouldn´t have been killed. Am I wrong?”

Karl wanted to say he was wrong, but Karl had no basis to say that. Although his troops would have been put in a hard position by Anatour if he hadn´t moved out, by the end results, it was the undeniable truth that he fell in the enemy´s feint by doing so. Letting the [Black Wolf] pa.s.s through and get to the regiment commander was without doubts Willian´s and Karl´s fault.

“Then, are you telling us that he should have brought Anatour down or stopped the [Black Wolf]?”

Anzerm spoke. The other centurion held his tongue. Anzerm was above him both in terms of n.o.bility status and achievements in the military.

“That would be the same for the others, wouldn´t it? There are many others that were broken through by Nehderks´ troops without being able to react to their sudden change in the movement pattern. If that didn´t happen, this situation wouldn´t come to be. Although it is fine to look for flaws on others, you might as well be digging yourself your own grave. More importantly than that, shouldn´t we be thinking about our strategy for tomorrow´s battle?”

Anzerm´s words were extremely reasonable. However, he couldn´t keep up his speech. Everyone knew it after all. They knew they were completely cornered.

“The arrangements for a new regiment commander are already under way. We must at least put our earnest efforts to hold our ground. If we lose more than we already have, all the people present here will need to resolve themselves for the punishment there will be to come.”(TL note:->めて中立の緩衝地帯に出来るよう鋭意努力しろとのことだ<- actually=”” he=”” is=”” saying=”” something=”” about=”” “creating=”” a=”” buffer=”” zone”.=”” if=”” i=”” had=”” to=”” guess,=”” he=”” means=”” they=”” need=”” to=”” have=”” the=”” front=”” lines=”” be=”” one=”” the=”” enemy=”” can´t=”” do=”” as=”” they=””>

Those were the words of the centurion with the highest status present in the place, the centurion Gilberto. Everyone became even more silent because of those words. It was only the trembling of the candles that showed movement at the place.

“…Karl von Teirah.”

“Yes.h.!.+”

Karl bit his tongue because of how surprised he became due to how Gilberto suddenly called him.

“How is that man?”

“That man”. Karl knew who Gilberto was talking about from the moment the question was asked.

“Willian is… Uh, the ten-man squad leader Willian is currently resting. Uhm…. Do you have anything you want to ask him?”

Hearing Karl´s words, Gilberto frowned. Karn became frightened. However, Gilberto wouldn´t pay any mind to Karl. Rather, the one he was interested about was at the man behind his merit.

“Let´s end this for the moment. Each of you properly rest up. We will be taking this up early in the morning. Anzerm, Gregour, and also Karl. The three of you stay here. The rest are dismissed.”

Gilberto ended the meeting with just a few words. All the other centurions unsteadily left the place. The only people remaining there were Gilberto, Anzerm, Gregour, and Karl.

“Go call that man; that ten-man squad leader of Karl´s army. The two of you don´t need to return after that.’

Frightened, Frank and Ignahts became petrified. They deeply lowered their heads and left the place.

“What do you intend to do, Gilberto?”

Gregour asked. He couldn´t understand the reason behind calling Willian in the current situation. It was because only the four of them remained at the place that it wasn´t going to become a hunt for someone to take responsibility. To begin with, the one responsible for this was Karl after all. In addition, the one to thought up their strategy was also [Karl]. There was no reason to call Willian, his sword, to ask him for his wisdom.

“We should end this worthless farce already. Right now,  we are at a situation we need to lend that man´s wisdom after all.”

Gilberto´s face was filled with repugnance.

Willian was wrapped up with bandages tainted in blood at all places. He didn´t have his usual air of leisure, and it was possible to hear the sound of him clenching his teeth at the times he was a.s.saulted by the pain. Right now, he had wounds throughout his whole body. It was visible how much he had overextended himself in today´s battle.

“Do you know the reason why you were called?

Willian had vacant eyes. He flatly spoke.

“Could it be I was called because I let the enemies get through?”

Once he heard that, Gilberto pointed his sword to Willian. It was at a speed that Anzerm, Gregour, Karl; none of the people present at the place were able to react. Willian was silently looking at the sword.

“Do not speak worthless gibberish. I am in a very bad mood. My hands might get out of control.”

Gilberto turned his eyes to Karl.

“Teirah. If you tell me any lies, I will destroy your household. Answer with that in mind. The one to have controlled you from behind the scenes until now was that man, wasn´t it? Though his strength is certified, even the strategies… were all controlled by that man. Am I wrong?”

Karl tried to look at Willian. In response to that action…

“Karl von Teirah! If you are truly a respectable n.o.ble, do not inquire for the face expression of the likes of this commoner! I am asking this question to you. Yes or no; I will have you give me your answer.”

Gilberto´s rebuke flew. Now that it became like that, whether it was Karl, whether it was Willian, neither could act carelessly.

Karl casted his eyes down. It was impossible to keep silent any longer. Although Gregour didn´t understand very well what was happening, Anzerm awaited for Karl´s answer with a calm face.

Besides, Karl´s conscience couldn´t endure it anymore. The feeling of taking away all of Willian´s achievements, and the way he was one-sidedly using him (of course, without noticing Willian´s goal) made up a completely crooked friends.h.i.+p. Although it was only after all this time after coming all the way here, Karl was still going to be Willian´s friend at the end. A friends.h.i.+p of equals. Because of that…

“…That´s right. Everything… were all Willian´s plans. I was only using him.”

Karl muttered while hanging his head down.