Chapter 48: Map (2/2)

”Forget these matters, there'll obviously come a day where you're all rewarded for your service. Is there a need to feel sad? The disciples of the Apostles never met Jesus, but did they mope around like you few? Keep your heads up.”

”… We got it, big sister.” Michael pouted like a child. ”But won't Aina be needing her ax? How could she leave it here?”

Michael had no other intentions with his questions. He really was just asking innocently. However, there were others among their band that had weird expressions on their faces having heard this.

At this moment, Aina's massive ax was leaning on a wooden weapon rack at a corner of the military tent. But, this wasn't the most important point. The key here was that Joan had moved it from Leonel's tent to place it here. There wasn't anything inherently wrong with this action. After all, they would be heading out soon and Aina wasn't here. But, it just felt like there was something they couldn't put their finger on.

Just as Joan was about to try and dispel the awkward atmosphere, a voice suddenly came from the tent's entrance.

”Hello? Miss Joan? Can I come in?”

Joan blinked in astonishment, because the voice was actually Leonel's. What was going on?

Michael laughed happily. ”Come in, come in! We were just talking about you, you lucky bastard.”

Leonel's grinning face poked through the flaps to find the few of them having a meeting around a table. Since it was late, the space was illuminated by numerous candles. But, despite the fact it was a military tent, it carried a delicate fragrance that made it obvious a woman lived here.

”Leonel? Why are you here?” Joan asked as Leonel stepped into the tent.

Originally, Leonel had planned to use force to take what he needed. But then he shook his head. When had he become such a brute? The game of American Football seemed like a game of all brawn, but he'd lost count of how many times he had won a game with his mind instead of purely his arm. The National Championship was just another example.

Leonel made a gamble. He gambled that Joan, even if she knew that the Bishop's purpose was to kill him, she most definitely wouldn't want others to know this. Leonel was too well liked in the army for her to act against him openly. Even now, the solemn expressions of those commanders here had gained a wisp of a smile when he entered.

In addition, there was also the chance that Joan only had a feeling that the Bishop had bad intentions and no solid proof. In that case, she might even sigh a breath of relief that he had come back instead.

There were other possibilities as well, but they all ultimately led to the same conclusion: Joan couldn't do anything to him right now!

”I came to bid you all farewell.” Leonel smiled brightly, casually sweeping a glance at the strategy maps spread across the table. ”The Archbishop has given my sister and me a special mission.”

A few expressions of sadness crossed the faces of those here, causing Joan's expression to change. Since when had Leonel's prestige become so great? However, hearing Leonel address the Bishop as Archbishop rested a rock that had been hovering above her heart.

Leonel laughed and exchanged a few words with the commanders, embracing the likes of Jean and Michael like they were friends separating from a long while.

A long while later, Leonel turned to leave before smacking a palm to his forehead.

”I almost forgot. If I left it behind, my sister would kill me. Thank you for keeping it safe, Miss Joan.”

Under a chorus of laughter, Leonel hurriedly scurried to the back of the room, picked up Aina's massive ax, and left with an embarrassed expression.