I Pretended To Have Amnesia and the Hero’s Party Becomes Obsessed

35 – 5. Desire Inevitably Flows West (4)

I made a big mistake.

The words didn’t come out because I was breathless.

Although my breathing had already calmed down, I couldn’t open my mouth. The sharp wind of the prairie seemed to sweep away even the words I wanted to say.

I was just holding Parsley’s wrist tightly, afraid she might run away.

However, the awkward confrontation didn’t last long.

“Rem, Vice Commander of the Rose Rem Mercenary Corps, is that correct?”

A neutral voice, and the first thing that caught my eye was the spells engraved on both forearms. Then, a playful smile appeared.

“I’m Betty Aylraed. Nice to meet you.”

I was frozen, and he reluctantly shook the hand he extended.

“Yes, but what on earth…”

“It’s a coincidence. I wanted to ask you about that too. More precisely, I wanted to seek your understanding rather than ask.”

I couldn’t hide my confusion. Then suddenly, I realized that it wasn’t him, but her.

The attire belonged to a man, but the curves revealed beneath it were undoubtedly feminine.

She opened her mouth, a hesitant smile on her lips.

“Unfortunately, Parsley has somewhere urgent to be right now. If you have any business with Parsley, could you come back later?”

The first thing that came to mind upon hearing that was reluctance.

Considering Parsley’s actions, it was inevitable.

In Ahlottle, she left without saying a word to me. She didn’t even respond to the letter I sent through Irene.

There was no guarantee she wouldn’t vanish unexpectedly again.

However, it wasn’t me who refused.

“Sorry, Betty, can we clear the schedule for today?”

I glanced at Parsley with a bewildered expression. With an uneasy look, Parsley spoke as if driven by necessity.

“I have something to discuss with my long-time friend.”

Long-time friend—unconsciously, I felt the corners of my mouth rise at that word.

But in contrast, Betty’s mouth turned coldly rigid.

“Are you telling me who you’re meeting right now?”

“I know, just tell them I’m sorry.”

“You won’t achieve what you want this way. Do you plan to waste this long trip for nothing?”

“I’m just postponing a promise for a day, that’s all.”

The conversation took a strange turn. I stared at Betty and Parsley whose gazes were gradually sharpening.

“Weren’t you the one who said you wouldn’t do anything until you left Matop?”

“Wasn’t that under the assumption that your words were true? Wasn’t there a condition? You haven’t checked the item yet, have you?”

“Wait a moment.”

I couldn’t help but interject. And, suppressing my reluctance, I spoke.

“Parsley, I’ll come find you separately later. Is that okay?”

Honestly, the unease that Parsley might disappear again didn’t vanish.

But I disliked the idea of her facing unnecessary repercussions more.

“…No, I’ll come find you. It’s the barracks of the Rosehelm Mercenaries, right?

…And for reasons unknown, right now, it seemed like she wanted the conversation more than I did.

I nodded at Parsley, wearing a pressed-down hat, with a wary glance.

“Yes, I’ll let the kids know in advance.”

“Got it, I’ll come see you as soon as this is done. Then…”

And then, her sharp gaze turns to Betty.

“Guide me again.”

“Yes, Lady Parsley.”

Betty, as if wondering when I would notice, nodded with a sly smile. And just before heading back on the path, she glanced at me.

It might not have been more than a second in terms of time.

Nevertheless, in that moment, I was captivated by the illusion that my inner thoughts had been completely revealed.

I stupidly stood there, watching Parsley and Betty move away.

Then, realizing I also had to meet the commander, I turned my steps.

…But, Ailraid.

The surname sounds familiar from somewhere…

***

“Commander, the cavalry hasn’t returned yet.”

It was the news I heard as soon as I arrived at the Rosehelm Mercenary Corps barracks.

The old man sat on a box, looking up at me as he spoke. He seemed five years older than when I last saw him.

“Still? And why is that noble with the cavalry?”

“He used to only bother with the knights, but occasionally he goes to the battlefield with the cavalry. I don’t know why.”

But I could guess.

Maybe there was someone he wanted to check on.

“Anyway, even a piece of shit has its uses when it comes to medicine…”

I clicked my tongue and brought a box to sit across from him.

“So, how much more have you suffered in the past few months? How much thinner is your already thin face? Tell me the story.”

As if waiting for only those words, the old man opened his mouth.

“Ah, sir, spare me your words…”

And the story he told was almost identical to what the informant had said.

A mobile fortress causing a loss of morale,

Insufficient supplies due to interrupted logistics,

Added to that, the sly intrigues typical of courtiers.

But there was something entirely new.

“A treasure?”

Surprisingly, the old man’s eyes sparkled.

“So, that’s what happened, hyung? It’s already spreading among the soldiers. They say the socialites are doing this to protect the treasure.”

“What kind of treasure?”

“Well, there are stories about a staff that turns everything it touches into gold, and some even say it’s a spring that restores youth…”

I frowned deeply.

“In the end, it’s all just hearsay. Isn’t the treasure itself a mere myth?”

“I thought so too, but it’s a bit strange, isn’t it? I’ve become friends with the guards near the command post…”

I interrupted the informant’s words by raising my hand. I had too many worries of my own lately to take this conspiracy theory seriously.

“Alright then, so the conclusion is that it will all end once the supplies arrive?”

“Yes, well, it was a lot of trouble, but that seems to be the conclusion. Besides, even if the socialites have large numbers, can they stand against the regular army?”

In the end, it was the same conclusion as the captain had drawn.

However, instead of feeling relieved, I grimaced. The uneasiness lingered like a shadow that couldn’t be erased.

Thud-

The sound of hooves interrupted my contemplation.

“Oh, it seems the captain has arrived.”

I stood up from my seat and looked towards the direction of the sound.

And then, I was captivated by a memory.

Rose always returned at dusk. It was when I was putting the stew over the fire.

She became a dot in the distance, a flickering light, and finally a knight on a horse.

And just as the stew was about to boil, she dismounted. She took off her helmet, revealing her face.

Her eyes were always filled with a hint of sadness,

yet her face was still beautiful.

“Deputy Commander!”

…She didn’t have that immature face anymore…

I smiled widely as I looked pitifully at the captain running towards me.

But then, as if it couldn’t be helped, she opened her arms and gave me a small smile.

After all, it had been a few months since we last saw each other, so it was good to see her.

I prepared myself to embrace her. She seemed to have the same idea and reached her arms out towards me.

Oh, but wait, it seems like the position is a bit higher…

“Hey!”

“This little brat is dating without my permission?! And without even contacting me?!?”

“Now, wait, Captain, I can’t breathe…!”

“How could you do this to me!! How could you do this!!”

“Cap…cough…”

As I felt my consciousness slipping away, I tapped on the captain’s arm, which was squeezing my throat.

***

Fortunately, the worst didn’t happen, and I didn’t lose consciousness. It was thanks to Pea’s intervention in the middle of it.

However, Pea couldn’t prevent what happened afterward. No, maybe she wouldn’t even try to stop it.

“Explain.”

Inside the shabby barracks, Captain stared at me from the table. I scratched my head and replied.

“Captain, do I still have the teleportation stone you gave me?”

Without a word, the captain took out the necklace from his chest. The teleportation stone hung at the end of the leather necklace.

Good, at least the means of coercion are intact.

I slightly opened the barracks door and called for Cojaeng.

“Cojaeng, please bring Irene.”

“Sure.”

Then, I looked back at the captain.

“Explain.”

A shorter and more uneven voice than before. Perplexed, I asked.

“Aren’t you curious why I’m calling Irene?”

“Explain, quickly.”

I swallowed a sigh inwardly. Sitting across from her, I spoke.

“What do you want me to explain?”

“Did you say things went well with the potential saint? Pea told me on the way here.”

I expected it, but hearing it firsthand, I couldn’t help but sigh.

“It’s not like that.”

“She kissed you passionately on a snowy day?”

“…It’s not like that.”

“She even said to wait for her. She proposed, saying she would crawl back to you even if she had to use her teeth.”

“Really, it’s not like that.”

“Exchanging letters too?”

I looked directly into the captain’s eyes and said firmly, repeatedly, “No.”

At that moment, the captain’s eyes became tinged with confusion.

“Wait, are you really going to this extent when we’re not even dating? Second-in-command, are you out of your mind?”

I was momentarily stunned and couldn’t continue speaking. Taking advantage of the pause, the captain suddenly seemed to understand and nodded in agreement.

“Well, if you’ve heard stories from the past, there might be a bit of a playboy tendency…”

“No, why is the conversation going in that direction?”

“Then what?”

At the captain’s abrupt remark, I was left speechless.

Unintentionally, I avoided eye contact. After hesitating for a while, I finally managed to speak up.

“Just, uh… getting to know each other.”

Even saying it, I felt pathetic.

Getting to know each other? It was a phrase even a five-year-old wouldn’t use.

But at that moment, I couldn’t come up with a better response.

“Second-in-command, are you feeling embarrassed right now?”

Some things only reveal their true essence when put into words. I felt my face flush with heat.

“Oh my, the renowned second-in-command, who never blushed or faltered even in high-level meetings, is blushing like this? Is that right, Second-in-command?”

“Shut up, Captain.”

But instead of quieting down, the captain laughed louder, as if it were ridiculously funny.

I struggled to suppress the desire to lash out at the captain. It wasn’t difficult.

“Congratulations.”

Eventually, with that statement, everything was washed away.

I lifted my eyes to look at the captain.

A smile had appeared on the captain’s face. It was an artificial smile meant to suppress emotions.

“…Didn’t you like it?”

“Me? Why?”

The captain stood up and plopped down next to me. A strong scent of roses wafted to my nose.

“Second-in-command, I’ve always said it, but there’s only one thing I desire.”

She smiled and placed a finger on my chest.

“The thing that makes you happy.”

Her eyes curved, and her blue eyes sparkled brightly.

“But how could I dislike the fact that you’ve found a lover?”

It was a sweet-sounding remark, but I frowned. Chimi was to blame for having a way with words.

Nevertheless, I couldn’t bring myself to say those words.

“Hyung-nim…?”

The tent opened slightly, revealing the enormous nose of Kojangi. The captain casually stood up and asked.

“Why?”

“Oh, Captain, it’s because Irene said she’s not feeling well…”

Not feeling well?

She was perfectly fine just this morning.

“Alright, go check on her.”

“Yes, hyung-nim. Captain, please rest well too.”

The tent closed again.

The captain, who had returned with a mischievous expression, turned to me.

“So, why did you bring the baggage handler for the hero’s party?”

“Are you asking me that now?”

“There are priorities in work, you know.”

I sighed and roughly explained Irene’s situation.

“…So, you’re going to threaten her with the return stone to make her join?”

“That’s right.”

“Sub-captain, you’re really something, huh?”

I shrugged my shoulders.

“I need a break too.”

And Irene was the only person I knew who could contact Amy. At least until I could meet Amy again, I couldn’t let her go.

“Now, is it my turn to ask questions?”

I looked at the captain with a clenched fist.

“You said you’d finish the promise, what on earth does that mean?”

The captain seemed to have been waiting only for that question. As soon as I said those words, a gleam returned to her eyes.

She once again bounced onto the table, rubbing her hands together with a meaningful smile.

“The rumor that the cultists are guarding a treasure. Have you heard it already?”

However, what she said was not an answer but a question. I narrowed my eyes.

“Yes, I’ve heard it, but there’s nothing particularly believable about it…”

“That rumor is true.”

I raised an eyebrow.

The leader lowered his eyes and spoke.

“It’s true that the cultists have a powerful artifact. I heard the story directly from the chief knight, so you can believe it. Of course, they’re not exactly guarding it.”

“…And how does that relate to our agreement?”

“That treasure can heal your heart.”

The leader smiled.

“That was the promise. I broke it, and I’ll fix it myself.”