My Desertion Would Be Faster Than Heros’ Obsession

"Since Miss Salvia came from another unit and we haven’t seen each other for long, I thought… perhaps you were a spy sent by the state to monitor us. But on second thought, anyone can see you’re a hetero sapien, so that wouldn’t make sense."
"Why would the state… oh."
The company commander gave me a sharp look, as if telling me not to continue that train of thought, so I quickly shut my mouth.

I didn’t know exactly what he was implying, but probably…
‘We can’t let it seem like the Arkons are harboring too much resentment over all these deaths.’
If we give the impression that we’re holding grudges against the state, the Border Defense Army could be seen as a potential threat. Despite the relentless deaths of Arkons, the soldiers were expected to keep their bitterness buried.

In that situation, if the tragic stories of fallen officers were openly passed down within the unit, and it became known that their keepsakes were being preserved, the officers here could face disciplinary action.
That was likely why the company commander had deliberately downplayed their deaths when I first brought it up.
"Then, I’d like to request a meeting with the battalion commander."

"In a situation like this, I can arrange it."
Seemingly convinced that I was on their side, the company commander’s attitude shifted completely, and he readily granted my request.
And just like that, I suddenly found myself scheduled to meet with this unit’s battalion commander. Most soldiers would probably be nervous about facing their battalion commander, but…

‘I’ve already had an audience with my previous unit’s battalion commander and barely avoided getting thrown in the brig.’
Back then, I had even tested his stance on the imperial family. Compared to that, bringing up the topic of keepsakes with this battalion commander would be a walk in the park.
***

A short while later, I was sitting on the sofa in the battalion commander’s office. Given my experience with battalion offices, I wasn’t particularly nervous.
Because I looked so calm, the battalion commander regarded me with mild suspicion before getting to the point.
"So, Miss Salvia, you claim to know the child of the captain who died in battle?"

"Yes, that’s correct."
"How exactly do you know he’s their child?"
"Anyone could tell just by looking. The resemblance is undeniable."
"His age?"

"He turned twenty-one this year."
It wasn’t solid proof, but realizing that the ages matched, the battalion commander’s expression softened slightly.
"Are you absolutely certain?"

"Yes. If you see him in person, you’ll think the same, Commander. And…"
The battalion commander was an Arkon. The company commander was as well. Given the Snowy Mountain Battalion’s high mortality rate, most of the officers here were Arkons.
My previous battalion commander in Cledore Mountain Battalion had hoped for a new wind of change in the nation.

It was only natural that the officers in the Snowy Mountain Battalion felt the same. The more extreme the conditions they suffered, the more likely they were to seek revolution.
The company commander had initially been wary of me, and the battalion commander was reluctant to hand over the keepsake for a simple reason. They did, in fact, hold dangerous thoughts against the state, and preserving the keepsakes of the fallen was part of that sentiment.
That meant obtaining the keepsake wouldn’t be difficult. All I had to do was subtly imply that I shared their perspective.

"I will, of course, keep the fact that you’ve held onto this keepsake a secret, Commander. I don’t want the officers of this unit to face unnecessary danger."
“…What exactly do you mean by that?"
"I mean that I want to protect those who do the right thing."

The battalion commander’s expression turned cold, and for a moment, I tensed. His years of experience far outweighed mine, and the pressure he exuded was overwhelming.
"...Just as the rumors say."
"Excuse me? I didn’t quite catch that?"

"The soldiers say you’re no pushover."
…How the hell did that rumor reach even the battalion commander?
While I sat there looking bewildered, the battalion commander relaxed his expression and reached into his coat. Moments later, he pulled out a pendant necklace and handed it to me.

"Take it."
I opened the round pendant strung on a silver chain and found a single dried flower inside.
"What is this?"

"A keepsake passed down within the unit. When the major in charge at the time of the incident was reassigned, he was unable to deliver it to the captain’s child before leaving."
Ah, so that’s how the keepsake was left behind.
"The next commander who took over intended to deliver it, but they were unable to make contact. Since then, it has remained with the unit."

During that time, Karon must have been living with his adoptive parents before being taken by the black magician.
"The captain was wearing it around his neck when he died. If we ever found his child, we thought it should be given to them."
I stared at the bright yellow flower inside the pendant. I had no idea what significance it held for him, but this was undoubtedly the keepsake.

"If you meet the person you claim to know, pass it on."
"Understood. But… are you really entrusting this to me so easily?"
It seemed far too simple. He was handing over a keepsake based on nothing but my claim that they looked alike. I eyed the battalion commander warily, and he responded with a nonchalant shrug.

"If he truly is their son, he’ll find meaning in this pendant."
‘Something only Karon would recognize?’
The yellow flower didn’t seem to hold any clues, so I frowned. Sensing my skepticism, the battalion commander casually added:

"There’s something only the chosen can see… Otherwise, it’s just an ordinary item."
…No idea what that meant, but I’d have to ask Karon if he saw anything in this pendant.
I lowered my gaze and studied the pendant again. It felt surreal that I had not only uncovered news about Karon’s parents but was also able to retrieve their keepsake.

Was this fate?
Maybe I was assigned to the infamously brutal Snowy Mountain Battalion because of some grand destiny—wait, no. Hell no. Thinking about it just pissed me off.
Karon could’ve just been sent to this unit instead!

Why did I always get stuck with the tough jobs? There was no doubt—I was cursed.
Damn fate, seriously!
I had barely managed to escape my own death, struggled to keep Altair alive, and now—

That’s when it hit me.
There was another reason I had to be assigned to this unit instead of Karon.
"Commander."

"What is it?"
"If, in the future, I find myself acting in a way that doesn’t go against your ideals, may I ask for your support?"
The battalion commander looked at me with a serious expression, and I continued in a steady voice.

"I mean when I act in alignment with all our beliefs."
"Hah…"
A sigh escaped the commander’s lips.

"You really are something else."
And of course, the next words out of his mouth were already decided.
"…Since you reached out first, it’s only right that I take your hand."

That was as good as a promise—if I ever sought his aid in dismantling the empire’s system, he would comply.
The other reason I had to be in this unit… was because this place was filled with officers harboring dangerous ideologies.
I needed to build connections here.

Perhaps this truly was my destiny.
If I’m going out, I’m taking the whole damn empire with me!
And so, once again, I ended my day reinforcing my commitment to revolution.

***
In a small village, a lone castle stood tall.
In its frigid garden, a man stood, wrapped in monochrome clothing.

Winter tilted his head back, gazing at the sky.
“Haa…”
As his breath escaped into the cold air, he thought of a girl who was particularly sensitive to the cold.

"Two years left…"
Others might call it foolish, but to him, that time was nothing—insignificant compared to the depth of his feelings.
Knock, knock, knock.

The sound of knocking echoed through the castle doors.
Winter strode forward and opened them, revealing the faces he had been waiting for.
"Altair, Yuri."

"Been a while."
"You doing okay, Winter~?"
Each of them carried a gift in hand as they entered.

Altair let out a whistle, taking in the sight of the castle before glancing at Winter.
"Still holding onto the same feelings?"
"Once I’ve set my heart on something, it never changes."

"Yeah… figured as much."
"Enough with the small talk. Let’s get to the point."
As Altair bantered with Winter, Yuri settled onto the sofa, her expression stoic.

Finally, the three sat together.
"Alright, we need to discuss this."
"Seriously, I can’t figure out what she’s thinking."

As Winter waited silently, Altair looked at the others before speaking.
"Let’s talk about the scouting proposal from Lady April."