Bruno's eyes were filled with emotion as he approached the table. Aaron avoided the burdensome gaze and looked into his pocket. Bruno whispered.
“You really don’t know how much we’ve drawn you.”
The bag was placed on the table. It was so huge that it made a constant rattling sound. It filled half the table. Countless gold coins were visible through the open gap. Aaron, with a serious expression, refused.
“I can’t accept money in return for saving your life.”
“Take it. It’s my personal expense that I set aside to reward the person who found you. But since I found you myself, didn’t I lose the owner? I can give it to you. Honestly, considering my worth, I feel quite insulted that I’m willing to pay for my life with something like 700 gold... However, I have a schedule at the moment. You’re not saying that this amount isn’t enough for someone from Biscov, are you?”
“Biscov was abandoned.”
“Wise. When I first heard the rumors about you, you were already being accused within the Biscov family of being an accomplice to the soldier who killed Caleb Biscov. Do you wonder who is in charge of Biscov now?”
“Flan Biscov. Or Ruberner Biscov. I think it’s probably one of the two, so I’m not really curious.”
Aaron answered in a calm tone.
When he ran away, the Biscov family lost its only heir, so it was quite predictable that cousins and relatives would rush in like ogres to divide the family. And once he was declared missing, they wouldn't leave his place behind.
Aaron had no regrets about killing Claude inside him, despite his disillusionment with it all.
Nick smiled happily.
“You talk like it’s someone else’s business.”
“Because it’s not my job.”
“The point is, you have nowhere to turn anymore. You look pretty bad now, so I think this will help. Just take it.”
“It’s enough that you saved me today.”
Despite repeated rejections, Nick remained firm. It was different from when he had offered asylum.
“It is not enough. It is one thing for a Dublin soldier to try to kill me, a Ramrock soldier, on the battlefield, and another thing for a Ramrock soldier to try to kill a former Dublin soldier who was tyrannizing civilians in a peaceful village. And I will help you whenever you encounter any other inconveniences. If you want to see me, come to Central Military Headquarters and leave a letter for Bruno Lieber. Bruno is that guy, and he likes you quite a bit, so he will remember you and pass it on to me.”
But Aaron had no intention of being discouraged.
“No, I can’t accept it this way. I don’t regret saving you. But you are the one who invaded the capital of my home country after that.”
“Oh, you feel like you sold out your country. But I don’t want to feel like a rotten person who can’t repay their benefactor. I said earlier that those idiot corrupt soldiers have no right to retaliate, but that doesn’t apply to Hamilton soldiers. The Hamilton family tradition is to give back as much as you receive, so I will retaliate by giving back to you. If you don’t take it, I will make you take it.”
After frowning for a while, Aaron finally took a step back and took out five gold coins from his pocket. Just enough to repay the favor to Leila and Bend. However, Nick muttered with a very disappointed expression.
“...The price of my life is only five gold coins.”
“You can’t divide a person’s value into expensive and cheap by putting a price tag on it. If you’re trying to embarrass me, then stop.”
“This is truly a sermon worthy of a military officer who rescued an enemy high-ranking official.”
Nick glared at Bruno with his chin still resting on his hand. Bruno, who had been met with a look of resentment instead, turned away with a look of resentment.
“Are you not going back again? To your hometown?”
"Yes."
“Even if you die?”
Aaron tried to read Nick's persistent questioning, but it was no use. Nick spoke. This time to Bruno.
“Then let’s do this. Bruno, you said there were about 100 households in this village?”
“As far as I can tell, yes!”
“Sprinkle it on each household. This is Aaron Jenner’s way of thanking us for saving Nick Hamilton from Ramrock, and it is a reward for welcoming Aaron Jenner into the village and running the military for the past few months.”
Aaron's lips parted slightly at the idea of giving away such a huge amount of money without a second thought. Coming from Eastern Rock, Aaron knew how stingy the wealthy could be with their possessions, so honestly, Nick seemed pretty impressive.
Nick nodded briefly, perhaps taking some time out of his busy schedule, before heading for the door.
Aaron, who had been quietly watching him, suddenly stopped him with a slightly louder voice.
“One thing.”
Nick looked back.
“Please speak.”
“Do you think, Brigadier General Hamilton, that Dublin and Ramrock will not be in harmony in the future? In our generation.”
Nick's gray eyes, which had previously shown no emotion, gradually began to show a sense of pride. Nick let out a shallow sigh and ordered Bruno to wait before taking two more steps toward Aaron.
“Perhaps so. I, like all Ramrockians, remember that it was the Dubliners who persecuted my country. It will take a long time to forget that.”
A bitter taste tingled the tip of his tongue.
“I understand.”
“But equally, I will not forget that the humanitarian soldier who saved my life was a Dubliner. I believe and will try to find more people like you in Dublin. You can believe it. Hey, Bruno. Wrap it up.”
Bruno snickered at Nick's sly command, then quickly wiped his expression and added.
“Even after the war, the Hamiltons had been thinking of reconciliation with Dublin. There certainly were anti-Dublin forces, but they also felt that the ill will of the people towards their neighbors could lead to a decline in social and economic development...”
“I understand.”
Nick burst into laughter at the cut-off answer.
“Hey, you’re boring.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself! And can I say one more thing?”
Nick raised one eyebrow and looked at Bruno. Aaron accepted instead.
“Do it.”
“The last war between Ramrock and Dublin was a war in which your country was destined to lose. In a social atmosphere that desired the massacre of Dubliners, no one wanted to peacefully occupy a capital city and end the war. If my superior, Commodore Hamilton, had not changed the plan and taken the capital city in a 35-minute naval battle, Dublin would have been in even greater trouble.”
“...”
“After he died and came back to life, he's become so humane... Whew!”
Nick slapped Bruno on the back of the head as he tried to babble. Bruno quickly bowed his head and apologized before speaking. Aaron was speechless. He knew that what the man was saying was comforting, so he couldn't make any expression.
Nick, who had been staring at Aaron, waved his hand.
“Leave it alone. It’s embarrassing.”
“Please let me finish what I was saying.”
Aaron demanded in a tight voice.
“I want to hear it.”
Nick crossed his arms, letting out a faint sigh. Bruno continued, watching Nick closely.
“Well, anyway, the one who first proposed the strategy of ignoring the land route and going around the sea to attack the capital was Brigadier General Hamilton here, and when everyone wanted to occupy Dublin by land and expand their territory, the one who supported the Brigadier General’s strategy to end the war in a short time was His Excellency President Belgrier Hamilton. You, who saved the life of my esteemed superior, Brigadier General Nick Hamilton, therefore, saved Dublin...”
“You keep babbling on and on. Even confidential information.”
“General, who says they don’t know? This isn’t a national secret, because everyone who knows is already talking about it. And I’m so touched right now. That ridiculous search order has finally been lifted and we’re free...”
Nick chuckled and clenched his fist. Bruno quickly made a move to raise his guard, but what actually came flying was not a punch, but a kick.
“Vulnerability.”
Kkundangtang!
“You really don’t know how much we’ve drawn you.”
The bag was placed on the table. It was so huge that it made a constant rattling sound. It filled half the table. Countless gold coins were visible through the open gap. Aaron, with a serious expression, refused.
“I can’t accept money in return for saving your life.”
“Take it. It’s my personal expense that I set aside to reward the person who found you. But since I found you myself, didn’t I lose the owner? I can give it to you. Honestly, considering my worth, I feel quite insulted that I’m willing to pay for my life with something like 700 gold... However, I have a schedule at the moment. You’re not saying that this amount isn’t enough for someone from Biscov, are you?”
“Biscov was abandoned.”
“Wise. When I first heard the rumors about you, you were already being accused within the Biscov family of being an accomplice to the soldier who killed Caleb Biscov. Do you wonder who is in charge of Biscov now?”
“Flan Biscov. Or Ruberner Biscov. I think it’s probably one of the two, so I’m not really curious.”
Aaron answered in a calm tone.
When he ran away, the Biscov family lost its only heir, so it was quite predictable that cousins and relatives would rush in like ogres to divide the family. And once he was declared missing, they wouldn't leave his place behind.
Aaron had no regrets about killing Claude inside him, despite his disillusionment with it all.
Nick smiled happily.
“You talk like it’s someone else’s business.”
“Because it’s not my job.”
“The point is, you have nowhere to turn anymore. You look pretty bad now, so I think this will help. Just take it.”
“It’s enough that you saved me today.”
Despite repeated rejections, Nick remained firm. It was different from when he had offered asylum.
“It is not enough. It is one thing for a Dublin soldier to try to kill me, a Ramrock soldier, on the battlefield, and another thing for a Ramrock soldier to try to kill a former Dublin soldier who was tyrannizing civilians in a peaceful village. And I will help you whenever you encounter any other inconveniences. If you want to see me, come to Central Military Headquarters and leave a letter for Bruno Lieber. Bruno is that guy, and he likes you quite a bit, so he will remember you and pass it on to me.”
But Aaron had no intention of being discouraged.
“No, I can’t accept it this way. I don’t regret saving you. But you are the one who invaded the capital of my home country after that.”
“Oh, you feel like you sold out your country. But I don’t want to feel like a rotten person who can’t repay their benefactor. I said earlier that those idiot corrupt soldiers have no right to retaliate, but that doesn’t apply to Hamilton soldiers. The Hamilton family tradition is to give back as much as you receive, so I will retaliate by giving back to you. If you don’t take it, I will make you take it.”
After frowning for a while, Aaron finally took a step back and took out five gold coins from his pocket. Just enough to repay the favor to Leila and Bend. However, Nick muttered with a very disappointed expression.
“...The price of my life is only five gold coins.”
“You can’t divide a person’s value into expensive and cheap by putting a price tag on it. If you’re trying to embarrass me, then stop.”
“This is truly a sermon worthy of a military officer who rescued an enemy high-ranking official.”
Nick glared at Bruno with his chin still resting on his hand. Bruno, who had been met with a look of resentment instead, turned away with a look of resentment.
“Are you not going back again? To your hometown?”
"Yes."
“Even if you die?”
Aaron tried to read Nick's persistent questioning, but it was no use. Nick spoke. This time to Bruno.
“Then let’s do this. Bruno, you said there were about 100 households in this village?”
“As far as I can tell, yes!”
“Sprinkle it on each household. This is Aaron Jenner’s way of thanking us for saving Nick Hamilton from Ramrock, and it is a reward for welcoming Aaron Jenner into the village and running the military for the past few months.”
Aaron's lips parted slightly at the idea of giving away such a huge amount of money without a second thought. Coming from Eastern Rock, Aaron knew how stingy the wealthy could be with their possessions, so honestly, Nick seemed pretty impressive.
Nick nodded briefly, perhaps taking some time out of his busy schedule, before heading for the door.
Aaron, who had been quietly watching him, suddenly stopped him with a slightly louder voice.
“One thing.”
Nick looked back.
“Please speak.”
“Do you think, Brigadier General Hamilton, that Dublin and Ramrock will not be in harmony in the future? In our generation.”
Nick's gray eyes, which had previously shown no emotion, gradually began to show a sense of pride. Nick let out a shallow sigh and ordered Bruno to wait before taking two more steps toward Aaron.
“Perhaps so. I, like all Ramrockians, remember that it was the Dubliners who persecuted my country. It will take a long time to forget that.”
A bitter taste tingled the tip of his tongue.
“I understand.”
“But equally, I will not forget that the humanitarian soldier who saved my life was a Dubliner. I believe and will try to find more people like you in Dublin. You can believe it. Hey, Bruno. Wrap it up.”
Bruno snickered at Nick's sly command, then quickly wiped his expression and added.
“Even after the war, the Hamiltons had been thinking of reconciliation with Dublin. There certainly were anti-Dublin forces, but they also felt that the ill will of the people towards their neighbors could lead to a decline in social and economic development...”
“I understand.”
Nick burst into laughter at the cut-off answer.
“Hey, you’re boring.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself! And can I say one more thing?”
Nick raised one eyebrow and looked at Bruno. Aaron accepted instead.
“Do it.”
“The last war between Ramrock and Dublin was a war in which your country was destined to lose. In a social atmosphere that desired the massacre of Dubliners, no one wanted to peacefully occupy a capital city and end the war. If my superior, Commodore Hamilton, had not changed the plan and taken the capital city in a 35-minute naval battle, Dublin would have been in even greater trouble.”
“...”
“After he died and came back to life, he's become so humane... Whew!”
Nick slapped Bruno on the back of the head as he tried to babble. Bruno quickly bowed his head and apologized before speaking. Aaron was speechless. He knew that what the man was saying was comforting, so he couldn't make any expression.
Nick, who had been staring at Aaron, waved his hand.
“Leave it alone. It’s embarrassing.”
“Please let me finish what I was saying.”
Aaron demanded in a tight voice.
“I want to hear it.”
Nick crossed his arms, letting out a faint sigh. Bruno continued, watching Nick closely.
“Well, anyway, the one who first proposed the strategy of ignoring the land route and going around the sea to attack the capital was Brigadier General Hamilton here, and when everyone wanted to occupy Dublin by land and expand their territory, the one who supported the Brigadier General’s strategy to end the war in a short time was His Excellency President Belgrier Hamilton. You, who saved the life of my esteemed superior, Brigadier General Nick Hamilton, therefore, saved Dublin...”
“You keep babbling on and on. Even confidential information.”
“General, who says they don’t know? This isn’t a national secret, because everyone who knows is already talking about it. And I’m so touched right now. That ridiculous search order has finally been lifted and we’re free...”
Nick chuckled and clenched his fist. Bruno quickly made a move to raise his guard, but what actually came flying was not a punch, but a kick.
“Vulnerability.”
Kkundangtang!
Nick smirked at Bruno, who fell down with a loud thud. Bruno got up and laughed, saying, “Oh, I got hit again..” Even though he got hit, he still seemed to be in a good mood. Even Aaron smiled at that sight.
“It may not be comforting, but thank you.”
Nick turned around neatly and smiled.
“I’m not trying to comfort you. Anyway, you looked sloppy. I’m going to go now, Lieutenant.”
Then he raised his right hand and saluted. It was quite surprising to receive a salute from someone of the rank of brigadier general. Aaron looked at him for a moment and then saluted back.
With respect.
Leila was sitting in the open lobby of the first-floor inn, held by an unfamiliar medical officer. Ben was accompanied by an artillery officer who appeared and disappeared somewhere. Ben seemed quite resigned and willingly followed, but Leila could not do so. The high-ranking soldiers who roamed the inn were bewildering, and the images of dead soldiers flashed before her eyes. Could she have left Aaron behind?
Her heart was even more uneasy because she had seen Nick Hamilton, who was with Aaron, shoot two people with a smiling face right in front of her. Even though he smiled and said it was okay, wasn't he a cruel soldier? Aaron was from Dublin and...
'Oh my god.'
Tears welled up in her eyes. The unfamiliar name Claude Biskov rang in her ears.
The night she first held his hand, what Aaron had said suddenly crossed my mind.
“...There’s one thing I couldn’t say.”
“What is it?”
“I'll do it later.”
Maybe this is what he couldn't say. It seems like he was expecting some kind of problem, and that's why he was so conscious of the public eye, starting with the marriage registration. Maybe he was thinking about leaving. He was afraid of leaving.
'What happens now?'
Aaron is still Aaron, but if he came from a great family, wouldn't it be different? Casnier is in the countryside, and Aaron always suffers...
Her body trembled like an aspen tree.
“It hurts! It hurts!”
Leila shouted at the medical officer who was applying white ointment to the wound on her arm. Then she pursed her lips in surprise. Yelling at a soldier! It was something she would never have imagined doing under normal circumstances. But she didn't feel like apologizing, so she frowned even more.
"No."
The middle-aged medical officer with deep wrinkles between his eyebrows blinked in embarrassment, contrary to his fierce expression.
“Ah, even if the injured area stings a little, just bear with it for a moment...”
“I’ll go, I’ll go. Don’t do it!”
“Where are you talking about? Out?”
"Consolation!"
Above is where the officers stay. The medical officer shook his head.
“Hey, little girl. I ordered you to wait here... no. What power?”
“What is it? Why are you holding me?”
Leila, who got up from her seat, was surprisingly strong. The medical officer quickly grabbed Leila and sat her down, but it was difficult because she was squirming like a freshly caught fish. It was annoying to even have to look after a civilian girl's knees.
“Why are you holding me?”
The tears welling up in Leila's eyes fell down, and she felt a chill down her spine, wondering if she had done something wrong. Brigadier General Hamilton had great contempt for the current culture in which it was taken for granted that soldiers would harm civilians, so there was a high possibility that he would hear a harsh remark. Didn't two of them get shot today?
“Why, why are you crying? Wait a minute, little baby...”
Boohoo, boohoo.
“It may not be comforting, but thank you.”
Nick turned around neatly and smiled.
“I’m not trying to comfort you. Anyway, you looked sloppy. I’m going to go now, Lieutenant.”
Then he raised his right hand and saluted. It was quite surprising to receive a salute from someone of the rank of brigadier general. Aaron looked at him for a moment and then saluted back.
With respect.
***
Leila was sitting in the open lobby of the first-floor inn, held by an unfamiliar medical officer. Ben was accompanied by an artillery officer who appeared and disappeared somewhere. Ben seemed quite resigned and willingly followed, but Leila could not do so. The high-ranking soldiers who roamed the inn were bewildering, and the images of dead soldiers flashed before her eyes. Could she have left Aaron behind?
Her heart was even more uneasy because she had seen Nick Hamilton, who was with Aaron, shoot two people with a smiling face right in front of her. Even though he smiled and said it was okay, wasn't he a cruel soldier? Aaron was from Dublin and...
'Oh my god.'
Tears welled up in her eyes. The unfamiliar name Claude Biskov rang in her ears.
The night she first held his hand, what Aaron had said suddenly crossed my mind.
“...There’s one thing I couldn’t say.”
“What is it?”
“I'll do it later.”
Maybe this is what he couldn't say. It seems like he was expecting some kind of problem, and that's why he was so conscious of the public eye, starting with the marriage registration. Maybe he was thinking about leaving. He was afraid of leaving.
'What happens now?'
Aaron is still Aaron, but if he came from a great family, wouldn't it be different? Casnier is in the countryside, and Aaron always suffers...
Her body trembled like an aspen tree.
“It hurts! It hurts!”
Leila shouted at the medical officer who was applying white ointment to the wound on her arm. Then she pursed her lips in surprise. Yelling at a soldier! It was something she would never have imagined doing under normal circumstances. But she didn't feel like apologizing, so she frowned even more.
"No."
The middle-aged medical officer with deep wrinkles between his eyebrows blinked in embarrassment, contrary to his fierce expression.
“Ah, even if the injured area stings a little, just bear with it for a moment...”
“I’ll go, I’ll go. Don’t do it!”
“Where are you talking about? Out?”
"Consolation!"
Above is where the officers stay. The medical officer shook his head.
“Hey, little girl. I ordered you to wait here... no. What power?”
“What is it? Why are you holding me?”
Leila, who got up from her seat, was surprisingly strong. The medical officer quickly grabbed Leila and sat her down, but it was difficult because she was squirming like a freshly caught fish. It was annoying to even have to look after a civilian girl's knees.
“Why are you holding me?”
The tears welling up in Leila's eyes fell down, and she felt a chill down her spine, wondering if she had done something wrong. Brigadier General Hamilton had great contempt for the current culture in which it was taken for granted that soldiers would harm civilians, so there was a high possibility that he would hear a harsh remark. Didn't two of them get shot today?
“Why, why are you crying? Wait a minute, little baby...”
Boohoo, boohoo.
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