As evening fell, Hazen came to Lei-Fa’s location. No one approached during that time. The troops of the Duchy of Diode had already retreated.
“…Dissolution Arc.”
Hazen touched Lei-Fa’s motionless armor and spoke. The armor then merged with the sword and crumbled. Hazen supported Lei-Fa’s body as it collapsed.
“Hey, are you alright?”
“Hazen…?”
” …… “
The voice barely came out. Just by touching him, it was clear that her entire body, bones, and muscles were in shambles. Although she did this a few times before, the symptoms had never been this severe.
“…You defended this fortress well, Lei-Fa. If it weren’t for you, it would have fallen.”
“Grrrr… I’m so hungry…”
Suddenly, Lei-fa’s voice took on a more childish tone from her academy days, which was a sign that her consciousness was becoming hazy.
“Since I worked 100 times harder today, I can eat 100 times more.”
“Grrr, grrrr… That’s good…”
“…Hey, take this hero to the infirmary.”
Hazen instructed the soldiers around him,
but no one came.
At that moment, a flicker of displeasure appeared in the black-haired youth’s eyes.
“What’s wrong? How do you repay the one who saved your lives in such a manner?”
“…No, I will support her.”
“Captain Lorenzo, we have a strategy meeting soon. Hey, come quickly.”
“But… “
“Hey… don’t make me too angry.”
“…!”
A powerful oppressive aura overwhelmed the surrounding soldiers.
“Ah, I’ll go! Hey, let’s go.”
The 8th platoon led by Sergeant Bazz arrived just then and helped support Lei-fa. Seeing this, Hazen took a deep breath and calmly inquired.
“…What are you doing here?”
“I was looking for Lieutenant Hazen. I came to say thank you.”
“I see…then, please.”
Hazen replied flatly. Meanwhile, Captain Lorenzo spoke up apologetically.
“I think the other soldiers were frightened by her unusual fighting style.”
“I heard Lei-fa helped those who were fleeing from General Gizal. Afraid of a hero like that? I don’t understand such emotions.”
“Not everyone is as strong as you.”
“I don’t understand. Even a dog doesn’t forget the kindness of a meal and lodging.”
” …… “
Hazen spat out the words with a contemptuous gaze.
The atmosphere at the central and west gates was vastly different. The 2nd battalion had elevated Hazen to hero status, praising his godlike fighting skills.
The 4th company, which was part of the 2nd battalion, had many opportunities to witness Hazen’s strength firsthand. And since it was Captain Lorenzo’s unit, everyone had a positive view of him.
In contrast, Lei-fa’s existence was seen as heretical.
The 1st and 3rd battalions were not even aware of Lei-fa’s existence. The sudden appearance of this bestial warrior with such an abnormal killing ability left them in a state of confusion.
“So it was you, Lieutenant Hazen. Keeping such a monster as a pet?”
In the midst of this, Major Shimanto approached with an arrogant demeanor.
“…… “
At that moment, Captain Lorenzo felt a chill. The murderous intent emanating from Hazen was stronger than ever before.
“…Do you mean Lei-fa when you say ‘monster’?”
“Who else could it be? Goodness, it’s a terrifying thing. But thanks to it, our army was saved. I’ll report that the 1st and 3rd battalions successfully repelled General Gizal’s fierce attack.”
“…It was Lei-fa who repelled them, wasn’t it?”
“Nonsense. It was not solely the power of that monster. Without our support, General Gizal could not have been repelled. Isn’t that right, Captain Lorenzo?”
” …… “
What’s the matter? You think you can disagree with me, Major? “
“…No.”
Captain Lorenzo answered in a barely audible voice.
Watching this scene, Hazen sighed in resignation.
“I see…Understood.”
“That monster can still be used tomorrow. I’m counting on it.”
“Tomorrow? I won’t deploy Lei-fa.”
“Huh? In this crisis, what are you saying? I don’t care how much you abuse it, as long as it’s still usable, right?”
“It’s usable. If I wanted to use it, I could. However, I have no intention of doing so.”
“…What did you say?”
Major Shimanto’s tone suddenly changed.
“Did you not hear me? I will not deploy Lei-fa. I have no intention of involving her in this battle from now on.”
Hazen replied flatly.
Major Shimanto was left dumbfounded. After all, Hazen had clearly disobeyed a direct order, going against the principle of superior-subordinate obedience.
But Hazen, unfazed, spat out his words towards Major Shimanto and the soldiers.
“I won’t let my precious subordinate be used by those who call her a monster, even after she saved their lives. Those who won’t even lend a hand.”
“You fool! That monster is also an Imperial soldier! The orders of a superior officer are absolute!”
“It seems you’re misunderstanding something. Lei-fa is my personal bodyguard. Therefore, she is not part of the military, but my own subordinate.”
“Then! I order you, as your superior officer!”
“I refuse.”
Hazen responded firmly.
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“You…!”
“If you say that the achievements today belong to the 1st and 3rd battalions, then they can fight on their own tomorrow. If you can do the same as her, then go ahead and try.”
“Grgh…”
As Major Shimanto gritted his teeth in silence, Hazen looked around at the soldiers.
“Well…since there were hardly any casualties today, I suppose half of you fighting desperately should be enough to defend the fortress tomorrow.”
“Tsk, are you joking? Are you saying you’ll defy a superior’s order?”
“Yes.”
“Whyyy you-!”
Major Shimanto swung his fist, but Hazen dodged it and unleashed a fierce wind slash. The sharp gust just barely grazed Shimanto’s cheek, causing him to instinctively stumble and collapse.
“Ah… ugh…”
“Excuse me. There was some garbage in your hair.”
Hazen showed a large piece of garbage he had split in two, grinning widely. Of course, he had prepared it beforehand.
“You! Were you trying to kill me?”
“No. I was just removing the garbage.”
“Don’t lie to me!”
“I’m not lying. I removed this garbage. I like things to be clean, you see. I eliminate garbage, whether it’s an enemy nation or the Empire… completely.”
“Eek…”
Hazen dropped the garbage and crushed it underfoot.
“Bu-but the superior’s order is absolute! Even in this grave crisis, disobeying means immediate execution, you know?”
“Do as you please.”
“What did you say?!”
“You’d better quickly inform General Gedol that [Hazen wouldn’t let me use his men because I taunted him] like a child’s errand.”
“…!”
“Let me tell you, I was planning to let Leifa to fight against General Gizzal. Her strength is extraordinary. But I won’t send out Leafa.”
“Then the Empire will lose…”
“Can’t be helped. After all, you called my subordinate a monster.”
Hazen smiled brightly.
“…I was wrong.”
“Hmm?”
“I was wrong! So, use… this Lei-Fa or whatever.”
“No.”
!?
“You… I apologized, I said I’m sorry! ?!”
“Yes. But I won’t forgive you.”
“Then what should I do?”
“First, it’s expensive.”
Hazen muttered softly.
“What is?”
“The head.”
!?
Hazen looked down at the ground.
“You… have you lost your mind?”
“I can’t see it. At least match my eye level, and then I’ll consider it.”
“Tch…”
Major Shimanto gritted his teeth for a while, but eventually placed his palms and forehead on the ground.
“I was wrong. Please, let me use Lei-Fa in tomorrow’s battle.”
“Your manner of speaking is still arrogant. Is that how you ask someone for a favor?”
“…You, what are you planning?”
“Don’t you understand? “
Hazen smiled widely
and placed his foot on Shimanto’s head.
He replied crisply.
“You know, I’m looking down on you.”
“…!”
“This battle would be over if it weren’t for me and Lei-Fa. That’s why you’re being treated this way, you incompetent fool.”
Hazen pressed down on Shimanto’s head with his foot, grinding it.
“…Please, I beg you.”
“I’m sorry, I can’t hear you. What did you say?”
“…Please, let me use Lei-Fa in tomorrow’s battle.”
“Well done. Yes, I will allow it.”
Hazen smiled pleasantly.
“…Tch.”
“But, no.”
!?
“I used polite language, didn’t I?!”
“Yes. So, I considered it for 0.001 seconds.”
“Th-that’s not considering it at all! That’s not even within the realm of consideration!”
“It’s a collective responsibility, you know? They say the responsibility of a subordinate is the responsibility of the supervisor.”
“D-don’t tell me… you’re asking fo General Gedol?”
“General Gedol? No way. That won’t solve my mood.”
“Even higher… you… are you sane?”
As Major Shimanto glared at him, Hazen responded with a wide smile.
“The Emperor.”
“…Huh?”
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