Misfortune 133

Chapter 133

****

Dragged into the underground dungeon, Roan was literally beaten to a pulp.

His back was torn to shreds by merciless lashes, the blood barely having time to clot, and his wrists, bound in chains, had lost all feeling.

He had no idea how much time had passed. The frequency of his blackouts was increasing. Now, the time he spent unconscious far outweighed the time he was awake.

Despite all this, Roan was fine.

Everything he had desired had been fulfilled, and more would be fulfilled in the future.

Everything was proceeding smoothly, so even if he died alone in a pool of his own blood, he could be satisfied.

Of course, the physical violence he endured didn't lessen just because he was prepared for it. When the thorns embedded in the whip dug into his unhealed wounds, he sometimes couldn't stifle his screams.

When the pain overwhelmed his resolve, Roan thought of Delnia. Her voice calling him tenderly. The smile that bloomed when their eyes met.

Because just one glimpse of that smile made him feel like nothing was unbearable.

The only regret was that the smile he could recall was limited to their childhood.

After they met again, he only ever made her cry. Even the last thing he saw of her was her tears.

So he had to imagine with all his might. Her happiness without him. Delnia laughing freely, filled with joy.

It wasn't easy, as he'd never possessed much imagination before. It required squeezing every last ounce of strength to superimpose a single smile over that sorrowful face.

Still, as he strained himself like that, the pain receded at some point. It worked exactly opposite to his habit of pushing his body to the limit whenever distracting thoughts arose.

It was rather absurd to think that the very distraction he'd tried so desperately to shake off back then was her.

Ultimately, then as now, he was thinking only of her.

"Hey, cut it out."

Then, beyond his consciousness fading smoothly, a rough voice cut through.

The man wielding the whip turned savagely on his colleague who tried to restrain him.

"Look like I'm taking it easy? Look what this bastard's done to us!"

"You think I'm doing this because I like that bastard? If we want to secure an escape route, we have to use him as a bargaining chip!"

"That's exactly why! He should be ground up and drunk right now, and you're just standing around like this!"

They were shouting at each other, neither willing to back down. Suddenly, a laugh that didn't fit the situation cut through the air.

Both men's heads snapped in the same direction. A man drenched in blood, his entire body a deep crimson, wore a sickeningly sweet smile.

"Laughing? You bastard!"

The enraged man flung his whip aside roughly, then slammed his bare fist into Roan's abdomen.

A dull thud echoed as his insides churned. Hot, foul liquid surged up his throat, spilling viscously from his lips.

Yet even as he spat a mouthful of blood onto the floor, Roan couldn't wipe the sneer from his lips.

He could laugh all he wanted. The future they craved would never come.

"You crazy bastard, wanna try it today?"

The man who felt no need to tolerate his provocation drove his fist down once more.

The dull impact made his vision blur violently. The smile of a girl he had once seen scattered into layers of afterimages. He sank obediently into the sea of unconsciousness.

***

The Brunois Navy emerged victorious in the battle against Dalos.

Though several ships were damaged and casualties occurred, the overall losses were clearly fewer than any previous front. It was, quite literally, an overwhelming victory.

Yet, despite the cause for celebration, the air in Orbon hung heavy and gloomy.

Admiral Lasser, who had narrowly missed the battle now being discussed everywhere, made no effort to hide his displeasure.

And Brigadier General Volver, despite his outstanding achievements, bowed his head as if ashamed to face the Admiral.

The Admiral did not stop the Brigadier General, nor did he blame him. After all, the mastermind behind this incredible operation was someone else entirely.

He couldn't summon him for questioning, so he could only vent his frustration by chain-smoking.

"Admiral! Dalos has offered hostage negotiations. They demand an open retreat route and guarantees for their withdrawal."

Then, finally, the awaited news arrived.

The Admiral stepped out of his cabin without hesitation. Or rather, he tried to step out.

Had someone not blocked him at the door.

"Please wait a moment, Admiral."

The one who dared to stand in the Admiral's way was merely a civilian-born officer, no higher than a Major.

"Major Kais, what do you think you're doing?"

The senior officer accompanying the Admiral tried to stop Kais, flustered.

But Kais did not retreat, despite the stern urging. He merely faced the admiral directly, his expression resolute as he spoke.

"Do you intend to accept their terms?"

"Of course I do."

The Admiral declared, as if there was no point in listening further. It implied, "Now that you know, step aside."

Yet Kais remained firmly planted, uttering an absurd statement.

"You must not agree to their demands."

"What?"

"Hey, Major! What kind of insolence is this!"

Officers beside the Admiral, his eyes blazing, raised their voices.

But Kais, like an ascetic fulfilling his final duty, declared sternly:

"Do not yield. Exploit their complacency and press forward."

"Cut the nonsense and move aside!"

The furious shout echoed through the corridor. Surrounding officers rushed to pull Kais away.

But before their hands could cover his mouth, Kais finally spat out his final, decisive words.

"This is Colonel Barthez’s last request and final will."

The Admiral, who had been about to brush past Kais, froze abruptly at those words. He stared at Kais with a face half frozen in shock.

"…Did you just say last will? Colonel Barthez's?"

Kais nodded silently. Only then did the Admiral notice the profound sorrow hidden behind that resolute expression.

The grip of the officers holding Kais loosened. Once released, Kais made no sudden moves, simply admitting it plainly.

"The Colonel made a heartfelt request. He said that if he were captured, Dalos would naturally assume you'd agree to hostage negotiations and let their guard down."

"...."

"He said that would be the chance to root them out completely, so not to try to save him, but to push forward to the very end."

"Ha……………."

A hollow groan escaped the Admiral's lips.

Something had felt off. Ever since hearing that Roan had not only planned this absurd operation but led it himself.

No, ever since he'd betrayed his teachings without hesitation, unable to even meet his eyes as if ashamed.

'So this is what it was.'

Had he been planning this outcome all along?

What on earth drove him to this?

The Admiral regretted not recognizing the pain festering within him. All the more so because he could never accept the conclusion he had reached.

"Step aside. Whatever Roan's intentions were, I must go."

The Admiral pushed Kais's shoulder aside firmly.

Just as Roan had his own conviction that compelled him to defy the Admiral, the Admiral had his own will.

No matter how far astray he went, he couldn't abandon him. To him, Roan was more than just a subordinate; he was now like a son.

He couldn't let such a person die. Even if it meant failing to grant that final request.

"No, Admiral!"

But Kais's resolve was equally unyielding. He dared to spread his arms to stop the Admiral, expressing his determination to stop him by any means.

"Please, do not agree to the negotiations."

"Do you truly wish for the Colonel to die?!"

"Of course not!"

His near-desperate cry drowned out the Admiral's roar. Kais's eyes, seemingly devoid of any trace of emotion, were now bloodshot.

"I too desperately hoped Roan would change his mind. I pleaded there must be another way, clinging to his legs until the very end. But, but………………!"

In the end, he couldn't. No matter what he did, he couldn't turn back the steps marching relentlessly toward death. He couldn't make a single crack in that face, already set in resolve. That was the extent of his determination.

"Please, do not betray the will of the Colonel, who was willing to sacrifice himself. I beg you."

Unable to bear the misery of having to plead for the life of Roan, who had been a close friend before a comrade, Kais bowed his head. Heavy raindrops fell, plopping onto the cramped ship's corridor.

Soon after, the grip that had held his shoulders so tightly also slowly lost its strength.

A heavy silence settled over the epaulettes of the uniform that had always shone with glory. No one dared make a sound until the Admiral finally spoke.