IMTMIA 11

Chapter 11

Even if the Muddy Water Clears

Translator: Rae

***

“Ah, my apologies. I’ve startled you.”

 

“Not at all. I was just lost in thought for a moment.”

Asili brushed it off with a smile and turned fully toward him as she replied.

While observing him, she noted he wore neither a military uniform nor a doctor’s gown. Furthermore, seeing him in a neat, tailored suit, he appeared to be a civilian.

“How can I help you?”

“I am the transport supervisor for the supplies from Beuthorn. I need to get a signature on the handover documents; could you tell me where to go?”

“The person in charge is Dr. Hibicus. He’s over there.”

“Oh, dear. It seems I’ve caught him at a bad time; he looks quite furious.”

What to do? The man gave a troubled smile.

It was understandable; stealing a glance, Asili saw Dr. Hibicus with a face flushed beet-red, clearly fuming with rage.

“...Things are just very chaotic right now.”

“I suppose that’s true.”

Asili offered an excuse on the doctor's behalf out of embarrassment, and the man simply shrugged his shoulders.

He looked at the stack of papers in Asili’s hands and smiled apologetically.

“I’m sorry to bother you when you’re so busy. I think I’ll just have to wait for an opening and dive in. If you’ll excuse me.”

He then caught a quick glimpse of the name stitched onto Asili’s medical gown.

“Doctor Rosa.”

“It’s Asili.”

“I am Rufus Gray. My apologies, I should have introduced myself first.”

Rufus extended his hand, and Asili took it, offering a light handshake.

“It was a pleasure meeting you, Doctor Asili. I expect I’ll be back and forth a few more times, so I’m glad to have a familiar face here.”

“Ah, yes. If you ever need any help, just let me know.”

“Then, I’ll be off. I’d better get that signature before Dr. Hibiscus disappears again.”

The man nodded in farewell. Spotting Dr. Hibiscus, who seemed to have finished his tirade and was preparing to leave, he hurried away.

After seeing him off, Asili returned to opening boxes and checking the inventory once more.

“Whoa.”

As soon as she opened the box, Asili’s eyes sparkled.

It was the new anti-inflammatory drug she had seen in the journals—a recent release from the MediHeaven Pharmaceutical Company.

While not a perfect cure, it was rumored to be effective at slowing down the rate of infection.

As she scanned the medicines, Asili pulled out a vial. The colorless liquid sloshed inside the small bottle, following the movement of her hand.

'It might not be a bad idea to go to Beautorn once the war is over.' 

The thought suddenly occurred to her.

Since Beuthorn was a nation established by commoners, she had heard there was no class discrimination and plenty of opportunities for those with talent.

Practical research in fields like science and medicine was particularly active there; it was said that when remarkable results were achieved, commercialization followed relatively quickly thanks to their abundant capital.

In Asili’s case, being both a commoner and a woman meant even getting into medical school had been an uphill battle. she had to work twice as hard as others and perform twice as well.

Her future would likely demand the same. Thus, emigrating to Beuthorn wouldn't be a bad choice at all.

“Jenny?”

Putting the vial back and closing the box, Asili tucked away her stray thoughts and noticed Jenny on the other side. She looked strangely dazed, lost in contemplation.

Unlike Asili—who had been distracted by Jude, chatted with Rufus, and marveled at new drugs—the naturally quick-handed Jenny should have finished the inventory check by now.

“Is something really going on at home?”

Jenny’s face had been dark ever since the military mail arrived the day before yesterday. Usually, receiving letters from her younger siblings kept her in a good mood for days.

Asili had asked her about it that very day out of concern, but Jenny had merely forced a smile and said it was nothing.

Asili wanted to pry further, but since Jenny was making it painfully obvious she didn't want to talk, Asili had quietly held her tongue.

‘Is it a money problem? If things are truly difficult, I could help…’

Jenny’s family circumstances were supposedly not very well-off. That was why she had applied to be a military nurse—for the higher net pay that came with hazard duty.

She had four younger siblings; her mother had passed away early, and her father was... ah, was he still in prison?

Asili wasn't exactly wealthy herself, but she had already saved enough to pay off her debts and had no urgent expenses. She was still young and in the prime of her working years, so she could always earn more later.

However, she hesitated to bring it up before Jenny did, fearing she might inadvertently wound her friend's pride.

Just then, Jenny slapped her own cheeks and began to move her hands busily once more.

Seeing the deftness with which she counted and filled out the forms, Asili felt somewhat relieved.

Let’s finish the inventory first, then have a quiet chat. With that thought, Asili opened a new box.

 

There was still a mountain of work to do.

***

 

Beside Jude, who had suddenly come to a halt, Felix turned his head to follow the direction of his gaze.

At the end of Jude's line of sight were the boxes stacked like towers in the military hospital courtyard.

“Those are the medicines that arrived from Beautorn today.”

“I see.”

“They say it’s a new drug that’s already cleared clinical trials. It seems Beautorn is intent on making quite the impression this time.”

Felix added various commentaries from the side, but Jude’s eyes remained fixed.

While Felix couldn't see from his angle, Asili was visible from where Jude stood.

He saw her smiling as she engaged in small talk with a tall man with brown-reddish hair.

It was the first time since their reunion that he had seen her face wearing such a comfortable smile.

It was only natural. A long time had passed since their breakup, so it was only expected that she would live a normal life like anyone else, yet for some reason, his mood soured.

‘I still have a long way to go.’

A sudden sense of self-loathing washed over him, and Jude let out a bitter smile.

They say there’s no such thing as a beautiful breakup; ever since meeting Asili again, Jude had been forced to confront the less-than-generous side of his own character.

It was like looking at one's reflection in a pond that had been stirred into a muddy mess, only to have the sediment settle and become clear once again.

It was akin to the embarrassment of thinking one had finally become steady, only to discover oneself instantly distorted by the slightest ripple.

It was close to the frustration of stirring the pond to hide what lay beneath, only for the settled silt to rise and turn the waters into a muddy mess once more.

If he detested it so much, he could simply leave the pond behind. He knew this, yet his feet never seemed to move away easily.

Then he would have to make a conscious effort. Just as he had done before.

“Let’s go.”

Jude moved first, and Felix scurried after him. Suddenly glancing back, Felix caught sight of the reddish-haired man running off after bidding Asili farewell.

‘Is that a familiar face?’

Where had he seen him? Felix narrowed his eyes, quickly scouring his memory.

The face hovered at the edge of recognition, flickering faintly but refusing to be caught, leaving him frustrated.

“Felix.”

“Coming.”

At Jude’s urging, Felix quickly followed behind him.

Since the memory wasn’t clear, he figured the man couldn't be anyone particularly important.

Dismissing it as trivial, he began to mentally review Jude’s schedule.

***

 

There is a neutral zone roughly in the middle between the front lines of Eupendea and Reisen. Should someone encroach upon it first, it would instantly become the most violent of battlefields; however, for today's prisoner exchange ceremony, it was set to serve as a temporary haven of peace.

Nevertheless, as it was a meeting between the Grand Duke of Eupendea and the Crown Prince of Reisen, a razor-sharp tension crackled between the two camps.

“It’s so wide open here. I don’t like it.”

“It’s the same for them. Don't worry so much.”

Beside Felix, who was scanning the surroundings with concern, Jude leisurely adjusted his cufflinks.

Having worn nothing but military uniforms for nearly two years, wearing civilian clothes again felt somewhat awkward.

Even the luxurious cufflinks and tie pin he used to wear without a second thought now felt foreign.

“What if they decide it’s a double su*c*de? Are you planning to take a scenic tour of the afterlife hand-in-hand with the Crown Prince of Reisen?”

“He’s a man who prizes his own life too much for that. It won't happen.”

“How do you know the Crown Prince of Reisen so well?”

“He’s a man who hasn't stepped foot anywhere near a battlefield until now. Doesn't the fact that he's dragged himself all the way here prove my point?”

Still, Felix did not look convinced.

Since the other side was sending a Crown Prince, perhaps this side should have done the same.

Felix thought of Andrew, the Crown Prince of Eupendea and Jude’s older brother.

The only thing the fastidious and indifferent Andrew shared with Jude was a slight physical resemblance. Their preferences, pet peeves, strengths, and weaknesses were entirely different.

Thus, while they might not have understood each other, they had no reason to quarrel, maintaining a reasonably good sibling bond.

“How about at least carrying a pistol?”

“Why? Are you afraid I can't win with my bare hands?”

Jude, who was oblivious to Felix's inner turmoil, gave a mischievous grin.

It was an open area, as Felix said, but there was no need for anxiety. In fact, such a location made a surprise attack more difficult.

There was nowhere for a sniper to hide, and with the clear line of sight making surveillance easy for both camps, anyone attempting an advance would likely face an immediate counterattack.

The same went for aerial combat. With such wide-ranging surveillance, if a biplane took off from one side, the other would notice and scramble immediately.

“So, stop worrying uselessly and focus on the perimeter.”

“Yes, I will certainly do that.”

“How much time is left?”

“Thirteen minutes.”

Thirteen minutes, of all things. Bad luck.

Jude frowned slightly.

***

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