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“Darn that Zeeney guy! What a b̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲!”

A strong man exclaimed as he struck the desk with his fist. A loud, dull, rough sound echoed through the hall, which served as the garrison’s mess hall, but no one was there to admonish the man.

Instead, the people around him looked at him sympathetically, their eyes reflecting the same unbounded resentment he felt as he hit the desk.

“He used the children as bait and then ran away with his tail between his legs! That’s not something that can be forgiven!”
“You’re right! And on top of that he called Dear Angel, who came to our rescue, a witch! I won’t be able to die peacefully until I smack him at least once!”
“I agree! If it wasn’t for Dear Angel we’d be dead by now! She should be remembered as a hero, not be crucified as a witch!”

Amidst the commotion, someone pondered.

“What was going on around the garrison?! We’ve got to protect our savior at all costs!”

The place was bustling and noisy as the men engaged in a wild conversation that had already been ongoing for an hour. However, the discussion remained purely emotional, devoid of any substantial outcome.

They were stationed in the garrison, surrounded by guards strategically arranged by Lord Zeeney. It was only a matter of time before Seletina would succumb to Lord Zeeney’s control.

“Don’t any of you have a plan?! There’s no way we can hand over our savior to that b̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲ Zeeney!”
“Why don’t you come up with something then?! Let us hear your brilliant ideas!”
“I’ve told you many times that if you can’t make yourself understood with words, let your sword do the talking!”
“Idiots! We are only thirty-odd men! We’ll be beaten to death in the blink of an eye!”
“Besides, we are in the middle of Leverence! You can’t turn this beautiful city into a battlefield!”
“If you’re so bright, why don’t you come up with a plan then?!”

The discussion continued being thrown back and forth without an ending in sight.

While the men continued to make noise, a young boy soldier named Kauf sat in a chair, a short distance away.

He was the young soldier who’d first called out to Seletina on the battlefield. Kauf was bandaging his wounded right arm, feeling disgusted by the unreliability of the fussing adults around him.

The angel gave us life and hope. She also taught us how to value our precious lives. And yet, here we are, unable to do anything for her. No, rather it’s even worse than that. Even though she saved us, she brought upon herself the evil acts of that b̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲ Lord Zeeney.

Kauf though, clenching his unmatured fist.

Powerlessness, guilt, self-pity, a plethora of such emotions filled his heart. As Kauf bit his lip, a joyful echo spread through the dining room. All the men’s eyes were focused on one point.

Caught in the moment, Kauf turned to look in the same direction, feeling a warm sense of joy filling his chest. It was the golden angel, Seletina ul Gold Aldelight had just pushed open the dining room door.

The men excitedly forgot about their ridiculous conversation and rushed towards her.

“Dear Angel! Are you okay?!”
“You shouldn’t be walking around so soon! You’re still wounded!”
“Everyone here is extremely grateful to you!”
“Dear Angel! Don’t push yourself! Here, here, come sit down!”

Seletina smiled weakly and graciously accepted a chair offered to her by the gushing men. However, Lichter, who was standing behind her, appeared disgruntled and impatient.

“Hey, ya all! I worked hard too, you know?”

Lichter muttered, but his words were lost amidst the sea of clamor and excitement.

◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

“I’ve heard most of the story from Lichter. I’m thinking of leaving Leverence.”

When Seletina shared this with the men, they all nodded in unison. They knew that remaining idle in the Leverence would only lead to capture by Lord Zeeney, with uncertain consequences.

Kauf, though keeping his distance, participated in the meeting, looking at Seletina with admiration.

“We seem to be surrounded here. What’s the status?”

Seletina asked, directing her question at a man who appeared to be the elder among the men. The man cleared his throat and began to speak solemnly,

“We have put up barricades, and some people have tried to persuade the people in front of the gates, but everything proved futile. It won’t be long before the guards come pouring in.”
“Won’t be long huh… It doesn’t look good.”
“Indeed. And despite the severity of the situation we have yet to come up with a plan despite everyone here racking their brains…”
“What a bunch of pathetic geezers.”
“Lichter. Watch your mouth.”
“No, he’s right. Dear Angel, please forgive our foolishness…”

The man said solemnly. However, Seletina wasn’t bothered by it and looked at him with a smile.

“Please do not let yourself down. The act of giving your all to protect me is more than I could’ve hoped for. I am grateful that you have barricaded yourselves just to protect me instead of giving me up to Lord Zeeney to save your skins. I truly appreciate it.”
“Dear Angel!”

The men’s emotions trembled. It was this compassion that had made them praise her as an angel. Moved by Seletina’s compassion, the men’s belief in her reached a whole new level.

“WHAAAAA! Men! I’ll lay down my life for the angel! I’ll draw my sword!”

One man declared, standing up with his sword drawn. Inspired by his courage, one by one, the other men also rose to their feet.

“Brothers! Did you hear what the angel said?! I’m willing to do anything for her sake!”
“In the first place, we’re only alive thanks to the Dear Angel! It’s hers to begin with!”
“Let’s show that s̲h̲i̲t̲t̲y b̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲ Zeeney who he’s dealing with!”

Excitement filled the room as the men rose to their feet, their spirits soaring like gongs, inspired by the intense emotions. Even the young soldier, Kauf, couldn’t bear to stay seated any longer. He, too, stood up, ready to join the fray.

However…

“Please wait,” Seletina’s voice, like a clear stream seeping into the rock, prevailed. Her words had an immediate effect, calming the men as if they were doused with cold water.

Left and right, Seletina looked around the whole space before her, taking a look at all of the men there.

“I am very pleased with your enthusiasm, but don’t throw your life away so easily. Don’t you all have families?”

Her words struck a chord with all the men, and a profound silence fell upon the room as they absorbed her harsh yet caring message.

Seletina continued to speak, “I know how precious your lives are, yet I still need to ask for your help. Would you help me with my escape plan?”

At her words, the men who had been lying face down immediately looked up.

“We’ll do anything for you, Dear Angel!”
“Of course we’ll help! Ain’t that right boys?!”
“Count us in!”
“But there’s nothing we can do apart from waving our swords…”

Seletina nodded confidently when faced with the man’s concern.

“Of course there is. We just need some preparation.”

Observing Seletina’s determination, Kauf clenched his fists in admiration.

I’ll do anything for the Dear Angel.

Kauf thought…
It was then that his gaze met Seletina’s.
Seletina smiled and spoke up,

“Let’s see. He’ll be perfect. Could you come here?”
“What? Me…..???”

Kauf’s eyes widened in astonishment when he realized the angel was actually calling out to him. To Kauf, Seletina’s smile seemed a bit mischievous at this point.