Adam's vision went dark and a familiar inner voice appeared.
("The death of the shock dragon caused all the enemy troops to retreat. The base was secretly surrounded by small squadrons of soldiers, but their numbers were much less than ours. Ryse and Tida didn't make it far until they realized we were fine, so they came back. Reinforcements arrived only 2 days after the incident, and we were called to the podium for something that was not very pleasant for us.") [Askyros]
Adam was brought back to the light, his view filled with color and he could finally see. Taking his surroundings in, he was still in Askyros' body.
("It's been a while since he did that…") [Adam]
"Attention!" [Sitros]
He stood above all the trainees, looking down on them from atop the podium.
("Oh, we're in a single file line again.") [Adam]
As Sitros waited on the last trainees to arrive, one of his subordinates whispered to him.
"..." [Sitros]
His facial expression turned grim. With a wave of his hand, he sent his subordinate off the podium.
"...All trainees. I have an announcement to make." [Sitros]
Clenching his teeth, he forced the words out of his mouth.
"From today forward, you are all no longer trainees! Stand proud! Every single one of you are officially soldiers!" [Sitros]
("...What?") [Adam]
Confusion arose, and the newly promoted soldiers glanced around for confirmation.
"You all have completed your accelerated training, marking you as battle ready." [Sitros]
Pulling out a white scroll, he displayed it openly.
"This is a command from headquarters! You are to pack up and depart for Tsenchath in three days time!" [Sitros]
The soldiers' faces went pale, finally realizing the situation they're in.
"You all should be honored, the front lines is a place where a soldier- What am I reading?!?!" [Sitros]
Red with anger, He threw aside the scroll.
"Fifty seven! We lost fifty seven men yesterday!" [Sitros]
The soldiers were shocked, the actions of their superior was blasphemy.
"Do not delude yourself! Headquarters have sent us to our deaths!" [Sitros]
The vetern soldiers started to worry, and they began to reach out to him.
"S-sir!" [Vetern Soldier]
"Quiet!" [Sitros]
"..." [Vetern Soldier]
"Three days from now, prepare not only your bags, but yourself! The battlefield is not kind! Only think about how you will survive there! Dismissed!" [Sitros]
Adam's view went dark, his surroundings fading in the background.
("Already?") [Adam]
Suddenly, his view returned in an instant. He was surrounded by soldiers facing one direction, a spear in hand and a sword on their waist.They were led by Sitros riding a horse at the front, carrying a banner as he guided the mass of soldiers to their destination.
("...No monologue?") [Adam]
He tried moving his body, but there was no response. His body was still not his own.
("How long am I going to be stuck here?") [Adam]
As Askyros continued to march, he heard a voice on his right.
"Hey." [???]
A hand tapped his shoulder, trying to get him to look.
"What is it?" [Askyros]
He saw Ryse marching alongside him. A strange feeling of security was felt inside him, but it wasn't much.
"Are you… not scared?" [Ryse]
Askyros sneaked a glance at Ryse. His gaze drifted to Ryse's hands, noticing the tremble upon his fingers.
"No, I'm not." [Asksyros]
"Is… Is that so?" [Ryse]
He continued to march in silence, but eventually spoke again.
"Hey… Can you do me a favor?" [Ryse]
"...What's the favor?" [Askyros]
Ryse's tone of voice was different than usual, making Askyros wonder what that favor could be.
"I… I plan to confess." [Ryse]
"Confess?" [Askyros]
"T-to Tida of course!" [Ryse]
("...Did not see that one coming.") [Adam]
"...Why are you telling me this?" [Askyros]
"I just wanted to ask you… If I die… Can you tell Tida that I... uh… L-love her?" [Ryse]
"No." [Askyros]
"Eh? W-why not?!" [Ryse]
"I expect you to tell her yourself." [Askyros]
"But… I'm weak…" [Ryse]
"Stick with me. I'll make sure you tell her myself." [Askyros]
("Damn, Askyros is definitely best friend material.") [Adam]
"Askyros…" [Ryse]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
After marching until sunset, Sitros stopped the march.
"Halt! We will set up camp here! Ask one of your peers to cover for you if you're on watch duty!" [Sitros]
The Soldiers scattered, laying down their belongings along with the tents provided. The soldiers were tired, but fortunately for Askyros, not even a drop of sweat surfaced.
"Askyros, can you hold this down for me?" [Ryse]
Walking over to Ryse, Askyros held down a nail for the tent. It didn't take long for them to set up, thanks to Askyros' experience in construction and overwhelming lack of fatigue.
"Hey Askyros! Can you help us over here?!" [Soldier]
Yelling from a distance, one of his peers appeared to be calling for him.
"Do you know him?" [Ryse]
"I… do not think so." [Askyros]
"Are you going to help him?" [Ryse]
"...I do not know." [Askyros]
"We're pretty much done here. If you want to, you can go help them." [Ryse]
"..." [Askyros]
Without a word, he left to help his peers.
"I guess I'll set up the inside of the tent…" [Ryse]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
A few hours later, night fell. Inside the tent had only a single lantern, but enough space for two. The soldiers are allowed their own curfew, but few stayed up. Askyros and Ryse were an example of the few. The two had tried to sleep, but only lay down without losing their consciousness.
"Askyros?" [Ryse]
"What?" [Askyros]
"Are you not tired?" [Ryse]
"No." [Askyros]
"I should've seen that coming." [Ryse]
He chuckled to himself for a bit, but Askyros only seemed confused.
"...Askyros?" [Ryse]
"Yes?" [Askyros]
"Are you willing to listen to my story?" [Ryse]
"Your past?" [Askyros]
"Yeah…" [Ryse]
"Is there a reason for it?" [Askyros]
"I… just want someone to remember me. It's hard for me to read your emotions, and I'm not sure if you feel the same way I do, but… I think of you as my best friend." [Ryse]
"..." [Askyros]
A strange feeling welled up from inside, but Askyros couldn't find the words to express it.
"I… am considered trash inside my household." [Ryse]
Hearing those words, Askyros chose to remain silent.
"My household carries a certain ability through our bloodline, but… it wasn't found in me." [Ryse]
He shifted in his position in the tent, practically curling up like a child.
"Before, Tida used to visit me often. She also came from a prestigious household, so she was allowed to come over. When my family found out I couldn't use our ability, they told her not to come near me." [Ryse]
"...What was the ability they were looking for?" [Askyros]
"It's called Oath. It's able to boost my physical and mental state well beyond average." [Ryse]
"How did they find out?" [Askyros]
"...There's a test we take. It can only awaken after finding something I want to protect." [Ryse]
("That doesn't sound good.") [Adam]
"They would give me pets, and I would care for them. After they decided it was time, my family forced me to…" [Ryse]
His words trailed off and his voice weakened.
("It better not be what I think it is.") [Adam]
"Kill them with my own hands…" [Ryse]
His words were a shock for Adam, but for Askyros, he could only offer his condolences.
"...I'm sorry." [Askyros]
"No, it's fine. Let me continue. Because my ability didn't manifest, they called me heartless. But Tida continued to stay by my side." [Ryse]
("So that's why he likes her.") [Adam]
"A long time ago, her family realized she had a talent for magic. She became a mage specialized in holy magic." [Ryse]
"...She skipped over the rank of scripter?" [Askyros]
"...Her talent in holy magic was incredible. She almost blew up when she found out it didn't have an effect on you." [Ryse]
"..." [Askyros]
"When I heard she was sent here, I became worried. That's when the order to send a soldier to the army came for my family. My brother manifested his Enchant, so in order to keep their heir, they sent me." [Ryse]
"That's how you came here?" [Askyros]
"It was convenient. I didn't see Tida often after her talents were recognized, so I call this a stroke of luck." [Ryse]
"A stroke of luck that put your life on the line." [Askyros]
"Haha… The second reason I call it that way is because I got to meet you." [Ryse]
"..." [Askyros]
The strange feeling welled up inside him, bringing confusion to Askyros once more.
"You were the only friend I made, aside from Tida, that actually talked to me. Actually, you are the only guy friend I have." [Ryse]
"Mn…" [Askyros]
He was beginning to feel a bit uncomfortable, but it didn't feel too bad.
"...I think that was enough rambling on my side. If you don't mind, will you tell me about yourself too?" [Ryse]
"...I am a craftsman." [Askyros]
"You are? You were so strong I thought you were at least a swordsman." [Ryse]
"My father was a craftsman as well, but he was sent off to war and died." [Askyros]
"Oh… What about your mom?" [Ryse]
"She… I do not know…" [Askyros]
"I… Uh… Sorry." [Ryse]
"I do not believe she is dead, but I do worry. She didn't receive the death of my father very well." [Askyros]
"O-okay, anything else?" [Ryse]
"...Do you believe I am strong?" [Askyros]
"If you aren't "strong", I don't know what is." [Ryse]
"I became like this due to my father's training. He would often say words that I didn't really understand, but I engraved it into my memory." [Askyros]
"What did he say?" [Ryse]
"Things like, "A craftsman's body is his life!" or "The grass always looks greener on the other side!" when I told him there wasn't any meaning to building my body." [Askyros]
"Hm… I think I can see the meaning of the first line, but not really the second… Where did he learn them?" [Ryse]
"It was from a friend of his. I believe their name was… Kevin?" [Askyros]
"Kevin? That's a weird name." [Ryse]
"I only met him once as a child. He told me he was from a very far away land." [Askyros]
"That's pretty interesting. Did he tell you any lines?" [Ryse]
"He told me one that I only recently understood." [Askyros]
"Really? What is it?" [Ryse]
"He said,"Another man's trash, is another man's treasure"." [Askyros]
"...What does that mean? You know what it means right?" [Ryse]
"I do." [Askyros]
"Can you tell me?" [Ryse]
Looking at Ryse's puzzlement, a subtle smile grew on Askyros' face.
"One day you may find out, "trash" of the Lionheart family." [Askyros]
Turning his back on Ryse, he closed his eyes to rest.
"Huh? Wait, what? What does that mean?!" [Ryse]