---The rest of the battle proceeded as expected.
I wasn't able to fight anymore since my left shoulder was completely dislocated, so I sat back and hid as well as I could until the battle ended.
By overwhelming the enemy with numbers, Belica managed to kill most of the knights who stayed behind to protect the town. They dragged the civilians out of their homes and churches and took them as prisoners of war. The same happened to the knights who surrendered, although I'm sure most of them got killed anyways.
With 4,244 casualties on Belica's side and 2,178 on Sacrada's side, we managed to seize Erilis once and for all.
There was no feeling of victory amongst the majority of the knights. I didn't feel any joy either.
I only felt relief at the fact that it was all over.
------------------------------
The days passed by quietly. There were some celebrations over the success of the siege, but most just wanted to rest. I wanted that too, but there was something that worried me
My injury didn't get any better no matter how many days passed. The bone and flesh were reattached with healing magic, but with the healers being overworked and constantly running back and forth through the injured knights, things like these were bound to happen.
I didn't want to bother the already tired healers, so I just asked for some bandages and made myself a handmade arm brace to immobilize my left arm. I was going to take military leave, so I asked Samuel to write me a letter to send to headquarters.
''Haah...''
I sighed and let my body relax on the seat.
I sat inside a long wooden carriage. Many other injured knights sat right next to me, preparing themselves mentally to return to the capital after who knows how long. I asked myself the same question.
My memories of the city were extremely foggy. I never left the slums, there was no need to. The only time I visited the center or more upper-class zones were when I worked on the mercenary corps, and even then I didn't manage to see much. Sometimes I stayed when I was injured, but never for too long since there was always something I had to do, so for a long time I wasn't able to visit my parents.
I wonder how they're doing.
''...Hey, come on, you can't keep staring dumbly at the air for the rest of your life.''
I said in a slightly mocking tone to Elisa, who sat next to me. Apparently, Daniel died during the battle, having gotten his head and body crushed by the giant paw of a beastman. I assume it was the same one I almost killed.
''...''
She didn't respond and only glanced at me from the corner of her eyes.
I seriously had no idea how to deal with people who are going through grief. I could understand them, obviously. If any of my siblings were to die I'd be grief-stricken too. In fact, I'd be in a much worse state than Elisa, just thinking about the death of any family members was enough to make me want to cry, in this life and in my past one.
The problem was, I didn't know how to deal with her. And that bothered me.
''---Hey, going away already?''
I perked up at the voice and looked at the person who stood outside the carriage. It was Samuel. He was, for the most part, uninjured. His brother was pretty injured and had some ugly wounds but not enough to be considered a casualty.
''Yeah, I'm gonna rest until my arm is recovered. As for her, well, she... is too mentally and emotionally unstable to keep.''
''Ahh, that so...''
Elisa's eye twitched at my words and she raised her head to look at me, with her brows creased in annoyance.
''Seriously, please shut up. I'm trying to properly grieve over my friend's death, not everybody is a sociopath like you.''
''One hell of a word to call me, I didn't even think you had it in you. You sure are surprisingly literate.''
''Hah?!''
Her brows creased even further. If I keep going I'll get killed for sure, so I'm just gonna shut up for now.
I'll try to, at least.
''Well, take care then! Hope we see each other again!''
''Sure, I hope so too.''
I waved goodbye to Samuel.
I truly did mean what I said. Most of the time I just said it out of courtesy, but Samuel has probably been the only genuine friend I've made in years along with Elisa. It was probably because I was finally able to sit down for a few weeks, but still.
The ride was pretty quiet, with most knights wanting to just get home and rest, even if only for a while. I'm sure a lot of them have been at Erilis for months and haven't been able to see their families.
I glanced at Elisa. She was looking outside at the moving road with her arms crossed. It looks like she was trying to build a wall around her so that I won't talk to her.
''...So, Elisa, what are you gonna do when you get to the capital?''
Her brows twitched and she clicked her tongue. Still, she answered:
''I'll try to apologize to Daniel's parents, and to my own parents too. I was to blame for his death, too. I was the one who encouraged the idea of running away together. I don't expect them to forgive me, but still, it's something I need to do.''
Her words came out with no emotion behind them. She was emotionally tired, that much was obvious.
''I see...''
I wasn't sure what to answer. I seriously shouldn't ask questions with answers that are gonna lead to awkward silences.
She looked away from the road and turned her head toward me.
''And why do you care? Are you trying to make a move on me right now?''
''Not once during all of the time we've known each other have I thought about you as a potential romantical partner.''
''I expected something like that, but you still managed to piss me off somehow!''
I stared at her with a stern face. The best way to deal with these types of people is to just not acknowledge their hot temper! That's how I've been doing it, at least.
Her brows relaxed and she let out a long sigh.
''Whatever. It's as you said, I can't be sad forever, and I think I've cried all of my tears out by now. So even if it hurts, I'll try my best to get over Daniel's... passing.''
Her voice was shaky and her breath trembled as she said those last words.
''That's right! And once you recover, you'll go back to your family house and recommend me to work there!''
She frowned at my words again.
''...You know, if you want to run away from the battlefield, you can just become an adventurer, right?''
''An adventurer...?''
I grimaced at the word. It was a possibility, for sure, the problem was that low-ranking quests typically paid very little, and with how much competition there is it was difficult to make a good living off of it.
Although, now that I think about it a lot of them have been willingly enlisting for the war, so that means the competition may actually be lower than I thought.
...I guess it's not such a bad idea.
''Eh, I'll think about it, but only after I get paid! I still need to give my family some money.''
''Mhm...''
She didn't respond and instead sort of acknowledged them. She nodded and turned her head away.
''...Haah, if you want to, I can help you.''
''Ah?''
She didn't turn to look at me, as she continued talking:
''if it's just money you need I can help you. You've been sparring with me whenever I wanted, and don't get pissed when I get angry. So I'll help you with your family situation in return.''
My face brightened for the first time in a long time. I wiped away some fake tears from my face.
''Thank you, Miss Elisa, I guess even you have a human heart, after all...''
''Huh?! What the hell do you mean?!''
----The rest of the ride was fairly quiet, until we reached the capital.
----------------------------------------
The way Belica was divided was by walls. It was pretty simple and straightforward.
The largest region of the capital was located on the outer walls of the capital were composed of the 'slums'. Or so people like to call it.
It was known for being where most lower-class and true peasants live. The houses are built with cheap materials and right next to one another, and a lot of the time families have to share a small house with another family to lower their expenses and the cost of the rent. My family didn't have this issue because it was an inherited house, and it's been like that for generations. Thank you for that, dad.
Either way, while the conditions are certainly bad and a little unsanitary, it wasn't the worst. Most people knew each other, so it was peaceful most of the time. Was the crime rate high? Absolutely, the entire place is riddled with crime, so you had to learn not to be stupid and how to avoid shady places and shady people. But that was it, nothing to worry too much about.
The central city, inside the inner walls, is the true heart of the capital. Most of the important buildings with the exception of the Royal Castle were there. The adventurer's guild, the mercenary corps, and the headquarters of the knights. If you wanted to find a blacksmith, a potion shop, or party members, the central city was the place to go.
On the upper stratum, and the highest point of the capital was the noble's playground. Looking down on the peasants, the royalty of the empire built their huge and expensive mansions at the highest point of the capital. The Royal Castle stood at the highest peak of the city, looking down on every citizen. Belica's Magic Academy was also built in the upper stratum. It was a huge and mesmerizing building that even I, someone who came from a far more advanced future, was amazed by.
I always thought it was very impractical to build their houses there, though. What if there's a natural disaster or something?
''...This is it,''
I stopped in front of a large wooden house. It looked run-down and the color of the wood was dark due to the humidity.
''I guess they couldn't do much with the money I sent them.
The average monthly salary for a knight is around 3 silver pennies and 50 bronze, which really isn't a lot. To rebuild this house we'd probably need like 10 gold coins.
The currency here worked in a pretty simple way. The copper coin was the lowest form of payment. With 1 copper coin, you wouldn't be able to buy even a small candy, however, it wasn't exactly useless. It worked for very, very small transactions. However, the bronze coin was way more practical and more frequently used.
10 copper coins were equal to 1 bronze coin. 1 silver penny was 100 bronze coins. And 1 gold coin was equal to 20 silver pennies. To rebuild this house was truly a fool's endeavor.
Now, going back to reality.
''Shit, how am I supposed to get inside?''
I didn't have the key, so I was stuck outside until somebody came. What am I supposed to do now?
''Should I just break in? I can explain it later...''
''---!!''
I heard a muffled sound of something falling right behind me. I turned around and saw a familiar face. One I knew very well. Although her eyes had grown tired from the years, her skin was still almost free of any imperfections. Her skin was a rosy white, though it had grown slightly reddish from always standing below the burning sun. Staring at me with her beautiful green eyes, my mother stood there with her mouth agape.
Next to her was my father, with his iconic ghoulish appearance. White skin almost like a ghost, thin and long like a pole, he was also staring at me with disbelief.
''I-Isaac, you...''
My father stuttered looking at me.
I didn't know what to say at first but realized, I didn't really have to say much. With them, there was no need to be careful about my words.
I smiled at them and simply said:
''I'm back.''
---The two ran forward and embraced me in a tight hug. This would be a wholesome scene, if not for the fact that the years of working had made them terribly strong.
''W-Wait, I missed you too, but.. I'm gonna.. pass...out..''
My complaints fell on deaf ears, as they cried while holding me in their embrace.
------------------------------
I sipped from the cup of tea that was on the table in front of me.
This place was a lot more spacious than I remembered, though I might just be remembering wrong.
There was a long wooden table in the middle of the living room, and right next to it was the kitchen. Everything was pretty simple, we had a few pots and magic stoves to cook the food. We were lacking a bit in the condiments department, but we had the basics; Salt, garlic, black pepper, and, surprisingly enough, paprika.
Assuming it wasn't a traveler from another world who 'discovered' these spices, I must say I was thoroughly impressed by how advanced yet underdeveloped this world was.
''What do you want to eat? We bought some pork to cook for dinner, but if you want something else then just tell us.''
My mother said with a wide smile.
''I'll eat anything as long as it's homecooked, I need to get the taste of military food out of my mouth...''
She laughed and took out the pork and a jar of what appeared to be lard from the brown bag. It was gonna take pretty long to cook, which means I must take care of another issue entirely.
''You've really grown up quite a lot, you're resembling your father more and more!''
My father spoke with a joyous voice.
''It seems you have gone senile dad. Unlike you, I'm neither tall nor sickly skinny, I don't look like you at all.''
''...It's good to see the war hasn't changed your personality that much, you still have to respect me though! But I guess you're right... you resemble your grandfather more than anyone.''
My dad talked in a reluctant tone as if he has been forced to accept a cruel reality. Well, he kind of was.
My grandfather died before I could meet him, however, even my mom and older brother have always said that I look and even act like him. Which is pretty weird, since my personality is influenced by my past life.
According to my father, he was a very stoic and stern man. My mother always describes him as a stone wall, his face always wearing a frown no matter what he was talking about. None of them had ever seen him smile, or cry. Even on his deathbed, the man was completely unfazed by the events.
They both say I inherited not just his way of speaking, but also his stout and broad figure. Only thing was, he was a very tall man, whereas I was a man of the average in just about every aspect, including height.
''Haah, I wish you were more like your brother or younger siblings..''
My father lamented. I didn't answer and only glanced to the right. My two younger siblings were there, in the corner of the room, play-fighting, laughing with each other, and completely ignoring my existence. To think I love them so much yet they don't even acknowledge me, it truly is a disheartening experience.
''I wanna play with them too...''
''What are you, 5?
I ignored my father's words and looked out the window. The sun was already falling, and the sky was dyed a bright red. It was a beautiful view.
''...So, Isaac, can I ask you something?''
I turned toward my father, whose face turned stern. His voice was much lower and held a more serious tone than before.
''How are things going at... you know, out there?''
...Ah, I see. I get it.
I crossed my arms and looked away.
''Not good, honestly. Belica isn't exactly very smart with strategies, they just use their manpower to defeat the enemy. During the last battle, we lost more than four thousand men and I'm sure they're still counting.''
''I see, it seems they're still as incompetent as always.''
''That, they are.''
I nodded at my father's words. I couldn't agree more, the empire was terribly incompetent, that much was obvious to anybody with a brain.
''By the way, how did you injure your arm?''
He pointed at my left arm, which was covered by my handmade arm brace.
''This? I got into a fight with a beastman and it got dislocated.''
''Wha--?!''
Both my father's and mother's shocked voices echoed in the room. The volume of their voice scared even my younger brothers, who flinched at the sound.
''A beastman?!''
''Y-yeah, it was nothing special, I escaped after getting injured...''
''A-Ah, right, but still..!''
Shit, stop it with these cliche reactions. Is it really that big of a deal? I don't think this is worth making such a ruckus.
''Come on, don't scream like that, I don't want the neighbors to come knocking on our door. Besides, it's gonna heal in a few days anyways...''
''Ah, of course. Still, to think my son would fight a beastman and come out mostly unscathed, this is truly something... hm,''
My father put his hand to his mouth thoughtfully. I didn't even want to imagine what he was thinking about, but it was probably something stupid.
''...Say, dad, how's Martha doing?''
The room was enveloped by a deadly silence. My parent's faces told a rather sad story. I almost didn't want to listen to what they were going to say.
Martha was my younger sister. She should be 15 right now and going through her 3rd year of school right now. It's been a good while since I've seen her, and it seems I won't be able to do so any time soon if I'm reading the room correctly.
''She hasn't visited in a while. She stays at the academy's dormitory, and sometimes sends us mail to tell us she's doing okay, and that she's going to visit next week. She's been doing that for almost a year now, and not once has she visited...''
My father's expression grew dark. My mother wasn't any different. So that's what's going on.
She's 15, so I guess she's been having fun with her friends, but then again, it's pretty cruel to promise your parents to visit them and then completely break that promise.
My mother spoke with a lonely tone:
''We received a card yesterday, and she said that she's really going to visit in a few days this time, as soon as she finishes her due homework. So we might be able to see her this week...''
''We'll see.''
My father's cold response didn't anger nor sadden my mother. While she had more hope of her coming to visit, she wasn't so naive as to hold her hopes up too much.
'...Well, for now, let's eat!''
My mother yelled enthusiastically and served me a plate of potato salad and pork chops. The pork had been cooked using lard, so the pork chops had an extra, ''more porky'' flavor to them. The potato salad was a simple potato salad, nothing more, nothing else. However, since military food looked like someone's vomit, it was the most pleasant and beautiful sight I've seen in along while.
I couldn't resist and started eating immediately, making sure to taste every flavor in my mouth.
My two younger siblings sat and received their own portion too. And then my father and mother, and for a while, I was able to forget all of my problems.
I know I can't stay for too long, precisely because of this.
Because if I stay here too long, I'll end up getting too attached to this enviroment.
And that was something I just couldn't do if I wanted to keep being a knight.
------------------------------
I lay in the hard, creaky bed. My two siblings were sleeping right next to me, and it seems I have been pushed to the corner as a unanimous decision. It was the first time I've seen kids so energetic even when they sleep.
Well, it didn't matter.
''...''
I stared out the window next to the bed. The moon shined right through the window, with a white hue that just barely illuminated the room.
For the first time, in who knows how long, I am able to relax. I can breathe freely, and sleep as much as I want no matter what.
Even so, there's still a heavy lingering feeling in my heart. Threatening to burst out at any moment.
Was the cozy environment of this house already getting to me, or was I angry at my sister for being so ungrateful? I wasn't one to pass quick judgment on people. As far as I knew, she could very well just be busy with school.
But it was also possible that she just didn't want to see us at all.
''...I should sleep, I'm gonna meet with Elisa tomorrow.''
As promised, if she didn't get killed or disowned by her family, we were going to meet in the central plaza at the inner walls of the city.
Which means I should get a good night's sleep!
The last thing I heard before falling asleep was the weird sound of a squeak inside the room. I'll get rid of all the rats in this damned house by the end of the week.