Maklin swallowed loud enough for Commander Ryter to hear, but she didn't react and just kept staring at Maklin with a slight smile on her lips that didn't reach her eyes. She patiently waited for Maklin to answer her question.
The question of whether to kill Ritzy because he could be a potential threat to their country or to spare him because he hadn't done anything came as a shock to Maklin. He wasn't ready for the Commander to ask that when he thought he would just inform her of the situation.
But Maklin wasn't a member of the Fox Scouts for nothing, and he quickly calmed himself. The Commander had asked a question. Who was he to not answer it? Besides, from what he had seen, Ritzy certainly had the potential to grow into a threat in the future.
"Commander, I do not think we should execute Ritzy."
Maklin spoke despite his mouth drying up from nervousness.
"Oho. And why is that? He is born of the enemy. He razed an entire town to the ground with fire, and he doesn't show remorse for it. He is also a talented necromancer. We are well within our rights to execute him. We can just say he was a spy or something, and no one will ask any questions. In fact, considering Baron Michmond is after him, killing him might even ease the tension on the border."
"Commander, it seems like you are trying to convince me."
"Why would I need to do that? If I say he dies, he dies. I just want to hear what you think as someone who has traveled with Ritzy."
Maklin felt the weight of Commander Ryter's gaze increase, and he lowered his head to look at the bottom edge of her desk.
"While he might become a threat to our country, Ritzy can also grow to threaten other countries as well, such as Shiria. There is also no guarantee he will become aggressive. Excuse me for being presumptuous, but if we play our cards right, we could even try to get him on our side, considering the enmity with Shiria and Baron Michmond."
"Ritzy seemed pretty intent on going to Drychness. Are you suggesting we force him to stay and fight for us?"
"No. Gods no!"
Maklin hastily shook his head, a little too hastily.
"Ahem. I mean, if I may, that we should support Ritzy's growth as a necromancer by promptly sending him to Drychness. Chitron doesn't exactly have that many good necromancers on call to help raise him. And in the future, once he's secured his personal strength, we could hire Ritzy as a mercenary."
Commander Ryter remained silent. Maklin didn't dare raise his head to look at her expression, so he missed how her eyes twinkled for less than a second.
"Dismissed."
"Yes, Commander."
Commander Ryter didn't outright agree to or reject Maklin's suggestion. But then again, she had only asked for his thoughts out of trifling curiosity, not because she wanted a second opinion.
But Maklin sighed in relief. The Commander's tone had been light enough for him to guess that Ritzy wasn't going to die, at least not at the hands of the Chitron military.
Maklin put his hand on the door handle and stopped before opening the door.
"Commander?"
"Yes, Maklin?"
"Would it be alright if I personally accompanied Ritzy to Drychness?"
"..."
"Assuming it is your decision to spare him."
Commander Ryter stayed silent for several tense minutes.
"Alright. I doubt your Captain won't mind since he will be busy, and it will be difficult for you to rejoin your squad. I grant you permission to accompany and ensure Ritzy's safe passage to Drychness. I also grant you the liberty to act as you see fit during and after this mission."
Maklin's face lit up as he turned and looked at Commander Ryter before bowing.
"Thank you, Commander!"
Maklin left the Commander's office with a smile.
Officially, he was only supposed to make sure Ritzy entered Drychness. As soon as Ritzy crossed the border, he was no longer any of Maklin's business.
However, the Commander had given him permission to follow Ritzy into Drychness and protect him or help him get started with learning proper necromancy should that be necessary.
The freedom to execute the mission however he wanted was rare. Not only that, it even stretched to after he had finished guiding Ritzy to Drychness.
Maklin's steps were surprisingly light as he reconvened with Ritzy and Gerhart, who were waiting on opposite sides of the waiting room outside the Commander's office, refusing to speak to each other. Maklin sighed.
Ritzy and Gerhart would be splitting up and would most likely stay separate for a long time. It was a tragic goodbye for a couple of childhood friends. But Maklin had also pieced together why they were like that from what they had said and how they looked at each other and the young woman sleeping on one of the Deathbeds.
"Alright, boys, I can tell you aren't on the best of terms right now, but time heals all wounds. Unless they fester."
Maklin looked at Ritzy and Gerhart. Fortunately, the guard had left to return to his duties, so they were alone in the waiting room, aside from the padded chairs and paintings depicting scenes of battle.
"I'm sure neither of you are interested in apologies or whatever right now. But saying goodbye like this, or rather, not saying goodbye like this, will become a regret in the future."
Maklin waved Ritzy and Gerhart closer to himself until they were all one step away from a group hug.
"The kind of friendship you two have is special. It would be a shame for it to die like this. You two don't need to apologize or shake hands or anything. A simple 'good luck' will do. But you have to mean it."
Ritzy avoided looking at either Maklin or Gerhart. The floor was exceptionally interesting for some reason. Gerhart wasn't much better. But he was a little tired.
Maklin didn't say anything and just continued looking between Ritzy and Gerhart with a patient expression.
Eventually…
"...Good luck, Gerry."
Ritzy looked up at Gerhart without raising his head and wished him luck. Maklin was slightly surprised that Ritzy caved first since he seemed more stubborn and childish.
Gerhart sighed and crossed his arms as he looked down at Ritzy. Although he didn't feel tall next to Maklin, Gerhart was reminded of how short Ritzy was as all he could see was Ritzy's white hair.
"You too, Rit. Stay safe."
Maklin nodded in satisfaction. Both of them seemed earnest, albeit slightly reluctant.
"Good. Let's get going. Since Drychness is north of here and Iagos is south, you'll be going in different directions starting now. Gerhart, you will see a mercenary squad with red felt caps a short walk south of here. You might have seen them on the way here?"
"I'll find them."
"Just tell them Maklin sent you and that I want them to help you get to Iagos."
Maklin looked around conspiratorily before leaning in closer to Gerhart and whispering.
"Most of them are pretty decent archers—don't tell them I said that—so I'm sure you can pick up a trick or two if you watch closely."
"Thank you, Maklin."
With that, Gerhart left Ritzy and Maklin as he headed out to search for the Red Cap mercenaries.
A surprisingly strong feeling of loneliness crashed into Gerhart as soon as he stepped outside the door. It was the first time in years he would be spending more than a couple of days away from either Ritzy or Talia. It would be significantly longer than merely a couple of days, especially for Talia since she was dead. It was also of his own accord.
Gerhart almost regretted deciding to split up from Ritzy. But he couldn't go back now. The regret he felt was proof that he needed to distance himself from Ritzy.
Fortunately, Maklin had insisted on them having one last farewell. Gerhart swore he would thank Maklin properly in the future.
Ritzy dazedly stared at the door, now closed, through which Gerhart had passed and left him behind. Maybe if he hurried and ran, he could catch up to Gerhart and convince him not to abandon him.
But he didn't. Ritzy stood still. He could imagine how Gerhart would react. He would throw Ritzy's hand that had grabbed his arm off before angrily turning around and shouting blame at Ritzy for killing Talia. Ritzy could barely endure the thought of that happening. It was enough to paralyze his legs.
Maklin put his large hand on Ritzy's shoulder, giving Ritzy some well-needed comforting warmth before speaking.
"Sometimes, you need to say goodbye to be able to say hello again."
"Acting wise doesn't fit your image, young man."
"Ahem."
Maklin coughed awkwardly. It had sounded pretty full of wisdom in his mind, but when he said it, it just sounded ridiculous.
"Anyway, let's just get going. The sooner we get moving, the sooner we'll arrive."
"'We'?"
"Yup. I'm your personal guide through Chitron."
Maklin gave Ritzy a playful bump with his elbow.
"Reliable, right?"
"..."
Maklin's smile faltered as Ritzy avoided his eyes while pretending like he hadn't heard anything.
"That's where you say 'yes,' you know?"
"..."
"H-hey?"
"..."
"Don't you think I'm reliable?"
"..."