In the silent confines of the medical tent, it's been weeks since the General's last visit. I lie still on the bed, my days blending together in a haze of sleep, medication, and reliance on Regina's unwavering assistance.
Regina's gentle voice breaks through the quiet as she hands me my medication. "Here's your medication, Hauptmann," she says softly, her presence a comforting anchor in the dimly lit tent.
I nod my thanks, my exhaustion evident in my weary voice as I accept the pills, their bitter taste a constant reminder of my injuries.
With Regina's help, I manage to navigate the mundane tasks of eating and using the restroom, her patient guidance easing the burden of my lost limbs.
As the days drag on, my sense of helplessness deepens, the weight of my injuries pressing down on my spirit. But in Regina's presence, I find solace, her kindness and compassion offering a glimmer of hope in the darkness.
In the dimly lit corner of the medical tent, a group of injured soldiers huddled together, their voices hushed as they spoke in whispers.
"Did you hear about Hauptmann Nietzsche?" one of the soldiers asked, his tone tinged with awe.
The others leaned in, eager for news of their fellow comrade. "What about him?"
"I heard a rumor that he single-handedly destroyed a French trench under the cover of night," the soldier continued, his eyes wide with disbelief.
A murmur of excitement rippled through the group as they exchanged incredulous glances. "No way, that's impossible."
"I'm telling you, I heard it from Sergeant Müller himself his after all in the same regiment as Hautpamnn Nietzsche," the soldier insisted, his voice filled with conviction.
As the conversation continued, another soldier chimed in with his own speculation. "They say Hauptmann Nietzsche has a will of iron, that nothing can stand in his way."
The soldiers nodded in agreement, their admiration for Hauptmann Nietzsche evident in their voices. "He's a true hero, that one."
Unbeknownst to them, Hauptmann Nietzsche lay nearby, listening to their words with a mixture of surprise and gratitude. Despite his injuries and the challenges he faced, the rumors of his bravery filled him with a sense of pride and determination.
As the soldiers shared stories and exchanged tales of valor, Hauptmann Nietzsche couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of purpose. Though he may be confined to the medical tent for now, he knew that his legacy as a soldier would endure, his courage and resilience inspiring others to carry on the fight in his stead.
As the injured soldiers whispered among themselves, Regina approached my bedside, a tray of food in hand. Her warm smile brought a sense of comfort amidst the chatter.
"Here's your meal, Hauptmann," Regina said softly, setting the tray down on the table beside the bed.
"Thank you, Regina," I replied gratefully, my gaze lingering on her as she arranged the food before me.
Taking a seat beside me, Regina began to feed me small bites of food, her gentle touch easing the burden of my injuries. "How are you feeling today?" she asked, concern evident in her eyes.
I sighed, my thoughts lingering on the rumors I had overheard moments before. "I'm fine, Regina. Just tired," I replied, my voice heavy with fatigue.
Regina nodded understandingly, offering words of encouragement. "You're doing great, Hauptmann. Don't forget that."
Her words lifted my spirits, and I managed a small smile. "Thank you, Regina. I appreciate everything you do for me."
As we ate and talked, our conversation shifted to lighter topics, offering a brief respite from the weight of my injuries.
A couple of days later, Regina approached me with a small package in her hands, a curious smile playing on her lips. "Hauptmann, there's a gift for you from Oberst Gerolf," she said, her voice tinged with excitement.
I looked up from where I sat on the bed, curiosity piqued. "From Oberst Gerolf? What could it be?" I wondered aloud, my interest piqued by the unexpected gesture.
Regina carefully placed the package in my lap, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Open it and see," she encouraged, her voice filled with genuine warmth.
With Regina's help, I carefully unwrapped the package, revealing a beautifully crafted wooden box. Inside lay a finely engraved pocket watch, its intricate design gleaming in the soft light of the tent.
"It's from Oberst Gerolf," Regina explained, her voice soft with reverence. "He wanted to express his gratitude for your service and to offer some kind of respite from the hardships you've faced."
I gazed at the pocket watch, feeling a swell of emotion wash over me. Despite the pain and loss I had endured, Oberst Gerolf's thoughtful gesture reminded me that I was not alone in my struggle.
Tears welled in my eyes as I turned to Regina, overcome with gratitude. "Thank you, Regina," I said, my voice choked with emotion. "Please convey my heartfelt thanks to Oberst Gerolf. His gift means more to me than words can express."
Regina smiled, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I will, Hauptmann. I'm glad it brings you some comfort."
With the pocket watch cradled in my lap, I felt a renewed sense of hope stirring within me, then suddenly I feel unwell as my eyes started to be consumed by darkness.
In the darkness, confusion swirled around me as I regained consciousness. "What?!" I exclaimed, my voice echoing into the void as I struggled to make sense of my surroundings.
Suddenly, a dark goo materialized before me, morphing into the form of a mischievous-looking child. I blinked in disbelief as the figure grinned at me.
"Well, hello there, partner," the child said, a cowboy hat materializing atop its head, along with a gooey horse beside it.
I stared, dumbfounded. "What... who... what the hell are you?"
The child's grin widened. "I'm your new partner, sent by the Overlord."
"The Overlord?" I repeated, my mind reeling with confusion.
"Oh, I mean the one who gave you that super strength," the child corrected, its voice playful yet oddly knowing.
"What do you mean, my new partner?" I asked, my voice tinged with skepticism.
The child chuckled, its form shimmering slightly in the darkness. "I'm here to assist you on your journey, to help you harness your newfound abilities," it explained.
I frowned, unsure whether to trust this mysterious entity. "How can I be sure you're not just another trick of the darkness?" I questioned, eyeing the child warily.
The child's smile faltered, replaced by a look of earnestness. "I understand your hesitation, but I assure you, I'm here to guide you," it replied, its voice taking on a reassuring tone.
I hesitated, weighing my options. Despite my reservations, I couldn't deny the allure of having someone—or something—by my side as I navigated the challenges ahead.
"Fine," I said finally, a sense of determination settling over me. "But remember, I'll be keeping a close eye on you."
The child's grin returned, its eyes sparkling with mischief. "Of course, partner. Let's make this journey one to remember."
With a nod of agreement, I braced myself for whatever lay ahead, knowing that with this strange creature at my side, I wouldn't be facing it alone.
With a silent nod, the child beckoned me forward, its form morphing into a swirling mass of dark energy. Intrigued, I stepped closer, feeling a surge of power emanating from its presence.
Suddenly, the darkness around us seemed to bend to the child's will, swirling and coalescing into shapes that danced and twisted in the void. With a flick of its wrist, the child commanded the shadows to form intricate patterns, weaving a mesmerizing tapestry of light and dark.
I watched in awe as the display unfolded before me, my mind reeling with the possibilities of what this newfound power could entail. With each gesture, the child demonstrated a mastery over the shadows that surpassed anything I had ever witnessed.
As the spectacle reached its crescendo, the child turned to me with a knowing smile. "You see, partner? Together, we can harness the darkness and wield it as a weapon against our enemies."
I nodded, a sense of exhilaration coursing through me. With this creature by my side, I felt invincible, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead with newfound confidence and strength.
"Well, I hope you will use your newfound power well, partner. And yeah, let me introduce myself. I'm Thxar, The Great Emperor of Slime," he said as the entire palace manifested before us, its grandeur evident. Slime creatures wearing red capes and golden helmets, holding spears with short swords dangling from their sides, jumped forward to form some kind of honor guard behind Thxar.
I just stood there in silence, not knowing what to do. "O...kay."
"Okay? Just that? Come on, be more enthusiastic! Bask in my grandeur!" Thxar exclaimed.
"Uhhhh, WOW!!!" I exclaimed, my mouth hanging open as wide as possible.
"....." Thxar stood there, his expression betraying disappointment.
"Is that not enough?" I asked, feeling the stares of the slime creatures.
"Meh, I wouldn't expect much from you, Human," he replied dismissively. The slime guards began jumping inside the palace as it disappeared, and Thxar transformed into a boy about 12 years old, wearing a sweater, shorts, and flip flops.
"Now that introductions are done, I hope you will crush the enemy without mercy," he said with a smile as the darkness dissipated, restoring my vision. The pocket watch remained, and my arm's was still gone and it's seems hours have passed.
As Regina returned, she tucked away the small box containing the pocket watch, tidying my bed before placing the pocket watch inside a wooden box on the bedside table with a smile.
"Well, Hutpmann, it's time for lunch. I hope you like it," she said, disposing of the wrapping from the wooden box. A couple of minutes later, she returned with a meal of potatoes, carrots, and three small sausages for protein.
Regina then started feeding me little by little as she told me about her family back home.
"My father loved hunting so much that we worried he loved his rifle more than us," she said with a smile as she fed me.
"If it weren't for my mother's wrath, he would probably be in the forest hunting for months."
"I still remember the day my father left us for three months, I tell you, Hautpamnn, three!" she exclaimed, raising her finger.
"And he said he was on a business trip. Of course, that all fell apart when my mother started asking questions to my father's business partner," she continued, her smile growing bigger.
"Hahaha, you should have seen his face after seeing my mother waiting for him at the door. She was pissed," she said, giggling.
"I had to cover my brother ears and eyes because of that."As Regina smiled after mentioning her brother, her eyes seemed to dim a little.
"After all the years I've seen my parents get along and fight, I never once saw my father have a shocked face. But that all changed when I hit my 19th birthday. When the news of the war started, my father's demeanor changed. He started to get restless and even built a cabin house in the woods for us. That was the first time I ever saw him shocked. The second time was when my little brother joined the army at 18. He couldn't believe it. They even had an argument at dinner time, and Mother had to break up their fight as I could see tears running down her face..."
"The third time was when a Major delivered a letter. At first, Dad didn't want to open it. For the first time in my life, I saw him crying. When Mother asked what was wrong, he handed the unopened letter to her."
"As she opened the letter, I could see her face change, tears streaming down from her eyes as she looked at me and hugged me tightly, crying heavily and making me cry too," Regina recounted, her own eyes starting to water.
"After all of that, my father went out. He only returned the next day. My mother locked herself in their bedroom, while I held the letter and repeatedly read it, hoping somehow the words would change," she said with a bitter smile.
"Dear Mrs. and Mr. Ferdinand,
It is with a heavy heart that I write to inform you of the passing of your son, Werther Ferdinand. He was serving bravely in the army when he succumbed to injuries sustained in battle. Werther fought valiantly until the end, embodying the highest ideals of courage and selflessness.
Please accept our deepest condolences on behalf of the entire military unit. Werther was a respected comrade and a beloved friend to many. His loss is deeply felt by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
We understand that no words can ease the pain of losing a loved one, especially a child. Please know that our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. If there is anything we can do to support you or your family, please do not hesitate to reach out.
With sincere sympathy,
Gerd von Albert.
General Leutnant.
10th Swasban Infantry division."
"I still remember that letter to this day," Regina said softly, her voice tinged with sadness.
"Ahh!, I'm sorry, Hautpamnn. It seems I have shown unladylike behavior in front of you," she apologized, wiping her eyes as fast as she could while continuing to try to feed me.
As she moved the spoon right in front of me, I gently held her hand. "It's alright, let it out first," I said softly. Her eyes started to well up until tears finally spilled over, and she put down her head, letting go of the sadness.