Chapter 21 - Sweet Traces Part 21: Have You Heard That Your Husband Has Sacrificed?

"Friends? It seems he quite fancies you," Luciano remarked as they continued walking, his gaze fixed ahead."Oh? Really? I hadn't noticed!" Filia awkwardly chuckled."You're a sorceress? What level are you at? Why didn't you report to the team?" The inevitable question surfaced.Filia knew he would inquire about her being a sorceress. "Well, my mother is a sorceress, and I've picked up a few tricks. It was just in the heat of the moment that I used teleportation," she improvised."I see," Luciano's response was soft, a subtle sign of acknowledgment. However, more questions followed."Athena, the Goddess of War—Who came up with that name for you?"It was a natural question from Luciano, who glanced sideways at the woman a head shorter than him, barely reaching his shoulder."Oh, that was also my mother's doing," Filia replied, mentally apologizing to her mother for having to concoct such stories. Her son-in-law could be so inquisitive! She had to manage with this explanation for now."Your mother has quite the taste in names; it suits you well.""Hehe." Filia feigned a smile, though her heart felt heavy.Wasn't Luciano supposed to be laconic and reserved? Why so many questions now?"By the way, I heard your husband was also a soldier and has sacrificed himself. Which unit did he serve in?"Filia: "..."Her husband was gone? Who on earth spread that news?!Wide-eyed, Filia immediately suspected Cole. That damn guy—what lies had he been spreading now, reaching Luciano's ears?!"Hmm? Can't say? Secret unit? As a martyr's widow, you could stay home and collect the pension. Why enlist in the military?""I... I...""Watch out."Filia was at a loss for words, unsure how to explain. She found herself pressed against a tree trunk as Luciano shielded her, as a mutated pterodactyl soared past them.The wind from its wings tousled Filia's hair, scattering strands across her forehead.As the pterodactyls passed, Filia attempted to push Luciano away, but he didn't release her hand."Wait, there's more."Just as Luciano spoke, a large group of pterodactyls flew low overhead, their numbers seemingly endless.At this moment, Filia felt extremely uncomfortable; Luciano was too close. While he was indeed her husband, he was Filia's husband, not Athena's husband. Such intimate proximity made her feel oddly uneasy.Meanwhile, Luciano's lips curled slightly as he gazed down at the woman in his arms. As her skin gradually flushed from ear to neck, her scent grew all the more intoxicating in her nervousness."Commander, that's enough."With the flock of pterodactyls finally passing through the area, Luciano released his grasp on Filia."Uh-huh."Replying with a cold tone, Luciano resumed his determined stride in the prescribed direction.However, as they walked on, Luciano halted and turned to Filia."Why did you enter the forest alone? Where are the others?""Eh?"With a jumble of emotions clouding her mind, Filia blurted out the truth. Instantly, Luciano's demeanor changed."Disobeying orders again? Do you realize how dangerous it is to enter here alone?""I..."Caught off guard by the scolding, Filia struggled to find words. Had she not entered alone to save him, risking her safety? Orders, orders! All he cared about was obedience.Biting her lip, Filia's frustration surged. "What if I disobeyed orders? You would've been dead without me! I really shouldn't have bothered coming to find you."With rage in her eyes, Filia shot Luciano a fierce glare before speeding up, quickly outpacing him.Watching her depart, Luciano's hand at his side clenched into a fist, his eyes gradually welling up with tears.Wanting to reach out to her, to tell her that if she died, he wouldn't want to live either, but with too many uncertainties in the situation, he contained his emotions.Sighing, he suppressed his tears and jogged to catch up with Filia, holding his waist wound.Due to the repeated use of teleportation earlier, they had covered quite some distance. Filia, feeling drained,found a flat spot and sat down to rest.Luciano, following suit, sat nearby, the distance between them neither close nor far.Drinking concentrated blood plasma to replenish his strength, Filia's mood gradually stabilized. As Oracle Athena, a soldier of the Stellar Alliance, she shouldn't have lost her temper with Luciano earlier.After some contemplation, she pulled out a pack of candies from her pouch.Even though she felt a tinge of embarrassment, she mustered the courage to approach Luciano."Commander, my supplies consist of blood plasma only; these candies are snacks and can boost your energy.Here," Filia said, handing him the bag of star-shaped candies.Luciano turned to look at the candy bag in her hand.So, her favorite snack turned out to be these childish candies.His throat bobbed slightly as he reached out to take the candies.Seeing him accept the candy, Filia felt a wave of relief wash over her.Standing tall, she straightened her back and continued, "Commander, I disobeyed orders, and I am willing to accept punishment. I'll get you out of here, whether it's 7 days or 10 days of punishment."Having tasted the candy, Luciano found its sweet and sour taste new to him. He wanted another but hesitated to part with it.Stowing the candies in his pocket, Luciano looked up at Filia."Punishment? You're thinking too much. You saved the Stellar Alliance's Air Force Commander. When we return, you might receive the Alliance's highest honor medal. Moreover, you've saved a family. If I die, my young and beautiful, gentle and lovely wife would be a widow.""..."Young, beautiful, gentle, and lovely!Filia silently repeated these words in her mind, pressing her lips together."Alright, are you rested? It's time to go.""I'm good, ready to move anytime."Feeling as if she had been revived with full health, Filia now felt a surge of strength throughout her body.