"I understand. If you think it's best, ma'am." Tecno briefly lowered his head and left the Officers' house, heading toward Dante. He found him sitting by the soldiers' soup pot. The giant pot was being stirred by the cook, Mac, while the soldiers gathered around it.
Dante was laughing alongside Reilo and Haer, two young soldiers who had joined the camp about a month ago. Despite being new, the two got along well with the older man.
Normally, young soldiers disliked the older ones due to a strange decades-old culture. However, Dante got along very well with their age group. Freto and Crish were also sitting around the soup pot, listening and commenting on events from months ago.
Am I the problem myself?
"Dante," Tecno called, drawing everyone's attention. "Please. Come."
Still holding the steaming food bowl in his hands, Dante approached Tecno, smiling slightly.
"You can speak, sir."
Tecno didn't want to break the news immediately, but it was necessary.
"Lady Dalia spoke with me. We're continuing the mission early tomorrow. We'll head to the mountain for reconnaissance and then move to one of the camps to gather information from those two."
"Alright. So, am I patrolling again tonight?"
Tecno shook his head.
"You're not coming with us."
His smile disappeared immediately. The older man continued to look at him sideways before nodding.
"I see. Do you want me to go back to help escort the prisoners?"
"Dalia needs someone to handle that and deliver the report to Captain Hermes upon arrival." Tecno pulled an envelope from his uniform and handed it over. "Sorry about this. I know you wanted to come with us."
"It happens. It's normal for them to need me to do something else. That's why I'm here."
Dante took the envelope and tucked it away. He yawned and pointed to the cauldron.
"Are you going to eat with us? They were talking about old missions. You must have one to share. Somehow."
It was a better reaction than expected. Tecno didn't know why, but he still confused Dante with someone much younger. It was due to the many petty, prideful people in the Capital. Clearly, he wouldn't have this problem with an experienced older man like Dante.
He agreed to eat.
I
The four rode across the field. Since ten o'clock, no one had spoken a word. Not Dalia, nor the Officers following her. And the silence was deafening .
"Ma'am, why did you think it was a good idea to leave Dante with the Corporals?" Freto asked. "We need him for any trouble along the way."
"Why are you questioning my order?"
Tecno said nothing. Nor would he. If Freto wanted answers, he should find a respectful way to speak with Dalia.
"Because he's a Recruit. He's shown phenomenal skill and fights better than all of us combined. Having him here would be much safer."
"It's precisely because he's like that that he must leave."
Freto didn't understand.
"Ma'am, explain it to us."
Dalia turned her horse sideways, and the others stopped. Her stern face was the same as always. Tecno could understand Freto's side of the question, but he shouldn't do it openly. If it were more serious, Dalia would punish him on the spot.
There had been others before those two whom Tecno had seen punished. They didn't endure it. Their resignation letters, leaving the battalion, Tecno still kept them in the Capital. They had been good Soldiers, good Corporals, but they quit.
And all because they questioned orders.
"If you want answers so badly, you should speak more, Freto," Dalia said. "What I do is ensure that a mission of our category doesn't need someone with Dante's skills. He's a skilled warrior, yes, I've noticed that too. I think you forgot I was on the Barge or that I saw his test. Before questioning an order, think about what a leader would do to avoid losing a mission. I sent Dante back to the Capital because Rutteo's mission is ten, if not a hundred times, more dangerous than mine. Crystals, look where we're going. Now, look back. Those are prisoners who wanted a Harde Jade, an item that can condense Cosmic Energy. They didn't do that on their own."
No one responded, still frozen by the Officer's lengthy reply. Dalia pulled the reins, turning her horse back to the road.
"Think before asking. It would save my time and yours."
II
"Dante." Rutteo called, raising his arm ahead. "Come, come. I want to talk more with you."
What Dante wanted most was to stay away from him. Ever since he'd seen his attitude toward Dalia, he'd been a bit irritated. Even if he didn't like him, he had to respect him; Dalia and Rutteo held the same rank.
He nudged his horse into a faster trot and matched its pace to Rutteo's.
"Speak, sir."
"Let's drop the formality. We're men here, right? I just wanted to get a sense of how your skill works." He gestured to the side opposite Dante. "This is a vast area; it would be disastrous if an enemy attacked and I didn't know what you could do."
Even if it was just that, Dante still didn't want to say much. Unfortunately, he knew what Rutteo's skill entailed. Fleeing wasn't an option, nor was hiding.
"I can convert energy into strength, essentially. I enhance my attacks and defense in a way that always confuses the enemy," Dante summarized.
He waited for Rutteo to say something, but he didn't. He just stared at Dante silently, then laughed.
"Why did you come to the Capital?"
"What?"
Rutteo blinked twice and extended his hand, signaling him to answer.
"I came because it was my father's dream. I came to fulfill something he wanted and also to give back for everything they did for me."
"Yes, I heard. Sending money to your village and all that. But why choose Dalia for this? She doesn't get a big paycheck, not even the High Command's honoraries. She doesn't make money or even have a decent reputation. What did you see in her that made you so loyal?"
Dante didn't stop staring at him.
"You may have misunderstood me, sir. I came to the Capital for money and a dream, but I didn't choose Lady Dalia for that. In truth, loyalty and character are values I've respected since I was young. I may look old — and I am — but I've never done anything that went against those two. If you want to ask me something, be direct and don't try to mislead me, sir."
"Oh, what a delightful argument." Rutteo smiled approvingly. "The truth is, I have no idea who you are. I don't even know your story. But I've noticed how special you are to Dalia."
"Special?" Dante didn't want to sound mocking. "Being special is just a label we give to something or someone for something we can't have. I'm not special. I'm a Recruit. Just that."
Rutteo laughed loudly, nodding.
"And a damn good Recruit. That much is clear. Look, when we get to the Capital, let's talk about improving your efforts to make money. I know a few things that could benefit us. And better yet, it's all legal. Nothing shady."
Dante chuckled and nodded silently. Bet I'll end up washing someone else's laundry.