Chapter 46: End of Leave

By SodiumChloride12, derived from Fire Emblem, owned by Nintendo.

A/N: When I post this, today will be mark my 1-year anniversary writing fanfiction. It's been quite a ride y'all, and I've learned a lot...while having fun too! I hope the handful of readers who've stuck around since day one are happy with the way this story played out, and I pray y'all will be pleased with how it'll end by the finale. The storyline's been bustling in my head for a while now, and I'll do my best to make it come to life in a way that's truly fulfilling!

Just thought it'd be fun to talk about numbers. I have about 338k words on the net right now, with about 56 followers and 48 favorites. I had about 17k total views back in 2019, with 21 reviews. Although these numbers aren't impressive by any means, it's still fairly nice considering this type of story has been dead since the early 2010's. I hope to improve with these numbers for 2020, along with implementing any improvements in further writings and sequels.

I think I will write a short excerpt for the proto-sequel by the end of January. The proto-sequel will be a Three-houses/Harry Potter-like series about the events between FE6 and FE7. It'll be based in a school in Ostia, with canon characters like Lyn, Roy, Wolt, Lilina, and Clarine having a big role. The whole thing will be anywhere between 150-300k words, though I haven't decided yet. I have some time to think about it, but I'll let y'all know ASAP.

Woohoo! I'm just so excited thinking about this! I have a lot of things planned for 2020, and it makes me happy knowing I'll be writing for a long time. Here's to a fantastic year...and stay salty!

P.S: I got the most amazing review from one of my readers. Whoever that guy/girl is...you have my eternal thanks. I'll be sure to keep up the intensity!

N: We shift our focus from Samuel onto a different hero. That of the lordling Eliwood, whose story will soon intersect with our hero...

Pherae...

The air feels warm and fair. It's perfect weather for traveling...

Lord Eliwood looks out at the familiar Pharean sky. It was blue and filled with puffy white clouds, some of which reminded him of the chilly snow from the previous winter. That was a simpler time then, back when he still had his father keeping him company...

Lord Elbert, father...where are you...?

...

"Lord Eliwood."

Eliwood puts away the thought of his father and addresses the older man at his command. He's a stout, purple-haired veteran named Marcus, and he's one of the kingdom's most respected knights.

He said, "Marcus, is something the matter?"

Marcus shakes his head. Eliwood observes the flawless piece of brown armor that ordained the physique of his mentor, a masterpiece of toughness that matched the physical and mental intensity wielded by him. Eliwood could never hope to wear armor like that, such fantasies were best left towards bigger folks like his friend Hector.

Marcus replied, "Nothing at all your Majesty. I have arranged for everything that you have requested. Your mother is here to see you off, and we're ready to leave at your word."

"Very well. I appreciate it, Marcus."

Turning his head around the friendly Pharean plain, he spies his mother a short distance away from himself. She's a purple-haired woman with a serene aura about her, and she's standing next to her steward, an up-and-coming lady of the sword named Isadora.

Isadora is the only female knight in all of Pharea. As the lone heir of her minor noble family, they entrusted her with continuing the family legacy. Thus, she became one of the most famed and lauded knights in the Pharean service, much to the delight of young girls everywhere.

She said, "Milord, your mother would like to speak with you."

Eliwood's mother approaches him and then gently takes his hand between her own. There was a sense of fear in her grasp, and this sensation sent a wrinkle of guilt down Eliwood's spine.

She said, "My son...promise that you'll return to me safely. I'm worried your father...but if something were to happen to you...I don't know what I'd do with myself..."

Eleanora...was a good mother to Eliwood. She never refrained to give him the warmth and affection often absent among noble families, and this nourishment created a genuine affection between mother and son. Their relationship was akin to the grandest stories of motherly love...but it did nothing to calm the unease that ripples through Eleanora's heart. She truly feared how her son would react to the evils of the outside world, and worried that he too would go missing like his father.

Eliwood replied, "Don't worry, mother, I'll come back safely like you asked. In the meantime, I'll be entrusting the castle to you. Isadora will keep you safe while I'm away."

Eleanora nods, "Very well...I have your word then. Stay safe...and bring your father back to us."

"It will be done, I promise."

The mother and son embraced in one final hug and then pulled away. Eliwood looked on as her mother embarked onto Isadora's horse and then waves away as the two disappeared back into the family castle...

Eliwood sighed. This wasn't the first time he'd left his mother's side, but it still stung. It's been the same feeling ever since he was a little boy...and now the familiar sensation of loneliness creeps onto him like a case of measles...

He said, "Well, Marcus, it looks like now it's just the two of us."

Marcus replied, "Not so milord. I've arranged for my man Lowen to accompany us."

Eliwood smiles. The more friendly faces around him the better, he thought.

Marcus said, "I've already sent him to scout ahead at the village. He hopes to contact the agent provided to us by Marquess Uther, along with gaining the talents of a few armed men. Normally I wouldn't venture forth without a larger company, but I bow to your will on this matter Milord."

Eliwood said, "I'm sorry, but I'd rather not deprive our canton of any more of our gifted knights. The best men in the kingdom already vanished with my father. I don't think I'd be able to sleep at night knowing that my mother is undefended."

Marcus replied, "I understand Milord. Hmph! What's keeping Lowen?!"

Outside the village...

...

"Sir? Are you all right? Sire?"

I open my eyes, and immediately get hit with a brutal headache. I have no idea how I got here, but somehow I'm lying on a prairie of grass located just outside of town.

The voice belonged to an odd-looking fellow. He had curly light green hair that covered his forehead along with his eyes. The armor he wore implied that he was a knight, though to what domain was unknown. He's likely the vassal of this kingdom...whatever it was.

What country am I again? It's not Ostia, and I left Ryerde a few days ago...

"Here, take this..."

To my surprise, the young man hands me a canteen full of delicious fresh water. I'm immediately made aware of the stifling dryness in my throat, and I splurge on the liquid graciously.

I said, "T-Thank you. I needed this..."

Vague memories of the previous night permeate through the primordial membrane of my conciousness. I recall intaking more than my fair share of alcohol and correctly tied my headache towards the symptoms of a hangover.

So here I am strung out on whiskey in the outskirts of town. What a great place for me...

I return the canteen to the friendly young man and muster the strength to get back on my own two feet. There was a feeling of unease as I did so, but it'll dissipate with time.

I said jokingly, "Your name doesn't happen to be Carmelita does it?"

Because of the man's hair, I'm not able to see his eyebrows to read his reaction. Still, his stifled chuckle is enough to relay his enjoyment, if not pitied appreciation for my humor.

He said, "Funny, that's the name of my mother."

"What a coincidence! Mine too..."

I extend my hand and we greet each other. The fine gentleman's name was Lowen, and he's a fresh recruit from the Pheraean army. As a commoner of unremarkable blood, he grew up in the frontier of this country to eventually become the handpicked trainee of one of the most established knights of Pherae. He's about as hardworking as they come, and that's a quality I can admire.

Lowen asked, "What of you? Who do I have the pleasure of meeting today?"

I introduce myself as Kenan Vacia, a Lieutenant from the Ostian army. My backstory is that I'm a disillusioned tactician hailing from the city state of Carazan, and I escaped my home country before the start of the civil war. I roamed the continent before settling down in a sleepy village in Illia with my adopted daughter, who was taken by the henchman of a mysterious shaman...

I should note that while Marquess Uther was perfectly fine with my involvement in this mission, that perception wasn't exactly shared with the rest of the nobility. Samuel Castillo was an identity I'd have to shed if I wanted to avoid another trip to the gallows, and the name change was as vital to my survival as the new white mask hiding my true identity.

Lowen said, "Oh? So you're the Lieutenant I'm to meet up with today. Erm...why are you hungover outside of the village walls?"

Embarrassed, a flood of memories come rushing in. Everything was clear now...

I said, "Well, it's quite the tale..."

Last night...

I slam my glass against the wooden counter of the bar. A few isolated droplets of liquid courage dribble within the container...

"Give me another round..."

I was at the finest alcoholic dispensary in town, a small little tavern named Erin's. It's a quaint establishment complete with an inn, karaoke bar, and kegs upon kegs of vintage whiskey...

The bartender said, "I think you've had enough, sir."

I replied, "*Hick* I don't know what you mean..."

He rolls his eyes, "Sire, you've already had about 6 shots of my highest proof. You need to go home and sober up."

The bartender was concerned about my...self destructive behavior. I was in no state of mind to be making any rational decisions, much less partake in more alcohol. Still, I wanted more to distract myself from my own self-inflicted misery; the memory of having lost my niece and my SO on the same day.

"Jokes on you, I've had seven. I stole that man's glass when neither of you were looking."

"Eh?!"

My neighbor stands up from his stool and grabs the scruff of my collar. He was a taller fellow, likely a chap who spent his days laboring away in the fields. He didn't take a liking to my earlier statement.

He said, "Whatcha say about me?!"

"I said I stole your glass under your nose. It's not really that hard...as you can see here..."

To the man's astonishment, I produce his emptied shot glass from thin air. Make that...my 8th shot...

!

The man throws me into the air, and my body rag-dolls across the room like I was part of a circus act. I smash into a fragile piece of furniture, and it shatters into dozens of pieces.

The bartender exclaimed, "HEY! DON'T YOU GO DESTROYING MY BAR! GET OUT OF HERE!"

I hazily rise from the debris, having miraculously avoided serious injury. I gaze up at the scene before me and felt the irritated eyes of a dozen bystanders, along with the frustration of a clerical bartender.

He said, "FREE ROUND OF DRINKS FOR THE GENTLEMAN THAT CAN BEAT THIS SCOUNDREL UP!"

Oh boy, here we go...

I tried to take a defensive stance, but the booze circulating through my veins made that difficult. I clench my fists and readied myself as an entire bar's worth of men and women close in on me.

I can take them on! As long as I follow my instincts...

...

Oh, wait that's right. I'm still horrible at fighting.

Welp...

Present...

Lowen said, "Well, you can stay out here while I go inside to run some errands. My mentor needs some things done before we can start our travels."

I shook my head, "There's no need for that. With the amount of alcohol flowing on that day, I'm certain nobody but the bartender remembers anything. With that being said, I still need to pay him back for the furniture I destroyed. It's my fault for being stupid."

Lowen agrees and looks out towards the open village gate. The inside of the tiny settlement was open for the world to see, and the young knight couldn't wait any longer. His teacher Marcus had entrusted him with a mission, and he'd be damned if he can't accomplish it.

He said, "Very well. Come with me..."

...

I drop a handful of gold coins into the bartender's extended right hand. His eyes glitter like a child's as the shiny little metallic coins glimmer in the candlelight, and his smile was a jolly as could be.

I said, "This should be enough to pay for the damages...and a little bit more. Again...I just want to say I'm really sorry. I was being stupid, and my actions were entirely unprofessional..."

"..."

"Are you okay?"

The bartender's thoroughly entranced with the money. The look of shock on his facing was damning enough...

He muttered, "This'll pay for my niece's medicine..."

"..."

After a moment of repose, the bartender finally snaps out of his trance and pockets the gold. He then extends out his hand, which I accept.

He said, "Erm...It's all right. Most travellers usually don't come back to pay for damages after a bar fight. You have my gratitude, and your welcome here anytime young man. Just...make sure you can handle your alcohol next time."

I blush and timidly put my hand behind my head.

I said, "Yeah...I'll try to. Erm...odds are I probably won't come back here again so...I hope you have a good life I guess."

Boy! That was awkward!

The bartender shakes his head and laughs.

He said, "Oh man, you remind me of myself before I got married. Anyway, I hope you pull it all together. Since you won't be part of my business anymore, I suggest that you try to stave off this habit before it spirals out of control. Okay?"

"Errr..."

"..."

"Hey do you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

I heard muffled screaming outside. It sounded like it belonged to an ill-mannered man, the type I hadn't dealt with in a long time.

The bartender said, "That doesn't sound good…. my intuition's telling me its bandits. Help me board up the front door, we can't let those bastards in here."

I replied, "I'm afraid I must decline. You see, I have a friend waiting for me outside. We'll show these villains what happens when you harass the innocent."

"Er...What do you mean?"

I smile and make my way to the front entrance of the tavern. There was a small chess set on a nearby table, and I knock over the white king.

I said, "That's because...I'm not just some random drunk. My name is Lieutenant Vacia...and tell this to everyone. Anything or anyone that gets in my way...will crumble under my boots..."

...

"My name is Groznyi! This village is now under my control! Bring me all yer gold...every last speck!"

I bite my lip as I observe the scene before me. I'm at the village square, but there was nothing square about this. A dozen intimidating bandits were ransacking the village of all valuables, with the screams of pleading civilians crowding the air. They trashed homes, looted stores, and beat anybody that dared stand in their way. I stood there frozen with a single blade in my metal hand...

This was beyond me. I can't possibly hope to save this village on my own. There was so many of them...

I need to get out of here. There's nothing to gain by foolishly throwing away my life here. I need to retreat so Lowen and I can fight another day...

"Help! Help me, please!"

The voice came from a nearby village girl, whose green hair was firmly under the grasp of a much larger man.

The bandit said, "Shut up before I knock you out! Pretty girls like you sell well in the markets..."

Slavery...

The reminder of that terrible institution brings up old memories of my own enslavement. I remember the countless hours laboring away and the insufferable beatings at the hands of the overseers. The never-ending, bitter taste of salt was still something I haven't shaken. That wasn't something I'd ever wish on anybody...and in a rare break of character, my emotions trump my rationality.

I exclaimed, "Hey you! You punk! Let go of her!"

Enraged, I kick the man square in the stomach. I knock the wind out of him, and he loses grasp of the young lady for just enough time for her to escape. She wriggles out of the large man's captivity and quickly runs into what I presumed to be her house.

Not even a thank you...that stings a little.

"You masked bastard! Get over here!"

The bandit recovered from my kick and sternly sized me up with his axe. The axe looks bigger than me...

Welp.

Regardless, I draw my dagger and ready myself for a fight. It's been awhile since I've last used this thing...but there's a first time for ever-

Woosh! Biff!

An arrow quickly skims the air and implants itself behind the bandit's large skull. He collapses onto the floor like a rag doll, and for the moment my grand return to combat hits a roadblock. Not that I'm complaining.

I look over where the arrow came from and see the familiar face of the woman I had just rescued. Her arm was still tucked to where she had released the arrow, and I can tell she's relieved from having made her shot. Oddly enough, she spoke with an accent a little similar to mine.

She said, "Thank you, mister! My name's Rebecca...are you here to help save my village?"

"Y-Yeah...thanks for saving me. The name's Kenan."

She replied, "Nice to meet you! Now, I'd love to offer you inside to partake in some tea...but I'm afraid those men took all my tea leaves. It's a shame, really."

Hah...this girl has a sense of humor. Nice.

"Looks like you must flatter me later than. Lock yourself in your home and let me work. I'd like to avoid any non-combatant casualties if possible."

Confused, Rebecca leans over on the front porch of her home. I realize she had filled her quiver with dozens of arrows, and that her hands contained gloves that weren't there before. It was never her intention to just sit back and watch.

She said, "Oh? You fancy me as a non-combatant? I'm about as good of an archer as I am a cook. You must accept me into your ranks, at least for the time being. I won't just sit by and watch these villains burn my home to the ground."

I sighed, "Very well...just don't get in my way..."

After a series of unfortunate events, Rebecca and I find ourselves riding on the back of Lowen's over-cumbered horse. We are riding far away from the burning village, with the smoke polluting the clear sky. My leg was bandaged from having suffered a wound, but sitting firmly between the rider and the archer, I feel fortunate for having not come out worse.

By Elimine...that was rough. We barely escaped with our lives...

After I met up with Rebecca, she and I quickly found ourselves surrounded by vengeful bandits. We tried to put up a fight, but their numbers were simply too much to overcome. Just as it looked like we would find our end...a savior in shining armor came to our rescue.

Lowen said, "Come on we're out of here! I'm sure Lord Eliwood will do something about this!"

Despite Lowen's good intentions, I couldn't help but feel frustrated by how that whole thing played out. I've always relied on the strength of others to propel me forward because in terms of fighting ability I'm useless. I just…want to have the ability to save people on my own. Just like I used to in the not-to-distant past.

My magic ability is still marginal at best. The problem isn't that my spells don't have any power behind them, it's just that my mana pool is so small. It's like Azazel only left me half of his gifts when I defeated him, so even though I can often nuke foes on a whim, I can only do it one or two times a day. This makes me a powerful, if undependable mage.

If only there was some way to give me more sustain during a battle. It's a pity really, my workshop's all the way in Illia. Otherwise I would have made a device to help me out...

Granted, it's not like I expected to get kicked out the way I did. Hindsight is 20/20...

Unfortunately, I already reached my mana limit during the scrimmage earlier. From here onward, I must rely entirely on the capabilities of my allies. Lest I risk giving myself another concussion, or worse...

Remember why you're doing this. For Lani...so don't put yourself under any unnecessary danger. You can't rescue her if you're dead.

"Oh thank goodness, we're here."

I snap out of my train of thought and gander over at the two individuals who were standing idly on the plain. I recognized one man as the lordling Eliwood, with the other likely being his bodyguard.

Eliwood hadn't changed his outfit one bit since I first saw him. He still wore the same worn blue boots he treaded the earth with, and his red cape carries with it similar noble valor. If I didn't know any better, I would've sworn he'd been on the road forever...

Lowen's over-cumbered horse plows along, and we finally disembark near my presumptive boss-man. Eliwood's bodyguard (of whom I soon learned is named Marcus) briefs his subordinate on what we had just done.

Marcus said, "Lowen! You look terrible! And those two...why is that man's cloak covered in blood?"

He points his leathered hand towards me, and to my astonishment I notice a big, fat red blog of red on my white tunic. I did not understand how it got there, though it most certainly wasn't mine.

"Eh?"

Thump!

!

I'm rendered speechless as Rebecca tilts over and collapses onto the ground. Peering over her torn leather armor, a large red gash is visible just above her right shoulder. To make matters worse, her right subclavian artery was clipped…explaining the chronic blood loss staining my dress.

I exclaimed, "By the Creator! Lowen, help me stop the bleeding! If we don't stop it soon, she'll bleed out!"

Adrenaline pumps through my veins, and I leap off Lowen's steed. I tear away some cloth from the scarf I wore around my neck and did my best to stem the bleeding while Lowen hastily acquired some vulneraries.

Eliwood exclaimed, "Marcus! Return to the castle and solicit our strongest elixirs!"

Marcus protested, "But sire, those vials are very expensive. Surely we should save those for an emergency."

He calmly replied, "This is an emergency. Go quickly, we don't have a moment to spare."

"Very well..."

Marcus bids his leave, and meanwhile I'm still trying to close up Rebecca's wound. I can tell from her wincing that she was in horrible pain, but somehow she carried the strength not to scream.

I said, "Rebecca, say something!"

She mutters something nearly intelligible, but I still manage to pick out two important words.

"I-It...hurts..."

Lowen quickly removes the vulnerary binding from the medication and pours some liquid onto the open wound. His efforts had a marginal effect on her pain, but she continued to bleed out nonetheless.

I said, "Dios mio...I need more vulneraries...and cloth!"

I draw my knife to cut away more of my tunic...but I'm overwhelmed with a numbing sensation to my metallic hand. The device refused to move inside its covering white glove...

Huh...what's going on? Why is this happening?

Then, I remember my metallic hand derives energy from the mana flowing through my blood, a precious resource I had already foolishly wasted. With no energy, it reduces my hand to any other static object...

My heart fills with dread...but I knew there was another way. I turn to address Lowen...

"Lowen, I want you to-"

"There's no need."

My eyes widen with surprise as Eliwood hands me about a foot of red cloth. Its texture was absorbant and smooth as a material could be...something becoming of nobility. My eyes immediately wander over towards the hole inhabited within the lord's cape.

I said, "Eliwood...this is from..."

He replied, "No need to worry about that. The job of a noble is to look after his subject. It is my intention to do just that."

Nobility...

All I've ever seen them do was lazily sit up in their fancy castles while the common man toiled away for his benefit. I've never seen them do anything remotely close to helping their people...yet here I see Eliwood doing just that. Mending that cape won't be cheap either...

Maybe...maybe he's different...

"Kenan! We're losing her!"

I snap out of it and quickly douse the young girl's wound with my makeshift bandage. To my relief, the material does a fantastic job in soaking up her blood, and I'm able to firmly wrap it around her shoulder. At this point she's still bleeding, but now she'll survive long enough for the pending elixir.

I bite my lip as I observe Rebecca's gray body. She had lost a lot of blood, more than enough to necessitate a blood transfusion. Unfortunately, elixirs don't do much in terms of blood replenishment, so somebody in our small platoon or in the village will have to volunteer as a host in order for her to survive...

I breathe an anxiety-filled sigh and instinctively ruffle my curly white hair. I feel...guilty. Had either Lowen, or myself ended up this way, this would be something that I'd find much easier to stomach. Instead, my ineptitude in both strength and tactics has led to a civilian receiving a serious injury, and the fault was mine alone to bear.

Still, now is not the time to get strung up on the past. Moving forward, I'll do my best to ensure Rebecca has a good road to recovery, but for now I need to worry about the problem at hand. Those bandits were still having their way with the villagers after all, and it is our job to stop them.

Eliwood asked, "So...Lieutenant Vacia I take it? What are we to do about those bandits looming nearby? I presume they're responsible for Rebecca's wound?"

Bandits? They followed us?

I look over my shoulder and spied a single bandit lurking underneath a cliff. He appeared to be looking for us, though his sub-par vision wasn't helping him much there.

I said, "We can do one of two things. We can either fight them or flee. It's your choice...milord."

It truly...truly hurt to say that.

Perceived disrespect won't help you now, Samuel. Just keep it all in. I won't let my pride get in my way!

Eliwood replied, "It was never my attention to leave my people to fend for themselves. We will engage them once Marcus returns. Can you help me plan out until then?"

I agree and delegate Lowen to look over our injured archer. We spend the next several minutes lost in thought. Looking over the terrain, I point out likely hostile personnel placements...

"Lord Eliwood, I have returned!"

Marcus gallops over to our side and drops a small blue vial onto my gloved metallic hand. I acted quickly to administer it to Rebecca, who by this point was rendered unconscious.

Lowen said, "Is she going to be alright, Lieutenant? I feel partly responsible for this..."

I replied, "You're not the only one who feels guilty, sir knight. Had I noticed earlier, she likely wouldn't have lost so much blood. I fear she may need a blood transfusion."

Marcus inquired, "A blood transfusion? What type of treatment is that?"

It's unsurprising that Marcus is ignorant to this piece of futuristic treatment. Few people here know of it, save for a few pioneers in the medical field. Of course, I'm not included in this bunch of gifted individuals, but a basic knowledge of the modern era can go a long way.

I replied, "Rebecca needs to get her blood replaced through a relatively simple procedure...but we can only do it with someone whose compatible. I'm blood type AB so I doubt I can do it myself...you guys on the other hand might be a different story, however."

Eliwood said, "If you need me then so be it. I won't shy away from whatever it takes to save her."

Lowen and Marcus agree to that as well. For a moment, I'm completely overcome with a sense of appreciation for these folks. They'd only known the common village girl for a brief period, yet they're willing to help her. It's something I hadn't seen since Lyn volunteering to do the same for me last year...

Eliwood's a noble but...

He's different. His knights are taking after him, too.

I said, "You...you people are a different breed of humanity..."

I look over Rebecca's unconscious body and then back over to the bandit lingering nearby. All of this talk will be for nothing if we don't take care of our business first, and that includes exterminating the bugs on our doorstep.

I said, "Okay...I must test you three to check if any of you guys are compatible...but we still need to deal with these bandits first. Rebecca put her life on the line to protect her home, and I think it's best we didn't let her sacrifice go in vain."

Eliwood nodded, "You took the words right out of my mouth..."

...

The battle went about as well as it could've been. Although the enemy greatly outnumbered us, the quality of our troops managed to close the gap in terms of firepower. Marcus alone could hold his own against multiple bandits, and the rest of us got by in a supporting role...

I had a feeling these villagers wouldn't just sit by and let their homes get raided...and I was right. A couple of men joined us in our cause, one of which I'm already well acquainted with. Bartre the Brave and Dorcas the axeman are their names...

Eventually, I sprain my ankle while carrying Rebecca on my back. Eliwood rushes me away into a house while the others dealt with the remaining enemies and asked the homeowner to help nurse my wound, who graciously accepted the request.

The homeowner is a young-looking fellow around my age, with a plain-looking face and shaggy brown hair. His attitude was fairly hospitable, though he's woefully unprepared to take on the role of a healer.

I asked, "You don't have a vulnerary do you? Or even just a bag of ice?"

The homeowner shook his head, "I'm afraid not, though I think I have some ice in my icebox. Will that suffice?"

"Yes it will. Thank you..."

He fetches the ice and I press the cold substance against my swollen ankle. My mind is occupied with the bleak state of my body right now...and I can't help but think I might not be as durable as I used to be.

My ankle's always been giving me problems...but will it stop here? Niime presumably did a good job patching me up...but how far can I push myself without injury?

There's not much I can do about that now. All I can do is pray that this problem is solely isolated on my ankle and adjust my fighting style accordingly.

Speaking of fighting, I hadn't been able to do much of that since we left the village. My robot hand still doesn't have an adequate mana supply to work with, and I doubt it will until tomorrow morning. Because of this, my continued presence had become more of a liability than an asset on the battlefield, so I helped where I could by ensuring Rebecca's safety. Everything was going well until I traversed over some uneven ground...

That fall didn't feel good at all. If Lowen wasn't there to pick me up, then I would've been in all sorts of trouble. Ugh...bless his heart. Him and Eliwood...

My mind shifts over to that red-haired lord. Last time I checked, they were still making their way to Rebecca's hometown...

Hmm...I wonder how they're doing right now. I hope they're okay...

Nearby...

"Ugh...I thought my luck...was finally turning around..."

Groznyi falls to the ground with a thousand precise cuts spread across his body. Eliwood wiped the blood from his thin rapier with a handkerchief and sheathed the weapon.

Eliwood and company had just wiped out the bandits threatening Rebecca's home village. Small pools of blood stained the dirt ground underlying the settlement, though most of the battle had occurred outside the village walls. Eliwood was just glad the fighting was over...the whole afternoon was bloody as it was ruthless.

He said, "Well that's that. Marcus, how are the villagers?"

Marcus lingers close by while Lowen scouted the countryside for any remnants of the enemy. Today was a busy day for him, both in terms of combat and rescue duty.

He replied, "I'm glad to say they're all safe thanks to our efforts. The magistrate would like to talk to you however, he mentioned something about a missing daughter."

Eliwood said, "Missing daughter? Did some of those men escape with a few of our citizens? That just cannot do."

Marcus shakes his head, "That seems unlikely. I'm certain we dealt with all of them, and Lowen's just searching around as a precaution. It's possible that he's referring to Rebecca...and if that's the case then we need to break the news to him..."

Eliwood's heart sinks. He felt guilty for allowing a citizen of his kingdom fall victim to the antics of these barbarians...and he didn't know what to say to the magistrate. What could he say?

I'm sorry. Your daughter almost died because I can't properly secure my own domain against bandits...

Eliwood sighs. He'd have to bear with whatever ear-full this magistrate will deliver on his own. Any anger he'll have will be wholly justified, more so since his daughter is lying comatose in a stranger's house...

He said, "Very well Marcus, let us go grant him our audience. Keep your horse ready, we'll likely have to pay the Lieutenant a visit soon..."

Later...

Everyone takes in a sigh of relief. Rebecca had awoken at last.

"Huh? Where am I?"

She's surrounded on her bedside by myself, Eliwood, her father, and Lowen. Her father has tears in his eyes as he observed the color return to his daughter's face, and he raised his hands in the air to sing praises to Saint Elimine.

He exclaimed, "Oh, thank the almighty saint! My daughter is alive!"

The magistrate holds Rebecca's hand tight, and she's left scrambling to piece together what had just happened. Meanwhile, I'm trying to clean up the small blots of blood sticking to my clothes...

That...was rough...

The transfusion was harder than I'd initially expected. Between gathering the supplies, identifying the donor, and implementing the procedure itself...it was obvious I had bitten off more than I could chew. There were many moments throughout the evening where I was very close to botching the whole thing, and I feared Rebecca wouldn't live past sundown...

But cooler heads prevailed. I used logic and a few passages from a medical journal I had read in my old life to steer my hand in the right direction, though I doubted I could ever do the same thing again. I wouldn't want to.

The magistrate notices me putting away my medical supplies and beckons me to stop. He extends his hand in gratitude for what I had just done.

He said, "Sir, you have my utmost appreciation. You don't know how much this means to me."

I blush and shrugged my shoulders, "E-Erm...don't worry about it. You should really thank Lowen over there. He's the one the made your daughter's survival possible."

Lowen raises his head and reveals a large red bandage wrapped around his left arm. The poor man looked faint from all the blood I drew from him earlier...

I said, "Eh...maybe on second thought you can just thank me. We should let Lowen rest for a bit..."

...

After some time, Rebecca and Lowen both recovered, with the former having the strength to return home. Now our mission here was done, and it was time to start the journey Eliwood had set out to do.

The five of us pack up our things and gather outside the friendly stranger's home. The sun was comfortably cradled over the grass-coated hills, and our shadows were thick like butter. My bones aches with the toiling from today's battle, but my peers shared none of my fatigue...

Eliwood said, "The intel that magistrate provided for us will prove invaluable. We'll be heading northeast..."

The magistrate had relayed to us the plight of his brother, a chap living in the canton of Laus. Supposedly, the territory's leading monarch is preparing the land for a war...

The magistrate said, "Perhaps this is related to your father's disappearance. If you're looking for leads, this may be the place to start."

Despite the logic behind their thinking, it still left a bitter taste in my mouth. Leading a high-priority target like a marquess-to-be into a soon-to-be war zone doesn't sound good no matter how you read it. Still, it's not like I'm going to convince this guy to stay away. Love in any form is more potent than any pint of brandy.

I said, "As you wish. I went ahead and did you the favor of checking over our provisions. We're low on medicine, so we should try to buy some when we get the chance. This is especially important since Dorcas and Bartre-

!

I stop mid-sentence and peer over towards the silhouette underneath the setting sun.

"Hey...isn't that Rebecca?"

She raises her arms in the air and calls for our attention like we were on the verge of boarding a train. She had her bow bound around her chest, along with a pair of traveling boots on her feet.

She exclaimed, "Hey! Wait up! Wait for me!"

She rushes over to our side and collapses onto her knees gasping for air. Lowen quickly offered the lass a drink of water from his canteen, which she accepts.

She said, "I needed that, I ran all the way from the village to catch up to you guys. Say, your that knight that saved my life. Lowen...was it?"

Lowen nodded, "Indeed. How can I be of service?"

She replied, "I never had the chance to thank you personally, sir knight. You have my gratitude. But...admittingly that's not the only reason I've come here. Lord Eliwood, I'd like to make you a request."

Eliwood said, "You have my attention."

Rebecca cleared her throat, "I've noticed that your band of mercenaries lacks an archer. Allow me to join your quest in finding your father. It's the least I can do for your men saving my life."

For a moment, my forehead wrinkles slightly in deliberation. Having an archer like Rebecca undeniably has its benefits...but it also had its drawbacks.

Rebecca stands at a young age of 15. While this technically made her an adult in the eyes of the law, it'll still make her the youngest person I've ever had to fight with [Serra was 16]. Youthful thinkers like her are bound to breed reckless actions, and I'm awfully reluctant in allowing her to tag along. Especially with what had happened earlier today.

As Eliwood's tactician, it's my duty to screen out potential recruits. God forbid we ever harbor liabilities or even any traitors in our ranks.

I'll wait for Eliwood to ask for my counsel. He's a smart guy, he won't just accept a recruit on impuls-

"Sure. I hope you've already said your goodbyes, we're leaving immediately."

My eyes shoot open with shock.

What. The. Fuck.

Rebecca gleefully jumps in the air, and the entire group joins her in celebration. Dorcas and Bartre silently raise their mighty axes, and Lowen smiles from atop his horse. Marcus commends Eliwood on our supposed good fortune, though I'm left alone lost in thought away from the others.

I...I just got snubbed.

I anxiously wipe a bead of sweat from my brow.

Bah...don't count on a royal to make a good decision. The situation's so lively that I doubt I can change their minds now. Oh Samuel, what are you going to do? You got one vulnerable farm girl to look over now for the foreseeable future. This isn't going to bode well...

I sigh, and reach for a flask of whiskey I had tucked away in my cloak. I remove the lid and jiggle the liquid a little. There's only one thing I can do now...

Meh...this is a problem for future me to figure out.

I chugged the entire thing in one go.