Inside the general commander's office, a soldier burst in.
> "Commander! The Third Unit leader requests an audience!"
> "That boy? Wasn't he still in the hospital this morning?"
> "Yes, sir. His condition is still serious. It seems he sneaked out."
With a heavy sigh of annoyance, the commander allowed him in.
The boy entered without saluting and collapsed into the chair across from the general.
The commander leaned forward, fingers interlocked on his desk.
> "So, what brings you here, Haizuki? Are you that eager to get back to the battlefield?"
Clutching his aching head, the boy replied:
> "I told you—stop calling me that. My name is Yul now."
> "Do you really think that name change matters? Anyway, since you're here, can you tell me what happened to your unit?"
Yul began to recount the events.
> "I see. So you still don't know what happened."
> "Commander, do you have any idea? What happened to Gwa Village? What happened to the Pine Forest? I've tried to make sense of it, but it's impossible. How can an entire village—and such a massive forest—vanish in a single day? Is that even possible?"
> "Whatever the cause was, it's still a mystery. We can't act without evidence. As for your unit…"
Yul winced, clutching the wound on his chest.
> "I'm sorry, Commander… I couldn't protect them. Not again."
> "This wasn't your fault. You did what you could. Still… from now on, you're no longer the leader of Unit Three. No one wants to join your squad anymore. They're afraid—afraid of dying. If you can't accept that, you're free to leave the army. No one will blame you."
Yul wasn't particularly shaken by the news, but he forced a sad smile.
> "It's fine. I never asked to be a squad leader. I'll just return to being a soldier. I don't mind."
His tone worried the commander even more. He sighed in frustration.
> "How long do you plan to carry this burden? You had no reason to join the army in the first place—and yet you shoulder so much, without ever resting. At this rate, you'll collapse. As commander, I can't allow you to take part in any more missions.
On the other hand… you've received that invitation to Auralia, haven't you? A place where fighting is forbidden. It's a good opportunity. Go. Take a break. Heal."
> "I don't need rest. My comrades died in front of me. I was helpless. And now you want me to rest before I even understand what happened to them?"
The commander slammed his hand on the table, fury on his face.
> "I order you to rest. That's a direct military order. You will leave—and if you return to headquarters before your leave ends, I will consider it insubordination and have you executed. Do you understand? If so, leave."
Yul nodded silently and left the office, hiding the rage on his face.
As the door closed behind him, the commander chuckled.
> "That stubborn boy… Still as defiant as ever."
Just then, a man in his late twenties entered the room—his long black hair falling over a missing eye, a subtle smirk on his lips.
Upon seeing him, the commander stood at attention.
> "An unexpected visit, Lord High Minister. Is there a reason for this surprise?"
The man chuckled and sat down.
> "You can drop the formality, Gars. You know I hate that. I was just on my way to Auralia and thought I'd say hello."
> "So you're just wasting time? Avoiding your duties again?"
> "Come on! Where's the respect? This is a huge shift in tone."
> "Isn't this how I've always spoken to you, Hiroshi?"
> "That's exactly the problem! You don't even care how you address me anymore," he snapped, waving a finger, then calmed himself.
"Anyway, I overheard what you told that boy. I know you're trying to keep him out of this war… but you, more than anyone, understand his value to the King's Army.
Despite his age, his combat skill is unmatched. Since he became leader of Unit Three, he's never failed a mission. More importantly… he always came back alive. Even alone.
With his talent, he'll soon surpass Traidor. The King himself has taken notice.
And yet here you are—playing the doting father and trying to pull him away. Can I ask… why?"
Gars wasn't surprised by the question. He took a deep breath and answered calmly.
> "You may not be close to him, Hiroshi—but you know him well. Have you ever wondered why he never retreats from battle?
You've seen it in his eyes—he places no value on life.
He doesn't fear death. That's why he's always the first to charge, even without a reason to fight.
Why do you think he keeps doing it?"
Hiroshi's expression darkened, but he softened and replied:
> "He's searching… for a reason to live. Isn't that obvious to you?"
> "Hiroshi… whatever life he's lived, it's not something a child should carry.
Every time I see that pale, lifeless face, it terrifies me more.
I'm simply tired… tired of seeing those eyes."
Hiroshi rose to leave. At the door, he said quietly:
> "If that's how you feel, I have nothing more to say.
See you later, Gars."