Cazerose Sophia.
Thanks to Santana’s consideration, she was currently residing in the lord’s castle of Bohemia, but she found herself deep in thought these days.
It was a matter related to the direction she should take in the future. At this point, it could be said that it was a question regarding what choices she should make.
Although she was here as an old comrade of Santana, Cazerose knew the truth. No matter how much Santana was fine with it, she was not someone who fit in here.
In fact, she had felt this realization ever since she found out that Santana was the son of the lord.
From a simple comrade who was a paladin, Santana had instantly risen to a position as the heir of a count’s family. Watching him go so far away, Cazerose couldn’t help but feel a sense of estrangement unlike before.
Even so, Santana offered her words of comfort with the same kindness as before, and Cazerose began to think that perhaps living like this going forward wouldn’t be so bad after all.
However…
The situation that followed immediately after brought Cazerose to stark reality.
“Dust said… a lowly woman… and that wasn’t entirely wrong.”
As a former paladin who could be considered an enemy in this Bohemia, and with her family background remaining unclear, she was, so to speak, an entity with no known roots.
Cazerose was able to clearly recognize through Dust’s one remark what kind of predicament she was in. At the same time, she was also aware that her status would only serve as an obstacle in Santana’s life.
“After all… no matter how much I think about it, I don’t think it will work out… not like this…”
In any case, it wasn’t good to delay such matters for too long.
It was better to put her decision into action right away. If she hesitated for too long, it would surely harm not only herself but also that person.
After concluding this, Cazerose slowly picked up the pen and paper placed on the desk.
To put her resolve into action.
Recognizing clearly that this was the right choice for everyone and that it was a path she must choose at this moment.
“It’s okay… it’s just a simple task, right?.. So…”
However…
Right after she grasped the pen, Cazerose realized that her hand was beginning to tremble.
“…”
At the same time, a tear rolled down her cheek. The moment she realized what it meant…
Cazerose finally understood what that man… the man named Santana truly meant to her.
“So that’s how it is. I… have become like this… after all this… after all this time for that person…”
Logically speaking, her choice was undoubtedly correct.
But at this moment, her heart vehemently rejected that notion.
It made her decision waver so much…
Even if it might lead to misfortune in the end…
She found herself wanting to continue living like this, wanting to cling to her current life.
“But… this won’t do… not like this… for that person, I must…”
Once again tightening her resolve, Cazerose began to strive to write what she needed to on the paper.
At that moment…
– Knock, knock, knock –
“!..Ah… yes?”
The sudden sound of knocking startled Cazerose, and she hurriedly wiped her tears and stood up.
Then, immediately in front of her began to appear…
“…Santana?”
The man who visited at a timing she least expected.
Seeing his face, Cazerose showed a hint of confusion, but at that moment, it seemed Santana didn’t notice her expression.
He wore a bright smile, as if something joyful had occurred.
Looking at him like that, Cazerose concealed her emotions as best she could and cautiously asked, “Is there… something good happening?”
“Yes, I had something happen. Something very good indeed. I didn’t expect it to be resolved so easily, and thankfully it all went smoothly,” he replied.
“Is that so? What exactly happened…?”
With a hint of curiosity, Cazerose asked.
In response, Santana answered her question in a rather elevated tone.
“As you may have heard, we are about to engage in battle against the Emperor’s army, right? I will be participating in that battle as my father’s aide.”
The current commander of Bohemia, Count Turun, bestowed upon him the position of aide, which meant he could be significantly involved in the actual command of the army.
Given that Count Turun had absolute trust in Santana, it essentially meant that he could lead Bohemia’s forces as he wished in this war.
Recognizing such factors, Cazerose smiled and congratulated the man before her.
“That’s wonderful news! I truly congratulate you. I’m certain you will excel, Santana.”
“Yes, I certainly must. If I make even the slightest mistake, it could lead to danger not just for me, but for everyone. I will do my utmost for you, Cazerose.”
Santana spoke with a serious and sincere expression, and at that moment, his face showed a strong determination that could be felt through the air.
It was as if he were made of steel…
With unwavering willpower that promised to overcome whatever challenges lay ahead.
And seeing him like this, Cazerose suddenly began to recall the events of that time.
“Right… back then, I’m sure he had that same face. Even when he promised to protect me back then…”
The words that had brought her this far.
Despite feeling overwhelmed and knowing that this couldn’t go on…
She had remained stuck because of the walls known as reality, but those words had helped her break through the wall of the church’s paladins and emerge into a broader world.
Recalling that feeling once more, a slow smile began to form on Cazerose’s lips unknowingly.
A smile that was filled with the renewed resolve firmly set in place as her wavering heart gathered strength…
With such feelings, Cazerose looked at the man in front of her and shared her own small determination.
“I wish you success, Santana. Until then… I will strive to do my best as well.”
“Yes. I’ll make sure of it. But… what will Cazerose…?”
“Hehe… that, you will find out later… later on,” Cazerose smiled lightly in response to Santana’s puzzled expression.
“I will do my best. So as not to become a burden to you… even if just a little, to repay the grace you have shown me…”
*
In front of her, soldiers were training.
While watching them alongside her father, Santana nodded slowly.
“So this military force is not so different from what was depicted in the original work…”
With a total troop count of 13,000, it didn’t seem that considerable at first glance, but seeing the organization gathered, it was indeed a remarkable scale that one could hardly count.
Essentially, it filled about half of the plains.
Among them, about 3,000 soldiers belonged to House Andreas, while the rest were made up of soldiers from the thirteen noble families under Bohemia.
“Indeed, there’s a fundamental difference in the structure of the troops compared to the East… as it’s organized not by nation, but by lords and noble households…”
It was a situation where multiple commanders lay within one army.
Though overall command rested with Count Turun, once the battle commenced, it was highly likely that each would act on their own rather than following the larger flow.
In other words, in the event of a crisis, their forces had a high chance of crumbling swiftly according to their master’s orders.
In fact, the reason Bohemia’s army lost in the original story stemmed from the nobles surrendering quickly after the center was breached, so it was crucial to keep this in mind.
“But… this aspect also applies to the Emperor’s army. Although they are united under the name of the Emperor’s forces, except for the roughly 4,000 led by General Tilly, the rest also function independently.”
Essentially, both sides would be vulnerable to collapse due to small fractures, which meant the enemy could be easily defeated if they managed to create a single break.
Considering these factors, Santana began to follow his father into the command tent.
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