The Nature of Possession

369 – EP.13 Day 1

***

“Just keep the minimum of boundaries and let everyone rest freely.”

Although it was a strange instruction, the agents did not question it.

The group gathered at the campsite returned to their original positions following the leader’s instructions.

Even though they were just sitting on the ground somewhere in the campsite, they were gathered in groups of three or five, talking or preparing for their next shift.

The atmosphere at the campsite was strange, with the leisure of relaxation and the anticipation of the future.

The captain headed towards the only tent pitched in the campsite.

Anna and Judah followed her footsteps.

The captain entered the tent, sat down on the bed, and bent over.

The fatigue was clearly visible in the captain’s deeply sunken eyes. It seemed that working while injured had taken a toll on his body.

“Are you okay, Captain?”

Anna asked cautiously, as it hadn’t seemed particularly strange when she returned.

“You may be temporarily feeling low on energy because you haven’t been eating properly.”

Judah brought bandages and medicine and reassured Anna.

Judas untied the bandages from the captain’s body.

Blood from the roughly stitched wound soaked through the bandage.

“I will disinfect it.”

While Judah was patted with cotton and disinfecting the affected area, Anna took in the exposed flesh of the colon.

A body covered in scars on solid paper. It was a summary of the life he had lived.

Anna’s eyes, staring intently at it, were a mixture of pity and contempt.

“Still, it doesn’t seem like the wound has gotten any worse. The bleeding must have been caused by riding a horse while it hadn’t fully healed.”

“When do you think you’ll feel better?”

The captain asked.

“Assuming that we don’t push ourselves any further….”

Judah held up two fingers. The captain nodded as if he understood.

“Then I will change the bandage.”

Wrap the bandage tightly around the disinfected area.

Judas’s skill in treating the cavalry was very meticulous.

“It’s been a long time since the captain was injured.”

While tying the bandage, Judah snickered.

“Was it like that?”

“Yes, that’s right. It’s good that you get hurt less often, but each time you get hurt, it’s a serious injury. I think it would be better if you get hurt lightly more often.”

“…I’ll try my best.”

“If you can even joke around, you’ll recover soon. Even if it’s hard to eat, you should definitely eat. Anna, you take care of this.”

Anna nodded in agreement with Judah’s words, since it was obvious that the captain would not take care of it anyway.

“Then I’m off now.”

After organizing the medicine chest, Judah bowed his head and went out of the tent.

“Oh, Captain. When do you plan on clearing out the campsite? I think we need to check the wounds one more time before we leave.”

With the tent half-open, Judah suddenly turned his head as if remembering something.

“I’ll let you know when I decide.”

“yes.”

***

After Judah left, Anna brought a chair that was roughly placed inside the tent and sat down in front of the captain.

The captain, with both arms resting on his thighs and his body bent over, stared blankly at the floor.

“Are you thinking about your next expedition? Or….”

“Are you thinking of catching the traitor?”

Anna lowered her voice and whispered.

It was already known that the kingdom had expelled its cavalry. However, no matter how powerful the kingdom was, it could not relay the ever-changing movements of the cavalry to the empire.

Such information was only available to those who moved with the cavalry, and sadly, the cavalry did not include members of other organizations.

“I guess I’ll have to catch it….”

The voice of the captain, muttering in vain, was weak.

Anna knew how much it affected the captain that one of his comrades, with whom he had fought shoulder to shoulder, was a traitor.

“I will find the traitor within three days. So, Captain, you just need to focus on recovering.”

Anna snorted and pounded her chest.

“Anna Irwena.”

“yes?”

“What would you like me to do?”

It was a random question.

“What do you mean?”

Anna furrowed her brows.

“If you were the captain of the cavalry, as you know me, how do you think you would have handled this situation?”

It was a sudden question, but Anna straightened her posture at the obsession contained in the question.

A flash of fear crossed Anna’s tired eyes. Anna’s heart sank.

The captain collapsed. The captain’s will, which seemed unbreakable, was broken.

“We will follow whatever decision the captain makes.”

“That’s the problem.”

She tried to reassure him, but the captain shook his head.

“…My rash judgment could put the agents in danger. So, I’d like you to tell me. If you knew me, what kind of judgment would you have made?”

The captain seeks answers. Anna closes her eyes.

The captain’s voice calling for help lingered in her ears. Anna wanted to give some answer, but she couldn’t.

Because the cavalry must move according to the captain’s will.

“…colon.”

Anna opened her eyes and smiled, raising the corners of her lips.

“I’ll come back once dinner is ready. Right now, it seems like rest is the priority.”

After saying hello, Anna left the tent.

Phew-

The uselessly clear sky only made my head spin.

Why is the sky so blue and crazy?

She grumbled inwardly.