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Bermuda Chapter 279
🕑 Added 2024-09-05 10:41:21 +0000 UTCChapter 279
The general's eyes widened for a moment. His expression froze as if he had been hit on the back of the head.
He remained motionless for a few seconds, seemingly processing the meaning of the words. To the general, who appeared momentarily dazed, Leonardo added with a raised corner of his mouth:
"So, I can't leave here. There's still a lot I need to do."
Leonardo used the expression that he shouldn't leave, rather than saying he couldn't leave, lest it appear as if he was being held against his will. Even that sounded ambiguous to the general's ears, but the other's resolve was clearly conveyed.
The general stared at Leonardo with a complex gaze. Soon, he painfully moved his stiffened jaw.
"I... see."
Leonardo deliberately showed an even more composed expression to the other. Then, to ensure that his friend who had mustered up the courage wouldn't be hurt, he put his uninjured right arm around the general's shoulder and patted his back.
"Still, thank you."
Leonardo whispered in his ear and stayed by his side for a few seconds, as if responding to his kindness. If it weren't for someone watching coldly from afar, he might have stayed longer.
Soon, Leonardo lowered his arm from the general's shoulder and took a few steps back to create an appropriate distance. He then slowly moved his steps towards the area behind the general. The general also gradually turned his body to follow him.
The scene that unfolded before their eyes was that of a hero of a country, carrying on his back the reason why he had to stay, shining brilliantly in the middle of the vast land.
The general let out a small sigh. He could see the large army standing like wings behind the hero. He felt a corner of his heightened chest stirring. Although their countries were different, he understood the heart that wanted to protect one's own country.
The general looked around the wide empty space for a while before turning back to Leonardo. Soon, he covered his bitterness with that familiar gentle smile. Gently releasing the held hands, he gave Leonardo a light bow.
"Whatever the situation, I fully understand your intention to stay for your country."
The general humbly accepted his friend's resolute will while hiding his regretful heart.
"It seems... I've been rude. Forgive me, my friend."
"...No, it's not rude–"
Leonardo hurriedly waved his hands. The general let out a small laugh at this sight, but also sighed with an indecipherable meaning. However, he soon paid his utmost respect to the hero's will, which was noble to the point of being foolish.
"Despite not being in the military, you still say you love your countrymen and will devote yourself to protecting your homeland. I don't know what happened to such a noble person... but I hope you can regain the glory you rightfully deserve as soon as possible."
The general took a step back. He stood with his waist and shoulders straight.
"You are the most honorable soldier I've ever seen, and your mindset and spirit are more noble than any saint. ...Aren't you the true soldier and real hero of this era? I too will learn from your will and strive harder for my country."
The general blinked his eyelids slowly. Soon after, he raised his right hand and reverently placed it on his left chest. With a gentle smile, he saluted in a solemn voice.
"Glory to Raina Logia."
Leonardo, who had been staring blankly at the other, snapped back to his senses at that voice. Soon, following the general, he put his fist to his left chest and sincerely conveyed to the other:
"God's protection to Parren."
A pleasant breeze passed between the two who had exchanged greetings of their respective countries. A faint smile appeared on their lips, tickled by the gentle wind.
Shortly after, the general, who lowered his hand first, approached Leonardo and wrapped his arm around his shoulder. Then he glanced briefly in the direction of the Commander. The general, slightly bowing his head, whispered secretly to his friend:
"But, if you change your mind, come find me anytime. If a golden flame is lit in the beacon between Parren and Fidele, I'll take it as your signal and move immediately."
The crinkled eyes seemed to be joking, but the content was so specific that it sounded half-serious. Leonardo stared at him, trying to gauge his intentions, but the general didn't add anything more and just winked, giving him a meaningful look.
"Well, I should go now. I feel like my back has been pierced by stares for a while."
The general gently caressed Leonardo's back while naturally pushing him forward. Thanks to this, Leonardo, who had taken a step or two forward, met Hugo's eyes standing in the direction the general had gestured.
"..."
After exchanging glances for a moment, Leonardo turned back again. Then, hesitating in front of the general who was now standing with his aides who had just approached, he casually asked:
"We'll be able to meet again, right?"
The general, who was greeting his subordinates, answered Leonardo's question with a gentle smile:
"Of course. We'll surely meet again."
Nodding at the definite answer, Leonardo finally turned without hesitation. He widened his stride and walked almost at a run. He approached straight towards the one waiting for him.
Hugo, who had been standing still, stretched out his hand towards the returning golden figure as if to say welcome.
Leonardo, who had been hurrying, gradually slowed his steps as he got closer to the other, and finally stopped. Instead of taking Hugo's hand, Leonardo looked up at him blankly. As Hugo raised his eyebrows, the golden eyes narrowed sulkily.
"When we get back, buy me something delicious. You know, where you bought me a meal before."
Hugo's gaze became puzzled at the sudden request for something delicious. However, he soon recalled the moment when he sat across from Leonardo in the restaurant inside the Council.
The fellow who had filled his mouth and devoured the food was probably one of the few happy faces he remembered of him. Hugo relaxed his stiffened expression and nodded.
"Alright. We'll go there again, and I'll take you to even better places."
As Hugo answered and held out his hand again, Leonardo, who finally smiled brightly, touched the collar behind his neck. At that moment, Hugo's mana, which was about to return to its formless state, was instantly caught and almost torn away, trailing into Leonardo's grasp.
The fluctuating blue mana, enveloped by golden flames, vanished right before their eyes.
It was something Hugo had attached in advance while tidying Leonardo's clothes, to find out later what conversation they had. However, at Leonardo's action, which seemed as if he had known, Hugo was at a loss for words and fell silent.
Seeing his uncharacteristically flustered appearance, Leonardo just chuckled without any gesture asking for an explanation. Eventually, he shrugged as if to say he would let it pass, and gently placed his hand on top of Hugo's.
The two turned and walked side by side on the path back to their homeland. Cordelia and the Council's commanders flocked around them.
Hugo, while directly looking at Leonardo amidst the crowd, suddenly turned to look at the Parren general. The general was just gazing at their retreating figures with a gentle smile.
***
"Blaine, get proper treatment when you go back. If you have time later, I really hope you'll visit Fidele again."
Cordelia, seemingly very reluctant to part with Leonardo, kept holding his hand and making plans for the future. Her eyes were already rimmed with red. Watching her, Leonardo felt increasingly uneasy.
Around them, members were busily running about, finishing checks on wheels and fuel, and loading urgent injury cases into escort vehicles. Leonardo too, standing in front of an escort vehicle waiting at the midpoint of the convoy, was exchanging final greetings with those he was about to part from.
"By then, the peninsula issue should be mostly resolved, so I'd like to invite you to my castle and entertain you wholeheartedly. I want to have longer conversations about things we couldn't finish talking about, and properly show you how beautiful our territory is."
Cordelia, temporarily setting aside her usual tough demeanor, caressed Leonardo's face with an affectionate gaze for this moment. Because of this, Leonardo, despite not being certain about his own future, had no choice but to make a firm promise to Cordelia.
"Yes, I'll definitely visit. So please don't feel too regretful."
After answering like that, he hesitated for a moment, then opened his arms and carefully hugged his former superior. At his gentle touch patting her back, Cordelia also embraced Leonardo and buried her face. The tears she had been holding back finally burst forth. She shook her shoulders slightly for a while with her head bowed.
Soon, remembering that the knights were watching, she quietly wiped her eyes and stepped back, but her tear ducts, which had already lost control, couldn't maintain her dignity. One of the knights handed her a handkerchief as she looked embarrassed. Cordelia quickly tidied her face with the received handkerchief and then forced a smile towards Leonardo.
Following her, the next to approach were the now somewhat familiar commanders of the Southern Branch.
Isabella Roslin, the 12th Battalion Commander, and Gray Scott, the Deputy Commander of the 12th Battalion. And there was Liner Molten, the 9th Battalion Commander of the Southern Branch, walking slowly with their support.
Leonardo suddenly realized that this was the first time he was facing Liner since the battle on the peninsula ended. Since he hadn't shown up even at the last general meeting, to be honest, Leonardo had been worried that he might be on the list of casualties.
As if to prove his worries unfounded, Liner deliberately smiled mischievously at him. However, his complexion wasn't very good. His face had an ashen color, and his lips were pale.
Above all, the missing part of his body was jarring. As if all the necrotic areas had been amputated, only Liner's left shoulder remained.
Comments
Jesse Gibson
Ah hahaha Hugo bugged Leo… wow and Leo just let that slide. Ah man, Leo is such an amazing person to let that go. Like Leo boo, no, that’s not something to shrug off. One, I’d take it as Hugo not trusting me and two he invaded a private convo and three was it because of jealousy or sense of duty- both would have me question one whether he was truly trust worthy about keeping his word about freeing me since all those acts seem to scream the opposite but Leo he’s just like shrug you’ve been caught haha let’s move on… what? Noooooo Leo nooooo Haha
Bodacious
Ah, man. So much is happening with this one meeting. It's nothing new anymore that Hugo seems to always want Leo to return to him ASAP. But can I just say how big a heart Leo has to ignore the whole being bugged issue? He's so understanding...
