APML 16

Chapter 16

“Sir.”
“Yes?”
“Is it really necessary for you to go personally? If the Shuran find out, this could escalate. As you know, we’re still in the post-war agreement period.”

Cain frowned at Kate’s cautious objection.
“If we’re not discovered, there’s nothing to escalate, right?”
“That’s true, but…”
“You’re elite; there’s no way you’ll be caught. Are you worried I might get caught?”

Cain’s cynical question made Kate straighten up hastily.
“No, of course not.”
“I’ve been cooped up in the castle too long. Thought I should move around a bit.”
“But…”

Cain had always led his men directly on the field.
He had only been in the castle for meetings and paperwork regarding the post-war agreement and troop withdrawal preparations, so it was understandable if he felt restless.
Still, planning to personally infiltrate Shuran, who would be hostile after the war, wasn’t really something the commander himself needed to do—especially just to get an antidote.

While Kate hesitated nervously, Jade hurriedly entered Cain’s office.
Looking as if he expected this, Jade glanced at Cain, who was wearing a black shirt with a shoulder holster.
“Sir Cain.”
“Jade.”

Cain slipped on his long black jacket, glanced at Jade, and holstered the pistol on his desk.
“What’s going on? It’s late.”

Cain acted as casually as if he were going for a walk around the neighborhood, which left Jade speechless.
Jade looked to Kate for an explanation, but Kate just shook her head in resignation.
With a sigh, Jade turned back to Cain.
“You really mean to do this?”
“What? Suddenly and out of nowhere?”
“I’m asking because I don’t know.”

Cain smirked at Jade’s unusually irritated tone.
“Interesting. So even you get annoyed sometimes?”
“I’m not joking.”
“Oh, I was joking.”

“Sir Cain.”

Cain sometimes did reckless things without hesitation, but there was always a reason: carrying out risky operations when the situation was bad, or slipping out with insufficient supplies.
This time, however, was different.
There was no reason for Cain to personally go, and it wouldn’t positively impact the battle. In fact, it could have a negative effect. There was no reason to take such a risk.

Still, hoping against hope, Jade asked anyway.
“Are you really going?”
“Don’t you think you know?”
“You mean to infiltrate Shuran at this hour? There were assassins, too.”

Jade followed Cain out, continuing to scold him.
Kate, keeping some distance, silently followed, resigned.
“Dale couldn’t get more of the antidote.”
“I know, but does that mean you need to go personally, sir?”
“You’re busy with withdrawal operations, Dale’s busy saving people, so I have to go myself.”

Jade’s expression said it all—this made no sense—but he quickly followed Cain down the stairs.
“Sir Cain.”
“And besides, I’m bored. My body’s itching to move.”
“You just faced assassins recently.”
“Ah, shut up. I’ve already decided and prepared.”
“You didn’t even inform me, your subordinate?”
“I figured you’d object.”

Cain patted Jade’s shoulder, smiling.
“Take care while I’m gone. Luckily, this is Snowfall. Shuran border. A week’s trip, max.”
“Sir Cain.”
“And make sure Dale keeps that woman alive for a week. She went through a lot to get the antidote—if it fails, it’ll be a problem.”
“Then why must you do such a difficult task yourself…”
“I’m going.”

Ignoring Jade’s grumbling, Cain mounted his horse with Kate and a few direct intelligence operatives.
“Let’s go.”

With the casual command, they rode off. Jade frowned, watching them disappear.
“Why do you do all these unnecessary things? It’s unsettling.”

Cain had reasoned that Evelyn couldn’t have memorized the layout enough to anticipate assassins or snipers. She had only passed through the alley once, from the carriage to the plaza, without stopping to examine it. Evelyn’s explanation was needed for an accurate assessment. Cain’s insistence on retrieving the antidote for Evelyn was because of this.
But to Jade, the reasoning was absurd. A commander personally heading into enemy territory for an antidote? It was unbelievable.

He furrowed his brow, staring down the empty midnight road.

“Hmm.”

A small but definite sound came from Evelyn.
“Ah.”

Dale, watching closely, rejoiced, measuring Evelyn’s temperature and checking her heartbeat and breathing with a stethoscope.
A week had passed since Cain retrieved the antidote from Shuran, and three days since Evelyn had taken it.

Compared to healthy soldiers, the antidote’s effect on her was slower, which had caused concern.
“She’s alive.”

Evelyn survived—and so did Dale, who had worried about Cain’s concern for her.

“Oh, by the way…”

Dale glanced at the clock. It was around 2 PM.
The usual daily briefing had just ended. And…
“Dale, how’s her condition?”

It was the time Cain came daily to check on Evelyn.
“Welcome, sir.”

Dale rose, approaching Cain to greet him. Today, there was progress to report.
“The recovery is going well.”
“Good?”
“Yes. She should awaken within a day or two.”
“Excellent.”

Cain glanced at Evelyn, lying down. Her pale cheeks were turning rosy, and her lips were regaining color.
Behind Cain, Dale quietly asked Jade:
“By the way, who is this woman that the commander cares for so much?”
“I’m curious too. Could you ask for me?”
“Me? How could I, when even you can’t ask?”

Since the assassins’ attack, access to Cain’s residence, including Evelyn’s room, was tightly controlled. Jade still didn’t understand. If the concern was someone approaching, then why not say it openly? It would make more sense to protect her.

“Dale.”
“Yes, sir?”
“When can we speak with her?”
“Ah…”

Even in the capital, where rumors spread at the slightest glance, Cain had no scandalous history.
‘This must be an unusual relationship.’
Then she must be saved. Fortunately, the recovery was going well.
“I’ll make sure you can talk to her soon.”
“That’s necessary. I need to interrogate her.”
“…Excuse me?”

Interrogate? Not a gentle conversation?

Dale, flustered, looked at Jade.
“What a tiring way to live,” Jade muttered under his breath.

Leaning against the headboard, Evelyn took the medicine Dale offered.
“I’m relieved. You’re much better.”
“Thanks to you.”
“The commander was very worried. He checked daily.”
“Oh, really?”
“He couldn’t come during the border inspection, but he’ll be happy to know you’re awake.”

Evelyn felt genuinely touched. She had expected scolding for Cain’s reckless actions, but instead he had worried. Her cheeks warmed with happiness.
“Hmm? Your face is flushed. Do you have a fever? Let me check.”
“No? It’s…”

Despite Evelyn’s protests, Dale fussed over her, measuring her temperature. If she got sick before Cain returned, it would be disastrous.
“Strange. She had no fever this morning.”
“Not really, sir?”
“Lie down quickly. Take an antipyretic just in case.”

Despite the embarrassment, Evelyn obediently took the medicine and lay down.

“She’s awake.”

Returning from the border inspection, Cain entered Evelyn’s room immediately.
“Sir Cain?”

Evelyn sat up, and Dale helped her lean comfortably against the headboard. Cain plopped into a chair, casually surveying her.
Her complexion had improved and she looked healthy and happy.
“How’s your body?”
“As you can see, I’m fine.”

Cain’s smile was hard to classify as either kind or cold.
“Then, shall we continue our unfinished conversation?”