I Won’t Let the Execution Battalion Die, ~Even If the Empire Falls, We Want to Survive~ - Chapter 63: The Rebellious Young Lady Won't Stop ⑤

I managed to escape through the waterways in Lesse’s small boat and emerge into the outer canal.

“We can breathe easy once we’re here, but outside is also full of people connected to the Dines family, so please be careful.”

“Ah, understood.”

The pitch-black canal was wide and quiet. As expected, there seemed to be little boat traffic at night. It was dangerous after all.

“So where is Gabadeli?”

“My lady is…”

When Lesse looked back toward the riverbank, a majestic pipe organ-like sound could be heard from the distance. That… Volynigraphon or whatever, the instrument unique to this world.

Second Lieutenant Crimine was supposedly a band member specializing in that instrument.

Lesse shrugged his shoulders.

“Seems to be the sanctuary in the back mountain.”

What was she doing? She should get to the rendezvous point quickly. She probably intended to be a decoy, but it would be meaningless if she got caught.

I sighed.

“I’ll handle the rest myself.”

“Please take care of her.”

Lesse bowed his head deeply.

****

I changed disguise from sailor clothes to guard uniform and disembarked at the pier. Lesse headed back toward the mansion again. He would apparently join the Fonkt search and spread false reports. Reliable.

The planned rendezvous point was near the Dines family stables. They reportedly had a collection of fine horses trained as riding horses and warhorses.

In modern terms, it was like a garage stocked with everything from sports cars to armored vehicles, showing the Dines family’s financial power. Perfect for securing transportation for escape.

The only problem was that many servants like trainers and grooms lived on the premises. Good horses commanded incredible prices, so theft countermeasures were strict. Armed horse handlers apparently guarded them.

So Lesse had told me to go to a location slightly separated from the stables. A large building surrounded by fencing, apparently a stable dedicated to horse breeding.

With stallions, teaser stallions, and breeding mares isolated and rotated, there were many partitions and passages, so hiding places weren’t lacking. Moreover, since it wasn’t breeding season, it was completely unmanned at night.

It was certainly ideal for hiding near the stables, but why did it always end up being places like this when she was involved?

That Second Lieutenant Crimine didn’t seem to have arrived yet.

Quietly observing the outside situation, I could see lights forming a line toward the back mountain. Guards seemed to be climbing the mountain path. Was she okay?

I hesitated whether to go help, but since I couldn’t expose myself either, there was a high possibility of missing each other. The military academy had also drilled strict adherence to rendezvous points. Because of friendly fire at night.

Since she had also studied at the military academy, she probably understood I wouldn’t move from here. Though somewhat anxious, I decided to wait patiently. There should still be considerable time before the search reaches here.

Just when I was thinking this, I heard faint footsteps outside.

I gripped the silver knife from the cutlery and waited for the next words.

“Um, ‘it’s dripping down.'”

Don’t forget the passphrase—you decided it. Also, your sense is really terrible. Like a middle schooler who just learned dirty jokes.

I reluctantly returned the passphrase meaning safety:

“‘What a dangerous day it was.’ Something a bit better…”

I approached to complain, but seeing Second Lieutenant Crimine’s appearance, I lost my words.

Second Lieutenant Crimine’s clothes were in tatters. She wore a young lady-like blouse and skirt outfit, but the fine fabric was torn with bare skin exposed.

Since it was well-made noble everyday wear with solid stitching, it shouldn’t become such a disaster unless something extreme happened.

“What happened, Second Lieutenant!? Are you injured!?”

“Ah no, I’m fine. I just jumped off a cliff…”

“Explain how you’re fine. Any bruises? Is anything broken?”

“If something was broken, I couldn’t have walked here, Lieutenant. Please calm down.”

You’re one to talk. Are you really okay?

Regardless of Second Lieutenant Crimine’s protests, I illuminated her from head to toe with the lantern to check, but there didn’t seem to be any major external injuries.

“Did you hit your head?”

“I didn’t.”

“Any painful places?”

“No. What’s really wrong with you?”

Unable to bear the relief and anxiety, I hugged Second Lieutenant Crimine tightly.

“Hey, Lieutenant!? Now isn’t the time for this…”

“Please don’t worry me so much. You’re really a troublesome comrade.”

Joy at reuniting with Second Lieutenant Crimine welled up. As long as I had this soft warmth, I wouldn’t lose to anyone.

“Thank goodness…”

“Really, you worry too much. This is my family home, so there’s nothing dangerous at all.”

“Even jumping off cliffs?”

“The mountain sanctuary has an almost vertical cliff at the back, but there are multiple rock ledges along the way, so you can slide down to the bottom. The cliff base is a thicket with soft soil.”

You did that in this darkness? And got this torn up?

“First I steal guard uniforms drying in the plaza on the way to the sanctuary, but since I’d be in trouble if they tore, I don’t put them on yet. After briefly performing at the sanctuary to signal my location, I hurry and slide down the cliff. The guards spread their search circle centered on the sanctuary, but they absolutely won’t come to these stables. Beyond the cliff is outside the guards’ jurisdiction.”

It was like listening to a game speedrun explanation.

“Just hearing about it sounds like a dangerous route, but you made it safely.”

“I’ve done it many times since childhood, so I’d be fine even with my eyes closed.”

I hate to say this, but you’re a bit strange.

“Well, the first time, I thought ‘I wonder if I’d die if I fell’ and tried falling.”

Not a bit—quite strange.

Though exhausted from worry, I decided to celebrate her safety for now.

“You did well. I’m grateful for your efforts. But please value your life.”

“Yes! As long as you’re here, Lieutenant, I’ll never die!”

“Good, that’s the spirit.”

Though there were various problems, she was a reliable partner.

While deeply moved with emotion, Second Lieutenant Crimine tapped my back.

“Um, Lieutenant.”

“What?”

“I’d be happy if you’d let go soon.”

Damn, I’d been hugging her the whole time.

When I hastily released her, Second Lieutenant Crimine relaxed her slightly pink-tinged cheeks.

“Really, Lieutenant really likes me.”

“Well… that’s right.”

A bit embarrassing.

Second Lieutenant Crimine said with an embarrassed laugh:

“My dream was to become a corpse in front of you, Lieutenant.”

What? Didn’t she just casually say something terrible?

“But since I’m happy having you worry about me like this, I’ll try not to die.”

“Ah, yeah. Please do that.”

Since she seemed likely to die if left alone, I should keep a firm hold on her from now on.

“By the way, Lieutenant.”

“What?”

“This is a place where horses mate, but is your ‘stallion’ feeling energetic?”

“What are you saying?”

“Since we have the chance, I thought this kind of place might be fresh…”

Could it be that I’d have to endure this intense sexual harassment for the rest of my life? I might have made the wrong life choice.

Hey stop that, don’t touch me while taking advantage of the confusion. This isn’t the time for that.

I tapped Second Lieutenant Crimine’s forehead to make her focus.

“My steed is always spirited, but we can’t waste time and energy. More importantly, let’s steal real horses and escape. I’d like to steal two warhorses if possible. Can you do it?”

Second Lieutenant Crimine showed a thoughtful expression.

“Warhorses might be difficult. But there are plenty of cheap riding horses lying around.”

“Excellent. Prepare immediately… wait, why are you undressing?”

Second Lieutenant Crimine, now topless, pouted her lips unhappily.

“Since I’d stand out in such tattered clothes anyway, I’m just disguising myself in guard uniform too~”

Really…?