I Won’t Let the Execution Battalion Die, ~Even If the Empire Falls, We Want to Survive~ - Chapter 78: The Execution Battalion Won't Let Anyone Die

Before long, Captain Yugi returned again in ao dai-style clothing, so Second Lieutenant Crimine and I resolved to leave the Ceremonial Battalion.

The battalion commander, disguised as a well-dressed commoner, smiled wryly upon seeing our appearance.

“A doctor and nurse?”

“It’s true that I have some knowledge of internal medicine. I also have an old house call bag I got from Dr. Buho.”

A house call bag was like a physician’s identification, and this well-used bag was valuable as a disguise tool. It was quite convincing.

“Besides, if she’s a nurse, being somewhat eccentric won’t be suspicious.”

“Ah, certainly.”

The battalion commander and I looked at Second Lieutenant Crimine.

In this world, there were many female nurses. Since physicians were all male, female assistants were needed out of consideration for female patients.

However, just as doctors tended to be treated as eccentrics, nurses were also easily treated as eccentrics. The combination of a strange male doctor and strange female nurse was a staple of popular theater.

The battalion commander chuckled while concealing an ultra-compact hidden pistol in her bosom—what was called a derringer.

“You two should manage well. Hey Minaka, bring Aida.”

Aida was the battalion commander’s daughter’s name. For security reasons, never speaking it had been our rule in the Ceremonial Battalion, but that Ceremonial Battalion no longer existed.

Captain Yugi immediately appeared with a girl about ten years old.

A blonde girl with an intelligent and delicate atmosphere, making me wonder if the battalion commander had been like this as a child.

Conversely, this child might possibly become like the battalion commander, but I didn’t want to imagine such a sad fate. I believed the future could be changed.

Incidentally, little Aida didn’t know her mother was a soldier.

“Shall we go soon, ‘Madam’?”

“Let’s do that. Aida, look, it’s Fonkt-san.”

Little Aida, who had entered anxiously, suddenly brightened.

“Fonkt-san! You know, I suddenly have to go far away! So, um…”

Little Aida, who seemed to want to say something, suddenly hesitated.

This child was still at the age of being in love with love, and apparently dreamed of marrying me. Boys her age were apparently “out of the question.” She was probably precocious.

She definitely showed traces of her mother.

Since treating her like a child would hurt her, I removed my hat, bent down, and matched her eye level. Then I smiled warmly.

“It’s alright, Aida-chan. It’s unfortunate the city has become like this, but once it returns to normal, you can live as usual again.”

Of course, that was a lie. This capital would never return to normal.

But if she knew that now, she probably couldn’t leave the capital. As the previous Emperor’s real daughter, staying in the post-revolution capital would be too dangerous.

However, since lying still bothered me, I added this follow-up:

“Even if the city doesn’t return to normal, we can meet in a different place. When that time comes and my new home is decided and settled, I’ll come and greet you at your place.”

Well, this was also a lie. Ceremonial Battalion members would never meet again. It was too dangerous.

But if she adapted to her new life, she’d probably forget about me soon. I was just “an uncle mama knows.”

Little Aida took my hand and gripped it tightly.

“Promise?”

“Yes, I promise.”

Since it would be impossible for me as a fugitive to “settle down,” I wouldn’t be visiting either. So I wasn’t breaking the promise.

But I was definitely deceiving her, which pained my chest a little.

Well, it was too late now. I’d been deceiving people plenty with disguises, false names, and secret operations. I could never become a good person.

While suppressing guilt, I smiled warmly and gently squeezed little Aida’s hand in return.

“Well then, ‘Aida-san.’ Please listen well to your mother and become a fine person. I have expectations.”

“Y-yes!”

Addressing her with polite language was a declaration of intent to treat her as an adult.

Intelligent little Aida immediately understood this and flushed. I hoped this would foster responsibility and self-awareness.

While thinking this, the battalion commander somehow bonked me on the head.

“What are you doing until the very end?”

“That’s right, lolicon senpai.”

Even Second Lieutenant Crimine began saying terrible things. A complete false accusation.

When I looked up at Captain Yugi as if seeking help, she was laughing.

“You toy with maiden hearts too much, Fonkt-san. Please moderate yourself.”

“I didn’t mean it that way.”

So I was the only bad guy again. This wouldn’t have happened if Lieutenant Meinen were alive.

I had absolutely no idea what was wrong, but this was probably what living in another world meant. Values and common sense were completely different.

The battalion commander patted little Aida’s head.

“How nice, Aida. I’ll definitely make Fonkt-san keep his promise, so don’t worry.”

“Yes, Mother!”

Yes yes, a heartwarming scene. Though the battalion commander was glaring at me intensely.

Well, anyway, let’s escape.

“It’s getting noisy outside. The line infantry here also disbanded earlier, so lingering is unnecessary.”

“Right. Well then, take care.”

The battalion commander left the room with her beloved daughter and Captain Yugi.

Only Second Lieutenant Crimine and I remained.

Disguised as doctor and nurse, we looked at each other and chuckled.

“You should have just returned to your family home.”

When I smiled wryly, Second Lieutenant Crimine quietly nestled close.

“I decide my own place to belong.”

“It might become your place to die.”

Completely unfazed by my warning, Second Lieutenant Crimine laughed.

“Have you already forgotten what I said before the ‘duel’ with Lord Green? That when I’m hanged, I want to be beside you.”

“I remember. I just didn’t think you were serious.”

Ah, this was troublesome—she really might die.

I had to protect her.

“Don’t you forget either. The Ceremonial Battalion won’t let you die.”

“Yes. Besides, the Ceremonial Battalion won’t let you die either.”

Hm?

Hearing unexpected words, I turned around to find Second Lieutenant Crimine smiling.

“I absolutely won’t let you die.”

Because we knew each other inside and out, I understood.

She wasn’t joking at all. She was completely serious.

I was troubled and scratched my head.

But in the end, I decided to answer honestly too.

“Thank you. Then let’s both survive.”

“Yes!”