TDKSR 10

Chapter 10

“The aura will only move once that binding is released.”

At Livga’s words, Jonathan frowned.

“How do you know that?”

“Because it’s asking me to release it.”

“What’s asking you to release it?”

“The aura.”

“…Are you saying it can communicate?”

“Yes.”

“You’re not just saying that because I can’t see it, are you?”

“Would I lie about something like this? Hasn’t Your Highness ever had someone release your aura for you?”

“!”

He had. One blind old man.

Why had he forgotten that?

“……”

“Please let me release what’s bound.”

“You’ll just look like an ordinary soldier to that man’s eyes.”

“Of course.”

While Jonathan and Livga whispered to each other, Daniel stood obediently.

“Have a seat for a moment.”

Jonathan pointed to a chair and spoke to Daniel.

Daniel sat down with an awkward motion.

“I’m going to examine your body.”

“Yes.”

Daniel looked puzzled but remained seated quietly.

Livga approached Daniel and touched his forehead.

Even though there was nothing visible to see, Livga moved her hands as if there really was something on Daniel’s forehead, releasing it.

Like the old man who had stroked Jonathan’s forehead.

“……”

It seemed to be done, as Livga stepped back.

Jonathan spoke to Daniel.

“I’d like to use you in the next operation.”

“It would be an honor, Your Highness.”

Livga observed even Daniel’s salute in detail. Daniel looked like a person enveloped in a shining green mist.

Now feeling like she had finally accomplished something, Livga smiled softly.

—

After sending him off, Livga spoke rapidly.

“It feels like a green misty cloud filled with light. However, whereas Your Highness is enveloped in a mist of light all over your body, that person only shines around the arms and torso, so it feels like he needs more time.”

“He must have manifested recently and hasn’t trained enough. If it’s green… then it’s ‘Transfer.'”

“Pardon?”

“When it comes to aura manifesters and those who seek Stars, that’s imperial confidential information. Wouldn’t I know more than you?”

“Ah…”

“I just couldn’t judge because I’m not a Star and can’t see with my eyes. There are records. It says Stars can distinguish the colors of auras. And that each color has a different ability.”

Livga smiled and said,

“See? I’m helpful, aren’t I?”

“Well, I suppose. But that help ends now.”

“Your Highness, if I could just stay on the battlefield…”

“Enough. No more. Even showing a child the soldiers was already more than generous.”

“But I was helpful.”

“There’s nothing more you can help with anyway. Who came with you?”

“…I told you, I came as a supply management assistant.”

“Whatever—a courier or anyone else, just follow them back.”

Jonathan said firmly.

He intended to send Livga back to the capital immediately.

Livga looked displeased, but she had no choice but to follow Jonathan’s orders.

Jonathan assigned a moderately capable and quiet escort.

He ordered the escort to hand Livga over to Yona, and to confirm and receive proper instructions for future measures before returning.

Throughout the conversation, Livga wanted to argue, but Jonathan didn’t blink an eye.

“As you can see, I was somewhat helpful…”

“Enough. If you want to see Yona get disciplined, keep going. I already showed you things you shouldn’t have been able to see. I did it out of pity for your situation.”

“But you found an aura manifester because of me.”

“As his skills improve, his ability will become more clearly visible—it was only a matter of time. He would have earned a place in important meetings soon enough.”

“In war, time is everything. Finding him even a little earlier is important. Couldn’t I look around just a little more?”

“Yona’s disciplinary period starts with a minimum of two months. And though it’s unlikely, if you were to shake off the knight and sneak back here or into enemy territory, Yona will be permanently dismissed. And you too will be stripped of your positions—whether in the information department or the finance department. So keep that in mind.”

“……”

Livga couldn’t continue.

“Are you not going? I’ve said everything I need to say, haven’t I?”

“…If you ever need my help, please contact me. I’ll come back here anytime.”

“That won’t be necessary. I’ve already received more than enough help from you.”

“I want to do more work…”

“No.”

At Jonathan’s firm voice, Livga sighed and asked in a small voice,

“If only I had identified the aura manifester earlier, before my father passed away…”

Jonathan thought he knew what Livga wanted to say.

“Maybe, just maybe. My father might still be alive.”

Livga’s voice carried regret and longing for her helplessly lost family.

“Life and death are beyond our control. Only Elohim can govern them. Even more so in a place like the battlefield.”

“……”

“Your father’s death is unfortunate, but don’t dwell on it too much. The living must go on living.”

Jonathan answered coldly.

Livga still had sorrowful eyes.

“I wish the war would end soon and everyone could return to the capital.”

“That is my wish as well.”

“…May I send you letters?”

For a moment, Jonathan paused.

“Ah, I misspoke. Your Highness must already be busy enough with other matters…”

“You can send them. Surely I have time to read a few sheets of paper you send.”

“……”

Livga bowed her head in a polite greeting.

Jonathan waved his hand lazily with a bothered expression.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Livga greeted him with a faint, fragile smile.

“Yona will handle your arrangements roughly. Go on.”

After a silent bow, Livga followed the escort and walked away.

She looked back several times along the way, as if wanting to say something, but Jonathan shook his head without mercy.

Only after several attempts did Livga seem to give up and walk forward without looking back.

It was Jonathan who stood there until Livga’s figure was no longer visible.

—

After sending Livga away, Jonathan returned to his tent. He needed to plan new battles.

First, he had found an aura manifester among their allies. It wasn’t perfect, but with training, he could certainly improve his skills.

With him, they could devise more varied battle plans.

*”Thank you, Your Highness.”*

Suddenly, Livga’s smile came to mind.

Yes. As subjects of the Empire, they should live smiling and happily like that. Without being swept up in wars.

The reason his heart had been put at ease by Livga’s smile was surely because of that.

Jonathan thought so.

Jonathan met Livga again in his dream.

Livga was wearing a red dress with bare shoulders, just like when she had played the role of the alluring young lady at the academy.

“Why are you wearing such clothes…”

“Your Highness, leave it to me. I’ll seduce the enemy commander and find out top-secret information.”

“What? What are you saying right now? I told you to go home!”

“I have excellent acting skills and I can tell who the aura manifesters are. And Your Highness is currently troubled because you’re not sure what shallow tricks the enemy commander is using.”

“I told you this isn’t something to leave to a child like you!”

“I’m an adult. Besides, I’m already nineteen.”

“I’ve said from the beginning that treating this kind of thing as normal will ruin your future. I’d rather do it myself!”

“Handsome Your Highness, look forward to my performance. Okay?”

Livga applied red lipstick to her lips, looked in the mirror, then looked at Jonathan and smiled brightly.

“I’ll be back, Your Highness.”

Then she kissed Jonathan on the cheek and ran off to the enemy camp without giving him time to stop her.

Perhaps because it was a dream, he could clearly see what was happening to Livga in the enemy camp.

Of course, in the dream, Jonathan didn’t realize that much.

Livga seduced the enemy commander, but was soon exposed as a spy, and the enemy commander raised a massive sword and stabbed it into Livga’s chest.

As the sword was pulled out, blood gushed forth.

The enemy commander tossed Livga aside carelessly and rushed out to the battlefield.

In a dream where causality was hard to find, Jonathan was there.

He ran toward Livga.

Jonathan picked up the carelessly discarded Livga. Blood was flowing endlessly from her body.

“Livga, stay with me.”

Jonathan shook Livga.

Livga struggled to open her eyes and looked at Jonathan.

“Don’t cry, Your Highness.”

“Ah…”

Jonathan didn’t think he was crying. He hadn’t realized it until Livga’s hand wiped his face.

“You’ll live. I can save you. I’ll call a medic. Don’t lose consciousness.”

Jonathan spoke reflexively. He felt like he had to keep saying something, anything.

“Brown, brown.”

Livga opened her mouth with difficulty.

“What?”

“The enemy commander’s aura color is brown.”

Jonathan was speechless.

“See? I’m helpful… aren’t I?”

Livga smiled faintly.

Jonathan’s hands trembled so much he could barely wipe the corner of Livga’s mouth.

“I don’t need you to be helpful—just stay alive. Please. Hold on just a little longer. I’ll…”

At his words, Livga chuckled, then coughed up a mouthful of blood.

“…I’m tired.”

With those final words, Livga closed her eyes.

At that moment, a terrifying premonition flashed through Jonathan.

“Livga?”

There was no answer. No movement.

Death was distinctly palpable.

The body in his arms was still warm, which only made him feel crazier.

‘Ah, please…’

Despair engulfed him.

‘Someone kill me! Please!’

He could no longer endure this horrifying situation.

—

“AAARGH!”

Jonathan screamed and sat up.

“Haah, haah!”

Jonathan looked around.

“Your Highness! What happened?”

“Ah? Ah…”

He saw the face of the knight guarding his tent.

“…No, it’s nothing. It’s not. I just… had a nightmare, it seems.”

Jonathan waved his hand to dismiss him.

It was a nightmare. A terrible dream.

The first thought that came to him was that he absolutely had to check whether Livga had returned safely.

Whether she had strayed elsewhere along the way, or whether she had truly snuck into enemy territory.

In fact, he had ordered the escort knight to report up to that point, but he wanted to confirm more thoroughly.

Jonathan buried his face in his hands.