Chapter 68
The commander's office. Inside, a heavy atmosphere prevailed.
"Let's hear your explanation. Did you have a reason to ignore my authority and chain of command and act as you did?"
"I was following the commander's orders...."
"I know you received those damn orders. But you weren't ordered to intimidate someone under my protection, were you? Am I wrong?"
Richter's words were sharp. And they weren't wrong, either. That's why Erich had intended to rough the man up a little before he arrived. Erich clicked his tongue inwardly.
However, he had already prepared an escape route from this situation.
"Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't have tried to overstep your authority, sir. But circumstances are different now."
"Different circumstances? Has some law been passed while I wasn't looking that lets a Centurion overrule a commander?"
"Yes. In this matter, that is possible—if it relates to the 'dead'."
At that moment, Richter narrowed his eyes.
The 'dead'.
There were two ways Richter could react to hearing this word.
He could react as if he had no idea what Erich was talking about. Or, he could respond as if he were wondering how Erich had learned about it.
'Which one will it be?'
Erich's eyes also narrowed.
Richter's mouth opened next, his tone much softened.
"The orders you received from the commander... were they about the 'dead'?"
"I can't give you the details, but yes. That's correct."
"Hm. Interesting. So, did you find evidence of the dead with Joseph?"
"No. Instead, I found this."
—Jjanglang.
A pendant in the shape of a necklace fell from Erich's hand.
It was a symbol of heresy. With his arms crossed, Richter watched it closely.
Who leads a conversation depends on momentum and timing. Erich had no intention of letting go of that flow.
"This was found at the scene where the blood of the barbarians was taken. And that blood made its way into the research tank of the 6th Fortress. So, I thought Joseph was connected to it."
"So you think the blood of the barbarians, as well as the symbol of the heretics, are all connected to the research tank, the person in charge, and Joseph... Is that your suspicion?"
"With the evidence so far, yes. I assume that in the end, the dead are involved."
A wrinkle formed between Richter's brows. He rolled his fingers for a moment, then spoke.
"The barbarian blood was taken with my permission. Blood transfusions are a last resort for the wounded. But as for the heretics, that's something I'll have to investigate separately. Why do you think Joseph is connected to the dead?"
At his words, Erich's face hardened.
This pendant had been found among the barbarians whose blood was taken. But to say there was no connection between the two?
"So it seems you already know something, commander?"
Erich was convinced. Richter had known about this series of events from the start.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have treated the keyword 'dead' in Erich's words as a given.
Richter curled his lips into a smile and let his weight rest on his broad sword.
"I heard a centurion came from Black Citadel and wondered who you were... Now I think I understand why the commander sent you. Even so, whatever important mission you may have been given, I'd advise you to be cautious. 'Knowing' things can be a very dangerous business. At times like this... what you seek to gain becomes important."
At his words, Erich gave a faint smile. He recalled what Gustav had said earlier about how his manner resembled the commander's.
'So this is what it feels like.'
Commander Richter knew something about this matter. However, he was avoiding making it public. He was also taking the stance that whether or not to divulge what he knew would depend on Erich's objectives.
'A thoroughly political manner of speaking.'
Erich, reading his manner, noticed something else.
'But he doesn't truly know the whole story.'
If Richter were the mastermind behind what was happening with the dead, the moment he heard the word he would have either disposed of Erich or tried to recruit him.
However, when Erich linked Joseph and the dead, Richter didn't appear shocked, but asked as if probing for additional evidence.
That meant Richter didn't actually have a clear grasp on the situation either.
To Richter's long question, Erich answered simply.
"I seek nothing to gain. There is just a truth I have to know."
After a short silence, Richter replied with a smile.
"How romantic. But I understand."
"Does that mean you'll cooperate with me?"
"Well, that depends on the situation."
Depending on the situation? Erich looked at him intently.
Then—
—Sseuk.
Richter drew back the curtain at the rear of the office. Behind it hung a map of the surrounding area.
Clusters of red surrounded the fortress—an ominous formation beset on all sides by barbarians.
"Unfortunately, as things stand, Joseph is very useful to me. But if you prove more useful... I might have to reconsider."
"... Commander, this isn't about gain or loss. This is—"
"Erich, was it? Sorry to cut you off, centurion. But whatever your position is, mine remains the same. Honestly, I'd sell my soul to the devil if it meant protecting this fortress. Do you understand?"
Richter was making it clear he wanted to deal with Erich.
'If you want my cooperation, do something more useful than Joseph right now...'
Erich didn't particularly like following the terms of his proposal, but he had to admit his offer was straightforward and concise.
"Hm. Understood for now. I'll see if I can make myself 'useful'."
"I'm sure you will. You strike me as a useful man."
"... Is that based on anything in particular?"
"I trust Commander August's judgment. Every man he's personally picked has been a monster."
A faint smile played on Erich's lips. He found himself recalling the talents that August had selected.
But just going along with things wasn't quite his style, so Erich asked,
"And what if I refuse?"
"In that case, you'll be completely powerless to do anything until Commander August arrives here himself."
Richter knew how to make good use of the cards he held.
If Richter blocked Erich here, there were only two options.
Report to the commander and return with written orders, or wait until the commander's northward advance reached the fortress.
But either method would waste critical time, and by the time it was resolved, all signs of suspicious activity might be covered up, making it meaningless.
Erich nodded slowly.
"No helping it, then. So what do I need to do for you to let me take down Joseph?"
"Didn't you hear me? It's about protecting the fortress. So, if the fortress isn't under threat, I won't have to protect it, right?"
Richter gave a chilly smile. His finger pointed to where the red dots were densest on the map—a place that was practically a fortress itself.
The expected enemy force was around a thousand. Maybe more. That was only based on confirmed sightings, after all.
"If you can take that place, I'll consider your suggestion. I wouldn't need Joseph anymore."
"... You want me to wipe out thousands of barbarians by myself?"
Erich repeated, but surprisingly, this impossible task was something he could actually pull off.
What gave him pause was not the demand, but the fact that Richter—who had no way of knowing Erich's true strength—would propose it.
Richter leaned back in his chair and answered.
"I told you, I trust Commander August's eye for talent. I'll assign you up to five hundred men."
"Hm."
Erich's lips twisted. Should he play along with this farce? Or just do things his own way? The decision didn't take long.
"Fine, I'll give it a shot."
"... Good. Gustav will give you the details. If you want, I can draw up the strategy myself."
"No need."
"Thought so. Oh, did I mention? That place is crawling with monsters called 'Head Hunters', too."
With a light grin Erich gave a brief nod and turned to leave. To Richter, it all seemed like, "If it works, great. If not, oh well," but...
Erich had no intention of being taken advantage of like that.
***
—Tuk, tuduk.
Frederick was yanking at his beard at a furious pace. Drops of blood beaded where he'd plucked too hard. He looked at Erich in panic.
"... So you're telling me you want to take on several thousand barbarians with just five hundred men?"
"Yep, that's what I'm saying."
"Are you really out of your mind?"
After his private meeting with the commander and returning to the quarters provided, Erich explained the situation to Frederick and Barnes.
That was Frederick's reaction. Barnes still seemed lost in deep thought.
"If you're not up for it, you can stay here. I know this is a crazy plan. Cowards naturally stay in the rear, anyway. Hmph."
"Hey, do you have to say it like that...?"
Frederick's fist trembled. Even as he grumbled, Erich was sure he would follow—though it bordered on suicide.
"Barnes, you can stay too. You've been acting strange since we got here."
"Leave him be. Maybe he skipped his medicine. He's been shaking like a leaf."
"Really? Hm."
Erich approached Barnes, who rolled his eyes as if in a daze, cold sweat running down his face.
'... The heretic pendant. And Joseph.'
The reason for Barnes's change was clear enough. From Erich's experience, when someone got like this...
"Frederick, get the medicine box from my kit."
"...? What for?"
Grumbling, Frederick complied. Erich rummaged through the box he brought.
"This one's an ointment for wounds. This is a fever medicine you drink... Wait, wait, why are you mixing those? That stuff's expensive!"
"Shut up."
Erich combined the oral fever medicine and the ointment. The result was a sticky substance, which he made Barnes swallow.
"Take it. It'll help."
After taking the medicine, Barnes shuddered, and gradually the color returned to his ashen face. Erich smirked.
'It works.'
It was just a field remedy he'd learned in battle. From experience, Erich knew mixing those two drugs could calm the nerves.
Even hardened veterans sometimes trembled like children on the battlefield. Emergency treatment like this was nothing unusual for Erich.
Regaining his composure, Barnes turned to Erich.
"... I apologize."
"No need to apologize. You seem to know something. Am I wrong?"
"That man Joseph, and that pendant..."
Barnes paused, as if searching his memory. When he finally spoke, both Erich and Frederick's eyes widened.
"He's the one who brought Max and me to the facility and experimented on us as Orca-roid test subjects. Everyone there wore that pendant."
Something flashed through Erich's mind.
Morris Village.
Orca-roid.
And their collusion with the barbarians.
All of it was linked to Joseph's superiors. A slow smile spread across Erich's lips.
Here in the 6th Fortress, the answer he'd been seeking all along was waiting for him.
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
Hmm, Joseph Joseph Joseph....
【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】