A Brighter Future (Kuroinu)

As the carriage stopped in front of the Levantine family residence, Rhodes got down with Chloe, who appeared quite satisfied.

Along the way, Rhodes keenly felt the differences between Chloe and Celestine, even to the point where he hadn’t fully recovered yet.

“Why are you standing there lost in thought? Thinking about what just happened?”

Chloe, noticing Rhodes lost in thought as he got down from the carriage, wondered if their previous actions were too intense, leaving him still adjusting. Nevertheless, it might be a good sign; it meant she had made an indelible impression on Rhodes’s mind.

Thinking this, Chloe approached Rhodes and blew a breath near his ear, bringing him back to reality. He coughed a few times, then walked straight into the residence, smiling somewhat awkwardly at Chloe.

Upon entering the hall, Rhodes saw General Grave sitting in a chair, looking at some documents with a furrowed brow, hinting at some trouble.

“General Grave, is there trouble with the Dark Elves again?”

“No, it’s not the Dark Elves this time. We’ve encountered some issues on our end.”

Grave shook his head. “We’ve suffered casualties among our soldiers.”

“Casualties?”

Rhodes was taken aback.

“Yes, exactly. But the commander of this unit secretly undertook this action, resulting in hundreds of casualties with no gains! He’s utterly useless!”

Grave cursed, frustrated. He couldn’t comprehend such foolishness. Despite orders to refrain from action, why would someone act so recklessly? Any failure now could jeopardize the path he had paved for Rhodes.

“What exactly happened? There shouldn’t be a reason for them to act recklessly in this situation, right?”

Rhodes sensed something amiss but lacked details to speculate or judge.

“I’m not sure. The fool and his soldiers are all dead, so we don’t have clear information. But it’s confirmed they were ambushed by those Black Beastmen, likely in collaboration with the Dark Elves. This allowed mercenaries to take advantage, eliminating both the Black Beastmen and Dark Elves. Utter foolishness!”

Grave continued his tirade. Rhodes realized the issue might be related to the mercenary group, given the circumstances. However, without evidence, he remained silent, noting the matter for later.

“This unreliable fellow must not be allowed to continue. If we let them proceed, they’ll eventually hand our advantages to the enemy. Rhodes, we need to expedite your training.”

Grave couldn’t afford to let this opportunity slip away to incompetence. He believed Rhodes needed to learn quickly and join the frontline confrontation.

“Ah, understood.”

Rhodes nodded, sighing inwardly. He knew the challenging times ahead, but his trained body and guidance from Grave would help him endure. Moreover, magic existed in this world, ensuring he wouldn’t physically collapse.

After finishing today’s study, Rhodes rested on his bed after a shower. Chloe lay on his muscular back, her hands embracing him, fingers caressing his chest.

Rhodes noticed Chloe’s increased initiative, likely sparked by meeting Celestine today. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have acted as she did in the carriage or be so affectionate now.

“We’ll likely head to the battlefield soon. Are you sure about this?”

Rhodes’s sudden question startled Chloe, but she quickly responded.

“I’ve said it before. I’ll be with you, so there’s no need to ask. Though I have more Dark Elf blood, I’ve never known any others. My sense of belonging to that group isn’t strong. If not for you, I might have considered visiting them. But now, with you, that thought’s gone. So, if conflict arises, I’ll mercilessly help you eliminate them.”

Rhodes felt touched by her response, showing her determination and reliance on him. After all, besides him, Chloe had nowhere else to call home, especially after killing her kin on the battlefield, solidifying her dependence.

“…Perhaps it’s better not to be so absolute. We don’t know what the future holds, so leaving ourselves an exit is necessary. We’re not in a position where we can’t afford one, right?”

“I have no objections. I only care about your safety. You can decide the rest. Now that’s settled, let’s think about something else.”

As Chloe spoke, her hands moved downward, indicating her intention to take care of things tonight, ensuring Celestine wouldn’t have another chance—

Bang!

The door suddenly burst open, and Chloe glared at the unwelcome guest who barged in. Claudia, too, observed the scene between Rhodes and Chloe in the room, feeling like she arrived just in time.