It Turned Out She Wasn't a Favored Concubine - Episode 113

“After securing the Western Front, we were ordered to invade the Small Kingdoms Alliance and massacre their citizens—what a wretched command!”

“…Massacre?”

Even on the battlefield, that word was not one to be used lightly. Ordering the complete extermination of the citizens of the Small Kingdoms Alliance was beyond abnormal. No one could understand what Erich was thinking.

“A command to kill every single person, even children? I’ve never heard of anything like it.”

“There’s no way Giscal accepted such an order without resistance!”

Giscal was someone who never treated soldiers as disposable, even in war. There was no way he would willingly follow an order to kill innocent civilians.

“Of course not. But that absurd decree came through Motus. If it’s just a written command sent via Motus, it means the high command refuses to hear any objections.”

“Is there no way for us to express our stance to the imperial palace?”

“Whether by messenger or Motus, if the palace refuses to listen, it’s pointless. The command was issued so publicly that it’s only a matter of time before the regular soldiers find out. And once they do, the Small Kingdoms Alliance will know too.”

Martenal raised both hands and shook his head.

“Then the battle will become even more brutal. If the Empire wins, the Kingdoms will be slaughtered. Wouldn’t they fight to the death?”

Naturally. If they retreated even a step, their families back in the Kingdoms would fall victim to merciless blades. Who could lay down their weapons knowing that?

“We arrived at dawn, received that outrageous command, and jumped straight into battle without rest… Today has been absolutely chaotic.”

Martenal stretched his arms and rolled his neck. Though usually energetic, even he couldn’t hide his exhaustion.

“You must be tired too, miss. Please rest. Riding tomorrow morning will be tough. Even if I’m the one guiding the horse, just staying atop a swaying mount is exhausting.”

“What? Why would I ride a horse?”

I tilted my head at Martenal’s sudden remark.

“Are we relocating the camp?”

“Huh? You didn’t hear?”

I blinked. Martenal slapped his forehead and grimaced.

“Oops, I thought you’d already been informed. Hope you don’t challenge me to a duel again…”

“I haven’t heard a thing. Are we really moving?”

“Not the camp—just you. You’re returning to the capital. I, along with the commander’s direct knights, will escort you.”

“They’re sending me back? Why?”

Martenal looked surprised at my question.

“Isn’t it obvious? They can’t leave you in a warzone. I’m worried, but the commander must be even more so.”

“…Still.”

Martenal had a point. But I couldn’t accept it so easily. After finally reuniting with Giscal, I had no intention of leaving him behind. Especially not in a place as cruel as this battlefield.

“I need to speak with Giscal.”

Sensing my determination, Martenal jumped to his feet.

“I’ll deliver the message immediately.”

He ran off quickly, but couldn’t meet Giscal right away. A strategy meeting was underway, and even Martenal couldn’t interrupt. While the meeting stretched on for hours, I organized my thoughts.

The meeting ended late at night.

“You were looking for me?”

“Yes, I have something to say.”

Giscal looked even more haggard than before. According to Martenal, he had ridden nonstop to arrive at dawn, fought in battle, and then led the strategy meeting. Any ordinary person would’ve collapsed by now.

Though he tried to hide his fatigue, the dark circles under his eyes betrayed him. I wanted to lay him down and let him rest, but I knew he wouldn’t be able to relax.

Outside, soldiers kept watch with wary eyes, scanning the mountains for signs of the enemy. The Small Kingdoms Alliance forces were lurking beyond, ready to strike at any moment.

And Giscal wasn’t just burdened by the war. There was also Erich’s monstrous command to massacre the Kingdom’s citizens.

Even if he won this war, he couldn’t return to the capital unless he carried out that horrific order.

To truly let him rest, that command had to be revoked.

“You were planning to send me back to the capital tomorrow morning?”

Giscal tightened his lips.

“Martenal told you.”

“Yes. He worried I’d be exhausted from riding. Thanks to him, I found out early.”

“I didn’t mean to deceive you.”

“I know. But you were still planning to send me away without telling me.”

Giscal didn’t respond, but he didn’t deny it either. I spoke firmly.

“I’m not going.”

I met his sharp gaze and added one more word.

“Absolutely not.”

His red eyes stared at me unwaveringly. This was something he wouldn’t compromise on.

“I can’t leave you in this dangerous battlefield. I don’t know why you ended up here through spatial transfer, but you need to go somewhere safer.”

“No.”

I rejected his words without hesitation.

“I’m staying. I won’t leave you behind.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. This is a battlefield soaked in blood. The Empire and the Alliance are out for each other’s lives. You must leave before the next battle begins. Honestly, there’s no guarantee the enemy won’t attack by morning.”

“So you want me to go to the capital, where the emperor is?”

“His Majesty must have ears in this camp. He likely already knows you’ve returned. As long as you have Arne’s letter, he won’t treat you harshly.”

“So you want me to surrender myself before being dragged there?”

“…I can’t leave you here.”

Our eyes locked again. I understood why he was saying this, but I couldn’t back down.

“You said you didn’t know why I ended up here?”

“What?”

“I know the reason.”

Giscal’s eyes widened slightly.

“I was surprised too. I didn’t expect to be transferred to such an unknown place. I’ve never left the capital before, and now I’m here at the Western Front…”

“I thought you’d return to the Edelheit estate or Arlin Palace. Everyone did. Even His Majesty. But why here, of all places…”

Giscal clenched his fist. I gently wrapped his hand in mine and spoke.

“When I crossed to the other world, I was nearly swallowed by darkness. If I had been, I might never have met Arne. I could’ve been lost in space-time forever.”

“It was that dangerous?”

Giscal trembled at his fingertips. I nodded calmly.

“But a single thread of light guided me safely. Arne, connected to my soul, kept calling me. And how do you think I returned to this world?”

I slowly lifted my gaze to meet his.

“It was because of you.”

Giscal inhaled sharply. His clenched fist relaxed. I intertwined our fingers.

“I used you as my anchor. That’s why I’m here.”

“Yoon Seha…”

“So I won’t leave. Even if you force me to go, I’ll come back.”

We stared into each other’s red eyes again. His once unwavering gaze now trembled slightly.

When I stepped closer, he quickly turned his head. His ears flushed red. He took several deep breaths before speaking.

“Even so, I can’t leave you here. I can’t protect you in this place.”

To Giscal, my safety was paramount. That made me happy, but I also disliked how he always neglected his own well-being.

“You’re determined to get me away from this battlefield?”

“Yes.”

He wouldn’t budge. I had no choice. After hours of contemplation, I gave my answer.

“Fine. I’ll go to the capital.”

Before he could sigh in relief, I added quickly:

“With you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Let’s go to the capital together.”

Giscal’s lips parted slightly.

“I can go anywhere now. I’ve been to another world—why wouldn’t I be able to travel within this one?”

“I can’t go. I was appointed commander of the Western Front. I can’t abandon my duty.”

“Even if we win, it’s still a problem. Victory means marching into the Small Kingdoms and carrying out the massacre. Can you do that?”

“How do you know about that…”

“That’s not the point. Can you do it? No, it’s not even about that. You know the emperor’s command is wrong.”

Giscal bit his lip. No matter how imperial the order, he couldn’t harm innocent people.

“Then let’s go to the capital now and confront Erich directly.”

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