Aziz had half-expected another three ambushes or attacks by either other nations or the demons before they could reach the Republic’s base camp, but to his disbelief, the rest of the journey was actually enemy-free. Everyone, including him, let out a combined sigh of relief as the fences of the base camp came into view. The earlier ambush and the sudden addition of more supplies had kept him on tenterhooks the whole time, but Aziz didn’t let his guard down.

It was possible that an attack could occur even when they were at the entrance, after all. Fortunately, the sentries on duty were alert, and within seconds of coming into eyeshot of each other, an entire battalion had stormed out to escort the surprised First Aerial.

“Marshal Marie, Colonel Aziz.”

“At ease, Major Xi.” Marie looked at the grizzled war veteran, who looked like he had been wading through mud and soil. “I see we’re very welcome, eh?”

“Yes, ma’am.” The major grinned. “My kids are very hungry. They don’t mind sleeping on rocks and mud, but they do mind an empty stomach. See? They’re all cheering and yelling, like we’ve already won this war.”

Aziz felt his lips twitch. They weren’t just cheering and yelling; the soldiers in the base camp were actually launching projectiles of qi skywards, depleting their precious reserves to show their gratitude for the First Aerial. The division had been through their fair share of appreciation ceremonies, but this was the first time he had seen one this impromptu.

It felt nice, though. The colonel could feel their raw gratitude, which was miles ahead of the polite applause that was customary for formal ceremonies.

“What’s the situation like in the base camp?” Marie asked. “Right, how are your troops all hungry? You had the most supplies of all, right? As I remember it, Minister Eventide gave you five times the usual supplies for a prolonged campaign.”

“We’ve been supplying the forward camps, which have seen multiple skirmishes. The fact that we haven’t been attacked all that much is due to their sacrifices, and they’ve even sent back intel on how to deal with demons attacking their stores, so...” The major shrugged. “You know what they say, always pay back your debts.”

“We’ll try to transport more food here, then,” said Marie. “However, we did get ambushed by the Southern Assembly, so…”

“Yeah, no worries. We’ve been ambushing them too. And the East. And the West.”

“You what?”

“Everyone’s doing it now,” said Major Xi. “Convoys headed to the frontlines have been attacked over and over by our so-called allies, so we decided to do the same.”

“Who signed off on this?” Marie asked, her eyes sharp.

“I’m the highest-ranking officer here, ma’am.” Major Xi crossed his arms. “The forward camps are very desperate, from what I hear. And since our own logistics trains have been attacked by those conniving bastards, I saw it fit to pay them back in their own gold coin.”

“First off, you’re a major. Majors don’t act as a division’s commanding officer.” Aziz crossed his arms. “What happened to your division’s CO?”

“Orders from above, sir. I was to command the entire division in place of my CO.”

“You do know that your actions can be construed as an act of war, right? Especially since you’re effectively the highest-ranked officer here, and given your position as acting commander. You can be martialled, stripped of your rank, or faced with even harsher penalties.” Marie asked, her voice lined with fatigue. “Do you know that?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“And that by doing so, you could very well be tried on charges you cannot bear, no?” Marie pressed on. “That your rank, your command, could be withdrawn from you, right?”

“Are you going to arrest me?” Major Xi asked. “Stop me from feeding the boys at the front?”

The marshal shook her head. “I believe even the Minister of State would not do that. Nor will Minister Eventide. In fact, if I were to actually arrest you, I might just end up losing my command.”

The major, who was clearly expecting the worst, stumbled. “Huh?”

Aziz glanced at Marie, whose face was now completely unreadable. He didn’t quite get where the marshal was going, but from the looks of it, she probably had a different idea in mind.

“I’ll be honest with you, major, seeing as you are…for some reason, the commanding officer of the Republic’s invasion and occupation efforts.” Marie shook her head. “Did you not find this odd? You, a Squire — albeit the highest ranking one ever since Aziz here became a Knight — is the commander of a historic invasion. Isn’t this odd?”

“To be frank?” Major Xi cleared his throat. “Not really, no. I’m the, uh, take orders kind of guy.”

Marie’s mouth resembled that of a fish for a moment, and after her lips opened and closed for a few moments, she let out a sigh. “I see.”

Aziz chuckled. Marie had been too used to subordinates who liked looking at the big picture, so to see her like this was rather refreshing. Unfortunately, his thoughts had somehow leaked out, as evidenced from how Marie glared at him with a set of flushed cheeks.

After promising to claim her debt with a pointed glare, she turned back to Major Xi and said, “The State Council will probably close both eyes to whatever you do, provided that you’re doing it for the sake of your soldiers. However, a certain little bird has made it known that it would be for the best if your identity is hidden. The Republic is still a law-abiding nation, so you should consider a very clandestine approach to your next actions.”

“Ma’am?”

“This conversation never happened, as far as you, I and Aziz are concerned.” Marie smiled. “Am I clear?”

“Y-yes. Ma—”

“What’s the situation like at the base camp?” Marie repeated her first question, a small twinkle in her eye.

Major Xi thought through her question for a moment. “Ma’am, we’re currently in need of more supplies. Furthermore, we’ve received urgent requests for medical supplies in particular; many in the forward camps are in need of bandages and medicine.”

“Because the demons aren’t killing anymore, right?” Marie asked.

“Yes, ma’am. Every single forward camp is facing similar shortages, but…”

Marie held her forehead and turned to Aziz. “We don’t have any medical supplies with us, right?”

“No, ma’am.”

She turned back to Major Xi. “Does the vegetation here have any value in making medicinal poultices?”

“We don’t have professionals, so we haven’t tried them out yet. Furthermore, from what I know, savannahs and plains don’t usually have herbs of such purposes,” said the major.

“Great. More issues.” Marie rubbed her head. “Never mind. Get everything in this convoy settled first, and then gather your officers and brief me about the situation.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Major Xi took a deep breath, and with a hint of hope in his eyes, he asked, “Ma’am, are you assuming command of the situation here?”

“No. I’m not. I’m a commander of aerial troops, not ground troops. My First Aerial will simply run logistics for you guys,” said Marie. “The briefing’s for me to tell the State Council what they need to know.”

“Oh.”

Aziz let out another sigh of relief.