Fantasising about impossible plans made for good pastimes, especially for really bored soldiers, but all good times had to come to an end. After their plans escalated to the kidnapping of the entire War Council to ship them to the frontlines, Marie brought everyone back to reality by asking about possible plans for a retreat.

“Ooh, a retreat!” Major Xi rubbed his hands. “Well, none of us are interested in getting revenge on the demons, so…”

“Sir?” One of his captains tapped the major’s shoulders. “We don’t actually have any plans for a retreat…”

“Then draw one up! We’ve been sitting around with empty tummies for the past few days, and you didn’t think to draw one up?” Major Xi shook his head, and then paused for a moment. “Sorry, Gus. That’s the adrenaline and fatigue in me speaking. Don’t take it personally. You’re a great adjutant.”

“Y-yes, sir. I won’t take it to heart.”

“Thank you, Gus. Sorry about that. I didn’t mean it.” Major Xi rubbed his head. “I must be giddy from stress and everything.”

“I understand, sir. We’re all stuck here, in this field of rocks we call a camp. Anyone’s going to be stressed.”

“Ain’t that the truth.” Major Xi poked the rocks he was sitting on sadly. “I’m just a major. I haven’t even commanded an infantry brigade, let alone a division. Why am I here, overseeing an entire warfront?”

“Maybe it’s because you’re the only Squire-ranked major in the Republic?”

“Marshal Marie has a very good point,” Aziz added. “Your rank is high enough that on paper, you should be capable of commanding more forces, if you put your mind to it. At the same time, it’s low enough that other people can push it to you while calling you talented enough to handle it despite your rank.”

“Sir,” said Major Xi, “you sound very familiar with the process.”

“Hmm. I wonder why.”

Aziz’s scalp prickled as a certain someone shot him a glare, prompting the colonel to whistle away innocently. It wasn’t his fault if someone decided that he was referring to him or her, since Aziz hadn’t mentioned anyone by name.

Marie cleared her throat, and the colonel stopped whistling.

“It’s really unfortunate,” said the marshal, “but you were probably seen as more expendable, compared to your Knight-rank counterparts. That said, you’ll probably be boosted through the ranks from here on, since you have a vast swath of experience that belies your low rank.”

“That sounds nice, but if my rank shoots up, wouldn’t the Republic just send me back to the frontlines again? I mean, losing a Squire probably won’t matter to the State Council.”

“Ah. You figured it out.” Waving his hands the way he would scare away an insect, Aziz said, “Don’t mind the small details. If the warfront expands, you’ll be here, no matter what. If it doesn’t, you’ll be fast-tracked to generalship. At most, you’ll be sent back here when the Republic sees that you’re ready once more, so…”

The major’s face cramped up from those words, but before he could say anything, Marie had cut in.

“Don’t worry, Major Xi.” Marie had a sunny smile on her face. “We’ll make sure to talk about how well you did here in preventing the Republic’s infantry from falling apart. At the same time, I will also convey the recommendation that our forces pull back until the black dome covering the Five Lands is dispelled.”

“Thank you for your briefing,” Aziz added. “We will make sure that your efforts are recognised by the State Council. Few officers ever get to command an entire warfront, even if this warfront is far smaller anything else we’ve experienced. The fact that you’re effectively the only senior officer here is going to lend our testimony a lot of strength.”

“Meep.”

“Yes, yes.” Marie patted his shoulder. “Keep up the good work, Major Xi.”

Aziz hid a smile. The marshal could be both cruel and nice at the same time, somehow. Well, it wasn’t like he was any better, but the way she had said things were so blunt that it felt like a Locomotive flying straight would deviate more than her words. He had a feeling that Major Xi would be kept awake by nightmares for the next few days, especially if the troops stationed here were indeed ordered to return.

Those nightmares would probably take the form of papers, marching orders for him and his men to return to the frontlines. It was definitely a one-of-a-kind nightmare, and Aziz didn’t envy the major for it.

“Alright, we should be off.” Aziz glanced at the soldiers of the First Aerial, who were trying to figure out if rocks were better beds than wagons. “Soldiers, form up! Our welcome’s about to run out, and we have a lot more presents to deliver!”

“Yes, sir!”

Stardust and Thunderbolt formed up into multiple contingents before the echo could dissipate. Their commanders, who had been listening into the conversation earlier, had also vanished without him noticing. They were now standing in front of their men, barking out orders and ending any thoughts of tomfoolery.

“Your men sure are…”

“Well-disciplined, I know.” Marie held out a hand. “Good luck to you, major. We’ll try to convince the State Council to abandon this game of theirs, but in case we fail…”

“You’re the only senior officer to actually lead a convoy here. If your words can’t convince them, nothing will.” Major Xi took a deep breath and shook her hand. “Whether you succeed or not, me and my men thank you for your help. For those supplies. For your offer.”

“May you find peace in your choice…I would say that, but you’re a soldier, like us.” Aziz grinned. “We don’t really have much of a choice. Therefore…good luck. Live on.”

In a single coordinated movement, he, along with Marie, turned away from the major and walked back to their men, who were now ready and raring to. The emptied wagons, including the ones Gaius had given them, were now pulled by two people each, instead of six people.

At the very least, the trip back to the Five Lands would be a shorter one.