After the scouts left, the Étoile troops advanced closer but halted at a cautious distance away from the battlefield. Elaine sat on a nearby boulder, distracting herself by watching an army of ants carrying food back to their home base. Elias stood with Roland in front of the troops, discussing their contingency plans for several potential scenarios.

A long time passed, and finally, Elaine heard incoming footsteps. She lifted her head and saw the dispatched scouts. However, out of three, only two returned with injuries. A young man was carrying another, arm over his shoulders, limping toward the troops.

"What happened?" The male protagonist and Roland approached them.

The limping scout handed his barely conscious comrade to the other soldiers and then knelt on one knee, planting his sword to the ground and shifting part of his weight to it for support. His expression was heavy. "The monsters noticed us on our way back. We fought with all our might but got overwhelmed by their numbers. Eventually, we exhausted our strength and could not continue for much longer." The scout paused for a moment, taking arduous breaths. "Finally, Sir Novik convinced Sir Berisha and me to leave while he stayed behind fighting, saying he would rather us two complete the mission than all of us perish together." He coughed up blood while his countenance crumpled in despair. "Sir Berisha and I were supposed to die in there. Yet, we are still alive because of Sir Novik."

The atmosphere became pregnant after the young man's story. The knights in training and soldiers' faces were like mourners at a funeral.

"Sir Novik was a fine knight in training, and I will ensure Étoile suitably rewards his family for his contributions, as with all our other brave, fallen men." Elias rested a firm hand on the scout's shoulder.

"Yes, ease your sorrow, Sir Brascal. Sir Novik died an honorable death, and the Empire will commemorate everyone's sacrifices on this mission for generations," Roland chimed.

"Thank you…Commanders." Brascal raised his head, and a hint of relaxation finally smoothed his tense facial muscles.

Elaine observed the unfolding scene with renewed interest. Though she had limited knowledge about knighthood and its code of honor, Elaine always assumed the Croix knights' loyalty and willingness to die for their masters was because of the House of Croix's brainwashing regiment. Therefore, seeing a knight in training from another House sacrificing himself for others amazed her. It was a trait Elaine had never witnessed among the nobles—except for the story's main characters, of course. Under the beautiful visages and pleasantries were vultures waiting for opportunities to strike their enemies or step on their allies. What made these knights different? Was it the camaraderie they developed with each other during battles? Or did their strong desire to protect responsible for their selfless actions?

"Does it even matter?" Elaine whispered to herself. In the end, the knights were mere pawns on a chessboard controlled by the nobles. A knight would receive honor if his master triumphed and die in disgrace if his master lost. It was a fate awaiting the Croix knights but shared by all in the same position. Even the current joint expedition, celebrated by both Empires as an honorable event, was only another game played between the Étoile and Léonas monarchs. She concluded that the deaths and sacrifices until this moment culminated in nothing more than pure entertainment. Elaine did not wish to continue her dissection of the book's world's brutal reality and shifted her focus back to the young man.

"Now." The male protagonist helped Brascal to his feet. "Tell us about your discovery."

"Yes, Commander." His expression again turned grim. "We surveyed the area and confirmed that the clashing groups beyond the smoke were the Léonas troops and a hoard of monsters. Though the enemies were relentless and the Léonas soldiers seemed outnumbered, they held their ground better than expected. However, despite their fierce efforts, they still endured heavy casualties." Brascal again stopped for breaths, then continued. "We also recognized a few of our missing men, a young noblewoman and her maid among the Léonas' ranks. The noblewoman seemed to be a healer. She was healing the injured men."

A young female aristocrat and her maid? She is also a healer. Elaine's ears perked up. That girl must be Celeste! Then is Cecil with her?

"How did you know these women's identities?" Roland inquired.

"Sir Novik recognized them. He had seen the Lady a few times before when she visited the knight's training ground with her older brothers. She is the youngest daughter of the House he swore loyalty to, the House of d'Artois."

"Was there a Croix knight in training with her?" Elaine's question surprised everyone. Suddenly, they remembered the other female aristocrat in their midst. The conversation turned quiet. And though Elaine patiently waited for the young man's reply, it never came.

"Sir Brascal," Roland finally spoke, ending the strange silence. "Please answer her ladyship."

"Forgive me, milady. Your question caught me off guard." Brascal lowered his head, embarrassed. In normal circumstances, his current behavior would constitute disrespect and land him in the dungeon or worse. He had heard of the Duke of Geris' fearsome reputation and would prefer not to give his daughter an unfavorable impression—especially when his House was part of the Geris' faction.

"Don't worry. You have not offended me," Elaine smiled. She could see the sincerity in his manners and did not want to cause him additional distress.

"Thank you, milady."

"Did you see a Croix knight in training?" she repeated her question.

"Yes, I saw a Croix knight in training with curly blonde hair among the men fighting alongside the Léonas troops. He was protecting the d'Artois noblewoman."