Bermuda

However, he still couldn’t judge clearly what should be prioritized in making the decision.

There were five or six factors to consider in making a single decision, and if possible, he wanted to block his eyes and ears and focus solely on one of them.

But he knew better than anyone that this was neither the situation nor the position to do so. Hugo stared at the table with a heavy gaze and remained silent for a moment.

At that moment, his fingertip, which had been hovering in thought, stopped abruptly in mid-air. Hugo’s gaze fell on a remote passage located between the northern and eastern gates of Fidele Territory.

Going about 1 or 2 km further from there led to a place marked with an artificial reservoir and dam for containing water. It seemed to be a structure where the path was normally used as a land route, but when the dam gates were opened, the path would be completely submerged.

As there were many such passages in Agrizendro Territory, which used water as its main power source, understanding the structure wasn’t difficult. However, as Hugo’s gaze lingered there for a long time, Bruno opened his mouth, thinking he had a question.

“Ah, I heard that path hasn’t been used recently. It’s a route that crosses the waterway to go into the forest, and when the dam gates are opened, the water level rises enough to submerge the path, and the current is quite strong. I was informed by Lady Hareth that it’s unsuitable for use as a supply or passage route in times like these.”

At the mention of “times like these,” Hugo turned to Bruno and asked:

“Is the dam currently open?”

“No, it’s not. Although this dam is in the border area, it’s under Fidele Territory’s jurisdiction, and right now the entire territory doesn’t have the luxury to pay attention to other matters due to the peninsula issue, right? So I heard they kept postponing the dam opening date, and now the water is almost overflowing. For safety reasons, it’s been closed for the time being, and they plan to open it on a set date soon.”

Hugo nodded at the detailed answer. Yet his gaze once again fell on the path crossing the waterway on the map.

The imperial capital’s location was exactly northeast in a straight line from Fidele Territory. If so, excluding portals, this would be the fastest route back to the imperial capital, if one had to choose.

‘I’m not sure if this could be called a justification, but...’

Hugo quickly examined other nearby passages without blinking, while staring at the map. Bruno, who had been quietly observing his thoughtful expression from the side, cautiously added:

“The operation department commanders, including myself, are closely examining additional usable passages, so you don’t need to worry too much. If we install temporary portals at each passage, the supply problem will be solved quickly.”

Hugo turned to Bruno again at his careful addition.

“Lady Hareth seems to have felt responsible for the sudden portal inspection herself, as she has handed over some authority to us regarding the opening of passages, except for areas around large slums like Barmot. The eastern gates 5 and 6 will probably open this afternoon, so the arrival time of support forces might be earlier than expected.”

Bruno, watching his superior’s face, spoke about the most positive direction he could think of in the current situation. He guessed that the reason the Commander-in-Chief was studying the map so intently was to secure additional routes due to the lack of passages for supplies and incoming support forces.

There was a hint of encouragement in Bruno’s words, and Hugo nodded appropriately, though puzzled. However, upon hearing Bruno’s subsequent question, he could understand why he had spoken with such a nuance.

“Um... Commander-in-Chief. Have you gotten any sleep?” 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

At the sudden change of subject, Hugo unconsciously raised one eyebrow. Then he touched his face with his hand, checking if it felt rough. He vaguely sensed the intention behind Bruno’s report, which had included positive personal opinions.

He hadn’t thought it would show because he always maintained a neat external appearance, but it seemed his tired face had made Bruno concerned.

Hugo rubbed his cleanly shaved chin and answered nonchalantly.

“I’ve caught some sleep. Don’t worry.”

Bruno silently sighed, thinking that he had no talent for lying.

Given the situation, it would be stranger if the person in charge had rested comfortably, but he was more than a little worried, as the Commander-in-Chief seemed to be overworking considerably these past few days.

It seemed he was hurrying, still concerned about the decision for the Central Branch to leave this place first in a few days. However, Bruno’s argument had played a large part in deciding the Central Branch’s priority return. In his eyes, not only the members groaning in hospital beds but also the Commander-in-Chief before him was no different from a severely injured patient.

But it was obvious he wouldn’t readily listen even if advised to rest, so Bruno had instead proposed the return of some forces at a point when the subjugation was almost finished, citing the medicine supply problem.

He thought it was a reasonable way to take care of the members’ well-being while allowing the Commander to get some rest. Watching him focus on sorting out the situation for nearly two days without rest, Bruno was anxious that the Commander might collapse like Leonardo.

Bruno’s remarks, filled with such concern, made even the other commanders around look at Hugo’s condition once. They exchanged glances and murmured, then gathered opinions on whether it would be better to adjourn the meeting and reconvene later.

Hugo looked around with a somewhat bewildered expression as they suddenly pushed for wrapping up, even though he, as the highest decision-maker, hadn’t said anything about ending the meeting. However, soon after, a faint horn sound was heard from the direction of the peninsula gate. News that a large number of new injured had been brought in was delivered to the commanders in the meeting.

Attention quickly shifted there, and the meeting atmosphere became chaotic. Moreover, as Bruno caught the wind, saying it would be good to take a short break, Hugo narrowed his eyes and had no choice but to go along with the mood.

“...Then, let’s meet here once more after lunch today. Tomorrow, I’ll summon all available commanders for a final situation review, so prepare summarized reports in advance for each assigned area’s full investigation, to use the last time efficiently.”

“Yes, understood.”

Hugo quickly rescheduled and addressed the somewhat scattered atmosphere of today’s meeting. The commanders answered concisely in unison, avoiding his eyes with a stung expression. As soon as the dismissal order was given, they dispersed busily and immediately ran out to assess the number of injured.

Watching their backs as they kept busy in various ways, Hugo felt conflicted about how the situation would unfold if he left this place first in a few days. However, as Bruno clung to him, pleading for him to get some sleep until the end, he was half-forcibly pushed to the door of his quarters.

Even as he entered, he felt uneasy about the ambiguous end of the meeting, but truthfully, as Bruno had said, he had barely slept and his mind felt heavy and dull, as if a stone had been placed on his head. Hugo stepped inside his quarters, judging that he should rest, even if briefly, until the assessment of the additionally transported injured was completed.

*****

The air inside was always kept warm and humid. Because of this, the first thing Hugo did upon entering was to check Leonardo’s complexion and then remove his battle-uniform top.

Hugo, leaving only a black short-sleeved T-shirt, neatly arranged his removed clothing and placed it on the side table. Then he gathered a couple of pillows Flynn had brought and stacked them appropriately on the deck. After checking Leonardo’s pulse and feeling disappointment wash over him once again, he covered him with the bedding as before and slowly lay down beside him with his arms folded.

“...”

It had been almost three days since Leonardo collapsed. Although he had opened his eyes and groaned painfully during surgery, Hugo knew that wasn’t regaining consciousness but a struggle for survival.

Since then, he had been lying as if dead, sometimes stirring doubt. Negative thoughts that he might never wake up again filled Hugo’s mind.

However, Hugo tried to shake off the thoughts themselves, closing his eyes tightly. He half-opened his eyelids again, taking in ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) the sight of the fine profile that wouldn’t turn to look at him.

“Leonardo.”

With his face half-buried in the soft pillow, he called his name, knowing he wouldn’t answer. It felt as if those dense eyelashes would part at any moment, revealing golden eyes between them.

Of course, that didn’t happen, but he had a strange feeling that Leonardo might be listening, even if he couldn’t open his eyes. Hugo muttered as if reproachful, looking at the motionless other.

“Wake up now. There are many people waiting for you.”

Leonardo’s seemingly peaceful face showed no change for several minutes after that.

Hugo bitterly swallowed the unconscious soliloquy, self-deprecating without emotion that he must be tired.

Reaching out to stroke Leonardo’s cheek out of habit, he once again folded his arms and tilted his head and upper body closer to him. Then he closed his eyes, thinking to catch just ten minutes of sleep. Having stayed up for nights on end for several days, it didn’t take long for him to fall into a light sleep.

Because of this, Hugo, exhausted with fatigue, didn’t notice Leonardo’s eyelids slowly beginning to twitch.