Bermuda

"We will organize the list of necessary supplies as it is and send additional official documents to nearby territories: Fillonel, Seion, and Aurelos. However, in the case of Seion, as information has come in that there is severe famine due to recent crop failures, we intend to exclude requests for food or related relief supplies. Also, regarding the entrance to the temporary portal needed for material procurement, we will request the territories to open it themselves..."

As major agenda items were wrapped up one by one, the meeting gained momentum and was now racing towards its end.

However, as it proceeded without breaks, the commanders' faces showed clear signs of fatigue. Hugo, sensing that his subordinates' energy was nearly depleted, focused entirely on the meeting for the latter half.

He led the overall atmosphere in place of the hard-working Bruno, and resolutely cut off his gaze that occasionally drifted to Leonardo. Thanks to this, the meeting that had started in the early morning was able to clear all remaining agenda items by around 2 PM.

As the last commander descended from the platform, Gray, who had taken the baton, stepped up for the final summary.

"With the previous agenda as the last, today's briefing and deliberation voting have all concluded. However, regarding the installation of temporary portals within Fidele Territory that was discussed earlier, it has been rejected, as Lady Hareth, who has the final decision-making authority, did not grant permission."

At Gray's words, some commanders let out sighs of disappointment. Not being able to install temporary portals within the territory meant that even when necessary supplies arrived, they would have to be moved one by one from outside the gate. This was one of the extremely inconvenient factors in the current situation, where manpower was lacking.

However, when Hugo gestured as if to restrain them, the sighs quickly subsided. At Hugo's signal to continue, Gray resumed:

"I'm sure you all know that the Council's Southern Branch administrative execution schedule has been generally delayed due to the peninsula issue. For this reason, proper management of Barmot and the major slum areas attached to the north of Fidele Territory has not been carried out. Therefore, she expressed concern that if portals leading to the interior of the territory are installed externally, it could cause problems with public order and security, so it is not permitted."

As he recited the content he had received step by step, the commanders generally seemed to agree. With the crime rate in Barmot recently increasing rapidly, it was a natural concern and a reasonable measure for the lord's representative. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Gray, having finished speaking, looked at Hugo in the head seat. If he, either as Commander or as Duke Agrizendro, expressed his intention to enforce it, Fidele Territory would have to follow that decision without argument.

However, Hugo's expression showed that he fully understood, and he was inwardly grateful for the decision that blocked unnecessary debate.

As he nodded, meaning he approved the disapproval, Gray opened his mouth again.

"Then we will move on without further discussion on this matter. Is there anyone who wishes to speak regarding other agenda items?"

When Gray asked, sweeping his gaze over the audience, all the commanders remained silent. Bruno, who had likewise surveyed the room, added as if this was sufficient:

"There seems to be no more. Let's wrap it up."

Simultaneously, the gaze of all commanders shifted to Hugo. Even those whose postures had become disheveled from fatigue straightened their backs and focused on the head seat. They were waiting for the final decision-maker's words to conclude the last meeting.

Hugo briefly checked his wristwatch and then looked up at the sun shining strongly from above. A moment later, as he slowly rose from his seat, everyone in the meeting place stood up in tandem.

Even Leonardo, who had been watching cynically, stood up, leaning on the armrest at Flynn's signal.

After confirming that Leonardo had also risen from his seat, Hugo faced forward and began to speak.

"The matters decided in today's meeting should be conveyed by the Operations Department to the Fidele and Parren military executives as well, excluding confidential matters. I'm sure you were all tired from the meeting that started in the early morning, but thank you for following along without showing it for such a long time. It seems I can now breathe a sigh of relief, as things have wrapped up more smoothly than expected."

Today, unlike in previous meetings, Hugo did not point out shortcomings or mention points to be reminded of. Instead, he first expressed his gratitude to the tired commanders in a gentle voice. It wasn't the stiff tone that kept an appropriate distance as usual, but rather a formal yet affectionate tone, as if speaking to relatively close people.

This gave the Southern Branch commanders a fresh feeling. As they listened attentively and held their breath quietly, Hugo, who had been pausing, continued.

"Although it's been mentioned several times already, so you all probably know, I and the Central Branch will return to the imperial capital by tomorrow morning. Until we cut off the last breath of the last creature, until we recover the remains of the last person. I feel regretful and sorry that we can't be together until the end."

Hugo's heavy gaze fell to his feet for a moment, then he raised his head with an even more subdued look.

"Regrettably, we still have countless problems to solve. But nevertheless, as much ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) as we have fought for the empire, risking our lives, as much as we have endured in this land with the sense of mission to protect it... I believe that we can end this arduous journey well, of which not much remains."

His low voice resonated in the center of the square. There was a somewhat choked emotion, different from before.

"The introduction was long. Let's end it briefly."

Hugo took a small, deep breath and looked around. His blue eyes, infused with sunlight, shone even more transparently today.

"You have fought well and endured well all this time."

He continued in a calm tone.

"Thank you for overcoming, and thank you for surviving."

With each word the Commander delivered at a slow tempo, an indescribable sense of elation filled the commanders' eyes.

Bruno, watching from the side, slightly parted his lips, then closed them. His thick Adam's apple slowly undulated. The moistening of his eyes was a physiological reaction that came so suddenly it was bewildering. Gray, standing on the platform, was the same. He gripped the baton tightly with his two hands politely clasped together.

Delua, accustomed to the suffocating pressure of bandages, felt her strength suddenly drain at her superior's words praising their hard work. Isabella's feelings were not much different. It felt as if the pain of crushed bone fragments was washed away, if only for a moment.

The 8th Platoon leader, standing among the lower-ranking commanders, looked straight at Hugo's face as he spoke. Her expression was composed, but her gaze was complex. She was unconsciously recalling the bodies of colleagues she had lost sight of right before her eyes.

They each stood still in their places, retracing their own footsteps.

Hugo felt the gentle breeze of the peninsula in the swamp of reminiscence, where not a single breath could be heard.

Soon, he opened his eyes after closing them tightly and spoke in a calm yet powerful voice.

"The noble spirit you have shown on the battlefield will not only remain in my consciousness, but will also be a great achievement and model to be remembered in history. As the supreme commander, I will always engrave your courage in my heart, reflect on my shortcomings, and forever remember our pride."

There was not a hint of trembling in his deep voice. However, like a large rock falling into a lake, his voice caused a massive ripple in people's inner selves.

Hugo slowly scanned the thoughtful faces of his subordinates, then gazed at the peaks of the peninsula that rose beyond the buildings.

The gazes of others followed that line. The sunlight sweeping down the tall mountain range of the peninsula was warm, even cozy.

"Our comrades who left before us will be with us until the end, as long as we don't forget them. So, let's live our lives for their share and deeply commemorate this moment in the future, so that not a single person's enthusiasm and death will be in vain."

It was a solemn ceremony befitting the last meeting. As if by agreement, everyone turned their bodies toward the land where their comrades rested.

It was an unusually bright afternoon. As the breeze stirred their hair, Hugo's heavy voice resonated gently.

"Everyone, a moment of silence."

The backs, steeped in bitterness, all bowed their heads toward one place at once. Among them, the head that dipped first was a golden one that seemed somewhat out of place among the navy blue battle uniforms.

Leonardo, putting aside his personal feelings for a moment, placed his fist on his left chest and squeezed his eyes shut. Knowing the weight of death better than anyone, he sincerely hoped that the souls of the fallen would rest in peace.

Flynn, who glanced at Leonardo, also quietly closed his eyes and bowed his head. The feeling of mourning spread like a wave throughout the small square, following the heavy air.

For about a minute, not even the sound of a small bird could be heard there. As if comforting the souls of the dead, all things kept silence for that moment.

"At ease."

The commanders raised their heads one by one. Then Hugo, slowly lifting his eyelids, turned to one place and opened his mouth.

"And there is one more person we should honor."

Again, the commanders followed his gaze. At the end of it was Leonardo, who had just raised his head, having awakened from the moment of silence last.

Leonardo, who had been looking at the head seat without thinking, suddenly widened his eyes at the gaze focused on him. Hugo, standing at the head seat, reached out his hand towards him from where he stood.

"Leonardo, come here."

Seeing this, Leonardo pointed at himself with his index finger. He tilted his head with a dumbfounded expression and moved his mouth.

'Me?'