The camp fell silent. Valen and the girl locked eyes in disbelief.
"Wait—you're Valen, aren't you?" the girl spoke first.
"Yes… Are you Evelyn von Rockunstide?"
"Yes. I can't believe that after five years, I'm finally meeting you again, Val." The girl—Evelyn—answered with a warm smile.
Hearing that, Valen couldn't help but smile softly as he looked at her. Then Alphonse approached.
"Do you recognize this girl?" he asked.
Valen blinked in surprise and quickly replied, "Y-yes, she's my childhood friend Evelyn—the daughter of Count Leonardo."
"What? She's the daughter of—"
"Your childhood friend?!" Alphonse was interrupted as Valen nodded.
"Y-yes, she is my childhood friend."
"B-but you never told me about her!"
"Well, you never asked, right?"
"Valen, you… hmph!"
Valen was confused by Velichia's reaction, but he turned back to Evelyn, who was still looking at him.
"Umm… Why are you on Ionburg's side, Eve? I remember your father hates Ionburg," Valen asked.
"Well… it's like this. My father has been captured by the Ionburg Army."
"What? Sir Leo was captured?!"
Evelyn sighed deeply before explaining.
"When my father heard about the civil war, he knew our domain wouldn't last long under the Deodorit Empire's pressure. So, he decided to aid Duke Edward—hoping the Duke would help us reclaim our lands. But we were ambushed… and my father was taken hostage."
Hearing that, Valen's grip tightened. Rage filled him, but there was nothing he could do for Evelyn yet. Suddenly, a bird landed on Alphonse's arm. Recognizing it as a messenger from Duke Edward of Gooserian, Alphonse opened the letter and read it aloud.
"Hmmm… It seems we are ordered to join Duke Edward at Xendiveron."
Valen froze. That meant Evelyn would be handed over to the Duke. But she was innocent, and Valen knew it. He made a bold decision.
"Captain, I want to go and rescue Count Vidar von Rockunstide."
"What?! Do you realize what you're saying? You'll face a military court for disobeying the Duke's orders!"
"No worries, sir. I'll make sure to bring Count Vidar back. Rockunstide's army is ten thousand strong and well-equipped. If we can turn them to our side, we'll gain much-needed manpower."
Seeing the determination in Valen's eyes, Alphonse sighed deeply and nodded.
"Fine. But make sure to bring Count Vidar back. You hear me?"
"Yes, sir. Thank you."
As Valen turned, Velichia came running, waving her hands.
"Hey Val, let's go to camp. Our men are waiting."
"Velichia… I want to go."
"Huh? Go where?"
"I want to rescue Count Vidar."
Velichia froze, her expression blank. She knew Valen would go, but the thought of him getting hurt scared her.
"I see… but you'll come back, right?"
"Yes. I'll return."
"Good… Then, tonight—I want to sleep with you."
"Um… fine."
They returned to camp, sat with Valen's men, and ate soup together. While eating, Valen addressed his soldiers.
"Everyone, listen up. The enemy commander is the daughter of Count Vidar von Rockunstide. I plan to rescue him. If we succeed, we'll gain ten thousand troops and end this war faster. Until I return, Velichia will act as your temporary leader. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!" the soldiers answered, though uneasy.
The sun set and the sky darkened. Valen entered his tent with Velichia. As he lay down, she followed, wrapping her arm around his chest.
"You must come back safely, okay?"
"Yes. I will."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
They soon fell asleep in each other's warmth.
---
The next morning, the sky was still dark when Valen awoke. He stretched and trained with his sword before heading to Evelyn's tent. There, he found her eating breakfast, her leg chained to a table.
"Hey Evelyn, I already got permission from Captain Alphonse. We'll go rescue your father together."
"Huh? Just the two of us?"
"Yeah. Don't worry—we'll make it."
"Well… if you say so."
Valen took the key, unlocked her chain, and handed her gear back. When they exited, Alphonse was already waiting, holding a pair of daggers.
"Take these—you can throw them."
"Umm, throw them?"
"Yes. Grip the blade and throw. You'll get used to it on the way to the castle. They'll come in handy."
"Thank you, sir. I'll set out now."
"Alright. Make sure to return quickly."
"Yes, sir."
Valen packed food supplies onto the horses. He helped Evelyn mount, and together they rode toward Castle Hormonion—the strongest fortress under the Ramanovich family, where Count Vidar was imprisoned.
After a full day's ride, the sky grew darker. They set up camp. Evelyn lit a fire and cooked soup while Valen set up the tent.
"Val, the soup's ready. Come eat."
"Ah, thanks. I just finished setting up the tent."
Valen sat beside her and began eating.
"Hey, Eve… I just realized—the tent's only for one person."
"So what?"
"Umm… I mean, are you okay sleeping with me?"
"Well, I don't mind. We were close friends, remember?"
"Well, we were kids back then. We're adults now."
"No worries, Val."
"Alright, if you say so."
After finishing their meal, they entered the tent. Valen turned his back, avoiding Evelyn's face. But before he could fall asleep, Evelyn suddenly wrapped her arm around him.
"Umm… Eve?"
"What?" she said calmly.
"Eh… I mean, why are you—"
"Punishment."
"W-what?"
"This is your punishment for disappearing for five years."
"B-but that was because my father—"
"I know. I know your father died and you had to leave. But you vanished without a word. Do you know how I felt when I saw your house empty?"
"Well… sorry…"
Evelyn's grip tightened. "That's why this is your punishment."
Feeling guilty, Valen said nothing. He simply lay there, surrounded by her warmth.
---
The next morning, Valen woke to find Evelyn staring at him quietly.
"Umm… Eve?"
"Eh?!"
Startled, Evelyn jumped up, covering her red face.
"Are you okay?" Valen asked, reaching out to her.
"Don't look at me! Just go outside and get ready!"
"Ah, okay."
Valen put on his armor and left the tent. Evelyn, face still flushed, composed herself before following him out. Once ready, they mounted their horses and rode toward Hormonion Castle.
---
Days passed. After nearly three days of riding, they finally arrived. The castle loomed ahead. Valen dismounted, donned his scale armor, shield, sword, and helmet, and advanced with Evelyn beside him—also armored.
Near the gate, only two guards stood watch, and the walls were nearly empty. Valen silently threw two knives, killing both. They slipped inside and fought two more guards on the stairs, quickly defeating them.
On the second floor, a knight in full plate armor blocked their way. A fierce battle broke out—their blades clanging uselessly against the knight's armor. After several exchanges, Evelyn struck the knight's chest with her shield, creating an opening for Valen to stab through the helmet gap, ending him.
They climbed to the third floor. The corridor was dark. Carefully, they advanced and spotted a guarded door. Two soldiers stood in front. Valen threw a knife, killing one instantly, but the second blocked the next and charged.
"Eve! Go inside and secure the Count!" Valen shouted.
"Okay, Val!"
Valen bashed the guard with his shield, giving Evelyn time to breach the room. As the guard tried to sound the alarm, Valen thrust his sword through the man's chainmail, silencing him.
He rushed inside—and saw Evelyn struggling with a guard holding her mother hostage. In a split second, Valen threw his last dagger, hitting the guard square in the face.
"Oh, thank you, Val. I don't know what would've happened if you hadn't come," Evelyn said, trembling.
"No problem," Valen replied, catching his breath.
A man then stepped forward.
"Ah, so you're Valen. It's been a while."
"Wait—you're Count Vidar?"
"Yes, I am. And I remember you used to call me uncle, so you'll keep calling me that."
"B-but—"
"That's an order. You hear me?"
"Yes, my Lord—I mean, Uncle."
"Good. Now, let's free my men and retake this castle."
"Where are they, Uncle?"
"They're in the dungeon. Twenty-four men—enough to storm what remains of the garrison."
"Okay. Eve, stay here and protect the Countess."
"Alright. Be careful."
Valen handed Count Vidar a sword taken from a fallen guard, and together they headed to the dungeon. Guards tried to intercept them, but Valen and Vidar fought fiercely, cutting them down.
Inside the dungeon, prisoners shouted in disbelief.
"Wait—is that Lord Vidar?!"
"Yes! It's our lord!"
"My Lord, we're here!"
"I'm coming! I'll free all of you," Count Vidar declared.
He opened the cells, armed his men, and led them in a counterattack. Despite being hungry and weakened, they fought valiantly and overpowered the remaining guards.
Moments later, the banner of Rockunstide was raised high above Castle Hormonion—flying proudly once again.