Headache
The tense situation was broken when Askyros heard thumping behind him.
"Askyros!" [???]
Askyros turned his head and got a glimpse of a figure running towards him.
"...Ryse? What are you doing here?" [Askyros]
Panting from exhaustion, Ryse arrived at the scene.
"Haah… Haah… That's what I should be asking!" [Ryse]
"I was taking care of some things." [Askyros]
Hearing those words, Ryse knew something had happened. Looking at the situation objectively, it finally dawned on him.
"I… was too late…" [Ryse]
The strange event in the barracks began to draw attention, soon a swarm of curious trainees surrounded them. Not wanting to draw anymore attention, Sitros passed by Askyros and whispered into his ear.
"Askyros, meet me in my quarters after roll call." [Sitros]
"..." [Askyros]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
At the end of the day, the trainees were counted before being allowed to relax. After Askyros' name was called, he asked one of his seniors where Sitros' quarters were.
"He should be in that large tent over there." [Senior Trainee]
"...The one with a star on top?" [Askyros]
"Indeed, it symbolizes the might of his holiness, the Sovereign of Faith. Only soldiers with the rank Hestatus Cefalis and up are permitted to have that symbol above their tent." [Senior Trainee]
"Thank you." [Askyros]
The senior paused for a moment before responding to his thanks with a nod.
("To think the infamous Askyros was actually… polite?") [Senior Trainee]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Upon entering the tent, Askyros felt a gust of wind blow through the entrance. It revealed a room full of extravagant furniture with wood used as its base, but the desk Sitros sat at was more than enough to be called a masterpiece.
"You're here, have a seat." [Sitros]
Sitros sat comfortably in the middle of the room, extending his hand to one of the plush couches on the side.
"...What beautiful craftsmanship…" [Askyros]
"...Excuse me?" [Sitros]
His words fell on deaf ears. Askyros was completely enamored by the garden of elaborate works produced by other craftsmen.
"Ah." [Askyros]
He snapped back to reality, finally taking notice of the situation he was in.
"...My apologies." [Askyros]
"..." [Sitros]
Askyros took a seat on a leather couch near Sitros. Strangely enough, a feeling of bliss filled him as he sunk into the furniture.
"...Are you aware of the reason as to why I called you here?" [Sitros]
"I do not believe I have done anything bad." [Askyros]
Slamming his hands on his desk, Sitros stood up. His chair skidded back violently, letting out an unsettling screech.
"You think you didn't do anything bad?! Not only did you attack the son of Count Goldart, you destroyed military property too!" [Sitros]
"It was necessary." [Askyros]
"Necessary for what?! Nikal has two broken ankles, Ulmand has a broken nose plus a fractured skull, and Ambrose has mental trauma now!" [Sitros]
"It was necessary." [Askyros]
"Rrgh!" [Sitros]
His blood pressure skyrocketed, causing his face to redden with anger.
"That's not even all of it! A broken door, a bent doorknob, and two holes in the floorboards!" [Sitros]
"Are you not going to mention the sword marks on the walls?" [Askyros]
"..." [Sitros]
Sitros' anger died down and he let out a long sigh.
"That's the problem…" [Sitros]
Slumping back into his chair, he took a feather pen from his desk and fiddled with it.
"As you may know, Nikal is a noble." [Sitros]
"..." [Askyros]
"As such, it is hard to give him any kind of punishment. Haa... I know that you weren't originally at fault, so I do feel bad, but... I'm sorry, you'll have to bear the same punishment from before." [Sitros]
"...The one with the sticks?" [Askyros]
"Indeed. I promise to put the best healer we have on you afterwards." [Sitros]
"..." [Askyros]
He thought back to the pain he suffered from the batons, but he didn't hold any resentment.
"..Let's change the subject a bit. Mind telling me what caused you to attack Nikal." [Sitros]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Taking 30 minutes to an hour, Askyros explained the events in order. From finding his bed in tatters, abducting Ulmand, and finally battling Nikal in his room, the sequence was quite concerning to Sitros.
"...So Nikal was the one who started it. Just a question, why did you break the floorboards?" [Sitros]
"It was a tactical retreat." [Askyros]
"...Into the floor?" [Sitros]
"It was effective, was it not?" [Askyros]
"Effective in giving me more work to do." [Sitros]
"..." [Askyros]
"So? What about the door handle? Explain that." [Sitros]
"I kicked it." [Askyros]
"You… KICKED it?" [Sitros]
"Correct." [Askyros]
"But… why?" [Sitros]
"It was to prevent them from escaping." [Askyros]
"No, not that. I meant how did you know that it would come out like that just from… "kicking" it." [Sitros]
"I felt like I could do it, so I did it." [Askyros]
"...What?" [Sitros]
Sitros was in disbelief. Using two fingers, he massaged his temples to relieve the stress.
"Then what about the door? How did you break it, and why did you break it?" [Sitros]
"I kicked it because I couldn't get out." [Askyros]
"I… You… What am I supposed to do with you…" [Sitros]
Sitros stopped fiddling with his pen and pointed at the exit.
"Go. Just… I'll see you tomorrow." [Sitros]
Heeding his words, Askyros stood up and left the tent. With only a glimpse of the decorated room, Askyros left for the barracks.
"...What a headache…" [Sitros]