A Brief Vacation

It was yet another fair and sunny day, the kind that almost made people forget the war.

After several shifts along the front line, the 11th Night Knight Company, which wasn't assigned any immediate combat duties, found itself relocated directly to the Third Army's main headquarters. Their once-quiet camp was now filled with the rare sound of casual conversation.

"Four whole days off. That's rare," Otto said as he tucked away the leave permits handed out by Andrei and joined Edwin and Nordhausen.

"Four days, huh? I guess even the brass knows we're only good for killing things," Edwin muttered. He wasn't exactly thrilled. If anything, he sounded slightly offended by the brevity of the leave. The General Staff had grown heavily reliant on the Night Knights to break deadlocks at the front.

"Four days is better than none. Any plans?" Otto asked, choosing to focus on the positive.

"Me? Nowhere to go. I'll just sleep through it," Edwin replied with a shrug. He genuinely didn't seem to care.

"It'll be tight, but I'm planning to visit home," Otto said. "What about you, Nordhausen?"

"Arcia wants to go to Bratia," Nordhausen replied with arms crossed and a sigh.

"Bratia? Why there?" Otto asked, surprised. He and Edwin had both expected the usual answer: going nowhere.

"She didn't say much, just that she wanted to see the place again. She lived there before joining the Night Knights."

"I see..."

Otto and Edwin exchanged looks. They knew very little about Arcia's past—she never talked about it. But since joining the 4th Platoon, the young and taciturn girl had gradually started to blend into the squad, thanks in part to the care the others showed her.

"You've seen her—she can barely take care of herself. I don't want her running into trouble traveling alone," Nordhausen added. Otto and Edwin nodded in full agreement.

"Well, I've got nothing better to do. Maybe I'll come along," Edwin offered.

"I don't mind, but whether she agrees is another question," Nordhausen replied flatly.

"What're you guys talking about?"

Inaya strolled over like she didn't have a care in the world.

"Good morning, Miss Inaya," Otto greeted her with full formality.

He'd already reported her presence back in Hekar, and the only order he received was to keep her within the 11th Company's control. Fortunately, Inaya didn't seem inclined to leave. In fact, she appeared oddly attached to Sennia, which made Otto's job easier. Still, the memory of what this oddly-built girl could do to a battlefield was not something he'd soon forget.

"Vacation plans," Otto explained. Even if he was surprised to see Inaya take an interest, he still answered her plainly.

"I figured. I actually asked Sennia to go sightseeing with me down south, but she turned me down. Said I'd be a nuisance. Some friend she is."

"Nuisance?" Otto raised an eyebrow.

Realizing she'd let something slip, Inaya backpedaled. "I mean, she just didn't want company. So now I'm bored, and here I am."

"You're usually around her and Arcia, so maybe if you come along, she'll agree," Edwin said after giving her a long look.

"Agree to what?" Inaya blinked.

Nordhausen filled her in on Arcia's plans.

"Ah, I see. That little girl doesn't say much, but she's got guts."

Inaya crossed her arms and nodded approvingly. More than anything, she was glad to find something interesting to do.

"Guts? What do you mean?" Otto and Edwin asked, confused.

But Nordhausen already understood.

"Her going back there means she's facing her past. That takes guts."

Though Inaya didn't know much about Arcia either, her century of life experience helped her read between the lines.

"Still not getting it," Edwin admitted, giving up.

Otto, on the other hand, looked deep in thought.

"You'll get it once we're there," Inaya said cheerfully. She had spent most of her long life observing and mimicking humans, and their emotions fascinated her. She was already eager to see what would unfold.

"Wait up—I'm coming with you."

...

The train clattered gently along the rails, cutting through fields of golden wheat. Under the midday sun, the full heads of grain shimmered and swayed with the breeze, forming rippling waves like a soft golden sea. It was harvest season, and farmers worked tirelessly under the sun. Behind them, neatly bound sheaves of wheat were already stacked in bundles.

Arcia stared quietly out the window. Beside her, Inaya lay face-down on the table, utterly drained. She didn't do well with transportation of any kind, though the train was slightly more bearable than the aircraft.

Across from them sat Edwin and Nordhausen. It had taken a lot of coaxing on Inaya's part to get Arcia to agree to this trip.

"Next stop, Bratia. Please prepare to disembark," called out a conductor in a blue uniform, sliding the door open and walking down the aisle. Behind him came two military police officers.

"Gentlemen, please present your identification."

The officers had immediately noticed the Night Knight uniforms, but they weren't about to take any chances. It wouldn't be the first time an enemy spy tried to pass for one.

Edwin, Nordhausen, and Otto calmly handed over their military IDs, leave passes, and travel permits—all properly stamped by the logistics bureau. They'd already been checked once back at the station.

"Thank you. And she is...?"

Their gazes shifted to Inaya. Understandably—those feline ears were impossible to ignore.

"She's an authorized companion, as per higher orders," Nordhausen answered flatly.

"Understood."

They didn't press. The Night Knights had clearance they weren't about to question.

"Hey, wake up. We're almost there," Edwin said, poking Inaya with his permit.

"Heard you..." she mumbled weakly, still sprawled over the table.

(To be continued...)