Charlotte's Trial

Karl led Charlotte through Fran City's silent nighttime streets toward the City Defense Army barracks.

The cold wind blew, yet the two remained silent. Still, the atmosphere was far more delicate than it had been in the Governor's Office corridor.

Karl could clearly hear his own heartbeat. Every so often, he glanced from the corner of his eye at the girl's exquisite profile and tall, graceful figure outlined by the night. The indescribable stirrings in his heart grew increasingly obvious.

As they neared the outer perimeter of the barracks, a shadow flickered in the darkness. Two sentries concealed in the shadows suddenly appeared and blocked their path, their voices low and wary:

"Stop! Password!"

Karl froze, suddenly at a loss for words.

He had been busy outside all evening. Brendan and Richter were handling the army's daily drills and defensive arrangements, so he had no idea what the nighttime password was.

Swish!

Seeing the newcomers hesitate, the two sentries drew the longswords at their waists without hesitation. Their icy points glinted coldly in the dim light as they aimed them straight at Karl and Charlotte, and the atmosphere instantly grew tense.

Karl felt Charlotte's gaze fall on him at once. It held curiosity, and perhaps even a hint of barely perceptible amusement.

His face suddenly grew hot. He could only brace himself and step forward, lowering his voice as he said, "It's me, Karl."

The two sentries paused, seeming somewhat hesitant.

One of them cautiously raised the torch in his hand. The dim yellow light illuminated Karl's face.

"It really is you, sir!" the sentry cried out. He hurriedly sheathed his sword, and both men dropped to one knee. "Sorry for the trouble, sir! It was dark, and we couldn't see clearly. We offended you!"

Karl felt relieved inside, but his expression turned stern.

Karl said seriously, "Get up! You did nothing wrong by stopping and questioning us! It's your duty!"

The two sentries rose uneasily.

Karl's tone suddenly turned harsher. "However! What you did afterward was extremely poor! I said I was Karl, and you immediately sheathed your swords and let us through? What if an enemy had imitated my voice or used the darkness to mimic my silhouette, then taken the opportunity to kill you and infiltrate the barracks? Because of your negligence, the entire camp could have been put in danger!"

The sentries' faces instantly went pale as they realized how serious a mistake they had made.

"According to military regulations, your negligence tonight must be punished..." Karl deliberately paused. Only after seeing the sentries' nervous expressions did he continue, "...However, considering how hard you've worked while on guard duty, and since this is your first offense, your merits and demerits will cancel each other out this time. But remember this clearly: when on nighttime duty, recognize the password, not the person! Even if I come in person, you are not to let me through without the password! Understood?"

"Understood! Thank you, sir! We'll remember it!" The two sentries loudly promised, looking grateful and ashamed as though they had just been pardoned.

"Continue your duty." Only then did Karl nod and lead Charlotte between them.

After walking a few steps, Charlotte, who had been silently observing everything, suddenly spoke. Her voice sounded especially clear in the night. "Recognize the password, not the person... not even making an exception for yourself. I seem to have a very good feeling about this, Karl von Schmidt. I think I might truly get to see a different kind of army."

Hearing Charlotte's praise, especially her calling him by name, Karl could not help feeling a little pleased. Outwardly, however, he remained modest. "Miss Charlotte, you flatter me. They're only recruits who've trained for a few days, and they still have many shortcomings. I'm merely willing to spend money on them—buying the best equipment and paying them full wages and bonuses so they'll feel that serving me with their lives is worthwhile."

Charlotte gave a soft laugh. In the night, her eyes seemed to glitter with starlight. "What you've done sounds simple, but ninety percent of the army commanders in the kingdom can't do it. Either they have no money, can't bear to spend it, or simply never thought of it."

As they talked, they encountered another patrol of sentries.

Karl already knew the password by then. After exchanging it without error, the patrol respectfully saluted and let them pass.

This scene once again fell into Charlotte's eyes, and the look of newfound respect in her gaze grew even stronger.

Karl was also extremely satisfied with Brendan and Richter's execution. He had not expected them to manage the barracks so orderly even without receiving any orders from him.

Soon, they arrived at the barracks where Karl's troops were stationed.

Although it was already night, patrols and fixed sentry posts could still be seen inside and outside the barracks. Everything was orderly.

"This is everything I have for now." Karl pointed toward the quiet barracks. His tone held a trace of pride, as well as a barely perceptible hope that he would receive her approval.

Charlotte stopped. Her gaze swept across the silent barracks. Then she suddenly turned her head, her eyes still bright in the night as she looked straight at Karl and made an unexpected suggestion:

"How about an emergency nighttime assembly?"

"What?" Karl stared blankly.

"An emergency nighttime assembly," Charlotte repeated. She took out a whistle and handed it to Karl, a hint of challenge in her tone.

"I want to see how long your soldiers—and those knight officers of yours—need to react when you're not around, and what they can accomplish. A real army won't sleep soundly just because it's dark, and the enemy won't attack only during the day."

Karl hesitated at once.

An emergency nighttime assembly? They had never practiced anything like this. The soldiers had worked hard all day and had only recently fallen asleep. If he suddenly woke them, would they complain? Would it even work?

On the other hand, he felt that Charlotte was absolutely right.

In the future, night raids in Carnford would be an almost inevitable threat. Practicing in advance was definitely a good idea.

More importantly, the beautiful girl beside him was looking at him expectantly.

Brothers, don't make me lose face!

He took a deep breath, his gaze turning firm. Looking at Charlotte, he accepted her whistle. "All right! As you wish."

Karl took a deep breath, put the metal whistle Charlotte had handed him between his lips, and blew hard!

"Whee—whee whee—whee—!!"

An extremely sharp, urgent whistle suddenly tore through the barracks' silent night sky, like a cold knife stabbing into everyone's eardrums.

Almost the instant the whistle sounded, Karl strode toward the center of the parade ground and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Emergency assembly! Everyone, move! Be fully equipped and assembled on the parade ground within five minutes! Anyone late will be severely punished!"