Colonel Will returned to his tent, feeling more vexed than ever.
According to Roxy's current plan, if he stood by and did nothing, the Imperial Army would surely be driven into an unprecedented desperate situation by the 109th Division's return.
But if he actively passed along intelligence, then once the leak was exposed, Roxy would place him on the enemy spy list.
"More importantly, Team Leader Hassan never told me who my contact was. Other than the matching code phrase, I have no way to pass along intelligence on my own!"
Wasn't he completely screwed?
The more Will thought about it, the more frustrated he became. Just as he considered whether to bribe a villager during the march and send out the details of this mission,
hurried footsteps sounded outside. Then Elliott Vane, a signalman from the Independent 1st Battalion, entered and reported,
"Reporting, Battalion Commander. The Independent 1st Battalion has completed preparations and may depart at any time. Please issue your orders!"
"...Are the supplies ready?"
"They are ready, Battalion Commander."
"...Very well. Depart immediately."
Will took a deep breath. Just as he was about to follow his plan and take the risk of sending intelligence to John, he noticed that Elliott had not moved to leave. Instead, he was watching him with an inexplicable look in his eyes.
Then the other man spoke words that made Will's pupils contract.
"However, Battalion Commander, are you sure your personal belongings do not need sorting? For example, that scripture?"
Elliott smiled faintly. Under Will's wary gaze, he placed a hand over his chest in salute and spoke meaningfully.
"Also, Battalion Commander Will, 'Autumn is coming, and the flowers will slowly begin to wither.' I must say, that is truly regrettable, isn't it?"
"!"
Hearing this code phrase, known only to himself,