In the camp of Julicous, a soldier rushed towards the Commander and said, "Commander, there is something I need to talk to you about in person." Julicous looked at the guards, and they understood his cue and left the tent. He turned his head towards the soldier. "Commander," the soldier quickly said, opening a tiny, circular golden box that was glowing with a golden light. The box shook violently. He looked towards Julicous, who tensed upon seeing the box. With worry, he said, "Open it."

The soldier quickly opened the box. A golden light rushed out, forming a wave-like structure. The soldier swiftly pricked his finger with a needle and dripped his blood into the box. The waves vibrated, and a message appeared: "Commander, it has started again. Commander Neil cannot fight."

Julicous's expression changed. He said to the soldier, "Quickly, call the Vice Commander and don't share this information with anyone."

"Yes, Commander," the soldier replied. He went out and delivered the message to the Vice Commander as soon as possible.

After some time, the Vice Commander entered the room. "Neil cannot fight, so I have to take his place. I will use Neil's relic," Julicous said without waiting for the Vice Commander's question. He quickly told him everything he knew and handed him a map covered in golden light. Julicous added, "The main army will come soon, so you should move as well. You are in charge while I am gone."

The Vice Commander understood the situation. He nodded his head and said, "Go, Commander. I will handle things here."

Julicous patted his shoulder and said, "Vice Commander, Aliyan Resto, remember one thing. You have proven yourself time and again. You are ready for all the challenges that await you. I don't know how much time Neil will need, so I may not return for long. Therefore, don't hesitate to make any decisions."

Julicous moved out of the camp. Before he could completely leave, he said, "Remember, Aliyan, Neothalians often use tricks on their slaves. So be careful around them and don't hesitate to kill as this is war. But..." Julicous paused for a moment and continued, "In war, it's kill or be killed. The second option is not what we can afford at this point in time. So leave on and hold your loved ones' blessings in that blade you hold."

Julicous walked out of the camp and saw that the soldiers had already prepared his Acro beast. He mounted the beast, checked his direction using a compass, and moved in that direction.

In Neil's camp, Neil finally regained consciousness and moved towards his sword, saying, "Prepare the army. We will take them down at once." Neil sensed something strange and ordered the guards. One of the guards entered the room. Neil ordered him to prepare the army, but the guard did not move from his spot. Confused, Neil asked him, "What happened? Why are you still here?"

The guard looked towards Neil. Neil, not understanding what was going on, shouted in irritation, "Go, prepare the army!" But the guard still did not move an inch.

Disappointed by the guard's behavior, Neil started walking out of the camp, muttering in an irritated tone, "What happened to them? Why aren't you following my orders? There's no time to think about it. I'll prepare the army myself." The guard stood still in his place.

Neil ordered one of the soldiers standing there, "Go, get the army ready. We will fight their main unit." The soldier tried to ignore his order and stood there idly.

Neil started moving towards the army camp but stopped after hearing a voice. "Where are you going, Commander?" a sweet voice came from a distance. Neil, without turning towards the source, said, "What do you mean?" There was no reply. Neil turned and saw a young girl with bright brown eyes, long, silky black hair, carrying a paste-like substance on a leaf coming towards him. She lowered her head and greeted him. Neil stood there, trying to recall her. After a while, he remembered her and said, "Are you Amertio's student?"

The girl came closer to Neil and said, "Let me properly introduce myself. I am Rentio, student of Chemist Amertio. From today onwards, I am in charge of your health."

Neil nodded his head and asked her, "What were you saying?" While asking this, Neil was observing her suspiciously.

Rentio said in a commanding tone, "I have ordered every soldier not to follow your orders until I say"

Neil frowned. "What? Why? Why would you do such a thing?"

Rentio, seemingly unfazed by his disapproval, pushed him gently towards his camp. Neil tried to resist, but it felt as though any sudden movement might hurt her. Rentio offered a small smile as they reached his tent.

Moments later, Neil found himself back inside, frustration building in his chest. "Please, tell me why you gave such orders," he demanded. "And where is Amertio? I need to talk to him. What do you mean by 'in charge'? Show me proof if you have any. I can't just trust your word."

"Guards," he called out, a sliver of hope flickering in his voice.

One of the guards started moving towards the exit, likely to fetch Amertio, but Rentio darted forward and stopped him. "There's no need to call him for now," she said hurriedly.

Her eyes narrowed as she looked at Neil, then widened in realization. She clamped her mouth shut before she could speak.

Neil waited, his patience wearing thin. When Rentio remained silent, he looked towards her, her face clearly displaying anger. As their eyes met, she rushed towards him and took his swords, her voice firm. "Guards," she called out again, "remove his heavy armor."

The guards obeyed, replacing Neil's heavy armor with a lighter one. Rentio watched them work, then helped Neil into his new attire. He looked at her in utter confusion.

Sensing the opportunity, Rentio took his sword away, though Neil made a half-hearted attempt to stop her, cautious of hurting her with a sudden movement.

"What are you doing? And where's Amertio? I want to talk to him," he stammered, even more confused than before.

Rentio answered his questions while gently forcing him to lie down on his bed. "First of all, you will call me Renia," she said, opening a platinum coin and handing it to him. "Second, this will confirm my identity."

Neil looked at the coin, recognizing the royal symbol. After inspecting it, he concluded it was genuine. "This is real, and I wasn't..."

"I know your concerns," Renia interrupted, a pause in her voice. "As for your question about my teacher's whereabouts, I don't know, and no one else seems to either. He appointed me in charge and simply said he had to leave, offering no further explanation."

"You didn't even ask where he was going?" Neil said in an angry tone, putting on his light armor. "At this very moment, Acroniya is overrun with beasts, killing people! Nowhere is safe. What was he thinking? And you," Neil turned to Renia, "did you even try to stop him? Did you even know about the danger?"

Renia bristled. "Raising your voice won't help you. Now put down that armor." She called out to a guard, ordering them to search for Amertio.

The guards complied, selecting twenty scouts and briefing them on Amertio's description. As the scouts departed, they re-entered the tent.

"Lady Renia," one of the guards said, "we've sent the scouts. They will find and bring Amertio back."

Renia nodded. "For now, Commander, rest," she said to Neil with a hint of forced calmness.

Neil felt utterly helpless. "Please," he pleaded, "inform me if you receive any information about him."

He closed his eyes, sleep claiming him quickly. Renia muttered to herself, worry etching lines on her forehead. "I'm not sure if they'll find him," she whispered. "I just hope you're alright, teacher."

She cast a final glance at Neil, ensuring he was asleep, before stepping out of the tent.

Neil, however, cracked open an eye. "Did she say something? Maybe she's worried about her teacher too?" he thought, pulling the blanket over his head and drifting back to sleep.

An hour passed since the scouts set out. Upon their return, they reported to Rentio that they hadn't found any trace of Amertio. They even questioned people traveling from the same direction, one of whom was a woman vaguely resembling Amertio in disguise. However, her body language and tone suggested she had no knowledge of Amertio and hadn't seen any men matching the description along the path. The scouts had meticulously searched the area, but to no avail.

Rentio's expression remained impassive. In a slow mutter, she said, "As expected." With a commanding tone, she instructed the guard, "Recall the scouts. He likely reached his destination, or in simpler terms, he's beyond our reach."

A while later, the scouts who had been waiting for further orders at the camp entrance were called back. Upon facing Rentio, one of them asked worriedly, "My lady, what shall we tell the Commander?"

Rentio nodded and thought for a moment. "Leave him to me," she said. "Don't mention anything about this to the Commander without my permission. Is that clear?" she demanded in a commanding tone.

Everyone replied in a reflex, "Yes!"

"Good," she said, walking towards Neil's camp. Her mind raced, formulating a plan. "What can I tell him to ensure he rests properly? I need a convincing reason. Otherwise, he'll insist on going, and he certainly will. That's just our Commander. It's not that I have any problems with his personality; that's the whole reason I'm here in the first place. Think, Renu, think fast! I need a solid reason."

Meanwhile, an hour ago...

Amertio spoke to himself, "My knowledge alone won't suffice. Perhaps the Royal Library... I might find some useful information there. But..." He glanced towards Neil's camp, a silent struggle within him. "He'll be alright in her hands."

He swiftly rushed towards his camp, packed his belongings, and muttered, "Time to say goodbye to my students."

Stolen novel; please report.

He then set off in a specific direction, talking to himself, "Rentio is the most suited for this task. She's the only one who can stop Neil from rushing to the battlefield. Because Neil..."

"Moreover, she was also saved by him, so I'm certain she wouldn't let anyone harm him," he said in a serious tone. "However," he continued, his tone changing and returning to his usual cheerfulness, "most importantly, she knows very well how to respond to different situations. Sometimes she's overprotective, and..." He chuckled, "sometimes the fighter within her awakens. Despite all that, she's a kind lady. She'll definitely grow into a strong woman one day."

After observing his surroundings, he took a deep breath and said, "Looks like I've reached it." He entered the camp designated for his students and after a brief conversation, he emerged and headed northeast of Acroniya. He began walking out of the Acronian camp. The guards acknowledged him with nods, which he returned.

One of the guards stopped him and said, "Sir, why are you alone? Let me call some soldiers." The guard was about to instruct his subordinates but was stopped by Amertio.

"Wait, I'm not going far," Amertio said quickly, halting him. "I'll be fine."

"But..." the guard began to protest, but Amertio cut him off.

"This is an order," Amertio instructed him firmly. The guard simply replied, "Okay."

Amertio understood his concern and added, taking a deep breath, "If I don't return within half the time of falling sand, search for me. It might take me a bit longer than that, so don't panic if you don't find me nearby."

The guard nodded and let him pass.

After traveling for a while, Amertio turned back and saw his camp appearing as a tiny dot in the distance. He thought to himself, "Should I change my appearance? I think I should. The guards will come searching for me. I can fool the guards, but fooling Neil wouldn't be that easy. If Neil hears about this, he'll never let me go out again..."

As he walked, he spotted a tree in the distance. He muttered to himself as he approached it, "It's up to Rentio now. If she's able to stop Neil from coming, I might escape."

Upon reaching the tree, he sat down in its shade and opened a long woolen overcoat. "This will work until I reach a safe place," he said. "Now, where is it?" He began searching through his bag and finally retrieved a small leather pouch. Relief washed over him as he pulled out a single, wrinkled herb. "I should have made a medicine from this, but there's no time now," he sighed.

He examined the herb, his brow furrowing. "Its effect won't be as strong as a proper concoction, but it will have to do for now. And most importantly..." He trailed off, searching his bag again, frustration creeping into his expression.

"I only have this single herb of this kind, and the other herb I need...where is it?" After a moment of thought, he arrived at a reluctant conclusion. "Maybe I could have mixed it with some from one of my students' supplies." He glanced back towards the camp, the thought of returning making him wince.

"If I go back now, I might not get another chance," he muttered, then steeled himself with determination. "It's alright, there's no real use for it anyway." He paused, then added, "But I'm still low on other herbs. The first thing I do when I reach my destination is to refill my stock."

His gaze returned to the herb in his hand. "This one's my top priority." He stared at it for a moment, then sighed. "I have no other choice. I have to do this."

After a short while, he had completely consumed the herb. His face contorted in a grimace, clearly reflecting the unpleasant taste. "That's why I prefer medicine," he grumbled. "Their taste is awful, especially this one."

His skin began to shimmer and ripple, a subtle transformation taking place. He reached out, manipulating the changes with practiced ease. Soon, his long black hair had darkened to a rich brown. His dark brown eyes lightened to a striking grey, sparkling with an unfamiliar mischievous glint. His face softened, morphing into the features of a woman in her mid-thirties. Finally, his body subtly shifted, his muscles shrinking slightly and his frame becoming more slender. Even his voice seemed to alter, taking on a softer, more feminine quality.

With a final flourish, his transformation was complete. He looked himself over, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. "I need to check if everything's perfect." He spent a moment meticulously examining his new appearance, ensuring no telltale signs remained. "Everything seems fine," he finally declared.

A mischievous glint returned to his eyes. "It's been a long time since I used this disguise," he mused. "Now that things are settled, let's move."

He started walking again, his steps lighter and quicker than before. Suddenly, a voice called out from behind. "Miss, can I have a moment of your time?"

He turned, his heart skipping a beat. Soldiers stood before him, their expressions alert. He took a deep breath, composing himself. "Yes, what can I do for you? If I can help, I certainly will," he replied, his voice perfectly modulated in his feminine guise.

Amertio, disguised as a woman in her mid-thirties, forced a warm smile at the soldiers. He knew he couldn't stay long; the longer he interacted with them, the higher the chances of a slip-up.

"We're searching for a man matching your description, ma'am," one of the soldiers explained, his tone respectful. "He left the Acronian camp alone a while back. Have you seen anyone like him?"

Amertio's mind raced. He couldn't reveal himself, but he also didn't want to mislead them. "Oh, a man you say?" he feigned concern, tilting his head as if genuinely trying to recall. "I apologize, but I haven't seen anyone recently. I just arrived here myself, seeking refuge from the beast attacks plaguing the outskirts."

The soldiers exchanged glances, a hint of doubt lingering in their eyes. Another soldier, older and seemingly more seasoned, stepped forward. "Are you sure, ma'am? We received reports of a man matching your description leaving the camp in a hurry. He might have been heading in the same direction as you."

Amertio internally cursed his bad luck. He'd hoped his disguise would be enough, but these soldiers seemed more perceptive than the camp guards. He needed to be more convincing.

"Well, now that you mention it," he said, feigning a sudden memory, "I did see someone leaving the camp earlier. But it was quite a distance away, and honestly, I wasn't paying much attention. These times are so stressful, you understand." He patted his chest dramatically, a touch of theatricality creeping into his voice. "Perhaps it was the man you're looking for, but I couldn't say for sure. He seemed to be in a great hurry though."

The soldiers seemed partially convinced. The first soldier spoke again, "If you recall anything else, ma'am, even the slightest detail, it would be a great help to our search."

Amertio knew he was pushing his luck. He couldn't risk staying any longer or fabricating more details. "I understand your urgency," he said sincerely. "Unfortunately, that's all I can remember. But please, if I do recall anything more, I'll inform the nearest camp immediately."

The older soldier studied him for a moment longer, then finally nodded. "Very well, ma'am. Thank you for your cooperation. Please be careful traveling alone during these dangerous times."

"I will, thank you for your concern," Amertio replied, offering a grateful smile.

As the soldiers turned to leave, a pang of guilt stabbed at him. He hated deceiving them, especially those who were simply trying to do their duty. But he had no choice. He had to reach the Royal Library and find a cure for Neil's condition.

Taking a deep breath, he continued on his way, his steps brisker now. He had managed to evade the soldiers' suspicion for now, but he knew he couldn't afford any more close calls. He needed to reach his destination as quickly as possible.

Neil finally stirred after a long sleep. He stretched for a moment, then his gaze fell on Rentio standing guard at the entrance of his camp.

"Where's Amertio?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

Rentio remained silent. Neil's worry deepened. He approached her and gently shook her arm. "Did you find him? Is he safe? Rentio, why aren't you answering?"

"Stop!" Rentio snapped. Neil froze in surprise. She took a deep breath to compose herself. "Let me catch my breath first."

After a moment, she calmed down enough to speak. "What were you thinking, shaking me like that? I could barely breathe!"

Neil realized his mistake. "I'm sorry," he mumbled, his voice filled with regret. "I was worried about him. You know, there's nowhere safe anymore, and he's alone."

Rentio sighed. "I'm well aware of that. He's safe. We found him, but he insisted on going to a specific location. Some soldiers took him there, and he requested them not to tell anyone about it."

"Who were those soldiers? I'll ask them myself and bring him back," Neil declared, already moving towards the camp exit.

Rentio grabbed his arm. "We did our best, but it seems like the Teacher used some kind of memory-altering medication on them. They don't remember where they took him."

Disbelief colored Neil's voice. "Seriously? That kind of stuff actually exists?"

Rentio's eyes flashed with anger. "Don't tell me you think I'm lying. If you want, I can use the same medicine on you." She reached into her bag, but Neil quickly interjected.

"Okay, okay, I believe you! Don't even open it," he pleaded.

Just then, a guard entered the tent. He nodded to Neil, then greeted Rentio. "Commander, Commander Julicous is here and waiting for you in the main camp."

"Tell him I'll be there in a few minutes," Neil replied. "Ask him to wait."

The guard nodded and left to deliver the message. Neil turned towards his armor and began putting it on. Rentio rushed to help him, her earlier tension easing slightly.

After a few minutes, Neil headed for the main camp. Rentio, visibly relieved, slumped down after his departure. "Commander Julicous came at the perfect time," she muttered. "Otherwise, Commander Neil would have discovered my lie. Humans are incredibly perceptive when it comes to emotions. Given enough time, he could have seen through it."

She glanced towards the corner and added with a hint of annoyance, "And what was the need to bring his sword into the camp? He can't help it; he's a warrior after all. To them, their weapons are like partners, an extension of themselves."

Meanwhile, in the main camp, Julicous greeted Neil with a warm nod. "Greetings, Commander. How's your health? Feeling better?"

"Cut the formalities," Neil said, pulling his friend into a hug.

"Alright, alright," Julicous chuckled. "Are you fine, though? It's been a while since I last saw you, and you were stuck in bed."

Neil started to reply, then stopped abruptly. "How did you know I was sick?"

Julicous hesitated. "The soldiers told me when I asked about you."

Neil raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "Okay," he said, then pressed another question. "Why are you here? And don't even think about lying. You know I can tell the difference between truth and deception."

Julicous sighed. "Fine. The king was worried about you. He has a man keeping him updated on your condition. Since I was the closest one to you, I received the message and took it as a mission."

"So step back and rest," Julicous continued, his voice growing serious. "I'll lead us to victory."

He noticed Neil was about to speak and quickly added, "The king wants you at the Royal Castle as soon as possible. They sent another message while I was on my way here."

Neil left the camp shortly after, packing his belongings as he went. "I'm going to the Royal Castle," he informed Rentio. "I'll be back soon."

Rentio insisted on accompanying him, but Neil refused. As he was leaving, a thought struck him. He grabbed a piece of cloth and scribbled something onto it.

"Give this only to the Commander, no one else," he instructed, handing the cloth to Rentio before disappearing into the distance.

Julicous entered the battlefield, and Neil was on his way back to the Royal Castle. What happened to Neil and what awaits them? Around five and a half hours had passed since Neil scouted the enemy base. What will happen next?

—Next time, the sound of weapons clash will cover the area. Chapter 6: Commander vs Commander.