FMRV | Chapter 30

The one thing Luke appreciated about the military was how fast they handled things. Of course, they dragged their feet when it came to issues that didn’t benefit them, but not when it involved critical matters like a commander’s retirement.

It hadn’t been long since Pale had submitted Luke’s retirement application, yet the confirmation letter was already delivered straight to Luke’s home.

“Quick as ever.”

Sipping tea, Luke leisurely read through the document that confirmed all retirement procedures were complete. The content was quite lengthy but mostly formulaic. It stated that non-essential personal data had been promptly disposed of upon retirement and ended with a stern warning not to disclose any military information to the outside world. Given that even trivial military details could be classified as top secret, it was a natural measure.

“Alright, now that everything’s done, let’s start getting ready.”

Luke grinned and downed his tea in one go. The bitter taste of herbs spread across his tongue.

The first order of business was to put the house up for sale. There weren’t many good memories tied to it—not even enough time spent here to form any. Despite having personally purchased the property, he hadn’t bothered to register it with his military record. Still, since it was the first house he had ever owned, he felt a slight pang of regret at leaving.

But Luke wouldn’t let such sentiment hold him back. After swiftly arranging matters regarding the house, he immediately packed his things. He planned to leave the capital. Since he was heading quite far away, it made sense to travel light, so he only packed the essentials.

Money was crucial when starting fresh in a completely new place. As a commander, Luke had a hefty salary, danger allowances, training support funds, and rewards earned from wartime victories. On top of that, unused leave was often converted into cash.

In short, Luke had more money than he knew what to do with. Not that he intended it—it wasn’t that he chose not to spend it, but rather that he simply couldn’t. While other commanders spent their leave on trips or indulged in luxuries, Luke had no such time. He was too busy scheming ways to expedite Theo’s appointment as commander-in-chief or keeping up with rivalries to think about splurging.

“This turned out to be unexpectedly helpful.”

After all, money was necessary for everything. Luke felt like he had gained a reliable ally for his plans. There was no hesitation as he left the house. No fear as he took the first step toward departure. The only thought in his mind was how liberating it all felt.

“Such a pretty person!”

As he walked away, a familiar voice called out from somewhere.

“Hm?”

Turning his head, he saw no one in the direction the voice came from. It wasn’t until he felt a small tug at his pants that Luke looked down.

“Oh, it’s you.”

Luke chuckled. The little girl he had met a few days ago was waving her tiny hand at him.

“What are you doing here all alone? Where’s your mom?”

“Mom went shopping! Ria’s just out for a walk by herself!”

So her name was Ria. Luke’s lips softened into a faint smile.

“Alright, Ria. Don’t wander too far on your own. Stay close, okay?”

Ria nodded vigorously but soon fixated her gaze on something. She was staring intently at Luke’s backpack.

“Where’s pretty big brother going?”

Her sudden change in address made Luke chuckle lightly.

“Well, Ria.”

“Yeah?”

“This will be the last time we see each other.”

“Why? Aren’t you going to see me anymore?”

The girl’s eyes widened in shock.

“Not exactly. I’m heading somewhere far away and won’t be coming back. So today’s the last time.”

There was no real need to explain all this to a child. Yet the words spilled out effortlessly from Luke’s lips. Maybe it was because he felt this really was the end.

“Don’t give your mom a hard time. Stay healthy, alright?”

“Aw… that’s too bad. We were just getting close.”

Ria pouted adorably. Her words about getting close made Luke feel strange. Maybe it was because he wasn’t used to hearing such things. Leaving Pale behind was one thing, but now even this neighbor’s kid was tugging at his heart.

But Luke knew. When leaving, you should never look back. And he wasn’t one to let such emotions weaken his resolve.

“Ria, hold out your hand.”

Ria tilted her head in curiosity but obediently stretched out her small hand. Luke rummaged through the front pocket of his backpack and placed a button in her palm.

“A little farewell gift.”

“Wow! It’s so pretty…”

Intricate patterns adorned the button, the insignia of the Imperial Army carved onto it. It was a button Luke had taken from the uniform he wore during his commissioning ceremony—a tradition in the Imperial Army. Soldiers would remove a button from their commissioning uniform, inscribe their name on the back, and exchange it with a comrade as a token of mutual good fortune in their service.

Luke hadn’t exchanged his button back then, having no one in mind to give it to. He had kept it with him all this time but felt it would be better to leave it behind now.

“Is this really for me?”

“Yeah. Think of it as a charm. If you keep it, you won’t get sick or hurt.”

Considering its original purpose, it wasn’t an entirely false statement.

“Take care then.”

Luke gently ruffled Ria’s hair and stood up. Ria waved her hand enthusiastically at his retreating figure.

The very next day, Ria ran into Theo outside Luke’s now-empty home on her way back from an errand.

“What should I do? Pretty big brother left yesterday. This house is empty now! No one lives here.”

“…What?”

“Pretty big brother left just a little while ago.”

Theo’s face froze solid.

“Do you… know where he went?”

A strange sense of urgency bubbled inside him. Ria shook her head slowly.

“Nope, he didn’t tell me. But he said he wouldn’t come back. That he was going far away.”

Theo’s body went slack. He stood there, dazed. Seeing this, Ria thought he didn’t believe her, so she rummaged through her pocket.

“It’s true! He even gave me this as a farewell gift.”

Theo’s eyes twitched as he recognized the button immediately. He picked it up and turned it over.

LUKE

The name engraved on the back confirmed it.

“It’s real, right?”

“…Yeah.”

Theo let out a cold, bitter laugh, his expression collapsing in exhaustion.

“Can I ask you a favor?” His voice softened, almost pleading.

Ria nodded eagerly—children were generally quick to trust handsome adults.

“Could I… take this button? Only if you’re okay with it, of course.”

“This? Hmm…” Ria hesitated briefly, then nodded resolutely as if making a serious decision.

“Okay. I’ll give it to you.”

“Thank you.”

Just then, Ria’s mother called her from a distance.

“I’ve got to go now! Bye!”

Ria dashed off, turning back briefly to glance at Luke’s house. It was already empty.

After meeting Ria, Theo returned to the Imperial Army Headquarters without delay. Following closely behind, Sion couldn’t help but notice the stark change in his commander’s demeanor.

“Sion.”

Theo’s voice was low and steady, carrying a weight that made Sion tense up.

“Prepare a list of candidates suitable for the detached force commander position.”

“What? Already?”

At the meeting earlier that day, Theo had said he needed more time to consider the vacant position. Yet now, less than a day later, he was giving new orders. Sion couldn’t help but express his surprise.

“I underestimated the situation. We can’t leave the commander position vacant for too long. Leaving it open unsettles the troops. The military thrives on its ability to replace anyone, after all.”

“Understood… I’ll take care of it.”

Theo’s tone had sharpened. Sion decided not to press further and left to compile the list.

Once alone, Theo pulled the stack of documents he had neglected earlier toward him.

“Haa…”

But before he could even start reading, a heavy sigh escaped him. Slowly, he reached into his pocket and retrieved Luke’s button.

“…”

Staring at it for a moment, he opened a drawer and placed the button inside. Next to it lay Theo’s own commissioning button, the one he had never exchanged.

Now, the two buttons sat side by side.