Even though we had achieved a perfect victory last time, the tasks I had to solve were still piled up like mountains.
For starters, while I had utilized Originium Slugs in this operation, I wouldn’t be able to use them for the next one. This was because I had effectively wiped out the population of most slugs living in this vicinity. Therefore, I had to prepare a proper alternative before our next tactical engagement.
The Infected we had managed to rescue were also an issue. Until now, we had only rescued a few at a time, and since all of them had wanted to join the Guerrilla, it hadn't been a problem.
However, this time we had rescued thirty-two Infected. Among them were those who hated the idea of enlisting, as well as those for whom enlistment was impossible due to realistic reasons like age or illness.
If it had ended there, it would have been fine. But the most serious problem remained: the fact that there was nothing productive about this Guerrilla unit.
Moving an army required money for every little thing. You had to provide meals for the soldiers, supply weapons and armor, and prepare medicine and bandages in case of injury. Since we were in a cold climate, heating was also a concern. There were a mountain of places where money was leaking out.
If this weren't an organization where most of the members shared a common cause with my father, the issue of paying wages would have haunted me as well.
The problem was that all these costs were being covered solely by the hands of one man: Patriot.
In the past, Patriot was the greatest warrior of this country, Ursus. Although he had deserted now because he was sick of the nation, the wealth he had amassed back then was enormous.
The assets currently operating the Guerrilla all came from my father. While it was absurd for an individual to bear such costs, it was clear that this money would eventually run out in a few years.
In the end, the only ways forward were to pull in money from the outside or to create something self-sustaining on this land.
"Earth."
"I don't have time to play today, so go away."
Until I solved this, playing was forbidden. Regardless, I could only sigh at the thought of how to fix this.
"What are you worrying about so much again?"
"A kid doesn't need to know."
This was a problem that was giving even me a headache; I couldn't leave it to her.
"Hmph! There you go again, acting like you're the only one who knows things. I hate you. Give me Spiky. I'm going to play with him."
"No. This is my pet. Why are you bossing him around?"
Yelena, thoroughly pouting, snatched Spiky—the slug I had been stroking—and bolted out of the tent. Perhaps it was because she was a Cautus, but her running speed was incredibly fast.
"Sigh. I'll let it slide because she's being a kid."
It definitely wasn't because I didn't think I could keep up with that speed. Anyway, that’s how it was.
...I suppose I'll have to discuss this matter with everyone. I had a few plans in mind, but it wasn't something for me to decide alone. I couldn't believe I was effectively acting as the Quartermaster on top of everything else. It was maddening.
-----
Patriot often took walks when his mind was troubled.
Of course, his mind was always troubled. The fact that he had killed his own child due to his mistake in the past was something he could never forget, even if he wanted to.
He was an outstanding soldier, but he had not been a great father. His son, a scholar, could not understand Patriot’s loyalty to an Ursus that persecuted the Infected, and he had always campaigned for the human rights of the Infected.
And then, the incident occurred.
Some of the Infected, unable to endure the persecution, started a riot. And Patriot received orders to use the military to suppress them.
His beloved son tried to protect the powerless Infected who were suffering between the violent rioters and the suppressing army.
To the Ursus soldiers under Patriot’s command, it was impossible to distinguish between the rioters and the powerless Infected—and the same applied to the scholar trying to protect them.
And so, tragedy struck. Patriot was forever bound to that past.
That was why he soothed his heart through battle. Only combat allowed him to forget his sorrow. Having spent his entire life in war, he had no choice but to realize his son's legacy through war as well.
"Sniff..."
A familiar voice reached his ears.
As he moved toward the sound, he found his new daughter sobbing while hugging an Originium Slug.
"Yelena, what is the matter?"
"Ah, Dad. It’s nothing much."
The white-haired Cautus, Yelena, quickly wiped the tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Earth... Earth said he won't play with me."
Was it just a common squabble between children? Because she regarded everyone in the Guerrilla and all the Infected as family, her sense of loss would be great. Patriot intended to offer some fatherly advice, but she spoke first.
"I'm scared. I'm afraid Earth will change too. Just like how my brothers and sisters have slowly started to distance themselves from me."
Patriot fell silent at the unexpected answer. He knew that in times like these, listening to the circumstances and understanding the situation came first.
"While I was shining as a Caster, the shadows grew darker. My brothers and sisters in the Guerrilla admired me at first... but now they look at me with fear, as if they're looking at a monster."
If admiration for another becomes too intense, it turns into jealousy; and when it reaches a point where one can no longer understand the other, it becomes fear.
Yelena’s monstrous talent for Arts was like a double-edged sword for the entire Guerrilla. While the overall combat power of the unit was certainly bolstered because of her, there were also those who feared her.
This phenomenon was even more severe among the Infected rescued this time.
To them, Patriot and Yelena—with their monstrous abilities—and the rest of the Guerrilla were objects of terror, indistinguishable from the Ursus soldiers who had tormented them.
Even some members of the Guerrilla feared her power. Knowing that the Caster class could go berserk if they mishandled their Arts even slightly, they could not fully trust Yelena, who was still just a child.
"Dad. You know what? I worked really hard this time. This is what happened because I struggled not to go berserk on purpose."
She sat on the ground and grasped a nameless blade of grass. The grass touched by her fingertips soon froze and crumbled away.
"It seems some of my brothers and sisters noticed. They've been avoiding me for a while."
Her voice was steeped in sorrow. She was a pure child with a lot of affection. Because she viewed the world through such eyes, she couldn't help but be hurt. Patriot thought as much and remained silent.
"You know? Up to that point, I could bear it. I don't expect even my brothers and sisters to understand everything about me."
"But... but when I felt like Earth was avoiding me, I felt really strange."
Before long, her eyes were brimming with tears.
"What if Earth hates me because I'm Infected? What if he says he's leaving this place like the people we saved this time? Hmm? Dad, what should I do?"
At Yelena’s cry, Patriot finally opened his mouth after a long silence.
"That will not happen."
The Earth he had observed was more passionate about the Guerrilla’s work than anyone else. His actions were not those of someone who would ever leave. Above all, that non-Infected boy had a surprising lack of prejudice against the Infected.
Patriot slowly stood up and walked toward his daughter. Then, he tightly embraced her as she trembled with anxiety. Though the cold was accompanied by pain in his back, it was a minor issue.
"Eh, what?! Why are you suddenly hugging me! You'll get frostbite!"
"I love you all. You all love me. And you love each other. Having watched over you, I know this better than anyone."
Being a blunt man, he didn't really know how to comfort a child. He could only hold her, just as he had held his son when he was little.
"Mmm... okay. Dad. I'm sorry for throwing a tantrum. But I feel much better after hearing you say that."
The father and daughter broke the embrace after feeling each other's warmth. Although Patriot felt the pain of frostbite, it was a small price to pay compared to his daughter's troubles.
"Dad, I'm sorry. Did it hurt?"
"This much is nothing."
"Such a show-off. Later, when I grow up and become an adult... when I'm an adult, I'll make a medicine for you so you won't get hurt from freezing! I'm going to grow up fast!"
The child was smiling brightly. Patriot also felt a sense of relief, as if that smile blew away the pain in his back.
"I perfectly understood what you said, Dad! So our brothers and sisters, you and me, and even Earth—we're all family, right?"
"Yes. You understood well. And family is connected by a strong bond called love. It is a sturdy rope that cannot be broken by a moment of anxiety."
"Yeah... then Dad, you're everyone's dad!"
Yes. I am your father. I am Earth’s father. Though we are not related by blood, you are my proud children. Patriot thought so.
"What? Everyone was here."
Once again, a familiar voice. It was the voice of his other child.
"A secret meeting between father and daughter without the son knowing. I might feel a bit left out, you know?"
The new son, smiling slyly, overlapped with the image of his deceased son who had been exceptionally clever as a child.
"I am sorry. If you felt that way, I apologize."
"...Uh? No. I was just joking?"
"I was joking as well."
At his words, Earth stood dazed for a moment as if he had received a great shock.
"I didn't think Father was the type of person to make jokes."
"I never thought I would be like this in my entire life, either."
Perhaps his heart, which had been frozen, had melted through the conversation with his daughter just now.
"Pwahaha! Earth's face just now looked like a total idiot!!"
"You little brat. I finished my work as fast as I could to come here, and this is what I get?"
"Hmph! I'm still mad, you know? Are you in any position to talk big?"
"...I lose. What do I have to do to make you feel better?"
"House!!"
"Fine, fine. I get it. Father, I had something I originally wanted to say, but I'll go take care of this one first."
The son and daughter were being considerate of each other. Earth made time for her despite being busy, and Yelena showed the thoughtfulness of taking care not to let her hands touch him while playing house.
As Patriot watched their receding backs, they looked like a family closer than anyone else. Tears flowed down his face before he knew it, touched by the warmth of a precious family he had forgotten.
Fortunately, they didn't notice. He quickly hid his tears. There was no good in showing an adult's tears to children. The giant quickly made his way toward his tent. His massive back looked unusually humble today.
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