A short distance away, Andrew leaned on his sword, exhaling as the last bit of tension left his body. Crimzo approached, slinging his bow over his shoulder.
Andrew glanced at him. "You got them just in time."
Crimzo smirked, rolling his shoulders. "What, did you think I'd miss?"
Andrew let out a short laugh. "No. Just wouldn't have minded if you were a little faster."
Crimzo raised an eyebrow. "Next time, maybe don't get yourself into a storm of arrows, then. Let's check on Roy".
Andrew shook his head, chuckling. "Noted."
Sophia crouched beside Roy, carefully examining the wounds on his arm and shoulder. Then she opened her bag and took out bandages and medical supplies
"This doesn't look like nothing to me" she muttered, pressing a cloth against one of the deeper wounds.
Roy didn't react to the pain. "It doesn't hurt much; the pain is tolerable."
The princess was standing nearby.
Lily's arms crossed, worry filled her face, watching him closely. "You're still bleeding."
Roy met her gaze but didn't answer.
Sophia sighed. "Two of these cuts are deep. You need proper treatment. We might have to burn the wound."
Lily flinched slightly. "Is that necessary?"
"If we don't, it could get infected," Sophia replied, tightening the bandage around Roy's arm.
Sophia set a small fire. While Roy's arm rested on his knee, She was preparing what was needed.
At that time, Andrew and Crimzo walked over, Crimzo's bow still in hand, eyes scanning Roy's bandaged arm. "You good?".
Before Roy could answer, Andrew scoffed. "He's fine. Took a few arrows, not his first time."
Crimzo raised an eyebrow. "Does he ever react to pain?"
Andrew smirked. "I don't know let's ask him."
Roy adjusted his coat and said flatly, "Are we done here?"
Before anyone could reply, Yuri approached, his gaze passing over Roy before settling on Crimzo and Andrew. "Roy will live," he said, as if that settled the matter. Then his tone shifted, more authoritative. "Come with me. We need to count our losses and take care of the prisoners."
Andrew straightened, his smirk fading. "The trade?"
Yuri nodded. "We finish it here. Both sides will exchange the rest of the prisoners at the same time. No delays, no risks. We need this handled properly."
Crimzo slung his bow over his shoulder. "Let's finish this fast. I'm starving."
Yuri exhaled, shaking his head. "Then move. The sooner we're done, the sooner you eat."
Without another word, they moved, leaving no room for mistakes. The battlefield was stained with blood, but order was being restored.
In this time, the fire got strong, Sophia heated the tip of a dagger over the flames until it glowed red. The princess stood nearby, watching with an uneasy expression.
"This is going to hurt," Sophia warned, holding the blade steady.
Roy didn't react. "Just do it."
Without hesitation, she pressed the hot metal against his wound. The air was filled with the smell of burning flesh, and the smell of burnt skin immediately rose.
Sophia worked quickly, sealing the worst of the wounds. When she finally pulled back, she exhaled, wiping sweat from her forehead. She had mixed some herbs and began to rub the mixture on his hand where she had burned the wound.
Sophia sighed, wrapping fresh bandages over the burned area. "Try not to get shot again for a while."
Roy didn't respond.
The princess hesitated before speaking again. "You didn't have to do that."
Roy finally looked at her. "It was instinct."
She held his gaze for a moment, something unreadable in her eyes.
Sophia tied the last bandage firmly and said worriedly. "Stay here, we will finish this, get some rest for now."
Roy exhaled, rolling his shoulder slightly despite the pain. "No promises."
Sophia sighed but didn't argue, stepping away leaving only the two of them.
Lily took a step closer, her eyes locked onto Roy's. Her gaze lowered slightly, looking at the necklace resting in his chest.
"That necklace," she said in a calm tone. "Where did you get it from?"
Roy glanced down at it, his fingers brushing against it. He was silent for a moment before answering. "I don't know. I don't remember."
Lily's expression didn't change, but there was something in her eye; something deeper, almost hesitant. "Then why do you still wear it?"
Roy looked at her then. "Because it feels important." His voice was calm, as if he had thought about this before. "Even if I never remember why… I'll still keep it."
Lily's lips opened slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but the words wouldn't come out.
She breathed slowly. "Then... don't lose it, keep it up and I'm sure you'll remember one day."
Roy nodded slightly, his expression a little surprised.
For a brief moment, it felt like there was more to say. But instead, Lily turned, taking a step back toward her people.
Roy didn't stop her. He just watched as she walked away, and just like that, she was gone, leaving some questions unanswered.
-Roy
Lily was gone. I watched her as she disappeared into the Drayton soldiers, her hesitation lingering in my mind. The way she looked at me. The way she reacted to my necklace.
Questions surfaced, but I pushed them aside. Now wasn't the time, and there is no need to think about that anymore. I stood up and went to my team to help themز
The battlefield was still alive with movement, soldiers obeying orders, doctors tending to the wounded.
The last group of prisoners was freed, their faces weary but relieved. A soldier, barely standing, looked at Andrew. "We made it…" His voice was tired. "Thank you."
Another turned to me, silent gratitude in his eyes. I only nodded.
Kevin approached, his voice steady. "I will never forget what you did there, I owe you one."
I met his gaze. "I did my job there, nothing more."
Kevin exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. "You saved her."
I shrugged. "Letting her die was not an option."
Kevin studied me for a moment, as if measuring my words. Then, he gave a small nod. "Well, thank you."
With that, the trade was done.
But before the armies could part ways, Kevin and Yuri stood face to face once more.
Kevin exhaled, glancing at the soldiers gathering their fallen. "We'll take our dead with us," he said, his voice calm but heavy. "I assume you'll do the same."
Yuri nodded. "We don't leave our own behind."
Kevin crossed his arms. "This trade was meant to prevent war. And yet, it's only pushed us closer to it." He's jaw tightened slightly, but he didn't deny it. "I don't know how long I can hold my father back."
Yuri said. "Then prepare for the worst… and hope you never have to see it."
Kevin let out a slow breath, then finally gave a small nod. "We'll see."
Without another word, they turned away.
The two armies finished collecting their wounded and dead. And with that, they began their march home.