Stein Rays's Move (14): "Lapilia"

The death of Stein Rays.

What kind of shock would the loss of the great general who supported Rudek deal to the nation?

Before Rays-sama's body, Lapilia-sama knelt, shoulders trembling as she wept silently. Granz-sama stood perfectly still, gazing up at the sky.

The sobbing came from Lufa.

For now, only the three of us, along with Lufa and Judd-san, the military doctor who had been caring for Rays-sama, knew of his death. Apparently, Judd-san had been instructed to summon just the three of us first in case the worst happened.

It was thoughtful of Rays-sama to make such arrangements to the end. If news of his death got out, confusion among the soldiers would be unavoidable. Everyone here understood that, so they simply grieved in silence.

While everyone else was at a loss for words, I alone was waiting for the right moment to speak.

I had no time to grieve. I had a responsibility to carry out the plan Rays-sama had entrusted to me—for his sake, and for Rudek's.

Rays-sama had been prepared to die. Knowing there was no saving him, he had summoned me. I couldn't let that resolve go to waste.

As the heavy silence pressed in around us, I finally spoke...