Two of a Kind

Two people continued fighting to the very end as the rebel army retreated.

"I suppose it's about time."

"Does that mean you're ready to be killed?"

Saying that, Erna fixed her gaze on Raphael, the captain of the Tenth Imperial Guard Knights.

Erna was uninjured. Raphael, however, had several minor wounds.

That was the difference between them. In the finer details, Erna surpassed Raphael in every respect.

However.

"No, I don't want to die yet, so I don't want to resign myself to that."

"Do you think you're allowed to be so selfish? No one will forgive you for betraying His Majesty while holding the rank of Imperial Guard captain. Every Imperial Guard captain will come after you."

"Sounds fun. As an Imperial Guard captain, I couldn't fight my colleagues."...