Knights of Tezoth

"— Do you think that with nine travelers, this zone will let five through but only take four? In principle, we could try; it certainly won't make things worse."

- As I've already stated before, one stays here, four return to camp.

"— So that in the end we gather a new detachment and immediately get half of it bombed? — the girl led Eugene away from the others so the conversation would remain between them. They didn't lose sight of the imps either. — The fact that we'll get proper rest, replenish supplies, and report to Lord Adalard — yes, that's good. But what's the point of taking the same route? Wouldn't it be more prudent to try a different path, like the one Dalias had before he was...? Well, you get the idea."

After a brief pause, the girl added:

"— Of course, if they allocate new people to us and it's an order from your uncle, we'll have no choice but to follow it."

In any case, she had no ability to disobey her lord regardless. The desertion scenario didn't work for several reasons. First, the Valentine family had always been renowned for their loyalty to the homeland — it wasn't just part of her upbringing, it was in her blood. Second, where would she even go? And to do what?

- What happens at camp stays at camp. - The Rusty Knight swept a strand of hair from his noble face with a sexually weary gesture. - Bringing a fifth one with us to camp, in all likelihood, is sentencing him to death. Killing him here and now is likewise a pointless waste of life. I'm against the senseless waste of human resources. If we leave him here, there's a chance he'll prove useful should we return. And if we don't return, — he shrugs, — then so be it. - Eugene's gaze shifted to Manka. - Wait here.