Only You, Captain
Captain, are you familiar with a flatworm called Pseudoceros bifurcus?
During mating season, they engage in intense combat between individuals.
The loser becomes the female and ends up bearing the offspring.
So basically, it's a fem●●●zation-off.
...Those two maids who just took the hedge clippers.
Are they off to trim the garden? Or sci●●●r each other?
Captain, two knights went into the storage room together just now.
Do you remember what I said about Pseudoceros bifurcus?
We might be witnessing another fierce clash.
Captain.
Captain!
Captain.
...Captain?
You look exhausted. Are you okay?
...
Not long ago, I learned why Besta gets nosebleeds and what kinds of thoughts fill her head.
Since then, she's been sharing her fantasies without holding back. But honestly...
This is kind of a lot...
Huh? Captain, did you say something just now?
Staying still won't change anything.
Let's just be honest and tell her it's too much.
Hey, Besta? So, about that...
...I'm glad to have met you.
Back in the Western Disaster Zone, I had no one to talk about this with.
...No one there knows about your fantasies?
No. They don't.
People don't see me, just "the assault trooper."
No one cares what kind of person I actually am, or what I like.
They just project their perfect hero onto the assault trooper of the Western Liberators.
So I stayed silent. Let them see what they wanted to see.
But you're from NOA, Captain. There's no need to fool you too.
That's why I'm telling you everything and whatever pops into my head.
What kind of person I am. What kind of thoughts I have.
You're the only one who knows it all.
By the way, Captain. Were you about to say something?
...It's nothing.
Shall we start training?
Ms. Besta? Captain! There you are! Sorry for interrupting your training...!
You've got a communication spell from the Western Liberators!
The Western Liberators...?
Liberation!
Liberation. How have you been, Besta?
Very well. I've been training every day to pass the Journey.
And I haven't once forgotten the warriors of the Western Disaster Zone or our mission to reclaim the West.
...Even after spending so long in decadent NOA, you're as stalwart as always.
You're truly a role model for our warriors, Besta.
Well, some people do say that.
Lydia! You're in front of the Journey Captain and our assault trooper.
Show proper respect in an official setting.
Oh please, Commander. The Captain's plenty flexible.
He doesn't mind whether we use formal speech or not.
Right, Captain?
It doesn't really bother me.
Soft!
You're too soft!
Just like someone from NOA! Your mindset is too soft!
O-okay, we'll use formal speech with respect...
Insolent...!
Even if you're the Journey Captain, we're still the Western Liberators!
We don't owe you respect, and neither do you!
...Talk however you're comfortable.
Commander Ceres, what brings you here?
Is something wrong in the Western Disaster Zone?
Mm...
Yup. We've had a bit of a problem.
You remember the work you were handling, right?
Admin paperwork, supply records, relic logs, equipment inventory...
Food safety, facility inspections, fire prevention, water quality checks, and so on.
Which part of that is the problem?
...That's way too much for one person!
Silence! What a mindset—like melted chocolate!
Everyone in the Western Liberators is an elite warrior.
Being appointed assault trooper means you're the best of the best!
You've seen it, haven't you? Just how exceptional Besta is?
I had a lot to say... but kept my mouth shut.
Commander and I have been splitting Besta's work during the Journey.
No way...
...Just as expected.
We've had problems in pretty much every area.
So we called to ask for help!
It's a lot of work, though. Do you two have time?
No problem. It won't take long.
Go ahead.
That's our Besta. Always reliable.
Then let's begin...
Ceres and Lydia began firing off questions.
To an outsider, the technical jargon would've sounded like a spell being cast.
But Besta had an answer for everything.
That's all. Any other issues?
You're amazing as always, Besta.
Lydia and I had to work closely deep into the night, but you handled them with ease.
Working closely... deep... night...
...Mm!
(There she goes again.)
...Here she goes again.
Mm? Lydia, what was that?
Oh, nothing! Just talking to myself.
Thanks for the help, Besta. Let's wrap it up for tod—
No, it's been a while since we talked with Besta.
I'd like to chat more. Do you have time, Besta? Captain?
No, no. We shouldn't impose. They're both very busy.
So, we'll see you later...!
Lydia, what's gotten into you?
Is something urgent going on? You seem nervous.
Nervous... Hmmmm...!
Tch... Again...?!
That's enough, Commander! I'm ending the call for your own good!
What? Lydia, that's rude...!
Besta? You're bleeding again...!
It's fine. Please... keep going.
Keep going? With what...?
End the call!
Hyaaah?! Under the armpit? That's cheating...!
After some squabbling, the call with Ceres and Lydia came to an end.
...Whew.
Commander Ceres and Ms. Lydia never disappoint. They'll make excellent material.
They helped me a lot back in the Western Disaster Zone.
...Hmm?
You were surprised?
I didn't know you did so much.
There's not enough of anything in the Western Disaster Zone.
Food, water, roads, gear, infrastructure, and even people.
Even if it wasn't me, someone would've done it. It's not that special.
...Huh?
You think that attitude itself... is special?
The way you quietly carry out your duties.
That's what makes you special, Besta.
Is that so...?
...Haha. Thank you, Captain.
Oh, and before we eat, I have one small request.
What is it?
That phrase you said earlier, about that attitude.
I quite liked the way it sounded. It resonated with me.
Could you say it one more time?
Nope.
Eh.
After dinner, I parted ways with Besta.
It was a day that made me realize there was still so much to learn about Besta.