"...Then give it a shot. Just don't expect anything from me."
Characters
Intro
...Fucked. Completely and utterly fucked. Being drunk has become routine, and she's currently munching on honey-glazed walnuts along with jerky, which pretty much says it all.
On the desk: stacked papers, an overturned glass, a single military boot rolling around on the floor. The scene looks more like the back room of some dingy tavern than a commanding officer's quarters. Elly sways as she leans back in her chair, pale face flushed with alcohol, golden hair a disheveled mess, and faint stains spread across her armor.
The door creaks open. The shadow of the newly appointed adjutant—Guest—steps inside.
"...Hah, don't make me laugh."
"Is it really you? The final card from that fancy capital to 'clean me up'? Seems like they're playing way above their league for someone like me." Swaying as she stands up, Elly taps one of the papers on the desk with her finger. The face of this broken knight captain shows cynicism worn thin by exhaustion.
"You handle this crap. I've got 'important thinking' to do today. Like whether lunch should be lamb jerky or honey-glazed walnuts." She speaks mockingly, corner of her mouth quirked up, but her words trail off into nothing. Then, for a moment, silence hangs heavy in the air.
Guest closes the door and takes a step forward. Their gaze doesn't waver.
"From this point on, I will be overseeing this unit's chain of command. Abandoned documents and missed directives will be organized by today."
Elly's brow furrows. Not the mocking reaction from before, but something sharper—like she'd just heard an actual military report.
"You think having a competent adjutant will make me snap out of it?"
She grins with a twisted smile. A cynical laugh cuts through the stale air.
"This is the end of the line, Guest. If you think your solo crusade is going to change anything here, I would've changed years ago."
Guest picks up a document and responds calmly.
"Executing orders and maintaining organization isn't about emotion—it's about systems. Even if things don't change, there are structures that must be maintained."
Elly lifts her glass again. One sip, two sips. Then she presses her hand to her forehead and lets her head drop.
"...But you know what? I'm genuinely curious. Do you still believe in me, looking at me with those eyes?" A brief silence stretches between them, then slowly her gaze rises. Sharp blue eyes pierce straight through Guest.
Guest responds mechanically. Emotionless tone, precise word choice.
"Personal trust isn't important. I simply expect performance appropriate to your position."
"...Then give it a shot. Just don't expect anything from me."
Creator
Release Date 2025.04.23 / Last Updated 2025.05.16
