Chapter 33: Chapter 19: Keep Fighting

“Yes, Teacher. I’m back…”

Fran offered a bitter smile, then stepped into the room and closed the door behind him.

Alina pulled out the chair beside her, and Fran sank into it, collapsing onto the table. He was content just to be near his teacher again.

The dimly lit room held only the two of them. Returning here brought a rare sense of comfort. The tension that had coiled in his heart since his hospitalization finally loosened, but its release left only a gaping void and a profound sense of despair.

‘What good is feeling better now?’ he thought. ‘I still have to go back. That stupid woman won’t even let me stay out for one night…’

“How are things? You’ve been at this for a while. What progress have you made?”

Alina brought up the subject of his mission casually. The boy turned his head, still resting on the table, and looked up at his teacher.

“After the attack, I was hospitalized for a while. I suppose it earned me some of Yuli’s trust. I’ve managed to get into the residence, and she even said… she wants to make me her secretary.”

“Hmm. Speaking of that attack…”

Alina, who had been polishing a glass, turned to him. “Did you plan it?”

“No, it wasn’t me. It was spontaneous. Yuli told me the man did it on impulse because his family had a vendetta against the Teutonic army.”

“I see…”

Alina nodded. She had honestly suspected Fran was behind it and had been lamenting how reckless her student had become.

She remembered how worried she had been for his safety when she first heard the news. She had even tried to deceive herself with the thought that if Fran had planned it himself, he likely wouldn’t be seriously injured.

It seemed now she could only thank the gods for watching over him. Thankfully, Fran was still alive.

“Very good…” Alina managed to muster some encouragement. “Your ability to adapt has improved significantly. Although the incident was perilous, the rewards were substantial. You’ve successfully infiltrated the residence, haven’t you?”

“Yes…” Fran nodded. It was true. He was inside.

But…

Me… I…

The thought trailed off as he buried his face in his arms, his body shaking with helpless sobs. A flood of sorrow, long held back, burst forth.

“Teacher… I… sob… I can’t take it anymore… Waaah—”

A knot tightened in Alina’s chest at the sound of his cries. She quickly pulled him into an embrace. The boy wept ceaselessly in her arms as she stroked his forehead, her touch radiating a maternal gentleness that sought to soothe him.

Fran looked up through his tears, his gaze falling upon the teacher who was as gentle as a mother, but the tears would not stop.

“What’s wrong, my Fran?”

She dabbed at his tears with a tissue as she asked.

At first, Fran didn’t want to speak, but the pain of keeping it all inside was unbearable. He desperately needed to confide in someone, to pour out every last drop of his misery.

“I… *hic*…”

Fran began, his voice choked with sobs. “That stupid woman… she’s been tormenting me. She treats me like a toy, and she even…”

“What?” Alina asked, her voice sharp with alarm. “Did… did she force you to do… *that*?”

“*Sniff*… No, not that… Just strange dress-up games. But… I feel like if this continues, sooner or later, I’ll…”

“Waaah… Teacher… I… I feel so dirty, like one of those prostitutes. It’s disgusting, so disgusting, so disgusting…”

Fran collapsed back onto the table, weeping inconsolably. Seeing her student overwhelmed by tears, Alina was momentarily at a loss for words.

‘She was right.’

Why had she sent a child like Fran to dance with wolves in a place like that?

He was so young, so impressionable. He hadn’t yet formed a complete worldview or a set of values. His convictions were not yet clear or solid.

And yet…

Sometimes, opportunities were fleeting and hard-won.

Alina was a natural politician. She seized every chance she could, even if it meant paying a price and taking risks.

Because you never knew just how great the returns from a well-placed piece on the board could be.

Ordinarily, if it were only for the minor gains of her own political faction, she might have hesitated to push her student into such an abyss.

But now, she had a reason sufficient to convince even herself.

This was for their motherland. For the freedom of all Francian people.

Still…

She sighed, then gently rubbed Fran’s back as she began to speak, her voice patient and measured.

“Fran, you are not like them. You are not approaching Yuli for money, status, or any other selfish gain. You are doing this for a greater cause.”

“Fran, this is for our country, for our people. Do you understand? The Teutonics have committed unspeakable acts across all of Francian. Every river, every field, every building, every family—they all bear the blood of our compatriots.”

“We must drive the Teutonics from our country. This requires not only battles on the front lines but also the swirling undercurrents in the shadows. Our guerilla fighters need cover of night to move, our underground resistance needs a network to communicate. We need intelligence, piece by piece. And you, Fran, are my greatest hope.”

“Many things in this world are dirty and sordid, but some we must do with heavy hearts. Revolution demands sacrifice. Whether it is our bodies and dignity today, or our lives tomorrow, we must be willing to give everything for our great cause!”

“You are not alone, Fran. Believe me. Countless Francian patriots have already shed their blood on this path to expel the invaders, including that gunman. We, too, must be prepared to make sacrifices. To ensure theirs were not in vain, we must persevere, endure humiliation, and carry this burden until the final day of victory arrives!”

“Fran…”

Alina’s tone was earnest as she posed her final question. “I will not force you. Are you willing to carry on? If you cannot, I will send you to the Kingdom of Brittany. You can live a good life there, go back to being who you once were—that little boy from the village. You can choose the life you want…”

“I…” Fran lowered his head in thought, wiping his eyes. “Will it be a lot of trouble? I…”

“Yes,” Alina nodded. “It will cost a portion of our intelligence network. But it’s alright. You are my student, after all. Perhaps… there’s nothing wrong with being a farmer’s boy.”

“I…”

Fran shook his head. He didn’t want to cause his teacher more trouble, and he certainly didn’t want to give up halfway.

If he did, all the humiliation he had suffered at Yuli’s hands would have been for nothing.

His thoughts suddenly turned to old Colonel Raif. He remembered the man’s trembling hands as he passed him the gun. He remembered the words the old man had muttered.

“Keep… fighting.”

Fight!

Light returned to Fran’s eyes. He closed them for a moment, took a deep breath, and then declared, “I won’t run away again. I will… keep fighting!”

“Good!” Alina took his hand, her heart swelling with pride. Her voice rang with encouragement.

“Trust me, Fran. Believe me. The fate of the Teutonics will end in our hands. We… we will see that day!”