Krista's crime

"Normally, we will have an in-depth interview before accepting any new soldier, but we are short on staff, and you got approval from Krista."

After accepting and stamping Seth's paper, the soldier in charge of recruitment said.

"If you listen to her approval, why do you guys lock her up?"

Seth still can't get over why they locked up someone who helps villagers, such as Krista.

What crime did she commit, unauthorized use of violence? Then he and all village defenders should also be in prison cells too.

"It's the law, my friend. She once broke some serious law in the past, but the landlord decided to let her off the hook with a deal that she will never set foot inside any military establishment again."

This soldier is one of many who have worked with Krista and also knows the secret behind her retirement.

That is why he was reluctant when Seth asked the question.

"What is that law?"

"I think it is not a good idea to answer that question. If you wanted to know, why not go and ask her? If she wants to answer, then she will."

The soldier dismissed it and turned around to put Seth's paper into the forum.

"Her cell is in building C, 1st room."

But he didn't forget to tell him where she was located.

After knowing the destination, Seth asks many soldiers on his way where the prison cell is located.

And by doing this, he also learned that more than 90% of soldiers are on duty against the bandit, which is why the hallways from the medical area to the captain's room are empty, and the only location that needs guarding is the prison zone.

The C block is located far deep into the prison zone. On his way, he saw many prisoners in rucked cloth walking in line. Some got punished by whips, and most others had to stay silent as they bathed in the sunlight.

Seth has many questions but a goal in mind, so he ignores them for now.

In building C, there isn't much guarding around, but the cell is made of unique material, and the guard looks extra strong compared to other soldiers.

The guard stands 2 meters tall with a great axe behind his back.

"Can I get inside, please?"

Seth politely asked the guard.

"State your name and reason."

The guard asked back.

"My name is Seth Anderson. I want to talk with Krista Velora."

"Seth. Captain already told me you will come."

The guard walks out of the way and lets Seth go inside.

The prison cell holding Krista was only a corner away, so he didn't have to walk long.

'This must be the room. It is! These people are quite systematically, aren't they?'

In front of the room is a pamphlet with the name and the crime.

"Krista Velora. Killing military officer and Desertion?!"

Seth screamed out after knowing what crime Krista had committed.

He was shocked to the core. Never in his mind would he imagine someone like Krista doing something terrible like these two crimes.

"That voice…. Seth?"

The slight sound comes from the other side of an entire blocked metal door.

"Krista! Are you ok?"

Seth put his ear on the door so that he could listen to her better.

"I'm ok. Some minor flesh wounds, but I had been worse."

Krista's voice is exhausted, contradicting what she said.

"What did you do in the past? You don't seem to be the person to do such a thing. Was it a false accusation?"

Seth asked her what was on his mind. He half believed it was not an actual crime, but someone blamed her.

"No. I did it. Both of them."

Krista proudly said that the crime was actual, and she did it willingly.

"Why?"

Seth can't understand back in his world. This offense can put someone in jail and their entire family in shame. Why did someone so kind as Krista do such a thing?

"It's a long story."

"I got times."

"Of course you do! It all began 10 years ago…"

Krista happily shouted like she expected his answers and then started telling the story.

==

10 Years ago

There was a war between Treehelm territory and Winterlow territory.

Krista was a captain then, and her husband was a general.

She does the fight, and he does the plan.

She was an expert magic warrior with a level of 5th magic at her disposal.

Her husband was a student who graduated from a top-grade academy in the capital.

Winterlow is a stronger territory, but both use the guerrilla tactic to wither them down so much that their names become a myth between their ranks.

Soldier morality is low to such a degree that they refuse to be deployed, many expert-level users are also hired to fight against Krista, but they never meet the two because the husband is always on guard for his wife.

But suddenly, her husband died of "food poisoning."

And his position was replaced by the brother of the landlord's wife.

This man is an incompetent buffoon who wants fame and glory but has never experienced any real battlefield.

His "glorious charge" results in the death of 60% of the militia force.

Hundreds of people died that day to obtain victory.

Compared to her husband, with only twelve casualties from months of operation, this unsettles the soldiers.

But this fool thinks it is a decisive victory, even celebrating a party, not a ceremony for dead soldiers.

Krista can't stand and watch her husband's war achievement go down the drain, and most importantly, she doesn't want her comrade to die for this clown.

She killed him.

Before the next battle starts, she walks up to him, kills him in front of all soldiers, and declares they will surrender instead of dying in vain.

Her action resulted in Treehelm territory losing half of its land to Winterlow.

But the soldier praises Krista as their hero.

The landlord's wife wants her dead, but after losing so much, the landlord doesn't want to risk a revolution from the soldier, so he tells his wife that he killed her, but in truth, he decides to let Krista off the hook with a minor condition.

==

"That is why I'm in jail and possibly will be executed when the news gets out to the wife."

Krista laughed like it was nothing for her.

"Then why are you here?! You don't need to be here, aren't you?"

Seth knows, by the look of it, if she just stayed at the village and didn't follow the soldier back, she should be fine.

Her fellow old soldier should have covered up and escorted her to safety after she regained consciousness. There is no reason for her to stay here after getting caught.

"I'm here because I want to ensure you are safe. These new forks are so stubborn, they decided to throw you in the pit, but I insist and have to come here to ensure they try their best."

"What?! Why did you risk your life for me? Haven't we just met?"

Seth is even more confused.

He and she are just strangers who met only for one day. Why is she willing to give up her life just for him to have a chance to get proper treatment?

"Maybe because I failed as a mother…."

"?"

"My daughter ran away from home three years ago."

Krista spoke with a sad and pitiful sound. Inside her, every word is filled with regret.

"When I was with you, I felt like I finally got to work as a mother, playing around, cracking jokes, training together. Unlike when I was with my daughter, we always fought. She was a daddy girl. She even told me she wished I died instead of my husband."

"And most importantly, I know your pain, Seth. You can't protect your homeland because your superior is corrupted, and you can't do anything about it, and so was I."

"Now that you owe me your life, I want you to take my place and use your gang expertise to erase or ease down the bandit problem for us."

Krista is willing to bet her life on Seth's story, she may only meet him, but his action is proving itself repeatedly.

He can endure her training while staying polite, willing to carry his weakened body out to save her life and fight for the villager.

For her, he is trustworthy—a good man.

"I'm already a soldier. I signed the contract. So, we are now even again."

Seth told her the news. Now, he was an official member of the militia.

"Guess we are. Then there is the last thing I want to warn you about. Don't go around and tell anyone you want to help me."

Krista's voice turned into a serious tone.

"Why?"

"The same reason why I have to be locked in here. The landlord's wife is from a royal family, albeit distant, but I killed a royal family member. Back then, everyone was close to me, so we were sure no one would snitch when I left, but now half of them are new people. If one of them speaks out, you and everyone who supports my escape will die."

Her biggest concern is to get everyone executed for involvement in helping a royal family murderer escape.

"Did you decide to die alone for us?"

After finally learning the truth, Seth can't fathom how generous Krista is.

"I was already prepared to die when I killed that bastard. Getting to live ten more years is a bonus."

Krista's voice is full of acceptance. She didn't lie or hesitate.

She was always ready to die for a long time, and now that she finally has a worthy successor to her will, she can die in peace, knowing Seth is working for her people.

Bang!

"This is Outrageous! It's unfair!"

Seth slammed the metal door with anger. His face was now fueled with rage and hatred.

It's the law, but where is it when that bastard of a noble gets promoted?

Everything could have been stopped if that fool didn't come into power.

The one who should be executed is the landlord's wife for corruption, resulting in the death of hundreds!

"It's how the world works. People in power dictate what is right or wrong. If you don't like it, you can change it if you are strong enough. You have a talent. I can see it."

Krista believes in Seth.

She has already witnessed his talent and knows he will someday surpass her.

She knows that one day, he will have enough power to change the rule, and all she can hope for is that he will still be a good person when the day comes.

"I will help you out of here, I swear!"

"Good luck, but remember. Don't try anything stupid. Goodbye, Seth."

Krista spoke, thinking it would be her last.

"See you later, Krista."

But Seth thinks otherwise. He already has a goal in mind.

'If the problem comes for the Treehelm family, then I have to solve it at the root!'