Exemplar Commander

"Did the demon take the face of someone you knew?"

Jagger gave Zemin a heavy look.

"Yes. But it's not something you should worry about—it's all water under the bridge by now. I was shocked for a moment by Angor's appearance, but I will be ready next time." Jagger spat on the ground. "I honestly thought the vile hellspawn was dead all that time—nothing should've survived in that explosion! But with what you said about him being able to move his consciousness between bodies… I swear to God, one day I will root out every one of them."

"I will be glad to help however I can, sergeant. Stopping monsters like Angor is why I wanted to become an Exemplar."

Jagger let out a huff that turned into a chuckle.

"Nice sentiment, but it will be worthless if you get thrown into a regular army regiment after our return, Zemin. You are still resolute in your decision, even after everything I said—and I will admit, I like it. Maybe it's foolish of me, but I want to know that these hands," Jagger lifted his palms up, "have brought death only upon demons. Even if it's too late for me to live without regrets by now."

There was a glint in Jagger's eyes Zemin couldn't recognize.

<This is guilt, Master.>

'Oh. Do you think Jagger thinks himself guilty in the death of that man Angor stole the face of, Void System?'

<The probability of this is extremely high, Master. The current sympathy for your actions likely stemming from guilt.>

Zemin nodded, both to the Void System and Jagger.

The ability to analyze the emotions of others was sometimes even more useful than the ability to analyze their combat capabilities. The Void System had explained that knowing the enemy's emotions also helped in a fight and was a part of its ability to analyze intentions.

The next words came deep from Zemin's heart—from the place beyond his comprehension, from emotions he had, but didn't feel.

"Whatever happened in the past, sergeant, while we are alive, we can take it and use it as a fuel for determination that will burn down every demon on Earth."

"…Well said."

They spent the rest of time until reinforcements came sifting sand and making a clay wall for the Void Portal in silence.

***

2 DAYS LATER

The illustrious 4th Exemplar Commander, Mordechai of the heavenly legions, was a figure both renowned and obscure. Until today, Zemin saw him only in passing, on the one occasion when the angel came to take part in the communal evening prayer.

Mordechai was incredibly tall—a head taller than Jagger, who was already almost a giant. His long, sun-yellow hair flowed around his head like underwater. Part of it was braided around his halo, as if keeping the circlet in place. A single pair of blindingly white wings covered Mordechai's shoulders like a cloak, and their tips brushed the ground.

Like all angels, Mordechai was incredibly beautiful, and a single glance at his stern features made Zemin want to kneel, pray and slay a thousand demons.

Even if Mordechai was right now a judge on the tribunal that decided if Zemin would ever fight anyone again.

There weren't any defenders or prosecutors—the Exemplar Commander took all the roles. The only people present in the spacious, yet utilitarian, hall were three witnesses called by Mordechai.

Loann Jagger, Narcisa and Adia. They stood next to a wall, leaving Zemin alone in the center of the room.

Mordechai was sitting at an elevated desk, staring holes in Zemin from his height. His long finger tapped a written report given by Jagger earlier.

"I have listened to the full report of the mission and the fight with the rank B demon named Angor. Esquire Adia Devi, since you were the one who gave and submitted the report instead of your sergeant, explain something to me before we continue. Your squad's orders were to protect the settlements in the region—not to chase after every demon. Yet you abandoned your post and did just that. Why?"

Adia stepped forward and stood to attention. Her voice was still hoarse and quiet when she spoke, and listening to it made Zemin clench his fists.

"The demons captured our sergeant, sir. So… we decided to bring him back."

Mordechai frowned. "This is exactly what you wrote in your report, Esquire. Don't repeat what I know already, answer my question! Why?"

Adia opened her mouth, but closed it a second later.

"It seems that your squad can't operate without a leader. A leader who was incompetent enough to not teach you to work on your own before he was caught by demons. His fault is grave, but so is yours, Esquire Devi. It looks like your promotion to an Esquire was a mistake, after all."

Mordechai picked up an electronic tablet and pressed a few buttons.

"No accomplishments of note. No above average devotion to the cause. I strip you of the Esquire rank—at least for now. You will become a Soldier in the garrison of Dammanburg fortress where you will be able to learn how to follow orders better and further hone your skills. In a year, if you survive, you may apply for the Esquire rank again."

"N-no…" Adia stared at the angel in disbelief. "Dammanburg?"

Zemin gasped. Dammanburg was a fortress standing in a vital position on the edge between the 4th and 5th sectors of the Holy Dominion. If demons conquered it, they could attack both sectors at once—so they tried to take it down all the time, by any means.

People who served there were heroes, but very few of them lasted for long. Adia…

Zemin opened his mouth, but before a sound of protest could escape him, Mordechai waved his hand.

"Now stand back, witness. I will now judge the actions of Esquire Zemin, and I hope he has more to say in his defense. Answer—why did you decide that saving former Esquire Devi was more important than taking down a demon of B rank?"