Izuya had become colonel in three years. It was very fast promotion for him. He was young and had strategy and skills. He had now, his own company.

They were stationed at a nearby town together with another company. Their colonel was Anton.

Izuya looked out the window from his office " sighs. Should I go take a peak at Nanalise ? I wonder how is she now ? Damn Enalise only sent me photos till she was 15. How would I know how she would look like now ? But if she finds me out... What should I say ? " Sighs... And he blushed red just thinking about the while incident.

The door knocked and Anton entered " hey !! Wanna go for a drink ?"

Izuya still wore his black mask to anyone else " no. Go ahead. "

Anton ; you're boring.

And he leaves.
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Nana was going to buy some apples from the fresh market at the store. But this guy, who had been staring her for two whole minutes had to walk up to her and tell her ...

" What's your name ? I'm an officer. Colonel Anton."

Nana took her apples and was going to leave. But he grabbed onto her shoulder " I mean no harm. You just look like her so much."

Nana : goodbye.

She had left but she did hear him asking the farmer her name. Being she was a regular, and he being an officer... The farmer had to tell him.

She sighed and left anyway.

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The next day was another busy day.

Dulise (father) : Nana !!

Nana ; yes papa ?

Dulise : take care of this patient !!

" Huh ?!! She's just a kid !! "

Dulise ; your sickness, she can deal with it. You came for my healing. Believe , me !!

Nana sat down " hello. "

Dulise : Enalise ! Enalise ! Tsk. Where did your elder sis go ?!!

Nana: to go do research on plants.

Dulise : huuuuh ?!! Wasting her ability !! She needs to practice!! Practice !! Else how can she see other's illnesses ?!!

Nana passes the prescription " here. You'll be fine. Thank you."

" Ugh. The long line. Nana. You go and take a look at the line. Whoever you can heal and let them go back. Do so. " Her father ordered.

Nana: ok.

The day ended. And they were having dinner at the table.

Dulise started to speak " They wanted someone ... to enlist as a  soldier. "

This was supposedly voluntarily.

But it has been known, where the army would forcefully invite people of potential to serve to help the cause. If rejected, consequences will befall the family.

" How many do they want ?" My mother belladine asked .

Dulise; one. I've heard that they've requested five from more famous families.

Belladine : and... What did your other family members say ?

Our family is actually quite big. Being that, all family members have the ability to live as long as they want. Of course, there are some who choose death due to several reasons. Everyone insists to continue their apothecary business of course. Just not in conflict.

We've been quiet and tried not to catch attention. But I guess we still get some attention .

Dulise: .... I'm the youngest of age...

Belladine: what ?!! That's not fair !!! So they can live however long they like ?!!! Why don't they choose someone , who wants to die !!

Dulise : belladine... Someone has to do something. Or all of us will get into trouble.

Belladine: why you !!

Nana : ... I'll go.

Belladine: what ?

Dulise ; don't be nuts , you idiot !!

Nana : it's ok. I want to try my skills. We can't really die anyway, since we can heal ourselves. And ... I can extend my life too. Unless we were caught.

Dulise : and what if that happens ?!!

Nana : I'm an apothecary. I don't think they'll send me to fight. I'm useless.

Dulise : Nana !

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Ena , her elder sis helped her put on the incense that let's people get into a deep sleep. Their parents, that is they were doing this to.

Ena : you sure ?

I'm sure it has to go this way. This was the start of the lesson the stupid Emperor set for her.

Damn... Why don't my old man tell me how it goes from here ?

Nana : um. If I die... Mama and papa still have you. If papa dies... We have no more papa.

Ena : you idiot !! That's not how it works. You scared ?

Nana nods " a little bit "

Ena: then don't go.

Nana : it's fine. It's me they want anyway.

Ena: what are you talking about?

Nana sighs " just some... Unlucky incident. See you sis."

Ena ; write back and come back. Idiot.

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So she reported for duty.

" Name. "

Nana : Nana Hailarose.

" Ok. Go and stand back in the line."

So she did. Then an officer came by " hello. We meet again. "

Nana : .... You're stubborn.

Anton ; thank you. You really do... I want her in my squad.

" Ok... Colonel... "

Anton : follow me.

She stood there not moving even after he left.

Anton ; come on.

" Go. "

And so she followed instructions

__________________________________

They had reached his room.

Nana: .... If there's nothing... I'm leaving.

Chains bang the door close and they surround her , then wrap her legs and wrists to the ground. It was his magic.

Nana ; let me go. Please... I don't look like her.

He cupped her face " maybe..." Then he took a step back " no... You do..." He closes the distance again .

"please please. Let me go..." Her face , moving away from the closeness. He grabbed onto her cheeks...

That's when the door got sliced down and the chains break. She collapsed to the ground.

" Stop it. Anton." A masked officer came in. He wore a face mask that covered the entirety of his face. Not the soldier gas masked type. But more like the kinds people wear to hide their faces.

It was of a hard shell and there weren't any special patterns on it. Other than it had two clawed purple marks on the black mask.

Anton ; oh butt out !! Izuya.

Izuya, the masked officer stood in front of Nana " she's not here anymore. Alina is dead. "

Anton ; I know. I know !!!

Izuya ; she isn't her !! Look alikes can't count !! She's special. Isn't she ?

Anton tears fall " I'm... Sorry. "

Izuya turned around " stand up. Let's go. "

Finally... Nanalise. I meet you.