Vol. 1 Chapter 10:

――― That morning I didn’t hear the familiar low chimes of the bell.

Kan, kan, I heard the high-pitched sounds of metal being struck here and there, and the sounds were gradually getting louder. I thought that it was such a daunting sound that increased tension. It was actually informing us that we needed to be vigilant about something.

I opened my eyes in surprise, and it was still dark inside my room. The sky was still dark blue outside my window. It’s before dawn. The metallic sounds didn’t stop and instead increased in momentum. I got off my bed while my heart was still pounding.

Just as I had taken off my pyjamas and was putting on my tunic, there was a hasty knock at my door. Rather than a polite knock, the person was slamming their fists onto the door and the door creaked slightly to the sound. It was the first time I had heard such a knock, and I gulped involuntarily.

“Viscountess Kaldia, it’s me, Ergnard! You can stay in your pyjamas so please open the door!”

Ergnard, who was usually calm, was shouting anxiously from the other side of the door. I felt slightly relieved since it was someone I knew.

“I’ll open it now.”

I quickly removed the latch on the door with my dalmatica still in hand, and Ergnard threw the door open. The flames that lit the corridor entered my room and dimly lit it up.

“Listen, it’s the Densel army. The Densel army made their camp last night on the other side of the Great Plains.”

“!!”

I was surprised when I heard that the Densel army had made camp, and looked out the window, even though I couldn’t see them. Beyond the fortress walls was the flat, wide Great Plains. That was all I could vaguely see.

“The draconis detected their scents. We’ll be sending out a reconnaissance unit once the sun rises, and we’ll prepare for battle. Where’s your battle gear?”

Ergnard rudely slipped into my room as he said that. “In the lacquered box,” I answered, and he jogged to the box and went through all its contents.

“What about that? … Alright, it’s in here. Let’s go, Earl Einsbark is waiting for you.”

My body suddenly floated in the air the moment I nodded. I felt pressure on my stomach, and a moan escaped from the back of my throat. By the time that I finally understood that Ergnard was carrying me, Ergnard was walking in the opposite direction from where we usually went with large strides.

Dawn came quickly. Ergard and I arrived at a room in the fortress when the golden sun gradually began rising on the other side of the forest. It had only been 10 minutes, but the scene outside of the window had changed significantly.

“You’ve arrived?”

“Yes, just now.”

Ergnard put me down, and I staggered a few steps. I was a bit groggy since my body was a bit shaken.

“… Are you alright, Viscountess Kaldia?”

“Y-yes. I’m fine.”

I no longer felt as if I was spinning around, and had no problems standing up properly and bowing. Earl Einsbark checked my appearance, nodded, then motioned for me to take a seat over on the sofa. Ergnard and I both sat down across from Earl Einsbark. There was a table in between us, on which a map of the surrounding the royal fief was spread.

On the map to the east of Fort Jugfefna in the middle of the Great Plains was a toy that represented the enemy soldiers. Also, there was a piece in the Bandishia Plateau that represented the enemy force, and a piece that represented an unknown force. Those pieces probably represented the Sill tribe and the Densel army unit that was chasing after them.

“We sent out a draconis scout unit the moment that the Densel army was detected, but currently, we only know that they’ve made their camp and are unsure of their exact numbers.”

Earl Einsbark picked up a tiny toy piece. He placed it next to the piece on the Great Plain. Apparently, that represented the scout unit.

“We wouldn’t have noticed them if we didn’t have the draconis.”

“Bastards,” Ergnard muttered under his breath. I looked at the pieces on top of the map and was impressed by how skilfully things were done. As long as they have the pretext of suppressing the Sill tribe, a group of rebellions, they can make an excuse to set up camp, chase the tribe down, and catch all of them in a pincer attack. It was such a grand move to corner less than 100 members of the equestrian tribe. Even Earl Einsbark seemed daunted.

Even if they hadn’t done that, they had already mobilised 300 troops to chase after the Sill tribe. They deployed more soldiers, and even dared to make camp at the national border. If the draconis hadn’t detected them, then we wouldn’t have been able to go on alert. Is this how the Densel army operates? I glared at the pieces with a terribly cold feeling.

“… The sun has come up.”

A knock sounded at the door just when Earl Einsbark gazed out the window, and a knight entered the room after he was granted permission.

“Reporting in, the scout unit has returned! The Densel army numbers about 700, and they have siege engines in their camp!”

“Foolish. Does Densel really intend to declare war with our kingdom?!”

Ergnard barked in anger, then stood up with a clatter. I looked at the map again. There is no reason for Densel to declare war on Arxia before Rindarl is established. What is the meaning of this? I grinded my teeth. If only Earl Thelesia was here, I thought painfully. I want to hear his opinion. I suddenly looked up and saw that Earl Einsbark was looking at me, amusingly. He changed his focus in an instant, and also stood up from the sofa.

“Tell Vormav to have the soldiers line up in front of the fortress walls.”

His voice was solemn. I couldn’t help but straighten my back.

“Yes!”

The soldier bowed and left the room. A moment of silence filled the room.

“Viscountess Kaldia, get dressed and head to the other side of the fortress walls with Ergnard. If you have anything to tell your army, then I’ll listen to it now.”

“There’s nothing. Thank you for asking.”

Earl Einsbark nodded once, and sighed heavily before exiting the room.

War is now imminent, and is just a stone’s throw away from becoming reality. I was tense to the point of clutching my fists, but I wasn’t filled with fear yet. I checked my mental state, which was surprisingly calm, and nodded to myself.

This day has finally come. It was finally happening on the morning of the 21st day since I’ve come to Jugfena Fortress.

The soldiers, who were lined up in the front of the fortress walls, silently checked their own equipment. I kept glaring at the map of the surrounding territory in my hands while feeling extremely tense.

The role given to the Kaldia army in the upcoming battle on the plains was defending the left wing formation, and to guide the Sill tribe back to the fortress when the Sill tribe and their pursuers engage in battle, midway.

The inner part of the left wing consisted of spear infantry in close formation, and our role was to ambush the Sill tribe’s pursuers. In addition, a cavalry unit will be heading eastward through Amon Nohl towards Bandishia Plateau. They will help and guide the Sill tribe. They have also been included in the refugees who we’ve decided to accept. Thus, we have to guide them to the fortress. The refugees, who have arrived at the fortress, are farmers, and they belong to a class of rulers in Artolas. If we can acquire the Sill tribe, an ex-ruling class, and don’t receive a declaration from them saying that the refugees are ‘Ar Xia believers’, then the refugees would feel obliged to Densel and by extension the Rindarl Union.

Among the reasons to help the refugees discussed at the House of Lords, one was that we must defend our fellow believers who are being religiously persecuted in other kingdoms.

Earl Einsbark must issue the order for troops to move out because he knows this well.

I don’t think that Densel predicted that we would shield and come to the aid of the Sill tribe, but there is no way they prepared that many troops just to chase the Sill tribe. This is evident from the fact that they have brought siege weaponry, even though it’s not needed to subdue the Sill tribe. What’s more, there’s no way anyone could watch as the Sill tribe gets pincer before their eyes.

“My Lord, here, your sword.”

I didn’t realise that someone was next to me, and I raised my face in response to the soft voice that was calling me. When I looked up, I saw Gunther holding a shortsword for me.

“… Oh, ah. My bad, Gunter.”

I quickly received the sword from him, folded up my map, and put it away in my waist pouch. I also sheathed the shortsword into the scabbard attached to my belt. I had completely forgotten to equip myself with a sword since I had already stood my spear next to me. I must have been too tense.

The Kaldia army would not voluntarily engage in the battle itself, since this was a military operation. But even so, the situation on the battlefield could change at any moment, so I need my sword for self-defence, and to lead my soldiers. The soldiers will march when they see my hoisted sword on top of the horse.

“It’s fine, nobles usually have servants help them prepare for war. And, there’s no one here who will help you get ready, My Lord.”

“I’ve made you act like a servant even though you’re a soldier.”

Gunter, who was friendlier and more loose-lipped than usual, was being considered towards me, even if I didn’t want to admit it.

… I will be standing on the battlefield. Just by thinking that, my heart, which had remained calm until now, suddenly started thudding in my chest. I took deep breaths to slow down my rapid heartbeats.

“Sorry, Gunter.”

“… What for? If it’s about the sword, then I’ve already heard it.”

It was my fief army’s first campaign. I’m not permitted to freeze from tension since I’m their leader. I was grateful that Gunter hadn’t said that in words. It’ll be fine once my tension clears, I tried not to worry.

“Well, it’ll be nice if Kamil was here. Make up once you get back.”

“… Yeah, I will.”

Was it good that I was able to organise my emotions when I got away from the Golden Hill Mansion?

Strangely, I nodded obediently. Gunter looked at me in surprise, and then sighed.

“… I don’t know what happened between you two, but be that honest with Kamil too. After the birthday celebration, he’s been dealing with his problems the best he could. That orphan almost killed you. And, we didn’t show much compassion. We don’t want to listen to those without willpower.”

I watched Gunter’s back as he returned to the army line after he had said what he had wanted to say. I don’t think he’s someone who would spoil me… but, I wonder if he thought it was evitable for a child to back away just before the battle, even if she is the feudal lord.

Those without willpower, is it? Does that mean that the soldiers recognise my guts? Anyway, I slapped my cheeks and got myself fired up. I can’t fall off my horse from thinking too much.

In the meantime, I heard a voice say, “Line up!” and the soldiers, who had all finished preparing their equipment, organised themselves while making clanking noises.

“Are you ready?”

Vormav, who was standing in front of the troops, glanced around and spoke. He hadn’t spoken in a loud voice, but it carried well, just like his father Earl Einsbark’s voice. The soldiers and the knights all saluted at him together. He briefly informed the troops that the Densel army was right upon our doorstep, and that we were going to battle to protect the Sill tribe. When the soldiers responded, Vormav stepped down, and Wiegraf stepped forward.

“The infantry and cavalry troops will set camp outside the castle walls. The centre formation shall consist of the 1st and 4th Knight Orders, as well as Egor’s squad; the right wing shall consist of the 2nd Knight Order and Levski’s squad on the outside; and the left wing shall consist of Palakis’s squad the Kaldia fief army. All archers shall man the castle walls. Avelyn squad, please take charge of the fortress and wall defences. The 3rd Knight Order is acting as a detached force and has already moved out.”

The 3rd Knight Order that he had just mentioned is probably the unit that is meant to guide the Sill tribe. Not counting the archers, the 3rd Knight Order, and the squad who we were leaving behind to defend the fortress, our battle strength is approximately 450 troops. Being surrounded by 700 soldiers is a tough battle, but our victory isn’t winning against the Densel army.

“Listen up, our main objective is to protect the Sill tribe, not the eradication or retreat of the Densel army.”

The overall plan was to first get into the arranged formations and march our soldiers towards the Densel army camp, both as a threat and to directly inquire the meaning behind their advancing army. Judging from their situation, the war will surely start, and our tactical objective is the destruction of their siege weaponry. Along with joining up with the Sill tribe, the 3rd Knight Order and the Kaldia army will protect the Sill tribe, and withdraw. Afterwards, the knights and soldiers will also retreat, and we will focus on defending the fortress.

“Retreating is a difficult strategy, but it’s not impossible based on the situation. Don’t turn your backs on the enemy, and don’t forget to keep formation while retreating.”

The knights showed an admirable salute after the chief of staff, Wiegraf, personally informed them of our battle strategy. Behind them, the soldiers looked anxious as they also saluted.

I suddenly realised that it’s also their first time fighting against people. The Densel army hadn’t gotten this close to Jugfena Fortress since the Artolas War, 17 years ago.

Just like its neighbouring kingdoms, Arxia uses a conscription system to recruit soldiers, so it was common for farmers, who have only ever used hoes and ploughs, to get drafted onto the battlefield during wartimes. In fact, half of the soldiers in the Kaldia army were farmers, and even those who were enlisted in the army and not drafted will return to their hometown for three months of the year to cultivate the fields, and they were also the ones who grew the wheat in the land under my direct control. When I thought like that, I felt anxiety creep up from my toes. How many people here actually have real combat experience?

I shook my head a little, and raised my head to dispel the anxiety and tension that I was feeling. War had nothing to do with me in my previous life, so the concept of people killing each other on a battlefield had only seemed like a fantasy up until now. My head can’t keep up with the reality that was unfolding in front of my eyes, this doesn’t excuse my naivety towards reality. How many times have I reflected on the reality that was happening right in front of me? I chewed the inside of my cheeks lightly, and used the pain to discipline myself. I organised my feelings faster than usual because of the pain.

I straightened my back and got on my horse. Now that I was on the same line of sight as an adult, I saw knights clad in black on the other side of the soldiers.

“Eliza-dono!”

Ergnard came running up to me among the soldiers trickling out through the castle gate.

“Be careful out there. I pray that Xia Fema and Misorua keep you safe.”

“Same to you. Your role is probably much more dangerous than mine.”

After all, he is in the centre formation. Moreover, his role is to rush at the enemy when the battle starts. His job was much more dangerous than mine. Ergnard smiled softly, and stoked my hair without messing it up.

“I’m fine. I, and the people around me, are all prepared to die. However, I have no intentions of dying in such a small skirmish.”

I couldn’t say a word. All I could do was keep staring at his face to the extent of burning it into my mind. It was a bit different from his words hitting me in the chest, but his words did ‘stab’ me in the chest.

“… Take care.”

I finally managed to squeeze out with much difficulty, and Ergnard’s smile deepened for a moment before he left.

The soldiers quickly got into formation outside of the fortress walls. “Densel’s army has noticed us,” the leader, Vormav, said. They don’t know that we have draconis here, so they probably won’t know that we’re aware of their movements. On the battlefield, the side with more information has the advantage. One of the basics is to move quickly so that the other side doesn’t get your information.

“Everyone, advance!”

The drum was beaten heavily and in a steady rhythm at Vormav’s command. In accordance with the beating, the soldiers advanced. While surrounded by soldiers, I was impressed by their marching, even though I knew it was inappropriate. During my birthday celebration march, I kept thinking that I wanted a marching band and, as expected, the soldiers marched with much more unison with even just one drum. The soldiers in my army stuck to the rhythm of the drum; they had probably acquired this skill from practicing here. The left-wing stuck out because of the flat terrain here, but we were still within a 200 metre distance of the centre, so it wasn’t a problem.

Before long, the Densel army’s tent gradually came into view on the horizon; and also their 700 troops who were lined up densely at the front.

“…?”

But the closer we approached, the more I felt that something was off. I squinted since I couldn’t ignore this trivial feeling, and probably because I looked insecure, Gunter asked, “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know… but, something seems strange about the enemy. It might just be my imagination.”

“Huh? … Hang on a second.”

Gunter glared suspiciously at the enemy camp when he heard what I had said, and I thought he was going to remain silent, but then he raised his voice, impatiently, “Hey.”

“There’s no horses in the enemy ranks. And, most of the troops seem strange and their heads are fluttering about.”

When I heard that their heads were fluttering, the memory of scarecrows, which were placed in fields, from my previous life suddenly flashed through my mind. Their heavy heads would flutter in the wind. When I look back on this, I was often impressed that such a thing conveniently came to my mind at a time like this.

“… This is probably a decoy.”

“What did you say?!”

“Who, who is the fastest in our army!?”

When I turned around and shouted this, my army soldiers, who were following behind me, stopped in surprise. Dammit, I frowned when the soldiers froze up, and a skinny arm rose up from among them.

“Yes! I’m quite confident in my speed, and everyone says I’m the fastest!”

The one, who pushed the soldiers aside and stepped out as he said this, was a squire named Paolo; he is a boy with a short build. We crossed paths when he joined the army.

“Alright, then I’m giving you an order. Head directly to the 1st Knight Order in the centre formation, and give their leader, Ergnard, this message, the enemy army seems strange. They have no horses present, and their soldiers look like props.”

“Isn’t that terrible!? I’ll go right now!”

Paolo raised his voice with his eyes wide in surprise, but he knew the urgency of the situation, and immediately sprinted in a diagonal direction. His back that had gone off to the distance was honestly fast, and I felt strangely impressed that his confidence and reputation wasn’t just an exaggeration or a lie.

“What’s the matter, Viscountess Kaldia?”

The vice-captain of the Palakins squad walked his horse over to us, probably because they were wondering why the Kaldia army had suddenly stopped marking. He’s an elderly soldier with a white moustache and a beard, and rather than fit, he is a bit more plump.

“There’s something strange about the Densel army, I believe that it could be a decoy.”

There are no horses, and the enemy soldiers’ heads were swaying unsteadily in the wind, much like papier mache. The vice-captain listened to my explanation as he stroked his beard, but when I requested that he report the situation to his captain, he began to chuckle.

“Kuku…”

Gunter was struck speechless when the vice-captain suddenly began to laugh despite the tense situation. The vice-captain continued to laugh without regards.

“Viscountess Kaldia, you’re really such an adorable child. You remind me of my grandson.”

“Huh?”

The vice-captain suddenly went off about something that I didn’t understand at all. I reflexively grimaced, but the man turned to Gunter and continued talking with a joyful expression on his face.

“When they’re surrounded by only adults for the first time, children will say things that will make them stand out. You don’t need to take them seriously.”

What the fuck is with this guy? His attitude and manner of speaking stunned both Gunter and I.

“… If you have time to screw around, then quickly go and report this to your superior.”

Gunter finally managed to squeeze his voice out and say something, and I could easily tell that he was exasperated with, and quite angry at, the vice-captain. The white moustache vice-captain grimaced slightly, but he didn’t say anything and walked his horse back to his rank the same way he had come. He stopped next to his squad captain, but judging from his attitude, he probably won’t be carrying out my order.

I had ordered the vice-captain to tell his captain what he had heard. I have no status in Jugfena Fortress, but I’m still an Arxian noble with the title of viscountess, and this won’t change in Jugfena Fortress or even in Densel land. I took my eyes away from the plump back that I had lost interest in, and felt something trembling at the back of my ears.

“… Gunter, do you hear something?”

“What is it this time? I’m not as young as My Lord is, my ears and eyes aren’t as good as yours…”

He is still in his late twenties, yet he said something astonishing. Still, he was focused on listening for the sounds, so I didn’t say anything about this.

“… Is that the sound of horse hooves?”

“Can you tell what direction it’s coming from?”

“How would I know? Do you think I’m a beast or something, you stupid brat?”

Gunter resentfully spat out, and I decided to ignore his remark in this place. No one else can hear him anyway.

“Claudia would have been able to tell.”

“Don’t lump me together with that little girl.”

Well, okay, I nodded and listened out for the sounds again. The vibrations echoed at the back of my ears, and now that he has mentioned it, they do sound like running horses. And, there was no way to tell which direction they were coming from.

“My lord!!”

Then, Paul came running back after I had just sent him off as a messenger to the centre formation. Although he’s a squire, he was trained properly as a soldier, and he wasn’t even short of breath.

“You really are fast.”

“Thank you for the compliment. Hmm, Ergnard-sama said that he wants you to come to the centre formation, My Lord.”

I frowned when I heard Paolo’s message from Ergnard. He wants me to leave my army?

“… Alright, I’ll go.”

Nevertheless, I must go if he wants me to come to him. Ergnard’s social status and his position in Jugfena Fortress is higher than mine. And, the fastest method is for me to go there since I am the only one on horseback.

“Gunter, I’ll leave the command to you for the time being. Paolo, get on the back. I’ll take you with me to act as a messenger.”

“Whawhat, me ride on My Lord’s horse?”

“Hurry up.”

Paolo is a squire who was trained to become a cavalry soldier in the future. Otherwise, I would never allow him to lead the reins on my horse. He still seemed lost so I glared at him. He panicked, then finally jumped on behind me smoothly.

There seemed to be a state of confusion in the centre formation, and the soldiers all seemed awfully nervous. The aura was even heavier than when we were standing in front of the walls, before departure.

“Ergnard-sama, I heard that you have summoned me?”

“Ah, Viscountess Kaldia. I’m glad that you came over immediately.”

When our horses were next to each other, he said, “Pardon me,” before picking me up and putting me on his horse.

What is he suddenly doing? I was bewildered, but I heard him speak in a tiny voice from above my head, and realised that he was doing this so that the information wouldn’t leak. Paolo suddenly had to control my horse by himself and had his hands full. His situation was just the same as mine, before my birthday situation. The horse wouldn’t calm down and kept shaking its head.

“Sorry about that.”

“It’s fine. So, what did you want to talk about?”

“The right wing will change directions and proceed southwest. I heard the sounds of horse hooves earlier. There’s a large team of horses nearby. When I received your report, I wondered if the Densel army had an even bolder plan.”

We had headed directly east from Jugfena Fortress to get here, so deploying our right wing to the southwest would mean that he’s worried that the enemy army would slip pass us from the south and invade our kingdom. The elevation gets lower the further south we go. It was quite slopped and stair-like in some places, so it may be quite hard to find the Densel army if they did take a southern route. If the Densel army is really advancing from the west, then they would definitely take the low southern routes.

There were moats and fences further south of Jufgena Fortress for defence, but it wouldn’t be impossible to overcome those things if they really wanted to invade. The soldiers, who are usually on lookout, are participating in today’s expedition, and there are guards at the fortress. However, beyond the line of defence is the Monster Forest, home to all sorts of magical beasts. There is a reason why there is less security compared to other places; tens of thousands of troops would be needed to pass through the Monster Forest and invade the land.

“I can’t get a good read on the enemy’s intentions. I think the Densel army must have realised that we have left Jufgena Fortress… But, as for them setting camp, and making decoys out of papier mache…”

“It definitely feels like they’re setting a trap.”

Or rather, you can’t think of it as being anything but a trap. I answered while glaring at the shadows that can clearly be seen from where their camp was, and Ergnard agreed with me, “Yeah.”

“… I’ll command the knights to inspect their camp. The others will wait here.”

“Isn’t it dangerous to stop here while we still don’t know the enemy’s intentions?”

“That’s true, but we can get a good view of the Great Plains here. It should be safer here than heading towards the enemy camp. We have a lot of agile cavalry troops. When you return to your fief army, can you relay this message to the Palakis captain, the left wing soldier should proceed as planned, and protect the Sill Tribe while intercepting their pursuers?”

When I heard him mention the Palakis squad, bitter feelings towards the vice-captain surged within me as I recalled my recent encounter with him. There’s no point in passing along any messages to someone that won’t listen to you… Him ignoring my orders in this situation will be taken as a serious offence when we go back to the fortress. He will also be charged with disrespect towards a noble; I wonder if that white-bearded vice-captain will be able to remain in Jugfena Fortress after that.

“I understand.”

I swallowed down my feelings and doubts, and nodded. Then, my body was picked up again.

“If we both get through this battle safely, then let’s talk a little bit. It’ll be good for you to hear what I have to say.”

“Small,” a knight whispered.

Talk? What does he want to talk to me about? I pondered while nodding.

“Good girl. Take care of yourself.”

He whispered with a lot of affection before dropping me off back onto my horse. And so, I was sitting in front of Paolo, who had been struggling to control my horse, once again. I quickly took the reins of my horse, and it neighed and reared slightly. I controlled my horse and turned it to the left while stealing a glance at Ergnard’s direction. He was already nowhere to be seen.

I ran my horse to the Palakis squad’s vanguard. The centre formation troops had already stopped moving as I made my way through, and the soldiers at the back of the leading right wing looked puzzled when they saw the centre had stopped.

“Is the Palakis squad captain here?”

Their vice-captain had just come over to the Kaldia army earlier, so I figured that their captain would most likely be leading their vanguard, but the person who was leading them was the white-bearded vice-captain. He smiled at me and asked, “What’s the matter?”

“Ergnard-sama has ordered the troops to stop marching. The army will be on standby. And, where’s your captain?”

“If you’re looking for the captain, then he just headed over to the Kaldia army.”

“What?!”

I was bewildered by what I had heard, and couldn’t help but ask him to repeat himself. What does the Palakis squad captain want with my army? I saw a glimmer of malice in the vice-captain’s smile.

“Our captain saw Viscountess Kaldia heading off somewhere earlier. He believed that there would be no one in charge, so he headed over there to act as commander in your place. After all, it’s quite well-known that the Kaldia army is a disorganised army that doesn’t even have military ranks.”

“…”

It was obvious from his vile words that he was happy to hurt the feelings of a child. I didn’t want to deal with such ugliness anymore.

“I think our army is much better than an army under an incompetent leader who can’t even accurately assess what they can and cannot say.”

Paolo, who was sitting behind me, butted in blankly. I nearly burst into laughter from his comment, but I held it in. The white-bearded vice-captain’s detestable smile disappeared for a second.

“Wha…?”

“Right now, I’m extremely grateful that there isn’t someone who underestimates someone for being a child, finds it amusing to make fun of nobility, is stupid, and has bad taste in the Kaldia army.”

I told him myself, and Paolo laughed cynically without holding back. He might have been hyped up since this is his first campaign. I didn’t feel like accompanying the vice-captain whose face had turned red for any longer, and turned my horse around to leave. My horse which had started galloping easily passed the vice-captain. I didn’t see that the vice-captain, who had been quite slow to react, had slightly raised his hand. Even thinking about what he wanted to do with that hand was annoying.

Now then, I wonder how my army is. Over there is the captain who had appointed that kind of man as the vice-captain. I have a rough idea about what kind of person the captain is.

“I’m really sorry, I wilfully interrupted your conversation, My Lord.”

When we left the Palakis squad, Paolo apologised for his rudeness. He wasn’t weirdly hyped like he had been when he had spoken ironically and laughed.

“It’s fine. I also thought that filthy words were coming out of his mouth.”

There was a second of silence before Paolo chuckled and said.

“So that’s what My Lord was thinking. You seem a lot more mature than I am.”

When I returned to the front of my army, Gunter was being strangely skilful as he marched the army onwards while yelling angrily at someone.

“Like I said, I won’t follow your selfish decisions. Viscountess Kaldia personally told me to take command here!”

“What’s the fuss about, Gunter?”

I covered my ears to shield them from Gunter’s angry shouts, and asked.

“… Oh, aah, My Lord. You’ve returned at the perfect time. Could you get rid of this guy?”

I could see that Gunter’s face was full of frustration when he turned around. Gunter has a low boiling point, and was prone to using his firsts, so he was really showing quite a lot of self-restraint.

“Oh, Viscountess Kaldia. You’re back?”

The moment Gunter heard that overly cheerful voice that seemed awfully out of place on the battlefield coming from next to him, he grimaced. From over his shoulder, I saw a middle-aged man with a face that reminded me of a reptile’s. He is the captain of the Palakis squad.

“… Gunter, Ergnard-sama has ordered the troops to stop. Tell the soldiers to stop.”

I ignored the overly-familiar language from the captain, and directly gave Gunter an order instead. Gunter shook his head, then hoisted his sword. The captain looked around restlessly.

“Stop marching!”

The trailing soldiers immediately halted. The Kaldia army is quite small. Commanding them is easy once one knows how to. The captain, who had come here with the excuse that there was no commander, looked bored. Paolo spoke up and told the captain, “You can go back,” probably because he knew that I thought the vice-captain had a foul mouth.

“Ergnard-sama has a message for you. The knights will be scouting the enemy camp, so the rest of the army will remain on standby. We, the left wing, do not know when the Sill tribe will join us, so we will stay on our guards.”

“What?” the captain responded. He looked back at his Palakis squad, then quickly rushed back. The rear of his squad could see the rest of the army, so they had stopped, the middle also stopped since they had seen that the Kaldia army had halted, but the front was still marching forward.

“… He should command his own squad before interfering with others.”

Gunter said grumpily, while I silently watched as I drew a line across my neck with my thumb, then I pointed at the captain who was shouting, “Stop you idiots!”

“Well, that’s what will happen.”

Gunter shrugged, turned around and got back into line.

“My Lord, I’m going to make a complaint about him and that senile old geezer when we get back to the castle.”

“Do what you want. We don’t even know if we’ll survive this.”

Gunter was more foul-tongued than usual, but it was easy to see that his mood had hit rock bottom. I recalled that Gunter was like this every day when I was thrown into the barracks last year… He really held himself back and finished my training without killing me. On the contrary, he is now serving as a bodyguard right by my side. The change in a person’s mind is indescribable.

――― Maybe, they could have changed into good people if they had the impetus; the family that I had killed that is. Now that I can’t find words to describe a person’s change of heart, such thoughts gushed out from the back of my mind for some reason. I was the one who had cut off their chance to change, and cast them into oblivion. And, Kamil too.

… That’s not what I should be thinking about now. I lightly shook my head to get rid of those thoughts, looked around, and carefully checked our position. Originally, the battle should have begun already, and we were a little past that point. The arrival of the Sill tribe seemed to be only a matter of time.

We probably remained on lookout for about two hours. Nothing had happened during that time, and the plains were eerily silent, but my expression changed completely when I finally heard something from behind us.

“What’s that?”

Gunter raised his voice in suspicion. A soldier from the back row spoke as if answering Gunter’s question.

“My Lord! There’s a cloud of dust rising from behind us!”

At almost the same time, I could hear battle cries coming from the centre formation. Is it an enemy attack? Don’t tell me they’re coming from behind us?

“My Lord, look over there!”

Paolo grabbed my shoulder. I turned my horse around to look in the direction he was pointing in, and saw black smoke rising from one of the tents in the back of the enemy camp.

“… Fire?”

I didn’t have the chance to think about it for long, because Gunter spoke again.

“Oi, they’re coming!”

The soldiers immediately stopped making a fuss, and their tension ran high. Horses were kicking up quite a lot of dust from the northeast. The soldier in front of the horses was holding the Jugfena Fortress flag.

“Raise our flags!!”

The 3rd Knight Order whose role was to guide the Sill tribe here was rapidly approaching us, and my army raised their flag as well. Then, I also heard an order from the side, “Take your positions!” The Palakis squad quickly fixed their crooked formation; they organised themselves into a dense formation and readied their spears.

The Sill tribe and 3rd Knight Order rushed at us without reducing their speed. From what I could see, there were many men running on foot, followed by children on horseback; there were two to three children on each horse. The person, who was holding the flag, stopped in front of me and asked, “Would you happen to be Viscountess Kaldia?” I nodded to say that I was. He saluted me, then briefly reported the situation with the detached force.

“About the Sill tribe, their numbers are more overwhelming than was reported. The woman who arrived at Jugfena Fortress apparently had to leave her clan behind in Bandishia Plataea. The men gave their horses to the children and women, and their warriors are running alongside our 3rd Knight Order.”

“Understood.”

While we were talking, the horses that had children on them started passing by us, and the women soon followed along with bustling noises and metallic clanging. Behind them were several armed knights; the rest of the knights were probably holding back the pursuers.

“We probably fell into Densel’s trap. The Densel troops are moving from the south to the rear of the Jugfena army. I just heard the battle cries from the centre formation, so it won’t be surprising if they’re already engaged in battle.”

“Then, let us take retreat back to the fortress using Bandishia Plateau. Please leave the lead to me.”

I had wanted him to lead, if possible, so I nodded right away. Then, a man from the Sill tribe who was on horseback stopped in front of us. He had a bow in his hands, but his quiver was empty.

『Oi, they’re the last ones without weapons. What are we going to do now?!』

He spoke in fluent Artolas. Only the knight and I understood what he had said, and Gunter and Paolo looked at each other blankly.

『We’ll go to our fortress through Bandishia Plateau! We can’t go through the plains since the battle has already begun! 』

I slid my glance as the knight answered, and saw an arrow flying in our direction from further east. The angry yells and shrieks could be heard vividly. The pursuing Densel soldiers are close by. Meanwhile, the Sill tribe man who had used up all his arrows and injured people continued to rush forward. They smelled like blood and dirt.

“Let’s go. It’s time to head for Jugfena Fortress.”

“Understood. Viscountess Kaldia, please lead your army.”

I was worried about leaving the rear guard up to the Palakis squad, but we couldn’t afford to stay here any longer. Paolo jumped off the horse as if he had just remembered to do so, and I pulled the reins.

“Kaldia army, prepare to withdraw! We’re withdrawing!”

The soldiers I rode past turned around and raised their swords and spears. Among them, I saw the Sill tribe warriors give up their horses to those running in the lead.

“We’re going to return to Jufgena Fortress through Bandishia Plateau! Begin marching!!”

As soon as the troops started withdrawing, the rear of the Palakis squad advanced forward. The last things I heard were people’s shrieks, horses neighing and people screaming, combined with the sound of metallic clanging.

The exhausted Sill tribe, numbering roughly 300, all tried their hardest to go as fast as they could, despite their condition. Those who couldn’t run anymore would change places with those on horses, and those who looked like they would collapse were supported by others as they made a run to Jugfena Fortress under the leadership of the knights.

A lot of people were reaching their limits, since we were mostly going uphill. But even so, they didn’t slow down because they were scared that the battle sounds right behind them would catch up to them.

Turning back, I could see the forces from Jugfena Fortress fighting with the Densel army. I could see the whole situation clearly since they were battling at a lower elevation than us.

The Jugfena Fortress army had indeed fallen into the Densel army trap and were attacked from an unexpected direction, so the two armies’ positions were reversed.

The Jugfena Fortress army would fire arrows at the Densel army if they stepped back, and if the Jugefena Fortress army stepped back, then they would be caught in the fire that was engulfing the Densel army tents. Both armies were at their last stand, and the situation would most likely develop into a scene of brutal carnage, since they had nowhere to run.

Even though I couldn’t possibly see him because of our distance, I noticed myself looking for a speck of black amongst the chaos.

“We’re almost there, everyone please keep doing your best.”

Suddenly, one of the knights, who had concealed his breath and remained silent up until now, suddenly encouraged the Sill tribe. He had spoken in Arxian instead of Artolas, but the meaning somehow transmitted to them, and they seemed relieved. He had probably said that to give them a sense of relief since we had reached a place where the enemy couldn’t see us even if the knight raised his voice.

『It’s just a little further until we reach the fortress. Let’s go, everyone can take a rest once we reach our destination.』

I tapped the shoulders of a boy, who appeared to be the same age as me and was stagger and dragging his legs, and also spoke to him. I had already given the horse I was riding on to a younger child from the Sill tribe. As a noble, it was unfortunate to give my horse away, but I have already gotten used to walking endlessly from marching practices.

The temperature gradually dropped, probably because we were heading northeast; since we are getting closer to Amon Nohl. It slowly got darker since the mountains are covered year round in snow clouds, casting an eerie shadow. Even so, the Sill tribe somehow quickened their pace.

We finally reached a cave on the mountainside. The knights headed straight into the cave without hesitation. The Sill tribe, and the Kaldia army, followed after them.

It was dark inside the cave, and it wasn’t stuffy even though it was summer. It was a little chilly, and completely silent inside. Some knights held dim lights in their hands, so at least, we could tell what direction we were travelling in. The lights that the knights were using were probably light emitting stones created from the scales of fire moths. They were rare stones that are hardly found, and their effectiveness was about the same as the fire moths themselves. After a while, the light in the knights’ hands illuminated the stone door in front of us.

“Viscountess Kaldia, we have arrived at Jugfena Fortress.”

A happy expression appeared on the knight who was walking in front of me. His relief was obvious to see.

“Wait a minute, there’s no guards on the other side?”

However, his relieved expression disappeared the instant another knight raised his voice.

“That’s probably because we’re currently on wartime alert. There’s usually a guard at the door to prevent people from escaping. It won’t be good if people easily slip right across the border, after all.”

“I see, so that happens?”

I listened closely to the knights’ conversation, but I wasn’t convinced that that was a good reason to leave the door unguarded. Their security was too loose since they had left this hidden passage which led directly inside the fortress without a guard. I couldn’t get rid of the slightly ominous feeling that was hanging over me, and spoke to the two who were talking.

“Something could have happened as well. Isn’t it better if we ascertain the situation inside before letting the Sill tribe enter?”

The knights looked at each other then faced me and nodded.

“Let’s have the Sill tribe rest here for a little while. Half of the 3rd Knight Order will guard them, and the other half will check the situation inside the fortress.”

“Alright.”

I had no objections with that and nodded, then a knight came forward. He spoke to me in a hushed tone.

“… Viscountess Kaldia, is it alright if you join us in the fortress? There’s no guarantee that the Densel soldiers won’t discover this cave, and chase us down. If that happens, then the Sill tribe can become chaotic. We can protect you from the enemy soldiers, but that would be quite challenging in a chaotic situation.”

The knight spoke with a serious expression on his face, and I looked up to stare at him. He looked quite stern, and I couldn’t help but take a step back. I nodded in agreement, but the knight didn’t change his stern expression as he began dividing people into groups. I relaxed and loosened my stiff body. I ordered Gunter to tell our army about the situation, and that we would be heading into the fortress first to check out the situation while the Sill tribe took a break here.

“Now then, everything’s ready, so let’s go.”

One of the knights said, and everyone, who was selected to enter the fortress, lined up in front of the door. It took several people to open the heavy stone door, and it budged with creaking sounds, causing warm wind to blow this way.

They must have drawn the blackout curtains, since it remained dark even though the stone door had opened. When I left the cave and entered the fortress, surrounded by Gunter, my bodyguard, and the 3rd Knight Order, I entered a large hall in the northernmost section of the fortress. We crawled out from behind a large tapestry with the Arxian crest on top of an altar where the master sat down at night.

“… It’s really quiet.”

There were no sounds in the large hall except for our breathing. It was so quiet, that I could even hear the sound of someone gulping.

“Let’s… let’s go to the roof. The archer squad should be there.”

The knight said, then he led us, and we began heading towards the nobles’ building from the northern hall.

The nobles’ building in Jugfena Fortress is further north than the knight building where I am currently staying. It is where Earl Einsbark and his family usually live, and there are extra rooms for the occasional visiting noble as well. When the Earl and his sons had treated me to a feast to welcome me here, the dining room had been in that building as well.

The nobles’ building has a first floor and a basement level, and there are residences and workplaces for the servants who work only in the nobles’ building. I had a room prepared for me in the knights’ building instead, because my current bodyguard is Gunter, a commoner, but servants from the nobles’ building clean my room and wash my clothes. Everyone in the nobles’ building should be in the basement right now, since it was a shelter in times of war.

We walked through the empty nobles’ building and came out at the tower that connected it to the knights’ building. The tower had a spiral staircase where no more than two people can squeeze through at a time. We couldn’t stop at the small landing, so we climbed the stairs. Maybe because everyone was in a hurry, everyone was jogging up the stairs, which meant that I was close to sprinting.

The knight in front didn’t even seem to consider that this place could possibly be under attack, and knocked on a door at the top of the tower. Beyond the door should be Earl Einsbark, the general, his son the chief of staff, Wiegraf, and the bow troops equipped with great bows.

“… Hey, why’s there no response?!”

The knight shouted in worry as he knocked on the door.

The door opened as if it was tumbling, and the person, who came out, shouted in despair, “Einsbark-sama!!”

The other knights also rushed out. I was forced to go along with them since I was caught in the flow.

Sunlight reflected down on the red liquid that was spreading out from the bodies of men clad in metal armor, who were all slumped on the ground. The rooftop, which was drenched in red blood and the fallen people, didn’t have the nauseating scent of blood. Thus, the scene didn’t seem realistic.

I could hear faint sounds of groaning coming from here and there. There must be a few people who were barely clinging onto life. I saw my army soldiers following from behind, but there didn’t seem to be anyone who came back to life. Everyone looked tense, and they burnt this tragic scene into their mind.

There were about 40 archers who had fallen down in their pools of blood, and the knights in charge of Earl Einsbark’s personal protection were also here. There were also another 30 dead people or so that appeared to be enemy soldiers; a trivial amount compared to their overall numbers. My judgement was hindered since they weren’t wearing tunics that indicated that they were Densel soldiers. However, I couldn’t find Earl Einsbark, who should be dressed in his black knightly attire, nor his son Wiegraf anywhere.

“Einsbark-sama, are you here?! Einsbark-sama, Wiegraf-sama!!”

The knights began desperately searching the area. Earl Einsbark also served as the leader of the knights, so they probably respected him a lot. Wiegraf is the chief of staff. His role is to come up with battle strategies for the knights to execute, so their lives depended on him; they must have a strong sense of mutual trust between them.

While looking at this situation, I questioned whether or not my own army would also desperately search for me like this. I don’t think I’ve done anything deserving of respect, nor have I established a foundation of trust with them. I am the daughter of someone they all hate, and I have to be wary of them rebelling or killing me. Thinking about it now, my relationship with them is extremely dry and sad. But ――― it was still better than dying from betrayal. Even if I’m gone, nobody would get worked up about me.

When I slowly blinked and looked back up at my surroundings, I saw an old archer leaning against the wall. The man lying on top of him had black hair with streaks of blue spilling out from his helmet. Many soldiers lost their lives while lying on top of each other just like these two. But somehow, I realised that they seemed to be positioned as if they were protecting those two.

Maybe, I approached with that thought in mind, and they turned out to be Earl Einsbark and his son, Wiegraf. They were both unconscious, but still breathing. I told the knight who was watching me, and he gulped as he went to confirm this for himself.

“It’s, it’s Earl Einsbark and his son, Wiegraf-sama! They’re still alive!”

“What, really?! Where?!?!”

“Right here! He’s disguised as an archer!!”

The knights gathered noisily and surrounded the two. My army and I handed this place to them, and took a step back.

I turned to look at the wide Great Plains that could be seen from the fortress. Just yesterday, it had still been a lush green land filled with flowers, but they had turned into miserable plants after being trampled by people and horses today. Beyond that, I could see clouds of dust raising up in the distance. I wonder if it was because of the east wind that I could faintly hear the sounds of battle. Or, was it because Jugfena Fortress was engulfed in silence?

The archers should have been packed on top of the tower’s roof as well, but I couldn’t see a single one of them. They had probably all been defeated.

“Tsar, can I have a moment of your time?”

One of my soldiers called out to me. He was on the opposite side of the tower from me, which looked in the direction of Arxia.

“It’s about that…”

The soldier was pointing straight below him. The place that I had tiptoed to see should be the refugee tents. However, what I saw instead was an incredible amount of dead bodies stacked on top of each other. The earth was stained in red. On top of them were the corpses of the archers and arrows that had been fired.

“How could this happen…”

I muttered reflexively. A wheeze escaped from my throat. The refugees were people without weapons or riches. Even so, the Densel soldiers killed them all. Isn’t that just a massacre? Rather than waging war in hopes of gaining something, didn’t they just come here to slaughter people?

I could feel my hands shaking against the cold stone wall. Why did they kill everyone? Was it all just for pleasure? I bit my lip as I tried to bear the brunt of what I was feeling. Red eyes flashed across my mind. I saw my father with an ecstatic smile on his cold, yet handsome face.

However, I didn’t have the time to be distracted by my vivid memories of father and his crazy smile.

Their attack was sudden. On the other side of the tower we were on, that connected to the nobles’ building and the knight building, the door to the tower that connected the knight building to the barracks was suddenly kicked open. Soldiers held their swords and swarmed at us like an avalanche after the door slammed open, and slashed at my soldiers who were closest to them.

“Dominic! Igor!”

Instantly, fresh blood splattered from one of my soldier’s back while another had a sword pierced in his flank.

My whole body mysteriously became hot and cold at the same time. When I realised this, I called out their names. My throat convulsed, and my voice came out more heart-breaking than I have ever heard it before.

Igor, the young soldier who was slashed, looked at me clearly, and his voice trembled, “Run away.” Next, his body was brutally kicked away. His body rolled away like the carcass of an insect.

“Ryszard, Wojciech!!”

My soldiers attacked the ambushers who had cut down Dominic and Igor. However, they were surrounded by a greater number of enemies, and Ryszard and Wojciech were pierced with swords. Both of them collapsed on the stone paving with their eyes still wide open. I saw small drops of blood splash onto the arm I had thrown out as my arm convulsed, then someone’s arm blocked my vision.

“My Lord, please fall back!”

The arm belonged to Gunter. Under his protection, we retreated back towards the nobles’ building, and I placed my hand on the hilt of my sword. I thought that overly long weapons would be useless indoors, so I had left my halberd that Ergnard had taught me how to handle back in the mountain cave with the Sill tribe.

The knights jumped forward from behind me like the wind. They began cutting off the enemy’s heads with their swords, then pierced through their chests. However, our assailants kept up their fierce attack. They were equipped with slightly shorter swords than what was normally used in Arxia, with extremely sharpened tips. The swords seem to be single-edged blades, and on top of being strong, they were easy to wield due to how light they were.

It became a chaotic free-for-all melee on the fortress’s rooftop, and I could hear screams, cries, and angry roars. People from both sides were dying left and right, and some were even falling off the roof and dropping to the ground. At this ghastly scene, father’s loud laughter from long ago echoed at the back of my head. The hell that my father had created overlapped with the tragedy in front of me. My knees quivered, and my brain seemed completely numb.

“Get out of here!”

When Gunter shouted this, an attacker flew out from my blind spot behind a pillar. Gunter’s sword blocked the attacker’s sword as I jumped backwards. With the clang of sharp metal colliding, Gunter blew away his opponent with his shoulder. However, in the next instant, another enemy thirsted a short spear at Gunter.

“Gunter!”

I gulped. My body had become like lead, and wouldn’t listen to what I was telling it to do. My father’s laughter continued to echo at the back of my mind. Gunter successfully dodged the attack using the metal equipment that he had received from Jugfena Fortress, then slit the enemy’s throat with his sword.

“Go quickly!”

He roared angrily again in impatience. My body sprang into action, and finally took a step forward with my left foot. The other knights, who were in charge with my protection, were fending off attackers coming from all directions. Everyone was equipped with a sword, and alarm bells were going off in my brain.

Turning around, I saw some knights retreating back into the nobles’ building with the unconscious Earl Euinsbark and Wiegraf. One of them noticed my situation, and came running back over with sword in hand.

“Run quickly!”

As soon as he yelled at me. I ran as fast as I could in a straight line towards him. From the side, I saw an unfamiliar gauntlet glove reaching out for me, and the knight ran over to me and sliced the hand off. A scream came from my right, and blood splashed on me. My right ear was beating in pain. Should I be happy that blood didn’t get into my eyes? I used the inside of my sleeve to roughly wipe off the blood on my forehead. I can’t stop just because I got splashed with some warm liquid, and I ran so fast that I could trip at any moment. Still, I felt that it took me a long time to approach the group of knights and cursed my young body.

“Viscountess!!”

Someone screamed. I jumped forward because I saw a reflection of light at the edge of my vision. Sure enough, I tripped. I heard the sound of my clothes tearing, and felt myself being pulled from behind. My cloak was probably torn. My helmet fell off, making a banging sound against the floor. The hilt of my sword was still in my hand.

I jumped up without even taking a moment to catch my breath. Just behind me, I heard the sound of something heavy being knocked down into the place where my face had been one second earlier. I was so terrified that I couldn’t even look back, and ran so fast that I could trip again at any moment. However, something happened that made me choke. Someone had grabbed onto my clock. They lifted me up by my collar from behind, choking me.

“Gahh…”

I grab the cloth around my neck in deliria. Even so, my body easily floated into the air. I squirmed and kicked at whoever had lifted me up into the air, but it did nothing at all. I got dazzled by the pain. My vision started flickering, and my whole body shook violently. I was beginning to foam from my mouth, and it dripped down my jaw.

『A brat on the battlefield? It’s the same everywhere.』

As everything in my world was getting blurry, the only thing I could still hear clearly was the coarse voice of a man.

『How pitiful. That’s right, at the very least, I’ll let you have some fun before dying. Kids dream of flying in the sky, right? 』

As he said so, the man began to guffaw unpleasantly. The tips of my toes touched something several times, then ―――

I suddenly felt the pressure and pain against my neck disappear.

“Ah,”

My sleeves and the hem of my cloak made annoying fluttering sounds. My arms automatically paddled in the air. All I grabbed was handfuls of air. After I was thrown off the top of the black iron fortress, I couldn’t help but think about free fall amusement park rides from my previous life, even though it was ridiculous.

At the same time, goosebumps were crawling up my flesh. As I was approaching the ground, my fear of death, which had consisted of my father’s laughter, dispersed.

My voice won’t come out. In the end, I might have been lucky that I had kept my mouth shut.

Someone grabbed me by my belly, and it felt like my internal organs would spill out. My vision shook greatly. There was very little pain.

The first thing that I saw was the ground sliding by. Next, was the shadow reflected on the ground; it was the shape of a draconis wing, spread out and gliding in the wind.

“――― You alright?!”

I heard a familiar voice next to me, and I choked for a different reason than earlier.

It hasn’t been that long since he went away ――― or to be precise, since I had chased him away ―――. That voice made me feel so relieved that the corner of my eyes were warming up.

“Why… Kamil. Why are you here?”

Those weren’t the words I wanted to say. However, the words that I wanted to say were caught at the back of my throat, and won’t come out.

“Honestly, you’re not cute at all, Tsar.”

He pulled me up onto Rashiok’s back with a gentle and wry smile. Even his behaviour made my chest ache in pain.

――― Kamil. Why did you come here?

“Are you alright, Helvetia-dono?!?!”

I heard another familiar voice come from above me, and when I looked up, I saw a red-winged draconis flapping in the air. Its wings had a different hue from Rashiok’s reddish-purple wings, but they looked beautiful as they sparkled in the sun. This is probably one of Rashiok’s siblings.

“Claudia-dono?”

I could see Claudia’s face from the side of the draconis’s wing as her stunning blonde hair blew in the wind. Probably because she hadn’t seen me in a long time, she only remembered the ‘el’ in my name. Who the heck is Helvetia? Why are both of them here? I furrowed my brows in confusion, and noticed someone else behind Claudia.

“… Who’s that?”

He looks familiar, I thought. His stern expression vaguely reminded me of Earl Theleisa. That must be why I felt déjà vu.

“Leave this place to me, and go!”

That was the only thing the man said before the red-winged draconis flapped its wings and rose to the sky. Did they have a plan? Kamil and Rashiok also rose up as well. Rashiok’s wings made fluttering noises next to my feet. The two draconis soared lightly back up to the rooftop.

Both sides who were busy killing each other looked up.

With some kind of balance, Claudia somehow stood up on the red-winged draconis with her favourite spear in one hand, and a bow and arrow in her other, for some reason. Her lips were raised in a smile, and she seemed like she was having fun. Still, her smile didn’t remind me of my father’s repulsive smile; maybe because her smile didn’t have any dark feelings hidden behind it.

Then ――― Claudia jumped off the draconis’s back without hesitation. She folded her arms with her weapons in hand, and landed gracefully in the middle of the battle. The loud thud caused by her landing caused a moment of silence over Jugfena Fortress. She hadn’t fallen from a great height, but why didn’t she damage her bones and internal organs? No matter how I look at it, it didn’t look like she had warded off the impact. Just how much does this girl break the rules of common sense? Claudia’s actions seemed so surreal that it eased my tension a little.

Claudia inhaled and took a deep breath, then announced herself grandly.

“MY NAME IS CLAUDIA LORENZORELL. I’M DEEPLY INDEBTED TO VISCOUNTESS KALDIA, SO I CAME TO THIS BATTLE TO AID THE KNIGHTS OF JUGFENA FORTRESS!!”

My eardrums throbbed from her loud voice. The soldiers and knights standing closest to her whether they be enemies or allies were all covering their ears as well. Rather than an otome game, how about changing the genre to shounen manga? I had this out-of-place thought.

I could only watch the scene below me in a daze. Claudia swung her spear at the enemy soldiers, who were coming at her in all directions with their swords drawn, making me wonder just how her slender arms could have that much power. She drew back her spear, and stabbed the enemy behind her in the stomach, knocking him out. Taking advantage of the weight of her metal spear, she blew the swarm of enemies to the side. My cheeks twitched as I saw what an unstoppable force she was.

Then, I felt Kamil wrap an arm around my stomach. Rashiok descended. With a roar, he sent the scattered enemy soldiers, who were in the vicinity of the tower connecting the nobles’ building and knight building, flying.

“We’re getting off!”

Kamil picked me up and jumped off Rashiok’s back before he finished speaking. I felt pressure on my organs, and a groan escaped from my lips.

“Now!”

Surrounded by enemies, the knights, who had their hands full protecting the two unconscious men, looked for an opening, and ran. Kamil ran after him while still holding on to me.

“Wh-what about Claudia, Rashiok and the others?!”

“It’s alright, if they don’t have to guard anyone then they won’t be defeated by those few people.”

I cried out, worriedly, but Kamil responded, calmly. However, the scene of Dominic and the other soldiers from my army dying played repeatedly in my mind.

Kamil had said they ‘won’t be defeated’. He didn’t say that nobody would die. However, ――― that was something that would happen anyway, since this is war. In times of war, soldiers accept that they may die at any time, and didn’t I lead them here because of this?

I swallowed the saliva that was overflowing in my mouth, and decided that this would be the last time I worry about what was happening behind me.

Instead of wishing for them to live, I wished for victory. Their victory would give the sacrificed lives meaning, and allow the other soldier and knights to survive. I came here because I know that. Therefore, I have to survive for as long as I can to connect myself to their feelings. At the very least, I can’t allow myself to be killed for revenge just because I had let my guard down.

Even though it was a time like this, memories of my childhood hectically flashed through my mind and disappeared; my family, father’s dark and twisted smile, and the silent and unfriendly maid who was so thin that it looked like she would break.

――― You like me, don’t you? So much so that you want to kill me. I also like you, so much so that I don’t want to kill you.

The cold feeling came back to me, and I choked as if a lid had been placed in my throat. I struggled free from Kamil’s arms.

“――― Tsar?”

“I can run on my own.”

When he reached out his hand to me in confusion, I casually dodged it. Apparently, Kamil won’t try to kill me somewhere others can see ――― he might not want to be charged with a crime. Even if he were to slash me with his sword right now, it will probably be written off as ‘killed in action’. If Kamil really wanted to kill me and didn’t want to be charged with the crime, then this war is the golden opportunity for him.

――― Kamil. Why did you come here?

I asked myself this question once again in my mind, and felt a piercing pain in my chest… Even though I wanted to meet him.

The knights, who were carrying Earl Einsbark and Wiegraf, went through the nobles’ building and headed straight for the hidden passage. There’s probably nowhere else that can serve as shelter for nobles. The enemies have raided Jugfena Fortress, and we don’t know their total numbers or what route they took, so hiding in a cave that the enemy probably didn’t know about for the time being is probably the best course of action.

We mixed along with the knights at the back and were running as well.

Beyond the long corridor in the nobles’ building, I saw a wide space that was gorgeously decorated. This was the entrance hall in the nobles’ building, and connected the second and third floors. Since the first floor was for the servants, the noble guests were welcomed on the second floor of the nobles’ building.

I discovered that we were half-way to our destination thanks to this hall, and was finally able to loosen up a little. We hadn’t ran for that long, but to the abnormal feeling of being on a battlefield, the corridor felt unpleasantly longer than usual. We’ll reach the big hall with the hidden passage after we pass through this hall and a corridor.

However.

“――― Wait! Stop!”

A knight running in front of us raised his voice to stop us. Everyone immediately got ready for battle. I tightly gripped the hilt of my sword, and slightly pulled it out of its sheath. I could see that tension had filled the air. I did my best to sharpen my five senses as much as possible, so that I would be ready for anything ――― then I heard the light sound of the enemy’s armour from behind.

“What happened?”

“Dammit… The entrance crumbled!”

A soldier howled in disappointment as he looked at the entrance hall in regret for a few seconds, then he shook his head and turned around.

“We can’t go through here. Retrace our steps before the enemy finds us!!”

“The tower! We can get to the fourth floor from the tower!!”

We turned around and climbed back up the tower which we had just passed through. Knights from the nobles’ building and the knight building clashed into each other as we continued up the narrow, spiral stairway, then the last person bolted both doors.

“Hurry!”

It was clear that the doors were different in strengths. I could hear the sounds of bodies hitting against the wall, then the sounds of something cracking into pieces resounded throughout the tower. When we finally reached the corridor on the fourth floor, I could hear the dull thud of a bolt hitting the stone floor from somewhere.

“Hurry to the big hall!”

I could hear that there were several people chasing after us, but that was all I knew. I couldn’t afford to look back. The knights were carrying two injured nobles, so it would be challenging to attack back if the enemy was to strike here. In the first place, I couldn’t give my opinion since I’m not much better baggage than the two unconscious people over there.

The enemy probably didn’t have any bows since they weren’t shooting arrows at us from behind, but other projectiles gradually came flying towards us, to the extent where it was getting harder to run due to the things cluttering the corridors.

I ran desperately to avoid being a target, but an ornament plate smashed right next to me; a splinter from that grazed my cheeks, and I felt frustration along with pain.

The differences in our strides was great, and I was slowly falling further and further behind into the back ranks, since I am slow.

Suddenly, someone grabbed my arm and pulled me behind him. When I realised what was going on; Kamil had changed places with me for some reason.

“Wah,” a surprise exclamation came out of my mouth. However, it was drowned out by a boom. A ray of white light burst right in front of me and my vision turned white.

Kamil held me and rolled far away from the explosion point. I could see pillars of fire rising from the edge of my vision. I could only stare dumbfounded as the curtains near the carpet and barred windows went up in flames instantly. Kamil immediately stood up, and I don’t know whether he was carrying me or dragging me, but he ran in the opposite direction from the one where we were heading earlier.

I could just make out that the glass windows on the other side of the curtains had shattered, and the pieces were blown outside. I could feel the heat from behind me. The woollen carpets burnt unusually fast. My heart was beating so fast that I wondered if I would get a heart attack. What was that? A bomb? No way. I have never heard that such weapons were being developed here, and they don’t even use gunpowder in this world. They might use Molotov cocktails here, but even those can’t explode. Moreover, I didn’t see any fire until the explosion happened.

My body finally floated. Kamil lifted me up with one hand, then took a deep breath.

“Kamil, ――― are you injured?”

Kamil’s right arm, which was holding onto me, was badly burnt and was dripping blood. Did he get burnt from the bomb earlier, ――― or did he get it from protecting me from the explosion? Come to think of it, there’s a dull, numb pain on my hands, feet and cheeks too. When I glanced down, I was bleeding all over the place, although it wasn’t as bad as Kamil.

Whether it’s because my life is in danger, or maybe because my blood is actively circulating around, even though I should be hot-headed right now, my head was miraculously ice cold and clear. As the fog in my head cleared, I even remembered some previously blurry fragmented memories from my previous life.

… Oh yeah, guns had appeared in Arxia Kingdom where the otome game had taken place. They were muzzleloaders, but I vaguely remember a conversation which stated that they were useful in subjugating magical beasts.

I don’t have any proof that the situation of this world will move according to the scenario of the game, but if guns are going to be developed in seven or eight years, then they should already have the gunpowder. Even if Arxia doesn’t have such technology right now, maybe Densel does, or maybe it can be obtained in Parmigran as they thrive in sea trading.

“Get out of my way!!”

Kamil dove straight into the pursuers, who were chasing us from behind, while still holding on to me with one hand. It felt like my heart was freezing over.

I wonder if Kamil is willing to die so that he can kill me, anger, fear, and suspicion was welling up within me. But, it’s too late to escape from his arm now. The fire was drawing closer from behind us.

Kamil dodged the slashes from the attackers closest to us, and killed him with a single stab to the neck like he had done so long ago to the Lisol. The point of Kamil’s sword went into the enemy’s clavicle, and slid through the soft fleshy part of his neck. As expected, Kamil had hid his true skill from me on that winter day. My face paled.

Kamil easily dodge the next attacker’s swing from atop the stairs, then slit the throat of the man, who had hidden and ambushed us from the side. He changed to a backhand grip, and swung it without looking.

I heard a thud, and was splashed in warm liquid.

Kamil had killed three people in an instant like it was nothing.

I could only watch him in astonishment. At the same time, I had goosebumps all over my body from my baseless fears. Why did Kamil have the skills to easily kill a person ――― no, why did Kamil have the specialised training for killing people? Holding me in his arms wasn’t a drawback for him, he dodged the enemy’s attack, then stabbed their throats, and continued to repeat these robotic movements. Kamil had taken out 20 attackers by himself in less than five minutes.

So much blood had collected into the carpet that it wasn’t absorbing anymore, and the blood that was dripping from my hair was making ripples as it dripped onto the blood pools. The smell of iron and blood filled the air, and I felt so nauseous that my stomach started churning. I only had a light breakfast, and had nothing to vomit out, so it was painful. Kamil’s blood-stained left hand stroked my back as I vomited.

--

“Are you alright?”

He began to run as he asked that. The second and third floors had collapsed, and the fourth floor was engulfed in fire, there are no more paths leading to the hidden passage. Did he not kill me in this pool of blood because the flames are still chasing after us and he didn’t have time? ――― Or, is he really trying to protect me?

I wonder if the knights, who are carrying Earl Einsbark and Wiegraf, are still okay on the other side of the flames. There was only one knight left behind on this side of the fire, but he had already died from being injured by shrapnel caused by the explosion, or because he was too slow to run away from the flames.

“… Where are we… going?”

For some reason, even opening my mouth was painful. My hands and feet feel hot. I even thought they were on fire. Kamil looked at me as if he was going to cry. It was troublesome to even think about why he was making that expression.

“Where, you ask…? Somewhere… safe…”

I heard a dull roar in the distance when Kamil replied to me in a soft voice. Did it come from above us? It must be another explosive. Then, another explosion followed shortly after. We probably won’t be able to go to the roof.

“… Ka… mil. Let me down… I can walk.”

I muttered.

Kamil pretended that he hadn’t heard what I had said, and adjusted his grip on me to make me more comfortable, then he sped up even more. We left the tower, went through the knights’ building all the way to the barracks. Nothing was burning in the barracks. There were no carpets or curtains in the corridor, just solid, rustic stone. Enemies kept coming at us from the south, so I thought that the enemies in the other direction had probably been annihilated; but contrary to my expectations, there were very few people in the barracks, and Kamil silently disposed of the soldiers who weren’t wearing our tunics.

How come Kamil can kill like this? Is it because he is trying to kill me? Then, why doesn’t he kill me now?

My thoughts spun around in circles because I was tired, and I couldn’t come up with a reasonable answer because I couldn’t think properly. That was when I heard a riot outside the window. Kamil didn’t let me down, but at least he should understand what I want. I pointed at the window with my chin, and he walked towards it.

Outside the window, the gate at the castle walls had been broken down, and waves of people were flooding in. My brain froze when I saw that they were soldiers wearing the insignia of the Densel army.

――― However, I relaxed when I saw a group in black chasing after them.

The 1st Knight Order was in high spirits as they trapped the remnants of the enemy army between the wall and fortress. I saw Ergnard passing calmly through the castle gate, still dressed in black while surrounded by knights.

I’m glad he’s okay.

He was at the back of the centre formation, but he had maneuvered the left and right wings into different directions, so they were able to react to Densel’s attack immediately. Of course, the risk of dying also jumped up a lot.

Even if Ergnard had been in a safe position, another person would take his place and be at risk. However, he taught me the halberd, acted as my bodyguard, and reminded me of my previous life’s parents, ――― of how parents should be, so of course I would wish that someone else would get injured or die in his place.

In any case, if the battle at the Great Plains have concluded, then the situation at the fortress will also turn back in our favour. I couldn’t help but exhale slowly. I’m pretty sure I feel relieved.

I felt relaxed since they were back.

“Tssaar?!”

My body went limp, maybe because my tension was gone, or because the fatigue that I had ignored until now suddenly came crashing down on me. Kamil quickly adjusted his hold on me, and shook me.

“Are you alright!? Where does it hurt?! Get it together, Eliza-sama!!”

He looks desperate or like he was going to cry. My head felt like it had just been hit.

Kamil will… kill me? What stupid thing am I worrying about? Why do I think that a person with this kind of expression would try to kill me?

The words ‘let me down’ didn’t come out of my mouth this time. I clung to his neck with my powerless right arm and cried.

――― I understood everything in that moment.

A dozen soldiers came like an avalanche from the room facing the corridor along with a loud smash. Kamil’s reaction was momentarily delayed because he was hugging me with both arms.

My vision blurred, and Kamil hugged me so tightly that it hurt.

“Aah―――.”

In less than a minute, I heard many dull crashes near us. Kamil’s body shook a little. I heard a low groan come out from his mouth. I felt as if a scorching pole was pressed against my left arm that was between Kamil’s stomach and my body ――― and realised that this was pain.

The sword that was protruding through Kamil’s body pierced my left arm. Kamil got stabbed because he protected me ――― my head went blank.

“Uoah, aah…”

At that moment, something that tastes like salty blood and iron swirled in my mouth, and my whole body rolled. I bit on something that was in my mouth. It was Kamil’s finger, and I realised after I had hit my head hard on the stone wall that he must have put it in my mouth so that I wouldn’t bite my tongue while we were rolling. The stars dancing before my eyes rebuked my body, and I somehow managed to look up.

In an instant, a lot of blood splashed before my eyes. Kamil’s arm moved faster than I can follow, and the people around us fell down to the ground with a clatter. At the same time, an appalling amount of blood dripped from Kamil’s stomach.

“Ka… mil.”

Every time the enemy decreased by one, Kamil’s movements visibly worsened. His expressionless side profile was pale, and he was biting hard on his lips. I forced my powerless body to move and pulled out the short sword that was hoisted on my waist with my left hand. The chain on my wrist rattled clearly and sounded out-of-place.

“… Gaah.”

The sound of sticky water came out from Kamil’s mouth along with darkish blood. He didn’t seem to care about this as his right hand continued to thrust his sword into the neck of the oncoming enemy soldiers.

――― That was his limit. Kamil’s body slipped forward. I saw the last soldier, who he had stabbed, swing a sword at his back. Everything stopped at that moment. It looked as if everything was playing in frames. I held my short sword in front of my chest and drove at the enemy’s bosom with all my might. I hallucinated that my body had become like a spring.

Even the handle of my short sword pierced deeply into the enemy’s solar plexus. My body stumbled a little from the heavy blow, and the blade that had been swung down at Kamil dropped to the floor without grazing him. As soon as Kamil flopped on the floor, the enemy, who I had stabbed, also fell down. Did I kill him? I stared down at him, blankly.

When I came to, my shoulders were moving up and down violently, and I breathed. For the first time in my life, I stabbed someone to death. The dull feeling in my palm from when I stabbed the blade into the attacker remained. It was the same as killing a beast, but I felt disgusted for some reason.

The shivers from the bottom of my stomach spread throughout my whole body, and my body felt weak again.

“Tsar…”

Kamil looked up at me with a stunned expression as he laid down on the floor.

“… Kam… il.”

A pathetic, trembling voice came out from the back of my throat. Blood continued to flow endlessly from Kamil’s stomach and side, and the stone floor gradually filled up with red. A pale face stared at me.

I couldn’t even move a single finger. My brain was numb, and my body refused to do anything but stare back at Kamil. He can only wait for death with those injuries. He had a large hole in his stomach, and he had damaged his internal organs as well, so there was no way to treat him.

The back of my throat burnt in pain.

My sight turned blurry as warm water leaked from my eyes and down onto my cheeks. Am I… crying right now?

“Don’t die… Kamil, you can’t…”

Those words slipped out. Without thinking, those words flowed out from my mouth. I shamefully sobbed and whined like a little baby. Am I throwing a tantrum? Why am I trying to tell him something now?

I should have obediently let him hold me, but I refused because I didn’t trust him, and just let myself lose strength. He protected me.

And, this was the result. Eliza Kaldia, the foolish actions that you are guilty of are right in front of your eyes.

My brain felt so hot as if it was boiling. My vision became white and cloudy, and my head was spinning like I was drunk. At the edge of my vision, I saw that I was gripping my hand so hard that it was turning white, and noticed that I was boiling with anger. I hated myself so much that I wanted to vomit. The taste of blood spread from where I was biting my lips.

In contrast to me, Kamil showed a gentle smile. My heart hurt so much that it felt as if it was being grasped.

“… It’s fine. It can’t… be helped.”

Kamil spoke in a weak voice. I was afraid that he was going to cough up blood, and my body trembled even more. No, I just finally realised that I was already shaking pretty badly. His faint voice seemed like it would disappear, and I crawled to Kamil’s side, driven by fear.

“You couldn’t… trust me… right? If you knew what… I was hiding… then of course you wouldn’t.”

Kamil talked with frequent pauses. My body shivered helplessly.

“You… knew that… I was the… son of… the merchant… who had killed your family… didn’t you?”

I couldn’t nod, and even forgot to breathe as I listened to his words.

“I’m sorry… my father… killed your… family. That’s why… I thought… the least… I could do was protect you… Because… you’re really a small child.”

Kamil’s voice gradually became choppier, and he had gotten so passionate that it made me want to cry. Do I want to cry? Or do I want to cling onto Kamil and ask for forgiveness? All my feelings turned into regret and was swirling inside me like a vortex.

However, that as well, ended quickly and felt like it had escaped into the air. There was nowhere to throw the emotions that had swelled up inside me. I had caused everything.

It seemed much better to tell him everything than have thoughts like that.

“――― No, Kamil…”

When I realised, I was slowly shaking my head. I couldn’t honestly accept Kamil’s feelings since he didn’t have any hidden agenda －―― I couldn’t forgive myself, no matter what. Even I knew that I was feeling so helpless that my feelings and shoulders were drooping.

I tore up my cloak, which was pointless to wear anymore, and pushed it against Kamil’s stomach; desperately with my trembling arms. Tears dripped down onto the back of my hand.

“… Ts... ar?”

Kamil raised his voice in confusion. At least, I thought as I raised my trembling face and looked at him.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, you’re wrong, I’ll tell you properly ――― I’ll tell you everything, so please, don’t die.”

My choppy words were extremely annoying.

I stared at him so that I could burn his image into my mind as he gazed at me, but my vision was blurred by my tears. My body froze. I can’t breathe anymore.

“Forgive… me…”

I shamelessly begged for forgiveness, what will he say?

I regretted it after I said it. Why did I ask that of Kamil? Why can I explain everything to him now? Aren’t I just confessing everything to him to satisfy myself?

I felt like gouging my heart out as I wallowed in self-loathing.

Kamil quietly closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.

“――― … Okay. Yup… I’ll listen… to it… properly next time.”

Just as I thought, his voice died down as it remained gentle.

――― With that, Kamil didn’t open his eyes.

“Kamil…?”

I timidly touched the blood that had already dried on his cheeks. It felt surprisingly cold, and my shoulders shuddered involuntarily.

“Eliza… sama… My… Ts-ar… don’t cry…”

Kamil said while panting as if it was annoying to speak.

He sluggishly lifted his hand, and hugged my head against his right shoulder. I obediently let him do so, and sunk my head into a pool of blood. Kamil’s body warmth slowly left him even though I was touching him on top of his clothes, and it was so terrifying.

I slid my head down from his shoulder lightly and rested on his left breast. I heard that his heart was still beating feebly, and felt so relieved that I shed tears.

He’s still alive.

I only listened to the small sound of his weakening heart without caring about the angry roars and shouts near me.

――― Before long, I couldn’t hear it anymore, and the hand that was against my head fell limp to the ground.

I had already exceeded my limit, and I sensed it when my consciousness was so thin that I couldn’t even understand when I would die. Then, I don’t know what happened after that.

After a while, screams and shouts came from on the other side of the tower door at the end of the corridor, and heard the door being kicked open.

People’s angry roars echoed in the corridor. I felt like I heard Gunter and Claudia calling my name among that.