99 Ninety-eight "Heroes"





 --sorry. I'll give you an excuse later.

 The moment I tried to stand up from my sitting position, my right arm felt like it was being ripped open. A painful nausea threatened to burst from the back of my throat.

 Forcing my sleeping legs and feet to wake up, I stood up with my bones creaking. Sweat was dripping down his forehead, and his mouth was already gasping for air.

 But it's not so bad. If you can get up, you're good.

 Kalia had gone to the front to subdue the enemy. Then I'll have to do my part. There's no way I can just sit back and watch her. An ordinary person like me needs to work like a horse and limb to be recognized.

"Are you going to break your promise, Lugis?

 It was only when I was standing up and taking a breath that the voice came into my ear. It was a voice that seemed to be singing in my ears.

 It was unmistakably the voice of Elddis, the elven princess lurking in the rearguard.

Hey, hey, you're pausing as if you were watching from offstage.

Of course. I'm in charge of this battlefield. I'm in charge of this battlefield. I'm responsible for seeing it all and keeping it all in my mind.

 You're the one who told me to do my duty. Erdis' gaze intensifies.

 The reflection in her eyes is the image of Elddis, created as an illusion.

 But perhaps the princess was more loyal than she thought, since it was her duty to see everything through. It is true that I told her to do her duty, but not many commanders would come to see the horrible scene themselves.

 But from a tactical point of view, there was no better way. Especially in the case of Erdis, the commander himself can see the front line from a remote location. In this way, the illusion of command seems to be an art of command.

"Good, I was just about to send a message. Erdis, I have a question for you.

I haven't finished my question. Are you gonna break your promise? Do you not trust her?

 The words came out in a much stronger tone than usual. I rolled my eyes.

 The way he spoke was strangely firm, as if he would not allow any evasions. I could see that his blue eyes, though illusory, held some deep emotion.

 The promise is probably referring to the conversation with Kalia. But I couldn't understand why this princess was so obsessed with it.

It's not. It's because I promised, and I trust you with all my heart.

 Placing her left hand on her chest, she searched for a cigarette to chew. His eyes narrowed as he continued.

 Yes," Kalia said, "I will return with victory on my sword. Then I'd better be ready to meet him. I'd rather just sit here and let them hang me later.

 If Kalia has said her piece to me. I want to show those words with my actions. That's the only way I can show my sincerity to a hero like Kalia.

"So I want to do what I can for that... Erdis. In this country, where are the loopholes and escape routes that are unique to royalty?

 The words seemed to have taken Elddis aback.

 It's not so much that she doesn't understand what he's saying, but that she doesn't understand the context of it. Truly, Elddis is an elf whose emotions are easy to read. I can't even imagine what it was like in the past.

"Now, here and now, I prepare to make sure Rahgias is dead. No one would be foolish enough to leave a hole in the enclosure at the last minute while hunting down a wolf at this very moment.

 Elddis's blue eyes widened. Erdis's blue eyes widened, as if reacting to the word "rageas", but with a hint of confusion, as if he still didn't understand the story.

 I'm sure you do," she said with a mental smile. His eyebrows wavered slightly.

 Even now, the battlefield is in a crucible of confusion, and there is no telling who will win or lose. Which hand the god of fate will take is a matter that has not been proven even in the history of the past.

 In fact, at this moment, the situation on our side is overwhelmingly worse. I think Erdis is aware of this. The evidence is that her eyes are shaking somewhat restlessly, and her breathing rate is so out of normal that even the illusion can see it.

 --But for me, that was settled a long time ago. I don't need to put my faith in the gods of fate.

 I'll win. I have to win. It's a given. The genius Fialaat has set the scene, the hero Kalia has gone to the front to win.

 Then of course we'll win. I can't even imagine any other outcome. That's what heroes and geniuses do. Fate always falls into the hands of heroes, not ordinary men.

 Erdis put his hand over his mouth and slowly opened his lips as if in deep thought. She even seemed to sigh.

I understand. If that's what you want, I'll send my men to the exit, the way out. Is that okay?

 It was as if he was telling her that she should stay here.



 Okay, fine. That's all we need. If we surround it with soldiers, it's only natural that elves and men will die.

 Yes, there's no doubt about it.

"No, I'm coming with you. I'll do the best I can. I'll do the best I can. If I have to sit here and miss Ra'gath, it won't be enough to cut my own throat.

"...... you know. To be honest, an ordinary soldier would be much more useful than you right now. If Rahgias is going to escape, he'll have his own elite with him.

 I'm sure you're right.

 That is certainly true.

 Not only is my right arm useless right now, but other parts of my body have been overwhelmed as well. I'm not sure how much use I can be. I've always been a small army, but now I'm no better.

 But still... Not moving at this time is not good. A cold liquid ran down my spine, and I felt an unfathomable uneasiness, as if mud had been stuffed down my throat.

"Elddis, I mean no disrespect. "Elddis, I mean no disrespect, but your enemy and adversary, Largius, is undoubtedly a hero of the highest caliber.

 I can assure you of that.

 In the past, he was a usurper, but he managed to unite the nation of Gazalia, and even now, he is no ordinary soldier.

 In addition, his willingness to make a pact with the human nation, and his ability to move the times forward. And from all these rumors, I can feel a conviction that almost frightens me.

 Without a doubt, Largias is a kind of heroic great man.

 And heroic heroes don't die easily. No, they can't die.

 Even in the face of 10,000 soldiers, even if they are being hunted by a deadly blade, they can survive. There are definitely such beings. I knew that very well from my past travels.

 That's why I don't want to loosen the stranglehold I have on them here. I don't want to leave any regrets.

 If Lagias was a hero, he must have understood how necessary it was for him to survive.

 It is completely different from grace or duty as a commander-in-chief. A hero who grasps his destiny in his hands will surely survive, and will certainly emerge as an enemy again. This time, more powerful.

 So we have no choice but to choke him here. If we lose that opportunity, the shadow of Lagias will continue to haunt us.

 He squeezes the sword with his left hand. The blade, with a purple line through it, gleamed dully.  

 --Hero Killer

 As if shouting out your name engraved in it, and your chosen fate.