A whirlpool of soldiers, blood, and bones. Every step forward, a friendly soldier loses his life easily. Another step forward, and the throat of the man beside you pops open. One more step forward. One more step forward. Every time you do, someone dies. This was hell at its worst.

　I wonder if that's why. When I saw the cunning face approaching me, I was deeply relieved.

　It seems that I was not wrong. At least, my actions were outside of the old man's intentions.

　After all, if everything is going around in his hands, he would never show his face. On the contrary, he would only deepen the wrinkles on his face somewhere out of our reach.

　But now, he has shown himself on the front lines of the battlefield. That's proof that the scene of the battlefield is beginning to slip from the old man's hands. Wonderful.

　In a vision slightly stained with blood, I open my lips. I felt my lungs jump as if in agitation.

"Hey, old man. Have you washed your neck with good wine?

"Don't be silly. "Don't be silly. I only wash my neck with wine, not my stomach.

　With a clatter of horseshoes and a splintering of the Great Patriarch's army, Grandpa Richard emerged. His gray armor looked great in the dusk.

　To be honest, I thought he wouldn't show himself until the end. But somehow, I managed to drag him out. Now all I have to do is get over this wall. He squinted, opening his creaking legs slightly.

I'm gonna push through, Richard. I can't keep kneeling under your tutelage.

　Well, I'm not going to change if I keep clinging to your teachings. From the time when all I could do was crawl on the ground and envy someone else.

　Then I'll have to go beyond. It's the only way now.

　I set the sword on my shoulder and put my right foot forward. The enemy is still on horseback. My sword will not easily reach him. But that's the way it's got to be.

　Richard must be killed here. A general's head being chopped off is enough to demoralize an army. Hopefully, the ambush will lose its function. If the heraldry is to find a way to win, they need to stop Richard's heart, not to mention the ambush.

　With the surrounding Daishongyou soldiers still weak and holding their spears, now would be the best time to kill Richard.

　I put strength into my knees and breathed out. There was a dull ache in his hind legs, like they were being torn apart. I managed to keep the pain from escaping my voice as I stared into his eyes, waiting for the right moment to pounce.

　Richard's wrinkles were deeply, deeply etched with shadows. There was something melancholy in his expression.

"Can't we cross paths now? Lugis...

　The voice that Richard let out was not the usual light, somewhat humorous voice. The voice that sounded solemn was the voice of a general, a person who had been appointed as a high priest. It was the first voice and tone I had ever heard.

　I could feel the tense air around me. Then it was no use, Richard said, and continued.

"Lugis, the Great Sinner. In the name of Richard Permiris, the twelfth hero appointed by the cathedral, I condemn you as a great evil. Your sins can no longer be wiped away.

　Richard's gravely voice echoed around the room as he said.

"Soldier. Justice and the teachings of God are beneath my sword. Do not be afraid to strike down evil and prove our absolute justice!

　His eyes twisted. That's not good. That's not good. In fact, it's worse.

　At Richard's loud command, the soldiers of the Great Church regained the heat of faith in their eyes. Their hands, holding spears and battle axes, are not as weak as before. They are imbued with a strong will.

　One more word. If Richard's orders were given, the soldiers of the Great Church would undoubtedly jump at him, even if it meant giving up their lives. The only reason they still have their feet rooted to the ground is because they are ordered to retreat.

　I let out a deep, very deep breath. If the soldiers around them now thrust their spears up, dozens of outraged assault troops would die in the blink of an eye. As a matter of course. And then, of course, there's me.

　I tightened my grip on the treasured sword with both hands. In a small voice, as if speaking to the soldiers around me, I say.

"I trust you with my life. Give me five seconds of your time.

　That's like asking them to die. It's like asking them to give up their lives to buy more time. It's so selfish that it's almost self-loathing. I wouldn't be surprised if someone thrust a spear into my back right now. I would even think it was natural.



　But as if swallowed up by my words, they nodded and readied their spears and swords. Everyone carried scars and dirt on their bodies, and no one, including me, was safe.

　It's strange. Why is it that everyone is willing to throw away their own lives like this? It doesn't make any sense, including to me.

　I breathed quietly. Just before the enemy leaps toward me, I aim. Richard's lips opened wide.

"At least it's a relief. Die a human death here, Rougis - all soldiers, take the head of the great evil Rougis.

　The roar and savage voice of the soldiers. Battlefield music echoed in the air. I leapt to my feet as if to jump into the middle of it. I'm not going to be able to do that.


　I'll be back.


　In the main tent of the Monstrance Church, Saint Mattia opened her lips, desperately suppressing the trembling of her fingertips. I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it's a good idea.

"Thank you for your efforts. You should get some rest. I will not allow him to return to the front--someone get him some water and something to eat.

　With that, he ordered the boy soldier, who still had the madness of the battlefield in his eyes, to rest. The boy, who still had the madness of the battlefield in his eyes, needed to rest, for if he was left alone, he would go back to the battlefield with his twitching fingers.

　Seeing that the boy and his attendants had left the big tent, Mattia finally snapped his teeth loudly. She felt as if a flame had been twisted in her spine, and her whole body was burning with emotion.

　--Yes, I knew that. That's who you are.

　The information brought by the boy soldier was a brief description of the situation at the front and what Lugis was going to do now. It really is just a report of the situation, and does not ask for anything from us or tell us what to do. This made Mattia's stomach burn even more.

　If it was a time of crisis, why not ask for help? Lugis's attitude was that he was going to take care of it himself. You just said you've learned to rely on me a little. Or is it that this is the only way he could have done it?

　What came to Mattia's mind was not annoyance or resentment. Only regret and self-reflection are on her lips.

　Considering the nature of Lugis, he was well aware of what could happen when he was assigned to the front line. If something dangerous were to happen, he would surely give up his life. Of course, he knew that there was such a risk.

　In spite of this, the fact that she had to put him on the front lines made Mattia's eyes distort with regret. If she had been able to mature as a saint and wield her power to the fullest, she would not have overburdened him. If I had been able to plan better, I wouldn't have had to throw him into the danger.

　Oh, what a shame. This is all due to my own incompetence. It's too bad.

　And more than that, Mattia's heart burned with a single thought of self-reflection.

　--And apparently I've still been indulging him. I can't believe I allowed him to do something as selfish as face death alone.

　Mattia had given Lugis detailed instructions and directions for the battlefield. In particular, he should never take any action that could result in the loss of life, and he should always keep in mind that he can choose to leave the army if he deems it reckless. He looked into her eyes and took her hand, over and over again.

　And yet, he still broke his promise to himself. In Mattia's heart, there was an inexplicable fever that smoldered at the same time as he worried about Lugis' safety. I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on.

"--Anne. I'm going to the battlefield too. Bring the horse here.

　The heart of the heraldry cult, Saint Mattia, who had been forced into a large tent because of the defiance of those around her who said she shouldn't be on the battlefield.

　Her haunting voice echoed throughout the Monstrance camp.