234 233 Words and Heroes




 It's not easy to move your feet with your back to the enemy.

 It's not easy to move your legs with your back to the enemy. My mind is tense and exhausted, and my brain is shaking like it's boiling. You are not even sure whether you are safe or not.

 This is what retreating from enemy lines is like. When we die, we all die in the comfort of our dreams. To be honest, retreat is not something you want to do.

 But this time I don't mind. After all, we've achieved our goal.

 The enemy's ambush has revealed itself, and there is no longer any chance that it will be able to eat through our stomachs. Now it's just a matter of soldiers going toe-to-toe. In addition, the enemy general, Richard Permiris, was also badly wounded. He could no longer command with gusto on the battlefield.

 Then we'll win. We'll win enough. There was only one enemy I feared. My mentor.

Are you happy, Master Lugis?

 "Are you glad, Lord Lugis?" muttered a soldier beside him who was breathing heavily. You could have brought back the enemy general's heart, he adds. It was not so much a question as it was an honest question.

 It's okay, he replied with a big nod.

 Of course, I could have taken Richard Permiris' head right there. All I had to do was swing the sword straight down, and that would have been enough to end his life. There's no doubt in my mind that I had his life in my hands at the time.

 But I also knew what would happen if I did.

 The reason why the soldiers of the Great Church were wobbling on their feet in agitation was because their general, Richard Permiris, was wounded. That is why they were not sure what they should do.

 Should they attack the enemy or retreat to protect the wounded general?

 There is no soldier who can make such decisions by himself. In the first place, a soldier is designed not to make decisions for himself.

 If you want to raise such a person who can make decisions and act on his own, and who is excellent as a soldier, you will need a dizzying amount of money and time.

 And yet, the soldiers of the Great Patriarchate were not such soldiers. They were too bewildered to step out on their own.

 However, the reason why the soldiers did not step forward was because they had a firm hesitation in their hearts. If I had taken Richard Palmyris's head there, they would have no more confusion or hesitation. There would be only searing anger in their hearts.

 Then I, and the men I charged with, would all be dead. Everyone will die. I can't say that it's the right way to die, even if I wanted to.

 We all deserve to live and to die. To live and die in a way that is not so, is beyond ridiculous. I can't even swallow it.

 So I believe that not cutting off Richard Permiris's head was one of the right choices.

 And, you know. There was another reason I didn't cut off the old man's head, though it's not something I can put into words.

 It's a very sentimental, silly reason.

 Once upon a time, a catastrophe struck the world. Everyone died, rich and poor alike, and everyone mourned. There was nothing anyone could do to avoid it.

 Neither could my grandfather, Richard Permiris. He, too, was swallowed up by the catastrophe and his life fell to the ground. He died in a very uncharacteristic manner.

 --The last, last time. He died in the most ridiculous way, defending me against a crowd of monsters.

 That's a fact no one but me will ever know. Not even the man himself, Richard Permiris. A fact that had already happened, and would probably never happen again.

 I narrow my eyes. I think the old man said something at the end. But I couldn't remember what it was.

 Perhaps it is not as simple as not taking his life today because he once saved my life. There were many other reasons. Small ones, big ones. The fate between me and him is not so cheap.

 But still. I'm in a not-so-bad mood. Sometimes sentimental motives are not so bad.


 ◇ ◇◇◆


 Run, run. When my legs ached to the point of cramping, I finally saw the flag of the main army, the heraldry. A lot of soldiers have strayed, dropped out, and sometimes died to get here.

 The soldier beside me, the one who had spoken to me, the one who had asked me to make a career of him, his face was gone before I knew it.

 Well, everyone is wounded, and yet everyone makes it to the main army safely. Such a convenient thing cannot happen in the prison of the battlefield. Of course not, of course not.

 I felt my toes swelling. In a dead voice, I said to the remaining soldiers.

"When we join the main army, you will split up and fall back to the rear guard. The battlefield is peopled with soldiers, but there will be room for a few more. Tell them they're my messengers.



 The expressions on the faces of the soldiers who followed me were not exactly full of life either. They were all exhausted, and I could not tell where there were no scars on their bodies.

 Nevertheless, the will to return alive shone brightly in their eyes. One of the soldiers said, "Let's live and go home together.

 Of course. I'd do the same if I could. I'd love to go back to Garou Amalia's room, instead of the tent, and sip on some fine wine. It wouldn't be a bad idea to join Wood and his sister Cereal for a nice meal. I'm sure it would be a blessing.

 But what the heck. I'm not a soldier, I'm a commander. And I've even been named a hero.

 So I can't just back out now. Dragging people to their deaths at will and then retreating to the back when you're in danger is shameless. Who could do such a thing?

 He moved his dry lips and let out a cry.

"Not yet, my legs and hands are still moving. There's no reason for me to retreat.

 He waved his arms and legs in the air. The wound on my left shoulder is numb with pain.

 As soon as the soldier's lips twisted at my words, there was a voice that seemed to cut through the barbaric and angry voices around him.

No, there's no need for you to answer. Fall back to the rear guard, Lugis.

 A resonant voice. The voice pierced my ears and went straight through the battlefield. It was the voice of a man who should not be on such a front line.

 I peeled my eyes open. Not only me, but all the soldiers around me were in awe of her.

 Again, her voice echoed across the battlefield.

You have done well, my friends. I am proud to have such friends as you.

 The figure on the horse, smiling benevolently at those around her and showing her brilliant eyes.

 It is none other than the saint Mattia. She is the heart of the heraldic religion and the symbol of faith itself.

 It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. Why are you here, Mattia?

"Lugis. I know you have something to say. I have something to say to you too. But...

 I'm sure you're not the only one who has a problem with this. The strong gaze directed at you is as if you were complaining.

 What is it that the saint is unhappy about, after having wounded the enemy general and brought him back? She did not meet Mattia's gaze head on, but responded by tilting her head lightly.

 Mattia let out a small sigh and said.

But I just want to say - yes, you're right, my sword. That's my hero.

 She said this with a smile that seemed to draw clean lines on her face as she looked straight at you. Her cheeks were scorched by the Akane-colored sunset and seemed to glow.

 What? Honestly, I wish you would stop complimenting people with such a straight face. Isn't it just embarrassing?

"It's what I wanted, my Master.

 So, I ran those cliché words through the air and cowered. It was as if she was running away with her tail between her legs.

 Mattia had a slight smile on his cheeks, and then he said, with a strong voice that echoed around him.

The enemy has crumbled and the path is clear. The enemy has crumbled, and the way has been opened!

 The enemy is crumbling and the way is open!" As if to make the soldiers around her listen. Mattia began to open his lips.