The northernmost point of the Garleist Kingdom, Fort Suzif.

　Having lost its original owner, this fort seems to have grown unusually lonely. The cold wind was blowing, and all I could hear were the ragged breaths and spitting sounds of the soldiers.

　Top of the outer wall. The top of the outer wall, Dore said as he tapped his foot on a slab of rock covered in dead snow. His voice was a little twitchy from the dryness and cold.

"...... General. The reinforcements have arrived. The national army and the nobles' private army total about 60,000. There are about 60,000 cavalry, infantry, and some sorcerers in the mix.

　I'm not sure what to make of that. So now he supports his temporary master and is in charge of almost everything in this fort. In fact, it might not be an exaggeration to say that she is the real steward of the fort, compared to the ornamental generals.

　The man who was set up as a decorative general did not say anything about it. Dore doesn't know if he thinks it's easy or if he thinks it's just a temporary assignment. But he does know that he is a very quiet person.

　Only today did he open his mouth and say.

Maybe I should tell them that I'm sorry for their loss. Or should I encourage them to come?

　His voice was weak. He didn't sound like a general of the Garlist Kingdom. His choice of words reminded me more of a civilian.

　According to Dore's research, he was a man who originally wanted to pursue a career in politics.

　His way of thinking is not that of a military officer. He also looks like a gentleman. Dole had no desire to find out why he was a military officer or even a general.

　The only thing that would come out of it would be that it was for family reasons or something like that. That's how it is with the nobility.

　But at this moment, Dore was not trying to humiliate or belittle the weak, gentle man standing next to him. In fact, he was almost respectful.

　For one reason. He's not running away from it.

　Dore looked at the thing that appeared to be weaving through the dead snow.

　--At first it seemed like a giant tree or an abandoned ruin.

　He looked up, and up, and up into the sky until he finally saw the top. It was such a huge structure.

　With its ivy, moss, and decayed parts, I could assume that it had been there for a long time. Perhaps it is more like an elf dwelling than a human dwelling.

　Whatever it is, it's huge. At the very least, one would have to look up even from the outer walls of the Suzif fort. It's creeping towards us now, little by little.

　Yes, it's getting closer. It's huge.

　At first everyone said it was a mistake, a dream vision. Then they say it's a hexenbiest's illusion or sorcery.

　But after a while... No one said anything about it anymore. They don't say it but they know it.

　From the strange feeling on my skin. From the image in your eyes. And from the creeping sound in my ears. That it was unmistakably real.

　As a matter of fact, that mighty foreign body exists and is crawling towards us.

　--The Fortress Beast Zebraeliris.

　It was later described as such, and once became a symbol of catastrophe. Forests, buildings, beasts, people... A disaster that marches on, crushing everything in its path.

　The giant beast, which only eats and wastes, is approaching the Suzif fortress without a name yet. With all sorts of hexenbiests around it. It's coming.

　Can it really be sewn up by a fragile organization of people called an army? If you point a spear at it, won't it end up being blown away like a withered leaf?

　The sheer size of this creature reminds all who see it of such thoughts. A demon, a demoness. Or something like it. It was coming into clear view now.

　It must be extremely unfortunate for the national army and the noblemen's private army to be deployed here. Dore was sure of it. They no longer had anyone to fight. They just have a disaster to prevent.

　How can one deal with disaster? All they can do is endure. Just wait for everything to pass.

　If there's anyone who can resist a disaster, it's your master, who is also a disaster. No, I'm not sure if I'll be offended if I say that. Dore smiled unconsciously.

　Dead snow tangled in Dore's hair and slapped his cheek.

...... You're getting cold. Let's go inside, General. You must take command of the army.

　The man who called himself the General widened his eyes at Dore's words. Even at a time like this. The man called General widened his eyes at Dore's words.



"Me, Dore?　I'm in charge of all the troops?

　Of course not. There's only one general here. Until now, we've only had skirmishes with hexenbiests, so there was no problem with a captain. But if you are going to lead a large army, it should be led by a general.

　To the man who repeatedly asked, Dore nodded, suppressing a white sigh. Normally, I would be tempted to lament the fact that such a man could be a general, but...

　But in front of him, I feel a strange sense of resignation. Anyone is useless anyway. Anyone but your master. Then this man is better off for not running away. You can respect him for that.

　Maybe he's just a fool. That goes for me too. Dole opens his mouth with pursed lips.

"Shall I appoint a deputy? We can either delegate the military authority to someone else, or--

　That's what Dore was about to say. The man bites off his words and replies.

"No, that's fine. Let's do it. I've been a terrible failure, but a general is still a general. I have to take responsibility and I have to fulfill my duty as a noble.

　A nobleman's duty, you say? Dole still couldn't help but dislike this man. He didn't like gentlemen, but...

　As a general, he owed his respect to his master. Therefore, respect for him is respect for man.

　There are noblemen everywhere who usually talk about the rights of nobility but refuse to do their duty. No, rather, such people are the aristocrats. They covet only their rights and shun their duties.

　But this man, unusually enough, was willing to do his duty.

　In that respect alone, he deserves respect. Even if it resulted in the loss of his life.

"Well, I'd give it four days. Even if I'm weak, I can make it last four days. I'll fight those hexenbiests with my spear even if they climb the outer wall. So, Dore.

　He, the general, narrowed his eyes, flipped his cloak over his shoulder, and opened his mouth to Dore. His face is as gentle as ever.

　Dore had seen many generals and soldiers in his time. He had never met a general like him before. He doesn't belong on the battlefield by any stretch of the imagination. Such a face.

　But this time he had something in his eyes that a general should have and said.

"I'm giving you a special mission, and I want it done. For the good of the nation.

　And with that, he tucked the small rolled up parchment into Dole's arms. This was the last time Dore took his words seriously.

　He returned to his usual taciturn self and headed off to war.

　--Six days after this. Due to the presence of the fortress behemoth Zebraeliris, Fort Suzif falls.

　There was no mercy, no miracles, and everyone died as they should have. The commanders and soldiers inside the fort were wiped out, leaving only a small reserve force. There is no written record of their valiant fight to protect the people of the country.

　Because there is no one to witness it.

　Now, the catastrophe opens its thick curtain.