"Salainio, hey. Oh, yeah, he's dead. You're dead.

　On the outer wall of the city of Philos. On the outer wall of the city of Philos, I put a chewing tobacco in my mouth and stare at the mountain range on the horizon. The sun glowed a regretful Akane-hue and then melted into the mountains. Immediately, the evening darkness licked my cheeks lavishly.

　As if in response to my words, Bruder said in a hushed voice.

"...... What is it, my employer? The political enemy who brought in the troops has fallen off his horse. Aren't you supposed to be a little happy about that? It's not bad, in fact, it's good, isn't it?

　Bruder's tone was unusually bad-tempered. I didn't mean to attack you for taking his life.

　The edge of Bruder's hat twitched. The rim of Bruder's hat bounced up and down.

"Yeah, I know. Not bad at all. It's not his fault at all, but he's an old man who's done this much. It's curious to see how much he knows.

　Looking down from the outer wall, I see a lot of dead snow trampled by footprints. If you squint, you can still see the remains of the camp that had not been completely cleared out. From their appearance, it was clear that they were leading an army that must have numbered over a thousand.

　And not just leading them, but turning them against the saint Mattia. He must have been a bad old man.

　Perhaps he was just like old Richard. When I think about it, I don't want to see him.

　I tossed a chewed tobacco to Bruder, who still seemed unconvinced, and sat down. It was strange, but I felt like I hadn't sat down in a very long time.

　The fall of King's Landing, the manifestation of the demons, and then the rebellion within the Order of the Crest. I don't know how it is, but these days, the gods are throwing all sorts of difficulties and troubles at me.

　If he cares for me so much, he should treat me a little better, shouldn't he? When I said this to Bruder, a sincere voice came from the other side.

You can't help it. A good player deserves a good score, sir.

　Unlike me and Bruder, who had lost their stance, Vestalines kept her back straight and nailed her heels. The Steel Princess is as serious as ever, or perhaps she doesn't know how to relax. I'm glad to see that the Iron and Steel Princess is looking as good as ever.

　If she follows her sister Bruder's example and shows a broken attitude, I'll feel weird about that.

　Vestalinu choked up, and then continued to speak.

"...... Well. If you want to rest, you and your sister are welcome to stay with us.

I'd like that. I'd like to be like Ishiki all the time anyway.

　I was very grateful. After all, I'm surrounded by people with too many habits to be carefree. On the other hand, being with these women was, if anything, easier.

　Bruder was the only friend I had in the past, and Vestaline's mercenary atmosphere made me feel nostalgic.

　A sigh escaped my lips. I leaned against the outer wall, exhaling a strong cloud of white smoke. The treasure sword clinked.

"So, Bruder. The matter I asked you about, has there been any movement from the High Priestess? It's okay if you can't handle this mess.

　Bruder grumbled through his teeth and let his brown hair fall. Then he rolled a chewed tobacco cigarette between his teeth as I did.

There were plenty of people who would have asked. After all, there were plenty of people fleeing the north to get here.

　In fact, Bruder adds, some of them didn't even make it this far, their bodies rotting and reeking of decay.

　I see. There's no doubt about it.

　The royal city of Arche has been devoured by demons, and the northernmost fortress of Suzif has fallen to the demon Zebraeliris. Even now, the urban villages in the north are frightened by the stirring of the Zebraeliris, and their hearts are jumping at the sound of its roar.

　In such a situation, there were plenty of people who would abandon the land of their birth and flee to the south.

　He blinked his eyelids lightly. First of all, even demonic beasts, not just demons and monsters, are enough of a threat to humans. They were not something to be fought against, but something to be driven away with shield and spear. If you can't do that, you can only run away.

　I can't tell you how many times I've had to go through hexenbiests in the past to save my life. I envy the fact that they are far more powerful than humans just by being born.

"...... Well, speaking of which... Valerie-Brightness. You know your employer, and you know Vess. Silver-rimmed blue, the Watchman.

　He nodded with his chin, and I could see Vestalynn's face harden. Apparently, he was remembering the scene in Jail Bella.

　As for me, I don't want to be reminded of it now, since the end of the single combat was a disaster. I feel a shivering pain in my hipbone.

"I'm well aware of the demoness, sister. What about her?

"He's the protector of the North now. The army he commands is the only one holding off the hexenbiests. I've heard that the Great Hexenbiest Zebra Lilith is really big enough to move mountains or castles.



　How are you going to stop that? Bruder said, holding up his hands and sighing exaggeratedly.

　I shrug my shoulders and reply. I don't understand that part either.

　Valery-Brightness was an undisputed hero who had chased off a dozen hexenbiests in the past, and hadn't let Suzif fall until the Garleist Kingdom was ready for it.

　No matter how improbable it may seem, that hero in blue could pull it off.

　But yes. I heard that she once died in a bloody battle with a demon. Will she make the same mistake this time, or will she make a brilliant flight? That remains to be seen.

　This time has changed too much. Everything is out of step with the past I knew. There's not much I can tell you.

　But there was one thing I could be sure of. Lips twisted, breath escaping. I didn't want to get too lost in my thoughts, but when it was so quiet, I couldn't help but think.

　The Zebraeliris, a fortress behemoth, a mobile disaster that had laid waste to the land in the past. It devours and wastes forests, buildings, beasts and people alike.

　--There's nothing the current heraldry can do to stop it. He'll wipe us out if we come in contact with him.

　How do we kill that behemoth? I don't know if Kalia's war strikes, Phialat's battlefield magic, or Elddis's curse can touch it. I wouldn't even be able to move a hair's breadth.

　Still, I have to kill it. That disaster.

　I know I'm insane. I didn't think I could handle what Valerie Brightnes, a pure hero, couldn't.

　And yet I couldn't bring myself to give up. How could I face him like that? As I thought briefly of the golden figure, Bruder looked into my face.

　He moves his eyes and calls out, "What is it?

"You have a terrible look in your eyes. You're looking even more like a bad guy than ever, employer.

　Hearing this, Vestalines coughed as if he had been caught off guard. Perhaps the serious Vestalines don't use this kind of joke very often. The black-and-white look in her eyes was somehow amusing.

　Leaning his shoulder, he replied that he was born that way, and Bruder sighed and said.

I don't think so. I'm saying you're straining yourself. Don't forget, I, Vess, and my employers are human beings. There's a limit to what one person can do.

　Bruder asks, his cheeks relaxing, "Or are you no longer human, hero? It was a very Bruder way of worrying.

"Yes. We will obey the commander's orders, both you and I. Whether it's in the morning or at night.

"Thank you. Makes me want to retreat to the country.

　Bruder's eyes widen slightly and he opens his mouth again. There were a few more exchanges of pleasantries.

　Then, in a brief interlude of leisure. After that, of course, a new curtain would open. And so we all know. A day, a sleep, even a breath.

　--Man's doom is at hand.

　The news came from the east. That the Borvat dynasty, the masters of the east, have begun their invasion of the self-governing city.