443 "Jack, I need you to re-print your credit."




 As I chewed the tobacco on my teeth, I let the faint aroma penetrate my nostrils. Perhaps it was the dampness of the air, but even the smell was watery.

 The road ahead of me was completely covered with dead snow in the past few days, erasing any trace of Salainio's troops.

 The road was silent, even the wagons were not passing, as if the space itself had fallen asleep.

 It was as if the space itself had fallen asleep. They acted as if they did not know that far away, far beyond the road, the great army of the Borovart dynasty was shouting its war boots.

 The westward march of the Borovart dynasty. This ambition, which has been cultivated repeatedly throughout history, was wielded at the worst possible time, in the midst of a catastrophe.

 With the threat of demons and demons, the human race was in danger of extinction, but even more so, it was in pursuit of its own safe haven. Even if the moment when your head is chopped off is only a few steps away.

 Wonderful. So wonderfully human. Perhaps in the past, the Borovats had similar ambitions.

 They just didn't put them into action for whatever reason.

 I agree. It wasn't there last time. This time it was. What didn't happen last time is no longer clear, but what did happen this time is now obvious. I can't look away.

 I've done something to myself. Even when I think I have done well, misdeeds always come out later.

 And if it's rust that comes from my own body, it's my duty to get rid of it.

 I pull the reins of my horse in front of the gates of the puppet city of Philos. My green uniform was strangely warm, despite the fact that the outside was covered in dead snow and silver.

 Below me, Largd-Anne was shouting busily. From the horse, she looked even smaller than before.

"Sir Hero. Saint Mattia wishes to return to King's Landing in triumph! The princess can only ascend to the throne upon your return.

 His voice was firm. He was trying to say that he knew what I was going to say and what words would come back to him.

 As expected from a man who has known me for so long. I wish I didn't have to say anything, but I guess that's not in Anne's nature.

 She took the cigarette out of her mouth and moved her lips smoothly. I already know what I have to say.

I'll go to King's Landing. But it's good to take a detour. It's boring to walk down a straight road.

 As she said this, Anne lowered both eyebrows and her expression tightened. She wants to say something, but she can't. She's forcing herself to bite down. She looks so sad.

 I want you to stop. It makes me feel like I'm doing something terrible. My vision is slightly distorted, and a familiar voice strikes my ear. It's a high-pitched voice, full of confidence.

 In a way, it was reassuring.

Anne, don't waste your time. Some people can hear things even if they have ears, and some can't. You know which one Lugis is, don't you?

 Kalia said, tucking her two tufts of silver hair together, as if she could see through them all. I don't know why she looks so proud. Her silver eyes were shimmering.

 I can't tell you how disappointed I am. You're the one who never listens to anyone. I don't know how often she listens to me.

 But to Ann's surprise, Kalia's words made more sense. Her nose twitched and she opened her eyes to suppress her emotions.

"...... The Borvat army is said to be over 30,000 strong. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's a fan of your work.

 Magic armored soldiers. The Bolvaat dynasty's pride and joy, the demon madmen. It's a legion where everyone wears magical equipment, even what is called a sacrament.

 A magical tool, a sacrament, created by a sorcerer who kneads a long-lived spell into something that could be called a curse. The more dense it becomes, the more it is hidden from the public. It's said to be a sorcerer's greatest heirloom.

 And yet, it was a wonderful thing that the state was leading the way in having them made, giving them to soldiers, and using them as tools of war. Long live the nation of magic, I suppose.

 Because of this, the magic armored soldier is more vicious than a cavalryman with just his body. A chariot pulled by a few horses might be better. I've heard that they can easily take down a large tree.

 If they were pouring in one after another in large numbers, it would be a nightmare.

 The outer wall would be meaningless, and mere infantry would be crushed in a hurry. Even if the number is only 30,000, it is worth more than that in terms of strength.

Perhaps a group of city-states will not be able to withstand it. Even the walled city of Garou Amalia is not enough.

"I know, Anne. It would be foolhardy to head out there with so few men. You shouldn't go. That's what you're saying. You're right, you and Mattia.

 As I move my mouth, Anne shuts down and stares at me. I ducked under her disapproving gaze, cowering my shoulders as I continued.



"......" There are too many people I know to abandon. Wood, Cereal. There's the old man I drank with, and the pretty girl who works for her injured father.

 This is my fault, no matter how I try to fix it. And yet, if I leave them all behind without doing anything about it, if I can just dismiss it as an unavoidable and trivial sacrifice...

 I won't be able to do anything anymore. I'll just live with the unreasonable, looking for a convenient reason to give up. I'll be no different than I was before.

 --And so, in the end, you will continue to think until you die. Will I have abandoned them because of my own smallness?

 I don't want to live like that anymore. First of all, how can I, who was once the one being cut down, be so foolish as to cut someone down again when I'm in the opposite position?

 Suddenly, I think. A hero is a far cry. The man I knew would never have worried about such things. I'm sure he could have easily saved people, no matter how difficult the situation.

 I'm sure all I'm doing is imitating a hero. Yeah, that's why I'll do a good imitation.

 She said, her cheeks flushed and her treasure sword and white sword leaning against her waist. Anne was still looking straight at me.

I'm not going to go toe to toe with you. I'm just going to do what I can. Have a little faith in your hero, Anne.

 I wonder if Ann had any thoughts when she heard my words. She opened her eyes for a moment, but then continued to move her face, wrinkling her brow and then twisting her cheeks.

 Then, after sighing, he said.

...... trust is only meaningful when it is accumulated. I hope this is one of the first things you do for me, Mr. Hero. The first thing you should do is to look at your eyes.

 The first corner of my eye goes up in a flash. The first thing I did was to look at my eyes. The first thing you need to do is to look at your eyes.

 My cheeks fluttered, and I looked over at Kalia, who was shaking her head as if to say, "Good grief.

I've heard that good deeds sprout in times of crisis, Lugis. What about you, then?

 I'm sure you've already decided the answer to this question. I wonder why I feel so frustrated. If it had been Fialaert or Erdis, I would have been able to ask more honestly.

 He clears his throat, breaks off, and then says to Anne.

"So, how did it go with the prison you were talking about? Is it going to be okay?

 When I ask this question, Anne's face suddenly changes into a serious expression. Then she narrowed her eyes and said in a hushed voice.

I've made arrangements. If you go ahead, I will try to catch up with you. But--

 Anne's voice trailed off for a moment, and then she continued. A hint of caution or suspicion flashed across Anne's face.

Because it's necessary. People use blades to cut meat, even if it's dangerous. That's how it works.