The 3,000 men who had been entrusted with Lugis's life, led by him and ready to do his will.

　One of them asked his comrade in the crumbling inn where they were staying. The sunlight shining through a hole in the ceiling grazed the tip of his nose.

"Hey, man. What do you think about that man? Was it an act? Or is he on the side of the enemy?

　He was a man with short cropped hair and a slight sense of class. He may have come from a distinguished lineage. But he didn't seem pretentious, and I could tell that he was trying to be a soldier.

　On the other hand, it was a crude man who responded to him. He was the leader of the troops, but he didn't look like a man of class. He banged the wooden table vigorously and shot back his words.

"You idiot. You're a newcomer from Cernio, so you can't talk like that. Listen. There's no way in hell that she's on the side of the demonic.

　When they talk about her, they're talking about Lugis, the hero they're following. Rather than calling him by his name directly, the soldiers are using his honorific title. This is because it seems to be more friendly and respectful.

　The crude man was someone who had seen Lugis since the fall of Galuamaria. It was a common practice among soldiers to use the time they served as a guide. To a man, those who have served since the Battle of Sarnio or the Battle of King's Landing know nothing.

The same goes for the city-states, the Garlist Kingdom, and the Majin Drigman. They all feared him alone. And he's always won. Why do we have to bend the knee to a demon now?

　No matter how bad the odds are against you, you carry your sword with a smile on your face and devour the enemy before anyone else. That is the Lugis that the soldiers talk about, and that is the very image of a hero that the soldiers believe in.

　If he was such a good person, he would have been considered for an officer position outside of the heraldry. But he took the hand of the heraldry.

　How could such a hero commit treachery to save his life? How could he?

But he has his vices. ...... He must have thought of something this time too.

　The vices of a hero even the soldiers know. In the end, it's about having too much determination to do things on your own. Just like in Belle Fain, just like in the burial prison.

　He never reveals his plans to anyone else, and he is the only one who is willing to face danger.

　If you listen to it as a tale of heroism, you will feel a burning sensation, but if you think of it as the actions of a commander, you will instantly break out in a cold sweat. As a soldier following him, I wish he would have given at least one order.

　Perhaps this would be one of those times, the crude man said. If not, there is no way we could be here chatting.

　--In that place, right in front of the Kingsguard were the demon Lovell, the demon Junerva, and the many demons that followed them.

　The monsters that had so easily overrun a single human nation were there.

　On the other hand, we have only 3,000 soldiers surrounded on all sides. If we had clashed like that, we might have been able to put up some resistance, but total annihilation would have been inevitable.

　Even in such a situation, Lugis said.

　--You have no intention of fighting. Then why don't you go home. You can find a place to stay.

　With just one word from him, the 3,000 soldiers were able to retreat unharmed. The two demons seemed to be more interested in Lugis than the soldiers.

　That's why the only ones who died were the demons that Lugis killed, not the humans.

He could have killed us if he wanted to. If he didn't, it means he's up to something. The least we can do is prepare for that plot.

　The distinguished man nodded in agreement. The rough man's words were rough, but he seemed to have a good idea.

　But here's the thing. The wealthy man quietly placed the container of alcohol on the table and began to speak.

I think so too. But then why is Master Kalia like that?

　The rough man's face twisted in fear for a moment, but then he lightly stroked his chin and said. I'm sure he doesn't have an answer for that either, judging by the way his gaze is wandering.

...... Well, they're lovers, aren't they? I'm sure you've got some thoughts on that.

　The famous man did not seem convinced, but he did not say anything more, as if he thought there was no point in pursuing the matter. He took a sip of his drink and walked into the circle of soldiers.

　The crude man looked at his back and tapped the table again. At the moment he breathed in, all the eyes of the soldiers gathered in the dormitory focused on him.

　They were all drinking or dozing off for a moment of freedom, when the sound woke them up.

　A man speaks up and says.

"Well, soldiers. Our hero, the lord, has once again preferred to be left to his own devices. But you know what we have to do!　He said, just let it happen!

　He may have been drunk. But every soldier responded to the man with an insatiable will to fight in his eyes. Their voices were so passionate that they echoed throughout the quarters.

　The maniacal will to fight that Lugis had passed on to them still seemed to be in their eyes.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇




　--Oh.

　With the roar of voices in her ears, Kalia's eyelids fluttered. She wriggled a few times, felt the sheets, and finally realized that she was asleep.

　Her slumbering mind slowly began to awaken her thoughts and her vision became clearer. When her head finally felt awake, Kalia closed her eyelids tightly again.

　Let's go to sleep. Let's go to sleep.

　With that thought in mind, Kalia crawls headfirst into her bedding and plunges herself into the darkness. It was as if she had no intention of waking up. After all, if she woke up, she would be reminded of it no matter what.

　The abominable memory of being denied even the existence by the love of his life.

　At the same moment, a shock like a stake was driven into her heart, and a feeling of suffocation slowly rose in her throat. Kalia felt as if her entire chest had been turned to stone.

　She wanted to go to sleep. If she slept, she could escape from this unpleasant reality for a while. The cruel blade of reality is waiting for you to pierce it.

　My mental equilibrium was like a ragged coat. Looking back, the obsession with her loved ones was one of the hoops that held Kalia's mentality in place.

　Even if she was cut into pieces, even if she was driven into a corner, even if she was splattered with blood, the hoop was the only thing that kept her going until now.

　But if she was denied that she even knew of its existence... What should I do?

　Should I be angry? Should I be sad? She didn't even know what to do. She grabbed the sheet again with both hands.

"...... Is Miss Kalia awake?

"No, she's not. No, no, no. She's just been squirming around.

　Leu's voice, and possibly Shad's, struck Caria's ear. There was a hint of anxiety and frustration in their voices. It was shameful, but the sound of their voices made Karia feel even less inclined to raise herself.

　I'm not sure how I can say that I'm exposing myself to this kind of disrespect with just one word from him, when I usually act so dignified.

　--It would have been better if he had just choked me right there.

　As Kalia began to think about this, she heard a strong banging on the door. It didn't come into the room, but it was loud.

　She could tell even through the door that she was out of breath. It was the voice of a female soldier who was a good friend of mine.

"Master Caria. A messenger has arrived from a sect of sorcerers who call themselves the Mastighios. What can I do for you?

　Kalia's long eyelashes slowly fluttered.