"I hear these people are a bunch of idiots. I think so too. How about you guys?

　That's how Lugis began his pep talk. It wasn't a pep talk at all, and it was unscripted.

　Standing on a high platform, Lugis looked around at the soldiers and snapped his neck in an imposing manner. It sounded like he was just talking loudly and lightly.

　But the tone of his voice was serious. The parchment that Lugis had thrown away was caught in the wind and was now just a piece of paper, lying on the ground. No one bothered to pick it up.

　The soldiers were all looking only at Lugis.

　Those who knew him from the past, those who had heard of him, those who admired him. All of them had the hero in their eyes. I wondered what he was going to say.

　Lugis took a moment to look around at the soldiers and then said.

"It's a bunch of people as far as the eye can see. I didn't think there were so many daredevils willing to take on a demon. You could all be dead by tomorrow.

　Many of the soldiers gasped at Lugis' words. Those who knew him thought that this battle was going to be tough, and those who didn't knew him thought that it would be terrible if a hero went so far as to say that.

　There was a murmur among the soldiers, and the unrest spread like a wave. Everyone could feel their hearts beating faster.

I'm sure you're right," he said, "but the only people left here are idiots. ...... You're right. Do you know what happens when a human fights a demon?

　An unlucky or lucky soldier was pointed at from the platform by Lugis.

　The soldier choked and coughed for a moment, glanced around, and then responded in a firm voice. There was even a hint of determination in his words.

Many of us will die. But we are not afraid of death!

"You're not wrong. But that's not all.

　Lugis' words were quick. He looked the soldier in the eye from his perch and continued.

　It must have looked like he was disrespecting the soldier. For a moment, Eirene was so angry that she almost left, but Hind managed to hold her back.

"There are only two ways to answer this: die. Or you can kill a demon and become a hero to mankind.

　Lugis said, staring into the eyes of the soldiers, and stood up easily. This time the soldiers did not stir or speak.

　All the soldiers came within sight of Lugis. The soldiers just listened to the voices.

"So you're all suicidal and heroic. You're all suicidal, heroic fools. How do you feel?　You're on the front lines of history!

　But I'm sure Lugis is not interested in such things. But he was most interested in the fact that there were so many people who were willing to take on the demons and monsters.

　What would they gain from this battle? Territory, money, or power?

　Probably none of the above. Even if they saved the nation of Borvat, they would only gain honor. And if you're a common soldier, you'll only be involved in a dangerous war.

　Running away is natural, turning your back is normal. That's what Lugis knows about common sensibilities.

　But they didn't run. In a situation like this, where running is natural, you stay.

　--If so, that's admirable and blinding.

　Petty and weak. That's what the witch Lugis sees in people. In the path of righteous destiny that Laboure describes, the soul of Rougis has never felt any human virtue.

　It is always the vices that flourish in the world. Rougis himself understood that he was on the opposite side of the good guys.

　But now they were right in front of him. So much for the great fools who are willing to fight to the death, who have yet to flee in the face of a demon.

　Lugis opened his eyes. It was the first time she'd seen something beautiful.

"If you can't kill me, I'll kill you myself. But your lives are not on someone else's treadmill, are they?　Then it's up to you to kill them. I'm not going to be able to do anything about it.

　The heraldic soldiers gasped. It was a different kind of direct and extreme words than usual. It was a different kind of direct and extreme language than usual, but at this moment, it had a lot of heat. A fleeting emotion ran through the soldiers. Everyone clears their throats.

　Being a soldier is a fatal business. They fear death, and yet they must face it. Many of them were ordinary citizens, and even the sorcerers and magic armored soldiers did not necessarily come from high nobility.

　Many of them became soldiers in order to eat and live.

　They act as if they are not afraid of dying, but deep down, they do not want to die. If they die, they will not be able to eat and they will not be able to satisfy their desires.



　So, if the enemy is powerful, you show fear and turn your back. That is what a normal soldier does.

　But the fact is, there are times when a simple soldier truly stops being afraid of death on the battlefield.

　That is when he thinks he might become a hero. When that happens, the soldier is no longer afraid of the enemy's great sword, spear, or even the knight's charge.

　Their breaths become hot. The soldiers who had been building up their positions were now staring at Lugis.

　Rougis casually placed his magic sword on his shoulder and slashed it through the air. There was the sound of neighing birds. One of the demon birds that seemed to have come to scout the area was cut in two and fell from the front. The blood splattered cleanly across the white sky.

It's so easy. It's only one battle. If you lose, you're just a man. If you win, you're all the strongest human army that killed the demon. Roll with it for a day or two, and you'll see.

　After saying that, Lugis said. The demon sword swallowed blood and its purple light shone, growing brighter as it synchronized with the Lord.

　The soldiers clenched their fists and listened. They were beginning to think they were lucky to be here now, even though they were dying.

　Whether this was the truth or a falsehood caused by excitement, only they knew now.

"So, let's go be heroes. As long as you are the embodiment of will, there is no such thing as impossible. There are only consequences!　Don't worry. If you can't do it, I'll kill you all.

　There was a moment of silence, and then the soldiers responded to Lugis with a loud voice. Everyone raises their fists. The crimson eyes that had only seen victory seemed to have regained their usual color, though only slightly.

　The excitement, the will to fight, and the madness unique to the battlefield swirled within the soldiers. Everyone gritted their teeth and sipped the liquor that had been provided. The eyes that had only thought of endurance were now filled with a fierce desire to kill the enemy.

　Lugis stood on a hill, his gaze narrowed as he looked at the soldiers and what lay ahead. It was a black wave, surging through the streets. The demons that crawl through the sky and the ground.

　In less than a few more hours, the demon army will form up and attack us.

　Originally, Majin Lugis didn't care about such things. He was no one's ally, and the only thing he had were his enemies.

　But for now, he felt a little better. I saw something good. I've seen something very good. Something so good that it was worth getting stupidly drunk over for a while.

　--The character of Lugis, as told in historical books and hearsay, is not clear. Descriptions change from time to time, and there is a great deal of variation in what people have said about him.

　In particular, there are many who believe that this encouragement in the capital of Borvat was a mixture of anecdotes from different people. It differs from the appearance and language that are always mentioned, and its content is also different in tone from the rest of the stories.

　What is certain, however, is that whoever it was, there was a hero who led the first human army since Altia on that day.