I don't know if it was a coincidence or if it was a deliberate inducement. But when the silver-rimmed blue Valerie-Brightness cut off the head of the last demon, the man was right behind her.

　It was a strange man who usually had the presence of a ferocious beast, but on the battlefield was strangely adept at killing any hint of presence.

　The man crawled with his hands on his vermillion spear, glared at the crushed demonic pack, and said.

"Hey, Brightness. Just in time.

You're so blunt. You're a knight, so be frank with me.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　I'm not sure if that's the right word. I'm not sure what you mean by that.

　They are not in a position to leave their posts at will, even if it is only to clear out a few groups.

　In other words, if Garrus is here, it means he has an agenda. Valerie puckered her lips in disgust.

　To tell you the truth, Valerie and Garrus are not on the same page.

　While Valerie always tried to be the shield and sword of the nation, Garrus seemed to be somewhat frivolous. It's not like he's loyal to anything. It seemed strange that he wanted the role of a Knight of the Temple.

　Garrus left Valerie to her own devices and opened his mouth, flapping his cloak and showing his canine teeth.

What do you think of those two? No, I don't think they're guardians or heroes.

　Valerie thought that Garrus was not a knightly man after all. If he was a knight, he should speak more clearly and to the point. His words were strangely euphemistic.

"I don't think so. As long as the demon is crushed and the old religion is destroyed, so be it. Don't you, Gargantia?

"The bad news is, I don't take things as seriously as you do. I'm sure you're not the only one. I don't see it. In fact, they look much more like demons.

　I'm not sure what you mean by that.

　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

　Only the saints and the gods would know the criteria for their selection. To be honest, Valerie didn't know what to think of either of them.

　Zyruel was a woman who had originally been nothing more than a nun. She did not come from a family of sorcerers, nor was she involved in military affairs.

　However, after she was discovered by the saint and appointed as an apostle, she began to manifest her abilities as if she were a different person.

　Yes, as if he were really a different person. Valerie had heard some similar stories about Herto-Stanley as well.

　Of course, there was nothing she could do about it if she was told that it was the result of an exceptional faith. It was strange and eerie, no doubt about it.

　Garrus added a few more words.

I think it's the process that's more important than the conclusion. A wrong process can only lead to a wrong result.

Gargantia. You can stop there. I'll pretend I didn't see that.

　I'll pretend I didn't see it," Valerie said with a glance at Garrus as she put on her magic armor. He looked at Valerie's cheeks as he pursed his lips.

He looked at Valerie's cheek as he knotted his lips. I didn't know you were so religious. I thought you were most loyal to the state.

　Valerie couldn't help but roll her eyes through her magic armor. Valerie rolled her eyes through her magic armor, not expecting such a fair assessment from this man. From such a beast of a man.

　So Valerie let it slip. I could see her big eyes through her magic armor.

"Gargantia. There's definitely something wrong with us. We may have missed it.

　But," Valerie moved her lips.

But whatever mistakes we've made... But whatever mistakes we've made, it's fatally wrong, more than anything else, to let the Old Ones run wild.

　The world would be more peaceful without them.

　The world would be happier without them.

　Without them, my friend Richard would be right beside me.

　It's all worse now because of them. Valerie said in a voice of maniacal, concentrated hatred. Her eyes told more about her heart than her words ever could.


　I'm sorry.


　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it. I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.

It's good. So you want to antagonize the elves. It's really disgusting.

　The clear voice of Finn-Erdis, Queen of the Elves, penetrated the tent. Instantly, everyone's face creaked and a cold sweat ran down their spines.

　The tone of Erdis' voice was not that of a joke.

　The first to react was the saintly Mattia.

It's a misunderstanding, Finn-Erdis. We are not hostile .......



　A very calm voice tried to quieten the place down. But there was a second reaction that took advantage of this.

"No, Saint Mattia. It's not a misunderstanding. You should never put off a disaster. He's not a messenger of Borvat or an elven knight, he belongs to the kingdom of Garleist. Isn't that right?

"Yes. A hero of the heraldry, Princess.

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it's a good idea. The tension in the air made everyone's lungs heavy and even numb.

　The place was almost like a container that was overflowing with water. If even the slightest amount of something was poured into it, the boundary would be crossed and everything would collapse fatally.

　But everyone is only holding back one more step, or even half a step, with a little reason. That's what it looked like.

　This is what happens when the leaders of three different forces step on each other's feet. In the airy tent, I looked at Richard's grandfather as if to find relief.

　With one hand on his cheek, he made eye contact with me. It seems that my will has been understood. The old man spoke eloquently and silently with his eyes.

　--You, get it together.

　He threw it away.

　No way. I'm the one who's got to put this burnt-out pot together? That's always been Anne's job. I look around and I can't see her.

　d*mn it. I've always bought her food and drink, but now she's disappearing. She must be gloating in King's Landing. That's the kind of woman she is.

...... Now is not the time to be talking about that. The Borvat dynasty is trembling over whether the allied forces are friend or foe. Answer the messenger quickly.

Right, Lugis. That's all there is to it. All you have to do is say that you're my knight.

　Erdis's apparition turned the conversation around in an amusing way and smiled at me. Is it my imagination or do I sense a strange anger in that smile? Apparently, she's not going to let me go.

　Well, if it makes you feel better, it's a small price to pay. Just as I'm about to open my mouth, Mattia bites off a word.

No. It's already been shown both inside and outside that he's a hero of the heraldry. Now that the contract has been fulfilled, we should avoid creating any unnecessary confusion.

　What contract was he talking about?

　I tried to retrace my memory, but I don't recall making any kind of contract with the heraldry. But since Mattia was willing to say it, I couldn't imagine it didn't mean something.

　When the tent was almost frozen in a numbing tension again, one of the generals finally spoke up. It was as if he was trying to get back to the military discussion in an atmosphere that everyone was having a hard time with.

"But Your Highness. This is an opportune moment. If the Borvat dynasty is in a crucible of chaos, we can truly lay siege to it. The Borvat dynasty has a great cause since it has invaded the city-states. In the future, we will not have to worry about fighting the demons.

　The general said in an enthusiastic yet calm voice. As if pulled back by a single word, the faces of everyone regained their sharpness and heat. For a moment, Fialat's dark eyes seemed to flicker.

　The general's words sounded justified. It was true that the Borvat dynasty had committed an act of aggression, albeit a demonically motivated one.

　If they attacked the capital as a counterattack, they would be well-prepared to face the demons in the future. On the face of it, it sounds great. You're not wrong.

　Philos, the commander of this army, put his finger to his lips, dressed in a black uniform. To the princess, the general's words seemed worthy of consideration.

"--Rugis. I want to hear your opinion. You will crown me, won't you? For my glory, say it.

　Philos's words made her cheeks flush and her eyes narrow.

　Of course, that was what I said, but I wondered if I could have chosen a more appropriate word for the occasion.

　Because of Philos, there was a hint that the stares from the people around him had turned piercing. He snapped his teeth together a few times, then adjusted his voice and opened his mouth.

"Well. We don't have time for human warfare anymore. If you insist on doing it, don't stop it even if you're on Borvat's side.

　Philos nodded at my words and said.

"Then let's do it. I've made up my mind. Let the envoy of Borvat come.

　As the generals and soldiers began to bustle about in response to Philos's words, it occurred to me.

　I wondered if I was now being held accountable for my actions by Philos.



　I heard Kalia sighing loudly beside me.