The Northern Expedition of the New Kingdom of the Garrists.

　This great military expedition was not without controversy even within the New Kingdom.

　Some feared that they would come into conflict with the forces of the old Garleist Kingdom, while some of the nobles expressed their dissatisfaction with the Queen in particular.

　In the deadly snow environment, the crop harvest is minimal. A long march at this time of the year would be tantamount to fighting while bleeding. Fortunately, 50,000 troops fled to the north with only the minimum amount of food, so we're doing fine.

　Even so, the reason why so many people were in favor of going to war was because of the threat in front of us. It is because of the threat that humanity has finally come together as one.

　Once this happens, no matter what each person's intentions are, the policy will not be bent.

　Preparations for the expedition to the north were steadily underway. Troops, supplies, supply routes. The nation, a gigantic organism, is becoming more and more advanced for the sole purpose of overwhelming others.

　It was no longer necessary to ask who was at the leading edge.

"Rougis......Rougis!

　Kalia's call brought him back to himself. It seems that he had fallen asleep for a few seconds, probably due to the fact that he had hardly been able to get any rest for the past few days.

　I thought I was used to sleep deprivation, but I didn't realize how hard it was to run an army.

　No, I think Philos was just handing the work to me without thinking.

"You've got some nerve being here. This is not the stage you dreamed of, is it?

"...... I've only ever dreamed of being a knight at best. I didn't expect to be dragged out to this place.

　I'm not sure what to make of that.

　The soldiers were in the plains near the royal capital of Arche.

　It was a review ceremony before they left for war. Surrounded by silence, the soldiers were looking regretfully in the direction of the capital.

　The private armies of cooperating nobles and reinforcements from other countries, including Gazalia, totaled 28,000 soldiers. I'll send them to the brink of death!

　If you ask me if I'm ready, I guess I have to be.

　Queen Philos, Saint Matia, Erdis, and other important people from various countries are all present, facing the soldiers. The mere fact that they were all here made me realize how much power was being poured into this place.

　And I'm part of the line. I wasn't sure if I should feel honored or unworthy.

　The queen raised her voice against them.

"This is a holy war. You must fight for yourselves and for tomorrow!

　The words made the soldiers tremble. Every time someone raised their voice, I could feel the tension building in the soldiers.

　Kalia said as she continued to speak.

"What do you mean? This is the stage you dreamed of, the stage you built. The stage you dreamed of, the stage you built. That's what you said.

You said it. But it's one thing to think it and quite another to see it in front of you. It's too good to be true for me. It scares me.

Idiot. Don't let me be satisfied with this. It's too much for you.

Come on, you're being too hard on me.

　He shook his head as he watched Kalia's lips pursed in dissatisfaction.

　From a ditch-cleaning adventurer, you've come a long way. Isn't that more than enough?

　But I guess this is her way of encouraging me. It's typical. Kalia is a woman who seems to be frank, but is in some way not so frank.

　Suddenly, Philos called my name.

　He told me to give them a pep talk in front of the soldiers. It's customary for generals to address their troops in that manner. I didn't think he'd do it as a general, but...

"Rougis. As you know, the Guraists are a noble people. Some of the nobility and their private armies may consider you an upstart. Don't let them bite you.

"Don't worry. Don't worry. I'm a Garlean, just like you. I know what I'm doing.

　Kalia nodded strongly, a look of satisfaction on her face. Was it really that much to agree with?

　But Kalia was right about the temperament of the Garleanists. They have a deep-rooted sense of being descendants of the unified empire of Altia.

　Even among the poor and the common people, there is a sense and knowledge of that. Even more so among the nobility and their relations.

　It can't be helped. The Garleist Kingdom, while still influential on the continent, is a failed state.

　Many think of it as those who could not inherit a unified empire.

　That is why they sometimes say this to console their ego.

　--"Eventually, we will reunite.

　Even if they think it's a pipe dream, they can't help but remember it.

　Standing on a hill, I looked down at the soldiers.

　Tens of thousands of eyes fixed on me. Strange feeling. Once upon a time, I would have been at their side, listening to the words of Queen Philos and the nobles.



　And now, somehow, he's on our side.

　He opened his mouth.


　.


"Since this catastrophe began, we've done very little. We've been attacked and recaptured, attacked and recaptured. That's it. Demons are still roaming around, mocking humanity. They took a lot of land from us and we haven't recovered.

　That's how Marshal Lugis began his speech.

　The queen, the saint... The queen and the saint had talked about this war, so perhaps the general would say the same thing.

　The troop leaders and soldiers who had been preparing themselves for this felt as if they had been let down for a moment.

　It was also unexpected. The Queen praised Lugis, of all people, for the honor of retaking the royal capital Arche and the capital of Borvat.

　It was strange that he himself would underestimate the honor, let alone a dumb nobleman.

　The Marshal continued to speak without a hint of concern for the soldiers. Perhaps it was the heat of his words, but he seemed to be the only one embossed in the landscape. It was as if he was not human.

"Until now, until now!

　Lugis glared at the soldiers with a stronger tone. The soldiers felt their eyes widen.

"From now on, for the first time, we will enter the demonic occupation!　We must make them pay for what they have taken from us and wipe them from the earth without a trace!　Let's hear it! What have they done?

　I don't need to be asked.

　The demon spawned all kinds of tragedies, murdered parents, friends, neighbors. Homes burned down, women raped. Humans were sometimes just livestock to be fed and sometimes just toys to be played with.

　And so it was. So far, we've only managed to take back King's Landing and the capital. We've never invaded the villages, the cities, or the territories where the demons live.

　Humanity is still under control. The soldiers gnashed their teeth unconsciously. I don't know why.

"If I, and you, still want dignity, then we must fight!　Once, for the first time, a man won dignity and honor!

　What is that supposed to mean? What does it mean?

　What does it mean? I don't know, and neither do the Garristians, or anyone else on the continent.

"Let's hear it. Are we still clinging to this empire? Are we still living off the glory of the past?

　The soldiers' throats rumbled unconsciously.

　The voices echoed. The words varied. Some of them don't even have the same tone.

　But they all mean the same thing.

　It can't be. We're still great, they say.

　Lugis said, his cheeks flushed.

"Yes. From now on we are the vanguard of history. Even if it's a thousand years from now, our history will be told. In countries yet unborn, in languages yet unknown!　The glory does not lie in the past, but only in our path!

　With that, the soldiers raised their arms and responded to the General. Everyone was looking only at Lugis. He, too, was looking only at the soldiers. Only enthusiasm was in his eyes.

　Sometimes books say that Rougis spoke of this event as if he were a front line commander even though he was a general.

　It would be true. From the beginning to the end, Rougis was a front-line commander. He was always with his men.

　That's why he said "we" when he spoke.

　That's why he said "we" when he said it, because he knew he was taking them to hell.

　Twenty-eight thousand men are going to the north. Fort Medraut in the north. And so to the Orywn plain to meet the great demon Zebraeliris.