THSK

Chapter 1 – A Rapidly Closing Distance

1

The Provisional Elite Corps won a brilliant victory against Marquis Rigel’s army, granting us a brief moment of rest.

That said, with the battle against the Reshfeld Kingdom looming in two months, we couldn’t let our guard down completely.

The Empire, before my regression, had allowed the Kingdom’s army to invade far too easily. This time, I would absolutely stop them. I swore to myself that I would erase the gloomy future I knew was waiting, and let out a long sigh.

I’d planned to stay focused today, to dedicate myself to my duties from morning till night.

Or so I had thought.

But when I looked around, all I saw was a sea of people and an air of complete abandon.

“Yeeeeah! Is everyone fired up?!”

“UWOOAAAAAAAHHH!”

“Alright! The party’s just getting started! Keep drinking, all of you!”

“UWOOAAAAAAAHHH!”

At the center of the cheering soldiers, leading the chant, was Steano, his face bright red.

In his right hand was a large glass tankard full of ale; in his left, a platter piled high with food.

The soldiers gathered around him were just as ecstatic, raising their own bottles and plates to the sky.

“Alright, to celebrate the first victory of the Provisional Elite Corps…!”

“CHEERS!”

They’ve got way too much energy, considering we just finished a battle.

The celebration for the Provisional Elite Corps’ first victory was still going strong, even as the time neared midnight.

“Honestly, what are they doing…”

Normally, I’d be holed up in my office working at this hour. If Steano hadn’t told me, “Aldia, your attendance is mandatory!” I probably wouldn’t have even shown my face.

“Hey, Steano! That’s too much food! Other people want to eat, you know?”

“Ow, ow, ow! I’ll put it down! I’ll put it down, so stop kicking me…!”

“You idiot, learn some restraint, Steano!”

“Petra, you learn to control your strength! You’re gonna break my bone! Aaaah…!”

“Hahaha! What’re those two doing?”

“Hey, looks like they’re having a lovers’ quarrel over here!”

“Kinda looks fun.”

“It’s a party! Let’s get rowdy, too!”

“Yeah!”

Despite a few moments that bordered on a riot, the atmosphere was generally peaceful and good-natured.

It was a scene so tranquil it was hard to believe we’d all just come from a brutal battlefield.

“Sir Aldia, are you drinking?!”

I was quietly watching the lively celebration from a seat at the edge of the room when a few soldiers staggered over to me.

“Ah, no… I still have work to do.”

I gave my usual excuse with a polite smile, but not a single one of them was listening.

“Don’t say that! Come on, come on, have a drink with us!”

“Yeah, yeah! Everyone in the Provisional Elite Corps is talking about your incredible performance, Sir Aldia!”

“You’re one of the stars of the show! I can’t stand seeing you just watching all lonely-like from the corner!”

“Dude… you’re slurring your words.”

“So are you!”

“Haha, you’re not wrong!”

Drunkards… and very, very drunk ones at that.

They reeked of alcohol, completely intoxicated by the drink and the mood.

“Sir Aldia, you’re our hero! You gotta act the part!”

The fact they could spout such nonsense without a shred of embarrassment was proof of just how drunk they were.

“You’re exaggerating. This was a victory earned by everyone in the Provisional Elite Corps.”

“Why be so modest? You and General Ritziareite are the two great pillars of the corps!”

Except… I’m not actually a member of the Provisional Elite Corps.

“I appreciate the praise, but there’s someone else who contributed even more to the corps’ success.”

“You mean General Ritziareite!”

“Yes. Her command is what gave the corps its momentum and kept our casualties to a minimum.”

Without Ritziareite, it would have taken me much longer to deal with that powerful enemy. I was only able to defeat that monster so quickly because of her support. The entire army moved so effectively because she was constantly giving precise orders as their commander.

“Come to think of it, I haven’t seen General Ritziareite around for a bit…”

“Ah, yeah. She’s supposed to be at the party, but…”

As if just remembering, they all scanned the hall.

Sure enough, she was nowhere to be seen.

“Huh… where could she be?”

“The buffet tables are crowded… but… yeah. Don’t see her.”

“Mia and Fadi are over there playing with the dragon mount, but no General Ritziareite.”

Knowing Ritziareite, she’s probably slipped out to go do some work.

Just as I was imagining her diligent figure, I felt a sudden tap on my back.

Huh?

I turned to look, and there she was—Ritziareite, the very person we’d been talking about.

“…Eh? Um…”

“Shh… The others will notice.”

Why is she hiding?

Hiding behind me, Ritziareite gently tugged on the hem of my clothes.

“I’m sorry. Please, come with me.”

For some reason, her eyes were pleading for help.

---

2

“Hey, where’d Sir Aldia go!?”

“Seriously? Aw, man. I wanted to have a drink with him…”

“Can’t be helped. He said he still had work to do.”

“Alright! Let’s drink his share, too! I heard this whole party’s on the house!”

“Yeah! Let’s party till we drop!”

“Hey! Taking care of you guys is a pain, so try to pace yourselves!”

“Seriously. At least try to slow down.”

“Oh, I’m gonna go see Petra!”

“Then I’ll go talk to Captain Ambros.”

As their attention shifted away from me, I let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Listening to the voices of the soldiers enjoying the party, I whispered to Ritziareite, who was still hiding behind me.

“So, General Ritziareite… what are you doing hiding back here?”

She was crouched in a blind spot of the hall, looking utterly exhausted.

“I’m sorry… I’m not very good at this sort of thing.”

“It’s fine. I wasn’t fitting in with that crowd either.”

“That’s a relief to hear.”

She patted her chest, looking relieved.

“To be honest… I’m not a strong drinker. But since they went to the trouble of inviting me, I thought I should at least attend. But then…”

She put her hands on the ground, leaning forward as she muttered.

“It turned into ‘You’re the guest of honor, you have to drink!’... and I couldn’t find a way to refuse.”

Ah. I see. So that’s why she was hiding.

She didn’t want to ruin the celebratory mood, but she couldn’t drink, and was at her wit’s end. That seemed to be it.

“I know exactly how you feel.”

In that atmosphere, it’s definitely hard to say no. I’d been surrounded by those happy soldiers myself, wondering what to do. It must have been even more uncomfortable for her.

With that in mind, I offered her my hand.

“Sir… Aldia…?”

“Why don’t we just slip out of here?”

“Eh?”

“I get the feeling neither of us is particularly fond of loud places.”

“That… is certainly true.”

The hall was in high spirits. The soldiers had forgotten the battle, drunk on joy, and were having the time of their lives.

But it’s only normal that some people would find that revelry overwhelming. It’s nothing to be ashamed of or feel guilty about.

“They all seem to be having fun, but it’s exhausting to force yourself to match that energy, isn’t it?”

“But… is it really okay?”

“I think so. It’s never good to force things.”

She looked up at my face, then slowly took my hand.

“If you say so, Sir Aldia… Very well. I’ll accept your offer.”

“Then, let’s go.”

We had no particular destination.

We just turned our backs on the venue in search of somewhere quiet and calm.

It was dark outside, and the streets were mostly empty.

“Um… are you free, for the rest of the evening?”

Ritziareite asked me this once we were well away from the hall and no one else was around.

I couldn’t see her expression clearly in the dark, but I thought I saw her ears turn slightly red.

…That’s rare.

“Personally, you mean?”

“Yes. We left the celebration, but… I’ve been wanting to talk with you personally for a while now, Sir Aldia.”

“Is that so?”

I rarely had the chance to speak with her about anything other than work.

And she had helped me so much during the battle with Marquis Rigel.

“…Is that… not okay?”

Ritziareite looked down, her voice trembling slightly.

She was someone I would continue to trust with my back in the fight to protect Princess Valtrune.

I couldn’t possibly refuse a request from her.

“I understand. I’m at your service for the rest of the day, General Ritziareite.”

“Really!?”

“Of course.”

Her cheeks flushed faintly, and she squeezed my hand tightly.

“Er, well, shall we go?”

“Yes.”

I could feel her warmth through our clasped hands. As she tugged on my hand, I quietly followed her lead.

“…We’re here. Let’s go in.”

The place Ritziareite had led me to was a tavern in one of Aldan’s city districts.

Unlike the hall we’d just left, this place had a calm, settled atmosphere.

“Do you come here often, General Ritziareite?”

When I asked, she knit her brows in a slightly troubled way.

“No. As I said, I’m not a strong drinker… I came here a few times with a close friend, back then. It’s… a place with a few memories.”

“Is that right…”

“Yes.”

Ritziareite gazed at the shop, looking nostalgic.

“It’s been a while…”

This shop was clearly a special place for her.

A close friend, huh…

I’d never seen her speak familiarly with anyone who looked like a friend.

Ritziareite was always all-business; she never seemed to enjoy her time off like a normal woman.

Every day, she was the general, holding the Provisional Elite Corps together, always on edge. Maybe that was why her current, gentle profile seemed so incredibly rare.

“I never thought I’d come to this shop again…”

“What?”

“Ah, n-nothing! I’m sorry, that was strange of me. It’s just… I grew distant from that friend. So coming here again… it feels very strange…”

Ritziareite tried to brush it off, flustered, but I could see sadness and loneliness welling in her eyes.

“I really… I wonder why,” she murmured, forcing a smile and looking down, as if to say she didn’t want to talk about it anymore.

“…It’s a quiet place. A nice atmosphere.”

“Yes. It is,” she whispered, her voice hoarse. In that moment, she seemed far more mature than usual.

Was it really okay for her to come to a place with such personal memories with someone like me?

I’d always thought our relationship was purely professional, far from anything more.

I voiced my thoughts as Ritziareite silently stared at the tavern.

“Are you sure this is okay? Coming to such a memorable place with me?”

But she looked at me with such gentle eyes.

“I came here because I was with you, Sir Aldia.”

“Because you were with me?”

“Yes. To be honest, I wouldn’t even consider going for a drink alone with a man, if it wasn’t you. I trust you, Sir Aldia. And I respect you.”

It was a way of speaking completely devoid of deception. So very like her.

“Thank you. I trust and respect you as well, General Ritziareite. We’re quite similar, in a way.”

“You might be right,” she said, her long, beautiful brown hair swaying as she smiled naturally.

“Come on, let’s go inside.”

Ritziareite opened the door and then looked back at me, as I was still standing there. The bright light from within the tavern illuminated her profile, and for a moment, her expression looked faintly alluring.

“Sir Aldia?”

“…Sorry. I’m coming.”

Her tone of voice was so soft.

It was impossible not to see her as different from the serious, rigid general I was used to.

“Your face is red… Are you feeling unwell?”

“No. I’m fine, please don’t worry about it.”

I couldn’t meet her gaze. A strange bashfulness filled my chest.

This feeling… it must be ‘affection.’

A sense of closeness for the woman who’d fought alongside me to defeat a powerful enemy.

I respected her stoic attitude toward her work, and more than anything, I found that I felt… calm, when I was with her.

“Sir Aldia, today… um… let’s enjoy ourselves!”

The moment Ritziareite smiled at me, I found her gentle gaze deeply endearing.

To be able to talk like this with the formidable enemy I once lost…

I felt incredibly happy to have been given this time.

Prologue

News of Marquis Rigel’s downfall spread like wildfire across the Empire. The report that the Provisional Elite Corps had defeated the Marquis’s forces signaled to all the imperial nobility that a new age was dawning.

Is this the birth of the Valugan Empire’s second-ever reigning Empress?

The voices championing the heir of Duke Felsdorf for the throne had lost all their initial momentum. Instead, whispers began to circulate among the populace that it was Princess Valtrune who was truly fit to be the next ruler.

Soon, every noble in the Empire would be forced to make a choice.

A momentous decision: to side with the Princess, or with Duke Felsdorf.

“…An age of chaos is upon us.”

I tossed the combat report from the Provisional Elite Corps onto my desk and pressed my fingers lightly to my temples. As I did, a well-built man, his arms crossed and eyes wide in thought, muttered casually.

“So. What’s your final move?”

“…Hah. What do you mean?”

“Your father is the leading noble of the anti-Princess faction, isn’t he? Are you going to side with Her Highness, or are you going to oppose her? Epika, I’m asking what you personally are going to choose.”

Rudolf von Argus.

He was the commander of the Imperial Army’s Cavalry Division and the next in line to head the house of Count Argus.

Still, it was an extremely annoying question.

“…Count Argus, if I recall, belongs to the neutral faction.”

“He does, but what does my family have to do with this?”

“Unfortunately, it has everything to do with it.”

Rudolf and I were currently building a cooperative relationship with Princess Valtrune. But if our families intended to oppose the Princess, our positions would become extremely delicate.

“Your family is strictly neutral; they aren’t part of the Princess’s faction. …If House Argus ultimately sides with the anti-Princess faction, that question you just asked me will bounce right back to you.”

My family was anti-Princess, and Rudolf’s was neutral. The time for us to choose was fast approaching. And that choice could very well lead to a cruel end.

“…Are you prepared to kill your own family to earn the Princess’s trust?”

This was a situation that demanded we consider patricide and fratricide.

When I said that, Rudolf looked down, his face draining of all color.

“…Don’t say such cursed things.”

“I am. I am prepared to eliminate every last member of House Darius with my own hands.”

“Wha—! You…”

I was different from the man standing before me. I’d never been raised with childish notions like familial love. I was a greedy woman, willing to join forces with Princess Valtrune, slaughter my entire family, and seize control of my house.

“You’re the one who needs to decide what to do, Rudolf. My mind is made up—I’m siding with Lady Valtrune. If I kill everyone in my family who gets in the way, I can become the new Countess Darius. That’s why I teamed up with her in the first place: to win the fight for succession.”

My resolve had been set from the moment I first established friendly relations with Princess Valtrune.

This aristocratic society is built on calculation, lies, and filth. If we imperial nobles don’t adapt to this environment, we’ll be crushed in an instant.

“…Epika.”

“Well, you can just take your time thinking about it. The neutral faction should have some leeway, after all. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a military strategy meeting to attend.”

With that, I left the room.

Judging by that look on his face, he still hasn’t accepted it. How foolish. The time to choose is breathing down our necks anyway. If I warn him now, perhaps he’ll have steeled his resolve by the time it’s necessary.

“…Must be nice, being so carefree.”

Some people have choices. Others do not. I, incidentally, was one of the latter.

To establish a secure position for myself as a woman, I would use any means necessary to seize control of House Darius. That is why I…

“Cornelia.”

“Yes.”

A blue-haired woman—Cornelia—emerged from the side of the hallway. I faced her and declared with a resolute expression.

“…I’ve decided to accept your offer.”

“Thank you very much, Lady Epika.”

Even if it meant shaking hands with a devil, I would use that power to its very marrow. In the end, there was only survival or ruin. And in order to survive, I, from this very moment, cast aside every last shred of my morality.

Epilogue

“Your Highness, you must be tired.”

“Yes. And you as well.”

The Provisional Elite Corps began its withdrawal from Marquis Rigel’s territory. Princess Valtrune and I were also heading to our carriage to return to the Imperial capital, Aldan. Unusually, it was just the two of us for the journey. She had refused to let any other soldiers ride with us.

“It was a difficult day. You must be exhausted.”

“No. This was nothing.”

—Compared to the battlefields of my past, a fight like this was child’s play. The memories of that accursed war came flooding back.

“Aldia…?”

“My apologies. I was just lost in thought.”

“Lost in thought?”

“Yes… about the past. About the war between the Kingdom and the Empire.”

As I murmured that, her gaze seemed to fix on something far away.

“That’s right. You were fighting on that battlefield for so long, weren’t you…”

Her blue eyes, tinged with sorrow, looked as if they were reflecting those old battlefields. There were far greater battles to come. Thinking about that, it was difficult to let my guard down.

“Are you… anxious?”

“Can you see right through me, Your Highness?”

I looked down with a bitter smile, and she gripped my hand tightly.

“It’s not that. It’s because I’m the same as you. …Every time I think I might lose what’s important to me, my heart feels like it’s going to tear apart.”

The war with the Kingdom was inevitable. It would spill far more blood and claim far more lives than this battle.

“Your Highness…”

I squeezed her hand back tightly. In response, her cheeks flushed bright red, and she leaned in close to my ear.

“But… when you’re by my side, I’m not afraid of anything.”

“——!”

“Fufu!”

There was no way I could remain calm. I felt my pulse quicken.

“…Your Highness. Aren’t you… a little too close?”

“I suppose so. But…!”

She pressed herself even closer, clinging to my arm.

“—Your Highness!?”

“It’s fine, just for today, isn’t it?”

With those words, she rested her head against my chest. I couldn’t comprehend her actions. Why was she so close? My mind went hot, and I couldn’t think. But she just smiled mischievously and tightened her grip on my arm.

“If you’re my Personal Knight, this is the part where you’re supposed to quietly pat my head.”

“Pat your… head?”

I did as she asked, slowly raising my hand to her head. The instant my fingers touched her silky white hair, she made a small, satisfied sound.

“That’s enough. Thank you.”

“Yes…”

And just like that, as if flipping a switch, she moved away.

“Aldia, the hard battles will continue.”

“Yes, they will…”

“But I won’t lose. This time, I will protect everything that’s important to me.”

“Yes…”

She stared resolutely into the distance.

“…I’m not stopping anymore! To forge the future of this Empire, I will keep moving forward!”

—She truly was stronger and nobler than anyone.

“Next, we prepare for war with the Kingdom. I will absolutely not surrender the Dyrst region, the Empire’s precious territory!”

She would, I knew, continue to charge ahead toward her lofty ideals. No matter how much she was hurt, no matter how much she suffered, her conviction would never waver. And I would be right by her side, supporting her.

“The war with the Kingdom will begin in two months, correct?”

“That’s right. We don’t have much time… Aldia. Cooperate closely with the main Imperial army and prepare for their assault.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Her expression was completely different from a moment ago. This was not the face of a gentle girl; it was the face of the brave Imperial Princess herself, bearing the weight of a great nation.

“Today’s battle was just the beginning of my path to supremacy. Everything starts now…”

“I will be with you, wherever that path leads.”

She laughed innocently. “Are you sure you can say that? If you keep walking beside me, you’ll end up covered in scars, you know.”

I knew she was joking, which is precisely why I took her hand again.

“I am well aware of that. It’s because I understood that, that I became your Personal Knight.”

“…You’re right.”

From the day I became her knight, I had decided that the place I would die is at her side.

“I have no intention of giving my place beside you to anyone else.”

“That almost sounds like a love confession.”

“Yes… Perhaps it is.”

“——!?”

She was so flustered she couldn’t speak, her face bright red. She was more precious than anyone, the one person I wanted to keep protecting. And that’s exactly why I felt the urge to tease her.

“…Just kidding, of course.”

“Wh—!?”

“Society would never forgive a Personal Knight for falling in love with his Princess.”

No, this wasn’t love. This was a bond far deeper and heavier than mere love.

“Aldia… you… you were teasing me, weren’t you!”

“It’s not my fault Your Highness is so cute.”

“Is that a joke, too?”

“What are you saying? Of course I mean it.”

“—Mph! That’s… that’s an even more cowardly cheap shot!”

“My apologies. It just… slipped out.”

“You idiot… As punishment, you’re not allowed to leave my side until I fall asleep tonight.”

Pouting, she tugged on my hand.

“Your Highness…”

“Hm?”

“Please… don’t ever let go of this hand.”

Through the warmth in my hand, I could clearly feel her presence. It was proof that the gentle princess I had once lost was alive. It felt like that warmth was pleading with me, ‘Be strong.’ That is why, in this ‘Empire route,’ I will stand beside her and continue to eliminate every enemy that blocks her path.

So that her happiness will never, ever be extinguished—for all eternity.

9

—Just as General Ritziareite said, the battle was in its final stage.

“Lord Aldia, all hostile forces in the vicinity have been neutralized! The area is secure!”

“Thank you for the report. The cavalry will continue to guard the central square. Wait for the main army’s arrival, and cooperate with the left-flank soldiers to tend to the wounded.”

“Sir!”

With my orders given, Ritziareite and I turned our gaze in the same direction. Beyond the central square—Marquis Rigel was right in front of us.

“…Shall we go, General Ritziareite?”

“Yes. I’ll cover your back.”

We had to capture Marquis Rigel and bring him before Princess Valtrune. Because she is the one who will judge him, not me.

We saw enemy soldiers blocking our path, but we didn’t slow down.

“I’ll support you.”

“Please.”

Just the two of us. But with her at my side, there was no way we would lose to a mere crowd of soldiers.

“There’s only two of them! Kill them, quickly!”

Don’t underestimate us. You’ll regret that arrogance. I exchanged a glance with her, and she charged ahead. Her dragon stopped just short of the soldiers, reared up to show off its massive size, and let out a tremendous shriek.

“GYAAAAAAH…!”

“Hiii…!”

The soldiers trembled and turned their backs, trying to flee from the beast. Even if you know it’s a dragon, anyone would feel terror when faced with such a ferocious sight on the battlefield. And that hesitation would be fatal. I burst out from behind the dragon.

“——!”

The head of a soldier I’d cut down flew through the air.

“Haah…!”

I mowed down the soldiers near him in the same way. With grievous wounds to their limbs, sides, chests, and heads, the enemy soldiers collapsed in agony.

“Aah, my arm!”

“My eyes… I can’t see anything! Help… Gueh…!”

Hearing their screams, the remaining soldiers’ faces went pale. You have to create your own openings. People are creatures that will, without fail, show hesitation.

“Haah!”

Blood splattered my face, but I had no time to care. I focused on swinging my sword faster, even by a second, even by a single stroke. I eliminated all wasted motion and simply cut down the enemy before me.

“I’m going, too!”

Ritziareite also began to swing her spear, sending enemies flying.

“Wh-What are they…? Those two… they’re not human!”

“Hey, what do we do? Maybe we should just…?”

“Idiot, look at their eyes! They don’t look like they’ll spare us!”

“Monsters…”

…Being called inhuman isn’t so bad. For warriors like us, it was a compliment.

“General Ritziareite, let’s push through!”

“Right! Reinforcements are coming from behind! The main army will be here soon!”

We had cut down dozens of soldiers, opening a path. A mountain of corpses was piling up as our allies poured in behind us.

“Lord Aldia, we’re here to help!”

“Push forward!”

“General Ritziareite, all that’s left is to secure this area!”

The soldiers swarming in fought with courage and valor. At last, this battle was about to reach its end.

“Let’s cut them all down!”

Our swords and spears created a crimson road, built from blood spray and dying screams. The sound of metal clashing on metal rang out. The sound of magic exploding echoed from all around. It was a battle that produced many sacrifices and many feats of bravery… and at last, it met its end.

The enemy soldiers, led by Marquis Rigel, were squeezed by the Provisional Elite Corps’s encirclement, their numbers dwindling. At almost the same moment that she and I had cut down the last of the nearby soldiers, the enemy’s formation collapsed. Most of them were dead, and the few who remained began to choose surrender.

“Is this… is this the end?”

“It should be.”

Ritziareite wiped at her blood-stained uniform and pointed her spear to the sky.

“…That was a hard-fought battle.”

Many people died here. But their sacrifices were not in vain.

“General Ritziareite.”

I slowly held out my hand.

“The soldiers have finished fighting and are waiting for orders. Let’s go.”

“Yes!”

She took my hand, and we walked toward our troops.

“We did it! We won!”

“Hey, hey, don’t relax until the main army gets here.”

“But… our first battle… it was a huge success, right?”

“Yeah! A perfect outcome!”

From all around, the soldiers of the Provisional Elite Corps were raising cheers. The dispirited enemy soldiers were dropping their weapons, their faces blank.

“They’re certainly fired up.”

Ritziareite smiled as she watched them.

“We won. Our Provisional Elite Corps.”

“Yes. I’m so happy we won.”

With this, Ritziareite’s name would surely be known throughout the Empire. As the general who led the Provisional Elite Corps to victory, she had made a spectacular debut.

---

10

A soldier rushed up, breathless, bringing the good news I had been waiting for.

“Your Highness! Thanks to the efforts of Lord Aldia and General Ritziareite, Marquis Rigel has been apprehended!”

A sigh of relief escaped me. Oh, thank goodness.

“…What is the status of the other fronts?”

“Yes! The right flank, led by Lord Aldia, defeated their enemy quickly and is now working to maintain order. The left flank, led by General Ritziareite, split its forces. Half went to support the rear guard, while the other half came to support the main army.”

My own main army’s vanguard had swept through the city. It seems there was no need for me to step in. To think I could just watch from the rear… the army was even better than I’d expected.

“Your Highness, Marquis Rigel has been moved to the city’s central square. Shall we proceed?”

“Yes, the rear guard will enter the city with the vanguard. Flegel, send a report to the Imperial Court that we have won the battle… and tell them Marquis Rigel’s ‘status is unknown.’ Understood?”

I emphasized the last part. He didn’t question it, just nodded with his usual calm expression.

“Yes, Your Highness. I will do so.”

He catches on quickly. I’m grateful. There was a reason I’d left Rigel’s fate ambiguous. To me, he was simply an obstacle to be crushed. Normally, I would just have him subjected to the proper punishment and be done with it. But I have a subordinate who bears a deep hatred for him.

“Fadi.”

“Ma’am!”

“The time has come to fulfill my promise. Depending on his attitude… I would like to leave his ‘disposal’ to you. Will you accept?”

This wasn’t a question. It was payment for Fadi’s cooperation. He nodded, his face grim.

“Yes. I would be honored to take that responsibility.”

“Depending on his attitude”… I’d said it, but this was already decided. There was no way that arrogant Marquis would beg me for mercy. And even if he did, I wouldn’t grant it. With Fadi in tow, I led the rear guard forward. I didn’t know the full extent of the suffering he had endured at Rigel’s hands. That’s why I felt he was the one most suited to punishing the Marquis, not me.

“Fadi, how are you feeling?”

“…It’s hard to describe. It doesn’t feel real. I never dreamed the day I could deliver justice would come so soon.”

So that’s how it is.

“But it is real, now.”

“Yes. …Lady Valtrune, I am deeply grateful.”

This was simply a case of our interests aligning. I fully intended to have him work as hard as possible for me from now on.

“Don’t mention it.”

…I’ve changed. I’ve learned that kindness alone cannot save everyone. I’ve learned that sometimes, you must use people. It was all necessary for the future of the Empire. I was aware that I was ruining someone’s life with my own hands, but I couldn’t turn back now. Soldiers will always die in battle. That’s what war is. Regardless of the scale, it is, above all, an ugly thing.

“I’ll never get used to this. No matter how many times I experience it… it never feels good.”

I don’t like conflict, but there are times when it must be done. If I keep looking away, a far more undesirable outcome will be waiting. …It is precisely because I know that tragic future that I, a princess, am instigating this conflict. I don’t care if they call me a cruel princess. If this is the destiny I’ve been given, I am prepared to accept all the criticism, until my life is over. Besides… I have Aldia. He will stay by my side, no matter what.

“Aldia…”

As long as he is next to me, I can keep walking, forever. To seize the future I desire, I will continue on my own path of supremacy. With my beloved Personal Knight at my side, to the very end—

---

11

The capture of Marquis Rigel was laughably anticlimactic. The moment word got out that we had defeated that berserker and taken the central square, the battle was decided. The remaining soldiers, realizing they had no chance, threw down their weapons and surrendered. Those who resisted to the end were dealt with appropriately. I didn’t want to kill needlessly, but it couldn’t be helped. To honor those who stood against us, I cut them down head-on.

“Lord Aldia, we have complete control of the area!”

“Thank you. Now, check for any stragglers, and don’t forget to call for their surrender.”

“Sir!”

The entire area was under our control. The enemy soldiers had either defected or simply handed over Marquis Rigel. It was a relief not to have to fight for him.

“Damn you! Traitors! You’re all useless!”

…And then there was Rigel himself, currently bound and screaming. He still hadn’t grasped the danger of his situation and was still spitting insults. His audacity was incredible.

“Word has reached Lady Valtrune that the Marquis is in custody. She should be here soon.”

Ritziareite finished her report and glanced at Rigel. She frowned slightly.

“So… what do we do with him?”

“Shall we keep him company until Her Highness arrives?”

We walked over and stood in front of him. When he realized we were high-ranking officers, a filthy smile spread across his face.

“Hey, you two. …How about it? Care to join me? I’ll pay well. The Rigel domain is famous for its vast wealth, after all.”

“……”

“……”

“And if money’s not enough… how about women? For you, little lady, I’ll prepare the finest men. Hah, not a bad deal, is it?”

This is… well, it’s about what I expected… but he’s even worse than I imagined. Ritziareite was staring at him like he was garbage. She was silent, likely too furious to even speak. Deciding this was bad for her, I gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

“——!”

“General Ritziareite, please go give orders to the troops. I’ll handle this.”

She bowed her head, looking apologetic.

“I’m sorry. Thank you for your consideration.”

I understood why she was angry, seeing his complete lack of remorse.

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Thank you, that’s a great help. I’ll be going, then.”

She clearly wanted to get away from him. She walked off quickly.

“Tch, that woman… And after I offered her such a generous deal.”

He’s still talking… There is absolutely no chance of a dramatic reversal here. The square was completely occupied by our soldiers. We were also making progress in explaining the situation to the citizens. The lord’s crimes had been made public. I doubted a single person here would be willing to side with him.

“Hey, you, knight! Are you listening to me!?”

Oh, he was still talking. What a tiresome man. The thought of having to listen to his nonsense until the princess arrived was exhausting.

“Hah…”

“What’s with that sigh…!”

“Nothing. I just think… you should calmly consider the situation you’re in.”

“I am calm! This land will continue to prosper! So untie me, and let me go!”

…That’s ‘calm’? Or is he just an idiot? I couldn’t wait for her to arrive. I stared at the distant sky, forced to listen to Marquis Rigel’s endless, pathetic babble.

---

12

After about ten minutes of dealing with Marquis Rigel, I heard the sound of countless footsteps. With that many people, there was no doubt.

“Therefore, if you side with me, you’ll live a life of eternal happiness—!”

I turned away from the still-ranting Marquis and truly rejoiced at the arrival of my mistress.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Princess Valtrune dismounted and walked slowly toward me, her troops in tow. She stopped in front of me and whispered in my ear.

“Thank you, Aldia. You are the best Personal Knight I could ask for.”

“——!”

She saw my shoulders jump and gave me a gentle smile. This was a reward greater than anything else. If she was happy, then all the effort was worth it. She walked past me and stood before Marquis Rigel.

“How does it feel, now that your desperate struggle has failed?”

“You little whelp…”

“And you, Marquis, lost to that ‘little whelp.'”

She forced the cruel reality on him, but he still refused to accept his defeat.

“Hmph! A brat like you… You can’t even do anything on your own.”

Rigel continued his provocations. She let out a deep sigh. Then, Princess Valtrune beckoned to someone behind her. I knew who it was, but the Marquis just watched suspiciously.

“I’m actually glad you show no remorse. It means I won’t have to feel guilty.”

Princess Valtrune smiled. Perhaps sensing the true emotion behind it, beads of sweat broke out on Rigel’s forehead. He finally senses the danger? A little late for that.

“Wh-What are you going to do!?”

“Oh, I’m not going to do anything. I’m just leaving your fate to someone else.”

She called a man from behind her to stand in front of the Marquis. Rigel’s expression froze, and he began to tremble.

“Y-Y… You…!”

The person who appeared was Fadi, the man who held a deep-seated grudge against him.

“It’s been a while. …You’ve ‘taken care’ of me for so long. I’m just here to return the favor.”

His tone was calm, but his eyes held not a trace of kindness. They were filled with pure, cold cruelty.

“You bastard! Have you forgotten what you owe me? I lent you money!”

“Owe you? Oh, right… You’re talking about the debt with the impossibly high interest you forced on me. Thanks to you, my life was just about ruined.”

Fadi spat the words, his voice thick with resentment. If he hadn’t met Princess Valtrune, his life would have been terrible.

“But you paid off the debt! You have no reason to hate me!”

“Idiot. I only paid it off because Lady Valtrune paid it for me. If it weren’t for her, I’d still be taking on brutal assassination jobs just to pay you back.”

Fadi glared at Rigel and threw a knife.

“…Buegh!”

It embedded itself perfectly in Rigel’s right shoulder.

“Does it hurt? The people whose lives you ruined… they felt much worse!”

Rigel clutched his shoulder, his face crumpling as if he were about to cry. But Fadi’s cold, hard expression didn’t change.

“On behalf of all the people you’ve tormented, I’m going to give you the punishment you deserve. Get ready.”

“Hieee…!”

As Rigel shrieked, Princess Valtrune turned away, a satisfied look on her face. She took my arm, a clear sign that she was leaving the rest to Fadi. I nodded silently and glanced one last time at the Marquis. “Help me!” His pathetic face seemed to scream it. His mouth moved, as if trying to say he was the victim. But no help is coming for him.

“Fadi. His fate is in your hands…”

“Thank you, Lady Valtrune.”

“It’s fine.”

Normally, a captured noble should be brought before the Emperor. But we had fought with all our strength. In a battle like that… was there really any ‘leisure’ to take him alive? It was certainly possible that, in the chaos, Marquis Rigel was ‘unavoidably killed.’ Knowing this, Princess Valtrune spoke in a deliberately loud, clear voice.

“Come, Aldia. Let’s return. We have a victory to celebrate.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

A man who had spent his life making enemies would find no one to save him.

“W-Wait, please! I’m innocent! I was just asked to do those illicit things! I swear I never wanted to!”

“Is that so?”

“Y-Yes! I swear it on the Emperor’s name! So please, won’t you help me?”

He was trying to spill all his secrets at the last minute, but it was useless. With her back still turned to Rigel, Princess Valtrune smiled, looking genuinely delighted.

“…’Asked,’ you say? By whom, I wonder?”

“B-By agents from the Reshfeld Kingdom! I was used! Help me! I’ll never do it again! I’ll give you my full support, Your Highness! I’ll back your claim to the throne! So please…!”

The Princess Valtrune of the past might have shown mercy, even to a petty villain like him. But the woman she was now… was different.

“Marquis Rigel.”

“——!”

“You have served the country well, up to now.”

“…Th-Then!”

With a radiant smile, Princess Valtrune spoke in a crystal-clear voice.

“—Yes, thank you for all your hard work. Your role… is over now, isn’t it?”

Her cruel words plunged Rigel from his hopeful high back into the depths of hell. His face twisted in terror.

“Ah… Ah… AAAAAAAHHH!!”

How foolish. As if you’d ever be saved.

“Aldia, please begin preparations for our return.”

“As you command, Your Highness.”

We turned our backs on Marquis Rigel.

“No, no! Wait, help me! Help me—!”

“Goodbye. Now, atone for your crimes with your life.”

With those final words, he was dragged away by Fadi’s subordinates.

‘Marquis Gangr von Rigel.’

He vanished from the public stage after the battle in his own territory. He had, after an all-out confrontation with the Provisional Elite Corps, ‘died a heroic death in battle.’ That was the unchangeable record, the official truth, of this battle.

He had played his role as ‘Marquis Rigel’ to the very end. For that, at least, he deserved praise. And, at the same time, I was grateful. Without this battle, Princess Valtrune would not have gained this renown. That’s why, I wanted to say just one thing. As a necessary foundation for the future Princess Valtrune desires…

—Thank you for your hard work as our all-important stepping stone.

6

The battle in the city was proceeding smoothly. The covering fire from the mages was inflicting enormous damage on the enemy, and the tide was firmly in our favor.

“Lord Aldia, we’ve cleared the enemy from the surrounding area. The heavy infantry and mages are also expanding the territory under our control. It’s going well!”

“……”

“Um, Lord Aldia?”

“Ah… Thank you for the report.”

I had been concentrating so hard that I hadn’t registered the soldier’s voice. What was that killing intent? That pressure? An unpleasant sensation trickled down my spine. The air on the battlefield was already heavy, but I felt a sharp, stabbing pressure that was even worse.

“…Can I ask you to take a message to Her Highness and General Ritziareite?”

“Yes, of course.”

“I need you to tell them: ‘Be on guard for any enemy that looks… different.’“

“Understood. I will deliver the message!”

If I’m overthinking it, all the better. But the feeling of dread was real. I couldn’t shake the feeling that it wouldn’t end this easily.

“Enemy retreat confirmed!”

“Should we pursue?”

A fair amount of time had passed since I’d sensed that ominous presence. The battle was still progressing favorably, but my anxiety only grew.

“Don’t pursue too deeply. We proceed with caution from here.”

The air was suffocating. My men are also starting to notice the strangeness on the battlefield.

“Still… doesn’t it seem like the enemy’s numbers are way down…?”

One of them murmured, and the others glanced at each other.

“It’s true… We’re seeing way too few group attacks.”

“It’s pretty much just stragglers launching solo charges at this point.”

“Our main army is still fighting… Do you think they just stopped sending troops to the right flank?”

“No way. If we pushed through, their whole army would be in deep trouble.”

“It’s… weird.”

They were right. The enemy’s movements were unnervingly quiet.

“Maybe they just don’t have anyone left to send?”

“That’s too optimistic. Let your guard down and you’ll pay for it… Right, Lord Aldia?”

To break the slackening mood, I shot my men a cold look.

“…Stay sharp.”

“Y-Yes, sir…!”

The enemy had to have forces left in reserve. Even if we had swept this area, the fact that no one was trying to take it back was deeply suspicious.

“…Half the unit, switch to scouting.”

This could be the prelude to something terrible.

“Tell the heavy infantry and mages to rendezvous with the left flank. I don’t like our forces being this divided.”

“Understood!”

We had more or less annihilated the enemy on the right flank. Given the lack of reinforcements, it stood to reason that the burden was increasing elsewhere. If the enemy was hitting the main army harder, they should be able to handle it. But if they had concentrated their forces on the left flank, Ritziareite would be in danger.

“Guaaah…!”

“——!”

I was still talking to a cavalryman when, suddenly, one of the riders in front of me was blown into the air—an unnatural, impossible height.

“Enemy attack! Location is the central fountain square!”

“Do you have a visual?”

“Not yet!”

My cavalry unit had pushed almost to the center of the city.

“Multiple enemies confirmed… It looks like they concentrated their forces in this one spot.”

So they’d let us advance, luring us into a kill zone.

“Lord Aldia, I think… that’s the enemy commander.”

I could see him—the one who had sent my cavalryman flying. I’d been on guard for a strong enemy to appear, but now that we’d made contact, the tension ratcheted up.

“Guuuh…”

“Is that… the one killing our men?”

I knew in an instant that this was the most dangerous enemy in this battle. A large man was swinging a long club, roaring. Even the surrounding enemy soldiers kept their distance, a clear sign that it was dangerous to even get near him. I see. This one is too much for regular soldiers.

“All units! Evade his attacks and wipe out the surrounding enemies! …I will take down that monster!”

As her Personal Knight, I had to bear this responsibility. When I swore my loyalty to her, I promised to be undefeated. I would continue to win, and I would forge the path for her to walk.

“Is anyone afraid?”

The soldiers grinned.

“We’re not scared of anything at this point!”

“That’s right! We’ve come this far. We’re just here to kill as many as we can!”

“Let’s just win this fast and go home!”

Not a single soldier in my unit was afraid of the giant man.

“…Good. Let’s go!”

We will strike down the enemy before us and crush this army completely.

“All units! Attack…!”

---

7

I had a terrible feeling. The battle was going well, so… why was my anxiety growing? As if to signal the coming storm, gray clouds were rolling in. Aldia, Ritziareite, everyone… please be safe. I prayed, looking up at the sky.

“Fadi, what are the enemy’s movements?”

“No unusual activity. Everything is proceeding smoothly.”

“I see… Forgive me, that was a needless question.”

“Not at all.”

Everything was going smoothly. Nothing bad was happening.

“Your Highness, is something on your mind?”

Flegel asked quietly, his expression unreadable.

“No. I just… felt a little anxious. I was just wondering if it could really end this smoothly, when everything is going so well.”

“…I see.”

I couldn’t shake the feeling that the cornered enemy was planning one last desperate, vengeful strike.

“Your Highness! I have a message from Lord Aldia!”

“——!”

As I was watching my army advance, a soldier galloped up from the right flank. News from Aldia.

“What is the message?”

“Yes, ma’am! It is: ‘Please be careful if you see any unusual-looking enemy.’ It seems Lord Aldia has sensed something.”

“I see… Thank you for the report.”

“No, ma’am! Excuse me!”

Aldia went out of his way to send a soldier with a warning. My bad feeling might not be just my imagination.

“Flegel, share this information with the other armies immediately. Report anything you find.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

I watched Flegel gallop off, then turned to Fadi, who remained.

“What do you think?”

He pondered for a moment, then spoke as if a thought had just struck him.

“…It’s possible they’ve released the ‘monster from the dungeon’.”

The monster from the dungeon… I’d heard the rumors. A ferocious mercenary, imprisoned in Marquis Rigel’s dungeon. A brute with the strength to send dozens of soldiers flying, a monster who had killed countless people. It wouldn’t be surprising at all for Rigel to unleash him in a desperate attempt to turn the tide.

“How strong is this ‘monster’?”

“I don’t know for certain… but he may be as strong as Lord Aldia or General Ritziareite.”

“That strong…!”

He was saying that only the two knights I had chosen—my Personal Knights from two different lifetimes—could possibly match him.

“If they were to fight him, what do you think their chances would be?”

“I truly cannot say. His abilities are a complete unknown. I cannot guarantee that even they… would win.”

Fadi knew how strong Aldia and Ritziareite were. Compared to the other soldiers, those two were in a league of their own. For him to say that knowing that… This was an unexpected and dangerous development. I was anxious… but I had faith.

“No matter what kind of enemy appears, Aldia… will absolutely win.”

“Why do you think so?”

I had no concrete reason. Still, if I had to name one…

“Because I believe in him.”

“In Lord Aldia?”

“Yes. Because he is my Personal Knight.”

As his princess, I believe in his victory more than anyone. I pray for it. And besides… he told me. “I will be your sword and your shield.” My sword must not break. My shield must not be pierced. My Personal Knight… must not die until my own life ends. Therefore, it is only natural that Aldia will win. My path to the throne depends on it. He will keep his promise. The man who was so sincere, so devoted to me in that dark dungeon, would never lie.

“Aldia will be fine. I’ve never seen anyone stronger than him.”

“…Is that… so.”

“Do you doubt me?”

“No. I also believe in Lord Aldia’s strength. More importantly, I would never doubt your words, Your Highness.”

“Fufu, thank you.”

Even as he said he believed, his expression was still anxious. Well, it’s hard for him to have total faith. I was likely the only one who was absolutely certain of Aldia’s victory. And not just because he was my Personal Knight. It was a faith born from having seen him fight in the past. ‘The Strongest Knight of the Kingdom’… I could believe in his victory because I knew he was stronger than anyone.

“…It’s impossible for him to lose. The man who plagued the entire Imperial army, the man they called the Demon King.” I whispered the words, so quietly no one else could hear. …His true strength, which had once been a catastrophe for the Empire, was not so weak as to be broken in a single battle. He would seize victory and return to my side, alive.

…Right, Aldia?

---

8

An attack grazed my clothes, gouging a huge chunk out of the ground. The large man showed no sign of fatigue. His relentless attacks came one after another, never slowing.

“Hmph!”

That was close. A direct hit would’ve taken my head off.

“KILL! KILL…!”

The man swung his club, tearing up the stone pavement. Wary of the sheer power, I couldn’t get in close. I’d thought his wide swings would create openings. I wanted to curse myself for that naivete. In reality, his attack range was massive, and getting close would only get me killed.

“He has no openings…”

I had only fought a handful of people this strong in my past. A berserker who didn’t fear death. In some ways, he reminded me of my former self. To have no fear is, in a way, to be invincible. He could make moves that a normal person would instinctively restrict.

“I have to kill this thing to move forward… huh.”

My heart was heavy… and not just because of his strength.

“Hmph!”

“Kuh…!”

I had never fought this man in my previous life. I couldn’t find his habits or weaknesses without more time. And the stronger the enemy, the harder their weaknesses are to find.

“Guh… I… kill you. Be free!”

The club’s horizontal swing cut through the air. I dodged at the last second, but I felt the tips of my hair get clipped.

“Hmph… strong. Who?”

“I am Aldia Graetz. Her Highness’s Personal Knight. I am here to strike down you traitors.”

“I see… I kill you… everything perfect!”

If I let this man live, he would inflict devastating losses on our army.

“Sorry, but this is where you die.”

“Good. I like… those words!”

The man stomped, cracking the ground and shaking the entire area.

“HUNNGAAAH…!”

“Kuh!”

I won’t be killed so easily! I swore to fight for Princess Valtrune. I will walk with her until the very end. This is not where I die!

“GUOOOOOH!”

With an inhuman roar, the man charged, club in hand. If I blocked it head-on, my sword would shatter. I parried the impact, redirecting the club’s trajectory. Sparks flew where the weapons met, a testament to the massive force. I parried one blow, then dodged the next two. This can’t go on. A pure defense won’t change anything.

“Hmph…! UGAH!”

If this fight dragged on, Marquis Rigel might escape. My allies nearby seemed to have dealt with the other enemies, but I couldn’t call them for help. They would be slaughtered. I have to end this fast!

“Haah…!”

My sword grazed the man’s cheek, but it didn’t cut deep. My agitation was ruining my form. Because I was worried about the time, I couldn’t land a clean hit.

“Lord Aldia, we’ll help!”

“—Stay back! You’re no match for him!”

“But…!”

“Just keep anyone else from interfering! Let me focus on him!”

I couldn’t let them die. They were vital for the battles to come.

“Guh… You, alone. Friends here… but alone. You… not beat me!”

“Tch…!”

He had the advantage in reach. The distance between us felt impossibly far. Is there any plan? Sweat trickled down my forehead and dripped to the ground. I couldn’t think of a way. I was stuck… It was then—

“Haah!”

“——!”

“It’s not over! Hiyah…!”

A familiar spear struck the man’s club. A flurry of blows sent the man stumbling. Long, glossy brown hair flashed in my vision.

“Lord Aldia!”

Ah, she came.

“General… Ritziareite…”

The despair vanished instantly. Ritziareite had appeared, her sharp spear work already overwhelming the large man. The thread of victory… I could see it clearly.

“Enemy… more? A woman… but strong.”

I never thought I would get to fight alongside her so soon. She must have sensed I was in trouble and come to help.

“Thank you, General Ritziareite.”

“Not at all. There is strength in numbers. What is difficult for one… two can surely overcome!”

I was surprised to hear her say that. I had figured she preferred honorable one-on-one duels. I was silent for a moment, and she tilted her head.

“…Um, what is it?”

“Oh, nothing. I just thought you disliked… ‘strength in numbers’.”

“On the battlefield, there are no likes or dislikes. Only life and death. That is all that matters.”

That, too, I thought, was an answer very much like her. Perhaps she was more greedy for victory than anyone.

“Is your dragon tired, General? I imagine your battle was intense.”

“He’s still full of energy. He can certainly handle taking down this man.”

“That’s very reassuring.”

“Yes!”

Ritziareite’s beloved dragon reared up, towering over the man—an overwhelming sight. It spread its pitch-black wings and let out a terrifying roar, challenging him.

“Dragon… meat… tasty! KILL!”

The man, however, didn’t flinch. If anything, his eyes lit up… He wanted to eat the dragon? His tastes were… awful. I’d been observing his slurred speech, and it was clear this man was not sane. Ritziareite also frowned in disgust.

“…He doesn’t seem to be one for conversation. In any case, we have no choice but to kill him. Capturing him seems impossible.”

“My thoughts exactly. General, can I count on your support? I plan to attack from the front, but I’m having trouble closing the distance.”

“Leave it to me, Lord Aldia.”

He might be insane, but he was incredibly strong. One wrong move, and my head would fly. With Ritziareite’s dragon here, the man couldn’t easily close the distance on her—mounted, with her long spear, she had the greater reach.

“UOOOOOH!!”

As I thought, he targeted me. I was on foot, my sword much shorter than his club. He’d decided I was the easier target. But… unfortunately for you, I’ve seen through your moves.

“Haah!”

“Nguh…!”

The man’s club slammed into the ground. My kick connected squarely with his stomach. I had parried his weapon, then used martial arts in the opening. My sword isn’t my only weapon. His hands were busy, but my feet were free. He was too focused on my blade and couldn’t react to the kick.

“General Ritziareite, now!”

The moment I called her name, her spear flashed past my side.

“—Prepare yourself!”

“Nguh!?”

The man, sweating, barely dodged her follow-up… or rather, he avoided a fatal blow. The tip of her spear grazed his arm, and crimson liquid dripped to the ground.

“I missed.”

“No, you cut him. He’s not unscathed.”

The distance opened up again. We reset.

“…Unforgivable. You… hurt me. KILL! KILL!”

So much for weakening him. It seemed to have had the opposite effect. His adrenaline must have been surging; he didn’t even seem to feel the pain.

“My apologies, I failed to finish him. Next time, I will!”

“No, I couldn’t land a decisive blow either.”

His rage was a problem, but it was inevitable. I gripped my black sword and took a deep breath.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes. Let’s end this!”

She also seemed to feel that dragging this out was a bad idea, and she leveled her longspear.

“I’ll go from the right.”

“Then I shall take the left.”

I, her dragon, and the man charged at the same time. The distance between us vanished.

“Such an attack…!”

The club’s blow was heavy, but not unbearable. Compared to the attacks I’d weathered from Ritziareite in the past, this pressure was nothing.

“General Ritziareite!”

“Yes! With you!”

While fending off the man’s assault, we both swung our weapons. The black sword and the long spear crossed in front of him. A sharp clang of steel echoed, and a cloud of dust blinded us.

“—Nguh!?”

I heard the man’s groan.

“Haah… haah…”

“…!”

Blood trickled slowly from the man’s forehead. As the blood dripped, the light faded from his eyes. A red puddle formed on the ground. The man’s legs gave out, and he staggered.

“…Guh… kah…!”

The man’s last swing… never reached us.

“Kururu!”

Her dragon had caught the club firmly in its forelegs.

“…Why… why I lose…?”

The man showed no sign of pain, but he seemed to understand his strength was gone. He grit his teeth, trying to stay standing, but his end was near. Blood, like tears, spilled from his eyes.

“Not… yet…”

As the giant body swayed, I murmured.

“…It’s over. You frenzied warrior. Your battle ends here. Rest in peace…”

“A final courtesy from me. Good night…”

Her spear pierced the man’s heart. At the same moment, my sword took his head.

“…!”

It was a certain death. He would not rise again.

“Whew… It’s over.”

A sigh of relief escaped Ritziareite. I let my own shoulders relax, just a little. This wasn’t my victory alone. It was a victory we had seized together. It’s finally… over. I prayed there were no more monsters like that left.

“Lord Aldia, splendidly done!”

At Ritziareite’s praise, I shook my head.

“No, without your help, General, I could not have beaten him so quickly. Thank you.”

“You don’t say ‘I couldn’t have beaten him’?”

“This was a battle I had to win, even if I was alone.”

“As I thought, Lord Aldia, you are strong. You are the goal I must strive for.”

“I’m not that worthy.”

Our words lightened the mood. She had really warmed up to me. She wasn’t a very talkative person, so it was surprising to see her speak to me so much.

“The main army seems to be fighting hard. Let’s head to the manor.”

“Yes. This is the final stage. A fine showing for our first battle! If we keep this up, victory is certain!”

The only job left was to capture Marquis Rigel and bring him before Princess Valtrune.

3

The soldiers gathered on the wind-swept plain. There was no sound, save for the clinking of armor. They waited quietly for the signal to attack.

“Aldia, the main army is on the move. We’re ready over here, too.”

“Mm. Our heavy infantry is also fully prepared.”

Leading the mage corps was Petra, standing calmly at the head of her unit. Tasked with cornering the enemy in the city’s interior was Ambros’s heavy infantry, their iron-clad defense their greatest weapon. All preparations are complete.

“It’s about time we begin.”

I scanned my eyes over the troops. Each unit was ready for battle. We were watching for our moment, ready to advance the instant the main army clashed with the enemy.

“Both of you, I’m counting on you to lead.”

When I spoke, Petra and Ambros nodded in unison. Dressed in the official uniforms of the Provisional Elite Corps, they were no longer academy students. They were fully-fledged soldiers, standing on a battlefield.

“Leave it to me. I’ll burn every last street and block every escape route, just as we planned. I’ll teach them the true terror of magic!”

“Our heavy infantry will be the cornerstone of our defense. We won’t let a single scratch reach the troops behind us. So go, Aldia! Fight without worrying about us!”

They’re so reliable.

“Right. With you two here, I can fight with everything I’ve got.”

“Of course!”

“You can count on us!”

I had two brilliant friends fighting alongside me. If I let the enemy push us back here, I’d never be able to face Princess Valtrune. The right flank, which I commanded, had fewer soldiers than the main army or the left flank. To avoid being drawn into a war of attrition, we needed to watch the enemy’s movements and strike their weak points.

“Maneuver carefully so they don’t realize our flank is thin. If the main enemy force turns on us, we could take heavy losses.”

Even if the enemy assault intensified, I planned to repel them by force… but I wanted to keep our casualties to a minimum. And alone, there was a limit to how many I could protect. That’s why I was counting on the units led by my two friends to hold the line.

“Then it’s up to us in the mage corps to put out some serious firepower!”

“Exactly.”

In this battle, how much of a presence Petra’s mage corps could establish would be critical. I’d prepared plenty of magic recovery potions, just in case they ran low.

“We must win this battle. This is the Provisional Elite Corps’s first campaign. Let’s make it a glorious one!”

Marquis Rigel had barricaded himself in his territory in a hurry, so he hadn’t been able to gather a proper fighting force. He only thought of saving his own skin, not even evacuating his citizens. A man like that had no hope of repelling our army.

“Aldia! The main army has begun its attack!”

At Petra’s voice, I took a deep breath.

“Alright… Right flank, advance!!”

Following the order, Ambros’s heavy infantry began marching toward the city. It was a slow advance, but there was no need to rush. It would be some time before the enemy soldiers began to rout. Petra’s mage corps also began their incantations to seal the escape routes.

The cavalry unit I led fanned out, moving to cover a wide area. The main army has the advantage, just as expected. Even without Princess Valtrune having to fight, they’re showing no signs of being pushed back. I glanced over at the left flank, commanded by Ritziareite. They were also carrying out their mission smoothly, cutting off the enemy’s supplies and blocking all escape routes. I could see the dragon units launching repeated surprise attacks. Thanks to his hasty preparations, Marquis Rigel’s army had an extremely small number of dragons. We had complete control of the air, allowing us to do as we pleased.

“The enemy is coming this way, too!”

Ambros’s great voice echoed across the right flank.

“Lord Aldia, their numbers aren’t that great.”

“So it seems…”

“Should we charge with the cavalry?”

“No… Let’s leave this to the mage corps.”

Enemy soldiers were waiting for us near the entrance to the city, ready to intercept. Since they were defending a narrow point so stubbornly, it would be most effective to wipe them out with magic.

“Petra, if you would!”

“…All mages, fire!”

At Petra’s command, multiple fireballs shot into the city. The enemy soldiers were engulfed in flames, falling one after another.

“We did it!”

“Their numbers are down! We can take the city entrance!”

The soldiers raised their weapons to the sky, cheering the mages’ success. We need to hold that entrance. I gave the signal to the cavalry, leaving a minimum number of scouts behind as we prepared to charge.

“Ambros! The cavalry is taking that passage. We’ll cut them down; you take care of any survivors!”

“Right, leave it to us!”

The cavalry charged across the plain, driving straight toward the burning enemy soldiers. A countless number of arrows flew at us, but such blind firing had no chance of hitting.

“Don’t flinch! Show them what you’re made of!”

“UOOOOOH!”

Cutting down enemy soldiers, the cavalry unit carved a path forward. The violent sounds of battle rang out loudly.

---

4

It could hardly be called a battle; it was a one-sided slaughter. The enemy soldiers, cut down defenselessly, died trembling in terror.

“R-Run!”

“It’s over… We can’t hold this place anymore!”

“Don’t be stupid, if they get through here, we’re all… Gah…!”

There was no mercy. I cut off the enemy’s heads, one after another, and pressed forward.

“Keep advancing. The enemy commander’s head is close.”

“Yes, sir!”

The enemy was to be cut down. Pity was unnecessary. My sword, swung with single-minded focus, tore through flesh and broke bone. Watching the enemies’ faces twist in terror, I cut them down, one by one. Even though we had charged in with only a small cavalry unit, their lack of training meant… we faced no real resistance.

“Lord Aldia, we’ve secured the passage up to the intersection. Shall we set up a temporary position?”

“Yes. We can’t let them take it back before the heavy infantry arrives. Set a wide perimeter. If it’s too hard to defend, narrow the area and make the formation deep and thick.”

“Yes, sir!”

After receiving their orders, the cavalrymen silently began to form a defensive line. All the while, Petra’s mages continued to launch fireballs into the city from a distance. At this rate, the enemy wouldn’t be able to spare any forces for us; they’d have their hands full dealing with the fires.

“Hold them! Don’t let them in!”

“Let the world hear of our army’s glory!”

The cavalry moved like a whirlwind, cutting down every enemy soldier who tried to reclaim the passage. Eventually, the enemy’s momentum died down. Just as we had more or less secured the area…

“Aldia, did I keep you waiting?”

“No, perfect timing. Cavalry, hand over the line to the heavy infantry. Reform your ranks; we’re heading deeper into the city.”

Ambros’s heavy infantry had arrived. With this, the right flank had taken complete control of a section of the city. Petra’s mage corps also pushed their line forward, beginning their assault on the city’s interior.

“Keep firing! Don’t give the enemy a moment’s rest!”

She’s a demon, I thought… then again, I was probably one to talk. My black sword was slick with enemy blood.

“Ambros, continue to protect the mages and advance the line. I’m going ahead to raise hell inside.”

“Understood.”

He was a man skilled enough to have been a guard captain in the Kingdom’s army. I had no doubt he could hold this position.

“I’ll have my men report on your status. If it gets dangerous, call for me immediately.”

I moved to the front of the cavalry unit.

“Listen up! Do not stop for any reason. We ride through. Swing your weapons, but keep moving! If you do as you were trained, we’ll seize this territory quickly.”

I repeated the tactics I had drilled into them over this short period. The mounted soldiers nodded, readying their various weapons—swords, spears, and axes.

“Lord Aldia, the charge formation is ready! We can go at any time!”

One of the cavalrymen reported. I took a deep breath.

“Cavalry, charge!!”

The sound of horseshoes thundered chaotically, shaking the ground like a small earthquake.

“Enemy attack!”

“Hey, they’re already inside! Push them back!”

Too late. You can’t easily stop a cavalry charge.

“Cut down every last one of them!”

“Sir!”

“We’re charging!”

“Forward!”

It was a reckless charge, but the enemy was struggling to respond. We tore through the collapsing enemy lines.

“Once you’re through, we attack the next point!”

“Sir!”

The defeat of Marquis Rigel’s army was near. The enemy forces were crumbling, and our advance into the city was proceeding smoothly. Leaving a mountain of crimson corpses behind me, I turned my sword toward the next group of soldiers.

---

5

This agitated feeling just wouldn’t subside. How did it come to this? I stared blankly at the Princess’s army surrounding me. I am Gangr von Rigel. As the head of the Rigel family, I held great influence within the Empire. My back-alley business, wringing money from the commoners, was on track, and everything was smooth sailing. …And then, it all happened.

“Marquis Rigel! The Princess’s army has begun its advance! A clash is unavoidable!”

Dammit! That cursed little whelp! To think she’d frame me! I’ll never forgive her!

“Get out there and meet them! Slaughter every last man who dares to oppose me!”

“Y-Yes, sir…!”

As the soldier scrambled away, I plopped down onto the sofa. Well, fine… Luckily, the city streets are a tangled maze. It would take them a good while to reach this place. I’ll have the soldiers deal with the enemy head-on, and if things get dicey, I’ll just use them as a decoy and escape from the opposite side. Hehe… I won’t go down that easily. No matter how hard that simple-minded whelp racks her little brain, a child is a child. I’ll teach her the importance of respecting her elders.

“Just you wait, you little whelp. After I crush your army to dust, I’ll make you suffer a fate worse than death. Hehe… come to think of it, that princess is quite the beauty. I wonder what kind of face she’ll make when I defile her…” I’ll make her regret angering me!

“Marquis Rigel, we have a huge problem!”

As I was indulging my fantasies, another soldier rushed in, shouting.

“Now what is it! I’m in the middle of planning!”

“B-But, sir… I must report this immediately!”

This is insufferable! I was just imagining the sight of that insolent princess, broken and ruined. My mood soured, but I listened to the soldier.

“…Hah, spit it out.”

“Sir… This is very difficult to say.”

“Don’t waste my time! Out with it!”

I roared, and the soldier flinched.

“The truth is… the ambush unit we had hiding in the nearby forest to strike the princess’s army from the rear… has been annihilated.”

“….What? What did you just say?” The ambush unit… annihilated? That was impossible. They were my most elite soldiers, hand-picked for that unit. I’d poured a fortune into training them. They weren’t your average grunts. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“You… I am in no mood for your jokes.”

I pressed him with a menacing voice, and the soldier took a step back.

“B-But, sir… we lost contact. A scout was sent to confirm… and he reported their total destruction.”

“Couldn’t he have been mistaken?”

“No, sir, that’s impossible… He wouldn’t have been so certain if he was!”

Don’t tell me… the ambush unit was really wiped out? But why… They weren’t easy to find. This means it’s highly likely their position was leaked.

“…Tch, how?” Where did they get the information on the ambush unit in the forest?

“Marquis Rigel! Our army is being pushed back! Our dragon soldiers were targeted early and have been wiped out. We’ve completely lost control of the air! At this rate, it’s only a matter of time before the enemy reaches this location!”

“——!?”

“Your orders, sir! We must devise a countermeasure immediately!”

My mind was a complete mess. Why is nothing going right? It was as if they were reading my every move. It was sickening. If I didn’t do something, my territory and I would be finished.

“…A retreat? No… I don’t even know if I can buy time.”

I had to escape, but I was surrounded. I couldn’t move. —No, wait. Come to think of it, I still have my trump card. If I send him to the front, he can change the tide of this battle. He’ll slaughter any normal soldier. Even if they have strong fighters, they won’t escape unscathed. Heh… I can’t let them off this easy. I have to make them suffer a little. Yes, I’ll let that monster run wild.

“You, soldier!”

“Yes, sir?”

“Summon Note. I’m sending him into battle.”

“L-Lord Note!? But… sir, he’s…”

I had no time to worry about appearances.

“Release him from the dungeon! Tell him if he distinguishes himself in battle, all his crimes will be pardoned! Go, now!”

“Y-Yes, sir! Right away!”

Note was locked in the underground dungeon for his involvement in smuggling narcotics. He’s a walking monster, a first-class brute. I wonder if they have anyone over there who can stop him once he’s let loose, running on pure instinct. Hehe… What a foolish princess. She must not know about the monster lurking in my domain.

“Hehe… Fuhahahaha! I’ll slaughter them all, the princess included!” They’ll all die regretting they ever made an enemy of me! In the end, I will be the one who wins!

Chapter 4 – A Stepping Stone to the Future

1

Time passed like the wind. My days since coming to the Empire had been far busier than I’d imagined, and before I knew it, two months had gone by. Some days I spent training with my friends, other days I was carrying out orders for Princess Valtrune. Rain or shine, I was so busy I barely had a moment’s rest. And yet, I never once felt it was a hardship. As long as I could think, ‘I am doing this for Princess Valtrune,’ I didn’t feel tired at all. My days continued to be more fulfilling than any I had ever experienced.

Kingdom Calendar, Year 1241, June.

The Provisional Elite Corps, led by Princess Valtrune, was steadily expanding. Many capable commoners, led by Ritziareite, were appointed as soldiers, regardless of whether they were noble or commoner.

Petra, Ambros, Steano, Mia, and Fadi were all prime examples. Nobles were also being brought into the fold. Flegel was chosen to act as the liaison with our informants in the Kingdom, and many other sons and daughters of nobility were distinguishing themselves in both military and internal affairs.

This hand-picked group, this Provisional Elite Corps, would surely achieve wonderful results. —And yet, our numbers were still overwhelmingly small compared to the main Imperial army. While the total strength of the Imperial army was just under two million, the Provisional Elite Corps numbered only around thirty thousand. We had only just been established. We were expected to grow into an even larger organization in the future.

I surveyed the entire Provisional Elite Corps, and then spoke to the sovereign standing next to me.

“Your Highness, our battle preparations are complete. We can deploy at any time. What are your orders?”

We were currently deployed on a plain in Marquis Rigel’s territory, about to engage his army in an all-out confrontation. The reason was that Fadi had gathered proof of the Marquis’s crimes, and Princess Valtrune had reported them to the Emperor, Grode. This had set the stage for the Provisional Elite Corps’s first battle. I could recall that scene vividly.

“These accusations are groundless! Slander! I have done no such thing!”

Marquis Rigel denied any involvement, but thanks to a magical tool Princess Valtrune had given Fadi, we had successfully recorded video evidence of his illicit operations.

“Even after seeing this, you still refuse to admit your guilt? Confess your crimes gracefully.”

Cowering at her words, Marquis Rigel looked as though he’d just swallowed a bug.

“I… I will not acknowledge such a thing! And furthermore, I will never recognize a little girl like you as a candidate for the throne!”

No one tried to stop him as he spat the filthy words and fled. We all just watched his pathetic, ugly retreat. At last, the Emperor, Grode, spoke quietly.

“Hah… Valtrune. You are to strike down Marquis Rigel. Pass judgment on him with your own hand.”

“As you command. I will see it done.”

Marquis Rigel fled back to his own domain and prepared for a hopeless siege. As a result, the Provisional Elite Corps’s first campaign became a decisive battle against Marquis Rigel’s army.

“Aldia, the army’s formation?”

“Yes. Our Provisional Elite Corps is positioned to surround the enemy. The main army, commanded by Your Highness, will slowly push the front line from the center. General Ritziareite on the left flank and I, on the right, will circle around to the rear to annihilate them. …To prevent a drawn-out battle, General Ritziareite has already cut off the enemy’s supply lines.”

“I see. Thank you for the report.”

Our numbers were about even, but the quality of our soldiers was overwhelmingly superior. Above all, Princess Valtrune herself was taking command. Victory was all but certain.

“We need a decisive victory…”

A simple win wouldn’t be enough. We had to crush the enemy completely, to establish her authority as absolute. That was the most important part of this battle.

“Mia’s dragon unit is currently sweeping for hidden ambushes from the air. The chance of a surprise attack is as close to zero as possible. Barring some major unforeseen event, our advantage will not be overturned.”

We had to drain the poison from the Empire before the war with the Kingdom. Marquis Rigel was, without a doubt, the poison itself. In addition, he was a noble from the anti-Princess faction. When Valtrune declared war on the Kingdom, he would definitely be a hindrance. Therefore, if we could eliminate him now, it would be convenient in many ways.

“Your Highness, your orders, please.”

The stage had been set perfectly. All that was left was to deliver the results. As her Personal Knight, I was fired up, ready to fight like a lion. The soldiers of the Provisional Elite Corps all looked up at Princess Valtrune and me, standing on the high ground. Their morale was perfect. They looked ready to go at any moment.

“We will now commence battle with the rebel army led by Marquis Rigel! Strike down every last one of these fools who have sullied the honor of the Empire! Provisional Elite Corps, advance!”

At her cry, the soldiers raised their weapons to the sky.

“UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHH!!!”

Hearing the cheers of the soldiers, so loud they seemed to overwhelm the landscape, she turned to me.

“Aldia. I am counting on you. You are to capture Marquis Rigel. And you will make him pay for his crimes.”

I dropped to one knee and bowed my head to her.

“Leave it to me. I will repel the traitors without fail and bring Marquis Rigel before you.”

The first battle since I had come to the Empire had begun.

---

2

“General Ritziareite! We have word from the main army! We are to advance!”

The order came from a messenger. The air crackled with tension, and the faces of the soldiers instantly hardened. It’s finally time. The Provisional Elite Corps’s first battle. And the first real stage I’ve been given. Failure is not an option.

“All units, as planned, block the enemy’s line of retreat! Pay close attention so that our supply lines are not stolen, and use hit-and-run tactics to strike down the enemy commanders!”

The main mission for the left flank, which I commanded, was to support the main army so they could fight at their full potential. We had the role of disrupting the battlefield so the enemy couldn’t put up a decent fight. The performance of the dragon soldiers would be the key to this battle.

“Mia. Leave the ground scouting to the others. Take your unit and position yourselves over the city.”

“Okay-dokey~! Well, Steano, you’ve got the rest~!”

“Wha—Hey…! Hah… Why me? Alright, you lot! Let’s move out and flush them all out!”

Mia, with her flippant tone and carefree face, led the other dragon soldiers. She was a bit too casual, which made me worry, but I could vouch for her skill. I had no doubt she could handle harassing the enemy. Taking over the scouting mission was Steano’s infantry unit. They weren’t particularly well-suited for enemies hiding in the forest, but it was good enough if they could just draw their attention.

“Steano, I’m counting on you.”

“Leave it to me! Scouting’s my specialty!”

“If you say so, I’ll look forward to good news.”

“Haha… I’ll do my best.”

…He has a habit of saying whatever, but his passion for battle is second to none. He’s probably lying about scouting being his specialty, but I’m sure he’ll accomplish the mission he’s been given. They all moved out, and I went to inspect the troops maintaining the blockade on the supply line.

“Listen up! Even if the enemy numbers are great, remain calm and deal with them. We are sharing information constantly, so reinforcements will be sent to any position under heavy stress. Advancing the line is important, but I want you to focus on fighting in a way that minimizes casualties!”

The soldiers nodded, their faces serious, and began to move. Time to give orders to the next unit. Just as I thought that and mounted my dragon, the same messenger came running back, panting. He must have been in a great hurry.

“What is it?”

“General Ritziareite! I have a message from Lord Aldia!”

“A message?”

“Yes, a message!”

Aldia Graetz. The benefactor who had introduced me to Lady Valtrune. And he was also her Personal Knight. I nodded and prompted him to continue.

“What is the message?”

“Yes, I’ll read it. ‘To General Ritziareite. It is an honor to fight alongside you. Let us seize victory without fail.’ …That is all.”

It wasn’t an emergency. But I was so surprised, and so happy, that he had encouraged me like this. It was a short message, but it was filled with his expectations for me. He had thought highly of me when I first met Lady Valtrune, too. “I personally believe she is a fitting person to be commander.” I remembered when Lord Aldia had said those words. A smile naturally crept onto my face.

“G-General Ritziareite?”

“Ahem! It-It’s nothing!”

“Oh, right…”

This is bad. I can’t be grinning over his words at a time like this. I have to pull myself together. I gave a small nod to the messenger.

“Thank you. Message received. Please give him my regards.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

I put on an even more serious face than usual, striving to act cool and composed. Am I acting normally right now? I desperately tightened my expression, which threatened to break into a smile, playing the part of the serious, ‘normal’ Ritziareite. Inwardly, I wanted to burst with joy, but as the general of an army, I couldn’t act so rashly.

“Hah…”

Maybe… after this battle is over, I should ask him out for a drink? As I thought that, I steeled my resolve once more and took to the sky with my dragon. If he has such high expectations of me, I absolutely must achieve a great victory.

—A triumphant victory is no longer just a goal, it’s a requirement!

5

With Princess Valtrune’s approval, Epika and I headed to a courtyard within the castle grounds. Epika was a seasoned warrior. She didn’t just hold the title of Mage Division Commander; she possessed the skill to match it. We stood several meters apart. It was close enough to favor melee combat, yet she hadn’t lost her smug smile.

“The terms of victory are just as we discussed. I win when I incapacitate you. You win if you can so much as graze me with your sword. Sound fair?”

She was offering me a handicap. Of course she was. To her, I was just some naive greenhorn fresh out of the academy. She couldn’t possibly imagine I was superior.

“Are you sure about those terms?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing… just confirming. Because if these are the terms… there’s no way you can win, Lady Epika.”

“——! You’ve got a sharp tongue. For a fresh-faced graduate, I wouldn’t get too cocky.”

I wasn’t being cocky. I was just provoking her to gain an advantage. Epika’s magic was powerful; defeat was a real possibility. I needed to rattle her, even slightly, to reduce that chance. If she fought calmly and read the flow of battle, I’d be in for a tough fight. Making her lose that composure was a necessary first step toward victory.

“Shall we begin?”

“…Yes. I’d be delighted.”

I drew my sword in a fluid motion. It wasn’t a training sword, but the black blade I always use—a killer’s blade that had cut down countless people and drunk its fill of their blood on past battlefields.

“You think you can fight me with a sword like that?”

She was mocking me, but I just closed my eyes and calmed my mind.

“You’ll understand once we clash.”

“Hmph. Is that so…”

—Still, it’s been a while since I fought someone this skilled. She was one of the opponents I’d had a desperate back-and-forth with in the past. I couldn’t help but feel a little tense, having a serious match with someone like that again. I felt my heart pounding, but I desperately maintained an expressionless face and gripped my sword tightly.

“Alright! The match between Personal Knight Aldia Graetz and Mage Division Commander Epika von Darius begins now! Both combatants, ready!”

Rudolf was acting as the referee. The moment his raised arm dropped, the fight began. Epika and I moved at almost the same time. She launched a simple spell, a greeting of sorts. A glowing purple orb. It looked like a simple ball of condensed magic, but I knew its true nature. I avoided it completely, tracing its path without making contact. Cutting it down with my sword would have been the easy way to deal with it, but that was exactly what she wanted.

“…Oh? You held back. Good for you.”

I couldn’t let it touch me. It was laced with a paralysis toxin. She was likely hoping I’d make a careless move, get poisoned, and be immobilized.

“I’m prepared for a few cheap tricks.”

“I see… I called you a ‘graduate’ and insulted you, but I take it back.”

“I’m honored.”

She probably wasn’t holding back before, but seeing me dodge that, her focus definitely sharpened.

“But it’s strange. Almost no one sees through that attack on their first try. A simple-minded idiot like Rudolf falls for it every time… You’re one of the smart ones, I see.”

Even as she chattered, she was preparing her next spell.

“But how long can you keep dodging?”

Vicious spells assaulted me, one after another. I dodged left and right, but the barrage was relentless. Every spell I dodged put more distance between us. —This is bad if she widens the gap. I tried to get closer, but a fierce wave of attacks continued, as if to absolutely keep me away. And the magic came with troublesome special effects; paralysis, slow, tear gas, blinding flashes. It was a struggle just to evade.

“——Kuh!”

“Oh my, you look like you’re struggling.”

Just before a cloud of dust completely obscured my vision, the last thing I saw was Epika’s gloating smile. The furious exchange of magic had kicked up a massive cloud of dust, blanketing the area in white.

“Hah… hah… Surely that’s a win.”

“Hey, Epika! You went too far! If you hit a kid with an attack like that, you’ll kill him!”

Rudolf’s angry shout echoed across the courtyard.

“W-Well…”

“You know how strong you are, so why didn’t you hold back!?”

“I-It couldn’t be helped! He provoked me!”

“Even so, an adult is supposed to stay calm! What do you think a young man’s future is…!”

The dust cloud was thick. Kicked up by her powerful magic, it seemed to signal my defeat. —Well, not that I’ve lost. I burst through the dust and shot straight toward Epika.

“Wh-How…!”

“It’s over. Please surrender.”

The blade of my sword was resting perfectly still, millimeters from Epika’s throat.

“Whoa, are you serious…!”

Rudolf was staring, his eyes wide and mouth hanging open, as if he couldn’t believe I was still standing. Princess Valtrune, on the other hand, watched with a calm expression, as if this was the only possible outcome.

“…It should have been a direct hit. My magic… So why are you still on your feet?”

My clothes certainly bore the marks of her magic. It had been impossible to dodge every single spell. Just as she said, I had taken the hit.

“…You’re right. I couldn’t dodge them all.”

“Then, you just… endured my magic?”

It was powerful, to be sure. But I know magic that is far more powerful. Compared to what Princess Valtrune can do, this level of pain is almost trivial.

“I told you, didn’t I? You had no chance of victory.”

A young man fresh from Philnotes Military Academy. It was only natural for her to see me that way. And it was true; I had begun serving the princess right after graduating. But the real me had piled up vast combat experience on battlefields where blood and guts flew. —I’m not like some raw recruit.

“Are we finished?”

I turned on my heel and sheathed my sword. No more words were necessary.

“Yes, of course… Aldia Graetz… No, Personal Knight Aldia. I apologize for underestimating you. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. I’m just glad we’ve cleared up the misunderstanding.”

Epika bowed deeply. I inclined my head in return.

“With that much skill, I can see why you were appointed Personal Knight.”

“Thank you.”

“…That’s all.”

Epika’s face had become a complete mask, impossible to read. She finished speaking, gave a nod to Princess Valtrune, and grabbed Rudolf’s arm.

“Hey, what’s going on!?”

“Something urgent has come up. We’ll be taking our leave.”

“I haven’t heard anything about it!”

“Shut up and come with me!”

I had no idea what this urgent business was, but I figured I could consider the matter settled. I hurried over to Princess Valtrune.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

She smiled gently.

“That was splendid, Aldia.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m sure she recognizes your strength now. And the same can be said for Rudolf, who was watching.”

“It wasn’t that flashy of a fight.”

“Flashiness isn’t what’s important. You took Epika’s magic and remained standing. That alone proves your toughness.”

Toughness… I’d never really thought of myself as being durable.

“To be honest, I wanted to dodge every one of them. I just couldn’t avoid that one last hit.”

A win was a win, but I wasn’t entirely satisfied. The ideal victory would have been to dodge everything and then counterattack. A powerful counter after being on the defensive would have been more impressive. —Epika’s fundamental skill was higher than I’d anticipated. I was the one who had underestimated her.

“I will devote myself to becoming even stronger.”

I knelt before Princess Valtrune.

“You’re going to get even stronger?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

There was only one reason to become stronger.

“To protect you, Your Highness.”

You only pursue victory so greedily because you have a reason to win. Strength is the same. You must have a reason, something you want to accomplish, or you can’t hone your skills. And I can keep pursuing strength. To protect her, I will do anything.

---

6

…I lost. Plain and simple. Personal Knight Aldia Graetz. He was someone I must not make an enemy of. I reflected on the match as I half-ran, dragging Rudolf by the arm away from the courtyard.

“Hey, Epika, seriously, what’s wrong!?”

So noisy. Can’t he just read the room and let me drag him away in silence? This dense man was just making me more irritated. I’d ended things politely in front of Lady Valtrune, but my pride was in tatters. To lose to someone so young… What a humiliation!

“Just shut up and follow me.”

“Look, I get that you’re pissed you lost, but…”

I cut him off with the most ferocious glare I could muster. He flinched and grimaced.

“Gah, don’t get so angry. You’ll scare away your good fortune.”

…We were finally a good distance away. I let go of his arm and stopped. He just thinks I’m being a sore loser. But that’s not all it is.

“Hah, I get it, but you should act more like an adult…”

“…You’re the one who doesn’t get it, Rudolf.”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

This man… he really hasn’t noticed? Unbelievable. I was starting to worry if the man leading the Imperial Cavalry was really this dense. I began to explain it in terms even this idiot could understand.

“Personal Knight Aldia. He’s far more dangerous than he looks.”

He just tilted his head.

“What? How? The guy’s tough enough to tank your magic, and then he was on you, aiming for your neck with perfect precision. He seemed like a genuine powerhouse, didn’t he?”

“Honestly… are your eyes just for show? What were you even watching during that fight? You make a terrible referee.”

“Gah!”

Don’t “Gah!” me. If you couldn’t sense the danger from that man, you’re just hopelessly dense.

“Aldia Graetz. On the surface, he’s calm, skilled enough to be a Personal Knight, and has outstanding combat sense. His loyalty to Lady Valtrune is also high. She has a very good eye, choosing him.”

“That’s high praise coming from you. That’s rare.”

He has many admirable qualities. He’s so strong, he’ll probably be remembered as one of the most exceptional Personal Knights in history. But that doesn’t change the fact that he’s dangerous.

“On the surface, he’s a perfect child, without a single flaw.”

“On the surface? What’s your problem with him?”

“…He’s… abnormally strong.”

“And what’s wrong with that?”

Being strong isn’t bad in itself. But that kind of strength… it’s not something you get without vast experience. He’s far too seasoned for his age. I caught a glimpse of a terrible viciousness in that sword, as if it had claimed thousands of lives.

“Don’t you find it unnatural? To be so young, yet more battle-hardened than even me? And on top of that, he’s frighteningly obedient to Lady Valtrune.”

“So what…?”

He just doesn’t get it. A Personal Knight who is strong, obedient, and competent. Lady Valtrune, who commands such a man, will one day rule this country. It’s all fine and good as long as she has that monster on a leash. …But what happens if that leash breaks? He’s too devoted to her… to put it badly, he’s practically blind with his faith in her. If anything were to happen to her, he’s capable of turning on anything and everything. I saw it in his eyes. He has no fear of self-sacrifice. He’s the type who will use any means necessary to protect what he cares about.

“He probably… has no aversion to ‘dying’.”

He has a quiet face, but he’s hiding a selfish, ruthless side that’s even worse than mine.

“So, what you’re saying is… Personal Knight Aldia is unstable and dangerous?”

I shook my head at his words.

“…In times of peace, he’s fine. But if that power ever runs rampant, it could unleash a catastrophe beyond our imagination. …That’s what I wanted to say.”

“A catastrophe? What do you mean…?”

“Oh, just stop! Stop asking so many annoying questions! We’re done talking. Now go away!”

“You’re the one who dragged me here!”

I shoved the complaining Rudolf’s back and made him leave. He grumbled but finally walked away. I said too much at the end. It’s been a long time since I lost my composure like this.

“Cornelia. You’re there, aren’t you?”

As I called her name, Cornelia emerged from a blind spot. Rudolf hadn’t even sensed she was nearby. Feeling a little annoyed by that, I turned to her.

“You were right… It wasn’t just nonsense.”

“Are you willing to cooperate now?”

“More than before, at least…”

Cornelia said with a prim expression,

“Aldia Graetz. He is the princess’s greatest trump card. At the same time, he is a massive bomb. If we don’t handle him with extreme care, he could one day bring about the world’s ruin.”

There was still so much I didn’t understand. What kind of ‘bomb’ could Aldia Graetz become? And, for that matter… just who was this light-blue-haired woman in front of me?

“In any case, I’m still just observing. I don’t have enough reason to cooperate with you yet.”

“That’s fine. I will make you cooperate… in the end.”

I was definitely getting dragged into something troublesome. I knew it, but at the same time, another feeling was welling up from deep inside me. A feeling like curiosity… ‘What’s going to happen next?’ I sensed the danger, but I couldn’t pull away. I was captivated by the existence of the man who had defeated me. What kind of influence would this Personal Knight have on the Empire? I desperately wanted to find out.

Cornelia turned her back to me, a satisfied look on her face.

“Where are you going?”

My voice made her pause for just a second.

“To report. I’m just going to tell that person that I’m close to securing your cooperation.”

“That person… I see.”

I’d asked her once before who that person was. But I felt the air around her instantly freeze, and I hesitated to press further. I’d sensed then that it was a topic I must never, ever touch. So, I couldn’t bring myself to ask again.

“…Excuse me, Lady Epika.”

“Yes.”

She left. The area was enveloped in silence, and I felt a slight chill.

“…Maybe I’ll go out for a drink. It’s been a while.”

Being led around by the nose wasn’t my style. I decided to chase some simple pleasure to get my rhythm back… It’s fine. There’s still time.

“How to deal with Cornelia. How to handle Personal Knight Aldia. What will happen if I make a move? That’s not my problem…”

So, whether or not I’ll do as she wishes… I’ll be the one to decide that when the time comes.

3

“We’ve been expecting you, Your Highness.”

The one who came to greet us was a woman who appeared to belong to the Imperial Mage Division. She had long, light blue hair and a distinctive tattoo etched onto her right cheek. But despite her striking appearance, she carried a very calm atmosphere.

“Lady Epika and Lord Rudolf are waiting for you inside.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“This way, please.”

The woman glanced at me for just a moment before turning back to Princess Valtrune and beginning to lead the way.

“…Do you know her?” Princess Valtrune whispered. She must have been referring to the light-blue-haired woman guiding us. I searched my memory for anyone matching her description, but…

“No, I don’t recognize her.”

No one came to mind.

“She’s one of the most talented in the Mage Division. Her name is Cornelia.”

“I still don’t recall the name.”

I had no memory of fighting her in the past. Even if I had, if she didn’t leave an impression, she must have been just one of the many Imperial soldiers I’d cut down without a second thought.

“Her skills are impeccable, you know.”

“Do you want to add her to our side?”

“Fufu, that’s not possible. Not yet.”

I understood that Cornelia was a capable person. But I couldn’t guess how I was supposed to interact with her.

“This way.”

Called again, I looked up to see a man and a woman elegantly enjoying some tea.

“Cornelia, thank you for guiding us. You may return to your duties.”

“Yes, ma’am! Well then, Your Highness, Lady Epika, Lord Rudolf… I shall take my leave.”

As Cornelia left, I felt her gaze on me again.

“…Excuse me, Personal Knight-sama.” As she passed by me, she whispered that one thing.

“……”

She was gone through the door before I had a chance to reply. It wasn’t unpleasant, but I definitely felt her gaze, as if I were being appraised. I could understand why Princess Valtrune praised her. She wasn’t just looking at my title of Personal Knight; her eyes were trying to probe my very core. While still mindful of Cornelia, I quickly returned my focus to the two people before me.

“Lady Valtrune. Thank you for making time for us during your busy schedule.”

“It’s quite all right. This is important for me as well.”

I straightened my back and took a long breath. Epika von Darius. Rudolf von Argus. Both were nobles, and I had to be cautious in how I dealt with them. Epika wore an extremely amiable face, but I couldn’t help but feel it was completely insincere.

“So, this is your Personal Knight… His name is… um…?”

“Aldia Graetz.”

“Right, right! Aldia. I remember now!”

She had an innocent smile… at least, from an objective standpoint. Epika, the commander of the Imperial Mage Division, was popular in the military. Her mature appearance gave off a sense of reassurance, and her slightly murky, violet-blue eyes were so deep you felt you could be pulled into them. She wasn’t just skilled; she was also an expert at strongly influencing people’s hearts.

“Let’s support the future of the Empire together. A pleasure to meet you.”

I hesitated for a moment, wondering whether or not to take the hand she offered, but…

“Yes. A pleasure.”

…I couldn’t create a tense atmosphere in front of Princess Valtrune. Thinking that, I accepted her hand. It was grasped with surprising strength. In that instant, I felt as if something close to her true, usually hidden, nature had surfaced.

“Hmm.”

“…Um, is something wrong?”

“Oh no. I was just so curious what kind of person Lady Valtrune’s first ever Personal Knight would be.”

Her gaze raked over me, from top to bottom. I understood this from my experience fighting her. We may have shaken hands, but I didn’t trust her one bit. It’s extremely difficult to deal with someone when you don’t know what they’re thinking. As my expression stiffened, Epika’s smile only grew more unpleasant.

“You’re the only one Lady Valtrune has ever taken a liking to, after all. I want to know all about you, too.”

—Yep. I really can’t stand this woman. I desperately tried to keep my feelings from showing on my face.

“Epika, that’s enough.”

In the midst of this, Rudolf’s voice cut in, chiding her.

“…Rudolf? I’m just trying to get to know him.”

“Like hell you are. It’s painfully obvious you’re cornering him and scheming something.”

Rudolf, commander of the Imperial Cavalry Division. In contrast to Epika, he was a straightforward fighter. And just like his fighting style, his way of speaking was blunt and direct. As her equal in rank, he seemed to have understood her personality for a long time.

“Let go of his hand. You’re scaring him.”

“He is not scared. …I’m putting all this pressure on him, and he’s barely even flinched. Right?”

“……”

Well, if I panicked at something like this, I wouldn’t be much of a Personal Knight. It’s only because I’ve survived so many hellish battles that I can withstand her pressure.

“Aren’t you curious about him too, Rudolf?”

“Yeah, I am… But that’s a separate issue. Just cut it out.”

Hearing Rudolf, Epika put on her innocent smile again and released my hand.

“My apologies. I got a little carried away.”

“…It’s fine.”

For someone apologizing, she didn’t look the least bit sorry. As the tense atmosphere lingered, Princess Valtrune’s cough cut through it, changing the mood instantly.

“Shall we get down to business?”

Her voice reached my ears, pulling the conversation back on track. As if declaring the time for probing was over, she spoke with a dignified expression.

“First, let me introduce him properly. This is my Personal Knight, Aldia. I brought him from the Kingdom… but I guarantee his strength.”

Those words were directed at Epika and Rudolf. I felt they contained an implicit warning: “Don’t mess with him anymore.”

“I see. If Lady Valtrune vouches for him, he must be very strong indeed.”

“Yes. At least, to this day, I have never seen anyone who can defeat him.”

At her words, Epika’s eyes narrowed.

“No one who can defeat him… That is very interesting.”

“If you doubt it, you should try a mock battle with him when you have time. Then you’ll see just how strong Aldia is.”

Princess Valtrune’s estimation of me was surprisingly high.

“In that case, do you have a little time… after this?”

Epika’s violet-blue eyes grew sharper.

“Aldia is strong. I’m sure it would be a good experience for you too, Epika.”

“Well, it would be a pity to kill him… so I’ll be sure to go easy on him.”

“That’s true. Aldia, you mustn’t kill her, all right?”

Epika probably meant that as a taunt, but Princess Valtrune’s swift counterattack was devastating. Thrown off balance, Epika’s expression darkened.

“You seem to think very highly of this boy.”

“Yes. If he hadn’t appeared, the position of my Personal Knight would have remained vacant. He alone possesses the strength worthy of the title.”

That was as good as saying that even Epika, with her post as commander of the Mage Division, lacked the requisite strength. Taunt after taunt. The heavy atmosphere grew heavier.

“You say some interesting things, Lady Valtrune… fufu.”

Somehow, this was turning into a situation where I was now required to fight Epika. Her fighting spirit was flaring up, burning with an unsettling intensity. And Princess Valtrune, too, seemed to be getting a little worked up. I gently squeezed her hand.

“Your Highness, please calm down.”

“…I’m sorry. I lost my composure for a moment.”

“It’s all right. But there are things we need to discuss right now.”

Our original purpose was to discuss the transfer of Ritziareite and the formation of the Provisional Elite Corps. I didn’t mind sparring with Epika, but I was reluctant to drag out our time in this room.

“We’ve gotten sidetracked. The things I really want to discuss are Ritziareite and Marquis Rigel.”

At her words, Rudolf, who had been mostly silent, reacted.

“Marquis Rigel… You mean that bastard.”

“Rudolf, don’t just butt into the conversation…!”

“Epika, I’m not free enough to sit through your useless chatter.”

“——! Ugh, you’re so annoying.”

“Let’s hear the details about this ‘clash with Marquis Rigel.'”

It seemed we were switching to the topic of Marquis Rigel. I was just breathing a sigh of relief when Epika cut in again.

“…You know? I personally don’t care about Marquis Rigel.”

“What?”

“If we’re going to talk, I’d rather prioritize Ritziareite… that girl.”

In contrast to Rudolf, who showed strong interest in Rigel, Epika showed strong interest in Ritziareite. The two, with their opposing views, glared at each other.

“Ousting Marquis Rigel is a top priority for the Imperial army as well. We should discuss that before we talk about some random soldier named Ritziareite.”

“Haaaah. Rudolf, you just don’t get it. Whether we oust Rigel or not, the corruption in the Imperial army isn’t going to stop. Rather than worrying about the future of this sinking ship, isn’t it more constructive to discuss the young people who will shoulder the Empire’s future?”

“You don’t know that yet!”

“Oh, I do. Because I don’t feel there’s any future for the Imperial army.”

“Your subjective judgment is worthless.”

“Oh? My judgment, as commander of the Mage Division, is almost always correct.”

Their argument was going nowhere.

“Let’s talk about Ritziareite first.”

At this point, the order didn’t matter. In the end, Princess Valtrune’s single word settled it. I wasn’t thinking too deeply about the priority, as we were going to discuss both topics eventually.

“As you both know, she has been transferred from the Imperial army to the Provisional Elite Corps.”

It was an after-the-fact report, but she informed them of Ritziareite’s new posting.

“Yes, I know. I’m so glad… She found a place that recognizes her effort and skill.”

Apparently, she was well aware of Ritziareite’s circumstances. Following Epika, Rudolf also nodded.

“Yeah, the Dragon Division is rampant with aristocratic favoritism. Especially for women… I hear they’re treated horribly.”

“It’s beyond ‘horrible.’ You’re so naive, Rudolf.”

“What?”

They were exchanging hostile glares again. Given her high interest in Ritziareite, it seemed Epika grasped the situation more deeply.

“The Dragon Division… unless you’re a noble male, you can’t get promoted. Not even if you have outstanding skill. The mistreatment is far harsher than you imagine, Rudolf. And if a girl is even a little bit strong, the backlash against her is even worse.”

“You know a lot about it… Lady Epika.”

After saying her piece, she looked out the window, as if in ridicule.

“One of the talented mages who joined my division was originally in the Dragon Division, too. She’s strong, better than any man, and could overpower your average soldier with her raw skill. But when she first transferred, her self-esteem was terribly low.”

After saying that, she quietly spat out her feelings, tinged with irritation. ‘That’s why… I hate the Dragon Division.’ She clearly had strong feelings on the matter.

“So, I am grateful to you, Lady Valtrune, in no small way. It goes against my principles to see a talented person crushed.”

She said this, and took a sip of her tea.

---

4

After that, the discussion turned to Marquis Rigel. Rudolf, who had shown strong interest in this topic, grimaced. It seemed he couldn’t stand the atmosphere of aristocratic favoritism that permeated the Imperial army. He appeared to feel intense fury, especially toward the Dragon Division for buckling under Marquis Rigel’s pressure.

“The nobility is nothing but shit! I hate this idea that they can do whatever they want just because they have money!” Rudolf slammed his fist on the table, making the teacups rattle.

“We can’t let that bastard get any more arrogant.”

“But we can’t do anything about it. So~ frustrating.”

“Tch…!”

Epika looked as if she was enjoying Rudolf’s reaction. What a nasty personality. As I watched them, Princess Valtrune turned a serious face to the two generals.

“We will handle Marquis Rigel. You have no objection to us striking him down, correct?”

“Of course. In fact, we’d like to ask you to do it.”

“I see… With both of your consent, then, we will be thorough in our dealings with Marquis Rigel.”

The two of them here would likely not interfere. They wouldn’t support us, but they also wouldn’t lend a hand to Marquis Rigel if he found himself in a pinch.

“Aldia, how are the preparations for the Provisional Elite Corps coming along?” Asked by Princess Valtrune, I recalled the current progress.

“General Ritziareite is pushing the troops’ growth at a rapid pace. Her training methods are a bit forceful, but if it’s to prepare for the battle with Marquis Rigel, I see no issue.”

“I see. And what about those we brought from the Kingdom?”

“They are gaining experience so they can take command on the front lines. For now, we’ve had them conduct practical operations, such as clearing out bandit strongholds in the suburbs and engaging criminal organizations.”

As I said that, Rudolf raised his hand.

“Hold on. Clearing out bandit strongholds? How did you find them? The Imperial army only manages to locate them a few times a year!”

To give the soldiers combat experience, we needed to find these anti-social forces. Normally, as Rudolf said, their whereabouts are almost impossible to track. However, thanks to Fadi, that problem has been solved. As a brilliant assassin, he is also well-versed in the information of the underworld. A mission like finding a bandit hideout is a simple task for him.

“My apologies, but that information is confidential.”

“Wh-! Why?!”

“The Provisional Elite Corps is a separate organization from the Imperial army. Therefore, we cannot share intelligence.”

Leaking internal information leads to a breakdown of order. The truth was that it was all thanks to Fadi, who had joined Princess Valtrune’s service, but there was no need to tell them that.

“That’s how it is, Rudolf. If you want to use the Imperial army to deal with the bandit threat, you’ll have to find them yourselves.”

At her words, Rudolf didn’t pursue the matter any further.

“Understood. My apologies for my rude question.”

“I’m glad you understand.”

We had finished discussing most of the main points.

“Are there any other questions?” Princess Valtrune asked for any final opinions before closing the meeting. At that, Epika’s violet-blue eyes narrowed.

“In that case, I have one… if I may?”

“Yes, of course.”

After getting the Princess’s permission, she closed in on me.

“To be honest, I didn’t care about the content of this meeting. From the day you appeared at Lady Valtrune’s side as her Personal Knight, my interest has been focused solely on you.”

This feeling… I knew it. Epika’s face floated in a gray landscape, and a harsh scene of magic flying everywhere flickered in my mind. I could feel Epika’s fighting spirit being stirred up. It was just like that time, on that eerie, rain-soaked battlefield where I faced her. The magic flowing through her entire body stimulated my skin, like an electric current. Directing a fraction of my awareness to the sword at my waist, I asked,

“Is there something you want from me?”

“If you’re recognized by Lady Valtrune, you must be strong. I get that.”

“……”

“But, you know… I don’t care if you went to Philnotes’s Military Academy or what, but the position of Personal Knight isn’t something a young man like you can obtain so easily. Do you understand that?”

“I am fully aware of the gravity of the position.”

This was a vow I had staked my life on. I hadn’t accepted it with some half-baked resolve. But Epika was asking—if I truly had that much resolve.

“If you are prepared… fine. Spar with me. I want to see for myself, with my own eyes.”

There was no lie in her words. It wasn’t just a test; I could see right through to the malicious air about her, the desire to crush me completely.

Interlude – The Beginning

1

“Hey, Aldia. What is the meaning of this?!”

“Explain it properly, so we can understand!”

It was one week after the establishment of the Provisional Elite Corps. Just as I’d expected, I was being grilled by my friends. Steano and Petra were leading the charge, thrusting pieces of paper in my face. On them were the words: ‘Provisional Elite Corps Assignment Certificate.’

“It’s just as it says on the paper.”

When I gave my short reply, Mia, who had been watching from the back, raised her hand.

“But you didn’t explain this to us, did you?”

Her deep blue eyes, belying her calm expression, were fixed squarely on me.

“No, I didn’t.”

“Well then, Aldy. Go ahead and explain.”

Mia said her piece and took a step back. She was right. This was something we had decided on our own. Princess Valtrune and I had selected the members we wanted for the Provisional Elite Corps, and this was the result.

“We have established the Provisional Elite Corps under Her Highness’s direct command. We want all of you to be its initial members.”

“And you! Should have! Asked our permission!”

“Weren’t you prepared for this the moment you decided to follow me?”

“W-Well…”

Petra’s momentum rapidly fizzled out, and she fell silent. It was a bit of a low blow, but I hadn’t called my friends to this country just because I didn’t want to fight them. Securing capable personnel was also an urgent priority. A major conflict requires a proportional amount of military strength.

As graduates of Philnotes Military Academy, they all had the potential to be effective assets immediately. I hadn’t revealed it yet, but one of the main reasons I’d assigned them to the military was that the Provisional Elite Corps’s first battle was imminent. It would be too difficult to gather people who could form the core of the army now, and we didn’t have time to train them. We were desperate for people who could command a unit.

“While we’re at it, I want to ask something.”

Next, Flegel, wearing a grim expression, took a step closer.

“What is it?”

“Even if I accept what you’re saying… why am I the only one who got this?”

On the paper in his hand, a different set of words was written: ‘Imperial Princess’s Internal Affairs Officer Assignment Certificate.’

“An Internal Affairs Officer… Why?”

Seeing Flegel’s sour face, I cocked my head.

“…What do you mean, ‘why’? It means exactly what it says.”

“I mean, why am I the only one not assigned to that Provisional Elite Corps!”

“After discussing it with Her Highness, we judged this to be the most appropriate assignment from an aptitude standpoint.”

It was true that his assignment was different from the others. But to make full use of his vast knowledge, we wanted him to serve as an internal officer, contributing in ways other than combat.

“Aptitude… huh.”

He narrowed his golden eyes.

“Yeah. We considered things besides combat. You were always good at administrative work, right?”

“Well, yeah. You know me well.”

“We’ve known each other long enough.”

Given his education as a noble, this assignment was the most logical fit. We needed people to take on command roles in battle, but we’d also been feeling the need for an internal officer to help Princess Valtrune with her foundational duties. Of course, as her Personal Knight, I was first in line to help, but there would absolutely be times when we were still short-handed.

“Flegel, this is for your sake, too.”

In addition, I believed that if he distinguished himself as Princess Valtrune’s right-hand man, his own wish might be granted.

“For my sake?”

“Yeah. You came to the Empire with me. …But that’s not the only reason you’re here, is it?”

“…That… is…”

“You have an important reason to stay here. As an internal officer, this role will help you achieve your goal. If you want to build a record of achievements, this is a more certain path than being a general, don’t you think?”

“…You have a point.”

Flegel loved his fiancée. Having abandoned his peerage in the Kingdom, he needed to build a solid status here in the Empire and be recognized if he was to stand by her side again. The quickest way to grasp that was to assist Princess Valtrune with her work.

“Any objections, Flegel?”

He seemed to understand what I was getting at, and his expression grew even more serious.

“No… No complaints. Aldia.”

“…?”

“I seem to have made you worry about me… Thanks.”

No one else, save for me, could have understood what Flegel was thanking me for. But I knew exactly what he meant.

“This was just the result of considering Her Highness’s intentions. Don’t worry about it.”

“I see… Well, I’d better give it my all, then.”

“Yeah. I’m counting on you.”

This was a mutually beneficial arrangement. He was here to rebuild his relationship with his former fiancée, who was in this country. I was here to spread Princess Valtrune’s prestige throughout the Empire. Flegel and I exchanged a look, vowing to help each other achieve our respective goals.

---

2

After that, I somehow managed to win them all over, and everyone agreed to their assignment in the Provisional Elite Corps. I had made the decision without consulting them this time, but I resolved to be thorough about explaining the circumstances in advance from now on.

“Whew…”

Letting out a deep sigh, I walked beside Princess Valtrune.

“You’ve been working hard these past few days.”

“Your Highness… Thank you for your kind words.”

After finishing the discussions with Petra and the others, we were heading to a conference room to plan our next operation.

Princess Valtrune had been meeting with key figures in the Imperial army day after day. This was all necessary to carry out the upcoming first mission for the Provisional Elite Corps.

“This time, we have a meeting with General Rudolf, commander of the Imperial Cavalry Division, and General Epika, commander of the Imperial Mage Division.”

—Rudolf and Epika. I recognized those names.

“Nervous?”

She smiled and glanced over at me.

“Yes, a little…”

“I suppose so. They’re both opponents you’ve fought before, after all.”

That’s right… I had fought fierce battles against them in the past. They were two of the most skilled commanders in the Imperial army. My memory of them was fainter compared to Ritziareite, but I clearly remembered them being difficult opponents. One was a berserker with overwhelming physical strength and a fiery fighting spirit I lacked. The other was the sharpest and most powerful mage in the Imperial army. They were two very different types, but both were undeniably among the strong.

“It’s… a strange feeling, I guess.”

“Talking to people you once killed?”

“…Yes.”

And I had, in my previous life, killed both of them. We were enemies, so it couldn’t be helped. But now, they weren’t people from a hostile nation. …I didn’t know how I should act around them.

“The Provisional Elite Corps will be clashing with Marquis Rigel soon. Due to various circumstances, the regular Imperial army can’t make a move, so we’ve been tasked with the role.”

“Marquis Rigel… Fadi’s nemesis, right?”

“Yes. We’ve gathered evidence of his crimes, but it wasn’t enough to get the Imperial army to mobilize.”

“And that’s where the Provisional Elite Corps comes in.”

“Exactly.”

I had a vague idea of the situation. The army couldn’t move because someone within its ranks was connected to Marquis Rigel. The official story was that they couldn’t confirm his crimes, but the main reason was pressure from the nobles who held sway over the military.

“…Which side are General Rudolf and General Epika on?”

I asked the question that had suddenly occurred to me. Were these two generals allies of Princess Valtrune, or not? We were meeting them under the pretext of a direct discussion, but that didn’t guarantee they were people she trusted. I continued to stare into her clear blue eyes, and she suddenly stopped walking.

“If… those two belonged to a faction hostile to me, what would you do?”

I answered immediately.

“If they are an obstacle, I will do as you wish, Your Highness.”

An enemy of Princess Valtrune… was something to be eliminated. That, at least, was an unshakable truth within me. I didn’t know the full extent of General Rudolf’s or General Epika’s influence within the Empire. They might be incredibly powerful. Even so, my resolve to eliminate her enemies would not be swayed.

“Don’t make that face.”

“Huh?”

“Relax. They are on our side.”

She placed her hand on my cheek and leaned in closer.

“Was I making such a terrible face?”

“Yes. You looked absolutely murderous.”

If she said so, it must have been true. Sometimes my emotions get the better of me. Even when I’m trying to act calmly, I can exceed the limits of my reason and expose an ugly part of myself.

“I apologize.”

How many times had I apologized to her now? I had only just become her Personal Knight, and I was already failing her.

“It’s fine. It’s just proof of how much you’re thinking about me.”

“But even so, I am still inexperienced.”

“That may be true. But we still have plenty of time. Let’s grow together.”

“Yes.”

We stopped in front of the conference room.

“Now, it’s time to focus. Behave with the dignity befitting my Personal Knight!”

“Yes! As you command, Your Highness.”