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.
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