Densetsu no Yuusha no Densetsu

In the distance, there was a sand cloud dancing.

Then there were lights…

A few, few, and another few lights emerged and then extinguished, followed by sounds of explosion.

Claugh sat on his horse and used his red eyes to observe all of this.

He used this small hill as a shelter to watch his enemies,

“Ah…Shuss. How many soldiers are there over there?”

“Around eight, nine thousand…”

“Hmm.”

He nodded slightly in response.

The vigorous battle had already started at the bottom of the hill.

They were in a place called Suriad in Roland…

The Estabul army were targeting the city of the anti-royalist forces—where Count Cleaude was staying. Like what Froaude had predicted, their numbers were about eight thousand.

Claugh frowned,

“That guy… his information is so accurate that it’s disgusting… Then how long can Cleaude’s city hold for?”

The seventeen, eighteen year old officer who had replied just now, said,

“They can’t hold for another half an hour. Count Cleaude’s personal soldiers don’t even reach the number of one thousand.”

Claugh laughed,

“Looks like Cleaude must be in a panic. He should have evacuated from the beginning. It seems like that city has some things that he does not want us to see. Never mind, it’s already like that, what do you think of waiting until they have dealt with Cleaude before we attack, Shuss?”

Shuss immediately replied,

“I’m very clear that you aren’t someone who would do that.”

Claugh said, depressed,

“Ahh? If you always use that tone as if you’re able to see through everything, then I will feel that I’m a simpleton whose thoughts are seen through by everyone.”

“That’s the charisma of Major-General.”

“Don’t speak such nonsense.”

Saying that, Claugh knocked on the younger official’s head and scrunched up his brows,

“Then, we should be going. We’ll charge from this hill and cut off their army from the side.

"After that, you can command the troops as you like. After all, we have fifteen thousand here… They aren’t our opponents.”

“It’s a boring battle.”

Claugh smiled,

“Oh, you have the guts. Battle is not an interesting matter, you should be clear on this, right?”

But Shuss used an earnest tone,

“So I say it’s boring. It’s a battle where the outcome is already decided, there’s no need to fight. I hate people dying meaninglessly.”

Claugh nodded,

“That’s that. So…”

Following that, he shouted in a voice that soldiers behind them could hear,

“This battle is our victory! You can’t die! Then,”

Saying that, he turned his eyes to their target in front of them and flicked the reins,

“Charge!!”

Almost at the same time as the command, the army started to move.

First, it was the cavalry who unsheathed their swords and charged forward, then it was the infantry led by the mages…

When the Estabul soldiers discovered this, although they wanted to immediately chant the magic that Estabul had to write words in the air…

But at this moment, the cavalry with Claugh leading them had reached their sides.

Like a knife slicing two parts, he cut off their ranks.

The Estabul soldiers entered a state of panic,

“Ro-Roland’s dogs, where did you appear from!?”

“Wu!? If they mix in like this, we can’t use large-scale magic…”

Strong, large scaled magic could involve their own people. So when using large-range magic in a battle, it was always released from a distance.

Although the confused Estabul soldiers used magic, but they were unable to decrease the numbers of the Roland soldiers.

But Roland was the same…

Actually, having ten or more mages performing a large scale magic from the distance could decrease the number of Estabul soldiers and then attacking would be more effective, and the damages would be lesser…

But Claugh didn’t do so.

“Shuss! I’m going! Try to think of a plan to decrease the damage!”

Claugh shouted in the battle. Shuss decapitated an enemy who was about to chant the offensive spell magic, then immediately started to rapidly draw a glowing magic structure,

“WHAT I SEEK IS THUNDER>>> IZUCHI!”

Lightning was released.

In a moment, an Estabul soldier who was about to cut down one of the infantry released a cry and collapsed…

Shuss checked the conditions of their side and then turned back.

“Alright! Go quickly! If Major-General isn’t quick, then the damages from our side and their side will increase!!”

But Claugh had already ridden away and couldn’t hear what he was saying.

Claugh looked around.

“Where is it?”

He muttered softly. He didn’t hold any weapons, and he didn’t use any magic, he only rode on the battlefield.

But even so…

The places where he pa.s.sed by were stained with blood. The people who tried to attack Claugh all cried, shouted and released sounds of fear.

“Che… I deliberately left you with your lives… Be quiet…”

But this was not possible. Because they still live, so they still moaned…

Claugh cut down the Estabul fighting forces by himself, just like that. Then he looked at the person who was on a horse furthest from him, who was most obviously commanding the soldiers to attack the city…

There were six red stripes on his uniform near his wrist and criss-crossing green stripes.

The red stripes indicated the position they held in the army, the green lines were evidence that they were n.o.bles.

Claugh said to him,

“Are you the commander of this army?”

The Estabul n.o.ble turned and looked at Claugh.

Claugh felt a little unhappy when he saw him.

Firm and sharp eyes. Eyes that said that he was proud for whatever he had done. He was different from those kind of n.o.bles like Cleaude who didn’t not partic.i.p.ate in the battle but only stood to one side and scream, he had a gaze that said that he sincerely meant well for his country…

The Estabul n.o.ble said.

“You are Roland’s General…”

But he didn’t finish speaking when Claugh started charging from the side.

In a moment.

Claugh’s hand was stained with red.

Before the n.o.bles behind their commander could understand what had happened, their leader collapsed, his body sliced into two.

Claugh gently waved the hand stained with his enemy’s blood,

“…Really… Even if you are thinking for the country, don’t do something like this… There can’t possibly be no one grieving over you if you died…”

He gently whispered, as if moaning then he raised his head,

“Look! The Estabul commander has been killed by me!! You will find that your situation is not good either! If you continue to resist… we’ll exterminate all of you!!”

He let out a shout that made even the earth tremble.

The surrounding Estabul soldiers completely lost their will to fight.

Even if they did not do so, the front lines that had been destroyed by Claugh himself were wavering, and they were taken care of quickly.

Then, Shuss shouted from the centre of the battlefield,

“The general of the Roland army, Major-General Claugh Klom has taken down your commanding officers! From now on, the fifteen thousand strong Roland army will raid you! If anyone dares to oppose, we will kill them immediately!”

The cry was repeated from the back…

The battle was quickly ended…

The Estabul soldiers had lost their will to fight.

But this was to be expected. Their commander being killed was one reason. The overwhelming number of their opponent was another. The unexpected attack that caused their formation to crumble was another…

But the largest reason was…

Claugh Klom, this name…

The Crimson Finger Claugh…

In many battles, his hand was always stained crimson with the blood of his enemies, Claugh’s names was very famous because of the constant wars Roland had with Estabul.

His existence was one that was just as feared as the mage knights…

Victory was gained in a moment. The eight thousand soldiers attacking Cleaude’s territory surrendered just like that.

After that, on nearly all the battles, this situation was almost the same.

As long as they attacked according to Froaude’s instructions, the Estabul soldiers would collapse one by one, as if they were controlled by an invisible enormous power…

Their power decreased alarmingly.

Then finally, they were pushed back into the territory of Estabul…

In a room in Aose.

In this room, the Estabul camp was in an uproar. The n.o.bles and the military officers were sighing in the room.

“What is going on!? Why are we always ambushed by the enemy!?”

“Can’t someone think of a plan!? Why do they always know the areas we’re going to attack?”

“So, so that’s what I said! This is impossible… it was only five thousand soldiers…”

“What are you saying? Didn’t you agree with this too! You said that we would get Estabul from that hated Roland!”

“But!?”

But…

Hearing them quarrel, Noa closed her eyes.

But… the soldiers were dead. They had died without leaving their legacy. This was the truth. If it was like that, then there wasn’t any need to fight.

Everyone… was dying needlessly…

Noa creased her brow in pain.

Then she opened her eyes again and watched the n.o.bles who were frantically trying to decide on a battle plan… even though they were already in this situation.

But they had already lost more than half of the five thousand soldiers. How should they counter-attack?

The Roland army was so strong that it made one scared.

It wasn’t only the strength of the army. Their information gathering skills were superior to their own. Where and when they would attack, that general called Claugh Klom in charge of the army seemed to predict their movements, and would always lie in wait at their targets’ territories, then ambush them.

Roland had someone who had the same mindset as Noa.

They didn’t want to see anyone else die. This was Noa’s wish, originally… but the n.o.bles in front of her still did not want to give up. They still wanted to continue fighting.

Noa could only say softly to the man beside her,

“…How ironic.”

Salawell turned his eyes to her,

“What is it? Your Highness.”

“What is it? Is there a need to ask? Other than the fact that the enemy is saving our people… and our n.o.bles are taking away the lives of our people, is there anything else that can be more ironic?”

Salawell revealed a troubled expression,

“Your Highness, we are fighting a war with justice on our side. We can’t possibly lose…”

“But, but we have lost, haven’t we?”

Noa’s words were slightly louder now, the n.o.bles who were discussing stopped talking.

Their attention focused on Noa…

Noa simply bore their attention.

She met the eyes of those who were looking at her.

“This war, shouldn’t it end now? If there is no future in progressing this war, then even if it reduces the sacrifices, shouldn’t we end it here?”

But towards this,

“Wh-what are you saying, Your Highness! Your meaning is that we should do nothing and surrender to Roland like this? We can’t do that. At least we must repay them, even if it’s only a bit…”

“…Then, for this small thing, will we have to lose the lives of many soldiers?”

“But, but… only this…”

She didn’t want to hear it anymore. What was coming next she knew very well. If this continued, she would be killed as the main conspirator of the rebellion. To prevent that from happening, at least they had to create a beneficial condition that would allow for them to continue this, that was what it meant.

But, for only that, it was not possible to prevent the lives of the soldiers from suffering even more…

Noa shook her head.

“It is already enough. Rest a.s.sured. The main conspirator of this rebellion is me. The other people were threatened by me, coerced into following me… isn’t this enough?”

“How can that be possible!? We can’t let Your Highness bear this burden…”

“Th, then, we will go with Your Highness…”

But at this moment, Salawell interrupted the n.o.bles’ conversation with the princess.

“Please wait. As long as we do not fail, we will not have to do this. Your Highness’s life, and everyone’s life, there’s no need to give them to Roland for nothing, right?”

Hearing this, the n.o.bles,

“Although that is how we say it… but in this current situation… there are only slightly more than two thousand soldiers left. But the manpower on Roland’s side, at least it is more than ten thousand? What to do…”

But Salawell’s expression showed no signs of shrinking back; he revealed a confident smile,

“The numbers in a battle do not determine everything, everyone. Strategy, and morale… as long as we can defeat the troops led by Claugh Klom, the morale of everyone will be boosted. About this point, I have a good idea.”

“Ohh!? Is that true! What is…”

Salawell nodded his head,

“Very simple. Target Roland’s weakness.”

“Weakness?”

“Yes. After everyone saw the battle tactics of the troops led by Claugh Klom, did anyone feel anything?”

The n.o.bles looked at one another,

“If you’re asking us what we feel…”

“It’s only that they’re overwhelmingly strong, and their movements are quite fast…”

At this moment Noa spoke.

“Are you referring to… the matter of him avoiding to kill our soldiers?”

Salawell happily nodded his head,

“Exactly, Your Highness. And, this is their weakness. On Roland’s side, to be able to gain control of Estabul quickly, they would do their best to avoid a war that will make us angry and avoid giving us a cause to hate them. And that means… What does everyone think?” As if seeking for everyone’s opinion, he surveyed the people in the room.

But everyone tilted their heads thinking…

At that moment, Noa suddenly realized.

Salawell wanted to carry out… that scary plan…

“Don’t, don’t tell me you want to…”

Just as she spoke, Salawell nodded,

“That’s right, Your Highness. It is the matter of using the people of Estabul as hostages against Roland.”

“Salawell! What are you saying…”

But he ignored Noa,

“Of course I have never really thought of sacrificing the people. But, using the people as hostages is the truth. Then, as long as they are our shields, causing the battle situation to progress in our favour, it wouldn’t be our fault. If Klom is unable to attack, then we defeat them. Not to mention… the people I lead have already taken the people of Roland as hostages, and they have caught them… at least like this, we will be able to have the upper hand in our dealings with the other party. They will also be unable to attack our base.”

Saying these kind of words…

“Ohh!”

“It’s Lord Salawell indeed! We can see the light again!”

Actually saying this…

Noa was already speechless.

What exactly, was he saying? If he did this, if he did this then it wouldn’t be a problem that could be solved just by bearing the crime of being the main conspirator of this rebellion.

Using the people as hostages…

If this was able to successfully defeat Klom’s soldiers, and in the future, if they were able to defeat Roland…

Then the direction had no future.

There wouldn’t be a country that could prosper and have the people not looking down on each other.

Although she wanted to say that, but…

Salawell, who was standing by Noa’s side,

“Your Highness. I understand what you want to say. But, there is no choice but to do this. I… want to protect Your Highness…”

Noa stared at Salawell unwaveringly,

“For the sake of protecting me, there is a need to use the people of hostages, you say!”

But Salawell shook his head, saying.

“No. I only wanted to protect you, I wanted to protect you whom I have watched grow up… that kind of feeling is one of my reasons. But the other reason is, thinking for the people of Estabul after today. If we lose to them like this, what will happen to the people of Estabul after this? They will be ravaged, invaded, and if they are tired of this, they will be killed… that is the fate of a country that has lost. I am only thinking of a way to save them…”

He was very serious. It was an determined expression that said that there was no retreating.

This mood was enough to understand. If there was a possibility, she would want to save the people of Estabul too. But,

“…Can we not let the people be hostages… Can we not let the people suffer anymore?”

“…”

Salawell did not reply.

Noa could only change her question…

“…Is there… no way to stop this…?”

“… It cannot be stopped.”

Salawell replied, then left Noa’s side. He started to discuss about the battle strategy they would take after today with the n.o.bles.

Looking at this…

Noa’s face had a sad, but beautiful smile…

“…Is that so. Until the end, I was only a marionette monarch that was carried to the throne by someone else. No matter what, I was still… unable to save anyone…”

Noa shut her eyes again.

The fortress was situated on the other side of the plain. In the past, this was a stronghold that Estabul had constructed.

Although it was not a big fortress, it was protected by a moat, and walls fortified with magic, an impulsive attack would not be able to overcome it.

This was the base of the conspirators of this rebellion.

The stronghold was right in front of them, but… Claugh was at a lack for what to do.

The unbelievable thing was that Estabul had actually caught the people of Roland, and even their own people as hostages.

He took up the doc.u.ment that Estabul had sent him…

Claugh had a disgusted expression,

“What are those people thinking of doing. Even if they were forced into a corner, there are some things that they can do and other things that they should not do. Can’t they even differentiate this?”

The letter sent was written like this.

First, the legion that Claugh Klom is leading, has to be dispersed, and retreat. Second, release the Estabul soldiers who are slaves. If you do not listen to our demands, there will be one less head from the Roland or Estabul hostages every hour.

A simple doc.u.ment.

But…

“But, this is a very effective plan. The conditions that the other side is giving us, definitely can be accomplished… If they depend on this threat to deal with the difficult problem of getting Roland to surrender completely, then we also ignore the hostages and attack… But now we are unable to attack…”

Shuss commented calmly.

Claugh crumpled the letter up, throwing it away…

“What effectiveness. No matter what, we cannot lose. This will only give us a reasonable excuse to kill them. If they take the people as hostages… war criminals… it will definitely be death.”

“But, then Major-General, do we attack and ignore the hostages?”

Hearing this Claugh frowned slightly,

“Ahh? d.a.m.nit, of course we can’t! Really, we have lost to them. What do we do now? Should we draw back first, then discuss this with Sion? But if we release all of the Estabul soldiers, what will we do next?”

“…After that, there would really be a full-scale war.”

That was the worst path to take…

“But we can’t give up on the hostages. If we did that, then there would be no difference from the previous king of Roland. Ahh, really, we actually have to discuss this with him, how embarra.s.sing…”

Although he said it like that, but Claugh still turned his horse around. Seeing this, Shuss smiled,

“I quite like this Major-General who is embarra.s.sed.”

“I hate you the most.”

Just as Shuss saw Claugh who was sighing smile…

Suddenly, there was an urgent voice,

“Major-General! The Roland soldiers are attacking the fortress of Estabul now!”

“Ah!?”

Claugh turned his head again,

“What is going on! Aren’t there human hostages there!? Did they attack on their own without my order!?”

But, the officer who had came to report cowered in fear because of Claugh’s roar and replied,

“A-About that… Actually, we’re still not sure who those soldiers belong to…”

“d.a.m.nit! Shuss!”

As he gave the command, Shuss was no longer by his side… Claugh had already galloped out.

He had to check which legion was acting on their own accord among the three thousand strong army he had.

But, there was no time to wait. Claugh quickened his speed…

At this moment, he heard Shuss calling from behind him.

“All of our soldiers are here!”

“Ah!? Then, whose legion is that!”

“…”

There was no reply. Shuss was not sure, too.

d.a.m.nit! What was going on? Think carefully. Think carefully before the hostages are killed. Can I move? Or can I not move?

If that legion was sent out by Sion’s order, then he should stay at his original position and wait for his opportunity. But, if it wasn’t… No, Sion had already said that the responsibility of this matter would be handed to me.

Then…

Thinking until here, he frowned.

There was only one person. His appearance seemed to appear in front of him… It was the person whose information on Estabul was so accurate that it felt slightly abnormal. He had though that he should be on the side of the front lines…

But…

“d.a.m.nit, it’s Froaude!”

Claugh spurred his horse on.

Shuss shouted from behind him,

“Major-General! It’s too dangerous to go by yourself…”

But he interrupted this,

“Shuss! No matter what happens, don’t let the army move! Keep the soldiers there!”

Saying that, Claugh rushed by himself to the Estabul fortress that was under heavy attack.

At the same time, the Estabul side entered a state of mayhem.

“How, how can this be!?”

The n.o.bles shouted.

This was impossible. Roland actually ignored the presence of the human hostages, sending soldiers towards them.

The n.o.bles glared at Salawell who was standing by Noa and interrogated him,

“What, what is going on!? At this rate, at this rate, it is already…”

“Salawell, how do you plan to take responsibility for this!!”

Salawell had a troubled expression.

“No, that, even if you want me to take responsibility… I didn’t think that, Roland would actually carry out this kind of immoral, cruel attack, ignoring the lives of the human hostages…”

“You actually said that you didn’t think of it! But this is the truth! How do you plan to take responsibility for this! Any- anymore and we will walk towards destruction! We have taken the people of Roland and Estabul as hostages… If this continues we will become criminals… it will be the death sentence! Explain to us, how you will take up this responsibility!”

“Th,that… But, it doesn’t determine that we will definitely lose…”

They argued.

Noa looked at them arguing, and sighed tiredly.

They would lose. The moment they took their people as hostages, Estabul was fated to die. In the end, it would always be like that, she had known of this deep in her heart.

No, but because she knew that the fighting style of the man called Claugh Klom, she had never thought that he would pick this kind of method in abandoning the hostages and attacking so early…

But no matter what, the difference between their strengths was too much.

This rebellion itself was as if they were foolishly dancing in the hands of their enemy.

When the n.o.bles heard Salawell’s words,

“That’s, that’s right. This doesn’t mean that we will lose… As long as we stay in this fortress, according to the negotiations, don’t stop killing the hostages, Roland might stop attacking…”

“That’s right! They think that we are not serious, so they attacked us! Then we have to show that that we are serious! Hostages…”

When they spoke to this point, Noa couldn’t stand it,

“Shut up!!”

She shouted angrily.

The n.o.bles gathered in the hall trembled, all of them fell silent.

Noa saw this, narrowing her eyes.

Everyone, looked exhausted. It was a tired expression because of the approaching death in front of them, because of the unsuccessful rebellion. How pitiful. This should end. No… It had already ended.

Estabul, was already…

Noa used a gentle tone to say.

“Everyone, you cannot lose your direction.”

“But, but…”

Noa shook her head slowly,

“Everyone has worked hard. But, let this end. Release the human hostages. This is the best that we can do.”

“But Your Highness, if it’s that we will…”

Noa shook her head again, interrupting him,

"Although, I do not know what will the ending be… But I will do my best, to think of something, to use my own life to…”

At this moment, Salawell interrupted,

“Princess, you can’t! We can’t let our princess die alone… I will go with the princess!”

As soon as he said that, although it was not everyone… but there were a few n.o.bles who said the same…

Noa felt, this was enough.

“I feel… happy. That I am surrounded by this many people who are concerned for Estabul… But, Salawell… and everyone, please continue to live. As long as you live, there will always be something that you can do. If you are dead, then everything has ended. Even if Roland forces us to shame, as long as we live, there is something that we can do. There will always be a method for happiness. Estabul…”

As she spoke until there…

Her voice started to tremble.

Towards what she was about to say next, she felt fear.

Troubled.

And there was some reluctance.

She had been born and she had grown up in Estabul…

She had always… always had been the princess of Estabul, praying that she would be able to create a country where anyone could smile and live. Create that kind of country, where she only hoped that the people who could be happy, would be happy. For that, she had worked that hard to learn. She had worked so hard to learn all of the many things that Salawell had taught.

But…

The ending was still this…

She wanted to cry.

What she had done, was only capturing the commoners of Roland, even the people of Estabul had been used as hostages, and hiding behind the soldiers who were fighting, enclosing herself in this city…

It was too disappointing. It should not be like this.

What she had hoped for, was not something like this…

So…

Noa suppressed her trembling voice.

She did her best not to let her tears flow out from her eyes…

But. Everyone in the hall, already understood what she wanted to say.

Some people lowered their faces, others had already started crying.

Noa smiled, saying.

“Even if Estabul is destroyed… Even if it cannot be resurrected again… I believe, there is a way for everyone to be happy… For this, I…”

There wasn’t any need to say anything else.

Following this, it would be enough if I just accepted my fate.

Noa tried to prevent the tears from slipping down her face, closing her eyes…

But at this moment.

From the front of her closed eyes, there was a dark, cold voice as if coming from a dark oasis…

“This is really… troubling. I am truly touched by everyone’s deep concerns for the country. But… from my perspective, I feel that if we only take Princess Noa Ehn’s life as compensation for this crime, it is slightly insufficient…”

A voice suddenly rang in the hall.

This voice, made Noa open her eyes in a moment, looking in the direction of the voice.

There was a man standing in the entrance of the hall.

Black beautiful long hair. Cold, dark eyes. And, a smile stained red.

He opened his mouth,

“Yes… Doesn’t everyone present feel that the best decoration for the destruction of this Kingdom called Estabul, should be a tragedy?”

Saying this kind of words…

Towards this, the first person to react was Salawell. He took a step forward, as if wanting to protect Noa, shouting at him.

“You, you, what are you!?”

The man nodded his head politely,

“Pardon me. I am Miran Froaude. I am a major of the Roland Empire army…”

At this, the n.o.bles entered a state of confusion,

“Ro, Roland!? How, how can they reach here… Un, Unless, the soldiers outside have already… been wiped out?”

But Froaude shook his head.

“No, no. Your fellow Estabul soldiers are still fighting hard. Anyway, there are one thousand soldiers with me, while there are two thousand and four hundred soldiers protecting here… It isn’t that easy for the city to be defeated. No, even if it were taken down, the Roland soldiers would be unable to enter this city. Because…”

As he spoke until there, Froaude’s appearance suddenly changed.

No, it wasn’t a change that could be seen on the outside.

But it was… killing intent.

Still carrying that faint smile, but, his eyes, as if having the ability to kill all living creatures, was unbelievably cold.

It was the eyes of a devil.

Froaude slowly opened his arms,

“The show that is about to start here, is the last scene of the tragedy…”

As he said that, he brought his arm to the front, pointing at a n.o.ble in front of him,

“Shadows… Come forth.”

In a moment.

Something unbelievable happened.

The shadows on the floor started to swell…

“Wuah…”

He could only let out this kind of sound. No, it should be said that there could be no other noise made. Because, his body and his head, had already been separated…

In this short time frame, no one said anything.

From the n.o.ble’s head, fresh blood spurted out, staining the ceiling, walls and floor.

“Wu, Wuaaah…”

The voice stopped here again. This time it was the body. The body seemed to be swallowed by a large beast, the body and head disappeared…

Leaving only the blood that had spread everywhere.

Red, red, red.

The hall was momentarily covered with red.

“What, what is this…”

Noa could only say this aloud. Her body was already unable to move.

The n.o.bles escaped in all directions as if mad. Then, one person, followed by another, was killed…

“Who, who else is there!? Is there anyone there! Soldiers! It’s the enemy, the city has been infiltrated by the enemy…”

Halfway through his shouting, the voice was interrupted again.

This time it was the whole upper body that had been s.n.a.t.c.hed away.

By the darkness… By the darkness that pooled out continuously from under their feet…

Among this chaos, Froaude wasn’t dirtied by a single drop of blood, he only spoke towards the dead n.o.ble who had lost his upper body,

“I’m terribly sorry. I am being rude, but the soldiers in this city are already dead. Because they might have interrupted this beautiful performance of Estabul being destroyed.”

Saying that…

Noa trembled. There were at least fifty soldiers in this city… This man said that they were all dead. And he had said that so calmly.

Monster…

She thought.

No, it wasn’t a human…monster…

If it wasn’t, then it was a devil…

That would devour everything.

The shadows that this man called Froaude summoned, devoured everything…

At this moment, Salawell pulled Noa’s hand,

“Princess! This, this has already ended. Even if it is only the princess…”

“But, but…”

Noa just opened her mouth, from the hall,

“Salawell! This, this will be blockaded by us! You have to think of something, think of a way for the princess…”

But this was interrupted.

He was killed.

He was killed!?

Salawell shouted,

“Princess! Escape!!”

“No! Everyone…everyone…”

“Dammit! Pardon my rudeness!”

Saying that, Salawell carried Noa and ran out.

“Let go, Salawell!”

“No! Please calm down!”

Just like that, Noa and Salawell escaped from the hall. Noa was carried by Salawell, looking dazed.

Why? Why would this happen?

She completely couldn’t understand.

It should have been her that died, but the ones who died were the people she wanted to protect. In order for her to escape, everyone had died…

All were dead.

When they escaped from the hall, Noa had seen it.

The last person’s death, and Froaude looking at her…

Using those devil’s eyes to look here…

Look here…

But at that moment, suddenly…

“Princess, please come down, I’m a little tired.”

Salawell said,

“Eh? …Ah, eh…”

Noa nodded, coming down. She looked around her, this was a meeting room that was slightly smaller than the hall earlier. Although it was like that, when Noa and the others came to this fortress, the chairs and tables here had already been cleared away, its usage as a meeting room was gone. So it was easy to move the chairs and tables into the hall on the first floor and use it as a meeting room. Salawell, the soldiers and the n.o.bles, without caring for the difference between their statuses, had laughed and said that they would use this place as a meeting room, then moved the chairs and tables there, that was a matter not long ago…

For the sake of restoring Estabul, and laughing, it really was something that had happened not long ago…

Looking at the empty big meeting room, Noa said,

“…All of it, is gone…”

But Salawell replied,

“No, there is still something left.”

“Something left? What is left? Putting aside the companions, everyone who thought for this country, when we caught those hostages, we had already lost our honour. We already, have nothing.”

The meaning to live too…

Not long after, that monster called Froaude would come here…

Noa did not want to escape. Even if she did not die here, what would await her would be the death sentence. Then it wouldn’t matter where she died.

Everyone, was dead…

But Salawell looked at Noa, for unknown reasons, a happy smile appeared, he said,

“It hasn’t finished, Princess. You still have your life, right? According to the plan, this should be so. ‘The Estabul that has taken people as hostages. Roland who is unable to move against them. Then, Estabul that has been forced down this d.a.m.ned path, started to kill people…’ Your role was to lose control, Princess.”

He actually said something like that…

“Sa,Salawell…? What are you saying…”

Although she said that, but, Noa already understood everything, towards what Salawell had just said, she understood everything. She had known from the beginning, it would have been better if she died not knowing anything… She had known that, she should have died with those n.o.bles in the hall, dying with a happy dream…

But towards what was in front of her, was the cruel reality…

This man’s face that she had trusted since she was a child and understood the best, suddenly turned into someone she did not know. A meaningful but indecent smile appeared.

“Then, the one to stop this wild Estabul will be Salawell Seal, as the hero who will save the country, he will be promoted to the n.o.ble of Roland, that was what was predicted.”

A nightmare…

Yes, Noa thought.

She had finally understood what Froaude’s words had meant.

The stage called a tragedy…

From the beginning, they had been controlled to dance.

Estabul’s rebellion too, from the beginning it was within Roland’s grasp…

Towards this Noa…

“Ahh… Why did this happen… I’m really foolish… There were clearly many hints. Those Estabul soldiers were ambushed by Roland every time. If only I had noticed. Or maybe it was when Salawell, the moment when you spoke about using the people as hostages, if I had found out at that moment… Or maybe, towards that monster…. That, noticing our escape… but letting us run away… Seeing this truth if I…”

Salawell laughed,

“No, no. You aren’t foolish, Princess. You merely trusted me. Even if you notice that there is something odd, you would purposefully ignore it. I… I who have been serving you since you were young, could not do something like this. Yes, didn’t you think so?”

“…”

This was the truth. Salawell could never betray her. Even if it was anyone who betrayed her, only Salawell couldn’t betray…

She had thought like that.

Then… Salawell said.

“You still regard me like that. So I will only teach you the beautiful things. The beautiful me, the beautiful me, the beautiful world… so you are beautiful. Unbelievably, you have been brought up as a strong, beautiful person.”

Saying that, he revealed a regretful expression,

“What a waste… I brought you up to be so beautiful with much difficulty… In the beginning I had planned to use you, then marry you, to get Estabul.”

“…”

Noa didn’t say anything. From the beginning Salawell had… this man had been always lying to everyone.

For this fellow, everyone, everyone had died…

“But you see, Roland has promised me a position… I am satisfied with that now. Didn’t Princess say that just now? As long as there is something remaining, there still can be things done.”

This fellow… Unless there would only be this kind of person continuing to live on in the end?

Noa trembled. It wasn’t because of fear, but it was because of anger.

That was, reality… As what Salawell had said, this was the punishment for me who only known beautiful things…

But…

Noa slowly reached towards the dagger hidden at her back.

But… only this person could not be forgiven.

Noa…

“I… really wanted to create a world where everyone would laugh and live…”

“You’re still saying pretty things. Beautiful things can never move this country.”

“Even so! I, still want to create that kind of country! Even if it is only pretty words… Even if behind some people’s smiles, there will be some people crying… This wish, can’t it be fulfilled!?”

Salawell laughed coldly,

“No, wishes are for free. This kind of fool will die in the end, I, who will survive, will become the hero to save this country. That’s all. Then alright, it’s about time…”

In a moment, Noa stabbed the dagger,

“I wouldn’t die for nothing…”

Then…

Her hand was simply caught by Salawell… Salawell revealed a satisfied smile,

“Princess is very cute. Just like what I taught, until the end she is still very pure, righteous, and, as if controlled by me, she will always make the actions that I predicted. Did you think that I did not know where you hid your dagger?”

Just by applying more pressure on her wrist, he took the dagger from Noa’s hand…

Noa looked at the dagger that seemed to be glimmering towards her, falling into despair…

In the end, she was unable to take revenge.

Everyone was dead. They were controlled by this kind of person, dead…

She didn’t want to die.

That was the first time she thought of that.

At least this man… this man should be…

But, she didn’t have that power.

“Then, let this end. You and everyone else, will die for nothing.”

He aimed at Noa’s chest, stabbing the dagger down viciously…

At this moment.

Salawell’s hand, still holding on to the dagger, flew away.

“What!?”

Before he finished speaking, his head went flying too. Then he collapsed on the ground…

A voice spoke.

“Yes, Salawell-san. You are really foolish. Just like what my plan was, until the end you had no ambition, so vulgar. As if controlled by me, you would always take the actions that I predicted... If he is used without any change, it would be like that? Princess Noa Ehn.”

Saying that… that man walked into the room.

That, monster…

That monster from Roland called Miran Froaude…

He still had a calm tone.

He walked to their side casually, looking down at Salawell who was on the floor,

“Rest a.s.sured, Princess. Roland isn’t so lacking in heroes that it needs this kind of man to be the hero because of saving a country.”

He said.

The eyes looking down on the target that was about to be killed, as if he had no compa.s.sion…

Noa revealed a disgusted expression,

“You say hero? Roland’s hero!? A hero who does something like this!? You’re saying that someone who plays with others" thoughts, in the end mocking them, that is the way how the Hero King of Roland, Sion Astal acts?”

Froaude revealed a slightly troubled expression as he heard this,

“…That’s not it. The one who does these things… is not a hero. My King would not do this. These are my own actions. And I have mentioned this to the king… but I was rejected by him.”

“…What means, the one behind the curtains for this matter was you?”

“Yes… until this rebellion was started it was all… But the king did not select me, but he commanded Major-General Claugh Klom to suppress the Estabul rebellion… what will happen next, Your Highness who is intelligent should be clear, right?”

Noa accepted this answer.

This was the arrangement…

Claugh Klom’s way of fighting, it was that fighting style that the Roland king wished for.

Froaude continued,

“But, although I do not wish to use Salawell-san’s words, beautiful things cannot move this country… This is the truth too. So, there is a need for people like me. Your Highness, a country where people can smile and live… that wish… I don’t hate it. I don’t hate people like you, too. If I were the officer or commoner of Estabul, I would choose you as king. But…”

He picked up the dagger in Salawell’s hand, raising it,

“Princess Noa Ehn took the people of Estabul and Roland as hostages, and killed them, then committed suicide. That is the synopsis of this tragedy.”

Noa glared at Froaude.

“Are you going to kill the hostage?”

“Yes.”

“You think that King Astal who wishes for that kind of battle style, will forgive you?”

Hearing this Froaude seemed troubled again, yet carried a slightly happy expression,

“…If this isn’t revealed, that would be best… But it would definitely be revealed. But… what will happen. That lord, probably would forgive me, that is what I think. That is, the strength of the king…”

Speaking until here, Froaude suddenly stopped, turning,

Then quickly jumping away from his position…

In that moment. A

“Miss, you aren’t injured, are you?”

He asked…

It was a man with hair red as if it were burning. With sharp eyes glaring at Froaude,

“You b.a.s.t.a.r.d, don’t joke around. Or did you want to say that you were the main conspirator for this rebellion?”

At this, Froaude gazed at them with dead looking eyes,

“I’ve really lost to you. Major-General Klom. I didn’t think that you would reach here that quickly… How is the situation outside?”

Klom…?

That Crimson Fingered Claugh Klom…?

Noa raised her head to look at the man who was gently carrying her. A masculine, well featured face, boiling with overflowing anger, he certainly looked very strong, but…

But it was different from what she imagined. The Crimson-Fingered Claugh Klom that had fought in their battle with Roland, causing the Estabul soldiers to tremble in fear…

She had always thought that he was a strong monster…

He was angry. Towards Froaude who had ignored the hostages and attacked this fortress. Towards Froaude who had played with the hearts of Noa and the Estabul people, causing them to start the rebellion… he was angry for them…

This was… Claugh Klom…

He was someone who was completely opposite… this was Roland…

Claugh settled into a position as if he would rush out any moment to hit someone, staring at Froaude.

Then,

“Answer my question, Froaude!! According to your answer…”

Froaude laughed coldly,

“According to my answer, you will decide whether to kill me or not, right?”

“…That’s right. Sion really doesn’t need you. When I first saw you that was what I thought. You will make Sion turn strange.”

“Really, didn’t you come along willingly? Major-General Klom. But, you don’t see what that lord is carrying. No, if you continue to converse with me here, you wouldn’t even have the right to serve His Majesty.”

“…What do you know. I don’t need the right to remain by Sion’s side.”

But Froaude shook his head sadly.

“Truly, there is no need for anyone to have the right to remain by Astal-sama’s side. But that lord is already the king. When he first became the king, he was already no longer human. He became a person who has to calculate the lives of people, the numbers and importance of the side. Now, killing the hostages of Roland and Estabul. Maybe not long after, Estabul and Roland will have casualties of tens of thousands of people, if it is this kind of choice, he will kill without hesitation. The road Astal-sama is walking down is like this… so in order to protect this path, I will kill Noa Ehn-sama and all of the hostages. If you want to hinder all of this, I will kill you too without hesitation.”

Claugh released Noa, lowering his body,

“Do you think you can do that?”

Froaude spread his arms. It was that posture again. Then,

“This… is very simple.”

In a moment.

Claugh started to move as if he were struck away, using an unbelievable speed to rush towards Froaude.

Then, Noa shook her head.

“No…”

Froaude… that person was very dangerous.

“No…”

Noa could see, she already knew. Froaude’s power, was not so simple as magic. That was not a power that humans wielded…

Even if it was the Crimson Fingered Claugh Klom…

Froaude raised his arm in front of him, saying.

“Shadows…”

Then, several tattoos of magical structures on Claugh’s arm started to glow…

No, no, no…

Noa thought.

She couldn’t let Claugh die here. This man, was necessary for Roland. He was able to support the Roland king, support this country.

For me that… The people of Estabul who have been captured by Roland, for them to be happy, he is a necessary character…

No.

I definitely can’t allow him to die here…

Noa opened her mouth,

“Froaaaaaaude!!”

She called loudly. This sudden movement, made Froaude and Claugh’s movements stop.

Noa saw this,

“Major Froaude. If you have to kill the hostages so that Estabul can be integrated with Roland… then let me convince them. I, for the sake of the commoners and soldiers of Estabul, can completely a.s.sist Roland, to persuade them… Don’t you think that this is a more effective way in allowing Estabul to integrate with Roland?”

Claugh heard this,

“What are you planning…”

But Froaude interrupted him,

“…What is this? Why would you do something like this…?”

“So that the hostages wouldn’t be killed. And this method, compared with killing hostages, allows the opinion of Estabul to lower, this indirect method is more effective, isn’t it?”

“So that the hostages wouldn’t be killed… huh. But… I see. That’s right, if you can persuade them, this will be more effective. You are respected in Estabul. But, doing this wouldn’t there be people who see you as a traitor?”

But Noa looked at Froaude determinedly,

“It doesn’t matter. If you wish, you can even kill me after that. So… so please don’t fight.”

Froaude revealed a faint smile. Using eyes that seemed to look through everything to look at Noa,

“…Ahh, I see. Indeed… you are an extremely clever person… it’s like that. Alright. Then, I will stop now. If I continue there will be more meaningless sacrifices. I will have to quickly allow those attacking soldiers to retreat immediately.”

Saying that, Froaude turned his back on them, leaving.

Claugh had a suspicious expression,

“Wait, hey… what is going…”

Just as he wanted to chase after him, Noa caught his arm stopping him. She grabbed him tightly… until Froaude completely disappeared from the room, always looking at his back…

Finally, when his body… disappeared in the deep darkness…

Suddenly her body lost strength, she sat on the floor numbly.

Claugh was shocked,

“I say, hey, are you alright?”

His voice was warm. Strong, but mixed with human compa.s.sion, using a seriously worried expression to look at Noa… Even though it was only like this, Noa would already confirm, she had not done wrong.

She sat, raising her head to look at Claugh.

“No, that, what exactly happened?”

Claugh had not completely caught on to what had transpired, asked.

But Noa did not give any explanation.

She only looked around her.

Everything she had, was gone.

Her country, family, people…

But, she did not die.

She thought that.

There were still many things she had to do.

Even if, this would completely ruin Estabul…

But, the people were not dead.

Thinking of the things that she would have to do no matter what from this day onwards…

Noa pressed a hand against her head, suddenly, using a light tone,

“Ahh, really… I’m slightly, tired…”

“Ah? Are you talking to me? What happened, what happened just now…”

She couldn’t use words to reply him.

Anyway…

“Alright. Major-General Klom. I don’t have any strength in my waist, I can’t stand up. Can you help me to get up?”

“Ah?”

Saying that, Claugh had an intolerant expression on his face now, reaching out a hand to Noa…

Just like that, the last rebellion of the Estabul Kingdom ended.

Froaude had already prepared the remaining part of the script before Claugh took Noa into Roland’s territory. Everywhere in the city were notices about the starting and ending of this rebellion…

Every part of Roland was filled with this topic.

That was how the script was written.

Salawell and the other n.o.bles, had imprisoned the princess of Estabul, Noa Ehn, and used her name to commit many crimes.

But in the end, Noa, because she felt pained at the fact that the Estabul n.o.bles had used the people as hostages…

So she was standing forward with their help.

After they defeated the n.o.bles, and surrendered to Roland, they had successfully reduced the damage to a minimal extent.

After this day, so that she would be praised for her efforts, she would be the hero who saved the people of Roland and Estabul, and she would be given a high position in Roland…

That was the script.

This way there should be many Estabul people and soldiers, even though they were not loyal to Roland, they would swear their loyalty to Noa who was a n.o.ble in Roland… these people should increase without stopping.

No… the sign had actually appeared much earlier.

Noa rode on the horse, on the road heading towards Roland, the people of Estabul, even the people of Roland… everywhere were voices praising Noa as a hero.

Of course, compared to the majority of these voices, there were people who hated her for being a traitor, or n.o.bles who were unhappy at the sudden appearance of an important n.o.ble. The numbers of these people increased by quite a number.

But.

There was no need to mind about this matters anymore.

Noa looked at the happy people who were praising her, she thought.

Even though she was hated, even though she was annoying. The person that should feel embarra.s.sed by this, was no longer here.

Everyone was already gone.

The people who supported her.

The people who smiled at her.

The people who reprimanded her.

But, even so, there was no stopping her.

She would no longer be played by Salawell. She was not saying pretty words, she only wanted to create a world where anyone could laugh and live…

This time, she stepped on the fighting stage meaningfully…

“…”

Noa looked into the distance determinedly, this country’s largest building.

Roland’s city.

That time, she… No, at this moment no one could feel it.

What was waiting, was a vigorous change that had never been witnessed before.

The sign was already starting to appear in every land…

The location was Imperial Nelpha.

The shadow was hidden in the darkness.

Controlled breathing, a shadow that was aimed at its prey. Its movements were perfect. Its presence was gone, no one could feel its existence.

The shadow looked at its target, gathering all the strength in its body.

Its body was like an arrow, using a counter force…

“Bang! I am Iris-chan… Wa wa!?”

But, Ryner reacted quickly to the fist of the girl who had ambushed him from the ceiling, grabbing her wrist,

“Alright, alright. Can you not hit me every time you appear?”

He was already accustomed to this.

Just to reiterate this. They were now in a particular canteen of an inn in Imperial Nelpha. Ryner had his usual tired and bored appearance, grabbing Iris’s wrist he said that.

As for Iris, she revealed a despairing expression for unknown reasons,

“Ahh!? No, don’t touch Iris! If I am touched by Beast-san, in the end I will…”

But about this point, Ryner also seemed to have become accustomed to it, he carried a tired expression,

“Fine, fine. It’s that again, right? Ferris told you something like if I talked to you, you would get pregnant or if you were touched by me, you would be pregnant, something like that? Something foolish like that cannot happen so you can relax.”

Hearing him say what she wanted to say, Iris was even more despairing,

“No, that’s not it! That, eh, so, if you touch me, any-anyway no touching means no touching!”

In the end she couldn’t think of anything, Iris puffed up her cheeks adorable, Ryner laughed bitterly,

“Alright, alright. That is really impressive.”

Just as he finished talking!

Behind him… there suddenly was a surge of killing intent…

“Ah~…”

Ryner frowned, a tired face, he couldn’t help but make a sound.

Then, naturally, that thing came…

There was a ‘ching!’ from behind him, a sword settled at Ryner’s neck.

“Eh. Grabbing my sister’s wrist…”

But Ryner immediately interrupted her,

“Although this might be too much, but I have to make it clear that I definitely wasn’t thinking of doing something of kidnapping young girls, making them pregnant or anything of the sort?”

He said, turning around, then,

“…”

Ferris revealed an expression similar to Iris’s, as if she were sulky that her words were robbed, and an sad expression as if she were bored…

Ryner sighed,

“…Or I should say, I feel that I am very scary as recently, I actually am able to slowly interpret your emotionless expressions…”

He muttered to himself.

Iris, seeing Ferris,

“Ah! It’s Oneee-saaaaan!”

Like usual, she plunged towards Ferris’s chest. Ferris dodged Iris’s flying attack naturally, letting her fly into the table behind her, grabbing Iris’s collar, pulling her up in a posture as if she were about to be hanged,

“It’s really good that you came, Iris. How was your journey?”

She said to Iris who was red in her face because she was suspended by her collar.

Iris was at fault too,

“Yes! So that I would be able to see Onee-san, I came to her quickly!!”

She didn’t care that she was being slightly strangled, replying enthusiastically.

Ferris nodded in satisfaction,

“Yes, I was always in antic.i.p.ation of the dangos you brought from Roland. I only wanted that every day.”

“That’s great! Onee-san also missed Iris!”

“Yes. The dangos from Wynnit’s Dango Store is really the best.”

At this moment, Iris’s flushed face had already reached a pinkish hue.

“Isn’t Iris… a good… child?”

“Yes.”

“I like… Onee-san the most…”

Then she stopped. Ryner was speechless by the unbelievable scene before him. Iris had already lost consciousness, but Ferris only nodded in agreement.

Ryner frantically asked,

“I say, hey hey, that isn’t the time to be saying ‘yes’! She’s fainted?”

“Eh? Was there something like that?”

“No, that, the problem isn’t about this situation… The problem is with everything, I complain that there is a feeling that something will happen…”

But Ferris revealed an uncomprehending expression,

“Complain? What are you talking about? I only let my adorable sister sleep normally, is there a problem?”

“No, you say that you let her sleep&h.e.l.l