In the tent of Bolvaat's army. Eileen-Rae Rachidore wrinkles the bridge of her nose in an uncharacteristically sullen manner. The messenger stiffened at the sight of his second-in-command. The commander tenses his back at the sight of the second-in-command, and looks down to avoid eye contact.

　In fact, the messenger knew that Eirene would react in this way. But he couldn't afford to fail to do his duty. The orders were delivered through her mouth.

　After listening to everything and pausing for a beat, Eirene said.

"...... retreat with our backs to the wall?　Who would have given such a laughable order?

　Eirene's sharp fingertips fluttered in the air as if they were nowhere to be found. Her tone was still calm, but her expression and unsettled demeanor clearly showed what was on her mind.

　In short, she doesn't like this order.

　The old soldiers who had followed Eirene for a long time thought it was a bad idea. She was good and calm, but she had a bad habit of losing control when she needed to.

　And when that happened, she would always say the same thing. It's not funny.

　The messenger gave her a frightened look, as if she had been shot dead in Eirene's eyes, and said.

"Well, yes. By the direct order of His Excellency the Magician General--

"You're lying. Yes, your message must be wrong.

　Eirene said the words coldly, both her eyes twinkling. At the sound of her own voice, the inside of the simple tent became as silent as if frozen. The soldiers outside the tent must have sensed the atmosphere. The voices naturally died down, and for a time, the surroundings fell silent.

　For a moment, the messenger could not understand what Eirene was trying to say.

　No lie, the messenger received the words from the Magus General Mastighios himself. From his habits as a messenger, he could remember every word, even the tone of his speech.

　The general said he was retreating. He also ordered Lieutenant General Eileen to prepare for it. All of it true and without error.

　But sadly... The role of a messenger is to tell Eileen what to do, not to persuade her. And if Eileen, the second-in-command, decides that the message is wrong. The only person who can correct her is her superior, Mastighios.

　Even if he is the second-in-command, he is the king in the field with an army. Whether the report is true or false depends on your heart.

　And if you do well, you will lose your crimes even if you disobey your superior's orders.

　Eirene's mind was already made up a long time ago. She clenched her fist and said to the soldiers, shaking them.

We will continue the siege. I will rejoin the battlefield. After a short pause, charge again. Let them fall this time.

　It was as if it was all she could see.

　Eirene's infectious magic infects the people around her with heat and makes them stroll towards death without hesitation. But now, as if even Eirene herself had been hit by the heat, she walked forward into the battlefield.

　All for the ambitions of the House of Rakiador. And for the longing of the Borvat dynasty.

　If they were to take possession of Galuamaria, the center of the city-states, the Bolvard dynasty, which had been merely the masters of the East, would soar high into the sky to become the champions of the continent.

　The opportunity to overthrow the unchallenged Garulist Kingdom is at hand. If she could do so, the name of Rakiador would be immortalized.

　Eirene smiled thinly, her cheeks burning with anticipation. The heat from the infectious magic was eating away at her thoughts and body.

The heat from the infected magic was eating away at her thoughts and body. I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.


　I'm sorry.


　The garrison commander's almost screaming shout. The sobs of wounded soldiers. The smell of blood and iron. The smell of blood and iron. The presence of the word "defeat" looming.

　That was all that was left of the back gate of Galuamaria. Because the enemy's attack was in a lull, they were even more intrusive to my ears and vision.

　It was a sight that made Hayes want to burst into tears at first sight, but he wondered why he didn't.

　Of course, Hayes was not unharmed. The wound on his side, which he had received several times when enemy soldiers had tried to climb the gates, was aching.

　There was no time for a medical officer to look at it. There were literally countless soldiers more seriously wounded than Hayes, and the fact that he was being treated meant that he was dying.

　Hayes exhaled deeply. He could taste the blood from the cut in his mouth. His tongue was numb and he couldn't move it.

"Are you afraid, boy soldier?

　Ziz, an old soldier, asked for the umpteenth time. I thought he was dead because I hadn't seen him, but it seems he was just away from his post for a while.

　His graying head of hair had taken on a strange hue from the spray of blood. For a moment, Hayes couldn't tell who it was.

I'm scared. I'm so scared. I want to run away.

　Hayes was surprised that such words came out of his mouth so lightly. Perhaps humans have a tendency to be honest when the situation is extreme. Or perhaps the temporary cessation of the enemy's attack had stupefied his mind.



　At any rate, the intense tension he had felt during the march was gone, and all he felt was a strange calmness.

　Ziz kept his eyes downcast for a moment, then put his hand on Hayes' shoulder and said, " Hayes.

"...... Hayes. I knew it. I'm so scared I want to run right now. But you know what? A man's worth is determined when he faces his fear. Don't look away, don't pretend you're not afraid. That's just being a daredevil.

　Jiz looked more serious than ever, and Hayes almost laughed naturally. Until just now, Hayes hadn't known that Ziz could speak so seriously.

　The fact that he could see such a side of him for the first time on this dying battlefield brought a strange smile to his face, though he didn't know why.

　Even though he saw the face of Hayes, Jiz looked him straight in the eye and said. The expression on his face and the way he spoke were also sincere. Ziz did not call Hayes a boy soldier anymore.

It's worth it because you know the fear and you don't look away. That's what they call courage. Remember that, Hayes.

　By this time, Hayes knew that Jiz was trying to tell him something. Although they hadn't known each other very long, Jiz was apparently not very good at deception.

　His expression and mood were clearly different from the usual ones. The frivolity was gone, and only the mysteriousness remained.

　If there was ever a time when the mood of a soldier would change, it would be at the point of death.

"I'm coming with you, Mr. Jiz. You're going somewhere, aren't you?

　Hayes' words were abrupt. It wasn't a conversation, and it wasn't connected to anything. Perhaps he could have played it off as what he was talking about.

　But Ziz's face twisted into a blatant expression of embarrassment. He put his hand over his mouth and looked around as if he was about to say something. It seems that he is not very good at deception.

　With a few words, Ziz tried to make up for it, but for some reason, Hayes didn't feel like retreating. It wasn't that he was bloodthirsty. He just naturally thought that if Ziz was going to do it, then it was necessary.

　Ziz sighed loudly and said.

I've spoken to the captain of the ...... garrison. I'm leaving the city gates with a reserve unit to strike back at the enemy forces. Look at them. I don't know if they're taking a break or what, but they're not in position. They think there's no way we're coming out.

　In fact, the enemy soldiers and hexenbiests are sitting down to rest. If they were to charge now, they might be able to inflict some damage.

　However, they would not go unharmed. Besides, it is possible that the enemy soldiers' blatant exposure is an invitation.

　In any case, death is definitely around the corner. No, it's like jumping into death yourself.

　Scary. Hayes shuddered and let out a breath. It felt like his heart had dropped to his stomach. Very, very scared.

　Hayes took a few deep breaths and said.

Let's go, Mr. Ziz. I'm scared, but I'm a soldier.

　With a twisted smile on his face, Hayes stood up. His legs were trembling, but strangely he did not want to sit down again.