*

　Lucas Lezato jumped up at the sensation of kopori and liquid flowing back up his esophagus.
　He avoided vomiting, but his nose ached numbly.
　He choked violently and spat the liquid out onto the sheets.
　The slimy liquid was either gastric juice or another liquid.
　Perhaps it was because I had eaten too much dinner.
　It always happens when I eat too much dinner.
　I can only count the days when I don't eat too much dinner.
　I lay in bed, sniffling.
　I had paid a lot of money for it, and the bed took my fat, fat body without a sound.
　I looked around and saw the furnishings I'd collected to tire of the money.
　I immediately lose interest and look up at the ceiling.
　Lucas is in a bedroom in the barracks.
　Even though it's called a barracks, it's actually more like a private residence.

'What's wrong?'

　A woman with a buxom body rubs her eyes sleepily and raises herself up.
　Her breasts shake as she does so.
　She is what you call a mistress.
　The encounter is not so great.
　There was a woman who was in need of money, and a man who paid to surround her with money.
　That's all there is to it.
　The face is reasonably well made, but frankly, it doesn't matter.
　It could have been anyone.
　But not a whore.
　It had to be a woman who felt guilty about giving herself up for money.
　The woman was convenient in that sense.
　She's a believer in the 'pure, white, orderly god', which is rarely found in commoners.
　In short, she is a uptight woman.
　She acts contrary to the values imprinted on her from her childhood.
　It was fun to observe the woman gradually becoming steeped in vice - but.

'It's nothing.'
...I see.

　The woman lay down on the bed again and began to sleep peacefully.



　My heart throbbed and I moaned.
　The doctor told me to lose weight.
　He also said my heart is weakening from years of inactivity.
　It's none of my business.
　I live this life because I like it.
　I wanted to be able to have a fat body and a way to be looked at with contempt.

''Huh.''

　The pain subsided and I let out a small breath.
　I won't be long.
　I have a feeling that I will.

'....So this is how it goes.

　Speak for yourself.
　Lucas has done a lot of evil in his life.
　He hasn't been home to his family in over 20 years.
　He chose not to return.
　He's going to die of years of indifference - or illness.
　What a pity.
　What a tragedy.
　I am almost disappointed with this ending.
　I even feel betrayed.
　But I also feel that this is how it should be.
　Well, it's not bad to go with this feeling.
　It's an unwanted result, and it's also what I wanted.

''I'm ... tired.''

　Just then, the sound of bells could be heard in the distance.
　Lucas jumped off the bed and ran out onto the balcony.
　The bells rang out in May, announcing the arrival of the enemy.
　His heart leapt and his skin was milky.

'Oh!'

　I leaned out of the balcony and yelled out in disbelief.
　I could see the fire in the distance.
　The number of them must be close to a thousand.
　It was forming up and slowly approaching in formation.
　Lucas lifted the corners of his mouth and realized that he had been hacked.
　Emperor Alfort's reign is in disarray, but he hasn't heard of anyone standing up to correct his reign.
　If there is a possibility, it's Princess Tyria or the new nobles of the southern frontier, but if you take action, you'll at least hear rumors.
　In other words, that was a bandit army.

''Tch, that's confusing.

　Should we fight, Lucas asked himself.
　The Eighth Kinsman Guards are a bunch of weak soldiers.
　It's unlikely that they will be able to defeat a bandit army that can form such an impressive formation.

''What in the world happened--!

　The woman gasped as she wrapped the sheets around her and stepped out onto the balcony.
　Then there was an explosion.

'Crap!'
Get your head down!

　Lucas shielded the woman and crouched down in place.
　The sound of the explosion roared again, and the red light brought the bedroom to life for a moment.
　Slightly late, the pebbles waved in pieces.
　Could it be magic, divine arts, or magic items?
　Either way, it seems that the bandit army is reasonably well equipped.
　Lucas stood up.

''I'm running away!''
What should I do?
Come on!

　Lucas grabbed the woman's hand and walked over to the bed.
　He pulled an old wooden box out from under it.

'It's--!

　The woman gasped as she opened the lid to reveal the contents.
　It was a natural reaction.
　There were gold and silver coins and even jewelry inside the box.
　To Lucas, it's a fraction of a penny, but to the woman, it must be a lot of money she never imagined.

'Take this box and flee to Emperor Kai's direct domain. Then give this letter to Nam Korunu of the Tenth Order of the Kingsguard.

　Nam would not treat this woman badly.
　At least, she's the most trustworthy of all the nobles I'm dealing with right now.

'What about Master Lucas?'
I must return to the Imperial City.

　Then he laughs.
　How will you treat yourself now that you have lost the power of a mining city?
　There is no doubt that you will be held accountable.

'Don't leave the room as soon as I'm gone.
Master Lucas, there is--
Don't thank me.

　Lucas interrupted the woman's words.
　'If it wasn't for this, I would have beaten you up.

'I'm leaving you behind and running away.
....

　Lucas left the bedroom, leaving the woman behind.
　Then his men came running up to him.

'Master Lucas, we have an enemy attack!
I know.

　The sound of the explosion was intermittent and the windows were chattering.

'Gather your men at once,'
Do you want to fight?
He has to run.

　His subordinate looked clearly relieved.
　He felt a deep sense of satisfaction and a slight sense of disappointment at the reaction.
　Well, this is the kind of man I knew and welcomed into my staff.
　It would be selfish to be discouraged because he acted as expected.

Come on, let's get out of here.

　Lucas walked away, trembling with anticipation.

*

　An explosion roars and flames rise.

'Good, good, we're right on schedule,'

　Nicole checks Kinza from her horse, illuminated by the flames, and moistens her lips with her tongue.
　I have a feeling that I've done it, but I also have a feeling that I've done it.
　This is what the first attempt at stealing or killing is like.
　The first attempt at anything is the hardest.

"Move up, lads, move up!　The enemy is scared shitless!
'Oh!'

　The men shouted out as I drummed my horse's neck to inspire them.
　Are you really freaking out?　I nod my head inwardly.
　I look at my men again.
　There are about a hundred of them in total.
　Half of them have been following me since the days of the imperial capital, and the other half are those I picked up along the way.
　Many of them had fled from the imperial capital.

''Be-Be-Bee-Bee.''
Moo Moo Moo Moo.

　My men are advancing the cattle while talking about it.
　What the cow is pulling is a huge grate.
　It's not just a grate, but a wooden pole set up at the intersection of the trees.
　Torches are burning at the tips of the sticks.
　The number of torches is close to a thousand.
　If you approach in this way, the enemy will think they are under attack and leave - apparently.
　When I heard this idea, I thought it was a great idea.
　However, when you actually try it, you'll wonder if there is anyone who would be fooled by such a thing.
　My subordinates probably have the same thought.
　But we can't stop.
　We've already done it.
　We have no choice but to continue on with the flow.

"It would be a disgrace to die in this.
Well, you'll be fine.

　Nicole felt hopeless, but before she knew it, Neige, who was standing next to her, was so optimistic that she wanted to punch him in the face.

'What's the rationale?'
The Eighth Kinsman Guard is a bunch of weaklings.
Oh, come on, we're worse than that.

　They are about a hundred in size and have no experience in organized combat.
　Funds are not plentiful.
　That's why they're raiding Kinza to get money and supplies.

"Isn't that what a righteous commander would do, a reconnaissance?
Mr. Lucas is a sulky one, you know.
Are you sulking?

　Nicole let out a deep sigh.
　I feel more and more desperate.
　But, I remind myself.
　It must be quite something to say that Neige is sulking.

'The Lucas Lesato I know would defend it to the death, wouldn't he?
What kind of person do you think he is?
You're a miserable f*cker.

　I think about it for a moment and answer.
　I don't have any contact with him, but from the totality of the rumors I've heard, he's a defensive man.

''You think you're not?''
I think he's a good man.
You're a good man.

　Nicole couldn't help but frown and stare at the city of Kinza.
　There were intermittent explosions in the city.

''Even so, is it safe to have those stupid explosions?
I'm sure it's safe to say that he's exploding in a public place.
I'm counting on you.
"Oh?

　Neige's eyes widened lightly.

I'm not going to end up being just a rebel. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this.
You were trying to fix the world.
I don't care what they say. All I know is that I've got to be accepted by the world.
I see.

　Neige nodded repeatedly.

'What kind of a change of heart is this?'
I haven't changed my mind since before I left the Imperial City.

　Neige smiled smugly.

'I was just wondering what the Marquis of Erakis said. He said it was a career for him to talk to me as an equal, but I don't think so.

　I was stunned when he told me, and I felt less than full when I was able to legally make money in the arena.
　But I wondered if we were really equals.

'I want to be part of the corner,'
Oh, here it comes.
"...you son of a b*tc*.

　Nicole curved her lips and looked at Kinza.
　One by one, cavalrymen emerged from the shadows of the buildings near the watchtower.
　Gurgling, he cleared his throat.
　If they attacked us, we'd be the end of our own part of the story.
　That's why Nicole was so proud of herself.
　If the boss was freaked out, her men would be even more freaked out.

'Be-Be-Bee-Bee,'
Moo Moo Moo Moo.

　My man lets the cow move forward.
　He must be nervous, after all.
　His voice is somewhat hard.
　Nicole loosened her grip on the reins from her hands.
　The horsemen started running in the opposite direction.
　I thought it was a trap to catch us off guard, but I get the feeling that they are running away at a glance.
　The people who are intending to counterattack are a bit more implied.

"He really got away.
I told you.

　Neige said as a matter of course, but Nicole couldn't believe the scene in front of her.
　You could say she was dumbfounded.
　But she couldn't remain dumbfounded.

'Look!　We won!
'Oh!'

　Nicole craned her neck and pumped her fist in the air, and her men let out a yell.



　Late October, 43rd year of the imperial calendar - Leonhard was walking down the corridor that led to the audience room.
　Perhaps because he was alone, his own footsteps sounded exceptionally loud.
　He lets out a small sigh.
　The mission had failed and resulted in numerous casualties.
　The seriously injured, as well as my subordinates who were lightly injured, will need to rest for a while.
　Rio--I don't think it's possible.
　I have a feeling that he will.
　When he was unconscious, I thought he was going to kill Crono when he woke up.
　But I was wrong.
　He didn't answer me when I spoke to him.
　He seemed to be deep in thought about something, but I don't really know what it was.
　I just thought he was like the living dead.
　Not only had he failed in his mission and lost his men, but he had also lost two friends.
　No, he shook his head.
　He had cut them both down for himself.
　It would be too selfish to describe it as a loss.
　Leonhardt let his gaze wander down the passage.
　It seems to be rougher than the last time he climbed the castle.
　There is a thin layer of dust on the furnishings and on the floor.
　It's not just the castle that is in disrepair.
　The gardens are in disrepair.
　It's autumn now, so it's still good, but next summer it will be a shambles without a trace.
　I looked down at myself, wondering if it was the same for me.
　The white uniform, the proof of a knight of the Kingsguard, is miserably dirty to look at.
It's a fitting outfit for a defeated general.
　I heard a bleep.
　The audience room - when I stepped out in front of it, Count Lucas Lesato was standing there.

'Lord Lucas, what has happened to you?'
Kinza was attacked by a bandit. I'm here to plead my case.

　Lucas laughed as he shook his fat body.
　Oh, and Leonhardt opened his eyes lightly.
　The Eighth Kinsman Guards are a bunch of weak soldiers.
　It's no wonder they were defeated by the bandit army.
　But for a defeated general, Lucas was calm.
　I thought that he had finished laying the groundwork so that he wouldn't be held accountable, but I had a feeling that he wasn't.

'Let's open it up,'

　The door opened with a deafening noise.
　Beyond it was a thick carpet.
　The colors seemed duller, but it wasn't my imagination.
　Leonhardt stood shoulder to shoulder with Lucas and began to walk.
　Alfort sat on the throne, his cronies standing in front of him.
　Leonhardt propped himself up on one knee, followed somewhat later by Lucas.

'Lord Leonhardt, report to me.

　It wasn't Prime Minister Betil who opened his mouth, but the Director of Military Affairs, Ralph Libra.

'Ha, we--'
Good. Come to a decision.

　Alfort interrupted Leonhardt's words in an irritated manner.

'During the convoy, we were attacked and the Marquis of Erakis was taken.
'Does that mean you were attacked by the Marquis of Erakis' men?
You're right.
I was right, of course.

　Alfort clenched his fists and stood up.

'Do you hear that?　The Marquis of Erakis has not only plundered the crimes of the Empire, he has defied me when I gave him the opportunity to make an offer!　The traitor must be avenged!　I hereby declare the defeat of the Marquis of Erakis!

　Alfort shouted high and sat down on his throne.

'Leonhardt, thank you for your service.
Ha.

　But,' continued Alfort.

'Despite the unexpected attack, we failed in our mission. I must take the blame for that.
Ha.

　After all, if I was right, I should expect the attack.
　I think so, but I won't say it out loud.

"You are relieved of your duties as Commander of the First Kingsguard!

　Alfort's cronies groaned, but some of them smiled.
　They don't seem to think so, though the authority of the Commander of the Kingsguard is not much of a big deal.
　Well, if you want it, you can give it to them.

''With all due respect,''
What is it, Prime Minister Bettyl?

　Alfort turned his gaze to Bethyl with annoyance.

''Your Majesty, the fault lies with us for rushing to restrain them and letting them head towards us with the slightest of hands.
Hmm, you're right.

　Alfort crossed his arms thoughtfully as he took Bethyl's advice.

''All right. You can't help but say that I'm partly to blame for this failure. Therefore, I am requesting indefinite house arrest. Is that clear?
"Ha, thank you for your generosity.

　Leonhardt hung his head.

'By the way, what happened to Count Chiron?'
The Earl of Chiron has been wounded by enemy fire.
''Let's put Count Chiron under indefinite house arrest as well. However, if the Marquis of Erakis has revolted, I doubt that Viscount Hamal will also be suspicious.

　He may have been talking to himself in the second half, but his voice sounded louder than it should have.
　Deciding to ignore it, the Director of Military Affairs, Ralph Libra, opened his mouth.

'Next, Lord Lucas,'
Ha.

　A bleeping sound was heard and the crony nobles laughed.

''First, let's conclude.......the bandit army swept into the mining city of Kinza, and I decided to make a strategic retreat to avoid the loss of troops.
Is that it?
That's it, sir.

　Alfort asked, puzzled, but Lucas's reply was curt.

'Do you have an offer to make?'
No, sir.

　When he looked up slightly, Alfort's legs were trembling in a small way.
　Is he shaking with anger?

''With ... fear.''
What?

　Alfort shouted angrily at the Director of Military Affairs Ralph Libra.

'Lord Lucas is a loyal vassal who has supported the Empire since the civil war. Why don't you give him a chance to regain his honor?
.....

　Alfort grunted.

'What are you going to do?'
If it's all right with you, Your Majesty, I'd like to give you the task of killing the Marquis of Erakis.
You're in charge.

　After a long silence, he agreed to the proposal.
　I look next to him and see that Lucas is biting his lip.
　It was an overly generous treatment, but he didn't seem to be happy about it.
　I don't know what his true intentions were, but he seemed to want to be punished.

'Your audience with His Majesty is now concluded.

　Ralph Libra, Director of Military Affairs, echoed in the audience room.
　A few days later, Leonhardt learned that Brad Hammar had departed with his men in tow.