*

　Under the clear blue winter sky, the voices of the ordinary soldiers rang out.

'Alright!　Empty barrels over here!
There's not enough soil!
Shield!　Shield troops, gather quickly!
Stretcher!　Get the gurney ready!

　An ordinary soldier with a cart full of materials and a shield passes in front of Roy.
　They are now going to destroy the obstacles, risking their lives.
　This may be the reason why the ordinary soldiers are so eager to kill.
　But even so, they don't get into fights, because they know their roles.
　It's reliable.
　I honestly think so.
　They can build walls and destroy obstacles.
　That's how I feel about it.
　It's bad, Roy shook his head.
　If you're a soldier, if you're just a knight, optimism isn't a bad thing.
　If you think pessimistically about things on the battlefield where your life depends on it, you'll get sick to your heart.
　Optimistic thinking is necessary.
　Unfortunately, commanders are different.
　You can't think optimistically.
　No wonder.
　If you fail to think optimistically, you can't see it coming.
　The commander's incompetence will be paid for by the lives of his generals.
　Roy cleared his throat.
　Arjena was formally in charge, but Roy was the one in charge practically.
　It is out of character to think that you have a lot of lives in your hands.
　I chuckle at the thought of being out of character.
　I've always been like this.
　I've been an outrageous successor to my family, an outrageous leader of the Kingsguard.
　It's an excuse.
　If you really thought it was out of character, you shouldn't have accepted it.
　Now that you've accepted it, you should accept it.
　You should be satisfied with it.
　As I was thinking about this, Richard stood next to me.

'It's finally happening.'
Yeah, I know.

　I tried to phase in, but I don't know what's 'finally'.
　Does it mean that the Empire is going to strike back?
　Does that mean we've had our turn?
　Common sense tells me it's the former.
　Richard is a military school graduate.
　There's no way he would say something like that to lower morale.

''........Roy-dono?''
Sorry. Looks like I was a little nervous.

　Richard said as if he was confused and Roy apologized.

'Even Mister Roy ... no, I beg your pardon.
I'm nervous about things, too, you know?
I understand that.
Really?

　I ask.
　If he had just said 'I understand', I would have let it slide.
　But there was a hint of conviction in Richard's expression.
　The image and reality are in line with each other.
　Such an atmosphere.
　I wonder how on earth he feels about himself.
　Did such feelings come through?
　Richard opened his mouth quietly.

'Lord Roy was ... more decent than I thought he would be.
I'll take that as a compliment.

　Roy scratched his head.
　It would be a favorable opinion, considering what he had done so far.
　So much so that he has behaved far from the ideal soldier - a nobleman.
　I suddenly wondered what Richard thought of Algena.
　Maybe I shouldn't ask--.

''Well what do you think of Arjena?''
Is this the Lord Commander?

　Richard looked as if he was confused.

'Yes,'
You don't have to say it if you don't want to. I'm just curious.
No, let me tell you something.

　Richard said with increased verbal intensity.

'I honestly thought the Lord Commander of the Legion was not going to talk to you.
That's harsh.
I said I was honest.

　Richard raised his eyebrows in annoyance.
　No, he must actually be in trouble.

'Go on,'
The War Department Chief's orders were very clear.
That's for sure.

　Roy frowned as he remembered the instructions entrusted to him by the Director of Military Affairs Ralph Libra.
　It would be a waste of time to follow those instructions.

''The Lord Commander is, well, too inflexible, isn't he?
Well, yeah.

　I don't know why I tried to follow those d*mn instructions.

'It's just that the Lord Commander of the Legion that I told you about earlier was decent.
'I wasn't bad at military school, you know. But I've always had a bit of flexibility. Well, it wasn't as bad as this, but...
I understand that. Yeah, I know what it's like to be in a military school--
I know that guy.
Excuse me.

　Awkwardly, Richard cleared his throat.

'Well, there was one time you snapped during an exercise.
Are you gonna be pissed?
I mean, I don't throw them away. I can get mad and run into them.
'I suppose that's a problem, but...'
Yeah.

　Roy looked up at the sky and thought back to the exercises of his military school days.
　Argena was weak against enemies who played tricks on her.
　No, it wasn't that he was weak.
　If you only look at the results, she was undefeated.
　When your opponent comes up with one scheme after another, you can deal with them to a certain extent.
　But when you can't respond, you become agitated and rush in.
　The first time I saw it, I was surprised, but eventually I got used to it.

''Maybe the problem was that I was able to win with that one, huh?

　Roy muttered sincerely.
　If he didn't have the talent as a warrior, he might have changed his mind if he had been coated in a single defeat.
　No, that's exactly what it is now.

''The Legionnaire Lord I spoke to earlier didn't look like that, but...''
You should have listened to me on a regular basis.
I'm sorry to hear about your troubles.
Well, I've got a reputation to uphold.

　Roy cowered lightly.
　'This one often makes the cause, but Algena will hit you, so it's written off.

'Looks like you're ready to go.

　Roy looked around.
　Countless barrels were lined up and piles of dirt were forming.
　The shield corps is ready to defend against the rebel attack.
　And, of course, the stretchers are ready.

'Do you want to be here?'
Yeah, they're...

　Richard stared at the other side - the obstacle on the enemy's right wing.
　There are materials to build the wall there too, and soldiers to build it.

They're all yours.
Did you go to military school together?
'No, I've never met him here before. I think you're a trustworthy man.
How do you know I've never met you before?
We talked about it to establish a chain of command, or rather, a network of contacts.

　Richard chuckled.
　Apparently, the ordinary soldiers were working without his knowledge.

''There are some good people out there that I just didn't realize exist, aren't there?
I hope so.

　Richard said in a sincere tone.
　It doesn't mean that it's good if the soldiers who command on the enemy's right wing are good.
　It probably means that it's good if you're good.
　I think he's being too modest, but I think he has a low self-esteem because he's been eating cold turkey.
　I can judge what needs to be done and move on.
　I'm perfect as a general soldier and an officer.
　I give broad orders and let my men do the work.
　I think that would be ideal, but apparently there are many people out there who don't see it that way.
　I think it's silly, but I also understand how those people feel.
　They are afraid of being ostracized.
　They don't want to lose what they have.
　They try hard not to get pushed down.
　That's the right way, but it's also the hard way.
　No matter how hard you try, you won't always be rewarded.
　It's more efficient to drag your best subordinates down.
　Your efforts may be in vain, but your efforts to drag your subordinates down will not be in vain.
　That's what I mean.
　Richard timidly opened his mouth.

'Good--ah!
What?

　A rebel attack, Roy looked around.
　But there was no sign of the rebels around.

'I'm sorry,'

　Richard said in a moaning sound.
　He's embarrassed, and even his ears are red.

'I thought my life was about to be cut short,'
I'm sorry. I'm fine now.
No, I'm not okay with it.
I'm sorry.

　Roy said, pretending to wipe the sweat off his face, and Richard still grunted as he said it.

'Is something bothering you?'
No, that's not what I'm saying...

　Richard is slurring his words.
　He says it's not a problem, so maybe we should proceed as if nothing happened.
　But there's also the matter of misjudging the structure of the enemy field position.
　If we had investigated the nature of the discrepancy back then, we wouldn't have let the mercenaries die in vain.
　We can't afford to repeat our mistakes.

''If there's anything on your mind, please tell me.
'Oh, yes, actually I remember someone who looks a lot like the Legionnaire.
What kind of person does that?

　The world is wide open for someone like Algena.
　No, is it too small?

'Well, the character........'
The character alone is amazing.

　Maybe I should have chided him for not talking about something that was irrelevant, but curiosity won out over that.

'So what kind of guy is he?'
"He was emotionally unstable. He would try to do things he couldn't do and often failed... and then he'd lose his temper and get depressed.
It doesn't look like much.

　If Arjena had been emotionally unstable, they wouldn't have been friends.
　They might have had a duel.

'I suppose, if you ask me,'
Do you have any background information?
You were from the old nobility and didn't get along with the new nobility.
That's a little late for that.

　For a long time - when Roy could remember, the new and old nobles were not on good terms with each other.
　It's only too late to point that out.

''You have feelings for the new nobility too, don't you?''
Well, yeah, I've got it. My father I'm sorry.
I don't mind.
My dad used to complain a lot about the civil war. Until I went to military school, I thought they were a bunch of cowards.

　Richard gave a bitter smile.
　The fact that he thought the new nobleman was a cowardly guy must be a memory of shame.
　It may be a memory he would like to forget, but it's important for him to know shame.

''What about now?''
I feel so stupid. And what about you, Mister Roy?
I didn't have it in me.

　Roy cowered lightly.
　Richard is a good guy, but there are some things he can't talk about in the bare bones.
　If he survives this war, he'll get a chance to talk about it.

''It's a matter of karma.
Yes.

　I meant to talk to myself, but Richard nodded in a sincere tone.
　Causation - indeed, it's true.
　We are trapped in the causality of our father's or grandfather's time.
　If you escape from it, there is another kind of suffering.
　People are made to suffer.
　I can't help but think that we are made to suffer.

Well, that's the end of small talk.
Yeah, it's time to get to work.

　Richard smiled and straightened up.

'Shield Squad!　Forward!
Oh!

　The shield squad steps out in response to Richard's orders.
　It's a seamless movement.

'Shield Squad!　Move on!
'Oh!　Ooh!

　The shield formation begins to move in one mass.
　It is called a tortoise shell formation, with shields pointed at the front, to the side and upwards.
　While it has excellent defense, it is not as mobile as it should be.
　It really looks like a turtle.
　The godfather of this formation must have been very fond of irony.
　It has taste.
　If the other world is real, and I could meet it, I'd like to kick its ass with my dearest heart.
　Just as the shield team was passing by the obstacle, the enemy archers fired an arrow.

''Oh!　Ooh!

　The shield squad moved forward, shouting, and arrows rained down on them.
　The arrows stabbed at the shields that faced the front and the shields that protected them above their heads.
　They overlapped each other, causing the atmosphere to shake.
　It resembles the sound of a horseshoe.
　The trembling is a fear-inducing thing.
　Will the shield team be able to advance?
　Can those shields block the arrows before that?
　Roy watches with bated breath.
　No, he can only watch.

''It's all right.''

　Richard said in a light tone, his nerves getting through to him.

'Well, I know it's all right,'
''The shields are double-layered. It's true that the bows used by the enemy archers are incomparable to ours, but I don't think they are good enough to break through the double shields. Besides, the shield squad is experienced. With a little bit of effort--
Hey, Richard.

　He interrupted Richard's words as he wound up.

'It's okay, you take it easy.'
I'm sorry.

　He must have been very embarrassed.
　Richard turned red and apologized.
　That calmed Roy down a bit.
　He turned his attention to the shield team again.
　The sound.
　The sound of arrows sticking up against the shields.
　In between, I hear voices.
　It's the voice of the shields.

'Oh!　Ooh!

　Little by little, the Shield Corps was making progress.
　A slow march.
　But what a heroic figure they were.
　My whole body heats up.
　Roy clenched his fists and cheered in his mind to keep up the good work.

'Oh!　Ooh!
'Oh!　Ooh!
'Oh!　Ooh!
'Oh!　Ooh!
'Oh!　Ooh!
'Oh!　Ooh!

　How much time had passed?
　As a rain of arrows rained down, the shield team finally managed to line up along the obstacle.
　But this would not give them enough room to work.
　It was then that Richard shouted.

'Shield Corps!　Open!
'Oh!　Ooh!

　At Richard's command, the shields that were protecting the overhead rise up.
　They are trying to create a wall by lining up the shields above and below to create a work space.
　Anxiety rises in me, wondering if it will be okay.
　The shields are doubled to keep out the rebels' arrows.
　It weighs twice as much as usual.
　There should be a lot of wear and tear.

''Oh!　Ooh!

　The shield team's voice rang out and the shield finally rose.
　Roy patted his chest.
　Now we have a way to transport the materials and a work space.
　All that's left is to line up the empty barrels and fill them with dirt.

''The barrel team!　Move on!
Oh!

　Richard shouted, and the men, who were big enough to be large sub-humans, ran out carrying barrels.
　Of course, in the meantime, the attack continued.
　But the men who carried the barrels, blocked by the shields - the barrel team - can't be hurt.
　It's really dependable.
　Looking at this scene, I feel like a fool for worrying about it.
　Roy looked at the other side and patted his chest again.
　Just like this one, the shield squad is blocking the arrows of the enemy archers.
　It seems that the enemy's right flank was also able to successfully secure a path for carrying materials and a working base.
　Ha~, Richard let out a breath.
　He leaned forward as if he had just run as fast as he could.

''Good work.''
Thank you.

　Then Richard wiped the sweat from his forehead.
　He must have been sweating fat from the tension.
　Well, Roy's palms are also wet with sweat - but.

''I guess we've made it through the first stage.
Yes, it's still too early to tell, but...

　Richard replied with a mysterious look on his face, but he has some leeway.
　I hope the work will continue to be done safely.
　He couldn't help but pray that it would.

*

　A general soldier carrying a sack runs down the road to carry the materials.
　When the ordinary soldier reaches the desired location, he puts the contents of the bag - the soil - into the barrel.
　When the bag is empty, they return to the road they came from and carry the soil again.
　Of course, he's not alone.
　There are several soldiers carrying the soil.

"You never know what's good for you.
Yes.

　Richard agrees with Roy's words.
　The dirt that was dug up to make the moat is helping to hold the barrels in place.
　It's going so well it's sickening.

'How long do you think it will take us to finish it?'
Yes.

　Richard narrowed his eyes and stared at the row of barrels.

'So that's how you know?'
I don't know.

　But," he continues.

"Everything seems to be going well.
I know that.

　Roy lightly cowered his shoulders.
　The next moment, there was a thumping sound.
　He looked around in a panic.
　It doesn't seem to be a rebel attack, but--''

''Roy-dono!　Look at that!
"-Oh!

　Richard pointed to the source of the sound and Roy let out a small gasp.
　The source of the sound was a barrel.
　Several barrels were buried in the ground.

'What happened--'
Pull back!

　Roy raised his voice.
　He didn't know what had happened, but he knew that it was the work of the rebels - Crono.
　And that this couldn't be the end of it.
　An arrow that flew out of nowhere pierced the ground.

''Not good!''

　Roy shouted briefly.
　The arrow pierced the shield unit's back.
　Moreover, the arrow was surrounded by green light.
　It's an imprinting technique.

''Run--!

　The next second Roy opened his mouth, a burst of green light burst forth.
　The shield squad was blown away and the ground caved in around the arrows.
　Barrels that had lost their stability fell one by one.
　Some of them were swallowed by the sinking ground.

''Gaaaaaah!

　A scream rang out.
　Reflexively staring at the enemy's right wing, I saw a red light.
　Is that also an imprinting technique?
　No, Roy shook his head.
　There's no time to think.
　If we don't order a retreat right now--

"Gah!
Gag!
Hee!

　A short scream sounded intermittently.
　An enemy archer shoots an arrow at the shield officer who has lost the ability to defend himself.
　A rain of arrows rained down, causing the ordinary soldiers to collapse in a writhing heap.
　A dense smell of blood drifts in the air and moans are heard.
　After a while--.

''Wait for me!　Let's go now!

　The civilian soldiers, carrying stretchers, started to run.
　There was no time to stop them.
　Roy had a vision of arrows raining down on the soldiers as they went to the rescue.
　But, surprisingly, no arrows fell.

''Are you okay?''
I'll get you out of there in a minute.
It's a minor injury. You'll be fine.

　The civilian soldiers call out and carry the wounded on a stretcher.
　All the while, no arrows are falling.

'Why?'
...possibly.

　Roy looked at Richard.

'You're trying to put the burden on us by having us rescue the wounded, aren't you?'
Yeah, that's what Crono would do.

　Tsk, Roy clicked his tongue.
　I'm grateful, but I'm also angry.
　But this is war.
　This is the battle.
　Wherever Crono's intentions are, we should now swallow our anger and rescue the wounded.

"The wounded must be rescued!　We won't leave our friends behind!
Ha!

　Roy raised his voice, and the common soldier responded briefly.

*

　As Roy returned to the night camp with the wounded, Arjena approached us.

''Looks like the mission was a failure.
You're sarcastic.
It's just a status update.

　I was annoyed, but I managed to restrain myself.

I'm sorry.
I don't mind.

　When Roy apologized, Arjena replied hawkishly.

'Is the operation a failure?'
Yeah, as you can see.

　I answer in a disgusted, no, pathetic mood.
　I want to punch myself for being so optimistic.

'What happened?'
He used the imprinting technique. There was a sudden burst of light and the ground caved in.
What color?
Green and red.

　'Hmm,' said Algena, covering her mouth thoughtfully.

'If it's a force acting on the earth, it should be yellow...'
I don't know. It's a sinkhole.
'Right. Perhaps....

　Algena is mumbling something to herself.
　I've never seen her before.
　Something may have changed in Argena as she prepared to die.
　No, maybe this is the real Argena.

'Lord Roy!

　I turned around and nearly saw Richard running up to me.

'Here.........'

　Roy received something - what looked like a piece of pottery - from Richard.

'What's this?'
It's a piece of something buried in the ground.
Maybe it's a piece of a jar?
A jar?

　Roy parroted.

'Why is that thing buried in the ground?'
Have you forgotten what you learned in the classroom?

　'Well, okay,' says Algena, taking the piece of the jar from Roy's hand.

'This was back in the old days when sieges were fought.
Get to the point. Get to the point.
'We used to bury pots and jars to impede the progress of siege towers and such,'

　Arjena said in a slightly miffed tone.

'So, in essence, you're saying it's a pitfall?'
I'm sure you're right.
"Did Crono predict that we would try to destroy the obstacle?

　A chill crawled up my spine.
　Because I felt as if I was being rolled over in the palm of my hand.
　How long had things been working the way Crono had planned?

I don't think so.
Is that so?
I fell for one of the tricks the rebels had in store for me. That's all there is to it.
Okay.

　Roy patted his chest inwardly.
　Thinking about it, the rebels had been given time to prepare to meet us.
　The Imperial Army had fallen into one of the pitfalls dug by the rebels.
　That's all there is to it.
　We can fight this one.
　Because the other side is the same person.

''.........but what should we do?''

　Richard said, at a loss for words.

'What we're going to do remains the same. We'll build the walls and destroy the obstacles.'
Maybe you're talking about the ground caving in?
Yes, I do.

　The hole is backfilled and the barrels are lined up again, protected by the shield team.
　How long will it take?

'We can just throw in the sandbags,'
But now, when it comes to sandbags...
"Use the mercenaries' tents.
Oh!

　Richard's eyes widened in surprise.
　He would have recognized it immediately, but his earlier failure had probably limited his vision.
　No, it was the same with Roy.
　What a shameful story.

''........Arjena.
What?
That's more like it.
I think it's easier this way, but...

　Algena said as she let out a sigh.

'That's not very aristocratic,'
What's aristocratic about it?
Come on, man.

　Algena gave a small laugh.
　She said it wasn't aristocratic, but she didn't get it.
　It's a joke.

'Discipline and setting an example for others. I suppose that's aristocratic.'
You know what I'm talking about.
Well, what do you think?

　Arjena chuckled and turned on her heel.