I was one of the Eight Swordsmen at the time. We didn't have a lot of Deales back then.
This is the first time I've heard this story from the Commander himself, isn't it?

　The Commander continued without returning his response to Mr. Dearles in particular.

'At one point, one town was attacked by someone.

　The leader of the group puts his hand on his cup as he says nonchalantly.

''It wasn't even close to the apocalypse, so at first it was thought to be wild thieves or something. So soldiers from the nearby fortified city were sent there. But they did not return after a few days. Next, a survey team was sent out to investigate. But that investigation team didn't come back either... and finally, the story went all the way to the headquarters of the Holy Tree Order in the royal capital.

　The Commander moistened his lips with tea once.

'Not one of the men who headed there has returned. This is unusual. No one who wanted to investigate or even tried to escape has come back.

　It's definitely unusual.

Chris, the deputy leader, noticed the abnormality and advised the leader to take a few more steps. But, although the leader at that time was not incompetent, he was a man full of goodness, for better or worse. It's a good idea to have a good time with your friends. We were to head to that city immediately.

　The Commander's gaze lingers on the cup.

'In hindsight I suppose I should have been a little more careful.

　A flicker of regret flickered on his face.

'I have to admit that I was overconfident in the Order. It's a good thing he was a good man, but the leader was a good swordsman, and Chris, the deputy leader, was a stronger magician than anyone else. I had some confidence in my own strength. Above all, the war was over, and the capital was at peace. Maybe everyone wanted a place to play an active role outside of capturing the Holy Ruins.

　The Commander held his tongue for a moment.
　He put his cup down as if to regroup and then continued.

'Anyway, so we spent a few days arriving in the town in question. There were dead bodies in many places around the town. Some of them were dead with a shocked look on their faces. And what awaited me when I entered the town was a pile of more bodies and four men.
Four?

　It was Currier who voiced his doubts.

'Only four?'
Can you believe it?　But this name will make sense to you. Those four men--

　After a beat, the Commander said.

'They were the men known as the 'Four Deadly Plagues'.

　The bottoms of the legs of the chair Ms. Currier was sitting on made a scraping sound on the floor.
　I could see that she had swallowed her spit.

'No way ... have you ever fought?　The four scourges and...

　Hmmm, the Commander's mouth falls open.

'Well listen. Now we're talking about Chris Renoussphere.

　I was tempted to ask what the hell the Four Deadly Disasters were right here.
　But I decided not to, as it might cut off the flow of the conversation.
　I'll ask him later.

　The leader erased the smile from his mouth and put his right arm on the table.

''As far as the results are concerned.......under the Commander, the Holy Tree Knights were unable to stand up to the Four Deadly Disasters. The commander was the first to be killed. The man who killed him said, 'I thought he seemed to be the second strongest, so I killed him before the other brothers could kill him first. He was going to give the first one to his eldest son. But Chris, who was regarded as the best, thought the other party was wrong and ordered them to retreat immediately. The question then becomes who will be the last one to eat the four deadly diseases.

　In other words.

And that's where we left off.
Chris and I.

　I wonder if the scene of those days came back to the Commander's mind.
　There was a mixture of remnants of affection and resignation on his face.

''Chris Renoussphere is also a benevolent person in a different way than the Commander.......in a word, you were too kind. Normally in that situation, she should have given priority to the survival of Chris, the deputy leader of the corps. But she was too attached to the group members. She probably thought of them as her real family. That's why she wanted to let those guys go, even if it meant risking her own life.
And yet you're the only one left.

　Makina-san, who had been listening in silence, unexpectedly opened her mouth.
　The leader twisted the edges of his mouth sarcastically.
　There is a hint of impudence in the air.

It's just that the vice commander's kind words didn't work for me," he said. It's a good thing that I'm a cynic among the flowery knights of the time, when there were many followers of the benevolent Commander. It's a good thing that you're able to get the most out of it. I'm not going to be the only one who can do that.

　There was a smile on the leader's mouth, although he said it sarcastically.
　What was being conveyed was an emotion that belied the words that were released from his mouth.
　Surely he didn't mind being nitpicked by Chris-san, either.
　With his right hand, he held the base of his left arm as he had done earlier.

'It was in that fight that I lost this arm,' he said. It was the fourth son of the Four Deadly Sins, as I recall, who took my left arm off. By the time I decided to stay, I already had one arm missing.

　Emotions peek out at the edges, but there is no turbulence in the leader's narrative.
　I'm not going to be able to stop talking because I'm overwhelmed with emotion.
　I'm sure he's been through more than I could ever imagine, and I'm sure he's been through more than I could ever imagine.

Maybe that's why I've been so slow to get my bearings. In the end, I couldn't do anything about it, and was knocked off by the elder son of the four wrongs with a single blow, and although I was barely conscious, I was immediately rendered incapacitated. And Chris--

　The leader's gaze catches Makina-san.


'The inherent magic formula of the bloodline of the Renoir Sphere, 'Mist Lutin' - I continued to use it until my life was drowned out, and it ended.


　He probably already knows this story.
　Makina-san did not move slightly with her eyelashes down.

''I've heard that that technique takes a certain amount of load just to release a single blow. Chris continued to use it over and over again, and even continuously, without ceasing. Fierce must be what you would call that kind of appearance. He vomited blood from his mouth, his nose, and his eyes ... and yet he continued to use it until his life ran out. Even so, the body of the four evil wounds--only a few shallow lacerations were left on it.

　'But,' said the Commander, taking his gaze off Makina-san.

''What's strange is what happened after that. The four of them surrounded Chris' dead body, which had been burned to death, and started a conversation with him. I couldn't hear the conversation, but when it was over, my son came up to me and said, 'This woman's determination and our commitment to each other and to each other is what we should do. I'll let you go out of respect for this woman's determination and for the damage she has done to our bodies.

　A chill ran down my spine.
　The words 'I'll let you off the hook' released by the Four Evil Men.
　The 'you' in 'you' just before those words included the Holy Tree Order members who were currently on the run.
　They were planning to catch up with them and kill them all.
　Perhaps they would be found and killed in a flash even if they tried to look at them from afar.
　If they tried to escape, they would be caught and killed.

　Even if they are weaker than we are, they will kill.
　If they turn their backs on you and run away, you will be killed.

　It's as simple as that.

　To kill, he's killing.

　And it's so strong that it's mind-boggling.
　Even the Order of the Sacred Tree doesn't care about him.

Then, after stopping the bleeding on my arm and administering first aid, the Four Deadly Sins left town in the blink of an eye. Finally, he said to me, 'Give her a proper burial.

　Before I knew it, the air in the room was filled with tension.
　Everyone listened to the conversation in silence.

''Even now, I don't know what the purpose of the Four Deadly Disasters was at that time. From the looks of it, it didn't look like they were waiting for the Holy Tree Order. They were rather surprised that I came. And even though every single soldier and scouting team from the fortress city that was sent over had been killed, some of the city's inhabitants were still alive and unharmed. They hadn't even been violently beaten. When I asked them later why, they didn't seem to understand why they had survived either.

　So the leader cut off his words once.

So I managed to survive with the help of the town's survivors and make it back to King's Landing. The rest of the Knights of the Order are safe and Chris's body is back in King's Landing. And then Chris's body was given a proper burial in King's Landing.

　The Commander lifted his chin and held his gaze hollowly.

''If she was alive, she was going to retire from the Order in a year's time and become the headmaster of this school her relatives later told me that. Six months later. I had mixed feelings when I heard that Chris's sister was going to be the head of the school.

　I didn't know that was possible.

　I didn't know that Makina-san had an older sister.
　Of course, I didn't know that she had already passed away.
　I never asked her about her family or her siblings.
　I never asked about them.
　It is because I believe that she should be able to tell me what she wants to talk about in her own time.
　..................
　The fact that Makina-san didn't interrupt this story as well means that she decided that it was time for her to know.

　Makina-san took a graceful sip of her tea and put down her cup.

　With the power of a forbidden curse, he could defeat those monsters.
There's no denying it.

　Without being at a loss for an answer, the Commander replied.

　Revenge.
　So Makina-san is trying to use my forbidden power to kill the Four Deadly Disasters to avenge her sister?
　But earlier she said it was a misunderstanding....

Yes. I'll admit that you're trying to do something about the 'Four Deadly Disasters' and that I've been looking for the power to do that.

　Surprisingly easy.
　Makina-san admitted.

'However, it is a misconception that he is seeking revenge for his sister.
...hmm.
'My sister acted according to her beliefs, that's all. I don't deny her actions and I respect her for them. Of course, there was a time when I was depressed after her death, but one cannot move forward if one is stuck in the past. Besides, if my motivation was very personal, such as revenge, I would not involve others. I hope you won't underestimate that.

　Makina looked straight at the Commander.

'I'll tell you that and then I'll tell you again. I have decided that it is dangerous to leave the Four Deadly Disasters as they are. Not just for this Renowthred, but for all the people who live in Midzberia.
You don't really want to avenge your sister's death, but for the sake of this country and, by extension, Midzberia.
I intend to. That's the plan, Blackbird.
Yes, sir.

　I'm surprised when he suddenly turns the conversation around.

''Did you know about the Four Deadly Disasters?''
Actually, I only know his name...I've been meaning to ask him when I get a chance, but I haven't had a chance to.

　I understand that they're a very strong foursome.

''Since this is the time, maybe you should know. I'm sure the rest of you know about them but may I have a moment of your time?

　Everyone nodded silently at Makina-san's question.
　Sigh, Makina-san caught her breath.

''Then I'll tell you about the Four Deadly Disasters.

　　　　　　　　　　*

　The most obvious episode to tell about them is still the story of their battle against the Empire.

　On one occasion.
　From the western part of the Midzberian continent came across the sea the warships of the Guntarios Empire.
　On landing, the imperial troops took the small western edge of the continent as a foothold and conquered the western nations one by one.
　Their momentum was truly unprecedented.

　Almost half of the continent was conquered by Guntarios in just six months.
　But there was something that stood in front of Guntarios.

　It was the apocalypse.

　An impenetrable zone with a territory that is not a nation, but is not small.
　The Empire next turned its forces to this zone.
　Yes.
　The great powers of the West set out to rule the apocalypse.

　However, at this point, the Empire was at a major standstill.
　The geography of Doomsday Township is strangely intricate, and to those who don't know the terrain, it's a labyrinthine place.
　Also, there is no telling when the ferocious inhabitants will attack from the darkness of night while camping.
　At any moment in the day or night, they will attack you with weapons in their hands without mercy.
　In addition, the fighting ability of each of them is not to be taken for granted, and some of them seem to be under the command of someone else, and they are as well organized as an army.
　Some of them were clearly not afraid of death, and the Imperial soldiers were highly fearful of the inhabitants with their combination of brutality and abnormality.

　Nevertheless, the Empire pressed on with its control of the apocalypse, which would hinder the future conquests of Ruvelargan and Renowthred.
　Thus, over the next few months, the Empire managed to conquer the western perimeter of the apocalypse.
　But then...
　Suddenly.

　Four men appeared.

　They first killed all the Imperial soldiers who had built a fort on the periphery.
　Furthermore, the imperial army, which had avoided the apocalypse and marched towards Renousled and Ruvelargan by routes close to the northern and southern ends, was attacked by those four men one after another, forcing them to retreat.

　Only four men.
　Only four men.

　The Imperial soldiers could not believe it.

　It was so out of the ordinary that only four people were able to stir up the war situation.

　-- The imperial army, which boasted an everlasting victory in the western continent, was being beaten for good by just four people.

　If this had been hearsay, everyone would have laughed at the ridiculousness of it all.
　But once you've seen it with your own eyes, you have no choice but to believe it.
　No matter how hard it is to believe, something that exists exists exists.
　They exist and have been put away.

　Who are they?
　Anyone from Midzberia had a good idea of those four men.
　He knew their names, too.

　The Four Deadly Plagues.

　They appeared unexpectedly, as if they had awakened from hibernation, slaughtered, and then went back to somewhere else.

　Disaster.
　Yes.
　They are a disaster.
　That's how everyone in Midzberia perceived them.
　And someday, people would call them the Four Deadly Disasters.

　Emperor Guntarios III ordered his generals to somehow kill the Four Deadly Plagues, but all of the strongest men he sent were defeated.
　Some say that Garbarossa Gimmenze, the pride of the empire, and the Suicide Guards were at home fighting the northern barbarians, and if they had been there, they could have won the war.
　However, there is also anecdotal evidence to suggest that the survivors of the Four Deadly Disasters all said that they would rather deal with the warrior gods and the suicide bombers than deal with them.

　The slaughter of the Four Deadly Plagues never stopped.
　Finally, the emperor gave up the idea of killing them and decided to call them to his service.
　He prepares a messenger.

　Almost all of them were killed.

　Whatever price he offered, they were killed.
　Every beautiful woman he offered them was murdered.
　Every position he offered was met with death.
　Any number of good terms they offered, they were killed.
　Every attempt to negotiate, he was killed.

　I never understood why in the first place.
　Why rampage through the Empire?
　Repeated slaughter.
　Do you have a grudge against the Empire?

　There was one survivor among those who negotiated with him.
　But he had been reduced to a horrible mess.
　His body was intact, but he was far more emaciated than ever before.
　His eye socket was sunken.
　He looked like he was always in fear of something.
　He said.

'It's different. They are not 'that kind of thing'. They live only in their reasoning. So there is no negotiation with them. There is only "they" to them. The rest of us are pigs. We are the pigs.'

　The day after he said that.
　The next day, he plunged his sword into his mouth and took his own life.

　Ask anyone on the continent about the Four Deadly Plagues, and they all say the same thing: there is no reason for the Four Deadly Plagues.

　There is no reason for the Four Deadly Disasters.
　So they are like disasters.

　After all.
　The Empire put an end to the war itself when it conquered half of the continent.
　No, they had to strike.
　Rather, just before they stopped the war, they had their hands full with the four deadly plagues that were finally appearing in the central branch city of Midzberia.
　The Empire offered a truce to Renousled and Ruvelargan.
　The Empire paid both countries a large sum of money.

　A few days later, the Four Deadly Plagues came to a halt.

　But the Empire still feared the Four Deadly Disasters.
　They feared that if they set out to conquer the eastern countries again, "they" would appear again.
　On the other hand, some of the people of Renowthred and Ruvelargan even worshipped the Four Deadly Plagues as heroes of the nation.

　However, the story of the Four Deadly Plagues and the Empire may have a strong tinge of a legend, the truth of which is no longer certain.
　Legends attract people.
　It is passed from person to person.
　Adorned with the embellishment of admiration.
　Embellished with the embellishment of awe.
　Gradually altered to suit people's needs.
　The story is altered to suit the needs of the people.
　The result is the "legend" that people seek.
　Therefore, it is not clear whether every detail matches the truth or not.

　There is no shortage of such legends, but in fact, very little is known about them.

　The first is that they are said to have been born in the apocalypse.
　The second is that they were once known as the Four Anglen Brothers.

　But neither of these is ever proven.
　In other words, we don't know anything about them.

　The only thing we know for sure is that they are exceptionally powerful.

　　　　　　　　　　*

'Indeed, if we were to extract only the results, the Four Deadly Disasters stopped the conquest of Midzberia by Guntarios.

　When she finished explaining, Makina-san added, ''It seems to me that the purpose of the group was to prevent Guntarios from conquering the East.

''The period when they stopped their activities also looks, depending on how you look at it, as if their goal was to prevent Guntarios from conquering the East. But... is that really the case?
'Does that mean it might just be a convenient interpretation by the people of Renowthred and Revel Argan?

　Makina nodded at my question.

'I think so. Those who see it as heroic assume that the fangs of the Four Deadly Disasters won't turn on them....no, they seem to want to assume it. I try not to look at the occasional slaughter that occurs in distant places with one word: 'something like a disaster'... but if they, who are powerful enough to cause trouble for a country, move to destroy their own country, will that time be 'something like a disaster'? Can we get this over with?

　Okay.
　There's no guarantee that the Four Deadly Disasters won't 'go that far'.
　Makina-san is worried about that.

'Guntarios is still a threat to the two eastern countries. But it is the people of those countries themselves who must protect their countries from the threat of Guntarios. It is too dangerous to rely on the uncertainty of the Four Deadly Disasters.
"But there is no one who can defeat the Four Deadly Plagues.

　The Commander interrupted.

'That was the source of your woes. That's why I was trying to find a promising student in the school and create my own organization to defeat the Four Deadly Plagues.''

　The Commander flicks me a look.

'And then the forbidding spell user appeared. You thought that the legendary forbidden spell would be able to counter the four evil plagues................at least that's what it is?

　Makina expressed her affirmation.

'Yes, for the most part you're right. It's just that I didn't want to form an organization of my own outwardly. I don't want to have any trouble with the Holy Royal Family or the Holy Tree Order.''
''However, I don't think the Holy Royal Family would want to help in defeating the Four Deadly Plagues, which is the kind of thing that would wake up a sleeping dragon, right? If that's the case, then the Holy Tree Order can't move.

　The Commander makes a difficult face.

'Normal people are creatures who can't move with a sense of urgency until the time is right.
So you're the one who has to make the first move?
Yeah.
I don't understand.
'What?　What is it?
'Why would you go to such lengths?　It's not revenge, is it?

　There was a slight pause, then Makina replied slowly.

'Because I love this country,'

　The serene air she wore contained a kind of warmth.

''Isn't this ... a reason?''

　Those in the room received her answer in silence.
　I don't know what it was that came to each of us.
　I don't know what it was, but I felt her reason for saying it enter me without resistance.

'If my sister's revenge is more palatable to my ears in order to achieve my goals, I would even consider using it to my advantage. In fact, before I became the head of the school, I was allowed to use the phrase, 'Inherit my sister's will' many times.

　Makina-san turns to the Commander again.

''But I thought I should tell you the truth.
Because I was there at my sister's end.
Before she died, my sister talked about you a lot at home.

　Silence fell again in the room.
　After a while, the Commander opened his mouth.

It is true that I was mistaken. I apologize for that. But it's still better to forget about the Four Deadly Sins.

　Makina narrowed her eyes thinly.

'Is that advice?　Or--
"I can tell you that because I've fought it. That's not a man who can do anything about it.
'That doesn't mean we can leave them alone. They are too mysterious and indeterminate to be dangerous in their existence.
I know what you mean. But ... can you win?
I'll win. I'll just--

　Makina-san looked at me.
　A complicated look.

'Now ... it's not the right time, but ...
...An incantation. By the way, is your curse-user friend convinced?　Judging by the fact that he didn't know about the Four Deadly Plagues, though, he apparently didn't give them any details.
It's a--

　I clenched my fist in a tight fist as Makina looked at me with a flicker of anxiety.
　And.

It's okay. I'll do anything for me, Makina-san, no matter who I'm dealing with.

　I said.



　He turns to the Commander.

"I don't want to do it for the continent or the country or justice, I just want to be of help to Makina-san. Of course, it's best for Makina-san to be happy, but... well, I mean, I want to make her wish come true as much as possible.

　Machina is the reason I am here today.
　And she's a compassionate person.
　She doesn't think of me as just a tool.
　That's how I feel about her after all the time I've known her.
　If Makina-san wants something from me, I'll help her.
　I'm not going to be able to get rid of it.

　The leader narrowed her eyes to look at me.

''...I see. He's certainly an interesting man. But at the same time, he's a bit of a pain in the ass. It's just like the Four Deadly Sins, you can't negotiate your way out of it.

　Huh?
　Is there no way to negotiate?
　What's that?
　I'm used to being asked to do just about anything by someone I thought I liked.

It's interesting that he doesn't seem to be aware of it. Well--

　The Commander pulls up a chair.

"I guess we should be off.
Oh, hey, are you back?
The interview's over. I guess we're done here. Diaz, you can wrap up the interviews later.
I understand.

　Mr. Diares also stands up.
　Mr. Van Stoss opens the door.
　The Commander heads for the door.
　He paused, then turned and said goodbye.

''I am somewhat relieved to find out that you are not driven by vengeance today, Headmaster. It's easy to lose track of vengeful actions, you know. It's easy to lose one's mind.

　Somehow, I thought after hearing the Commander's words.
　After all, he must have come here today because he was worried about Makina-san.
　If he was thinking of defeating the Four Deadly Disasters with a vengeance, he wanted to tell Makina-san off.

Personally, I think it would be better for you to stay out of the Four Deadly Plagues, but I'm the leader of the Holy Tree Order bound by the state, and I don't have the power to defeat the Four Deadly Plagues, so it's too ridiculous for me to admonish you here. Besides, you're a clever guy. I won't move until I have a good chance of winning.
To be honest, I'm a little surprised by the more positive response than I expected.
To tell you the truth...

　The Commander's eyes settled.

''Since I, of all people, would rather kill the Four Deadly Disasters than anyone else with my personal vengeance, I am the one who wants to do it.

　What is reflected beyond those eyes that quietly stare at you is the four evil disasters you've faced relative to the past?

''........So, well, I can't act as the Holy Tree Knights, but if there's anything I can personally help you with, don't hesitate to tell me.
Thank you. By the way who is more clever, from your point of view, me or my sister?
You're my sister.
..........

　The answer was immediate.
　The mortified Makina put his hand on the door frame and said

'It's okay. Even though they're sisters, they're two different people. So ... if you don't grow in many ways compared to your sister, don't worry about it.

　The Commander leaves the room with a smile of compassion in his nihilistic smile.
　Meanwhile.
　There was no life in Makina-san's eyes.
　Only her temples were twitching.

　Makina-san.
　I could tell from the Commander's expression just now.
　I think that was a normal attempt to encourage her........
　I just couldn't find a better way to describe it.

I mean, you may be small, but you have a big heart.

　And Mr. Van Shtos joined in without reading the air.

'So ... so ... never mind,'
Thank you, thank you.

　Makina thanks him with a shaky voice.
　He is out of his life.
　A state of too pathetic white-eyedness.

''Besides, everyone in the Order also said that it's rather.......good to be.......small......''
Oh, really... yeah...
Oh, I think it's adorable, too. I like small animals.

　The headmaster of Renowthread Academy is rather sandbagged, as you can tell that he has zero ill will.
　Makina-san's eyes are not smiling at all, and only her mouth is in the form of a smile.

''I guess I'll have to settle with the men of the Holy Tree Order as an individual at some point.

　There was no warmth in his voice, as if he had no warmth in his voice.

'?　Oh, you, then ... they're all welcome, I suppose.

　Mr. Van Stoss didn't look as if he was questioning his statement.

Well, I'll leave you gentlemen. Gentlemen you three may have a safe journey.

　And left the room normally.
　Mr. Dearles chuckles.

''Haha I'm sorry my boys.

　You are one of the 'men', aren't you?

'But aside from the Commander, please forgive Van Stos, he doesn't mean any offense, so please forgive him.

　Isn't this rather where you should be following up with the Commander, Vice Commander........