The control of the fort was complete.
　The Ten Dead Ends also seemed to have been wiped out, leaving behind those who had been taken prisoner.
　Lili was in a room in the fort with Sogut after finishing giving instructions to the group members.

''Neither the Ten Death's End nor the people from 'Hell' are helpless in front of your brother.......as expected.

　Lili placed the lid of the canteen of water beside Sogyut, who was sitting on the wooden box.
　Sogut thanked him and drank the contents in one gulp.

''The fact that we were able to quickly accomplish the recapture of the fort was largely due to the efforts of the group members. You can't control the fort by yourself.
''Even so, only your brother is able to put away an opponent with such an intimidating and powerful opponent without a struggle,''
"A man from 'Hell' at the end of the tenth death.......he was certainly not a weak opponent. But--

　Sogut looks at the void with a stern expression.

''Compared to the Four Deadly Disasters, they are still not much of an opponent. The Four Deadly Disasters are far more vicious than those guys.''

　The Four Deadly Plagues.
　The four natural disasters that made the most evil name known throughout the continent.
　And he is also the source of the change in my brother.

''But... but wouldn't your brother be able to win now?
No, it's not going to be easy. I'll need at least three more people with the same or more power than I have now.

　Sogut stroked Levatain quietly and narrowed his gaze.

''Moreover, there is one man in the Four Deadly Disasters who has extraordinary strength. It would be unrealistic to defeat him head on. The only way to defeat him would be to use some kind of trap or trick.

　Lili held up her skirt and sat down next to Sogut.

'So, would the other three win?'
'No, first we need to break up the other three as well. What can I say.......they have perfect coordination of movement. You could call it "telekinesis". Therefore, we must first create a situation where each one of us can fight individually. That said, I don't think the Four Deadly Sins will easily fall into the trap... well, if on a whim they were to become one by one, or if...

　Is the one far ahead that he is staring at, the Four Deadly Disasters?
　Or - is it the then deputy commander of the group, Chris Lenowskaia, who was his lover at the time?

　After Chris's death, Sogut spent his days in grief.
　He blamed himself for his helplessness.
　At night, a voice like a beast could be heard coming from his room.
　Lili, on the other hand, cursed himself for his helplessness to do anything for his brother.

　After ten days or so, Sogut came out of his room.
　Lili was astonished, wondering if this was her brother.
　That was because her brother looked so disheveled that it was hard to believe that he was his age.
　It could be said that since he was originally a handsome man, he had rather acquired an adult s*xuality, but the change in his appearance shook Lili's heart badly.

It's time to stop bemoaning your helplessness. I will become the Knight Commander of the Sacred Tree and kill the four evil spirits.

　It was a voice that was so empty that it made my blood boil, and it was also a voice that made me feel even more scared of the sky.
　But at the same time, what struck Lili's heart was the feeling of sadness.

　It was not an exaggeration to say that she was not yet a child at that time, but Lili made up her mind.
　She wanted to join the Holy Tree Knights and support her brother.
　She wanted to fulfill her brother's purpose and help him.

　That's how Lili entered St. Renowthred Academy.
　When she first entered the school, she was looked at with quite a bit of colored glasses because she was the daughter of the Duke of Sigmusos and the sister of that Sogut Sigmusos.
　Even if she got good grades, she was criticized because of her parents' prestige.
　But Lili thought it was only natural.
　As the daughter of Duke Sigismos' family, and the younger sister of Sogut Sigismos, who was on the verge of becoming the head of the Holy Tree Order when Lili was admitted to the school, it was inevitable that she would be viewed in a biased light.
　Even if she worked hard and achieved results, she would always be put away by her family background and connections.
　But that's the way of the world.
　There's nothing you can do about it.

　That's why you don't have to worry about it.

　Even if people talk behind your back about being favored, you don't have to argue with them, you just take it as it comes.
　Above all, the people who will see you for who you really are are the last ones left.
　So I just push forward for my purpose.
　All you have to do is think about is following the shortest way to arrive at a position where you can reduce your brother's burden as much as possible.

　This is how Lili graduated from the school, setting the highest record for conquering the Holy Ruins in the school along with his classmates, Diares Arkwright and Ramsus Fallonteza.

　She also passed the Knights' selection exam without difficulty.
　However, even after joining the Order, he was harassed and talked about behind his back for a while.
　However, she silenced them one by one with her ability.
　There's no time for lamenting.
　There is no point in being pessimistic.
　Considering his brother's suffering, he doesn't even have the right to suffer.
　That's what Lili thought.

　Anyway, Lili wanted to be of service to her beloved brother.
　And he had a faint hope that someday, when he had achieved his long-cherished desire, he would return to his old brother - he had a faint hope that he would return to his old brother.

''Brother.......am I useful to your brother?

　Lili said hesitantly.
　Then Sogut looked a little surprised, and with a huff, he loosened his mouth and put his hand on Lili's head.

I am grateful to you. It's a good thing that you're the one who helped me focus on improving my skills. I'm sure the current Order would not be able to stand without you.
"...I think that's too much of a compliment. It's not as good as what Diares does.
But still. You're doing a really good job at being you. And I'm sorry about that. I'm sorry you had to get caught up in my selfishness.
'No. I'm glad to hear you say that, but I'm willing to oblige.

　Sogut gently lowered his gaze.

'You are blessed with people, I am.

　Lili's face falls to the ground.

'But, brother, I am--'

　Lili clammed up and swallowed the words as they came out.

"You're worried that I'm too obsessed with getting revenge on the Four Deadly Sins?

　He seems to have seen right through my heart.

'No, well I'm sorry, I'm sorry that I went out too far.
'Vengeance - well, the feeling of revenge hasn't gone away now. It's just that when I've been spending time with the Knights I've noticed a little other emotions coming in as well.
Another emotion, sir?
I like these Order members.

　Lili felt somewhat nostalgic about the expression that Sogut had on his face.

''I feel like I can understand now why Vice Commander Chris was willing to risk his life to protect the guys in the Order. The knights at that time were indeed congratulatory, but there were also many good-natured guys. There were many who adored Vice Commander Chris. Wanting to protect the people who adore you may sometimes be a stronger force than revenge.

　Sogut gripped the hilt of Levatain tightly.

The thought that those guys might be killed by the Four Deadly Plagues someday makes me feel as if I'm going to be torn apart from time to time.
My brother....

　So we kill the Four Deadly Disasters.
　To protect what's important to you.
　Even if it kills you and turns you into a shura.

However, we may be able to defeat the Four Deadly Disasters in the not-too-distant future. This school is full of the most talented students your generation has ever seen. Beosa Fallontessa, Dristos Kielusina, Koudelka Ferraris - Cecily Arkwright, Currier Versteen, and the forbidding curse user - Sagara Krohiko.

　Sogut's expression relaxes.

''If that generation grows up, not only will we defeat the Four Deadly Plagues but maybe Renowthread will become a more peaceful country. That's why until they grow up, I have to protect Renousled and the Order.

　Then the door to the room opened.

'Dearest,'

　Diares was in charge of interrogating his captors.
　If you look, you can see the blood on the sleeves of his uniform.
　Diares Arkwright was skilled in interrogation - and the torture that went with it.

'What do you think, Diares? What have you found out about this fort occupation?
Yeah, well,

　A somewhat unflattering expression.

'This time I took a somewhat forceful approach, partly because I didn't have time. Well, physical pain doesn't have to take up a lot of time, depending on how you do it. Not really, it's not really my thing.

　Diares was a man who used such interrogation techniques as mixing food with a highly addictive powder from rare plants to deliberately induce withdrawal symptoms and get people to confess, or leaving them standing against a wall for days on end, just waiting for them to go crazy.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry I always make you do the dirty work.

　Huh, Diares smiled absent-mindedly.

'It's called the right person in the right place. Well, it's not a pleasant role to play, though. But if you have the ability to achieve your goal but don't use it, that's a waste of time.

　He often takes the place of Sogut and the other members of the group who don't like the glitz and glamour of the evening parties, and he even manages to curry favor with the noble ladies who have power.
　Entangling people's minds is also his forte, and such a talent helped to maintain the knightly order.
　He once said to Lili

''An organization can't maintain its strength by simply being clean and innocent.......that's my theory. And I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get dirty in order to keep the Order of Sogut alive. I thank you for your concern, Lili. But please don't worry about me.

　Hearing him say that made Lili feel grateful and apologetic, but also a little worried about him.

'So, here's the result of your interrogation,'

　Diaress looks divine.

'Perhaps we should hurry and return to King's Landing.
What do you mean?
It seems we have been lured here.
Lured, huh? What is the purpose of the lure and what is the name of the person who lured you out?
I'm afraid he didn't know what he wanted. But he did give us the name of the person who lured him out. Just--

　Something crisp.

'I can't believe it, to be honest, for me. But he didn't seem to be lying either.
Who gave the order to take over the fort?
All of the men we've captured have been talking about this case.

　With a difficult look on his face, Diares put his hand over his mouth and said.

'The occupation of the fort this time is the will of the Doomsday Empress.

　Lili sat up.

'Brother,'

　Sogut poked the floor with the tip of his levatein sheath with a snap.
　A sharp, stern face, a change from not long ago.

'Summon the members of the group inside the fort, Diares. Now.