Those who reminded me of the magic dolls of ancient lore, which were marching in an orderly fashion, opened their fang-lined mouths and made the luminescent lines running through their bodies glow blue-white.
　The size of each individual differs slightly.
　Small, medium, and so on.
　There are some oddly shaped ones that seem to have blended with humans.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this in the future.
　Leading the way is the strongest holy warrior of the knightly order, who unites the guardians.

"Sogut.

　Diaress rode up beside Sogut and spoke to him.
　Sogut remained staring forward.

''Do you think that was also set up by the Four Deadly Disasters?　I think it looks very similar to the one in the reports of the Titan fiasco at that school.
I don't know. At least when we fought the Four Deadly Plagues, there were no such things. And there are reports that they have already been defeated by someone else.

　　　　　　　　　　*

　The troops led by Sogut who recaptured Fort Salem moved in five days, a journey that would normally take six days to travel back and forth.
　In the first place, they had arrived about half a day early because they had rushed to the fort, shaving off the original rest time at the time of heading to the fort.
　No one had a single complaint about the forced march that the Commander proposed.
　It was probably because they took in the commander's desire to save them before even one more casualty occurred, and most importantly, their intentions were the same.
　Sogut sensed something disturbing in the words of the occupants of the fort he defeated, and decided to return to the royal capital immediately.
　Follow only those who can follow me.
　So he said.
　His intention to go alone was immediately conveyed to everyone.
　And no one shook their heads.
　One of the group members said.

We are not trained in such a way that we can make a noise with a little forceful marching, Commander. After all, we are the strongest knights of Renowthread, trained by you, the strongest holy warrior.

　The troops that immediately rolled out to retake the fort left only the wounded and those in charge of tending to them in the nearest city, and then used their replacement horses to make their way to the royal capital.
　After a short, almost nap-like sleep, the troops advanced their horses to the royal capital.
　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to do with it.

　They all like this commander.

　Diares could see that.

　And when the royal capital finally came into view, many of them could not hide their confusion.
　This was because even though the time was midnight, only the sky above the royal capital was 'bright'.
　Although the rain clouds were hanging heavily over the city, what the holy tree hugging city showed the holy tree fighters who had returned was a face just like in the daytime.
　It was a strange scene, as if only the royal capital had been cut off in the middle of the day.
　However, there was not the slightest echo of turmoil in the words of the leader who drove the black horse.

''There's no doubt that something is going on in the royal capital. We're going to enter King's Landing as it is, Diares.''

　　　　　　　　　　*

　I could see the magic puppet howling aggressively and furiously in the distance.

''It looks like they're going to attack us like this.

　Sogut puts his foot on the scaffold for fixing his stance and pulls out the Holy Magic Sword Levatain with his right hand.

It seems to be aiming for the holy tree, but that magic doll's reaction.......if it is designed to take aggressive action against humans, it may be heading to the evacuation area where the people of the royal capital are located. However, the travel route is straight ahead for now, and there is no sign of it deviating to a side street. If it continues like this, fortunately--

　Sogut sends the holy element to the Holy Magic Sword.

''Either way, though, it's still about annihilation.

　Diares flicks his gaze to the surroundings while drawing his sword.

''I don't see any of the Four Deadly Disasters.

　It seems that information is still mixed up in the royal capital.
　The only information that Diales and the others are barely able to obtain right now is what they have obtained from the survivors of the remaining knights in King's Landing.
　What is currently known is that the Four Deadly Plagues attacked and that the Holy Tree Knights who remained in the King's Capital fought the Four Deadly Plagues and suffered an overwhelming defeat.......
　And although this information is not yet confirmed, there are rumors circulating that the Four Deadly Plagues have already been defeated by someone and that the crisis has already passed from the royal capital - such a rumor is said to be circulating in some quarters.

　Someone with the potential to oppose the Four Deadly Plagues that were in the royal capital in the absence of the fort retaking force.......
　If it was anyone other than the Holy Tree Knights, it would be Wagnus Renoussphere, Gaiden Arkwright, and Makina Renoussphere.
　At that moment, the names of two people popped into Diares' mind.

　Sagara Krohiko.
　Currier Versteen.

　........No, no, no way.
　No matter how much the forbidden spell user was from the Sixth House, even if he was from the Sixth House, that four evil plagues--

"Dearest.

　Sogut's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.



　Sogut's longing.
　Revenge against the Four Deadly Plagues.
　To avenge the death of Chris Lenosphere.
　Sogut's distant eyes.
　What is beyond his eyes is probably 'her' figure.

"Well, that's just as well and when I came here, I thought. I can't just abandon this Order and throw myself into revenge.
Sogut...
'I feel like I've been turning away for a long time. The warning I gave to the Makina Renausphere was, after all, a wake-up call to myself.

　Sogut holds up his sword.

Nothing has changed since then. I was a cynical brat, a cynical kid, who was always hiding his embarrassment from the deputy commander, who really loved him and was always bothering him, and after he died, I couldn't accept his death, I couldn't accept that he was dead. Probably still is. And I've been running away from facing her death by clinging to the act of revenge.

　Soggyut's mouth curved in an ironic manner.

''Even though they call me the strongest holy warrior, I'm still just a twisted, weak kid inside.

　Diares smiles.

'Well, it's because of your twisted nature that I'm interested in you. Since the Commander is 'you', I've taken on the role of Vice Commander.
..........
I like crooked people. A person who is only noble doesn't feel like a human being at all.

　Diares smiles inappropriately at the scene.

'It's in bad taste,'
'But even if you're cynical and weak... you've found what's important to you now, and you're ready to face it, right?　Something more important than revenge.
Yeah.

　Sogut turned once to the following members of the group, who drew their swords one after the other, and again, looked forward.

''That's what I'm going to do,''
Then you'll drop the crazy idea of beating the Four Deadly Plagues by yourself to get revenge, won't you?
You noticed.
We'll notice. I spend a good deal of time playing the wife, the deputy commander.
''If the Four Deadly Plagues are still alive, I will join forces with all of the Knights to ensure that they are killed. To protect this royal city and its inhabitants. The wishes of the holy warriors who fought and died against the Four Deadly Plagues should also have been to protect the lives of the people living in this holy tree country. So from now on I will fight to fulfill my role as a holy warrior.

　Diares' eyes break out.

'You talk about yourself like you're a no good person but those of us in the Order are not so stupid as to continue to follow someone who is just no good.

　Diares also holds up his sword.


'Half of what you're worth isn't something you can decide for yourself.


　Sogut's horse picked up speed.

"This may be the leader of the Order, but will you continue to support me as my second-in-command, dearest?
Hmm, I'll think about it if you're usually a little nicer to me?
..........
'No, I'm just kidding!　We've got you covered!　I'll support--I'll show you, I said!

　With a powerful reply, Diares throws the holy sword forward.
　The sword pierces the face of the magic doll.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.

"The vital point is the head--

　Diares mumbles and organizes his thoughts at super speed.

'When I threw the sword... the half-human magic puppet reacted faster than the other puppet... the half-human magic puppet that's moving with the featureless one as a shield...' ...Half-humans have some intelligence, so...

　Diares calls out to Sogut's sister, Lili Sigismos, who is catching up with him from behind.

''Lili!　Instruct that half-man magic puppet to have someone of high holy rank, someone with a lot of spare power left over, to hit it as much as possible!
I understand.

　Lili slows down her horse speed slightly and begins to give instructions to the members of the group behind her.

　Finally, the magic puppet is close by.

　The distance is closing in.
　The magic doll bares its aggression and moves to attack.
　And then - the distance between Soggyut and the first of the magic dolls disappears.
　You can also have a look at the following tips to help you get the best results.
　With a Buddha's face, Sogyut said.

You're not going to be able to get your hands on any of them.
She's not as good as my sister.

　Briefly releasing an 'ice spear' and sinking his body to the side of the horse's body, Diares pulls out the sword that was stuck into the magic doll that was about to fall down.

''--No, but!

　A flash of lightning to the magic dolls that attacked them as they were.

　The knights clashed with a group of magic dolls.

　It is a fierce melee.
　The sound of magic, the sound of swords, and the crying of horses echoes to the heavens.
　At that time, a thick pillar of purple light rose to the sky.
　Continuing on, a thud and a roar that shook the ground.
　A huge magic doll appears.
　Removing his feet from the fixture, Sogut dismounted.

'Doga!　Take care of that one!

　One hulking member of the group answered Sogut's call and dismounted as well.

''Node!　Farza!　Real da!　Follow me ... and protect the Doga!

　Node, Farza, and Realda jump down from their horses.

　The five of them wield their sword blades with uncanny force and charge at the giants.
　In their path is a pile of dolls.
　The five slashes, which are as swift as a tornado, sharply cut through the path.

　And before the giants, they arrive.
　The Doga turned his back to the giant and sat down.
　Its huge body was second only to Van Stos in the Order.
　Although he is inferior in skill, he is a man who is second to VanShtos in the contest of strength.
　Sogut ran out and stepped on Doga's thick palm, which was pointed towards the sky, with the sole of his shoe.
　The Doga grabbed Sogut's ankle, gulped, and then released it all at once, sending him upward.

　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.

　The giant's scream.
　I tried to shake Sogut off, but it was impossible to do so.
　With a bang, the giant's head is engulfed in black flames.
　The giant's body shakes, and it loses its stance.
　Fall down, giant.

I'm sure only Soggyut is capable of such a feat.　What's going on?

　Lili, who had killed one of the magic puppets, slashed another one with the returning blade and said.

''Somehow, your brother seems a bit different than usual...''
'Of course he is. Now he's fighting as a holy warrior protecting the people of this country.

　Diares smiles.


'Just like that Chris Renoussphere, who was once the deputy commander of the Holy Tree Order.


　Aiming at the half-human ones as much as possible, Diares hunts and kills the magic puppets.

　After arriving at the royal capital, at the north gate, he saw the scars of the battle against the four evil plagues.
　The corpses of the Knights of the Holy Tree were strewn about.

　Rene, Ramsus, and David.

　Rene was dead, leaning against Vanstoss.
　Ramsus was dead, his back against the wall.
　David had lost one leg and was dead.
　Many members of the group fought and scattered for those they were supposed to protect.

　Only VanShtos was not deeply wounded in the body and was still alive.
　Judging from the position and circumstances of René and Davido, who had died, perhaps the two of them had used the last of their strength to apply a healing technique to Vanstos, who had received a wound that was not shallow but was still breathing.

　Maybe it was that time, Diares thought.
　Maybe Sogut had made a final decision after seeing that scene.
　Those who fought to the death for what they had to protect.
　Receive their thoughts and feelings.

''I'm sorry I couldn't make it in time.

　The half-human magic doll attacked Diares, who had lost his mind to himself.
　But Diaress's initial move was easily cut off by the sword of 'no motion' which is equal to nothingness, and the magical doll's head was easily cut off.

''So........at least, I will protect you. Your wills will be inherited by us. The people of the royal city will definitely be protected by the Holy Tree Knights.

　While tearing through one more magic doll, Diares turned around and looked far behind the main street.
　Even though the Holy Tree Knights' side had the upper hand, the magic dolls were so numerous that it was impossible to put them all away on the spot.

　The dozen or so magic dolls that had slipped past the first cavalry unit that clashed with them ran straight down the main street.

　Beyond that.

　They are lined up side by side with their backs to the Holy Tree.

　They were blocking the main street like a wall that stood in the way.
　Around them were the swords of dead holy warriors.
　And at the center of the wall, the one who stands out from the rest is

Isn't that right?

　The eight swords of the Holy Tree with their huge bodies and strong arms, the holy rank, the third rank--

"Vanstoss.

　--Vanstos Troia.