We had a great time for two hours, to say the least. The cold night breeze caressing my skin was pleasant again.
　But it's not a situation to relax too much.

'The big job is to scare off a few thousand soldiers. Can't you do that?
'Are they doing our Lord a disservice?　Then let's see you kill them all with flying colors.

　It doesn't sound like a joke ....... I'm afraid I'm really going to do it.

'No, just scare the shit out of me. Just scare the shit out of them.
'As you wish. They will be filled with fear in every corner of their hearts, and they will drown and die alive. Ummmmm ...... Aha, so you can finally be of service to the Lord .......

　It's a very reliable thing to say.
　However, Anko's position was so pathetic that she was lying on her knees with me. According to him, he couldn't stand up because his back was out of shape. I guess even wolves get hip-shattered.

'Is it time to get up?'

　When I heard that, the pure white ceramic-like skin, which does not resemble the name of darkness, was dyed in vermillion.

''I'm sorry for the inconvenience. Anko is already fine. I will do my best to make the Lord happy the next time around.

　He stands up and says such a thing as a reminder. How in the world are they going to devote themselves to it? If you're going to ask Yukari to teach you a lesson, I'm going to do my best to stop you. I can't keep up with my body if I have to add another monster like that.

　I consoled myself with a sycophantic, "Don't worry about it," and walked over to Seven Stay-O.

　Then Anko suddenly made a miffed face.

''Lord. Please ride me, not that kind of horse.
What, you need a ride?
Yes!

　I'm surprised. I couldn't ride it in Mevion, you know.
　If I could ride anko in its "wolf-shaped" state, our speed of movement would increase dramatically. To be honest, it's all good. But ......

But what do I do with this guy?

　Seven Stay-Oh has been a great help to me. I'm quite attached to it. I'll have to stop in town somewhere and leave it there.

　As I was thinking about this, Anko approached Seven Stay-O and touched her skin. What in the world is she going to do with it?

Don't worry, my Lord. I'll take the mare home.

　What is this guy talking about?

　The moment I filled my head with hathena - Anko went into the 《Dark Transition》.


　And right after that. Seven Stay O ...... "disappeared".


"...... is!


　I don't understand.

　What did you do?　Did you kill him in the blink of an eye?　Did you move him?　You tamed the horse and repatriated it?　No, it's impossible. Horses are not demons, so they cannot be tamed in the system. Then what is this?

　I was left alone in the dark forest, and I was extremely confused.


　That's when Anko came back with the 《Dark Transition》.


''I left it in the garden.''

Huh!　

What are you doing here?


　Did you leave it in the yard?　The garden in the first test house?　You remember Seven Stay O?　In the last minute or so?

　............!


　.................. wait. Wait, wait, wait. I've realized a tremendous amount of potential. I've noticed.


"Hey, dude, is it possible that ...... dark transfer is possible at any distance?
Yes. You are right. Any shadow that I remember will go with you.
"...... No way, no way, no way, Seven Stay-O did a 'dark summon' at the transference site?"
Yes, sir.
You yeah!
'Heehaw!　I'm sorry!

　When I shouted out in astonishment, Anko reflexively apologized while making a winning sound with an ecstatic expression on her face.

　No, this is a bad idea. Seriously? I hurriedly check the Anko skill column again.


《Dark Transference》: Instantly transfer yourself to the place where you are recording. However, the transition destination must be a shadow.
Dark Summoning: Only in humanoid form. It instantly transposes you to a location where you're recording something else. However, the destination must be a shadow.


..................... true ......

　Seriously, ...... there's nothing about distance. I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but I think it's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're talking about.

　Well, that's right ...... I should have realized when Anko was able to use 《Dark Magic》 unlike Mevion's. That 《Dark Transition》 is not just a skill for standing around in battle. The 《Dark Summoning》 is not just a skill for summoning weapons.

　It's a happy miscalculation ...... No, it's a too happy miscalculation, and I truly believe that the 4 months of dying and taming was worth it. If I could, I would have noticed it a little earlier, but .......


...... You're already the strongest. There's nowhere to go but up.

　I said that to Anko, who was kneeling and bowing her head, thinking she had done something wrong.
　She looks up when she realizes that she is not angry, but she is puzzled.

　How do I convey this emotion?　I can't stop arousing myself, but I say it to my heart's content.

'If you say you're my tool, I'll be with you until the day I die. I've decided I'll never give it up.

''~~~!　Oh, Lord!


　A sensitized anko pushed me over the edge ...... and as a result I had to stay in the forest for another hour or so.






''We need to move before dawn. Do you remember the port city of Qura?
Yes, that's it. It's the first town I've visited with my Lord.
Then transfer there and summon me. Get as far away from the public eye as possible.
As you wish.

　The border with the Kamel Godland is further north from the port city of Qura. The border is further north from the port city of Coorah, up a small river that flows out to the sea and bypasses the mountains.

　Our original plan was to travel incessantly all morning and night, hoping to arrive by the next night, but now that Anko's special ability has been revealed, we have a good chance of arriving while the sun is still high.


'...... oo......'

　The landscape changes lukewarmly. It seems to have been summoned. It is now 2 a.m. and the place is a wharf. Not a single person is here. It is a summons as ordered.

　But why is it held in Anko's chest? I'm sure she was summoned in the same way that the shadow wand and the spear of the black flame appeared in her hand when she summoned the shadow wand and the spear of the black flame, and Anko received it. I'm thankful.

''Alright, let's go as far as we can before the sun comes up. When the sun comes up, bring back Seven Stay-O.
...... As you wish.

　At the mention of Seven Stay O's name, Anko's mouth twitched just a bit. Could this guy be jealous of the horse?　You're a wolf. That's possible.

Transformation.
Okay.
Get me in.
!

　I dare to give him instructions in a stronger tone than usual. As expected, Anko replied with a very happy look. Even though she transformed into a wolf form with 《Darkness Transformation》, her expression still looks happy. It's safe to assume that he has fixed his mood. Or rather, his tail is waving so much that it makes a buzzing sound, which is interesting. His tail is many times bigger when he's in wolf form than when he's in humanoid form, so even if I don't like it, I can't help but notice it.

Go.
!

　When I commanded him to straddle his back, Anko suddenly started running at breakneck speed.



　............ haha.

　It's as fast as a large two-wheeler. To be honest, it's all I can do to hold on to so I don't get shaken off. I don't think I'm going to be able to have a conversation.

'And stop!　Stop!

　I scream desperately as I'm going the wrong way. I never got scared. Never.

'Go north along the ocean, and when you hit the third river, go up along the river.
!

　A "Wahhhh" escapes from Anko. If you want to translate, leave it to me! I guess. I don't want you to get too worked up about it, but--

　See?

　It started off at twice the speed of the last one!

　Whoa!

　Ugigigiggle: ......!


　.............

　...... What, this all the way to dawn?






　...... It was a terrible experience.

　Especially cornering. It's a miracle I didn't get swept off my feet by a useless V-left turn like a monkey turn. But he has the dignity of a master. There was no way I was going to whine, no way I was going to puke. I endured for three hours. I'm tired of being a monster that can maintain top speed for three hours. Wasn't endurance the prerogative of homo sapiens?

You're pretty in comparison.

　I lazily walk along the river, petting Seven Stay-O as I heal the wounds of the three-hour endurance roller coaster. It would be a big deal if Anko had heard me, but I'm "repatriating" now, so it should be okay ...... maybe.

　But it's also true that we're going to arrive far earlier than planned thanks to that formula anko. I must thank you for that. Thanks Anko, I'll never ride it again except in an emergency.


Whew. Finally.

　After a while, we hit the mountains. This is the border marker. The Frontier Count and the Kamel God State must be staring at each other in the valley beyond this mountain.

　I drive Seven Stay-Oh, keeping the mountain on my right. It's the last day's run.


　After about an hour, I saw the Frontier Count's fort in the basin between the mountains. Far ahead, there was also a line of soldiers that seemed to belong to the Kamel God State. As expected of Winfild, the situation was just as expected.

　Now, first, let's say hello to the frontier count. I'm not sure what his name is ...... but whatever it is, it's a greeting.

　I'm not going to be the only one who can do that.

"Is the Earl of the Frontier inside?
'...... Yes?　Eh, yeah, well. Yes?
Okay. All right, take care of this one.
'What?　Yes. Yeah!

　Leaving Seven Stay-O with the bewildered soldiers, I broke into the fort through the soldier's back door.

　Maybe it's because I entered with such an imposing look on my face, but no one said anything to me. You're Zal.

'Hey. Where's the frontier count?
'Ha!　Come on in!

　It occurred to me that the soldier who called out to me was very polite in his guidance. Come to think of it, I was wearing the rare and very high quality clothing. Looking around, you can see that everyone is dressed like a soldier. Perhaps the soldiers might have mistaken me for a guest of honor or something.


I'm sure you'll be able to find it. You're early, Mr. Second.

　It wasn't. Apparently, the frontier count had taken care of me beforehand.
　When I enter the room, I'm greeted by the owner of the voice, a handsome man in his early 30s with glasses. I guess this is the frontier count. But how did he get my information?

'Oops, I didn't introduce myself yet. I'm Steam Bitter Valley. I'm the frontier count of the Kingdom of Castal. Are you sure you're the second first test?

　The Earl of the Steamy Bitter Valley frontier. He's calm and aloof. And he's also a guy who can't relax. In this short introduction, he's trying to make it clear which one is better. Then the answer is: "Of course.

I'm sure, but from the way you're looking at it, it seems you think otherwise.
Oh, excuse me. Welcome to my fortress, my dear guest.

　The frontier count greets him with a bow, as if to brush it off. But calling him a guest is probably a small form of resistance. He's a man with whom you seem to have a good rapport.

I'm sure you're not interested, but I'll give you a little something. It's a letter from Mine.
...... You're as bad as the rest of us. Doesn't that mean you're an ambassador for His Majesty the King-elect?

　We laugh at each other hahaha. Uhehehe, hehehe!　We won. Suck it up. Rock-paper-scissors?　Taking advantage of a tiger?　I don't know, something like that.

　I gulp down the tea that's just been offered to me and open my mouth to say, "Greetings and best wishes.

How did you get my information?
'I have my own network of information. All I can tell you is that the information arrived a little earlier than Lord Second.
'Right. How do you see the battle this time around?
As long as we stay out of it, there won't be any problems. But there are also situations where we have to do something.
Looks like you made it.
'Yes, enough. And I suppose I'm supposed to tell you to do it if you can manage it ......?
'Haha!　Hahaha!
Hahahaha!

　This guy is really funny.

"Keep your eyes peeled and take notice. And thank me for my presence in the Kingdom of Castal.

I will take a good look at them, please. I'll be grateful to God Kamel and to you as well, if you can get rid of them.






As for the situation, as you can see, we're in a standoff across the border, at a distance.
I have a feeling that nothing will happen to you if you stay rigid?
Yes, if it keeps up. But ...... they're carrying out a public execution tomorrow.
Did they get him?
Yes. A scout.
You're an idiot. ......
I know. Sure enough, they will make him, the scout, an assassin, and carry out the execution just to provoke us by fabricating a crime. The reason why the execution isn't today is probably because he doesn't give out information easily. He intends to torture us day and night. Or is he simply trying to rush us? Huh. ...... I know that's what I'm doing.

　What does he mean by "forced to take a hand out", and what a shameful mistake the scouts got caught in? Come on .......

I was troubled too, even if you don't give me that look ....... But we can't just abandon him. He is also one of my most important subordinates. If we continue to sit back and let him be executed, our morale will drop endlessly.
Even if he's the one who put the kingdom in jeopardy?
'What?　No, we're not in a crisis.
What?
I have decided to call off the execution because the Second Lord is here. If it weren't for you, I would have left you to your own devices with tears of blood in my eyes.
...... You're doing great, man.
I've been told that a lot.

　Something makes sense. I asked him about it, and he said he was 33 years old. He's got what it takes to get to a frontier count at such a young age. He has a very twisted personality.

Well, okay. Let's go over the plan. The main body of the Count of the Frontier is divided into two wings, the left and the right, and they are to wait around the fort in case the ambush army comes to attack. Other than that, we'll stay in front of the fort and be ready to charge at any time. Leave the rest to me.
Is that really how it works?
Yeah. I'd rather not have you guys out there. That and .......
What is it?

Please keep what happened tonight as quiet as possible.



　　* * *


　...... I used to think his words meant "for his own personal reasons".

　Everyone hides their trump card. I'm sure he does as well. I thought he was a perfectly normal person. I thought so.

　A man who single-handedly changed the situation in the Kingdom of Castal in such a way. As a person who had been expecting to see how much of a difference it would make, I felt a little disappointed.


　And then the night falls.
　It was an unpleasantly quiet night, even though it was before the decisive battle.

'All hands on deck.'

　I will personally lead this battle. I said yes to him, but that scout was someone I did not want to lose. Perhaps I would have set up the attack even if he hadn't come.

　The expected number of ambush soldiers is eight thousand at most. If you add the four thousand in the center and the four thousand in the middle, it's still twelve thousand. My army is seven thousand. It was not an unbeatable number. It would be a bit of a gamble, but if we crushed the center at once and then withdrew to the fort, we would be able to fight to our advantage. If we maintain our borders and devote ourselves to defending ourselves, we won't be challenged with unreasonable demands for peace. I've prepared enough for that, and I didn't bother to rely on him.

　But I was curious. I wondered how much of a rumor he was.

　I would owe him a debt and hand over my achievements, but I wouldn't have to put my men in harm's way. I had such a calculating idea. Hence, I naively accepted his reinforcements.

　So what about it? What was that lousy plan?　I'm not sure he's really okay. I thought he was an interesting guy when we met face to face, but since then it's been disappointment after disappointment. My opinion of his command had been declining until just before he went into battle.

　He had a goofiness to him, as if he were going out for a picnic. Even though the lives of my men were at stake. I wanted to yell at him. I wanted to hit him on the back of the head with a mallet and say, "This is war. This is war," I said. This is not a game," he said.



　...... But.

　I was the one who got the shock of being hit in the back of the head with a mallet.



'--Come on, Anko,'

　He summons something.

　Something that will make my hair stand on end.


　I see it kneeling beside him, and I have an instant intuition that it's a different animal. It's a different kind of living thing.

　...... It was an uncanny silence. None of us could move in the face of it, too frightened to move.


'Let's go,'

　With that one word. You disappear, and then you appear. A change of form, and then a return. And then it disappears and appears again. The light turns to the dark, and the dark turns to the light. Are the men and women who run the battlefield angels or devils? I can't decide, as I can only stand there and watch the scene.


　Immediately afterwards, I feel nauseated and at the same time understand the meaning of his words - a darkness that seems to have gathered and condensed all of the despair in this world.



　This must not be said to others.

　No, you can't say it.


　Such ...... such as this one, such as this one, such as this one, such as ......!