The only people behind us are non-combatants who have escaped from King's Landing. They have no will to resist, and they have no way to fight. If you're going to--

　A foreign object flashed into Minerva's vision as she called out to the Imperial soldiers.
　A shimmering haze seeped out behind her, hidden by the standing Imperial soldiers, like a shimmering haze rising up on the hot surface.
　Sensing from experience what it would bring, Minerva warned her allies around her.

'Something's coming!'

Spread out!

　Moore's immediate reaction to Minerva's words is impressive.
　Of course, Minerva herself can't be bothered to look around.
　When I managed to move my horse by controlling the reins, a fireball appeared over the heads of the imperial soldiers as if to replace them.

　The fireball came flying in at high speed and exploded to the ground.
　The heat that travelled through the air scorched Minerva's skin and the impact made her body stagger.

''Next time!''

　I turned my attention forward at the sound of Moore's voice, and this time arrows were being shot out of a mountain of arrows from a group of Imperial soldiers.

　Minerva quickly ran her horse and moved to evade them to avoid being able to take aim.
　Moore lined up beside her to protect her.

'I guess that means they're not even going to catch him from the start!

　Moore is right.
　They won't even listen to our arguments, let alone negotiate.
　In addition, if they respond with magic and arrows, it's clear that their goal is not to capture Minerva, but to defeat her.

''You even sent a sorcerer into the chase!　Those Imperials, you little bastards, relax your shoulders!

　Moore blurted out as he swatted away the flying arrows with his sword.

　The presence of a sorcerer was certainly unexpected.
　Just like the kingdom, a sorcerer in the army would be a valuable resource for the empire.
　As expected, even Moore would not have expected that they would throw that in with just a chase of refugees like this.

''Well, it's a different story if he was after the young lady from the beginning!

　The number of arrows flying from the imperial soldiers is not many.
　There aren't many archers who can accurately aim at a person on a moving horse.

　But the problem is the offensive magic that the sorcerer releases.
　It's a good thing that you have a clear view, because magic is a much more accurate way to aim than a bow and arrow.

''Young lady, this is not good.

'Yes. I didn't expect to see a sorcerer in there.

We need to leave now.

It's .......

　When Moore advised an unscheduled change in strategy, and Minerva showed some difficulty in doing so, a portion of the ground in their path unexpectedly caved in.
　It was probably the magic of an enemy magician.

'Ah!'

　In contrast to Moore, who quickly maneuvered his horse to avoid it, Minerva let her horse run as it was.

''Miss!''

　Minerva's vision rotated as Moore's voice echoed through the air.
　The next moment, a strong impact struck her shoulder.
　Her back, hips, and legs hit the ground one after another, making it temporarily impossible for her to even breathe.

''Ka, haha!''

　The understanding finally catches up with me that I've fallen off the horse, but that means I've taken a turn for the worst.

　I tried to whip my aching body to get up, but my arms and legs wouldn't listen to me.
　The figure of an imperial soldier quickly closing the distance between them can be seen in my vision.

　The sound of hooves interrupting there.

''Hold on, lady!

　Moore, who had rushed over to protect Minerva, held out his hand from his horse.
　However, her body, which had just finally been able to breathe, was too slow to take Minerva's hand, as if she was carrying a heavy weight on her back against Minerva's will, and she was unable to take it.

'Captain, my lady!

　The other three horsemen, who had previously scattered to stir up the Imperial soldiers, rushed over.

''I don't think we can pull the reins. You can't put someone else's horse on it and break through - is that too much to ask?

　It's a good thing that you're able to have a look at the imperial soldiers surrounding you.
　Minerva and five others were already being surrounded by imperial soldiers.

''Well, we're surrounded.

　With a cluck of their tongues, Moore and his team dismounted their horses.
　It was as if they had lost their riding advantage with their feet stopped.

　With Minerva in the center and their backs to each other, the Moors glared at the imperial soldiers as they turned their heads in all directions.

''Look, if you have an opening, finish off the cavalry horses and sorcerers.

　Moore murmured in a small voice that was audible only to Bosori and his companions.

'Yes, sir.'

You can't be a magician, can you?

I'll make do if you come forward.

　After receiving all three replies, Moore asks Minerva.

'Do you think you can run, miss?　

...... of the foot, not so much the pain. Maybe I can run.

　Minerva, who had finally regained her physical freedom, replied confidently.

　The pain in her shoulder is still strong, but other than that, it's slowly subsiding.
　It's probably a blessing in disguise that she didn't hurt her leg.

'When we break through, we'll head north. You'll have to rest your body until then.

'No ......, I can fight too.'

Don't push yourself. If the little girl stops moving, it's over. The lady is getting impatient.

　Minerva and the others needed to talk to each other in order to match their perceptions, but the imperial soldiers didn't need that.
　The Imperial soldiers, who had surrounded the five of them completely, attacked them one by one, weapons in hand.

　Moore and his teammates intercepted them with swords in hand.
　The difference in numbers was one hundred to five.
　But no matter how many people are surrounded, it is not possible for a hundred people to cut down on them at the same time.
　They are not only a great deal of fun, but also a great deal of fun.

　Of course, it would normally require a great deal of skill to fight against multiple people, but the Moors present here are all the best in the Duke's security force.
　If you don't have to worry about your back, you won't fall behind against a mere soldier.

''Endri, how many are there now!

　One of the guards asked the colleague next to him, knocking down the spear of an Imperial soldier.

''Two eyes now!''

　The man called Endri swung his sword with force and shoved the Imperial soldier with his shield.
　He stabbed the fallen soldier in the neck with the tip of his sword, creating a second victim.

''Still two?!''

Yuck!

You guys are fine!

　Moore dodged the spears of the Imperial soldiers who attacked him while happily talking to his men who were swearing at each other.

'A captain like that!

I'm going to...

　Instantly closing the distance from spear-to-sword distance, Moore slashed off the arms of an Imperial soldier.

''Five!''

　It hadn't been long since Minerva and the others were surrounded and began to cross swords.
　No one has been wounded yet, and the casualties of the opposing Imperial soldiers have already exceeded double digits.

　However, in terms of military strength, we are still at an overwhelming disadvantage, and in addition, humans have a certain amount of fatigue.
　Fatigue can lead to delays in judgment, and a momentary mistake can cost lives.

''Oh shit!''

　One of the guards failed to parry the attack of the imperial soldiers and showed a big gap.
　One of the imperial soldiers slashed at him, taking aim at him.

''Look out!''

　It was the sword that Minerva had interrupted that crisis.
　The short sword, which was imbued with magical power, flicked the sword of the imperial soldier.

''Saved!''

　The escort, having escaped the crisis, cut down the Imperial soldiers and thanked Minerva with only his voice.

'We'll cover you!

　The pain from falling off the horse has finally subsided and they have confirmed that he can move with the exception of his badly bruised shoulder.
　Minerva doesn't want to be protected by herself in this situation.

　You can find a lot of people who have been in a position to do this for a long time.
　She would occasionally make a playful move to check the guards as they moved, and in the next moment after giving them a blow, she immediately retreated and looked around again.
　They hadn't originally trained in this kind of formation as a team, but oddly enough, the improvised coordination worked so well that none of their allies were eliminated.

　However, no matter how much Moore and the other guards were far more powerful than the Imperial soldiers, everyone understood that this state of affairs was not desirable.

''Captain, it's about time!''

Yeah, I know!

　There is no way they can win against this many people.
　Minerva and her team, after inflicting damage on the enemy, would see an opening, break through the enclosure, and escape without further ado.
　The timing for this must be done with a certain amount of power left in the tank.
　It's a good thing that you're able to get away from the enemy, because now that you've already abandoned your horse, you have to crush the legs of the cavalry that will be chasing you, and then escape from the enemy that is chasing you.

'Cut it open with Cain and Endri!

Yes!

Yes, sir!

　Under Moore's command, the two guards are on the offensive.

　Their task is to force their way through the enclosure.
　The two imperial soldiers are cut down in a flash, unable to cope with their previously defensive moves.

　But as I tried to follow them, Minerva noticed a blur she'd seen many times out of the corner of her eye.

''Magic, here it comes!''

　A short warning.
　In the next moment, Minerva saw a fireball flying towards Cain's back as he was running out.

''Guaah!''

Wow!

　A fireball lands right in front of Minerva, and Cain and one Imperial soldier take a decent hit from it.

''You've gotten your allies involved!

　Moore shouts out as he spits.
　Minerva also lost her voice when she saw the unbelievable scene.
　With the enemy allies this close together, she didn't expect the enemy to unleash attack magic on her.

　If it was after breaking through the enclosure, I could still understand the story.
　If you're being pursued, it's natural to be wary of attack magic and arrows flying at you.
　But even Minerva didn't expect that they would attack even if they involved their own soldiers on their side.

''Cain-san!''

　Minerva runs up to Cain.

'Don't stop, young lady!　Run!

　Moore's cries were in Minerva's ears.
　But that still stopped her in her tracks.

'Ugh ....... Go on, miss .......'

　Cain tells me this with a weakness that resembles a groan.
　He seemed to be conscious.

　But its back was burned, and it's clear that it will lose its life in the not-too-distant future if it continues like this.
　I'm not in the condition to stand and run.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

''Ah, this is finally bad.''

　Moore's tone remains light, even when he finds himself in this situation.
　Whether that's an attitude that comes from having passed through the line of demise so many times, bravado, or resignation, I'm not sure.

　It's no longer possible to break through now.
　At this point, Minerva finally realizes that she has made a fatal mistake.

　Normally, it would be natural to rush to an injured ally.
　But now is not the time for that norm.
　It may sound ruthless, but originally they should have left the injured Cain behind and exited the enclosure with the remaining four.

　In a very small amount of time, about a blink of an eye, they had to make a decision just as Moore had shouted.

　But at this point in time, it is useless to speak of it.
　Minerva made a mistake in her judgment.
　Even if she had understood that abandoning Cain was the right thing to do, she would probably have hesitated to do so and not made an immediate decision.

I made ...... an error of judgment.

　Minerva regretted her choice as she spoke in a strained voice.

　The situation is much worse than it was earlier.
　The moment you made a wrong decision, or hesitated to make a decision, this was bound to happen.

　On the battlefield, you have to make instantaneous and ruthless decisions.
　Minerva has learned that lesson now, but it is only by being alive that she can make use of it.

''Hmm, well, the young lady is only sixteen, and it's her first time on the battlefield. It can't be helped. When I was sixteen, it was even worse than that.

　Even Moore's comforting words do not lighten Minerva's heart.

　Minerva's mistake leaves Moore and the others to die.
　Naturally, she is not given any chance to recover.

　In the end, I was just dragging people around me with the pride and duty of an aristocrat as a building block.
　Just as Moore said, I only drove my guards to their deaths with my selfish actions.
　Such thoughts became words in my mouth.

'...... Sorry, no.'

　Moore doesn't hide his surprise as he returns with a word of advice.

''Oh, come on, a man who is supposed to be a duchess shouldn't be apologizing to his guards.

'There will no longer be any nobility or anything else in this situation.

　Despite the desperate situation, Minerva smiles.

''I am the one who brought you all into this. If I had accepted the escape from King's Landing with an open mind from the beginning, this wouldn't have happened. Therefore, I apologize not as a duchess, but as a human being and .................. for not abandoning me and being selfish. Thanks to. Captain Greista and to all of you.

　His fate has already been exhausted.
　Then it is no longer a matter of nobleman's face and appearance.
　You may be forgiven for finally following your heart honestly.

I'm grateful for your thanks, though. I'll pass on the apology, though. It's not that I didn't want to go along with the lady.

　One of the Imperial soldiers speared him, and several soldiers set up in unison.
　Moore continued to speak while dodging one of them.

''I've uttered a lot of bitter words in my position, but I don't think what the young lady does is wrong,''

The captain is right, young lady. A nobleman leading the charge to protect the common people from invaders is kind of cool, like a righteous ally in a story.

　The guards guarding Minerva's back agree with Moore while kicking down an imperial soldier.

The truth is, it was a bit of fun to feel like the knight of my dreams. It is honestly a very exciting situation to swing a sword side by side with the master you serve. It's even more rare when you're a young lady.

　The guard standing to his right smiled wryly as he cut down the Imperial soldier in front of him.

''That's what I mean, Miss. Please go ahead and stretch your chest.''

　At the last word from Moore, Minerva's chest boiled like a fever.
　A sensation she didn't know how to describe filled her entire body, and she suppressed the urge to scream out with reason.

'Thank you again for .......'

　Shaking off her own remorse, Minerva held her sword at the ready, pushing away the pain in her shoulder.

I am proud to stand here with you all. It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. So...

　He dodges the sword of a soldier slashing at him from the front and slashes his arm in the opposite direction.

''Let's live up to the name of the Duke of Nilesteria's family and resist to the last moment.

　With determination, he swung his sword across the space in front of him in a horizontal motion.

'You're starting to look good, aren't you?

　Grinning, Moore's voice seemed to contain an unprecedented familiarity.
　It's not a master and servant, nor a protector and protector relationship, but rather a friend who fights shoulder to shoulder as equals, Minerva forgot about the situation and let her heart skip a beat.

　The four swords with their backs to each other cut through the imperial soldiers.
　Although they received small injuries, Minerva and her team were steadily reducing the enemy's strength.

　But that dominance wouldn't last forever either.
　Minerva's hands have already lost their senses, and her hand, which is used to holding the sword, begins to lose strength.

　The imperial soldiers attack without pause as if waiting for us to wear out.
　Unlike an enemy with replacements, Minerva and her team must continue to fight without a break.
　The coming of the limit was inevitable.

''Tch, my sword!

　The guard standing next to Minerva throws down his overworked and broken sword and grabs a dagger as a backup weapon.

''Guh......!''

　The guards guarding the back staggered as they ate the tip of a spear to the side.

　But the current Minerva had no time to follow them.
　This is because she herself is slashing swords with the imperial soldiers right now.

　No matter how much she honed her swordsmanship, Minerva was still a sixteen-year-old girl.
　It was only natural that if she was brought into a spiteful battle and pushed aside by her physical strength, she would be forced into a disadvantageous position.
　If not for the shoulder injury, it would still be doable, but it's impossible for Minerva to do so now.

''Miss. I have nothing against you, but I'm sorry about the country you were born in. --Now, do it!

　As the soldier in front of me gave the signal, other soldiers from left and right held their spears towards Minerva.

　Minerva's entire body is millet.
　If they attacked from the left and right at the same time now, they would be skewered without any way to do so.

　When you have decided that this is it, Minerva felt an intense pressure from above her head that she had never experienced before.
　She was the only one here who noticed the change.

　Minerva involuntarily turned her head to the sky above.
　Her iris-colored eyes widened.

　What was spreading in the sky above was a thick blur that seemed to cover the entire surface.
　And there were countless swords floating in the air, pointing their edges toward the ground at any moment.