Haha ...... haha ......!

"Phew ...... haha ......

　Kåñëa and Yu.

　Both are breathing heavily.

　Both look exhausted.

　Sheila is also in no condition to fight with wounds all over her body.

''Muu......!''

Ha, you can't beat this one. You're a real monster.

　The three of us are confident in our skills.

　That's why we can recognize each other. That they were able to fight each other to this point.

　And for Kåñëa and Sheila, it was a joy to be able to cut up to this point against a monstrous child who could be called a cloud existence.

　But on the contrary, Yui--.

''Strong. But I can't lose. I can't lose--......!

No, I've had enough.

''What?''

　A voice comes from behind Yui.

　It was Ruina.

　The Empress herself stood on the battlefield. The First Army's Fonv was also standing around.

''Wow, I can still do it. ......!

'I don't blame you, I understand what you're capable of. Just beating Stillbeats this time will be an achievement, so it's enough to make your presence felt this far.

......!

　Yuy backed down at Louina's words.

　But as for Yui, she wasn't happy. Because she thought she could do more. To the extent that even the outer walls could be broken down and conquered - that's what it was.

　That was something that was possible with the 0 army led by Yui.

''-- Don't look so unfaithful. It was just an irregularity this time. I'm looking forward to the next time and beyond.

...... Yes.

Even if you say 'unfaithful face', there is not much change in Yui's face.

　It's expressionless itself.

　However, even such facial subtleties can be noticed. One such skill was the power of Empress Ruina, the ruler of a great country.

　Such Luina looked at Kåñëa and Sheila.

''You're strong.''

　A simple word.

　Quena shudders and shudders. His eyes widen in surprise.

　It's because it's the first time in my life I've heard a compliment from my sister. These are the words that I had breathed in that one day I would definitely, positively hear them.

　It was uttered out of the blue on the battlefield and I reacted unexpectedly.

　I've been thinking about the fact that I'm going to make a big deal out of the praise, or make a fool out of myself for being underestimated so far, but it was so sudden that Kuna couldn't react in time either.

'You've grown up ...... Yeah, you've really grown up. People seemed to say that I didn't have any prospects at all back then, but I knew Kåñëa was strong. I believed in him.

......!

　I don't just praise him.

　He praises Kåñëa as he shakes her, poking and prodding at the inferiority complex she had been harboring.

　A few seconds in time. With just that, Kåñëa's heart melts to Ruina.

　It's as thick as the amount of time she wanted to look back.

''-- Come back, Wayra, to the Empire. Be my sister and together we will make the empire stronger.

(......--oh, no more.)

　Tears rolled down Kåñëa's cheeks.

　The tear glands she had been enduring broke down. All the hard work I've been doing has been rewarded.

　A mere sentiment turned to joy.

　But somewhere.

　There was a feeling in the depths of my heart that did not change to joy.

　What was it?

"The blonde girl should come to the Weiler Empire. I will treat you very well.

''No thanks. I don't know about this for Quena, but I'd prefer a guild with Zied in it.'

Jade?

　Ruina raised one eyebrow between her eyebrows at the unexpected name.

　K'ena, too, was moved with an emotion that was no less than joy at the mention of Zied's name.

Quena smiled, "Oh .......

　I knew what that emotion was.

'I also have someone ...... still wanting to be recognized. It's a guy called Jide. I don't want any sympathy from that guy, I want to be recognized as a formal party member. So I'm going to decline that invitation.

You don't mind if I say no, do you?

　Fonv, who was beside Louina, snapped his fingers and grinned.

　He was clearly in a fighting stance.

''Kuena......!''

Yeah. It's time to pull out of--!

　We avoid further combat as much as possible.

　In that sense, the two of them choose to run away.

　However, Fonv loomed over them.

''-- You think you're going to let me escape?

　Leg kick.

　Just that.

　But Sheila catches it with her sword and makes a nasty noise with her arm.

　Her body is about to blow away from the ground, but a thick wall of earth behind her creates an extra layer of damage.

　The one that made it is, of course, Fonv. He is the only one here who has that much room to spare.

''Sheila!''

'Ha!　Try to resist. Show me your ability to make the commander of the 0th Army look so ragged!

d*mn it ......!

　Kåñëa burns more flames of the sword to conduct the second battle.

　But that second battle is a retreat.

　To buy time for Sheila to somehow escape alone.

"You are very much on the run. Don't let this guy get the better of you, Mr. Zero.

　While enjoying the desperate Kåñëa, he also remembers to disrespect Yui.

　With Ruina here, Fonv is also clearly attentive. There's also no nagging Second Army commander.

''Hey. Isn't it too much to buy and wear with a stupid title like Charisma Party or former S-rank ......?　A soldier like me who crawled up from the bottom of the barrel and doesn't give a d*mn?

'...... Disagree with the First Army Chief?　I think we're giving them enough unbeatable treatment.

　Louina put her hands behind her back.

'It's not the treatment I disagree with!　That's the guy on top of me!　Look at that!　We were put in charge of the vanguard and now we're getting slaughtered by two nameless females!　Is this guy really worthy of being the commander of the 0th Army above me?　Ah!?

　Fonv's tone is rough. It's like letting out a complaint that has been pent up until now.

''The two of you there are strong. That's why I don't complain if we're fighting each other too.''

'Therein lies the problem!　Well, what about me?　I have the power to take on these two!　Even Yu could kill you in a second!　How come I'm not the leader of the Zero Army?

Then I'll give you a chance to fight Yui.

　Luina didn't like the idea of a change of commander, because it would create a messy chain of command and information handover.

　The reason being that it would be troublesome to disrupt the chain of command and hand over information.

　But of course, the Weiler Empire places importance on competence, performance and achievement. If there is a clear difference in power, they will accept a replacement without objection.

　That's why Fung Vu hasn't been able to move up to the 0th Army because he hasn't proven his abilities--.

''Do you want to give me the opportunity to fight Yui?　...... hmm. Haha!　No, no, Ruina.

What's your point?

You, who can't even see the strength between me and Yui, you don't deserve to be my 'superior' either.

　Fonv's distorted smile emerges.