Ch.306What… Did You… Do?

“Hurry up! We must complete all preparations before those beasts arrive!”

The wall was bustling with sudden battle preparations when I finished getting ready and went out.

Knights in charge of each section shouted orders at the top of their lungs, while soldiers hurriedly ran about carrying supplies. Silver arrows, oil barrels, braziers, and spare spears and swords.

These enemies wouldn’t be easy enough to kill with just those, but we had no other options anyway.

The only weapons effective against werebeasts were silver, true silver, and the blessings of the Church of Menes.

“Move quickly! There’s no time to waste!”

“Damn it, damn it…! We have to fight those creatures again? With just these things…?”

“Why did it have to be in the middle of the night…”

Unlike inside the castle, the outdoors lacked proper heating. Despite the night’s cold cutting like a blade, the soldiers’ foreheads were drenched with sweat.

Whether it was honest sweat from intense labor or cold sweat from fear, I couldn’t tell.

“Will we survive…? Even all the division commanders have died…”

“…It’ll be fine. The Empire’s strongest swordsman, Baron of Median, has arrived. Surely he will…”

“Do you believe those rumors? He’s too young. How could someone that age be the Empire’s strongest? If you ask me, it’s just a false rumor spread by His Majesty to boost army morale.”

“…Well, the rebels did have Lord Valenstein on their side. Maybe you’re right.”

The soldiers’ whispers mixed with the wind and brushed past my ears.

Fear of death, hope placed in me. Even the disbelief of those who mistakenly thought themselves rational.

…I turned my gaze away as if ignoring them.

A bitter taste lingered on my tongue as I breathed in.

My chest grew cold and heavy, as if filled with a lump of iron.

How many of them would live to see the morning sun?

Naturally, Karl’s strategy hadn’t been shared with the rank-and-file soldiers.

No matter how brave the Empire’s troops might be—though they didn’t seem particularly brave—if they knew they were merely being used as meat shields or to buy time, morale would instantly plummet. They might even rebel or desert.

[Do you feel guilty? Such weakness is just like you. Perhaps you should be the saint instead of that white-haired woman.]

Guilt?

‘It’s not like that.’

Guilt? How absurd at this point.

I had resolved to bury such emotions and move forward.

A soldier’s duty is to fight at the forefront, and an army’s purpose is to win. There was no room for guilt in that.

I just… just thought they were a little pitiful, that’s all.

Everyone living in this world was pitiful.

A world where a thousand ordinary people are carelessly sent to their deaths just to highlight the few who can face a thousand alone.

This was the cruelty of a game that had become reality.

Well… the original world wasn’t exactly paradise either.

I sat on the wall’s edge smoking a cigarette, looking down at the inside of the castle to pass time.

With news of the impending battle, refugees who had fled to Faelrun Castle were hurriedly gathering their belongings to escape to the inner castle.

Children whining while clutching their mothers’ hands. Elderly people who could barely move. Young maidens huddled together in fear.

There were no young men to be seen.

Most had probably volunteered as soldiers to protect their families, or something like that.

The refugees were all trembling with anxious expressions.

Hiding in the inner castle would provide only momentary comfort. If Faelrun Castle fell, they would all become food for the beasts.

The young women would probably be “used” to produce half-breed soldiers.

What a ridiculous thing. No, perhaps I should say it’s not even ridiculous.

If they’re beasts, they should stick to their own kind. Why use humans for breeding?

What a crazy world, truly.

I let out a deep sigh toward the sky.

The cigarette smoke mixed with my breath dispersed hazily among the stars.

—-

“So this is where you are, Haschal.”

How long had I been wallowing like that?

I turned my head at the familiar voice behind me to see Millia.

Instead of her usual white shirt and pants, she was wearing the thick armor typical of the North, with a steel bow slung across her back.

In her right hand was a great bow nearly twice her height. Seeing it in person, it was impressively powerful.

“Millia, Demian. You’re a bit later than I expected. Did something happen?”

“…Who knows?”

Millia answered with a grin, her face showing a strange glow.

In contrast, Demian looked somewhat haggard.

Is he not fully recovered yet? It’s my fault, technically… but that’s troublesome. This battle will clearly be difficult even at full strength.

“…I shouldn’t be the one saying this, but be careful, Demian. Reaching Master level would be great, but since that’s uncertain, prioritize staying alive. You too, Millia.”

Because if you two die, it won’t be a victory even if we win.

“Yes. You be careful too, Haschal. Your role is much more dangerous than mine.”

“Well. The one in danger won’t be me, but the wolf.”

Millia nodded with a laugh at my quip, then headed toward the tower, leaving Demian behind.

Her footsteps were remarkably light and cheerful even from behind.

“…She seems strangely excited. Did something happen between you two?”

“Uh… something did. I’m not sure if I should talk about it.”

Demian hesitated, avoiding a direct answer.

What’s this reaction? I have a vague suspicion…

No way.

Surely Millia wouldn’t do that.

I forcibly erased the image that had appeared in my mind.

It couldn’t be true, no matter what.

Surely Millia wouldn’t do something so bold in this situation. That’s not her character.

…Right?

“You didn’t… did you? It hasn’t even been a day since you said you had no intention of ‘doing that’.”

My voice trembled slightly as I questioned Demian.

“…Millia has gotten much stronger. Especially her arm strength.”

“What…?”

Demian hung his head low.

An attitude that was as good as admitting it. The cigarette I was holding fell to the ground.

My goodness, what should I say about this?

It was shocking enough to blow away all the sentimental feelings I’d had just moments ago.

I was ready to half-kill him if he’d made advances without intending to reciprocate her feelings, but he was actually the one who got taken advantage of? It wasn’t a confession but an assault?

Millia, what on earth did you…?

[To engage in carnal relations before marriage, I didn’t take her for such a wanton woman…!]

Why are you suddenly acting so proper?

Don’t add to my confusion when I’m already confused enough.

—-

I took a deep breath and exhaled toward the sky. My cold breath spread like smoke.

I felt dizzy as if drunk, though I hadn’t had any alcohol.

“No, ah. Well, um… Right. Let’s say what’s done is done. What are you planning to do now?”

Surely you’re not thinking of pretending it never happened?

If you did, that middle leg of yours might become something that never existed in the first place.

“I’ll… take responsibility…?”

Why is that a question, you bastard? Of course you should.

“Were you planning to wash your hands of it? You’ll die by the sword that way.”

“You’d use a sword…?”

Demian glanced at my left hand.

Did he think I meant I’d kill him? Not me—Millia would be the one coming with a sword!

“It might seem a bit unfair to you… or maybe you don’t feel that way? Anyway, fair or not, what’s done is done… think about how you’ll take responsibility later. I don’t even know what to say…”

And don’t give me that obvious line about planning to marry after this battle is over.

The guys who say things like that always end up dead, leaving their lovers as widows or with other men.

“…I suppose I should.”

With that conversation finished, Demian also headed toward the front wall—that is, toward the north gate.

I’m a bit worried, but… he’ll fight well enough on his own. He seems to have changed to a better weapon too.

Instead of his silver-plated greatsword, Demian was carrying a weapon mixed with true silver, like Nigel.

Perhaps Frider gave it to him. Judging by the House of Faelrun seal on it, it might have been Grand Duke Valdemar’s weapon originally.

It’s not pure true silver, but it should be more than adequate. Even a mixture containing true silver is enough to weaken a Champion’s regenerative abilities.

He might have to return it after the battle, but for now, he’s using an even better weapon than Millia.

Millia had to use silver arrows despite having reached Master level.

They couldn’t waste precious true silver on mere consumables.

They say you can recover arrows scattered on the battlefield after the battle, but realistically, how easy would that be?

After watching Demian’s back for a while, I turned my gaze back to the sky.

I took out a new cigarette, lit it, and inhaled.

At least the two of them are together now… so I guess this counts as achieving the pure love route?

The method is a bit shocking, but he definitely ended up with his childhood friend whom he loves. So it’s pure love, no doubt.

I try to convince myself as I clear my head with cigarette smoke.

By the time one cigarette had burned down, I finally reached a conclusion.

Hmm. No matter how I think about it, there’s no reason it’s not pure love. So achieving the pure love route is correct.

That’s a relief.

—-

It was approaching midnight. Just as the knights and soldiers were finishing their deployments,

Frider, who was checking the troop situation, and Leonore, who was aimlessly following her, spotted me and approached.

“You look comfortable, stargazing leisurely.”

“It’s not like there’s anything I need to do yet. If anything, shouldn’t my role be to rest as much as possible and keep my body in top condition? The same goes for you, at least for now.”

“That’s true.”

Frider shrugged and plopped down next to me.

She wore light armor under a fur coat woven with wire, with thick chains wrapped around her.

A sharp blue scythe hung from the end of the chain.

Eight arm-length weapons that looked like a cross between an awl and a syringe were attached to the leather strap on her back.

The serrated blade at her waist was similar to her previous one, but with a higher true silver content giving it a distinct blue glow, and the spear she held had a structure that seemed to split and spread open on both sides.

She lost all her weapons in the previous battle, but she’s already replaced everything with new ones? Must be nice to have money.

“As the lady said, we’ve made all possible preparations… all that’s left is to wait for the enemy to arrive. Unless we give a speech to boost morale.”

Leonore also pointed at the empty space, as if asking if she could sit beside me. When I nodded, she sat down.

Unlike Frider who was laden with all sorts of weapons, she presented quite a contrast with just a true silver sword attached to her northern-style armor.

“A speech… I’m not confident about that.”

“I’m sure you are.”

As if Frider would have such eloquence. I never expected it in the first place.

“Lady Faelrun, a speech is just about stringing together impressive-sounding words. Like ‘let’s uphold the pride of the North,’ or ‘we must protect the people.’ Or you could boast about our lady and declare that we can win because the ‘Were Eater’ is with us. It’s not that difficult once you try.”

Leonore grinned and stretched toward the sky.

Perhaps due to arching her back fully, her curves were prominent even over her armor.

“…Do you think we can win?”

“What’s this? Making such weak statements, unlike you. Where did all that spirit from the Great Fire go?”

Perhaps because only the three of us remained, I gently patted Frider’s back as she revealed the anxiety she had been trying to hide.

…Though it might not have been so gentle, as Frider’s upper body lurched forward.

“Gah…! Really, having only brute strength is…”

“Ah, sorry. I thought you could handle that much. Your core is weaker than I expected.”

Frider, who nearly fell over, straightened her back and shot me a glare.

“Your strength is abnormal! Are you sure you don’t have blood from another race mixed in?”

“…Probably not?”

I find it a bit strange too, but judging by the lack of scales or a tail, I guess not. Probably.

—-

On the wall where numerous soldiers were busily moving about, the three of us gazed at the star-filled night sky, chatting about various things.

Trivial jokes and stories of past battles.

“Come to think of it, where are they?”

“They?”

Frider tilted her head, as if wondering what I was talking about.

“Your friends. You said you have many friends in the North? I’m quite envious. Would you introduce some to me?”

If they actually exist, that is!

“……”

Frider’s eyes trembled.

Her expression said, “You still remember that?”

“You don’t have any, do you?”

“……Yes.”

I knew it. What a ridiculous lie.

Did you think I’d forget an opportunity to tease you?

Leonore, who had caught on to the situation, snickered.

I also grinned at Frider.

After that, Frider pressed her lips shut with a reddened face, as if sulking.

…For a full five minutes.

It was just a light joke, but it seems to have hit harder than I expected.