episode_0040

The original battle is ordinary, following the typical JRPG battle style.

Of course, it’s not completely identical to other games. It has its own unique variations within the framework of turn-based combat.

However, due to the battle system, there were significant constraints on using battles alone to drive the story.

For example, it was impossible to depict a “grand battlefield.”

Even if it’s a turn-based RPG made in Japan, if the genre is SRPG, it wouldn’t be so difficult to capture the essence of a battlefield. Especially for depicting the trench warfare of World War I, wouldn’t it be the optimal genre to portray the movement from trench to trench? There have been similar games that have done so.

But perhaps to maintain the series’ identity, this game adopted a relatively traditional JRPG battle style, which made it difficult to use battles alone to create situations.

Anyway.

So, the method chosen by the developers was “continuous battles.”

After finishing one battle, you move on to the next battle with an event afterward, and then another event followed by the next battle… If you win all three battles, you occupy the temporary trench, and if you fail midway, you are eliminated. There is no disadvantage in terms of not receiving items as rewards.

In reality, these items are only helpful in the early stages. Their importance diminishes…

Still, it didn’t feel good to think that someone else took them. In the game, all those items were practically mine. If I couldn’t carry those benefits with me while knowing vaguely what might happen in the future, there was no point in coming to this world.

Not that I came here willingly.

Moreover, crucially, it could negatively impact the image I had built in this world. I had established an image of being able to handle anything, and I didn’t want to create an image of “he can’t do this either.”

…Wouldn’t it have been better to build an image of “I just don’t do annoying things”?

And there were many other things I wanted to confirm. Especially the items obtained “systematically” – like when a message pops up saying, “You obtained ●●● as a success reward” – I was curious about how that would work in reality since there were no status screens in this world.

I knew that if something was systemically blocked, then it was possible in reality. So, how would the parts of the world involving “systematic elements” outside of the worldview and story be affected?

To confirm that, I needed to go this way.

“Light…?”

Having heard my words, Mia Crowfield paused for a moment in thought, and soon it seemed she understood what I was thinking.

“But if you emit bright light like that, won’t it blind everyone’s vision?”

Mia Crowfield’s somewhat hesitant words also made sense.

After all, light isn’t something that only certain people can see. If someone can’t see it, it means there’s a significant issue with their eyesight or brain.

While there are magic related to hallucinations, it’s impossible to cast such a spell on a large group of dozens of people. At least, I’ve never seen such magic throughout the game.

…Although I have seen magic where the sky opens up and a giant hand shoots out lasers.

“Why do you look at me like that?”

As I stared at Mia Crowfield in silence, she took a step back and asked.

Right. In the game, it’s just a flashy production made to look cool. Like the techniques in the Shu*ro* series. Whether indoors or outdoors, they were just skills that could be used recklessly.

But how would these skills or magic work in reality?

I’ll have to check that out someday.

And remember, if you make a mistake, the magic might come flying at you.

“Is it possible?”

It should be possible. It was possible in the original.

Mia’s specialty is magic related to ice and water, but that doesn’t mean she can’t use other types of magic. In the game, magic is divided into “basic spells” that can be used by default and “additional spells” that require specific equipment. While her specialty doesn’t make her stronger than others, the fact that she can use basic spells gives her flexibility to use other spells.

Moreover, her “magic attack power” was significantly higher by default.

While other characters can use the same magic if they have the right equipment, since they don’t have any basic spells to begin with, their spell options are limited, and their magic attack power is not as good, resulting in reduced damage and effects.

At this point, Mia Crowfield is the only character who can actually use such “magic.”

“….”

Although Mia Crowfield’s expression showed that she didn’t like me just asking questions without a response, she eventually nodded.

Yes, that’s right.

Despite emitting a murderous aura even in the student council, Mia Crowfield, who ultimately said she would join if I were to join, was determined. Regardless of whether we become friends or not, she needs to be around me so that I can find evidence that her father killed mine and possibly seek revenge when the opportunity arises.

It’s impossible to clear up the misunderstanding with Mia Crowfield after revealing what her father did. The atmosphere may be tense, but I’ve already tried once. Even if I calmly explain it when we’re alone, she won’t believe me.

Who would believe that her father was a swindler and a pedophile?

It’s better to give her time to come to terms with it.

“But this magic wand…”

“As long as it’s not intended for killing, there shouldn’t be a big problem. Just send out a ‘bright light’ as far as possible, and that should be enough.”

“….”

In the original, everyone covered their eyes and ran forward as if they were crazy. While they ultimately succeeded, Leo and Jennifer, who witnessed the scene, warned not to do that in a real battle.

However, what if a variable interferes in this country?

Not just a coincidence, but a necessity.

Of course, what I’m trying to do relies entirely on chance.

Well, since the other party will see it as a fated encounter anyway.

Glancing slightly, I saw Jennifer looking at me intently. Her face was full of interest. It seems she’s become somewhat interested in me since our last duel.

Jennifer must have heard some rumors about the “Emperor’s Children” and the questions related to the death of the Crowfield Viscount.

“Then, this way.”

As I turned back to return to the group I originally belonged to, I heard Mia Crowfield following me a beat late.

Seeing no one stopping Mia Crowfield from leaving, it seems I was that intimidating.

Or maybe Mia Crowfield simply didn’t fit in well with people.

*

“… Let’s leave it at that.”

Alice, who listened to my plan, asked with a serious expression.

“What are you planning to do? If you can’t see ahead, shooting a gun won’t hit anything.”

“I can provide cover fire.”

“Do you have the confidence not to hit us?”

“I do.”

“Well, okay.”

Since Alice had no doubts about my skills, she eventually agreed to my words.

“But still, even if you can’t see ahead…”

“Silvia is like that.”

Claire blocked Leo’s suspicious words that were originally your proposed strategy. Well, back then, there was no one offering to shoot from behind you.

Claire seemed to have a level of faith in her abilities that went beyond mere confidence… but let’s set that aside for now.

Charlotte narrowed her eyes and looked at me.

Her gaze seemed to contain both suspicion and, conversely, a subtle sense of certainty. There was no doubt that she had learned something from her father.

“I agree. There’s no other way,” Charlotte finally said.

“So, when should we go outside?” Alice asked me, confirming everyone’s consensus.

“As for the timing—”

I was about to mention the timing I had in mind when suddenly,

“Bam!”

A loud noise echoed from a distance, where the group that had Mia Crowfield until recently was located.

“Now.”

I said as I looked at Mia Crowfield, and she hesitated for a moment before rising to cast her spell—

“Mia Crowfield! Eliminated!”

—only to be shot.

…Again.

*

“Now!”

I said, immediately getting up and looking towards the opponent. As I fired my gun at the figure with only their face visible, they were promptly notified of their elimination.

“Lucina!”

Light!

It was quite fascinating to hear the original language of the game world, Spirit Language, overlapping with human language.

Come to think of it, it was my first time witnessing magic being used in a world where magic played a crucial role.

For a moment, my vision was filled with a blinding white light, and I could see the light fading away in the distance.

It felt more like staring directly at a bright headlight of an oncoming car rather than a flashbang. The difference was that the light spread in all directions.

Looking around, even those close by were barely visible from this side.

Alice, Charlotte, Claire, and Leo were heard jumping over sandbags.

Each holding a gun in their hands.

Well, alright.

The operation had begun.

So, all I had to do was my part.

I quickly pulled back the bolt, ejected the casing, loaded a new round. The process felt somewhat exhilarating.

I had already seen the location of the opponent several times.

Click!

Of course, hitting the target was a different story.

Pulling the trigger did not result in a ‘Eliminated!’ announcement.

In that case—

Again!

*

I jumped over the sandbags because the people who had charged ahead were almost out of sight.

It wasn’t that they were too far to see, but rather due to the massive light hovering in the sky.

Regardless of my feelings, Mia Crowfield faithfully followed my orders and conjured up the light in the sky multiple times.

In the meantime, I had taken down several opponents. Seven? Eight? I couldn’t remember the exact number, as I was shooting so quickly. But at least I had taken down over six of them, shooting one by one and switching guns.

With a weak step, I got up with a shotgun loaded with five rounds, before I could even take a step, I said to Mia Crowfield,

“Stay here and use magic one more time.”

She nodded stiffly in response to my words.

I had gone this far, so she would probably listen to me.

Well, it didn’t really matter if she didn’t. I just needed to find a way to do what I needed to do.

By now, the other members of our group would have likely reached the nearby Chamho.

Thinking that, I got up and jumped over the sandbags.

“Eek!”

And promptly tripped and fell forward.

“….” A brief moment of silence.

Silence seemed to have descended upon the entire battlefield for a moment, but it was probably just my imagination.

Maybe… Jennifer, who was probably looking down from above, or Mia Crowfield, who was scanning the area behind me, might have seen it.

Damn it.

Again!

*

Luckily, I didn’t trip this time. Upon closer inspection, there was a small rock in front of the sandbag, which I must have stepped on and tripped over.

Alright.

Feeling confident that I had cleared the obstacle quite smoothly, I immediately started running forward.

Keeping my gaze downwards to avoid looking at the floating light in the sky, I zigzagged my way forward.

There were no gunshots coming our way during that time.

There were probably students from other noble family factions who had successfully crossed over as well. Judging from the sounds of running and swishing beyond the sandbags, it seemed like they were also in a state of panic.

As I ran with all my might, I could see the sandbags piled up on the brightly lit field more clearly than usual in broad daylight.

I ran as fast as I could and leaped into the sandbag enclosure.