Mio immediately raced towards Kasen. Gaten tried to strike Mio’s back with his whips, but Kagetora deflected one with his blade. He then caught the other in midair with his hand and gave it a hard tug.

“Whoa?!” This sudden jerk pulled Gaten from his temsbock, and he landed on the ground. “Why you!”

Crack!

“Guh!”

Gaten immediately responded by striking Kagetora’s other hand with his whip, causing Kagetora to unintentionally release the whip he had been holding. Then, after pulling his two whips back in, Gaten faced Kagetora.

“A tiger mask? Are you that young feline lady’s father or something?” Gaten asked, his brow furrowing.

Kagetora snorted beneath his mask. “No. I know her techniques as if she were my own daughter, but...we are strangers.” Having said this, he fell into a fighting stance.

Meanwhile, Mio was running straight towards Kasen and closing the distance. Kasen was initially confused by the change in opponents, but he quickly collected himself and started loosing arrows to keep her in check.

Mio struck down every one of the projectiles with her twin swords.

“Urgh... How can you both knock them out of the air so easily?!”

“Because they’re not twisted like that whip master’s attacks!”

She crossed her longswords and swung them down at Kasen. He jumped back to evade her, nocking three arrows that he then fired all at once. Mio batted them away with a quick swipe of her longsword.

She turned to Kasen and said, “I like how straight your arrows fly, which is more than I can say for that other man’s whips.”

“I don’t know whether to take that as a compliment...” Gaten commented.

“It is one. Because I have more fun fighting a warrior like you.”

“Then I can’t let my guard down for a second!”

The two bantered as they fought, with the battle shifting back and forth from offensive to defensive. At one point, it seemed the Kingdom’s western flank would collapse under the Empire’s ferocious assault. However, thanks to Mio and Kagetora’s actions, the battle returned to a stalemate.

It was only a moment, but it was enough for each to confirm that it was the other who had just shouted, and they put some distance between them.

Liscia and Mutsumi had only met in person at the Balm Summit, and all their conversations since then had been by broadcast. By all accounts, they were acquaintances at most. However, Liscia understood Mutsumi deeply, and Mutsumi understood Liscia in return. Their positions were similar; both women had chosen to accompany the man they loved wherever his path might lead.

Mutsumi’s expression grew tense as she looked at Liscia. “Sir Souma’s queen has come to the front lines?”

“I could ask you the same. Your husband has started wars all over the world, and we’re constantly short of personnel.”

“So short the queen has to help out? I’m sorry for the inconvenience.”

Even as they bantered, the two were cautiously gauging each other’s range.

Then Mutsumi charged with her horse, her longsword outstretched in one hand, aiming for Liscia’s throat. Liscia parried with her rapier and attempted a quick follow-up, but the reach of Mutsumi’s longsword kept her from closing in.

The two continued trading blows on horseback. The soldiers on both sides anxiously watched their queens fight, worried that if they interfered, their own queen might be injured. Despite being the center of attention, the two exchanged words as they traded blows.

“I know you know, Madam Mutsumi! You know this battle is meaningless!”

While executing a quick combo with her rapier, Liscia tried to persuade Mutsumi.

“Souma has changed the era! We’ve moved into a time when charismatic figures like Maria and great men like Fuuga are no longer needed! Fuuga’s era is over!”

“That doesn’t change anything!” Mutsumi deflected Liscia’s attacks with her longsword. “So long as Lord Fuuga continues forward, I will never stop! Just as you decided to walk alongside Sir Souma, I have chosen to stay with Lord Fuuga until the end!”

“I understand your feelings so well it hurts! But that’s all the more reason for me to want you to back down!” Liscia slammed her rapier against Mutsumi’s longsword. “You have to understand—we already won when we showed that video. That video will shake the world, and the confusion it will cause will stop you. That’s what has put a time limit on Fuuga’s ambitions.”

“...”

“So if we can just buy time...even if it means abandoning Parnam to flee south in the end, we will have still won the war without winning the battle here. But if we had simply fled first, the people who support Fuuga won’t be able to feel the change in the era!”

“What are you saying...?”

“They might try to continue the dream they’ve lost! To prevent that, and as the final move in changing the era, our strategists decided we should fight here for this one day!”

“You prepared a glorious path for Lord Fuuga, is that it?”

Mutsumi understood. Now that the world had seen that video, the Great Tiger Empire believed the only way to overturn things was to crush the enemy in a single day with an all-out offensive. However, even that chance was something the Kingdom was giving them.

As she realized this, a faint smile crossed Mutsumi’s lips. “Now I’m even less willing to accept defeat. I need to lend some color to Lord Fuuga’s...to my husband’s last grand performance.”

“Grr... You’re so stubborn!” Liscia ground her teeth at how Mutsumi’s eyes sparkled even more than before.

“You and I both! But if you must call me something, I’d rather you say I was singularly devoted!”

“Yeah, sure... I like the sound of that better for myself too.”

And so, this singularly devoted pair crossed blades once more. Their battle, fought with incredible finesse, was not violent but had a quiet grace to it, like a sword dance. The soldiers watching forgot to intervene and even stopped fighting themselves as they intently observed the duel.

“Lady Liscia!”

“Lady Mutsumi!”

That didn’t change with Velza and Gaifuku’s late arrival. The two ignored their surroundings, focusing all their talent and stubbornness on one another.

But then it happened—

“Urkh...!”

“Huh?!”

A look of agony suddenly flashed across Mutsumi’s face, and her sword swing went awry. The longsword slashed in the wrong direction, throwing Mutsumi off-balance. She was left wide-open, but Liscia lowered the rapier she had been about to swing and backed off.

Mutsumi covered her mouth, turning her body so she wasn’t facing Liscia. It looked like she was trying to vomit where Liscia couldn’t see. Realizing this, Liscia understood what was happening to Mutsumi.

“Madam Mutsumi, you...”

“It feels so pathetic...” Mutsumi wiped her mouth and looked at Liscia with chagrin. “As his wife, I want to lend him my strength...and yet it’s precisely because I am his wife that I cannot fight you to the death right now.”

Tears formed in Mutsumi’s eyes as she smiled self-mockingly.

She was pregnant with Fuuga’s child.

Learning that Mutsumi had been fighting in that state, Liscia couldn’t help but shout, “There’s nothing pathetic about that! It’s a wonderful thing!”

“Is it really? To be unable to lend my strength to the one who is more important to me than anything?”

“Don’t be ridiculous!” Seeing the sadness in Mutsumi’s eyes, despite their fight to the death moments before, Liscia shouted, “When our children were born, Souma said he felt like it had changed his priorities. But even if your priorities change, the things that were important to you before don’t just go away! You just have more to care about! That’s all!”

Liscia looked around as if searching for something. Her eyes fell on Gaifuku, wearing a big, imposing suit of armor, with a physique that set him apart from others.

“You, the commander over there! You must be a warrior in a position of authority! If you heard our conversation just now, then take Madam Mutsumi away at once!”

“Urgh... Understood! Everyone, we must hold off the enemy for the sake of Lady Mutsumi and her child!”

Though he was upset at being ordered around by the enemy, he reasoned that Mutsumi’s safety was his priority, and set her horse running towards the main camp. Then he faced down the Kingdom’s forces to cover her retreat. In deference to Gaifuku and his men’s willingness to lay down their lives, Liscia waited for Mutsumi to withdraw before attacking.

“Was it okay to let her go...?” Velza asked Liscia, an arrow nocked to her bow as she watched the enemy.

Liscia remained facing forward as she replied, “If anything were to happen to Madam Mutsumi or her child, there would be no end to the fighting. If we captured her, she might kill herself, and that would have the same outcome. We need her to live, if only to stop Fuuga from turning into a fiend with nothing to lose.”

Even though Mutsumi withdrew from the battle on the eastern flank, Gaifuku assumed command and fought his hardest, bringing things to a stalemate like on the western flank. Thus, the outcome of this war, which was hard on both sides, would be decided by the battle in the center.

◇ ◇ ◇

Back at the Kingdom of Friedonia’s central camp...

With the battles in the east and west bogged down, a fierce conflict raged in the center. Both nations had concentrated their forces there, and the intensity of the fighting surpassed that on the flanks. The Kingdom’s forces were commanded by Strategist Julius, while the Empire’s forces were under Advisor Hashim. Known for their clever tactics and bravery, they fought alongside their men as they led.

“Take advantage of the terrain! Make use of the walls! If any areas start to crumble, report it! Kaede will be bringing earth mages, so hold out until they arrive!” Julius shouted while fending off the troops assaulting the walls.

“Use our numerical advantage to deny them a chance to rest! The enemy is desperately trying to avoid being swept away by our wave! We must keep moving and draw their attention to us!” Hashim ordered as he pressed the attack, steadily strengthening his offensive.

Members of the House of Magna—Halbert, Kaede, and Ruby—observed the front lines from a position slightly to the rear. All they could do was watch.

Halbert irritably punched his left palm with his right fist. “Damn it! Are we really just going to stand here while everyone is out there fighting?”

“Come on,” Ruby sighed. “You know that’s part of the plan.”

But perhaps Ruby was also feeling anxious, as indicated by her tail striking the ground.

“Calm down, both of you,” Kaede, standing beside Halbert, chastised them. “If Fuuga Haan comes riding in on Durga, you’re about the only ones who can slow him down, you know. That’s why our strategy has you on standby until he appears.”

Despite her tone, Kaede’s fox ears were flat against her head.

“If I’m being honest,” she continued, “I don’t want you fighting Fuuga Haan. Strategy means nothing when he’s involved. He can alter the situation on the battlefield all by himself. I’d be beside myself with worry watching you two stand against him.”

With greater martial prowess than Aisha, the strongest warrior in the Kingdom, and wielding bolts of lightning that rivaled those of Naden the black ryuu, Fuuga Haan also possessed charisma comparable to that of Maria, once known as the Saint of the Empire. When Fuuga unleashed his fury on the battlefield, he transformed into a berserker who cared nothing for the losses suffered by his men.

The Kingdom was on high alert against Fuuga. He was fearsome on his own, but he also had a powerful mount, Durga the flying tiger. Together, they had defeated many of Nothung’s dragon knights and had even left Queen Sill and Pai severely wounded.

Most warriors would stand no chance against him. Faced with this overwhelming threat, which they could not even slow down with sacrificial pawns lacking the ability to fly, the Kingdom had decided that only the dragon knight duo of Halbert and Ruby, along with an elite team of wyvern cavalry equipped with the Little Susumu Mark V Light, could hope to stop him. This was precisely why the Magnas couldn’t join the fight unfolding before them.

At that moment, a large man on horseback approached. With dark skin and dressed in tribal clothing, it was Julius’s close friend and confidant, Jirukoma.

“I have a report for Madam Kaede!” Jirukoma exclaimed.

“Sir Jirukoma! What’s happened?” Kaede asked.

“Orders from Julius!” he said, steadying his horse. “Part of the wall is collapsing under concentrated fire from cannon-mounted rhinosauruses! He requests that Madam Kaede have earth mages repair it with all possible haste!”

“Understood. It’ll be fastest if I go myself.”

“Hrm, you yourself, Madam Kaede?”

“Yes. So take me with you, Sir Jirukoma.” With that, Kaede climbed onto the back of Jirukoma’s horse. She then turned to Halbert and Ruby, saying, “You heard him, Hal, Ruby. I’m going now, but don’t do anything stupid. If we win the war but only Bill and I are left... I’d hate that.”

Halbert and Ruby nodded.

“We know. Don’t you do anything reckless either, Kaede.”

“Leave this to us. I swear I’ll protect Hal.”

Hearing their responses, Kaede smiled faintly. “You also need to protect Ruby. We’re all going to go home together. The war isn’t over until you make it back home, you know. Now, let’s go, Sir Jirukoma.”

“Yes, ma’am! Understood!”

With that, Kaede headed towards the front line, accompanied by Jirukoma.

◇ ◇ ◇

As Jirukoma returned to the front line with Kaede, Julius was engaged in a fierce battle to defend a wall that was on the verge of collapsing. The Empire’s cannon rhinosauruses continued to bombard it, but he was coordinating his archers and other ranged attackers to intercept the cannon fire. However, he couldn’t afford to let himself be distracted by the incoming shots, as he also needed to counter the advancing land offensive.

“Julius! I’ve brought Madam Kaede!” Jirukoma called out.

“Oh, thank goodness,” Julius replied, visibly relieved. “We needed to strengthen our defenses against Fuuga, which left their cannons free to fire at us... This delay has been costly.”

Once Jirukoma helped her off the horse, Kaede rushed over to Julius.

“Sir Julius, how much repair work needs to be done?” she asked urgently.

Julius gestured towards the damaged sections of the wall. “I want you to put up plenty of earth walls in front of any areas that are crumbling. There’s no need to make them durable; with all the incoming fire, they’ll just fall apart anyway. Just keep rebuilding them as needed.”

“Understood.”

Having said this, Kaede turned her hands towards the ground. And then...

“There...!”

Rummmble! As Kaede raised her hands, the ground swelled as if she were pulling a large turnip from the earth, effectively halting the oncoming imperial soldiers. It wasn’t a perfect solution, but it would buy them some time.

Just as Julius breathed a sigh of relief, a clear voice shouted from the other side of the wall.

“Julius Amidonia!”

Suddenly, a figure climbed over the wall with his soldiers and attacked Julius, who instinctively blocked the assault with his sword. The metallic clang echoed through the air as he recognized his opponent’s face.

“Julius!”

“Sir Julius!”

Jirukoma and Kaede shouted in panic.

“Huh?! Hashim Chima?!”

It was Hashim, the imperial advisor who had led his troops right to the front line. His clothes were stained red with the blood of his enemies.

How many soldiers of the Kingdom had he cut down on his way here? It seemed that Hashim’s reputation as the smartest and bravest of the Chima siblings, which Julius had heard about during his time in the Union of Eastern Nations, was well deserved.

“Julius. Why are you helping this country?” Hashim demanded as he slashed at Julius.

“Hmm? What are you on about?”

“I’ve heard that your father championed the destruction of the Elfrieden Kingdom and was killed while trying to achieve that goal. You should be the one to carry on his legacy, so why humiliate yourself by becoming Souma’s servant? What do you say, Julius Amidonia?”

“Grr... Your rambling grates on my ears. First, let me correct you on one thing!” Julius deflected the attack and pointed his sword at Hashim. “I am Julius Lastania now! You’d best remember that!”

“You’d trample on your father’s wishes?”

“I have inherited some things from my father, yes. The determination of a man from Amidonia, for one. But I also have other priorities that are important to me now.”

He hadn’t forgotten his father’s unfulfilled ambitions, but the members of the Lastanian royal family—his wife Tia and son Tius foremost among them—held far greater significance in Julius’s heart. All he could do for his deceased father was mourn his passing. However, he could do much more for the people he cared about who were still alive. Now it was Julius’s turn to confront Hashim.

“I see... If you’re calling me out on that, it means you’re trapped by the same thing—the curse of needing to fulfill your father’s wishes.”

“Tch!”

“You betrayed your father, Mathew, by siding with Fuuga Haan and ultimately striking him down. But knowing his personality, even that betrayal was aligned with Mathew’s wishes, wasn’t it? That’s why you feel no guilt towards your sister, Fuuga’s consort, Madam Mutsumi.”

Julius looked directly into Hashim’s eyes as he spoke.

“You are driven by the will you inherited from your father, demanding that you ‘use your cunning to its fullest and make the House of Chima’s name resonate across the continent.’ You don’t care how much blood you have to shed to achieve it. It’s all you have, so you move forward without ever hesitating.”

“What of it?” Hashim replied irritably, earning a derisive snort from Julius.

“Your perspective is too narrow. You focus solely on one goal, to the exclusion of everything else, and that limitation constrains you. Even among the free spirits of Fuuga’s army, you may be the least free of all. I’m astounded that you can still call yourself Fuuga’s advisor.”

Influenced by the battlefield around them, Julius’s harsh words became even more cutting. He almost seemed to regain some of the blackhearted nature he had had as the son of the Sovereign Prince of Amidonia. Hashim maintained a calm expression, but it was laced with anger.

“Silence!”

Hashim swung his sword with frustration, but Julius leapt back out of the way. Once Hashim had completed his swing, a large shadow pounced.

“I’ll assist you, Julius!”

Jirukoma attacked Hashim with two kukri-like knives. Hashim blocked one with his sword and kicked Jirukoma in the stomach before the other could reach him.

“Don’t interfere!”

“Gwugh!”

Jirukoma stumbled back a few steps before Julius caught him.

Facing Hashim alongside a recovered Jirukoma, Julius said, “If you could broaden your view instead of focusing on just one thing, you might have noticed the family and friends at your side. It’s not too late to find a wife, you know?”

“How risible. I’ll cut out your tongue and ensure you never speak such nonsense again.”

Taking Julius’s words as a provocation, Hashim readied his sword once more.

◇ ◇ ◇

As intense battles raged all around him, a man slowly advanced. His rock-rending blade, the Zanganto, rested on his shoulder as he rode Durga, the flying tiger, towards the battlefield at a steady pace. Despite the deadly conflict unfolding before him, the man’s heart was calm and relaxed, as if he were merely sightseeing.

This man was Fuuga Haan, the Great Tiger Emperor and the favored child of his era. For him, the battlefield—where blood was spilled and lives were lost—was his daily life, his playground, and his reason for living. He had fought tirelessly to reach this point, building a great nation, becoming emperor, and liberating the Demon Lord’s Domain.

Yet, deep down, he always felt that it was all a dream from which he would eventually awaken. If he were to lose or be struck down, it would all come to an end. And if he fought until the last foe was vanquished, that would also conclude Fuuga’s way of life. He saw no place for himself in the peaceful world that was to come. That was why he had recklessly pursued his path thus far.

But things were about to change. Times were shifting. Now that Souma had introduced a new era, people’s interests were naturally drifting towards it. Fuuga’s heart was already wavering.

This new era could be enjoyable, he thought. He felt an urge to conclude his conflict with Souma so he could rush off to the northern world alone. However, Fuuga bore too great a burden to simply walk away. Those who had fallen while entrusting their dreams to him, or those who had become his victims, would not allow him to retreat until the conflicts of this era were resolved. That was the fate of the great man Fuuga.

Yuriga wanted me to walk away despite that, but... This is the path I chose. I won’t stop until I reach its end.

With the spirits of the fallen urging him onward, Fuuga spurred Durga forward.

The two massive beasts struggled as they fell. Halbert’s and Ruby’s minds went blank, but they quickly regained their senses, trying to parse the situation. Below them, Naden and Durga were plummeting, and above, Aisha was also falling.

“Naden can fly! We have to save Lady Aisha!” Ruby shouted into Halbert’s mind, grasping the situation before he could.

“R-Right,” Halbert agreed.

They caught Aisha in midair. Cradled in Ruby’s forelegs, Aisha’s face was tense with genuine fear.

“Th-Thank you, Sir Halbert, Madam Ruby,” Aisha stammered.

“Honestly! Why are you so reckless?!” Halbert exclaimed.

“Naden too. Just watching gave me the chills,” Ruby added.

After that moment of relief, Aisha regained her composure.

“Right! Where’s Fuuga Haan?!”

He should have fallen alongside Durga, but...

Looking down at the struggling Naden and Durga, they noticed a pair of wings gliding towards the ground—Fuuga’s. His wings couldn’t lift him high, but they allowed him to glide even while wearing heavy equipment. Fuuga was descending right on the Kingdom’s main camp.

“Urgh! Even after everything we did, we could only deprive him of his mount!” Aisha groaned in frustration.

“Ruby,” Halbert said as he got to his feet. “Make sure to take care of Madam Aisha, all right?”

“Huh? Hal?”

Before she could respond, Halbert leapt from Ruby’s back.

◇ ◇ ◇

—Kingdom of Friedonia Main Camp

“Not even that can stop him, huh...?”

Those words slipped from my mouth almost unconsciously, I watched the battle unfolding in the air from the Kingdom’s main camp. Fuuga would be arriving soon, and his blade was closing in for the decapitating strike. Yet, strangely, I felt calm.

I had likely shifted into “king mode.” I might shudder later when I returned to a more level state of mind, but for now, my own life felt insignificant in the grand scheme of things. This realization kept the fear of death at bay.

Hey, Fuuga, you understand, right? Even if you win this battle—even if you take my head—it’s not going to change a thing, okay?

The times were changing into a new era—one that could not be driven by any single great man. Should I fall here, the course of events was already set. People would gravitate towards the world of the north. Though Fuuga might be able to bring this country and the Maritime Union to their knees, individuals would ultimately act on their own initiative. The great nation united under a powerful leader would soon crumble.

That momentum was something Fuuga could not halt. The times would cast him aside as someone who had outlived his usefulness. This battle had been decided the moment I released that promotional video. Fuuga’s dream was already shattered. I was only fighting to help Fuuga’s followers accept that the times had changed, and to provide a grand finale for the great man they had entrusted with their hopes.

This battle serves as an elegy for you, Fuuga. While I found myself lost in sentimentality...

“Sire...”

“Sire?”

Ludwin and Excel called out to me. I nodded.

“I know. Now...we just need to end it like we planned.”

It’s curtains for you, Fuuga Haan.

“Ludwin, prepare the you-know-what.”

“Yes, sire.”

“Excel, be ready to raise a ball of water at any moment.”

“As you request, sire.”

Once I had given Ludwin and Excel their orders, I took a deep breath. After holding it for several seconds, I gently exhaled, which helped me calm down. I looked at both of them.

“No matter what happens, stick to your roles. Absolutely. No matter what.”

Their faces tensed at my words.

“Are you saying we should not act even if you’re in danger, sire?” Ludwin asked, visibly shaken. I nodded firmly.

“Yes. This battle is nearly over. It’s more important for Excel, who is in charge of the plan for the final strike, and for you, who can lead our armies in my place, to survive right now than it is for me. You absolutely must not confront Fuuga.”

“If you talk like that, Carla will get upset again,” Excel warned, covering her mouth with her fan.

Oh, right. I did get scolded during the Amidonian War, didn’t I? Back then, I had tried to shield my heart from breaking by acting like “the system known as a king,” but that wasn’t the case now. After reflecting on it, I’d realized that if it meant protecting the children waiting with Roroa in Venetinova, I was prepared to sacrifice my own life here.

“If I come out of this intact, she can yell at me all she wants. And so can Liscia and the others, for that matter,” I said with a shrug. Then, steeling myself, I added, “I’m counting on both of you.”

◇ ◇ ◇

As Fuuga glided towards the main camp where Souma was located, he wore a feral smile on his face. He had used everything at his disposal to come this far, employing enough forces to wage a global war. He had dispatched his retainers to various fronts and even sent his wife, Mutsumi, and his loyal mount, Durga, into battle. Now, he was within reach of Souma.

He had sacrificed everything to arrive at this moment. In other words, he faced an opponent who pushed him to give his all. For Fuuga, who possessed overwhelming power and charisma, the emergence of such a formidable foe had been pure bliss. He was intoxicated by a sense of satisfaction unlike anything he had ever experienced in his life.

“Ha ha ha! I see you, Souma!”

Finally, Fuuga’s tigerlike eyes locked on Souma, who stood in the main camp. Though he was in a location protected by his soldiers, only a few people were immediately around him. The thinness of the guard surrounding him was noticeable.

He’s inviting me in...? Is it a trap? Fuuga thought.

In all likelihood, this was an attempt to lure Fuuga. If he charged in carelessly, a trap or trick would undoubtedly await him. But Fuuga didn’t care; he didn’t hesitate. No matter what trap he was jumping into, he was determined to dismantle it and confront Souma. That was how Fuuga Haan lived his life.

“All right, let’s settle this, Souma!”

He had gotten close enough for them to see each other’s faces. As Fuuga braced for landing, his feet pointed downward like those of a hunting bird of prey, Souma made his move.

“Ludwin!” Souma shouted, raising his right hand.

“Whoa?!” Fuuga gasped as he lost balance in the air. He had been gliding steadily until that moment, but now he was falling straight down.

As he descended, Fuuga spotted a machine a short distance away, positioned behind Souma.

Damn! It’s that magic-sealing weapon, huh?

Unlike the cannonball type used by the Kingdom in the Gran Chaos Empire, this was a stationary magic canceler. While the area of effect was similar, the stationary model could be easily turned on and off since it stayed near the user. Celestials and other winged races relied on magicium for flight, so losing the ability to use it would cause them to plummet from the sky.

You’re using that here? It’s clearly a countermeasure against me.

This weapon would have given them a significant advantage in battle, yet they had reserved it specifically for Fuuga. This demonstrated that the Kingdom was more cautious about Fuuga himself than about his retainers and armies.

For a moment, this thought amused Fuuga, but then he slammed into the ground. “Guh...”

Instinctively, Fuuga rolled to dissipate the momentum of his fall, but it wasn’t enough to avoid injury. He sustained several wounds beneath his silvery armor, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t fight. Given the adrenaline pumping through his system, this level of pain was practically negligible.

Fuuga readied his Zanganto and rushed at Souma. The commotion caught the attention of the guards in the main camp, and they swarmed towards him.

“Your Majesty!”

“Don’t let him get any farther!”

“The enemy is wounded! Surround him and press in!”

“Out of my way!!!” Fuuga shouted.

With the magic canceler activated, no one—friend or foe—could use magic. Despite this, a single swing of Fuuga’s Zanganto sent the swarming guards flying as if they were rubber balls. The terror of this display forced the guards to switch tactics and attack him with bows and arrows, but most of their shots were easily cut down by his blade.

Several arrows had lodged themselves into his armor, but none had inflicted a fatal hit. This was because the arrows that had penetrated were the ones he had deemed less dangerous. Although he couldn’t possibly fight at his full strength after the fall he had endured, Fuuga’s martial prowess was still remarkable.

Finally, Fuuga reached Souma.

“Hey, Souma. Thanks for the warm welcome.”

“I’m actually trying to chase you off at the gates, though...”

As Souma spoke, he drew his sword, which caused Fuuga’s eyes to widen in surprise.

“You’re gonna fight me instead of running away? You?” Fuuga knew Souma’s weakness and Souma knew Fuuga’s strength. Even wounded and unable to use magic, it was like a turtle fighting a tiger. “A slow turtle like you doesn’t stand a chance against me.”

“Running’s not an option for me right now... I’ve got to keep you tied down here, even if it means using my own life as bait.”

“You’ve still got a plan? Then in deference to your bravery, I’ll put you down with one blow.”

Fuuga raised his Zanganto and swung it down at Souma’s head. Souma angled his sword, hoping to parry the blow. It was the same move he had once used in the refugee camp to defend Juno from a brigand. But this time, he wasn’t facing some two-bit thug; he was up against the great man of the era, Fuuga Haan.

Snap! His sword broke without managing to redirect the attack, and Fuuga’s blade slashed from Souma’s left shoulder to his chest.

“Gwagh...”

As Souma’s eyes widened in surprise, red blood seeped through the tear in his black military uniform. The intense pain that followed made him drop to one knee and hang his head.

““Your Majesty!”” Ludwin and Excel shouted from a distance.

Meanwhile, Fuuga looked down at Souma...

A shallow cut? My aim must’ve been off a bit. He hadn’t landed the solid blow he’d been expecting. He’d meant to split Souma’s head in two, but the attack had veered to Fuuga’s right, resulting in a gash that ran from Souma’s shoulder towards his chest.

The fresh blood made the scene look dramatic, but the blow probably hadn’t struck anything vital. The damage he’d sustained from the fall and the exhaustion he felt had likely affected his swing, making it less powerful than he intended. However, it was also due to Souma’s surprisingly well-practiced parry.

Oh, yeah... This guy’s been ruling a country all this time too.

Fuuga had indeed underestimated Souma. He’d seen him as a weak king, preoccupied with bureaucracy and incapable of fighting on the battlefield—the kind of leader who, when alone and lacking the support of his comrades, would easily be overpowered by a strong adversary.

However, Souma was still a king. While he had reached this point with the help of his companions, it was ultimately Souma who bore the responsibility of protecting his nation and its people.

As Fuuga came to this realization, he felt a deep sense of shame for his arrogance. He had dismissed an opponent who was giving his all, belittling the significance of Souma’s efforts.

But it’s over now. Rest in peace.

He could see Ludwin and the others rushing in. As he swung to decapitate Souma before anyone could intervene, he caught a glimpse of Souma’s face. Despite the pain in his expression, he was smiling...

“Damn it... Looks like you won,” Souma murmured.

“What?”

A sudden admission of defeat. Fuuga paused, unable to believe his ears.

“You won your bet, Owen!”

Just as Souma shouted that...

“Hyahhhhhhh!!!”

Slash!

...a red shadow suddenly dropped onto Fuuga from behind. Halbert had fallen down from the sky, his spear lopping off one of Fuuga’s wings.

In a land far north of Parnam, on a hill overlooking Haan Great Tiger Castle, Juna was interviewing Maria in front of the enemy capital.

“Maria, how is the deployment of the troops going?” Juna asked.

“Everything is ready to go. At my command, soldiers from the four nations of the Maritime Alliance will launch a coordinated assault on Haan Great Tiger Castle. If I do not receive word from His Majesty within the hour, I am confident we will capture the castle.” Maria gazed straight ahead as she spoke. The slight hint of anger in her eyes did not suit her demeanor.

Juna and Maria had been observing the fighting near Parnam until just before their broadcast. They had witnessed Souma fall to one knee, bleeding, after being struck by Fuuga. It was clear how they must have felt, watching from this distant location and being unable to go to their wounded husband’s side.

Juna suppressed her anger as she turned to face the jewel. “If the war continues, that city will be reduced to ashes. We urge the leaders of the Great Tiger Empire to make a wise decision.”

With those words, Juna terminated the broadcast. Although it might have seemed brief given the circumstances, they knew they couldn’t let the broadcast continue for too long since it was projected on Excel’s supermassive sphere of water.

“Whew...” Juna let out a big sigh of relief and turned to speak to Maria, who had just done the same. “That was exhausting, but you did well, Maria.”

“Juna... Yes, it was nerve-racking. I’ve been on broadcast many times before as empress, but never in a military uniform.”

“Really? I think you project a dignified aura in it.”

Although it was an earnest compliment, Maria smiled wryly and shook her head. “I’ve always left military matters to Jeanne and the generals, so this is actually my first battle. Yet despite that, I’ve been made commander of the detached force, even if only in name. It makes me worry whether that’s appropriate.”

“No! It’s fine...”

“It’s not a problem at all! You’ve done a great job as commander!” An energetic voice came from behind them.

They turned to see a muscular warrior of the snow monkey race approaching. It was Gouran Taisei, the former head of the Republic and Kuu’s father. He had a stony, apelike face and cut a heroic figure in his armor. If Kuu was Sun Wukong, then his father was the Monkey King.

“It is only thanks to your virtues that this motley crew of soldiers from the Kingdom of Friedonia, Euphoria Kingdom, Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago Kingdom, and even a small contingent from the Republic can work together,” he said “They all remember how you united humanity to resist the Demon Lord’s Domain. The Saint of the Empire is worthy of being a commander.”

“N-No! You give me too much credit!” Maria exclaimed, waving her arms frantically to deny the compliment. “I may be the one carrying the flag, but you are the one giving the actual commands, Sir Gouran. Your extensive experience in land battles has been what has allowed us to advance this far.”

As Maria pointed out, while her responsibility was to keep the troops united, it was Gouran’s to provide the military commands and lead the efforts to capture cities and fortresses along the way.

When the current head of the Republic, Kuu, had learned about the detached force from Souma, he’d said, “Ookyakya! I can only loan you a few hundred of our soldiers, but my old man has plenty of time on his hands, so you can borrow him. That’ll suit him better than holding down the fort and watching the kids, so really run him ragged for me.”

In the extreme cold of the Republic of Turgis, they had never developed a navy or air force, which meant that all their conflicts were fought on land. As a result, they possessed unparalleled expertise in land battles, primarily using infantry. If the enemy deployed their air force, the Republic’s forces would have to retreat, but they exhibited unmatched strength in the absence of a significant aerial presence.

Having ruled a nation like that for so long, Gouran had become an expert in land warfare. With him commanding the army from Maria’s side, they had quickly scattered the garrisoned troops as they advanced towards Haan Great Tiger Castle.

Juna nodded in agreement with Maria. “She’s right, you know. In our original plan, I was supposed to take command instead of Maria, but...the Marines’ training primarily focuses on landing operations. In a land battle, I might be caught off guard. It’s incredibly reassuring to have you with us, Sir Gouran.”

“Yes, I agree,” a voice from behind Gouran added. It belonged to Shabon, the Nine-Headed Dragon Queen. Beside her stood her royal consort, Kishun. “We’re not accustomed to land warfare in the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago Kingdom either. It’s thanks to your command, Sir Gouran, that our soldiers have fought with the same fierce bravery they demonstrate at sea.”

“Ga ha ha! All these compliments from you lovely young ladies are making me a bit uncomfortable!” Gouran laughed it off, trying to mask his embarrassment. The smile he wore added charm to his otherwise rugged features.

Chuckling at this sight, Shabon remarked, “You remind me a little of my father.”

“Of Lord Shana? I can see it...” Kishun replied with a nod. “I’ve heard that you enjoy your liquor, Sir Gouran. I believe you would make good drinking buddies with our former head of state.”

“I would love to introduce the two of you once the war ends... Now then.” Shabon walked over to Maria and Juna. “I have seen Lady Juna in uniform before, but you also look lovely in uniform, Lady Maria.”

“Hee hee, thank you, Lady Shabon,” Juna said with a graceful smile.

“Thank you,” Maria replied, spreading her arms. “I’ve wanted to wear something like this ever since I saw how cool Liscia looked in her uniform. My sister, Jeanne, can pull off this look easily, and since our faces are similar, I imagined I wouldn’t look too odd in it. It’s a relief to hear your compliment.”

“Oh, not at all! You look so brave and lovely. I, on the other hand, am too short for such clothes. They make it seem like I’m just playing dress-up...”

Shabon was wearing her usual frilly bureaucrat outfit. It was true that whenever she donned military uniforms, she tended to look cute rather than cool.

““Well...””

As Juna and Maria searched for the right response, Shabon continued, “I understand how you feel.” She smiled wryly while clenching her hand into a fist. “That is why I aspire to be a woman who can look dignified even in frilly clothes. Yes, like Lady Excel Walter of the Kingdom of Friedonia.”

“Um, I think you should choose a different role model...” Juna warned her hesitantly.

Kishun nodded emphatically. It seemed he didn’t want to see his cute wife transform into a polished woman like Excel. Although the atmosphere had lightened a bit, Maria’s expression turned serious as she looked at Juna.

“Do you think His Majesty will be all right? He was bleeding,” Maria asked.

Silence fell over the group at her words. Despite their earlier joking, everyone felt concern for Souma’s well-being.

Juna glanced at the simple receiver as she replied, “He was able to carry on a conversation with Fuuga Haan, so...I think he’ll be fine. If it’s just a gash, the mages should be able to heal him.”

“Y-Yeah,” Maria said, letting out a sigh of relief.

“However...” Juna continued, “If anything should happen to him, I will burn this country to the ground.”

Gasps echoed around the room as everyone took in her serious tone. Normally, she would follow such a statement with a playful “tee hee, just kidding,” prompting laughter from the group. But this time, she was dead serious. Suddenly, everyone was reminded that she was Excel’s granddaughter.

Her love is powerful enough to destroy a nation... I can hardly express how incredible that is. Even Maria flinched at what she was witnessing. She loved Souma as her husband too and feared she would cry if anything happened to him. Yet, even in her sorrow, her sadness would pale in comparison to Juna’s overwhelming emotions. Just how much greater must Juna’s love have been if it could so easily transform into anger and hatred?

It wasn’t just Juna who felt this way. The frightening reality was that Liscia and Aisha likely shared similar feelings. Would reason be enough to keep Roroa and Naden in check? Yuriga would probably shudder at everyone’s reactions.

Maria glanced at the simple receiver. Souma, please be all right. For the sake of peace, she thought, genuinely worried.

◇ ◇ ◇

The scene unfolding on the massive body of water that had formed on the plains near Parnam had quickly dampened the spirits of those on the battlefield. The soldiers of the Great Tiger Empire had fought fiercely, but now they felt numb. With their capital surrounded and realizing they had suffered a counterinvasion, they began to wonder if they were fighting a “losing battle.”

Having fought for the ever-victorious Great Tiger Empire, they had never before grappled with the question of “What happens if we lose?” Fuuga’s forces might have found themselves on the back foot at times, but they had never truly faced defeat. They believed that, even in adversity, Fuuga would secure victory. That was why, despite considering the rewards and glory they might earn, they had never considered the possibility of losing.

Even when common sense suggested they couldn’t defeat an opponent, these soldiers had faced them with the confidence that they would ultimately prevail. But now, having come this far, they were confronting an opponent that made them doubt their ability to win. For the first time, the fear of defeat lingered at the back of their minds. Only the elite fighters of the old guard could continue to throw themselves into the fight without hesitation. The vast majority of the army, who had joined Fuuga after he united the Union of Eastern Nations, now hesitated.

At this point, it could be said that the battle had been decided. The Great Tiger Empire would struggle to maintain its fighting posture. If they continued to fight, they would eventually run out of steam; however, if they forced a retreat, they would suffer a punishing blow as the Kingdom’s forces chased them down.

Souma now held the power of life and death over the forces of the Great Tiger Empire, and Fuuga, who had just failed to take Souma’s head, understood that better than anyone.

“I’ve lost, huh?” he muttered.

With Halbert and Ludwin holding him down, Fuuga let go of his Zanganto, which fell to the ground with a clatter. The expressions on his captors’ faces shifted to surprise. Fuuga was offering so little resistance that they began to worry that if they pressed down with too much force, they might accidentally crush him.

“Sir Ludwin! Take his weapon!” Halbert shouted.

“Ah! Right.” Ludwin quickly picked up the Zanganto that Fuuga had dropped.

Fuuga found their caution amusing. “You’re as careful as your master...”

“There’s no such thing as being too cautious with a great man like you,” Souma replied.

Fuuga roared with laughter at Souma’s comment. “Don’t worry, Souma, you’ve won. I’m not going to throw a tantrum... I saw my dream through to the end. Now take my head and display it if that’s what you want.” There was a hint of loneliness in Fuuga’s voice.

Having risen to his feet with Liscia’s help, Souma looked down at Fuuga. The scene clearly illustrated who was the winner and who was the loser.

Just as Souma opened his mouth to speak...

“Souma!”

...Yuriga rushed in from the back of the main camp.

◇ ◇ ◇

Yuriga rushed over and stood in front of Fuuga. “Brother...”

“Hey, Yuriga. Looks like I lost,” Fuuga said casually, despite his circumstances.

“Looks like it... I mean, you’re missing a wing now,” Yuriga replied, her expression serious. A tense atmosphere settled between them.

Yuriga’s expression was pained as she glanced from Souma, who was covered in blood and supported by Liscia, to Fuuga, who had lost a wing. Nevertheless, she managed to rein in her emotions.

“I had a feeling this would happen... That’s why I told you not to fight Souma,” she said.

“You’ve got it backwards,” Fuuga replied. “Even if I knew this would happen, stopping wasn’t an option.”

“Even if this is how your dream ends?”

“If I fall after doing everything I could, I’ll have no regrets. I’m satisfied.”

“Honestly... You’re so selfish.” Yuriga looked directly at Fuuga. “Do you remember what I said to you that day?”

“Hmm? Which day?”

“The day you ordered me to marry Souma, brother,” Yuriga glared at Fuuga. “I warned you then... ‘I can’t say for certain that you won’t end up dragged before Sir Souma bound in ropes someday.’ I told you that I would work for the Kingdom of Friedonia and make Souma love me. That way, when the time came, I could beg for your life.”

Oh, right... I vaguely remember Yuriga saying something like that. Fuuga wasn’t bound in ropes, but being pressed against the ground with one wing cut off was still pretty close to the scene Yuriga had envisioned. It had been a vague premonition, but if she had predicted the outcome that early on, then...Yuriga was one hell of a girl.

Yuriga turned her back to Fuuga and faced me. Then she said, “I will now do what I promised that day...”

“Hey, cut it out,” Fuuga urged, trying to intervene, but Yuriga didn’t listen. She knelt down before me, clasped her hands together in front of her chest, and bowed her head.

“Your Majesty. I am not only your wife, but also a friend to your little sister, and the younger sister of Fuuga Haan. If you hold even a shred of love or pity for me, I implore you to spare my brother’s life. I would offer my body and my life to you in exchange for his safety, to be used as you wish. Please, I beg you, show mercy to my foolish brother.”

Yuriga was on her knees, pleading for Fuuga’s life. However, her words were far from weak. She spoke boldly, as if the weight of her plea was directed solely at him and not the others present. It was a performance of desperation, yet it carried an underlying intention to inflict emotional pain.

“You’re forcing your sister to beg for your life,” her actions said, confronting Fuuga with a symbol of his defeat. The pain etched on his face was even greater than when his wing had been torn off. There was something more humiliating in being compelled to accept defeat by someone else rather than admitting it himself.

“You’re merciless, Yuriga...” I whispered, and she turned her head away peevishly.

“We need to take this chance to shatter my brother’s heart into pieces, so he doesn’t pursue any more of his strange ambitions. I refuse to be jerked around by him any longer.”

“Hee hee. You know, I really do like you, Yuriga,” Liscia said, her smile a mix of approval and irony.

I supposed the rest was up to me. I gritted my teeth against the pain from my wound as I tapped Yuriga on the shoulder, urging her to stand so I could take her place in front of Fuuga.

“How does it feel to have your little sister begging for your life, Fuuga?”

“It sucks. Makes me sick at myself.”

“Yeah, I’ll bet.”

“I’d rather you just lopped my head off here.”

“Yeah, well, that would actually cause more trouble for us.” I must’ve looked like I’d just bitten into something unpleasant. “There’s a part of me that struggles to forgive you for starting this war. So much blood has been shed, and my teacher, as well as a relative of one of my wives, are dead.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“But if I kill you here, that makes us the victors.”

In a manga I once read in my old world, there had been a line about how the one standing taller than his opponent when the fight ended was the true winner...or something like that. By that logic, since I was still on my feet—albeit with Liscia’s help—I was the victor. But...I couldn’t accept victory.

“The victor must also bear the burdens carried by the defeated. If he ignores them and crushes the fallen, it ignites a cycle of resistance and retribution. If I kill you, I may emerge the winner, but I would also have to shoulder the immense weight of the Great Tiger Empire. I want no part of that.”

The Great Tiger Empire was three times the size of my country, held together solely by Fuuga’s charisma. It would fall apart as soon as he was gone. The seeds of discord had already been sown by his aggressive expansion policy. If we were the ones to strike him down, there would surely be factions calling for revenge against the Kingdom of Friedonia.

With bloodthirsty individuals like them around, the Great Tiger Empire would descend into civil war, plunging us back into the troubled times reminiscent of when the Demon Lord’s Domain was expanding. Such strife would breed even more conflict, creating new waves of refugees that would overwhelm the southern nations. The only way to prevent this was to spare Fuuga and allow him to maintain control. Even if he eventually lost power, as long as we were not the ones to strike him down, the impact of any ensuing succession war on the south would be minimized. I explained all of this to Fuuga.

“From this point on, people’s attention will shift north. With the allure of conquering the continent gone, it will be impossible for you to incite them to invade the south again. Although...thanks to Yuriga’s ‘poison,’ I suspect you’ll want to head north yourself.”

“Tch...” Fuuga clicked his tongue in distaste. Yet, his lack of denial was a clear admission that I was right.

I told him sternly, “You can no longer compete with the Maritime Alliance for supremacy. Therefore, instead of killing you, it’s better to let you live and help facilitate as smooth a transition as possible for the Great Tiger Empire. You must take responsibility for everything you did on your path to power.”

“How do you plan on ending this battle?” he asked.

“With reconciliation. In practical terms, it will be a loss for the Great Tiger Empire. Your forces will completely withdraw from my country and the other nations of the Maritime Alliance, but the land taken by our detached force will remain under our control. This will leave the impression that you couldn’t defeat the Maritime Alliance.”

“You’ve taken my homeland, huh? Yeah, that’s going to make it look like we lost.”

“Since we won’t be the victors, we can’t demand reparations. Consider it your payment for all the trouble you caused.”

I would have to cede some coastal cities to the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago Kingdom for their assistance, but I probably couldn’t calm the people of the Kingdom without something to show for this. We could present ourselves as having merely repelled the invaders, which would make it easier to placate our population than it would be for the Great Tiger Empire, who had lost much and gained nothing.

Fuuga let out a listless laugh. “I’ve always lived an all-or-nothing lifestyle, but being left with nothing but a vast country that’s lost its ambition... That’s even harsher than losing everything. You want me to remain emperor of a nation that no longer holds any appeal for me, right?”

“That’s your responsibility.”

“Even if I survive here, all that awaits me is a boring life in a country with no passion... I can’t take that!”

“Whoa?!”

Fuuga threw Ludwin off of him.

He still had that much strength left?! My mind froze for a moment in sheer surprise. Liscia drew her rapier, and Halbert readied his spear. But Fuuga calmly picked up Ludwin’s fallen sword and pressed the blade to his own neck.

“If I end my life right here, do you think I could push all of that onto you guys?”

“Stop it, brother!” Yuriga cried out desperately, fearing he might actually do it.

In reality, Fuuga wasn’t desperate. He showed no signs of agitation. If anything, his expression was calm.

“My dream ended when I was defeated by a formidable opponent after a hard-fought battle... That’s the kind of ending I want for it. It’s a cleaner end to the story of a great man than if I went on living, right? Although, I feel a little bad making you all pick up after me.”

“Brother! You can’t!”

“Screw you! Don’t try to take the easy way out after everything you did!”

Yuriga and I shouted, but his resolve remained unshaken.

“Sorry, Yuriga, Souma.”

Just as Fuuga was about to draw the blade across his own throat, Liscia shouted, “Madam Mutsumi is pregnant!”

Everyone froze for a moment at the unexpected news, but Liscia continued speaking.

“The baby is yours, of course! I was just fighting her a little while ago, but Madam Mutsumi had morning sickness and couldn’t carry on! Nobody else knew, so she might not have told you yet, right?!”

Madam Mutsumi is pregnant with Fuuga’s child? And she kept it a secret from him? I can’t believe she fought Liscia in that condition... I was overwhelmed by this surge of new information. Wait, so what now? If anything happens to Madam Mutsumi, we would quickly find ourselves unable to resolve this war! My mind was racing, and I felt as if I were struggling to keep afloat.

“Sorry, Souma,” Liscia said apologetically. “I know it wasn’t what I should have done as a commander, but I chose to let Madam Mutsumi go. I think she’s back in the Great Tiger Empire’s main camp by now.”

“Uh, well... I don’t think that was the wrong call,” I replied hesitantly.

If Liscia had captured Madam Mutsumi and she had taken her own life—or worse, if Liscia had killed her—that would have sparked a wave of resentment and turned this war into a quagmire. Thank goodness it was Liscia who had encountered her.

A stunned expression crossed Liscia’s face as she shouted, “Are you going to give up on everything without even seeing your child’s face?! You call yourself a ‘father’ doing that?!”

Those words carried an indescribable weight coming from a mother of two—powerful enough to overshadow all of Fuuga’s charisma.

“...”

Clatter. Fuuga dropped the sword he’d been holding and cast his eyes up to the heavens.

“Me...a father? Was I...a person, all along...?”

The words slipped from his lips, and I felt I could understand his turmoil. Just as I had once allowed my identity as king to define me, Fuuga had been playing the part of a great man all this time. Unlike me, he was not the type to hesitate or question his role, which had allowed him to charge forward blindly as a great man.

Now, after coming this far, he had suddenly learned he was a father. He was forced to confront his true self—the man Fuuga Haan, not just the role he played. The Fuuga Haan who had a wife and a child. The responsibilities he had cast aside in his pursuit of greatness were no longer easy to ignore once he became a father. This was why Madam Mutsumi had kept her pregnancy a secret from him.

A single tear rolled down his cheek as he gazed up to the heavens.

“I’m defeated.”

“Fuuga...”

“Brother...”

As Yuriga and I hesitantly called out to him, he turned to us with a peaceful expression and slowly spoke, “Right now, my era just ended.”

All seven of my wives were watching with rapt attention as Hilde examined me. Their concerned expressions made me even more self-conscious.

“W-Well, we’re worried,” said Liscia.

“Urgh, if anything were to happen to you, sire...” moaned Aisha, trailing off.

“It would be a national crisis,” Juna added. “And a personal crisis for me too, of course.”

“W-Well, it just shows how much we all love ya, Darlin’,” said Roroa.

“Humans are frail; of course I’d be worried,” Naden chimed in.

“And you were badly injured not that long ago...” Maria piped up.

“I-I’m just here because everyone else said they were going to check in on you,” Yuriga insisted, sounding a bit tsundere.

I appreciated their concern, but I couldn’t help feeling like they were blowing things out of proportion.

After completing her examination, Hilde removed the stethoscope from her ears.

“You have a fever as a symptom. There’s no swelling in your throat, and you still have an appetite. Regarding your lifestyle, while you may not be able to avoid it, you haven’t been getting enough sleep. This is probably due to stress and overworking yourself.”

Stress and overworking myself... I thought. We’d been at war not long ago, so it was understandable. Between preparing for conflict and coping with the loss of old man Owen, I had been through a lot. Just thinking about all that had happened was starting to overwhelm me...

“Oh, and I imagine this played a big role too,” Hilde said, pointing at the massive gash that ran from my shoulder across my chest. It was the injury Fuuga had inflicted on me the other day.

I had disinfected the wound and treated it with light magic after making peace with the forces of the Great Tiger Kingdom and after Fuuga had pulled his troops out, but it had left a nasty scar. Every time I saw it, I shuddered, reminded of how lucky I was to still be alive.

Hilde traced the scar with her fingers. “Thanks to the quick disinfection and treatment, the wound has healed properly. However, you still lost a lot of blood. I believe various bacteria have entered your body, and your immune system is responding by giving you a fever.”

So I should be grateful for the fever, huh? It was an immune response after all. If she said it was for my own good, I just had to accept it.

“Oh, also, since light magic enhances the body’s natural recovery processes, it uses the patient’s stamina to heal them,” she added. “I’d say that loss of stamina contributed to this fever.”

“Is that how it works?”

“Well, make sure you eat well and get plenty of rest and sleep. Just do that, and you’ll start feeling better on your own. I’ll prescribe some fever medicine just in case.”

Hilde handed the medicine to Liscia and began packing up her equipment. I still felt a bit out of sorts because of my fever as I laid back down.

“Thank you... And I’m sorry to have made you come in when you’re so busy...” I said.

“Tell me about it. There are patients everywhere...”

Because the war had just ended, there were wounded soldiers in every region. As we spoke, her husband Brad was making rounds at different hospitals. I needed to see a trustworthy doctor, but I felt like I was imposing on her.

Hilde looked at me and let out a sigh. “It’s true that many patients need my help far more than you do.”

“Sorry...” I replied.

“But if you go down, the country will be paralyzed. If that happens, it could impact funding, and we’d lose lives we could have saved. We need you to stay healthy and recover quickly if that’s possible.”

I realized this was her way of encouraging me.

“Thanks,” I said, but Hilde snorted to hide her embarrassment.

“Well, anyway, get well soon,” she said before taking her leave. It was clear she didn’t like admitting how she really felt.

“Doctor Hilde is right, you know. You need to rest for now,” Liscia insisted.

“She’s absolutely right. We’ll take care of your work for ya in the meantime,” added Roroa.

“I’m a former empress myself, after all,” Maria noted. “I believe I should be able to help.”

My wives are way too reliable... Man, that sounds like a good light novel title. Just as I was thinking that...

“Um...” a hesitant voice broke the silence.

We all turned to see the acting prime minister, Ichiha, and my adopted little sister, Tomoe. They must have entered as Hilde was leaving.

“Hmm? What’s wrong?” I asked.

“I’m sorry to say this, but...there’s something we’d like you to do immediately, Your Majesty,” Ichiha said.

“What is that?” I inquired.

“I know you aren’t in good shape right now, but... Well...”

“Big Brother, we’d like you to show your face to the people as soon as possible,” Tomoe interjected, as Ichiha was struggling to find the right words.

“Show his face... You’re saying he can’t rest yet?” Yuriga questioned. Tomoe shook her head.

“I’d like to let Big Brother rest too, but the people saw him being attacked by Mr. Fuuga on the broadcast, right? He hasn’t appeared on the broadcast since then, and the people have been worrying.”

“Yeah. They’re concerned that your injury might have worsened and that you could be in critical condition. It seems speculation is only feeding more rumors. Honestly, I wish we could wait until you recover, but there’s fear that the rumors could spiral out of control before then...” Ichiha said apologetically.

Oh... Now that he mentions it, I haven’t been on the broadcast since I announced the reconciliation. I’d planned to observe the Great Tiger Empire for a while longer and announce the end of the war once I was confident they wouldn’t attack again. However, I came down with a fever first, and I still hadn’t shown the people that I was all right.

During the Chu-Han Contention, when Liu Bang of the Han faced Xiang Yu of the Chu, he was hit by an arrow fired by an ambusher. The injury wasn’t fatal, but as he lay in his sickbed, rumors of his demise spread through the Han army. His strategist, Zhang Liang, took him around in a carriage to show everyone he was still alive.

Yeah... This whole situation really was similar to that, I thought, and then I asked, “Do you want me to hold a parade or something in Parnam?”

“Oh, no, nothing so grand,” Ichiha said, quickly shaking his head. “You can just appear on the broadcast.”

Come to think of it, they didn’t have mass media during the Chu-Han Contention. I can dispel rumors of my demise just by appearing on the broadcast. Thank goodness for the march of civilization... But I realize I’m really not thinking straight, huh?

“If you don’t mind doing it that way, I’m happy to go along with it,” I said.

“That’s not going to work,” Liscia replied, looking appalled for some reason. “You don’t have to get out of bed, but you need to look a little healthier. Otherwise, you’ll just worry people more than they already are. Juna, could you take care of it?”

“His makeup, you mean? Just leave it to me,” Juna said with a smile.

So, Juna applied my makeup, and when she was finished, I looked in the mirror.

“Whoa...”

I looked completely normal. My previously worn-out face now stared back at me. With the help of makeup, I appeared to be my usual, healthy self.

Oh right, there is makeup that can make someone look like this too. If I remember correctly, it’s called...

“Oh, corpse makeup...” I began to say, but then—smack! “Ow, that hurts.”

“Don’t jinx yourself like that,” Naden said, crossing her arms as she administered a tail slap.

“Could you go a little easier on me? I’m sick here,” I said.

“Hmph! You had it coming,” Yuriga exclaimed with exasperation. She certainly had a sharp tongue.

“Your Majesty, I’ve brought it,” Aisha announced.

As we spoke, Aisha entered with the broadcast jewel, placing it carefully at the foot of the bed. We were now ready to begin the broadcast.

“Okay... If you would, sire.” Ichiha gave the signal, and I started speaking.

◇ ◇ ◇

Around the same time, crowds had gathered around the fountain plazas in cities throughout the Kingdom of Friedonia. They had been summoned there in anticipation of a broadcast from the castle. However, unlike usual, the people’s faces were marked with concern.

“What do you think they’ll announce?” one person asked.

“You don’t think his condition has taken a turn for the worse, do you?” another replied.

“Don’t say ominous things like that!” a third person interjected.

The grim expressions on their faces were understandable. Many had witnessed Souma being slashed by Fuuga during the broadcast and seen him fall to one knee, drenched in his own blood. Although he had announced reconciliation afterwards, there had been no further updates on Souma’s condition since then, and the people were worried about him.

As they waited anxiously, an image projected into the air above them: It was Souma, sitting up in bed.

“Um... Good day, citizens. It’s me, Souma E. Friedonia.”

While his pallor wasn’t terrible, the fact that he was broadcasting from bed caused some concern among the people. They breathed a sigh of relief at his apparent good health, but their worries weren’t completely dispelled.

“First, let me apologize for appearing to you like this. I’ve been running a bit of a fever. They tell me I’ve been working too hard, and yes, I have been quite busy lately. The doctor assures me I’ll be fine with a few days of rest. I promise to work really hard as soon as I’m better, so please let me rest for now.”

Souma’s tone was casual, and his mention of the doctor helped alleviate the people’s concerns. Then, unexpectedly, he opened his collar and revealed his collarbone.

“““Huh?!””” the people gasped, shocked to see a large, prominent scar there.

“This is the scar that Fuuga gave me, which I’m sure has been what’s been worrying you the most. The wound is fully healed and no longer hurts, but I was informed that using my stamina to heal this injury contributed to my current fever. However, it’s not life-threatening, so you can rest easy.”

Souma had reassured them, but the people’s reactions were more complex. Thanks to the meticulous preparations made by Souma and his team for the war with the Great Tiger Empire, most people beyond the soldiers who had fought in the battles—the refugees from towns along the invasion route and the citizens of cities that had welcomed those refugees—were largely unaware of the war’s occurrence.

For example, in the eastern and southern regions of the Kingdom of Friedonia, by the time rumors surfaced that “We’re apparently at war with the Great Tiger Empire,” it wasn’t long before people began saying, “So, it seems the war with the Great Tiger Empire is over.” For those who weren’t directly involved, it was easy to adopt a naive perspective and think, “If the war ended so quickly, it must have been an easy victory.”

People were shocked to see Souma’s wound. Although many had witnessed him getting slashed, most had been too stunned to truly believe their eyes. Now, as they confronted the reality of his scar, they came to understand the intensity of the battles he had faced. Their king, Souma, who had been at the very back of the main camp, had flirted with death.

While he might not have been the most flamboyant figure, his queens and retainers were exceptionally skilled, and the citizens recognized that he held them all together. If Souma were to die, the country would plunge into chaos. Seeing this broadcast, the people were forced to face the unsettling truth that they had been on the brink of losing the peace they currently enjoyed. This realization was a harsh shock, but no one in the castle, including Souma, fully grasped it. As participants in the war, they’d already known the Kingdom was in peril. If Hakuya, who was particularly adept at understanding others, had been present, perhaps he would have recognized this, but he had been in the Euphoria Kingdom at the time.

“Whoa, was the country really in that much danger?” someone exclaimed.

“I mean, just look at that wound the king received.”

“So His Majesty actually went to the battlefield himself to protect us?”

“I always thought kings just issued orders from a safe distance...”

What had been intended as a reassuring broadcast ended up unsettling the citizens in a way that Souma and his companions hadn’t anticipated. This would result in some uproar later on.

◇ ◇ ◇

“Here you go, sire. I’ve peeled an apple for you. Say ‘ahh.’”

“Ahh...”

Aisha fed me a slice of apple. It had been a full day since the broadcast, and I was still taking time off to recover. My wives had been adjusting their schedules to take turns caring for me. It was just a fever, though, so all they were really doing was chatting with me to keep me from getting bored while making sure I didn’t sneak in any work. No, I’m not really that much of a workaholic...probably.

Carla brought the children—Cian, Kazuha, Leon, Kaito, and Enju—to visit me at one point, but aside from Stella, the baby in Maria’s arms, they were too rambunctious, so the visit was kept short. It made me feel a bit lonely.

Now it was Aisha’s turn to look after me, and she was peeling apples for a snack.

“Munch, munch. Mm. I didn’t know you could peel apples, Aisha.”

“I can! It’s not hard.”

“I mean, I’ve never thought of you as someone who can cook.”

“I’m good at cutting things because knives are useful weapons too,” Aisha said, puffing her chest out.

Is that really something to be proud of? As I was pondering that, the door suddenly flew open with a bang.

“Why are you in such a hurry?” I asked as Liscia rushed towards me.

“There’s no time for questions! We have a serious problem!”

“What problem?” I replied.

“The people of Parnam are crowding around the gates of the castle!”

“Huh? What? Is it a riot? A revolt?”

Did I do something to upset them? Did Hashim incite them? But the war’s over... Are they angry with me for being in bed with a fever while the country is supposed to be recovering? No, the people aren’t so shortsighted as to besiege the gates over that.

When I shared these concerns with Liscia, she raised her eyebrows in disbelief.

“Huh? How can you be so far off base?”

I didn’t understand her reaction.

“Okay, why are they crowding around the gates, then?” I asked.

“They’re here because people from the city want to see you. No, they’re not just from the city; they’re coming from all around the country. Apparently, similar events have been occurring in other cities too.”

““Come again...?””

Aisha and I both tilted our heads in unison.

◇ ◇ ◇

To describe the phenomenon succinctly, a crowd of well-wishers had gathered in front of the castle gates, all worried about Souma.

“I hear the king has a fever. Let him have some of my fish; it might perk him right up!” one person exclaimed.

“Don’t be silly. You should bring fruit to sick people. Please, give this to him instead,” another replied.

“All I have on me is some materials from dungeon monsters, but they might be useful during the reconstruction. Please take them,” said a third.

“It’s not much, but please accept this get-well money,” offered yet another well-wisher.

Each person in the crowd had brought a gift for Souma. To thank the king they believed had fought for them, they presented food, medicine, money, and more, hoping the guards would accept these offerings on the king’s behalf.

Initially, Liscia ordered the guards to refuse the offerings, but as more people rushed to the castle, it became evident that the situation risked becoming dangerously overcrowded. She then changed the policy to have the guards accept everything brought in. The congestion prompted an urgent need for more guards, and Roroa dispatched bureaucrats from the Ministry of Finance to help sort through the gifts. This same scene was unfolding in other cities as well.

“Send this to the king!” the people cried as they pushed their offerings forward. The chaos was palpable.

The reason for this frenzy was that everyone knew Souma was incapable in battle. He was perceived as weak—a ruler focused on domestic policy with no reports of any heroic feats on the battlefield. When he was compared to Fuuga Haan’s combat prowess, the difference was as vast as that between a wyvern and an insect—with Souma being the insect, of course.

Souma had stood injured before Fuuga, facing an opponent he knew he could never defeat. Still, he had stood his ground because, as king, he had to defend his people. This act struck a chord with them, igniting their desire to protect the vulnerable Souma. They naturally began to think, “I want to do something for the king.” In a sense, this was a reflection of Souma’s personal virtue.

◇ ◇ ◇

“What are we going to do?” Liscia asked. “Money is one thing, but fish and vegetables won’t last long, right?”

“Yeah...” I replied, unsure what to say. Me getting a fever meant that the people would give me all sorts of things? The relationship between a king and his people felt like that of an exploiter and those under his protection, didn’t it? And yet, here they were, offering me gifts simply because I was sick.

I felt like a new streamer bewildered by receiving a high-value Super Chat. Not that Liscia and the others would understand that reference if I explained it. Anyway, I knew I had to do something.

“Aisha... I’m sorry, but could you bring the broadcast jewel? Also, please gather the water mages so we can create a water sphere at the castle gate.”

“R-Right. Understood.” Aisha hurried out of the room, leaving Liscia and me alone. We both let out a deep sigh.

“Honestly... How did it come to this?” I wondered aloud.

“Don’t pretend this has nothing to do with you. This is all because you’re so virtuous, isn’t it?”

“Virtuous? Is that really what we’re calling this?”

Unlike Fuuga, who attracted people with strength, or Maria, who drew others in with her charisma, I was weak. People gathered around me not out of admiration, but because they felt they couldn’t leave me alone. Was that virtue?

Liscia chuckled. “Sure, why not? People can’t help but want to help you, Souma.”

“If you say so...” I replied, scratching my cheek somewhat shyly.

Soon, Aisha returned, carrying the jewel. “I’ve brought it, Your Majesty.”

“““Excuse us!””” a group of mages announced as they entered to assist with the broadcast.

“Um, Madam Excel happened to be here, so I sent her to the gates,” Aisha said.

“Good. Then get the broadcast started right away,” I commanded as soon as I heard her.

Shortly after, the mages signaled me, and I began to speak towards the jewel.

“Ahem... This is your king, Souma. I know this may come as a surprise, but I want to thank you for your concern for my health. I’ve heard that many have come bearing get-well gifts. I truly appreciate them, but as you can see, I’m already feeling better. So, I’d like to accept just your kind feelings and nothing else.”

First, I discouraged them from bringing any more gifts. The question now was what to do with the stuff that had already been brought.

“With regard to the items people have gathered, we will put any money and materials towards the recovery fund. As for fresh food, I ask that you please enjoy it among yourselves. We will also be providing some barrels of wine from the castle’s cellars, so I’d like you to celebrate the end of the war.”

Now that we had accepted the food, people would be upset if we let it spoil or asked them to take it back home. Hosting a feast with the food was probably the best way to avoid discontent. I could hear cheering in the distance; it seemed people liked the idea of having a feast.

Once we were sure the broadcast had been cut off, Liscia said, “Good work. You sure are good at finding solutions, huh, Souma?”

“Can I take that as a compliment?” I replied.

“Yes, because that’s exactly what it is,” she said.

“It’s true. You’re very reliable,” Aisha added.

Satisfied with my efforts, I laid back down in bed. I needed to get better quickly—for all the people out there who supported me.

On this day, there were lively feasts all around the Kingdom.

◇ ◇ ◇

Kasen ran with the baby cradled in his arms. The rear gate, where Gaifuku had concentrated their remaining forces, was under enemy surveillance, so he opted to head to the main gate, which was still fiercely under attack. He hoped that in the chaos of battle, he and the baby could slip away unnoticed.

When he arrived at the main gate, he encountered Gaten, who was engaged in combat there.

“Sir Gaten!”

“Oh! Young Kasen!”

Upon seeing Kasen carrying a baby, Gaten immediately understood the situation. If Kasen was here with the child after reporting to Fuuga, it was easy to guess how their conversation had gone. Realizing this, Gaten shifted from defense to offense, cutting through the enemy ranks and targeting one of their commanders.

“Get out of the way!”

His whips cracked through the air, sending enemies flying as he advanced. He focused on the enemy commander, wrapping his whips around the man’s neck and pulling him down to the ground. Without sparing a glance at the commander, who lay dead from the fall, Gaten seized a horse and returned.

“Young Kasen! Take this horse!”

He dismounted and handed the reins to Kasen.

“Sir Gaten! But—gwagh!”

Even at his master’s command, Kasen hesitated to flee while his comrades continued to fight. Gaten ended that hesitation by slamming his fist into the younger warrior’s stomach.

“Blegh! Wh-What was that for?!”

“Don’t hesitate, young Kasen. The young lord’s life is in your hands.”

“Kh... Right.”

“Then go. Fulfill your duty.”

“Got it...!” Kasen nodded and mounted the horse.

Suddenly, an enemy spear shot towards him, aimed to impale him. It had likely been thrown by a frustrated soldier. Gaten, noticing it before anyone else, leapt up to intercept it, taking the spear’s tip in his own chest.

“Urgh!”

“Sir Gaten!”

Gaten fell to the ground, the spear lodged in his chest.

“Go... Go, Kasen!” he shouted, mustering the last of his strength.

“Urgh...” Kasen shook off the emotions welling inside him and urged his horse forward, breaking through the enemy lines while shooting arrows as he went.

As Gaten watched him ride away, he weakly murmured, “Ha ha ha... Live on, young Kasen. And give my regards to the one you love...”

“You’re trying to act cool even now, huh?” said Hashim, who had joined him unnoticed.

“I get that a lot...” Gaten replied with a faint smile.

Not long after, the defenders at the front gate were overrun by the enemy. Hashim and Gaten fought valiantly and fell in battle.

Hashim, known as the Wisdom of the Tiger, had used his insight to devise strategies that supported the great Fuuga. Even after committing treacherous acts, such as betraying his own father, his courageous stand here earned him the accolades he had long sought. In later generations, some would argue, “Maybe he was a loyal retainer, after all?”

This event would come to be known as the Great Tiger Castle Incident.

Fuuga and Mutsumi escaped with the cavalry gathered at the back gate, heading west. However, the remnants of their forces were decimated by Krahe’s relentless pursuit. Hashim and Gaten fell at the front gate, and Gaifuku, the Shield of the Tiger, went down fighting to buy time for Fuuga and the others to escape.

It remained unknown whether Fuuga and Mutsumi survived. The pursuit was brutal, leaving horribly mangled bodies. Many in their group fell into valleys or were swept away in rivers, making it impossible to identify the dead. The only body that could be recognized with certainty was that of a massive tiger.

Despite having been attacked head-on, the injured beast Durga had apparently made it to Fuuga’s side. Some believed the arm found beside the tiger belonged to Fuuga, but there was no definitive proof either way. With Durga’s remains as proof, Krahe announced Fuuga’s death to the world. However, since no body could be identified, rumors of Fuuga’s survival occasionally surfaced, but the name Fuuga Haan would never appear in history again.

We all felt emotions welling up inside us as we watched Yuriga hold the child that Fuuga and Mutsumi had left behind.

Then Kasen took a letter out of his pocket and offered it to Yuriga. “This is for King Souma. A message from Lord Fuuga.”

“From my brother?” Taking the letter, Yuriga returned with Suiga still in her arms. I accepted the letter from her.

It was hastily written and said:

“To Souma and Yuriga. I’m leaving Suiga and the country to you. So long as you treat Suiga well, I’ll never show my face on the world stage again—whether I’m living or dead.”

“Yeah, that’s just like Fuuga...” Selfish to the bitter end, for better or worse, he was always true to himself. The letter had no air of tragedy about it and even made me think he had decided that living was too much effort, so he’d let it be thought he was dead and pushed everything off on us.

As I scowled, Liscia asked, “What do you plan to do from here on, Sir Kasen?”

Kasen’s eyes grew sharp. “I’ll slay the traitorous Krahe. Sir Shuukin is still alive and well, as are others, so I am certain they will rise to strike Krahe down. I think I will join them.”

“It’s true that we have reports of Sir Shuukin and Madam Lumiere gathering forces in the west of the Empire,” Liscia said, looking at me. I nodded in agreement.

“Sir Kasen, the Nothung Dragon Knight Kingdom has regularly scheduled flights from Parnam Castle to Valois, the capital of the Euphoria Kingdom. It would be safer for you to take a personnel gondola to Valois and then travel north from there. I’ll approve it, so please use that route.”

“Incredible! You have my thanks!” Kasen repeatedly expressed his gratitude before leaving the audience chamber.

I then looked at little Suiga, who had been left behind, cradled in Yuriga’s arms.

“Now, as for the child...”

“This child is mine,” Yuriga said before I could finish, turning away from me as if to protect Suiga. “I’ll raise him as my own! So please, spare him!”

“Settle down, Yuriga. We’re not going to harm the child.” Liscia walked over and hugged Yuriga around the shoulders.

At that moment, Ichiha, who had been quiet until now, placed his hand over his forehead and let out a small sigh. “As acting prime minister, I should probably point out the danger of letting this child live... But I just can’t do that. After all, he’s Big Sister Mutsumi’s child.”

Oh, right. Suiga isn’t just Yuriga’s nephew; he’s also Ichiha’s.

“If Mr. Hakuya were here...maybe he’d argue that we shouldn’t let him live.”

“He might have said that, but those would just be words,” I replied with a wry smile. “He offers that kind of painful advice because he knows that Liscia and I would reject it to avoid making Yuriga sad.”

“That’s right,” Liscia said, patting Yuriga on the shoulder. “This isn’t a burden you have to bear alone. You have a large family, many of whom have experience raising children, so you can relax and rely on us for support, okay?”

“Lady Liscia...” Yuriga wiped the tears from her eyes and responded energetically, “I will!”

Liscia nodded in satisfaction before turning to me. “Now then, Souma, what are we going to do? Should we stay out of the Empire’s internal affairs?”

“Nah.” I shook my head. “I talked it over with Hakuya, and if there’s chaos in the north, we risk returning to the situation we faced when it was the Demon Lord’s Domain. If the civil war drags on, it could create new waves of refugees, meaning our country would be affected as well. We need to find a way to resolve the situation quickly without leaving the north in turmoil.”

“And what were you thinking of?”

“We crush the Krahe Army. Thoroughly.”

Without a charismatic leader, the Great Tiger Empire of Haan would soon fragment. But I wasn’t about to let a scenario like the Wars of the Diadochi unfold. Although it meant interfering in another country’s affairs, the existence of Suiga and Fuuga’s message entrusting his country to me provided a just cause. We would work with Shuukin and the Resistance Army to crush Krahe with all our might. There was no way I would allow this to devolve into a time of troubles.

Krahe, you bastard. You’d better get ready. He would pay for making my family cry.

It was a narrow path, lower than the surrounding area, yet still wide enough for the sauroboar to pass through without issue. As it moved, it spotted Little Musashibo and Juno fleeing on the other side.

“Grrrrrrr...”

This time, it wouldn’t let them escape. With a threatening growl, the sauroboar charged forward, ready to attack them, but then...

Clunk! Whoosh!

“Bwarfah?!”

Suddenly, the ground gave way beneath the sauroboar. The hole was only about half the creature’s height, but given its massive size, the sudden trip strained its ankles. The sauroboar struggled, unable to climb out of the hole due to the pain.

“Now! Everyone get in there!”

“Yeah!”

“Right!”

“Got it!”

Dece, Augus, Febral, and Julia, who had all been hiding in the elevated terrain above the narrow path, launched a coordinated attack on the sauroboar. The creature had already exhausted itself during the earlier battle, and their combined effort was slowing its movements even more.

“You’re finished!”

Crack! Augus leapt down from the heights, delivering a punch to the sauroboar’s forehead as he fell. The impact sent the creature reeling, its eyes rolling back in its head.

“Grr...fss...”

Finally, the sauroboar ran out of strength and collapsed.

“Aw, yeah! We finally downed it!” Augus flexed his arms as Dece and the others gathered around.

“Finally...” said Dece. “I know we kind of expected it, but many creatures in this world are powerful.”

“And according to the researchers, this sauroboar is just a wild animal, not even a monster,” added Febral. “If it can put up this much of a fight, then we really can’t afford to underestimate the natural world up here in the north.”

“It took us half a day to beat it, after all,” Julia agreed.

All three of them let out sighs of relief.

They had encountered the sauroboar in the early morning, and it was almost evening now. Its incredible toughness had forced them to retreat temporarily several times, taking breaks before resuming the battle. Then, when the sauroboar looked exhausted, they lured it into the trap that Juno had prepared and quickly finished it off.

“Oh! Looks like they managed to beat it.”

“Good work.”

Juno and Little Musashibo rejoined the others. Dece greeted them with a smile.

“Nicely done, you two. That was some top-class decoy work, Mister.”

“You can count on me,” read the sign that Little Musashibo held up.

“Uh, right,” Dece said, slightly taken aback.

“It’s easier to communicate with him now, but I still can’t get used to it,” Augus grumbled, earning nods of agreement from Julia and Febral.

“But before, only Juno could understand him. We should be glad the situation has improved,” Julia said.

“It’s still a mystery how Juno could understand him,” Febral added. “But seeing that basket the signs come out of, along with the arms inside it, he certainly is a man of many mysteries.”

“Well, the biggest mystery is who’s inside,” Augus said. “Do you know, Juno?”

Suddenly put on the spot, Juno looked away awkwardly. “Um, uh, nope! I don’t know either! No clue who could be in there!”

“You sure? You sound pretty suspicious.” Augus was unconvinced.

“I mean it. For real. Right, Mister?”

On cue, Little Musashibo held up a sign that read, “The only things inside of me are hopes and dreams. You shouldn’t be asking such boorish questions.”

“Hrmm... I’m getting kind of pissed off,” Augus grumbled.

“Now, now. There are certainly a lot of people with unknown backgrounds in this world,” Febral said, trying to calm Augus down. “Many of the adventurers who’ve arrived recently wear masks or full-face helmets to hide their identities.”

“Ooh, I know what that’s about,” Dece replied. “Now that peace has come to the southern world, those who still want to fight have come up here for a fresh start. But because they rebelled against the system down there, many of them can’t show their faces...or something like that.”

Febral nodded. “Yeah, there are people presumed dead in the other world who are hiding their backgrounds and carrying on as adventurers here. Or so I’ve heard...”

“Hmm? So is that this guy’s deal too?” Augus asked, patting Little Musashibo on the head.

“What kind of nonsense are you talking about?” Juno kicked him in the backside.

“Ouch! What do you think you’re doing?” Augus exclaimed as he rubbed his aching rear.

Juno snorted while Augus complained.

“He is who he is. We’ve been working together for a long time now. That should be good enough,” she declared.

“Hee hee. That’s true. He’s someone you trust, after all, Juno,” Julia added.

With Julia taking Juno’s side, Augus sighed and said, “F-Fine,” backing down.

After giving a wry smile at their behavior, Dece clapped his hands together. “Now, let’s strip the materials that’ll serve as evidence of the kill before it gets dark. Oh, and Febral, make a note of this spot so we can report it to the guild.”

“Understood,” Febral replied.

“Okay, let’s finish this up and head back. And then...it’s time for a feast to celebrate another quest completed!” Dece said enthusiastically.

““““Yeah!”””” the entire party cheered, and Little Musashibo joined in, holding up a sign that said, “Yeah!”