The Greatest Coward Ever Lived

Very often, people will ask me something along the line of "What does it feel like, being one of Ylisse's greatest hero?" And very often as well, I am tempted to tell them what I really feel like; one big, embarrassed fraud.

I didn't ask for any of these. I didn't ask for my life to become a tale parents tell their children. I didn't ask for a museum to be built and named after me. And I sure as hell did not ask to have a statue of me to be built, something that my dear friend Maribelle is planning to do (1).

It's not like I did anything special. Oh, I know how my story begins. How it was written that I, someone who had just recently lost my memory, decided to help the Shepherds in driving away a group of bandits that attacked Southtown. How with my tactics and skills, we managed to liberate the town in a short time and minimal losses (2).

The truth is, I helped them because I was just trying to stay alive. Back then, I may be an amnesiac with only a few memories about my identity, but it didn't require a memory to know that I want to live as long as possible.

It might sound contractionary that despite trying to stay alive, I ran towards the source of danger a.k.a. something that can take my life. If you think about it though, it made sense; there was a possibility that there were bandits that were not in the town during the attack. So, I decided that sticking with the heavily-armed, heavily-armored guys (and a cute healer) to be in my best interest. Sure, it meant I would definitely encounter a bandit. But since my chance of survival skyrocketed, it was a good price to pay.

As for my tactics and skills, well, I guess I am good enough considering that no Shepherd has died when I finished writing this memoir. But guys, we were fighting thieves and bandits. Even militia less-trained that us could take them out (3).

With that settled, I believe it is the time to continue my explanation on just what kind of scoundrel I am.

After driving out the bandits, the Shepherds continued their journey towards Ylisstol. I decided to remain with them for the same reason for helping them drive out the bandits. We had a bear for dinner. Well, only Chrom and I as Lissa was complaining about how it smelled worse than old boots and Frederick ate none (4).

I was awoken from my sleep by the earthquake that indicated the first appearance of Risen. When I first saw them, the first thing that came to mind was to get the hell out of there as fast as I can. Fortunately, I immediately decided that it was a bad idea because a) I didn't know whether I could be fast enough and b) that meant leaving the people that could protect me.

It seemed that lady luck was on our side that night because we received reinforcement from Sully, Virion, and "Marth" (5). Afterward, we continued our journey towards Ylisstol.

When I found out that Chrom and Lissa are prince and princess of Ylisse, you have no idea how afraid I was for my life. While my amnesia meant that I didn't know the proper interaction between commoner and noble, I knew that some of my acts towards him were dreadful. I can already imagine myself being thrown into the dungeon and spend my entire life eating tasteless porridge and drinking dirty water before sleeping on the cold, hard stone floor.

You know, thinking back, despite suffering amnesia, I was (and still) quite creative with my imagination.

Anyway, it was a good thing that Chrom is a nice guy and doesn't care much about formality. Which meant I was saved from being thrown into the dungeon. I was then introduced to the Exalt and sister of Chrom and Lissa, Emmeryn (Naga blesses her soul). During the meeting, Chrom stated his intention of giving me the role of the tactician of the Shepherds.

You might be wondering, if I wanted nothing more than to ensure my own survival, then why I joined the Shepherds? Well, you guys have the benefit of hindsight. Back then, it was the most logical choice that I could make.

You see, I needed a source of income. There's no such thing as a free meal. On our way to Ylisstol, I discovered – to my horror – that most of my skills were geared towards warfare. Maybe I was a mercenary before I lost my memory, that could explain it (6). It doesn't take a genius to figure out that mercenary is a dangerous line of work.

With that in mind, I needed to find the least dangerous work that I could get. And the position of the tactician of the Shepherds was the answer. Since the Shepherds were the personal militia of Chrom, I thought that they were some of the best individuals that the country could offer. I also believed that the battle at Southtown and the Risen were outliers than the norms since Phila (Naga blesses her soul) said that her Pegasus knights should've intercepted the brigands for the former and the undead basically came out of nowhere for the latter. This made me think that the daily activity of the Shepherds was more-or-less a peaceful patrol around the country.

I am sure I don't need to explain how wrong I was.

I was kind of scared when I met the early members for the first time. While they were indeed some of the best people that I ever know, considering our achievements, they had a problem projecting such an image. So, I panicked for a while, thinking that I just made a fatal decision.

Then, Chrom came and told us that the Shepherds next mission was to march to Regna Ferox and request an aid from the Khans. He said that the mission was strictly voluntary, but it sure as hell didn't feel like one for me. Almost everyone volunteered and those who didn't have a good reason for their decision. Since I had none, there was no choice for me except volunteering as well unless I wanted to become a pariah among the Shepherds. And if you want to survive among a group, don't become a pariah!

That was why it was hard for me to sleep at that night. Making tactics that will ensure my survival while at the same time made me look willing to sacrifice myself for a fellow Shepherd was not easy to do. There was little point in surviving if you gain a reputation as a coward since your teammates will be more than willing to throw you at the wolves and I have no intention of becoming a martyr (7).

My planning was interrupted by a knock on the door of my room. When I opened it, I saw the face of the leader of the Shepherds himself.

"Oh, Chrom. Is there something that I can help you with?" I asked.

"Nah, just wanting to make sure that you feel comfortable among us. I take it that there's no hindrance?" Chrom asked back.

"None at all."

Chrom diverted his eyes towards the table where I was planning the tactics. His eyes became wide for a while before he returned his attention to me.

"You already making tactics?" Chrom asked rather bewildered.

"Yeah, I know I don't know much about the terrains that we will meet on our march to Regna Ferox and my teammates are basically still strangers to me. But I don't see anything wrong with making them now, especially if they can save lives." Especially if that life was mine, but of course I didn't say that.

"Just take it easy, Robin. I am sure there will be enough time for you to get more acquainted with others and to make better plans."

"I suppose you're right." I yawned not long after saying that. "Thanks for that, by the way. It makes me at ease and I can surely sleep now."

"No problem. If you need any help, just said so. We Shepherds are basically family."

"Especially between you and Lissa."

Chrom let out a little laugh when I pointed that out. Both of us gave our farewell before I closed the door. I then wasted no time in preparing my luggage, hanging my coat, and lying on the bed. I still remember the dream that I had that night; how we march to Regna Ferox without a hitch, being welcomed by the border guards after helping them with a small skirmish against bandits, and the khans granting the request because they have issues to solve with Plegia.

You know why I still remember that dream despite years have passed? Because what happened on the next day was nothing like that. Well, not really. But that's another matter entirely.

These notes were added by Marc of Ylisse, the beloved son of Ylisse's beloved tactician.

(1): A year after the battle on the Fell Dragon's back, Maribelle planned a construction of a monument to celebrate the achievements of the Shepherds. The monument will include statues of the members of the Shepherds. There are rumors that my mother will do her best to make sure that the monument will never be built.

(2): While no Shepherd was killed in the battle, the town's militia and several civilians were killed before their arrival. Thus, the battle couldn't be called "with no casualty."

(3): Indeed. The only reason the bandits managed to sack the town was that the militiamen were outnumbered by the bandits.

(4): Years after this dinner, the Shepherds will have a severe problem in one of their missions. So severe that they were forced to eat their boots for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Only mother, sister, and I that didn't complain.

(5): In case someone thinks that the Hero King was resurrected, "Marth" was actually Lucina the Elder. BTW, she's not the crown princess. That's Lucina the Younger.

(6): Considering how my mother's history before meeting with the Shepherds was shrouded in mystery, her being a mercenary was a possibility. Likely as a source of income when she ran away from the Grimleal.

(7): Funny how that turned out, huh?

And the chapter is done.

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