Zero no Tsukaima x Monster Girl Quest : Hero of Two Worlds

by Pea Brain Writer

The adventure has ended; the History has turned its last page. The destiny has been fulfilled; The world has reached its conclusion. That is how it should be. And yet sprung an alternative possibility; worlds that should not exist, conjured by a playful mind. Where will a history taken off-course lead to; not a living soul could tell. [Note: Guest's reviews can't be replied to.]

17. Chapter 14: The Devil of Myth

Chapter 14: The Devil of Myth

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Brother (M) A: "Big sis Siesta, Mom asks you to help in the kitchen."

"Oh, okay."

Brother (M) A: "What are you doing out here?"

"Nothing."

Brother (M) A: "Nothing? Then why did you come here?"

"Well...I remember this place, so I just thought I'd take a look"

Brother (M) A: "? There's nothing to look though. It's just rocks."

"It might be in ruin now, but this place used to be dedicated to worshipping an old god; probably."

Brother (M) A: "I heard that before; no one cared about it though."

"I told my friend about this place, so I got a bit curious. It's nothing, really."

Brother (M) A: "Well, if you're done here, hurry up and go help Mom already; I'm hungry."

"Yes, yes, I am going. There's still plenty of time before dinner, isn't there? You're such a glutton."

It is as my little brother said, this place is just a ruin; one that barely retains its original shape, even. The only part that is even half-intact is the lower half of a wall and the adjacent pillar, also half-broken. On the wall is an image of something; most of it is missing so I can't tell what it is supposed to be. It doesn't look anything like any of the churches I've seen—not that I've seen many—so I guess it's reasonable to say it isn't related to Founder Brimir.

To be honest, even now I don't feel particularly curious about this place. I only came to take a look because of my talk with Mister Luka the other day; his hometown has a ruin just like this too, he said. He did say it was a temple, and that people used to visit it, so maybe it is in a better shape than this one, for there to be so much information about it remain even thousands of years later.

I heard that the last time any place worship any god besides Founder Brimir and his God was more than a thousand years ago. Even the New Belief that is quarrelling with the church still follow Founder.

But maybe there are still small, remote villages that old beliefs remained until recently, and Mister Luka's hometown is one of those places. We don't all believe in Founder as strongly as the Romalians, after all. If I am being honest, I don't really know about Founder Brimir that much either, and neither do my parents; we're just following what others do.

I wonder if things were different for the old gods? How much did the ancient people believe in their gods? What kind of religion was it? Was it one where the commoners weren't so inferior to the nobles? Mister Luka didn't seem afraid of nobles at all; maybe there weren't even nobles?

...What a ridiculous thought. It's my long awaited days off; I should spend them doing something worthwhile, not daydreaming.

But I can't help but wonder how Mister Luka is doing. I haven't seen him since...that bath day. I heard he followed Ms. Vallière somewhere and hadn't return since. Then it's time for the leaves I asked from the school and I am now back home.

What happened to Mister Luka since then? Then there is this rumour about a war. There are so many things to worry about; I wonder if I can even spend the break in peace at all.

Still, thinking of Mister Luka was why I thought of this place. Before I know it, I'm standing in the middle of this ruin.

Well, there really is nothing to this place. I should go back and help Mom prepare...

...What was that?

I heard something; it sounded like it came from faraway.

...

There. I heard it again. It sounds like...something heavy, or...

It feels like the ground is shaking; or rather, the entire place, the earth and the air.

...Something is up there in the sky. They are...ships. There are more than ten of them; some facing the others.

Right. Chief said something about some kind of deal between our country and Albion. They are going to do it here, the place before La Rochelle.

But why is it so loud? What are they doing up there?

{...}{...}

{...}

It has been eight days since Louise and I were put in here.

Windows on the walls and the small one on the door are all barred with steel. Two soldiers guard the entrance. Our wand and sword were confiscated. Though the room is well furnished, enough to say it's for nobles, it is still very much a prison, with the same unchanging view outside every day, and the same unchanging routines: eat, bathe, and sleep.

The only things differed from day to day are the visits from different faces.

Some noble came to question us and got angry that we didn't tell him a thing. Louise's father came to ask Louise what really happened, but Louise kept silent all the while. Then there's the princess who came twice, both times apologizing to Louise that she had let Louise take the blame, but also confessed that she was afraid Tristain's Royal Family would meet the same fate as Albion's had she admitted the truth to the nobles.

We were going to be held separately at first, if not for the princess; but I and Louise ran out of things to say long ago. Now, we just pass the time in silence. Maybe Louise doesn't even notice I'm here anymore.

Three days ago, the princess visited, and told us the Royal Court had decided to hand Prince Wales to the rebels to stall for time, even if only for a little. Seeing the reddened corners of her eyes was enough to tell us how the princess felt about the decision, but neither of us made any mention of it.

The day of the exchange is today. Tristain's Royal Court also made a deal with Germania that the act of sending back the prince to Albion will be the end of the rumor about his relationship with the princess, and the engagement will proceed as planned.

The princess also handed some kind of book to Louise; though it was more like a notebook, as nothing was written on it.

The princess asked Louise to be her bridesmaid, which, according to the tradition, would receive that book. Now Louise has to think up congratulation speech in a wedding her childhood friend never wanted, while the man said childhood friend loves is being sent to die.

How did it come to this...

Louise: "How did it come to this...?"

Louise is hugging her knees on the bed, mumbling the same words in my thought.

Louise: "We managed to save Prince Wales, and Princess was so happy, so why did it all come crashing down..."

I don't know if it'll help or agitate her anymore, but I'll sit at her side for now. Louise doesn't show any indication of noticing me, only continues to mumble.

Louise: "If only I didn't let Wardes escape...If only no one saw us..."

Louise is trapped in the maze of 'ifs'. It's going to take a long time to get out of it, especially for Louise who takes most things seriously to the point of being overstressed.

But there's nothing I can do here. I'm in the same predicament as she is; I have nothing that can ease her mind. Using brute strength to break the windows or the doors to escape would be simple, even with bare hands—unlike Guiche's golems, these don't fight back—but it won't help a thing.

Political problems can't be solved by a sword. I accepted that long ago, but it's only now that I really get the taste of it.

The fate of this country, of the princess and the prince, are beyond our abilities. I don't even know what is going to happen to us now.

...Why am I sent here, the other side of the world? Louise didn't intend to summon me, so there should be some kind of reason other than pure chance I ended up here. That's what I want to think.

There should be something I can do this time. Or me coming here would've been meaningless.

*kachak*

That's the familiar sound of the only door being unlocked. A man in uniform speaks from the hallway; is it time for another questioning?

Noble: "Louise de La Vallière and the familiar, follow me."

Louise raises her head, then rises from the bed and walks to the door without saying anything. I am called too; usually it's just Louise who is brought somewhere else for questioning. Is something happening?

The noble leads us out of the room, along the hallway, without explaining anything.

Louise: "...Where are you taking us?"

Noble: "Someone wants to meet you."

That's all we're going to get, it seems.

Outside in the courtyard, the sunlight is blinding after a whole week indoor. A carriage is waiting for us; so we are being taken out of the palace.

Today is the day of the exchange, and we are being taken somewhere.

My guts tell me something is going to happen today; something no one anticipated.

[...]

[...][...]

We must've been in the carriage for a long time, but the long stay in the same room numbed my senses. There were bustling sounds of the city at first, which slowly died down, then the carriage hit a rough road.

And now it stops.

The noble opens the door and gets out first. Beyond the door, I see grass; we're on the wide plain outside the city. That's not all; something is casting a very large shadow from above our head.

It's an airship, floating not too high up from the ground.

A soldier approaches us, then hands us two bundles of clothes. They are our sword and wand.

Why are they returning this to us? Are we being forced to fight? Did the war break out?

Wait, the noble—he's flying up, probably to the ship.

He stops, and looks back down with a scowl.

Noble: "I told you to follow me."

Louise: "I can't use magic."

I can't believe Louise just said that without hesitation; she was always so indignant about it. The noble seems even more incredulous than I am. He comes down, looking annoyed, and re-casts the spell to lift us up with him.

On the ship's deck, a group of people is waiting for us.

Wait, that's...

Wales: "Lady La Vallière, Luka, I am glad to meet you again, despite the circumstances."

Louise: "Your Highness...!"

Prince Wales looks a bit thinner than I remember, but doesn't have visible bruises. I guess, regardless of what happened, he's still a royalty.

Noble: "Former Crown Prince Wales, I have brought the two you wish to meet. I sincerely hope that Your Highness would be satisfied with the arrangements...and without further excuses."

Wales: "I am satisfied. You can bring me there."

The noble didn't even try to hide his sarcasm, but the prince doesn't seem to mind.

The ship is going up. The noble and the soldiers lead us inside.

The lobby here is well-furnished just like our room back at the palace; guarded, just like it too.

Wales: "Please sit."

Prince sits first, and we follow suit.

Wales: "I heard you two were treated like prisoners because of me. I must apologize for that."

Louise: "It is not Your Highness's fault. We were the one requested that Your Highness flee."

Fighting over responsibility now wouldn't get us anywhere: all of us probably have the same idea, so no one argue any further.

"Prince, what do you want to talk to us about?"

Wales: "Well, there isn't really anything special or urgent that needs your attention. I just want to meet you one more time—maybe the last time: the people that gave me hope in what should have been the final moment."

When he says it like that, it's like we are hypocrites for giving him false hope, which is now turning into something even more horrible.

Louise: "I have no word to apologize for our foolishness. For how much I boasted, this is how it turns out..."

Wales: "I didn't ask to meet you to vent the dissatisfaction. I simply... Well, I don't know the reason myself. It might be some wishful thinking that, this time as well, you would save us from the crisis."

I and Louise lower our heads in shame. Especially I, who had practically bragged to him about myself.

This isn't like the last time. We're not in the midst of enemies. Around us are people supposed to be our allies, who have decided to abandon the prince. The real enemies are too big to defeat by my sword alone. Trapped between a rock and a hard place, we can't even move a muscle.

Louise: "...What of Princess?"

Wales: "Henrietta went on ahead with the ground force. The exchange will be held in the sky over an area called [Tarbes]."

Louise: "Why do we need an entire army present just for an exchange?"

Wales: "Well, La Rochelle is but a few minutes away from Tarbes. Reconquista had declared they will be bringing Lexington along with ten ships of the line. If Reconquista attacks, Tristain needs an army to resist them. If La Rochelle falls, it's over."

Yeah, it only took us one full day by horse from school to the port town. If the enemy manage to occupy the town, they can attack the capital anytime. Tristain really is small when I think about it.

Louise: "...Will Al—Reconquista attack?"

Wales: "They are simply showing off their might as an intimidation: that is the conclusion the majority of your council came to."

"...What do you think, Prince?"

Wales: "Fifty-fifty. Your opponent is the dishonorable army that attacked before the time they announced themselves, believing that their might allowed them to ignore criticism. Comparing the situation of the siege back at Newcastle and the present, while Tristain is in a much better shape than the Albion Royal Family was, it is only the difference between 'putting up a resistant' and 'instant defeat'; the end results will likely be the same. I'm sorry if my words are demeaning to your country, Lady La Vallière, but that is my honest assessment."

There's a scoff coming from somewhere in the room. Someone probably isn't satisfied with Prince's assessment for Tristain Army's chance. Well, they will probably change their opinion once they see that giant of a ship. The ship we're on is probably the biggest Tristain has, and it isn't even half of that one's size.

Wales: "If my life alone can truly bring peace and safety to Tristain and Henrietta, I am not afraid of death; that thought did not change even now. But you two have made me realize that to throw my life away is to throw away the power to act; and to us nobles, power is responsibility. If there isn't enough evidence to prove that my sacrifice, which will deeply sadden Henrietta, can truly protect Tristain, I would only be lying to myself that I had done everything I could."

Louise: "Your Highness..."

Wales: "And so I will not give up until my last breath. Although I do not yet know how much can I do, if Reconquista breaks their promise, I intend to make them pay dearly for it."

Right now that's all we can do: keepour determination inside, watch how things play out, wait for a chance to come.

[...]

[...][...]

Noble: "It is time."

We stand up. The noble leads us out on the deck.

That fleet on the other side of the sky: that giant ship just can't be mistaken. Even the crew on our ship looks uneasy.

Someone on the top of the mast of the Albion's ship is sending some kind of signals with flags. I don't know what those mean but the noble with us frowns as he mumbles.

Noble: "We addressed them with the admiral's name, yet they had a mere ship captain answer. Just how much are they looking down on us..."

Our ship send signals back to them.

Then we wait.

...

*boom!*

"!"

Louise: "*gasp!*"

The giant ship fired their cannons. That was very loud. Louise latched on to my arms because she's easily startled, but others on the ship don't look too good themselves.

Wales: "Luka, Lady La Vallière, be at ease. It was just a salutation: a blank shot."

Prince told us calmly with a smile, but sweats form on his forehead. The noble beside us looks shaken.

It's no wonder; that shot might as well had rattled the sky with how loud it was; the reverberation was felt all the way to our ship. It was just like the other time I saw it; that time, even the thick castle wall was reduced to rubbles. If this ship takes a hit like that...

The tense atmosphere, the danger in the air, people holding their breath; I have never experienced this before. Maybe this was how it was for the army during the attack from Ilias's force; I was acting alone back then so I wasn't there with them.

It's like I'm on a mountain of dry woods; a single spark is all it takes.

*boom!*

Our ship fires back a salutation. It's firing from our ship, but somehow it doesn't feel as loud as earlier.

...Is that ship on the Albion's side on fire? Wasn't a salutation supposed to be blank? I'm not the only one confused by that, so that must be unexpected for everyone here.

Albion's ship send signals. Our ship sends some back, frantically.

Louise: "Your Highness, those shots, our cannons...did they contain live ammos?"

Prince Wales scowls.

Wales: "No...I don't believe so. Even if our cannons were indeed loaded, they couldn't have reached across that distance..."

"Then...was it an accident on their part?"

Wales: "I...don't believe so either..."

Not an accident. Don't tell me they—

Wales: "Everyone get down!"

Prince Wales sees it too: those specks in the distance, getting bigger.

"Louise!"

Louise: "Ah!"

Louise is too surprised to understand what's happening.

There's no time, I have to pull her down; They're coming!

*BOOM!*

"Ugh...!"

I can't hear anything but the ringing in my ears, but I felt the tremor; our ship was hit somewhere.

Another shake, another hit. I still can't hear anything, but I can see what happened.

The mast is shot, half of it falls down; and there's fire in the middle of our ship.

...The tremor stopped. My ears are starting to work again.

All of Albion's ships are turning their side on us; they're going to shoot at us with everything they have!

Wales: "Tell the commander to return fire, hurry!"

Noble: "W—What did you say? H—How dare a prisoner order an officer!" It's supposed to be a threat, but the voice that says it is trembling.

Wales: "Clearly, those rebels have no intention of an honest exchange in the first place. I should know; I was there when they shamelessly tricked us. Do you intend to sink without resistance?!"

The noble stares at Prince Wales wide-eyed.

A man in military uniform rushes in, evading other crew and debris in his path.

Officer: "Colonel! Captain Favese and Commander La Ramée were killed in the earlier explosion! Please tell us what to do!"

Noble: "W—What...? It can't be..."

That voice, that expression; that noble has no confidence at all. Prince Wales sees it too.

Wales: "Colonel, please allow me to assist you in the command of the fleet."

Noble: "H—Ha? W—Why would I let a foreigner hold authority on this ship!"

Wales: "Colonel, whichever nation we are from, we are all in the same ship in the literal sense of the word. The fate of us and many more depends on this ship. I swear upon the honor of... Ah, I swear that I will assist you to the best of my ability, sir acting commander-in-chief."

The name at the end seems to have reminded the colonel of the situation. He stands up straight and, maybe forcibly, changes his expression.

Noble: "Spread the words! The marshal and the captain is killed in action! I, the colonel, will be acting as the commander! And get someone on the wheels!"

The officer runs off without even bothering to salute.

The colonel turns his gaze to Prince Wales, a bit hesitantly.

Noble: "So...Sir Wales Tudor, what do you suggest we do?"

Wales: "First of all, that Lexington is the enemy's flagship; you would do well to discard any idea about trying to sink it."

The colonel looks like he wants to argue.

Wales: "I know: usually, taking down a flagship, especially one of that fame, will utterly destroy the enemy's morale. Which was why Albion's military designed the ship to be most impervious to damage; the main reason for its size is for the sake of durability. Some of the loyalists had even come to look at it like the devil of myth for how terrifying it is as our foe."

The colonel looks at the giant ship, and looks even more anxious.

Wales: "Moreover, our opponent is a rebel army; even if a flagship they stole from the royal family sinks, it is very much possible they would not think much of it. The effort we need to expend to take it down grossly outweighs the benefits we might or might not gain."

The noble swallows his words; his expression shows both dissatisfaction and acknowledgement.

Wales: "We should aim to destroy other ships. Mighty as Lexington may be, a lone ship cannot complete an invasion on its own. At the very least, we need to reduce the enemy's air support; if we then defeat their ground force, they won't have a choice but to retreat."

Noble: "B—But that would imply the end of this fleet!"

Wales: "Down to the last one, I'm afraid. We should prepare escape boats in advance. We need to inflict as much damage as possible to the enemy, while keeping our loss to minimum, to pave way for future confrontations. I understand this sounds like a suicide to you, but it is the only possibility we have right now, barring surrendering."

The colonel grits his teeth, looking very reluctant to make the choice.

*boom* *boom*

More explosions. One of our ship, far from this one, is aflame.

Noble: "Darn it...! All right, Wales Tudor, you will follow me. You there, take these two; have them evacuate along with other noncombatants!"

The colonel and the prince head one way, while a sailor urges us on the other.

Louise: "Your Highness! I shall—!"

Wales: "Lady La Vallière, please leave this matter to me and your country's fleet."

Prince Wales turns to give us a reassuring smile, then walks off.

Wales: "Let us meet again, on the land."

{...}

{...}{...}

What is happening?

The ships are shooting at each other? Is that one of them falling down...?

Didn't they say they were just going to send the Albionian prince back, then there won't be a war? So why is this happening?

"—! I have to tell Dad and Mom!"

They probably heard it too, but I have to make sure so we can run together! This place isn't too far from the village; I should reach it in about ten minutes if I run!

What is happening?

Is it a war?

Why is a war happening?

Did Albion lie?

Was it the Tristain's nobles who provoked them first?

I don't understand.

I don't understand at all.

—! Something is coming down to the village. Those are...dragons?!

There are so many...! Could they be Albion's soldiers?

They are...They are burning the village...! The dragon breathes fire, and the riders use their magic.

Everyone; the villagers are running in this direction, probably to hide in the forest.

Where are my family?! They should be amongst the crowd too!

Siesta's Mom: "Siesta!"

"Dad! Mom! Everyone!"

Mom and Julian each has their hands full carrying and pulling along our younger siblings.

Siesta's Dad: "Help Julian get your brothers to the woods!"

Dad is not far behind, holding all the valuables we have in the house; most of them are bought by the money I made from the job at the school.

Those are our family's hope at a better life. Dad has always safeguarded them, for our future.

"Mom! Let me help!"

Siesta's Mom: "No, we got this! Help your dad!"

Siesta's Dad: "No, I got this! Siesta, take our family to safety first!"

Dad looks so strained holding all of them by himself. He always takes on heavy duties and dangerous jobs himself. This time, too, he took the job that will get him left behind.

"Julian, let me! You go help Dad instead!"

Julian: "Big Sis...! Okay!"

Aside from Julian, the oldest after me, two others can run by themselves, but the other four are still too young. I take Marcus in my right arm, and grip Nicole's arm with my left hand.

My siblings looks scared. They probably don't understand what's going on, but got scared along with the adults.

"Don't let go of my hand! We'll run to the forest!"

We're almost there! The edge of the forest isn't that far from the ruin.

I arrive with Marcus and Nicole first; Mom and the other four enter the forest right after me.

Julian and Dad are still a little way away. Dad must've insisted on taking the bulk by himself; Julian is holding much less and going faster than he is.

"I'll go help Dad!"

Siesta's Mom: "Be careful!"

Dad is at the very back of the crowd; he's carrying more than anyone. On the sky behind him, the dragons are dispersing in every direction.

Some of them are coming this way.

Julian: "Big Sis! Help Dad!"

"Okay!"

I run past Julian and a few others, reaching Dad, who is beginning to struggle keeping everything in his hands.

Siesta's Dad: "Siesta!? I told you to go first!"

"Everyone already arrived! There's just you now, Dad! Come on, let me help!"

Siesta's Dad: "...! Sorry. Hold this for me."

Dad hands me a cloth bag; all the money we have are inside it.

"...!"

This is...heavy. Just how much do we have saved up? Wait, this isn't the time to admire my work. We're the only ones left behind now. We have to hurry—

"—! Dad!"

Siesta's Dad: "What—!?"

They're already here...!

"T—The dragons..."

Two of them are coming down, between us and the woods.

If—If we try to run underneath them, they will kill us, for sure...

Rider A: "You are from that village. Now, what do you have with you?"

The man on one of the dragon's back speaks with a stern voice. He's Albion's dragon knight, isn't he. That means...we're his enemies...

Rider A: "We have occupied this land. Resistance will not be tolerated. Drop everything and come out. I'm speaking to everyone in the forest too; we known you are harboring fugitives in there."

What...What is this soldier talking about? We're just trying to run...It's them that are burning our home...!

Siesta's Dad: "Please, sir knight! We're not trying to resist; these are not weapons, just our belongings! We just want to hide in the forest until the fighting is done!"

Rider A: "You are already resisting by talking back to us. Now, do as I say, and bring those fugitives to us!"

Siesta's Dad: "Please, sir! We really don't know what you're talking about; we just ran from our home!"

Rider A: "Maybe not you, but those in the forest surely know what I am talking about."

What is he talking about?! What fugitives?!

Rider A: "We have no time to play around. Bring the fugitives here. Now."

What is going on?! We're just living our life, like we always do! And yet...

Rider A: " It seems I'll have to coax the cooperation out of your people, by making an example out of you."

One of the dragons walks forward. It's...coming at us...!

Siesta's Dad: "Please wait! We really don't know anything! You're looking for someone, right?! We really don't know!"

Rider A: "Maybe you're not lying, but that doesn't matter. If Tristanian nobles are half as honourable as they claim, they would come out now."

Is that it...? They're looking for nobles that ran away from them, and they're going to kill us just to find those nobles...?

Rider A: "If you must curse someone, curse yourselves for being born in Tristain, commoners. Now, let's see if your blood will be enough to convince your people."

This...This can't be right...! We're going to be killed, because the nobles decided to fight each other? We didn't even do anything! We're just...!

Why...Why...!

Siesta's Dad: "Wait, please wait! At least let my daughter go!"

"No! Please don't—"

*thump!*

Rider A: "Wha—!?"

Something just...hit the dragon's jaw?

Dragon: "*grrhh!*"

The dragon lets out a pained grunt as it falls down sideway.

Rider A: "Damn it!"

The knight jumps off the dragon and lands on his feet, just before the dragon hits the ground, slightly shaking the earth. His attention shifts from us to the thing that hit the dragon.

That's...

"Mister Luka!?"

{...}{...}

{...}

Out there in the sky, explosions ripple through the air; hundreds of cannons flashes behind the heavy smoke rising from ships on both sides.

I and Luka, along with nobles who are noncombatants, can only look at what is happening from behind the cover of the forest.

I don't want to admit it, but this is real. The blood, the burn, the corpses... Everything is real.

It is too late. Everything is too late.

The alliance with Germania, Princess's engagement, the exchange of the prince: all of it is meaningless now. Everything will be decided by wands and gunpowder.

*boom!*

Noble A: "Not another ship...!"

Noble B: "Damn it all! Those flying lizards!"

Noble C: "Will our proud nation have to submit to those impudent scums!?"

People around us swear with words I almost never heard from the mouths of nobles. The words that should have only been whispered in private are now spoken so openly, as if all the rules, all the order that has shaped Tristain in its current form are breaking down...

Dragons flew down from Lexington, spraying fire on the buildings below. The villagers discarded their belongings and are running toward the forest we're in now in fear.

The picture looks so alien, like a different land altogether, one I don't recognize. This is not the Tristain I was born and raised in. The home I know, it's being burned down in front of my eyes...

What I have on me, the only evidences left of the old Tristain, aside from the uniform I'm wearing, are the ring and the prayer book Princess has given to me.

I don't even know how Princess is doing right now...

Luka: "...wrong..."

"Luka..."

Luka: "This is...all wrong..."

Luka looks at the dragon knights. He doesn't look like his usual self. This is the first time I've seen him with that expression; pain and anger shown so clearly.

I don't want him to make that kind of face, but what can someone like me do.

The villagers finally made their way to the edge of the forest. At least they should be safe from the fighting here; though I can't even bring myself to feel happy or relieved about the fact at all, with everything else out there becoming more and more hellish.

The villagers look surprised to see us here. Then they silently settles in a spot a bit away from us, occasionally giving us curious and skeptical look.

It's not surprising; the relations between nobles and commoners has always been generally tense, especially if they aren't the lord and his serfs.

There are still some of the villagers lagging behind, but I don't feel like caring about them at the moment; my eyes won't leave the horrific scene unfolding further behind.

The whole village: the houses, the fields, the barn are up in flames. The dragon knights disperse, going in all directions. Two of them heading toward the forest we are in right now.

Noble A: "Not good! They're searching for the escapees!"

So, they're coming for us...!

Can we win? We have five nobles here, but none of us is a combatant. I don't think we can even defeat one fire dragon, let alone two with two knights atop them.

Would Luka be able to fight them; he fought well against Wardes. But we had Prince Wales with us at the time, and Wardes was alone. This time there are two opponents, each riding a dragon which fire is just as devastating as magic.

The dragons land some distance away from the forest...and face backward? They're looking at the two villagers lagging behind.

What are they doing? Are they going to kill them? Questioning them? Using them as hostages to lure us out?

Noble A: "Looks like they can't see us. This is our chance to escape."

Noble B: "Where would we even go? If we so much as step outside the forest, they will be on us immediately!"

Noble C: "It is still better than staying here; they will eventually find us anyway."

Noble D: "No, we should ambush them in here. We can't outrun dragons, but dragons are too large to fit in here."

The argument goes on.

I don't know what to do either. Should we run? Should we hide? Should we try to fight? Unlike the time with Fouquet's golem, I don't feel like challenging them at all. This is not a fight for my personal pride, but a war; and it is so terrible and hopeless.

The dragon knights seem to be threatening the two villagers.

Dragon Knight A: "We have occupied this land. Resistance will not be tolerated. Drop everything and come out. I'm speaking to everyone in the forest too; we known you are harboring fugitives in there."

I knew it. Their targets are us. They are trying to force us out by taking the villagers hostages.

Siesta's Dad: "Please, sir knight! We're not trying to resist; these are not weapons, just our belongings! We just want to hide in the forest until the fighting is done!"

Dragon Knight A: "You are already resisting by talking back to us. Now, do as I say, and bring those fugitives to us!"

Villager (M): "Please, sir knight! We're not trying to resist; these are not weapons, just our belongings! We just want to hide in the forest until the fighting is done!"

Dragon Knight A: "You are already resisting by talking back to me. Now, do as I say, and bring those fugitives to us!"

The villagers are staring. The ones that are hiding in here; they're looking at us. The fear, the contempt in their eyes, they're stabbing us like those spears of wind Wardes used; even other nobles are cowed by their gazes.

Those dragon knights aren't just forcing us; they're goading the villagers to hand us over to them too.

Villager (M): "Please, sir! We really don't know what you're talking about; we just ran from our home!"

Dragon Knight A: " Maybe not you, but those in the forest surely know what I am talking about. We have no time to play around. Bring the fugitives here. Now."

The villagers are looking at us; they're not saying anything, but their eyes are clearly telling us to go out.

Rider A: "It seems I'll have to coax the cooperation out of your people, by making an example out of you."

One of the dragon steps forward.

No, it can't be! Are they really going to—?! You're not supposed to directly harm civilians in war! Threats might be overlooked, but outright murders shouldn't be tolerated, even from the winner!

Villager (M): "Please wait! We really don't know anything! You're looking for someone, right?! We really don't know!"

Dragon Knight A: "Maybe you're not lying, but that doesn't matter. If Tristanian nobles are half as honourable as they claim, they would come out now."

—!

Dragon Knight A: "If you must curse someone, curse yourselves for being born in Tristain, commoners. Now, let's see if your blood will be enough to convince your people."

They're really going to...!

I can't...I can't take this anymore...!

—!?

I stood up and took a step forward, but someone already rushed past me with incredible speed. That's...

"Luka!?"

That guy's at it again! He's heading straight for the dragons!

{...}

Political issues can't be solved by a sword: I accepted that long ago.

Two countries are going to war. It's just like Plansect Village. How do I know taking one side won't make things worse?

I was so sure back then that the plant side was the victim; I saw them about to be killed by the insect side, that's what make me so sure. And yet...

No, I can't really tell who's the right side in a war, not by just looking at the scene in front of me. That's the cause of conflicts in the first place; because everyone judge others just from what was in front of their eyes.

But...that's not the concern here. Someone is being tormented in front of my eyes, so I am going to save them.

I'll think about the complicated things later.

*thump!*

Dragon Knight A: "Wha—!?"

Dragon: "*grrhh!*"

The dragon falls, hit in the jaw by the blunt of my sword.

Dragon Knight A: "Damn it!"

The rider jumps off, and floats down with magic, avoiding being crushed under the dragon's body.

?: "Luka-san!?"

That voice...

"Siesta?"

So it was her I just saved. The black-haired man beside her is her father maybe.

"I'll draw their attention. Use the chance to run to the woods, okay?"

Siesta: "No! You're going to be killed! Let's run together!"

"No need to worry about me. I can take care of myself."

Siesta: "But—Wait!"

No time to waste. I have to take them out now, before more of them come.

Dragon Knight B: "Who are you?! Do you know what it means to oppose us?!"

The rider of the remaining dragon says in a threatening voice, but he is clearly wary of me.

"Just a hero passing by."

Can't believe I really got to say that line. I can just picture Alice's look if she were to hear this. I thought it was so cool back when I was just a kid reading heroes' story books; but there's no time for that now.

Dragon Knight A: "Start talking sense before I impale you with my magic!"

The dragon still hasn't gotten up, but the rider is furious. I don't know what he'd do now; I have to make this quick.

Dragon Knight A: "You will regret your—Wha—!"

The knight could barely react as I closed in and batted away his wand in an instant; I've learned the best way to deal with mages is to just go for their wands.

*wham*

"Wha—!"

Damn it. The other one just had to use a wind spell, didn't he. No matter how strong I am, I can still be blown away easily, since my weight is normal.

The place I landed seem to be the ruin of something. There's no time to look around though; the remaining dragon is flying in my direction, carrying the two knights.

Dragon Knight A: "Don't think your dirty surprise attack with work again!"

The knight already retrieved his wand, and is casting a spell from the dragon's back.

He shoots a whirlwind at me; the same spell Wardes used.

I counter it with the same method I used against Wardes's spell too.

Dragon Knight A: "What the—! How is that brat still standing? He should've been blown away at least!"

Dragon Knight B: "...Did he just cut through the wind?"

Dragon Knight A: "Now you're talking nonsense too! No one can do that without magic!"

Wardes was surprised like that too. I guess that means there are no or barely any people who mastered Serene Mind here.

Anyway, if they aren't any stronger than Wardes, and don't have the lightning spell, their attacks won't be able to harm me. The problem is I can't hit them up there either; they're too high off the ground. Even with this mysterious power boosting my body, I'm pretty sure I can't reach that high.

If they change their targets to the people in the forest, things are going to get a lot worse.

...There's one way I can get up there, but I'd really hate to rely on it. I haven't used the power ever since the final battle with Ilias. Both Alice and Tamamo were very adamant about it, and I agree with them.

Though, if I have to choose between that and the safety of the people...

Dragon Knight A: "I probably just missed him. Your riding just sucks!"

Dragon Knight B: "Hey."

Dragon Knight A: "Don't think you'll escape the second time!"

He shoots the whirlwind again. I should dodge this time; if they realize their spell are really useless, they might give up fighting me and go for others instead.

*thump!*

"Augh!"

It happened too fast to see what it was, but something must've smashed into my guts; I'm sent flying backward from the impact.

"Agh...! Kuh...!"

A piece of rubble twice the size of my head rolls off my stomach. So that was what hit me. Did it get blown from the whirlwind digging into the ground? The place is full of half-buried rubble.

Dragon Knight A: "Hah! Literally speechless now, aren't you!"

Dragon Knight B: "That was a nice fluke. But if that thing had flown at us instead you wouldn't be laughing."

That was as bad as Tamamo's punch when she infused her body with the earth. It hurts really bad. My ribs are broken for sure; some blood came out through my mouth when I coughed just now, staining a bit of my clothes and the round piece of rubble beside me. If I was an ordinary human I'd have died instantly.

"Huff...!"

Meditation

...

The pain fades, until only a lingering sensation is left.

Dragon Knight B: "He got up...? I thought that killed him for sure. Did he get lucky too?"

Dragon Knight A: "Doesn't matter! I just need to kill him again!"

The use of Meditation is...stimulating.

I feel like my body is recalling a lot of things it had forgotten. The only times I would have to meditate to heal in the middle of a fight is when there is a real threat, a real danger; and my body is now recognizing the fact, my mind alert.

The duel with Guiche, the strength test with Wardes; even my attempt to save Siesta just now, I held back unconsciously, and my mind made up reasons for it later. The only time I was really focused on battle was during the state of Serene Mind during the real fight with Wardes. Even then, if that had not been enough and I had to consider using angel power, I probably would've hesitated and dropped out of the Serene Mind altogether.

I see it now. I was just reluctant to accept the fact that there was a need for me to fight seriously once more, after almost two year of relative peace. If I need to fight seriously, I need to be willing to use everything I have, including angel power. I have to be willing to let people see my real strength, and to face the consequences.

I have to be ready to make sacrifices.

If I can't make the decisions, if somewhere in the back of my mind I'm still hopeful that things can get sorted out without the need for me to make those sacrifices, I'll always be held back by my own mind.

It's just like Granberia said: how well I fight depends a lot on my conviction.

Meditation just now didn't just clear me of the wounds, it cleared the last of my doubts too.

This war, this carnage, it has to be stopped, no matter what. The ones that caused this war, that are trampling on the peace of the innocents, can and are willing to kill me.

This is a battle I have to win. I am sure of it now.

Then I'll do just that. I'll use whatever I have to win this.

Dragon Knight A: "Die already!"

The whirlwind is shot at me again. So I dodge.

"...?"

Strange... It feels as if the mysterious power has gotten stronger. My speed now seems to be very close to when I had Sylph's help, though it feels different; rather than moving like the wind, it's just my physical ability getting boosted.

Or maybe it's just the problem with my mind again. I can't tell for sure.

So the enemy is too high too reach, and there's no place to climb. Leaving them here is also out of question. I have to defeat them here and now.

There is only one option.

I'll use the angel power, and apologize to Alice later.

"..."

Dragon Knight A: "What's he doing? He's gone stiff all of a sudden; he's giving up already?"

Dragon Knight B: "Wait. What's that light?"

I'm reaching within myself, toward the power that has been left alone all this time. This might take a few seconds; I hope they're distracted by the light long enough.

Dragon Knight A: "What trick is this guy using now?"

He will know soon enough. I won't have time to play around anyway; I'll need to finish this as fast as I can.

Dragon Knight B: "Why is the rock glowing?"

...

...The rock?

...It's true. That rock is glowing. It has blood on it—probably the one that hit me earlier.

Why is it glowing?

...Wait. I've seen this before...

{...}

Knight A: "No! Mercator!"

Knight B: "Our fleet..."

God saves us.

Mazarini: "..."

Even Mazarini has such grave expression on...

Our fleet is annihilated. The sky—our sky—is claimed by Albion.

And now, they are deploying their ground force, soon to take even the ground beneath our feet from us.

Is it over...? Is it all over for us...?

Knight C: "Your Highness! I bring report from the front line!"

No...I can't show my weakness. They're looking at me; the immature girl with no experience in war. That must be how much they are desperate for hope. Don't think about the situation. Just...don't think about it.

I nod.

Knight C: "Albion is taking position on the field ten leagues away. Lord of Tarbes is now leading his troop to attack the enemy."

I see. Is that...wise?

Mazarini: "...Your Highness. I believe we should stand our ground for now."

So it is not...

"Send out words. Call back Lord of Tarbes and his troops if possible, and tell others to hold position."

Knight C: "Yes, Your Highness!"

The knight is off to carry out my order, or rather, Mazarini's order.

"Mazarini, why do we not attack now?"

Mazarini: "Lord of Tarbes likely decided to make a gamble to attack the enemy's force before it could prepare itself, while their ships are on the ground and cannot provide support fire. However, our enemy is not a fool. They still have their elite dragon knights, which even on their own can likely raze our advancing troop before it can even reach the target."

"Can we not counter them with out own dragon knights?"

Mazarini: "It is possible indeed. Maybe we would even be able to inflict considerable damage on the enemy's force and delay their advance significantly. However, that will no doubt cost our advancing troop and all of our dragon knights, which would spell the end of our air force. Then, we will have no way left to resist their fleet thereafter."

"But they will advance on us eventually, will they not? Will we be more advantageous holding our line here in La Rochelle?"

Mazarini: "...That, I cannot say."

So, it is either a swift defeat or a slow death, is that it?

Is this...the end?

Is there no hope anymore?

Is there...nothing I, or anyone, can do?

{...}

Luka! That idiot! He ran off on his own again!

No matter how good he is, he can't fight dragons that can fly!

I have to drag him back—

Noble A: "Ahhh~~!"

Noble C: "Noooo~~!"

People suddenly cry out. What happened?

Noble B: "Mercator's sinking...!"

Noble C: "It's over!"

Noble D: "Our proud nation! Will we have to grovel under the feet of those conceited vultures...?!"

...! The one that's beginning to sink...That's the one I and Luka were on! The one Prince Wales is on...!

*boom!* *boom!* *boom!*

Other ships are down one after another, even though they were holding on so well earlier. Does losing the flagship hurt us that much?

Now there are only four of Tristain's ship left, all either on fire or has its mast broken. Albion's six ships are still intact, along with Lexington that doesn't have a scratch on it.

The ships here are all that La Rochelle has; if all of them sink, Tristain's air force will be reduced to just dragon knights, which are so inferior to Albion's own they aren't even comparable.

Most villagers here probably can't see that far ahead, but the nobles here are all praying to Founder to save our fleet.

Right now, Luka is probably fighting out there, but my eyes won't leave the scene in front of me.

There's another flash on Tristain's ship. My body shakes as if I'm shot along with them. Another one sink; and it gets harder to hold onto hope.

We are losing. We are going to lose; conquered by the same rebels that had already destroyed one of the founding royal families of Halkeginia.

"Someone...Please..."

Rage, powerlessness, despair; I don't know which is it that makes my tear comes out.

Reaching for my wand now is meaningless. Even if I turn to others: Tristanian Army stationed at La Rochelle, Father and Mother, even Princess, it would still be meaningless. No matter how much I scream, or throw a tantrum, or pray to God, it would never change a thing. God wouldn't listen to the voice of this insignificant little girl.

There is nothing else I can do but stand here and watch as the enemy tramples over my home.

Villagers: "Whoa!?" "What is that!?" "Look!"

...I almost didn't hear the commotion. I almost couldn't bring myself to care enough, but I look anyway, if only because there's nothing else I can do.

Noble B: "What in the world is THAT?!"

Noble D: "Am I...going mad...?"

...

I...don't know what to think. I don't know what it is I am seeing, or even HOW it should be described.

I have never seen anything like it, even amongst all the books I've read about mystical beasts.

The pale yellow feathered wing, the pair of sharp claws, but more than anything, the part that resembles a woman's entire upper body in place of what should be an avian.

The description sounds like it would be a harpy, but there is no harpy that can rival a dragon in size.

The woman-like part isn't even like how it was described in the book or the picture in it; a harpy is supposed to possess only one pair of wings in place of what should be human arms, but this one has a large pair sprouted from the back of its bird-like body, while its woman-like body is where the bird's head should be. Its bizarre appearance is too removed from ordinary creatures.

The...giant harpy-like thing; I don't know where it came from, but it's flying at the lone dragon in the sky above.

What speed. The dragon couldn't react at all as the giant claws snatched the two riders from the its back. The giant bird-thing was even faster than Tabitha's young wind dragon, which already outstrips most creatures on Halkeginia barring adult wind dragons.

That's another thing: there should be no creature in the world that can contend with wind dragons in the sky. Barring myths, wind dragons have been the fastest fliers known for thousands of years. There's no way something as fast as them can just pop up out of nowhere.

Is that Luka on its back? It's him. That small body and purple hair can't be anyone else.

Has the ridiculousness that seems to follow him everywhere surpassed the world's common sense again?

"...Darn it! Why is he always like this!?"

I'm really going to drag him back here, airborne or not!

{...}{...}

{...}

That wasn't a rock. It was an egg; one I had seen once in the past.

I knew the instant I saw the light, but I couldn't believe it until it actually hatched. After all, all the monsters I've seen in this place were so different from the ones I know.

But this...She, the garuda girl...She is the monster I know. She looks almost exactly like Galda, only the subtle differences and the air around her tell me this is a different girl.

Just how...? Why is there an egg here? Galda's egg needed the Six Orbs to hatch; why did this one just did on its own? There's also something different about the way it hatched...but I can't tell how.

There are so many questions; there's also the excitement of finally meeting something I'm familiar with. I can't keep my head clear, even though this isn't the time for that.

Garuda Girl: "*kweh!*"

"Oh, right. Have to do something about them first..."

Those knights on the dragon's back, they're clearly shocked by the garuda girl. This is a chance.

"Uh..." Wait, she doesn't have a name yet. Calling her 'you' or 'garuda girl' sounds wrong and rude.

I have to think up a name quick. But I'm not gonna give her crude name like Alice did Galda; I have more sense than that.

...'Nerian'.

Alright, I'll go with 'Nerian'. She seems to have accepted me as her parent, and since we already have Nero and Neris, let's go with Nerian.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's a better name than, for example, Dalga or something like that.

...Wait, maybe Dalga is actually pretty—Ugh, no time of that now!

"I will call you Nerian. Is that okay?"

Nerian: "*kweh!*"

"You like it, huh." Well, Galda accepted her name readily too, so it doesn't really prove anything.

Anyway, now we can finally do something about them.

Nerian let me get on her back without resistance.

"Nerian, Go!"

Nerian: "*kweh!*"

Oh, she takes off.

Wow, this feels great.

I did something like this once when we just found Galda, didn't I? That time Galda just flat out ignored me since Alice and Amira was the one who hatched her. Well, it's one more small regret taken care off, I guess.

Now, for the problem at hand: from what I've seen of those dragons, I know for sure their speed can't match a garuda girl at all.

Dragon Knight A: "It's coming!"

Dragon Knight B: "Whoa—!"

Nerian's claws snatch the knights from the dragon's back, one in each claw.

One got his wand knocked off, but another still has his, and is trying to cast a spell.

Dragon Knight A: "Eat this, freak!"

"No, you don't!"

Hanging on to Nerian's feathers by one hand, I manage to drop down and kick away the wand in time.

Dragon Knight A: "Wha—!? Damn it!"

He's angry, but with his strength, pounding on a garuda girl's leg is meaningless.

Anyway, what to do with them? Is there somewhere I can drop them off around here...

...Is that the ship we were on? It's sinking! What happened to Prince Wales and people on it?

Are those escape boats like the ones we took earlier? That...I can't see very well since it's too far away, but that might be Prince Wales. So he managed to escape in time. I should go see him.

Okay, I'll hand these two over to the people in the forest. They should be able to keep them restrained, now that they don't have wands.

Now that I have Nerian, maybe...No, I will do it. I will end this war. I'll leave the politics to the higher ups of the country, as it should be.

This senseless bloodshed has to be stopped now.

{...}

The giant bird, it's coming this way.

Villagers: "Ahhh~!" "Get back!"

The people at the edge of the forest all rushed back in in fear of the strange beast. The villagers that were being threatened are running this way too, probably for the same reason.

I'm scared too...but I have to go forward, to see Luka.

?: "Eh!? Ms. Vallière?!"

Huh? Why does some random village girl—Wait, she's the...!

"You're the maid at the school?"

Siesta: "Y—Yes. My name is Siesta..."

"I didn't ask. So this is your hometown."

Siesta: "Y—Yes, it is."

What am I doing, chatting up some maid; I have to get to Luka now!

"Well, I'm in a hurry. Just run to safety or something."

Siesta: "Ah...!"

That was a waste of time. The bird is coming down; I have to get there before it flies up again.

...Wait. Did Luka know it was the maid when he rushed out? He didn't specifically rush to her rescue, did he?

Darn it! There are just too much in my head right now! I'll just leave that for later!

The bird drops the two dragon knights on the ground before landing itself.

Luka jumps down from its back, unsheathing his sword and points it at the two knights still on the ground.

Luka: "Hey! Can someone tie up these guys!"

I'm finally seeing the giant bird up close; it looks even more bizarre than when I saw it from faraway.

Its entire lower body is completely bird-like aside from its size, while its upper body is human-like. However, what should be human arms are, instead, eight pair of bird wings. It is undoubtedly a very bizarre beast.

If only that is all that can be said about it, there would be no need for gripes. However, the most glaring problem with this thing is the fact that its human-looking parts look so much like us it's disturbing.

The bone structure, the body shape, the smooth skin; they are all what you would find on an ordinary, beautiful woman.

But the most frightening about it is its eyes and pupils, which look exactly like those of human's.

The eyes and pupils are the ultimate distinction between us and them: not harpies, not orcs, not mermaids, not even vampires have our eyes. Even the saying 'Eyes are the window of the soul' also encompasses the fact that eyes are the only organs we don't share with any of the demi-humans, the descendants of the soulless devils, or so one of the hypotheses says.

No matter the species, we can look into their eyes, and see the lack of soul, or intelligence, in them. Or so the rumour says; I haven't seen that many myself. The point is that we can tell them apart from us by the eyes.

While the demi-humans all have vaguely human-shaped bodies, with certain physical traits surpassing ours, they are also significantly limited in mental capabilities in some ways, allowing them to be subdued by our superior intelligence. Even vampires, the smartest of the bunch, are driven by instinct to feed, making them predictable.

Elves are the only exception to most rules, being the only species of demi-humans almost indistinguishable from humans in terms of appearance and intelligence, and the only one capable of a form of magic. That is why they are such a threat, even with their low number. Incidentally, they are also the only species with the same eyes as us, supporting the eyes-as-signs-of-intelligence hypothesis.

The perception, or rather law, has been established and stood uncontested for thousands of years.

Yet this thing is now making a mockery of it. No matter how hard I try, I cannot find a single spot that's different from human eyes; they even move like ours, instead of birds.

I can't tell what it's thinking at all; or whether it is even capable of thinking.

Luka: "Oh, Louise."

—! Luka. I completely forgot about him. But of course he should know about this thing; he was riding on it after all.

"What the heck were you thinking? How many times have I told you not to run off on your own and leave your master behind?! And what did you do this time? What is this thing?"

Luka: "What do you mean 'this time'. Don't say it like I cause problems all the time."

"You've been the cause of my headaches countless times already. Anyway, don't dodge my question: what is this thing?"

*boom!*

That sound... The ship...The last of ours has sunk. The enemy still has four vessels, including the devil of a flagship. I was distracted by Luka's antics, but the reality of the situation hasn't changed.

Speaking of reality, the giant harpy-like thing is still looking very real, despite every piece of common sense being against it.

Arrggh~ I don't even know what the heck is real anymore...!

Luka: "...Louise, wait here. I'll be back soon."

"Where are you going?!" What is it this time?!

Luka: "Prince Wales is on a boat like the one we took earlier, but Albion's dragons are chasing after it."

In the direction Luka points to is a group of escape boats heading toward the edge of a forest on the other side. They are fighting back the chasing dragon knights with magic.

"So Prince Wales is still alive...! Thank Founder...!"

Princess must be so worried about him!

"And...you are going there to help him?"

Luka: "That's right."

"Then take me with you!"

Luka: "No, it's too dangerous."

"And it's not for you? No matter what I'm not letting you run off alone like earlier again. Take me with you! This is an order!"

No way I am getting left out of this! This is...about my country too!

Luka: "...No. You should wait here."

"Haah!? Hey, wait!"

The giant bird woman suddenly spread its wings, as if understanding our talk.

He's going to go off alone, again! Absolutely not this time!

"Hup...!"

Luka: "Louise!?"

Got it! Got its feathers anyway!

I'm being dragged into the sky with incredible force.

"Guh...!"

...S—So high. There must be several tens of mails between me and the ground. A fall from here means death, without a doubt.

My arms...they're giving out...

"Luka! Help me up already!"

Luka holds feathers in his right hand and reaches out his left to grab my right wrist. Putting all the strength I have left into my remaining hand and legs, I clamber up the side of the giant bird.

"T...That was close..." I'm safe...just barely.

Luka: "What were you thinking!? That was really dangerous!"

"I told you to bring me along! Your stubbornness forced your master to do something drastic; if anything, you should be sorry!"

Luka: "You're not any better..."

What an unbelievable familiar.

...The houses already look no larger than my thumb from where we are. This giant bird could come up this high in a blink. Just what in the world is this bird?

"...Seriously, what the heck is this thing? Where did you find it?"

Luka: "Ah...It's kind of hard to describe. She just hatched from the egg I found in the ruin below."

...

There is something that looks like a ruin below, yes.

...Where do I even begin?

"First of all, why is there an egg of an unknown creature lying around in some random ruin?"

Luka: "I don't know either. It's just there."

...

"And suppose I overlook that point, even then, there's no way this thing had just been born."

No way in hell those b...that body belongs to an infant. That's clearly a fully grown...creature.

Luka: "Ah, I can answer that somewhat."

...I'd be relieved at finally getting some answer, if not for the record of complete nonsense coming from this guy's mouth.

Luka: "I don't know if all of her species are the same way, but the one I know was sealed into a stone-like egg. Rather than hatching over time like others, she needed to be woken with a specific method. So, she kind of matured while still in the egg, and came out fully grown."

...There it is, an absolutely insane tall tale told with a straight face. What's even more irksome is that I can't completely dismiss it as a delusion.

"...And just what is this madness of a creature?"

Luka: "[Garuda Girl], a monster. There's one like her back in my home too."

"Garuda Girl? Never heard of it. And 'monster'?"

Luka: "Yeah; the ones I talked about all the time. I finally got you to see one. See? They're not nearly as bad as the people here make them out to be at all."

"..."

...

...

'Monster'

A bizarre word the familiar brought along from his home. According to the principal's explanation, it is a word existed only in ancient documents: a word no one uses anymore; few even know of it, but my familiar says it like a regular word.

It refers to what we today call 'devils'.

I see. I see now. So this is a devil. I can see how the myth came to say what it does about them.

Beings of various shapes and sizes, mixing the faces and some body parts of women with the body of other things, be it animals, plants, or even inanimate objects. The myth says they seduce men, consume them as food, or lure them to depravity. I had always wonder how anyone in their right mind would ever be attracted to things with creepy bird eyes, ridgeless fish nose, or sickly pale skins and sharp fangs; not to mention the inhuman pupils that are barren of emotions.

So this is how an actual devil looks like. The beautiful, immaculate face; the alluring, shapely body; the deep, vivid pair of human-like eyes; it's no wonder weak-minded men would be drawn by their looks, despite the hideous, beastly parts they possess.

I see. This is a devil. Though I have doubted many of Luka's fantastical recounts, have doubted that what he called devils are actually devils and not something else he got mixed up, this is one I can completely agree with. This thing is, without a doubt, a genuine, breathing and moving devil.

I can't believe...No, I knew it. I knew it all along. I knew they are real.

I don't have to lie to myself anymore. I don't have to be afraid of being disappointed anymore.

The truth I've always wanted to believe is in front of my eyes.

Despite what others said. Despite what Father and Sister Eléonore said. Devils really do exist.

They are here.

It's them.

Finally, I've found them.

Luka: "...? Wh—Louise!? What are you doing!"

"Eliminate the enemy, what else!"

With this wand of mine, I will kill the enemy of mankind!

Luka: "Enemy—You mean Albion? Nerian isn't one of them!"

"I'm not talking about—What? Nerian?"

Luka: "This girl. I named her myself."

"Name...? You...! Do you realise what you've done!?"

Luka: "? What do you mean? I was the one who hatched her, and she sees me as her parent; of course I get to name her."

"That's not what I'm talking about!"

R...Right... This guy claimed he's from—a place crawling with these things. He doesn't think like we do...

...

So he has been telling the truth about that too, all this time.

Have I been thinking he was lying up until now? No, I knew long ago he isn't the type to lie. I have just...been running from the truth.

If he isn't lying, then what does it mean about the things he says about his home? What does it say about his character and relationship? The answer should be obvious. Yet I just put them aside, pretended it's not what it seemed, that there is more to it.

Maybe I...Maybe I've even been wishing he would never find a way home, so it wouldn't matter whether he was telling the truth or not...

...But I can't do that anymore, now that it has caught up to me; now that the truth is in front of my eyes, and felt with my hands.

This is...what I have to do.

Luka: "...Louise? You're still—!"

"I told you. The enemy has to be eliminated."

Luka: "Nerian isn't anyone's enemy!"

"Your opinion doesn't matter! Didn't you hear what the principal said? Devils are enemies to humanity. As a noble, the protector of the kingdom and royal family, as a descendant to Founder Brimir, I have to destroy them."

Luka: "You're being unreasonable! What enemies of humanity!? That's just nonsense!"

I knew...I knew you would try to stop me.

"It's not nonsense! I should ask how can you say they are not enemies!? Look at it! Look how hideous this thing is!"

Luka: "You can't judge her on just appearance!"

'Don't judge a book by its cover'; trying to argue with a typical phrase now, is he.

"I can! All demi-humans are enemies; history already proved that! Devils are the progenitor of demi-humans, Founder's enemies, and a threat to us; that's common knowledge! There have been countless loss of lives and properties caused by demi-humans throughout the millennia! There are true records of the deaths! The descendants of those people are still living today! How can you take the side of this abomination?! If anyone is being unreasonable, it's you!"

Luka: "It's because you're focusing too much on the differences! At their core, monsters are just like humans! Humans and monsters are capable of trust! It's thanks to that trust that the people back at my home managed to build so much of what we have today! I and my friends, we're as close as fellow humans can be; I owe them everything I have today!"

"Then everything you have is a mistake!"

Luka: "!"

—!...Ah...

...I wasn't...That's not what I...

...

"...No matter what you say, devils are a threat. They have to be eliminated; that is the truth."

It doesn't matter what look he gives me, my mind will never change.

Luka: "...What did monsters ever do to you?"

"...Someone like you wouldn't understand."

Someone who happily, ignorantly calls them friends...

Luka: "Then what did Nerian ever do to you. She was just born."

...He just had to hit where it stings, didn't he.

"...Nothing."

Luka: "Yet you're still going to treat her as an enemy?"

"...All devils are enemies."

...Just stop asking already...

...

Luka: "We're almost there. Hold on."

...Right. I need to help Prince Wales. He's a million times more important than some beast.

So, I need to hold on to this... These feathers are just like our house's owl servant, Trucus; soft and fluffy, just larger. ...The pleasant feel on my hand clashes too much with the disgust in my mind. This is making my head hurt...

Sounds of battle comes from up ahead: the shouting, the cries of dragons, the whooshing of whirlwinds. Albion's dragon knights are chasing after the escape boats. Prince Wales is on the boat tailng at the end of the group, casting Wind spells to ward off dragons' flames.

Luka: "Nerian, aim for the guy at the back first."

Nerian: "*Kweh!*"

The giant bird cries as if it understood speech, even though it's just a beast.

The people on the boats and the dragon knights notice us almost at the same time.

Before any of them can react, the bird's claw grabs the nearest knight off of his dragon.

Luka: "Get his wand too."

The bird raises the knight up, look at him, then claws the wand away from the knight's right hand.

Luka: "Throw him at that guy."

The bird does a sudden turn, and releases the grip. The captured knight flies at another one, knocking both of them from the dragon's back. The second one casts spell to slow down their ascent, but that took them both out of the picture.

I can't believe it. I've only seen familiars with good compatibility with their masters taking to orders so well. Even then, only the species that were already domesticated, like dogs and cats, can understand language immediately after the contract without being taught.

Does this mean this giant bird-freak is already more intelligent than most mystical beasts even without support from familiar contract?

I don't want to believe that, but...it would make sense, considering such a terror they used to be during Founder's time.

Luka: "Prince!"

We passes by the stunned dragon knights, arriving at the prince's boat in a blink.

Wales: "Luka!? Lady La Vallière! I am glad you are all right. But what is happening right now? What is this...creature you're riding on?"

Luka: "I'll explain later! These dragons are chasing after you, right?"

Wales: "I would surmise so."

It's pretty clear where their focus is on from how they seem to try to cut the prince's boat from the rest.

Luka: "Then you need to get off the boat!"

Prince Wales look at the few people behind him. There are noticeably fewer people on this boat than the others; they probably expected the prince to be the target and tried not to be in the same boat as his. The nerves.

Wales: "All right. Let us try and shift the enemy's focus away from the escapees. I believe your ride will be up to the task, if what you just displayed was any indication."

Luka: "Yes, she will. Garuda girls are even called 'legendary harpies'. As far as I know, only a handful in the entire world can match their speed."

Wales: "A legend you say? Now, I am getting a little excited!"

The prince laughs a little as he jumps from the boat on to the bird's back, with Luka helping him up.

Please don't be fooled, Your Highness. By 'legend', it actually meant this thing was on the force of evil.

Dragon Knight C: "What in the wide sky is that thing?!"

Dragon Knight D: "Doesn't matter! Go after the prince!"

As expected, the dragon knights come after us. There must be at least thirty pairs of wings tailing behind us right now; the sight of their red-scaled bodies spreading in the sky and the sound of their numerous wings are blood-chilling.

"So, what are we going to do now? Don't tell me you're going to fight all of them?"

Luka: "I don't see any other way. Prince, what do you think?"

Wales: "Well, you are not exactly obligated to participate in the battle, as you are not military personnel, but I know that won't change your mind."

Prince Wales answered his own question before I did, correctly. Military or not, this is my country, and I'm a noble.

Wales: "What Tristain is facing right now is a genuine invasion. We lost the fleet battle. Their ground force, having defeated ours, is now advancing onto La Rochelle. To protect the kingdom, Albion's force needs to be pushed back. We can do that by dealing heavy damage to their numbers: either the ships, or the men."

I don't even know where to begin with either of them.

Luka: "I don't think we can deal with the ships or the ground force; that leaves the ones chasing after us."

"That's a suicide. We're too outnumbered. We'll be roasted for sure."

Wales: "Luka, Lady La Vallière, there is no need to worry. You are not fighting alone."

Prince Wales points toward the direction of the mountains where La Rochelle is. There's another flock of dragons flying this way.

Luka: "Dragons?"

Louise: "Dragon knights? That's right! We have one too!"

Though they're not one of the elite royal guards, our dragon knights are far from incompetent. There are about thirty of them; the same number as the ones chasing after us.

Wales: "In terms of prowess, Tristian's dragon knights should be inferior to Albion's. A direct confrontation of equal numbers will likely results in their loss. So we need to lend some support."

Luka: "What do we do?"

Wales: "We pick off the enemy's commander. Even Albion's dragon knights will find it hard to display half of their effectiveness without their leader. There, the only one with feathered helmet over there."

The dragon knight Prince Wales points to wears a helmet with more sophisticated design compared to others.

Luka: "Nerian, aim for that guy."

Luka makes a simple command again.

The giant bird turns, making an arch, then a circle, dodging magic and flames shooting at us with ease.

Then it makes a sharp turn and speeds at the commander.

The dragon knights try to cast spells, but the bird snatches our target before any of them finished. The bird knocks the commander's wand away; this time without prompted.

Wales: "Colour me most impressed, especially that sharp turn; I never knew of any bird capable of that. Tristain's dragon knights arrived just in time as well."

Our allies have started to prepare their spells. Some of them eye us warily, but lower their animosity once they saw Prince Wales. Princess must've ordered them to rescue the survivors.

Wales: "We should leave the rest to them and keep some distance; we wouldn't want to be in their line of fire."

We retreat from the fight. Nearby Albionian knights chase after us.

Commander: "Fools! Go back to your position!"

Their commander tries to warn them something, but Tristanian knights already cut them off.

Wales: "That's a mistake on their part. Now they've lost the chance to reposition."

They're fighting. I'm not knowledgeable about war, but we don't seem to be losing.

Luka: "Anyway, let's put the guy down first."

Wales: "Then I will interrogate him. We might obtain valuable information."

Luka: "Let's put him in the forest with the other knights."

Wales: "You have captured the enemies aside from this one?"

Luka: "Just two. The villagers should be keeping them captive in the forest where they're hiding."

Wales: "You took down two of the famed dragon knights of Albion by yourself?"

Luka: "Well, it's more thanks to Nerian here."

Wales: "Haha! I'll be! We might have a chance after all!"

...

Amazing. Prince Wales. Even Luka...

The situation was hopeless; many had already given in to despair. However, these two are still fighting, and even turned the table on Albion's dragon knights which were said to be unrivaled.

Luka: "This is the forest. The knights we captured earlier should be in here."

Wales: "All right. Now let's bring this one in as well; then I'll begin the interrogation."

But me; I haven't done a thing...only watched and complained, not contributing to anything at all.

Just because Princess told me she believed in me, entrusted me with an important mission, I deluded myself into thinking I can be useful, can help, but when it really counts, there's nothing I can do...

This ring and Founder's Prayer Book, both royal treasures, are symbols of Princess's trust in me. I want to be someone deserving of those trust.

Why can't I use magic... The most elementary yet greatest blessing Founder granted to all of his descendants; all nobles without exception can use them freely. The only exception is me. Why only me? I don't get it at all.

Founder, why have you abandoned me...? Has this humble servant been lacking in her faith?

Your prayer book, why is it blank? The royal treasure, kept by a family directly descended from you cannot possibly be fake. If this is truly your possession, had you hid some form of hints or clues in them? If so then please show them to this lowly servant. This Louise Françoise swears to devote her entire being to serve you…

"...Eh?"

I wasn't really expecting anything; I just opened it without a thought, but…on the blank pages…there are lines of light glowing on the surface, forming what appear to be characters.

The language is very old; maybe similar to the few ancient books in our house Sister Eléonore forced me to learn. It's because of those lessons I used to hate so much that I'm able to read this now.

The first page is a preface. There's a name at the end of—!?

A message...from Founder...directly.

These passages...were not just a message written down by a third party. They were...written by Founder himself...!

...

...

My heartbeats, they're deafening.

Excitement. Astonishment. Reverence.

If this really is the direct message from Founder, then the story is true. The origin of our ancestors. The birth of mages.

H—Has anyone ever seen this…?! If I show this to the...scholars, our history would be—

Wales: "Lady La Vallière, what are you looking at?"

"Y—Your Highness!"

Oh no, I'm...What should I say—This is—! How should I tell Prince about this...miracle! I mean, this directly involves him—the direct descendant of Founder! This could be—But the prince seems like he has something to day. It would be very rude to interrupt him—But this is important—more than important!

Ugh, I'm going to die of heart attack at this rate! I need to gather my thoughts! I need to calm down!

"H—How did the interrogation go, Your Highness?"

Wales: "As expected, it was not easy to force information out of trained knights, especially on such short notice and without the necessary facility. We did manage to gleam some facts though. First, the dragon knights currently engaging with Tristain's ones are all they have; there will be no more aerial reinforcements."

Prince Wales's words barely registered in my head, but I managed. So what we did at least meant something. Thank Founder...

Wales: "Second, the enemies had planned this invasion in advance; the dragon knights were given order to look for me, either alive or as a corpse, after the naval battle. It means that the enemy will be coming at us relentlessly; the possibility for negotiation is close to nil."

"So, the explosion on one of their ship earlier..."

Wales: "Most likely their attempt at creating the justification of their attack, however flimsy it may be. If they are the victor, no one will be able to challenge them for the truth."

So, that's it...We have to win this fight, no matter what... Even with out vastly inferior force, there's no other option...unless we want to let them do with our land as they please.

...Then we really need every chance we can get. The Founder's Prayer Book; I don't know what's happening with it, but we'll have to bet on it.

"Y—Your Highness! There's something I need you to see. It's this prayer book; it belongs to Founder! Just now letters suddenly appeared in it, so...!"

Wales: "Calm down, Lady La Vallière. Did you say the prayer book? You mean the royal treasure of Tristain?"

"Y—Yes, that one. Princess entrusted it with me as her bridesmaid..."

Ah...I just talked about Princess's wedding in front of the prince. But His Highness doesn't seem to react to the fact; his eyes are on the book.

Wales: "It is said that Founder Brimir had written down the spells he used in this book. But the first page seems to be just a message. Try turning a few pages."

Right, other pages...are still blank.

...No, not all of them. There is a page with the same shining characters.

Wales: "Let me see... ...Fil Járnsaxa... I have never seen theses incantations before. And this unusual length...This might be a genuine spell used by Founder...!"

"A genuine?! Then...!"

A Founder's spell: the Fifth Great Element said to be the origin of the other four!

"W—What kind of spell is it, Your Highness?!"

Wales: "Explosion. As its namesake, it is a spell that cause an explosion: an offensive spell. How powerful it is I do not know, but if it has but half the might the myths talked about, it could very well flip this war on its head."

...An explosion...? Isn't that—Stop right this instant, my brain! Stop deluding yourself! Stop being ridiculous! That's blasphemy of the highest order!

"Y—Your Highness, please try casting it!"

Wales: "...All right, I will."

His Highness takes the book. ...The letters disappeared?

"Eh? Why?"

Wales: "Lady La Vallière, please hold it again."

...The letters come back.

"Why?"

Wales: "...Please hold still."

Prince look at the book as he takes out his wand.

Luka: "What are you two doing?"

"Be quiet!"

His Highness begins the incantation…!

Wales: "Eolh Sunne Fil Járnsaxa..."

...

...Why did he stop?

"...Your Highness?"

Wales: "...I cannot use this spell."

"Eh?"

Wales: "This is not my Element. No, even more than that; it is an Element I am completely incompatible with."

"H—How can that be? If even a royal who's a direct descendant to Founder cannot cast it, then who..."

Wales: "You."

"...Hweh?"

What is His Highness...And what was that weird sound I made?

Wales: "Only when you hold the book that the letters appear: that alone is enough reason for you to try it. Then, there was that explosion you cast in our battle with Wardes the other day."

"My...explosion? That was just a failed attempt...I had intended to cast Fireball... More than that, I have never succeed in casting any spell, not even once. I cannot even can call myself a mage..."

Wales: "...Then all the more reasons you should try. It is possible that the Void element was what interfered with all your attempts thus far, twisting them into this spell."

"...Hweh?" I'm lost.

Wales: "If you do not have any talent in Earth, Water, Wind, Fire; then it's only natural you try Void."

"N—Natural...? B—But this is the power of Founder, I cannot possibly..."

Wales: "The words of Founder in the first page: though I took but a glance at it, I remember some of the message. 'The one capable of discerning these passages of mine will inherit our deeds, will, and purposes; and along with them, the power to commit oneself to their fulfillment.' Lady La Vallière, do you not think that you should try to answer the wish of the author at the very least?"

Deeds...Will...

...Purposes.

The message in that first page...

...

...!

"...I understand. I...will try."

Wales: "If this plays out how I expect it to, we will need to be close to Lexington for it to be most effective. Luka, can we rely on your new friend?"

Luka: "I don't know what's going on, but we just need to get close to that huge ship, right?"

Wales: "That's right. However, Lexington also has plentiful supply of grapeshot; approaching it directly is a complete suicide. We will need to skirt around its firing range and go above it, where the cannons cannot aim at us."

Luka: "I understand. Let's hurry then."

We're getting on that despicable devil again. But this is no time to worry about that; Tristain's future might as well depends on us right now.

Luka: "Nerian, go up there, above that large ship, but be careful to not get too close."

Neria: "*kweh!*"

Wales: "Lady La Vallière, considering the length of the spell, I believe you should begin casting it in advance, so it will be finished by the time we get to the destination."

"I understand." It is a really long incantation, actually; at least twice as long as the longest one I've ever seen.

...

...All right. The book is secured in my left hand; and the wand in my right. Deep breath.

...

Hereby, I, Louise Françoise le Blanc de La Vallière, who has never once succeeded in completing even the simplest incantation, will make an attempt at a legendary Void spell no one has ever seen before.

Common sense and humility be damned; I'm gonna do this!

"Eolh Sunne Fil Járnsaxa"

...!

This feeling that's running through my body...I have never felt it before, but...

Eléonore: "Listen well, shrimp. A mage will know their element when casting a spell. We will immediately catch on to the rhytm of the spell, and the incantation will flow out of us naturally. Our eyes and ears will be clear, but we will not be distracted by other sounds; all the while we will feel that something is swelling within us. All right! Keep that in mind and try casting again! Starting from Ignite!"

My Element. I, who teachers, fellow students, parents, eldest sister, have all given up on.

This power emanating from within me, this...is my true form—

*bam*

Nerian: "*kweh!?*"

"Ah!"

What happened?! The impact—I'm flying...!

Wales: "Hah!"

Prince Wales grabbed my hand, and pulled me down. I'm...saved…?!

"T—Thank you very much, Your Highness...!"

I—I almost fell! If Prince Wales had not caught me...! I don't even want to think...

"W—What happened?!"

Wales: "An enemy! Wardes is chasing after us!"

"Wardes?!"

{...}

Wardes. He just have to show up now of all time, doesn't he...!

"Nerian! Are you alright?!"

Nerian: "*kweh!*"

She's wounded! The whirlwind hit the side of her left leg!

...She can still fly. That's a relief, for us and her.

Wardes: "How lucky I am, for all three of you to be together."

Wardes grins from the back of a gray dragon. The different color might mean it's a different type of dragon.

Wardes: "Your strange mount seems to be quite fast, but don't think you can escape again!"

He's casting another spell!

"Nerian! Dodge!"

*whoosh*

Nerian barely dodges an invisible mass of air, but Wardes is still tailing after us.

"So fast. Much faster than other dragons!"

Wales: "Wardes's dragon is a wind dragon. Its weak flame poses no threat, unlike the fire dragons. With Wardes as its rider, however, that might be a moot point."

That's how it is. Wardes's magic is much more dangerous than those dragons' fire: stronger, faster, and hard to see. Even at her size, Nerian was hurt pretty badly from just one hit.

...Nerian is going as fast as she can with her injury, but we're not shaking Wardes off. There is almost no difference in speed at all; we can't do the snatching tactic we used on other knights.

Louise: "Luka, you idiot! How can I cast my spell if you're going this fast!"

"What should I do then! And what is the spell you're going to use?!"

Luka: "Explosion!"

"Isn't that the same as always!?"

Louise: "Yes, it is, but it's not!"

She's making as much sense as usual.

Wales: "Luka, Lady La Vallière's magic might be the key to tipping the scales in this war! We need to complete it no matter what!"

"If you says so, Prince...!"

Louise: "You don't obey your master, but you listen to someone else!? E—even if that someone is a prince!"

"I get it already! You just need to cast your spell, right!"

Louise can't cast her spell if we're going at this speed, but if we go any slower Wardes will catch up. The only way out of this dilemma is to stop Wardes.

But how do we do that? Prince has been shooting back with his own spells but Wardes dodged all of them.

...

There's one way. It's the most simple and effective way. Probably, it's the way Louise wouldn't agree with.

"Prince, we need Louise to cast her spell no matter what, is that right?!"

Wales: "That is correct! There is a high possibility we would get the expected results from it! It is not an exaggeration to say Tristain's victory is in the hand of Lady La Vallière!"

So this is a risk worth taking then.

"And, Louise need to go above that ship, right!"

Wales: "Directly above Lexington, yes! Their cannons cannot reach there, but we would have to be careful making our way up, as they have grapeshot! It is better to make our way up from a distance!"

"Understood...Nerian!"

Nerian: "*kweh!*"

I don't know if she can understand complex instructions given in advance yet, but the cry sounds like she can, so I'll have to believe that.

"Then...Let's do it! You two hold on!"

Nerian shifts direction, going back down.

We're flying parallel to the ground, just a few meters above it.

Louise: "Why're we coming back down; we need to go up!"

"I got that already, so just be quiet!"

Wardes was probably ordered to capture Prince Wales too, so he probably won't respond to my challenge readily. If Louise separates from the prince, Wardes might not go after her, but it looks like Louise need his instruction on whatever she's doing.

So, I need to do something with bigger impression to get Wardes's attention.

"Nerian, do it now!"

Nerian angles her wings to decrease the speed sharply. That's half of the process; the other half is the magic all garuda girls supposedly possess, according to Tamamo. I don't understand how either of them work, so it's all the same to me.

Louise: "Kyaa! What is this damned bird doing?!"

I and Prince Wales manage to hold Louise down from being thrown off by the sudden drop in speed.

Either way, I got the result I wanted. We slow down suddenly midair, while Wardes doesn't; which means Wardes is closing in at high speed.

"Louise! Prince! I'll leave it to you!"

Louise: "What are you going to do this time?!"

Power wells up within me the instant I draw my sword. It's still a total mystery how this works, but I'll gladly use it for now. Wardes is coming.

"Nerian! Take these two up there as I said!"

Nerian: "*kweh!*"

Focusing all my strength at my legs, and all my concentration at the approaching Wardes; it's now or never.

"Haaaahh!"

Wardes: "!?"

He realizes, but it's too late. There's not enough time to cast a spell; not even to get his dragon to evade. I'm coming at him with the speed of his dragon plus my own jump.

He put up a block with his metal wand.

*klang!*

Sword and wand clash. I'm holding my sword with both hands, but Wardes has to spare one to grab the rein. Even so, he could still take the full force of my strike. It's way too late too think about this but I really am light, aren't I.

Then I'll redirect all the remaining force to my lower half, and swing my self knees-first into his body.

Wardes: "Agh!?"

A direct hit, and clearly effective. Now both of us are thrown off the dragon's back.

Even I would die if fallen from where we were flying earlier, so I had Nerian come back down to just a few meters above ground; at this height I can land with no injury.

That's probably not the case for Wardes; as I thought, he's trying to cast a spell, most likely to fly.

He might be just trying to survive, but then he might try to go after his dragon, so I can't risk this either way.

Wardes: "Mmff!?"

Holding him from behind while pressing my hand on his mouth; there's no way he can shake me off midair. He thrashes around, but it's clear my strength is superior.

Now we're plunging at the ground together. Of course, I'm going to have Wardes land first.

There's no time for Wardes to flip around or do anything else; we hit the ground.

*thud!*

Wardes: "Bb—faahh!"

I, who was on top, get up unharmed.

That must have hurt a lot. It might even took him out for good. He probably isn't dead, though; it wasn't that high.

Also...It might be just me, but I felt like we slowed down a little just before we hit the ground.

Anyway, a long way up there, Nerian is circling around the supposed shooting range of the Albion's ship. All the dragon knights are engaging with Tristain's own, leaving no one stop her. Wardes's dragon also flew off somewhere; it probably hasn't gotten as close to Wardes as that old gryphon has.

Now Prince Wales's plan can go uninterrupted, hopefully.

So...what should I do with—

*whoosh*

"!"

That was close...If I didn't feel the wind forming beforehand, that would've sliced into my neck.

Wardes: "Kuh...Damn you..."

He really got up...He's tougher than I thought. He looks battered from the fall, his elegant clothes covered in dirt, but he's standing.

Wardes looks enraged, probably realizing he can't follow the prince anymore. From what Louise said, as long as they're using flight magic, mages can't use other spells. Without a mount, he can't fight anyone midair.

Which mean all that's left are me and him.

"Wardes! If you want a fight then fight me."

Wardes looks at me with hate-filled gaze.

Wardes: "You...! Fine. We shall settle the score from back then."

Wardes collects himself and take a familiar stance with his metal wand.

"Have you been training since the last time we fought?"

Wardes: "A mere familiar shouldn't get too carried away. This time you don't have Wales to help you. I will show you how misguided you are to challenge a Square Wind mage!"

"Misguided or not I don't know, but I wasn't serious back then either."

Wardes has the power of Wind which I don't right now. But I know Sylph well; the Wind that Wardes uses isn't scary at all.

{...}

I look up at the sky, like Mazarini and all of our soldiers do.

"Mazarini...What is that bird?"

Mazarini: "I wish I can tell you, but I cannot. Whether it might be a threat to us or not, is still up in the air. I can only surmise that it is an enemy to Albion."

"Does that not make it our ally?"

Mazarini: "I do not know who invented the saying, but the enemy of our enemy is not necessarily our ally."

That is true, since that would make the entire Halkeginia our allies, since Reconquista declared they would unite all countries, and neither of them seem eager to help.

The dragon knights' squad sent out to help the evacuees has just come back. The captain of the squad kneels in front of me.

Captain: "Your Highness, our dragon knights had claimed victory over Albion's own."

"I witnessed the feat. You all did very well."

Captain: "However, we could not help our the advancing troop in time. Lord of Tarbes was deeply wounded and had retreated with only a fraction of his men."

"I see..." It was my responsibility, is it not, for not sending the dragon knight to support them. However, had I done so, there was a possibility I could have doomed the entire squad...

...I should be relieved some of them survive. There is still a chance to make amends. ...At least, I hope there will be.

"That leaves us with only one aerial threat: the enemy's fleet. If only we could deal with that, we will hold advantage over their ground force..."

But that 'one' is so massive.

Captain: "Pertaining the situation, about that mysterious avian, on its back are three people, one of them is the former Crown Prince Wales."

"Lor—Crown Prince Wales is still alive?"

Captain: "He looked to be mostly unharmed."

What a relief. What a big relief.

My shoulders ache. It seems I have much stress piled on while I was unaware, which had only now been let out along with my breath. Though I know I should not be showing such a sight to my subjects, I simply could not help myself. I am grateful for Mazarini and the captain who pretend not to notice.

"What of the other two?"

Captain: "I do not know for certain. One was a boy dressing like a mercenary. The other was a girl wearing the magic academy's uniform; her hair was pinkish in colour."

Uniform, pink hair; it could only be Louise. The other boy is probably her familiar.

Why is Louise there? Lord Wales as well. There are only things I do not understand.

"I...thank you. Albion may have more dragon knights in reserve. Your next task is guarding our force and preparing to attack Albion's ground force."

Captain: "I shall get to it right away, Your Highness!"

The captain walks away with confidence.

"It seems that giant bird really is our ally."

Mazarini: "So it seems."

"Do you know anything at all about that avian?"

Mazarini: "..."

Mazarini is silent. What does that mean? If he knows something he simply has to tell me about it. If he does not, he only has to say so.

Mazarini: "...The more pressing matter is the Albion's fleet. We have to deal with it one way or another, or this war will never end in our victory."

The Albion's fleet, having deploying all of their troops, is now in the sky yet again to provide air support. Out of the four remaining, the most threatening is of course the flagship, Royal Sovereign.

I may not know much about war and military, but even before the question of tactics, I don't think we even have enough resource to physically sink the ship of that size. Even if we use all the gunpowder and mental power we have on hand to bombard it, it might not be enough.

"How can we win against such a devil..."

Mazarini: "That...I do not know either..."

There are only Albion's fleet and that giant bird left in the sky. The bird has flown above Royal Sovereign, and is now circling the air.

What could Lord Wales be thinking?

{...}

Wardes: "Urk!"

Wardes falls on his right knee. But I can't get careless yet.

"Give it up. You can't win against me."

Wardes: "Kuh...!"

Wardes had come at me with many of his arsenal; all had some ways I can counter with.

A direct assault with the wand can be beaten back with my sword skill. The air hammer or whirlwind can be dodged or dissipated by cutting their core. The lighting attack can be felt on my skin before it is even completed; its long cast time mean it can be easily interrupted. If he creates copies, I can cut them down the instant they form by reading the distinct flow of air.

"I've seen all of your skills, and know how to counter them."

Wardes: "Insolence...!"

Compare us side by side, my speed without Sylph isn't a big deal; Wardes casting quickening spell on himself is probably a bit faster than I am. But I have this strange power I don't know where it comes from; my body feels light just by gripping a sword. Taking that into account, my speed becomes superior to his.

Then, there are also the things Undine and Granberia crammed into my head. The mind as serene as still water, ready to react to even the slightest disturbance. Unless he's insanely fast like Alma Elma, speed alone can't win against me.

Wardes: "...Even if you won against me, there's nothing you lot can do against Lexington. Your struggle is meaningless!"

...I can't argue that point. Going solo against that big of a ship at the state I'm in is too much. I don't know how many mages there are in that ship. Narrow passages make dodging around too difficult.

But there's hope, Prince Wales said, with Louise.

...Now I know how hard it is to place hope on someone else I haven't known for long. Though the situation is different, I think I can understand how humans and monsters could be so on guard with each other a bit better now.

"Maybe so, but that's for another time. Now, you're done. Drop your wand and turn yourself in to Tristain. Some knight you are, betraying the country to save your own skin."

Wardes suddenly changes his expression. The irritation, the sarcasm, they all vanished, leaving only silent rage.

Wardes: "Saving my own skin? Me?"

Looks like my words hit something. Wardes forces himself to stand despite still holding his side.

Wardes: "For safety? You think I did all that for such a stupid reason...!"

He spat out the words. I have to be careful.

Wardes: "For my ambition, no matter what I have to do, no matter how many I have to kill, no matter what I have to throw away, I will do it. Honor, moral, life; they are meaningless to me! As long as I can fullfil my vision, I will gladly offer them to whatever god or devil out there!"

Wardes stands up straight, glaring at me with wide opened eyes, and raises his wand.

...What is that? The wind surrounding Wardes changes all of sudden.

The Wind that had been following Wardes's command all this time have traces of him in it; like habits of his. I could somewhat feel his personal quirks in the flow of the wind he used.

But...it's changed. Some of Wardes's personality is still in it, but now there is...'more'.

I have a really bad feeling about this.

Wardes: "My power alone can't win against you. That's fine. Even if it is a borrowed power, if I can kill you I'm happy enough!"

Wardes casts a spell, but this time it's different. It's not the spell of the same person anymore.

Wardes: "Ubiquitous Del Winde."

That copy spell again. This time I can hear the chant clearly. No time to think; I'll use the same method for now.

The first spot the copy will form is over there. Thunder Thrust can close that distance easily!

Wardes's copy dissipates the instant they forms. One down, next is—!?

Wardes: "What's the matter?" "You look as if you've seen a ghost." "Are you that surprised?" "Hahahaha!"

Wardes...Eight of him are looking at me with glee.

Wardes A: "Don't be so quick to be surprised. There are still a lot to see!"

"Hng...!?"

So fast...!? I dodged that by a hair's breadth. He—two of him closed that distance in a blink...!

Wardes B / C: "Del Ior Sol La Winde" "Rana Del Winde"

I heard them so many times I have them memorized: the air hammer and the wind blast.

Even if I know what's coming, I can't dodge or cut them at point-blank...!

*thump!*

"Ugh...!"

It's wind, but the sound it made and the feel when it struck against me was like a giant hammer. I was lucky to even land on my feet from that. If I lose balance and fall down at any moment I'd be done in!

Someone's casting again! From behind me: the lightning spell. I'm still hurt but I have to stop him now; at least he's a sitting duck!

*fwp*

Wha—?! A fluke?!

*fwp* *fwp* *fwp*

It's not...! Three misses, and he's smiling while dodging, without stopping the incantation.

What's happening?! Aren't mages supposed to be limited to one spell at a time?! Was another Wardes helping him? But none of them was using magic!

*crack!*

"Argh!"

A direct hit. My inside feel like it's burning...!

I didn't pass out, but my body is all numb. My legs are shaking; just standing takes all I have.

Wardes D: "Hoh, tough one, aren't you. Normal people would have died from that twice over."

What...just happened.

"H...How could you be...so fast...while casting...?"

Wardes surrounds me, all eight are smiling or grinning.

Wardes A: "I see that you've learned about mages' weakness. I will tell you what you obviously want to know. You are correct; we mages cannot cast another spell while we're in the middle of casting or holding another spell. So, we have to cancel our flight or quickening first if we wish to cast another spell."

Louise said so too.

Wardes A: "Then why, you ask? Because what you are witnessing—"

Wardes E: "—isn't a spell at all."

From behind...!?

*crack!*

Wardes F: "Where are you looking!"

*crack!*

Wardes G: "Don't think for a second this is over!"

*thud* *thump*

"Ugh...!"

Eight of them hit and jab at me without pausing. My head, arms and shoulders are taking so many hits. There's no room to dodge...!

I have to...force my counterattack: the move with the widest attack range.

"Yarggghh!"

Death Sword: Chaos Star

*slash* *fwp* *fwp* *fwp* *fwp*

Only the first one hit...!

Wardes A: "Hoh, you still have that much strength left. But that kind of desperate attack won't win you a fight."

I know this technique is very difficult to use alongside flow-reading; matching my movement with the natural flow and continuously moving without pause just don't go well together. Without Salamander and Undine I can't use both at the same time. Only the first slash went along with the flow; the other four were just normal slashes, easily dodged by someone fast enough.

But at least I'm not surrounded anymore, and Wardes was reduced by one, leaving him with seven. There's still hope.

Wardes A: "I hope you aren't thinking 'there are one less enemy' or something along that line."

"—!"

Wardes waves his wand, and another copy appears.

Wardes A: "There are only eight on the field, but plenty more on reserves."

That means he can recreate the lost ones many more times.

If I continue to defeat them his power has to run out at some point, but I don't know if I can hold out until then. Worse, even though I can make out the real one among them, the mysterious speed boost he received makes it very hard to chase him down, especially while being attacked by seven other enemies.

Wardes C: "Hah!"

"!"

Wardes D: "What's wrong! Your movement is getting sloppy!"

"Kuh...!"

Eight of them attack without letting up; even fully on defensive I can't deal with them all.

"Yah!"

Wardes A: "Whoa! Too bad. That's too shallow."

This isn't going anywhere...! Any openings I exploited either results in him dodging or creating a new copy to replace the one I destroyed. I don't even have time to meditate and heal...!

At this rate, my stamina will—

*crack!*

"Wha—!?"

Wardes B: "Oh, my condolence for your sword. How unfortunate."

My sword...broke before I do. I completely forgot it isn't Angel Halo. Being too used to something really is dangerous...This time, it might even be fatal...

Wardes A: "I never thought it would end like this. Not quite satisfying...but oh well."

...The remaining Wardes start preparing spells.

Wardes F: "At least I will give you a grandiose ending."

...No weapon. Surrounded by eight Wardes aiming their deadly spells. Can't dodge, can't take it head on.

...

...I can't think of another way. The only way to counter magical attacks that cannot be dodged that I can think of, is only that.

So it comes down to this in the end.

Against Fouquet's golem there was an option to run so I didn't use it; and thanks to Nerian, I didn't have to earlier either. But this time...It's either that or death.

I've already made up my mind once anyway. Consequences can wait after I get off this safely.

"...Fuu..."

...The power lying within me, the blood of my mother running through my veins.

Wardes A: "...What are you doing? Closing your eyes are not going to help you this time. Or have you given up?"

It has been almost two years since I last felt this; ever since I dealt with the last remnant of Black Alice's faction at the World Tree, there was no need for me to call on it again.

In a place full of unknown dangers, I will have to rely on this power once more.

Power that exceeds any human is welling up in my chest.

Wardes A: "...I've waited enough. Let's end this once and for all!"

Just once.

All Wardes are going to attack at the same time; that just saves me the trouble.

Just one move will be enough.

"My mother is—!?"

...What...?

Why...Why do I feel weak all of a sudden...?

Angelic power that should be spreading through my body...disappeared...?

My knees...I can't...

Wardes A: "Huh? What's wrong with you?"

The cause of this... Is it...the back of my left hand...? The glow...It's glowing...The characters on my left hand are glowing through my glove...? My angelic power is being suppressed...My energy draining away...

That's right, this feeling...Though there's no pain this time, it's the similar to...that time when I and Louise did the contract...!

What...is...

{...}{...}

{...}

"Luka!?"

That idiot went out on his own again! That's the second time just today! Why does he like doing that so much!

Wales: "Lady La Vallière, leave Wardes to Luka. You must focus on what only you can do."

"Y...Yes, Your Highness."

What only I can do... The prayer book in my hand...

Wales: "We are above the ship. Cannons cannot reach us, and dragon knights are no more. There should be no potential risk now, but if anything does happen I swear I will protect you. Please rest assure put all of your focus on the spell."

"Yes, I understand..."

Keep calm. I can do it. It's just casting a spell...

A spell...of Founder...that no one has ever used before...

No, don't think like that, or I will mess up. Just think about that feeling from before, the exhilaration from having found my Element.

"...Fuu..."

Think about that feeling...

"Eolh Sunne Fil Járnsaxa"

It's back, the feeling from before.

Power spreading throughout my body, to my fingertips, as if I'm in a dream.

This is...my power, that Founder has granted me.

Such enormity...This immense power has to be used correctly, for certain things only, for goals of equal magnitude, equal importance.

Defeating the kingdom's enemy, saving my country and Princess from vile scoundrels. That is an appropriate use.

...

...That's a lie.

I wasn't thinking about that at all. More than such a remarkable goal, before I even came to believe I could one day acquire such power, I already had in mind what I will use it for. I know what I will use it for.

And I am convinced the instance I saw what Founder Brimir had written in the preface of this book.

~The one capable of discerning these passages of mine will inherit our deeds, will, and purposes; and along with them, the power to commit oneself to their fulfillment.~

"Os Sunne Uru Ru Rad" For the same purpose Founder had in his life.

~You who hold Void in your hands, heed my words. For I and my companions who are lost before the road's end, devote your entirety, strive toward [Holy Land], reclaim what was rightfully ours from the wicked.~

"Beoth Yr Svr Kaun Othala" Now I am sure. I don't doubt it anymore.

~Monsters: the despicable devils. Their temptation sways our brothers from their path, their cruelty slaughters our sisters without remorse, their very being a disease plaguing the Holy Land. Angels; the hateful oppressors. They deprived us of our freedom as though we are caged animals; the servants to a false goddess, toying with our lives as though their possession.~

"Jera Isa Wunjo Hagall Beorc Ir" The nemesis of humanity.

~With the power granted to us by the one true God, vanquish them: the threat to us, heirs of man. Return our people to our place of origin. Our wish is in your hands.~

~Brimir Ru Rumir Viri Ve Vartri~

I must destroy them all.

...

It is done. The spell is ready.

The enormous power is too much for me to hold. This power needs a target. I have to find one before it spills out and destroy everything.

The target is clear from the start...

Kuh...! No, not now. Even if it is a devil that deserve to be destroyed, it is acting as my and the Prince's foothold at the moment. I can't get rid of it yet.

I have to do something about that ship first. I have to protect Princess and Tristain.

{...}

...

What was I watching...? What am I watching?

A bright ball of light appeared in the air, growing bigger, swallowing everything in the sky in the process. It was so bright I needed to shield my eyes.

Then just as sudden it disappeared, as if it has never been there, as if nothing happened.

But something must have happened. Or Royal Sovereign, the towering ship that even Tristain's entire fleet could not measure up to, would not be up in flame, leaning toward one side, and falling, just as other ships surrounding it do.

*rumble*

It is as if an entire mountain collapsed. The quake transmitted through the earth and my own feet is what proved the reality of what I am seeing.

Albion's mighty air force is no more. The mysterious avian is the only shadow moving in the sky.

Mazarini: "Ladies and gentlemen! Our enemy's fleet had just been destroyed by the legendary bird, Phoenix!"

—! Mazarini?

Knight A: "Phenix? The mythical immortal bird?"

Knight B: "Is that the real one?"

There is a commotion in the army.

Mazarini: "Do gaze upon its elegant form! That is the legendary Phoenix that is said to be the guardian of royal family of the sky, Albion! That is the evidence that Founder's blessing is with us! He does not acknowledge Albion's renegade government! Rejoice! Victory is ours!"

Knight C: "I heard there was a report that Prince Wales was on that bird's back!"

Knight D: "Then it must be true!"

Knight E: "I've never seen a bird like that before."

Knight A: "Amazing!"

Knight B: "Ohhh! Long Live Tristain! Long Live the Royal Family!"

The commotion is turning into a cheer.

I am happy, but I cannot fully bring myself to celebrate along with everyone, until I ask Mazarini for answers.

"Cardinal, this guardian bird of Albion's royal family...Is it true? I have never known of such a thing before."

Mazarini: "It was an enormous lie, Your Highness. But everyone is at a loss at what has happened; in fact, even I am puzzled. However, it is also true that the enemy's fleet had sunk and there is a mysterious avian on which back the former crown prince is riding. It is very much preferable to make use of the fact."

"Haa..." I really can't fathom his mind. It's no wonder he holds the Tristain's politics in his hands.

Mazarini: "There is no need for worry; no one would pay any heed to whether my words are truthful or not. What people care is their own survival, and our victory."

Mazarini looks at me in the eyes. If he does this it means he is going to lecture me about something again, usually important things.

Mazarini: "What can be made use of, shall be used. That is the most basic of warfare and domestic affairs. If the condition is right, even someone's unfavourable standing can be turned on its head overnight."

"Then, that you...mentioned Albion's royal family was so..."

Mazarini: "Please remember this lesson well. From today onward Your Highness shall be the governor of Tristain."

I can only nod. Ever since Mazarini became my advisor I have always known that he knows far more than I do, but only chose to disclose certain part of it at certain time, and that what he told me had always been right in the way he meant it to be.

Mazarini: "The enemy must be in even more of a panic than we are. The fleet, the pillar of their invasion had been annihilated seemingly without apparent reasons. This is the golden opportunity."

"I understand."

Mazarini: "Let us go forth to claim our victory, Your Highness."

{...}

Wales: "Lady La Vallière! Look! It's a big success!"

...! That...was real...

Wales: "Look at that! Look at Albion's fleet! Even Lexington with its devilish might is in shambles! Although I probably should not be so happy at seeing royal family's former flagship turning into wreckage... Anyhow, this is a miracle—your miracle, Lady La Vallière!"

The fleet had sunk.

By my hands.

This war, it is our victory. Because of me. I can't believe it.

But forget about that.

"Luka...Your Highness, where is Luka?!"

Wales: "Luka...We are too high up to see properly. We will have to go down quite some distance to find him."

"Hey! You heard that, bird! Take us down to Luka right now!"

The giant bird starts to head down, but it's probably not because of my orders. This damned bird didn't even cry in a reply. Now I kind of wish I had burned the damned thing along with the fleet. I can just ask Prince to cast Levitation on us.

Enough about the bird. I have to find Luka!

Wales: "Over there!"

Prince points at the grassland below. A familiar mop of purple hair.

Luka...is face down on the ground.

!

"Luka! Ah...!"

Ouch! ...I jumped to early. Rolling on the ground is just too undignified at my age... But I don't care about that now! Luka!

"Luka! Wake up! What's wrong with you!"

He's not moving! I'm shaking him but he's not responding at all!

Wales: "Lady La Vallière, do calm down."

Prince has gotten here as well. He touches the back of Luka's neck, puts his fingers in front of his nose.

Wales: "His pulse and breathing are normal. He is simply unconscious."

Luka...is still alive...

...Thank God...!

Wales: "And Wardes is..." Prince looks around. "...not here. Probably ran away when he saw the destruction of the fleet. Anyway, we need to take Luka somewhere to rest. The forest where the villagers are hiding in is just over there."

The edge of the forest is a short distance away. Actually, someone is running in this direction...

Oh, it's just the maid.

Siesta: "Mister Luka!? How is Mister Luka?!"

"Still alive. Do you have to be so loud?"

Tch. You're oh so worried about him, aren't you.

Wales: "Young girl, are you a friend of Luka?"

Siesta: "Y—Yes. Um, you are...?"

Wales: "That is not important. Right now, Luka needs rest. Can you help me carry him?"

Siesta: "I will!"

Prince put Luka's left arm on his shoulders. The maid is going for his right arm. No way I'll let her.

"N—No need! I will...Ah..."

Wha...? What is this sudden dizziness...?

Wales: "Lady La Vallière, please don't push yourself. A spell that powerful must have taken a lot out of your mental reserve."

...That's probably true. It has been a long time I haven't felt so drained to the core, since the casting practice Sister Eléonore put me through when I was young: the feeling of being completely out of mental power.

Luka is being carried by Prince and the maid. I can't walk yet. I need to regain my focus first. Look down. Blink.

...At my feet is a broken sword. The one I bought for that guy.

Luka fought until his sword broke. Until he passed out. There was him rushing out to face two dragons, and then that jump midair. That idiot pushed himself way too much. I need to give him a stern lecture when he wakes up.

Speaking of that jump...The damned bird is tailing the Prince's group, like an obedient child, like...it really sees Luka as its 'father'.

I really don't want anything to do with that freak...I just want to...get rid of it...right now if I can. But Luka was smitten with it for some reason. If I hurt that thing, he would probably...complain a lot; that would be too annoying.

But not hurting is one thing. I don't care what that guy says, I will never allow him to keep it! Actually, I don't want to see it ever again in my life.

...

Still, devils really do exist. Void also exists, and I was blessed with Founder's power.

...

...Then there is a chance. With this power, I might be able to...No, I have to do it. I, the complete zero, have ever only been a burden. But now, that's not the case anymore. I have the power to destroy devils.

"Sister Chii, I will save you...No matter what...!"

---

PBW: "So the act of laying the plot beforehand can be this satisfying, allowing for hints dropping with abandon. Who would've known, right?"

Ilias: "I cannot believe it either, but these nonsensical scratch marks are starting to resemble what can be considered a work piece: one belonging to the bottom of the bottom, the kind of which amateurs used to dabble in as an experiment before they became amateurs, but still a piece nonetheless."

PBW: "Okay, I'll admit this story is subpar in a lot of places."

Ilias: "I believe that is quite enough about your...(omitted) writing skill."

PBW: "That (omitted) sure hits different..."

Ilias: "You really wanted to let the world know that the girl had some hidden backstory, did you not? Do you know the word 'subtlety'?"

PBW: "I know the word. I just have no idea how to pull it off."

...

PBW: "Oh, right. Since this is the end of this arc, there's this little scene that was supposed to be put here..."

---

The sun was high up in the cloudless sky, shining its strong light on the wide plain below.

It was the beginning of summer.

Amid the burnt remains of a village, men and women, fighting against the heat of the midday sun, were hard at work clearing the wreckage of what used to be houses and barns.

The grunts, the conversations, the clacking and breaking of woods were heard all around, but there was also a sort of tranquility in the moment.

The greatest battle leaves the quietest calm in its wake.

A little distance away from the buzz of activity lay the hulking shell of what used to be the greatest warship on the continent; surrounding it were smaller debris of similar shape. Here also, people of uniforms were hard at work, salvaging what little could have survived the fall.

Just four days ago, this was the site of a great battle, one that was to decide the fate of the Kingdom of Tristain, one which ended in victory for the defender.

However, nothing has a definite end to it. There are always work to be done, whether by hands of people or the nature, as had been demonstrated here.

A little distance away from what used to be a standing village, on the opposite side of the fallen ships, lay another ruin. This one, however, had been in its current state since time immemorial.

The light, crunching sound stood out in the complete silence.

A figure, covered from head to ankles in hooded robe, took a few steps on top of dirt and stones before stopping. The figure glance around the half-buried ruin, took a few more steps, stopped and looked again.

Having repeated the same gestures a few times, the figure came to a stop at the edge of the ruin, and gazed out at the field. They then departed, heading in the direction of the only settlement in the area.

A black-haired girl around six-seventeen of age was at the edge of the village, dropping a few pieces of burnt woods onto the bigger pile. As she wiped away the sweat from her forehead and looked up, she saw an approaching figure.

"Young girl, may I have a word."

"Y—Yes?"

The girl took a step back, apprehension was plain on her face as she cautiously eyed the robed figure. The terror from four days ago still fresh in her mind; the clear, feminine voice of the speaker did nothing to ease her fear.

The figure gave no sign to indicate they noticed her worry.

"I have heard there was a great battle here the other day. I take it the wreckage behind you is the result of it."

"Yes, it is..."

The girl's voice trailed off a little at the end, feeling conflicted at the way her home was called and the memory that was brought up.

Again, paying no heed to the girl's anxiety, the hooded figure continued their questions.

"I have also learned of a rumour that a great avian-like creature was spotted on the sky on that day. Did you perhaps see the creature as well?"

"Um..."

The girl, not knowing the mysterious figure's intention, reluctantly gave a truthful answer.

"Yes, there was a large bird flying around on that day."

"Do you know where it went?"

"No...I was more concerned about my home, so I didn't pay attention."

The girl, however, decided to keep the fact that her acquaintance was involved with the avian's appearance.

"I see..."

"..."

Silence reigned for a few seconds, before the black-haired girl spoke up.

"Um, if that is all, can I excuse myself? I have to help with the rebuilding."

"Hm? Ah, yes, you can go. ...Thank you for your time."

The figure turned around, and walked back the way they came. The girl watched their retreating back, confirming that the figure had indeed left the perimeter, before going back into the village.

The hooded figure, on the way back to the ruin and seemingly had forgotten the girl they just spoke with, was more focused on something else than the road.

"So it hatched..."

The figure raised their gaze at the cloudless sky as though hoping something would be up there. The long, blond hair tucked inside the hood shone briefly as it reflected the sunlight.