God’s power is overwhelming. It’s hot, fierce, and unrelenting.
Thus, it is difficult to feel like one has control. It can even make you feel sick.
✦ ✦ ✦
The underground chamber, lit by torches, is colored a bright orange. It’s like an unending sunset. The ground beneath me is rough with a mixture of ash and charcoal bits. Oil and bestial smells linger in the foul air. The source of this stench is the fuel prepared to light this place on fire in case of an emergency—along with the prisoners we captured that meant we needn’t go that far. The clicking of boots echo in the chamber, covering up the sounds of moaning and dragging. I wait as they slowly come into view.
“Oh, if it isn’t Lord Willow. Imagine my surprise to see you here.”
“Pardon the late-night intrusion.”
The figure of a man with a lantern appears, a family crest adorning his sword belt. It might seem strange to charge a high-ranking officer with an underground jail’s security, but considering the unordinary prisoners we find ourselves with, it actually seems appropriate.
Four hundred sixty-eight vampires surrendered to us, and now fill our dungeon. Which is funny, considering they could turn this fort into gravel in a single night if they wanted to.
“How are the prisoners?” I ask.
“They’re quiet. That black rope proved very effective.”
“I see. It’s soaked with ignition fluid, so...”
“I understand. Please leave it to me.”
I was going to warn him to be careful, but I’m struck silent. Ultimately, I leave the decision up to him. Essentially, if they show signs of resistance that he can’t handle, he’s to burn all the prisoners. If necessary, he’s also to close the iron doors, the only exit, and burn the entire dungeon down. It’s an important yet difficult job. Even if they are vampires, burning prisoners alive is a cruel thing to do. The fact that they’re vampires also brings with it a fair amount of danger. I hear this officer’s already written his will. I wonder if he’ll have the guts to lock the door when the time comes.
“It’s a great burden I’ve placed upon you,” I say apologetically.
“Please, I volunteered for this. General Bandkan himself taught me all the tricks of this fort. This is my job as his survivor.”
This man is a seasoned veteran. I heard he and his cavalry unit fought against fifty vampires. Normally, I would rather he take over General Bandkan’s place as head of the fort’s army.
“Ha ha ha, be at ease. Sira taught me the words for Ignite. Would you like me to demonstrate by turning your staff into charcoal?” he jokes.
This man has lost a lot, that’s for sure. His superiors, his friends, his steed... and his right leg. He’ll never ride into battle as a knight again. That’s why he bequeathed control of the fort’s army to me. I sense rage in him, as well as shame. War is endlessly cruel.
“Our main force will arrive tomorrow—four thousand five hundred spears and familiars led by Father Felipo.”
“Ah, finally. This land will become humanity’s last bastion, then.”
He’s right, of course. We had no choice but to leave the defense of the north to the elves, and the state of affairs to the south is looking grimmer by the hour. Towns and villages are falling left and right.
The palace has been taken, as well. I’m told they offered no resistance due to some internal squabble. The messenger who told me this almost killed himself from shame. Through gritted teeth, he informed me of the citizens’ armed uprising that occurred before the five thousand vampires lead by Crumbling Mountain could even reach them.
The uprising was incited by the Starlight Band, a group of vampire sympathizers. Many of their members were knights and nobles, apparently. Perhaps they thought it was their best chance to overthrow the royals, whom they considered elf-loving traitors. At present, the royal family’s safety is unknown. It’s not even clear if the royal knights were able to intervene, let alone how the citizens are doing. The only thing we know for sure is that the Church was burned down.
Things are as close to bad as they can get. Humanity has been chased onto death’s door, and is now facing extinction, which means we now require a certain something.
“I was thinking of introducing you to the sorcerer when he arrives.”
“That’s the man who brought back the ways of fire magic, yes?”
“That’s right, Odysson leads the Mage Company, but magic itself is not a military discipline. It would be quite reassuring if we could have someone to advise them in that regard.”
“...You wish me to stand on the battlefield again? Me?”
That gaze; that light deep within his eyes... it burns like a pyre.
That’s fighting spirit; that’s what we need. In times of crisis, we must rally to our indomitable fighting spirit. The guts to be proud and human will be our final, greatest weapon.
“I would. So please, take care of your health.”
“Ha ha... Ha ha ha! I see. I can still fight, huh?”
Good, now he should refrain from attempting to punish himself. Perhaps he’ll also regain the strength to fight against destiny. A presence like his will most assuredly give courage to the fort’s army, now that they’ve lost General Bandkan.
Sigh... I’ve become so conniving. I feed the broken-hearted sweet words and send them to their graves; prod the pride of the broken-bodied and send them to their demise. My plan is to turn desperation into fighting power. This is the true reality of a commander: staying safe while sending soldiers to die and kill your enemies. I will cross as many lines as I have to right now. One day, I will be judged. One day, I will die.
I leave the dungeon and look up at the night sky. It looks like mud. Rain is coming.
People cannot bring about great things by maintaining their integrity... Hm! I never accepted Nazarus’s dirty dealings back then. I considered his excessive flattery of the royalty, boot-licking of other military families, and blackmail of great merchant families to be depravity of the highest order for one of his pedigree. Meanwhile, I tried to take the high road, and our paths ended up splitting.