I had to squash my pride in order to send that letter... which brought Origis and Marius to me. They were sent by Father and Nazarus, I suspect. Otherwise, they’d never have come with a thousand elite cavalry in tow. Our men aren’t so lacking in discipline that they’d so easily defect like that. Not to mention the extra soldiers, equipment, horses, and supplies they sent to the Frontier... How much money and manpower did that require? What made it all possible? Who’s supporting the soldiers’ families? The answer is obvious.
On the cusp of our nation’s fall, my father and brother have decided to take action.
Even now, having returned to the fort, I haven’t heard word of the Willow army’s whereabouts. The estate might not lie along the vampires’ path, but there’s no way they’d simply sit and wait for destruction. They’re somewhere out there, doing only God knows what.
“Oh, here comes Agias.”
“Indeed. Good timing, brother.”
Origis and Marius, eh? They seem to be drawing something on the ground with sticks... Battle formations? Well, well. The center column of soldiers is taking the brunt of the enemy’s attack, luring them into being completely surrounded. The light of the lanterns brings to life the battle that took place at this very fort not too long ago.
“Oh, curious about this? I’m acting as the vampires, and Marius as the fort army. I lost. There’s no way to break this strategy.”
“It’s amazing. No matter how few or many vampires we face, this strategy can handle them all.”
“And that’s not all. If we employ our Bomber Knights and fireproof soldiers, we can create a net of pure death.”
“Origis can even sweep through the center of the enemy’s forces with the fire wheel formation.”
“Hey, are you trying to get me killed, too? I could accidentally be crushed by all those bodies.”
As usual, they get along well. They’re also both quite clever. In the center of the foot soldiers, they’ve drawn an emblem. In other words, that’s where the commander sits. I don’t sigh, but I can’t hide my grief.
“This is General Bandkan’s strategy,” I remind myself.
He was a great military man. He never let the rot of the palace affect him, nor fell victim to scornful independence; he even supported the entire Frontier with the strength of his forces. He was a pillar of the nation, connecting the north and the south.
A chill creeps up my back. I’ve lost a master, at a time when I truly wish I could rely upon him.
“You can do it, can’t you, Agias?” His words irk me; they’re stupid and imprudent. That’s not like Origis.
“...Easier said than done,” I object.
“No, you can. You have to.”
Something in his voice makes me look at him. He fixes me with his gaze. It burns with spirit... and that’s not all: his fire is radiating towards me.
He resumes, his eyes piercing me: “We’ll march on the palace. The king’s power is broken, and the vampires rule now. We have to win; that much is obvious. But that can’t be all we do—we have to give the citizens a sign in their time of fear and despair.” He’s practically breathing fire now. His fists are clenched. “Strength—the strength of humans. We are weak, hunted for food by monsters and other races, pathetic, and sad... everyone’s scared. Even so, if you want to have pride despite it all, you have to grit your teeth and pick up a sword. That’s a warrior, right?”
His spirit is so bright I can hardly look at him. My cheeks are warm, yet he doesn’t stop there:
“Moreover, we are Willow men—descendants of a famous military family; we have to be stronger than all others. Plus, you have your position as commander of our army, Agias. You have to be stronger than anyone... a hero of humanity.”
Marius nods as well. Is this the conclusion you two have come to? A hero... A hero of humanity. You wish me, one who only knows how to fight, to sit at the head of humanity despite all of my flaws and imperfections?
“Lady Kuroi is strong. She exists in a realm no one can reach.” Marius flashes a smile, like a faint and beautiful flower, just as our mother used to. “However, strength isn’t her true nature, in my opinion. None of us wants to be like her. We pray to her. Through her, we hope to speak to God, asking for His blessing, in order to grant this world a miracle.” He puts a hand to his chest, as if praying. “Lady Kuroi is hope in human form... the first and last miracle gifted to humanity. Of that, I’m sure.”
Ah, now I see exactly what they’re getting at. They want me to become the core around which humanity’s fighting spirit gathers... The first person to fight with hope in their heart. To be the one to raise the “banner” of Lady Kuroi.
“Lady Kuroi seems to be doing well, I might add. I saw her down five bowls of soup not too long ago,” casually comments Marius.
“Fool! Why didn’t you tell me that earlier?!” I scold him.
“Why? She seemed fine, even while asleep.”
“She said some funny things in her sleep, like ‘pizza’ and ‘DDR,’” I counter.
“But...”
“Agias, you get pretty creepy when it comes to Lady Kuroi’s health,” says Origis.
“Huh?”
“Like you’re caring for a daughter or something... You’ve become a doting grandfather.”
“Aha ha, totally!”
“What?!”
I don’t understand. They extol me as humanity’s hero one minute, then call me a grandfather the next.
That indescribable chill in my chest is gone, now replaced by hardened resolve. I can feel how hot my spirit burns.
I turn my gaze to the south, taking in the fields that were a battlefield not too long ago. We march... for the palace. With hope’s army at my back, I shall lead.