“Who are you?” Ryucown asked again.
“A gladiator.”
With that simple reply, the swordsman charged at the rebel general at full speed, wielding a sword with both hands.
The blow came within an inch of Ryucown’s face, and he responded with a head strike of his own. The masked gladiator quickly distanced himself.
The wind from the high-speed exchange raised a whirlwind between the two duellists.
“A Mephian? How did you sneak in here?”
“Who knows?”
During that short exchange, the hall across from the two burst into chaos. Warriors garbed in the same gear as the gladiator clashed with Ryucown’s troops. Every member of this group was an elite fighter, handpicked for their ability to do battle in a chaotic situation.
Sparks flew and curses were exchanged. Shique was dual-wielding twin blades, decapitating one foe after another, while the giant sword-slave Gilliam swung his axe with all his might, cutting through enemy flesh even though they were in full armour.
The masked gladiator struck again. Ryucown side-stepped the blow, then brought his sword down in a vertical slash.
The swordsman steadied his centre of gravity by spreading his legs and caught the blow. He then immediately used the rebound, the instant Ryucown was pushed a step back, to launch a vicious attack.
“Oh, not bad.”
There were two, three, then numerous blows with the two locked in a stalemate.
“Tell me your name. With such skill, you must be famous.”
“Who knows.”
Repeating the words he spoke earlier, the masked swordsman – Orba – lashed out with a swinging strike.
The ‘gift’ Orba had mentioned at the Doom’s bridge earlier was Princess Vileena. He had expected there to be traitors within the Garberan camp and that, as soon as they launched their attack, Ryucown’s forces would coordinate with them for a pincer strike.
And the spies within the Garberan camp had done precisely as expected – getting close to the soldiers guarding the princess. Like this, he was able to read the enemy movements. And just before they took the princess off the ship, Orba swooped down on them to save her.
Then, during the confusion caused by Ryucown’s attack, Orba and his forces changed into Garberan armour, took the unconscious princess off the ship, and led a battalion of trained soldiers toward Zaim Fortress. Naturally, when Ryucown’s force saw them coming, they automatically thought their allies’ plan had been a success and even escorted them into the fortress.
Orba’s heart brimmed with excitement. He felt like he’d become a main character in one of the heroic novels he’d read when he was young. Everything was moving to his plan, and now he was facing the enemy general one-on-one.
But,
Dammit!
A fourth, a fifth strike; the two warriors fought on and sparks flew with every blow.
Ryucown’s skills far exceeded Orba’s expectations. Easily predicting the young man’s moves, his opponent’s sword appeared to come from every direction. And while Ryucown’s strikes came from left, right, front and back with daring aggression, he never left any opening to exploit.
Beads of sweat began to roll off Orba’s back. He couldn’t afford to waste any time there. The longer this lasted, the more enemies would be able to reach the upper floor. If they followed his strategy, the flagship Doom should be heading toward the fortress while finishing off the main rebel force, but it was difficult for a newbie like Orba to predict how long that would take.
The only thing he could do, was to utilize every minute, every second he had to finish off Ryucown. Thus all he could do was to wield his sword, strike, dodge and feint.
Vileena held her breath as she watched the scene before her. Of course she didn’t realize that the Prince Gil she knew and the masked duellist were the same person. And although the battle seemed to be on equal terms for a while, her eyes began to see the tiniest differences between the two fighters.
During their numerous exchanges, Ryucown kept observing Orba’s techniques. The skills were there, but there was a strange personal quirk within his technique. Especially when he made a long-distance strike, he left his left side unguarded, because his feet didn’t follow suit.
Ryucown gave a thin smile. Then he stepped back.
Orba fell for the feint and followed. In that instant, Ryucown pushed himself off the ground. The point of his blade grazed the Orba’s face. And when his feet touched the ground again, Ryucown positioned himself next to his opponent’s side. Pushing himself off the ground again he raised his sword overhead, and soon enough the point of his blade touched the mask.
“Ugh.”
Orba quickly put all his strength into his back, and turned his body to dodge. Ryucown continued to press in. Unable to regain his posture, Orba realized he was being driven back as he tried to block the violent succession of attacks.
“Your plan to infiltrate is amazing.”
Although his face was covered in sweat, Ryucown was still breathing regularly.
“But it’s impossible to achieve victory if you don’t finish me off quickly. Even though you’re an excellent fighter, you already lost in the instant you couldn’t kill me.”
Orba did not have the luxury to reply. He finally realized the truth. His opponent’s skill was greater than his – he hadn’t counted on that. The knight’s swordsmanship, strength, technique, and even experience far exceeded his own. Compared to the unscathed Ryucown, Orba’s side and hips were slightly injured, and one of his armour’s shoulder guards had broken off. He was out of breath, and he could barely hold on to his sword.
In that moment, Ryucown’s troops started gathering in the main hall. The gladiators were also pushed back by their force. No longer able to defend the door, they were driven to the centre of the hall and immediately surrounded by the soldiers rushing in on them.
“Damn it!” Gilliam grunted and raised his axe.
Shique mirrored his stance. There was still a killing intent in their eyes. Knocking down a thrown spear by the soldiers surrounding them, Gilliam said,
“I don’t want to say this, but it I wish Orba were here. The bastard’s an annoying one, but you can rely on that icy cold strength in a battle – what’s so funny, Shique?"
“No, no, you’re right. Although that masked guy is pretty strong, he is far from Orba, right? Oh really, if I knew it would come to this, I would’ve tried much harder to get him here.”
Covered in the blood of enemies and themselves, the duo could still joke away in such desperate straits, but the other gladiators – one had been pierced by an enemy spear, and another had his leg cut off – fell down one by one.
Ryucown was convinced the battle was over. He planned on sneaking in on Orba’s chest and, the moment the gladiator dodged out of the way, make another strike. The two swords met once more, and finally Orba’s sword was sent flying from his hands.
“What?”
It was Ryucown who cried out in surprise.
Confident of his victory, the rebel general had relaxed his stance, and in that instance Orba pulled out a dagger from his waist and attacked. He’d chosen to gamble away his weapon for one desperate attack.
Got it!
Loaded with confidence, Orba piled into Ryucown’s body. The rebel troops raised shouts of surprise, and suddenly the main hall was filled with sound of metal clashing against metal.
At the southern side of the hill, the armies clashed with each other under the bombardment of both sides’ artillery. The battlefield had already turned into a every-man-for-himself fight. Mephius’ and Ryucown’s troops mixed with each other in a chaotic melee, and an orange fire illuminated the moonless sky.
“Fire! Fire!!”
The old general Rogue Saian could not contain his excitement and bloodlust, thus personally led his troops on the front line. Volley after volley of shots were being fired, aimed at the line of troops.
Although the Mephian troops held superior resources and numbers, it was their enemy who currently possessed the upper hand.
At the same time, Gowen led a ten-man team to flank the enemy from the right. They had a Baian dragging two cannons along with them. They were hoping to use them to bombard the enemy, but their position was quickly spotted by a patrolling airship.
“Get down!”
As Gowen threw himself to the ground, giving out the order, a bullet flew right before his eyes. A single-seated airship nearly strafed past him and then changed directions, making a sharp ascent upwards. In the course of this action, the plane suddenly lost its balance. One of the gladiators had clung to the tail of the ship. The other gladiators quickly came swarming over, dragging the pilot from his airship.
Although they continued their advance, Gowen’s heart was cast under a shadow of impatience.
For Ryucown’s forces, this assault was as good an opportunity as ever. Probably stirred by instigators, part of the Garberan army had turned traitor and struck a blow to the Mephian army, sending them into confusion. They didn’t need to completely annihilate their forces, inflicting 20 to 30 percent casualties was sufficient. With that much, the Mephian army would no longer see the value of another nation’s territory and withdraw.
It was a perfect opportunity. Which was why for someone like Ryucown, who didn’t need to think about retreating, there would be no holding back. He would use all of his forces – and it actually went just as Orba had predicted. Weaving their way through that gap, Orba and an elite set of forces slipped into the fortress in order to put an end to Ryucown. And after driving away the enemy’s main force, Doom would head for the fort at the same time and occupy it.
That was the idea, but…
According to Orba’s plan, the Garberan camp should’ve immediately joined up with Mephius. Even if their side had fallen into confusion, they would have enough forces to contend with and crush the enemy forces, but the Garberans had made no move. In a free-for-all, confused battle, even their messages became jumbled. He’d be lying if he said his own predictions hadn't been sugarcoated a bit.
In any case, the enemy’s morale was extraordinarily high. If one of them fell, another would step over the corpse, or even use it as a shield. Step by step, they slowly pushed forward in their direction. Besides, the Mephian troops didn’t even know that their indispensable prince – although only a body double – and princess were inside the fortress.
The Mephians don’t have the same fighting spirit. If this goes on, their army will soon fall to pieces. I have to hurry!
And so, Gowen resumed his march. At the centre of the hill, from a place with a good view, he fired his cannon right in the middle of the enemy gunners. One shot, two shots… A pillar of flames rose up with every strike, but three shots was the limit. A new unit of airships was already heading towards their position.
“Make way! Make way!!”
This attack definitely inflicted some serious damage, but the enemy line didn’t collapse, not even by a bit. The only thing Gowen could do was to leave their artillery and flee the place with the dragons.
Orba!
If it came to this, Orba just had to hurry and take Ryucown out. Then, they could only hope that their enemies would lose their will to fight. He retreated, the sound of gunfire wailed around him as bullets grazed his shoulders.
Ryucown opened his eyes wide… then he squinted them tight again.
Orba was leaning forward with his full weight bearing down against him. He hadn’t drawn any blood. However, Ryucown had barely been able to block Orba last desperate attack. He still carried a 60 cm short-sword behind his back, which he’d pulled out at the right moment to defend.
Orba still tried to use his strength to deliver another blow, but the thrust missed as Ryucown had already moved around him in a semi-circle, and all he could do was fall forward. On all fours on the ground, a blade was placed to the nape of his neck.
I lost.
Orba’s body went cold as he felt steel prickling his skin. There was no way to change the outcome. Orba had managed to outwit his foe, but Ryucown’s swordsmanship, as well as the Garberan movements, had been a fatal blow.
Having lived through countless battles, this was his first time tasting defeat. For him, it meant that the heart that had been beating only for vengeance, would stop beating halfway.
“I like your gall. If you hadn’t been born in Mephius, I would have gladly fought at your side,” Ryucown said, as he prepared to sever Orba’s head.
“Stop this!”
Vileena’s scream rang clearly within the hall. Ryucown tried to ignore her at first but,
"Stop it now!!”
Feeling the second scream carried the force of life or death, Ryucown glanced her way. Sure enough, the Garberan princess was pointing a pistol his way. The soldier right behind her had a panicked look on his face, so she probably stole the gun from him.
Ryucown smiled.
“So, what are you going to do? Shoot me?"
“No,” Princess Vileena said, shaking her head.
Her face bloomed into a lovely smile, making one wonder what she was thinking, and she lifted the pistol.
“I will shoot myself.”
She pointed it at her own temple. Ryucown’s eyebrows jumped up while unrest rose among the soldiers.
“What is the meaning of this?”
“Do you have the guts to repeat your earlier words in front of your loyal troops? Your true intentions? While you are a knight serving royalty, your own ideals stray from your true purpose. Do you wish to have them to bear the same burden?”
Vibrant light had come back to the pair of eyes that had held such despair before. Even as she held a gun to her head.
Ryucown held his tongue. He was puzzled by Vileena betting her life like this. Just as the fourteen-year-old speculated, Ryucown could not allow Vileena to die in front of his troops. These soldiers shared his ideals of rebuilding the Kingdom of Garbera to a country of true knights. However, they also revered princess Vileena’s royal bloodline. If they lost their idol, his cause would collapse. Someone like him, who was willing to do anything to create an ideal nation, was in one way an innovator, but in another way the type to be criticized as evil.
While Ryucown and Vileena were engaged in a silent battle, the defeated Orba was crouched at the sideline. His back heaved as he breathed roughly, but by no means had he accepted his death.
From the inside of his mask, he stared at the short blade that had parried his earlier attack.
That’s…
There were letters clearly engraved on the blade. There was no mistaking it.
O, R, B, A…
It was none other than his own name. Orba's heartbeat, that had been on the verge of stopping, firmly started ticking away at a steady rhythm again.
“Princess.”
“Your highness, please put down the gun!”
While the soldiers called out to her, Princess Vileena merely looked straight ahead, meeting Ryucown’s eyes. Perhaps due to her determination, there was no trace of hesitation on her snow-white face.
“Princess, how far will you go with this military spirit?” Ryucown said with a sigh. “If… Yes, if I show my resolution in front of everyone here, my determination, just what will you do? We can just stick to the old ways and never accomplish our ideals, and in the end, even if we do get out of this battle, things will stay the same. Isn’t it better if you choose the most beneficial outcome for us both?”
“Then hurry up already. I’ve already found my resolution.”
“Princess!”
“Don’t come any closer!”
Noticing that the soldiers were trying to close in on her, Vileena suddenly backed away. She didn’t move the pistol from her temple even a little, but they still inched in closer.
“Please look, your highness.”
Ryucown pointed toward the pillars on the opposite site, behind which the flames of war kept going on.
"Look at the armies of those mindless Mephians and Garberans camps who, despite their overwhelming numbers, are struggling against our courageous men. Do you not understand what this represents, your highness? Putting aside the cowardly Mephians, the Garberan army has fallen into chaos. Indeed, they are wavering because they can’t decide whether to follow me or not. They do not blindly follow the royal family, and are wondering if those who follow my path aren’t truly the ones protecting this country. This is the answer the people of Garberan have found.”
Following Ryucown’s words, his men raised their voices.
“Princess, please recognize our cause.”
“This battle is for the true pride of Garbera. Please understand!”
Looking over at them, Vileena’s eyes met no hostility. There wasn't any hostility in her eyes as Vileena looked out over them. Her eyes even seemed to be sad. From the start, she could never bear them any enmity or ill will. For, in their hearts, they all loved Garbera, and they all loved the flower of Garbera, princess Vileena.
“I don’t want to!!” the princess cried out that instant, but for what?
She knotted her brows, had tears in her eyes, and with the pistol still pointed against her head, yelled like a child throwing a tantrum.
“I don’t want to! I don’t want to! I don’t want to!!”
“Vileena-sama!”
“This is the Garbera that grandfather loves and father nurtured!” Vileena said, one tear spilling from the corner of her eye. “Why? Why do such…?”
“Stop uttering nonsense.”
Ryucown was backed by a belief that could not be shaken by anything, not even words from an oracle of God, but he got interrupted by someone he hadn’t expected.
“Don’t call it nonsense!”
With a voice as if coming from the abyss, his words made Ryucown and Vileena look his way. Ryucown, although he had completely forgotten about Orba until just now, sardonically said “Don’t move,” and again pointed his sword at the gladiator. However…
“That sword, give it back.”
“Give it back? What are you talking about? This is…”
“Six years ago,” Orba said.
For some reason, the rebel general gasped in surprise and completely swallowed his words. There was now another intensity in his gaze as he looked at the gladiator getting up from the ground, as he listened to the words.
“Six years ago… you were still aspiring to be a knight but were already more of a knight than others. Now it’s different. To fulfil your own ideals, you’ve raised a sword against your liege. You even tried to threaten her with death. Why are you gambling your life? You’re so damn intoxicated that you’re deaf to the words of your own liege who’s also gambling hers. Ryucown, you’re not even a knight anymore!”
As Ryucown was about to bring his blade up for a strike, and with everyone's attention focused on the princess, Shique took the chance to break out of his encirclement.
“Take it!”
That instant, Shique tossed over his sword and Orba caught it square on, as if the two had planned it beforehand. Then, Shique broke into a sprint and moved behind the princess, snatching the gun from her hand and pushing it against the nape of her neck.
“Princess!?”
“Your highness!”
“Don’t move!”
As if he hadn’t heard Shique’s words, Ryucown moved in to slash at Orba. By reflex, the gladiator stopped the blow and the two started crossing blades again.
“What are you doing!?” Ryucown said in between with a demonic scowl on his face. “We can’t let a Mephian kill the princess. Seize him!”
Shique clicked his tongue. The mix of terror and confusion on the soldiers’ faces began to fade as they looked at each other. It was now or never. If he waited for the enemy to make a decision, he would be back to being outnumbered.
He had to move… but where to go?
“Sir Gladiator.”
“Huh?” Shique blurted out in a shocked voice.
The princess he was supposed to be holding hostage was the one to take the initiative.
“This way,” she whispered under her breath, using her chin to point at the airship stowed nearby.
In an instant, Shique’s thoughts were the same as hers.
“Got it. It’ll be a little rough, though.”
“I’m used to it.”
Immediately after her reply, Shique coldly aimed his pistol ahead of him and fired. Before its the menacing sound faded away, he grabbed the princess’s thin shoulders and began to run. Vileena boarded the airship. While Shique got into the seat behind her, she immediately fired up the engine. Emitting ether, the craft lifted the two of them up in the air.
“I’ll bring reinforcements! Wait for me!” Shique called out.
However, at this very moment, the princess hesitated. Within the great hall were the heroic Mephian soldiers and the loyal followers of Vileena’s royal family, wishing to restore Garbera to its ideals. They had the courage to put their lives at stake together, and now Vileena had to neglect them.
“Princess!”
As was to be expected, Ryucown’s face paled and he started to run straight for the airship. However, the image of a steel blade flashed before his eyes. Spitting at the ground, he met Orba who was charging right into him.
“Go!!” Orba roared.
He blocked a strike that would’ve sliced his head off, followed by two, three sharp blows. Then he yelled out again.
“Vileena, move!!”
The princess stared at him as if struck. Then, shaking off the soldiers who tried to catch up with her, she flew the airship into the night sky. And, just like that, it melded into the dead of night and disappeared.
“If it’s come to this…” Ryucown said, baring his teeth as they crossed swords, “Should I just give the order to kill the princess along with the Mephian army?”
“What!?”
Orba’s breathing grew heavier. The black blood had been the main current in keeping up his strength, but it was about to run out. He didn’t know what to do, didn’t know if he could finish what he had started, and didn't know if he could do anything but watch as things were snatched away from his hands just like always.
But, Orba had a sword – an embodiment for his boiling blood.
“Someone like you—”
“You bloody—!!”
Both their voices overlapped along with the ring of the blades. Although their views were different, with their hearts carrying the same emotions, they weren’t so unalike after all.
I won’t let you stop me!
Blocking Ryucown’s sword while adjusting his own footing, Orba moved to the left, to the right, lunging at his foe, but his blows were equally blocked.
Maybe I just need a little bit more strength. It’s all I have left…
If something was blocking his goal, be it lofty ideals, deities, dragon gods – Orba would likely challenge it with only a sword in hand.
But at this moment, Orba was falling back into his old habits. As soon as his opponent seemed to fall into the defensive, Orba used the chance to dive right into him. But, having been waiting for such an attack, Ryucown immediately turned to avoid a stabbing hit, and swung his sword at Orba.
It was just like Orba had seen it six years ago.
Immediately after sparks scattered into the air,
“Gahh…!”
There was the sound of a wail, along with a spray of blood.
Ryucown's blade was bounced off Orba’s quickly drawn sword. Ultimately, he was the one who took the invitation. Expecting to go for the kill, the rebel general had mustered all of his strength into this strike, completely losing his posture. Orba had blocked the counterattack by raising the flat of his blade before him.
Although, he still had to pay a price. A hole was drilled in the upper right part of his mask, creating a clean crack down to the middle.
“Splendid.”
Ryucown struggled to speak as he collapsed, face-up on the floor, coughing up blood.
“Until a few moments ago, I could see a nation of knights… but was this my limit? Tell me your name. I, Ryucown, won’t rest in peace if I’m defeated by a nameless man.”
“Orba.”
Other than Ryucown, none of the soldiers present could hear him say his name.
It was unclear whether it gave the man solace, for Ryucown could not utter another word as only a cough of blood escaped his lips before he closed his eyes. Orba only stared at him in silence.
The man who had slipped into the enemy camp with only a select few people and defeated the rebel Bateaux, now lost his life in the exact same way. The irony of these, later to be described as ‘Ryucown’s last moments’, would be the talk of ages to come.
“Milord!!”
“He killed Lord Ryucown! Don’t leave a single one of them alive!!”
The soldier’s fighting spirit was mixed with rage. The gladiators who’d also rushed into a hall formed a circle around Orba.
Just then, about a dozen ships that had gone for an attack on the Mephian air corps came back for supplies. These soldiers realized what was going on, and they all pulled out swords and guns and surged onto the uppermost part of the fortress.
Breathing heavily, Orba thought,
Is this the end?
It was but a fleeting thought in the corner of his mind. During his two years as a gladiator fighting to the bitter end, there were multiple times when he’d thought the same thing. And each time…
I won’t let it end here!
Each time he had encouraged himself. And right now, with many swords pointed his way, and many guns aimed in his direction, Orba tightened the grip on his sword.
Slowly but steadily, Ryucown’s men closed in. Orba was tempted to step out of the encirclement, but the sword slaves silently stood with their weapons drawn, guarding him. Either side had the relentless urge to kill, and they were ready to turn into colourless bullets charging toward each other, clashing into one another, and exploding when...
In that instant, they could hear a battle cry washing over like a tsunami wave. Visible from the uppermost balcony, an army surged towards them on the outstretched plains like wildfire.
Ryucown’s men clenched their teeth, feeling despair, and what would have been a grim decision. They were still prepared for death, willing to fight until the last man standing. And at the very least they wanted to take revenge on the person standing before them who had killed their general, Ryucown.
But now, the Mephian army was approaching them.
“Ah…!”
Suddenly, one of the soldiers cried out with the excitement of a child. Illuminated by a line of fire, fluttering through the night sky, was the symbol of their birthplace, where they wished to one day return with heads held high, and of the nation that they had heartbrokenly cut off from – the Garberan flag.
They looked up in astonishment, several seconds after hearing the sound of a unique airship.
“It’s over…! It’s all over!!”
Just like when it had taken off before, she nimbly jumped from the airship and onto the balcony – Princess Vileena.
What…?
Riding along on the airship, the gladiator Shique was sweating bullets, clenching his fists.
What kind of chick is this!?
The airship Vileena flew, after departing from Zaim Fortress, only kept increasing in speed as it headed into the direction of the Garberan camp. Naturally, Shique was taken by surprise, because he’d expected to go to the Mephian forces. He was a bit worried that she was considering whether or not to return to Garbera altogether.
Just as Ryucown had mentioned earlier, the Garberan camp was likely in the midst of total chaos. They had their hands full dealing with the traitors in their midst and also saw the fires breaking out among the Mephian army. It wasn’t such a strange thing that some of the soldiers had strong feelings of heading out and joining Ryucown’s cause instead.
Even worse, although needless to say, this was a battlefield.
After sunset, a lot of guns were pointed at any of the airships that might come flying towards them in the dark. Gunshots lashed out at them without asking for identification. Things were at a point where a man like Shique was screaming while Vileena tilted the ship to the left and right. As the ship dropped in altitude there were finally some soldiers who recognized her and screamed “Princess!” and Vileena yelled at them from above.
“Go and attack Ryucown’s forces with the Mephians already!!” she ordered in a loud voice.
The moment the gunfire died out, it felt like time itself had stopped. In the distance behind Vileena, the fires of war continued to burn and their colours were reflected in the Garberan soldiers’ eyes. In that instant, Shique saw realization run through them like a lightning bolt. Altogether, it seemed like they truly were knights lifting up their sword at the call of their liege.
“Isn’t Garbera a country of knights? Can you call yourself a knight if you cast aside your country’s promise and turn your blade against Mephius? How can you face our nation’s great ancestors!? Come! Follow me!!”
Surely, like a guidepost falling from the heavens, this was what these knights had needed.
With regret at having taken such a long time to get into position, the Garberan army made their assault. The military force was split into two. One side would go to the Mephians for cover, while the other would push forward to Zaim Fortress. They could easily circle around Ryucown’s army, whose main focus was attacking the Mephians, so it didn’t take long before Garbera’s main force stood before the fort’s gates.
“It’s all over!”
Vileena stepped forward on the upper part of the fortress among glittering swords and armour.
“General Ryucown has pointed his sword at me. I have, of course, no doubt that he loved his country and its people, but rather than Garbera or its knighthood, he came to love only a country of knights shaped to his own ideals. There’s no sense in continuing this battle.”
Surrounded by Garberan troops who were born in the same lands, having lost their leader, and being persuaded by their beloved princess, Ryucown’s forces had been completely robbed of their strength and purpose.
In fact, the fortress had already fallen. The soldiers cast aside their weapons and sank to the floor, tears flowing from their eyes as they mourned the fallen Ryucown.
It was a complete change from the savage battlefield, the fortress was full of tragic sobbing and weeping like in a funeral. Vileena looked around at the area when, walking around aimlessly, she tripped over her own feet.
“Princess!”
Gilliam, who was close by, quickly supported her.
Looking at her face, she was as white as wax, but it was only because her face was covered with a sheen of sweat, and her lips were a deep red.
“G-Gilliam, you bastard! Shouldn’t you let go of the princess already?”
“What’s gotten you so excited, Shique? If I let go of her now, she’ll fall to the floor, won’t she?”
“Then, hand her over to me…”
“I-I’m fine. Thank you,” and embarrassed Vileena said, letting go of Gilliam. “Shique and Gilliam - isn’t it?”
“Y-Yes!”
“You’ve continued in excellence since Seirin Valley. You have saved not only my own fate,[1] but also that of both Mephius and Garbera. Representing the people of both nations, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
“No, I—” Gilliam said.
“He’s right, princess. There’s no need to give this man such heartwarming words. He’s just an unenlightened lout whose only satisfaction is wielding his axe about in battles and raids…”
“Y-You scheming dog! Listen princess, if it isn’t for love or kissing up to nobles, or— arrghh, you probably don’t get any of this!”
Vileena smiled at the two who were beginning to cross words. Naturally, Vileena herself also suffered from many pains. However, as part of the Garberan royal family, she had to endure, especially if she wanted to accomplish anything after becoming the Empress of Mephius in the near future.
Then she spotted one other figure among the crowd who deserved special credit. The masked swordsman was already about to leave the grand hall. She rushed over to his retreating back.
“You are the one who defeated Ryucown, aren’t you? That’s amazing. Since you called yourself a gladiator, does that mean you’re also part of the prince’s personal guard?”
“Yes…”
“Thanks to you I was shaken from my doubts. I thank you for that.”
Vileena meant every single word. That time after she had boarded the airship and been unable to fly away at first, she was still torn between two countries and unable to choose.
Because of those words.
She was weak. She had felt like she was leaving Ryucown’s soldiers and this man’s companions to die.
But because of that…
She had to become stronger. The foundation of royalty was to become such a person that everyone in the nation could discover the same virtues. That was the duty of those privileged ones. Wasn’t that something her grandfather, Jeorg, would have said?
The swordsman arrogantly turned his head halfway to look at Vileena. His eyes were visible through the holes and crack in the mask, and for a moment Vileena thought they resembled someone else’s.
Coming out of the fortress alone, Orba walked through the battle-scarred plains. Even though it was the dead of night, there were fires and braziers here and there, and he had no difficulties navigating through the fields without a lantern.
There was the constant clattering of armour as he passed by many Mephian soldiers. Their faces were full of excitement and enthusiasm, and they were probably planning on plundering the fortress. For the moment, the Garberan forces had set up camp outside the gates, but didn’t approach any further. As expected, there was still some mistrust. Not only because a part of the Garberan forces had turned traitor and attacked the Mephians, but also because the ringleader of this rebellion, Ryucown, had been defeated by Mephius.
Orba, however, didn’t think it was worth worrying about.
The heightened emotions of battle had already left him, and now only exhaustion, pain, and despondence remained.
Who have I fought for? And as who have I fought?
It looked like Ryucown had been prepared for his death. Not just when he’d been defeated, but from the moment they met each other, death had been visible in his eyes. Although it was hard to tell how far he would’ve gone to earnestly reform Garbera, there was no way that his name wouldn’t be remembered by its people. For now, it looked like the flames of rebellion were extinguished, but Ryucown’s name would likely keep smouldering in the hearts of men.
A mirage.
Beyond the quivering shimmers of hot air, there was a vivid illusion. It was a memory from Orba’s childhood days, and yet, hadn’t Ryucown kept following his dreams like that until the final end? Instead, having been tossed about by fate, Orba had gradually cast aside such sentimentality as a young boy.
But Ryucown had been different.
Even if he could just take a little bit of that mirage into his own hands, he’d sincerely believed that he had to succeed, fight, or die.
And if he asked himself if that was kind of man he wanted to become, the only answer was to take the challenge head-on and with confidence.
“Hey you! Are you from the prince’s personal guard?”
Orba widened his eyes in surprise. Oubary was walking up toward him. Like the commander of a victorious army, he walked with broad soldiers, accompanied to his left and right by two soldiers carrying a sword and gun.
“Yes,” Orba replied curtly, stopping in his tracks.
Oubary bitterly twisted his lips.
“That we borrowed strength form the likes of sword-slaves to gain victory will put shame on Mephius’s military. Eventually, the prince will have to defend himself before his father.”
He was about to leave after grumbling his complaint, but Orba called out after him.
“General,” he said.
“What?”
Oubary turned around, putting on an air of importance, but Orba looked down and said nothing. He wasn’t able to say anything. He hadn’t even imagined he’d challenge him in the first place.
“I asked you something.”
If I do it now…
He was almost alone. Looking at the men at his left and right, they didn’t make much of an impression.
If I do it now… then maybe…
“Cocky bastard!” Oubary said, irritated, as he took a step forward.
“No. It’s just that there are still some enemies left. Please be careful.”
“Hmph.”
Oubary gave a sneer. Then, he spat on the ground and turned his back.
“Don’t get carried away, slave. A dog that doesn’t listen to his master has nowhere to go.”
Once again raising his shoulders, he headed off in the direction of the fort. For a long time, Orba stared at his back until it disappeared inside the fort. Then he made sure he headed off in his original direction.
Not right now.
He clutched his sword tightly and then let go again. At the moment, he was just the ordinary gladiator Orba and could only strike under the cover of darkness. Even if he successfully ended Oubary’s life right now, he would have no place to return to.
When he flung off his mask and became ‘Prince Gil’, he would most likely have better alternatives than Orba the sword-slave.
The next one to call out to him was Fedom. Taking heed of the neighbouring soldiers, he approached with a smile as if to congratulate him on his victory.
“I hope you’re satisfied?” he whispered venomously.
“What do you mean?”
“Playing as an actual soldier, on an actual airship, in an actual war - are you satisfied? Then it’s enough. I won’t allow you to do any more.”
Enough, no more - how many times had Fedom told him those words? Thinking about it, Orba suddenly smiled.
“What’s so funny? Listen, you’re not yet finished with your duties. The prince will continue to be in danger until the wedding with the princess is complete. I can’t have you go to the capital on your own. I’m going to have you monitored with armed soldiers every single day.”
Although he was smiling on the outside, he whispered his threats filled with poison. Orba thought the guy was quite talented to be able to do that.
“There are many more people who know the prince than there are in Birac. You have to be at your most careful. If you’re exposed - they’ll immediately cut off your head.”
Oh?
There was something amiss with those words.
I see… it’s just as I thought…
He had his doubts up until now. However, now he was convinced.
There was nobody else who knew that Orba was acting as the prince’s body double. At least not among the people governing the state. He didn’t know the reason for it, but it was most likely so that Fedom could eventually pull Mephius by the strings. Aside from that, there were several other things Orba could think of.
However, he didn’t show his sudden realization on his face. He just nodded in response.
Orba went back to the flagship after that, headed back to his room to switch armour with the ‘prince’s body double’ Kain, and went up to the deck as the prince. There were many people gathered together calling out the prince’s name, raising jubilant voices and waving their hands in joy.
There, he mingled with Gowen and Shique. They were all pleased to see the others safe, and he walked in the direction of the other gladiators.
“Ryucown even tried to take the princess’s hand,” Shique said along the way. “But wasn’t it Ryucown who’d planned the assassination at Seirin Valley in the first place?”
“He had announced that he was the one who attacked Mephius,” Gowen said. “But it’s not unreasonable to think that delegates from other countries tried to murder the princess. Still, it’s quite a mystery.”
“No.”
When Orba spoke, both looked at the ‘prince’. Maybe he was getting used to it, or maybe some kind of talent was beginning to sprout within, but every time the soldiers cheered when they glanced his way, he felt a sense of pride inside of him he’d never felt before.
“I’ve also thought about it a lot. But who would have profited the most if Prince Gil and Princess Vileena both died back then?”
“Well, who?”
“That’s…”
The white moon glittered in the darkness of the night.
Orba touched the sword at his lower waist, which was different than the one he usually carried. It was the shortsword he’d taken back from Ryucown. The blade was glittering as if it was still new, and it had been engraved with Orba’s name.
“Who are you?” Ryucown asked again.
“A gladiator.”
With that simple reply, the swordsman charged at the rebel general at full speed, wielding a sword with both hands.
The blow came within an inch of Ryucown’s face, and he responded with a head strike of his own. The masked gladiator quickly distanced himself.
The wind from the high-speed exchange raised a whirlwind between the two duellists.
“A Mephian? How did you sneak in here?”
“Who knows?”
During that short exchange, the hall across from the two burst into chaos. Warriors garbed in the same gear as the gladiator clashed with Ryucown’s troops. Every member of this group was an elite fighter, handpicked for their ability to do battle in a chaotic situation.
Sparks flew and curses were exchanged. Shique was dual-wielding twin blades, decapitating one foe after another, while the giant sword-slave Gilliam swung his axe with all his might, cutting through enemy flesh even though they were in full armour.
The masked gladiator struck again. Ryucown side-stepped the blow, then brought his sword down in a vertical slash.
The swordsman steadied his centre of gravity by spreading his legs and caught the blow. He then immediately used the rebound, the instant Ryucown was pushed a step back, to launch a vicious attack.
“Oh, not bad.”
There were two, three, then numerous blows with the two locked in a stalemate.
“Tell me your name. With such skill, you must be famous.”
“Who knows.”
Repeating the words he spoke earlier, the masked swordsman – Orba – lashed out with a swinging strike.
The ‘gift’ Orba had mentioned at the Doom’s bridge earlier was Princess Vileena. He had expected there to be traitors within the Garberan camp and that, as soon as they launched their attack, Ryucown’s forces would coordinate with them for a pincer strike.
And the spies within the Garberan camp had done precisely as expected – getting close to the soldiers guarding the princess. Like this, he was able to read the enemy movements. And just before they took the princess off the ship, Orba swooped down on them to save her.
Then, during the confusion caused by Ryucown’s attack, Orba and his forces changed into Garberan armour, took the unconscious princess off the ship, and led a battalion of trained soldiers toward Zaim Fortress. Naturally, when Ryucown’s force saw them coming, they automatically thought their allies’ plan had been a success and even escorted them into the fortress.
Orba’s heart brimmed with excitement. He felt like he’d become a main character in one of the heroic novels he’d read when he was young. Everything was moving to his plan, and now he was facing the enemy general one-on-one.
But,
Dammit!
A fourth, a fifth strike; the two warriors fought on and sparks flew with every blow.
Ryucown’s skills far exceeded Orba’s expectations. Easily predicting the young man’s moves, his opponent’s sword appeared to come from every direction. And while Ryucown’s strikes came from left, right, front and back with daring aggression, he never left any opening to exploit.
Beads of sweat began to roll off Orba’s back. He couldn’t afford to waste any time there. The longer this lasted, the more enemies would be able to reach the upper floor. If they followed his strategy, the flagship Doom should be heading toward the fortress while finishing off the main rebel force, but it was difficult for a newbie like Orba to predict how long that would take.
The only thing he could do, was to utilize every minute, every second he had to finish off Ryucown. Thus all he could do was to wield his sword, strike, dodge and feint.
Vileena held her breath as she watched the scene before her. Of course she didn’t realize that the Prince Gil she knew and the masked duellist were the same person. And although the battle seemed to be on equal terms for a while, her eyes began to see the tiniest differences between the two fighters.
During their numerous exchanges, Ryucown kept observing Orba’s techniques. The skills were there, but there was a strange personal quirk within his technique. Especially when he made a long-distance strike, he left his left side unguarded, because his feet didn’t follow suit.
Ryucown gave a thin smile. Then he stepped back.
Orba fell for the feint and followed. In that instant, Ryucown pushed himself off the ground. The point of his blade grazed the Orba’s face. And when his feet touched the ground again, Ryucown positioned himself next to his opponent’s side. Pushing himself off the ground again he raised his sword overhead, and soon enough the point of his blade touched the mask.
“Ugh.”
Orba quickly put all his strength into his back, and turned his body to dodge. Ryucown continued to press in. Unable to regain his posture, Orba realized he was being driven back as he tried to block the violent succession of attacks.
“Your plan to infiltrate is amazing.”
Although his face was covered in sweat, Ryucown was still breathing regularly.
“But it’s impossible to achieve victory if you don’t finish me off quickly. Even though you’re an excellent fighter, you already lost in the instant you couldn’t kill me.”
Orba did not have the luxury to reply. He finally realized the truth. His opponent’s skill was greater than his – he hadn’t counted on that. The knight’s swordsmanship, strength, technique, and even experience far exceeded his own. Compared to the unscathed Ryucown, Orba’s side and hips were slightly injured, and one of his armour’s shoulder guards had broken off. He was out of breath, and he could barely hold on to his sword.
In that moment, Ryucown’s troops started gathering in the main hall. The gladiators were also pushed back by their force. No longer able to defend the door, they were driven to the centre of the hall and immediately surrounded by the soldiers rushing in on them.
“Damn it!” Gilliam grunted and raised his axe.
Shique mirrored his stance. There was still a killing intent in their eyes. Knocking down a thrown spear by the soldiers surrounding them, Gilliam said,
“I don’t want to say this, but it I wish Orba were here. The bastard’s an annoying one, but you can rely on that icy cold strength in a battle – what’s so funny, Shique?"
“No, no, you’re right. Although that masked guy is pretty strong, he is far from Orba, right? Oh really, if I knew it would come to this, I would’ve tried much harder to get him here.”
Covered in the blood of enemies and themselves, the duo could still joke away in such desperate straits, but the other gladiators – one had been pierced by an enemy spear, and another had his leg cut off – fell down one by one.
Ryucown was convinced the battle was over. He planned on sneaking in on Orba’s chest and, the moment the gladiator dodged out of the way, make another strike. The two swords met once more, and finally Orba’s sword was sent flying from his hands.
“What?”
It was Ryucown who cried out in surprise.
Confident of his victory, the rebel general had relaxed his stance, and in that instance Orba pulled out a dagger from his waist and attacked. He’d chosen to gamble away his weapon for one desperate attack.
Got it!
Loaded with confidence, Orba piled into Ryucown’s body. The rebel troops raised shouts of surprise, and suddenly the main hall was filled with sound of metal clashing against metal.
At the southern side of the hill, the armies clashed with each other under the bombardment of both sides’ artillery. The battlefield had already turned into a every-man-for-himself fight. Mephius’ and Ryucown’s troops mixed with each other in a chaotic melee, and an orange fire illuminated the moonless sky.
“Fire! Fire!!”
The old general Rogue Saian could not contain his excitement and bloodlust, thus personally led his troops on the front line. Volley after volley of shots were being fired, aimed at the line of troops.
Although the Mephian troops held superior resources and numbers, it was their enemy who currently possessed the upper hand.
At the same time, Gowen led a ten-man team to flank the enemy from the right. They had a Baian dragging two cannons along with them. They were hoping to use them to bombard the enemy, but their position was quickly spotted by a patrolling airship.
“Get down!”
As Gowen threw himself to the ground, giving out the order, a bullet flew right before his eyes. A single-seated airship nearly strafed past him and then changed directions, making a sharp ascent upwards. In the course of this action, the plane suddenly lost its balance. One of the gladiators had clung to the tail of the ship. The other gladiators quickly came swarming over, dragging the pilot from his airship.
Although they continued their advance, Gowen’s heart was cast under a shadow of impatience.
For Ryucown’s forces, this assault was as good an opportunity as ever. Probably stirred by instigators, part of the Garberan army had turned traitor and struck a blow to the Mephian army, sending them into confusion. They didn’t need to completely annihilate their forces, inflicting 20 to 30 percent casualties was sufficient. With that much, the Mephian army would no longer see the value of another nation’s territory and withdraw.
It was a perfect opportunity. Which was why for someone like Ryucown, who didn’t need to think about retreating, there would be no holding back. He would use all of his forces – and it actually went just as Orba had predicted. Weaving their way through that gap, Orba and an elite set of forces slipped into the fortress in order to put an end to Ryucown. And after driving away the enemy’s main force, Doom would head for the fort at the same time and occupy it.
That was the idea, but…
According to Orba’s plan, the Garberan camp should’ve immediately joined up with Mephius. Even if their side had fallen into confusion, they would have enough forces to contend with and crush the enemy forces, but the Garberans had made no move. In a free-for-all, confused battle, even their messages became jumbled. He’d be lying if he said his own predictions hadn't been sugarcoated a bit.
In any case, the enemy’s morale was extraordinarily high. If one of them fell, another would step over the corpse, or even use it as a shield. Step by step, they slowly pushed forward in their direction. Besides, the Mephian troops didn’t even know that their indispensable prince – although only a body double – and princess were inside the fortress.
The Mephians don’t have the same fighting spirit. If this goes on, their army will soon fall to pieces. I have to hurry!
And so, Gowen resumed his march. At the centre of the hill, from a place with a good view, he fired his cannon right in the middle of the enemy gunners. One shot, two shots… A pillar of flames rose up with every strike, but three shots was the limit. A new unit of airships was already heading towards their position.
“Make way! Make way!!”
This attack definitely inflicted some serious damage, but the enemy line didn’t collapse, not even by a bit. The only thing Gowen could do was to leave their artillery and flee the place with the dragons.
Orba!
If it came to this, Orba just had to hurry and take Ryucown out. Then, they could only hope that their enemies would lose their will to fight. He retreated, the sound of gunfire wailed around him as bullets grazed his shoulders.
Ryucown opened his eyes wide… then he squinted them tight again.
Orba was leaning forward with his full weight bearing down against him. He hadn’t drawn any blood. However, Ryucown had barely been able to block Orba last desperate attack. He still carried a 60 cm short-sword behind his back, which he’d pulled out at the right moment to defend.
Orba still tried to use his strength to deliver another blow, but the thrust missed as Ryucown had already moved around him in a semi-circle, and all he could do was fall forward. On all fours on the ground, a blade was placed to the nape of his neck.
I lost.
Orba’s body went cold as he felt steel prickling his skin. There was no way to change the outcome. Orba had managed to outwit his foe, but Ryucown’s swordsmanship, as well as the Garberan movements, had been a fatal blow.
Having lived through countless battles, this was his first time tasting defeat. For him, it meant that the heart that had been beating only for vengeance, would stop beating halfway.
“I like your gall. If you hadn’t been born in Mephius, I would have gladly fought at your side,” Ryucown said, as he prepared to sever Orba’s head.
“Stop this!”
Vileena’s scream rang clearly within the hall. Ryucown tried to ignore her at first but,
"Stop it now!!”
Feeling the second scream carried the force of life or death, Ryucown glanced her way. Sure enough, the Garberan princess was pointing a pistol his way. The soldier right behind her had a panicked look on his face, so she probably stole the gun from him.
Ryucown smiled.
“So, what are you going to do? Shoot me?"
“No,” Princess Vileena said, shaking her head.
Her face bloomed into a lovely smile, making one wonder what she was thinking, and she lifted the pistol.
“I will shoot myself.”
She pointed it at her own temple. Ryucown’s eyebrows jumped up while unrest rose among the soldiers.
“What is the meaning of this?”
“Do you have the guts to repeat your earlier words in front of your loyal troops? Your true intentions? While you are a knight serving royalty, your own ideals stray from your true purpose. Do you wish to have them to bear the same burden?”
Vibrant light had come back to the pair of eyes that had held such despair before. Even as she held a gun to her head.
Ryucown held his tongue. He was puzzled by Vileena betting her life like this. Just as the fourteen-year-old speculated, Ryucown could not allow Vileena to die in front of his troops. These soldiers shared his ideals of rebuilding the Kingdom of Garbera to a country of true knights. However, they also revered princess Vileena’s royal bloodline. If they lost their idol, his cause would collapse. Someone like him, who was willing to do anything to create an ideal nation, was in one way an innovator, but in another way the type to be criticized as evil.
While Ryucown and Vileena were engaged in a silent battle, the defeated Orba was crouched at the sideline. His back heaved as he breathed roughly, but by no means had he accepted his death.
From the inside of his mask, he stared at the short blade that had parried his earlier attack.
That’s…
There were letters clearly engraved on the blade. There was no mistaking it.
O, R, B, A…
It was none other than his own name. Orba's heartbeat, that had been on the verge of stopping, firmly started ticking away at a steady rhythm again.
“Princess.”
“Your highness, please put down the gun!”
While the soldiers called out to her, Princess Vileena merely looked straight ahead, meeting Ryucown’s eyes. Perhaps due to her determination, there was no trace of hesitation on her snow-white face.
“Princess, how far will you go with this military spirit?” Ryucown said with a sigh. “If… Yes, if I show my resolution in front of everyone here, my determination, just what will you do? We can just stick to the old ways and never accomplish our ideals, and in the end, even if we do get out of this battle, things will stay the same. Isn’t it better if you choose the most beneficial outcome for us both?”
“Then hurry up already. I’ve already found my resolution.”
“Princess!”
“Don’t come any closer!”
Noticing that the soldiers were trying to close in on her, Vileena suddenly backed away. She didn’t move the pistol from her temple even a little, but they still inched in closer.
“Please look, your highness.”
Ryucown pointed toward the pillars on the opposite site, behind which the flames of war kept going on.
"Look at the armies of those mindless Mephians and Garberans camps who, despite their overwhelming numbers, are struggling against our courageous men. Do you not understand what this represents, your highness? Putting aside the cowardly Mephians, the Garberan army has fallen into chaos. Indeed, they are wavering because they can’t decide whether to follow me or not. They do not blindly follow the royal family, and are wondering if those who follow my path aren’t truly the ones protecting this country. This is the answer the people of Garberan have found.”
Following Ryucown’s words, his men raised their voices.
“Princess, please recognize our cause.”
“This battle is for the true pride of Garbera. Please understand!”
Looking over at them, Vileena’s eyes met no hostility. There wasn't any hostility in her eyes as Vileena looked out over them. Her eyes even seemed to be sad. From the start, she could never bear them any enmity or ill will. For, in their hearts, they all loved Garbera, and they all loved the flower of Garbera, princess Vileena.
“I don’t want to!!” the princess cried out that instant, but for what?
She knotted her brows, had tears in her eyes, and with the pistol still pointed against her head, yelled like a child throwing a tantrum.
“I don’t want to! I don’t want to! I don’t want to!!”
“Vileena-sama!”
“This is the Garbera that grandfather loves and father nurtured!” Vileena said, one tear spilling from the corner of her eye. “Why? Why do such…?”
“Stop uttering nonsense.”
Ryucown was backed by a belief that could not be shaken by anything, not even words from an oracle of God, but he got interrupted by someone he hadn’t expected.
“Don’t call it nonsense!”
With a voice as if coming from the abyss, his words made Ryucown and Vileena look his way. Ryucown, although he had completely forgotten about Orba until just now, sardonically said “Don’t move,” and again pointed his sword at the gladiator. However…
“That sword, give it back.”
“Give it back? What are you talking about? This is…”
“Six years ago,” Orba said.
For some reason, the rebel general gasped in surprise and completely swallowed his words. There was now another intensity in his gaze as he looked at the gladiator getting up from the ground, as he listened to the words.
“Six years ago… you were still aspiring to be a knight but were already more of a knight than others. Now it’s different. To fulfil your own ideals, you’ve raised a sword against your liege. You even tried to threaten her with death. Why are you gambling your life? You’re so damn intoxicated that you’re deaf to the words of your own liege who’s also gambling hers. Ryucown, you’re not even a knight anymore!”
As Ryucown was about to bring his blade up for a strike, and with everyone's attention focused on the princess, Shique took the chance to break out of his encirclement.
“Take it!”
That instant, Shique tossed over his sword and Orba caught it square on, as if the two had planned it beforehand. Then, Shique broke into a sprint and moved behind the princess, snatching the gun from her hand and pushing it against the nape of her neck.
“Princess!?”
“Your highness!”
“Don’t move!”
As if he hadn’t heard Shique’s words, Ryucown moved in to slash at Orba. By reflex, the gladiator stopped the blow and the two started crossing blades again.
“What are you doing!?” Ryucown said in between with a demonic scowl on his face. “We can’t let a Mephian kill the princess. Seize him!”
Shique clicked his tongue. The mix of terror and confusion on the soldiers’ faces began to fade as they looked at each other. It was now or never. If he waited for the enemy to make a decision, he would be back to being outnumbered.
He had to move… but where to go?
“Sir Gladiator.”
“Huh?” Shique blurted out in a shocked voice.
The princess he was supposed to be holding hostage was the one to take the initiative.
“This way,” she whispered under her breath, using her chin to point at the airship stowed nearby.
In an instant, Shique’s thoughts were the same as hers.
“Got it. It’ll be a little rough, though.”
“I’m used to it.”
Immediately after her reply, Shique coldly aimed his pistol ahead of him and fired. Before its the menacing sound faded away, he grabbed the princess’s thin shoulders and began to run. Vileena boarded the airship. While Shique got into the seat behind her, she immediately fired up the engine. Emitting ether, the craft lifted the two of them up in the air.
“I’ll bring reinforcements! Wait for me!” Shique called out.
However, at this very moment, the princess hesitated. Within the great hall were the heroic Mephian soldiers and the loyal followers of Vileena’s royal family, wishing to restore Garbera to its ideals. They had the courage to put their lives at stake together, and now Vileena had to neglect them.
“Princess!”
As was to be expected, Ryucown’s face paled and he started to run straight for the airship. However, the image of a steel blade flashed before his eyes. Spitting at the ground, he met Orba who was charging right into him.
“Go!!” Orba roared.
He blocked a strike that would’ve sliced his head off, followed by two, three sharp blows. Then he yelled out again.
“Vileena, move!!”
The princess stared at him as if struck. Then, shaking off the soldiers who tried to catch up with her, she flew the airship into the night sky. And, just like that, it melded into the dead of night and disappeared.
“If it’s come to this…” Ryucown said, baring his teeth as they crossed swords, “Should I just give the order to kill the princess along with the Mephian army?”
“What!?”
Orba’s breathing grew heavier. The black blood had been the main current in keeping up his strength, but it was about to run out. He didn’t know what to do, didn’t know if he could finish what he had started, and didn't know if he could do anything but watch as things were snatched away from his hands just like always.
But, Orba had a sword – an embodiment for his boiling blood.
“Someone like you—”
“You bloody—!!”
Both their voices overlapped along with the ring of the blades. Although their views were different, with their hearts carrying the same emotions, they weren’t so unalike after all.
I won’t let you stop me!
Blocking Ryucown’s sword while adjusting his own footing, Orba moved to the left, to the right, lunging at his foe, but his blows were equally blocked.
Maybe I just need a little bit more strength. It’s all I have left…
If something was blocking his goal, be it lofty ideals, deities, dragon gods – Orba would likely challenge it with only a sword in hand.
But at this moment, Orba was falling back into his old habits. As soon as his opponent seemed to fall into the defensive, Orba used the chance to dive right into him. But, having been waiting for such an attack, Ryucown immediately turned to avoid a stabbing hit, and swung his sword at Orba.
It was just like Orba had seen it six years ago.
Immediately after sparks scattered into the air,
“Gahh…!”
There was the sound of a wail, along with a spray of blood.
Ryucown's blade was bounced off Orba’s quickly drawn sword. Ultimately, he was the one who took the invitation. Expecting to go for the kill, the rebel general had mustered all of his strength into this strike, completely losing his posture. Orba had blocked the counterattack by raising the flat of his blade before him.
Although, he still had to pay a price. A hole was drilled in the upper right part of his mask, creating a clean crack down to the middle.
“Splendid.”
Ryucown struggled to speak as he collapsed, face-up on the floor, coughing up blood.
“Until a few moments ago, I could see a nation of knights… but was this my limit? Tell me your name. I, Ryucown, won’t rest in peace if I’m defeated by a nameless man.”
“Orba.”
Other than Ryucown, none of the soldiers present could hear him say his name.
It was unclear whether it gave the man solace, for Ryucown could not utter another word as only a cough of blood escaped his lips before he closed his eyes. Orba only stared at him in silence.
The man who had slipped into the enemy camp with only a select few people and defeated the rebel Bateaux, now lost his life in the exact same way. The irony of these, later to be described as ‘Ryucown’s last moments’, would be the talk of ages to come.
“Milord!!”
“He killed Lord Ryucown! Don’t leave a single one of them alive!!”
The soldier’s fighting spirit was mixed with rage. The gladiators who’d also rushed into a hall formed a circle around Orba.
Just then, about a dozen ships that had gone for an attack on the Mephian air corps came back for supplies. These soldiers realized what was going on, and they all pulled out swords and guns and surged onto the uppermost part of the fortress.
Breathing heavily, Orba thought,
Is this the end?
It was but a fleeting thought in the corner of his mind. During his two years as a gladiator fighting to the bitter end, there were multiple times when he’d thought the same thing. And each time…
I won’t let it end here!
Each time he had encouraged himself. And right now, with many swords pointed his way, and many guns aimed in his direction, Orba tightened the grip on his sword.
Slowly but steadily, Ryucown’s men closed in. Orba was tempted to step out of the encirclement, but the sword slaves silently stood with their weapons drawn, guarding him. Either side had the relentless urge to kill, and they were ready to turn into colourless bullets charging toward each other, clashing into one another, and exploding when...
In that instant, they could hear a battle cry washing over like a tsunami wave. Visible from the uppermost balcony, an army surged towards them on the outstretched plains like wildfire.
Ryucown’s men clenched their teeth, feeling despair, and what would have been a grim decision. They were still prepared for death, willing to fight until the last man standing. And at the very least they wanted to take revenge on the person standing before them who had killed their general, Ryucown.
But now, the Mephian army was approaching them.
“Ah…!”
Suddenly, one of the soldiers cried out with the excitement of a child. Illuminated by a line of fire, fluttering through the night sky, was the symbol of their birthplace, where they wished to one day return with heads held high, and of the nation that they had heartbrokenly cut off from – the Garberan flag.
They looked up in astonishment, several seconds after hearing the sound of a unique airship.
“It’s over…! It’s all over!!”
Just like when it had taken off before, she nimbly jumped from the airship and onto the balcony – Princess Vileena.
What…?
Riding along on the airship, the gladiator Shique was sweating bullets, clenching his fists.
What kind of chick is this!?
The airship Vileena flew, after departing from Zaim Fortress, only kept increasing in speed as it headed into the direction of the Garberan camp. Naturally, Shique was taken by surprise, because he’d expected to go to the Mephian forces. He was a bit worried that she was considering whether or not to return to Garbera altogether.
Just as Ryucown had mentioned earlier, the Garberan camp was likely in the midst of total chaos. They had their hands full dealing with the traitors in their midst and also saw the fires breaking out among the Mephian army. It wasn’t such a strange thing that some of the soldiers had strong feelings of heading out and joining Ryucown’s cause instead.
Even worse, although needless to say, this was a battlefield.
After sunset, a lot of guns were pointed at any of the airships that might come flying towards them in the dark. Gunshots lashed out at them without asking for identification. Things were at a point where a man like Shique was screaming while Vileena tilted the ship to the left and right. As the ship dropped in altitude there were finally some soldiers who recognized her and screamed “Princess!” and Vileena yelled at them from above.
“Go and attack Ryucown’s forces with the Mephians already!!” she ordered in a loud voice.
The moment the gunfire died out, it felt like time itself had stopped. In the distance behind Vileena, the fires of war continued to burn and their colours were reflected in the Garberan soldiers’ eyes. In that instant, Shique saw realization run through them like a lightning bolt. Altogether, it seemed like they truly were knights lifting up their sword at the call of their liege.
“Isn’t Garbera a country of knights? Can you call yourself a knight if you cast aside your country’s promise and turn your blade against Mephius? How can you face our nation’s great ancestors!? Come! Follow me!!”
Surely, like a guidepost falling from the heavens, this was what these knights had needed.
With regret at having taken such a long time to get into position, the Garberan army made their assault. The military force was split into two. One side would go to the Mephians for cover, while the other would push forward to Zaim Fortress. They could easily circle around Ryucown’s army, whose main focus was attacking the Mephians, so it didn’t take long before Garbera’s main force stood before the fort’s gates.
“It’s all over!”
Vileena stepped forward on the upper part of the fortress among glittering swords and armour.
“General Ryucown has pointed his sword at me. I have, of course, no doubt that he loved his country and its people, but rather than Garbera or its knighthood, he came to love only a country of knights shaped to his own ideals. There’s no sense in continuing this battle.”
Surrounded by Garberan troops who were born in the same lands, having lost their leader, and being persuaded by their beloved princess, Ryucown’s forces had been completely robbed of their strength and purpose.
In fact, the fortress had already fallen. The soldiers cast aside their weapons and sank to the floor, tears flowing from their eyes as they mourned the fallen Ryucown.
It was a complete change from the savage battlefield, the fortress was full of tragic sobbing and weeping like in a funeral. Vileena looked around at the area when, walking around aimlessly, she tripped over her own feet.
“Princess!”
Gilliam, who was close by, quickly supported her.
Looking at her face, she was as white as wax, but it was only because her face was covered with a sheen of sweat, and her lips were a deep red.
“G-Gilliam, you bastard! Shouldn’t you let go of the princess already?”
“What’s gotten you so excited, Shique? If I let go of her now, she’ll fall to the floor, won’t she?”
“Then, hand her over to me…”
“I-I’m fine. Thank you,” and embarrassed Vileena said, letting go of Gilliam. “Shique and Gilliam - isn’t it?”
“Y-Yes!”
“You’ve continued in excellence since Seirin Valley. You have saved not only my own fate,[1] but also that of both Mephius and Garbera. Representing the people of both nations, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
“No, I—” Gilliam said.
“He’s right, princess. There’s no need to give this man such heartwarming words. He’s just an unenlightened lout whose only satisfaction is wielding his axe about in battles and raids…”
“Y-You scheming dog! Listen princess, if it isn’t for love or kissing up to nobles, or— arrghh, you probably don’t get any of this!”
Vileena smiled at the two who were beginning to cross words. Naturally, Vileena herself also suffered from many pains. However, as part of the Garberan royal family, she had to endure, especially if she wanted to accomplish anything after becoming the Empress of Mephius in the near future.
Then she spotted one other figure among the crowd who deserved special credit. The masked swordsman was already about to leave the grand hall. She rushed over to his retreating back.
“You are the one who defeated Ryucown, aren’t you? That’s amazing. Since you called yourself a gladiator, does that mean you’re also part of the prince’s personal guard?”
“Yes…”
“Thanks to you I was shaken from my doubts. I thank you for that.”
Vileena meant every single word. That time after she had boarded the airship and been unable to fly away at first, she was still torn between two countries and unable to choose.
Because of those words.
She was weak. She had felt like she was leaving Ryucown’s soldiers and this man’s companions to die.
But because of that…
She had to become stronger. The foundation of royalty was to become such a person that everyone in the nation could discover the same virtues. That was the duty of those privileged ones. Wasn’t that something her grandfather, Jeorg, would have said?
The swordsman arrogantly turned his head halfway to look at Vileena. His eyes were visible through the holes and crack in the mask, and for a moment Vileena thought they resembled someone else’s.
Coming out of the fortress alone, Orba walked through the battle-scarred plains. Even though it was the dead of night, there were fires and braziers here and there, and he had no difficulties navigating through the fields without a lantern.
There was the constant clattering of armour as he passed by many Mephian soldiers. Their faces were full of excitement and enthusiasm, and they were probably planning on plundering the fortress. For the moment, the Garberan forces had set up camp outside the gates, but didn’t approach any further. As expected, there was still some mistrust. Not only because a part of the Garberan forces had turned traitor and attacked the Mephians, but also because the ringleader of this rebellion, Ryucown, had been defeated by Mephius.
Orba, however, didn’t think it was worth worrying about.
The heightened emotions of battle had already left him, and now only exhaustion, pain, and despondence remained.
Who have I fought for? And as who have I fought?
It looked like Ryucown had been prepared for his death. Not just when he’d been defeated, but from the moment they met each other, death had been visible in his eyes. Although it was hard to tell how far he would’ve gone to earnestly reform Garbera, there was no way that his name wouldn’t be remembered by its people. For now, it looked like the flames of rebellion were extinguished, but Ryucown’s name would likely keep smouldering in the hearts of men.
A mirage.
Beyond the quivering shimmers of hot air, there was a vivid illusion. It was a memory from Orba’s childhood days, and yet, hadn’t Ryucown kept following his dreams like that until the final end? Instead, having been tossed about by fate, Orba had gradually cast aside such sentimentality as a young boy.
But Ryucown had been different.
Even if he could just take a little bit of that mirage into his own hands, he’d sincerely believed that he had to succeed, fight, or die.
And if he asked himself if that was kind of man he wanted to become, the only answer was to take the challenge head-on and with confidence.
“Hey you! Are you from the prince’s personal guard?”
Orba widened his eyes in surprise. Oubary was walking up toward him. Like the commander of a victorious army, he walked with broad soldiers, accompanied to his left and right by two soldiers carrying a sword and gun.
“Yes,” Orba replied curtly, stopping in his tracks.
Oubary bitterly twisted his lips.
“That we borrowed strength form the likes of sword-slaves to gain victory will put shame on Mephius’s military. Eventually, the prince will have to defend himself before his father.”
He was about to leave after grumbling his complaint, but Orba called out after him.
“General,” he said.
“What?”
Oubary turned around, putting on an air of importance, but Orba looked down and said nothing. He wasn’t able to say anything. He hadn’t even imagined he’d challenge him in the first place.
“I asked you something.”
If I do it now…
He was almost alone. Looking at the men at his left and right, they didn’t make much of an impression.
If I do it now… then maybe…
“Cocky bastard!” Oubary said, irritated, as he took a step forward.
“No. It’s just that there are still some enemies left. Please be careful.”
“Hmph.”
Oubary gave a sneer. Then, he spat on the ground and turned his back.
“Don’t get carried away, slave. A dog that doesn’t listen to his master has nowhere to go.”
Once again raising his shoulders, he headed off in the direction of the fort. For a long time, Orba stared at his back until it disappeared inside the fort. Then he made sure he headed off in his original direction.
Not right now.
He clutched his sword tightly and then let go again. At the moment, he was just the ordinary gladiator Orba and could only strike under the cover of darkness. Even if he successfully ended Oubary’s life right now, he would have no place to return to.
When he flung off his mask and became ‘Prince Gil’, he would most likely have better alternatives than Orba the sword-slave.
The next one to call out to him was Fedom. Taking heed of the neighbouring soldiers, he approached with a smile as if to congratulate him on his victory.
“I hope you’re satisfied?” he whispered venomously.
“What do you mean?”
“Playing as an actual soldier, on an actual airship, in an actual war - are you satisfied? Then it’s enough. I won’t allow you to do any more.”
Enough, no more - how many times had Fedom told him those words? Thinking about it, Orba suddenly smiled.
“What’s so funny? Listen, you’re not yet finished with your duties. The prince will continue to be in danger until the wedding with the princess is complete. I can’t have you go to the capital on your own. I’m going to have you monitored with armed soldiers every single day.”
Although he was smiling on the outside, he whispered his threats filled with poison. Orba thought the guy was quite talented to be able to do that.
“There are many more people who know the prince than there are in Birac. You have to be at your most careful. If you’re exposed - they’ll immediately cut off your head.”
Oh?
There was something amiss with those words.
I see… it’s just as I thought…
He had his doubts up until now. However, now he was convinced.
There was nobody else who knew that Orba was acting as the prince’s body double. At least not among the people governing the state. He didn’t know the reason for it, but it was most likely so that Fedom could eventually pull Mephius by the strings. Aside from that, there were several other things Orba could think of.
However, he didn’t show his sudden realization on his face. He just nodded in response.
Orba went back to the flagship after that, headed back to his room to switch armour with the ‘prince’s body double’ Kain, and went up to the deck as the prince. There were many people gathered together calling out the prince’s name, raising jubilant voices and waving their hands in joy.
There, he mingled with Gowen and Shique. They were all pleased to see the others safe, and he walked in the direction of the other gladiators.
“Ryucown even tried to take the princess’s hand,” Shique said along the way. “But wasn’t it Ryucown who’d planned the assassination at Seirin Valley in the first place?”
“He had announced that he was the one who attacked Mephius,” Gowen said. “But it’s not unreasonable to think that delegates from other countries tried to murder the princess. Still, it’s quite a mystery.”
“No.”
When Orba spoke, both looked at the ‘prince’. Maybe he was getting used to it, or maybe some kind of talent was beginning to sprout within, but every time the soldiers cheered when they glanced his way, he felt a sense of pride inside of him he’d never felt before.
“I’ve also thought about it a lot. But who would have profited the most if Prince Gil and Princess Vileena both died back then?”
“Well, who?”
“That’s…”
The white moon glittered in the darkness of the night.
Orba touched the sword at his lower waist, which was different than the one he usually carried. It was the shortsword he’d taken back from Ryucown. The blade was glittering as if it was still new, and it had been engraved with Orba’s name.
