Senketsu no Elf - Volume 2 - Chapter 2

Volume 2: Chapter 2 – Bloodstains and Feasts

The front-line of the Second Elven War seemed to have become a stalemate for the last half year. By that it was meant that large-scale sieges occurred once every few days, along with small-scale scuffles, which happened every day. The reason for them was because the battlefield was becoming more and more cluttered, figuratively speaking.

The Imperial Army had constructed a great fortress, which stretched far across the Great Plains of Mi Lou, as a line of defence. In other words, if one were to look from the Elves’ side, the conditions for their victory would be for that to fall into their hands. However, as it was protected by the Mi Lou mountain range itself, it was easy to attack from, a difficult strategic position. Also, as the Imperial Army’s human resources were greater compared to the Elven Army’s, victory was difficult to achieve.

However much the Demons and Demon Beasts raged, however much the Elves attacked it with mighty warriors capable of organic necromancy, the people who would close the gates and devotedly, single-mindedly protect it, were the attack power. From the other side of the mountain range, an abundance of resources were sent, with no sign at all that they would run out, even after six months.

For the Imperial Army, the conditions of victory would be to either exterminate the Elven Army which were in formation on the Great Plains of Mi Lea, or to repel them. Of course, that was not easy either. The Elves, who were overwhelmingly outnumbered, used the numbers to their advantage, employing the tactics to disperse the other side’s fighting strength by scattering their own battle formation out on the spacious plains. And namely, their battle formations were named “The Elven Forest” – a small-scale Elven hamlet.

Even if it was improvised and small-scale, an Elven Forest was an Elven Forest. As well as the abundant spirit flowers and spirit trees, Demons and Demon Beasts also prowled, along with highly-concentrated spirit energy which hung in the air, poisonous to humans. If one were to enter, one’s head would be spinning after half an hour, after one day one’s senses would become disordered, and after three days, one would die.
Consequently, it was nearly impossibly to cut one’s way into the enemy camp.

From the battle formations that couldn’t be broken, some Elves which held great power were accompanied by a select few monsters, and went on a rampage locally – facing this tactic, the Imperial Army had not yet discovered any effective countermeasures to it.
The Human side was enduring the sieges, which the Elven side had started, through their numerical advantage. On the other hand, the Elves made the best use of their advantage, through dispersing the humans’ military force.

This battle, where both sides mutually both were thwarted at the strong points and jabbed each other at the weak points, resulted in a stalemate, shedding blood on the Great Plains of Mi Lea.

The war situation at the time was that the Elven side’s siege forces just had temporarily withdrawn. Conversely, the Human side had broken through the Elven Army’s battle formations from the outside, which lead to sporadic touchdowns and warfare.
In other words, local, spread-out skirmishes, were currently unfolding all over the plain.
When about eight hours had elapsed in the morning – the Great Fortress of Astzeelen’s Eastern Eighth Gate opened, and four horsemen on warhorses ran off toward the plain.

There were four horses, while there were six troops.
Though they were a few too many people for them to be messengers, they were too few to be called an unit.

The soldiers who had gone out to the plain all looked at them, and made baffled faces, becoming wide-eyed at the girls, and those which made their way closer to them.
At the young girl with long, blonde hair, who, dressed in armour, lead the group while straddling a white horse.
Her beautiful features, which seemed to embody the very concept of “dignity” – that that kind of presence was on the battlefield especially caught people’s eyes. As she wore her coat with a cherry blossom-coloured border and clasped the reins with an elegant stance in that empty land, she seemed to be no less than a role model for the equestrian arts.

Slightly late, young boys of whatever age raced at her left and right.
One boy of a large build carried a spear on his back. The horseshoes that the horse kicked out from the ground with were somewhat dull but wide, and had a thick and heavy feeling to them. In contrast, the other boy was slender, and of a small stature. While he gave a girl-like shadow a ride, he still, somehow, staggering, drove the horse forward.

There were also two people on the horse that was at the end of the line. The one who held the reins was a boy, and the one who had put their hands around his back was a girl. The boy was concerned about his dark-red hair, which was dishevelled, lengthened, and scattered by the wind. The boy was concerned about his dark-red hair, which was dishevelled, lengthened, and scattered by the wind. He glared forward, with excitement in his seemingly unfriendly eyes. While the girl pushed herself against the boy so that the hood would not fall off her head, she hugged him in a way that conveyed a strange charm.  It was a mismatched group.

The horseman who was the vanguard was a noble, and refined. Though the equestrian arts exhibited by the two next to it were splendid, they were still somehow unsophisticated. And, while the horseman that served as the rear guard’s posture was bad, and the horse inferior, it followed without falling behind.

While they caught the interest of the nearby soldiers, they headed toward their place of destination, which was the south-eastern part of the Great Plains of Mi Lea. From the Eighth Eastern Gate of the Great Fortress, the place was of the battle formation of the forces, a full ten kilometres away.
The location of the Elven Army, which lay scattered all here-and-there on the plains – while the unit that was fighting the single small “Elven Village” eased up the speed, they puzzledly turned their gazes against the approaching party.

At the report that a suspicious Order of Chivalry which was neither a group of messengers nor a supply corps was approaching, and at the report that they wished to meet him themselves, First Lieutenant Arinei Doha raised his eyebrows in puzzledness.

However, as he heard the name of the one who lead that party, those eyebrows drew a large arc, along with his eyeballs. Inquiring of the soldier three times whether they were mistaken of the name, and repeating back three times the question of who had mistaken the name of the royalty, he lost his head and went in haste toward the party.
While confirming her appearance, Arinei, as if he had forgotten his position, croaked.

“P……princess!?”

The girl, who stroked the white horse’s muzzle, turned around and gently smiled.

“It’s been a long time, Arinei. ……No, I should perhaps call you a First Lieutenant here.”

Though they had not met for over three years, it was impossible for him to mistake the daughter of the house that they had served from generation to generation.

“Aye, no…… First of all, you seem to be of good health!”

Arinei bowed at Her Highness the Princess, Milifica Yusala Astzeelen, while standing at attention. Immediately following, he thought “damn”. Originally, he was supposed to kneel, but he accidentally had responded back with military courtesies.
However, Milifica did not reproach him. On the contrary,

“Please do not treat me as royalty, First Lieutent Arinei.”

And she saluted, just like a soldier.

“Princess……?”

“I am, at present, a civilian employed by the military. Just like you.”

“……What would you mean by that!?”

He was not told about those kind of things from the head of the family.
Stretching back for over 200 years, the Doha family were nobles who were retainers to, and served, the Yusala family. Even when the war began and Arinei had received the summons, those bonds were not yet severed. He still, periodically, kept in touch with the head of the Yusala family, Milifica’s father, through letters. He should have written about her present status – though he certainly had heard that she had entered the Drill Academy, the graduation would have been a long way ahead.

The opposite of the confused Arinei, Milifica calmly brushed him off to the side.
“I made you confused, didn’t I…… First Lieutenant Arinei Doha, Officer of the ‘Order of Chivalry of the Wildcats’, of the First Battalion, Second Division, Third Army. Would you be able to let me explain the circumstances of why I entered the military, and why I came here?”

She inquired, her speech persistent; just like a soldier’s.

“Yes, of course…… By all means, please do. I have no idea about anything.”

She spoke briefly to Arinei, who was nodding like a drinking bird.
That, because of the Elves’ attack, the Drill Academy of Yusala was annihilated.
And, that seeing as she had narrowly survived, she was resolved to come to that place with her comrades, aspiring to become a soldier.

That come her volunteering, she had installed as a Commander of the Order of Chivalry of the White Wolves, a garbage dump of crowded-out people, because of General Dali Shukua Astzeelen’s plans. Sure enough, as she was greeted with harassment in order to frustrate her, by Amaïz – the man who governed over the Order of Chivalry – she had gone down to the battlefield with her comrades.

And then, in brief, the close-by battle formation, the force to which her friend belonged, had been the “Order of Chivalry of the Wildcats”, and she had come there in order to ask a favour–.

“And t, that that may be……”

For Arinei, who had watched over the Princess since her early childhood as a retainer, the story came as a shock. So much that he was about to faint of astonishment, pitifulness, and resentment. However, what made Arinei even more astounded, were the words which Milifica continuously fired at him. She spoke of things that he doubted his ears on.

“For this reason, I am most sorry to bother you, First Lieutenant. Since would like to get a few Demons’ heads from now on, would you be able to permit us to attack? Because, as soon as our business is finished, we will withdraw.”

“Huh!?”

What a joke. Surely, she didn’t go crazy?

That kind of disrespectful guesses passed through his head.
If one were to look, Milifica was accompanied by both boys and girls of the same generation. Of course, there were people younger than them among the soldiers, as there was no shortage of ages, and seeing the clothes it seemed that more than half were students of the Drill Academy. Guessing from their manner, they had not yet been out on their first campaigns. The two that weren’t in uniforms could have been mercenaries hired during the group’s travels, so it was unlikely that they would be reliable in a place like that.

Of course, before that, the number of people also was a problem. Only six people – even though it was not unusual that a Group of Ten would be annihilated against one single Demon despite their efforts in this war against the Elves. Did she come here without knowing such a thing?

–Such infantile bravery.

Arinei bit his lips. Though he, deep down, was angry at General Dali’s wretched plans, he even more than that scolded her ignorance and foolishness – he had to protest those virtues which she had thoroughly pursued. Being a tomboy was also, if it was excessive, a sin.

When he opened his lips as if to shout “How about I send a letter to your esteemed father”, “Return at once”, or “This isn’t a good place for a child to be at”,

“Milifica, as one would expect, we would be out of our league asking that kind of favour.”

The boy that stood behind her spoke laughingly, with a faint smile.
It was one of those who were not wearing the uniform of the Drill Academy. His black overcoat was slightly dirty, and looked shabby. His eyes, which peered out from the opening in his dark-red hair were awfully sharp, emitting feelings of him being ill-bred and savage. And above all, even if the Imperial Princess was to be called by name as a joke, his attitude.

“Princess, who is this person? Have you, by any chance, been enticed by him?”

Though Arinei scowled at him, the boy was not perturbed at all.

“Been enticed, you say. Well, certainly, there’s no difference.”

“Oi, what’s with that way of speaking!”

Unexpectedly, Arinei lost his cool. The boy completely ignored Arinei, who had taken a step forward and gripped his sword.

“Sashtal, Raimi.”

He shifted his line of sight to his comrades who similarly were waiting behind Milifica – the boy with a seemingly flippant manner, and the seemingly timid girl, who wore round-lensed glasses.

“Can you grasp the battle formation of this Order of Chivalry, and their situation of war?”

The boy – who seemed to be Sashtal – nodded, while stroking his fine hair.

“Aye, it’s fine. Before we entered the camp, I took a lap around it, y’know.”

“I, it’s not a problem!”

The girl named Raimi followed the boy. It was obvious that she was nervous from her voice which flew upwards, squeaking. However, the words that followed were enough to stop Arinei’s thinking through shock.

“Errr…… The ‘Elven Forest’ is circle-shaped, approximately twenty metres in diameter. Our army is deploying a crane-wing formation <a title=”Jump to the Footnotes at the end of the page.” href=”#footnote”>¹</a> in order to wedge open a gap! The enemy troops are large Demons, like Ogres and Orcs, which have come out from the forest and which play a leading role in the units. Though our army is slightly superior on the right wing, the left wing is inferior, and the encirclement is not perfect.”

Though her voice quivered, her words were fluid, speaking on without pause. The analysis was accurate. It was in line with the progress reports which Arinei had received a few minutes before.

Moreover, again.

“Here, it is preconceived that the right wing is to retreat temporarily in order to lure out the enemy while the left wing disperses, and the attack point of the enemy, made into reserve corps, is dispersed. Doing that, the right wing will roll over and be reorganised into a fish scale-type attack formation…… After that, the faction which would cut up the enemy army, where the command would be in disarray, will shift places. While shortening the distance, what would be correct would be to take up the shape that would excel in defence – squares and circles, and so on – and bring them to a confrontation, right!”

“Uh……”

Her prediction was almost the same as the plan which Arinei had presented to the Commander, who had come there before.

“Aren’t you reliable, Raimi. Even though I only heard that your tactics grades were bad at the Academy.”

The fine-haired boy wittily joked at her,

“W, well…… Because, even if I only write down the conducted battle formations and outcomes in a simplified way, it’s not for real, is it not…..? Furthermore, didn’t those questions completely ignore the season and weather when the wars occurred, and whether the yearly quotas of wheat were fulfilled, and such? In those tests, on those questions about battle formations and the development of the wars, I got angry and wrote criticisms.”

Of course, it amounted to a wrong answer. It was not acceptable for a student who had never been on a battlefield, to doubt the carried-out orders of the past days, and be opposed to them. It was natural that her theories were declared impractical.

However, if – that student had an eye for tactics which matched strategists from those bygone days, and if it had the knowledge. Practical orders were decisions that took into account the military power of both sides, troop morale, reinforcements, logistics, the state of affairs, the time, the weather, the quota of harvest, and so on – various circumstances such as those. And if she had previously become aware of even those circumstances that weren’t noted down in the text books through the history books and such…

After their student’s abilities had budded on the battlefield, wouldn’t the instructors feel ashamed?

“Raimi. After we take your current predictions of tactic into account, what is the gap that we can penetrate?”

“Aye!”

The girl vigorously nodded her head at Milifica’s question.

“Though what I said just a bit ago just is a prediction, if you proceed in the same way, the troops would have to sacrifice not a small amount of people. The attrition rate of the left wing, which would become reserve corps, would be high – even when the troops are to attack and move, them finishing without losing their attack power or not is sure to become a bet.”

“I see. ……By the way, First Lieutenant. How are our options, which she just have stated? To what degree do our predictions differ?”

“That is, that…… I can’t help but say that it is correct, generally speaking.”

Arinei had no choice but to nod in assent, his face grimacing. It wasn’t like it was “generally speaking” at all. It was like that – right up to the details. Even for an instant, Arinei was a man, a staff officer who was employed at the Order of Chivalry. Though it couldn’t be said that he was particularly prominent, he was confident that he had a better eye for tactics than average, as a staff officer. A young girl who was an ex-student, had completely forecast – and even detected the faults of – the plan that Arinei had raised.

Raimi continued.

“Whether the bet succeeds or not, depends on the battle that the left wing has started – the notch that they have cut through. Even if the right wind pretends to retreat and it falls, the enemy’s leadership isn’t always disarranged. In order to reliably disarrange the enemy, the left wing must confuse the enemy, while scattering in order to disturb them. It is also necessary, to a certain extent, that they fight to the bitter end. Only after that, will the enemy fall apart. Chasing after people who run away, and forgetting themselves when facing the enemy…… The integrity of the daft Demons is low. You should prioritise each and every instinct.”

“In other words……”

Again, after he had heard her words, the red-haired boy fiercely smiled.

“So, what you mean is that this war of violently cutting a notch is our, good, plan, you say?”

“Aye. If the left wing fails in its distraction, the forces will need to be killed by them and stall for time through that, retreat being impossible. In other words, the subordinates are made to carry the can. That’s why, if we can, conversely, aid the left wing and prolong the melee……”

“The Order of Chivalry will succeed in re-assaulting from the turnover, and the numbers of victims will diminish. On that occasion, we can also take a few heads of those confused Demons that are bustling about…… In any case, that’s the translation.”

Following the boy, Milifica wore a fearless expression.

And in response to her, the boys and girls who followed also, one by one–.

“I see, it’s both easy to understand and easy on the ears.”

The fine-haired boy shrugged his shoulders.

“But, have you forgotten? Setting aside Imina, it’s not like we are strong people with years of service, right?”

With somewhat philosophical eyes, he spoke, still not shedding his flippant manner.

“But, there’s nothing that can be done. I…… I don’t want to disagreeably huddle up into a quivering ball and cry!”

From the depths of her glasses, Raimi narrowed her eyes in a seemingly-timid way.

“I will do my duty without fail! Fream, please do take care of me.”

With no feeling of retreat nor feelings of stopping, her lips grew tough, and tied together.

“To be honest, though I may not have the confidence…… If I am made to take care of someone, I’ve gotta hold out, then.”

The large boy who clapped his hands as to inspire himself was the one named Fream,

“Well, from when we left the Drill Academy and came here, we haven’t just leisurely walked during our travels. Let’s pray that the experience instilled in us by Imina is beneficial.”

He held the magical spear, resting on his back, in his hands, and struck the ground with its tip, with a boom.

And, finally.

The girl, who stood rearmost – taking off the mantle’s hood which she wore over her head, stepped forward, her bluish-grey hair glistening in the morning sun.

“I don’t really know much about battle. But……”
It was a young woman who was short in stature, her features charming. With a lovely appearance, and a calm demeanour. A casual, gentle atmosphere seemingly following her, she didn’t seem to suit the battlefield at all.
However, her words that she continued speaking, seemed to give the completely opposite impression.

“From what I saw then, there were about fifteen Demons and thirty Demon Beasts over there, right? We can do, what, five Demons and ten Demon Beasts? If it something like that, the extermination would be adequate, right?”

Without hesitation – as if she was speaking about a flock of sheep.

“Wha……”

Though there was nothing to fear or be amazed about, Arinei felt a strange shiver on his back. What on Earth was the girl saying?

–No, it is different.

Who are those people, exactly–?

From their presences and demeanours, Arinei felt a hunch. Milifica and the others held the confidence. The confidence, that they would win. It was not that they were looking down on the power of the Demons and Demon Beasts. It was not like they couldn’t understand the realities of the battlefield because of their immatureness either. It was not like they were elated in a way surpassing stupidity; no-one raised a single rash remark either.

Seeing how the Drill Academy had seemingly been annihilated by those types of beings, it was impossible that those people would look down on them. For people that didn’t understand the realities of war, it would be impossible to draw accurate tactical predictions.
Above all things – it wasn’t like that innocent party was able to emit bloodlust like that.

That was it. What Arinei had trembled from, was not the young, silver-haired, girl at all.
At the same time that she had said “If it something like that, the extermination will be adequate”, the red-haired boy next to her had smiled.

Arinei thought that he just was a person of murky origin, a shabby overcoat coiled around his body – differing from the uniform of the Drill Academy. Someone who Milifica had picked up somewhere, a mercenary-wannabe.

Don’t say those foolish words.

That guy was that kind of simple person.
He emitted bloodlust. As though that he had always held it down but that he could no longer endure it, the bloodlust tardily seeped out, slowly stagnating, resembling a quagmire set on fire.

Arinei had not seen a single person with such a fierce presence before.
He would not lose out among soldiers who had seen hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands of battles–.

“I’ll do five Demons.”

Said the boy. As if it were a matter of course. And, as if he was longing for it.

“Everyone is requested to fight. Ellis and Raimi are to assist in the disturbance, and be in the rear guard; Fream is to guard the two. While Milifica takes command over everyone, it’ll be Demon Beasts together with Sashtal.

“Hey, hey, ten heads with two of us, aren’t you overestimating us a little?”

“If it seems to be impossible, I will assist you. However, I’m expecting it.”

“Well, if we it is expected from us, there’s no choice but to rouse ourselves, Sashtal.”

“Innit–. Can’t be helped. We’ll keep at it so we won’t die, yeah?”

Milifica and Sashtal shrugged their shoulders at those instructions.
For Arinei, even that was hard to understand. How could they calmly have a friendly chat with a companion that emitted such monster-like bloodlust?

“Well, ……If we were to await permission from the higher-ups, the sun would set first.”

With that, Imina glanced at him.
Reflexively, his body grew firm. No words left his mouth.
If one were to think through common sense, their behaviour was simply reckless.

Besides, the one who spearheaded them was Milifica. Of course, as a commissioned officer, and above all, a retainer, it was absolutely necessary to stop them.
He understood that in his mind. Though he understood that–.

“Let’s go, everyone. We’re leaving it to chance.”

At everyone, who had begun to mount horses, he could only stare at them in a daze.

“Though I don’t know much about military regulations, you may be punished later on…… At that time, do something about it, Milifica, please. Because you are the Princess, is it fine for me to say a few selfish words?”

“Please do not say those malicious things. ……Do you not know that I dislike that kind of conduct? When we are criticised, it’s not like we all will happily enter solitary confinement?”

“Solitary confinement from the first day, all of a sudden? You’re making me laugh.”

“I’m sorry, yeah? They would faint if they knew back home.”

“A, as long as I can bring a book into there, even if it’s a jail, it’s not especially……”

“Oh, by solitary confinement, do you mean jail? We won’t be forced to skip meals?”

They grabbed the reins in an even cheerful manner, and turned their horses one after another.

“……Princess, please wait!”

As Arinei finally regained himself, at least only Milifica raised her voice.
However, Milifica merely turned her face a little.

“Excuse me, First Lieutenant. ……If there is any punishment, speak to your heart’s content later!”

The words of apology and parting, were already said while she rode the horse.
They disappeared into the noise of the horses kicking up from the wetlands, and dissolved into the clamour which could be heard from afar.

By the time that they had sped off, the frivolous talk soon stopped, decreasing as the horses’ speed increased. As the signs of the battlefield grew stronger, it could be surmised that everyone’s mood grew tense.
Though he wondered whether to throw some appropriate joke to break the tension, the chance that it wouldn’t work was still high – For that reason, Sashtal Dei tapped on his reins with his fingers, at the same time as his mount vibrated, in order to at least calm down his violent heartbeat.

Their cheerful attitudes from before was an obvious bluff.

After all, setting aside Imina and Ellis, the other three people, including him, were mere former students which had become new recruits. Such a mishmash of amateurs plunging into the battlefield and gaining merits? Those acts were just so foolish and reckless, so that even though they couldn’t see the staff officers’ grimaces, they could understand them too well.

Even thinking about it was fearsome. They were full of anxiety. Wouldn’t they easily be kicked around? Would it not be an unthinkable shame for them to speak sharply, and jump out, barging into the battles that other armies fought, fighting unashamedly?

Honestly, he regretted it – wouldn’t it be better if he had stopped it?

On the other hand, though it was inconsistent – his body trembled.

Since half a month ago, when the Drill Academy had been attacked by Demons, Sashtal couldn’t stop trembling. There was no choice but to face the monsters and resist them. Though he also held a sense of responsibility as the executive, and feelings of worry about Milifica, he hid them to the best of his ability.

However, it was different now. He was just going to fight. And, he was able to do so, facing the battle. It was because he had strong allies, named Imina and Ellis.
Did Milifica’s cohesive force improve their moods? Both were greatly related. However, it was probably not only that.

“Hey.”

Sashtal inquired from Fream Eiza, who was traveling next to him.

“Oi mate, aren’t ya scared? Anyhow, we’re finally doing it.”

“Of course, it’s decided to be scary.”

Fream’s expression was stiff. Nevertheless, within his tone of voice, a wee bit of cowardice was mixed in.

“Well, there’s no choice but to do it. It’s not like I can fail because it’s scary, or anything.”

“I see…… That’s how it is, isn’t it.”

As a matter of fact, it was just as he had said.
When you tremble with fear it is difficult to move. And if you can’t move, you fail. If you fail, it’s not only you who dies, but it becomes so that your friends will too. And what was most scary was neither the Demons, Demon Beasts, nor the Elves.

It was to die, and to let your comrades die as well.

During the last half-month, Sashtal and the others had always made an effort during the journey, practising fighting with Imina and the others. They were not only made to practice fencing. Meeting face to face, the six spoke thoroughly about that they could do. It was in order to grasp everyone’s abilities, strengths and weaknesses, and in order to think about what tactics could progress with the weapons, which used inorganic necromancy, they had on hand. It was in order to make their bodies memorise what positions they held when they arrived at the place of battle.

The most important was not to increase the individual fighting ability, but to multiply the total fighting potential.

Imina was strong. Ellis too; their strength was outstanding. However, while that was true, it was no good to only lean against those two. There was a need to become helpful to them by becoming skilful on one’s own. And, in the training which repeated during that half-month, they were told by Imina many times over.

“I’m relying on you.”

If that was the case, wasn’t it like it was impossible to not respond?
While being protected by Imina and Ellis, wasn’t it like they couldn’t afford to nervously overdo it?

“I, I’ve seen it……!”

Raimi, who clung to Sashtal’s back shouted, while seemingly biting her tongue.
The “Order of Chivalry of the Wildcats” was, at the time, deploying its front-line troops into a crane-wing formation, while also forming a square battle formation with the forces in the back. Who Sashtal and the others had met with Arinei were the Rear Corps, or even further on, the end of the forces’ left flank.

From there, they went around, taking roundabout paths by horse, the route planned out so that they were to rush into the battlefield from the left wing’s flank. The battlefield was already within a stone’s throw away. What could be heard from the wind was sword fights, roars, and screams, while the smell of blood and entrails drifted about – unless they didn’t stop their horses, it wouldn’t become a distant view any more after a minute or so.

“We’ll keep going like this!”

Drawing her sword, Milifica, who travelled as the vanguard, howled.

“It’s our first battle! Though we might feel uneasy…… if we can’t survive this kind of battle, there’s no point in going straight to the front-line!”

“Aye! I’ve already made up mah mind, you sons of bitches!”

Fream, who especially showed off his large-built body, showing off his spear.

“I, it’s scary…… But! I’ll do my best!”

Clinging to his back, Raimi let out her version of a battle cry. Sashtal’s mind was also in high spirits, and he focused himself.

Though, his nature wasn’t one to talk big. That was why he, as usual,

“Well, I will step out…… and do it, but only so I don’t die rashly, yeah.”

While he drew his kukri, his line of sight was fixed on the battlefield. The state of the battlefield completely came into sight. The rampaging Demons and Demon Beasts, and also the resisting soldiers, whose individual faces could be seen.

Before they had gone toward Arinei’s direction and done their inspections from a distance, about four half-hours had easily passed. From only that amount of time, the situation of war had certainly gotten worse.

The enemy army’s numbers were fourteen Demons, and twenty-odd Demon Beasts. They hadn’t decreased by much. Regarding their own army – the amount of people was roughly one hundred in the left-wing unit. Compared to a while ago, it was about two thirds, it seemed. It had already turned into a melee, the battle formations having broken down. In other words, the numbers would decrease after that.

Though the right wing could be seen to retreat little by little, the enemy did not push on. It was just as Raimi had predicted. It was because the resistance of the left wing was weak, they were forgetting themselves, tormenting it.

That was a bad omen.

However – as for themselves, it was a good opportunity to establish war merits.

“Imina, Ellis! I leave the Demons to you!”

Slightly lowering the speed of her horse, Milifica called on those two who were in the back.

“It is more urgent than I expected. It’s a good plan, to take the assault away by snatching away the flow of events.”

Instead of affirming her, the horses the two of them rode on raised their speed. They overtook Sashtal and the others, and lined up next to Milifica,

“I’ll get that ogre. It’s good to introduce yourself when a gap has formed.”

Imina sneered.
If only his face were to be seen, it could be called somewhat immature, or perhaps even a impish expression. However, his increasing presence (?) was full of insanity, to the degree that even his Sashtal and the others, who were his comrades, felt scared. His characteristic urge to kill, from the resentment that he, Imina Halmatie, held toward the Elven Tribe.

“I understand…… May the fortunes of war be in your favour.”

Without flinching from Imina’s urge to kill, Milifica presented her sword to his behind.

“Ah, there was that too.”

Imina unsheathed his falchion which rested on his waist, and touched the sword blades together with a clonk.

And then–.

“……We’re outta here, Ellis!”

“Yup, Imina!”

Imina’s feet kicked the horse’s stomach. The neighing horse raised its speed. What they could see was about thirty metres ahead, was an Foul Demon – an Ogre, glaring over a partially-destroyed Squad of Ten.

The horse rode straight, and charged right into it. The Ogre, who had noticed its presence, slowly turned its head. At the same times as the intersection, Imina leapt across from his saddle, thrusting his crimson sword blade at the Ogre’s back.

The blade did not pierce it. However, it was not a blow as to allow the blade to pierce through. The aim was to use that impact as a trigger, therefore invoking the inorganic necromancy which lay within the sword.

A profound, translucent crimson, it was Imina’s beloved sword, “Exellis”. That sword blade was not made of neither jewels nor metal. It was hardened, highly-concentrated, condensed blood of Ellis, who was a part of the Elven Tribe. Blood – in other words, it was a sword made from an organism, possessing characteristics peculiar to Ellis, which could reproduce her inherent inorganic necromancy, albeit in a limited way.

Namely, that was the usurpation of spirit energy.

“Exellis” could, in part, absorb the spirit energy, which dwelled within the Ogre’s body. That was because of the engraved inorganic necromancy seals, which were etched on the sword blade’s surface, which changed it into the power of destruction. While shedding light, it coiled around the blade.

Somersaulting by using the attack to its back, Imina landed at the Foul Demon’s feet.

“Wh, at?”

The soldiers, which were engaged in battle, stopped their movement, blankly looking at him. The ogre could have been perplexed in the same way as well. Making its upturned eyes narrow, its deeply-split mouth halfway-open, it overlooked the human which had cut its back once – the small shape which just had flown suddenly. Nevertheless, it was still for a moment.

The Ogre immediately reacted to Imina’s urge to kill.

“Guh, gururururu, ah!”

Raising its enormous, log-like arm, it swung its fist down at its feet in order to strike him.
However, that was a good opportunity which Imina had predicted. The reason was because when the spirit energy was entangled and absorbed, it couldn’t bisect the ogre’s torso. The part which could be bisected was the leg, and, from there – going three metres up, the head.

Imina evaded that one blow, which was as violent as a waterfall, by twisting his body.

“First of all……”

His movements of evasion were at their minimum. He placed his foot by the falling arm, and dashed up the Ogre’s body. Treading on its forearm, he kicked its elbow pit, and leapt further, using its shoulder as a foothold.

“……That’s the first one!”

He slashed at the Ogre’s nape with his crimson sword, which glowed phosphorescent.
Its pincushion-like mane, its stone-like skin, its steel-like muscle, and its oak-like spine too. Without pausing, the light of destruction bisected everything in one go.

The Ogre’s head fell down with a flop. A heavily-spurting, darkish fountain spread the smell of blood to the surroundings. It lost the power in the both legs that held its large body, and the headless torso slowly crumbled.

As Imina landed, he stood up and smiled weakly, with sprays of blood which had landed on his cheek. Cruelly – happily, while intoxicated by the accomplishment of slaughter. The soldiers, who had opposed the cruelty of the Ogre until some time ago, muttered, dumbfounded.

“Ain’t, this a joke……”

Of course, it wasn’t only them. It was the same for the other units that had been fighting in the surroundings.

“What, just happened.”

“…….The Ogre’s, neck fell down.”

“Wasn’t that, one blow?”

“How absurd. But, well……”

“So he offed it on his own? That little brat?”

Those who were at a loss with the Demon Beasts’ fangs, those who through their preparedness for death stood ready to die from the Orcs, those who restrained themselves at the Trolls’ groups through their indecisiveness. To make matters worse, beside the humans, even the Demons and Demon Beasts reacted to the vibrations from the collapse of the large body, along with the suddenly thickened smell of blood, and moved their gazes toward there.

The silence in the suddenly-open battlefield was torn up by the girl’s roar.

“Ogre head number one! Imina Haimatie killed it!”

Who started that was one girl – Milifica. Mounting a white horse with corpses of Demons underfoot, she raised her silver sword, showing her dignified presence.

Her long, golden hair was as smooth as water while she rode. Her transparent, azure eyes showed both gentleness and sharpness, holding a power of observation that seemed to allow her to control the area with one glance. Her graceful features being strained yet still slightly gentle, she made the onlookers tense up, while at the same time fascinating them.

In the battlefield where blood, entrails, and dust dominated, that appearance of hers shone in a different way. Sashtal, who came a little late, astonishedly stopped his horse at a distance. Even he, who normally was cheerful, was unconsciously captivated. Was it really possible, if one were to consciously behave like a noble, being in the royal family?
She was beautiful to the extent that she gave an impression that she was a goddess of war which had descended.

She informed them. Clearly, as if singing.

“My name is Milifica Yusala Astzeelen. With such brave soldiers under my command like Imina Haimatie here, I hurried to this battlefield for a certain reason.”

Astzeelen. If it was among the citizens of the Empire, it was an echo of the king which no-one would not know. Again, for the soldiers, there was the name of the Great Fortress within the mountain range in the background. In other words, everyone who were there, were fighting under her flag.

Through only introducing herself, Milifica made it known to her surroundings.

And, in addition–.

“Furthermore, from today, I have taken up the post of Commander of the Second Division, Eighth Battalion ‘The Order of the White Wolves’. Though we are a small force in numbers, us six elites of the “Order of the White Wolves” – would you please be able to approve us to fight jointly with you, you of the left-wing unit of the same-division, Second Battalion “Chivalric Order of the Wildcats”? If we’re not a hindrance, please let us fight together with you!”

“Oh…… We could wish for nothing better.”

What someone mumbled, spoke for the feelings of everyone who had heard her words.
The faces of the soldiers were full of exaltation.

Originally, soldiers affiliated with someone else entering a battlefield and dividing it deviated from the customs of war. It increased the possibility of the command being thrown out of order, the obstruction of the execution of tactics, and also the interception of merits of war.

–From the beginning, in outline, it was the very best of places.

There were many advantageous hands to be played. Milifica was royalty – she was of a social position where no-one could complain even if she was a little selfish. She was endowed with her cohesive force. And, that left-wing unit had a relatively small number of people – it consisted of about a Company of One Hundred.

The one who would command a Company of One Hundred was a non-commissioned officer, and in terms of rank, that would be a sergeant major or a sergeant. Though Milifica was a Commander that had been forced to command, an Order of Chivalry, she was given the rank of Captain. Captain, and moreover, one could not simply stop a person of the Royal Family from personally applying for assistance through one’s own discretion.

To say nothing of that they were under melee warfare. It was possible that no-one knew where the Commanders of One Hundred were. Even if they would, it would be impossible to go to each and every superior officer and apply for permission, in a battlefield which would not allow predictions of the war situation. If one were to coercively have a face that seemed to say “Of course” and push through, any amount of explanations would arise afterwards.

The purpose of that was to demonstrate their power to that disgusting former leader, and to the bastards in the Order of Chivalry of the White Wolves, and as proof, only a few demons’ heads were necessary. Though it, as a result, could assist in the victory of not only the left-wing unit but also the Order of Chivalry of the Wildcats; ultimately, help was help.

It could be said that they were setting up the table. Imina had succeeded with the assault while Milifica prodded at the gap, securing the place. Therefore, Sashtal and the others would do it to the end, only to the extent as to not mess up. Without working themselves up, they relaxed – so that they could achieve the results of their training.

“Raimi, get ready.”

“A, aye!”

Urging the girl on the behind, they both dismounted. Giving the horse who had supported them until now a single pat, it ran away, encouraged. Though it, to be honest, would be better if the horse were to leave when returning home – it would be difficult to make it stay there, as expected of a horse.

“Please wait!”

Nearly at the same time as Sashtal and the others’ horse run off, another one came running. It was Ellis. After only Imina had jumped off the horse in assault, she had returned instead, grasping the reins herself.

Thus, everyone, six names in total, re-united on the battlefield.

Milifica, as the Commander, mounted a white horse, showing off her existence. And behind her, Sashtal and Raimi stood on the ground with their own feet. In order to settle down at both sides, Fream and Ellis calmed down their horses. And, the one who relaxedly stood in front, standing ready, laughing with an intent to kill, their maximum strength, the key of attacking – Imina.

“Then, let’s get started.”

Formally waving her knight sword, Milifica radiantly exclaimed.

“All hands…… Commence battle!”

Laimi Selea-Shutimeryl was born into a former-noble, now-commoner, middle-class family.

Though they, until her grandfather’s generation, had been bestowed with the rank of Viscount, and taken up residence in the royal capital, her father seemed to have fallen when she was about three years of age. The cause seemed to be that because the head of the family, Raimi’s grandfather, was doing military service, an unthinkable blunder happened with the savage tribes of the South.

She didn’t know so well what kind of blunder it was. However, consequentially, Raimi’s family had, when she was born, already let their residence go, had denounced their nobility. They moved from the royal capital to an ordinary city in the countryside, living normally as commoners.

However – though the event had happened before she was born, it wasn’t a story that didn’t relate to her.

Her grandfather’s generation was only about thirty years ago. Raimi was raised together with the remnants of the court rank that the Selea-Shutimeryl family had held. If it was used steadily, there was a fortune that would not be completely consumed for about twenty years or so; there was a house, that while it wouldn’t be called extravagant, was large. The air in the family was such that one would not forget the glory of olden days, influenced by her grandfather’s words and deeds. And, stored in her grandfather’s library, there were a great number of books.

It was said that the children in the residence that lay on the hill were kept at a distance from the children in the city, as her grandfather always had held the expectation that she someday would bloom a second time as a noble and become a person of importance, and that was why it was unavoidable for her to, in order to flee from those expectations, seclude herself in the library every day, reading a large amount of books day after day.

Her entering the Yusala Drill Academy was also because of her grandfather’s intentions:

“When you leave the Drill Academy and appoint yourself at the battlefield, if you are to achieve merits, a court rank will be bestowed on you as a reward and you will become well known. That’s why, for the sake of your country, make yourself well known.”

Her parents did not oppose those troublesome views either. And Raimi could not say herself that it was unpleasant, because of her naturally timid nature. However, she felt that it was unreasonable, in the depths of her heart. Because, wasn’t it a ridiculous story? Why was the grandchild of the person who had blundered in war and stripped away the court rank to receive one again through deeds of arms, in war?

Because she had neither the willingness nor the ability, she did not do her best in the lectures. In the classroom, she couldn’t write the answers that the lecturer wished for without it interfering with the knowledge that she had learned, and in the practicals she couldn’t wield a sword at all, nor fire a bow. However, within the Academy’s library there were dozens of times more books than what she had at home, and she was only devoted to be absorbed in them.

Before long, it was rumoured that there was a schoolgirl with bad grades, that despite that did nothing but read books, and she started to be ridiculed as “De-dusting Laimi”. Ultimately, when she looked back from when she was in her home town, and understood that nothing had changed – she obtained a chance to speak with the representative of the Drill Academy, Milifica.

Milifica was searching for a history book in the library. Because her degree of familiarity was low, she didn’t even seem to know where the librarian was. Because she had read that book by chance, Raimi led the way. Because she remembered that the writer’s point of view was peculiar, making the book difficult to read, she also recommended supplementary books that were in the surroundings. And then, she was very admired and congratulated – graciously to the extent of it being wasteful.

She was told that she was praiseworthy. She studied from many more books, and was admired, being told “Please make use of your knowledge for this country.” Her, who could not at all do classroom learning nor the practicals. Her, who could not do anything else other than read books. Her, who had descended from an incompetent grandfather, an incompetent grandchild.

And, at present, Raimi was standing on the battlefield. With Her Highness Milifica, the Princess, who had acknowledged her for the first time since birth – as her comrade.
She still didn’t know what her grandfather had done when he had blundered. She thought that it was inconsequential. She had no interest in taking back the days of glory which he wanted.

It was not for that reason that she was standing there.

Hearing Milifica’s orders, she took a deep breath.

And she picked up the book that was suspended from her waist. A grimoire, it was called. Seals of the inorganic necromancy were written down on paper with special ink, and were bundled together and bound into the shape of a book. It was invented in the earlier days when inorganic necromancy had just first been discovered, but soon became obsolete because of its low usefulness. Now, it had become a weapon that no-one looked back on, a weapon buried in history – which somehow reflected her. As such, it was very suitable for her.

She supported its back with her left hand, opened it, and turned the page with her right hand. They were movements that she had repeated almost daily since she was very young. She moved her fingers fluently, even in the battlefield’s tension.

First of all, she checked page 156. What was written down there was a inorganic necromancy of fire. She grasped the page and pulled it out from it’s binding,

“Ellis, please! Delay, five seconds!”

She presented it, and spoke to, Ellis Endveil, who was riding her horse next to her.

“Yes!”

While readying the bow that she carried on her back, Ellis received the piece of paper.
At the same time, pulling out one arrow from the quiver which lay fastened to the horse’s saddle, she passed the arrowhead through the top of the paper.

“……Ogre on our front-left, twenty metres ahead!”

Following the instructions that Raimi had announced, she nocked the bow and shot the arrow.

The arrow, with a piece of paper attached to it, flew unstably in the wind. However, the only thing that was dangerous was its appearance – it was twenty metres ahead of Raimi and the others, raging on against the Squad of Ten which were its opponents, the Ogre’s right eye was magnificently pierced through. Immediately following, the grimoire’s flame arts inorganic necromancy was invoked.

“Gu, wooah!?”

Its pierced eyeball finally enveloped its head in flames, and the Ogre writhed in pain. Of course, that extent would not be enough to rob the robust Demon of its life. But, at least it was no longer able to fight, and it had lost the margin it had from the humans, that were its opponents, which surrounded it from a distance, crowding it.

“Now, soldiers!”, Raimi shouted as loud as she could.

Whether it reached them was unknown. However, every person in the Squad of Ten which was behind the Ogre bowed their heads collectively in assent, preparing and fixing their battle foundation, attacking as an enclosure and commencing battle. At once, one person succeeded in severing the tendon of one leg, and the Demon’s large build fell on its knees. It was not necessary for it to be defeated further any more.

“I’ll go next!”

Therefore, looking out over the battlefield again, she turned the page – page eighteen, the inorganic necromancy of acid.

“Delay, seven seconds! Fifteen metres on the front-right, a flock of Kerberos!” She ripped it, and delivered the page,

“Yes!”

Ellis received it, and passed the arrowhead through the paper, firing her bow where she was instructed.

The Kerberos ganged up in teams of five, and was just about to rush on a few soldiers. In the middle of that, the arrows, which flew in and pierced the ground, invoked the inorganic necromancy at the point of impact. A pond of acid which spewed cloudy smoke spread out, burning the beasts’ feet.

The eyes of the young man, who seemed to be a Commander of Ten, sparkled, and he was heard shouting at his troops.

“All hands, don’t let this chance get away!”

Even though the magical beasts were trying to escape from the unbearable poison, they could not move their slippery feet nimbly. If their agility was snatched away, even they were just run-of-the-mill targets. They were stabbed to death by the soldiers’ spears and bows and arrows.

With that, it was two places. However, they were not done yet. They would still do it was far as their eyes would reach–.

“Next, twenty metres on our rear-left, two Orcs engaged in battle with our forces, the delay is…… six seconds!”

They wanted to retreat carrying the wounded people. In other words, page 320, the inorganic necromancy of a smokescreen.

“Yes!”

“Next…… Seven metres on our rear-middle, one Salamander, the delay is three seconds!”
The hot wind that the Salamanders breathed was a nuisance. Consequently, it was page twenty-one, inorganic necromancy of freezing.

“Yes!”

“Thirty metres above our diagonal-right, a Griffon is gliding, the delay is seven seconds!”
The soldiers could deal with it if it were to drop to the ground. That being the case, it was page 196, inorganic necromancy of lightning.

“Yes!”

Before long, after they took a short break, the cooperation between Raimi and Ellis was repeated.

Raimi’s judgment of the war situation and the selection of the inorganic necromancy that she chose to respond with, and the chain of sequences to find the intended pages, never took more than five seconds. In addition, since the grimoire was invoked with a time limit from when the page was torn out, it was necessary to swiftly deliver it to the place where it was to activate. What enabled that was Ellis’ archery.

The sequence of movements was extremely rapid. Her aim was unparalleled. The distance was not mistaken either. Rather than that being her skill, it was due to the power of the Elven Tribe – the organic necromancy.

Currently, Ellis’ insides of her body, surrounded by spirit energy which revitalised it, strengthened her physical strength, reflexes, eyesight, and also her ability of perception. Easily pulling a bow that human males would have a difficulty pulling, immediately capturing the far-away opponents which were disappearing into the Mist of Earth, and perceiving the flow of wind with her entire body, she accurately fired the arrow with an unstable trajectory, which had the paper stuck to it.

With a mastery which already only could be thought of as her being an expert – asking the person herself, she said that she did not seem to be particularly skilled with the bow among the Elves. Did the Elves as a whole excel at archery, or was the organic necromancy amazing to the extent that it boosted the mediocre skills’ areas? Probably, both statements were true.

But, however accurate Raimi’s judgment of the war situation was, even if Ellis’ archery was excellent, if they did not adjust to each other’s breathing, they would not be able to win smoothly and speedily. In the half-month from when they departed the Drill Academy until they arrived at the Great Fortress, the two did nothing but practice that coordination together.

Raimi could not wield a sword. Her martial arts were also similar to a novice’s. Speaking of the things that she could do, she displayed the information which she had amassed in her head, and turned pages of books as much as she could. She thought that she couldn’t play an active role on the battlefield. Though her being able to accompany Milifica by her momentum was good, it was certain that she was a burden, so she always fretted with a “What to do?” in the depths of her heart.

On that journey where she held those worries, Ellis had suggested it.

“If I shoot the arrows, you can protect me with those grimoires, can’t you?”

She had said.

“Even I want to, because there’s no way I can afford to always stick close to Imina, so if there’s something I can do, I want to do it. Even if I am to use organic necromancy with archery, being exposed would be hard, and surely I would do well, I think. Therefore, let’s protect everyone together–“.

Raimi wanted to respond to Ellis. She thought that she could respond to her comrades. Therefore, she would do what she could, to the extent of her abilities. Raimi’s inorganic necromancy would, protect the arrows which Ellis fired.

The melee, which up until then had been disadvantageous, gradually turned to the humans’ advantage. Like that, the enemies would be unable to take their eyes from the supported Order of Chivalry of the Wildcats, which would make it easier for the comrades to fight–.

“It’s splendid! Raimi, Ellis!”

Facing them, Milifica smiled.

“The backing of the Order of Chivalry of the Wildcats is steadily going better. Next time, please lend that power to us!”

Decapitating the Cockatrice which sprung at the horse and sending its head flying, she encouraged Raimi and the others. Within that gaze, her heart throbbed greatly.

–Yes, that was it.

In the battlefield, there was no need for meritorious deeds. It was fine to not receive a peerage. She only wanted that person to praise her. She only wanted to become helpful to that person, and fight together with that person.

And wasn’t that because that person was the Princess of the Royal Family of Astzeelen? Because that person was Lady Milifica – because she was her important comrade which had accepted her.

Ellis and Raimi backed the battlefield, while Fream, who readied his magical spear, was filled with morale, waiting for Devils and Demon Beasts to attack those two. Also, at both sides, while Sashtal and Milifica were attached to the line of defence, they engaged nearby magical beasts in battle.

While gazing at them from behind, Imina confronted a Demon. He breathed out in relief and admiration at the comrades’ hard struggle. Though they had been hastily trained for only half a month, he thought that they were going quite well.

Originally speaking, their individual skills weren’t so bad. Milifica had more qualities than Imina if one only were to look at fencing, and Fream had the cleverness to precisely aim at the opponent’s weak points too. Because Sashtal was born and raised in a hunter’s household, he exceeded in agility and raw intuition. The only one that he was worried about was Raimi – but, there was no way that she was making the best of her strong points like that. And if Raimi was doing well, there would be no need for any others to worry.

The most important thing when fighting Demons and Magical Beasts was to perceive one’s own strong points, and bringing them to the battles that one would fight. Compared to humans, they were genuinely strong as living beings. Their physical strength was capable of feats of destruction, crushing humans like berries, with agility that could close up the distance the instant one lost focus, needle-like hair and rock-like skin that guarded its body, and possessing fangs and nails with sharpness equivalent of a sword.

Some of the Magical Beasts also had things that could fly in the air or breathe fire. Even if one were to challenge them fair and square, you would certainly not win. Therefore, one wasn’t to fight them fair and square. The only thing humans had that they didn’t – was to be mobilised to the maximum degree, to fight cunningly.

While using one’s strong points and not allowing the opponent to do so, the chance of winning would rise an order of magnitude higher. For an example, if it was a huge Ogre, a group which held long-handled spears. Because the Ogres’ fixation with appetite and sexual desire was high, bait suspended and used as traps was effective. There was no need to keep up with a Goblin’s nimble agility, you could simply stop their feet. Instead of using a blade which had difficulty piercing the Trolls, with their entire body concealed in long hair, acid and flames worked very well. It was relatively safe to oppose Kerberos-like magical beasts from a long distance with a bow and arrow.

Of course, even so, danger would follow. One instant of carelessness could lead to death. Even if one wasn’t careless, the opponent’s physical strength and reaction velocity could exceed one’s imagination. If one were to overlook the battlefield, there would be many things that one couldn’t handle. Even the Order of Chivalry of the Wildcats, who actually were used to battle, had been at a disadvantage until Imina and the others had gone to war. However – to say that even the experienced soldiers lost would be to look from another perspective; if the tactics were good enough, there were even chances that amateurs could win.

Although, if he were to give such a lecture, he wouldn’t have all that much persuasiveness. During the journey when they came there, Milifica and the others gazed straight at, and refuted him many times with a “Aren’t you fighting it directly opposite it?”, and practically, because it was like that, he couldn’t demonstrate it to them first-hand. He thought that he wasn’t a good lecturer. Still, what they had become in a paltry half-month was pleasing.

After that, he hoped that it would be good if the results came out well without wasting their effort.

While he came down to the battlefield, he began with slaughtering an Ogre, then bringing down another nearby Ogre, and yet another Ogre. Currently, what were his enemies were two Trolls which had lined up; in other words, they were his fourth and fifth. Happily lined up, their bodies covered in thick hair, they shook, bellowing like a mixture of a cow and a baby.

Both of them held a stone axe, carried in their hands. The stones’ surfaces was dyed in blood, and pieces of meat were stuck to them. A short while ago, they had surrounded the soldiers and relentlessly beat them to death.

“What’s that. Did they get them from their little shepherd?”

“What kind of guy is the Elf who is leading them?”, he thought.

What could be guessed from the things that he didn’t find was their position – the small “Elven Forest” which thickly grew at the front of that battlefield, was that they were hidden there, for sure.

“It’s a cold guy. I will leave it up to them.”

He would surely leisurely drink tea while looking out at the trends of battle. Without dirtying his hands, relishing in the beasts’ roars and the humans’ screams.

“That little shepherd of yours…… I’ll kill him soon!”

While he shouted that, he charged in. The Troll on the right reacted and went ahead.
Brandishing its stone axe, it struck.

Evading, he counterattacked, hitting its head with his sword. And, along with that, he took some distance from the right side; in other words, he turned to where the stone axe couldn’t hit. It was not possible to rob an inorganic presence of its spirit energy.

As if it was invited, the Troll let loose a slap with its empty right arm.
He received it with the middle of the crimson sword – named “Exellis”.

With a tremendous shock, his body fluttered in the air. Though the Troll was the same size as a human, a middle-sized Demon, it possessed strength that was incomparable with humans.

“Ku……”

Understandably, his entire body hurt. Nevertheless, Imina’s cheeks warped in delight. Because, the weight of the shock was proportional to the following stroke of the blade’s power.

After flying a few metres, he landed. The soil under his feet was gouged out.
At the same time as when he fixed his posture, he charged back in like a football which bounced back.

“Guh, buoh, ah!”

The Troll, which had hit Imina a while ago, opened its beastly mouth and cried something. However, both of its hands loosely hung down. Didn’t it have a head for counter-attacking, or was it very negligent? – Over there, there were two, and that way, there was one, even if they lost to the likes of humans in numbers, there wasn’t a chance that they were a threat to them.

Then, you go ahead.

“Number four!”

The red light, which coiled around the sword blade of “Exellis”, decapitated the Troll on the right side. The response was trivial. It was like cutting butter. Even the dense body hair that guarded the neck and the thick subcutaneous fat, was sharply, ruthlessly cut up by the light of destruction.

“Buoooo, ooooh!”

Was it angry that one in its group was killed? The other Troll artlessly swung down its stone axe. Because it was immediately following the attack, evasion was impossible. The sword’s light did not even remain any longer.

But, it did not really mean that Imina depended on the inorganic necromancy of “Exellis” for everything. When it was impossible to use, it was a story of it simply being good to deal with it using pure fencing.

The huge rock, which was unleashed without any skill, was dealed with and parried. Slashing his sword upwards, he diverted the orbit.

A boom. With the dull impact, his hand grew numb. As one would expect, it was not as magnificent as Milifica’s hooking parries. Nevertheless, the stone axe did not get stuck in Imina’s head, but in the ground instead. The Troll stiffened a little. There was a gap.

“……Rah!”

Without a moment’s delay, he struck its shoulders with a karatake-wari. <a title=”Jump to the Footnotes at the end of the page.” href=”#footnote”>²</a>
Without stopping the movement, twice, thrice. He repeated the strikes with the power of his entire body. Changing his position was toying with it, keeping the distance was drawing nearer, faster than the opponent could counterattack.

Of course, the opponent was unperturbed. Defended by its body hair, it was not given a single wound. However, the more you slashed at it, you could slash it, as the crimson sword blade stole spirit energy from the inside of its body.

There was no need to steal the spirit energy from the other party’s attack. Even with the impact from that, the inorganic necromancy was invoked. Of course, because the effect was remarkably lower compared with the time of unleashing, it was compensated for with numbers. When the quantity of stored spirit energy was below the threshold, the blade never emitted light.

And, his body remembered when the threshold of just how much energy was accumulated was exceeded.

Three more hits. Two hits.

“With this……”

One hit – invocation was possible.

“Number five!”

“Exellis”, which swept down, left behind a crimson phosphorescence on the Troll’s neck. While the spirit energy, which was being substituted toward the power of destruction, became a shapeless power of destruction, it was diffused from the sharpness of the blade, and cut off flesh and bone.

The Troll, which had lost its head, crumbled down while blood spurted from the opening of the wound. There was already nothing which moved within three metres of Imina. Lying at his feet lay four pieces of meat. They were the torsos and heads of the two different Trolls.

His mouth faintly warped into a smile. His hand, which held the sword’s hilt, was numb. Though he had many wounds, there were none on his bones or internal organs. His entire body was tormented by feelings of fatigue and pain. His head was faint from the exaltation of battle. His thinking didn’t work too well.

Instead, his line of sight flew around.

As a whole, the progress of the battle leaned toward the advantage of the Order of Chivalry of the Wildcats. The numbers of Demons and Magical Beasts had been greatly reduced. With the left-wing unit receiving the gains from Raimi and the others’ backing, it seemed that about half of the monsters had fallen back to distract the left-wing unit, pursuing them.

And – looking out over the battlefield, suddenly.

The corpse of a soldier which the Trolls had tormented a little while ago caught his attention.

She was still a young woman.

She could have been in the middle of her twenties. Her face was almost intact. Instead, he was obsessed with the body. He wondered how many times the stone axe had been swung down. From her abdomen to her back, it was like a carpet made out of blood, dirt, and intestines, all sloppily intermingled. What retained its original shape was one breast of hers.

Her expression had warped into one of anguish and despair. In front of her right arm, which was stretched out as if it was trying to grasp something, fell a magical sword. Her left arm only went up to her elbow. It had probably been eaten by the Troll.

Looking at her, the depths of his stomach unexpectedly cramped.

“……uh!?”

It was not nausea. What was rising up from his stomach was not vomit.
It was something else – though it had no mass, it was the most heavy thing that existed in the world. It was muddy, yet it clung to the targets that it clung to more firmly than everything else. It was tremendously cold, yet hot enough to burn everything.
In other words, it was hatred, or an intent to kill consisting of hatred.

It was as if it was scattered about among the corpses that lay here and there on the battlefield. Why did this soldier’s corpse give him that impulse? Well – there probably was no reason to it. Unexpectedly, her face, tainted by anguish and despair, entered the gaps of his relaxed mind after he had finished the battle.
And, the human named Imina’s heart was so brittle that hatred overflowed from him from only that kind of trivial occasion.

–The scenes from his birthplace had become sparks and was played in the depths of his head.

Holding his sword, he was filled with strength. The numbness from when he parried the stone axe a while ago changed into a darkish feeling of intoxication that, before he knew it, encroached on his body. It hurt. The sweet intent to kill hurt.

Why, for what was he vaguely standing about? Wasn’t the best yet to come? Was it enough to kill only five Demons? After all, because the Demons and Magical Beasts were mere substitutes, however many he would kill, he would not feel satisfied.

Beyond that point lay the “Elven Forest”. Them, carefully watching the fight with careless faces with sharp ears – he would pierce that abominable tribe which had ears just like Shirjis.

He took one step forward. He though that they probably had gone outside. If he were to wait for another few seconds, wouldn’t the walking probably turn into a sprint? What did not let him, was his name being screamed.

“……na, Imina!”

Vaguely turning back, a woman who had the face of his elder sister was just close to him.

“Uruha”, he spoke, taken aback.

Even though it resembled her, it wasn’t his elder sister. It was the princess of the country, who also now was Imina’s friend,

“Mili, fica……?”

His mind, which was foggy, cleared up in an instant. He shook his head. He was aware of his heartbeat. He put his strength in his extremities. His stomach, once again, was engulfed in the urge to kill and hatred, which had settled in his chest.

“What’s the matter? Are you injured?”

“Ah, no, it’s all right. Nothing.”

“Ellis told me. That you seem to have achieved your goal. That’s why I wanted to withdraw, but even if I went close and shouted there was no reply.”

The white horse snorted behind her. It seemed that it had been anxious since she had stepped down from the horse.

“Sorry, I was thinking a little…… We’re pulling out, you say? Got it.”

He shook his sword, the blood splattering off, and put it in the sheath which was installed on his waist, behind him.

(That’s right – what am I losing control for?)

Ultimately, the purpose of that battle was to surprise everyone in the “Order of Chivalry of the Wildcats”, and to earn certain merits of war. Furthermore, it wouldn’t be good to overdo it and snatch away the merits of war that the Order of Chivalry of the Wildcats were to attain. To say nothing of entering the “Elven Forest” alone and bringing down the enemy army’s heads.

Something was wrong with him. That was a no-go.

“Hurry, Imina. The soldiers have started to notice that there is a leeway that they can overcome the trouble with. (?) Because the right flank will turn around and attack soon too, so before it becomes troublesome……”

“You see, Milifica.”
Imina resolutely spoke to the appearance from behind, who had her feet on the horse’s stirrup.

“What kind of face did I have earlier?”

“……That would be.”

She was silent for only a few seconds.

Before long, she turned around toward him, and spoke with a somewhat sympathising voice.
“I’m so sorry, just a bit more…… Until you return to the fortress, please stay in a valiant figure. As for me, I need that power of yours.”

That was also the answer directed toward the question.

“Got it. I’ll pick up the Demons’ heads. Tell Ellis to turn the horse around, will you?”

“Right. ……Sorry, Imina.”

Kicking the horse’s abdomen, she raised her face into a dignified posture. She sonorously told the soldiers on the battlefield her words of farewell.

“With this, we will return.” The meaning was that she thanked them for allowing her to struggle jointly with them. And, that the Order of Chivalry of the Wildcats’ daring fighting style left deep impressions as a result, that the newbies such as her had a lot to learn from them, that she was roused – she did not forget to add more flattery.

Returning that, cheers came from all around.

“Well, you as well, and so on – you are such brave warriors”, and so on. There were even people who wished the Princess eternal life. Though there at least were people that thought that Raimi’s backing and Imina’s hard effort saved lives, was it really like that within that left-wing unit? In any case, it could be some kind of destiny.

“Imina, you’ve done well.”

Ellis approached with the horse. She handled the reins quite impressively with her small body. But, it was cute because her feet did not reach to the stirrup because of her short height.

“Ah, it seems like you’ve done well too.”

“Mm, I got a little nervous, but…… I also went hunting at Mount Boleanu.”

When he was told that, he remembered when they were confined to the mountain. For those four years, Ellis did not utter any complaints even once, but was completely devoted to supporting Imina. They always procured food together. Holding the bow, which wasn’t really his strong point, killing an animal for the first time since he was born, taking out the entrails from its body with a dagger – surely, if he hadn’t done those things, he would probably free-spiritedly braid some milkvetch or something, with his small hands.

Them standing on the battlefield in that moment was all because of Imina.

Despite that, how was he? Surrendering himself to his urge to kill and hatred, only thinking about killing his enemies. Moreover, that enemy was not only Ellis’ brethren as an Elf, but also Shirjis, her brother–.

Feelings of guilt tormented his chest.

He felt sorry that he had changed his fate, and turned it onto a road full of severity.
However, Imina did not say a single word of apology. Because, conquering the road to revenge together with Ellis, was exactly what Imina had decided. Also, displaying the feelings of regret themselves, would be a betrayal against Ellis – and his murdered mother and elder sister, the people of his birthplace.

“Ellis, what face am I currently wearing?”

Instead, he asked that.

The same thing that he asked of Milifica some time ago.

Ellis answered, gently smiling.

“There’s blood on your cheek, you know? You have to wash your face when you come home.”

Therefore, Imina laughed as if to reciprocate.

“It’ll have to stay like that for a little longer. Besides, I’ll need to hang those Demons’ heads when we return. It seems that I have them. ……If you hate that, you can maybe get on Milifica’s, or Fream’s horse?”

“No, Imina’s back is fine.”

“I see.”

Picking up the Trolls’ heads, he threw them at the horse. Ellis, who received them, took a few arrows and fastened the hair on the heads to them, fastening them to the rear of the saddle. Just like when they lived at Mount Boleanu, and brought back pheasants that they had brought down.

Directly under the Eastern Eighth Gate, overlooking the Fortress’ walls, soldiers were assembled. Their numbers were a hundred or so, all members belonging to the Order of Chivalry of the White Wolves.

Occupying the observation platform and its environs, they made merry, and gambled.
The drinks as well as the gambling were directed towards the same things – in other words, they were in the midst of being excited about the outcome of the violent acts carried out by the party of the new Commander which had been appointed just that morning.

About one third participated in the drinking bout. Because they had no interest in the first place, the remaining two thirds were not to be found in that place. Only participating in the betting, they then returned to the lodging house. Even if one thought of seeing the results with one’s own eyes as to assure oneself, it was a literal drunken craze.

There were three baskets which the wagered tokens were thrown into. Would they scurry home with dispirited faces, or return as corpses, or would they not return back regardless of life or death? Though all sorts of expectations had come, they eventually settled on those three.

Anyhow, they were mere new recruits which just had left the Drill Academy, and to make matters worse, their numbers wouldn’t even make up a Squad of Ten. So, therefore, the alternative named “Winning and returning” didn’t exist from the start. The essentials of their predictions was, how their real natures would become transparent.

If they were shameless people with big mouths, the would disgracefully scurry home. If they were to have a reckless death-wish, they would be transported back as corpses. If they were boasting cowards, they wouldn’t return back in the first place.
The most predominant was “Not returning”. The runner-up was “Returning as corpses”. The one which was the least predominant was “Escaping”.

The reason for why “Escaping” was the least popular was because of the boy with them, who had let forth his bizarre bloodlust. That presence was somehow different from simple recklessness and disdain brought about by ignorance. He would, perhaps, fight to the last, involving his allies – many people thought so.

Also, as relish to the alcohol, who among those three women was the most attractive, what kind of howling screams would the Princess make if she was forcibly violated, what kind of jeers were they to make if those people were scurrying back, they were doing what they pleased, they ranted on with that kind of low-life prattle. While the guards, who were about to leave, frowned, they passed by without stopping as if it would be troublesome to be involved with them.

The merry-making scene itself was by no means unusual.

Even if they were said to be at the front-line, not every soldier of the large army’s 30,000 troops was put into battle day after day. Normally, regarding small skirmishes, the amount of people who came onto the plains was about 10,000. Even in times when the fort was attacked by the enemy army, the limit of troops able to participate in a defensive battle was about half, at best – the other half would be appointed to stand by at the rear guard. In other words, the soldiers fought every three days on average, the remaining two days being days off. And, speaking of what people did during those days off, the majority of the soldiers drunk.

However, ordinary soldiers wouldn’t behave as if they were in an uproar, occupying the castle without considering what a nuisance it would be to their surroundings. Were the ones who did it a unit glad of their victory which they were just about to win through in the great war, or a crowded-out group of people which didn’t take into consideration that they were disturbing their environs? Of course, it was the latter, and the guards frowned at them too.

“A mishmash of troublesome people” – that was the assessment that the Order of the White Wolves had received from the other Orders of Chivalry.

People who disturbed order, with bad manners. A bunch that though they were skilled, never listened to orders. People holding criminal records who volunteered for the job, wishing for amnesty. It was established so that that kind of people could be enclosed in one place, so to speak, an Order of Chivalry like a place for the disposal of waste.

There was hardly any chance that they were to be given any important missions, nor any expectations of military gains, and their military duty once every three days also ended with just dealing with stray Demons and Demon Beasts while taking a light stroll on the battlefield. It was rumoured that they were in that state without dismissal, because they otherwise would become bandits and robbers pursuing the army, and causing damage to the country; for the sake of becoming sacrificial pawns, thrown into a bloody battle, when the time came.

Did they understand that themselves? They never held back from their defiance. As if they were to forget their lives which they had reached their limits of, and their futures which had no destination, they spent their days self-indulgently.

Therefore, the matter of the new Commander Milifica and her followers was the perfect new amusement.

“Uh, what’s the time?”

While gulping down a bottle of wine, someone asked that question.

“How long until you guys are leaving?”

“Hasn’t something like two hours passed, yeah?”

Another person answered, while filling their cheeks with dried meat.

“I’m gettin’ tired of this half-arsed waiting. I’m fackin’ sleepy ’cause I got up early, yeah?”

“Well, we haven’t decided to stop it, yeah? If number one is correct, waiting forever is a waste too. Around this time, those guys should have returned sneakily through some other gate somewhere, and already are in the middle of the mountains.”

“Nah, if you think hard, there ain’t no meaning in waiting for number two, right? They’re outnumbered, and even if a comrade of theirs dies, they can’t bring it back, and they’ll be annihilated all the more.”

“Are you a fackin’ idiot? Not to mention those other brats, that new Commander is from the Royal Family. If she is taken home even as a dead effing corpse, you’ll get a reward. Even if they’re annihilated, won’t someone from another unit come for it then?”

“Huh? You’re the idiot, you bloody half-baldie. Even if they’re gonna get a reward, how many guys on the battlefield know that she’s royalty in the first place, huh?”

“Kakakaka, you ain’t wrong!”

“……ut the fuck up! There might be someone who knows, fuckface!”

With dirty words and belligerent manners, they roared with laughter.

Within them – a single soldier brought up a subject with a group of people which quietly stood in a corner of the fortress.

“Hey, Ziadrene, what number did you guys bet on?”

Their surroundings gazed at them from all around.

Though they were quiet, they were a group which emitted a frightful presence. In the middle of them was a muscular, bearded man, and a beautiful woman in the prime of her youth, who in a slovenly state was embraced by his arms. Furthermore, surrounding them, there were about twenty followers, which revered him as their leader. Obviously different from the other, gloomy people, seemingly trying to rid themselves of the alcohol day after day, an unusual presence followed their bodies. It seemed that the other group members also acknowledged his superiority, the tumult had dying down just like the receding waves.

Before long, the man in the centre, who was named Ziadrene, gulped down from a wooden barrel containing ale, and spoke.

“I ain’t betting on any of those numbers.”

“Oh, but you guys, didn’t you throw any bets in the box just a little while ago?”

Next to the three baskets where the betting tokens were to be put, lay a wooden box with a heap of silver coins. It was expected to be split equally between those who won. Attention was drawn to the box, and to the soldier who guarded the box, in the role of a bookmaker.

“Oi, Distah, you listening?”

“Er, erm, I’m listening. I’m listening, but you know……”

Distah, who was in the role as a bookmaker, was at a loss. He had a grimace that seemed to say that he was hesitant to speak of his own accord. The woman in his arms, who was smoking a cigarette, answered instead.

“I too have the same viewpoint as this person. I’m not betting on anything.”

“Madam Fiene, by that you mean……”

Ignoring someone’s inquiry towards the woman – Fiene,

“Well, it’s like half and half or something.”

While Ziadrene spoke to no one in particular, he gazed far-away from the rampart, and onto the Great Plains.

“It was pretty good, that bloodlust. Without ability, you can’t release that kind of sword-spirit. However, Demons and Demon Beasts are completely different from their human opponents. I wonder if that youngster understands that.”

“That red-haired boy? It surely did look like he was skilled…… But, if only one person of skill is mixed in among them, there ain’t no meaning, right? No matter how you look at that other lot, you can only feel that they’re wet behind their ears.”

Fiene sneered at the objections that the crowd had raised.

“Ha! You guys, you ain’t got the discerning eyes of a woman. I guess it’s because you only fuck cheap prostitutes.”

“Of a woman? Where the fuck is the woman in her……”

“Hey, everyone.”

Exhaling purple smoke with a puff, and sighing at the same time, she shrugged her shoulders.

“Everyone, that Princess, that silver-haired girl, and that chick with glasses. They’ve got guts. That kind of good women are close to us. Even on the boys’ side too, they have a promising future too, right?”

Everyone was taken aback. But it seemed unlikely that she was joking.

But, no-one laughed carelessly laughed. Because the party of Ziadrene and Fiene had earned themselves that much fear among the Order of Chivalry of the White Wolves. The voice which tore through the silence, which seemed to say “How should I react?”, came from the top of the observation platform.

“Heeeads!”

A man, which was a follower of Ziadrene, shouted.
He moved the telescope to the side and gave it a big turn. After that, he pushed out his opened palm in front of his face.

“Hey…… Erm.”

The leader’s bearded face warped immediately, as he shouted while roaring with laughter.

“Five of them? Now, ain’t that more than expected?”

“You serious!”

“Hey, that’s amazing!”

“They did it!”

Mimicking the boss, the followers one-by-one raised cheers of joy.

“Somehow or other, it seems like the bet is our win.”

Together with Fiene’s words, one party walked up to the bookmaker, and lifted up the wooden box. The bookmaker, gaping, opened his mouth in astonishment, while staring only at the mountain of silver coins being carried away. Ziadrene struck his palm with a fist, and stood up.

“Well, assholes, it’s a greeting! Our new Commander and those awesome fucking brats are returning!”

Spilling their alcohol and throwing away their meat, Ziadrene’s gang went down the rampart’s stairs.

The other people couldn’t understand.

“What the fuck just happened?”

“What the hell, is this……”

Though their non-understanding faces, with puzzled expressions on, met for a short while – before long, without any particular reason, they approached the rampart, made an appearance at the edge, and looked down over the Great Plains.

Then,

“Hey…… What?”

Under their eyes, they discovered a group riding on horses, riding straight toward the Eighth East Gate, and became speechless.

Traveling as the vanguard, was the blond-haired princess, perched on a white horse.
And following that, five boys and girls. It was the same number as when they had left. They had returned without being short of anyone.

There was not a neat person. Everyone was, more or less, covered in dust and blood. They were not dirty as if they had played in it. It was, beyond doubt, proof that they had wielded their swords at the boundaries of life and death. Among them, especially the red-haired boy caught their eyes. He wore a completely tattered overcoat without bothering to wipe off the darkish blood splattered across his cheeks, and laughed weakly while giving off an oddly dreadful presence even from a distance. It was as if the excitement of battle still lingered within him. With a face that seemed to say that the battles were insufficient, and that the the killing was insufficient.

A girl with bluish-silver hair clung to the back of the saddle – what was suspended from her both sides was inhuman; five monsters’ fleshly severed heads.

It was incredible.

However, it was unlikely that it was a trick.

Assuming that they, with only six people – had raided the battlefield and acquired the Demons’ heads. A Squad of Ten which appeared together could boast of having the strength of narrowly being able to get one, even so, five heads.

“……What’s that.”

It was a voice filled with admiration, where even the colours of despair could be heard.

“What are they, those guys.”

When they had left the gate, facial expressions of mockery and contempt had been seen on the the people’s faces, but now, they were of surprise and horror, and later on, awe.
Some people even began to shiver as they remembered their bad behaviour in the morning.

The princess – Milifica Yusala Astzeelen stood before the gate, and shouted loudly.

“Open the gate! The Third Army, Second Division, Eighth Battalion ‘The Order of the White Wolves’…… has returned!”

Though it was the name of the Order of Chivalry that they belonged to, she had made a sound that was unknown to them. It was as if they somehow were a heroic and honourable unit.

Footnotes:

Volume 2: Chapter 2 Bloodstains and FeastsThe front-line of the Second Elven War seemed to have become a stalemate for the last half year. By that it was meant that large-scale sieges occurred once every few days, along with small-scale scuffles, which happened every day. The reason for them was because the battlefield was becoming more and more cluttered, figuratively speaking.The Imperial Army had constructed a great fortress, which stretched far across the Great Plains of Mi Lou, as a line of defence. In other words, if one were to look from the Elves' side, the conditions for their victory would be for that to fall into their hands. However, as it was protected by the Mi Lou mountain range itself, it was easy to attack from, a difficult strategic position. Also, as the Imperial Army's human resources were greater compared to the Elven Army's, victory was difficult to achieve.However much the Demons and Demon Beasts raged, however much the Elves attacked it with mighty warriors capable of organic necromancy, the people who would close the gates and devotedly, single-mindedly protect it, were the attack power. From the other side of the mountain range, an abundance of resources were sent, with no sign at all that they would run out, even after six months.For the Imperial Army, the conditions of victory would be to either exterminate the Elven Army which were in formation on the Great Plains of Mi Lea, or to repel them. Of course, that was not easy either. The Elves, who were overwhelmingly outnumbered, used the numbers to their advantage, employing the tactics to disperse the other side's fighting strength by scattering their own battle formation out on the spacious plains. And namely, their battle formations were named The Elven Forest a small-scale Elven hamlet.Even if it was improvised and small-scale, an Elven Forest was an Elven Forest. As well as the abundant spirit flowers and spirit trees, Demons and Demon Beasts also prowled, along with highly-concentrated spirit energy which hung in the air, poisonous to humans. If one were to enter, one's head would be spinning after half an hour, after one day one's senses would become disordered, and after three days, one would die.Consequently, it was nearly impossibly to cut one's way into the enemy camp.From the battle formations that couldn't be broken, some Elves which held great power were accompanied by a select few monsters, and went on a rampage locally facing this tactic, the Imperial Army had not yet discovered any effective countermeasures to it.The Human side was enduring the sieges, which the Elven side had started, through their numerical advantage. On the other hand, the Elves made the best use of their advantage, through dispersing the humans' military force.This battle, where both sides mutually both were thwarted at the strong points and jabbed each other at the weak points, resulted in a stalemate, shedding blood on the Great Plains of Mi Lea.The war situation at the time was that the Elven side's siege forces just had temporarily withdrawn. Conversely, the Human side had broken through the Elven Army's battle formations from the outside, which lead to sporadic touchdowns and warfare.In other words, local, spread-out skirmishes, were currently unfolding all over the plain.When about eight hours had elapsed in the morning the Great Fortress of Astzeelen's Eastern Eighth Gate opened, and four horsemen on warhorses ran off toward the plain.There were four horses, while there were six troops.Though they were a few too many people for them to be messengers, they were too few to be called an unit.The soldiers who had gone out to the plain all looked at them, and made baffled faces, becoming wide-eyed at the girls, and those which made their way closer to them.At the young girl with long, blonde hair, who, dressed in armour, lead the group while straddling a white horse.Her beautiful features, which seemed to embody the very concept of dignity that that kind of presence was on the battlefield especially caught people's eyes. As she wore her coat with a cherry blossom-coloured border and clasped the reins with an elegant stance in that empty land, she seemed to be no less than a role model for the equestrian arts.Slightly late, young boys of whatever age raced at her left and right.One boy of a large build carried a spear on his back. The horseshoes that the horse kicked out from the ground with were somewhat dull but wide, and had a thick and heavy feeling to them. In contrast, the other boy was slender, and of a small stature. While he gave a girl-like shadow a ride, he still, somehow, staggering, drove the horse forward.There were also two people on the horse that was at the end of the line. The one who held the reins was a boy, and the one who had put their hands around his back was a girl. The boy was concerned about his dark-red hair, which was dishevelled, lengthened, and scattered by the wind. The boy was concerned about his dark-red hair, which was dishevelled, lengthened, and scattered by the wind. He glared forward, with excitement in his seemingly unfriendly eyes. While the girl pushed herself against the boy so that the hood would not fall off her head, she hugged him in a way that conveyed a strange charm. It was a mismatched group.The horseman who was the vanguard was a noble, and refined. Though the equestrian arts exhibited by the two next to it were splendid, they were still somehow unsophisticated. And, while the horseman that served as the rear guard's posture was bad, and the horse inferior, it followed without falling behind.While they caught the interest of the nearby soldiers, they headed toward their place of destination, which was the south-eastern part of the Great Plains of Mi Lea. From the Eighth Eastern Gate of the Great Fortress, the place was of the battle formation of the forces, a full ten kilometres away.The location of the Elven Army, which lay scattered all here-and-there on the plains while the unit that was fighting the single small Elven Village eased up the speed, they puzzledly turned their gazes against the approaching party.At the report that a suspicious Order of Chivalry which was neither a group of messengers nor a supply corps was approaching, and at the report that they wished to meet him themselves, First Lieutenant Arinei Doha raised his eyebrows in puzzledness.However, as he heard the name of the one who lead that party, those eyebrows drew a large arc, along with his eyeballs. Inquiring of the soldier three times whether they were mistaken of the name, and repeating back three times the question of who had mistaken the name of the royalty, he lost his head and went in haste toward the party.While confirming her appearance, Arinei, as if he had forgotten his position, croaked.Pprincess!?The girl, who stroked the white horse's muzzle, turned around and gently smiled.It's been a long time, Arinei. No, I should perhaps call you a First Lieutenant here.Though they had not met for over three years, it was impossible for him to mistake the daughter of the house that they had served from generation to generation.Aye, no First of all, you seem to be of good health!Arinei bowed at Her Highness the Princess, Milifica Yusala Astzeelen, while standing at attention. Immediately following, he thought damn. Originally, he was supposed to kneel, but he accidentally had responded back with military courtesies.However, Milifica did not reproach him. On the contrary,Please do not treat me as royalty, First Lieutent Arinei.And she saluted, just like a soldier.Princess?I am, at present, a civilian employed by the military. Just like you.What would you mean by that!?He was not told about those kind of things from the head of the family.Stretching back for over 200 years, the Doha family were nobles who were retainers to, and served, the Yusala family. Even when the war began and Arinei had received the summons, those bonds were not yet severed. He still, periodically, kept in touch with the head of the Yusala family, Milifica's father, through letters. He should have written about her present status though he certainly had heard that she had entered the Drill Academy, the graduation would have been a long way ahead.The opposite of the confused Arinei, Milifica calmly brushed him off to the side.I made you confused, didn't I First Lieutenant Arinei Doha, Officer of the Order of Chivalry of the Wildcats', of the First Battalion, Second Division, Third Army. Would you be able to let me explain the circumstances of why I entered the military, and why I came here?She inquired, her speech persistent; just like a soldier's.Yes, of course By all means, please do. I have no idea about anything.She spoke briefly to Arinei, who was nodding like a drinking bird.That, because of the Elves' attack, the Drill Academy of Yusala was annihilated.And, that seeing as she had narrowly survived, she was resolved to come to that place with her comrades, aspiring to become a soldier.That come her volunteering, she had installed as a Commander of the Order of Chivalry of the White Wolves, a garbage dump of crowded-out people, because of General Dali Shukua Astzeelen's plans. Sure enough, as she was greeted with harassment in order to frustrate her, by Amaz the man who governed over the Order of Chivalry she had gone down to the battlefield with her comrades.And then, in brief, the close-by battle formation, the force to which her friend belonged, had been the Order of Chivalry of the Wildcats, and she had come there in order to ask a favour.And t, that that may beFor Arinei, who had watched over the Princess since her early childhood as a retainer, the story came as a shock. So much that he was about to faint of astonishment, pitifulness, and resentment. However, what made Arinei even more astounded, were the words which Milifica continuously fired at him. She spoke of things that he doubted his ears on.For this reason, I am most sorry to bother you, First Lieutenant. Since would like to get a few Demons' heads from now on, would you be able to permit us to attack? Because, as soon as our business is finished, we will withdraw.Huh!?What a joke. Surely, she didn't go crazy?That kind of disrespectful guesses passed through his head.If one were to look, Milifica was accompanied by both boys and girls of the same generation. Of course, there were people younger than them among the soldiers, as there was no shortage of ages, and seeing the clothes it seemed that more than half were students of the Drill Academy. Guessing from their manner, they had not yet been out on their first campaigns. The two that weren't in uniforms could have been mercenaries hired during the group's travels, so it was unlikely that they would be reliable in a place like that.Of course, before that, the number of people also was a problem. Only six people even though it was not unusual that a Group of Ten would be annihilated against one single Demon despite their efforts in this war against the Elves. Did she come here without knowing such a thing?Such infantile bravery.Arinei bit his lips. Though he, deep down, was angry at General Dali's wretched plans, he even more than that scolded her ignorance and foolishness he had to protest those virtues which she had thoroughly pursued. Being a tomboy was also, if it was excessive, a sin.When he opened his lips as if to shout How about I send a letter to your esteemed father, Return at once, orThis isn't a good place for a child to be at,Milifica, as one would expect, we would be out of our league asking that kind of favour.The boy that stood behind her spoke laughingly, with a faint smile.It was one of those who were not wearing the uniform of the Drill Academy. His black overcoat was slightly dirty, and looked shabby. His eyes, which peered out from the opening in his dark-red hair were awfully sharp, emitting feelings of him being ill-bred and savage. And above all, even if the Imperial Princess was to be called by name as a joke, his attitude.Princess, who is this person? Have you, by any chance, been enticed by him?Though Arinei scowled at him, the boy was not perturbed at all.Been enticed, you say. Well, certainly, there's no difference.Oi, what's with that way of speaking!Unexpectedly, Arinei lost his cool. The boy completely ignored Arinei, who had taken a step forward and gripped his sword.Sashtal, Raimi.He shifted his line of sight to his comrades who similarly were waiting behind Milifica the boy with a seemingly flippant manner, and the seemingly timid girl, who wore round-lensed glasses.Can you grasp the battle formation of this Order of Chivalry, and their situation of war?The boy who seemed to be Sashtal nodded, while stroking his fine hair.Aye, it's fine. Before we entered the camp, I took a lap around it, y'know.I, it's not a problem!The girl named Raimi followed the boy. It was obvious that she was nervous from her voice which flew upwards, squeaking. However, the words that followed were enough to stop Arinei's thinking through shock.Errr The Elven Forest' is circle-shaped, approximately twenty metres in diameter. Our army is deploying a crane-wing formationa title=Jump to the Footnotes at the end of the page. href=#footnotesup1/sup/a in order to wedge open a gap! The enemy troops are large Demons, like Ogres and Orcs, which have come out from the forest and which play a leading role in the units. Though our army is slightly superior on the right wing, the left wing is inferior, and the encirclement is not perfect.Though her voice quivered, her words were fluid, speaking on without pause. The analysis was accurate. It was in line with the progress reports which Arinei had received a few minutes before.Moreover, again.Here, it is preconceived that the right wing is to retreat temporarily in order to lure out the enemy while the left wing disperses, and the attack point of the enemy, made into reserve corps, is dispersed. Doing that, the right wing will roll over and be reorganised into a fish scale-type attack formation After that, the faction which would cut up the enemy army, where the command would be in disarray, will shift places. While shortening the distance, what would be correct would be to take up the shape that would excel in defence squares and circles, and so on and bring them to a confrontation, right!UhHer prediction was almost the same as the plan which Arinei had presented to the Commander, who had come there before.Aren't you reliable, Raimi. Even though I only heard that your tactics grades were bad at the Academy.The fine-haired boy wittily joked at her,W, well Because, even if I only write down the conducted battle formations and outcomes in a simplified way, it's not for real, is it not..? Furthermore, didn't those questions completely ignore the season and weather when the wars occurred, and whether the yearly quotas of wheat were fulfilled, and such? In those tests, on those questions about battle formations and the development of the wars, I got angry and wrote criticisms.Of course, it amounted to a wrong answer. It was not acceptable for a student who had never been on a battlefield, to doubt the carried-out orders of the past days, and be opposed to them. It was natural that her theories were declared impractical.However, if that student had an eye for tactics which matched strategists from those bygone days, and if it had the knowledge. Practical orders were decisions that took into account the military power of both sides, troop morale, reinforcements, logistics, the state of affairs, the time, the weather, the quota of harvest, and so on various circumstances such as those. And if she had previously become aware of even those circumstances that weren't noted down in the text books through the history books and suchAfter their student's abilities had budded on the battlefield, wouldn't the instructors feel ashamed?Raimi. After we take your current predictions of tactic into account, what is the gap that we can penetrate?Aye!The girl vigorously nodded her head at Milifica's question.Though what I said just a bit ago just is a prediction, if you proceed in the same way, the troops would have to sacrifice not a small amount of people. The attrition rate of the left wing, which would become reserve corps, would be high even when the troops are to attack and move, them finishing without losing their attack power or not is sure to become a bet.I see. By the way, First Lieutenant. How are our options, which she just have stated? To what degree do our predictions differ?That is, that I can't help but say that it is correct, generally speaking.Arinei had no choice but to nod in assent, his face grimacing. It wasn't like it was generally speaking at all. It was like that right up to the details. Even for an instant, Arinei was a man, a staff officer who was employed at the Order of Chivalry. Though it couldn't be said that he was particularly prominent, he was confident that he had a better eye for tactics than average, as a staff officer. A young girl who was an ex-student, had completely forecast and even detected the faults of the plan that Arinei had raised.Raimi continued.Whether the bet succeeds or not, depends on the battle that the left wing has started the notch that they have cut through. Even if the right wind pretends to retreat and it falls, the enemy's leadership isn't always disarranged. In order to reliably disarrange the enemy, the left wing must confuse the enemy, while scattering in order to disturb them. It is also necessary, to a certain extent, that they fight to the bitter end. Only after that, will the enemy fall apart. Chasing after people who run away, and forgetting themselves when facing the enemy The integrity of the daft Demons is low. You should prioritise each and every instinct.In other wordsAgain, after he had heard her words, the red-haired boy fiercely smiled.So, what you mean is that this war of violently cutting a notch is our, good, plan, you say?Aye. If the left wing fails in its distraction, the forces will need to be killed by them and stall for time through that, retreat being impossible. In other words, the subordinates are made to carry the can. That's why, if we can, conversely, aid the left wing and prolong the meleeThe Order of Chivalry will succeed in re-assaulting from the turnover, and the numbers of victims will diminish. On that occasion, we can also take a few heads of those confused Demons that are bustling about In any case, that's the translation.Following the boy, Milifica wore a fearless expression.And in response to her, the boys and girls who followed also, one by one.I see, it's both easy to understand and easy on the ears.The fine-haired boy shrugged his shoulders.But, have you forgotten? Setting aside Imina, it's not like we are strong people with years of service, right?With somewhat philosophical eyes, he spoke, still not shedding his flippant manner.But, there's nothing that can be done. I I don't want to disagreeably huddle up into a quivering ball and cry!From the depths of her glasses, Raimi narrowed her eyes in a seemingly-timid way.I will do my duty without fail! Fream, please do take care of me.With no feeling of retreat nor feelings of stopping, her lips grew tough, and tied together.To be honest, though I may not have the confidence If I am made to take care of someone, I've gotta hold out, then.The large boy who clapped his hands as to inspire himself was the one named Fream,Well, from when we left the Drill Academy and came here, we haven't just leisurely walked during our travels. Let's pray that the experience instilled in us by Imina is beneficial.He held the magical spear, resting on his back, in his hands, and struck the ground with its tip, with a boom.And, finally.The girl, who stood rearmost taking off the mantle's hood which she wore over her head, stepped forward, her bluish-grey hair glistening in the morning sun.I don't really know much about battle. ButIt was a young woman who was short in stature, her features charming. With a lovely appearance, and a calm demeanour. A casual, gentle atmosphere seemingly following her, she didn't seem to suit the battlefield at all.However, her words that she continued speaking, seemed to give the completely opposite impression.From what I saw then, there were about fifteen Demons and thirty Demon Beasts over there, right? We can do, what, five Demons and ten Demon Beasts? If it something like that, the extermination would be adequate, right?Without hesitation as if she was speaking about a flock of sheep.WhaThough there was nothing to fear or be amazed about, Arinei felt a strange shiver on his back. What on Earth was the girl saying?No, it is different.Who are those people, exactly?From their presences and demeanours, Arinei felt a hunch. Milifica and the others held the confidence. The confidence, that they would win. It was not that they were looking down on the power of the Demons and Demon Beasts. It was not like they couldn't understand the realities of the battlefield because of their immatureness either. It was not like they were elated in a way surpassing stupidity; no-one raised a single rash remark either.Seeing how the Drill Academy had seemingly been annihilated by those types of beings, it was impossible that those people would look down on them. For people that didn't understand the realities of war, it would be impossible to draw accurate tactical predictions.Above all things it wasn't like that innocent party was able to emit bloodlust like that.That was it. What Arinei had trembled from, was not the young, silver-haired, girl at all.At the same time that she had said If it something like that, the extermination will be adequate, the red-haired boy next to her had smiled.Arinei thought that he just was a person of murky origin, a shabby overcoat coiled around his body differing from the uniform of the Drill Academy. Someone who Milifica had picked up somewhere, a mercenary-wannabe.Don't say those foolish words.That guy was that kind of simple person.He emitted bloodlust. As though that he had always held it down but that he could no longer endure it, the bloodlust tardily seeped out, slowly stagnating, resembling a quagmire set on fire.Arinei had not seen a single person with such a fierce presence before.He would not lose out among soldiers who had seen hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands of battles.I'll do five Demons.Said the boy. As if it were a matter of course. And, as if he was longing for it.Everyone is requested to fight. Ellis and Raimi are to assist in the disturbance, and be in the rear guard; Fream is to guard the two. While Milifica takes command over everyone, it'll be Demon Beasts together with Sashtal.Hey, hey, ten heads with two of us, aren't you overestimating us a little?If it seems to be impossible, I will assist you. However, I'm expecting it.Well, if we it is expected from us, there's no choice but to rouse ourselves, Sashtal.Innit. Can't be helped. We'll keep at it so we won't die, yeah?Milifica and Sashtal shrugged their shoulders at those instructions.For Arinei, even that was hard to understand. How could they calmly have a friendly chat with a companion that emitted such monster-like bloodlust?Well, If we were to await permission from the higher-ups, the sun would set first.With that, Imina glanced at him.Reflexively, his body grew firm. No words left his mouth.If one were to think through common sense, their behaviour was simply reckless.Besides, the one who spearheaded them was Milifica. Of course, as a commissioned officer, and above all, a retainer, it was absolutely necessary to stop them.He understood that in his mind. Though he understood that.Let's go, everyone. We're leaving it to chance.At everyone, who had begun to mount horses, he could only stare at them in a daze.Though I don't know much about military regulations, you may be punished later on At that time, do something about it, Milifica, please. Because you are the Princess, is it fine for me to say a few selfish words?Please do not say those malicious things. Do you not know that I dislike that kind of conduct? When we are criticised, it's not like we all will happily enter solitary confinement?Solitary confinement from the first day, all of a sudden? You're making me laugh.I'm sorry, yeah? They would faint if they knew back home.A, as long as I can bring a book into there, even if it's a jail, it's not especiallyOh, by solitary confinement, do you mean jail? We won't be forced to skip meals?They grabbed the reins in an even cheerful manner, and turned their horses one after another.Princess, please wait!As Arinei finally regained himself, at least only Milifica raised her voice.However, Milifica merely turned her face a little.Excuse me, First Lieutenant. If there is any punishment, speak to your heart's content later!The words of apology and parting, were already said while she rode the horse.They disappeared into the noise of the horses kicking up from the wetlands, and dissolved into the clamour which could be heard from afar.By the time that they had sped off, the frivolous talk soon stopped, decreasing as the horses' speed increased. As the signs of the battlefield grew stronger, it could be surmised that everyone's mood grew tense.Though he wondered whether to throw some appropriate joke to break the tension, the chance that it wouldn't work was still high For that reason, Sashtal Dei tapped on his reins with his fingers, at the same time as his mount vibrated, in order to at least calm down his violent heartbeat.Their cheerful attitudes from before was an obvious bluff.After all, setting aside Imina and Ellis, the other three people, including him, were mere former students which had become new recruits. Such a mishmash of amateurs plunging into the battlefield and gaining merits? Those acts were just so foolish and reckless, so that even though they couldn't see the staff officers' grimaces, they could understand them too well.Even thinking about it was fearsome. They were full of anxiety. Wouldn't they easily be kicked around? Would it not be an unthinkable shame for them to speak sharply, and jump out, barging into the battles that other armies fought, fighting unashamedly?Honestly, he regretted it wouldn't it be better if he had stopped it?On the other hand, though it was inconsistent his body trembled.Since half a month ago, when the Drill Academy had been attacked by Demons, Sashtal couldn't stop trembling. There was no choice but to face the monsters and resist them. Though he also held a sense of responsibility as the executive, and feelings of worry about Milifica, he hid them to the best of his ability.However, it was different now. He was just going to fight. And, he was able to do so, facing the battle. It was because he had strong allies, named Imina and Ellis.Did Milifica's cohesive force improve their moods? Both were greatly related. However, it was probably not only that.Hey.Sashtal inquired from Fream Eiza, who was traveling next to him.Oi mate, aren't ya scared? Anyhow, we're finally doing it.Of course, it's decided to be scary.Fream's expression was stiff. Nevertheless, within his tone of voice, a wee bit of cowardice was mixed in.Well, there's no choice but to do it. It's not like I can fail because it's scary, or anything.I see That's how it is, isn't it.As a matter of fact, it was just as he had said.When you tremble with fear it is difficult to move. And if you can't move, you fail. If you fail, it's not only you who dies, but it becomes so that your friends will too. And what was most scary was neither the Demons, Demon Beasts, nor the Elves.It was to die, and to let your comrades die as well.During the last half-month, Sashtal and the others had always made an effort during the journey, practising fighting with Imina and the others. They were not only made to practice fencing. Meeting face to face, the six spoke thoroughly about that they could do. It was in order to grasp everyone's abilities, strengths and weaknesses, and in order to think about what tactics could progress with the weapons, which used inorganic necromancy, they had on hand. It was in order to make their bodies memorise what positions they held when they arrived at the place of battle.The most important was not to increase the individual fighting ability, but to multiply the total fighting potential.Imina was strong. Ellis too; their strength was outstanding. However, while that was true, it was no good to only lean against those two. There was a need to become helpful to them by becoming skilful on one's own. And, in the training which repeated during that half-month, they were told by Imina many times over.I'm relying on you.If that was the case, wasn't it like it was impossible to not respond?While being protected by Imina and Ellis, wasn't it like they couldn't afford to nervously overdo it?I, I've seen it!Raimi, who clung to Sashtal's back shouted, while seemingly biting her tongue.The Order of Chivalry of the Wildcats was, at the time, deploying its front-line troops into a crane-wing formation, while also forming a square battle formation with the forces in the back. Who Sashtal and the others had met with Arinei were the Rear Corps, or even further on, the end of the forces' left flank.From there, they went around, taking roundabout paths by horse, the route planned out so that they were to rush into the battlefield from the left wing's flank. The battlefield was already within a stone's throw away. What could be heard from the wind was sword fights, roars, and screams, while the smell of blood and entrails drifted about unless they didn't stop their horses, it wouldn't become a distant view any more after a minute or so.We'll keep going like this!Drawing her sword, Milifica, who travelled as the vanguard, howled.It's our first battle! Though we might feel uneasy if we can't survive this kind of battle, there's no point in going straight to the front-line!Aye! I've already made up mah mind, you sons of bitches!Fream, who especially showed off his large-built body, showing off his spear.I, it's scary But! I'll do my best!Clinging to his back, Raimi let out her version of a battle cry. Sashtal's mind was also in high spirits, and he focused himself.Though, his nature wasn't one to talk big. That was why he, as usual,Well, I will step out and do it, but only so I don't die rashly, yeah.While he drew his kukri, his line of sight was fixed on the battlefield. The state of the battlefield completely came into sight. The rampaging Demons and Demon Beasts, and also the resisting soldiers, whose individual faces could be seen.Before they had gone toward Arinei's direction and done their inspections from a distance, about four half-hours had easily passed. From only that amount of time, the situation of war had certainly gotten worse.The enemy army's numbers were fourteen Demons, and twenty-odd Demon Beasts. They hadn't decreased by much. Regarding their own army the amount of people was roughly one hundred in the left-wing unit. Compared to a while ago, it was about two thirds, it seemed. It had already turned into a melee, the battle formations having broken down. In other words, the numbers would decrease after that.Though the right wing could be seen to retreat little by little, the enemy did not push on. It was just as Raimi had predicted. It was because the resistance of the left wing was weak, they were forgetting themselves, tormenting it.That was a bad omen.However as for themselves, it was a good opportunity to establish war merits.Imina, Ellis! I leave the Demons to you!Slightly lowering the speed of her horse, Milifica called on those two who were in the back.It is more urgent than I expected. It's a good plan, to take the assault away by snatching away the flow of events.Instead of affirming her, the horses the two of them rode on raised their speed. They overtook Sashtal and the others, and lined up next to Milifica,I'll get that ogre. It's good to introduce yourself when a gap has formed.Imina sneered.If only his face were to be seen, it could be called somewhat immature, or perhaps even a impish expression. However, his increasing presence ? was full of insanity, to the degree that even his Sashtal and the others, who were his comrades, felt scared. His characteristic urge to kill, from the resentment that he, Imina Halmatie, held toward the Elven Tribe.I understand May the fortunes of war be in your favour.Without flinching from Imina's urge to kill, Milifica presented her sword to his behind.Ah, there was that too.Imina unsheathed his falchion which rested on his waist, and touched the sword blades together with a clonk.And then.We're outta here, Ellis!Yup, Imina!Imina's feet kicked the horse's stomach. The neighing horse raised its speed. What they could see was about thirty metres ahead, was an Foul Demon an Ogre, glaring over a partially-destroyed Squad of Ten.The horse rode straight, and charged right into it. The Ogre, who had noticed its presence, slowly turned its head. At the same times as the intersection, Imina leapt across from his saddle, thrusting his crimson sword blade at the Ogre's back.The blade did not pierce it. However, it was not a blow as to allow the blade to pierce through. The aim was to use that impact as a trigger, therefore invoking the inorganic necromancy which lay within the sword.A profound, translucent crimson, it was Imina's beloved sword, Exellis. That sword blade was not made of neither jewels nor metal. It was hardened, highly-concentrated, condensed blood of Ellis, who was a part of the Elven Tribe. Blood in other words, it was a sword made from an organism, possessing characteristics peculiar to Ellis, which could reproduce her inherent inorganic necromancy, albeit in a limited way.Namely, that was the usurpation of spirit energy.Exellis could, in part, absorb the spirit energy, which dwelled within the Ogre's body. That was because of the engraved inorganic necromancy seals, which were etched on the sword blade's surface, which changed it into the power of destruction. While shedding light, it coiled around the blade.Somersaulting by using the attack to its back, Imina landed at the Foul Demon's feet.Wh, at?The soldiers, which were engaged in battle, stopped their movement, blankly looking at him. The ogre could have been perplexed in the same way as well. Making its upturned eyes narrow, its deeply-split mouth halfway-open, it overlooked the human which had cut its back once the small shape which just had flown suddenly. Nevertheless, it was still for a moment.The Ogre immediately reacted to Imina's urge to kill.Guh, gururururu, ah!Raising its enormous, log-like arm, it swung its fist down at its feet in order to strike him.However, that was a good opportunity which Imina had predicted. The reason was because when the spirit energy was entangled and absorbed, it couldn't bisect the ogre's torso. The part which could be bisected was the leg, and, from there going three metres up, the head.Imina evaded that one blow, which was as violent as a waterfall, by twisting his body.First of allHis movements of evasion were at their minimum. He placed his foot by the falling arm, and dashed up the Ogre's body. Treading on its forearm, he kicked its elbow pit, and leapt further, using its shoulder as a foothold.That's the first one!He slashed at the Ogre's nape with his crimson sword, which glowed phosphorescent.Its pincushion-like mane, its stone-like skin, its steel-like muscle, and its oak-like spine too. Without pausing, the light of destruction bisected everything in one go.The Ogre's head fell down with a flop. A heavily-spurting, darkish fountain spread the smell of blood to the surroundings. It lost the power in the both legs that held its large body, and the headless torso slowly crumbled.As Imina landed, he stood up and smiled weakly, with sprays of blood which had landed on his cheek. Cruelly happily, while intoxicated by the accomplishment of slaughter. The soldiers, who had opposed the cruelty of the Ogre until some time ago, muttered, dumbfounded.Ain't, this a jokeOf course, it wasn't only them. It was the same for the other units that had been fighting in the surroundings.What, just happened..The Ogre's, neck fell down.Wasn't that, one blow?How absurd. But, wellSo he offed it on his own? That little brat?Those who were at a loss with the Demon Beasts' fangs, those who through their preparedness for death stood ready to die from the Orcs, those who restrained themselves at the Trolls' groups through their indecisiveness. To make matters worse, beside the humans, even the Demons and Demon Beasts reacted to the vibrations from the collapse of the large body, along with the suddenly thickened smell of blood, and moved their gazes toward there.The silence in the suddenly-open battlefield was torn up by the girl's roar.Ogre head number one! Imina Haimatie killed it!Who started that was one girl Milifica. Mounting a white horse with corpses of Demons underfoot, she raised her silver sword, showing her dignified presence.Her long, golden hair was as smooth as water while she rode. Her transparent, azure eyes showed both gentleness and sharpness, holding a power of observation that seemed to allow her to control the area with one glance. Her graceful features being strained yet still slightly gentle, she made the onlookers tense up, while at the same time fascinating them.In the battlefield where blood, entrails, and dust dominated, that appearance of hers shone in a different way. Sashtal, who came a little late, astonishedly stopped his horse at a distance. Even he, who normally was cheerful, was unconsciously captivated. Was it really possible, if one were to consciously behave like a noble, being in the royal family?She was beautiful to the extent that she gave an impression that she was a goddess of war which had descended.She informed them. Clearly, as if singing.My name is Milifica Yusala Astzeelen. With such brave soldiers under my command like Imina Haimatie here, I hurried to this battlefield for a certain reason.Astzeelen. If it was among the citizens of the Empire, it was an echo of the king which no-one would not know. Again, for the soldiers, there was the name of the Great Fortress within the mountain range in the background. In other words, everyone who were there, were fighting under her flag.Through only introducing herself, Milifica made it known to her surroundings.And, in addition.Furthermore, from today, I have taken up the post of Commander of the Second Division, Eighth Battalion The Order of the White Wolves'. Though we are a small force in numbers, us six elites of the Order of the White Wolves would you please be able to approve us to fight jointly with you, you of the left-wing unit of the same-division, Second Battalion Chivalric Order of the Wildcats? If we're not a hindrance, please let us fight together with you!Oh We could wish for nothing better.What someone mumbled, spoke for the feelings of everyone who had heard her words.The faces of the soldiers were full of exaltation.Originally, soldiers affiliated with someone else entering a battlefield and dividing it deviated from the customs of war. It increased the possibility of the command being thrown out of order, the obstruction of the execution of tactics, and also the interception of merits of war.From the beginning, in outline, it was the very best of places.There were many advantageous hands to be played. Milifica was royalty she was of a social position where no-one could complain even if she was a little selfish. She was endowed with her cohesive force. And, that left-wing unit had a relatively small number of people it consisted of about a Company of One Hundred.The one who would command a Company of One Hundred was a non-commissioned officer, and in terms of rank, that would be a sergeant major or a sergeant. Though Milifica was a Commander that had been forced to command, an Order of Chivalry, she was given the rank of Captain. Captain, and moreover, one could not simply stop a person of the Royal Family from personally applying for assistance through one's own discretion.To say nothing of that they were under melee warfare. It was possible that no-one knew where the Commanders of One Hundred were. Even if they would, it would be impossible to go to each and every superior officer and apply for permission, in a battlefield which would not allow predictions of the war situation. If one were to coercively have a face that seemed to say Of course and push through, any amount of explanations would arise afterwards.The purpose of that was to demonstrate their power to that disgusting former leader, and to the bastards in the Order of Chivalry of the White Wolves, and as proof, only a few demons' heads were necessary. Though it, as a result, could assist in the victory of not only the left-wing unit but also the Order of Chivalry of the Wildcats; ultimately, help was help.It could be said that they were setting up the table. Imina had succeeded with the assault while Milifica prodded at the gap, securing the place. Therefore, Sashtal and the others would do it to the end, only to the extent as to not mess up. Without working themselves up, they relaxed so that they could achieve the results of their training.Raimi, get ready.A, aye!Urging the girl on the behind, they both dismounted. Giving the horse who had supported them until now a single pat, it ran away, encouraged. Though it, to be honest, would be better if the horse were to leave when returning home it would be difficult to make it stay there, as expected of a horse.Please wait!Nearly at the same time as Sashtal and the others' horse run off, another one came running. It was Ellis. After only Imina had jumped off the horse in assault, she had returned instead, grasping the reins herself.Thus, everyone, six names in total, re-united on the battlefield.Milifica, as the Commander, mounted a white horse, showing off her existence. And behind her, Sashtal and Raimi stood on the ground with their own feet. In order to settle down at both sides, Fream and Ellis calmed down their horses. And, the one who relaxedly stood in front, standing ready, laughing with an intent to kill, their maximum strength, the key of attacking Imina.Then, let's get started.Formally waving her knight sword, Milifica radiantly exclaimed.All hands Commence battle!Laimi Selea-Shutimeryl was born into a former-noble, now-commoner, middle-class family.Though they, until her grandfather's generation, had been bestowed with the rank of Viscount, and taken up residence in the royal capital, her father seemed to have fallen when she was about three years of age. The cause seemed to be that because the head of the family, Raimi's grandfather, was doing military service, an unthinkable blunder happened with the savage tribes of the South.She didn't know so well what kind of blunder it was. However, consequentially, Raimi's family had, when she was born, already let their residence go, had denounced their nobility. They moved from the royal capital to an ordinary city in the countryside, living normally as commoners.However though the event had happened before she was born, it wasn't a story that didn't relate to her.Her grandfather's generation was only about thirty years ago. Raimi was raised together with the remnants of the court rank that the Selea-Shutimeryl family had held. If it was used steadily, there was a fortune that would not be completely consumed for about twenty years or so; there was a house, that while it wouldn't be called extravagant, was large. The air in the family was such that one would not forget the glory of olden days, influenced by her grandfather's words and deeds. And, stored in her grandfather's library, there were a great number of books.It was said that the children in the residence that lay on the hill were kept at a distance from the children in the city, as her grandfather always had held the expectation that she someday would bloom a second time as a noble and become a person of importance, and that was why it was unavoidable for her to, in order to flee from those expectations, seclude herself in the library every day, reading a large amount of books day after day.Her entering the Yusala Drill Academy was also because of her grandfather's intentions:When you leave the Drill Academy and appoint yourself at the battlefield, if you are to achieve merits, a court rank will be bestowed on you as a reward and you will become well known. That's why, for the sake of your country, make yourself well known.Her parents did not oppose those troublesome views either. And Raimi could not say herself that it was unpleasant, because of her naturally timid nature. However, she felt that it was unreasonable, in the depths of her heart. Because, wasn't it a ridiculous story? Why was the grandchild of the person who had blundered in war and stripped away the court rank to receive one again through deeds of arms, in war?Because she had neither the willingness nor the ability, she did not do her best in the lectures. In the classroom, she couldn't write the answers that the lecturer wished for without it interfering with the knowledge that she had learned, and in the practicals she couldn't wield a sword at all, nor fire a bow. However, within the Academy's library there were dozens of times more books than what she had at home, and she was only devoted to be absorbed in them.Before long, it was rumoured that there was a schoolgirl with bad grades, that despite that did nothing but read books, and she started to be ridiculed as De-dusting Laimi. Ultimately, when she looked back from when she was in her home town, and understood that nothing had changed she obtained a chance to speak with the representative of the Drill Academy, Milifica.Milifica was searching for a history book in the library. Because her degree of familiarity was low, she didn't even seem to know where the librarian was. Because she had read that book by chance, Raimi led the way. Because she remembered that the writer's point of view was peculiar, making the book difficult to read, she also recommended supplementary books that were in the surroundings. And then, she was very admired and congratulated graciously to the extent of it being wasteful.She was told that she was praiseworthy. She studied from many more books, and was admired, being told Please make use of your knowledge for this country. Her, who could not at all do classroom learning nor the practicals. Her, who could not do anything else other than read books. Her, who had descended from an incompetent grandfather, an incompetent grandchild.And, at present, Raimi was standing on the battlefield. With Her Highness Milifica, the Princess, who had acknowledged her for the first time since birth as her comrade.She still didn't know what her grandfather had done when he had blundered. She thought that it was inconsequential. She had no interest in taking back the days of glory which he wanted.It was not for that reason that she was standing there.Hearing Milifica's orders, she took a deep breath.And she picked up the book that was suspended from her waist. A grimoire, it was called. Seals of the inorganic necromancy were written down on paper with special ink, and were bundled together and bound into the shape of a book. It was invented in the earlier days when inorganic necromancy had just first been discovered, but soon became obsolete because of its low usefulness. Now, it had become a weapon that no-one looked back on, a weapon buried in history which somehow reflected her. As such, it was very suitable for her.She supported its back with her left hand, opened it, and turned the page with her right hand. They were movements that she had repeated almost daily since she was very young. She moved her fingers fluently, even in the battlefield's tension.First of all, she checked page 156. What was written down there was a inorganic necromancy of fire. She grasped the page and pulled it out from it's binding,Ellis, please! Delay, five seconds!She presented it, and spoke to, Ellis Endveil, who was riding her horse next to her.Yes!While readying the bow that she carried on her back, Ellis received the piece of paper.At the same time, pulling out one arrow from the quiver which lay fastened to the horse's saddle, she passed the arrowhead through the top of the paper.Ogre on our front-left, twenty metres ahead!Following the instructions that Raimi had announced, she nocked the bow and shot the arrow.The arrow, with a piece of paper attached to it, flew unstably in the wind. However, the only thing that was dangerous was its appearance it was twenty metres ahead of Raimi and the others, raging on against the Squad of Ten which were its opponents, the Ogre's right eye was magnificently pierced through. Immediately following, the grimoire's flame arts inorganic necromancy was invoked.Gu, wooah!?Its pierced eyeball finally enveloped its head in flames, and the Ogre writhed in pain. Of course, that extent would not be enough to rob the robust Demon of its life. But, at least it was no longer able to fight, and it had lost the margin it had from the humans, that were its opponents, which surrounded it from a distance, crowding it.Now, soldiers!, Raimi shouted as loud as she could.Whether it reached them was unknown. However, every person in the Squad of Ten which was behind the Ogre bowed their heads collectively in assent, preparing and fixing their battle foundation, attacking as an enclosure and commencing battle. At once, one person succeeded in severing the tendon of one leg, and the Demon's large build fell on its knees. It was not necessary for it to be defeated further any more.I'll go next!Therefore, looking out over the battlefield again, she turned the page page eighteen, the inorganic necromancy of acid.Delay, seven seconds! Fifteen metres on the front-right, a flock of Kerberos! She ripped it, and delivered the page,Yes!Ellis received it, and passed the arrowhead through the paper, firing her bow where she was instructed.The Kerberos ganged up in teams of five, and was just about to rush on a few soldiers. In the middle of that, the arrows, which flew in and pierced the ground, invoked the inorganic necromancy at the point of impact. A pond of acid which spewed cloudy smoke spread out, burning the beasts' feet.The eyes of the young man, who seemed to be a Commander of Ten, sparkled, and he was heard shouting at his troops.All hands, don't let this chance get away!Even though the magical beasts were trying to escape from the unbearable poison, they could not move their slippery feet nimbly. If their agility was snatched away, even they were just run-of-the-mill targets. They were stabbed to death by the soldiers' spears and bows and arrows.With that, it was two places. However, they were not done yet. They would still do it was far as their eyes would reach.Next, twenty metres on our rear-left, two Orcs engaged in battle with our forces, the delay is six seconds!They wanted to retreat carrying the wounded people. In other words, page 320, the inorganic necromancy of a smokescreen.Yes!Next Seven metres on our rear-middle, one Salamander, the delay is three seconds!The hot wind that the Salamanders breathed was a nuisance. Consequently, it was page twenty-one, inorganic necromancy of freezing.Yes!Thirty metres above our diagonal-right, a Griffon is gliding, the delay is seven seconds!The soldiers could deal with it if it were to drop to the ground. That being the case, it was page 196, inorganic necromancy of lightning.Yes!Before long, after they took a short break, the cooperation between Raimi and Ellis was repeated.Raimi's judgment of the war situation and the selection of the inorganic necromancy that she chose to respond with, and the chain of sequences to find the intended pages, never took more than five seconds. In addition, since the grimoire was invoked with a time limit from when the page was torn out, it was necessary to swiftly deliver it to the place where it was to activate. What enabled that was Ellis' archery.The sequence of movements was extremely rapid. Her aim was unparalleled. The distance was not mistaken either. Rather than that being her skill, it was due to the power of the Elven Tribe the organic necromancy.Currently, Ellis' insides of her body, surrounded by spirit energy which revitalised it, strengthened her physical strength, reflexes, eyesight, and also her ability of perception. Easily pulling a bow that human males would have a difficulty pulling, immediately capturing the far-away opponents which were disappearing into the Mist of Earth, and perceiving the flow of wind with her entire body, she accurately fired the arrow with an unstable trajectory, which had the paper stuck to it.With a mastery which already only could be thought of as her being an expert asking the person herself, she said that she did not seem to be particularly skilled with the bow among the Elves. Did the Elves as a whole excel at archery, or was the organic necromancy amazing to the extent that it boosted the mediocre skills' areas? Probably, both statements were true.But, however accurate Raimi's judgment of the war situation was, even if Ellis' archery was excellent, if they did not adjust to each other's breathing, they would not be able to win smoothly and speedily. In the half-month from when they departed the Drill Academy until they arrived at the Great Fortress, the two did nothing but practice that coordination together.Raimi could not wield a sword. Her martial arts were also similar to a novice's. Speaking of the things that she could do, she displayed the information which she had amassed in her head, and turned pages of books as much as she could. She thought that she couldn't play an active role on the battlefield. Though her being able to accompany Milifica by her momentum was good, it was certain that she was a burden, so she always fretted with a What to do? in the depths of her heart.On that journey where she held those worries, Ellis had suggested it.If I shoot the arrows, you can protect me with those grimoires, can't you?She had said.Even I want to, because there's no way I can afford to always stick close to Imina, so if there's something I can do, I want to do it. Even if I am to use organic necromancy with archery, being exposed would be hard, and surely I would do well, I think. Therefore, let's protect everyone together.Raimi wanted to respond to Ellis. She thought that she could respond to her comrades. Therefore, she would do what she could, to the extent of her abilities. Raimi's inorganic necromancy would, protect the arrows which Ellis fired.The melee, which up until then had been disadvantageous, gradually turned to the humans' advantage. Like that, the enemies would be unable to take their eyes from the supported Order of Chivalry of the Wildcats, which would make it easier for the comrades to fight.It's splendid! Raimi, Ellis!Facing them, Milifica smiled.The backing of the Order of Chivalry of the Wildcats is steadily going better. Next time, please lend that power to us!Decapitating the Cockatrice which sprung at the horse and sending its head flying, she encouraged Raimi and the others. Within that gaze, her heart throbbed greatly.Yes, that was it.In the battlefield, there was no need for meritorious deeds. It was fine to not receive a peerage. She only wanted that person to praise her. She only wanted to become helpful to that person, and fight together with that person.And wasn't that because that person was the Princess of the Royal Family of Astzeelen? Because that person was Lady Milifica because she was her important comrade which had accepted her.Ellis and Raimi backed the battlefield, while Fream, who readied his magical spear, was filled with morale, waiting for Devils and Demon Beasts to attack those two. Also, at both sides, while Sashtal and Milifica were attached to the line of defence, they engaged nearby magical beasts in battle.While gazing at them from behind, Imina confronted a Demon. He breathed out in relief and admiration at the comrades' hard struggle. Though they had been hastily trained for only half a month, he thought that they were going quite well.Originally speaking, their individual skills weren't so bad. Milifica had more qualities than Imina if one only were to look at fencing, and Fream had the cleverness to precisely aim at the opponent's weak points too. Because Sashtal was born and raised in a hunter's household, he exceeded in agility and raw intuition. The only one that he was worried about was Raimi but, there was no way that she was making the best of her strong points like that. And if Raimi was doing well, there would be no need for any others to worry.The most important thing when fighting Demons and Magical Beasts was to perceive one's own strong points, and bringing them to the battles that one would fight. Compared to humans, they were genuinely strong as living beings. Their physical strength was capable of feats of destruction, crushing humans like berries, with agility that could close up the distance the instant one lost focus, needle-like hair and rock-like skin that guarded its body, and possessing fangs and nails with sharpness equivalent of a sword.Some of the Magical Beasts also had things that could fly in the air or breathe fire. Even if one were to challenge them fair and square, you would certainly not win. Therefore, one wasn't to fight them fair and square. The only thing humans had that they didn't was to be mobilised to the maximum degree, to fight cunningly.While using one's strong points and not allowing the opponent to do so, the chance of winning would rise an order of magnitude higher. For an example, if it was a huge Ogre, a group which held long-handled spears. Because the Ogres' fixation with appetite and sexual desire was high, bait suspended and used as traps was effective. There was no need to keep up with a Goblin's nimble agility, you could simply stop their feet. Instead of using a blade which had difficulty piercing the Trolls, with their entire body concealed in long hair, acid and flames worked very well. It was relatively safe to oppose Kerberos-like magical beasts from a long distance with a bow and arrow.Of course, even so, danger would follow. One instant of carelessness could lead to death. Even if one wasn't careless, the opponent's physical strength and reaction velocity could exceed one's imagination. If one were to overlook the battlefield, there would be many things that one couldn't handle. Even the Order of Chivalry of the Wildcats, who actually were used to battle, had been at a disadvantage until Imina and the others had gone to war. However to say that even the experienced soldiers lost would be to look from another perspective; if the tactics were good enough, there were even chances that amateurs could win.Although, if he were to give such a lecture, he wouldn't have all that much persuasiveness. During the journey when they came there, Milifica and the others gazed straight at, and refuted him many times with a Aren't you fighting it directly opposite it?, and practically, because it was like that, he couldn't demonstrate it to them first-hand. He thought that he wasn't a good lecturer. Still, what they had become in a paltry half-month was pleasing.After that, hehoped that it would be good if the results came out well without wasting their effort.While he came down to the battlefield, he began with slaughtering an Ogre, then bringing down another nearby Ogre, and yet another Ogre. Currently, what were his enemies were two Trolls which had lined up; in other words, they were his fourth and fifth. Happily lined up, their bodies covered in thick hair, they shook, bellowing like a mixture of a cow and a baby.Both of them held a stone axe, carried in their hands. The stones' surfaces was dyed in blood, and pieces of meat were stuck to them. A short while ago, they had surrounded the soldiers and relentlessly beat them to death.What's that. Did they get them from their little shepherd?What kind of guy is the Elf who is leading them?, he thought.What could be guessed from the things that he didn't find was their position the small Elven Forest which thickly grew at the front of that battlefield, was that they were hidden there, for sure.It's a cold guy. I will leave it up to them.He would surely leisurely drink tea while looking out at the trends of battle. Without dirtying his hands, relishing in the beasts' roars and the humans' screams.That little shepherd of yours I'll kill him soon!While he shouted that, he charged in. The Troll on the right reacted and went ahead.Brandishing its stone axe, it struck.Evading, he counterattacked, hitting its head with his sword. And, along with that, he took some distance from the right side; in other words, he turned to where the stone axe couldn't hit. It was not possible to rob an inorganic presence of its spirit energy.As if it was invited, the Troll let loose a slap with its empty right arm.He received it with the middle of the crimson sword named Exellis.With a tremendous shock, his body fluttered in the air. Though the Troll was the same size as a human, a middle-sized Demon, it possessed strength that was incomparable with humans.KuUnderstandably, his entire body hurt. Nevertheless, Imina's cheeks warped in delight. Because, the weight of the shock was proportional to the following stroke of the blade's power.After flying a few metres, he landed. The soil under his feet was gouged out.At the same time as when he fixed his posture, he charged back in like a football which bounced back.Guh, buoh, ah!The Troll, which had hit Imina a while ago, opened its beastly mouth and cried something. However, both of its hands loosely hung down. Didn't it have a head for counter-attacking, or was it very negligent? Over there, there were two, and that way, there was one, even if they lost to the likes of humans in numbers, there wasn't a chance that they were a threat to them.Then, you go ahead.Number four!The red light, which coiled around the sword blade of Exellis, decapitated the Troll on the right side. The response was trivial. It was like cutting butter. Even the dense body hair that guarded the neck and the thick subcutaneous fat, was sharply, ruthlessly cut up by the light of destruction.Buoooo, ooooh!Was it angry that one in its group was killed? The other Troll artlessly swung down its stone axe. Because it was immediately following the attack, evasion was impossible. The sword's light did not even remain any longer.But, it did not really mean that Imina depended on the inorganic necromancy of Exellis for everything. When it was impossible to use, it was a story of it simply being good to deal with it using pure fencing.The huge rock, which was unleashed without any skill, was dealed with and parried. Slashing his sword upwards, he diverted the orbit.A boom. With the dull impact, his hand grew numb. As one would expect, it was not as magnificent as Milifica's hooking parries. Nevertheless, the stone axe did not get stuck in Imina's head, but in the ground instead. The Troll stiffened a little. There was a gap.Rah!Without a moment's delay, he struck its shoulders with a karatake-wari. a title=Jump to the Footnotes at the end of the page. href=#footnotesup2/sup/aWithout stopping the movement, twice, thrice. He repeated the strikes with the power of his entire body. Changing his position was toying with it, keeping the distance was drawing nearer, faster than the opponent could counterattack.Of course, the opponent was unperturbed. Defended by its body hair, it was not given a single wound. However, the more you slashed at it, you could slash it, as the crimson sword blade stole spirit energy from the inside of its body.There was no need to steal the spirit energy from the other party's attack. Even with the impact from that, the inorganic necromancy was invoked. Of course, because the effect was remarkably lower compared with the time of unleashing, it was compensated for with numbers. When the quantity of stored spirit energy was below the threshold, the blade never emitted light.And, his body remembered when the threshold of just how much energy was accumulated was exceeded.Three more hits. Two hits.With thisOne hit invocation was possible.Number five!Exellis, which swept down, left behind a crimson phosphorescence on the Troll's neck. While the spirit energy, which was being substituted toward the power of destruction, became a shapeless power of destruction, it was diffused from the sharpness of the blade, and cut off flesh and bone.The Troll, which had lost its head, crumbled down while blood spurted from the opening of the wound. There was already nothing which moved within three metres of Imina. Lying at his feet lay four pieces of meat. They were the torsos and heads of the two different Trolls.His mouth faintly warped into a smile. His hand, which held the sword's hilt, was numb. Though he had many wounds, there were none on his bones or internal organs. His entire body was tormented by feelings of fatigue and pain. His head was faint from the exaltation of battle. His thinking didn't work too well.Instead, his line of sight flew around.As a whole, the progress of the battle leaned toward the advantage of the Order of Chivalry of the Wildcats. The numbers of Demons and Magical Beasts had been greatly reduced. With the left-wing unit receiving the gains from Raimi and the others' backing, it seemed that about half of the monsters had fallen back to distract the left-wing unit, pursuing them.And looking out over the battlefield, suddenly.The corpse of a soldier which the Trolls had tormented a little while ago caught his attention.She was still a young woman.She could have been in the middle of her twenties. Her face was almost intact. Instead, he was obsessed with the body. He wondered how many times the stone axe had been swung down. From her abdomen to her back, it was like a carpet made out of blood, dirt, and intestines, all sloppily intermingled. What retained its original shape was one breast of hers.Her expression had warped into one of anguish and despair. In front of her right arm, which was stretched out as if it was trying to grasp something, fell a magical sword. Her left arm only went up to her elbow. It had probably been eaten by the Troll.Looking at her, the depths of his stomach unexpectedly cramped.uh!?It was not nausea. What was rising up from his stomach was not vomit.It was something else though it had no mass, it was the most heavy thing that existed in the world. It was muddy, yet it clung to the targets that it clung to more firmly than everything else. It was tremendously cold, yet hot enough to burn everything.In other words, it was hatred, or an intent to kill consisting of hatred.It was as if it was scattered about among the corpses that lay here and there on the battlefield. Why did this soldier's corpse give him that impulse? Well there probably was no reason to it. Unexpectedly, her face, tainted by anguish and despair, entered the gaps of his relaxed mind after he had finished the battle.And, the human named Imina's heart was so brittle that hatred overflowed from him from only that kind of trivial occasion.The scenes from his birthplace had become sparks and was played in the depths of his head.Holding his sword, he was filled with strength. The numbness from when he parried the stone axe a while ago changed into a darkish feeling of intoxication that, before he knew it, encroached on his body. It hurt. The sweet intent to kill hurt.Why, for what was he vaguely standing about? Wasn't the best yet to come? Was it enough to kill only five Demons? After all, because the Demons and Magical Beasts were mere substitutes, however many he would kill, he would not feel satisfied.Beyond that point lay the Elven Forest. Them, carefully watching the fight with careless faces with sharp ears he would pierce that abominable tribe which had ears just like Shirjis.He took one step forward. He though that they probably had gone outside. If he were to wait for another few seconds, wouldn't the walking probably turn into a sprint? What did not let him, was his name being screamed.na, Imina!Vaguely turning back, a woman who had the face of his elder sister was just close to him.Uruha, he spoke, taken aback.Even though it resembled her, it wasn't his elder sister. It was the princess of the country, who also now was Imina's friend,Mili, fica?His mind, which was foggy, cleared up in an instant. He shook his head. He was aware of his heartbeat. He put his strength in his extremities. His stomach, once again, was engulfed in the urge to kill and hatred, which had settled in his chest.What's the matter? Are you injured?Ah, no, it's all right. Nothing.Ellis told me. That you seem to have achieved your goal. That's why I wanted to withdraw, but even if I went close and shouted there was no reply.The white horse snorted behind her. It seemed that it had been anxious since she had stepped down from the horse.Sorry, I was thinking a little We're pulling out, you say? Got it.He shook his sword, the blood splattering off, and put it in the sheath which was installed on his waist, behind him.That's right what am I losing control for?Ultimately, the purpose of that battle was to surprise everyone in the Order of Chivalry of the Wildcats, and to earn certain merits of war. Furthermore, it wouldn't be good to overdo it and snatch away the merits of war that the Order of Chivalry of the Wildcats were to attain.To say nothing of entering the Elven Forest alone and bringing down the enemy army's heads.Something was wrong with him. That was a no-go.Hurry, Imina. The soldiers have started to notice that there is a leeway that they can overcome the trouble with. ? Because the right flank will turn around and attack soon too, so before it becomes troublesomeYou see, Milifica.Imina resolutely spoke to the appearance from behind, who had her feet on the horse's stirrup.What kind of face did I have earlier?That would be.She was silent for only a few seconds.Before long, she turned around toward him, and spoke with a somewhat sympathising voice.I'm so sorry, just a bit more Until you return to the fortress, please stay in a valiant figure. As for me, I need that power of yours.That was also the answer directed toward the question.Got it. I'll pick up the Demons' heads. Tell Ellis to turn the horse around, will you?Right. Sorry, Imina.Kicking the horse's abdomen, she raised her face into a dignified posture. She sonorously told the soldiers on the battlefield her words of farewell.With this, we will return. The meaning was that she thanked them for allowing her to struggle jointly with them. And, that the Order of Chivalry of the Wildcats' daring fighting style left deep impressions as a result, that the newbies such as her had a lot to learn from them, that she was roused she did not forget to add more flattery.Returning that, cheers came from all around.Well, you as well, and so on you are such brave warriors, and so on. There were even people who wished the Princess eternal life. Though there at least were people that thought that Raimi's backing and Imina's hard effort saved lives, was it really like that within that left-wing unit? In any case, it could be some kind of destiny.Imina, you've done well.Ellis approached with the horse. She handled the reins quite impressively with her small body. But, it was cute because her feet did not reach to the stirrup because of her short height.Ah, it seems like you've done well too.Mm, I got a little nervous, but I also went hunting at Mount Boleanu.When he was told that, he remembered when they were confined to the mountain. For those four years, Ellis did not utter any complaints even once, but was completely devoted to supporting Imina. They always procured food together. Holding the bow, which wasn't really his strong point, killing an animal for the first time since he was born, taking out the entrails from its body with a dagger surely, if he hadn't done those things, he would probably free-spiritedly braid some milkvetch or something, with his small hands.Them standing on the battlefield in that moment was all because of Imina.Despite that, how was he? Surrendering himself to his urge to kill and hatred, only thinking about killing his enemies. Moreover, that enemy was not only Ellis' brethren as an Elf, but also Shirjis, her brother.Feelings of guilt tormented his chest.He felt sorry that he had changed his fate, and turned it onto a road full of severity.However, Imina did not say a single word of apology. Because, conquering the road to revenge together with Ellis, was exactly what Imina had decided. Also, displaying the feelings of regret themselves, would be a betrayal against Ellis and his murdered mother and elder sister, the people of his birthplace.Ellis, what face am I currently wearing?Instead, he asked that.The same thing that he asked of Milifica some time ago.Ellis answered, gently smiling.There's blood on your cheek, you know? You have to wash your face when you come home.Therefore, Imina laughed as if to reciprocate.It'll have to stay like that for a little longer. Besides, I'll need to hang those Demons' heads when we return. It seems that I have them. If you hate that, you can maybe get on Milifica's, or Fream's horse?No, Imina's back is fine.I see.Picking up the Trolls' heads, he threw them at the horse. Ellis, who received them, took a few arrows and fastened the hair on the heads to them, fastening them to the rear of the saddle. Just like when they lived at Mount Boleanu, and brought back pheasants that they had brought down.Directly under the Eastern Eighth Gate, overlooking the Fortress' walls, soldiers were assembled. Their numbers were a hundred or so, all members belonging to the Order of Chivalry of the White Wolves.Occupying the observation platform and its environs, they made merry, and gambled.The drinks as well as the gambling were directed towards the same things in other words, they were in the midst of being excited about the outcome of the violent acts carried out by the party of the new Commander which had been appointed just that morning.About one third participated in the drinking bout. Because they had no interest in the first place, the remaining two thirds were not to be found in that place. Only participating in the betting, they then returned to the lodging house. Even if one thought of seeing the results with one's own eyes as to assure oneself, it was a literal drunken craze.There were three baskets which the wagered tokens were thrown into. Would they scurry home with dispirited faces, or return as corpses, or would they not return back regardless of life or death? Though all sorts of expectations had come, they eventually settled on those three.Anyhow, they were mere new recruits which just had left the Drill Academy, and to make matters worse, their numbers wouldn't even make up a Squad of Ten. So, therefore, the alternative named Winning and returning didn't exist from the start. The essentials of their predictions was, how their real natures would become transparent.If they were shameless people with big mouths, the would disgracefully scurry home. If they were to have a reckless death-wish, they would be transported back as corpses. If they were boasting cowards, they wouldn't return back in the first place.The most predominant was Not returning. The runner-up was Returning as corpses. The one which was the least predominant was Escaping.The reason for why Escaping was the least popular was because of the boy with them, who had let forth his bizarre bloodlust. That presence was somehow different from simple recklessness and disdain brought about by ignorance. He would, perhaps, fight to the last, involving his allies many people thought so.Also, as relish to the alcohol, who among those three women was the most attractive, what kind of howling screams would the Princess make if she was forcibly violated, what kind of jeers were they to make if those people were scurrying back, they were doing what they pleased, they ranted on with that kind of low-life prattle. While the guards, who were about to leave, frowned, they passed by without stopping as if it would be troublesome to be involved with them.The merry-making scene itself was by no means unusual.Even if they were said to be at the front-line, not every soldier of the large army's 30,000 troops was put into battle day after day. Normally, regarding small skirmishes, the amount of people who came onto the plains was about 10,000. Even in times when the fort was attacked by the enemy army, the limit of troops able to participate in a defensive battle was about half, at best the other half would be appointed to stand by at the rear guard. In other words, the soldiers fought every three days on average, the remaining two days being days off. And, speaking of what people did during those days off, the majority of the soldiers drunk.However, ordinary soldiers wouldn't behave as if they were in an uproar, occupying the castle without considering what a nuisance it would be to their surroundings. Were the ones who did it a unit glad of their victory which they were just about to win through in the great war, or a crowded-out group of people which didn't take into consideration that they were disturbing their environs? Of course, it was the latter, and the guards frowned at them too.A mishmash of troublesome people that was the assessment that the Order of the White Wolves had received from the other Orders of Chivalry.People who disturbed order, with bad manners. A bunch that though they were skilled, never listened to orders. People holding criminal records who volunteered for the job, wishing for amnesty. It was established so that that kind of people could be enclosed in one place, so to speak, an Order of Chivalry like a place for the disposal of waste.There was hardly any chance that they were to be given any important missions, nor any expectations of military gains, and their military duty once every three days also ended with just dealing with stray Demons and Demon Beasts while taking a light stroll on the battlefield. It was rumoured that they were in that state without dismissal, because they otherwise would become bandits and robbers pursuing the army, and causing damage to the country; for the sake of becoming sacrificial pawns, thrown into a bloody battle, when the time came.Did they understand that themselves? They never held back from their defiance. As if they were to forget their lives which they had reached their limits of, and their futures which had no destination, they spent their days self-indulgently.Therefore, the matter of the new Commander Milifica and her followers was the perfect new amusement.Uh, what's the time?While gulping down a bottle of wine, someone asked that question.How long until you guys are leaving?Hasn't something like two hours passed, yeah?Another person answered, while filling their cheeks with dried meat.I'm gettin' tired of this half-arsed waiting. I'm fackin' sleepy 'cause I got up early, yeah?Well, we haven't decided to stop it, yeah? If number one is correct, waiting forever is a waste too. Around this time, those guys should have returned sneakily through some other gate somewhere, and already are in the middle of the mountains.Nah, if you think hard, there ain't no meaning in waiting for number two, right? They're outnumbered, and even if a comrade of theirs dies, they can't bring it back, and they'll be annihilated all the more.Are you a fackin' idiot? Not to mention those other brats, that new Commander is from the Royal Family. If she is taken home even as a dead effing corpse, you'll get a reward. Even if they're annihilated, won't someone from another unit come for it then?Huh? You're the idiot, you bloody half-baldie. Even if they're gonna get a reward, how many guys on the battlefield know that she's royalty in the first place, huh?Kakakaka, you ain't wrong!ut the fuck up! There might be someone who knows, fuckface!With dirty words and belligerent manners, they roared with laughter.Within them a single soldier brought up a subject with a group of people which quietly stood in a corner of the fortress.Hey, Ziadrene, what number did you guys bet on?Their surroundings gazed at them from all around.Though they were quiet, they were a group which emitted a frightful presence. In the middle of them was a muscular, bearded man, and a beautiful woman in the prime of her youth, who in a slovenly state was embraced by his arms. Furthermore, surrounding them, there were about twenty followers, which revered him as their leader. Obviously different from the other, gloomy people, seemingly trying to rid themselves of the alcohol day after day, an unusual presence followed their bodies. It seemed that the other group members also acknowledged his superiority, the tumult had dying down just like the receding waves.Before long, the man in the centre, who was named Ziadrene, gulped down from a wooden barrel containing ale, and spoke.I ain't betting on any of those numbers.Oh, but you guys, didn't you throw any bets in the box just a little while ago?Next to the three baskets where the betting tokens were to be put, lay a wooden box with a heap of silver coins. It was expected to be split equally between those who won. Attention was drawn to the box, and to the soldier who guarded the box, in the role of a bookmaker.Oi, Distah, you listening?Er, erm, I'm listening. I'm listening, but you knowDistah, who was in the role as a bookmaker, was at a loss. He had a grimace that seemed to say that he was hesitant to speak of his own accord. The woman in his arms, who was smoking a cigarette, answered instead.I too have the same viewpoint as this person. I'm not betting on anything.Madam Fiene, by that you meanIgnoring someone's inquiry towards the woman Fiene,Well, it's like half and half or something.While Ziadrene spoke to no one in particular, he gazed far-away from the rampart, and onto the Great Plains.It was pretty good, that bloodlust. Without ability, you can't release that kind of sword-spirit. However, Demons and Demon Beasts are completely different from their human opponents. I wonder if that youngster understands that.That red-haired boy? It surely did look like he was skilled But, if only one person of skill is mixed in among them, there ain't no meaning, right? No matter how you look at that other lot, you can only feel that they're wet behind their ears.Fiene sneered at the objections that the crowd had raised.Ha! You guys, you ain't got the discerning eyes of a woman. I guess it's because you only fuck cheap prostitutes.Of a woman? Where the fuck is the woman in herHey, everyone.Exhaling purple smoke with a puff, and sighing at the same time, she shrugged her shoulders.Everyone, that Princess, that silver-haired girl, and that chick with glasses. They've got guts. That kind of good women are close to us. Even on the boys' side too, they have a promising future too, right?Everyone was taken aback. But it seemed unlikely that she was joking.But, no-one laughed carelessly laughed. Because the party of Ziadrene and Fiene had earned themselves that much fear among the Order of Chivalry of the White Wolves. The voice which tore through the silence, which seemed to say How should I react?, came from the top of the observation platform.Heeeads!A man, which was a follower of Ziadrene, shouted.He moved the telescope to the side and gave it a big turn. After that, he pushed out his opened palm in front of his face.Hey Erm.The leader's bearded face warped immediately, as he shouted while roaring with laughter.Five of them? Now, ain't that more than expected?You serious!Hey, that's amazing!They did it!Mimicking the boss, the followers one-by-one raised cheers of joy.Somehow or other, it seems like the bet is our win.Together with Fiene's words, one party walked up to the bookmaker, and lifted up the wooden box. The bookmaker, gaping, opened his mouth in astonishment, while staring only at the mountain of silver coins being carried away. Ziadrene struck his palm with a fist, and stood up.Well, assholes, it's a greeting! Our new Commander and those awesome fucking brats are returning!Spilling their alcohol and throwing away their meat, Ziadrene's gang went down the rampart's stairs.The other people couldn't understand.What the fuck just happened?What the hell, is thisThough their non-understanding faces, with puzzled expressions on, met for a short while before long, without any particular reason, they approached the rampart, made an appearance at the edge, and looked down over the Great Plains.Then,Hey What?Under their eyes, they discovered a group riding on horses, riding straight toward the Eighth East Gate, and became speechless.Traveling as the vanguard, was the blond-haired princess, perched on a white horse.And following that, five boys and girls. It was the same number as when they had left. They had returned without being short of anyone.There was not a neat person. Everyone was, more or less, covered in dust and blood. They were not dirty as if they had played in it. It was, beyond doubt, proof that they had wielded their swords at the boundaries of life and death. Among them, especially the red-haired boy caught their eyes. He wore a completely tattered overcoat without bothering to wipe off the darkish blood splattered across his cheeks, and laughed weakly while giving off an oddly dreadful presence even from a distance.It was as if the excitement of battle still lingered within him. With a face that seemed to say that the battles were insufficient, and that the the killing was insufficient.A girl with bluish-silver hair clung to the back of the saddle what was suspended from her both sides was inhuman; five monsters' fleshly severed heads.It was incredible.However, it was unlikely that it was a trick.Assuming that they, with only six people had raided the battlefield and acquired the Demons' heads. A Squad of Ten which appeared together could boast of having the strength of narrowly being able to get one, even so, five heads.What's that.It was a voice filled with admiration, where even the colours of despair could be heard.What are they, those guys.When they had left the gate, facial expressions of mockery and contempt had been seen on the the people's faces, but now, they were of surprise and horror, and later on, awe.Some people even began to shiver as they remembered their bad behaviour in the morning.The princess Milifica Yusala Astzeelen stood before the gate, and shouted loudly.Open the gate! The Third Army, Second Division, Eighth Battalion The Order of the White Wolves' has returned!Though it was the name of the Order of Chivalry that they belonged to, she had made a sound that was unknown to them. It was as if they somehow were a heroic and honourable unit.Footnotes:A traditional Japanese battle formation, as seenhere.A Japanese cutting technique, beheading someone while following the spine.