Chapter 18

A meeting had been held, gathering royalty, nobles, and key figures from each organization. The meeting, held as a final confirmation before tomorrow’s decisive battle, ended without delay. All that remained was for each person to adjust the finer details. Some preserved their energy, some rested, and some spent their time freely. …And some made what might be their final farewells.

Considering the scale and reason for the battle, this was not some minor dispute. It would not be an exaggeration to call it a war. There was a real possibility that this would be the end.

“So this is war. It feels as though many different emotions are tangled together in a complicated way.”

“If some are excited, then others are afraid… Naturally. That is what humans are.”

Ciel turned her eyes toward the knights moving busily about, her face tinged with melancholy. Selen watched them with a detached expression.

“…No one truly wants to fight. No one wants to die.”

“That is true. However, this conflict was caused by humans. And those who will face it are also humans.”

Atri murmured her thoughts. Glanz, who had lived the longest among them and had experienced war, responded calmly.

“The humans who started this conflict… you mean my father and the others.”

Everyone’s eyes gathered on him. The one who had just spoken was Van, the swordsman who had finished his training in the Forest of Death and grown stronger.

Van had truly changed. When he returned through teleportation magic, everyone had wondered what would happen, but after learning the circumstances, Van’s dignity had been preserved. Currently, he wore new clothes prepared by the servants of the House of Lagias.

“And the one who stops them… is me, their son.”

To put it positively, Van was pure. To put it badly, he was emotional. That was Van. His handling of the sword had reached a certain level, but he was impulsive, weak against indirect methods, and poor at adapting. Since he also had intense preconceptions, he had clashed with Zeke many times.

“…Killing people for your own convenience is wrong.”

The matter with the Sword Saint, the events concerning the Lagias couple, and the life-and-death struggle in the Forest of Death. Through these experiences, the third-rate swordsman had probably grown greatly as a person and as a warrior. He had become a first-rate swordsman who possessed not only strength, but also mental fortitude and confidence.

Glanz and the others felt a sense of nostalgia. Was this connected to the repeatedly looping world Alderic had spoken of?

“That’s why… I have to fight. Because that’s my responsibility as their son.”

His unwavering eyes were turned toward the lake. The site of tomorrow night’s decisive battle… Everything would be decided there. The future of the world would be decided.

“…Van. Don’t decide that on your own.”

“That’s right. We are here too.”

The ones who smiled gently were Atri and Ciel. Atri had watched Van from close by since long ago, and although Ciel had not spent a long time with him, she had supported him through sacred arts.

“Van-san. As you are now, you understand the meaning of our words, don’t you?”

“This is not your battle alone. We have far too many reasons to fight as well.”

Glanz had watched over and helped Van as he struggled and walked forward step by step. Selen had scolded Van with harsh words.

Their births, positions, and circumstances were all different. They had clashed before, but now they had become one. The so-called repeatedly looping world could not be the only reason. They were human beings with wills of their own.

“…Thank you, everyone. I was pretty awful in a lot of ways, wasn’t I?”

As long as one was human, one had many emotions. At times, one admired. At times, one resented and envied. And then one suffered setbacks. …Even so, being able to stand back up was what made one human.

“I want you to lend me your strength. So no one else gets hurt unreasonably again.”

Van bowed his head deeply. Not a single person rejected his request.

At last, they had become one.

By the time the sun had completely set and the stars were shining, it would normally have been a quiet hour, but the presence of those gathered for war had changed the atmosphere of the Lagias Domain.

Behind Lagias Manor, away from the clamor, one shadow stood on the shore of the lake that would become the decisive battlefield. His black hair, lit by the twinkling stars, shone brilliantly. It was a place familiar to Zeke.

“Hey, what are you doing here alone?”

“I was escaping from noisy fools like you.”

The one who appeared while slowly walking forward was the former blond knight. The two had known each other since childhood.

“I think you’re the more nagging one, though.”

“Don’t be absurd. Pointless nonsense is your specialty.”

Their usual exchange brought smiles. Zeke hurled insults, Luke casually brushed them aside, and Luke teased Zeke in return. Their usual pattern. No matter how many times it continued, they never grew tired of it.

“…It’s finally tomorrow.”

“…”

The lake spread out before them. The stars and the moon being consumed by darkness were reflected in the large lake. At the same hour tomorrow, the moon would vanish completely. In other words, it would be the new moon.

“By this time tomorrow, we’ll be in battle…”

“Yes.”

This beautiful lakeshore would become a battlefield.

The enemy’s main forces were expected to be monsters and strange shadow-like beings, but those on their side were flesh-and-blood humans.

Ordinary humans. If they were wounded, they would bleed, and at worst, they would lose their lives.

“The enemy has soldiers they can use up. But we…”

“Many will die. There is a fundamental difference in thought between opponents that move according to instinct and orders and humans who possess emotions.”

The entrance exam and the tragedy in Osten were unforgettable events for Luke. Because of those incidents, Luke had come to know pain and experience despair.

The same thing was about to happen again. Luke’s heart wavered.

“I don’t want to feel that way again. That’s why we have to win.”

“Of course. That is why each of us has gained strength.”

Van had returned stronger. So much so that one might mistake him for a different person. As for Zeke, that went without saying. Glanz, Atri, Ciel, and Selen. The people of the national army as well. Everyone had grown stronger in preparation for this battle.

(The gap has widened again.)

Their meeting had happened when Luke recovered from his illness. Swordsmanship that was not inferior to his father Brink’s and magic that surpassed a mage’s. To Luke, who had been nothing more than an ordinary child, Zeke had been both admiration and a goal. He continued chasing the back that was always far ahead. That had been Luke’s everyday life.

(You keep moving ahead all by yourself. …Where are you trying to go this time?)

He had thought he might be able to see something if they worked together as adventurers. He had believed he could catch up if he became a knight. He had trusted that he could become an equal friend.

(I didn’t want to see you hurt alone. That’s why I wanted to become strong.)

Luke had known from the beginning that Zeke did not think well of his position as a Lagias. Baseless criticism from others had been an everyday occurrence. Even so, Zeke had never once argued back. He had never justified himself. It was as though he treated all the evil deeds of Lagias as his own sin.

(Zeke. You really are strong. Even after all that happened.)

Zeke had fulfilled his responsibility without averting his eyes from the truth of Lagias. And now, he was about to fulfill his final role. As the last Lagias, he was trying to bring an end to the long-standing relationship between Diabalet and Lagias.

(If it were me, I definitely couldn’t endure it.)

Luke and the others would head to the Gate to the Otherworld as the mobile strike force. The plan was to charge in when they found an opening after the kingdom’s army cleared the way. In other words, until Luke and the others won, the army would keep fighting. Zeke would likely be among them.

(There it is again. Why do you… look so sad?)

Zeke almost never spoke his true feelings. It was not as if his expression had crumbled either. But Luke understood. He knew that Zeke’s heart ached before the lives that would be lost.

“Zeke. We… can win, right?”

“…”

There were no words. That was only natural. Zeke was not a prophet, nor was he an immortal like Elzen, whom Luke had heard about. Zeke might be the strongest person Luke knew, but he was not perfect. Luke should have understood that.

“It’ll be like always, right?”

“…”

Luke could not imagine Zeke being defeated and losing his life. There was no way his best friend, stronger and kinder than anyone else, would lose. Normally, Luke should have understood that this was a convenient delusion, but…

“You… won’t die, right?”

“…If you live, you will inevitably die. It is only a matter of whether that comes early or late.”

This foul-mouthed corrupt noble was the kind of person who overexerted himself for someone else. If it meant saving strangers, he would throw something away. Even if that something was his own life.

Why did Luke imagine something impossible, that this might be the end?

(Ah, at this rate, I’m back to the weak me from before.)

He had grown stronger to stand beside his best friend. He had gained power so he could shoulder his best friend’s burden. So his best friend would never again have that pained expression…

The current Luke was no different from when he suffered from mana sclerosis. He was the weak version of himself who spilled weakness when it mattered most.

“Do not think about needless things. Look only forward.”

“I…”

“………………I will protect your back. So fulfill your duty.”

It was not much. It should have been only those few words, but strength welled up inside him. It made him feel as though things would go well. It had always been that way. How many times had this best friend’s words encouraged Luke?

“Understood. I’ll leave my back to you—my best friend.”

“Leave it to me.”

The two no longer opened their mouths. They only quietly gazed at the lake. The moon illuminated the two stars drifting apart.

Darkness where light could not reach. A canyon no one visited. In a land once used as a road, there was no sign of people. Looking down from the top of the valley with cold eyes was Elzen, the former Sword Saint candidate.

“How many years has it been since then?”

“…Who knows. No doubt I kept you waiting a long time.”

Standing beside Elzen was Tret. The relationship between the two had continued for many years.

“Everything ended here… No, did it begin here?”

“Our long journey did. If you hadn’t met that sealed spirit, things would never have turned out like this.”

The scent of death remained in the deep canyon where light could not reach. Nothing had changed from that time. Nothing had changed. Not a single thing.

“You met Van, I hear. …Is that all right?”

“If he takes up a sword, I will show no mercy. We can begin again in the new world.”

“Begin again, huh. Doesn’t feel real.”

At present, they had only gathered two “keys.” Without the remaining one, their wish could never be fulfilled. The successors would surely move to obstruct Elzen and his allies.

“…Hey, do you think we were wrong?”

“I do not. A world where Harla was destined to die. I cannot acknowledge such a thing. I am fully aware that it is ugly ego.”

“…I’ll believe in your judgment.”

Even though they understood it was evil, they would not stop. They would destroy the world. The world twisted by Diabalet.

Only a short time remained until the night of the new moon. Before the battle, tension spread through the kingdom’s army. Perhaps to encourage them, the king—Alderic, who normally should have remained in the royal castle—stood before them.

“I am proud of you.”

With that single sentence, Alderic seized everyone’s hearts. The dignity and charisma of a king, something no ordinary person possessed. He was a king who had been destined to stand above others from the moment he was born.

“For your beloved country, for those you love, to protect something. Your reasons may vary.”

Their births differed, and so did their positions. Each person had their own thoughts, but their goal was the same.

“I will not speak at length. Win. That is your role.”

Cheers rose.

To answer the king’s words, to inspire themselves, and to dispel even a little of their fear. Many emotions mixed together, and heat filled the air.

Standing alone at a distance from them was the black-haired corrupt noble. With his arms folded and eyes closed, perhaps he was concentrating his mind.

“Oh, are you alone? How about some tea after this?”

“Wait, Selen. This is not the time to be making moves on—no, joking around.”

People gathered around Zeke. Those who had deepened their bonds with Zeke visited not the king, but the antihero.

“You appear fully prepared, Zeke-san.”

“…God.”

It was not that the king was no good. To them, Zeke was special. Some had had their lives saved by him, while others had found hope in living through him. It was the difference in the time they had walked together and the trust they had built.

“Zeke. Well, you know, that. Let’s win.”

“Van… Get it together. You’re the leader, aren’t you?”

Eris retorted to Van, who looked somewhat embarrassed. The sight made those around them laugh. The atmosphere was not bad.

“I shall repay the debt I owe you here. …After all, it would trouble me if you sent me a massive bill later.”

“…Lord Yorn. My master would not do such a thing.”

Yorn was dressed in the formal attire of the Mage Corps. His clothing differed from the others, proof that he was a regimental commander. Simon wore his usual armor, but his face looked valiant.

“I-I’m weak, so I’ll only be providing rear support, but I’ll do my best. This battle concerns Ignote too, after all.”

Kratz held the saber embedded with a fragment of the Dragon God’s jewel as though it were a charm. He was trembling, but it seemed he had no intention of running.

“Zeke…”

Luke’s words were short. Perhaps because their hearts connected without needing to speak, he said little.

“My friend. They seem quite fired up over there. We cannot afford to lose either, can we?”

“That is true. For a pervert, that is not a bad idea. Adventurers also psych themselves up at decisive moments, you know?”

“…Then should the same pervert, Van, do it?”

“That’s wrong! Don’t lump me in with him! …And I’m not the one for this, obviously.”

Everyone’s gazes gathered. Their target was the corrupt noble in question.

Zeke opened his eyes as though it were bothersome. He brushed them off as if to say he knew nothing about it, but then Aaron said he would perform a victory dance and began spinning around Zeke. Unable to endure it anymore, Zeke seemed to give in and opened his mouth.

“Listen well. Given the scale of this battle, it is no different from a war. It is a battle that will divide the world’s light and darkness.”

It began with guidance from a former Knight Order regimental commander.

“I will tell you clearly. I do not care what happens to this world.”

The subjugation of the poisonous dragon basilisk. The encounter with the Accursed Child.

“I truly believe this world is insane.”

The rescue in the unexplored dungeon. What he had wanted was only strength. Saving others had merely been incidental.

“A world that has forced sacrifices upon Lagias is no better than trash. It deserves to perish.”

He had never had any intention of serving as an escort for the Lords’ Council. He did not care if the royal capital suffered damage, or what happened to the novice knights and mages.

“I will never forget. This hatred will remain within me forever.”

Successors, the ducal house, and heroes had nothing to do with it. Everything was for himself. He knew this world was not so kind that one could survive on pretty words alone.

“…That is why I will fight. Because my hatred will serve as proof that generations of Lagias existed.”

To fulfill the wish of the Lagias couple. To ensure their sacrifices were not wasted, Zeke would fight.

“You lot. Do not think of fighting cleanly. Go all out, no matter how ugly it gets. If you do not want to lose anything.”

Perhaps to hear Zeke’s speech, knights and mages had gathered without anyone noticing. Among that group was even King Alderic.

“If you say you will stake your lives… then I will make you win.”

Cheers rang out. Before the evil charisma that utterly crushed the king’s dignity, Alderic could only smile wryly. Beside him was Aktor, clutching his head. Arnica was raising her voice along with the others.

The kingdom’s army, positioned before the lakeshore, held its breath and watched. The moon floating in the night sky finally lost its light and vanished. As if matching that instant, a translucent staircase rose into the sky. This was the Path of the Firmament, which led to the Gate to the Otherworld.

“Mage unit! Light the area!”

At the commander’s signal, spheres of light floated into the sky. It was light-source magic that illuminated the dark night.

“?! They’re here!”

Countless shadows appeared as though crawling out of the darkness. A unit that seemed to imitate the Knight Order took position as if guarding the Path of the Firmament.

“Magic circles… So they really are monsters!”

What followed was the summoning of an enormous horde of monsters. Unlike the shadows, they were real, living monsters. Every one of them was a vicious monster with a high subjugation difficulty.

A mixed force of fake knights and monsters. They had heard about it, but agitation spread through the kingdom’s army.

Amid all of that, Zeke stepped forward alone. The commander hurriedly tried to stop him, but Zeke showed no sign of listening.

“H-Hey, fall back, Lagias. It’s too early for you, one of our main forces, to go out.”

“Hah, don’t make me laugh. It has already been released.”

“Huh? …W-What?! What is this?!”

The moon had vanished from the starry sky. From that starry sky flew countless icy stars. They were larger and more numerous than the ones that had once fallen upon the Igza Plains.

“T-This is déjà vu! Everyone, get down! Mages, put up barriers! Meteors are falling!”

A ritual magic was dropped toward the enemy forces. Overwhelming violence swallowed the enemy without question. It went without saying that neither allies nor enemies could move for a while.

It was the moment the battle began.