Chapter 5
"So... the Holy Knights' achievements will ultimately—"
The Holy Knights were being forced to listen to a long-winded speech that failed to move them in the slightest.
Considering that the man speaking so grandly was Lifrea's minister in charge of military affairs—the very person who should have been inspiring the soldiers—this could only be called a terrifying talent.
Most of it was bragging. The rest consisted of threats meant to flaunt his own superiority somehow. He had not offered a single word of encouragement to those about to march into battle.
It was an utterly hollow speech, one that seemed to embody Lifrea as it was now.
No one was yawning, to be fair, but every face was blank.
"Come now! My Holy Knights! Go forth and utterly destroy every last one of Rudek's wicked men!"
He must have thought it was a brilliant speech. Satisfaction showed on his face. Yet not a single soldier responded.
Even so, he looked satisfied. "Yes! Having heard my exhortation, you remain so well-disciplined!" he said. I had to admire that mental fortitude somewhat.
At the shameless minister's cry of "March!", the Holy Knights departed the Holy Capital with heavy steps.
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"...This is hard to bear."
Eldward muttered.
If even a man like Eldward said that, Scholz was seized by bitter remorse when he thought of how his subordinates must feel.
The thought of cleaning up after a bunch of fools crossed his mind.
Moreover, Scholz had made a heartless choice this time. He had sent soldiers with low morale to the front lines first, aiming to have them wear down Rudek's soldiers in a mutual slaughter. Even if they won the battle, the guilt would likely never leave Scholz's heart. But even so, when he thought of His Holiness and the people living in this country, he had no regrets about his decision.
A few days earlier, Sakri, who was directing the battle, had accepted Scholz's proposal and decided how to deploy the soldiers. Though the forces were numerous, he had placed the low-morale soldiers in positions where casualties were expected to be heavy.
——Everything is for victory.——
Eldward's unit was assigned to the rear. Scholz considered himself superior in martial prowess, but even among the Holy Knights, Eldward stood head and shoulders above the rest when it came to troop command. There was no question that he was a vital asset.
On the way to Femas, they stopped to rest in several cities. In every city, the lord offered words of welcome, but his expression was bleak.
There was no food anywhere. The mixture of fear and confusion at the thought that the army might forcibly requisition it was impossible to miss.
Seeing this caused the Holy Knights' morale to sink slowly once more. They had secured enough provisions to sustain this battle. But that meant the food had vanished from the cities. Every soldier understood that.
To make matters worse, they knew that the higher-ups had been scrambling to secure food for themselves before anyone else. Even the minister who had been intoxicated by his own shallow speech before their departure had made sure to obtain food for himself.
Who are we fighting for?
It was only natural for the soldiers to feel that way, but even so, they could not afford to lose.
Scholz did not think Sakri's strategy was bad. If events proceeded as Sakri predicted, their chances of victory were quite high. In terms of numbers, they also held an overwhelming advantage. This was by no means a battle with little hope of victory.
Repeating this to himself again and again, as if trying to convince himself, Scholz continued toward Femas, the land of destiny.
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After countless clashes, Scholz's spear reached its limit before he did.
Despite its metal shaft, it snapped easily with a sharp crack.
He knew all too well that he could not withstand a direct blow from Zackhart's great spear. That was why he had fought by deflecting its attacks as best he could, but that was no longer possible.
If only he could get hold of one of the soldiers' spears lying nearby... But that would be difficult as well. If he took his eyes off Zackhart now, Zackhart would not miss the opening.
Breathing heavily, Scholz drew the sword at his waist.
"It is somewhat regrettable that a duel with such a worthy opponent as you should be decided by the difference in our weapons' durability... But this is a battlefield. Such things are fate as well."
Zackhart narrowed his eyes and gave the slightest shake of his head. He, too, was covered in countless wounds. In particular, the area where his shoulder guard had first been knocked aside had been repeatedly targeted by Scholz. The flesh was torn, and blood spurted whenever he moved.
Despite that, the force of his spear did not diminish. He was a true monster.
"...There is no need for concern. I can still fight."
"That is the spirit!"
Zackhart broke into a broad grin, while Scholz gave him a wry smile.
Though he had put on a brave face, Scholz realized that the time had come to face his fate.
Had Sakri managed to escape safely?
Would he grant Scholz's final request—the wish he had entrusted to him?
Rebecca, Junos... I wish I could have held you both one more time.
Oren, I'm sorry. At least you—you three—must make it out safely—
"U, uoooooooooh!"
With a battle cry, Scholz leaped into range of Zackhart's spear.
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The great battle at Femas, on which Lifrea's fate rested.
The outcome was a cruel one. Lifrea's proud Holy Knights were annihilated, and the Grand Temple that symbolized Lifrea was reduced to ashes.
Even so, the only reason there had been no major turmoil so far was Rudek's conciliatory policy taking effect.
The most significant factor was the food aid sent by Rudek.
There had been no food to begin with; some nobles had hoarded supplies, and still more had been gathered from the towns and villages for the great battle at Femas.
——We won't make it through the winter.——
To the people of Lifrea, who were burdened with profound anxiety, Rudek had been providing enough food to properly reach everyone, even if it was not abundant.
The Lifrean leaders who had taken away their food, and the invaders who provided it—there was no question whom they would thank.
The citizens of the Holy Capital were no different after witnessing the shocking sight of the Grand Temple burning to the ground. For now, they appeared to be quietly accepting their defeat.
Amid all this, there was one house where the light seemed to have gone out.
One day, a Rudek soldier came to that house.
"Is this the home of Scholz-Paschet?"
Oren, who answered the door, clutched Rebecca and Junos protectively and glared at the Rudek soldier. "...Yes, it is... What do you want?"
"I'm sorry, but your entire family will have to come with us."
The soldier's words left no room for refusal.
Oren had no right to refuse and was simply pushed into a carriage, as instructed.
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"So you are the family of that commander..."
In the room to which they had been brought without knowing why, an imposing man awaited them, radiating an extraordinary presence despite his age.
Oren went pale with fear. Seeing this, the imposing man said, "Do not be afraid. I have no intention of harming you."
Then he properly introduced himself. "I am Zackhart, commander of Rudek's Third Knight Order."
"Why have you brought us to a place like this...?"
Determined to protect her children, Oren bravely replied while glaring at Zackhart.
Zackhart looked at Oren, then slowly inclined his head. And then—
"It was I who slew your husband, Scholz," he said.
"!?"
To the speechless Oren, Zackhart continued.
"On the battlefield, there is nothing for me to be ashamed of in that. But that man met a truly noble end. Even now, the wounds Scholz gave me still ache."
"..."
"I saw the pride of a Lifrean warrior in Scholz. That is why I wondered whether he had a family left behind. At last, I had the time to look for you, and I tracked you down."
Before her stood the man who had killed her husband, Scholz. Oren continued to glare at Zackhart, filled with hatred—and, despite herself, with a small measure of joy that Scholz had been honored so highly.
"You are the wife of Scholz, a commander worthy of respect, and his children. I will see to your livelihood from now on. Let me see... until your younger son comes of age. You may take it as my way of showing respect to that proud commander."
"I... I can't accept such a thing!"
Oren cried out, squeezing the words from her throat. Zackhart said nothing and waited for her to continue. His expression showed that he was prepared to be cursed.
But Oren's words stopped there.
"Mom, accept it. Let's rely on him."
Junos said abruptly.
"Junos, what on earth are you thinking...?"
Without even turning toward his mother, Junos, still bearing traces of childhood, stared straight at Zackhart.
"I will accept your charity. But don't forget this. When I grow up, I will avenge my father's death. I will kill you with my own hands! If you don't like that, then cut off my head here and now."
"Junos!"
Oren stopped him at once. If this continued, her son might be cut down on the spot.
"Zackhart-sama! He's only a child! Put all the blame on me!"
Despite Oren's panic, Zackhart broke into a broad smile.
"Well said! That spirit is admirable! What is your name?"
"Junos. Junos-Paschet."
"Good, Junos. I shall await the day you gain enough strength to avenge your father! But as you are now, you are lacking—in strength and in everything else!"
"Even so!"
"Junos, join the Knight Order. Yes, start as an apprentice! I'll train you thoroughly until you come of age!"
"Don't mock me!"
To the bristling Junos, Zackhart adopted an extraordinarily gentle expression and spoke slowly, as if teaching a child.
"I am not mocking you, Junos. That is precisely why I am inviting you to join the Knight Order. How about this? If you join, you will be paid even as an apprentice. Use that money to support your mother and your sister. What do you say?"
"All right."
"Junos!?"
"Mom. I'll protect the Paschet family. And I will avenge Father. So don't worry."
Junos's face, now set with resolve, looked startlingly mature.
"Then it's settled."
Zackhart looked satisfied.
This was the first step taken by Junos-Paschet, who would later carve his name into history as Zackhart's final disciple.