60 The Knight Plans and Hopes for the Glory of Humanity

God’s power is overwhelming. It’s hot, fierce, and unrelenting.

Thus, it is difficult to feel like one has control. It can even make you feel sick.

-Knight Agias II-

The underground chamber, lit by torches, is colored a bright orange. It’s like an unending sunset. The ground beneath me is rough with a mixture of ash and charcoal bits. Oil and bestial smells linger in the foul air. The source of this stench is the fuel prepared to light this place on fire in case of an emergency—along with the prisoners we captured that meant we needn’t go that far. The clicking of boots echo in the chamber, covering up the sounds of moaning and dragging. I wait as they slowly come into view.

“Oh, if it isn’t Lord Willow. Imagine my surprise to see you here.”

“Pardon the late-night intrusion.”

The figure of a man with a lantern appears, a family crest adorning his sword belt. It might seem strange to charge a high-ranking officer with an underground jail’s security, but considering the unordinary prisoners we find ourselves with, it actually seems appropriate.

Four hundred sixty-eight vampires surrendered to us, and now fill our dungeon. Which is funny, considering they could turn this fort into gravel in a single night if they wanted to.

“How are the prisoners?” I ask.

“They’re quiet. That black rope proved very effective.”

“I see. It’s soaked with ignition fluid, so...”

“I understand. Please leave it to me.”

I was going to warn him to be careful, but I’m struck silent. Ultimately, I leave the decision up to him. Essentially, if they show signs of resistance that he can’t handle, he’s to burn all the prisoners. If necessary, he’s also to close the iron doors, the only exit, and burn the entire dungeon down. It’s an important yet difficult job. Even if they are vampires, burning prisoners alive is a cruel thing to do. The fact that they’re vampires also brings with it a fair amount of danger. I hear this officer’s already written his will. I wonder if he’ll have the guts to lock the door when the time comes.

“It’s a great burden I’ve placed upon you,” I say apologetically.

“Please, I volunteered for this. General Bandkan himself taught me all the tricks of this fort. This is my job as his survivor.”

This man is a seasoned veteran. I heard he and his cavalry unit fought against fifty vampires. Normally, I would rather he take over General Bandkan’s place as head of the fort’s army.

“Ha ha ha, be at ease. Sira taught me the words for Ignite. Would you like me to demonstrate by turning your staff into charcoal?” he jokes.

This man has lost a lot, that’s for sure. His superiors, his friends, his steed... and his right leg. He’ll never ride into battle as a knight again. That’s why he bequeathed control of the fort’s army to me. I sense rage in him, as well as shame. War is endlessly cruel.

“Our main force will arrive tomorrow—four thousand five hundred spears and familiars led by Father Felipo.”

“Ah, finally. This land will become humanity’s last bastion, then.”

He’s right, of course. We had no choice but to leave the defense of the north to the elves, and the state of affairs to the south is looking grimmer by the hour. Towns and villages are falling left and right.

The palace has been taken, as well. I’m told they offered no resistance due to some internal squabble. The messenger who told me this almost killed himself from shame. Through gritted teeth, he informed me of the citizens’ armed uprising that occurred before the five thousand vampires lead by Crumbling Mountain could even reach them.

The uprising was incited by the Starlight Band, a group of vampire sympathizers. Many of their members were knights and nobles, apparently. Perhaps they thought it was their best chance to overthrow the royals, whom they considered elf-loving traitors. At present, the royal family’s safety is unknown. It’s not even clear if the royal knights were able to intervene, let alone how the citizens are doing. The only thing we know for sure is that the Church was burned down.

Things are as close to bad as they can get. Humanity has been chased onto death’s door, and is now facing extinction, which means we now require a certain something.

“I was thinking of introducing you to the sorcerer when he arrives.”

“That’s the man who brought back the ways of fire magic, yes?”

“That’s right, Odysson leads the Mage Company, but magic itself is not a military discipline. It would be quite reassuring if we could have someone to advise them in that regard.”

“...You wish me to stand on the battlefield again? Me?”

That gaze; that light deep within his eyes... it burns like a pyre.

That’s fighting spirit; that’s what we need. In times of crisis, we must rally to our indomitable fighting spirit. The guts to be proud and human will be our final, greatest weapon.

“I would. So please, take care of your health.”

“Ha ha... Ha ha ha! I see. I can still fight, huh?”

Good, now he should refrain from attempting to punish himself. Perhaps he’ll also regain the strength to fight against destiny. A presence like his will most assuredly give courage to the fort’s army, now that they’ve lost General Bandkan.

Sigh... I’ve become so conniving. I feed the broken-hearted sweet words and send them to their graves; prod the pride of the broken-bodied and send them to their demise. My plan is to turn desperation into fighting power. This is the true reality of a commander: staying safe while sending soldiers to die and kill your enemies. I will cross as many lines as I have to right now. One day, I will be judged. One day, I will die.

I leave the dungeon and look up at the night sky. It looks like mud. Rain is coming.

People cannot bring about great things by maintaining their integrity... Hm! I never accepted Nazarus’s dirty dealings back then. I considered his excessive flattery of the royalty, boot-licking of other military families, and blackmail of great merchant families to be depravity of the highest order for one of his pedigree. Meanwhile, I tried to take the high road, and our paths ended up splitting.

I had to squash my pride in order to send that letter... which brought Origis and Marius to me. They were sent by Father and Nazarus, I suspect. Otherwise, they’d never have come with a thousand elite cavalry in tow. Our men aren’t so lacking in discipline that they’d so easily defect like that. Not to mention the extra soldiers, equipment, horses, and supplies they sent to the Frontier... How much money and manpower did that require? What made it all possible? Who’s supporting the soldiers’ families? The answer is obvious.

On the cusp of our nation’s fall, my father and brother have decided to take action.

Even now, having returned to the fort, I haven’t heard word of the Willow army’s whereabouts. The estate might not lie along the vampires’ path, but there’s no way they’d simply sit and wait for destruction. They’re somewhere out there, doing only God knows what.

“Oh, here comes Agias.”

“Indeed. Good timing, brother.”

Origis and Marius, eh? They seem to be drawing something on the ground with sticks... Battle formations? Well, well. The center column of soldiers is taking the brunt of the enemy’s attack, luring them into being completely surrounded. The light of the lanterns brings to life the battle that took place at this very fort not too long ago.

“Oh, curious about this? I’m acting as the vampires, and Marius as the fort army. I lost. There’s no way to break this strategy.”

“It’s amazing. No matter how few or many vampires we face, this strategy can handle them all.”

“And that’s not all. If we employ our Bomber Knights and fireproof soldiers, we can create a net of pure death.”

“Origis can even sweep through the center of the enemy’s forces with the fire wheel formation.”

“Hey, are you trying to get me killed, too? I could accidentally be crushed by all those bodies.”

As usual, they get along well. They’re also both quite clever. In the center of the foot soldiers, they’ve drawn an emblem. In other words, that’s where the commander sits. I don’t sigh, but I can’t hide my grief.

“This is General Bandkan’s strategy,” I remind myself.

He was a great military man. He never let the rot of the palace affect him, nor fell victim to scornful independence; he even supported the entire Frontier with the strength of his forces. He was a pillar of the nation, connecting the north and the south.

A chill creeps up my back. I’ve lost a master, at a time when I truly wish I could rely upon him.

“You can do it, can’t you, Agias?” His words irk me; they’re stupid and imprudent. That’s not like Origis.

“...Easier said than done,” I object.

“No, you can. You have to.”

Something in his voice makes me look at him. He fixes me with his gaze. It burns with spirit... and that’s not all: his fire is radiating towards me.

He resumes, his eyes piercing me: “We’ll march on the palace. The king’s power is broken, and the vampires rule now. We have to win; that much is obvious. But that can’t be all we do—we have to give the citizens a sign in their time of fear and despair.” He’s practically breathing fire now. His fists are clenched. “Strength—the strength of humans. We are weak, hunted for food by monsters and other races, pathetic, and sad... everyone’s scared. Even so, if you want to have pride despite it all, you have to grit your teeth and pick up a sword. That’s a warrior, right?”

His spirit is so bright I can hardly look at him. My cheeks are warm, yet he doesn’t stop there:

“Moreover, we are Willow men—descendants of a famous military family; we have to be stronger than all others. Plus, you have your position as commander of our army, Agias. You have to be stronger than anyone... a hero of humanity.”

Marius nods as well. Is this the conclusion you two have come to? A hero... A hero of humanity. You wish me, one who only knows how to fight, to sit at the head of humanity despite all of my flaws and imperfections?

“Lady Kuroi is strong. She exists in a realm no one can reach.” Marius flashes a smile, like a faint and beautiful flower, just as our mother used to. “However, strength isn’t her true nature, in my opinion. None of us wants to be like her. We pray to her. Through her, we hope to speak to God, asking for His blessing, in order to grant this world a miracle.” He puts a hand to his chest, as if praying. “Lady Kuroi is hope in human form... the first and last miracle gifted to humanity. Of that, I’m sure.”

Ah, now I see exactly what they’re getting at. They want me to become the core around which humanity’s fighting spirit gathers... The first person to fight with hope in their heart. To be the one to raise the “banner” of Lady Kuroi.

“Lady Kuroi seems to be doing well, I might add. I saw her down five bowls of soup not too long ago,” casually comments Marius.

“Fool! Why didn’t you tell me that earlier?!” I scold him.

“Why? She seemed fine, even while asleep.”

“She said some funny things in her sleep, like ‘pizza’ and ‘DDR,’” I counter.

“But...”

“Agias, you get pretty creepy when it comes to Lady Kuroi’s health,” says Origis.

“Huh?”

“Like you’re caring for a daughter or something... You’ve become a doting grandfather.”

“Aha ha, totally!”

“What?!”

I don’t understand. They extol me as humanity’s hero one minute, then call me a grandfather the next.

That indescribable chill in my chest is gone, now replaced by hardened resolve. I can feel how hot my spirit burns.

I turn my gaze to the south, taking in the fields that were a battlefield not too long ago. We march... for the palace. With hope’s army at my back, I shall lead.