63 Bewilderment at the Pentagon / The Acolyte Leaves, Shouldering Hope

As I get closer to the palace, God’s presence gets stronger.

Is this because of humanity’s prayers? Or is it because our enemy is fierce?

-****, the Dragon God II-

The smell of dust and silicone oil. Ozone stings at the back of my nose, eating away at it.

Why does the air in the strategy room corner a person so much? The only source of color in the middle of this bland tranquility is a print out of the elven flag, the Ewlogond Republic’s banner. It’s white, to represent air; and blue, to represent water. It reminds me of the sky.

I pour a cup of water from the pitcher. It’s clear and dull. I take a sip, merely to maintain my water intake, and it stings my parched throat... Whoa! Shoot! It tips, but by some miracle of centrifugal force or surface tension, I manage not to spill any. I almost ruined our electronics. If our mission failed because of me spilling some water, I’d never be able to live it down.

Phew... Gotta focus. On the monitor is a view of the parallel world. The flow of time there is uncertain. The scene on display is the continent’s central field. It’s like viewing the hustle and bustle of the street from a high rise; I cannot smell even the slightest stench from the elven army. They’re so far away, they almost look like a pattern.

Damn the Air Force. How am I supposed to learn anything from this high up? The readings on the submonitor tell me way more. The super AI is quite competent.

The situation seems decent; our battle lines are stable. It’s not a bad idea to simply wait out the vampires’ aggression like this. Their attacks used to be so fierce that we’d been forced into continuous battles day and night, but recently they’ve been quite passive. It’s a sign that, despite their numbers, their morale is dwindling. Now, if only a storm would bring some heavy wind and rain, we could wipe them out... No, it’s dangerous to leave things to chance.

Imagine the worst-case scenario. Prepare yourself to make the best choices against the strongest opponent. They could be waiting until the time is ripe to unleash a second offensive. Absolute did say to be extremely careful. Overconfidence is our greatest enemy; we must be completely prepared at all times. If the situation is unnatural, that should set off alarm bells.

Besides, an extended battle is not even possible. The vampires’ creed is to be extremely aggressive in battle. However, losing Golden could have caused them to switch to some clever scheme in order to recover. That was the main thing we agreed to be on guard for during the strategy meeting.

In other words, a side attack from the southern corner of the battlefield will be the key to their second strike. This is unconfirmed, but I suspect it will be the force of thirty thousand led by Thunderstorm. If this is true, then Ten Thousand Bells’ defensive properties combined with Deep Sea’s suppression abilities should allow us to defeat Thunderstorm with relative efficiency. Once that’s done, the balance of power should tip greatly in our favor; we will be able to invade the vampire lands with impunity.

Right now, the problem is the information I’ve received concerning the subhuman lands. I shouldn’t bother myself with things that are happening on the fringes of this war, but I can’t get over how strange this is. Apparently, Crumbling Mountain invaded them from the southwest and marched on the subhuman capital. The vampires might be sturdy marchers, but it’s still a crazy ask. Even the elves, with their flying units, would have a difficult time breaching that mountain range.

And then there’s the news that a unique unit might have spawned amidst the subhumans... With the power of fire, of all things. This cannot be allowed. Someone calling themself the Devil God went through the crazy trouble of interfering in a parallel world in order to gain this power... this is truly the work of evil. Of all the things that no one must not be allowed to possess, the power of fire is top on the list.

Fire—in many mythologies, it’s the beginning of culture. A great, holy power. It’s even at the base of our culture, in various forms. The evil power of lightning was controlled by the vampires, and yet somehow we managed to gain control of the power of water, but already an unprecedented great sin begins to move. The world is in danger.

If the subhumans have the power of fire... they would be capable of violence on the scale of the nuclearized Asian countries. If it’s true, we must seize it at once before the vampires get their hands on it.

Yes. Yes, that’s how it should be. It will be easy to wipe out the subhumans, and with the power of fire, the elves will be able to smoothly take over the vampire territory. A good strategy, if I do say so myself. It seems roundabout, but it’s extremely efficient. I’ll bring it up right away at the next meeting.

Gotta note this down on my phone... Hm? A message? What could it be? I’m busy communicating with the parallel world; the slightest disturbance could invite an irreversible disaster.

The sender is that Air Force first lieutenant. For a cyber officer, he sure lacks common sense...

Wh-what?! It’s possible the subhuman god is a Japanese citizen?! What... What the hell?!

-Acolyte Hikurina I-

“Is everything ready, Acolyte Hikurina?”

“Yes...”

“Oh, you don’t look so good. Unfortunately, we have no choice but to put this burden on you.”

When I think of what that burden is, I can hardly look them in the face. It takes everything I have to respond. Before me is a carriage drawn by four horses. It’s been given every sort of reinforcement possible, and looks like a sort of portable fort. The wheels are specially made, as well. A separate carriage was prepared just to carry the spares.

“You will have a mix of cavalry and foot soldiers as your guard. I realize it is meager considering the importance of your mission, but you’ll have to make do.” He sighs, grumbling about having to give away too many soldiers in order to evacuate the estate. What am I supposed to say to that?

Lord Nazarus, heir to House Willow. Over his armor he wears a white robe, and on his sword belt is inscribed his last will. His neck is covered in pure white powder, while his lips are colored a light crimson... he’s dressed like he’ll never come back alive. His smart looks add a cold sharpness to his fighting spirit.

“The road north is rough, but you should pass the worst of it after ten days. At that point, you shouldn’t have to worry about anyone following you. The only thing left will be to be utterly certain you don’t lose your cargo. If your horses die, carry it by hand. It’ll be like you’re parading around an enshrined deity.”

What’s that smile for? Why does he grin? And so cheerfully, too. He’s protected us this far on our way to the fort, but now he’s turning back towards the palace, isn’t he? To rendezvous with his father, the head of House Willow, and their army... to intercept the vampires.

Nevertheless, the plan was never to win, was it? Only to tie. Their army is a motley crew of older officers, warriors who desire vengeance, knights wishing to clear their besmirched names, death-crazed mercenaries, wounded soldiers who can’t survive a long journey, sinners, and broke adventurers. They mean to use the estate as bait, so they can eliminate the incoming vampire army. They’ll light it all ablaze, I’m certain. The fifty cavalry going with Nazarus are dressed just like him: for battle and death. Their empty eyes silently reflect the state of the world.

“Heh... Don’t look so distressed. It would not be good for my honor to make a beautiful woman cry.”

“I-I...!”

“I’ve reveled in sin for long enough. I’ve done things unworthy of my house, from dawn till dusk, and covered myself in the mud of human desire. Even so, I was at least decent in my treatment of women and children. Can’t bring shame to my mother, can I?”

So he wants me to stop crying? What a selfish request. This man and his compatriots no longer look towards the future. They gaze at the past, and are satisfied. They’ve accepted their deaths. Putting on airs, I call it, to die bravely and with a smile. Exactly what sort of expression am I supposed to make when I watch them throw their lives away, then?

“Reinforcements! Request reinforcements from the Apostle’s army! If you send your swiftest messenger now, surely... Perhaps not the Apostle herself, but some of her warriors that are capable of their new fire magic spells...”

“Don’t make me laugh. It would be strategic folly to split up one’s main army for a simple diversion. There is also your cargo to consider. It would be the height of stupidity to move the final battlefield or, heaven forbid, split it.”

“Even so! Even if it is foolish! It could save lives!”

“This way will save the most lives. Think of those who are yet to be born. Sacrifice a few to save the whole.”

“No... There must be another way!”

“Listen to me: this diversion also serves the purpose of purging the chains and rot of the previous generation. The king’s sister’s crazed actions have forced our hand.”

“But why? Why... Huh?”

Is he... stroking my head?

“It is a difficult thing, I’m sure, to be a warrior of the Church. One must be gentle, yet strong... forced to cry many more times than allowed to smile.”

He’s so cruel. He’s smiling again, isn’t he? Quietly and peacefully, though he goes to his death.

“You’re kind too,” I say.

“No, I’m not. I’ve pushed the burden of surviving at all costs onto my brothers, for their deaths would mean the end of everything. They will probably hate me for being so unreasonable.”

“I doubt your brothers will accept this.”

“Agias will. He’s a natural military man; he will see no other way. Origis will make a fuss, I’m sure, but Marius will be there to calm him down. He takes after our mother, that one.”

It’s no use. No matter what I say, I can’t reach his heart, I can’t stop their battle. The tears come, one after another with no end in sight. I do, however, manage to at least keep from sobbing.

“Acolyte Hikurina, don’t be mistaken. It is you all who are the unfortunate ones.”

Unfortunate. Life, death—this world is filled with misfortune. One can grit their teeth and work desperately, only to see those most precious to them die the next minute. Such is the world we live in.

“Yes, the palace will most likely burn. Me, my father, the archbishop, even the king—we will all turn to ash, no exceptions. But there is a seed of hope—the nation’s demise will be a pillow that provides the most tranquil sleep.” His eyes close slightly as he looks somewhere far away. Sighing deeply, his next words spill out. “There can be no greater end for the exhausted than this.”

He’s lying. It’s logic, nothing more. I can tell that his thoughts are turned towards someone else right now. I’ve seen this so much in my service to the Church; the face of someone thinking of one they hold dear is really something special. It’s sincere, honest, and true.

His position prevents him from crying; he has had to resign himself many times. And so, solemnly he sacrifices himself for his role.

“Now go, Acolyte Hikurina. For the sake of the new world that God is creating... For a future where humans can live without shame... Make certain you deliver that cargo.”

All I can do is nod. That’s my role, after all.

My carriage is built especially sturdy. In it is a very large ax. And within that is the one, the only... Primal Ash. Our nation’s treasure, and said to be the source of the miracle of fire. Truly, we do have control over fire magic.

I must make sure it is delivered.

To the fort; to the safest place in the realm of humans. On my life, I swear it.