The clamor of the night is gone, how lonely it is after the festival.
The festival starring me has ended. To be precise, the Darkness Sword has been temporarily banned until its revision. Changing the magic incantation to activate the Darkness Sword requires immense effort, and during that time, the rotten Great Scythe cannot be used.
With the Demon Army poised to attack any day, it’s a problem that such a powerful sword cannot be used. Consequently, the Orietta Sword and the Sword of Light are permitted, while the Darkness Sword remains sealed.
The festival continued until morning, and I, exhausted from dancing, fell asleep. Like a dead person…
“Are you alive, you bastard?”
Instead of slitting my neck along the veins to cut Rufina’s vines, he drove the sword straight in. How many times have I had my carotid artery severed?
“I’m alive. Call me a swindler.”
The reason I’m alive despite having my carotid artery severed is thanks to Sophia’s healing magic and Rufina’s daily blood reserve. …Huh? My right arm is missing?
“Sophia! Give me back my right arm! Stop playing with my right arm for your solo act!”
Honestly, there’s no rest for the wicked. I don’t even remember how my right arm was taken. I used my remaining left hand to stop Sophia’s solo act and reattach my right arm with healing magic.
This time, the attachment of my right arm is a bit off, and it feels slimy. When I went to the bathroom to take a morning shower, Rufina was all wrapped up in her own vines, so I decided to borrow the bathroom from a different house.
“Brigade! Assemble!”
The brigade remained motionless.
“…Gather.”
The brigade members quickly assembled with full-dash speed. I’ll kill them someday. I’ll throw them into the most dangerous place and abandon them. I silently resolved this, and then spoke about the previous day’s rewards and preparations for the Demon Army’s imminent attack.
Two foolish individuals, perhaps bored by my speech or because it was too early, yawned and apparently incurred Christine’s wrath, leading to their eternal slumber.
“…Everyone… if you can’t listen, then die.”
Perhaps they’ve forgotten the memory of being told, “No dead people.” Christine has been too unforgiving lately. Is it that time of the month for her, perhaps…
I don’t understand the hearts of the brigade members who follow Christine even after being treated like this. Lady Annelyse also binds people with a similar “bewitching charisma,” but Christine binds their hearts.
I’ll talk to Christine again. This time, it will be with the “Butt Festival”… With that decision, the briefing ended.
I headed towards Lady Annelyse’s place, intending to enjoy morning coffee together. Of course, Yuma Bashar’s interference prevented me from meeting her, but instead, I captured Fleet Helm.
A former demon man. He crushed his own horns and swore loyalty to Lady Annelyse. However, I can’t trust him easily. I intend to fulfill the promise I made at that time to have my memories read.
Fleet Helm followed me obediently without a sword. If Rufina can read his memories and glean information on the Demon Army’s inner workings, it might give us an advantage. After all, we have precious little information about Nordland itself.
I left Fleet Helm with the brigade and went to look for Rufina. She wasn’t there during the briefing either, but perhaps she’s still bound in the bathroom?
I ordered the brigade members to her location and to bring her, and this time they moved with surprising speed, like a military unit, as if they were different people.
After a while, Rufina appeared, looking disheveled. It seemed unlikely she could cooperate, so I apologized to Fleet Helm and sent him home.
Fleet Helm said, “Anytime is fine,” but I don’t know if he has a way to prevent his memories from being read, or if he genuinely didn’t care if they were.
“You really wronged me yesterday…”
I have no memory of doing anything. I was bound in the bathroom and still in my clothes. For me to force myself on her… it’s not impossible, but given my state yesterday, the ballerina wouldn’t have had the energy. …I think.
“Rufina also fell into Christine’s trap. I was tricked too. We’re equally guilty, and it’s Rufina’s fault for creating such a spell in the first place!”
No matter how cute she is, I have to say it firmly once in a while. Rufina, shrinking into herself with dejection, is also cute.
She must have remembered yesterday. After all, she was hit by Christine’s “unfortunate” power. Priscilla and Alana were also hit by this unavoidable force, so it’s natural for her to feel terror.
As the captain, it’s my role to gently reassure her and give her gentle warnings so this doesn’t happen again. It’s a role I haven’t performed as captain in a while, and I’m a little happy about it.
“You didn’t have to do that… If you had said something, I would have gone anytime…”
Done what? I was desperately trying to survive yesterday and don’t remember well. I don’t even remember losing my right arm.
“What… what did I do…”
“The captain touched me from behind in a place I can’t say. I couldn’t see because I was bound, but that large right hand went many places…”
That scoundrel! He did it! He cut off my right arm without my knowledge, and then he enjoyed himself with Rufina!?
Unforgivable! The frustration of not even having a lingering sensation on my hand. He wouldn’t understand this anger! Why didn’t he do it while it was attached!
I don’t know who cut off my hand, and I don’t know who enjoyed themselves with Rufina, but don’t use someone else’s hand without permission.
It seems like I and Rufina are the victims this time. Rufina brought it on herself, but this is too cruel a punishment for me. Someday, someday, I’ll have the “Butt Festival.” With that resolve in my heart, I gently embraced Rufina, when a report of the enemy’s approach came.
“It seems the Demon Army has arrived. Everyone, please handle it.”
Commander-General of the three legions and I, the Brigade Commander, stood before Lady Annelyse, finalizing the last strategy. The plan was simple. Lure the Demon Army, which had entered the deserted city, into the city and incinerate them with pre-placed explosive magic.
If they don’t enter, we, the weakest in position, will act as bait to lure the Demon Army into the city. This is, after all, the use of mercenaries. It seems like there will be flanking maneuvers from the center and west, but they’ll undoubtedly be mercenaries too.
“Brigade Commander Shin will be put to good use.”
I have no motivation, even when told by someone I dislike. Either he’s good at social niceties, or he’s saying pretty words because Lady Annelyse is here, this Yuma Bashar.
“Leave it to me. For Lady Annelyse, I will defeat the enemy.”
I’ll ignore you. I’m fighting for Ann-chan. And then we lived happily ever after, the end…
I worry if I’m not being drawn in by Lady Annelyse’s “bewitching charisma.” According to Fleet Helm, fighting for Lady Annelyse becomes natural. I wonder if I’m not slowly being eroded by being here. The biggest problem is that she’s not self-aware.
As I exited the tent for formation, I glanced back, and Lady Annelyse, without speaking, moved her lips, indicating “Do your best” in a way only I could understand.
I almost waved back, but I suppressed the urge, biting my lip. I really feel like I’m being eroded. I have to ignore Lady Annelyse and fight, otherwise, I’m in trouble.
It’s fine if Lady Annelyse dies now. There are plenty of replacements for a duke, and the war won’t change even if Ann-chan is gone.
We, the White Lily Corps, will take the Demon Lord’s head and end this war. Ann-chan’s role will be over. After that, we’ll live happily ever after. Everyday, filled with love…
“What’s wrong, you rotten piece of work!”
My head aches. The hangover continues, a pain and nausea that feels like it’s pulling out my hair follicles, persistent since I left the tent and persisting even now as I look at Christine’s beautiful face.
“I’m feeling a bit unwell… More importantly, Alana! What’s the status of Doron’s enemy?”
“Yes, sir! The enemy is deployed surrounding the east, west, and north gates. It looks like they’re encircling the outer city, and haven’t entered it yet. Harpies are deployed in the sky, but they haven’t dropped bombs. However, two Dorons were taken down.”
Perhaps the Harpies are being used for reconnaissance rather than bombing. Bombardment and artillery will follow. It doesn’t look like it will be easy.
“We’ll split the brigade in two for now. One unit will be for defense. Christine, Sophia, and Rufina will remain. The other unit will be for diversion, with half the brigade, Priscilla, Alana, Orietta, and me.”
“You look pale. Are you alright?”
I don’t have time to worry about that now. The enemy is right in front of us. I feel incredibly sick. A vague, swirling unease is about to erupt from within me.
“I’m fine! Orietta, climb onto that nearby house! Fire the Railgun as celebratory gunfire for the Demon Army.”
“Understood~”
“Are you really okay?”
“I’m fine! Christine! Hurry and divide the brigade. The enemy is close!”
Damn it! I’m getting irritated. Is this pressure!? For Ann, I will kill the Demon Army. I’ll slaughter them all.
A shrill sound echoed from above, blowing off the roof of a civilian house. The second and third shots followed, and the shockwaves of the consecutively fired Railgun reached us.
Hurry up and attack. I will end this war. I’ll take the Demon Lord’s head and become a hero. Then, even a mercenary like me will be considered equal.
I… I was embraced by Priscilla. The warm comfort seemed to drain my strength.
“Mikael, you’re running too far ahead by yourself. You can push yourself, but don’t do anything reckless.”
Ah, what was I doing? What I want is right here… The members of the White Lily Corps all embraced me, surrounding me.
My reason for fighting. The ending God desires, with the White Lily Corps. I have the White Lily Corps. The White Lily Corps is enough…
“We’ll get through this together. I’m sorry for being such a pathetic captain…”
“It’s business as usual, hahahaha!”
I confirmed the warmth once more and then pulled away. Ah, my head is clearing up! I have one reason to fight!
To hell with God and the Demon Lord! White Lily Corps rule, “Annihilate all who obstruct.” Everything for the sake of the White Lily Corps.
And for the fun of guard duty.
