Lady Annelyse’s coronation ceremony was magnificent, and everyone felt a glimmer of hope for Harm, which had been suffering from consecutive defeats.
After the coronation, the granary was opened, and despite the ongoing war, plenty of alcohol was served. This brief respite freed me from my petty worries.
“Are you boozing, you bastard… *hic*”
“Priscilla, you’ve had too much. Please stop picking on Richarda.”
“She’s going to be a good woman. I know what I’m talking about. If only she were bigger…”
Don’t puff out your chest like that; it makes me want to grope you. Even at a drinking party, you’re groping Richarda’s breasts too much, I’m jealous. Maybe I’m drinking a little too much to think about it someday.
Actually, I was supposed to have my own seat and dine with Lady Annelyse alongside other nobles, but I left that to Yuma Bashar and instead drank with my comrades from the White Lily Corps and the Brigade.
Yuma Bashar… Was I weak for not being able to kill him? My Godspeed abilities far surpassed his, and the fight should have ended with the first strike.
I don’t recall earning enough hatred from Yuma Bashar to be killed by him. Yet, his attitude towards me since the first time we met has bothered me.
At first, I thought he was a knight who disliked mercenaries, but there was no reason for him to target my life. His determined gaze, which he showed me, kept lingering in my mind.
I displayed overwhelming power and forced Yuma Bashar to reveal why he was trying to kill me. He didn’t break until I inflicted wounds comparable to torture… not the kind of torture Alma Rosenberg inflicts!
“Y-you ran away, and that’s why Anaheim fell! If you had stayed to fight, Selina wouldn’t have had to die!”
Two names I hadn’t heard in a while. The name of the city, Anaheim Offen, and the name of the Knight Order Captain, Selina. Selina Hasse, if I recall correctly. The woman who showed a sunflower-like smile and stayed in Anaheim until the end.
“Are you talking about Selina, the Knight Order Captain Selina Hasse? What kind of relationship did you have with her?”
“She’s my sister… Selina fought for Anaheim until the very end… if you hadn’t run away!”
Yuma Bashar still threatens me with his sword, even in his battered state. There’s no chance of winning, and I haven’t even used Mode Two. Is standing up a matter of pride?
“A retreat order was issued by Lady Hasse. She said she would stay, even though she knew there was no chance of winning.”
“You’re not that strong! You defeated Sand Dragons and Giants! If you had stayed, Selina wouldn’t have had to die…”
I don’t know what to do with that. At the time, I retreated to Shirea with the city’s residents and mercenaries. Moreover, it was a direct order from Lady Selina. I couldn’t refuse when I saw that determined look in her eyes.
It’s not about logic… He sees me the same way as the one who killed her. Should I have taken Lady Selina back by force…?
The fact that we were able to safely retreat from Anaheim was due in no small part to the Knight Order who stayed behind to buy us time. The past cannot be changed; Anaheim fell, and Lady Selina died. The Royal Capital was overrun, and the King died. As those who are alive, we must look to the future.
Those who are trapped by the past and cannot envision a future cannot survive this war… I know that such pretty words won’t work, but… what should I do?
It would be easy to settle old scores here and fulfill Count Ernst’s promise. But, but… I can’t shake the feeling that Selina Hasse’s sunflower-like smile, which I will surely remember in the future, will be clouded by tears.
I couldn’t kill Yuma Bashar. I couldn’t fulfill my vengeance or keep my promise to Count Ernst, and yet I let him live. There’s no way “I’m sorry” will suffice for that.
What will I do from now on…?
“Are you boozing, you bastard… *hic*”
“Priscilla, you’ve had too much. Please stop picking on Richarda.”
Honestly, while I’m deep in thought, they’re doing something enviable. If I could, I’d pick on Priscilla. I want to bury myself in her large chest and sleep.
“What will happen now…”
As Priscilla poured alcohol into my empty mug, she muttered to herself, filling her own oversized, custom-made mug, which seemed to be twice the size of mine, to the brim.
Christine was surrounded by the men of the Brigade, Sophia was being cradled by Alana’s lap, Orietta was dancing, and Rufina was adding something to the alcohol. Even in this brief moment of peace, we must think about the future.
“We will retaliate for what was done to us. I have sent an envoy to Keibeck, and now that Lady Annelyse is Queen, they should be able to come to our aid immediately. The Ashtal Empire is already at the borders of Rothfar. If Rothfar gives permission, they can cross the border and reinforce Harm at once.”
So far, there are no problems. Ashtal and Keibeck are cooperative, and I have high hopes for Ashtal’s Knight Order equipped with super-vibrational weapons. I took a sip from my mug and continued.
“The problem is Rothfar. We need their permission to cross into Ashtal, and if possible, we’d like them to send their Knight Order as well. It’s too convenient to say this after a battle. First, we need a peace treaty with Rothfar. They haven’t moved their army towards us since that battle, so we can be hopeful.”
Priscilla drained her mug, which could also serve as a giant weapon. Her beautiful nape, the alcohol flowing down her throat. Priscilla is always beautiful.
“Can we win…”
Priscilla muttered, staring at the remaining alcohol in her mug. I love the uncharacteristically subdued Priscilla.
“We will win. We will win.”
I know my words lack conviction, given our string of defeats. But if we don’t win, humanity has no future. The only future would be as livestock.
For someone like me, dying in battle would be preferable. But if captured, I’d undoubtedly become livestock, known as Alma Rosenberg’s husband. While that’s not entirely unappealing, being livestock, well…
If asked if I have a plan to win, I would say “yes.” It involves wishful thinking, however… The alliance of these three northern countries – Harm, Rothfar, and Keibeck – along with the participation of the Ashtal Empire. If this comes to fruition, we might stand a chance.
Furthermore, Ashtal has equipped its entire Knight Order with super-vibrational weaponry. With a sharpness comparable to a magic sword and shields that can withstand anything, they will be a match for the Demon Army.
I’ve also asked the Dwarves of Shidenzach to craft super-vibrational weapons. Strictly speaking, the contract prohibits the handover of super-vibrational weapons to anyone other than the White Lily Corps and the Ashtal Empire, but if they are nominally incorporated into the mercenary White Lily Corps, there should be no problem… I think.
“I think we can finally strike back…”
Priscilla said with a distant look, watching the Brigade members who were getting drunk and merry. I feel like she had a slightly sad look in her eyes, as if acknowledging that one must be prepared to die if they intend to kill.
I stood up and sat down beside Priscilla again. I considered a little trick like stumbling and diving into her chest, but decided against it for now.
“The White Lily Corps is invincible. Let’s use this opportunity to pay off our debts and save up for a rosy retirement.”
“…Honestly, you…”
She gave a small smile. We clinked our mugs and downed the remaining alcohol. The alcohol seeping into our bodies felt pleasant. I glanced at Priscilla and saw she was looking at me. We were naturally drawn to each other, but as expected, someone interrupted.
“Are you drinking?”
I wish he would stop intruding as if to say “Be gone.” If only I were another five centimeters closer, I could have touched Priscilla’s soft lips.
“We are. It’s a celebration, after all. Rufina, are you drinking too?”
“Of course. I’ll call Rossa too.”
If Rossa is called for her figure, that’s fine, but even that consumes Rufina’s magic power. I hope it’s not a waste of magic.
“Long time no see, Mikael.”
Rossa, with her voluptuous body, would be an undeniable beauty if not for her red eyes. If she could have a little more freedom in her body, with larger breasts and a smaller waist, she’d be perfect.
While I was captivated by Rossa’s sensual physique, Rufina poured her own drink into my mug. Fool! I saw Rufina adding something earlier.
Priscilla drank the liquor she poured without suspicion, and then Rufina poured herself more of the drink she brought. I hope it’s not poisoned…
I held my mug and talked with Rossa for a while, buying time, in case it was a slow-acting poison, but they showed no abnormalities.
So, I chugged my mug in one go. The alcohol seeping into me, beautiful women surrounding me – the moment where I felt glad to be born a man ended in an instant.
“…They’re asleep.”
“They’re asleep. As usual, it was all pointless.”
“Was this okay then?”
“It doesn’t matter, this one works too hard…”
“I prepared an aphrodisiac too~”
“Stop that, she doesn’t need it.”
“It’s a shame to just let them sleep like this.”
“Once in a while is fine…”
“…”
The sleeping potion seeps in. If I were kissed by one of the beautiful women surrounding me, would I wake up? If so, I’d prefer it to be Priscilla. Not with a Zantou, though…
