A Person Who is Prepared to Make a Decision
The forces of the Luine Kingdom and the Izrim Empire Army are facing each other on a plain near the border of the Emil Kingdom. There are not so many of them. Both armies have about 1,000 troops. It was the result of an agreement to match numbers.
While a tense atmosphere was floating between the two armies, two horsemen, King Albert and Harrisman, the Commander of the Platinum Knights, came forward. In addition, Mei, the Emperor, and her escort, Minami, also from the Izrim Empire Army, rode forward on horseback.
The four horses slowly moved forward. At a position exactly halfway between the two armies, the Luine Kingdom side stopped their horses. The Izrim Empire followed suit.
"Have you agreed to negotiate with us?"
Mei was the first to speak. This is a meeting for negotiations between the two countries. It was an offer from the Izrim Empire side, and the Luine Kingdom accepted it.
"You threatened to kill 10,000 hostages if I didn't agree."
The Luine Kingdom did not willingly accept the negotiations. They had no choice but to accept the offer because they were holding the Black Iron Knights hostage.
"You wouldn't have met with us otherwise."
Using hostages to threaten the other side. In doing so, Mei was not without resistance. But in order to win, she can't choose the means. Just as Ren of the Nord Empire did. Mei thought about this and made a decision.
"It goes without saying that my request is the release of the hostage. What are you going to ask for in return?"
"Do you have to be so hasty?"
"What else is there to talk about?"
King Albert isn't really in a hurry to talk either. He doesn't need to show his hand in a situation where he can't read the thoughts of the Izrim Empire. He just wants Mei to talk as much as possible.
"Well...... what I'm wondering is, why did you choose to fight us? Why would you trust the Nord Empire?"
Mei also wants to find out the intentions of the Luine Kingdom's side. This may broaden the scope of negotiations.
"The Nord Emperor can be trusted. That's all."
"You trust Ren-kun? Why is that? Considering what he's done so far, he's the most untrustworthy person, right?"
"As an enemy. To allies, he shows a completely different face."
Ren is ruthless with his enemies, but with his allies, he is a completely different person. King Albert is aware that Ren actually has a soft spot for his enemies as well, but there is no need to tell Mei about it.
"...I wonder if the Luine Kingdom is recognized by him as an ally?"
Mei also understood what King Albert was saying. But she also knows that it is quite difficult to get Ren to recognize her as an ally. Not only Mei, but also Jin, who was supposed to be close to Ren, was not subject to this.
"I am not seen as an enemy now."
"Is that so? Even if that's the case, once the battle with us is over, the position will return to its original position."
"I don't deny that possibility. But it is the same for us. There is only one supreme ruler of the continent. We cannot stand side by side with him."
The truce with the Nord Empire is temporary. King Albert knows that without being told. The time will come when they will decide who will win the war. He is even looking forward to that day.
"Then the question goes back to the beginning. Why us and not the Nord Empire?"
Even King Albert doesn't fully trust Ren. This was a bit of a mistake, but Mei thought so and returned the conversation to the beginning.
"What's the point in knowing that?"
King Albert does not want a roundabout discussion. He wanted to hear Mei's true feelings.
"What did we do wrong? I want to know what we did wrong and whether it can be changed. It might change our relationship with you."
"......The relationship will never change, will it?"
King Albert still doesn't understand Mei's intentions. There can be no ceasefire at this stage. This is what King Albert thinks.
"Why? If there was a misunderstanding, it should be corrected. If it reveals the real enemy, shouldn't we work together?"
"There is no misunderstanding. The real enemy is also clear."
"Don't you think you're really being deceived by Ren-kun?"
"Why do you think I doubt it?"
Mei's question did not shake King Albert's heart. His feelings are solidified to the point that nothing is more obvious to him.
"...He's been deceiving us since he was in the church. You were deceived by him. It's the same even after you went to the Nord Empire. His actions are not sincere."
"Was his act of deception meant to hurt someone? I don't think so. He just kept quiet and we just didn't notice. Wasn't it you people who turned him against us who hurt his allies?"
Ren was simply indifferent to his surroundings. The only classmate he paid attention to, Kazuki, was killed by other hero candidates. It is not necessary to consider which side is at fault, King Albert thinks.
"...Is that why you're fighting us?"
Mei also finds it difficult to refute the situation when Kazuki is brought up. She could say that it was a superior force and that the church that brainwashed them was to blame, but that would only lead her to criticize the Luine Kingdom as being just as evil as the church. The hostile relationship will not change.
"...There is one more thing. And this is the biggest reason."
The conversation would not progress if they were to explore their true feelings. Thinking this, King Albert decided to take a step forward himself. Even if his true, non-negotiable intentions were known, it would not affect the negotiations. This was also the result of his thinking.
"What is it?"
"I can't leave this world in your hands. But with him, I have no intention of fighting with the intention of losing, but even if we should be defeated, I can rest assured. I am sure he will build a good country. It will be a country where the people can live in peace."
"...A world frightened by the threat of demons."
Mei took King Albert's words as a total denial of her as an administrator. That was something she could not accept. She believes she has the power to make the world a better place.
"How could the demons defy his will? Under him, there are no humans or demons. Only in this, I must admit that I am inferior to him."
Under Ren, races are equal. King Albert does not have the confidence to build such a country. Even if he has the will to do so, he does not believe that the demons and the elves will follow him. This was the biggest challenge for King Albert in his quest for continental domination. The only way to complete that task is to make Ren follow him.
"...I see. Are you saying that you can't coexist with us?"
"Exactly. Then let's hear your demands."
This is non-negotiable, even if it means killing ten thousand hostages. If they give in to the Izrim Empire, they will cause dozens or hundreds of times more people to suffer. This is what King Albert thinks.
"...Yuya's proof of servitude"
"I see. You thought it was worth more than ten thousand enemies."
King Albert doesn't think about letting Yuya go free. His slave destination just changes to Mei. King Albert thought that Mei, as the emperor of the Izrim Empire, wanted to use Yuya's power as she wished.
"What do you think? Do you agree to my demands?"
Mei thinks she has lowered the bar for negotiation. Even so, she thinks it's a delicate matter whether King Albert will accept it or not.
"Is that the only condition?"
"...Yes, that's right."
"Then we have a deal. What about the method of delivery? If it's the proof of servitude, I'm sure it won't take too long for us to provide it, don't you think?
Not only will it not take much time, but it will be ready in no time. The enforceability of the proof of servitude depends on the distance. Now that the church does not exist, they have not been able to confirm this clearly, but they are carrying it because they think it is likely to be so, given the current situation.
"......First, we'll release half of the hostages. Then we will ask you to give us the proof of servitude. If that is done as promised, we will release the other half. How about this arrangement?"
Mei explains the arrangement she had thought of in advance. Her expression shows confusion, although she is trying to hide it. King Albert took the terms far more easily than she had imagined. She thinks he could have gotten more out of it.
However, this does not understand the resolve of King Albert and the army of the Luine Kingdom. Summoning heroes was a mistake. Now that it is clearly understood, those of them who were involved in it must take responsibility for it. Even if it means giving up their lives. King Albert and his men, thinking this way, had no intention of relying on Yuya's power from the beginning, even though they were influenced by Shizuku's advice. If they were to become enemies, it would only mean that they would be blown away and fight with all their might.
"The other half will also be brought to the place where the proof of servitude will be handed over. As soon as you hand it over, they will be released on the spot. If this is the case, I will accept it."
"...I understand."
Should she persist? For a moment, Mei thought so, but decided not to do so. After all, Mei still had some naivete left in her. She didn't want to think about the possibility of slaughtering five thousand hostages on the spot. She hesitated to leave her bad name in history.
But the battle would go on. In order to win, the liberated hostages must be killed on the battlefield. No matter what the situation or method, killing is still the same. There is no good or bad in killing.
◆◆◆
While negotiations with the Luine Kingdom were underway, new developments were taking place in the Izrim Empire. The rebellions that were taking place in various parts of the country showed no sign of abating. On the contrary, the initially disparate movements of the people are now coming together into a larger cohesive movement. It is not a movement centered on the rebel forces of the former Orthea Kingdom, where Nishida is located. It was the former church officials and former members of the Anti-Hero Alliance who created this trend. It is also the result of the actions of those who are not at the behest of the Nord Empire, although they are not necessarily aware of it.
The passion of these people, who still retain the fanatical nature of the former Anti-Hero Alliance, is incomparably greater than that of the former Orthea Kingdom. The people who had been rioting were inspired by their fervor, and their actions became more extreme. An unintended outburst had been triggered.
There was also unprecedented movement in the Izrim Empire's response to it. The Lemberg Royal Army joined in the suppression of the rebellion.
"......However bad the other side is. We'd better pull back."
Seeing the Lemberg Royal Army deployed in front, Bear recommends Nishida to retreat. The former Orthea Kingdom Army was also participating in the rebellion instigated by the former Anti-Hero Alliance. The idea was to somehow restrain the outraged populace and move them in the direction they should be going.
"Will they listen to us?"
Nishida agrees with him about the withdrawal. The Lemberg Royal Army is one of the three former major powers. It is a country that excels in military prowess alongside the Luine Kingdom. That should not change even after it is subordinated to the Izrim Empire. The army remained almost intact.
But no matter what Bear and Nishida think, they do not know if the people will follow them. The people are following the instigators of the former Anti-Hero Alliance.
"Don't be afraid of death! Be afraid of losing your will! Only if we die here now will the world be enveloped in light!"
Sure enough, instead of backing down, the agitator started telling people to die. They want a place to die. Death in battle is martyrdom for them. A proud death.
"Surrender! Quietly surrender and vow never to let this happen again, and I won't kill you!"
It was Jin who urged them to surrender. Standing in the front row of the Lemberg Kingdom's army, he is shouting at the people.
"Don't be deceived by usurpers! That person deceived the master he served, killed them, and robbed them of their country! The word [not kill] is a lie that deceives us!"
Naturally, the agitator will not accept surrender. Even more so when it comes to the words of the hated hero Jin.
"Which one is deceiving them!? Listen up, everyone! The Nord Emperor doesn't care about you at all! He only sees it as a tool that can be used!"
Jin refutes the agitator's words. Stimulated by the words of the agitator who denied himself, he begins to deny Ren. It's not strange as a counterargument, but it's also because he's still conscious of Ren.
"Don't mock the savior! Punishment!"
"What savior! Ren is just a human, just like us! If he still claims to be the savior! Why is he not here!? Why doesn't he try to save people who are in trouble!"
The people on the rebel side reacted to these words of Jin. Not all people are prepared to die. Rather, it is a very small number except for the agitators. Most of them want to make their hard lives better. For them, the Nord Empire, the northern paradise that the agitators told them about, is a place of hope. They want to go there. They want to live.
"The Savior has saved many people!"
"But many of them do not include those who are here now! Don't believe Ren! He is not the savior! He's not going to make this world a better place, we are!"
"You are the ones who are spreading suffering in this world!"
"The Nord were the ones who caused the conflict first! Ren caused the current chaos!"
This is not telling the truth. Even if Ren had not started it, the war would have broken out in this world. That is why the heroes, including Ren, were summoned. But the people don't know that. Doubts about the words of the agitators spread through the hearts of the people, partly because of their fear of death.
"To change the world, sacrifices must be made!"
This is the original idea of the Anti-Hero Alliance. At the same time, it is also the idea of the church and the great powers, which were at the opposite ends of the spectrum.
"That kind of thinking is wrong! Have you ever thought about the feelings of the victims!? You are the same as Ren! A person who sees others only as tools!"
The people Jin said would be the victims are the people who are here now. His words reach people's hearts. The atmosphere of the people, except for the agitators, changes. Surrender is just a matter of time.
"That man. He's gotten better at making speeches. Or maybe it's just that his opponents are too bad."
Seeing the situation, Bear spoke a carefree impression.
"Is this the time to be so optimistic? What are you going to do? We better run now, while we still can, right?"
The people of the former Orthea Kingdom, including Nishida, could not surrender. They would soon find out who they were, and if they did, there was no way they would be safe. It was the same for Nishida. There was no way he would surrender to Jin. Death is better than surrender. Nishida's feelings are similar to those of the agitator. The only difference is that he is willing to wait for the next opportunity. Apart from his own life, he has someone to protect.
"...Go ahead."
"Go ahead? What are you going to do?"
"...For some reason, I've become acquainted with you for a long time. It was an interesting time in its own way."
"Hey!?"
Bear's words suggest they split. The meaning of deciding to say goodbye at this place. Nishida only has a bad feeling about it.
"You still have things to do. And I have things to do here, too. You and I serve different people. We have different paths to follow. Still...... you are still my comrade-in-arms. Live! Live to fulfill your will!"
"Hey, Bear!? Wait! What are you doing!?"
Bear leaves the place with parting words. Nishida shouted loudly to keep him, but his voice did not stop Bear.
Only Jin and the agitator were speaking. The scream that interrupted there reached many people's ears.
"...The voice just now... no way, Nishida is here?"
Naturally, it reached Jin's ears as well. Jin realized that it was Nishida's voice. Jin turned his gaze to look for his whereabouts and saw a man. A large man. His face was hidden by a cloth so that he could not be seen clearly, but he could tell by the outline that it was not Nishida.
The man stepped forward, ahead of the agitator.
"...Who are you?"
The other party is clearly not an ordinary citizen. He can tell at a glance.
"I am Kaiser Ren Breitkreutz's, the Emperor of the Nord Empire's retainer! Bear, no, Stokes!"
Bear identified himself by his real name, which even he had almost forgotten. This was the first time, and probably the last, that he would identify himself as Ren's vassal in public like this. He did not want to use an alias.
"…A retainer of Ren?"
"Yeah, that's right! I've been serving him since before His Majesty was named emperor, after finishing the hero selection ceremony and leaving the church country!"
"From that long ago... what did you come here to do!?"
A retainer from before Ren went to the Nord Federation. Why is such an old retainer in this place? Jin doesn't know. He doesn't know why he showed up so proudly.
"It's for correcting misunderstanding!"
"Misunderstanding? What are you talking about!?"
"First! The Nord emperor does not use the weak as tools! His Majesty uses them as tools! Those who are arrogant people like you! Those who torment the weak!"
"What……?"
Bear shows up to deny his words. Jin is surprised to learn this. If he calls himself a vassal of the Nord Empire and stays safe. Jin himself would not let that happen.
"One more thing! His Majesty doesn't want people to die! He doesn't approve of beautiful deaths! His Majesty's wish is to live! Even if we have to crawl on the ground!"
Bear also denies the agitator's words. Their words are different from what Ren thinks. He can't leave it at that. He can't let them distort his thoughts.
"It is not unconditional salvation that His Majesty grants! Death to those who want to die! If you want to live, live! If you want to live, run! Flee and run away! Reach the North at all costs!"
Ren does not save everyone. He saves those who want it, and those he deems worthy of it.
"And know about His Majesty's reign! His Majesty is a person who cannot be described in words! Only when you get close to him, know his deeds, hear his words, and feel his heart, will you know what kind of person he is!"
It is not as easy to understand Ren as Bear actually tells them. It is impossible to know his deeds and hear his words without having the heart to understand his true intentions. Bear knows this. But he could not allow himself to be told by the irresponsible words of others.
"Until then, you must be anxious! So I will at least show you a side of His Majesty! A side of His Majesty who never abandons the weak! So run away! Live!"
Bear pulls out the sword at his waist and turns to Jin and the Lemberg Royal Army. What it shows can be understood by listening to Bear's words. Foolish words. Some may think it is a foolish act. But Bear still wants to show it. The Nord Emperor, Kaiser Ren Breitkreutz. He says that his beloved Lord is not a man who would abandon the weak and helpless.
"...Do you want to die?"
Jin asks an obvious question.
"I'm different from His Majesty. It's impossible for me to survive."
"...I can kill you by myself. The people behind you will not be saved."
"Efforts to save them should be made by themselves. I will only support them a little. I think His Majesty is such a person."
It's not Ren who reaches out to those who don't do anything. He can only give them a place if they want it and still more if they pass his test.
"...I don't understand. Why are you so loyal to Ren?"
"I wonder, you are His Majesty's enemy."
"I... that's right. Ren and I can't go on the same path. We're enemies."
The day will never come when they can understand each other. He should have known that. Still trying to get to know Ren, Jin wondered if he still had feelings of regret.
"Fuu. Why don't you make an effort to be recognized as an enemy first?"
"What?"
"You're still alive because you're not worthy to be his enemy. Don't you think so?"
"...Then I'll kill you so that Ren will recognize me as an enemy."
Jin takes on Bear's provocation. But he's not entirely hot-headed.
"Don't think you can buy time! Attack! Attack the rebels!"
Jin gives instructions to the Lemberg Royal Army. Jin had no intention of wasting his time in a one-on-one battle with Bear. He would kill Bear, and kill the rebels. So Bear's actions become meaningless. That's what he thought.
But that's fine with Bear. The Lemberg Kingdom army slaughtered the rebel army without mercy. If that fact is made, there will be no rebels who choose to surrender in the future. Bear doesn't just do this with good intentions. His actions are for the benefit of Ren. He is willing to make sacrifices for it. Jin doesn't know that.
However, there was a miscalculation between the two of them. There was an army that was attacking the Lemberg Kingdom's army, which had set out to avenge the rebel army.
"......Why didn't you just run away?"
That army is the former Orthea Kingdom army led by Nishida. Bear knew right away.
"Now, let's fight this way, shall we?"
"...Yeah. I'll end it right away. You'll end up dying in vain."
Bear isn't strong enough to resist. Jin believes Nishida is the same. The actions of both Bear and the former Orthea Kingdom army were futile efforts.
"As I thought, you don't understand His Majesty."
"......What is it now?"
"You'll find out sooner or later."
Bear believes that this death will not be in vain. He believes that if it doesn't, Ren won't.
――Bear, whose real name is Stokes. One of the oldest subjects, Bear's real name was not known to Ren until after his death.
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