To look back for a moment, this was around the time the unit led by Vihera had broken through the central forces and begun facing off against the Rear Unit.
The Subjugation Army's Main Camp was in a state of absolute chaos.
"Ridiculous! How are we being pushed back like this when we have more than four times their numbers?!"
"Numbers matter, yes, but quality matters more! That is exactly why we secured the cooperation of Lord Noise, an S-Rank, and Lord Digma, an A-Rank!"
"And didn't those two lose to those wretches quite easily? No, as far as Lord Noise is concerned, reports say he actually conceded the victory of his own accord and withdrew from the field!"
"As for Lord Digma, they say he was defeated unilaterally without accomplishing a single thing!"
"It was a mistake to rely on such useless fools!"
"You, sir! Show some respect for Lord Noise, a friend of His Majesty the Emperor!"
"We can argue later! Right now, we should discuss what to do!"
"If we don't hold them properly accountable, we're bound to repeat the same mistakes!"
"I am telling you that now is not the time for that! At this rate, the enemy might break through the Rear Unit! No matter what we say here regarding where the responsibility lies, it is meaningless!"
"Shouldn't we just pack up the camp and retreat?"
"Fool! There would be no point in retreating now! Certainly, if we retreat, we wouldn't have to worry about the lives of Their Highnesses or ourselves, but even that would be a temporary reprieve. We have poured the vast majority of our mobilizable military strength into this battle!"
"Then what would you have us do?! Even if we fight on like this, defeat is already inevitable. Are you suggesting Their Highnesses should die in battle here?!"
The voices of nearly thirty nobles in the Main Camp echoed through the air as they argued over their next course of action.
The reason Schurus and Cabajid had watched the argument until now without interjecting was that those nobles were not discussing their next moves out of a mere desire to save their own lives. Of course, such people were not entirely absent, but the majority were genuinely debating how they might overcome the current situation.
"So, Big Brother Cabajid. What do you think we should do? Honestly, we don't have many options left."
While watching the nobles' discussion, Schurus addressed Cabajid, who was sitting next to him.
As far as Schurus could see, their remaining options were few: challenge the Mercureo Army to a final, desperate battle while knowing they would lose; surrender; temporarily retreat from the Brissa Plain; flee the country to seek protection from neighboring nations; or request their father, the Emperor, to mediate.
However, Schurus rejected the last two without question. Since they had incited this civil strife themselves, asking the Emperor for mediation would be a catastrophic blunder regarding the Right of Succession to the Throne that could never be undone. Seeking protection in another country would be much the same.
A final charge against the Mercureo Army was also out of the question; there was no chance of victory, and it would only waste lives in vain. That left only surrender or a temporary retreat to reorganize.
"I agree. I don't think we have many choices left to pick from," Cabajid said. "Unless something completely unexpected happens to the other side, we should consider our defeat a settled matter. At the very least, I can't think of a way to overturn the situation now. If that's the case, as I mentioned a little while ago, wouldn't it be best to surrender and wait for our time to come?"
"Big Brother Cabajid?!"
Perhaps because he had never expected Cabajid to actually suggest surrender, Schurus's voice was sharp and loud.
Even the nobles listening to the exchange between the two princes were stunned. They turned surprised, wide-eyed gazes toward Cabajid.
"Do you understand what you're saying?! This has grown into a battle of immense proportions. If we were to surrender to Mercureo in such a situation, there's no way it would end simply! Even you must understand that, Big Brother!"
"Yes, I understand. But if we continue, even more lives will be lost. If that happens, don't you think the national strength of the Bestia Empire will drop even further than it has? Besides, as I said before, just because we lost today doesn't mean it’s a permanent defeat. For that very reason, we'll need to store up power until the next battle, right?"
Schurus struggled to wrap his head around his brother's logic.
On one hand, Cabajid argued they shouldn't fight anymore because the national strength inside the Bestia Empire would be exhausted; yet in the same breath, he suggested they should accept surrender for now only to start the war again once they had stored up power. He was suggesting surrender while simultaneously proposing the exact opposite for the future.
"Big Brother Cabajid, what on earth are you thinking? At this rate, we'll be executed at worst. Even if things go well, there's the Deprivation of the Right of Succession to the Throne or even the Swapping of the Right of Succession to the Throne with Mercureo!"
The fact that Frizziore's name was absent from Schurus's words likely reflected his true inner feelings. But without even noticing such a thing himself, he directed a sharp gaze at Cabajid.
"Could I ask you not to make me repeat myself? I said I understand that much. ...Well, if Schurus values his life, it's just as well. Shall we make it so this matter was done at my sole discretion?"
"...Big Brother Cabajid?"
Though he had always thought of his older brother as an enigmatic existence, Schurus had never felt the person in front of him to be as unsettling as he did now. It was as if he were talking to something else in human form—as if their words were being understood, yet their intentions were not communicating at all.
Is the person in front of me really the brother who shares my blood? The thought suddenly crossed his mind, but Cabajid paid no heed to Schurus's state and spoke to a subordinate.
"What has become of that matter?"
"...The preparations are already complete. The messenger to depart for the Imperial Capital is ready at any time."
"I see. Well then, let's at least end this battle in a way befitting the First Prince."
Just as Cabajid announced that, as if timed perfectly, a commotion began to rise from the surroundings. There was no need to wonder what those voices were or who was uttering them.
"Now, Schurus. It is almost Time for Play to end."
"Play? ...You call it play?! What are you saying, Big Brother?! This battle is the fight to decide our future! Why would you call it play..."
"It's nothing you need to worry about. Everything in this world is but an event in a dream. But... that's right. I do think I'd like to meet Crimson again, if possible."
Saying only that, Cabajid immediately shifted his gaze away from Schurus and addressed the nobles nearby.
"Well then, shall we go out to welcome the Messenger of Ruin? I don't know who has come, but even so, waiting here to die while sitting down isn't quite to my taste. ...Though perhaps I'm using that expression slightly wrong?"
Cabajid tilted his head at his own words, but the other nobles could only fall silent.
How did it come to this? They were influential nobles even within the Bestia Empire, and their abilities were sufficient... at the very least, they should have been above average. And yet, they were being cornered like this.
While possessed by such thoughts, the nobles each took action. Some followed after Cabajid, who had begun walking to face the enemy; some stayed in place; and others fled, unwilling to remain. Even so, the fact that the nobles who followed after Cabajid exceeded 70% of the First Prince Faction was likely proof that, whatever their reasons, their loyalty was genuine.
"...Big Brother Cabajid, why on earth..."
Schurus muttered, but Amare, who was waiting nearby, softly approached and spoke into his ear.
"His Highness Schurus, what will you do? Looking at His Highness Cabajid's state, it seems he intends to settle this matter with his own life alone. Your life would be safe if you stayed here, but..."
"...I know. Even though we lost together, I would be pushing the responsibility for the defeat onto Big Brother Cabajid alone while I hide in the back. There would be no next time for a man who did such a thing. Let's go."
"Are you truly sure? If you stand at the vanguard with His Highness Cabajid, your life will be in danger."
The words that came out of Amare's mouth were her usual calm ones, but concern for Schurus undoubtedly colored her tone. If he did not show himself now, his Authority as the Second Prince would certainly collapse. Even so, his life at least would be spared. As a childhood friend who had spent time with him since they were small, Amare did not want Schurus to die.
However... ironically, that single sentence from Amare solidified Schurus's resolve.
"...I'm going. I can't leave all the cleanup to Big Brother Cabajid. I might die, but only those who are fine with that should come with me. Everyone else who values their lives, leave this place while you still can!"
At the strength of Schurus's voice, Those Called the Second Prince Faction began to move. Compared to Cabajid, however, those who chose to take action with Schurus were considerably fewer. This was a result of the Second Prince Faction originally accepting many people who couldn't gain entry into the First Prince Faction.
Even so, while Schurus was a little surprised that about half chose to follow him, he followed after Cabajid with a smile.
"...Amare, you don't have to come with me, you know."
Schurus spoke to Amare beside him as they walked, but she replied without changing her expression.
"I am your lieutenant, Your Highness. I will go with you to the end."
"You're a fool, coming along for such a suicidal act."
"Indeed. However, since my master is a fool, I suppose it cannot be helped."
"Heh, no doubt."
They both laughed, and the nobles who had decided to follow Schurus also moved toward Cabajid with smiles on their faces. Within minutes, they caught up to where Cabajid had stopped.
Toward his younger brother, who took up a position next to him, Cabajid spoke as if it were unexpected.
"Oh? You've come? I was sure you would leave it to me and go."
"I'm sorry, but I have my Pride as the Second Prince too. Besides, it hasn't been decided that we'll die, has it?"
"...Well, I suppose. But that possibility is overwhelmingly higher, you know? If you have hope for the future as you do, Schurus, I think it would be better if you survived."
Cabajid stated this without any sign of being daunted despite the fact that they might die soon. Schurus's eyebrows furrowed slightly. It seemed as if Cabajid were saying he didn't mind if he himself died.
"Big Brother Cabajid, can I ask you one thing?"
"What is it? It might be the last time, so feel free to ask. Whether I can answer it or not is another matter, though."
"It seems to me that you aren't afraid of dying at all, Big Brother. Of course, as a prince of the Bestia Empire, being frightened of death is out of the question, but that's merely a matter of not showing it outwardly. One's inner heart is another thing entirely. But... it seems like you aren't afraid of death regardless of such things. Why?"
At the sight of Schurus asking with a serious expression, Cabajid silently looked up at the sky.
The temperature was such that snow wouldn't be strange at any time, and the cold, clear air had created a beautiful blue sky. It was a blue sky that seemed transparent forever... and ever. If not for the freezing temperature, the continuous blue expanse was so clear it was as if one were looking up at the sky in midsummer.
Beautiful.
That was the word that naturally sprang to mind while looking up at that blue expanse. It was autumn weather where a summer blue sky existed despite the winter chill.
Toward Cabajid, who was staring up at the sky, Schurus was about to speak again, perhaps unable to bear the silence... but before he could say a word, Cabajid turned his gaze forward.
"I'm sorry, but time is up. Here comes our lovely sister."
At the end of Cabajid's gaze, Vihera appeared, leading Gurgast, Tilleul, and the soldiers.