“Holding his own at that age? Even if the man is down an arm, he is still a One-Star Knight Commander.”
Gald marveled as he watched Leo exchange blows with the Dragonia Knight Commander.
A Dragonia Knight Order usually numbered around twenty men—meaning the rank of a commander leading such a unit was at the lowest tier: One-Star. Even so, the position was reserved for those hailed as geniuses, even among the elite.
To reach that rank, one had to do more than just pass the rigorous Knight Exam; it required numerous military exploits and significant battlefield experience. On top of that, one had to pass the Knight Commander Exam.
Gald understood all too well what it meant to be a Knight Commander. Having taken the exam many times himself only to be rejected, he knew exactly how high that wall was. It was a wall he had long since abandoned trying to scale.
While the standards varied among the Five Great Nations, the difficulty was universal. A Knight Commander was a veteran who possessed a Master Emblem and bore the weight of their subordinates' lives.
By contrast, Gald was still just a Starless Knight.
If he were to fight that Knight Commander one-on-one, he would likely be cut down within ten seconds. Even with the commander's deep wounds, victory would be impossible for him. And yet, this boy was holding his own as an equal, despite the chaotic situation.
The boy's swordsmanship was erratic, and there was a glaring roughness to his style. That was only natural—he was only eight years old. But he made up for it with something else.
“Just who… are you?”
He was fast. Overwhelmingly, absurdly, far too fast.
His reaction speed in every movement was uncanny, as if he were glimpses seconds into the future. He was incredibly gifted at utilizing his own body, and it seemed as if he were growing even as the fight progressed.
“...A genius.”
If his technique, experience, and physical growth ever caught up to that raw talent, just how far would he go?
On this battlefield at the threshold of life and death, Gald couldn't help but dream of the boy’s potential. It was a martial talent that might one day rival a Three-Star Knight Commander—no, perhaps even the Five Star Sword. He found himself wanting to see what the future held for this child.
However, he slapped his cheeks and shook his head, snapping back to reality.
“N-no, I must focus! He's still facing a Knight Commander. I’m coming to assist you immediately, Lord Sora!”
Gald rushed forward to join Leo’s side.
◇ Leo
The plan had gone off without a hitch.
I was playing the same card over and over, but it seemed the concept of a child wielding an emblem was genuinely inconceivable in this world. In my previous life, child soldiers existed, but you could only distinguish them once they picked up a gun. Since you could summon a Crest Sword out of thin air here, I realized you could pretty much have your way with assassinations if you were so inclined.
However, the Knight Commander was as tough as expected; I hadn't been able to finish him off. But I had bought enough time.
“Surrender. You have no chance of winning now.”
While we fought, the other Dragonia Knights had all been neutralized. We held an overwhelming numerical advantage, but this was war. There was no such thing as "playing fair." Besides, Gald-san was even stronger than I’d imagined.
“...You’re the one with the Master Emblem, aren’t you, kid? In that case, I just need to kill you.”
“Sorry, but I’m not conceited enough to accept a duel. Even if we fought head-on a hundred times, I’d probably only win twenty of them.”
“Heh... You’re so level-headed for your age it’s aggravating. Your estimation is spot on, too... You’re abnormal.”
Gald-san stepped in front of me.
“Lord Sora, please step back. Our opponent is a One-Star Knight Commander; we will use our numbers to end this safely. Leave the rest to us.”
“...Understood. I’m counting on you.”
With that, nearly ten Arcadia Knights surrounded the commander. Combined with the massive crowd of commoners, escape was impossible.
“I don’t suppose... becoming a prisoner is an option. I am, after all, a Knight Commander.”
“I’m sorry, but it is common knowledge on the battlefield that those who possess a Master Emblem must be killed.”
“So this too is war... However, to have His Highness’s plan fall apart because of my failure... is regrettable.”
The Knight Commander lunged forward.
But the odds were heavily against him. There was little a man could do when surrounded by trained knights, especially after sustaining injuries in his fight with me. Gald-san, as a Vice Knight Commander, was simply too strong to overcome in that state.
After a brief, desperate exchange of steel, the Dragonia Knight Commander was run through from behind by Gald-san.
I watched him die. Fighting and dying—it was a sight I’d grown far too accustomed to today. That man had people he cared about, a family to protect, dreams, and decades of life behind him. I knew all that.
Yet, people died so easily. I was taking it in calmly, telling myself that since it was war, it couldn't be helped. Something was pooling in my heart... a heavy, suffocating weight. But for now, I had to shut it out.
“Lord Sora! Where are you going?!”
“Just wait! I’ll be right back!”
I ran to my mother’s cart, which I’d hidden in the forest outside the town. I checked her pulse. She was okay. I’d given her first aid, and perhaps her life force was being bolstered by the power of the emblem. I hurriedly pulled the cart back to the plaza.
“A doctor... is there a doctor here?! I heard there’s a Battle Medic in this town! I need her treated immediately!”
I nearly slipped back into my usual way of speaking, but I had to maintain the noble persona. I scanned the crowd for the Battle Medic Old Man Beard had mentioned.
Just then, a man I had shared the emblem’s power with raised his hand. Ah, I recognized him. He was the one who had helped me when I got an upset stomach from drinking river water.
“This is a terrible injury. Quickly!! Hm? This woman... wait. Could you be... from that time?”
“I think you’re mistaken! Just hurry, please!”
“A-ah! Right!”
The treatment began. We headed to the clinic belonging to the Battle Medic. It wasn't a large hospital, just a modest house, but his medical equipment was professional. After a procedure that made me want to look away, he finally stepped back.
“The rest should be fine, provided she gets enough rest.”
“Really?!”
The Battle Medic gave a small smile. I felt as though he’d seen through my disguise, but he chose not to say anything.
“Yes. The power of an emblem revitalizes one’s life force. She will likely remain asleep for a few days, but... she’ll be alright now.”
“I... see... I see.”
My knees gave out. She was saved. Thank goodness. Mother was going to be okay. Just hearing those words felt like a tight knot in my chest had finally unraveled. All the strength left my body.
A moment later, the door was thrown open.
““Lord Sora!!””
Gald-san and the other knights came barging in.
“Hey, this is a clinic,” the doctor scolded. “Don't come streaming in here looking like that.”
“P-please excuse us! However, the situation is of the utmost urgency!”
Gald and his men slid across the floor, dropping to their knees in a deep kowtow.
“What’s happened?” I asked.
“This Dragonia invasion! They have a different objective entirely! Please, you must come with us!”
“A different objective?”
“Yes! If we don't act, this kingdom will fall!”