I was currently inside an exceptionally large military tent.
And my head was being vigorously ruffled.
It felt like my skull was going to crack. As always, the man’s strength was incredible. He was still far above my current level.
"You little brat! You haven't sent a single word since then!"
"Sorry."
"You were only this big back then, huh? What’s it been, about ten years? You've grown huge!"
"It's only been four years."
"What, that's it? Hahaha! You're in your growth spurt then, you bastard! Hahaha!"
"I’m going to get shorter at this rate."
Iricobert-san seemed to be having a great time.
After our chance encounter, we had marched straight ahead. We eventually arrived at a frontline military base located just a few hours from the Emerald Plains. That was how I ended up being brought into Iricobert-san’s command tent.
It was exactly what you’d expect from a General’s tent—utterly luxurious. For some reason, there was even an expensive-looking sofa; the place had an elegance you wouldn’t expect from a temporary structure.
"So, you're starting as a regular grunt. If you'd just said something to me or My Lord, someone like you could..."
"Hmm. But I wanted to start properly, from the bottom."
"I see... No, you're not wrong. If you don't build a solid foundation, you’ll stumble later on. My Lord would probably say the same. My own first battle was as a conscript, after all."
"Does that mean you were a commoner, Iricobert-san?"
"You bet! I'm a genuine self-made man who rose this far with nothing but these two arms! You won't find many Three-Star commoners around."
I see... Perhaps that was why I felt he was so approachable, like an older cousin. Being a fellow commoner might have been the reason I felt so comfortable around him.
"Regarding what happened after we parted... Lady Scarlett returned safely to the royal capital. She was deeply grateful and was actually looking for you. Said she wanted to grant you a reward!"
"Eh... I'd rather not."
"Hahaha! Both I and My Lord told her you wouldn't care for something like that. However, now that you’ve stepped onto the battlefield, the story changes. Leo... achieve military feats and rise to the top."
"To the top?"
"That's right. A foundation is important, but there are sights you can only see from the heights. So, rack up those achievements and climb the ranks quickly. Right now, we need every knight we can get. Dragonia's movements are getting aggressive. And it's not just Dragonia—the Odixia Federation, the Seraphim Holy Kingdom, and the Divine Kingdom of Ishgar are all on the move. All of the Five Great Nations are acting up. The Arcadia Sword Kingdom is surrounded on all sides, after all."
"......I see."
"I'll ask just in case... Do you have the world map memorized?"
"Not at all."
Wham!
He punched me. Why...? As always, it hurt.
"Good grief! Hey, someone bring a map over! You need to take a little more interest in the world, kid."
"I've become very interested in swords."
"Well, that's a start."
A subordinate brought over a large scroll.
"This is our world."
The map of the world was laid out before me. The Arcadia Sword Kingdom sat in the center, with Dragonia to the west. To the east lay the Odixia Federation. To the southeast was the Divine Kingdom of Ishgar, and to the southwest was the Seraphim Holy Kingdom.
"The others don't matter for now. Look here, this is the Emerald Plains. As a deterrent against Dragonia, Arcadia built a massive fortification here called Emerald Castle. In other words, it’s the absolute front line."
At the border between Dragonia and Arcadia, there was a specific area where Arcadia’s territory jutted deep into Dragonia like a wedge. It was surrounded on four sides, but conversely, it was a strategic hub from which one could strike in any direction. That was the Emerald Plains, home to Emerald Castle.
"Dragonia wants this place no matter what. We can't afford to let them have it. If it’s taken, they’ll use it as the pivot for a full-scale invasion. This war is about protecting that castle."
"I see..."
"A regular soldier doesn't need to know the 'why,' but you do, Leo. You need to understand the intent and the strategy. Look at things from a broader perspective."
"Okay."
As he ruffled my head again, I turned to leave the tent.
It was at that exact moment.
"Urgent report! Urgent report!"
"Hm? What is it...?"
A knight, face pale with terror, leapt off his Emblem Horse and rushed into the tent with frantic momentum. He dropped to one knee and delivered his report.
"Emerald Castle has fallen! Emerald Castle has fallen!"
"Hah? What did you just say? How could..."
"Emerald Castle has been seized by Dragonia! Lord Eldora, the Three-Star Knight defending it, was killed in action. Following a total surrender, the castle was occupied by Dragonian forces!"
"—!?"
Emerald Castle. That was the name of the very castle we were supposed to be defending. It had fallen? What did that even mean?
"Wait, wait! Eldora-san is dead? How many years do you think that man has held that castle?! I could understand if they were under siege, but to be taken in an instant?! It’s impossible! What the hell happened?!"
"My apologies, but we only know that it has fallen. Almost the entire garrison was taken prisoner, and every officer of Knight Commander rank or higher has been executed."
"Tch... what in the world is going on?"
"In light of this, Lord Gaia has been appointed as the Commander-in-Chief for this campaign. An emergency order has been issued for Lord Iricobert: lead the Third Army and sortie immediately to the right flank of the Emerald Plains."
"My Lord is..."
"I shall convey Lord Gaia's words exactly: 'Now that Emerald Castle has fallen, if we allow them to establish a camp as far as the Central Hill, we will be helpless. We have no schemes left, and we have no time. Now is the time for brute force. I need your strong arms!'"
I looked at Iricobert-san. Strong-Armed Iricobert... I had heard that was his moniker.
Our General quietly closed his eyes for a moment.
"All forces, prepare to sortie! Move!"
His decision was instantaneous.
From that point, everything happened in a blur. Within minutes, the entire army began its advance.
Emblem Horses galloped, and the infantry followed. Some might not have been mentally prepared, but the war had begun. No, it had likely already been underway. Our enemy had seized the initiative, and now the very fate of the kingdom was wavering.
Carried by the momentum of this march, we would soon collide.
Into a battlefield where the winds would soon be thick with blood.
My heart hammered against my ribs so hard it was painful. We were going to kill each other. I didn't know who would die. But one thing was certain: this was a place where countless lives would end.
Author's Note: I have posted a world map for this setting. Please take a look for your reference. [Link] (The simulator used to make it is a secret!)