"Do you have any idea what you're saying!?"
"Don't get cocky just because you achieved First Class Merit!"
"I'll kill you myself, brat!! Draw your sword!!"
A storm of fury broke over me, with Adidas and many other knights barking out their outrage.
Even as the one who had made the proposal, I had to admit it was incredibly disrespectful. However, this was the only way I could think of to prove my strength.
Osiris raised a hand slightly, silencing the crowd.
"It is impossible. Do not think you can challenge a Five Star Sword to a duel on a whim. However, demonstrating your power is not a bad suggestion."
"Then, what should I do?"
"Hmm... Bring me a map!" Osiris commanded his subordinates.
A large map—one they seemingly kept ready at all times—was spread out before me. I wondered what he was planning.
"Our current position is here, on the Eldoro Plains. The castle we captured is right here."
"Yes."
"The location of this castle is strategically vital. From this point forward, the castle will be the focal point of the fighting. In other words, offense and defense will swap. Odixia is likely already considering how to reclaim it."
This castle sat at the southern tip of Valhalla Island. The Fifth Army was engaged here in the south. In contrast, the center was held by the First through Third Armies—a force of thirty thousand men locked in a stalemate on the great plains. Meanwhile, the Fourth Army fought in the north, creating a front line that effectively split Valhalla Island into east and west.
I studied the map, the realization clicking into place.
"……Right now, we could strike the flank of the central front. If we hold this castle on the Eldoro Plains, we can hit the enemy’s side."
"I heard you were a commoner, but scoring perfect marks on the academic exam was clearly no fluke. You are correct. However, the enemy is not stupid. The moment this castle fell, they would have anticipated this move and established a position here."
To move from the southern tip to the center, one had to traverse a mountain range. However, the map showed a wide road winding between the peaks. Osiris pointed directly at that path.
"That said, Odixia is stretched thin. I estimate their numbers there to be around two thousand. Their primary focus will be reclaiming this castle, which means I cannot move the Fifth Army. We must begin defense preparations immediately. The number of men Arcadia can spare for an offensive is one thousand."
"In other words, you want me to lead a thousand men, break through that position, and strike the central flank? Despite being outnumbered two-to-one?"
"If you wish to demonstrate overwhelming strength, you must achieve something of this magnitude."
"…………"
I couldn't tell if it was possible based on this information alone. Two thousand against one thousand—that was a small-scale war. I would have to lead them to victory. How many people would die? If I failed, how many lives would be lost?
I couldn't say "yes" easily. The weight of responsibility pressed down on my shoulders, a crushing pressure that stole my breath.
Seeing my hesitation, Osiris spoke in a frigid tone.
"Did you challenge me to a duel with such pathetic resolve? You understood that letting someone live is many times more difficult than killing them, didn't you?"
"…………I'm sorry. You're right. I'll do it. Please, let me do it."
"Very well. We will hold a war council at headquarters to discuss the details over dinner. Until then, devise your own strategy and be prepared to report it."
"I understand."
Osiris turned his back to me.
"Ah, one more thing. I must teach you another lesson. Draw your sword."
"Eh? Y-Yes, sir."
I drew my blade as ordered.
In the next heartbeat—
—Death—
I raised my sword by pure reflex. There was no time for thought.
CRACK!
An impact tore through me as if every bone in my body had shattered. My arms went numb, and my thighs buckled under the sudden, explosive pressure. Muscle fibers tore, and blood pooled beneath the skin. I nearly collapsed to my knees. Standing was an ordeal; continuing to fight was impossible.
All of it was caused by a single downward strike from Osiris.
Just one blow. Simply blocking it had stripped away my willpower and physical strength. My arms throbbed with a dull, searing ache.
"Do not be conceited. You are strong, certainly. But there is always a higher peak. Remember that those who grow complacent are the first to die on the battlefield. This pain is your punishment—not for a violation of military law, but for the act of disrupting the army's discipline."
"……I’ve learned my lesson."
With my arms still trembling, I bowed my head. A duel? I had truly been getting ahead of myself. He was far away…… still so far. It was only natural. This man was Osiris Ashtress. A Five Star Sword, an equal to Gaia. He was one of the five blades of the kingdom, a supreme knight whose name echoed across the world.
I watched his retreating figure. He was a giant. He was distant. But……
"—His back is in sight."
Four years ago, I couldn't even fathom the distance between myself and Gaia. But now, I could finally measure it.
Smack! "Ow!?"
"Hey! Stop disappearing into your own world!"
"Ah, Flare. I forgot you were there."
"Hmph…… I took your side when you were being reckless enough to get yourself killed, and you just forget about me? Wow. I see how it is."
"I’m sorry. Please don't be mad."
Flare let out a sigh and gave a small, weary smile. "Well, I guess this is just how you are."
"I'm always grateful to you, Flare. Thank you."
"You don't just think I'm a convenient woman, do you? You think I'll do whatever you want if you ask nicely? You’re the type who says 'you can go home now' once you're done with a girl, aren't you, Leo?"
"What are you even talking about?"
A voice called out from behind me. I turned around.
"Leo……"
"It isn't my place to say this as your enemy, but…… thank you. I'm glad you weren't killed."
"…………Why would you go this far? We are total strangers to you."
"Well, Dial. It was just because you looked like a man who really wanted to go home to his family."
"…………Pfft…… Hahaha! I see…… I see. You truly are a kind soul. If that is the case, then we shall also swear an oath."
The five Knight Commanders placed their hands over the emblems on their chests and stood at attention.
"I, Dial Friedrich, and my fellow captive knights, swear to exhaust our Master Emblems, offer no further resistance, and accept our status as prisoners."
"Good…… Don't worry. I’m sure you’ll see your family again."
Flare spoke up, her expression a bit awkward. "Leo…… we can treat them as prisoners, but we can't send them home. That’s just impossible. Even you won't be able to convince Osiris of that."
We could keep them from being executed. But repatriating them made no sense in the context of the war. If you returned men of the Knight Commander class, they would inevitably return to the battlefield.
"Prisoners are sent to forced labor. In other countries, they’d be sold as Blessed Slaves, but Arcadia prohibits that. Once their emblem power is gone, they'll likely be assigned to farming or construction. Either way…… these men can never return to Odixia."
"Yeah. I know. We're at war; I understand that much. That's why I've made up my mind."
"About what?"
I nodded, my voice firm with resolve.
Meanwhile, with Osiris.
"Was that wise, Lord Osiris? That boy, Leo…… is he not a danger to the organization?"
"I merely weighed his utility against the risk. He is useful. His ideology is skewed, and his defiance of superiors is unacceptable in a soldier. However, if his worth outweighs his flaws, I will use him. Besides…… his claim is not entirely wrong. At least not for this country. The founder of this kingdom established Arcadia while upholding the exact same ideal."
"That person…… surely you don't mean……"
"Yes, the Sword King. It was an ideal that could only be realized through his strength, which stood beyond all reason. For us, it is a path we have avoided, choosing the easier road of implicit rules and execution."
"Are you saying that boy possesses talent on par with the Sword King?"
"I do not know. Even I never saw the bottom of the King's strength."
It was then.
A sudden chill swept through the air.
In that instant, the surrounding knights instinctively drew their swords. They weren't the only ones; even Osiris, who had already left the castle, found his hand gripping his hilt.
A massive surge of Sword Aura overflowed from the courtyard.
It was undeniably powerful, but more than that, it was so pure it felt unnerving. It carried the weight of the resolve Leo had just voiced, transmitting his intent directly to everyone nearby.
They were pure feelings. Or rather, words so straightforward that they felt warped by their sheer directness.
Osiris allowed himself a small smile.
"They say there is a thin line between madness and courage…… but to think a twelve-year-old child would say that. The exact same words as that man."