“Rest, do you believe you can kill a human being?”
Before joining this campaign, his father-in-law, Albert Rosemary, had asked him that very question.
“I am well aware that you are a master at slaying monsters. I know that better than most. But… killing a monster and killing a person are entirely different things.”
“Even among veteran warriors, there are those whose minds shatter after taking a human life. Archers and mages have it slightly better, perhaps, but the weight remains.”
“Rest. You are a brilliant mage. If we speak of raw talent alone, you likely rival even the Sages of the Council.”
“As a noble and a vassal of the King, you will eventually be required to kill. It might be traitors, like those we face now. It might be invading soldiers, or barbarians who fall upon our people like beasts… You will take more lives than you can count.”
“Do you have the resolve for it?”
“Can you stand upon that field?”
“Can you pull the trigger?”
“It is a bit late for that question, Father-in-law,” Rest had replied.
Rest reflected on that conversation once more.
He truly was blessed to be surrounded by such people. Every member of the House of Rosemary was fundamentally kind.
(That is exactly why… I want to repay them. I want to meet their expectations. I want to protect them.)
The Kingdom Army had arrived at the basin, and the enemy camp was already in an uproar.
For the moment, the two forces were locked in a stalemate, each waiting for the other to blink. According to Prince Richard, however, the enemy would be forced to make the first move.
In warfare, holding the high ground was a decisive advantage. Since both armies were positioned on hills facing each other across the basin, whoever descended first would be at a tactical disadvantage.
Nevertheless, the rebel army had no choice.
Between the Kingdom’s forces and the rebels, the Kingdom held the numerical superiority. If the rebels had any hope of victory, they had to strike now, while the Royal Army was still fatigued from the long march from the capital.
As time passed, the Kingdom’s soldiers would only grow more rested. If the rebels still refused to move, the Royal Army could simply begin constructing a fortification. To prevent a permanent base from being established, the rebels would be forced to attack.
(The enemy will move. And the moment they do, I’ll blast their lines.)
Those were his orders from the Crown Prince.
For the young noble known as Rest Clover, this was his first war. It would be his first time taking a life.
(People die whether we win or lose. And I’d much rather the enemy die than my allies.)
By striking now, Rest would minimize the casualties of the Kingdom Army. By demonstrating such overwhelming power, he might even shatter the enemy’s will to fight, saving lives that would otherwise be lost in a prolonged melee.
It was essentially a Trolley Problem—the classic question of how to save the most lives. It was a matter of whether he possessed the resolve to kill the few to save the many.
His answer had been decided long ago. Rest was prepared to walk the path of the Asura. He had made that choice the moment he stepped onto this path.
“Viscount Clover, the enemy has begun their advance. Please, prepare yourself.”
“Understood. I’m on my way.”
A messenger arrived to signal his turn.
Rest stepped out from the command tent and walked to the very front of the Kingdom’s lines atop the ridge.
True to the reports, the rebel army was in motion. Soon, a sea of soldiers would pour out from their camp, spread across the basin, and eventually charge up the hill to clash with the Royal forces.
“[Star-Eater].”
Rest activated his magic.
A pitch-black sphere that reflected no light appeared before him—a dark star capable of consuming everything in its path.
The sphere began to greedily drink in the surrounding sunlight. The world around them plunged into shadow, as if a total solar eclipse had suddenly gripped the land.
“Look at that…!”
“It’s actually turning dark!”
“To think a spell that steals light truly exists!”
A ripple of awe spread through the Royal Army. Because they had been warned beforehand, the soldiers remained steady despite the unnatural gloom.
The enemy camp, however, descended into chaos. Darkness had fallen without warning. Panicked, they scrambled to light torches and cast illumination spells.
(Not that it matters. I’ll just swallow those lights too.)
Rest took his time, allowing the light energy to condense within the heart of the dark star.
The enemy made no move to retaliate. If they had attempted to snipe him now, it would have been over, but no such strike came.
(They aren't the type to attack during an incantation… or more likely, their standard magic simply can’t reach this far.)
“Preparation complete… Firing.”
After about a minute, he had gathered enough light. While the spell grew stronger the more energy it stored, he had reached his limit. He couldn't sustain the Dark Star any longer without his brain short-circuiting.
(The target is the enemy’s main camp. I won’t focus it into a single point—I’ll widen the aperture to incinerate the vanguard standing in its way!)
“[Amaterasu]!”
Rest unleashed the magic.
A blinding, radiant light erupted from the dark star as a colossal thermal laser tore through the air, slamming directly into the heart of the rebel army.