Chapter 49

"…Did I lose consciousness?"

Leord woke up the next morning. His memory of activating Gratonia Gaia was vague, and he realized he had fainted when he found himself in bed.

Leord, feeling physically heavy and even more so in his body, got up and left the infirmary. As he stepped out, he encountered an elderly man in a white coat, likely a doctor.

"Oh, Master Leord. You've awakened?"

"Yes. I have one question. How long have I been unconscious?"

"Master Leord, you lost consciousness due to magical exhaustion for about twelve hours."

"I see… Do you know the current battle situation?"

"…The front lines have been pushed back. The monsters are now within sight of the Zeato fortress."

"How many are injured?"

"There are no fatalities. There are 132 injured, including both severe and minor injuries."

"Understood. Do you know where Gil is?"

"If you mean Gilbert, this way."

The doctor led Leord to where Gilbert was. The place the doctor led him to was a large room, but the scene inside was grim. The room was filled with injured people lying on the floor, many of them wrapped in bandages and soaked in blood.

Some were missing limbs, others had lost their vitality and hung their heads, and still others were writhing in pain. Leord wanted to cover his eyes at the sight, but he followed the doctor who was walking ahead.

"Over there."

Gilbert was where the doctor pointed. Amidst the smell of blood, Gilbert, the only one in a clean tailcoat, approached Leord.

"Master! Are you well?"

"Yes. I'm sorry for worrying you. I'm fine now."

"I'm glad to hear that. However, Master, you must not take such reckless actions again. If you try it again, I will stop you by force."

"I understand. But where is Barbatro?"

"…Barbatro has gathered all the knights who can move and formed a suicide squad. They have already set out."

"Huh?"

Leord, unable to understand what Gilbert was saying, let out a bewildered sound.

"Barbatro has a message for you.

He apologizes for doubting you and says that if there ever comes a day when he can teach you the sword, he will meet you."

"What… What is that?!

That sounds like a will!"

"…Master, the monster panic has reached the vicinity of the fortress, and it could be breached at any moment."

"I know that!

But why do we need a suicide squad?

Zeato is a sturdy fortress!

If we hold out, the reinforcements from the capital should arrive in time!"

"No matter how sturdy the fortress, we cannot stop the monsters that attack day and night."

"I know that!

But we can buy time!"

"That's what we are doing now."

"Don't be ridiculous!

It's not right to die just to buy time!"

"What are you saying, Master…?

Dying for the country is an honor for a knight, is it not?"

"!"

Leord felt a shock as if he had been hit on the head.

(That's right…

This is a world that resembles medieval Europe. Dying for the country is not a bad thing; it is honorable.

The one who is strange is me, and the one who is normal is Gil. But can I just stand by?

I've only known Barbatro for a few months, but can I let him die?

I can't, I can't do it!

I've been trying to survive until now. Logically, it would be safer to stay in the fortress and wait for reinforcements.

But if I run away now, I'll surely be no good!

Is it just fine as long as I don't die?

No way!

What's wrong with pursuing ideals?!

If Barbatro is destined to die here, I will change it!

I will change it!

Because I've decided to defy fate!

So!

I will!

Fight!)

With the memories of a future self, Leord had decided to defy his fate of death. If he was going to defy fate, he would resist, fight, and stand up to any injustice that came his way.

So, he couldn't back down now.

Leord's eyes burned with determination to change his fate.

"Order, Gil. Do not interfere with anything I do from now on."

"What do you mean?"

Gilbert, sensing the change in Leord's demeanor, asked with a threatening tone.

"I said, do not argue with me."

"…!?"

Gilbert was momentarily frightened by Leord's eyes, which he had never seen before. He never thought that a legendary assassin would be intimidated by a child who hadn't even reached adulthood.

(Is this Master?

What happened in these few moments…

No, that doesn't matter.

To be able to project such a commanding presence, you have grown, indeed.)

Gilbert, moved to tears by Leord's growth, quickly held back his tears, knowing it would be inappropriate to cry in front of the serious Leord.

Gilbert's silence reassured Leord, who knew he wouldn't be able to resist if Beluga's name was mentioned.

"Listen!

Knights present here!

My name is Leord Harvest!

Those who still have the will to fight, respond to my call!

Even if you lack the will to fight, if you have the spirit to resist, listen to me!

I am going to support the suicide squad that has already set out. I need your magic power. Please, lend it to me!"

The knights, who had been looking down, raised their heads and saw Leord bowing.

"Please use my magic power… As you can see, my leg was eaten by a monster and I can't move.

But I still have the will to fight!

Please, please, lend me my magic power—"

The knight closest to Leord, who had lost his leg, reached out to him. Leord took his hand, looked him straight in the eye, and nodded.

"I have received your will."

Leord activated his skill and shared his magic power with the knight. The knight, realizing he could contribute, shed tears of joy and thanked Leord.

"Thank you… so much!"

"I should be the one to thank you. Thank you for responding to my call.

I will definitely stop the monster panic."

Seeing this exchange, many knights gathered around Leord and began to share their magic power. Leord went directly to those who couldn't move and shared his magic power with them.

"Preparations are complete. Let's go, Gil!"

"Yes!"