Chapter 37

"Eh? Albert and the others are here?"

Rihilt said this, then looked at us with wide eyes. Rihilt von Strum, the baron, was the leader of the separate unit we had helped when we arrived late at the start of the battle. As Rihilt said, we were to join his separate unit.

Before the third battle began—

Filbus led us here.

"Nice to meet you, Rihilt."

Filbus patted Rihilt's shoulder.

Rihilt shook his head, looking unconvinced.

"No, no, but my unit is extremely dangerous—aren't you all reinforcements from the academy? I think this personnel assignment is impossible… It must be a mistake! I'll go check with headquarters!"

As Rihilt tried to walk away, Filbus caught him.

"I heard it directly from the top. It's not a mistake."

Filbus pointed at me with his chin.

"Originally, it was only supposed to be Albert joining this unit…"

I had never heard this before.

"Only me?"

"Yes, just Albert. At first."

"Then why are the teacher and Laura coming too?"

"Because I asked them to."

Filbus answered casually.

I couldn't understand. Even I knew the separate unit was dangerous. Why did Filbus make such a judgment—

"Is it a sense of responsibility as a teacher?"

If so, I didn't want him to think that way. There was no need for Filbus, let alone Laura, to be in danger.

Filbus scratched his chin, looking puzzled.

"Well, I'd like to say that's the reason… but to be honest, I judged that it would be safer for you to be near him."

"Huh? Near me…?"

I didn't understand at all.

What was Filbus talking about? Filbus, the teacher, seemed more reliable. Was this Filbus's way of hiding his embarrassment?

"At least let Laura stay with the main unit—"

"Don't worry, Mr. Albert! I'll do my best. I can't let only Mr. Albert be in danger!"

Laura clenched her fists and said this.

I felt conflicted.

It was fine if only I faced danger. I didn't want to involve everyone—especially the young Laura.

"Don't look so gloomy."

Filbus patted my chest.

"Relax. If you stay strong, none of us—Rihilt and the others included—will die. I guarantee it. …If you're worried about Laura, protect her with all your might."

Filbus grinned.

Those words—

reminded me of a vow.

Yes, on the day I was summoned by Carail and ordered to join the military, I had made a vow to myself.

If Laura believed I was a hero—

I would protect Laura.

I looked at Laura.

She was staring at me with eyes full of trust. Her eyes strongly wished to fight alongside me.

I didn't understand.

Was I really the hero Laura believed in?

Was I a man worthy of her trust?

I didn't understand.

But she believed in me.

I needed to live up to that trust.

I turned to Filbus.

"…I understand. I'll—do it."

"Thanks, I'm counting on you."

Filbus smiled.

Then, he looked into the distance and muttered softly.

"The victory last time—misjudging who achieved it… What will happen to the main unit today? They will pay a high price."

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"Uuuuuuuuuu! I'll show the power of a knight!"

Guvilbarfis shouted.

The soldiers following him roared in response.

Guvilbarfis's unit, praised by Aranjia for their bravery in the second battle, was ordered to lead the charge in the third battle.

—Scatter the enemy as you see fit.

Before the sortie, Aranjia had given Guvilbarfis this order.

She continued:

"The bravery in the second battle—I do not consider it a fluke. Show your full strength in this battle. The outcome depends on your performance."

Guvilbarfis felt his body heat up at the direct words from the supreme commander, Aranjia.

The tide was turning.

Aranjia, who enjoyed the king's favor, had high expectations for Guvilbarfis.

If he achieved results here—

His thoughts were not mistaken.

Aranjia leaned in close to Guvilbarfis and whispered:

"…Achieve results. Prove that you led this battle to victory. If you do, I will not forget your name. I will intercede with the king and promise you a position befitting your skills."

Those words still echoed in Guvilbarfis's ears as he arrived on the battlefield.

Guvilbarfis tensed his shoulders.

What a miracle.

A door to glory that doesn't open easily—something many never even see—was right there, wide open, waiting for Guvilbarfis to step through.

(I will definitely meet Aranjia-sama's expectations!)

Guvilbarfis drew his two-handed sword.

"Giieeeeeaaah!"

Before him, a group of over twenty lizardmen charged, screaming.

"Magic Arrow!"

The mage unit behind him unleashed a barrage of Magic Arrows and other offensive spells.

The spells hit the lizardmen, but their charge did not waver. In no time, the lizardmen broke through the wave of magic.

Guvilbarfis clicked his tongue.

(Just weak Magic Arrows! These mages are completely useless!)

He could only trust his own sword.

Guvilbarfis raised his sword and shouted.

"Charge, knights! Forward!"

Oooooooooo!

The knights advanced with Guvilbarfis.

The melee began.

Guvilbarfis mercilessly cleaved the approaching lizardmen with his greatsword.

"Hahahaha! Just lizards!"

At that moment, a lizardman, larger than the others, appeared before Guvilbarfis. The lizardman's arms and face were covered in tattoos, and there were many more on other parts of his body.

Without hesitation, Guvilbarfis charged and swung his two-handed sword.

"Die, lizard!"

Guvilbarfis's powerful strike instantly shattered the lizardman's crude sword and shield.

With nothing to defend himself, the lizardman faced Guvilbarfis's sword.

"It's over!"

Kagin!

Instead of the sound of flesh being cut—

The sound of steel breaking echoed.

"W-What…!?"

Guvilbarfis involuntarily gasped in shock.

The lizardman's head did not fly off. Instead, the lizardman had caught the sword in his mouth.

His numerous sharp teeth were embedded in the thick blade of the two-handed sword.

Bakiri.

With a dull sound, the sword was shattered in half.

"Monster…"

Taking advantage of Guvilbarfis's moment of shock, the lizardman punched Guvilbarfis in the stomach.

The single blow shattered his steel armor and penetrated to his abdomen, causing a pain he had never felt before—like his internal organs were exploding.

Guvilbarfis doubled over, feeling an incredible surge of strength, far beyond any individual he had faced before.

(…This one is stronger than the others—!)

This time, the lizardman's right fist exploded against Guvilbarfis's temple.

Something exploded.

That was the last sensation Guvilbarfis perceived.

Guvilbarfis fell to the ground—never to move again.