[User] "Hrr…rrrgh…" Grimm gritted his teeth, trying to forget the image seared into his mind of the knight’s last moments. But that critical instant played against his closed eyelids over and over, fraying his nerves. In a trembling hand, Grimm held his sword, never once swung at a single enemy. The steel blade was so heavy he wanted to drop it. But to abandon his weapon on the field was unthinkable. Even if he knew full well he had no idea how to fight. To give up one’s sword was to give up one’s life. And he was afraid of death.

[Assistant] "Aaah—!" A gut-wrenching cry came from not far away, and Grimm almost choked as he tried to flee. Was it an ally or an enemy he had heard? He lacked even the nerve to find out.

[User] "Guh…haaah…" Everything he encountered now seemed like an enemy. Not just people. He couldn’t escape the thought that the flames, the blood, even the howl of the wind were out for his life. He dragged his aching feet into a cloud of smoke. He couldn’t see what was on the other side, but that actually helped to calm his panic. Although he was hardly going out of his way to survive, the smoke would help hide him from any passing enemy soldiers and therefore might buy him just a little more time to live.

[Assistant] "I found someone! A human!"

[User] "E-eyaaagh!" No sooner was he through the cloud than Grimm found himself face-to-face with an enemy holding a bladed weapon resembling a hatchet. The soldier’s huge body seemed to be all muscle; he was a violet-skinned demi-human who looked like a purple boulder. The demi-human eyed the wounded Grimm, and a smile came over his horrible face.

[Assistant] To Grimm, he seemed sadistic—a hunter who had found easy prey. By some fluke, Grimm had avoided death the first time. But his good luck couldn’t last forever. It appeared his first battle was going to be his last. Why, then? Why had he been allowed those extra few moments?

[User] "This is the end for you!" His destiny was cursed.

[Assistant] Grimm fell to his knees as the hatchet came down at his head. Vaguely, he noticed that the weapon was already dark with blood from the other lives it had cut short; his was not likely to be an easy death. What a ridiculous waste of his last thought.

[User] "Gyaaaah!" There was a piercing shout, and he saw sparks of steel meeting steel. The demi-human grunted as his blow was deflected, and suddenly, a new figure had come between Grimm and his attacker. The stranger had brown hair so dark it was almost black. Their thin leather armor showed copious amounts of blood, and their excellent blade reflected the flames. Amid the gruesome scene, the crest on the sword blazed before Grimm. It seemed impossible to him. The moment of admiration, though, was immediately dispelled by what came next.


[User] "Ha!" The steel described an arc, and the silver gleamed even brighter against the fires. The sharp exhalation of breath and the dancing blade had their own unexpected kind of beauty.

[Assistant] "Huh?" Did Grimm make the sound of stupefied amazement, or was it the demi-human? The flash of silver sent the enemy’s head flying clean off, and the huge body collapsed to the ground in a spray of blood.

[User] Figure looked down at the corpse, then shook the sword. The blade must have been immensely sharp, because there was hardly any blood on it.

[Assistant] "Th— Y—" Belatedly, Grimm realized that he had been given back his life. He tried to speak to the newcomer, so grateful, to offer his thanks, recognizing someone who had cut down a demi-human must be his friend, and that he owed his life to this person. "Hey… Hey, you…," Grimm called out shakily.

[User] Figure looked back at him suspiciously.

[Assistant] Seeing his savior’s face properly for the first time, Grimm was surprised to realize the swordsman was younger than he expected. It wasn’t terror that struck him mute but the boy’s eyes."—"They were empty. Not just as though there was nothing inside him. His gaze held no emotion at all. It was this realization that kept Grimm from saying thank you or anything else.

[User] Boy looked briefly at the silent Grimm, but then his interest—minimal to begin with—waned, and he began walking away.

[Assistant] "Wai—" Now Grimm found his voice, dreading being left alone in this empty place. He dashed after the boy, who didn’t look back, not wanting to be abandoned. Now his sole, desperate wish was to survive. He followed as closely as he could, through the blood and the smoke, until the boy stopped.


[User] "Wh-what in the…?" Once they were past the smoke, Grimm saw a towering pile of demi-human corpses. Each had been killed with the stroke of a sword, and each of their faces was twisted with pain, or horror, or anger. With a shudder, Grimm realized who had killed them.

[Assistant] "...Hm. So this is what battle is like. I didn’t know." Boy, head lifted toward the sky, comments absently.

[User] Grimm followed the boy’s gaze to the sky, and a strained sound came out of his throat. "The royal army…won?" Grimm said dimly, finding the sign of victory seemed utterly unreal to him.


[User] His squadron had been annihilated, he had wandered the battlefield barely able to think, and then his life had been saved at the very last moment—he had been pathetic. He had not been victorious. But surely this young man could claim victory proudly…

[Assistant] “It was so trivial." The boy said. He paid no heed to what Grimm was feeling and only shook his head in disappointment.


[User] Wilhelm Trias saw the world as a very simple place.

[Assistant] And right now, what he saw in front of him was the very epitome of the latter.

[User] "He broke through the demi-human encirclement at the Battle of Castour Field. He confronted and destroyed an entire squadron of demi-humans all by himself. The total number of heads he took was eighty-eight, including their captain’s. I’d say it’s a good thing he quit while he was…ahead! Ha-ha!"

[Assistant] "Personally, I wish he’d kept going. Nice try, though."

[User] "Oh, come on, ya traitor, do you always have to interrupt?"

[Assistant] "It’s my job."

[User] Wilhelm stood at attention as two men bantered in front of him.

[Assistant] Wilhelm had been released from the medical center that morning and returned to the barracks before these two stopped him from heading to his daily duties. He was suspicious. What could two knights want with him? The two of them seemed more and more interested in him, though he couldn’t hide his mistrust of his superiors.

[User] "Sounds like he caused the enemy quite a headache. He just kept slicing them up until our army came and stopped him… They said when they found him, there was a mountain of corpses."

[Assistant] "Everyone who saw him was scared out of their wits. They claimed a Sword Devil walks among us!"

[User] "A Sword Devil!" the thin man said. "I like that! That has a good ring to it. Keep up the nasty work, boy, and make sure plenty of people learn that name. Though I’ve got to say, he’s awfully small for it!" The tall man laughed and placing his hands to Wilhelm’s temple, but they were so large, his palm practically covered the boy’s entire head.

[Assistant] "What is this, a zoo?! What do you want with me?" Wilhelm swept the man’s hand aside and jumped back, fixing them both with a withering stare.

[User] "I like your spirit, talking to knights that way. Youth is the best time to be reckless." The well-built man flexed the arm Wilhelm had pushed away.

[Assistant] "The young and young at heart aren’t so different. The face may grow old, but it’s only when you age on the inside that you really regret what you’ve lost."

[User] "Anyone would be old compared to this kid. According to the records, he’s fifteen! How about that, Pivot? Half your age! Half your age and twice as many kills! He’s making you look bad!"

[Assistant] "I’m the brains of this operation."


[User] "I handle everything the children can’t." The delicate man took out a white handkerchief and dabbed at his face where some of the big man’s spittle had landed on him.

[Assistant] Once again, the conversation had left Wilhelm behind, and this time he wasn’t feeling generous about it. "If you don’t need me for anything, then leave me alone. I’ve got things to do, you know."

[User] “Oh you do, do you? We’re just holding station. What could you possibly have to do?”

[Assistant] “Practice with my sword. They say if you miss a day, it takes three days of effort to make it up. I’m not going to take three swings when I can kill with one. I can only take so much inefficiency,” he spat. He was about to make for the training ground behind the barracks,

[User] the big man burst out laughing at Wilhelm’s answer. “You hear that, Pivot? He worked that battlefield until he collapsed, but he’s not even gonna sleep in—just go do drills with his sword!”

[Assistant] “Yes, I heard. I know people so young are always impetuous, but this is foolish even for a boy his age.”

[User] Knights or not, Wilhelm couldn’t stand this ridicule. “Do you two want to see my skills firsthand?” He had two days of practice to make up.

[Assistant] the big man answered Wilhelm’s glare with a roaring laugh. “Ah, just what I wanted to hear. You know, there are some stories around the knights’ unit of a kid with a sword who took some of our most embarrassing knights to school!”

[User] The delicate man shook his head; the monocle over his eye glinted strangely. “Young or not, you share the blame. You may be exceptionally capable for your age, but you get carried away easily.”

[Assistant] They radiated a readiness for battle, a confidence in their abilities. It contrasted sharply with how they had been acting just a moment before. Wilhelm licked his lips. “Was this what you wanted all along?”

[User] “Sorry, kid. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do. But don’t worry. We may rank higher than you, but we’re gonna fight fair. If there’s one thing Bordeaux Zergev never does, it’s disgrace a place of combat.”

[Assistant] “He’s a man of his word, so I wouldn’t be concerned. Oh, I haven’t introduced myself, have I? I’m Master Bordeaux’s minder, Pivot Anansi. Enchantée.” Wilhelm looked at the hulking Bordeaux and the delicate Pivot in puzzlement as they introduced themselves.

[User] “I’ll finish you two off in a hurry and get back to my practice.”

[Assistant] “That depends. You might find yourself on another round of bed rest!” Wilhelm set off down the stone path toward the training ground, and Bordeaux loped along beside him. There were practically sparks flying between them.

[User] Pivot exhaled softly and then followed behind.


[User] Steel met steel with a piercing screech; he felt metal scraping against metal and saw the brief red glow of sparks in his peripheral vision. The sound came again as Wilhelm lowered himself nearly to the ground and moved forward, deflecting the battle-ax that descended over him and stepping on the haft to prevent his opponent’s next move. There was an instant’s pause, and then a flash of silver stopped just short of a thick neck.

[Assistant] "I win.”

[User] “…I wasn’t ready for that." Bordeaux said softly.

[Assistant] Wilhelm, sweating profusely but wearing a warrior’s triumphant smile, lowered his sword as his hot breath escaped him in heaving gasps. He was using a dull training blade. Bordeaux’s weapon, the long halberd currently trapped under Wilhelm’s foot, was similarly neutered. They couldn’t take a life, but both combatants were capable enough to protect themselves from the other’s blows, anyway. The battle had been intense, but neither of them had so much as a bruise. Any report on the battle would have said both fighters merited distinction. "This means I’ve won seven and lost three. I think we’ve settled this. You were hardly worth my time.”

[User] “I can’t even be angry! Wah-ha-ha, that’s what I get for challenging you. I give! I haven’t been beat this thoroughly in a long time. It feels good!”

[Assistant] "I don’t know what you mean.” Wilhelm had intended to sound spiteful, but instead he had elicited some kind of merriment. He frowned.

[User] Bordeaux dislodged his ax from the ground and rested it on his shoulder. He ran a hand through his short pale-blue hair and said, “How about a smile? You fought me—me!—and won. I can go toe-to-toe with anyone but the royal guard. I guess those other guys you beat weren’t just slacking off.”

[Assistant] “I suppose not,” Pivot said, “and neither was this young man. It’s…rather terrifying to see one so skilled at fifteen.” He had been watching their duel from the sidelines. Wilhelm had heard people say this about him many times. But Pivot’s voice lacked the awe or fear that normally accompanied this judgment. Not that Wilhelm cared either way. "My apologies that you weren’t able to teach your lesson to such an ill-tempered child,” he said.

[User] “What will you do now? Go crying to your own superiors and get them to send better swordsmen after me?”

[Assistant] “I guess I could, but when you’re built like me, it would look weird to go crying to anyone except maybe the Holy Dragon Volcanica. And if I went running to the Dragon for something as minor as this, I’d probably get turned into a pile of ash!”

[User] “Before that happens,” Pivot said, “let us tell you why we’re really here, Wilhelm Trias. We didn’t seek you out just to carry out a personal vendetta under the pretext of a contest of strength. Although, given how you acquitted yourself, I suppose our attempt at serving justice would have been moot, anyway.”

[Assistant] “Ouch!” Bordeaux exclaimed.


[User] “My friend isn’t very subtle, is he? Ha-ha-ha!” Pivot raised an eyebrow at this inability to grasp irony. “If you didn’t come here to fight…”

[Assistant] “I assure you we didn’t. That was just a way of cheering you up. But, regardless, to business. Wilhelm Trias, we have a message for you. From now on, you’ll be exercising your skills in the service of Zergev Squadron, led by Bordeaux Zergev here.”

[User] Wilhelm stared at Bordeaux with narrowed eyes.

[Assistant] "Are you sure about this, though? I’ve been in two battles so far, and in each one, everyone in my unit was killed. Do you plan on being next?” he asked, closing one eye.

[User] Bordeaux gave a solemn shake of his head. “There were too many casualties in those last two battles—Redonas Plateau and Castour Field. Redonas was a strategic victory, at least, but Castour was inexcusable. Those kinds of losses were unprecedented. The royal army was forced to do a large-scale reorganization.”

[Assistant] “And I don’t believe it’s strictly accurate to say everyone in your units was killed. I’m given to understand one other young man survived. To come through all that—you two must have excellent luck. Or perhaps excellent judgment.”

[User] “Meanwhile, Zergev Squadron was right up front, but every one of us came back alive,” Bordeaux said proudly.

[Assistant] “Your intuition saved you. You may not look it, but you’re a man who can be counted on in battle. That’s why we’re not worried about you.”

[User] Bordeaux hefted his halberd and started to expound the unit’s military exploits. “You know, it wasn’t luck that kept us alive. We broke through the enemy encirclement, cut them down even as they gloated over us—”

[Assistant] “Yeah, yeah, I believe you. Is that all you wanted to talk about?” Wilhelm wasn’t going to bother pretending he thought Bordeaux was making any of this up.


[User] Although the boy had ultimately been victorious in their duel, Bordeaux was the first person he had met in the capital to win even a single match against him. And he was well aware that the large man had proven himself in his share of real battles.

[Assistant] "If that’s all you want, then let me go back to my practice. I just have to show up at this Zergev Squadron or whatever at the barracks, right?"

[User] "He wants to be rid of us."

[Assistant] "Yes, that’s all you have to do. Zergev Squadron is taking on you and one other new member as part of the reorganization, for a total of twenty people. You have a meeting with the captain tomorrow night. Try not to skip out."

[User] "Who’s the other new guy?"

[Assistant] "The only other survivor of your unit—Grimm Fauzen. We thought having a familiar face might help you settle in…although, having met you, I suspect we were wrong."

[User] Wilhelm turned away with an expression of disinterest, already raising his sword, and Pivot gave a sigh that was half annoyance and half resignation. Wilhelm knew the name, of course. But he hardly felt any more reaction than that. The boy, Grimm, was not someone Wilhelm was much interested in. He was a useless coward—another thing he didn’t like. Rather rudely concluding his conversation with the two superior officers, Wilhelm threw himself into his practice. Bordeaux and Pivot watched him for a moment and exchanged a glance.

[Assistant] "He loves his sword every bit as much as I heard—maybe even more! He’s seven years younger than me, and he’s gonna make me look bad! I guess I need to get back to my ax training."

[User] "To think we would meet someone so young who would sacrifice his sleep in order to practice the sword. The world is a stranger place than I realized. All kinds come to the capital, I guess. I hope Grimm Fauzen turns out to be normal when we meet him."


[Assistant] It was several days after Wilhelm had been assigned to Zergev Squadron. On the first day, Wilhelm met the other members of his unit with his usual cold indifference. It was mostly made up of soldiers Bordeaux had recruited himself. This ensured a frosty reception for Wilhelm, who showed little respect for the squad leader. But all thoughts of personally teaching him some manners were put on hold when they heard Bordeaux’s report.

[User] "Wilhelm is even better than me!"


[User] "And I’m better than all of you, so how are any of you going to give him a taste of his own medicine? Damn shame! How about a little early-morning practice?”

[Assistant] Indeed, starting the next day, the squadron could be found at the training ground at dawn.

[User] The talk of each day was the mock battles between Wilhelm and Bordeaux, which were so intense that someone could nearly have gotten killed.

[Assistant] As for Grimm, who joined the squadron at the same time as Wilhelm, he continued to get by as he had before, trying not to be notably incompetent.

[User] He was soon attached to Pivot like a shadow.

[Assistant] People began avoiding Wilhelm even more studiously than they had before, sometimes eyeing him as if they thought he was crazy, but the boy wasn’t interested in any of that.

[User] His previous unit had treated him like a hideous curiosity, and this one meddled with him far too much; Wilhelm found them both equally troublesome.

[Assistant] At heart, Wilhelm liked to do everything alone, including training.

[User] As the mock battles with Bordeaux continued, he started to see how the man breathed, what his tells were, until nearly every victory went to Wilhelm.

[Assistant] The boy failed to see the point of training so hard against a single opponent.

[User] If they met on the battlefield, they would fight only once; there would be no second chance.

[Assistant] If at any time during training a soft spot developed in his heart, it would become nearly impossible to focus his entire spirit on the task at hand.

[User] More than once, he had felt the urge to cut down opponents who trained less than wholeheartedly.

[Assistant] It was so much easier to stay utterly focused on training by himself.

[User] “I want…to go into battle.”

[Assistant] It wasn’t that he wanted to kill.

[User] He didn’t seek to take life.

[Assistant] He just wanted to use his sword.

[User] True swordsmanship could only be found in combat, in a contest where either person could lose their life at any moment.

[Assistant] Wilhelm spent weeks in the capital with this gloomy thought—until he was given a chance to go back to the place of that terrible defeat, and the Sword Devil crossed paths with a new enemy.


[User] It was about eight hours by dragon carriage from the capital to Castour Field.

[Assistant] Zergev Squadron split into two groups, ten people to a carriage.

[User] Between them was a third vehicle, carrying a VIP.

[Assistant] “You should be happy! Our valor is so valiant that we’ve been given a special assignment. We’re escorting someone important to Castour Field. This is an honor!” Bordeaux sounded suitably excited when he described the mission to them.

[User] Pivot, fiddling with his monocle, was left to fill in the details.

[Assistant] “We will be escorting a specialist who is exceptionally adept at magic. Until now, our nation has had few prominent figures with much magical capability, which has been a fatal disadvantage against the mana-wielding talents of the demi-humans."


[User] "We learned that the very hard way during the recent battle at Castour Field.”

[Assistant] “I guess they want to inspect the magic circles the enemy used to trap us. The circles probably aren’t active anymore, but they want to take a look for themselves. And here I thought spell casters always stayed locked up in their rooms!” Bordeaux had chosen a somewhat odd way to express his admiration—but the even stranger thing was that Wilhelm somehow agreed with him. He had always thought those who relied on mana instead of steel were missing something from life.

[User] The only thing he cared about was whether there would be anyone left on that field worth fighting. He judged that, unfortunately, it didn’t seem likely. All this left Wilhelm on edge.

[Assistant] “Hey, Grimm. You don’t look so good. You all right?” The voice brought Wilhelm back to reality, shocking him out of his mental sword practice. Across from him in the narrow carriage, he could see the pale-faced boy. Another squad member was rubbing his shoulders. Grimm was all but white.

[User] “I’m—I’m okay. Just…feeling a little sick. I’ll get it under control soon…”

[Assistant] “You sure? I don’t think doctors have discovered a cure for cowardice yet. It’s a serious illness—you think you can fix it on your own? I know it’s chronic with you.” Wilhelm broke in, angered by this attempt at false bravado.

[User] “—” Grimm didn’t say anything at first, but an expression of pain and regret crossed his face. Then anger twisted his usually calm—which was to say, weak—features, and he glared at Wilhelm. "You seem awfully merry. Even though you ought to know full well where we’re going.”

[Assistant] “What makes you think I would act anything like you? You can hardly go to the bathroom without someone there to hold your hand.”

[User] “Our entire squad was wiped out there! Is it wrong to be upset about that? !”

[Assistant] “You aren’t upset about their deaths. You’re just feeling sorry for yourself. You’re happy you didn’t end up like them yesterday and scared you might end up like them tomorrow. I shouldn’t have to remind you we’ve both lost a lot of comrades. Usually the same ones.”

[User] Their argument continued unresolved, and neither young man gave any ground.


[User] Everyone was on edge, leaving Grimm in a worse mood than usual. As Wilhelm sat there with his beloved sword pulled close, Grimm looked nearly ready to jump on him.

[Assistant] "Come off it already! This time you’ve gone too far, Wilhelm!"

[User] Their comrades’ shouts interrupted them, and the staring contest ended without coming to blows.

[Assistant] Grimm moved so he wasn’t sitting across from Wilhelm, and Wilhelm sank back into his private world. This time, there were no more disturbances. Thanks to the suffocating tension in the carriage, the squad members could hardly wait to arrive at their destination. When they had set out, it was barely dawn; when the three dragon carriages finally arrived at Castour Field, the sun was at its peak.


[User] "I know that ride was long enough to put blisters on your ass, but you guys are in even worse shape than I expected."

[Assistant] The two groups had disembarked from their carriages and were now lined up under the inquiring glance of their commander. The difference between them was night and day. The two young men responsible for the obvious fatigue of the rear carriage were standing side by side—as the newest recruits, they had to—but they weren’t looking at each other.

[User] "I don’t know what happened, but our work starts now. Don’t let the enemy see you tired. Straighten up!"

[Assistant] "We’ll be receiving our guest in a moment. Show them your best behavior!" At this, the entire troop stood up straighter, the concerns of a moment before forgotten. There was the sound of shuffling feet as the unit organized itself into two neat rows. Bordeaux gave a half nod in satisfaction, then looked at Pivot, who stood beside him. Pivot took this cue to open the door of the middle carriage and usher the visitor onto Castour Field.

[User] "There’s no need to make such a fuss over me. A woman can’t help but be intimidated with so maaany fierce-looking faces staring at her." The speaker’s tone was light, and she shrugged as if making a joke. She had indigo hair that reached to her neck and skin as fair as porcelain. The hem of her long robe hung just above the ground, the front open to reveal a generous bust barely contained within a male military uniform. In deference to the occasion, she wore minimal makeup—but this hardly kept the men from noticing her beauty. Most striking of all were her eyes, one of which was blue and one yellow. Surprise ran through the unit; they hadn’t been told the person they were escorting was a woman. This brought a smile to her face, like a child who had pulled a prank.

[Assistant] "I am Roswaal J. Mathers. One of the few wizards serving at the royal court—and, as you can see, a poor, defenseless maiden. I’ll be counting on you today, boys." She gave an alluring smile.


[User] In that moment, Wilhelm decided that she fell into the category of things he did not like.

[Assistant] "Ahem," Pivot said to the men of the unit, some of whom were still murmuring among themselves.

[User] "Now that you’ve been introduced to Miss Mathers, please remember that she is a lady. I remind all the uncouth barbarians in our unit, young and old, to mind their manners."


[User] In the assembly hall, before a gathering of the country’s top military officials, eminent officers and Knights of the Royal Guard, as well as several of the nation’s most prominent nobles, Roswaal spoke. "The situation is alaaarming. The person known as Sphinx can control the dead and use great magics long thought lost. We may face other losses like the one at Castour.” Roswaal’s tendency to draw out her syllables in odd places remained.

[Assistant] "Sphinx?”

[User] "I’ve heard some people think she’s part of the Witch Cult.”

[Assistant] “Personally, I doubt it. They only follow their own desires. It’s hard to picture them working with the demi-humans to overthrow the kingdom.”

[User] “Maybe, but I think only they really understand what they’re after.” At the mention of the Witch Cult, the mood in the chamber turned darker still.

[Assistant] Wilhelm agreed with this latter view—or more accurately, he didn’t care either way. He didn’t even really know why he was in the council chamber at that moment. Wilhelm sat looking annoyed.

[User] “…Hrk…” Grimm was going to be sick, by all appearances. His face was colorless, his breathing uneven; it seemed that if he wasn’t careful, he might soon revisit his breakfast.

[Assistant] "Now we’ll hear from Zergev Squadron, who were in the actual battle. If you don’t miiind, gentlemen.”

[User] Bordeaux jumped to his feet. “Yes, ma’am!” Bordeaux barked out in an absurdly loud voice. An instant later, Wilhelm and the others stood, too, and all four of them were led to the center of the assembly hall. "Bordeaux Zergev, commander of Zergev Squadron, reporting! It’s an honor to be summoned by headquarters!”

[Assistant] “I think your greeting was a little overdone, young sir.”

[User] “Ahem. Vice Commander of Zergev Squadron Pivot Anansi, reporting.” He glanced at Wilhelm. "You two, introduce yourselves.”

[Assistant] “G-Grimm Fauzen of Zergev Squadron, reporting!” Grimm’s voice squeaked.

[User] “…Wilhelm Trias, the same.” Wilhelm’s voice sounded disinterested.


[User] Pivot raised an eyebrow, but the assembled officials paid this no mind.

[Assistant] "According to Lady Mathers, your unit has actual combat experience against Sphinx. She controlled the undead, used levitation magic, and inscribed the magic circles on Castour Field. What is your opinion of her?"

[User] "Sir! I fought the moving corpses but did not personally observe the alleged witch!"

[Assistant] "Young sir, quiet. My apologies, sirs and madams. These two are the only members of our unit to have had direct contact with the person in question. Wilhelm, Grimm, make your report."

[User] "Y-yes…sir…!" Grimm, somehow even pastier than before, stepped forward. Wilhelm had no choice but to follow him.

[Assistant] Then the members of headquarters began bombarding them with questions. They weren’t after anything much different from what had already been said. They wanted the young soldiers to back up Roswaal’s report, as well as provide some of their own impressions.

[User] "Let’s say, for the sake of argument, that this was the Witch. What did you think of her?" The speaker, his hand still raised, was a man with delicate features set in a narrow face. Somewhere around thirty years old, perhaps, he had a pleasing appearance and well-groomed brown hair. He very much looked the part of the scholar; he seemed conspicuously out of place in the room full of grizzled military types.

[Assistant] "Th-think, sir?! W-well, uh… She was unsettling, and frightening… I mean—no! As a member of the royal army, I was certainly not afraid…!" As Grimm blathered on, the questioner gave a half nod and looked at Wilhelm.

[User] Under the man’s penetrating gaze, Wilhelm’s expression hardened into seriousness for the first time since he had come to this conference hall. The expression was hardly the limp gaze of a civil official. It had turned the point of a sword on him, the aura of a devastating warrior who had decided this battlefield belonged to him.

[Assistant] “…Who’re you?”

[User] Muttering burst out all over the hall. Beside him, Grimm practically stopped breathing. But it was the questioner himself who silenced this wave of discontent.

[Assistant] "Mm. Yes, pardon me. I am Miklotov MacMahon. I don’t ordinarily attend these meetings, but as it was I who suggested Lady Mathers should be the one to investigate the magic circles, I made sure I was invited to hear her report."

[User] Then the man who called himself Miklotov glanced at Roswaal.

[Assistant] She took his cue, offering a theatrical bow.

[User] Now grasping the situation, Wilhelm sighed.

[Assistant] "That witch or whatever—she didn’t look human to me. More like a monster wearing a human skin. Can you reason with a hungry demon beast that wants you for its next meal? With her, it’s kill or be killed."


[User] "Nothing else.” Wilhelm’s blunt, uncompromising answer left the room silent for a moment.

[Assistant] Only Miklotov, whom Wilhelm was still watching with laser-like intensity, had presence enough to nod. "I see. This discussion has been most enlightening. You may all sit down.” With an air of authority, he replied.


[User] Grimm exploded the moment they got back to the barracks. “I swear! How, how can you always be this way?! You just took years off my life!”

[Assistant] They had been called to the assembly the moment they returned from Castour Field without so much as a moment to rest. Now they were finally free of their duties, and Wilhelm was changing out of his stiff, uncomfortable uniform, wiping the sweat and grime off his skin.

[User] Grimm, who had also changed out of his uniform, laid into him. “How could you act like that with so many important people there?! And after Vice Captain Pivot warned us to behave so many times! You’ve broken so many—”

[Assistant] “How many times are you going to say ‘so many’? And don’t act so familiar with me.” Wilhelm met his spitting, shouting companion with a frosty reply.

[User] His opinion of Grimm hadn’t changed. He was a coward, and he was useless. Even if he had eventually mustered the nerve to behead his old friend.

[Assistant] “Aw, don’t get so worked up, Grimm! T’be honest, I think it’s reassuring. If Wilhelm were enough of an idiot to watch his tongue in that room, what would people think of me, letting him talk to me the way I do?”

[User] “Setting aside the question of whether courtesy is due to you, young sir, surely you, Wilhelm, do have at least some idea of what constitutes propriety—don’t you?” Bordeaux and Pivot were changing out of their uniforms, too, and joined the conversation.

[Assistant] “What’re you talking about?” Bordeaux asked his second-in- command.

[User] “One can see evidence of genuine education on the fringes of Wilhelm’s conduct. It may have been piecemeal, but the ultimate result is enough to aid him in his daily life.”

[Assistant] “Tch.” Wilhelm gave a disgusted click of his tongue at Pivot’s unexpectedly sharp powers of observation.

[User] Grimm and Bordeaux shared a look, realizing that the sound meant the assessment was right. “You’ve been educated, Wilhelm?” Grimm asked. “So you didn’t come from the peasantry?”

[Assistant] “I’ve heard the merchant class has been big on educating their children lately, giving them a leg up in life. Is that it?” Bordeaux said. “It wouldn’t be very grateful of you to waste the things you learned.”

[User] “I recall you received formal education in manners, young sir,” Pivot retorted, “yet somehow I see no evidence of it in your daily life. I’ve always thought it rather strange.”

[Assistant] Wilhelm seemed to be ignoring Grimm’s surprise and Bordeaux’s self-important reply; he showed no sign of answering either of their questions. He appeared intent on avoiding any discussion of his background.

[User] “Why so unsociable? You ought to at leeeast let your brothers in arms know about yourself.


[User] “—” Wilhelm spun around, his eyes full of a murderous rage to hear his past disclosed so casually.

[Assistant] Roswaal standing in the open door of the changing room, a smile on her face. She gave a friendly wave, coolly meeting Wilhelm’s gaze. “It was eeeasy enough to find out… The House of Trias may be destitute, but it’s still on the noble rolls of Lugunica. Surely you diiidn’t think you were going to hide it forever?”

[User] “If you have time to go digging up people’s pasts, you should be spending it doing your own work. I think the court is missing its jester.”

[Assistant] “The court jester… Ha-ha! I like it. I knew you were an iiinteresting one.” Brushing off Wilhelm’s angry outburst, Roswaal looked around the changing room. “Headquarters is treating Sphinx’s presence as a matter of the greatest possible concern. She maaay end up handled the same way as Libre Fermi and Valga Cromwell, the representatives of the Demi-human Alliance. I appreciate Lord Miklotov’s backing…although I’m not thrilled to hear her called ‘the witch.’” Roswaal shrugged, but she couldn’t fully conceal her discontent as she finished speaking.

[User] “Come to think of it, you seemed to know that monster. It was like you two wanted to kill each other.”

[Assistant] “What’s this? Interested in me? Well, you’re a bit young…but what does love care for such trivial things? Luckily for you, you’re quite pretty, and I’m not opposed to—kidding!” Roswaal raised the white flag in midsentence.

[User] Wilhelm looked like he was about to leap at her with his sword.

[Assistant] “Sorry, but I can’t tell you how I’m connected to—you know. But I can assure you that we’re not…working together, so don’t fret about that. If you simply must know—well, maybe once we’re a liiittle closer.”

[User] “This is as close to you as I ever want to get.”

[Assistant] “Oh, don’t be shy. Anyway, you’re out of luck. Given what’s happened, the person in charge of magical countermeasures for the royal army is now me. Unless the war and Sphinx come to an end much sooner than I expect, I think we are all going to be seeing an awful looot of each other.” Roswaal seemed to enjoy delivering this unwelcome news to the frowning Wilhelm.

[User] Wilhelm turned around to find Bordeaux and Pivot nodding at him, as though they had known all along.

[Assistant] “Zergev Squadron really showed what they were made of out there. I assume you’ll be in high demand on the front lines from now on, turning the tide in all the most vicious battles.”


[User] “I’ll bet our ‘Sword Devil’ Wilhelm will like that!”

[Assistant] Where Grimm and Pivot both sighed to hear that they would be thrown headlong into the most brutal fighting

[User] Where Grimm and Pivot both sighed to hear that they would be thrown headlong into the most brutal fighting

[Assistant] Bordeaux seemed positively elated. He gave Wilhelm a hearty slap on the back.

[User] Roswaal, however, looked askance at the strange nickname. “Sword Devil…?”

[Assistant] “Some of the jokers in the army have taken to calling him that,” Bordeaux said. “Because everyone’s heard about all the killing he did in his first couple of battles. I tried to get a nickname of my own going, you know—the Steel Ax—but somehow it’s never caught on!”

[User] “People do have a nickname for you, young sir—they call you the Mad Dog… Er, I know you don’t like that name, so I don’t use it. Things can’t always go the way we wish.”

[Assistant] “Sword Devil,” Roswaal said reflectively. “Sword Devil, yeees. Indeed, I think it fits you very well.”

[User] Wilhelm snorted and looked away from Roswaal and her coy smile. What did he care what other people called him? “Sword Devil” was a conveniently intimidating nickname.

[Assistant] “Don’t imaaagine we’re making fun of you,” Roswaal said. “People most wish for a hero when the tragedies of war come to them, be it a Sword Saint or a Sage…especially given that Lord Freibel, the most recent Sword Saint, died in this civil waaar.”

[User] Wilhelm, still feigning indifference, said nothing

[Assistant] Bordeaux nodded and said with pain in his eyes, “I heard he was killed fighting a defensive action against impossible odds so his forces could get away. Truly a warrior’s death.”

[User] “I’m going to the training ground. You can all stay here and chat as long as you like.”

[Assistant] “You’re going out to train? !” Grimm exclaimed. “After all we’ve—?! Ah, arrgh—! Wait, Wilhelm! I’m going, too!”

[User] "Don't."

[Assistant] Grimm grabbed his sword and shield in a hurry to follow Wilhelm out of the changing room.


[User] “There’s less distance between those two than there was yesterday,” Pivot commented.

[Assistant] “That’s because Grimm’s come out of his shell whole,” Bordeaux said. “He’s got a good look on his face now. He ain’t much for the sword, but I like the way he handles that shield. He’s going to get better and better, Grimm is.”

[User] “You’re too quick to believe the best of everyone. People who don’t grow don’t last long in our profession.”

[Assistant] “Bwa-ha-ha! People are just big bunches of problems. If you can find one good thing about them, that’s enough.” Still laughing, Bordeaux changed into a light training outfit.

[User] Pivot could only sigh. The commander grabbed the halberd he’d left leaning against the wall, then turned to Roswaal.


[User] "Sorry we can’t show you a little more hospitality, Lady Mathers, after all you’ve done. But Zergev Squadron’s headed for the training ground. Got another busy day tomorrow.”

[Assistant] “I don’t miiind at all. It’s encouraging for me to see that you don’t bend for anyone. And as I said, I think we’re going to be spending a lot of time together. I certainly hope we’ll get along.”

[User] “…As do I."

[Assistant] "I wouldn’t want to get on your bad side, Lady Mathers.” Then he and the grinning Bordeaux left the changing room and waved good-bye to Roswaal in the hallway.


[User] "Wow, Pivot. A straight arrow like you, about to turn thirty… I wouldn’t have pegged Lady Mathers as your type. You dog, you!" Once she was out of sight, Bordeaux turned to his second-in-command.

[Assistant] "Young sir, be careful not to let Lady Mathers too much into your confidence, or your heart."

[User] “Hm?” Bordeaux had only been teasing, but Pivot’s quiet reply was accompanied by a significant look. The commander stroked his beard lazily.

[Assistant] “I will, if you say so. But why? You think there’s something going on?”

[User] “The woman is not easy to read. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if she were up to something we know nothing about. In any event, it seems we’ll be working with her at least for the duration of the war. Watch yourself.”

[Assistant] “Poison with our meal, huh? That should keep things interesting. And I’ve got the Sword Devil to send into battle—a captain’s life is never boring!"

[User] “My goodness… We always do draw the shortest straws, don’t we?” Although aware that Bordeaux’s bellowing laughter was attracting strange looks in the barracks, Pivot raised his own voice to match as he said.


[Assistant] "All right, Valga, explain to me what exactly is going on!" The demand echoed through the ravine.

[User] "Not so loud."

[Assistant] "The fog outside may be an ill mist that absorbs sound, but at that volume there’s no telling who might hear you.” This voice was hoarse, quiet. Its owner had his hands over his ears, obviously annoyed.

[User] “I don’t care how right you think you are! I don’t care! If you want to criticize me, first you’d better explain what exactly you think you’re doing!”

[Assistant] “Explain? Why should I explain anything? Have I done something wrong? Well, Libre?"


[User] "You haven’t done anything—so who are you to speak to me like that? !”

[Assistant] “Don’t push it, whelp! You’re awfully impertinent for one so young!” Their anger had reached the boiling point. The two large participants in this argument were practically forehead to forehead, shouting. They seemed nearly ready to murder each other. An explosion appeared inevitable. But then…

[User] "Both of you are so noisy. I need a quiet environment to conduct my experiments. And I’ve brought you both to my safe house primarily to help me with those same experiments.” The dispassionate voice sounded like it belonged to a young girl—her words were chiding, but there was no emotion to speak of in her tone. Yet the other two ceased their argument immediately.

[Assistant] “I suppose we won’t solve anything with our fists. Very well, I’ll let the boy off. But you understand, there’s more to be said on this matter.” The speaker snorted. He was so tall his head nearly reached the ceiling. His preternaturally skinny body was covered in a robe, and his yellow eyes flashed weirdly. The patches of visible skin on his limbs and head were green and covered in scales, and a long, thick reptilian tail dragged along on the floor behind him. Combined with his long tongue, it left no doubt that he was a demi-human. He was known by the name Libre Fermi, and he was one of the mainstays of the Demi-human Alliance.

[User] “Valga, explain. The magic circles at Castour, and your little game with those corpses.”

[Assistant] “Just look at what it gained us. Must you question every last thing, you tiresome snake?” The crude response to Libre’s question came from an old giant of a man trying to squeeze into a chair that was much too small for him. Standing, he probably would have been close to six and a half feet tall. The giants were a race of demi-humans who, apart from their size, looked basically human. This man was one of the small handful still alive, and was in fact the youngest among them. Even so, he had contributed a great deal to the Demi-human Alliance, perhaps more than anyone else. It was he who had organized the demi-humans, turned them from an aimless mob into a coalition that could oppose the kingdom. His name was Valga Cromwell.

[User] “What complaint could you possibly have about that outcome? Wait, let me guess—you think we didn’t end up with enough human corpses for all the work that went into it. I agree—I wanted to kill more of them!”

[Assistant] “Don’t throw your little tantrums here! I’m saying we killed too many of them! This war has already dragged on for so many years. But how do you expect the humans to even consider coming to terms after losses like that? You’ll doom us all!” Valga’s chair clattered as he stood up.

[User] “I’ll doom us? Libre, this is a fight to extinction and always has been!"


[User] "I have no intention of leaving even a single human alive. I’ll pull that rotten, immoral filth up by the roots. And when they’re all dead, I’ll burn the bodies!”

[Assistant] “Can you stop being childish for one minute?! There are more of them than there are of us! Think about it. Even if every plan of yours works from now on, even if we inflict ten times as many losses on them as they do on us at every battle—we’ll still be destroyed first. That’s the way this fight is!”

[User] “So, what? I should swallow my pride and give in? Here’s a question for you to think about: Can you hear them? Can you hear the wails of all our comrades who have been trodden underfoot? The cries of all our friends who have been struck down? I can hear them. Answer us, they say to me. That is the pride of a demi-human!”

[Assistant] “And that pride will be the death of us all! Ooh, I could just swallow you whole, you impertinent brat! Go have your glorious suicide and leave the rest of us out of it!”


[User] The cold voice came again, along with an earsplitting roar and a beam of bright light that lanced between the enraged pair, an inch from their noses as they glared daggers at each other. The light cut through the air in a way that was distinctly threatening. “I have asked you for quiet. If you refuse to accept this second warning, the third will be accompanied by a display of my power. I will happily add you both to my collection of undead warriors.” Sphinx held up a finger and asked them with a probing look, “Which will it be? I don’t mind either way. You both require observation.”

[Assistant] “I don’t like arguing with this whelp enough to become a corpse over it.” Libre muttered.

[User] “Took the words right out of my mouth.” Valga growled. This time they both tried to keep their distance from each other.

[Assistant] Seeing the two of them thus subdued, Sphinx dropped her hand with a murmur of “Ah.” In a normal voice, she continued, “To your point, I believe my undead warriors can redress the disparity in our numbers.”

[User] “That’s right. That’s why the zombies are here, and that’s why Sphinx is here. I’m more worried about cowards like this snake. You think the zombies are some game? I assume this answers your complaints.”

[Assistant] “Hardly. It’s against all logic. Do you feel no shame at all putting the bodies of the dead to your own uses? I don’t expect sanity from a witch, but you’re different.” Libre’s long forked tongue slid out of his mouth, arms crossed, he glared at Sphinx.

[User] Valga only snorted. “I disgrace the corpses of immoral filth. Why should I feel shame? The spirits of our dead allies beg it of me.


[User] "And as you say, we are the weaker race. We have to rely on our wits. There’s no law that says the weak always have to lose.”

[Assistant] “I will act as I see fit." He says, heading for the door of the hut. Framed in the doorway, he turned, his yellow eyes narrowing at Valga. "But I say this to you, Valga. If you continue down this path, one day it will lead you to hell.”

[User] “One day? This world is already hell.”

[Assistant] Instead of saying good-bye, Libre merely sighed. The reptilian demi-human left, and the tension went out of Valga’s shoulders.

[User] “If he is going to be a problem in the future, shall I eliminate him?”

[Assistant] “We shouldn’t do it if it’s not necessary. Libre may not think the same way I do, but the alliance needs him. The alliance looks to me as its leader, but the only way I can help anyone is with my brain. To lead the charge into the enemy ranks, cut them to pieces, and raise our troops’ morale to the utmost—for that, we need a hero like him.”

[User] “A difficult thing. This requires careful consideration.” Sphinx paused, then said, “And what will you do next? More magic circles like the ones you used at Castour?”

[Assistant] Ignoring the abrupt change in subject, Valga unrolled a map with his beefy hands. “That might work if we could do it before word of the defeat at Castour spreads among the humans, but the alliance isn’t well organized enough to move that quickly. The longer we wait until the next battle, the more likely they’ll be to have developed countermeasures. I doubt the magic entrapment strategy will work again.”

[User] “What, then?”

[Assistant] “Obviously. We let them destroy a magic circle,” Valga said with an evil, blood-red smile.

[User] But she glanced at the ground and murmured, “This will require observation,” so quietly that no one could hear.


[User] Zergev Squadron looked different now than it had when those first twenty had joined. Only about half of the original members remained, but for each one who died, several new ones came aboard, until the unit had expanded fully to one hundred members. It made them even more of a force on the battlefield than they had been before.

[Assistant] It mystified Wilhelm that through all these changes, Grimm somehow remained with the squadron. When they had met two years earlier, Wilhelm had been confident that he would soon see no more of Grimm, but somehow he, too, was one of the old hands of their crew, well regarded for his martial valor. He was still all but hopeless with the sword, but even Wilhelm had to acknowledge his skill with the shield, as well as his ability to detect danger. The only people in the squadron with the reflexes to defend against one of Wilhelm’s attacks were Grimm and Bordeaux. Grimm was also still trying to get Wilhelm to notice him, and as he persevered despite the withering remarks of the Sword Devil, some whispered that perhaps Grimm was the bravest person in the squadron.

[User] "Well, weeell. I hear you contiiinued to gild your legend today."

[Assistant] “…Keep away from me.”

[User] "Such a very chiiilly reception. Can’t you at least pretend to be happy when a beautiful woman wants to get close to you?"

[Assistant] Ever since their excursion to Castour Field, the squadron had not been short on opportunities to see Roswaal. Since it was impossible to say when the demi-humans might attempt another magical strategy, it was only natural that she should be present at each battle. So it was equally natural that she frequently encountered Zergev Squadron, which was so often on the front lines.

[User] "Lady Mathers, what a way to act. And you, aren’t you ashamed of yourself?"

[Assistant] "N-now, now, Carol. That’s just the way Wilhelm is. You can scold him all you like; he won’t change."

[User] Just as often as they saw Roswaal, they saw her bodyguard, Carol, glaring at them. At moments like this, Grimm was a lifesaver; he would appear out of nowhere to occupy Carol in conversation. Wilhelm would make sure the two of them were safely chatting, then lose himself once more in his own world.

[Assistant] "That Wilhelm ain’t changed a bit, has he?"

[User] "Then again, that’s one of his strengths!"

[Assistant] "Every time we go somewhere new, I hear fresh rumors of the Sword Devil, and I swear it shortens my life. If I die young, I’m going to assume it’s his fault."

[User] Bordeaux and Pivot also continued observing and considering Wilhelm from a distance, just as they had before. There was, perhaps, one difference—Bordeaux’s halberd could no longer reach Wilhelm. The young swordsman remembered more clearly than he wanted to the day the difference in their abilities became unmistakable. Bordeaux had wept and laughed in equal measure, sounds that still seemed to echo in Wilhelm’s memory.


[User] He could hardly believe that was three years ago already. Three years, and now Wilhelm was turning eighteen. Three years full of things and places and people that remained in his memory. He wouldn’t realize until later how precious that time had been.

[Assistant] In the morning quiet, Wilhelm opened his eyes. He lay on his bed in his personal room at the barracks. Normally, an ordinary soldier like him would have no right to individual accommodations. But he was an exception; this was one of the liberties afforded him by the kingdom in light of his astonishing record in battle. It had also been something of a desperate measure; the Sword Devil was not especially interested in awards or honors, leaving the kingdom at something of a loss as to how to compensate him.

[User] Wilhelm yawned once, then washed his face with cold water. Chasing away the last vestiges of sleep, he quickly changed into his uniform. It wasn’t until he had everything on that he realized today was a day off for him. He didn’t need to put on his uniform.

[Assistant] “…Overworking, my ass.”

[User] This “day off” was something Bordeaux and Pivot had forced upon him. He rarely took his ordinary days off, preferring to continue his training—and then, of course, there were the days they were in battle. The commanders had alleged that when the Sword Devil, one of the longest-standing members of the squadron, refused to rest, no one else could take a break, either.

[Assistant] With a sigh of annoyance, Wilhelm left his room still in his uniform. It would be too much trouble to change back. He thought about heading to the training ground, then realized he couldn’t. The whole point of this day off had been to keep him away from there. But even if he stayed in his room, it was no guarantee that the increasingly bothersome Grimm wouldn’t come and find him.

[User] Wilhelm left the barracks, a morning chill still in the air as he headed for the castle town. He returned the guards’ salutes with a curt nod, then walked alone into the capital, where signs of human habitation had grown sparse. The capital had gradually grown less bustling over the past three years. That suited Wilhelm well enough, but it was a sign that the civil war was becoming more of a bog every day. Battles were occurring in more places, and the effects of the kingdom’s losses were being felt more widely. Lugunica was entering a dark time. The dragon that might have been expected to take their part in the case of an epidemic or an invasion by another country had apparently decided this was a problem for Lugunica to deal with by itself and refused to lend an ear to the entreaties of the nation’s rulers. As the war dragged on with no sign of improving fortunes, the people grew more and more fatigued.


[User] “Get lost.” He said to a group that had set themselves up in one of the abandoned buildings.

[Assistant] Wilhelm snorted, then headed for the plaza he normally used.

[User] “Oh, I’m sorry.” Someone addressed him suddenly as he passed the abandoned works and arrived at the square.

[Assistant] Wilhelm clicked his tongue with regret and turned in annoyance to the source of the voice.

[User] “I didn’t realize anyone else came here so early in the day.” She said with a smile.

[Assistant] Wilhelm immediately turned the full force of his warrior’s glare on her.

[User] “What’s wrong…?”


[User] "You’re making such a scary face." He realizes his attempt to drive the girl away hadn’t worked, and he looked away awkwardly.

[Assistant] "What’s a girl doing in a place like this so early in the morning, anyway?"

[User] "Hmm." The girl gave a great stretch. "I’d sort of like to ask you the same question, but maybe it wouldn’t be very polite. You don’t look like you’re much for jokes."

[Assistant] "There’s a lot of dangerous people around here. It’s not somewhere a woman should be walking alone."

[User] "Goodness, are you worried about me?"

[Assistant] "I might be one of those dangerous people."

[User] "You’re not. I know that uniform—you’re one of the castle soldiers, aren’t you? You wouldn’t do anything wrong."

[Assistant] Seeing that he was disoriented, the girl giggled. "To be honest, I am a little surprised. I thought this was my private place. It’s nice, isn’t it? It’s a bit of a walk, but you can be alone."

[User] "Until someone shows up and intrudes on you."

[Assistant] "I guess we’re both intruding on each other, so it’s all right. Sneaking off duty, Mr. Bad Soldier?"

[User] "I’m sure not."

[Assistant] "Of course you’re not. I’ll keep your secret." She pointed to something across from where she was sitting in the abandoned building. "Oh, that’s right. Look here."

[User] Wilhelm frowned, unable to see anything from where he was.

[Assistant] This caused the girl to smile and beckon to him with a gesture like a small animal. "Now, now, just come over here."

[User] "I’m not that eager to see it."

[Assistant] Wilhelm grimaced at her tone—she sounded like she was talking to a child—but he duly went over to her. He came up onto the steps of the abandoned building and looked where she was pointing, catching his breath.

[User] She spoke to the speechless Wilhelm as if she were confessing a secret. "They stopped working here, right? I didn’t think anyone else would come, so I planted some seeds.


[User] I came back today to see how they were coming along. Wilhelm was struck dumb, unable to believe his own obliviousness after failing to notice this unique feature, a world he could have noticed if he had only stretched and widened his perspective.

[Assistant] "Do you like flowers?" the girl asked the still-silent Wilhelm, turning to consider her gentle smile.

[User] "No. I can’t stand them." And he watched as the happiness drained from her face entirely.


[Assistant] "Looks like you’re keeping busy on your days off, Wilhelm. You’re never in your room when I stop by. Off killing people somewhere?"

[User] "I’m not busy… And I’m not killing people, either."

[Assistant] "Sure. You look unhappy enough about it that I think you’re telling the truth. Sounds like you’re having some nice, quiet days off." Grimm quipped easily, dressed in his soldier’s uniform as he climbed out of the dragon carriage.

[User] Wilhelm turned up his nose in an attempt to make his annoyance apparent, but Grimm hardly noticed, still all smiles. Wilhelm thought about the “days off” that Grimm had mentioned. Wilhelm was surprised to find that, although he didn’t go to the plaza on any kind of regular schedule, whenever he did go there, Flower Girl would be sitting in front of her flowers as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Wilhelm found it frustrating to have her staring at him, but far better than if she were to chase him away.

[Assistant] "Do you like flowers?" She would smilingly ask him every time.

[User] "No. I can’t stand them." Wilhelm would reply with a look of utter distaste. It had practically become a ritual.

[Assistant] "All right, we’re heading south! That’s where the battle is most intense right now!"


[User] "Libre Fermi and Valga Cromwell are both there. It’s the perfect opportunity for us to make major gains!” Bordeaux shouted enthusiastically, battle-ax raised, drumming up the morale of his troops just like a real commander.

[Assistant] “However, our role today is not to assault the main enemy encampment. We’ll be a floating unit—keeping an eye on the situation and moving in to help where necessary. Be careful not to get too excited and end up acting alone somewhere.”


[User] “We’ve got a huge attacking force. Maybe we can finally end this war…”

[Assistant] “Always the optimist, aren’t you? I think committing a major force when we know the enemy leaders are there is begging for trouble.” Wilhelm said dismissively.

[User] He scratched the back of his own head. “You’re…thinking of Castour Field?”

[Assistant] “Valga Cromwell was there that day, too. And given the presence of the magic circles, I would assume the witch was as well. They’re waiting for us, and we’re going to throw more men at them here then we did at Castour. What do you think’s going to happen?”

[User] He swallowed.

[Assistant] “I have to assume our commanders have at least thought of that possibility.”

[User] “Wha…?”

[Assistant] “I should certainly thiiink so. Your face just now, Grimm, it was a maaasterpiece.” Roswaal flung back the cape she wore over her military uniform and stretched as if to show off her shapely chest. "The VIPs are just as confident as you that Sphinx is likely to be operating here. We’ve taken as many of theirs with the sword as they have ours with magic."


[User] “We think they’ll have to reach their limit sooner or later.”

[Assistant] “Y-you always seem so calm, Lady Mathers."

[User] “Oh, you’re making me blush. And if I’m here, that meeeans your little princess is, too.” She gave him a meaningful smile.

[Assistant] Roswaal’s bodyguard, Carol, came walking up behind her. "Grimm, I’m glad I got a chance to talk to you before the battle starts. I was worried that Lady Roswaal might be threatened if the fighting got too intense…”

[User] “I—I’m glad, too! With you behind me, uh—right! I know I won’t have to worry about the enemy getting at my back!”

[Assistant] “I’m stronger than you, you know. I don’t take kindly to people who look down on me…”

[User] “I—I—I—I d-d-didn’t mean to—!”

[Assistant] “I’m kidding. I’m glad that you’re glad.” Grimm and Carol gradually became lost in their own world, completely ignoring the other two.

[User] When she tired of watching them, Roswaal jabbed Wilhelm with her elbow. “How do you feel? Hooow do you feel right now? Your friend getting all cozy with a girl, a love forged in the heat of battle…”

[Assistant] “I think it’s stupid. And don’t act like he and I are so close. I don’t need friends.”

[User] “I see. Whaaat a very lonely thought. Interested in flirting with me, then?”

[Assistant] “I’ll cut you in half.”

[User] Practically before Wilhelm was finished speaking, Roswaal had taken a big step back to a safe distance.

[Assistant] They were waiting to go into battle, but he couldn’t even get everyone to leave him alone long enough for him to concentrate and prepare. He didn’t even manage a sigh when Carol gave Grimm some kind of protective charm.

[User] “Regardless, let us worry about Sphinx. You just have fun chopping up every bad guy you can see.”

[Assistant] “That’s my plan. Try not to screw up your part.”

[User] “Aww, are you wooorried about me?”

[Assistant] “I’m worried about you getting in my way.” Wilhelm rattled the scabbard of his sword and sent her scurrying back.

[User] At a pause in the conversation, a voice called, “Is Lady Mathers here? The commander wants to speak with her.”

[Assistant] “C-Commander! The, uh, the lady is over there, sir.” The wall of soldiers parted, and Bordeaux’s hulking form could be seen. Grimm quickly broke off whatever he was saying to Carol and pointed at Roswaal

[User] Roswaal waved affably.

[Assistant] Bordeaux nodded. “Lord Lyp, sir! Lady Mathers is over here! If you’ll come this way, sir!”

[User] “…You don’t have to shout, I can hear you.


[User] "If you insist on saying everything at the top of your lungs, people are going to think you don’t have any other talents.” He made his way over—Bordeaux was hard to miss.

[Assistant] Lyp stood before Roswaal and offered a flowing bow. “Lyp Bariel, at your service. Viscount of the south and commander of the battle line on this occasion.”

[User] “Oh? From what I’d heard, Lord Crumère was going to command.”

[Assistant] “Lord Crumère was hit by a stray arrow in a recent battle. The wound festered, and he died. I apologize that we weren’t able to notify you sooner. I am commander now by virtue of my rank and my military achievements.” His voice was even, and there was no change in his expression. Yet something in his voice indicated there was more below the surface.

[User] Wilhelm looked away from Lyp and toward the enemy lines.

[Assistant] “You there, soldier, straighten up.”

[User] “…Who, me?” Wilhelm asked.

[Assistant] “I won’t say it again.” Lyp walked up to Wilhelm and began shaking his fist in his face. The instant he made the gesture, Wilhelm began to reach for his sword—but stopped. At the same moment, he felt an impact on his cheek; his upper body turned with the force. “It is your duty to be at attention and paying attention when your commander is present—to say nothing of a general. Maybe all the accolades this unit has received have gone to your head, but you won’t get any special treatment from me. I don’t care if you’re the Sword Devil himself.”

[User] "—” Wilhelm spat out the blood that had pooled in his mouth and glared at Lyp, who only smiled sadistically.

[Assistant] “You’ve got a rebellious look in your eye, boy. Maybe I’d better impose a little discipline before this battle starts.”

[User] “Don’t you think thaaat’s about enough? This is no time to be plaaaying with children.” No one except Roswaal J. Mathers, who stood outside the system of military ranks and rules. Roswaal smiled at Lyp, gently pushing down his fist, which he had raised to strike again.

[Assistant] Lyp gave a quiet snort, turning away from Wilhelm. “Bordeaux, teach your men a little respect, or I might have to take their impertinence out on you. The southern front isn’t a playground for children.”

[User] “…Yes, sir. My apologies, sir.”

[Assistant] “Lady Mathers! I wish to consult with you before the battle starts. If you’d come with me?”

[User] “Coming.” Roswaal responded to his summons with an obedient tone.


[User] “A-are you all right, Wilhelm?” Grimm asked, coming over and examining Wilhelm’s cheek where he’d been struck.

[Assistant] “It’s not a big deal. He just hit me. Don’t look so worried.”

[User] “I’m not worried about him hitting you. I’m just surprised you didn’t chop his head off when he did. Are you feeling okay? Maybe you ought to take today—yikes! I’m sorry!” Grimm’s lighthearted tone changed quickly when he found Wilhelm’s sword at his neck.

[Assistant] Wilhelm sheathed his blade.

[User] Bordeaux nodded to him with a look of pity. "Sorry ’bout that, Wilhelm. You were just unlucky.”

[Assistant] “Don’t all crowd around. I keep telling you, it’s not a big deal.” Wilhelm waved away his encroaching fellow soldiers with one hand while wiping vigorously with his sleeve at the bruise on his cheek.

[User] “Are we sure this guy should be leading us?”

[Assistant] “He’s like a soldier’s nightmare of a bad commander.”

[User] “Believe it or not, Lyp Bariel actually has a fair amount of military success to his name,”

[Assistant] “He may not be the easiest guy to get along with, but… Well, who doesn’t want to follow a winner?”

[User] Grimm looked doubtful about this.

[Assistant] Wilhelm decided his initial judgment of Lyp had been correct. The way the commander had moved when he struck Wilhelm—he was clearly a powerful man of war. He had the distinctive strength of someone who had trained himself thoroughly and supplemented this with repeated survival on the battlefield. He might just rival Bordeaux in a toe-to-toe fight. Grimm he would overwhelm, no question.

[User] “There’s no end of ugly rumors about him,” Bordeaux was saying, “and he won’t hesitate to fight dirty. But there’s no question he’s a capable commander. So much so that they gave him command of the first of the four armies formed by the recent reorganization. So relax! You’re in good hands.” Then he gave a great guffaw, back to his usual humor.

[Assistant] “R-right, sir,” Grimm said, then muttered, “I better ask this charm Carol gave me for more luck…” He held the charm in his hand and murmured a prayer.

[User] A glance showed that Carol had given him a pendant—a locket with something inside.

[Assistant] “A present from a girl, huh? Color me impressed, kid. What’s in it?”

[User] “Um, I gather Carol got it from whoever it is she serves. Inside is…a flower, I think? A pressed flower. It’s so yellow and elegant, which kind of seems like it would suit her—” Grimm waxed maudlin as he showed the locket to Bordeaux.

[Assistant] As he did so, Wilhelm was startled when he caught a glimpse of the flower inside. It was, without a doubt, the same kind of yellow blossom as those attended by the girl in the poor district.

[User] “We’re about to go into combat, here. What is wrong with everyone…?” His concentration was ruined. Were they specifically trying to throw him off? He pushed down his explosive rage and tried once more to collect himself, when—

[Assistant] “Zergev Squadron, form up.


[User] “Nothing at all!” —to top it all off, Pivot showed up, forcing him to postpone his meditations once again.

[Assistant] “Damn it all,” he muttered. “If this goes wrong, don’t blame me…!” Swept up in the flow of soldiers marching out, Wilhelm looked up at the sky with distaste. Night was ending; dawn would soon arrive. The operation would begin first thing in the morning, hardly a few hours from now. Wilhelm always strove to become one with his sword and not let unnecessary things interfere. But now he was walking into the jaws of combat without his focus. Many destinies would be decided at Aihiya Swamp. The battle loomed over them all as they marched.


[User] "We’re already constantly fighting skirmishes with the Volakians. Massing this many troops on their border… I hate to think what the Empire might do if it gets skittish." Distant war cries echoed through the air, and the rumble of stomping feet reached them. The knights had the battlefield under their very boots, but they were tormented by impatience.

[Assistant] "Being the rearguard sounds glorious, but it’s a short straw to draw."

[User] "Take care of who hears you say that, Razaac, sir."

[Assistant] He nodded calmly. He turned away from the raging battle and glared in the direction of the Empire.

[User] "...You don’t suppose they’ll do anything, do you?"

[Assistant] "I doubt it. If they took advantage of the demi-humans’ actions to attack us, they would invoke the wrath of the Holy Dragon Volcanica. As long as our nation is under the protection of the Dragon, the Empire won’t move against us."

[User] "Then why are we standing here just looking at them?" He sighed deeply. "Short straw."

[Assistant] "My comrades…come home alive, if you can. If not, then at least make the final sacrifice with honor. Don’t be defeated by shameless foes who have forgotten what they owe to this kingdom, like the demi-humans." Razaac’s barely repressed pain could be seen on his face.

[User] His subordinate nodded at him, sympathy in his eyes.


[User] Razaac, including almost no one, had noticed. This subconscious prejudice was the greatest reason the demi-humans could never surrender.

[Assistant] His attack sliced off his enemy’s hand, cleaving the bone neatly. As he brought his blade back, he cut off the screaming man’s head. He turned, the gushing blood splattering onto his back, and buried his steel in the face of a lizard who had tried to get behind him. Brains spattered everywhere. The corpse’s eyes rolled up in its head; he kicked the body off the end of his sword. "Riiiyaaahhh!"

[User] Beside Wilhelm, a demi-human fell to the ground, knocked back by an impact.

[Assistant] Grimm holding up his shield, had used it both to block and then answer the enemy’s attack. His defensive abilities were unparalleled. He had perfected them just behind the vanguard, making the ideal complement to Wilhelm’s talent as the vanguard itself.

[User] Wilhelm stabbed the demi-human in the heart.

[Assistant] Grimm jogged up to him. "Wilhelm! Are you okay?"

[User] "See for yourself."

[Assistant] "I thought so. I was just asking. I think we’re about done here. The captain is—" He glanced back.

[User] An enemy soldier’s limbs were hurtling through the air, the result of a brutal blow from an ax that must belong to Bordeaux. "This is over! Let’s link back up! Go on to the next battlefield."

[Assistant] "I hope they put up more of a fight at the next one."

[User] "Not me. I don’t want to die. I want to get back alive." His hand searched at his neckline, finding the locket.

[Assistant] Ignoring the gesture, Wilhelm looked at Grimm in perplexity. No matter how many battles they survived, he never changed. He claimed he didn’t want to die, yet he would rush headlong into the fight. He said he wanted to get back alive, yet he could deflect the murderous enemy with his shield and then beat them to death. He’s a paradox.

[User] "So are you fighting because you want to die?"

[Assistant] "I don’t think you are. You don’t strike me as the type to have a death wish. But I don’t think you’re in it for the killing, either. If anything, I think you want to live more than anyone else here."

[User] Wilhelm clicked his tongue and started walking faster. Fast enough, he hoped, to leave behind the young man scrambling to follow him.

[Assistant] Bordeaux saw them as they were coming back and exclaimed, "Well, if it isn’t Captain Killer and his friend the Watch Dog! How’s the enemy, Wilhelm?"

[User] Wilhelm pointed his blood-drenched sword in the direction of the battlefield "Not so tough. We should make for the center."


[User] “We can trim all the leaves and branches we want, it won’t make any difference. We have to pull this problem up by the roots.”

[Assistant] “How about you, Grimm? No bad feelings?”

[User] “No, sir, nothing. I’m not a fan of intense fighting, but I agree we should keep moving.”

[Assistant] He hefted his battle-ax and nodded. “Right, let’s do it, then! I was getting tired of all these small fry. In battle, just like in the hunt, the true warrior goes after the big game! Come on, Zergev Squadron, follow me!”

[User] “Wait, young sir! Shouldn’t we consult the general for his instructions? Lady Mathers is with him, I believe.”

[Assistant] “Don’t be stupid, Pivot. If we go back, Viscount Bariel is only going to use us like the tools he thinks we are. We cut our way in there and let our success in battle speak for itself! That’s the ultimate comeuppance, Bordeaux-style!” He held up his battle-ax for emphasis.

[User] “Comeuppance, is it? How very like you, young sir. But I can hardly…” Pivot went quiet, a troubled expression on his slim face.

[Assistant] Bordeaux laughed good-naturedly to see his second-in-command in such a state. “Just do what you’ve always done, Pivot, and follow me! Hell, what’ve you got to lose? Anyway, don’t forget our beloved general made a fool of Wilhelm before the battle. We’ve got to return the favor, don’t we?”

[User] Wilhelm scowled at this. “Hold on. Don’t drag me into this. I told you not to make a big deal about it. And if he’s going to get paid back, I want to be the one to do it. Myself.”

[Assistant] “And because we can’t let you go by yourself, the whole squad’s coming with you.”

[User] Grimm met Wilhelm’s grimace with a shrug.

[Assistant] The resigned gesture made Bordeaux and Pivot laugh with merriment and acquiescence, respectively.

[User] “Grimm’s learned how to handle himself, huh? What do you think, Pivot? Still worried?”

[Assistant] “…I give. You are here, young sir, and Wilhelm is here, and Grimm. This is Zergev Squadron. I am with you.”

[User] “Don’t forget, Pivot, you’re here, too,” Bordeaux said. “All right, men, now we go for real!” He lifted his halberd to the sky. Everyone else in the unit raised their weapons as well and cheered. The squadron set out, the giant man at their head.

[Assistant] Wilhelm let out a breath as the only one who didn’t feel the same spirit. “I get dragged into one thing after another,” he muttered. He wanted to be steel. He wanted to be a perfect blade, free of impurities. But this wish was continually undermined by the distractions and frustrations that seemed to flock to him daily. Ruminating angrily, Wilhelm tried to work his way to the front of the ranks. That was when he noticed it: a red flower bobbing inconspicuously in one corner of the battlefield. Flowers bloomed even in war.

[User] “Don’t be stupid!” he said to himself.


[User] He couldn’t imagine why he was suddenly picturing the field by the square. The Battle of Aihiya Swamp. Lyp Bariel, viscount of the south, was in charge.

[Assistant] “Magic circles have been discovered in two more locations on the north side of the swamp, sir! That makes eight spots total!”

[User] “Mark them on the map. Carefully, be precise.”

[Assistant] The breathless messenger drew two red marks on the map on the wall. The map, depicting Aihiya Swamp, already bore nearly forty others like it. In the roughly six hours since the battle had begun, reports of magic circles had flooded in from the battlefield. The royal forces had been prioritizing magic circle countermeasures since the loss at Castour Field, with the result that the demi-humans had never duplicated their success with magic circle traps since that battle. “Admittedly, this number is unusual.” Lyp said, glaring at the map.

[User] “Maybe another ensnarement really was their plan.”

[Assistant] “Now? When our countermeasures are so widespread? I would be just as happy if the enemy’s renowned strategists turned out to be so lump-headed. But I doubt they are, and I doubt they’ll do the same thing twice.”

[User] “They are just demi-humans, sir. They’re half beast.”

[Assistant] Lyp stopped in his tracks, fixing the man with a cold stare. “And so what? Is that a reason to underestimate our enemy? If you think overcoming a beast is so easy, go catch me a white whale or two right now!”

[User] “Er, ah…”

[Assistant] “Idiots should keep their mouths shut. If you’ve forgotten how to use your mind, there’s no reason to have you here at headquarters. Maybe you’d prefer the front lines?”

[User] “M-my apologies, sir! I’ve overstepped myself!” The man shuffled out of the tent, hanging his head.

[Assistant] Lyp snorted and turned back to the map.

[User] Someone came up beside him—a woman with indigo-colored hair and wearing a military uniform. “Your tongue is always so sharp.”

[Assistant] “I’m suuure he was just offering a thought.”

[User] “Are you saying good intentions deserve a reward? Ridiculous. All things are rewarded according to their outcomes. If a hasty act sullies your reputation, some of what you have is taken away from you. Do you have a problem with that?”

[Assistant] “Nooo, not especially. I don’t love incompetents myseeelf." She shook her head.

[User] Lyp gave a vaguely satisfied cough. “Very wise.”

[Assistant] “I want the opinion of an expert. What do you think of this arrangement of magic circles?”

[User] “It’s rather unuuusual. Not only the number but also the placement. Following the logic of this arrangement, I expect there are other circles here and here, as well as this area.”

[Assistant] “I thought as much. Anyone could have guessed that. What do they think this trap will gain them?”

[User] “We have to destroy the circles, regardless. They give me a bad feeling… There’s something I’d like to check.


[User] "Would you allow me to examine one of the projected sites?"

[Assistant] "You have that woman knight to look out for you, don’t you? I’ll assign ten men to the two of you. Avoid any active battle locations." She had permission now to go to the blank—the expected place of the magic circles—closest to headquarters. Lyp hardly even bothered to glance up as Roswaal offered an elegant bow while leaving the tent.

[User] Carol met her outside with concern written on her face.

[Assistant] Roswaal smiled at her. "I want to have a look at something. We’ll be on the fringes of the battle, so I’m counting on you to keep me safe."

[User] "I understand. But I see you plan on personally going somewhere dangerous again."

[Assistant] "Nooothing so dangerous as where your little boyfriend is. Compared to the front, we’ll be teeerribly safe."

[User] "G-Grimm is not my boyfriend!"

[Assistant] "I don’t recall mentioning his naaame."

[User] Carol’s serious face turned red at having given away how she felt.

[Assistant] Roswaal smiles.

[User] Then she turned her one yellow eye to the battlefield, full of rumbling and smoke. "I know you’re there, Sphinx. What are you planning?"


[Assistant] "Wh-what in the world is that? How are we supposed to fight it?" They would shrink away, having lost their appetite for battle.

[User] A young demi-human quivered at the scene, but he found a hand on his shoulder.

[Assistant] "You should withdraw. There is no purpose in challenging an opponent you can’t defeat. Far be it from me to allow any to call such an action cowardice." The owner of the voice, this person who would show kindness to terrified soldiers, stepped forward.

[User] "You there, swordsman," the snake called in a cracking falsetto, "stop where you are! You seem to be quite capable.


[User] Wilhelm lowered his blood-soaked weapon, his breath coming hard. The utter force of his aura struck his enemies as if he were already attacking them; his glare alone was enough to set the demi-humans trembling.

[Assistant] The snake gave a snorting laugh and said, “You want to kill me. How charming. There’s something to you, boy. I’ll be happy to be your playmate!” Then the serpent leaped at Wilhelm, his two-bladed sword at the ready.

[User] Wilhelm rushed in as well, and the distance between them closed in an instant. A dodge, a sideways swipe. A lightning-fast attack sought its enemy’s head, but a rising blade met it from below. With a screech and a shower of sparks, the deflected blade returned for another strike…

[Assistant] “Ah-ha!” the lizard exclaimed. “So you can’t match my speed!”

[User] “Hrrr!” Wilhelm bent his head back, the twin blade passing right in front of it. It had come up at his chin, and the quick follow-up attack had pressed him hard.

[Assistant] “It’s Libre Fermi! The Viper! One of the pillars of the Demi-human Alliance!”

[User] The demi-human—Libre—only smiled wider, his long tongue emerging conspicuously from his mouth. “Pillar? I don’t know that I like that. People will think I’m as fat as one! I’m far too lithe for such a word!”

[Assistant] “Lithe? You? Maybe in my nightmares!”

[User] “Oh, how cruel. Flippant children. I could eat you up…literally.” No sooner had he spoken than Libre’s face took on a new cast. His pupils narrowed, and the hiss of a snake warning its foe came out of his mouth. The speed of his movements increased further.

[Assistant] “Wilhelm!”

[User] “Ha…ha-ha…”

[Assistant] “Are you…laughing?” Libre asked.

[User] “Ha-ha-ha! Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!” It wouldn’t stop. This was joy itself welling up in his heart. The emotion encouraged him, guided him into the flow of the next attack.

[Assistant] Wilhelm’s sword came at him.

[User] The snake threw himself to one side, dodging the blow—and then he felt a kick. “Hrr—gg!” He bent nearly double with the unexpected strike, and a knee rose to catch his face as it came forward.

[Assistant] The sword arced toward his exposed Adam’s apple, seeking to cut off his head.

[User] “Gracious! You are skilled for one so impertinent and young!” He brought his left arm in to block the blow.


[User] The scales resisted the steel for just an instant, and then his hand was severed at the wrist. But in that instant, Libre sank low to strike Wilhelm in the gut with his powerful arm. The boy’s ribs cracked, and his internal organs compressed as he was thrown backward.

[Assistant] The ground dealt him several unpleasant blows as he rolled, but he was still alive. He spat out a mouthful of blood and bile.

[User] "Wilhelm!" Grimm shouted. "Damn it, I’m joining you!"

[Assistant] "D-don’t be st-stupid…! This one is mine…and mine alone!"

[User] "That’s where you’re wrong. That snake is an enemy of our nation. Which means all of us!" Bordeaux said, positioning himself along with Grimm in front of the sputtering Wilhelm.

[Assistant] The other members of the squadron moved to surround Libre, cutting off his escape.

[User] "Goodness gracious," Libre said. "Attacking a wounded, heartbroken lady all at once? Aren’t you worried about your precious honor?"

[Assistant] "Take a look. Do we seem like much for honor to you? We’re all out of knightly virtues."

[User] "And besides that, Libre Fermi, I happen to be aware that a missing hand or foot is no great loss to a snake person. You simply grow it back.”

[Assistant] "My, my, an expert. It is awfully tiring, though."

[User] Pivot, who had spoken, stood outside the circle. Libre held up his handless left arm. The cut was clean. The edges of the wound began writhing, and then the flesh assumed the shape of a hand in a spectacular display of regenerative power. The snake’s eyes looked in one direction and then another; everywhere, demi-humans were being dismembered and slaughtered. Libre looked sadly at the ground, then gestured at the squadron surrounding him.

[Assistant] "You lot speak the language of power. You’ve trained yourselves to the utmost. And that boy there… Could he be the Sword Devil, I wonder?"

[User] "Oh-ho!" Bordeaux said. "So even the demi-human commanders know the Sword Devil. You’re moving up in the world!"

[Assistant] "Please don’t call me a commander. There’s no allure to that title; it’s not suited for me. Titles reeking of such manliness would make idiots like Valga happy." Libre crossed his arms and let out a long breath. Then he looked up at the sky. "I suppose even I am not quite a match for Zergev Squadron by myself."

[User] "You and me, then! I’ll knock that head right off your shoulders—!" Wilhelm, breathing hard, stepped forward to demand the continuation of their fight.

[Assistant] Libre only shrugged and raised his twin blade. "I would love to share this dance…but I believe the moment to call an end to things is coming. If you’ll so kindly pardon me."

[User] "What are you—?"


[Assistant] But he never got to talking about. He felt it first as a change in the air. The atmosphere of the battlefield, thick with bloodlust and the smell of iron, became something moist and clinging. An instant later, his hands and arms were underwater.

[User] "Wha?!"


[User] “What in the—!”

[Assistant] “You were all much too worried about magic circles. Carefully getting rid of them one by one. Suppose someone knew you would do just that? Wouldn’t it only be logical to make it the crux of a trap?”

[User] “Magic circles? How—?”

[Assistant] “Magic circles work by imbuing the circles with meaning and then running magical power through them. You’re terrified of the effects they might have—but these circles were active from the beginning.” Libre’s voice grated against Wilhelm’s eardrums. His limbs were heavy, as though he’d jumped into a pool of water fully clothed, and he was even finding it hard to breathe. It wasn’t just him; everyone around him seemed to be experiencing the same thing. But Libre showed no sign of being affected.

[User] “Those magic circles had power stored up in them. And you destroyed every last one! You released the energy in them, allowing it to charge up the hidden, true magic circle—and you see the result.”

[Assistant] “Why all the games…? Why not just start with the…true circle?” Pivot asked, his voice straining.

[User] “Would you ever have come anywhere near the swamp if it had a gigantic spell trigger on it? Instead, we left you a little trail of bread crumbs to follow. And think of the future. When you see a magic circle on some other battlefield, you’ll have to wonder—to destroy it or not?”

[Assistant] Libre looked up. The others followed his gaze to find a reddish-purple sky above them. The strange color extended all over the battlefield—most likely marking the magic circle’s area of effect. In other words…

[User] “I always believed humans and demi-humans were divided only by their appearance and their blood. Now I see that that’s more than enough to split the world in two.” He paused meaningfully. “We will push back against you, beginning now. You’ll see.”


[Assistant] “Lady Mathers…! What is happening? !”

[User] “We’ve been haaad. All the magic circles today—no, aaall the circles since Castour Field—have been decoys, leeeading us to this moment.” Carol had sunk painfully to her knees; beside her, Roswaal frowned at the magic circle. It happened after they’d left headquarters to investigate. Even as they were examining the diagram, it had activated, and the entire battlefield had been enveloped in this magical effect. Her whole body felt like it was stuck in some syrupy liquid, hard to move and inhale.

[Assistant] “I can hardly breathe…and my body…so heavy…,” Carol groaned, sweating. All the other soldiers Lyp had sent with her felt the same way.


[User] The effect seemed to manifest slight individual differences, but all of them were on their knees, moaning. “If this is happening all over the battlefield…”

[Assistant] “I ceeertainly suspect that’s the case. I presume the demi-human side is unaffected. It’s as if they get to fight on land and we have to move underwater. Perhaps you, Carol, might emerge victorious?”

[User] “Heaven…help us. If this is the work of magic, then could you…?”

[Assistant] “It’s pooossible I could decode the ritual for the circle and undo it. But that…” Roswaal paused, looking up at the discolored sky. She narrowed her heterochromatic eyes as something slowly descended toward the ground. “…is whyyy you are here.”

[User] “If there is any chance of stopping this circle, you of all people would figure it out based on what you’ve seen. And I put too much effort into this magic to have you destroy it.”


[Assistant] The owner of the calm, even voice landed on the earth—a young girl in a white robe. The fabric ensconced a witch of terrifying malice. "What a surpriiise that you should worry about me. I’m so touched I could vomit.”

[User] “Those with a high degree of specialized knowledge are valuable. If possible, I had hoped you might cooperate in making me complete.”

[Assistant] Sphinx looked at Roswaal curiously, but Roswaal steadfastly rejected the witch. “My teacher’s principles were a barrier to progress. You’re just a failed experiment from an earlier time. And I will get rid of you.”

[User] At Roswaal’s answer, Sphinx raised a hand and pointed at one of the agonized soldiers. “Were you able to respond to what I did just now?” A beam of light had glanced toward, then through, the soldier’s neck in the blink of an eye. His head evaporated. She had done it again and again until six soldiers lay on the ground.

[Assistant] “Ah… Ahhh…” Carol, still unable to move, made a noise of astonishment at this slaughter.

[User] “I ask once more. Will you cooperate in completing me?”

[Assistant] But even as that finger with such devastating potential pointed at her, Roswaal shook her head. “I told you. I will kill you.”

[User] “A shame.” Her words were dispassionate. And then her finger glowed. As Carol watched, the beam of light shot straight at Roswaal.

[Assistant] Screams and death rattles reached Wilhelm’s ears from all around the battlefield. His knees shivered, and his breath was harsh; he was barely remaining on his feet.


[User] His head was heavy, and his hands and feet seemed to move too slowly. No matter how greedily he gulped the air, he couldn’t seem to get nearly enough oxygen to fill his lungs.

[Assistant] “I told Valga that even if he gave ten times as good as he got to the humans, we would still lose,” Libre hissed, flicking his twin blade. “I suppose this is his answer. If he hurts you a hundred, two hundred times as badly as you hurt us, you’ll sing a different tune!”

[User] “Don’t be stupid!” Bordeaux bellowed, supporting his weight with his battle-ax. “You could slaughter each and every soldier on this field, and we still wouldn’t give in to the likes of you!”

[Assistant] Libre frowned at the noise and indicated the gasping soldiers with a twitch of his tongue. “Pride is all well and good, but will you not be satisfied until both sides are completely annihilated? This is why I hate brutish, barbarian men. It’s impossible to have a productive conversation.”

[User] “Are you trying to suggest you’re looking for one?” This remark came from Pivot, whose face was slowly turning blue. A cold sweat was running down his cheeks. “What is it that you want from the outcome of this battle?”

[Assistant] “What else? Peace. Not to be mercilessly picked out and murdered and trodden underfoot. We demi-humans want to know we’ll be able to live out our days in peace. That’s why we fight.”

[User] “…That’s not what we’ve been hearing from Valga Cromwell.”

[Assistant] “That fool’s little speeches are altogether too extreme! …But he talks that way because of you humans. And I pour all my sympathy upon the flames of his hatred. It’s one more reason why we will see you defeated and force you to come to the bargaining table.” Libre turned away from Pivot’s gaze and pointed his weapon at Bordeaux. “I despise the idea of killing immobilized knights, but I am going to use you heroes to break the will of humanity. When they hear Zergev Squadron has been destroyed, their morale will die with you.”

[User] “…You think…we’re going to go that easily? !” Bordeaux rasped.

[Assistant] “I assure you, it pains me to do this. But I am Libre Fermi. I embody the anger of the demi-humans, and I shall show you humans my fangs regardless of my personal wishes! Bordeaux Zergev, this is where you die!” Libre’s sinewy body leaped at Bordeaux. His twin blade spun overhead in a deadly storm and closed on the huge human with the intent to end his life.


[User] "Grrrahhhhhhhhh!"

[Assistant] "You can still move…? !" Aware of the constraints on his body, Wilhelm’s attack cut through the air with minimum possible movement.

[User] Libre quickly deflected it with his twin blade, but the Sword Devil’s frenzied assault would not be denied. He struck out with his sword at the serpent’s feet as they came to earth, at his head as it dodged back from him, and at the stomach that sought to evade him. Sparks and the screech of steel were everywhere; the pair engaged each other in a murderous dance.

[Assistant] "You may act strong, but you’re too slow! Too sluggish! Too weak! As you are now, you can’t defeat me!"

[User] Wilhelm was being pushed back. Of course. This was an opponent he only had a fifty-fifty chance against on even terms, and now he had to fight while struggling in invisible water. He shouldn’t even have been able to give battle in this state; he certainly had no chance of winning. But Wilhelm refused to simply lie down and die without offering any resistance.

[Assistant] "I respect your loyalty to your friend, diving in to save him, but this is where it ends!" Libre shouted. The words lit a fire in Wilhelm’s heart.

[User] "Don’t make me laugh! This isn’t about loyalty to anyone!" But the movements of his arm wouldn’t follow the dictates of his rage. The twin blade deflected his sword, following up with a stab at his exposed belly. His blood ran cold, certain that he was about to be slit open. An instant later, he felt a gentle impact and a spray of hot blood.

[Assistant] "Ahh. Good lord. I always have the worst lot in life."

[User] "Pivot!" Pivot made a ghastly scream, as if vomiting blood. Then Wilhelm saw him, right before his eyes, cut deep and falling to the ground. A long diagonal slash ran from his left shoulder across his body.


[User] Wilhelm silently lose himself in his blade.

[Assistant] "You somehow seem even more fearsome than before." The girl said suddenly as she watched Wilhelm.

[User] "Feh."

[Assistant] "Oh! You clucked at me just now!" The girl sounded put out.

[User] "I just hate it when you make it so obvious. Could you stop?"

[Assistant] "It’s my choice where I practice my sword and my choice where I click my tongue. Even if you happen to be nearby, wasting your time doing nothing."

[User] "Don’t say that. I’m admiring my flowers and expanding my heart… Won’t you put it that way?"

[Assistant] "You should be glad I said wasting your time and not wasting your life."

[User] "I’d have to say it’s you who’s wasting time."


[User] "And it looks like soldiers have plenty of time to waste. You’re always hanging around here these days."

[Assistant] "…The military is reorganizing. I won’t be going anywhere for a while. You really think this is what I want? And I’m not ‘hanging around.’"

[User] "You think? Even though you’re having so much fun swinging your sword? …I guess you haven’t been enjoying yourself much recently, by all appearances."

[Assistant] "What do you know?" Feeling she had seen through him, Wilhelm attempted to conceal how much it bothered him with a mean remark.

[User] "Frowning again! You’re too young to let your face get stuck that way." Suddenly, the girl was standing in front of the silent Wilhelm. He was startled to realize he hadn’t noticed her, and he grabbed his own face in an attempt to force the frown away.

[Assistant] "The way you go around scowling and glaring and looking all prickly, I bet everyone is too scared to come anywhere near you."

[User] "Shut up! What’s it to you? What do you mean, ‘too young,’ anyway? How old do you think I—"

[Assistant] "Eighteen. Same as me. Right?" The girl was pointing at him with a wink.

[User] Wilhelm couldn’t make a sound.

[Assistant] "See?" she said. "Wouldn’t it be embarrassing to get frown lines at that age? If you have to get wrinkles, why not get laugh lines from smiling at flowers?" He looked away.

[User] "Do you like flowers?"

[Assistant] Wilhelm shook his head. "No, I hate them."


[User] His beefy arms were crossed, and he glared down at Wilhelm.

[Assistant] The swordsman clicked his tongue. "What if I have? Some sort of problem with that?"

[User] "Damn right there is. We may be in the middle of a reorganization, but you never know when or where those demi-human bastards might strike. The military has to be ready for anything at any time. I don’t care if you’re on your day off or what, you’d better—" He stopped in the middle of this unusually logical argument, closed his eyes, and began again slowly. "Ahem. That’s what’s expected of you and me."

[Assistant] "—" Wilhelm felt a chill pass down his spine. His commander was completely right.

[User] "The kingdom can’t spare your abilities right now. Practice as much and however you like. But keep in mind to stay where you can be called to action at any time. That’s all I ask." Bordeaux’s face as he spoke was all darkness and doubt.

[Assistant] "After all, I’m pretty sure I don’t have to give you a direct order to kill those barbarians."

[User] "There’ll be another big battle soon. That’s what Lady Mathers says. Be ready."

[Assistant] Wilhelm hadn’t spoken at all and didn’t break his silence. Bordeaux clapped him on the shoulder and then opened the path to the barracks.