Episode 161: The Beginning
That day arrived suddenly.
“Hey, look!”
“The sun…!”
“What, what’s happening!?”
The people walking the streets of the Royal Capital were all looking up at the sky in unison.
And then, though it was still daytime, the surroundings suddenly grew dark. The sun began to lose its light, as if corroding from the edges.
A total solar eclipse.
“What is this!? What in the world is going on!?”
“Oh, Goddess…”
“Q-Quickly, to the church!”
And so, the people, abandoning everything, headed towards the nearest church, seeking salvation.
◇
“This is surprising…”
Benjamin, the leader of the adventurer party ‘Black Sword of Oath’, murmured with a voice tinged with fear.
“I was skeptical, but to think something like this would actually happen…”
Was his fear directed at the total solar eclipse, or at Dietfried, who had predicted it?
“Leader…”
“What do we do?”
“At this point, there’s no other choice. We will head to ‘Golem Valley’. The importance of his words has increased. We must obtain the Holy Sword ourselves…!”
“Understood.”
Thus, the ‘Black Sword of Oath’ began to move. All according to Dietfried’s prophecy.
◇
“Commander! The sky!”
“What in the world…”
“It has come…!”
Bartholomew, Commander of the ‘Schwarzwald Knights’, muttered lowly. His reverence for the boy who had predicted this total solar eclipse intensified.
“The Goddess also imposes cruel trials…”
The members of the knightly order cast their eyes down at Bartholomew’s murmur. They were a special unit, an elite force assembled by the kingdom to counter the Evil God’s revival. To them, even a Dragonslayer was still a child they ought to protect.
They felt a deep sense of shame sending a child to the battlefield.
Hadn’t they become knights to prevent such situations, to protect children, and by extension, to protect the kingdom…?
“Let’s go. The enemy is the Four Heavenly Kings of the Evil God.”
“””””Yes, sir!”””””
They set out. To protect the kingdom. Aiming for a future where children could live and laugh.
◇
“Haruto-kun! Look at that!”
“Whoa, whoa. Seriously? It really happened just like Dee said.”
Ignoring the people frightened by the total solar eclipse, Reinhardt sounded somewhat pleased.
“No way, really…”
“What’s with Henkyouhaku-sama…”
“See? Didn’t I tell you? Dee is amazing!”
Reinhardt flashed a smile at his companions, who harbored feelings of awe towards Dietfried.
However, that smile transformed into a challenging one in the next moment.
“But we’re the ones who’ll defeat the Evil God! Let’s go!”
“Ah! Haruto-kun!?”
“Honestly, once he says something, he doesn’t listen…”
“Now, now, everyone, let’s go too. We’ll be late, you know?”
Reinhardt and his party, ‘Hekireki (Thunderclap)’, also departed the Royal Capital. Though young, they were brimming with firm confidence.
◇
So it’s finally here, huh…
I watched the sun being devoured from the office of the increasingly noisy residence. In my previous life, it was a rare celestial show that would draw spectators, but for the people of this country, it seemed to be an abnormal event.
“Onii-sama! The sun!”
“Mm. Dark.”
“Cornelia, Lily.”
Cornelia and Lily came tumbling into the office.
“It’s starting, isn’t it…?”
“Yeah, go get ready to leave.”
“Yes!”
“Mm.”
As I watched Cornelia and Lily leave the office with a wry smile, Klaus opened his mouth, his face etched with worry.
“Danna-sama…”
“Don’t worry, Klaus. More importantly, I’m counting on you to look after the residence.”
“Understood… Um, will the Baumgarten Territory be alright?”
“It’ll be fine. We just have to believe it will.”
“Yes…”
I’m worried about the Baumgarten Territory too. But, to save the Baumgarten Territory, I have to defeat the Evil God quickly!
“Well then, I’m off.”
“Please take care.”
◇
“It has begun, hasn’t it…”
Cassandra looked up at the sun being encroached upon by blackness from the office of the Baumgarten Residence, which had become a fortress.
“Oku-sama, the people of the territory are gathering one after another. I believe it is time.”
“Thank you, Old Man. I shall go.”
Cassandra stepped out onto the balcony and looked down at the people of the territory gathered in the courtyard.
The faces of the people looked anxious. Their heads were bowed, and a dull, listless murmur dominated the air.
“Dee, lend me strength…”
Cassandra kissed the ring on her left hand once, then began to address the people.
“Everyone, good day. I am Cassandra Baumgarten.”
“It’s Botchan’s wife!”
“Oku-sama…”
“We must now make a most crucial decision. As my husband, Dietfried, spoke of, this time has finally come. We must rise up and fight.”
The crowd quietly looked up at Cassandra.
“Our enemy seeks to steal our future. We have no choice. We will fight.”
This is no ordinary war. The enemy are monsters, kin of the Evil God.
There is no concept of prisoners of war. It is a matter of life or death.
“In our hearts, we have courage, and in our souls, we have determination. We will fight to protect our Baumgarten Territory. For our comrades, for our families, and for future generations.”
The expressions on the faces of the people gradually began to change.
“We will cooperate, unite, and seize victory. We are never alone. Look beside you. The people of our beloved territory stand with us and will fight alongside us.”
The gathered crowd looked to their left and right. The frightened faces were no longer there.
“Now is the time to stand bravely and fight to protect our freedom! We will never yield, never falter! We will continue to fight until we achieve victory! For freedom, for justice, and for our future!”
“””””Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh!!!”””””