The queen’s heart was conflicted. She felt joy that the problem which had long tormented her nation was resolved, and that her people would be saved. At the same time, she felt unease at the aggressive acts of invasion by the neighboring country that now threatened to shatter their peace, and at the prospect of declaring war in retaliation. The queen waited in the audience chamber for her guest As joy and unease swirled within her chest. ‘We will dispatch forces.’ That was what the man she had begun to place her trust in, Seimu, had said. But at the same time, she knew very well that even powerful individuals had their limits. Because she held in her hand the group of powerful individuals known as the Thirteen Knights. Her thoughts were shaken. The conference room was the same as in the morning. The only difference was that now it was just the Queen and Kokuri-san present. I assumed that Kres-san and Shuris-san would also be here, but it seems they decided this might turn into a confidential discussion. Only the minimum number of people were allowed to remain. “It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Shilent, affiliated with the Adventurer Guild. Also…I suppose you could say I was one of the earliest members of the brigade.” (Shizuma) It was an organization without substance. Yet, thanks to the presence of Seimu, Shire, and other characters, that illusion had begun to take on a sense of reality. ‘A group composed of unfathomable powerhouses’…that was the recognition it was starting to gain. “So you are Shilent. An adventurer who, in less than two days, rose to the rank of Sapphire and solved the matter of the modified demonic beasts, which may have been tied to this invasion.” “That’s right. All of it most likely connects back to that.” (Shizuma) “…Hmm. You as well, huh. I sense a strange presence from you. And…a presence far removed from peace.” (Kokuri) Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩·𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢·𝔫𝔢𝔱 The moment Kokuri-san looked at me, she gave that evaluation. She must have sensed some strange presence from me. Perhaps, through a pseudo-[Appraisal Eye]-like power, she felt that I was not just some ordinary individual. “Most likely. But Seimu judged that what I carry is necessary right now. That’s why I was dispatched here. More than anything…he knows that ‘I possess the means to end this war in the shortest time possible.’” (Shizuma) Yes. It is Shilent alone who holds the trump card to end this war as quickly as possible. “You said you could end it in the shortest time possible. Is that truly something you can do?” “…Queen, answer me. ‘How many days do you want?’” (Shizuma) Arrogant, overbearing, and…bold. As a mercenary, my instincts detected the presence of a “third party” in this room. “You said so before, didn’t you? If I put my mind to it, I could topple an entire nation. Come out, Lemia.” (Shizuma) I called out to the presence of the other person in the room. And then, at the long table…at a seat that should have been empty…Lemia suddenly appeared, already sitting there. A concealment spell, perhaps…? “Well done. I couldn’t possibly refuse to attend as well, since Shilent-sama was to be present.” (Lemia) “I see. But from what I heard, weren’t you supposed to be departing from here?” (Shizuma) “Yes. Right after this meeting ends.” (Lemia) She most likely had her own duties to fulfill in the shadows. Whether it was information warfare, which could be called the prelude to war, or simply acting as a messenger, I couldn’t be sure. “Then I’ll ask again. ‘How many days do you want?’” (Shizuma) “…Shilent, I don’t quite understand the intent behind your question.” “Is that so? Then let me rephrase. ‘In how many days do you want the war to be over?’” (Shizuma) Everyone present, Kokuri-san included, gasped at my words. “This is no bluff. If you so wish, I can bring down that nation even before they declare war. So I’ll ask again: ‘How many days do you want?’” (Shizuma) It is possible. Because if it is Shilent alone, then it is possible. “One day at the shortest. In one day, I have the means prepared to completely destroy that nation’s core and render it unable to function.” (Shizuma) “That’s impossible. Just traveling alone takes more than a week. Of course, there are exceptions, but…” “Yes. In my case, I could reach the city of Golda in four days at the earliest. But conquering a nation is beyond me. Shilent-sama, how do you intend to bring down a nation?” (Lemia) Ordinarily, they were right. Travel alone made it clear that it was impossible to topple a country in a single day. But…I held a trump card. “…Don’t you find it strange? Within our brigade, Seimu is by no means the strongest. In fact, the gap between him and me is like heaven and earth. And yet, why…” (Shizuma) From my pocket, I pulled out “that” and revealed it. “Do you think that if he can conquer dungeons, I can’t?” (Shizuma) I revealed the Core of the natural dungeon at the northern edge of Golda. [Heart Core of Grimgram], which might even hold dominion over the Dreamhill Great Forest. “Do you know what this is? This is the Dungeon Core of the Dreamhill Great Forest, a natural dungeon in Golda territory. By using this, I can instantly transport myself to that dungeon. After that, it’s simple. Crush the nation’s leaders, render the nation unable to function. If necessary, I can slaughter their army to the last. How about it? This is my plan to end the war in a single day.” (Shizuma) If I wished, I could prevent the war from even starting. I could destroy a nation before it even had the chance to declare war. But that would likely be a method ‘they cannot choose, for the sake of appearances with other nations.’ That’s why I would move only after war was declared and battle had begun. “W-Wait. I cannot believe that Core is genuine.” (Kokuri) “Silence. Right now we are discussing war. The authenticity of the Core? If you imply I’m lying and attempting to deceive this country, then consider what that means. In wartime, suspicion is tantamount to suspecting you’re an enemy nation’s spy. Are you saying this country will oppose me?” (Shizuma) I crushed Kokuri-san’s doubts with killing intent. I didn’t want to waste time on such matters now. I wanted the Queen to choose…driven by madness and possibility. To command me: Destroy a nation. End the war in the shortest time possible. “…! I apologize. My tongue slipped.” (Kokuri) “No matter. I, too, am exhilarated by the prospect of war after so long. Decide, Queen. If you so wish, I will leap to that nation the very moment war is declared…and bring it down.” (Shizuma) “…That would be too great an achievement. What must I offer you in return? If ending the war in the shortest time possible is truly within reach, then the bloodshed saved would be immeasurable. My people, and the people of Golda as well, would suffer far less loss. What a blessing that would be.” …Indeed. It was clear that the best outcome would be for war to never happen. But turning back was no longer an option. The war could not be avoided. The option of not declaring war no longer existed. Not only the domestic nobles, but surely the people of the other continents were aware of the current situation. If the nation didn’t demonstrate a will to fight here, a second or third country like Golda could easily rise. Put simply, “once they look down on you, it’s over”…that’s true for both war and ruling. “My demand is this: grant me the Dreamhill Great Forest as my own territory, and give me complete authority over the life and death of Golda’s leadership.” (Shizuma) “What…! But that isn’t even a demand anymore, is it? It leaves everything to your discretion!” “True enough. The Core is already mine, and since I am the one to topple the nation, whether they live or die is entirely up to me. But formally, I will capture Golda’s leaders alive, hand them over to this country, and then…silently, without the world knowing…slaughter them all. I have my own objectives for taking part in this war. Having your cooperation in that is my condition for ending the war in the shortest time possible.” (Shizuma) I had to know. Why did they offer up the Silver Foxkin’s village as a sacrifice? It couldn’t have been mere convenience. Did someone grant Golda knowledge of dungeons and otherworldly summoning? And did that someone view Melt and the Silver Foxkins as an obstacle? I want to find that out in this war. More than anything, I needed to ask Melt whether she wanted to resolve it with her own hands. “If you accept my demands, I promise to bring the best outcome. But once war is declared, forces may already be moving…ones that have infiltrated this nation in advance. The enemy may already be preparing for battle. That’s why the timing of the declaration is crucial.” (Shizuma) “…Yes, you’re right. A completely bloodless resolution is unlikely… Our founding festival is always held together with the New Year’s festival. But I want the war concluded before then. Shilent, today is December 3rd. I will declare war on the 10th. Can you act then?” “I can. Why the 10th specifically?” (Shizuma) The 10th…it was neither too soon nor too late. Likely the time needed for some kind of preparation. “We will secretly rally adventurers belonging to Golda’s Adventurer Guild near the border. The old highway, the mountain range where we once dispatched adventurers to slay monsters…that’s where they’ll be sent. We cannot allow Golda’s citizens to spill blood needlessly. But in times of war, adventurers of that nation will be conscripted. Preventing that requires advance measures.” “I see. And at the same time, you’ll station many of our adventurers along the border. Once you learn I’ve toppled the nation, you plan to seize full control of the royal capital immediately.” (Shizuma) “As expected, your insight is keen… Shilent-sama, Golda may lack individuals like our Thirteen Knights, but they do possess abundant stockpiles, weaponry, and an overwhelming number of soldiers. Can you really suppress all that alone?” (Lemia) “Where is the man who fears an army of ants? Whether thousands or tens of thousands, I will crush and grind them to dust. Even if…an otherworld hero stands among them.” (Shizuma) I no longer intended to spare those two. I will kill them. And in a form that ensured “a complete conclusion.” “Then it’s decided. The 10th. Don’t forget our agreement, Queen. And be sure to properly deploy your army in preparation for battle. We never know whose eyes are watching.” (Shizuma) “Yes. By that day, I will have sent a letter to Golda, and notified the other nations as well. Naturally, we’ll also deploy our troops to the border.” “I see. So, Lemia, you’re infiltrating Golda for that purpose, aren’t you?” (Shizuma) “That’s correct.” (Lemia) “Good. Be careful.” (Shizuma) “! Thank you for your concern, Shilent-sama.” (Shizuma) So she would infiltrate Golda in four days…meaning she would already be there by the 7th. She would rally adventurers, and by the 10th, deliver the letter to Golda’s castle… But then…how would she get out afterward? “Lemia, how do you plan to escape Golda? Surely, during wartime preparations, even you would have trouble fleeing across the border.” (Shizuma) “It will be no problem. An old colleague of mine works at the Adventurer Guild there. The two of us will escape safely back to this country.” (Lemia) So there was still a skilled hand hidden within the guild. This nation’s depth is impressive indeed. “Then I’ll take my leave. I’m staying at Seimu’s house… Come find me there if needed.” (Shizuma) “Understood. Then…we entrust part of this nation’s future to you, Shilent.” “Strange, isn’t it? For you to rely on me despite this being our first meeting.” (Shizuma) “…I cannot doubt you. Not after what you’ve accomplished, and having already trusted Seimu’s word.” No doubt, much of this trust came from what Seimu had built up. …I will end this war. For the nation’s sake, yes. But above all…for my sake, and for Melt’s. I left the castle by the time the stars filled the sky completely, and slowly made my way home. The silent forest. Even in the darkness of night, I feel no fear when I am Shilent. That must be because Shilent’s memories and experiences were ingrained into this body and consciousness. …I recalled the game’s story. But only in the form of Shilent’s reminiscence. “…Well, no wonder I’m feeling so riled up.” (Shizuma) He fought to protect his homeland, but was defeated, and survived. He swore revenge, joined a mercenary troupe that fought the enemy nation, and fulfilled his vengeance. Then that mercenary troupe was annihilated in the next battlefield. By the hands of the knight order of the very nation they destroyed. Futility, and yet karmic retribution…that’s what he thought as he resigned himself to death. And still, he could not die. Because Shilent…the player…was the protagonist of the story. There was no happy ending prepared for him. And yet, he chose to keep fighting. The story of the [Mercenary/Warrior] ended there. It reached temporary completion as he began walking the path of a wandering warrior, seeking only battle. “…Then, maybe it’s fine if I add happiness beyond that on my own.” (Shizuma) The joy of fighting for a nation again. The ecstasy of going mad with blood on the battlefield. I shall provide you with a battlefield, and encounters, that can fill his loneliness and solitude. “…Or so I say.” (Shizuma) I kept walking down the forest road, alone, under the cold, glittering stars in the clear night sky. I see. This world’s New Year is already just around the corner. I want it to end with good tidings. “…Lemia. If you have business, come out.” (Shizuma) “…So you noticed after all. From here, I’ll be leaving the forest and heading north.” (Lemia) “So it seems.” (Shizuma) “…Please, stay safe.” (Lemia) With just that brief exchange, Lemia’s presence vanished at last. …How was it that Shilent could notice her? My conscious mind didn’t pick up on it, and yet the intuition of “she’s there” flashed across my mind. This must be a power born from Shilent’s feelings and experience. “Well then… I need to talk to Melt about many things.” (Shizuma) Surely, she too will be able to choose…the path of parting with her past, of settling things once and for all…