“…It seems like the enemy nobles are arguing about something. The atmosphere is so tense it looks like they might start fighting.”
Boreas, standing atop the city walls, observed the enemy camp and relayed this information to Frederick.
As a lion-man, Boreas possessed superior eyesight compared to ordinary humans, allowing him to discern the expressions of those in the enemy camp. After hearing his report, Frederick responded.
“I see… Good work. You can step down and rest now.”
After dismissing Boreas, Frederick turned to Yuri, who was standing nearby.
“It seems they’re quarreling over who will be the next commander. Even though they’re from a different country, nobles are all the same when it comes to stubborn pride. It’ll take them a while to reach an agreement.”
“Until then, the enemy likely won’t attack. They’ll probably want to come up with a countermeasure for our golems as well.”
Yuri nodded in agreement as he replied.
The enemy forces had swelled in number after several units merged, which also meant there were multiple noble commanders among them. With the death of the core unit’s commander in yesterday’s battle, it was inevitable that conflicts would arise over who would take the lead.
It would take some time for them to settle their differences. This was the time that Zinoze had bought with his life.
“…How is Lord Noein doing?”
“He still seems downcast. The death of his subordinate due to his orders must have hit him hard.”
“I see… It’s a path every commander must walk, and while it’s unavoidable, he needs to recover as quickly as possible.”
“I’ll go check on him for a bit.”
“Please do.”
Yuri descended from the city walls and headed toward the headquarters building. As he did, someone called out to him.
“Captain Yuri, do you have a moment?”
“You are… Zinoze’s son, right?”
“Yes, my name is Kenoze… I was wondering if I could meet with Lord Alquist. It seems he’s been deeply affected by my father’s death.”
“…I see. Very well. Come with me.”
……
Noein was sitting silently on his bed in his room within the fortress headquarters. Beside him, Mathilda sat quietly, offering her silent support.
Since the end of yesterday’s battle, Noein had been in this state. Though Mathilda had urged him to sleep and eat at least the bare minimum.
“…I thought I was prepared.”
Noein muttered softly.
“I don’t want any of my people to die, but I’m not so naive as to think that’s always possible. I knew there would be times when I’d have to fight to protect my territory and country, and I understood that there would be moments when I’d have to send my subordinates into danger.”
As he spoke, Noein clenched his fists. If not for his plan, Zinoze wouldn’t have died. He wasn’t yet one of Noein’s people, but after the war, he was supposed to live peacefully in Alquist territory. That would never happen now.
“But when I actually saw the sacrifice with my own eyes… I fell apart. I’m weak. Can I really make my people happy, and myself happy, when I’m like this?”
“…Lord Noein.”
Mathilda called out to him, but no other words came to her. All she could do was stay by his side and hold his hand.
Then, a knock sounded at the door.
“Lord Noein, it’s me.”
“…Yuri? Come in.”
As Noein responded, he looked up to see Yuri enter—and then stiffened when he saw the person following behind.
“Kenoze…”
Noein thought he might be blamed. But Kenoze, with a calm expression, sat down on the floor in front of him.
“Lord Alquist, you seemed unwell yesterday, so I couldn’t tell you then… but I wanted you to know the words my father spoke at the end.”
Even as Kenoze spoke, Noein remained frozen. Kenoze continued.
“During the retreat, my father turned to me and said, ‘Live happily under His Lordship.’ At the time, I didn’t understand why he was saying that, but when I returned and saw the arrow in his back, I realized it was his final wish.”
With that, Kenoze bowed deeply to Noein, his forehead nearly touching the floor.
“Lord Alquist. Thank you so much for giving us, and my father, hope.”
At those words, Noein’s expression wavered.
“We beastmen have been oppressed for as long as I can remember, even before the war began. But now, we have hope. My father felt that hope as he passed away. You gave him a meaningful end—one where he could die protecting the hope of his people and his son. Thank you.”
After finishing, Kenoze stood up, bowed once more to Noein, and left the room.
The door closed, and silence filled the room for a moment.
Eventually, Yuri spoke.
“…When I was a mercenary, I was devastated the first time I lost a subordinate. So I think I understand how you feel. I know how much you want to avoid losing any of your people. You probably already thought of Zinoze as one of them.”
Yuri spoke calmly and quietly.
“This is just my personal opinion, but… I think what you, as a lord, are protecting is the hope of your people.”
At those words, Noein, who had been looking down, raised his head.
“You’re doing well as a lord. But this world is one where bandits, monsters, and wars exist. Sometimes, battles and deaths are unavoidable. I think you already know that.”
Yuri, who had been standing with his arms crossed, plopped down into a chair and continued.
“…Trying to protect everyone who believes in and follows you, to keep every single one of them alive—that’s impossible, even for a god.”
Noein gave a faint, bitter smile and nodded.
Even the most devout followers of the Milion Holy Church sometimes die without divine protection. If even a god can’t achieve such a thing, how could a human like Noein?
“In this world, the one thing you can guarantee to all your people is hope. Homes, land, weapons to protect them, industry, education—they all connect to the hope of living.”
Hearing this, Noein’s expression became thoughtful.
“If you work hard, you can eat. You can earn money. You can start a family and have children. With enough effort, you can increase your wealth and rise in status. In Alquist territory, there’s hope for all of that, regardless of race, origin, or status. That’s why we follow you.”
Yuri looked straight at Noein as he spoke.
“Even if we die, we won’t think, ‘My life was hopeless.’ We’ll think, ‘My life was full of hope.’ That’s why we can keep moving forward, why I and the soldiers can fight here. From what Kenoze said, Zinoze died with hope in his heart.”
Yuri’s words sank deeply into Noein’s chest.
“Life and death are matters of fate. People can die suddenly, today or tomorrow, and there’s nothing we can do about it. But at least your people have hope. In a world where most live and die in despair, that’s an incredible luxury. You’re giving that luxury to your people.”
The expression on Noein’s face, which had been dark just moments ago, began to change.
“So… ah, I’m not saying this well. Anyway, as long as you give your people hope, even if we die, we’ll feel that our lives were happy. You’re the best lord I know. Don’t hate yourself. That’s all.”
“…It’s okay, I understand. Thank you.”
Noein smiled as Yuri, scratching his head, clumsily wrapped up his speech.
“Good… The enemy probably won’t attack for a day or two, but we need your strength to fight with hope. Your ingenuity, the power of the golems. So come out when you’re ready.”
“Understood. I think I’ll be able to come out soon.”
As Noein replied, Yuri nodded and left the room. Only Noein and Mathilda remained.
Noein turned to Mathilda. His eyes had regained their strength.
“Mathilda, thank you for staying by my side while I was down.”
“I was only doing what I should… Being by your side is my duty and my joy. I exist to support you in living a happy life.”
Mathilda affirmed everything about Noein, offering him absolute love and loyalty. This fact, which had become second nature, now felt like the most comforting support to Noein.
“…Thank you, Mathilda.”
Noein stood up from the bed.
“I think I understand what I need to do now.”
No matter how much he cherished his people, there would be times when he couldn’t prevent their deaths. There would even be moments when his decisions would lead to their sacrifice. But would wallowing in guilt and turning away from the battle before him bring happiness to the rest of his people? No.
If he had the time to dwell on such things, he should be thinking and acting for the sake of those who were still alive and those who would become his people in the future. He needed to give them hope, to let them live with it, and if death was unavoidable, to let them die with it.
To live happily himself. To love his people and strive for their happiness, even in death. To build an environment where they could thrive, to work with allies outside his territory for mutual prosperity, to contribute to the peace of the nation, and to defeat his enemies.
That was what Noein Alquist needed to do. To grasp happiness in this world meant exactly that. If he lost sight of this, he would lose the happiness of his people, their respect and love, and eventually, his own happiness. That was something Noein could not allow.
“…Let’s go back to everyone, Mathilda.”
“Yes, Lord Noein.”
With Mathilda by his side, Noein left the room.
