The Smell Of War
Afterwards. In the Bardyst Holy Kingdom, a large scale preparation for war took place. Talents, weapons, food, all kinds of provisions congregated in the Capital of Veybar, and they were unleashed at the superpower, Lestraun. The sounds of war were rapidly approaching, so rapidly that even the citizens could tell.
The one who stands at the forefront of the soldiers that exceed several tens of thousands is King Raizer. Hazen＝Heim, who watches over the progress of the war, which will take place in no time at all, from the Lagisteria Castle.
“At long last huh……”
Already, he has allocated his high-ranking disciples called the Four Saints to King Raizer’s side; he has done, whatever he can do. All that’s left is, to wait for good news.
“How do you think it will turn out?”
There was suddenly a noise, and when he turned around, Lioar was over there.
“……you’re the only one who can get this close to me, without letting me notice your presence”
He lets out an exclamation of admiration unconsciously.
“It is because I have no intention to harm you”
The youngster, too, answers honestly. One can say that if he has a slither of hostility, it’s impossible for this old man to not notice him.
“You don’t understand, how difficult that is”
The greatest Magician in history. Half a century has passed since he’s touted as such. It’s only human that amongst his disciples, on the other hand of those who possess an absolute yearning for him, there are those who want to replace him. Those who gave up on that and became obsessed with him, won’t eliminate their presence and get close to him in the first place.
“Lioar. Why, did you refuse this time’s request?”
“Huh? I did not receive any request in the first place though”
Mischievously, the youngster laughs.
“It’s useless to play dumb”
Hazen was certain, that he was not a man who could not see through, Lloyd’s petty tricks.
“……for one reason or another”
Behaving like his words are slightly caught in his throat, he chooses his words meticulously and answers.
“Fufu……it’s a pity. You really have no ambition”
The one who’s closest to Hazen’s position is, undoubtedly, this man. If he participated in this time’s war, it’d probably build the foundation for him as his successor. However, he has pretty much literally given up on that right and yielding it to the Four Saints.
“I had a bad feeling”
“A bad feeling?”
“A hunch that says I mustn’t participate in this battle”
“……impossible”
The Four Saint’s capabilities are tried-and-true. By putting them into fifty-fifty war, the victory is pretty much secured. Of course, the superpower Lestraun also has a bountiful of talents, but there shouldn’t be any Magician who possesses capabilities to the extent of their calibre.
However, at the same time, Hazen considers whether there’s the possibility of being set up by the Four Saints and getting killed instead. As well as the possibility of them getting killed in this war, all for the sake of getting a step ahead of the other disciples.
“Well, do not worry about it. It is merely a hunch……more importantly, it looks like King Raizer’s advances began”
“……”
A loud cheer from the masses reverberates. The horde leaves from the gate of the Capital of Veybar altogether. Hazen was gazing at the state of that, endlessly.
＊
Typically, there are many cases in which troops pillage the enemy’s villages, but it rarely ever occurs in villages that are their territories. However, King Raizer’s troops are, solely made up of people gathered in a short span of time. There are naturally crooks amongst them as well. The villages selected for the advancement route of such soldiers, naturally come to a tragic end.
And then, a completely ordinary village. Neither desolated, nor is it noisy. In the village that anybody would comment as such, there are flames. And then, agonising cries.
Soldiers who are happily, going around killing the villagers, and finding pleasure in it. Soldiers who violate women and bask in ecstasy. Soldiers who trespass the houses and fatten their own pockets. The commander on the scene was also someone who, allows such despicable acts for the sake of raising morale. Amidst all that, at a child who was confused about where to escape to, the blade of a crazed soldier was swung.
Zashuu.
Along with the sound of a slash, fresh blood spills. However, that splash scattered not from the child, but from the back of a young girl who appeared out of nowhere.
＜＜Display, The Existence Of Fire, To The Enemy＞＞ーーFlame Arrow(Fire・Emblem)
The gigantic flame that manifested from the girl’s palm, engulfed the man’s body.
“Gyaaaaaaaaaaah”
The man struggles in agony while screaming, but nobody pays any attention to that. There’s no way they’d think that there was a Magician in a village like this; it simply looked like the building’s fire spread to him.
“O……Onee-chan”
“Shh……you can’t let out your voice”
“But…….”
“Quiet……keep quiet. I’m sure……help will come”
The young girl already has no strength to stand up. She collapses right there, covering the child in a way that he doesn’t get discovered.
“……”
A day passed.
Asch＝Dahl, he visited this village. He makes his way, while gazing at the gruesome corpses.
“Hikku……hikku……”
Catching that sobbing voice, the Dark Magician moves closer while surveying the vicinity.
“……kku……hikku……”
Before long. He stands before a single corpse, and he stands there unmovingly for a while. A blood-soaked back. Silky sepia hair. One side of the pearl earrings she wore on her ears was, missing.
“……good grief, you. I said to『take good care of it』, didn’t I”
He mutters.
Asch, he carried the shoulders and legs of the young girl that had turned cold. The young boy who’s hiding in her, is just singlemindedly weeping with swollen eyes.
“Follow me. I know a store that makes delicious hot milk”
Without even glancing at the young boy, the Dark Magician walked off.
