331: A Lost Homeland
If there was a God, He would not allow such a thing to happen.
That the devout would be trampled by the undead, an impure and unforgivable existence, as defined by their doctrine.
But the absence of God in this world could not be proven. It was the same as proving the existence of a devil. You couldn’t prove that something didn’t exist.
Perhaps there was a heaven and a hell after death, and a judgment would be passed. In that case—I would call myself the Lord of Disease, even in hell. If there were still people who would believe in me, even after I had fallen to hell, then I would lead my army again and fight.
I was not so ‘mature’ as to be able to accept such an arbitrary selection. If you were to judge by actions, then fine. But to be judged by birth, by race… what was I supposed to do?
Of course, I was the same. But I had no intention of letting my ‘own kind’ act as if they were the righteous ones.
“There is no god on this battlefield… huh?”
It was a calm afternoon, a peaceful afternoon, if it weren’t for the smell of blood and smoke in the air.
If you looked up at the sky, you could see the clouds being carried by the wind, against a blue sky.
If you looked down at the ground—ah, what a terrible sight.
Even now, a single soldier was falling from the fortress wall, leaving a trail of fresh blood.
A small fortress, like an ‘insurance policy,’ built in a forest to the west of the holy city of Etrantal.
The forest showed a friendly face in its shallow regions. The depths were not the domain of man. It was a land where magical beasts survived.
This fortress had probably been intended as a refuge, in case a large number of magical beasts were to appear, according to the wraith who had been a field operative.
Perhaps the mere existence of the fortress had been a source of comfort.
The flag of the Holy Kingdom, a white flag with a blue holy cross and wings, was pulled down from the fortress. As far as we knew, there were no more military bases beyond this point. We could probably leave it to the Barghests.
“…Um, Master.”
“Rebecca? —What is it?”
I turned to Rebecca, who had spoken with an uncharacteristically timid and frail voice.
“I know… that time is precious. But, um…”
As I waited for her to continue, she shook her head, her face weary.
“—No, I’m sorry, it was a momentary lapse. Forget it.”
I grabbed Rebecca’s arm as she was about to turn away.
“Rebecca. —That’s an ‘order.’ Tell me what’s on your mind.”
“This is… a personal matter…”
“It doesn’t matter. If it’s impossible, I’ll say so. And as a military, it’s more unsettling to have a commander with such a doubt in her mind. …And as a big sister, I can’t just ignore it.”
“Who are you calling a big sister…” Her words lacked their usual force. But she did smile, a wry smile.
Rebecca looked at the deep forest beyond the fallen fortress.
“…In this forest… was my country…”
—Her homeland.
The country where the last of the elves on this continent had lived.
“What… was its name?”
“…Ordregalia…”
Her expression, as she muttered the name, was for a moment, similar to the one she had worn when we had played at being sisters, in a young lady’s outfit and a cheerleader’s costume. The composure she had cultivated over four hundred years, her mature, serious face, her formal smile. And her sarcastic smile, and her eloquent, exasperated expression.
—A girl’s face, without any of those masks, a face that suited her apparent age.
“I don’t know… what has become of it. It’s not that deep in the forest. I just wanted to see it, for a moment. So, I… was hoping for permission to act alone…”
Her words were hesitant, unlike her usual, smooth, and logical way of speaking. And foolish.
“—Rebecca.” My voice turned hard.
“Do you really think I can permit you to act alone in enemy territory?”
“I know it’s selfish. I won’t cause any trouble. I’ll catch up right away—”
Thwack. I gave Rebecca a light chop on the forehead as she was about to continue. I hadn’t put any force into it, so it shouldn’t have hurt, but Rebecca held her forehead, her expression one of confusion.
“Let’s go together. The battle is over. We can’t make a forced march. Fortunately, the fortress is not badly damaged, so it will be a good place for the death knights to camp. …Let’s just the two of us go and see.”
“B-but, to go to such trouble.”
“…Rebecca, what would you think… if I wanted to go and see my own, now-lost homeland, in enemy territory… and I said I would go alone, because it was a little further ahead?”
“…You idiot, what do you think your position is… I suppose.”
“It was more harsh than I expected, but that’s about it. …You should rely on your big sister a little.”
“I’m the older one.”
“You were the youngest sister, weren’t you? I have more experience as a big sister.”
“Wait, no, that’s… maybe, but.” I placed a hand on her shoulder.
“I think of you as a reliable subordinate… and a friend. One who will go along with my charades.”
“So you’re aware it’s a charade. …I’m not… your sister?”
“If you’ll accept it, then that’s fine.”
“Hmm… well, if it’s just a charade, then it’s fine, but my sister… is gone.”
“Yes. I don’t think I can be a substitute. But… let me do something, for you. As a superior, as a friend, as a strange older sister from the neighborhood—think of me however you like.”
Rebecca placed her hand on mine, which was on her shoulder. A small, frail hand.
“…Yes.” Rebecca nodded, and the old, faded black ribbon on her tiara swayed.
