Chapter 26

The Black Knights lined up behind him – from the 1st Unit all the way to the 41st.

Every single member of the Special Forces had arrived in the capital.

Just their formation radiated intimidation.

Less than two hundred soldiers in total, yet they were the elite of the Imperial Army. Every last one of them was worth a hundred ordinary men.

"You'd better listen to anything Marjelo says, no matter who delivers the message. If you're ignoring her just because she's someone else's child, I won't stand for it."

The Special Forces Captain had issued that warning to the Company Commander.

"I heard about you from Marjelo on the way here, Trainee."

I snapped into a salute. I'd lost count of how many times I'd saluted today.

The Captain gestured with his eyes toward Light. It was clearly a signal for me to mount up.

I scrambled onto Light, catching the hint.

"You're the bait. Use that spear to knock the monsters down. Make yourself the most annoying target they've ever seen."

"Understood."

"Ten minutes. If you can buy us just ten minutes, that's enough. After that, we – the Special Forces – will take over your role."

"Yes, sir."

"The moment the civilians who've taken shelter underground are all back on the surface, the countdown starts. Right after that, ten minutes. I'm counting on you."

"I won't fail."

"Good. If you succeed, apply for the Special Forces."

He let out a light laugh.

Rumor had it that when dealing with soldiers off-duty, the man was kinder than anyone. He just didn't know the rumor himself.

"No – even if you fail, apply. This is the first time I've seen Marjelo trust someone she barely knows."

He said it as if Marjelo were some stray cat.

"Thank you, sir."

"Most importantly, make sure you survive. Though something tells me this isn't where our paths end. I've got a feeling this was a fated meeting."

"Do you believe in superstitions?"

"I happen to read the clouds for fortune."

"Captain. Clouds have no power to determine luck. Clouds are–"

"I know what clouds are, all right..."

He laughed even harder.

"You two are exactly alike."

I had no idea what he meant by that.

"Give that trainee a full load of spears."

With that order, the Special Forces Captain departed.

Citizens, guarded by the Imperial Army, began their evacuation route.

Meanwhile, I stayed behind alone, looking up at the sky.

The winged monsters were still flying around, oblivious to their fate.

Countless spears stood by my side, driven point-first into the ground. I'd arranged them so I could pluck one out and throw it without missing a beat.

"Light. Farther back."

I gestured to the creature, and he retreated a few steps.

The rain kept coming.

Ten minutes ahead.

I remembered the humiliation back in the training camp's rear hills—those goblins ignoring me after I took an arrow, gunning for Kinzo instead. That disgrace wasn't happening again.

They had to see me as the primary target.

Even more than Marjelo.

Me.

I grabbed one of the spears, closed my eyes, and focused.

I hurled it straight at a winged monster that was barreling toward the Imperial Army. The spear flew true, punching through its chest. It dropped like a waterlogged insect.

Next.

"Over here..."

Another.

I kept throwing, relentless.

By the time I'd shot down over a dozen of them, they finally banked and came straight at me.

I scooped up the remaining spears and shouted, "Light!"

He galloped over at the signal. I vaulted onto his back with practiced ease.

The winged monsters swooped low, and from the claws dangling beneath them, they dropped their cargo—orcs and goblins.

I counted them off in my head. One, two, three...

Forget it. Counting only made the numbers worse.

I chose to charge straight through.

Guiding Light, I swung my spear.

*

"We lost the capital, but at least we got all the refugees out. No casualties in the Special Forces either. I guess that's only natural since we arrived late. Shameful, really. But what could we do? The whole force was pinned down on the defense line, and they hit us from the air—a complete blindside... Still, looking at the results, I'd call the operation a success. Except for one thing. There's a problem..."

"You're talking to yourself more often, Captain Simena. Higher frequency and longer monologues."

"That trainee. The one Marjelo vouched for."

"Ah. Yes."

"We left out the most important part."

"The most important part?"

"I never caught his name... With everything going on, I completely forgot to ask. And I even told him to join the Special Forces!"

"It's nothing important..."

"Nothing? Do you really think that? I thought you were pretty interested in him."

"Not particularly. Remembering names is a hassle."

"Marjelo, come on..."

She recalled the earlier conversation.

— We're losing the capital, but that doesn't mean we're giving up. We have to hold as much as we can. Trainee, we're going to re-establish the defense line right after the retreat. This time we'll prepare for air attacks too. We need to protect every inch of our territory.

— I agree. There's no other choice.

Mago hadn't noticed she meant to include him in "our" Special Forces.

— Why no other choice?

— Because I need to push up the day I leave for Akuella by at least a second, even if that means defending every millimeter of this land.

"Akuella..."

"Huh? Marjelo, what about Akuella?"

"Nothing."

"I have to remember that trainee's name... Did he ever tell me? That brat, a mere trainee, couldn't even state his name and rank properly. What a pain..."

"So you're blaming everyone else again."

"That's how I survive as the Special Forces Captain without losing my mind. If I took all the blame, I'd crack."

"White Hair is noticeable, but that trainee could have suddenly changed his mind and left the service. If that happened, we really might never track him down without knowing his name."

"Marjelo, you wouldn't... No, even if you heard it, you wouldn't remember."

"Mago."

"Huh?"

"That's the trainee's name. Mago."

"You knew all along...?"

"I never said I didn't."

"Good job, Marjelo! You're the best!"

"He doesn't seem to have a surname. But who cares? Whether he was a slave, disowned his family, or changed his gender."

"That last one sounds a bit off."

"But he's undeniably strong. That's enough. The Special Forces needs that trainee – Mago."

"His spear-throwing power was incredible. Oh, that's right, Marjelo. He stole your nickname. Walking Cannon."

*

The wall-mounted cannons roared in rapid succession.

White uniforms with golden lions.

The Imperial Knight Order was firing at the monsters with cannon fire.

They had helped establish the defense line.

"I read the report."

Inside the city.

The Knight Commander dropped a stack of papers onto the desk.

"But there's one strange thing."

"One thing, you say...?"

"I'm sick of hearing about the capital. And I've heard about that 66th Class trainee. His name's in your report too, isn't it?"

"Yes, that's correct. I met that trainee when the Head Instructor of the First Training Center asked me to visit the grounds."

"Did you ask him to join the Knight Order?"

"I did. But..."

"But?"

"He insisted on the Special Forces. I had no choice but to let him go."

"Hmm. I see. What exactly did you discuss with that trainee?"

"Trainee Mago showed talent in Detection Magic, so I offered to instruct him..."

Before he could finish, the Knight Commander's hand cracked across his face.

The sharp slap echoed through the room.

A moment of silence.

Then the Commander swung twice more.

Each time the knight was knocked to his knees, he forced himself back to attention.

"So you knew."

"Yes... I did."

"You knew his abilities, heard he applied to the Special Forces, and just gave up. Is that right?"

"...

I'm sorry."

"If His Majesty the Emperor ever hears about that damned trainee, how do you intend to take responsibility? Will you tell him the same thing? That you simply let him go because he wanted the Special Forces?"

"No. I apologize. I will make it right."

There was nothing else to say.

"He's still a trainee. This is your last chance. Go find him now. Bring him back even if you have to get on your knees. If you fail..."

The knight swallowed dryly and lowered his head.

"You will return the Golden Lion emblem."

*

"What do you think you're doing?"

It was the Imperial Knight I'd met before.

The one the Head Instructor had called for.

"Trainee Mago. Please, reconsider. I was wrong back then. I truly apologize, so..."

We were arguing in the hallway.

"I hold no grudge. Please just go back."

"No, no. Not until you forgive me..."

He stammered, then lowered himself.

He was about to kneel.

"There's no need for that. You're too late anyway."

I opened the door.

The instructor's office.

A man sat there with his legs crossed, slouching in a chair.

"Oh, hey there. White Hair, what brings you here? Here to apply for the First Training Center's 67th class?"

The Special Forces Captain waved his hand playfully.

"M-Mago Trainee. If the Crow is here, that means..."

The Imperial Knight Order and the Special Forces had a habit of belittling each other.

But given the situation, the Knight had effectively knelt before the Special Forces Captain.

"It's just as you suspected. Well, then."

I gave a final salute and stepped inside.

After closing the door, I sat across from the Captain. He cleared his throat and spoke.

"Mago. If we're continuing where we left off, fine. I'll grant your request."

"Really?"

"Yes. This 66th Class is a special case anyway. I'll proceed with a special selection. I am the Captain, after all – it's my call. But."

He raised his index finger as if to make a point.

"If what you're saying is true."

"Bell Red and Amon Coster definitely performed well. Bell cut down the Orc Chieftain, and Amon led fifty men to..."

"I know. I know, but those two aren't who I want to talk about."

"What do you mean?"

"The ones I'm most interested in among your peers are the other two. Kinzo Shua and Oscar Sitta."

"Ah, I figured..."

"Especially Kinzo Shua's Clairvoyance Magic. We absolutely need it – it could be the key to bringing down the moving Demon King's Castle."

"Then Oscar is for technical skills?"

"Exactly. The Special Forces is short on technicians. The Empire's military as a whole is lagging behind the Demon King Army in science – we can't even build moving fortresses. Mago, how skilled is Oscar Sitta from what you've seen?"

"I heard he ran a blacksmith in his hometown. Not as an employee – as the owner."

"All the 66th Class are teenagers, aren't they? That's impressive. See? I've got an eye for talent."

The Captain shrugged his shoulders.

"But Oscar isn't hoping to join the Special Forces."

"Then is he heading for the White Hairs?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Reason?"

"He wants to stay in the rear, from what I know."

"Exactly the type I can't stand."

The Captain leaned his head back and sighed.

"Still, we need him. The Knight Order has guns and cannons, while we rely on hand-to-hand combat. It would be great if we could share resources, but that's not how it works."

I nodded slowly.

"Alright, that's enough. I promise you I'll select the peers you mentioned. I swear it on the name of Simena Extin, Special Forces Captain."

"Thank you so much."

"Mago, you're on leave starting today, right?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"Good. Get some proper rest."

He rose, lifting his hand from my shoulder.

"Next time we meet, I want to see you in a black uniform. I have high expectations for you – even higher than for the peers you mentioned."