Vol 1 Chapter 7 (2/2)

He blocked a strike that would’ve sliced his head off, followed by two, three sharp blows. Then he yelled out again.

“Vileena, move!!”

The princess stared at him as if struck. Then, shaking off the soldiers who tried to catch up with her, she flew the airs.h.i.+p into the night sky. And, just like that, it melded into the dead of night and disappeared.

“If it’s come to this…” Ryucown said, baring his teeth as they crossed swords, “Should I just give the order to kill the princess along with the Mephian army?”

“What!?”

Orba’s breathing grew heavier. The black blood had been the main current in keeping up his strength, but it was about to run out. He didn’t know what to do, didn’t know if he could finish what he had started, and didn't know if he could do anything but watch as things were s.n.a.t.c.hed away from his hands just like always.

But, Orba had a sword – an embodiment for his boiling blood.

“Someone like you—”

“You b.l.o.o.d.y—!!”

Both their voices overlapped along with the ring of the blades. Although their views were different, with their hearts carrying the same emotions, they weren’t so unalike after all.

I won’t let you stop me!

Blocking Ryucown’s sword while adjusting his own footing, Orba moved to the left, to the right, lunging at his foe, but his blows were equally blocked.

Maybe I just need a little bit more strength. It’s all I have left…

If something was blocking his goal, be it lofty ideals, deities, dragon G.o.ds – Orba would likely challenge it with only a sword in hand.

But at this moment, Orba was falling back into his old habits. As soon as his opponent seemed to fall into the defensive, Orba used the chance to dive right into him. But, having been waiting for such an attack, Ryucown immediately turned to avoid a stabbing hit, and swung his sword at Orba.

It was just like Orba had seen it six years ago.

Immediately after sparks scattered into the air,

“Gahh…!”

There was the sound of a wail, along with a spray of blood.

Ryucown's blade was bounced off Orba’s quickly drawn sword. Ultimately, he was the one who took the invitation. Expecting to go for the kill, the rebel general had mustered all of his strength into this strike, completely losing his posture. Orba had blocked the counterattack by raising the flat of his blade before him.

Although, he still had to pay a price. A hole was drilled in the upper right part of his mask, creating a clean crack down to the middle.

“Splendid.”

Ryucown struggled to speak as he collapsed, face-up on the floor, coughing up blood.

“Until a few moments ago, I could see a nation of knights… but was this my limit? Tell me your name. I, Ryucown, won’t rest in peace if I’m defeated by a nameless man.”

“Orba.”

Other than Ryucown, none of the soldiers present could hear him say his name.

It was unclear whether it gave the man solace, for Ryucown could not utter another word as only a cough of blood escaped his lips before he closed his eyes. Orba only stared at him in silence.

The man who had slipped into the enemy camp with only a select few people and defeated the rebel Bateaux, now lost his life in the exact same way. The irony of these, later to be described as ‘Ryucown’s last moments’, would be the talk of ages to come.

“Milord!!”

“He killed Lord Ryucown! Don’t leave a single one of them alive!!”

The soldier’s fighting spirit was mixed with rage. The gladiators who’d also rushed into a hall formed a circle around Orba.

Just then, about a dozen s.h.i.+ps that had gone for an attack on the Mephian air corps came back for supplies. These soldiers realized what was going on, and they all pulled out swords and guns and surged onto the uppermost part of the fortress.

Breathing heavily, Orba thought,

Is this the end?

It was but a fleeting thought in the corner of his mind. During his two years as a gladiator fighting to the bitter end, there were multiple times when he’d thought the same thing. And each time…

I won’t let it end here!

Each time he had encouraged himself. And right now, with many swords pointed his way, and many guns aimed in his direction, Orba tightened the grip on his sword.

Slowly but steadily, Ryucown’s men closed in. Orba was tempted to step out of the encirclement, but the sword slaves silently stood with their weapons drawn, guarding him. Either side had the relentless urge to kill, and they were ready to turn into colourless bullets charging toward each other, clas.h.i.+ng into one another, and exploding when...

In that instant, they could hear a battle cry was.h.i.+ng over like a tsunami wave. Visible from the uppermost balcony, an army surged towards them on the outstretched plains like wildfire.

Ryucown’s men clenched their teeth, feeling despair, and what would have been a grim decision. They were still prepared for death, willing to fight until the last man standing. And at the very least they wanted to take revenge on the person standing before them who had killed their general, Ryucown.

But now, the Mephian army was approaching them.

“Ah…!”

Suddenly, one of the soldiers cried out with the excitement of a child. Illuminated by a line of fire, fluttering through the night sky, was the symbol of their birthplace, where they wished to one day return with heads held high, and of the nation that they had heartbrokenly cut off from – the Garberan flag.

They looked up in astonishment, several seconds after hearing the sound of a unique airs.h.i.+p.

“It’s over…! It’s all over!!”

Just like when it had taken off before, she nimbly jumped from the airs.h.i.+p and onto the balcony – Princess Vileena.

Part 3

What…?

Riding along on the airs.h.i.+p, the gladiator s.h.i.+que was sweating bullets, clenching his fists.

What kind of chick is this!?

The airs.h.i.+p Vileena flew, after departing from Zaim Fortress, only kept increasing in speed as it headed into the direction of the Garberan camp. Naturally, s.h.i.+que was taken by surprise, because he’d expected to go to the Mephian forces. He was a bit worried that she was considering whether or not to return to Garbera altogether.

Just as Ryucown had mentioned earlier, the Garberan camp was likely in the midst of total chaos. They had their hands full dealing with the traitors in their midst and also saw the fires breaking out among the Mephian army. It wasn’t such a strange thing that some of the soldiers had strong feelings of heading out and joining Ryucown’s cause instead.

Even worse, although needless to say, this was a battlefield.

After sunset, a lot of guns were pointed at any of the airs.h.i.+ps that might come flying towards them in the dark. Gunshots lashed out at them without asking for identification. Things were at a point where a man like s.h.i.+que was screaming while Vileena tilted the s.h.i.+p to the left and right. As the s.h.i.+p dropped in alt.i.tude there were finally some soldiers who recognized her and screamed “Princess!” and Vileena yelled at them from above.

“Go and attack Ryucown’s forces with the Mephians already!!” she ordered in a loud voice.

The moment the gunfire died out, it felt like time itself had stopped. In the distance behind Vileena, the fires of war continued to burn and their colours were reflected in the Garberan soldiers’ eyes. In that instant, s.h.i.+que saw realization run through them like a lightning bolt. Altogether, it seemed like they truly were knights lifting up their sword at the call of their liege.

“Isn’t Garbera a country of knights? Can you call yourself a knight if you cast aside your country’s promise and turn your blade against Mephius? How can you face our nation’s great ancestors!? Come! Follow me!!”

Surely, like a guidepost falling from the heavens, this was what these knights had needed.

With regret at having taken such a long time to get into position, the Garberan army made their a.s.sault. The military force was split into two. One side would go to the Mephians for cover, while the other would push forward to Zaim Fortress. They could easily circle around Ryucown’s army, whose main focus was attacking the Mephians, so it didn’t take long before Garbera’s main force stood before the fort’s gates.

“It’s all over!”

Vileena stepped forward on the upper part of the fortress among glittering swords and armour.

“General Ryucown has pointed his sword at me. I have, of course, no doubt that he loved his country and its people, but rather than Garbera or its knighthood, he came to love only a country of knights shaped to his own ideals. There’s no sense in continuing this battle.”

Surrounded by Garberan troops who were born in the same lands, having lost their leader, and being persuaded by their beloved princess, Ryucown’s forces had been completely robbed of their strength and purpose.

In fact, the fortress had already fallen. The soldiers cast aside their weapons and sank to the floor, tears flowing from their eyes as they mourned the fallen Ryucown.

It was a complete change from the savage battlefield, the fortress was full of tragic sobbing and weeping like in a funeral. Vileena looked around at the area when, walking around aimlessly, she tripped over her own feet.

“Princess!”

Gilliam, who was close by, quickly supported her.

Looking at her face, she was as white as wax, but it was only because her face was covered with a sheen of sweat, and her lips were a deep red.

“G-Gilliam, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d! Shouldn’t you let go of the princess already?”

“What’s gotten you so excited, s.h.i.+que? If I let go of her now, she’ll fall to the floor, won’t she?”

“Then, hand her over to me…”

“I-I’m fine. Thank you,” and embarra.s.sed Vileena said, letting go of Gilliam. “s.h.i.+que and Gilliam - isn’t it?”

“Y-Yes!”

“You’ve continued in excellence since Seirin Valley. You have saved not only my own fate,[1] but also that of both Mephius and Garbera. Representing the people of both nations, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

“No, I—” Gilliam said.

“He’s right, princess. There’s no need to give this man such heartwarming words. He’s just an unenlightened lout whose only satisfaction is wielding his axe about in battles and raids…”

“Y-You scheming dog! Listen princess, if it isn’t for love or kissing up to n.o.bles, or— arrghh, you probably don’t get any of this!”

Vileena smiled at the two who were beginning to cross words. Naturally, Vileena herself also suffered from many pains. However, as part of the Garberan royal family, she had to endure, especially if she wanted to accomplish anything after becoming the Empress of Mephius in the near future.

Then she spotted one other figure among the crowd who deserved special credit. The masked swordsman was already about to leave the grand hall. She rushed over to his retreating back.

“You are the one who defeated Ryucown, aren’t you? That’s amazing. Since you called yourself a gladiator, does that mean you’re also part of the prince’s personal guard?”

“Yes…”

“Thanks to you I was shaken from my doubts. I thank you for that.”

Vileena meant every single word. That time after she had boarded the airs.h.i.+p and been unable to fly away at first, she was still torn between two countries and unable to choose.

Because of those words.

She was weak. She had felt like she was leaving Ryucown’s soldiers and this man’s companions to die.

But because of that…

She had to become stronger. The foundation of royalty was to become such a person that everyone in the nation could discover the same virtues. That was the duty of those privileged ones. Wasn’t that something her grandfather, Jeorg, would have said?

The swordsman arrogantly turned his head halfway to look at Vileena. His eyes were visible through the holes and crack in the mask, and for a moment Vileena thought they resembled someone else’s.

Coming out of the fortress alone, Orba walked through the battle-scarred plains. Even though it was the dead of night, there were fires and braziers here and there, and he had no difficulties navigating through the fields without a lantern.

There was the constant clattering of armour as he pa.s.sed by many Mephian soldiers. Their faces were full of excitement and enthusiasm, and they were probably planning on plundering the fortress. For the moment, the Garberan forces had set up camp outside the gates, but didn’t approach any further. As expected, there was still some mistrust. Not only because a part of the Garberan forces had turned traitor and attacked the Mephians, but also because the ringleader of this rebellion, Ryucown, had been defeated by Mephius.

Orba, however, didn’t think it was worth worrying about.

The heightened emotions of battle had already left him, and now only exhaustion, pain, and despondence remained.

Who have I fought for? And as who have I fought?

It looked like Ryucown had been prepared for his death. Not just when he’d been defeated, but from the moment they met each other, death had been visible in his eyes. Although it was hard to tell how far he would’ve gone to earnestly reform Garbera, there was no way that his name wouldn’t be remembered by its people. For now, it looked like the flames of rebellion were extinguished, but Ryucown’s name would likely keep smouldering in the hearts of men.

A mirage.

Beyond the quivering s.h.i.+mmers of hot air, there was a vivid illusion. It was a memory from Orba’s childhood days, and yet, hadn’t Ryucown kept following his dreams like that until the final end? Instead, having been tossed about by fate, Orba had gradually cast aside such sentimentality as a young boy.

But Ryucown had been different.

Even if he could just take a little bit of that mirage into his own hands, he’d sincerely believed that he had to succeed, fight, or die.

And if he asked himself if that was kind of man he wanted to become, the only answer was to take the challenge head-on and with confidence.

“Hey you! Are you from the prince’s personal guard?”

Orba widened his eyes in surprise. Oubary was walking up toward him. Like the commander of a victorious army, he walked with broad soldiers, accompanied to his left and right by two soldiers carrying a sword and gun.

“Yes,” Orba replied curtly, stopping in his tracks.

Oubary bitterly twisted his lips.

“That we borrowed strength form the likes of sword-slaves to gain victory will put shame on Mephius’s military. Eventually, the prince will have to defend himself before his father.”

He was about to leave after grumbling his complaint, but Orba called out after him.

“General,” he said.

“What?”

Oubary turned around, putting on an air of importance, but Orba looked down and said nothing. He wasn’t able to say anything. He hadn’t even imagined he’d challenge him in the first place.

“I asked you something.”

If I do it now…

He was almost alone. Looking at the men at his left and right, they didn’t make much of an impression.

If I do it now… then maybe…

“c.o.c.ky b.a.s.t.a.r.d!” Oubary said, irritated, as he took a step forward.

“No. It’s just that there are still some enemies left. Please be careful.”

“Hmph.”

Oubary gave a sneer. Then, he spat on the ground and turned his back.

“Don’t get carried away, slave. A dog that doesn’t listen to his master has nowhere to go.”

Once again raising his shoulders, he headed off in the direction of the fort. For a long time, Orba stared at his back until it disappeared inside the fort. Then he made sure he headed off in his original direction.

Not right now.

He clutched his sword tightly and then let go again. At the moment, he was just the ordinary gladiator Orba and could only strike under the cover of darkness. Even if he successfully ended Oubary’s life right now, he would have no place to return to.

When he flung off his mask and became ‘Prince Gil’, he would most likely have better alternatives than Orba the sword-slave.

The next one to call out to him was Fedom. Taking heed of the neighbouring soldiers, he approached with a smile as if to congratulate him on his victory.

“I hope you’re satisfied?” he whispered venomously.

“What do you mean?”

“Playing as an actual soldier, on an actual airs.h.i.+p, in an actual war - are you satisfied? Then it’s enough. I won’t allow you to do any more.”

Enough, no more - how many times had Fedom told him those words? Thinking about it, Orba suddenly smiled.

“What’s so funny? Listen, you’re not yet finished with your duties. The prince will continue to be in danger until the wedding with the princess is complete. I can’t have you go to the capital on your own. I’m going to have you monitored with armed soldiers every single day.”

Although he was smiling on the outside, he whispered his threats filled with poison. Orba thought the guy was quite talented to be able to do that.

“There are many more people who know the prince than there are in Birac. You have to be at your most careful. If you’re exposed - they’ll immediately cut off your head.”

Oh?

There was something amiss with those words.

I see… it’s just as I thought…

He had his doubts up until now. However, now he was convinced.

There was n.o.body else who knew that Orba was acting as the prince’s body double. At least not among the people governing the state. He didn’t know the reason for it, but it was most likely so that Fedom could eventually pull Mephius by the strings. Aside from that, there were several other things...o...b.. could think of.

However, he didn’t show his sudden realization on his face. He just nodded in response.

Orba went back to the flags.h.i.+p after that, headed back to his room to switch armour with the ‘prince’s body double’ Kain, and went up to the deck as the prince. There were many people gathered together calling out the prince’s name, raising jubilant voices and waving their hands in joy.

There, he mingled with Gowen and s.h.i.+que. They were all pleased to see the others safe, and he walked in the direction of the other gladiators.

“Ryucown even tried to take the princess’s hand,” s.h.i.+que said along the way. “But wasn’t it Ryucown who’d planned the a.s.sa.s.sination at Seirin Valley in the first place?”

“He had announced that he was the one who attacked Mephius,” Gowen said. “But it’s not unreasonable to think that delegates from other countries tried to murder the princess. Still, it’s quite a mystery.”

“No.”

When Orba spoke, both looked at the ‘prince’. Maybe he was getting used to it, or maybe some kind of talent was beginning to sprout within, but every time the soldiers cheered when they glanced his way, he felt a sense of pride inside of him he’d never felt before.

“I’ve also thought about it a lot. But who would have profited the most if Prince Gil and Princess Vileena both died back then?”

“Well, who?”

“That’s…”

The white moon glittered in the darkness of the night.

Orba touched the sword at his lower waist, which was different than the one he usually carried. It was the shortsword he’d taken back from Ryucown. The blade was glittering as if it was still new, and it had been engraved with Orba’s name.

References and Translation Notes

Jump up↑ In this sentence, the word for life and fate (命) is the same.

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