The Great Plains.
Contrary to what one might expect from a na suggesting a barbaric wilderness, various factions were lurking in their respective territories at this location.
Ducal knights, leaders of conflict zones, nomads with their unique cultures, and heretics who believed in gods other than the orthodox ‘correct’ god.
Despite their different languages and origins, they shared common values and goals.
‘To resist the empire that has tyrannized for centuries.’
From the empire’s perspective, the term ‘tyranny’ seed peculiar.
The empire had invested considerable manpower and capital to hold the northern front, demonstrating ‘leniency’ by not using its vast military force and influence for aggression against other nations.
No such hegemonic nation had existed in the continent’s history spanning thousands of years. From the empire’s viewpoint, it must feel like a knife suddenly pointed at its back.
However, those wielding the knives had their reasons.
The empire, while championing the common value of humanity’s survival, also pushed a principle of intolerance against those who opposed it.
Only the imperial army could station near the borders.
Allied nations had to bear half of the defense budget expended by the empire.
And if independent intelligence detected any unsavory movents, the knights could be dispatched without the host nation’s consent.
Naturally, this was deed necessary by the empire.
The north was too vast for the empire to handle alone.
The neighboring countries’ security was poor.
And such insecurity provided a good breeding ground for heretics to gain power.
It would be beneficial if places like Lucerne or other allies understood these issues, but to the groups with poor relations with the empire, the empire’s tyranny only seed more threatening the more they considered it.
…This suspicion only intensified after the empire tightened its borders.
Boom-!
“…A beast that doesn’t earn its keep.”
Jero wiped the blood off his blade, looking at the fallen monster. For months, there had been reports that the empire was halfway giving up on the northern borders. Monsters he had never seen before were starting to appear in the great plains where he operated.
He belonged to the Southern Federation, a collection of small nations with poor relations with the empire. Therefore, he always disliked what the empire was up to, but contrary to the danger the empire emphasized, the giant black monkey he had just defeated was ‘easier’ to subdue than expected.
“The concentration of magical energy it emits is thick, but that’s all it amounts to. You don’t even need strong energy to thrust a sword into it, and although its size is threatening, its sluggish movents give you ti to think.”
“…Is that so?”
“From what I’ve experienced, the ogres native to the continent feel a bit more challenging. It makes wonder if all the beasts of the magical boundary are like this.”
“Dangerous thinking.”
“Yeah, unlike your princess, I haven’t even been near the magical boundary.”
Jero snorted, staring at the woman in black martial attire with cold black hair, Soy. She was the leader of the Silleya assassination squad.
“So, I wanted to have a conversation. Didn’t your princess agree to co out herself?”
“The elders of Silleya decided to exclude the princess from this matter.”
“I heard she’s quite aggressive, always looking for a place to swing her sword… It’s disappointing that such a warrior would miss this opportunity, as a fellow swordsman.”
“…”
“I wish you would tell the reason.”
“Don’t cross the line.”
Suddenly, a drawn sword was pointing at Jero. He chuckled and stepped back.
“They say not to ss with a woman with a sword, and indeed, old sayings aren’t wrong.”
“Didn’t I tell you not to cross the line?”
“A line… pulling a sword just for asking about your well-being is a barbarian’s line?”
“…”
“Just kidding.”
Thunk—Jero tapped his sheath, and the troops surrounding Soy backed off. They retreated several tens of ters before Soy also sheathed her sword.
Jero stroked his cut beard and spoke.
“Our people are quite sensitive. It’s not that we’re disregarding you, but it’s problematic that your representative disappeared without prior notice.”
“…I apologize for not notifying you in advance.”
“That’s right. After all, we’ve only been acknowledging each other’s existence for years. Given our hastily ford relationship, I hope such mistakes will now be minimized.”
“I understand. I’ll apologize on behalf of Silleya.”
“…A representative, that’s good.”
Jero burst into laughter, then his smile faded as he felt sweat trickling down his back.
‘Why suddenly beco so serious…’
Soy couldn’t understand Jero’s expression and tilted her head, but she quickly turned around at the approach of soone.
“It would be troubleso if you fought.”
Sisara Harei. A woman with her face covered by a red veil was nearby. Soy hadn’t even noticed her approach this close.
No matter how much one concealed their presence, every living being inherently emitted a sense of existence. Even the insects that feed on corpses emitted their own presence, but Soy felt absolutely nothing from the woman before her.
…Despite her possessing the miraculous power said to be ‘an act of god.’
A bizarre magic she had never heard or seen before, the Rainbow.
The priestess, who worshipped a ‘special’ god, described it as a miracle received through divine love.
“…Fighting, you say. We were rely getting to know each other.”
Jero forced a smile, trying not to show fear.
Even when the blade reached his chin, he hadn’t tensed, but the re approach of the veiled woman had set off his instincts.
“Getting to know each other, you say? However, I saw you both pointing swords at each other.”
“Lady Soy. Please clear up the misunderstanding.”
“…Jero is right. She just wanted to see the sword up close, so I obliged her.”
Perhaps due to tension, Soy made an absurd excuse. Jero sighed at her uncivilized deanor, but fortunately, Sisara didn’t mind.
“Regardless of the reason, I urge you to avoid unnecessary internal conflicts, especially since the empire has already shown suspicious signs.”
“…I was careless.”
“So, from which side do you plan to procure the person who will beco a martyr?”
Sisara looked alternately at Soy and the troops behind Jero while speaking. Jero, swallowing his saliva, gestured with his chin.
“Co out.”
At his command, a knight walked out stiffly from the group. When he reached Sisara, he removed his gauntlets and helt.
“To think he’s such a young boy. And a knight at that.”
A mischievous smile played on her lips, visible behind the veil.
“Old or young, regardless of age, isn’t one with faith in the Lord sufficient?”
“…The sinners we had brought in ended yesterday. The three at the main camp took their own lives, so that’s how it turned out.”
Jero tousled his hair in annoyance.
“The order to beco a sacrifice was decided by drawing lots. The newly acquired faith is also there, and there’s enough qualification to beco a martyr.”
“Yes, that’s correct!”
The young knight replied energetically. His body displayed fear about what was soon to occur, but his mouth skillfully spat out lies.
“Then, let’s begin.”
Sisara pulled a black obsidian dagger from her attire. Her powers didn’t depend on any tool, but creating a mystical atmosphere was crucial when dealing with humans.
Holding the dagger, Sisara whispered to the trembling knight.
“Don’t be afraid. Your na will be rembered forever.”
“Yes.”
“What’s your na?”
“Olson.”
“Olson… A na fitting to join the Lord’s side.”
Sisara mulled over the young man’s na, then adjusted her grip on the crude dagger.
“The pain won’t last long. Happiness is eternal.”
Thunk-
Sisara, murmuring a prayer, plunged the dagger into his chest. The obsidian blade easily pierced the chainmail as if it were jelly, creating a large hole in his heart.
Blood gushed from the young knight’s mouth, yet his expression did not contort in pain.
Thanks to the illusion bestowed upon him by Sisara, the priestess of a strange god.
“Lord, I have sent you a true believer.”
Sisara, trembling with ecstasy, shed tears.
She felt divine energy. Although there was only a cold gaze beside her, she felt a warm, sticky touch enveloping her body.
“So, are you prepared to watch?”
Sisara aid the rainbow at the horizon. Nothing was visible at its end, but Soy and Jero knew what lay beyond.
‘The imperial army’s garrison.’
“That’s enough for .”
“I don’t particularly want to see it either.”
“…That’s a pity.”
As they prepared to leave, the rainbow fell from Sisara’s hand.
Grooooo-
A tiny rainbow ring expanded montarily, forming a small dot, then fizzled.
“Hmm…?”
Sisara looked beyond the horizon. Her power had failed to capture any sacrifice. Then…
She felt an approaching presence. As she breathed, the presence grew more imnse, and a storm seed to approach from beyond the horizon.
“Too far?”
Sisara aid the rainbow as if drawing a bowstring. The incredible speed of the approaching force ant it was now too close to evade.
“Fwsh!”
She emitted a sound as she launched the rainbow. Simultaneously, Lucia stoked her energy center.
From the horizon, a line split the sky in two. A massive wave of lethal intent collapsed around Sisara.
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