[A Lone Battle]
(Lyncean Sword Marshall Side)
I was taking care of my beloved white enaga, a special species of birds that only lived in cold regions and were often used as flying mounts. We had grown up together since I was a child.
“Snow. It looks like your first campaign is finally upon us.”
“Piii!”
The number of monsters flowing out from the Lost Forest was increasing day by day. They also poured into Cyliss, so they couldn’t afford to send us aid.
Now, more than ever, Marshall knights must unite our strength to face the challenges ahead.
“My lady!”
“Oh, Dan. Why aren’t you keeping Hayase company?”
With the decisive battle looming, feasts were being held throughout the Marshall Duchy tonight, with the duchy opening its storehouses to provide encouragement to those heading to war. For many, this might be their last chance to spend time with those they held dear.
“Hayase and I will both be heading to the border near the Margrave territory. Duke Marshall, I heard, will be advancing straight into the Lost Forest.”
“I see. As for me, I’m heading to the border with Cyliss Marquisate. We’re really being pushed from all sides.”
“Yeah. Hey, my lady?”
“What?”
The next time I’d see Dan would likely be after the monster march was over.
“Aren’t you gonna ask Luc for help?”
“Why bring him up all of a sudden?”
“I mean, aren’t you and Luc in love?”
Dan’s words made me tighten my grip on Snow’s reins.
“True, but I don’t know. While we’ve become soulmates, we’ve agreed not to interfere in each other’s family matters. Though if he wanted me to stay with him…”
“Just go to Luc, then. You don’t need to tie yourself down here.”
“I said, ‘if he wanted’. But he doesn’t want me to. Besides, if I asked him for help, I’d only shake his resolve.”
“His resolve?”
“Yes. I don’t want him to leave House Deskustos because of me.”
Regardless of his strained relationship with his family, I couldn’t be selfish and tear Luc away from them.
“…Let’s make sure we survive, then. So, after all this is over, we can meet Luc again at the academy.”
“That’s the plan. I won’t let some monsters take my life away.”
Dan and I fist-bumped before parting ways.
The next day the Marshall knights headed off for the battlefield.
We fought and reclaim our stolen lands from the monsters while aiding those in need.
“Lady Lyncean! We’ve just received a report that a powerful unidentified monster has appeared in Cyliss Marquisate.”
“What? And I thought our situation was finally improving.”
At the reported battlefield near a fishing village, both monsters and humans had completely vanished.
All that remained were some scattered broken pieces of weapons and armor.
“What in the world happened here?”
It was as if a colossal monster had swallowed the entire battlefield.
“Alert the rear immediately. We can’t allow whatever did this to breach our territory!”
Countless knights fell day by day.
Despite that, the monster march continued with unstoppable momentum, and our supplies were dwindling.
“Lady Lyncean, please give the order to retreat.”
The knights were now struggling to hold the defense line. The snow-covered battlefield was strewn with the bodies of monsters and comrades alike.
“Very well. I will cover the rear. Secure the retreat route and withdraw.”
“We cannot allow that, Lady Lyncean!!! You are our master! It is our duty to protect you, not the other way around! Please head back to Sword and reorganize our forces!”
“Unacceptable. I have my white enaga with me. In the worst-case scenario, I can escape by air. But you have lost your white enagas. You must rely on horses or walk on foot. The deep snow will slow you down. Everything considered, it is clear which one of us is better suited to the task. Let me protect you.”
I had prepared myself… to never see Luc again.
I would protect Marshall Duchy. That was my duty.
“………Understood.”
I entrusted the surviving knights to my adjutants and remained behind with a small group to ensure their safe retreat.
Those of us who stayed had enagas, ensuring we could escape at any moment.
“Your lives are invaluable. If you find yourselves in danger, do not hesitate to retreat!”
““““““Yes, ma’am.””””””
To hold back the march of monsters with a small army of dozens—the idea alone seemed ridiculous, but that was exactly what we had to do. Suddenly, I couldn’t help but remember Dan’s father, Sir Dunkirk.
He too had chosen to fight until his last breath despite the impossible odds.
“To arms!”
At my command, dozens of enaga-mounted knights soared into the sky.
Spears, arrows, magic – we unleashed everything we had to hold back the monsters.
One by one, the knights disappeared from the battlefield along with their enagas.
They threw themselves into battle to protect their families as well.
Before I knew it, Snow and I were the only ones left flying over the battlefield.
“Haa, haa, haa, haa, I suppose this is it… Snow, I’m sorry. Your first campaign has to end up this way. I’m really sorry, but please stay with me until the end.”
“Piii!!!”
With me on her back, Snow flew high into the sky, then swooped down, scattering the monsters below.
“Hehe, are you trying to say you can still fight? Very well, let’s fight to the end.”
Together, we circled the battlefield, buying precious time for the escaping knights.
Even as Snow lost a wing, even as she broke a leg, even as my weapons broke, we fought on relentlessly.
“Huff~, I can’t even lift my arms anymore.”
Exhausted, I leaned heavily against Snow, my blurred vision filled with a seemingly endless number of monsters.
“Luc. I wish I could see you for one last time.”
“Then come see me. After all, I’m too lazy to come to you, as I’m sure you’re aware.”
“Huh?”
The pain coursing through my body ebbed away as a warm light enveloped me.
My stamina hadn’t returned, and my consciousness remained foggy, but before me stood a familiar figure, causing me to question if I was dreaming.
“Is it you, Luc?”
“Mhm, it’s me. You’re terrible, you know that? How could you think of dying alone here? You’re my soulmate.”
Was I dreaming? Or perhaps a miracle granted by God so I could find peace in my final moments?
“It’s not a dream, neither it is a God’s miracle. But you’re incredibly exhausted, so just sleep for now. We’ll take care of the rest.”
His gentle voice lulled me into a deep sleep.
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