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The soldiers gathered in the tense atmosphere before the war all exhibited clear signs of nervousness on their faces.

The presence of the demonic army marching up to the hastily erected makeshift walls instilled a sense of dread, alongside the looming threat of demons believed to wreak havoc on the Great Forest. Their influence was such that even the haughty races, who lived indulged in their own arrogance, found it difficult to face them.

For beings of long lifespan, the reappearance of a battlefield once thought to be history weighed heavily upon them.

“Chelness’s elite forest guardians to the East! Ordinary soldiers to the West!”

At the cry of a woman, the forest guardians of the Chelness family were quick to swallow their rising worry.

The fortified East was indeed a crucial frontline, as enemies were certainly poised to attack from the North and South, but the dangers there paled compared to those of the East. Being assigned to the East, filled with the most and most threatening foes, was not a good spot for self-preservation.

“Arielte’s elite forest guardians also to the East! Among them, some previously decided will assist the North and South, while soldiers should spread out to all previously discussed locations minus the East!”

Arielte, with Friel and Fletta among its ranks, aimed to maintain the balance of defense throughout the fortress.

Unlike Chelness’s soldiers, Arielte’s members wore expressions brimming with determination, eager to rack up achievements. However, a few among them, unable to shake off their fears, could only tremble alone in their shadows.

And last—

“The damned traitors of Ianette shall wash away their disgrace with their insignificant bodies at the forefront of the Eastern front!”

The treatment of the remnants of the Ianette family, which had fallen due to the head of their family’s insanity.

Being clearly exposed as involved with demons, those who emerged alongside Edelin’s elite guards found their roles clearly illuminated.

Ianette’s role was that of fodder. A strategic resource meant to hinder the demons’ advance while desperately resisting amidst the enemy ranks.

Then came the roles assigned to the other families, ringing out loudly.

“The Altaran family shall use their capability to deploy the dwarf-made cannons atop the walls to slay the foes, and the Ranche family shall assist them!”

“The forest guardians of the Fenett family must prepare for any unexpected events from the West and primarily support the North and South!”

“The Chellier family shall alternate between the North and East to aid on the battlefield!”

Roles destined for many families within the Great Forest reverberated, including those assigned to visitors from abroad.

“The Kalia Marquis Family of the Aisiliah Kingdom is expected to extend their influence over both the South and West!”

Eunice Kalia, who had silently observed the situation in the Great Forest, let out a sigh.

“Whether by family or by the Great Forest…”

…being tormented by demons is the same.

Eunice Kalia shook her head as she looked back at the troops who had followed her to the Great Forest.

Recently, the Imperial forces had been attacking the kingdom either by breaching the Great Forest or bypassing it. The seasoned elite among them kept their cool, continuing their preparations without flinching at the prospect of a great war.

She addressed the loyal soldiers of her family.

“At this point, you all likely know well about our Kalia Marquis family’s situation.”

“Since my younger brother, Allen Kalia, has been lost in indulgence, the urban security and internal bonds among our knights and soldiers have begun to deteriorate.”

“Amidst various doubts and suspicions regarding my brother, just two days ago, a letter arrived from the elders of our family.”

The soldiers focused intently.

Having instinctively grasped the situation from afar as Eunice went about her business, they understood that hearing it directly was far more reliable than mere speculation.

“The worst suspicion turned out to be correct. Ellen Kalia has colluded with demons and, not long ago, struck some form of deal with the head of the Ianette family, who was trampled upon by the Grand Elder in the town square.”

“Now that you have heard this far, you must have understood what I am trying to convey.”

“If the Great Forest falls, our family will be the next target. Survive, endure, and vanquish the demons. Once the threat looming over our family is eradicated, we can return to our family.”

A spark of anger began to flicker in Eunice’s eyes.

“We will certainly eradicate Allen, who has colluded with demons.”

The very reason she had come all the way to the Great Forest wasn’t solely to block the imperial troops crossing the border, but also due to the elves’ promise to lend their troops to the Great Forest when they wished.

Once the war was over, she intended to navigate through the battlefield, returning to her family alongside the elite of the elite among the forest guardians.

*

“…Ray.”

As the onset of war approached, Shione was struggling to maintain her composure, unable to hold her gaze steadily, and finally called out to me.

“Is it alright for just us to be here before the World Tree? Everyone else has been deployed to the front lines….”

What a silly thing to say.

“Of course. We have our roles assigned to us, don’t we?”

“That may be, but…”

“It would be best to quickly dismiss the thought of just worrying about them while stuck in the rear. Shione and I both know how crucial our tasks here are, far more than anyone else.”

At my words, Shione nodded calmly, steeling her resolve.

“You’re right.”

As she said this, she caressed her bow.

Having returned from suppressing demons in the Great Forest, she had brought the dwarven bow gifted to her by Fletta, having fired arrows at the target to mold it to her grip whenever she found the time.

“You’ve brought that bow today. I thought you’d use the one given by the family lord since you only used it a bit during practice before.”

“With war coming again, a bow that can produce more powerful firepower would be better. And—”

Shione gazed into the past.

I could catch a glimpse of her nostalgia for home in her profile.

“It’s the bow my mother gave me on the day she first acknowledged me while stroking my hair… I can’t let it snap from any reckless movements.”

“Ah.”

I couldn’t help but smile at her words.

But as if she felt embarrassed by her own sentimentality, Shione blushed and snapped at me sharply.

“…Why are you laughing?”

“I just remembered how you were crying that day after she was done comforting you. I can still vividly recall the snot coming out after your tears stopped—”

In that instant, Shione pinched my side.

“Forget it.”

“Excuse me?”

“Forget it!”

“……!”

“Forget it already!”

“…I’ve forgotten, I said I’ve forgotten.”

Finally, her hand was released.

… I don’t remember her being this violent before. Maybe she’s just late to a rebellious phase or something.

While I pondered this, an almost silver-haired Edelin approached us.

“In five minutes, the war will commence. Are you both ready?”

“Yes, of course.”

Shione was the one who answered on our behalf at Edelin’s words.

“However… I do wonder if Ray and I can really handle such important tasks…”

“You heroes can accomplish it. That’s the future I’ve caught a glimpse of as someone who can read destiny… Besides, the heroes have already bent the fate that was meant for them before.”

Edelin gazed at me.

“Just have confidence in yourselves. That alone will be enough for the heroes to make remarkable contributions.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Now, let’s move on to the most crucial matter.”

Edelin’s demeanor changed dramatically.

Her overwhelming essence completely captured the surrounding space.

“We’ve completed our preparations for the spirit realm’s descent. Everything we could set up beforehand is in place; all that’s left is to do our best according to the plan and trust a bit in luck.”

“We will buy time at the cost of countless lives. Ultimately, when pushed back to before the World Tree, we will summon the spirit realm when the malevolent demon reveals itself, densely pouring all our power into vanquishing the demon to claim victory.”

“Please hold back as much strength as possible so that you two heroes can strike the final blow against the demon.”

The vile demon we must take down; when it appears, we will call forth the spirit realm and begin our final struggle, with Shione and I aiming to cut off the demon’s head. That was the absurdly dangerous plan.

I couldn’t help but click my tongue internally as I pondered such a ridiculous scheme.

In the past, when we killed that damned demon, we’d been in an incomparably stronger state. We managed it by working hard alongside comrades of similar strength. So could this weak body, no matter how much I’ve grown, actually take down that demon with Shione alongside me?

After exchanging some casual words with Edelin, who distanced herself to command others, I shook my head and said.

“I’ve asked Diolia to look into the escape route. It wouldn’t be such a bad idea to just flee with her right now… what do you say?”

“After coming this far… are you serious?”

“…….”

“…….”

“…….”

“…Really?”

“Do you think that’s possible?”

“This is real…!”

I tossed a half-hearted Orna toward Shione, who looked annoyed at my jest, and then retrieved a leaf from the World Tree that I had tucked in my pocket.

This morning, once the leaf again made contact with me, the status window appeared.

『The World Tree, Eriantina, interferes with the fate of the world.』

『With a single chance ─ The World Tree will expend the divinity accumulated over eternity to bend fate just once. A miracle will occur once according to your will.』

Only one chance.

It seems even the World Tree, disintegrating and burning due to the demons, was unwilling to let go of its fate.

 

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