The flames of rebellion were steadily spreading throughout the Volakia Empire.

In the past few days, the Empire was bustling as if mocking the years of peace that had apparently been nothing but a lie, clamoring for the bloodthirst that had been pent up and gooey within.

The history of the Volakia royal family, which had built up a vast river of blood over generations—the current emperor was expected to be the one to put an end to those gruesome traditions.

Indeed, during the emperor’s reign, there may have been minor skirmishes, but the raging turmoil that could plunge the Empire into chaos had been avoided.

The citizens had likely been savoring their first taste of “tranquility” since the founding of the Empire.

However—

“When it came down to it, the people of the Empire were never seeking peaceful, uneventful days, were they?”

I muttered with sympathy, gazing at the map that showed the battle situation resting on my lap.

As the emperor, Vincent Volakia had managed the nation with some ideals, but it couldn’t simply be said that peace had been achieved by mere chance.

Exhausting body and spirit over the years, he had created an unprecedented era of peace in the Empire.

To find out that this was so easily not longed for must cause an overwhelming disappointment within him. Truly, the citizens are foolish, and the emperor is pitiful.

“I don’t get why they’d want to risk death at all… Those idiots think so weirdly. Like that Jamal or something…”

Whenever they had the chance, I could remember him spouting about the pride of the Empire.

Reflecting on the vague memories of the man, Todd Fang steeled himself. He had to be careful with his words or it would be troublesome if he appeared to have forgotten Jamal.

At the very least, in front of the important woman and the woman who should be treated with respect, he still needed Jamal to live on in his heart.

“—Todd, are you tired?”

Out of the corner of my eye, as I spread the map, I caught sight of a woman leaning closer.

Honestly, it was heart-stopping. She had been on the roof of the carriage just moments ago. How she had come to sit beside me was beyond my perception.

Well, there were countless masters like that in this world. If I were scared of facing someone that I couldn’t win against, life would be pretty tough.

Most people stumble because they confuse “can’t win” with “can’t kill.”

There are indeed opponents that one cannot win against, yet can kill with ease.

I didn’t see those kinds of opponents as threats. Hence, the woman beside me—Arakia was the same.

“Todd?”

Arakia slipped into the carriage from the open window and sat down—ahem, more like she squatted with her knees folded on the bench.

I’d heard she’d been living in the Imperial Capital long enough, but she had no idea how to behave in the city at all.

This was either due to a lack of upbringing on her part or because those around her never set a proper example. It’s common for someone strong like her to be neglected simply because they’re strong.

In Volakia, strength is prioritized above all else.

Because of that, a loop has formed where even if Arakia acts improperly or rudely, no one dares to reproach her. Naturally, if someone stronger than her were present, they would be allowed to offer criticism, but—

“The blue thunder that names itself ‘The Blue Lightning’ is supposed to be an extraordinary anomaly by all accounts.”

While in Volakia, one gets plenty of opportunities to hear the rumors of the strongest in the Empire known as “One”.

While I would like to say both good and bad, it’s mostly bad rumors even by the standard of the non-human demonic realm Empire. It certainly doesn’t seem suitable for Arakia’s upbringing.

As a result, it appears that she had been allowed to behave in such a manner without correction.

Of course, Todd had no reason to rectify that—

“Arakia, sit properly. You look ridiculous.”

“Sit? Me, on a chair?”

“Is there another choice? What do you think a chair is?”

With her bewildered face, Arakia returned the question, and Todd frowned as he replied sharply. That prompted Arakia to look puzzled, yet she obediently sat correctly on the chair.

However, with her legs spread wide, I had to tap her knees to make her close them.

“Those below are watching how the strong behave. In the Empire, being strong lets you do whatever you want, but soldiers also have hearts. It’s not hard for you to consider whether it’s easier to fight alongside someone they like or someone they dislike.”

“…Is it meaningful? After all, I’ll be fighting alone.”

“After you tear apart the battlefield and hunt down the survivors? Who’s cleaning up the corpses? Who’s negotiating with those who have surrendered?”

“――――”

“Basically, if one person is enough, why am I here? Your words are filled with contradictions.”

As I lightly dismantled her arguments, Arakia fell silent with a serious expression.

Fortunately, I understood that this was not the face of the Empire’s second strongest looking to explode with pent-up discontent, but rather one recognizing that I had a point.

In the beginning, I used to pay close attention to the criticism, but now there was none.

Once I got used to treating her, it felt like training a sheepdog.

The difference from a sheepdog was that this ‘dog’ had incomprehensibly powerful strength, even being a wolf.

I couldn’t help but laugh at myself for thinking like that.

“Todd, are you tired for real?”

“If I’m feeling tired, it’s from the fatigue of constant travel. You’re quite the busybody, huh? I can see why His Majesty the Emperor and the Chancellor value you so much.”

“…Because I’m needed.”

Arakia, worried about my silence, expressed her concerns again, which I directly refuted. Upon hearing this, Arakia hung her head.

Arakia likely realized she was being used conveniently.

She didn’t seem the type to volunteer personal stories, and Todd had no interest in digging deeper into it, but considering future interactions, it could be good to know.

If knowing her would make her feel closer to Todd, it would be a beneficial inquiry.

“You—”

“What were you looking at on the map?”

Yet, my attempt to converse got sidelined as Arakia changed the subject. I almost choked on my words and tipped the map for her to see.

It was a map showing all of Volakia, albeit a simplified one that only indicated major cities and terrains, where I had scrawled notes from my own intuition.

As she stared intently, Arakia frowned her shapely brows.

“…I don’t understand.”

“Right?”

Her admission of ignorance didn’t evoke any blame from Todd.

This wasn’t a resignation towards Arakia’s learning abilities, but simply that my notes were written in a way that no one but Todd could decipher.

There were no special words or symbols used, but through meaning switches and intentionally incorrect symbols, it was written to prevent others from extracting information.

Even if someone accidentally dropped the map, my actions could not be discerned from it. Moreover, should I ever become a captive, there would be little to gain by trying to decode the map.

This was a preventive measure—to avoid tripping up.

“The meaningful notes record the places and scales of battles. The meaningless scribbles are mere diversions. I won’t be explaining which is which to you.”

“I don’t get it, so what’s the point? …Is there a lot?”

“Yeah, it’s the first time since the current Emperor took charge that the situation has spiraled out of control this badly.”

The subject wasn’t explicitly stated, but Arakia’s doubt was aimed at the rebellions across the Empire.

The expression of discontent towards the Emperor had not only remained confined to words; clashes between Imperial soldiers and the Rebel Army had also erupted frequently, spreading the call for rebellion far and wide.

The catalyst for this was the symbol of the rebellion’s cause—the Emperor’s supposed illegitimate child.

“His Majesty’s child… Really?”

“Well, I wouldn’t know. What matters isn’t whether it’s true, but that such rumors are circulating and, worse, they keep on reinforcing themselves without being put out.”

“――――”

“That’s why the busybodies are being dispatched all over. Myself included.”

As one of the “Nine Divine Generals” personally chosen by the Emperor, Arakia should naturally have access to even the emperor Vincent Volakia, who dwells among the clouds.

How much of Arakia’s worldview I could trust was an enigma, but it appears even she had her reservations about the existence of the emperor’s illegitimate child being touted by the rebels.

However, Todd decidedly echoed what I had already stated: that wasn’t particularly important.

“If you didn’t want it to seem important, you should have snuffed out the rumors while they were still sparks. The aftermath of being reactive led to this chaotic uproar.”

“――Does it matter? Regarding Gladiator Island?”

“That—”

At my side, as I narrowed one eye, I trailed off upon hearing Arakia’s murmuring.

The matter concerning Gladiator Island, Gnunhaive, was Todd’s initial job, given in secrecy by Chancellor Belstets, and they had spectacularly failed at it.

Though it had happened just days ago, Todd and Arakia had been ordered to wipe out the gladiators but had made a triumphant retreat just before landing, thus escaping unscathed.

Naturally, they had received reprimands from Belstets for failing their mission, but Todd’s instincts in sensing danger had resolutely refused to allow for landing on that island.

He had felt there was a threat they absolutely couldn’t face lying in wait there.

“――――”

With absolute trust in this sensation, Todd did not regret withdrawing from the island.

The fact that Gladiator Island was now in the hands of gladiators, contributing to the fires of rebellion erupting everywhere, was nothing compared to his life.

If he were ever to regret that judgment, it would be—

“Ridiculous. Not like me at all.”

“Todd?”

“It’s nothing. You worry too much. Rebellions are breaking out all over, but none are likely to last long. It’s all just a dream.”

After dismissing Arakia’s prior query, Todd shrugged.

Not intending to deceive or sugarcoat anything, it was the truth. The Rebel Army was dreaming. It’s all well and good while they remain in their dreaming state, but once they wake up, it would resort to a self-loathing nightmare that’d make them wish for death.

Or perhaps it was a nightmare that might end before they even woke.

“—Arakia, one-star general! Fang Corporal! We’re arriving!”

The sharp voice from the driver came right after Todd’s remark.

The shaking beneath them gradually ceased, and the carriage that was heading to its destination slowed down. Once the carriage finally came to a stop, Todd and Arakia stepped outside.

“――――”

The two stood atop a small hill, and the overcast sky loomed dark above, as if the heavens were wary of the Empire plunging headlong into ceaseless internal strife.

As I lowered my poetic view, what awaited was a vast battlefield, filled with the familiar armies clashing violently and unfamiliar armed groups.

—The clash between the imperial forces and the rebel army had already begun on the western plains.

“Who’s the opponent?”

Approaching the two atop the hill was one of the Imperial soldiers who had already set up camp.

He opened with a short breath when he noticed Todd was observing him. He seemed to be a ‘general’, clad in a cloak, bewildered at having been spoken to in such an overbearing manner by a mere corporal.

Yet seeing Arakia’s presence beside Todd made him stand tall.

“The residents of Kunoeremente are boosting morale by killing the overseer. It appears that overseer had just been assigned.”

“He was moved during such a turbulent time. That overseer was quite unlucky… So, which of the supposed plague harbingers is among that enthusiastic crowd?”

“Not confirmed. We’re assuming they’re not here.”

“If they were, they’d have shown their faces from the start, right?—Arakia, one-star general.”

“Hmm…”

Upon receiving the report from the ‘general’, Todd called for Arakia, who responded with a breathy sound.

This was a perfect opportunity for her to showcase the powers of the Empire’s second strongest.

All that was left was for Todd to take care that no unnecessary obstacles got in their way.

“Signal for the troops to withdraw. I recommend they retreat without looking back. If they don’t—”

“If they don’t?”

“Arakia’s flames do not choose their enemies to consume.”

That wasn’t meant as an intimidation, but it seemed to have the same effect on the ‘general’.

He inhaled sharply before glancing at Arakia again, whose expressions remained inscrutable.

Facing her blood-red eyes that weren’t covered by an eye patch, the ‘general’ stiffened.

“Sound the drums! Pull back the troops!”

Immediately switching his tone, he shouted orders to his subordinates in the camp with a sharp voice.

The presence of a proper ‘general’ made the situation clearer and more manageable, unlike the unruly soldiers. Yet, it still didn’t mean that the battlefield would be fun, so I hoped this role would be over soon.

“Arakia, don’t hit those soldiers who are retreating because they hear the drums.”

“What about others?”

“Do as you please.”

When told she could do as she pleased, Arakia’s eyes showed a flash of confusion.

Realizing I had phrased that poorly, I reflected immediately. She had the power to do something outrageous, but it appeared Arakia didn’t particularly enjoy fighting.

So saying she could do as she wished on the battlefield wasn’t suitable—

“—Kill anyone who resists.”

Was the most correct command to give.

“――――”

As the sound of drums echoed, a shift occurred on the battlefield visible from the hill.

The clashing sounds of steel and steel were fading away, replaced with the roars and cries, as the tumult of those being chased and those doing the chasing began to engulf the battlefield.

But that wouldn’t last long.

—The downpouring inferno turned those actors playing at hunters into ash as it chased down their fleeing backs.

Before their very eyes, comrades they stood beside, limbs consumed in flames in the chaos began to understand.

They were no longer the hunters, but merely prey.

“――――”

Gripping what looked like a branch that a child would play with, Arakia soared higher and higher, turning her knees into flames. She ascended towards the sky, unleashing fire from above.

That amidst a scene that could change the color of the world was an apt expression of a horrifying tactical weapon.

The flames raced straight down toward the ground, obeying Todd’s command and igniting the enemies. Those who paused to admire the burning enemies misjudged their decision.

If you stop, Arakia’s flames can’t choose who they burn.

“Sound the drums, sound the drums, sound the drums! Retreat everyone—!!”

Witnessing the ongoing transformation of the battlefield, the ‘general’ shouted out with all his might.

While it was said that the Imperial soldiers approached the battlefield prepared to die, this was entirely different from fearing a wasted death.

Staying there would garner nothing more than the worth of a stray dog being burned alive.

Thus—

“—Corporal Fang! Stop General Arakia!”

As I watched the rebel army’s formation collapse and the battlefield being licked by the demon of flames, a shout struck Todd’s eardrums.

Turning around, he saw a different imperial soldier—one with a soot-stained face—yelling desperately.

“What is it?” Todd frowned at him.

The soldier, illuminated by the flames, stammered, “The enemies have come to plead for surrender! The battle is over!”

“Should we even allow such a convenient offer? I mean, it’s not like we’re in a situation where we risk damage on our side. Right now, we can annihilate them unilaterally. It’d be better to cut off unnecessary roots and make an example of them.”

If they played their cards right, utilizing Arakia’s abilities would allow them to win without losing a single soldier.

Todd contemplated that it was smarter to punish them for aligning with the rebellion rather than allow their surrender to lead to arrogance.

However, Todd’s opinion flipped entirely with the subsequent plea from the soldiers.

“No! The surrendered ones are bringing the ‘Crown Prince’!”

“—What?!”

At the soldier’s report, Todd instinctively gripped the man’s collar. The soldier’s throat tightened as Todd brought his face close.

“How is the ‘Crown Prince’ here? I thought we were told he wasn’t around.”

“They hid him… and he’s just come out now…”

“Tch, were they planning on using him as a trump card? How clueless can they be about the value of their own hand?”

Releasing the soldier’s collar, Todd let out a deep breath.

Then he looked up at Arakia, who was soaring above, hesitating to call out to her. After contemplating for a moment, he finally decided.

“Bring the messenger here.”

“Eh? But—”

“Bring him here! Tell him if they don’t want to be wiped out, they should run for their lives!”

At Todd’s unruffled instruction, the soldier protested but quickly realized it was pointless, turning to follow orders.

Todd didn’t want to exert his authority relying on Arakia’s power, but there was little choice as long as it would help move things along quickly.

—Especially when faced with the worst-case scenario of the ‘Crown Prince’ being in their grasp.

“Corporal Fang!”

Before long, the soldier returned to Todd, this time accompanied by a scruffy young man who looked haggard. His armor looked valiant, but his face was drawn in a pitiful expression of defeat.

That was to be expected. Todd would feel the same if he were on the opposing side witnessing Arakia’s strength.

Though he felt some pity for the man before him, there was something he needed to confirm.

“Did you all capture the ‘Crown Prince’? Is that the justification for the rebellion?”

“Y-yes! The ‘Crown Prince’ desires the throne. We resonate with his wish and aim to pave the path for… him…”

“—That’s a lie.”

“Huh?”

Staring hard into the face of the one spouting such absurd claims, Todd inserted his rebuttal. The response from the young man was one of confusion and even greater dread.

That reaction convinced Todd—this was indeed not baseless.

“Wha—”

In the next moment, Todd swung the axe at his hip, cleaving the man’s head in two.

The man, his head split open, let out a soft groan and then collapsed on the spot.

The soldiers nearby blinked in astonishment at Todd’s swift action.

“Corporal! You can’t just do that without permission…”

“This guy lied. There’s no ‘Crown Prince’ on their side. They’re a bunch that has taken a poor approach towards surrendering. —Let General Arakia carry on as she is.”

“Wha… but if, if there really is a ‘Crown Prince’…”

“There isn’t.”

Todd’s declaration silenced further words, and the soldier fell into a despondent silence. With a nod from Todd, he gestured to haul away the body of the fallen enemy.

Todd scraped the blood and flesh from the axe with his fingers and exhaled deeply.

As he and Arakia traveled across the lands to quell the sparks of rebellion, they were constantly confronted by the notion of the “Crown Prince.”

The supposed illegitimate child of Vincent Volakia and the only possibility of justifying the rebellions erupting throughout the Empire—how many times it bore the name of that ‘Crown Prince’ in the schemes of the rebels.

It was more disheartening still that the Chancellor Belstets had ordered Todd to capture this so-called ‘Crown Prince’ alive and bring him back to the Imperial Capital.

“Ah, really, it’s all so tiresome. When will we return to the Imperial Capital?”

All plans to return to the Imperial Capital had failed, causing it to turn into a journey all around the Empire.

Even now, Todd gritted his teeth, recalling the fiancée who awaited his return.

The flames devoured the battlefield, burning those who chose resistance in regret.

Seeing a future like that was unbearable, as he pitied and simultaneously held disdain for those who misjudged their positions.

The rebellion will crumble. No matter how spirited they may be, they cannot possibly overcome the heavy weight of the Empire.

While he harbored no doubt about that, Todd suddenly thought.

“――――”

The onset of a full-scale civil war and the spreading flames of rebellion.

As if someone had stage-managed it, the flames of conflict spread, and he sensed someone beyond them.

It sparked within him, a primal instinct that continued to itch, that someone could be behind it.

“――――”

As Todd stood there, witnessing the burgeoning conflict and the active battlefield, he pondered just who desired this upheaval to engulf the Volakia Empire. No matter what, he resolved to grasp hold of what he desired at all costs.

He wouldn’t spare any means, consideration, or thought in acquiring it. The only thing that troubled him was—

“—Does this have anything to do with the matter of Gladiator Island?”

The query from Arakia, just before arriving on the battlefield filtered through his mind.

Todd generally never looked back on past events. Regardless of how it went, he rationalized it later on as always right. Yet, that single incident continued to prick at him.

He had abandoned the landing on Gladiator Island and retreated.

That choice should have been correct. There was no reason to regret it.

But if, for some reason, there was something to regret, it would be—

“—Only if that retreat that day sealed my fate.”