by Kasugamaru
“Anyone who can still move, take the hand of your fainthearted brothers and sisters. It’s okay. It’s okay. We are pious lost sheep, gathered in the house of God. Believe in Him without doubt, for He is before us all.” God. A human god? Is this the same God I prayed and prayed to, but never returned Dad to me? I don’t want to hold anyone’s hand, so I walk over to the window instead. What a stupid thing to do. What am I expecting to see outside? Dad and the nice man are not coming back.
God doesn’t exist.
Wait. Why are so many monsters dying? They look so weak. But that can’t be true. These things ate Dad. Is that raven-haired girl super strong? I don’t get it. She’s so strong, and she can kill so many monsters. So why does she not look happy? Why doesn’t she smile? She doesn’t even raise her voice. She’s not scared or angry. She’s just very serious. Serious and focused, with a somewhat empty gaze. It’s almost like she’s praying.
Is God there? Is that why the knights are sortieing too? Are they going to fight with all they have? They look so energetic. They seem stronger than usual, like they can actually defeat monsters.
Is that also because God has arrived? I think I understand that. I’d always try a little harder when cooking or cleaning if I knew Dad was watching. Huh? That raven-haired girl... the one who’s stronger than everyone... When did she pick up a sword?
That sword. It’s wrapped with black leather on the grip so it doesn’t slip when your hand gets sweaty. And that red tassel—it’s the one I tied onto it because he said it looked too plain. That’s Dad’s sword. What is it doing here? Why is it being used in battle?
Wow. Wow! Dad’s sword is killing monsters. One by one, they fall to its edge. With every swing the tassel flutters, the girl’s raven hair dances, and the monsters die, die, die.
“Wait! Where are you going?” Someone grabs my shoulder. Their fingers are like the branches of a withered tree. Who is this man with a scary face? Oh, right. He showed me a magic trick once. He lit a fire with his fingertips, and I thought he was going to burn himself to a crisp.
“Stay here. There’s no telling where monsters might be hiding.” He’s shaking. He’s afraid. But not for himself. For whom, then? I know those eyes. When I was running here, someone was carrying an injured person on their back, face paler than the one who was on death’s doorstep. They were pulling a small girl by the hand, too. This man reminds me of Dad. So I won’t go outside. I’ll wait here. I’ll wait for that raven-haired girl to come. I won’t move a muscle until Dad’s sword returns to me. Then I’ll finally say it.
“Welcome back, dad.”
-DDR Stream Part 5-
We won. My dear Kuroi was totally victorious! Wow. With Accept Blade, I could mow down an infinite number of monsters. This is closer to work than actual play, though. And wow, I’ve never actually successfully defended this place before. Whew. Honestly, this battle in the Frontier is basically a lost cause. That’s why I was planning on defecting to the vampires.
As an aside, one of the basic tenets of DDR is that elves and vampires normally don’t attack humans. Their battle strength is such that annexation, even genocide, would be a simple affair. But they don’t attack. Why? The answer is simple: their Guardian Gods don’t condone it. When I attempted to kill humans during a vampire playthrough, the Demon God sent down an oracle who chewed me out for it. Some ethical reasoning about “bullying isn’t cool” or whatever. Also, when I tried to disobey I was viciously killed. Same ethics.
On the other hand, the elves put me on trial and turned my character into a dark elf. I was basically excommunicated, which eventually screwed me over hard. They also cursed me. Scary stuff.
Which is why human territory is considered a buffer zone. But there is a loophole: they can get monsters to do their dirty work. They use magic and their underlings to rile up the monsters and set them rampaging amongst the humans. Then, once everything’s in chaos, they can join in without repercussions. They drive away the monsters and station their troops in the area in the name of “security.” With self-assured good intentions, they instantly grab land for themselves. Brilliant plan, right?
It’s clearly all a ruse, though. Yes, thank you sooo much. The Frontier is their goal. It’s the most defenseless place, after all. And this battle is, without a doubt, that sort of event. So, who’s the mastermind this time? The cavalry should be introducing themselves any time now.
But I digress. My dear Kuroi, what has happened to you? Looking at her stats, her job has changed to Apostle. That’s a very rare job. That basically means you’re a super elite that serves a Guardian God. What in the world? No wonder she can use Accept Blade. With enough faith points, she can even use Call and Summon magic. It’s the most uncommon job. If she were an elf or a vampire, she’d be given a court rank or castle. How did this happen?
Devil God... Devil God, huh? Is that the Guardian God for the humans? Was this a feature added in the deluxe edition? Well, it wasn’t advertised, and I haven’t experienced this before so I’m not sure what to do. If this is new content, there’s no way something this cool wouldn’t be making waves on the internet.
Still, it’s exciting to be playing with the unknown! Kuroi, the raven-haired Apostle of the Devil God... My heart’s racing just thinking about it! I’m gonna try and survive as long as I can now, and that means I have to take care of a few things before the enemy forces arrive.
First, I have to set my companion. An apostle can have a servant, and I can choose from the NPCs with the highest faith. So, whom should I choose? Oh, I can’t pick the hot knight? He doesn’t believe in the Devil God at all. His stats and skills are so good, though. Darn.
Oh! I see two people with high faith. Very nice. One is a short and fat priest. Hmm, his smile is super fishy, though. He’s hiding something. But his stats aren’t bad. And this skill, Speech, would be good for administration and strategy... Oh! What the heck? He’s a Valkie? He’s royalty! What is he doing on the front lines?
The other one is... Oh, yep. This is it. I pick this one. A silver-haired little girl? I can’t possibly pick anyone else. Sira, huh? All right, it’s settled!
06 The Knight Makes A Decision Regarding The Great Undertaking About To Begin
This world is wonderful,
For God gazes upon it through me.
-Knight Agias II-
“There you are, Lord Willow.” Father Felipo wipes his brow as I enter the camp. Is that basket on his back full of documents? Someone’s full of energy now. I could swear he was full of doom and gloom last I saw him.
“Sorry, were you looking for me?”
“No, don’t let it bother you. The reorganizing of the garrison takes priority, of course.” Reorganizing, huh? I guess that’s the right term.
The cost for subduing the troll was far too high. Our soldiers, which once numbered a thousand, are down to a mere three hundred now. The most we can manage is re-establishing the chain of command. There’s no hope for reinforcements.
“Just because we beat back the monsters doesn’t mean things are settled. We must set up patrols, kill any enemy stragglers, tend to the wounded, clear the rubble, restore public order, send out messengers... The military has the greatest executive ability during an emergency. In short, they are humanity’s elite. We cannot begin to express our gratitude.” His silver tongue is working overtime, as usual. And his gesticulations...
“We are simply doing what we must, just like how the church’s work is essential to restoring normalcy.”
“No, no. We are merely the wooden spoon that brings the feast to the lips. The light that brings the masterpiece to your eyes. You honor me too much.” Someone’s in a very good mood. That’s rather abnormal.
“A miracle has shone upon us, allowing us to survive. That is what a priest might say. That it was not the strength of our soldiers, but some supernatural power that saved us.” This man’s loquaciousness perplexes and tests you. That’s very normal.
“I’m aware. Oh, I’m ver
y aware. I may be captain here, but I have no intention of imposing martial law. Nor do I intend to take the credit for our victory. The military and the church should be working together now, as equals.”
“I expected nothing less of you, Lord Willow. Such calm vision. Such a clever mind. Heh. Yes, that is how it should be.” Hmph. He’s so blatantly self-important. Is he drunk, or simply thrilled to be alive? No, that’s not it. No. This is...
“It is rare to see someone as fit to be a military man as you, my lord. As rare as it is to see a revolutionary will.” I knew it. Father Felipo is letting his inner ambitions run free. This is a temptation. He’s trying to make me, a member of the honorable Willow family, his accomplice. And with such conviction, too. His eyes are blazing; vigor rises from his very soul. It drives him to speak his mind.
If I were to nod, it would expose my sincerity. We would become staunch allies. But if I were to shake my head... He’d try to kill me with the holy lance he grips in his hands. Should I shut him down early and refuse him? That would be my professional duty.
But I close my eyes. I desire darkness in order to find the twinkling hunch inside of me—in order to stake my life on one decision.
“Hmm. You would discuss such trends in such a cruel world?”
“I would, for we have been given the rare, perfect chance.”
“You intend to champion Kuroi?”
“Hee hee. Not exactly. You are very, very close, but not totally right.” I watch him carefully, prepared for the moment of confirmation.
“I would present to the world a god—the human God, through His chosen one.” God. An all too understandable word. It settles in your belly, burns with intensity, and sets the body to shivering. It’s the same way I feel when thinking of the glorious exploits of my ancestors. I even recall the warmth of my late mother, and it penetrates my chest.
“That’s... what that was?”
“Yes, indeed.”
“I felt it, too. I even wished for it to be so.”
“Those are your true feelings. No trickery, only sincerity.”
“If only we were allowed to believe in something purely, without deception.”
“Of course. It should be considered a pious attitude to worship a higher presence.”
“I see...” I allow the warmth rising in me to flow through my cheeks. What is there to be ashamed of? Because of the man before me, my eyes are now open!
“We! Belong! In this world!” we chant, fighting back tears. It is a declaration. I feel like a weight has been lifted from my chest. Fighting and death. Fighting and death. And even more death. That has been human history. Our prayers were never answered, no matter how pious we were. There was nothing there to hear them. That was the human world. But we won. Our prayers were answered. On this day, humanity is no longer a race devoid of hope.
“Let me get straight to the point.” His voice is gentle. So he can talk like this as well, eh?
“It is too early to bring Lady Kuroi to the palace. The current pillar of the royal family is not so innocent as to easily embrace hope, nor are they brave enough to make a resolute decision to enact reform.”
“So she’ll be crushed?”
“Yes. Hardship makes people not only stubborn, but thick-headed and cruel as well.”
“Indeed. You’re right.” I can’t help but agree. The unspoken evidence is in reality itself. The horrible truth that most hesitate to voice. The cursed present that we must face now that we have survived—the Frontier.
The Frontier is a place on the edge of monster-infested lands, where people are sent seeking fertile ground. It’s an important thing. A necessary thing. A national project with the dignity of our race on the line, pushing the boundaries of human territory. An offensive stance for the future of our race, with military, church, and commoners alike working together.
At least, that’s how it was supposed to be. The truth is that anyone out here is left to fend for themselves, like the most recent battle. It’s basically become a method of population control via monster fangs and claws. And if that wasn’t enough, the people on the Frontier are treated as human shields. Our sacrifices keep their lands safe.
Is this really necessary? Is this the only way to maintain order? It’s infuriating and saddening. It’s enough to make a man numb.
“God, upon granting us this miracle, graciously chose this land as its stage—the Frontier, the site of human tragedy.” Father Felipo fixes his gaze upon me. I cannot even look away as I wait for him to speak again.
“So isn’t it fitting that this becomes our birthplace? The birthplace of our resistance. Our fight. Our challenge. Our action. Our salvation! In other words, the most magnificent of things... Revolution!” His tongue waggles happily. Even I crinkle my eyelids. Exhilaration pulses through me.
“It’s like a bath.”
“My, that came out of nowhere. Care to explain?”
“The world is terribly cold. But there’s no need to dive head-first into His grace. One first dips their toes into a warm bath before sliding in. Slowly, you let the heat spread through your body to your cheeks. It gives you the strength to carry on to the next day.” Pretty clever, if I do say so myself. What does he think?
“That is, erm, how should I say this... A very simplistic viewpoint that betrays your age. Ahem! In any case, thank you, Lord Willow, for your continued patronage of our church’s purification bath.”
“Hm? No, thank you. It is a marvelous thing you have.”
“If you would attend my sermons, it would make the water worth warming.”
“Oh, please. You would call your criticism of the holy book a ‘sermon?’”
“That was in the past. I’m talking about the future here.”
“You have a point. If the day comes when I can have a bath again, I will come to listen.” We both laugh. No matter how many problems pile up, as long as this spark of hope resides in my chest, I can laugh. A pleasant silence passes, and then I ask the question I have been harboring.
“By the way, what are the things in that basket you’re carrying? They appear to be official documents.”
“They’re various request forms. I wanted to get the Frontier army captain’s sign and seal on them.”
“Hmm. If you deem them necessary, Father, then I shan’t question you...” I inspect the documents. Addressed to the Frontier headquarters, they are things like requests for supplies, requests for more troops, requests for reinforcements from all frontier lands, warnings to our neighbors, solicitations of support from many influential merchants, requests to the adventurer’s guild and mercenary’s guild for more staff, research reports for the sorcerer’s guild, and interview proposals to the newspaper guild.
Every last document lists, in full, the number and variety of monsters fought off in our recent battle. Only two letters are addressed to specific places. One is to the Great Church. I suspect its contents would have changed depending on my answer. And yet he still sought my sign and seal first. In other words, he’s insisting on carte blanche for anything concerning the church.
The other is to the Willow household. He wants to see my conviction.
“Let us ring the bell first, and listen to its reverberations.” Bastard. He acts so innocent.
“Everything begins here. Let us put our hearts in order.”
07 The Sorcerer Rises and Demonstrates the Magic Flame That Has Revived in This Land
I was born the bearer of flame,
And I will die unleashing it.
-Sorcerer Odysson II-
“What do you want from me?” The church office reeks of mold. I hate it. Plus, the noble knight and black-hearted priest are in cahoots, so it’s getting a bit fishy as well in here. Nothing good can come from collusion between the church and the military.
“This isn’t a requisition, but an official request. Please, don’t be so defensive.”
“Indeed. Odysson, you may have been thrown out of the guild, but you are still a sorcerer. We
could use your opinions and magic.”
“Hmm. Undoubtedly.”
“We have two jobs for you. They involve alchemy and fire magic.” So they want me to serve in the military, is that it? Doing menial crap like making medicine and wielding flames for them. What a pain.
“Specifically, we’d like you to teach a certain commoner herbology, monster biology, and medicine production as well as prescription. The other, we’d like you to inspect for magic aptitude, as well as test and train them for fire magic. Your official title will be Head Frontier Sorcerer.”
“Your salary will be a hundred gold, and you will be given an aide. You will also be allowed a personal guard of ten soldiers.”
“Wait, wait, wait! I’m begging ya, hold up a second!” What the hell? This ain’t normal. Head Frontier Sorcerer? An aide? Say what? I ain’t never even seen a gold coin in my life! But most importantly, WEREN’T WE JUST ATTACKED BY MONSTERS? Just yesterday, in fact. Many of us died—hell, I was nearly killed—and we ain’t even had a chance to catch our breaths.
These people work too fast. Well, I guess their swiftness is to be commended. The rescue crews and emergency supplies were life-saving. They even handed out blankets to the women. But still, this is too fast. This stinks of scheming.
“What is the matter, sorcerer? You’re shaking. Are you not the master of flame?” I hate the words he chooses, that damn black-hearted priest. So he’s the mastermind, huh?
“Yes, I’m a sorcerer. I have a little bit of book smarts, and I can do some funny tricks.”
“We have high hopes for you. Good. Now, summon the aide and guards—”
“W-Wait! Stop, stop! Listen to me!” These guys are so pushy, damn. “Why me? Why do you want me to do this job? I was excommunicated, you know. And not for anything like fighting with my professors, either. I broke a taboo. They call me a necromancer. That’s not someone you want in an official position.” That’s why I was banished to the Frontier. This is the only place where I can live equally among others. In the south, the Sorcerer’s Guild’s tendrils are everywhere. I wouldn’t have been able to beg for food, let alone work. At first I thought this was a kind of exile, but I was naive. Between the monsters and the hunger, it’s been a straight-up death sentence. Which kind are these guys? Would they leave a guy out to dry, or would they be the ones left out to dry? We’re all getting our just desserts out here. What a load of bull.