Outer Ragna: Volume 2

by Kasugamaru

  That’s just so sad... I can’t accept it. Where’s the salvation?

  I charge all the way through the enemy army by myself. I should be happy, but I’m not. I’m angry. Really, really angry. I almost feel nauseous... and not because I’m hungry.

  Kuroi turns around, and the battlefield fills my monitor.

  The Einherjar’s attacks are vicious. Maybe it’s because it’s dusk and the shadows are deeper, but the burning red from within their black armor flickers brightly. Though they are silent, their emotions—their rage—comes through clearly.

  The vampires, not to be outdone, unleash battle cries and fight back with a vengeance... but their inferiority is also clear. Stabbed by spears and slashed by swords, one by one they turn to ash. I catch the sight of one vampire grabbing hold of an Einherjar, only to be caught by its overflowing red flames, the enemy’s hand turned to ash. It tries to struggle, but this only serves to turn the rest of its body into a pile of ashes.

  Looks like there’s no need for another charge. We can win; I can just watch the rest from here. Even so, it doesn’t make me happy. I mean, this was supposed to be an incredibly difficult game. Who knows, maybe it’s just one of those events. Maybe real war is like this, and the devs went all out on the high-quality realism. Perhaps I should be grateful.

  Regardless, I don’t like it. This isn’t to my tastes; I don’t accept it. Just because battle can’t be avoided doesn’t mean I want it to be crush or be crushed. I want a happy end; a cliched yet sweet finale. An ending that doesn’t involve annihilating our enemies, but one where we all can live in prosperity. That’s what I want.

  Horrific scenes like this, where I can practically hear the Demon God cackling in the background... where everyone’s efforts are not met with salvation... I want to smash them all!

  Strength fills my hands. My mouse and keyboard are rattling. Maybe that’s why Kuroi seems to move on her own. She fits her foot into the stirrup and stands in the saddle. I know she’s tired—I can tell just from looking at her stamina gauge. What’s she doing? She drops her swords and extends her arms to balance herself. Then, balling her hands into fists, she takes a deep breath.

  “OHHHHHHHHHH!” she roars.

  Huh? Why’d she do that? She’s out of mana and stamina. Huh? Is this some kind of technique or spell? And how is she moving on her own? But this voice, this roar... I feel like I’ve heard it before. Once, long ago.

  Kuroi’s cry seems to be filled with rage towards the world.

  O-Oh! The battle... stopped? Did my computer freeze? Looks like that’s a no. Geez, don’t scare me like that! Still, no one’s moving. And judging from the smoke, the wind’s died down as well. The world is completely silent.

  The Einherjar are all lined up. They look so cool posing with their swords and spears, like statues. The vampires are either totally still, down on their knees, or sitting. None of them are holding weapons; I can’t sense any bloodlust.

  The battlefield... is no longer a battlefield. Does that mean it’s over?

  Ha... Aha ha... Wow... Kuroi’s amazing. She’s so strong. Her voice reached the entire world. Not only that—the world listened. She scolded them, and they gave up.

  Yeah, this is how it should be. Sira and the soldiers should be fine now, too. Since vampires and humans can speak the same language, we should be able to figure this out properly somewhere else. It’d be stupid if we couldn’t. Our conversations, stories, legends, songs... everything that moves our hearts has a meaning to it.

  Maybe this peace right now was brought about by force, but that’s okay; it’s still progress. One day, I’m sure we’ll all be able to smile together.

  Hm? What’s with my monitor? I can’t really see... Am I sleepy? I feel so sluggish. Like, I can’t even keep sitting. Damn, this isn’t just malnourishment, is it? Oh no, my vision’s slowly getting narrower...

  The pizza. I have to get to the pizza. I gotta eat. It’s so cold.

  Kuroi, make sure you eat too. Switching to observation mode. We... We still have lots more fighting to do...

  -Origis I-

  I look up at the slowly darkening sky from my saddle, as my horse trots quickly along. Will the fort still be recognizable when I get there? Will their army still be fighting? I bet General Bandkan will be leading them, and he’s not the type to go down without a fight.

  Did Lady Kuroi make it in time? Where is she now? Is she fighting? Five thousand of our Bomber Knights are riding hard to catch up, drawing a straight line to the battlefield; no scouts of any kind. None of our men have had any rest. Our horses drain dry every watering hole that we come across as we rush on. Even so, we haven’t been able to catch up.

  “What’s the matter, Origis? Why the sigh?” Marius wants to know.

  “Hm? Oh, I was just thinking that I couldn’t be an outrider.”

  “That’s... Hm... You have a point.”

  Marius’s face is uncharacteristically gloomy. He’s used to hard rides, so I doubt he’s tired. The battle at the Hell Expanse must still be weighing on his mind, which is odd. To the outsider, he’d appear to have done very well, having captured the enemy general in an easy battle. However, humanity’s current predicament stems from the fact that we weren’t able to see the bigger picture. This isn’t Marius’s fault, and I’m sure he understands that, but the fact that the battle itself was a trap must be what hurts most.

  “It’s funny that we’re actually taking an army from the Frontier to the fort. It’s almost like the rumors were true,” I chuckle.

  “Oh, that stuff about the House Willow revolt? I suppose I heard something about that.”

  “According to son Peine, the folks at the fort have been preparing for it.”

  “Talk about overreacting. Then again, maybe not; Agias is popular.”

  “Besides, General Bandkan is one of us.”

  The rumor goes that Agias, driven to the Frontier after a dispute over succession, is planning a revolt with me and Marius in tow. It’s not completely unreasonable, I suppose. My father’s only concerns are of loyalty to the throne, and my brother Nazarus is completely covered in the rot that is noble society. Thus, it was always Agias who took charge of the Willow forces. Eventually, he was punished for hunting down monsters, which was seen as “misappropriating war funds.” Then, without resisting or talking to anyone, he left.

  Some time later, out of the blue, he sent us a letter—the bastard was doing just fine. Honestly, I felt compelled to action at the time, that’s why I brought Marius along with me.

  “In retrospect, a revolt seems so carefree,” I remark.

  “Heh heh. Those are the words of a big man. I remember when you called Agias a freak during our reunion.”

  “What else could I have said? There was no way I could have known that that thing he was doing was training... It’s amazing I didn’t draw my sword right there. Besides, you fought alongside me.”

  “I wanted to train with the both of you; the reason didn’t matter.”

  “No wonder you didn’t stop me. Remind me to keep a closer eye on you.”

  We both chuckle as our eyes wander ahead. Agias’ gaze is locked on the south. He doesn’t seem panicked in the least. We left the foot soldiers behind with Father Felipo, while the cavalry raced on ahead.

  “You think there’s enough time?” Whether Marius’s question refers to us or Lady Kuroi, I cannot say.

  What can we save if we get there in time, anyway? What will be lost if we don’t make it? There’s no room for error in this war. Agias’s resoluteness is reassuring, at least.

  “I’m sure Lady Kuroi will make it in time,” I assure, half praying. The situation seems too forlorn to do anything else. “Besides, she won’t be outnumbered even if she’s alone. She’s a one-girl army, after all. If the fort still stands, she should be able to figure something out.”

  “The times are in such chaos... but yeah, you might be right.”

  “See?”

  “But it’s not like
Lady Kuroi doesn’t get tired, right?”

  “Of course not, she just has more stamina than me or even Agias.”

  “Right. She’s got all that training on top of God’s blessing.”

  “Yeah, we’ve even been doing it at night around the fire lately...”

  Good, Marius is back to normal. Some color’s even returned to his cheeks.

  I gaze at the horizon far ahead. I have the feeling that death and farewell await us—a military man’s constant companions. No matter what I do, I just can’t shake off this premonition.

  Agias barks some orders. We’re heading to the next watering hole. Nice, let’s ride so I can stop thinking. Let’s ride as far as we can, towards the horizon.

  60 The Knight Plans and Hopes for the Glory of Humanity

  God’s power is overwhelming. It’s hot, fierce, and unrelenting.

  Thus, it is difficult to feel like one has control. It can even make you feel sick.

  -Knight Agias II-

  The underground chamber, lit by torches, is colored a bright orange. It’s like an unending sunset. The ground beneath me is rough with a mixture of ash and charcoal bits. Oil and bestial smells linger in the foul air. The source of this stench is the fuel prepared to light this place on fire in case of an emergency—along with the prisoners we captured that meant we needn’t go that far. The clicking of boots echo in the chamber, covering up the sounds of moaning and dragging. I wait as they slowly come into view.

  “Oh, if it isn’t Lord Willow. Imagine my surprise to see you here.”

  “Pardon the late-night intrusion.”

  The figure of a man with a lantern appears, a family crest adorning his sword belt. It might seem strange to charge a high-ranking officer with an underground jail’s security, but considering the unordinary prisoners we find ourselves with, it actually seems appropriate.

  Four hundred sixty-eight vampires surrendered to us, and now fill our dungeon. Which is funny, considering they could turn this fort into gravel in a single night if they wanted to.

  “How are the prisoners?” I ask.

  “They’re quiet. That black rope proved very effective.”

  “I see. It’s soaked with ignition fluid, so...”

  “I understand. Please leave it to me.”

  I was going to warn him to be careful, but I’m struck silent. Ultimately, I leave the decision up to him. Essentially, if they show signs of resistance that he can’t handle, he’s to burn all the prisoners. If necessary, he’s also to close the iron doors, the only exit, and burn the entire dungeon down. It’s an important yet difficult job. Even if they are vampires, burning prisoners alive is a cruel thing to do. The fact that they’re vampires also brings with it a fair amount of danger. I hear this officer’s already written his will. I wonder if he’ll have the guts to lock the door when the time comes.

  “It’s a great burden I’ve placed upon you,” I say apologetically.

  “Please, I volunteered for this. General Bandkan himself taught me all the tricks of this fort. This is my job as his survivor.”

  This man is a seasoned veteran. I heard he and his cavalry unit fought against fifty vampires. Normally, I would rather he take over General Bandkan’s place as head of the fort’s army.

  “Ha ha ha, be at ease. Sira taught me the words for Ignite. Would you like me to demonstrate by turning your staff into charcoal?” he jokes.

  This man has lost a lot, that’s for sure. His superiors, his friends, his steed... and his right leg. He’ll never ride into battle as a knight again. That’s why he bequeathed control of the fort’s army to me. I sense rage in him, as well as shame. War is endlessly cruel.

  “Our main force will arrive tomorrow—four thousand five hundred spears and familiars led by Father Felipo.”

  “Ah, finally. This land will become humanity’s last bastion, then.”

  He’s right, of course. We had no choice but to leave the defense of the north to the elves, and the state of affairs to the south is looking grimmer by the hour. Towns and villages are falling left and right.

  The palace has been taken, as well. I’m told they offered no resistance due to some internal squabble. The messenger who told me this almost killed himself from shame. Through gritted teeth, he informed me of the citizens’ armed uprising that occurred before the five thousand vampires lead by Crumbling Mountain could even reach them.

  The uprising was incited by the Starlight Band, a group of vampire sympathizers. Many of their members were knights and nobles, apparently. Perhaps they thought it was their best chance to overthrow the royals, whom they considered elf-loving traitors. At present, the royal family’s safety is unknown. It’s not even clear if the royal knights were able to intervene, let alone how the citizens are doing. The only thing we know for sure is that the Church was burned down.

  Things are as close to bad as they can get. Humanity has been chased onto death’s door, and is now facing extinction, which means we now require a certain something.

  “I was thinking of introducing you to the sorcerer when he arrives.”

  “That’s the man who brought back the ways of fire magic, yes?”

  “That’s right, Odysson leads the Mage Company, but magic itself is not a military discipline. It would be quite reassuring if we could have someone to advise them in that regard.”

  “...You wish me to stand on the battlefield again? Me?”

  That gaze; that light deep within his eyes... it burns like a pyre.

  That’s fighting spirit; that’s what we need. In times of crisis, we must rally to our indomitable fighting spirit. The guts to be proud and human will be our final, greatest weapon.

  “I would. So please, take care of your health.”

  “Ha ha... Ha ha ha! I see. I can still fight, huh?”

  Good, now he should refrain from attempting to punish himself. Perhaps he’ll also regain the strength to fight against destiny. A presence like his will most assuredly give courage to the fort’s army, now that they’ve lost General Bandkan.

  Sigh... I’ve become so conniving. I feed the broken-hearted sweet words and send them to their graves; prod the pride of the broken-bodied and send them to their demise. My plan is to turn desperation into fighting power. This is the true reality of a commander: staying safe while sending soldiers to die and kill your enemies. I will cross as many lines as I have to right now. One day, I will be judged. One day, I will die.

  I leave the dungeon and look up at the night sky. It looks like mud. Rain is coming.

  People cannot bring about great things by maintaining their integrity... Hm! I never accepted Nazarus’s dirty dealings back then. I considered his excessive flattery of the royalty, boot-licking of other military families, and blackmail of great merchant families to be depravity of the highest order for one of his pedigree. Meanwhile, I tried to take the high road, and our paths ended up splitting.

  I had to squash my pride in order to send that letter... which brought Origis and Marius to me. They were sent by Father and Nazarus, I suspect. Otherwise, they’d never have come with a thousand elite cavalry in tow. Our men aren’t so lacking in discipline that they’d so easily defect like that. Not to mention the extra soldiers, equipment, horses, and supplies they sent to the Frontier... How much money and manpower did that require? What made it all possible? Who’s supporting the soldiers’ families? The answer is obvious.

  On the cusp of our nation’s fall, my father and brother have decided to take action.

  Even now, having returned to the fort, I haven’t heard word of the Willow army’s whereabouts. The estate might not lie along the vampires’ path, but there’s no way they’d simply sit and wait for destruction. They’re somewhere out there, doing only God knows what.

  “Oh, here comes Agias.”

  “Indeed. Good timing, brother.”

  Origis and Marius, eh? They seem to be drawing something on the ground with sticks... Battle formations? Well, well. The center column of soldiers is taki
ng the brunt of the enemy’s attack, luring them into being completely surrounded. The light of the lanterns brings to life the battle that took place at this very fort not too long ago.

  “Oh, curious about this? I’m acting as the vampires, and Marius as the fort army. I lost. There’s no way to break this strategy.”

  “It’s amazing. No matter how few or many vampires we face, this strategy can handle them all.”

  “And that’s not all. If we employ our Bomber Knights and fireproof soldiers, we can create a net of pure death.”

  “Origis can even sweep through the center of the enemy’s forces with the fire wheel formation.”

  “Hey, are you trying to get me killed, too? I could accidentally be crushed by all those bodies.”

  As usual, they get along well. They’re also both quite clever. In the center of the foot soldiers, they’ve drawn an emblem. In other words, that’s where the commander sits. I don’t sigh, but I can’t hide my grief.

  “This is General Bandkan’s strategy,” I remind myself.

  He was a great military man. He never let the rot of the palace affect him, nor fell victim to scornful independence; he even supported the entire Frontier with the strength of his forces. He was a pillar of the nation, connecting the north and the south.

  A chill creeps up my back. I’ve lost a master, at a time when I truly wish I could rely upon him.

  “You can do it, can’t you, Agias?” His words irk me; they’re stupid and imprudent. That’s not like Origis.

  “...Easier said than done,” I object.

  “No, you can. You have to.”

  Something in his voice makes me look at him. He fixes me with his gaze. It burns with spirit... and that’s not all: his fire is radiating towards me.

  He resumes, his eyes piercing me: “We’ll march on the palace. The king’s power is broken, and the vampires rule now. We have to win; that much is obvious. But that can’t be all we do—we have to give the citizens a sign in their time of fear and despair.” He’s practically breathing fire now. His fists are clenched. “Strength—the strength of humans. We are weak, hunted for food by monsters and other races, pathetic, and sad... everyone’s scared. Even so, if you want to have pride despite it all, you have to grit your teeth and pick up a sword. That’s a warrior, right?”