Chapter 26

Behind him, the Black Knights filed out in perfect ranks—Unit 1 through Unit 41.

Every last agent of the Special Task Force had reached the capital.

Their mere formation breathed menace.

Fewer than two hundred in all, yet each was the Empire’s elite, worth a hundred common soldiers.

“Marcello’s word is law,” the Special Task Force Captain warned the Commanders. “Ignore it because it came from ‘someone else’s kid,’ and you’ll answer to me.”

“I heard it from Marcello on the way here, Trainee.”

I snapped a salute—I'd lost count of how many times today.

The Captain flicked his eyes toward Light: the signal to mount.

I swung up onto the stallion’s back.

“You’re the bait. Knock the Demon Beasts out of the sky with your spear. Become the most annoying thing alive.”

“Understood.”

“Ten minutes. Stall them that long and we’ll take it from there.”

“Yes, sir.”

“The moment the civilians sheltering underground reach the surface, the clock starts. Ten minutes. Counting on you.”

“I’ll make it happen.”

“Good. When you do, apply to the Task Force.”

He grinned.

Everyone said he was the kindest officer alive—when he wasn’t in uniform.

He alone seemed unaware of the rumor.

“Actually, apply even if you fail. Marcello’s never trusted a stranger before.”

Marcello spoke as though discussing a stray cat.

“Thank you.”

“More important—survive. I doubt this is the last we’ll see of you. Feels like fate.”

“You believe in omens, sir?”

“I read the clouds.”

“Clouds have no predictive power, Commander. A cloud is merely—”

“I know what a cloud is.”

He laughed louder.

“You two are exactly alike.”

I had no idea what he meant.

“Hand that Trainee a full rack of spears.”

With that order, the Captain rode off.

Civilians filed past under Imperial escort, beginning their evacuation.

I stayed behind, alone, staring skyward.

Winged Demon Beasts still wheeled overhead, countless as gnats.

Around me, a forest of spears stood planted point-down for easy plucking.

“Light, back off.”

I signaled; the horse retreated a few paces.

Rain kept falling.

Ten minutes.

I remembered the humiliation on the training-center hill—goblins ignoring my arrow-pierced body to swarm Kinjo.

That shame would never repeat.

Make them target me first—before Marcello, before anyone.

I hefted a spear, closed my eyes, and focused.

A Winged Demon Beast dived toward the clustered Imperial troops—

I cast.

The spear flew straight, skewering its chest; the beast dropped like a drowned fly.

Next.

“Over here...”

Next.

I threw without pause.

When the tenth beast tumbled from the sky, the flock wheeled toward me.

I snatched up the remaining spears and shouted,

“Light!”

At the signal the stallion sprinted over; I vaulted aboard.

The Demon Beasts began their low pass, releasing cargo clutched in their talons—orcs and goblins.

One, two, three—

I stopped counting; numbers only grew.

I charged.

Guiding Light with my knees, I swept the spear in wide arcs, carving a path through the falling horde.

* * *

“We lost the capital, but every refugee survived. Task Force casualties: zero. Shameful we arrived late, yet unavoidable—air assault caught the defense line flat-footed. Still, judged by results, the operation succeeded. Only one problem remains...”

“You’re monologuing again, Captain Shimena. More often, and at greater length.”

“That Trainee—Marcello’s new favorite.”

“Ah, yes.”

“You left out the most important thing.”

“The most important thing?”

“I never got his name... With everything going on, it slipped my mind. I even told him to join the Task Force!”

“Hardly matters...”

“Hardly matters? You think so? I thought you were interested.”

“Not really. Remembering names is a pain.”

“Marcello, please...”

Marcello recalled the exchange:

—We lost the capital, but we haven’t given up. We’ll hold the line as long as we can. Trainee, we’ll rebuild the defense the moment we pull back. This time we’ll be ready for an air assault. We have to save every meter of territory we can.

—I agree. We have no choice.

Mago hadn’t noticed that she was inviting him to be her subordinate.

‘We.’

An invitation to join the Task Force.

—No choice?

—If I want to reach Aquaella even a second sooner, I have to defend every millimeter of land.

“Aquaella...”

“Hm? Marcello, why bring up Aquaella?”

“Nothing.”

“I have to remember that trainee’s name... Wait, did he ever tell me? The brat didn’t even give his full rank—just slipped away...”

“Always someone else’s fault.”

“That’s how I survive as Task Force Captain. If I blamed myself for everything, I’d fall apart.”

“White Hair stands out, but if the kid suddenly quit and left the army, we’d never find him without a name.”

“Marcello, you... No, even if you’d heard it, you’d never remember.”

“Mago.”

“Hm?”

“Mago. That’s the trainee’s name.”

“You knew...?”

“I never said I didn’t.”

“Good work, Marcello! You’re the best!”

“No family name, though. Doesn’t matter—slave, exile, gender-swapper—”

“That last one’s weird.”

“He’s strong. That’s enough. The Task Force needs that trainee, Mago.”

“The force behind his spear-throw was incredible. Oh—Marcello, you just lost your nickname. Walking Cannon.”

* * *

Boom—boom—boom—

The wall-mounted cannon thundered in rapid succession.

White uniform, golden lion.

Imperial Knights fired on the Demon Beasts, helping shore up the defense.

“I read the report.”

Inside the keep, the Knights Commander dropped a stack of paper on the desk.

“One thing puzzles me.”

“Only one, sir...?”

“I’m sick of hearing about the capital. And the 66th Class trainee. That name appears in your report—correct?”

“Yes, sir. I met the trainee while visiting the First Training Center at the Chief Instructor’s request.”

“Did you invite him to join the Knights?”

“I did. However...”

“However?”

“He insisted on the Task Force, so I had to give up.”

“Hm. What exactly did you discuss?”

“Trainee Mago has a gift for Detection Magic, so I offered to mentor—”

The Commander’s slap cut him off.

A sharp crack echoed through the room.

Silence.

Then two more blows.

Each time the knight’s knees buckled, he snapped back to Attention stance.

“You knew.”

“Yes... sir.”

“You knew his ability, yet the moment he said ‘Task Force’ you abandoned him. Is that right?”

“...My apologies.”

“What will you say if His Majesty hears of this cursed trainee? ‘He chose the Task Force, so I let him go’?”

“No, sir. I’m sorry. I’ll fix it.”

Nothing more to say.

“He’s still a trainee. This is your last chance. Go to him now. Bring him back on your knees if you must. Fail—and...”

The knight swallowed and bowed his head.

“You’ll surrender your Golden Lion emblem.”

* * *

“What are you doing?”

The same Imperial Knight he’d met before—the man the Chief Instructor had summoned.

“Trainee Mago, won’t you reconsider? I was wrong. I apologize from the heart—”

They argued in the corridor.

“I bear no grudge. Please go back.”

“No, not until you forgive me—”

He hesitated, then lowered himself almost to his knees.

“That won’t be necessary. You’re already too late.”

Mago opened the door.

The instructor’s office.

A man sat in the chair, legs crossed.

“Oh, well hello. What brings White Dog here? Thinking of enlisting in the 67th class at First Training Center?”

The Special Task Force Captain waved with playful ease.

“T-Trainee Mago. The Crow has come...”

The Imperial Knights and the Task Force used nicknames for one another.

Yet, by the chain of command, the knights were already on their knees to the captain.

“Exactly what you think, ma’am.”

After a final salute he stepped inside.

Door shut, he sat opposite her.

She cleared her throat.

“Mago. Picking up where we left off—fine. I’ll see what I can do about your request.”

“Truly?”

“Yes. The 66th class is a special case; we’ll run a special selection. I’m the captain, after all—my call. However—”

She raised an index finger as though pinning him to the wall.

“—only if your story checks out.”

“Belle Red and Amon Coster distinguished themselves, no question. Belle beheaded the Orc Boss, and Amon led fifty men—”

“I know. That’s not the pair I’m interested in.”

“Then... who?”

“Two others in your cohort. Kinjo Shua and Oscar Sita.”

“Ah, I thought as much...”

“Kinjo’s Clairvoyance Magic is critical. It’ll be the key to bringing down that crawling Demon King Castle.”

“And Oscar’s the tech specialist?”

“Exactly. The Task Force is starved for engineers; the whole Imperial Army lags behind the Demon King’s science. We can’t even build a moving castle. Mago, how capable is Oscar, in your view?”

“Ran his own blacksmith shop back home—not as an employee, but the owner.”

“All of the 66th are teenagers, right? Impressive. See? I spot talent.”

She lifted a shoulder in a satisfied shrug.

“Trouble is, Oscar hasn’t applied to us.”

“So... White Dog, then?”

“Yes.”

“Reason?”

“Wants a rear-echelon post, from what I hear.”

“My least favorite type.”

She tipped her head back and sighed.

“Still, we need him. Knights have rifles and cannon; we rely on bare hands. Would be nice if we pooled resources, but that’s not how it works.”

I gave a slow nod.

“All right, that’s it. I promise your friends will be selected. On my name—Special Task Force Captain Shimena Extein.”

“Thank you sincerely.”

“Mago, you’re on leave starting today?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Then rest up.”

She rose, hand resting on my shoulder.

“Next time I see you, it’ll be in black fatigues. I’m counting on you—more than any of those friends you spoke of.”