Nothing Matters
"Emilia inquires, 'How do I look?' as I gaze perplexed at the horizon.
In that solemn moment, memories begin to pierce my mind like sharp thorns. The phantom pain relentlessly courses through my entire being, causing me to stagger in a whirlwind of agony.
I observe my arm, the one that was once missing, and I feel it all coming back to life. My pulse races uncontrollably, and my heart threatens to yield to the crushing burden of guilt and despair.
It was my own foolishness that led us to this loss, and now is the time to make amends. No matter how the urge to surrender assails my mind, no matter if I must crawl through the abyss, rest is only for those who truly deserve it.
Now, I must press forward; I have responsibilities to fulfill, even if my spirit trembles, and my emotions threaten to overwhelm me.
"Are you okay?" Emilia attempts to touch me, but I react, forcing a strained smile. I cannot afford to succumb to the turbulence that stirs within me at this crucial moment.
I must do things right, no matter what.
"Listen," I address Emilia and Rem, 'Alsten will come soon; I need you to tell him to head to the village immediately. Activate the T01 protection measure. Now, I must go. Proceed to the village without delay, regardless of what happens.'
No matter what.
"Marco!" they both cry, but before they can reach me, I make a drastic decision.
Holding Beatrice firmly, I throw myself out of the window. As we plummet into the abyss, she, surprised and terrified, lets out a deafening scream:
"Murak!"
The effect of gravity is immediately felt as blood pressure rapidly increases, reminding me that I am alive, even if I wished otherwise. Just before crashing to the ground, I use the wind magic to propel myself and swiftly head towards the village awaiting my arrival desperately.
Destiny has charted its course, and I, with a broken heart and a soul ablaze, plunge into the maelstrom without hesitation.
The miasma swirling within my body begins to calm as Beatrice employs her magic to mitigate its influence. As I travel at breakneck speed, within minutes, I reach the longed-for village. With caution, I infuse mana into my throat, slowly attempting to control the miasma threatening to overflow within me.
"People of Irlam!" I declare with determination, causing all eyes to turn towards me. I wait a moment until everyone around me focuses on my words, and then I continue, "The T01 protection measure is being implemented! I implore you to evacuate to the school following the army's instructions! Do not panic or offer resistance!"
People begin to cast bewildered glances at each other upon hearing the news. The soldiers, recognizing the gravity of my words, are the first to spring into action, hastening to guide the populace to safety.
The captains issue commands to their subordinates, who quickly assemble at a designated point.
I descend before them with unwavering resolve, without a trace of emotion in my words. "Soldiers! The battle is upon us, the Witch's Cult approaches, and we must act without delay," I declare, my words devoid of any hint of emotion.
Lucas gazes at me in astonishment, understanding that the woman we face is implicated in all of this. The captains exchange glances, and only three of them keep their gaze fixed on me.
One of them is Oslo, a man well into his later years with white hair and a piercing gaze. His marksmanship skills and acute stealth have earned him great recognition in the army. His squad specializes in reconnaissance and stealthy strikes, though they are still in the process of perfecting their craft.
The other is Pest, a youth of merely eighteen years. He lost his parents during the mabeasts attack, which drove him to join the army, fueled by anger. With dark red hair reminiscent of blood itself and an expression devoid of emotions, he exudes palpable fear.
He has excelled in carrying out his duties flawlessly, with no hesitation or vacillation. He could be considered the ideal soldier by the standards of my world, but I feel profound sorrow for him and his circumstances.
"At your command, General!" the three of them respond in unison, setting off a chain reaction among the other soldiers, who assume the same posture of commitment and obedience.
The soldiers disperse, and Oslo remains at my side. "Alert the builders to construct defensive trenches. Everyone must contribute. The attack will come through the town's main entrance," I point in the direction of the distant forest.
"Yes, General!" Oslo salutes militarily and moves into action.
The soldiers scatter in all directions, following the issued orders. Oslo, however, stays by my side, ready to fulfill his duties.
With determination in my voice, I instruct him: "Notify the builders to create defensive trenches. Everyone must pitch in. The attack will come through the town's main entrance," I gesture toward the forest on the horizon, where the threat lies concealed.
Oslo, without hesitation, salutes and sets out to execute the assigned task.
I know the attack is inevitable, but if I can eliminate Petelgeuse before his influence spreads, the consequences will be mitigated. With Beatrice at my side, we take flight toward the school where the Yang magic specialist resides.
Upon arrival, the man hurriedly approaches me, his face reflecting concern for what he has heard. He guides me to a secluded spot, away from the tumult and agitation that fills the air. In that moment, I grapple with the anguish and anger stirred by Roswaal's decisions, who, despite being aware of the situation, has chosen not to intervene.
Anger simmers within me.
His voice quivers with fear as he exclaims: "The Witch's Cult has arrived, haven't they?" His words are a reflection of the fear that has consumed him.
Unable to contain myself, I seize the man by both arms and shove him forcefully, causing him to lose his balance and tumble to the ground.
My voice is piercing, laden with anger:
"Let it be the last time you dare to do that," I respond with restrained fury. "Now that danger looms, there is nothing we can do to prevent it. Take refuge like everyone else and trust that all will turn out well."
The man, wearing a displeased expression, tosses me the Yang bullet magazine before rising, fixing his gaze upon me with evident annoyance. He lowers his head and, in a fearful tone, mutters: "It's the half-demon's fault."
An outburst of anger overtakes me, and without a second thought, I grasp the man by the neck and slam him violently to the ground. His eyes widen in surprise, desperately attempting to grab my arm to free himself.
My grip on his neck intensifies as I glare at him with unbridled fury.
Trapped in my rage, the man looks at me with fear, struggling to breathe.
"Do you dare to say that in the presence of Miss Emilia? Do you dare?" My voice is a menacing growl as I tighten my hold, causing the man to try invoking magic to defend himself.
With my superior mana, I repel his magic with overwhelming pressure. The atmosphere brims with tension as magical power runs amok due to the lingering miasma within me. My gaze fills with hatred and contempt as the man begins to cry, desperate and pleading.
"I warn you; this is the last time." I release his neck, allowing him to breathe with difficulty. "Next time... I will kill you."
I depart from the scene with a heavy heart, warning the man to keep absolute silence about what transpired. I no longer care if he chooses to resign, for I have other priorities at this moment. With the bullets in my possession, my sole objective is to confront Petelgeuse.
Although remorse tries to surface, I push it from my mind.
Now, I must focus on what lies ahead.
The academy transforms into a hubbub of people, all entering with fearful countenances yet organized in their actions. The soldiers deploy with precision, providing assistance to those who struggle to move. This interval is crucial to prevent any unnecessary harm at the outset of the attack.
In the midst of the crowd, Emilia and Rem swiftly make their way toward me, their faces reflecting concern and anticipation. Their eyes scan the scene, noting the widespread obedience of the people who follow orders without daring to ask audacious questions.
The shadow of the past, marked by the terror of the mabeasts, still lingers in the hearts of all. They know that something grave is transpiring, but none dares to break the silence with reckless queries.
"Marco, Colonel Alsten has brought," Emilia begins, but I interrupt her with determination.
"He has brought with him a girl tainted with the miasma," I respond without hesitation, allowing my words to convey the gravity of the situation.
Both of them regard me with surprise, but it is Emilia's face that undergoes a drastic change, shifting from confusion to a mixture of fear and doubt. I cannot help but feel her gaze scrutinizing my visage, detecting the falsehood in my words.
"Lucas had already informed me that this girl hails from a distant village," I lie shamelessly, attempting to divert attention. "All of this had been previously reported from the capital. Roswaal departed to investigate, but I never imagined they were this close."
Emilia must sense my deceit, but she also understands that now is not the time to argue. The situation is far too pressing.
"The girl is infected with miasma, but I left her asleep, and my sister is in charge of her watch," Rem asserts, visibly angered by the incident.
Emilia observes both of us, her trembling lips shifting her gaze toward the people who glance at us askance. The populace has a rough idea of what is transpiring; they are aware that Emilia bears indirect responsibility, but they fear to speak it aloud.
They understand the consequences that might entail.
Suddenly, Emilia starts to falter, threatening to collapse to the ground. I act swiftly, seizing her arm and lifting her firmly.
"You must be strong now! Do not allow fear to control you. These people need you more than ever," I hold her by the shoulders, making our eyes meet in an attempt to convey strength. "You are the strongest one here. Defend them with that strength."
Emilia looks at me in astonishment.
I cannot pinpoint the exact expression on her face, but her eyes reflect gratitude and a spark of determination. She smiles at me while clenching her fists, accepting the challenge.
"Yes, you're right," she responds with determination in her voice.
I understand that Rem is too vulnerable for what lies ahead. Although I can withstand it, thanks to my ability to perceive Petelgeuse's movements, Rem's senses are not sufficient to confront him.
It is better for her and Beatrice to stay behind to provide support and healing. If something goes wrong, I do not need to survive.
I am willing to accept my fate.
If the time comes.
So be it.
"Emilia and I will go into the forest," I give the order with seriousness, locking my gaze on both.
Beatrice is the first to react. She grips my arm angrily, shouting at me in rage. "Are you going to abandon Betty?" She glares at me with unleashed fury. "You're a liar, I suppose."
Rem's piercing eyes lock onto mine, desperately seeking a way to express what her silence conceals.
Her lips tighten, sealing the words struggling to escape from her tormented soul. I accept her silence and lean towards Beatrice, letting my fingers glide gently over her head, her eyes never leaving my face.
"I will not yield in this battle. I am heading with the most powerful individual, one with the gift of healing, just like you," I direct my gaze to Beatrice, a smile gracing my lips. "Trust me, stay here so you can employ your healing gifts for as many soldiers as possible. Do you promise?"
A moment of profound silence envelops Beatrice, lost in introspection filled with uncertainty. I do not wish to bear the weight of such responsibility again, for I am unsure if I can endure witnessing her sacrifice once more.
I still hold in my memories the echo of her sweet whispers, the warmth of her presence fading from my grasp.
That was the only option, but I refuse to relive such agony.
If Beatrice manages to save me, and it involves crossing the point of no return, I fear losing myself in a labyrinth of despair.
If I must take her life and am prohibited from gazing upon her face once more, if everything is reduced to ashes and desolation, I prefer not to even contemplate that sad possibility.
Although Beatrice strives to smile, her eyes reveal the underlying truth behind her forced grin, the burden she carries on her shoulders.
"Betty will await you, in fact, you'd better return without fail, I suppose" she replies with a penetrating gaze, locking her eyes with mine as a challenge.
"I promise I will return to envelop you in an embrace, much like the one we share at this very moment," I proclaim, embracing Beatrice tightly in a desperate attempt to calm the storm of emotions consuming me.
After what feels like an eternity, Beatrice responds to my embrace, clinging to me with unrestrained strength until we finally part. Then, her eyes focus on Emilia, who appears lost in confusion and disorientation.
Emilia, in turn, is taken aback by Beatrice's gaze, as if she is on the verge of revealing a deep secret.
"You are no longer the girl who arrived at this mansion. You have grown, flourished beyond all imaginable measure, I suppose," Beatrice asserts, flashing a smile filled with significance and wisdom.
Emilia's eyes widen, unable to grasp the words that flow from Beatrice's lips. Emilia, overwhelmed by her own emotions, covers her mouth with her hands, struggling to contain the flood of feelings threatening to overflow. Then, she gazes at the sky, a look that reflects the strongest determination she has ever held within her.
"I have changed, and I will continue to change tirelessly," Emilia proclaims with a determination that resonates in every syllable, in every fiber of her being.
Rem also turns her gaze to Emilia, reflecting astonishment in her eyes. When it comes to transformations, Emilia's has undoubtedly been the most remarkable. With each passing day, she gains confidence in herself and her abilities.
The responsibility of her death rests on my shoulders, as I did not disclose Petelgeuse's abilities to protect her.
Emilia is much stronger than I ever believed.
"Rem and Beatrice will stay behind to tend to the wounded. Emilia and I will take care of defeating the enemy," I order with determination.
All nod in agreement. Rem and Beatrice will remain at the camp to tend to the wounded. Meanwhile, I must consider my own condition: the miasma stirring within me limits my ability to fully utilize magic.
If I use it excessively, it could trigger an explosion in my gate.
Therefore, I must control my urge to use spiritual magic and stick to the spells I master with skill, avoiding unnecessary complications. I will only employ it when strictly necessary.
I must await the signal. The moment the mine is activated, Emilia and I will head to the designated location. Regardless of what unfolds, my goal is to eliminate Petelgeuse.
We will unleash a massacre upon those heartless individuals. It was not in vain that I prepared meticulously. I was a fool to let my emotions get the better of me. Rubbing my eyes, I ensure I have a clear view of what lies ahead.
Mages set up trenches, while soldiers arrange ammunition crates. This preparation is crucial, as a protracted battle looms. They withstood it once, which indicates they will be able to do so again.
The returnee will handle things flawlessly. I am aware of their plans, so there will be no hitches.
Now is the time for each to play their part. I take pride in seeing that they persevered back then, which means all my efforts were not in vain. If we manage to emerge from this situation, it will mark the beginning of a new force.
Unbeknownst to me, someone takes my hand. I turn my head to see who it is and find Emilia, who smiles playfully at me. She raises my hand and places it on her chest, closing her eyes. Without knowing what is happening, she utters some words:
"Marco, you also have secrets, but I want you to know that you don't always have to be strong," she opens her eyes and gazes at me intently. "You can be yourself whenever you want."
I remain bewildered, not understanding the reason for her words. I search my mind, but I cannot recall saying anything amiss. I glance at Beatrice, but she avoids my gaze. I smile uncomfortably as I gently withdraw my hand from Emilia's.
"Don't worry, I'm fine," I reply. "I'm just a little tired. After the Royal Selection, we'll have a nice vacation."
A white lie.
I saw no trace of the whale, so I assume this attack is unrelated to it. Everything has a reason. I hope Roswaal brings useful information; if not, I won't hesitate to shoot him in the head to calm myself.
"General Marco, Miss Emilia," Alsten appears behind me, interrupting my thoughts.
I offer a military salute, allowing both of us to speak. Alsten looks at me with a complex expression. I can sense his fear, but also the pressure that prevents him from showing it.
He is the army's colonel and the next in command when neither Emilia nor I are present.
"Colonel, now that everything is in order, I need you to consider something," I place my hand on Emilia's shoulder and explain. "Miss Emilia and I are going to deal with the archbishop of the cult. There is a possibility that we will face very powerful individuals, so I need you, if you encounter something beyond your comprehension, to be the one who guides the others on the right path."
Alsten appears perplexed, but he grasps the essence of my meaning. Of the entire army, I've only confided in him regarding most of the archbishops.
After all, when I'm not present, he is the one who makes decisions.
It's a step I will also take with Emilia.
"If we don't find another way out, we may have to resort to the containment plan as a last resort. Even if it involves a human sacrifice, it will at least protect the civilians," I add with gravity and determination.
"Yes, General! I will fulfill my duty without hesitation!" Alsten exclaims, bidding farewell to Emilia and striding away with resolve.
The final defensive barrier, employing strategically placed mines to freeze the surrounding environment, will isolate the entire academy. It's a painful sacrifice, as it means the entire army must perish, but our priority is to safeguard the lives of the innocent.
I pray that we won't have to use it.
BOOM!
Almost synchronously, as Alsten departs, a violent tremor shakes the earth. I raise my gaze to the sky and marvel as multiple ice pillars rise majestically. All watch the pillars with a mixture of fear and anticipation.
Destiny seems to have shifted; this time, the loop has taken a different course. Perhaps my warning has had an effect.
My gaze meets Emilia's, who exudes determination.
"I will reveal everything you need to know along the way," I affirm as I firmly grip her hand. "It's time to move forward!"
Emilia nods with determination, and together, we embark on a rapid sprint. I fix my gaze on the horizon, attempting to keep my mind clear and focused. The cult's followers will not be far behind, so we must hasten to confront the impending fate.
We run with our hearts pounding in our chests, ready to face any challenges that come our way.
War is imminent, and we are prepared to confront it with all our might.
General Marco delivered me precise instructions, and his knack for obtaining intricate information is enigmatic. While I lack his mental acuity, I possess my own set of skills to face this situation.
I observe the imposing ice pillars, testaments to the strategically placed mines. In the forest, we have a total of forty mines, though I would estimate that in that specific direction, there are approximately fifteen of them, as the rest have been distributed across different perimeters.
Each of these mines is capable of claiming the lives of five, or perhaps with a stroke of luck, up to ten individuals within its radius. Now that it's confirmed that the enemy is approaching from the location marked by the general, we must act accordingly.
"Prepare the cannons!" I shout with a firm voice, as the artillery squadron takes position on the battlefield.
The metallic sound of artillery resonates in the air, signaling our readiness for the impending confrontation. Amidst the tension and anticipation, I feel the weight of responsibility on my shoulders.
War is looming, and we must be prepared to defend our own, regardless of the cost.
I've witnessed the destructive power of this weaponry, and I can't help but marvel at its overwhelming force.
The thunder of gunpowder rings in my ears, reminding me of its uniqueness.
Typically, we would use fire crystals, but the cost of such a resource is astronomical, and we can't afford to squander our limited supplies, not to mention the mana consumption they entail.
I cast my gaze to my rifle, the faithful companion that has been with me in countless battles. Around me, soldiers gather in trenches, small earthworks reinforced with barbed wire in their front. These trenches provide us with the necessary cover to face the enemy and fire when necessary.
All civilians have been evacuated, leaving us alone to confront the imminent response from the cult. Our duty is to hold the line until the return of the general and Miss Emilia. The soldiers look at me, their eyes reflecting a mixture of fear and anger.
I understand their sentiments because the attack we face is a direct consequence of Miss Emilia's existence.
However, I consider these notions to be mere illusions; that young lady is nothing more than a girl, striving as hard as we are to survive in this merciless world.
Every day, after grueling training, she tends to the wounds of everyone without fail, in addition to assisting in our drills. During the mabeast test, she was the only one who cared for every injury, looking after all of us. Soldiers are aware of this, but it's not easy to accept.
Emilia's appearance is perplexing, and the shadow of uncertainty hangs over us. Nevertheless, I know there's no malice in her heart.
There are secrets that only I know, and I will guard them fiercely.
"Isn't that right, Luna?"
You were torn from my arms, violently ripped from my life, and slaughtered by the knights of the capital. Although you asked me to forgive them, I am incapable of doing so. I see an opportunity for revenge in this battle, and I must seize it.
If these people grow stronger, if I use the blessing you granted me to attain greater power, if we manage to seize the throne and overthrow the knights.
Then, I can exterminate all those who harmed you.