Oukoku e Tsuzuku Michi

Erich glares at me with a scowl he's never shown me in the past.

Naturally, his expression was suitable towards a sworn enemy, but that doesn't explain everything.

Envy and gratification――no, it can't be.

「I predicted the friendly fire trick. And I had a countermeasure for the monster.」

Following his line of sight, I see several large cannons set on top of the city walls.

If I let the smoothie rush in at the start and charged through the gates, I would have been met with a severe counterattack.

Those cannons were rendered useless by the shockwave of the giant explosion, with their bases broken and their barrels bent in various directions.

「With all this chaos, I can no longer bring it under control from the rear. I have to step onto the frontlines myself.」

We have to defeat each other in order to advance.

「Bruno, Agor, and Cedric――have you killed them?」

「Yes.」

Erich lowers his eyes, while I raise mine to the night sky.

「Agor was also your friend. Don't you feel remorse?」

「Of course I do. My emotions are such a mess that I want to scream.」

It was the most unsatisfying victory ever.

Nevertheless, I have something I want to accomplish.

「So you have something more important to you than friendship.」

Erich draws his sword and walks forward on his horse.

He wants to duel me?

The escort knights hurriedly step in between us.

「No need. Stand down.」