The lives of those who have been called “failures” vary widely.
Some, like the tiger hunters, have left the city, while others live in the city, mingling with the people.
There are many people who live in the city, especially if their characteristics are difficult to recognize from the outside.
As they dwell in the city and mingle with others, their qualities, which are somewhat different from those of normal humans, gradually fade away.
With the exception of “ancestry”.
Shuten possesses long, fang-like canine teeth, as well as tremendous vigor and muscle strength, thanks to his ancestors.
He was born in a settlement on the outskirts of East size.
A place to live for those who have been cast out of the crowded Town.
Naturally, life was poor and hunger was a strong motivator for Shuten.
“I will make it to the top, and make a good life for myself.”
Fortunately for him, his physical abilities were far superior to those of the others, and he passed the knight’s exam in the Town of East Size. He quickly rose to prominence.
The captain of the Town at the time, who had also risen through the ranks of the military, took notice of him, trained him, and gave him the skills to become the best knight of the East-Size, which everyone recognized.
Many people looked at him with envy, and it was inevitable that Count Wind, the Lord of East-Size, would appoint him the next captain of the Town.
If you are a knight captain, you will be paid a certain amount of money.
While dreaming of moving to the Town, the villagers were grateful to Shuten, who never forgot the debt he owed to the village that had raised him and helped other poor families in the village.
Inspired by Shuten, the village was able to cultivate the fields and make a reasonable living.
Thorne, a gorgeous town girl, is drawn to Shuten’s demeanor, and Shuten likes Thorne as well, and the two form a lovely family.
“One day, I’ll take my family to the Town.”
Although the villagers were sad to see him go, they cheered him on. Shuten’s happiness was supposed to be a guaranteed one.
With enough money saved up, no one in the village was dying of hunger.
All that was left to do was to make his dream come true……. It was at that time that the invasion force from the Holy City to the City of Iron and Stone came to the East-Size town.
◇◆◇◆◇
Invasion of the attacking forces.
By the hands of the highly ambitious captain Gairai, these men are gathered together based solely on their military prowess.
Rapist, poverty, and other circumstances vary.
To those who have stained their hands with sin, the bait of immunity is dangled, and the soldiers, who are only knights in name, are taken in.
With no one to grieve even in death, he uses them to his advantage and defeats his enemies.
That is Gairai’s ambition. All for the sake of his credit.
Gairai’s goal is only to take credit.
There is no need to go forward with such people and put oneself in danger.
(I heard that East size has a talented candidate for the next captain of the City. I’ll let him lead them.)
(There is no such thing as a sorcery. But the defense seems to be solid.)
(It makes no difference if you don’t win in the worst-case scenario.)
If they smash through the wall of iron and stone, which is their pride and joy, they will have a chance to win.
(If we immediately replenish our army with new troops in Size Tide and march on, victory is certain.)
If he wants to move up, all he needs is an assessment of the Holy City. Whether the ruler was a saint or a local lord was none of Gairai’s concern.
All he needs is a result. Gairai, who rallied the troops, led a large army to victory. That sounds appealing. The invasion force, on the other hand, could as well be wiped out.
One day, Gairai received a report from one of his subordinates that he had been assaulted by the captain of the East Size Town.
“Why did you go to the village in the first place?”
“That is……”
Although it was evident that the information was fraudulent, the captain was also responsible for the subordinate’s actions.
Gairai couldn’t afford to falter here.
They must destroy the walls of iron and stone.
He immediately contacted the lord, Wind, to cover up the misbehavior of his men.
“If my troops were to be held accountable and restricted in their actions, it would give the enemy a chance to win. You know what your priorities are, the big ones and the small ones, don’t you?”
“No…… but…… such lies will eventually be exposed to the public.”
“It’s not a lie. We just have to make it true. Erase the evidence.”
Wind’s patriotism was well-known to him. He encouraged Wind to accuse Shuten for the crime in the name of the cause.
Shuten was already a disposable pawn for Gairai. (I will not let my path be blocked by such a person.)
For Gairai, it was just part of the politics of doing what he had to do.
Gairai decided to annihilate the village in the same way as someone stumbling across a stone on the roadside would kick it away.
(In any case, the city is overrun with them, and they don’t bother us whether they are there or not; in fact, if they’re around, they impede our consumption.)
It’s possible that Gairai regarded the locals with contempt.
(It was a waste of a pawn, but it’s all right. There are numerous options available.)
◇◆◇◆◇
“Unharmed, you say! ?”
Five hundred armed men, like wild beasts with weapons. Even the walls of the Holy City will not be able to withstand them.
That’s what Gairai thought when he received a report that was opposite to his expectations.
Only some knights of the East-Size were returned alive, but all the knights organized in the Holy City were killed.
It was the worst possible outcome that could be described as annihilation.
Furthermore, it was said that the other side had intercepted them, leaving the gates of their treasured strong wall unguarded.
Led by Shuten, who lays waste to the enemy like an armored chariot with his demon sword. Those who wear tiger skins fight by manipulating beasts.
“Stupid……. What-What is it! ?”
The first thing Gairai thought about after recovering from his turmoil was how to cover up this blunder.
The reports have been overblown to the point of absurdity. The soldiers who failed to do so are attempting to absolve themselves of responsibility.
Gairai thought about it but decided to use it.
“You want me to lend you the Knights! ?”
“The prestige of our country will be jeopardized if the city of iron and stone continues to rise. Above all, the Holy City has entrusted us with the task of combating the big enemy! And Shuten was rumored to be one of the adversaries.”
“That’s…….! !”
“This East Size will be deemed to have been given to the enemy at this rate. Is that what you want! ? If we don’t destroy that city with the hands of East Size, there will be no tomorrow for this town!”
(Gather all of the East-sized knights and attack the City of Iron and Stone again. We need a track record to put together a good Size-Tide. I’ll have to take charge myself next time. We’ll have them escort us and use them as shields.)
He approached Wind with his true intentions hidden, but Wind did not nod his head either.
(You old bastard……)
The report from his subordinate was what made the situation less frustrating. Was this a good thing or a bad one for Gairai?
“Please excuse me! We’ve observed shadows in the woods northeast of town…. Most likely from the city of iron and stone.”
“……You heard him. Now they’re coming at us from the other side.”
“Kuh……”
“To cope with them, we’ll have all of the Knights of the East Size. We’ll eliminate them first before they can cause any damage to our defenses. Are we on the same page?”
“……Alright”
◇◆◇◆◇
To keep his intuition sharp, he went along with the tiger hunters. That was the goal — but the main goal was different.
“I’m sure you’re not in the mood for this. Let’s go ahead.”
“Sorry.”
Shuten is heading to the village where he was born. He was going to mourn his wife and the people of the village.
“Chief, armored men are coming from the other side.”
“What? They’re tactless…… Shuten-dono, it looks like we’re going to need to fight first.”
“Let’s go.”
“Are you sure? You are…… No, then let’s bite together! Hahahahaha!”
The battle was one-sided.
With his new form, he was able to use high-speed vehicle activation to confuse the enemy, his armor was immune to attack, and his enormous presence attracted the enemy to him as he cut through the knights with his tuna knife while the tiger hunters arrows overran the area.
For the hunters, the forest was their main battleground. And when you combine that with an extraordinary tank, there was no way the knights could win.
“You…! Gulp!”
“It’s a dumb thing to do, Gairai.”
As he watched his blade pierce Gairai’s heart, the emotions in his eyes were empty.
“……Dels”
“Captain……”
He looks down at his surviving former subordinate.
There is no one to take revenge on anymore. There is no reason to fight.
“Go back and tell Count Wind about this……”
◇◆◇◆◇
(I guess there’s not much left…….)
All that was left of the village where he was born and raised was a burnt-out ruin.
The body must have been cleaned up. If left unchecked, they could become the source of a plague.
While he was still praying for his wife and the people of the village, someone behind him suddenly called out to him.
“Shuten.”
“……Count Wind”
“You’ve changed so much…….”
“Yes”
When he turned around, the Count Wind and Dels were waiting behind him.
The reason is unknown. Shuten and Wind naturally smiled at each other.
“Shuten. Do you want to come back?”
He shook his head quietly without hesitation. That’s why he understands the decision.
“Was I wrong?”
“You are never wrong. It’s just that sometimes we don’t have the right choice in front of us.”
“……Yes.”
As a boat moves forward, the surface of the water shakes, and some fish have swept away, so when the powerful move, the powerless are sometimes swept away by the waves.
That is all there is to it.
“I’m sorry, Shuten.”
“That’s the second time I’ve heard that.”
Wind pulls a dagger from his pocket.
“My lord, what! ?”
He held back a panicked Dels with one hand and faced Shuten.
“Even if there is nothing that can be done, there is a responsibility to be taken.”
The dagger Wind held up pierced his own throat.
“My Lord! ?”
“What! !”
He smiled once more at Shuten and Dels, who rushed over to him, and Count Wind returned his soul.
◇◆◇◆◇
“This town is finished. With no one to rule and no soldiers to protect it, it will be devoured by the beasts.”
“Captain……”
“I’m not the Captain anymore.”
With Wind’s body in his arms, in the East Size town, Shuten gives his instructions to Dels for what will likely be the last time.
“Dels. Lead the people out of the town.”
“……But I’m not sure……. where to go ……”
“Go to the Size Tide and tell them about this. This town has been destroyed by Shuten.”
“Captain! ?”
“And tell them that Shuten has gone down to the city of iron and stone. The other side is a great enemy that can destroy an invasion force……. Johan-sama will be very sympathetic.”
“Then the captain will…….”
“I don’t care. If it’s a crime that can’t be forgiven, I’ve already taken care of it.”
“Captain……”
After a few weeks, all of the East-sized people disappeared from the town.
◇◆◇◆◇
The Holy City six months after Wind’s death.
“It’s been a long time, Johan. I heard it was a disaster.”
“Oh, Billion(Birion)(ビリオン).. We’ve lost two towns.”
“That’s tough……. So, what are the requirements?”
“I need your help.”
“A handful of pieces…… Hmm. this much…… “
“Be careful what you wish for.”
“I don’t care, but can you control him? You know his temperament, don’t you?”
“No problem. I’ve got a collar.”
“……Huh, okay. I don’t even know what to do with it.”
“Thank you.”
“I don’t mind. I’m doing a friend a favor……. Omegis”