A few days had passed since the black sphere had appeared in the sky above Bassau. Under Leo, who had been holding back the skeleton army near Bassau, more than two thousand knights and adventurers had gathered.
"Rotate the front lines! Those who have been relieved can take a break immediately!"
Leo issued orders to rotate the groups holding the front lines, replacing them with new groups. The goal was to buy time, and they had been rotating in three shifts to hold back the skeletons. However, the number of skeletons emerging from Bassau continued to increase, and what had initially been a partial encirclement of Bassau had now turned into a partial encirclement by the skeletons.
"Prince Leonardo, you should also take a break."
"That's not possible. This is a critical moment."
Rinphia urged Leo to rest, but he refused. Leo, who understood the situation better than anyone, knew that the current situation was dangerous. When the knights and adventurers from neighboring lords had first arrived, they had managed to partially encircle Bassau due to their numbers. However, the number of skeletons emerging had rapidly increased, and now they were even seeing more powerful undead monsters among them. The monsters emerging from Bassau were not just appearing randomly; they were responding to their movements. Leo was certain of this. If they showed any weakness, they could be overwhelmed. As long as there was any possibility, Leo could not afford to let his guard down. If Leo and his forces were broken through, the skeletons would spread to the south. The neighboring lords had sent their main forces, the knights, and would not be able to stop them. This would lead to unprecedented chaos in the south, and the military would have to act to restore order, weakening the border defenses. Nations waiting for an opportunity to exploit the empire's weakness would not miss this chance.
"But if Your Highness falls, the front lines will collapse."
"I'm still fine. I'll let you know if it really gets bad."
"Is that so... Can I have a moment? The royal guards can take over for a short while."
"That's fine, but is something wrong?"
"Among the civilians who fled from Bassau, there were a few injured knights. One of them has regained consciousness and wants to speak with Your Highness."
"I see... Let's hear what he has to say. It might give us some insight into this anomaly."
Leo handed over command to the nearby royal guards and headed to the camp set up behind the front lines. There, resting knights, adventurers, and injured civilians were gathered. Leo entered a tent at the edge of the camp.
"Your Highness."
"Continue the treatment."
Leo stopped the middle-aged man, who was about to greet him. The man, a former physician in the city, had stayed behind to treat the injured despite having the chance to flee. Thanks to his treatment, a knight who had lost his right hand and had a deep wound in his abdomen had regained consciousness.
"I am Prince Leonardo, the eighth prince. Are you the knight who wants to speak with me?"
"Y-Your Highness... Please save my lord..."
"Do you mean the lord of Bassau?"
"Yes... Lord Dennis has been threatened for years... As a result, Bassau was used by a human trafficking organization... There were dungeons in the basement of the manor where captured children were kept..."
It was a shocking revelation. However, Leo only frowned and said nothing. He knew that the important part was coming, and he could not interrupt.
"Lord Dennis... decided to save the children and headed to the basement of the manor... I accompanied him part of the way, but I was injured and my comrades took me outside... After that, the sphere appeared from the manor... Cough, cough..."
The knight coughed and spat blood. The physician wiped away the blood, but the knight groaned in pain and continued to spit blood. Nevertheless, his left hand reached out to Leo, who firmly grasped it.
"Please... save Lord... If it's too late... save Rebecca..."
"Rebecca?"
"She has... a letter from Lord... Please restore the honor of the Sitterheim family... We did not cooperate willingly..."
"If your story is true, I will restore your honor in my name. Rest now."
The light faded from the knight's eyes, and the strength left his hand. The physician shook his head. It was a final plea made with his last strength. Leo held his hand for a while longer.
"Your Highness..."
"The lord entered the basement of the manor, and the black sphere appeared. This means the sphere is related to the basement."
"The most likely possibility is the children..."
"Yes. Children with high magical power or special talents were likely gathered there. Something might have triggered this anomaly."
"If that's the case, we need to deal with the black sphere to end this anomaly."
"Yes."
Leo firmly squeezed the knight's hand one last time and placed it on his chest. He left the tent, leaving the rest to the physician. The black sphere still loomed in the sky above Bassau.
"If the sphere came from the manor, it's not strange to think someone might be inside it."
"That's true, but are you planning to investigate it?"
"Of course. I came here to save the people who were taken. They are victims. I want to help them."
"...I'm glad to hear that. If my sister might be there, I can't sit still either. But now is the time for calm judgment. You are a valuable person who aspires to the throne."
"Because I aspire to the throne, I must help. I want to be an emperor who can help those I want to help. But if I abandon anyone in the process, I won't become that kind of emperor. People get used to things, and if I abandon someone once, I'll get used to it. That's why I won't back down."
Leo smiled at Rinphia. At that moment, Rinphia saw a resemblance between Leo and Al. On the day they set out, Al handing over a bag of gold and Leo's current determination. They seemed to have nothing in common. They looked similar, but that was all. However, there was something that overlapped. Rinphia finally realized that their fundamental motivations were the same.
"So you are twins..."
"Huh? Do I look like my brother?"
"Yes, very much. Both Prince Arnold and Prince Leonardo act for the sake of 'others.'"
"That's not as noble as it sounds. I just know my own weaknesses. I'm the kind of person who gets used to things. I'm trying my best not to."
Leo chuckled. How much easier it would be if he could compartmentalize and switch his thoughts at will. He thought he was clumsy. He had studied all the time because he felt he wouldn't be able to come back if he played like Al. However, Al studied when he felt it was necessary. In a sense, that was a talent. That's why Leo envied Al. But he needed to stop envying him. The time for wishing for what he didn't have was over.
"I'm not my brother. I can't be flexible. I realized this when I was the ambassador. So I decided to move forward without wavering. I made that decision when I decided to come here. I will stick to my principles."
"...I understand. I will accompany you. But that opportunity is still some time away."
"Yes."
Looking at the front lines, they were starting to be pushed back. Not only were there more skeletons, but new monsters were also appearing. The quality was improving as well as the quantity. A frontal assault would be reckless and a waste of lives. Leo was not that foolish. He had decided to help, and he would not miss the opportunity. But he would not act without an opportunity. Now was the time to endure. Eventually, an opportunity would come. Believing in that, Leo mounted his horse, gave orders, and sometimes joined the front lines to wield his sword. However, while Leo had a strong will, others were different.
"Ugh!"
"Ahhh!!!"
Those whose spirits were breaking and whose strength was waning began to fall. Each time, Leo rescued them, but eventually, the cracks spread throughout the front lines. Then, a critical report reached Leo.
"Report! The left flank has been breached!!"
"!? Deploy the reserve forces!"
"It's too late! Flee!"
"Fleeing is pointless. We'll be attacked from behind anyway."
Leo took the horn from a royal guard and blew it several times. Then he shouted:
"Is there anyone who wants to become a hero alongside Leonardo Lacks Ardler!? Those who can still wield a sword!? Those who can still run!? Those who can still face forward!? Whether you are a knight, an adventurer, or a citizen, if you have not lost your fighting spirit, gather under me!"
Leo raised his sword high and blew the horn again. The sound of the horn echoed far and wide. Hearing the faint sound of the horn, Lise smiled.
"Everyone, increase your speed! The battlefield is near!"
Leading the charge, Lise's blue cloak fluttered as she led a thousand cavalry. The willful were gathering in the southern empire.