Chapter 112 - Chapter 111: Hope
"...It looks like the enemy nobles are arguing about something. The atmosphere feels like it might turn into a brawl."
Boreas, looking down at the enemy camp from atop the castle walls, relayed this to Frederick.
Being a lion beastman, Boreas possessed superior eyesight compared to ordinary humans, allowing him to see even the expressions of those in the enemy camp. Upon receiving this report, Frederick answered.
"I see... Good work. You may step down and rest."
Having dismissed Boreas, Frederick spoke to Yuri, who was by his side.
"It seems they are clashing over who will be the next commander. Regardless of the country, nobles' desire to cling to their pride is the same, it seems. They won't be united for a while."
"The enemy likely won't attack until then. They'll probably want to consider countermeasures against our golems as well."
Yuri replied while nodding.
The enemy's numbers had ballooned as several units merged, but that also meant there were many nobles of commander rank. Since the commander of the core unit had died in yesterday's battle, it was inevitable that opinions would clash over the selection of a new supreme commander.
It would likely take some time before they reached an agreement. This was time bought with Jinozze's life.
"...How is Noein-dono?"
"He still seems disheartened. It seems the fact that his subordinates died as a result of his orders was quite a shock."
"I see... It is a path every general must walk, and it is unavoidable, but he must recover. As quickly as possible."
"I'll go check on him."
"Yes, please."
Yuri descended from the castle walls and headed toward the headquarters building. Just then, someone called out to him.
"Chief Retainer-sama, do you have a moment?"
"You are... Jinozze's son, if I recall."
"Yes, I am called Kenooze... Um, I would like to meet with Lord Arqvist. It seemed His Lordship was very concerned about my father's death."
"...I see. Very well. Come."
.....
Noein sat in silence on the bed in his private room within the fortress headquarters. Beside him, Matilda stayed close, also in silence.
Since the end of yesterday's battle, Noein had been in this state. Though, urged by Matilda, he had been getting sleep and the bare minimum of food.
"...I thought I was prepared."
Noein murmured faintly.
"I do feel that I don't want a single citizen to die, but I'm not such a child that I think that will be granted at all times and in every situation. I knew there are times when we must fight if the territory or the country is endangered, and I understood that there are times when I must give orders sending subordinates to their deaths."
Noein's grip tightened as he spoke. If not for Noein's plan, Jinozze would not have died. He was not yet a citizen of Noein's territory, but once the war ended, he was supposed to live peacefully in the Arqvist territory. That would no longer happen.
"But when I actually witness the sacrifice, I end up like this... I am weak. With this kind of pathetic state, can I really make the citizens happy, and make myself happy?"
"...Noein-sama."
Matilda tried calling out to Noein as he murmured self-deprecatingly, but she couldn't think of any further words to say to him. She could do nothing but stay close to Noein and hold his hand.
Then, the sound of a knock echoed at the door.
"Noein-sama, it's me."
"...Yuri. You may come in."
Having replied, Noein looked at Yuri as he entered the room—and then his expression stiffened as he saw the person following him.
"Kenooze..."
Noein thought he might be blamed. However, Kenooze, maintaining a gentle expression, sat on the floor before Noein.
"Lord Arqvist, it seemed your health was not great yesterday, so I could not tell you... but I have come because I truly wanted Your Lordship to know the words my father spoke at the end."
Even after being told this, Noein remained frozen. Kenooze continued speaking.
"During the retreat, my father said to me from behind, 'Live happily under His Lordship.' At the time, I wondered why he was talking about such a thing now, but upon returning and seeing that my father had taken an arrow to the back, I understood that those were his final words."
Saying this, Kenooze bowed deeply to Noein. He bowed so deeply that his forehead touched the floor.
"Lord Arqvist. Thank you truly for giving us, and my father, hope."
At those words, Noein's expression wavered.
"We beastmen have lived oppressed since long before the war began. However, now there is hope. My father was able to pass away while feeling that. Thank you for allowing my father, who was supposed to grow old and die in poverty, to meet a meaningful end—'falling to protect the hope of his kin and his son.'"
Having finished speaking, Kenooze stood up, bowed to Noein once more, and left the room.
The door closed, and for a short while, silence fell upon the room.
Eventually, Yuri spoke.
"...Back when I was a mercenary, I was also devastated when I first lost a subordinate. That is why I believe I understand your feelings. I know you don't want a single citizen to die, because I've heard you say it many times. You probably already thought of Jinozze as one of your citizens."
Yuri spoke quietly and matter-of-factly.
"This is strictly my personal opinion... but I think that what you, Noein-sama, are protecting as a lord is the hope of us citizens."
Hearing those words, Noein, who had been looking down, raised his face.
"I think you are doing your best as a lord. However, this is a world where there are bandits and monsters, where there are wars, and where sometimes battle and death cannot be avoided. I think you already know that without me telling you."
Yuri, who had been speaking while standing with his arms crossed, sat heavily in a chair and continued.
"...Taking care of everyone who believes in and admires you, while protecting them perfectly so that not a single person dies—that is impossible even for a god."
At Yuri's words, Noein nodded with a faint, wry smile.
Even for a devout believer of the Milleon Holy Church, it is quite common to die without the protection of god. There was no way Noein, a human, could do what even a god could not.
"In the midst of that, if there is one thing you can guarantee to all your citizens, I think it is hope. Houses, land, weapons to protect them, industry, education—in the end, they all lead to the hope of living."
Hearing this, Noein showed an expression as if he were thinking deeply.
"If you work seriously, you can eat. You can earn money. You can have a family and children. If you put in the appropriate effort, you can increase your assets and rise in rank. Regardless of race, origin, or status, I believe such hope exists in the Arqvist territory, and that is why we follow you."
Yuri spoke while looking straight at Noein.
"Even if we die, instead of thinking 'it was a life with no hope,' we can die thinking 'it was a life full of hope.' Because of that, we can live looking forward, and I and the territorial soldiers can fight here. Judging by Kenooze's story, Jinozze probably died with hope as well."
Yuri's words sank straight into Noein's chest.
"Whether one lives or dies is a matter of individual fate. If one dies suddenly today or tomorrow, it cannot be helped. But we, who are your citizens, at least have hope. In this world where there are only those who live and die in despair, that is an incredible luxury. You are giving such a luxury to your citizens."
The expression of Noein, who had a dark face until just a moment ago, changed.
"So... ah, I can't put this together well. Anyway, as long as you give us citizens hope, we can feel that we are happy even if we die. As far as I know, you are the best lord. Don't hate yourself. That's all."
"...It's okay, I got the message. Thank you."
Noein answered with a smile to Yuri, who had ended the conversation roughly while scratching his head.
"If that's the case, then fine... The enemy probably won't attack today or tomorrow, but your strength is necessary for us to fight with hope. Your quick wit, and the power of the golems. So, come out once you've calmed down."
"I understand. I think I can come out soon."
Nodding at Noein's words, Yuri left the room. Only Noein and Matilda remained.
Noein turned toward Matilda. Strength had returned to his eyes.
"Matilda, thank you for staying by my side while I was depressed."
"I am merely doing what is natural... It is my duty and my joy to be by Noein-sama's side. I exist to support Noein-sama in living happily."
Matilda affirmed everything about Noein and swore absolute love and loyalty to him. This fact, which had already become commonplace, felt like the most comforting support to Noein right now.
"...Thank you, Matilda."
Noein stood up from the bed.
"I feel like I know what I should do."
No matter how much one cherishes the citizens, there are times when the death of citizens cannot be avoided. There are even times when one's own judgment creates sacrifices among the citizens. But if Noein shuts himself away because of that and turns his eyes away from the battle before him, will the other citizens become happy? No.
If he has time for that, he should think and act for the citizens who are alive now, and for those who will become citizens in the future. He should act to give them hope and let them live, and if death is unavoidable, to let them die while holding onto hope.
To live happily himself. For that purpose, he will love the citizens and strive so that the citizens can live happily, and sometimes die happily. To create that environment, he will pursue a path of co-prosperity with friendly parties outside the territory. For that purpose, he will contribute to the peace of the country. For that purpose, he will strike down the enemy.
That is what Noein Arqvist must do. That is what it means to grasp happiness in this world. If he loses sight of this, he will lose the happiness of the citizens, lose the respect and love of the citizens, and eventually lose his own happiness. Noein does not desire such a thing.
"...Let's return to everyone, Matilda."
"Yes, Noein-sama."
Accompanied by Matilda, Noein left the room.