Leaving Darius, Verrier returned to base, though she couldn't help but be concerned about the lightness in her chest.

At the sight of Verrier's party, a mixture of tension and relief filled the air among the waiting soldiers.

Verrier immediately convened an operational meeting and reported the events that had transpired outside the barrier.

They discuss the existence of Nightwalker, the destroyed core of the barrier, and the possibility of regenerating it.

Having finished the meeting, Verrier summoned Kellan, the Grandmaster, to the commander's tent without taking much rest.

"Verrier-sama, what's wrong?"

"...Kellan. I entrust this to you."

Verrier quietly pointed to a sword that was placed on a table in the tent.

It's the sword she inherited from Darius. Kellan didn't accompany the previous expedition, so this is the first time he's seeing it.

He seemed to have sensed the extraordinary aura emanating from the sword and gasped.

"Your Majesty... but, isn't this something you received?"

"As I am now, I cannot draw out the power of this sword... But we need this power. Kellan, you use it."

Even before returning here, Verrier had tried to use her sword several times, but it hadn't worked out well.

That's why she decided to entrust the sword to Kellan with the idea of passing it on to someone who could use it.

"...Understood. Would it be alright if I took a quick look inside?"

"Yeah."

Kellan nodded once and drew his sword from its sheath.

The moment Kellan drew his sword from its scabbard, the blade emitted a faint light.

"...This is wonderful."

"I thought so."

(But... I don't know. It feels less powerful than the first time I saw it.)

As if guided by that power, Kellan lightly swings his sword. The sound of it cleaving the wind makes the air tremble.

Staring at the sword gleaming in her subordinate's hand, Verrier was filled with regret.

(...Why can't I be recognized by that sword?)

"...Verrier-sama? What's wrong?"

Verrier was startled by Kellan's voice from behind. She quickly composed her expression and turned to face him.

"No... It's nothing. I'm counting on you for the battles ahead."

"...Yes… Um, Verrier-sama?"

Just when she thought the conversation was over, Kellan continued as his expression troubled.

"What is it?"

"...Verrier-sama, how do you feel about fighting?"

"About fighting?"

"Yes... well... I don't think Verrier-sama particularly liked fighting, though."

(...That's true. But I will have to fight... If I don't step forward, who will save my older brother? ...I have to, I have to do it... Of course, there are many things I'm afraid of but―)

Amidst a whirlwind of emotions, Kellan shook his head.

"...I apologize. I said something rude."

"...No, don't worry about it. I'm looking forward to our next battle."

"Yes... Then, I will take my leave... Please, don't overdo it."

"Oh, I understand."

Kellan bowed his head slightly and walked away.

Verrier was still feeling uneasy about his words as she headed off to the next operation briefing.

That night, Verrier couldn't sleep alone.

In her head, scenes of battles with monsters, anxieties about the future, and regrets about the past float in and out in a disorganized manner.

Whenever this happened, she always clutched the necklace that should have been around her chest tightly.

And so, she had somehow managed to calm her heart, but now that was gone. With nothing to rely on, her thoughts were just drifting in a dark sea.

(Why wasn't I recognized by the sword? I want to fight for my country, for my older brother...)

Questions swirled in Verrier's mind.

What came to mind were the words spoken by Sofia and Darius.

(...I don't understand.)

The answer didn't come.

Unconsciously, her hand reaches for her chest. But the hard sensation that was always there is gone. She gave it to Darius, that is.

(Why did Darius-san... ask for this of mine? ...It was indeed a national treasure, but...)

Verrier recalls when she was clutching that necklace.

That was because she was often anxious.

(I... what am I fighting for? ... For my country? For my older brother? Or... I don't know. I... why am I...)

With a lingering sense of unease, Verrier closed her eyes.

She couldn't fall asleep easily.

The next day, having prepared for their departure, the group returned to Tigress once more.

In the battle with the Nightwalker, if Sofia moved, the significant movement of magic could potentially cause another distortion.

Therefore, the operation was partially changed.

First, Sofia herself will deploy a barrier to calm the raging magical energy that fills this land.

The purpose is to suppress the occurrence of spatial distortion. However, while it's active, Sofia needs to focus on the simple barrier, making it difficult for her to participate in combat.

Therefore, after the barrier was deployed, Verrier and the knights were to defeat the Nightwalker.

Verrier glances at Darius's sword, held by the knight Kellan standing beside her.

"Kellan, I'm counting on you to lead the charge."

"Yes!"

Returning to where the recovery item was, an even denser and ominous magical power was gushing out.

She was slightly surprised by the appearance of the Nightwalker.

Compared to when they faced each other before, their power had clearly increased. They must be starting to adapt to the dense magical power outside the barrier.

However, Sofia still grips her sword tightly.

(Even so, I don't intend to lose... For my older brother, for my homeland... I must fight...!)

"Let's go!"

"Aah!"

With Verrier's resolute command, the final battle began. Sofia immediately deployed a barrier, and with Kellen at the front, the knights charged at the Nightwalker.

The battle was fierce.

However, Verrier’s people weren't just getting beaten up one-sidedly.

"Attack the flank!"

Verrier sharply issues the command.

Kellan blocks the Nightwalker greatsword head-on with Darius's sword, causing sparks to fly.

In that brief moment of opening, two knights from the left and right accurately thrust their spears, aiming for the joints of the armor.

With Kellan leading the way, they were coordinating and launching attacks effectively. And Sofia was also deploying a barrier while using support and healing magic.

That's why they were able to fight by attacking together right now.

The attackers, the defenders, and the healers. Everyone was perfectly fulfilling their roles, fighting in perfect coordination against the Nightwalker and not giving an inch.

However, the situation remains precarious nonetheless.

(...Damn it, it's still not enough...!)

Verrier gritted her teeth as she swung her own sword.

Just one more step. It's not enough.

Everyone is working hard, but it's definitely true that they are gradually starting to be pushed back.

Is there any breakthrough?

It was while Sofia was thinking as she attacked.

The red light of the Nightwalker suddenly intensified. Just as Verrier was about to speak, she sensed the anomaly, and Kellan's great sword had already been brought down.

"No―"

The Nightwalker's greatsword shattered his defense as if tearing through paper.

"Kellan!"

A burly body flew through the air and slammed against the wall. Darius's sword, which had slipped from his hand, clattered to the ground with a hollow sound. He seemed to have lost consciousness and wasn't moving a muscle.

"Don't hesitate! Press the attack! The Nightwalker's stamina is almost depleted!"

To prevent morale from collapsing, Verrier shouted. However, it was clear that it was a bluff.

The knights' movements slowed, and the Nightwalkers rapid attacks landed.

Even while receiving support and recovery magic from Sofia, their numbers are steadily dwindling.

(Damn it, what should I do... at this rate...)

Verrier almost collapsed to her knees as she was overwhelmed by her own powerlessness.

Even so, something had to be done.

Verrier's gaze turns toward Darius's sword, which Kellan had dropped.

(There's no choice... but to try! If that can't be used, then... we have no chance of victory...!)

It was at that moment that she thought so and started running toward the sword.

The sword faintly glowed and,

"―Why are you fighting?"

A question sound echoed.

Chapter 42