The heart of the Great Wall.

The soldiers at the main gate were chatting, glancing nervously at someone. How long had he not moved?

A layer of pure white snow had piled up upon his cloak, yet he didn't so much as flinch.

He simply stood there, waiting for something. A soldier approached him cautiously.

"... Uh, senior member?"

"What."

The man replied without even a hint of movement. As he straightened his shoulders, the accumulated snow tumbled down.

"We're about to switch shifts soon...."

"So?"

"Ah, never mind. Thank you for your hard work!"

The soldiers hurriedly moved away from the man, almost as though fleeing. The man who watched them absentmindedly was Frederick.

He brushed the snow off his shaggy beard.

― Thud. Thud.

Frederick wasn't unaware of what it meant to be isolated beyond the Great Wall, to not show oneself for such a long time.

But, somehow, Frederick felt a sense of regret.

'I thought I'd finally met a decent superior.'

Frederick grinned.

A decent superior—words that felt awkward for him.

― Step. Step.

A Watchman approached Frederick. It was Barnes. As he came close, Barnes handed him a cup of water.

"This will warm you up."

Frederick silently accepted the cup. For some reason, Barnes too was waiting for Erich's return in the next shift.

Perhaps he as well, despite the short acquaintance, was hoping for Erich's return. Or maybe it was simply a sense of debt for having his life saved.

Either way, Frederick felt the same emotion.

Then, at that moment—

― Rustle.

The soldiers at the gate suddenly became busy. There was only one reason for such movement—someone was coming through the main gate.

Frederick watched this unfold, clicking his sword as he stared into the snowy expanse.

"That's a Watch cloak."

The silhouette in the distance was unmistakably that of a Watchman. Slowly, the soldiers notched arrows between the gaps in the wall.

At that moment, Barnes spoke.

"... Could that be Sir Erich?"

"We'll see."

Naturally, there was no way to know before the person came inside. But Frederick reined in his own growing expectation.

Realistically, for a member left behind to return—it was impossible, given what he knew.

But a short while later, the soldiers at the main gate shouted out.

"Halt! Halt! Identify yourself!"

When the mysterious man lowered the robe covering his face—

― Bang!

Frederick burst through the door and strode quickly toward the man. The soldiers watched them anxiously.

"Ah—!"

Frederick approached the man and clapped a hand on his shoulder. He pressed with such force that sharp wrinkles formed on the man's cloak.

"I thought you were dead!"

"Weren't you hoping I'd die?"

There was no doubt—it was Erich. Surprise and happiness simultaneously spread across Frederick's face.

When the soldiers noted that Frederick recognized him, their tension eased. They too appeared shocked.

It was common for Watch companions never to return. Sometimes, people waited, though rarely.

But for someone to genuinely succeed in returning...

While the soldiers marveled at the member's miraculous survival—

A faint smile formed at the edge of Erich's lips. It seemed even he was glad to see Frederick after such a long time.

"We need to go through the identification procedure, but...."

"What's the point of confirming—I could freeze to death out here!"

At Frederick's shout, the soldier retreated.

Thus, Erich's return was officially announced to the Watch.

But then—

"... That's him."

"Yeah, that's the one from the story."

"He really came back alive?"

Though he had done this and that, officially his time with the Watch had been extremely brief.

Because of that, Erich figured he was only known as being of 'Krupp' lineage, nothing more.

But from what he overheard, it seemed his exploits had already become quite famous among the Watch.

Passing by those soldiers, Erich thought:'Did the story get out after all?'

After all, he evacuated the others and alone fought off the horde of the dead.

Impactful, yes, but in truth, the tale was probably exaggerated further.

If nothing else, the commander, August, never let a sensational story slip by.

As if noticing his mood, Frederick spoke.

"What, feeling a little awkward?"

"No, it's just their reaction is odd. Did they start writing my heroic legend already?"

"Legend...? What's that?"

"Ah, I forgot you're an uneducated brute."

Frederick glared, eyes wide, but despite the swear, he burst out laughing.

Then Erich turned his gaze to Barnes.

"How have you been? I thought you'd be reassigned per regulations."

"I received no such orders."

Barnes, too, smiled faintly. Still, his expression looked complicated. Erich pressed further.

"Something happened, didn't it?"

"Yes. That's right. Everyone thought you were dead."

"Is it that big a deal?"

"... For now, you should see the commander."

Frederick and Barnes led Erich to the familiar place.

Impossible not to recognize—it was the commander's office.

*

Waiting to greet Erich at the residence were August and Konrad. In fact, August was so shocked that he fell out of his chair.

—Crash!

"C-Commander!"

"I-I'm fine."

Erich explained everything he had experienced. How he'd entered the cave. How he'd encountered the dead. And lastly, about the Watchmen comprised of Barbarians.

For evidence of the terrifying dead, Erich tossed the severed head at his waist onto the ground.

—Thump!

Seeing a head the size of a human torso, August and Konrad's jaws dropped in shock.

"... That's astonishing. I've never heard that before."

"I can't believe it. You're telling me those Barbarian bastards were once Watchmen? That the Watch commander was even a Barbarian woman?"

Their reactions were about what Erich expected. Still, since it was Erich saying it, they accepted it, despite their shock. Yet, there was one thing Erich left out.

'Better leave out the god...'

Spouting that a god appeared and lent him power would make him sound insane. Who would believe such a thing?

But as soon as Erich finished speaking, they gave him even more astonishing news.

"... Excuse me?"

Erich then heard the full story of what had happened during his absence. Why Barnes seemed so awkward.

Dead Erich—while he was gone, he'd become a hero of the Watch.

The hero who, facing countless ambushing Barbarians, saved his comrades in the Watch and fell in their place.

'In truth, it was really a horde of the dead...'

Apparently, since the real enemy's identity was unclear, the commander had intentionally left that out to avoid unnecessary alarm.

At any rate.

On the back of Erich's 'sacrifice', commander August actively promoted Erich, son of the grand duke and hero of the Watch. Each lord sent generous support, according to his explanation.

"They called you the paragon of knights."

Konrad commented with feigned nonchalance, clearly finding the situation amusing.

"So, what happens if they find out I've come back?"

"Well, the counteroffensive will be scrapped, I suppose?"

"Counteroffensive?"

Erich turned to Konrad.

"The vassals and forces of all the great lords are heading for the Watch. Officially for your revenge."

"They sent troops to save face, right?"

"Exactly. But we planned to use them to wipe out the Barbarians."

"Barbarians?"

"Yeah. If possible, all the way into the central region beyond the Great Wall. That would greatly ease the burden on the Watch."

August quickly cut in on Erich's question.

"But now that you've come back, we can hardly call someone dead who's alive...."

"That's true. Well, it's fine for me if the counteroffensive is canceled. We hardly have the supplies for such a thing as it is...."

"If you'd prefer, we could send you to a fortress, Konrad."

"Let's repeat the counteroffensive, commander. But honestly, it doesn't sound so bad. I mean, aren't I as good as dead anyway? Should I just keep playing dead for now?"

Erich looked between Konrad and the commander.

"So what you're saying is..."

"Ahem, you understand, right? Just stay dead a little while longer. After all, everyone already believes you're dead, so a few more days won't make a difference..."

As Konrad kept talking, August stared at him with horror.

"... Konrad, how could you—"

"Hmm. Does that cross a line?"

Erich hesitated for a moment at Konrad's words, then spoke.

"But do we really need outside help to deal with the Barbarians? They have no experience in these conditions, it'll take ages for them to adapt."

"... If brute force isn't enough, maybe we simply lack manpower."

"How many are we talking about?"

"Ten thousand. That catch your interest?"

Ten thousand?

Erich immediately replied.

"In that case, I'll play dead a little longer."

"See? I knew you'd understand."

But August shook his head.

"It's not something that will be solved just by hiding. With such a large force, there must be a convincing reason."

Indeed... Those forces were ostensibly coming for revenge, but if the affair ended only for Erich to suddenly reappear—ka-boom, what would people think?

It wouldn't just end as a surprise. The whole Black Citadel could be labeled swindlers for having 'sold' a false story and collected blood price from the north.

"It's best we simply say you returned and send them back. We can't risk the Watch's reputation for some immediate gain."

"But commander...."

"Konrad. This is not something to treat lightly."

August's face was uncharacteristically serious. Unlike his usual gentleness, there was an air of resoluteness.

Then—

Listening to all this, Erich suddenly spoke up.

"... Would you hear my proposal?"

"??"

August and Konrad stared hard at Erich, as if wondering what on earth he was about to say. Erich curled one corner of his mouth.

His gaze fell on the gigantic undead head on the floor.

"... If we script it right, this could make for a pretty good story......"

***

The main road to the Watch. True to its name, it was wide and well maintained. Every day, it was bustling with convicts and supplies moving back and forth.

But today, it was especially so.

― Step. Step. Step. Step.

A massive army was marching toward the Watch. They carried banners in a single file, most of them from famous houses.

And at the very front, leading them all, was the banner of the lord of lords—the Grand Duke of the Krupp family.

"Sir Roland, we're almost there."

"Hm. Yes."

Milon Roland, viscount of Heinkel. He now led the army of the Grand Duke Krupp. Although he hadn't known Erich for long, Milon was deep in thought.

'... He died truly honorably.'

200 men from the Heinkel land, conscripted at Erich's order. Most of them returned safely. And all of them grieved bitterly, saying their lord Erich had risked his life to see them home.

At the news of Erich's end, no one wept more than Milon.

Knowing someone personally who ended so heroically, and that this person was none other than his own lord—that inflamed every knightly instinct in him.

Erich's deeds spread instantly from the south throughout the entire Empire. Knights and even commoners were outraged.

Thus, it was not strange that such a large force had gathered on their own for Erich's revenge, to recover his body.

"... Sir Roland! Another army's coming into view."

"That..."

Milon turned to where his lieutenant, Shane, had shouted, and frowned. Another great noble's banner headed for the Watch. Upon it, a clear golden lion.

"Leonor. Those blasted cats!"

Leonor, masters of the Center—another great noble house, a grand duke's family. But they were also long-standing rivals of the Krupps, so all their retainers naturally shared the same animosity.

The list of those killed by the other house would fill a page densely, if written.

Why else be co-grand dukes—neither was ever conquered through centuries of war. That made the mutual hatred between the houses and their retainers that much deeper.

At any rate, Leonor's army, aware of Krupp's presence, quickly spurred on their horses to catch up. One knight approached Milon at the fore, speaking with a mocking tone.

"It's been a while. I hear you became Heinkel's viscount, and your bastard lord met a pitiful end...?"

"...."

Milon glared coldly at the blonde knight. Still, Milon kept his composure. Instead, it was his own lieutenant, the young Shane, who looked ready to draw his sword at any moment.

"Well, sir Roland, you must be quite something, too. Coming all this way for your master's revenge."

"... Why are Leonor's men marching with such a force, sir Abe?"

Milon's piercing gaze met his opponent. Long blonde hair, pale skin—for all to see, the knight looked every inch the aristocrat, and he formed a slight mocking smile.

"As if it's your business."

"Everyone knows Leonor's knights are weak in duels, even the northern yokels. Would you like to prove otherwise today?"

"... Hmph. Perhaps the opportunity will arise."

Abe turned back to his main body, smirking as if at Milon. Milon spat to the side and grumbled.

He'd handled it calmly, but Milon, too, was seething inside. His lord did not deserve to die that way.

Regardless, the two armies marched on together, their leaders Abe and Milon at the front, while an uneasy tension grew between the soldiers themselves.

How much time had passed? Eventually, their forces neared the Watch, the massive silhouette of the Black Citadel appearing in the distance.

"... Hmph. Marginally better than Leonor's castle."

But even Abe's eyes held awe. The largest fortress ever built by men—the Black Citadel. Its grandeur inspired awe, even in outsiders.

When they reached the great gate of the Watch, the Watch guards came into view.

"Who's there?"

"Can't you see? Open the gates! Army of Grand Duke Leonor."

But the guard replied indifferently.

"Hm... You're on the list. Enter."

"...?"

Abe was momentarily at a loss. Wasn't this attitude a bit much, even against a grand duke's knight?

He wasn't expecting special treatment. Abe wasn't that picky. But though he said nothing, his lieutenant bristled.

"You wretch! Do you know who this is?"

"...? I said you can go in?"

The guard only stood more boldly. The lieutenant checked with Abe.

"... Shall I cut him down now?"

"No. It's not as if we're ignorant of what the Watch is."

Abe had heard rumors of the Watch—beggars, ruffians, a nest of outcasts.

Watching this, Shane spoke to Milon, making sure those around could overhear.

"The difference between a lowborn and a noble is, at most, what they're wearing right now. Seems there's yet another who never learned that lesson, sir Roland."

Young Sir Shane—always eager to apply what he's learned. Smiling faintly, Milon looked at him.

'My lord, had you lived longer, you would have been a great ruler.'

Milon glanced around at the mighty hosts of Krupp and Leonor, and the small forces arriving from all over the empire, all headed for the Watch.

Suddenly, someone came running from inside, panting.

But what he said as he drew near made everyone in the vicinity gasp at once.

"W-wait! Are you from the grand ducal houses?"

"Yes."

"Well... How should I put this?"

"What?"

Milon glared as if warning against making a fuss. The guard, troubled, finally said—

"... The body of the hero, Erich, has returned."

"W-what?"

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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