“You can’t be completely without worries.”
Sieges are ultimately just a way to create injuries and deaths.
No matter how much I believe winning is the righteous path, making a choice in a situation where I might lead those who followed me—or others beyond that—to death wasn’t exactly a pleasant endeavor.
The problem is, it’s come to this.
I had to take responsibility.
“……”
In my past life, no matter how tough things got, I tried to deal with everything on my own.
I never thought to ask the one who didn’t answer my prayers for help.
But now, the situation is different.
I may not believe in a god, but I knew there was a being up there looking out for me.
In the middle of the night, I lifted myself up in the tent.
With Ria and me sharing the narrow army cot, it was quite the challenge to extricate myself carefully.
I hadn’t woken up in the middle of the night.
I hadn’t been able to sleep from the start.
Stepping out of the bed, I moved cautiously and knelt on the floor.
Then, I placed my elbows on the cot that was meant for me and clasped my hands together.
—……Anna.
A voice called my name.
But the words couldn’t continue.
If it were the god from the scriptures, there would’ve been some monumental conversation here. Perhaps they’d insist on what I should do or urge me to follow their will…….
But that being couldn’t operate like that. They agonized over life and death tied to every single word they spoke.
A being who strives to protect everyone yet cannot truly safeguard anyone.
Is it really right to rely on such a being?
—If something happens in there.
In the end, that being said.
—It’s not Anna’s fault. If Anna hadn’t gone there, there wouldn’t have been any reason for her to experience this in the first place.
If I hadn’t been here.
There wouldn’t have been anyone to sing my praises. I wouldn’t have had to worry about the position of a Saintess, and I might not have felt unnecessary guilt.
But I was here.
And I understood what that meant.
It’s not like I came here with some grand duty. I think I’m starting to realize that a bit. That being didn’t try to pass on such a burden to me.
I had pondered my reason for coming here. What was I meant to do, what kind of being was I meant to become.
No, it must not be that.
……Perhaps, I made a choice.
—It’s my fault.
But even after hearing my thoughts, that being said.
—If I hadn’t shown you this world, there would’ve been no reason for Anna to be there.
Maybe that’s true.
If I hadn’t known from the start, I wouldn’t have had any interest in this kind of world.
But really, can it be said that it’s all just because of that being’s thoughts?
“I don’t regret it.”
So I said.
“Because there are people I can meet here.”
Yes. That was enough.
I still felt scared. It felt burdensome. I still had no desire to become a Saintess or anything greater.
But I couldn’t just give up now.
That would…… be too pathetic, right?
—Is it really okay?
The voice sounded a bit sad.
What about you?
How did you feel when you ascended after living as a nun, gaining Saint Power through people’s faith?
What must it have felt like at the end?
Would it have felt similar to mine—
For no reason, my heart calmed down. Even though nothing was resolved.
That being above is a being like me. Not that I’m great, but simply because they are an ordinary existence.
That’s why they know the pains of people, understand their desires, and want to help in any way they can.
For the same reason that they are no different from me.
Given the strength, I’ll try to act as I believe.
—……Anna.
The voice of that being echoed a bit sadly.
*
Seeing a faint light, Ria opened her eyes.
Anna was praying.
If this situation had never arisen, I might have teased Anna. After all, she often talked about not believing in gods.
But ironically, had this situation not occurred, Anna would not be praying like this either.
Should I get up?
Watching Anna pray quietly with a faint light spreading from the back of her head, Ria thought.
I should somehow comfort Anna, right?
But if I could do that, Anna would have said something to me.
The image of Anna’s worried face since yesterday flashed through my mind.
“……”
Ria closed her eyes again. Sleep wouldn’t come.
The light didn’t last that long.
*
Just as Ria finally fell back asleep in my embrace, the outside grew noisy.
I quickly jumped out of bed and stood up.
Right after, the canvas of our tent burst open.
Although it was still dark outside.
“The enemy is forming a battle line!”
Exclaiming was a knight already donned in full armor—or rather, one who hadn’t undressed since yesterday—Berena.
Ria immediately moved to put on her armor.
I dashed outside.
Someone was already running toward us with a large tablet. The photo displayed the enemy troops as they positioned themselves.
Without a single human figure.
“……What about the Elves?”
“They haven’t been found yet. They might be at the headquarters?”
“Are all these beings from the castle?”
“Yes, indeed.”
For a moment, I just stood there blankly at the soldiers’ words.
“Sister Anna?”
Did they think I was in shock or something?
Both the soldier and knight looked at me with a worried expression.
But what I was thinking was a little different.
……Is that so.
So that’s the case?
“Anna?”
Meanwhile, Ria, now fully armored, looked surprised to see my face.
That’s what I was worried about.
Of course, I was concerned about our allies dying. But equally, I was worried about the royal castle crumbling under indiscriminate bombardment.
What about the civilians?
Even if it’s impossible to rescue every civilian in a war, I am……. Here in the name of that being above.
Yet monsters are flooding out from within.
I don’t know the reason. Do they think that they can resolve it before we even get close? Or did they believe that would be more effective?
“Or perhaps, the loyal faction might have vanished, causing a decline in military strength.”
Glaria, who had arrived, remarked.
“And for those discussing rights without any obligations, protecting their lives would surely be of utmost importance. They may have gained a bit of knowledge about the world beyond, but until the rebellion, the royal family was the only noble house directly interacting with your world.”
Ah, right.
The nobles took over that royal castle.
So, they must be fearing that they could die too. Just as they see us as an unknown enemy, we are also an unknown enemy to them.
Regardless, for now, it feels like we can fight without worry.
Thud.
I saw dark clouds gathering far away.
“It’ll be difficult to use electronic devices. We can manage artillery, but….”
Once the black rain falls, all electronic devices become inoperable. They have some countermeasures, but continuous use would be challenging.
“I can ride a horse. Dear sister, it would be my honor to carry you—”
“No, I know how to ride too.”
Ria interrupted Berena’s words.
“After all, it’s my job to protect her, right?”
“……”
Berena’s eyes narrowed.
“Didn’t you lay hands on the person you’re supposed to protect?”
“Ah, um.”
I quickly intervened.
“……First, let’s prepare for battle. It’s clear this time won’t end easily.”
Only after I said that did the two stop glaring at each other.
I rested a hand on Ria’s arm and spoke.
“And Ria, who do you think I’m going to ride behind?”
“……Uh.”
Looking up at Ria while furrowing my brows, she seemed to redden for some reason.
“I’ll be counting on you again, Ria. Just like this time.”
“……Yeah. I’ll count on you, too.”
In response to my words, Ria replied.
Seeing her face, I felt a bit more at ease.
*
The first horse I saw was a little frightening, but as I slowly approached and rested my hand on its face, the horse regarded me with calm eyes even amid the chaos of the surrounding people running and shouting.
Could this be because of Saint Power? The other horses nearby seemed a little agitated.
Ria mounted the horse first.
And she stretched out one hand toward me.
I grabbed that hand and mounted behind Ria.
In an instant, my view rose higher. Riding a motorcycle flying through the sky had been a bit scary, but this felt different in its own way.
“Sister Berena.”
I addressed Berena, riding a horse beside us.
“Sister?”
In Berena’s hands was a flag. It resembled a regiment flag from some medieval fantasy or Western historical drama.
“Could I hold that flag?”
“Ah.”
With no hint of doubt at my request, Berena handed the flag to me.
I had read about it before.
In the past, when communication technology wasn’t advanced, flags served as signals for soldiers to gather.
Thus, the flagbearer had to be the bravest in the unit since they were the first to be targeted in battle to break the enemy’s formation.
I’m not sure how accurate that is, but.
In that fight, I found myself in a symbolic position.
The white flag with a cross drawn upon it, which would never be sullied by the black rain, would keep the spirits of the people high.
Seeing me holding the flag, Ria smiled slightly.
We looked ahead.
Beyond that horizon, dark energy was swirling.