第１９６掘：伝説は始まらずに終わる (Part1)
**Dig 196: The Legend Ends Before It Begins**
**Side: Wielder of the Holy Sword of Light, Light Revive, Enaria Holy Kingdom**
"Light Revive. Wielder of the Holy Sword of Light."
"Yes, my liege."
I knelt before the Holy King of the Enaria Holy Kingdom, awaiting his words.
"I have kept your identity as the wielder of the Holy Sword hidden until now, but the situation has become untenable."
"I am aware. The Zilba Empire has begun its invasion."
"Indeed. That is correct. In a sense, this is the beginning of the recreation of the legend of the Holy Sword wielder."
"Recreation, you say?"
"You are about to step onto the world stage. That is, in essence, a recreation of history."
"Does that mean my homeland is..."
"Yes. The Enaria Holy Kingdom shall become the leader that unites the world, or perhaps, its guiding light. Now, draw your Holy Sword once more and raise it high! Drive back the Magic Sword users of the Zilba Empire!"
"I swear upon this Holy Sword, I shall!"
I drew the blade from its scabbard, and the audience chamber was flooded with brilliance.
"Oh, the legend is reborn! The true history of the Enaria Holy Kingdom begins now."
I then departed to provide reinforcements to the besieged fortress.
However, by the time I arrived, the Zilba Empire had inexplicably retreated, setting up camp in a rather vexing position.
"Wielder of the Holy Sword, you have arrived at last!"
"Indeed. Should I say I am glad I made it in time?"
"I suppose so. I do not know why they retreated, but let us attribute it to the power of your Holy Sword."
"Understood. How do you intend to face the Zilba Empire from here on out, regarding the fortress and the surrounding towns?"
"I would like to launch an immediate counter-offensive against their encampment, but with our current strength, it would be difficult. Does the Holy Sword possess the power to overcome such numbers?"
"I would like to say yes, but as long as they have Magic Sword users on their side, acting recklessly could lead to the fortress falling before we can break them. Reinforcements from the capital are scheduled to arrive in waves. It would be best to wait for them. I have no intention of losing in a head-on clash, of course."
"Ho, to have such confidence and yet refuse to charge—you are cautious."
"I possess but one of the thirteen swords. Power is not a license for overconfidence. The Holy Sword wielders of the past did not unite the world through force alone. They used that power to unite the hearts and minds of the people."
"Hearts and minds... is that so?"
"Yes. The desire for a future, a world without conflict. So, please, lend me your strength."
"Hahaha! I wondered what kind of arrogant person a Holy Sword wielder might be, but—my apologies. I meant no insult. I am deeply moved by your words! Indeed, what matters is the heart. I shall gladly cooperate. As you say, we shall wait for the reinforcements to arrive before launching our offensive."
"Thank you. Until then, please reinforce the fortress's defenses and maintain close contact with the nearby towns so we can respond immediately should the enemy move."
"Leave it to me."
Several months passed. The Zilba Empire’s camp showed no movement, while we bolstered our defenses and reinforcements began to arrive.
Yet, why did they retreat?
Did something happen?
If so, should we strike now?
Our defensive posture was complete, and we had gathered enough troops to launch an attack. It was hard to say if we had the strength to retake the city of Fail, but surely we could scatter the Zilba forces currently in their encampment?
"Lord Light! The Zilba Empire’s camp has begun to move!"
"They finally moved. But they are late. Our defensive posture is perfect. What is their target?"
"Yes, sir! Judging by their trajectory, it appears to be this fortress!"
They were going to attack the fortress again? I had expected them to target one of the towns, but my prediction was off. However, this, too, was within my calculations.
"Very well. Contact the towns as planned. The enemy’s target is the fortress. While we hold them off, the towns are to blockade their retreat and strike their rear. We will sally forth from the fortress at that moment. Proceed as planned!"
"Understood!"
I do not know why Zilba resumed their invasion, but this is a guaranteed strategy. Draw the enemy to one point, blockade their retreat, strike their rear, and when they fall into disarray, launch a full-scale assault from the besieged location. This is a method that only works when you have sufficient numbers at every point. My Holy Sword has power, but I cannot defeat a multitude of enemies alone. Yes, the unity of the people—their collective will—is the most important thing for victory.
"They’re here."
"Indeed. Their numbers must be close to thirty thousand."
We watched the Zilba Empire’s army arraying themselves outside the fortress.
"We have the numerical advantage, but we proceed as planned. The orders have been sent. In three days, the encirclement will be complete. Hold until then."
"Agreed. There is no point in rushing and letting them escape. We must crush them completely so they never dare to touch Enaria again."
"For that, let us endure for three days."
"Indeed. With the owner of the Holy Sword here, morale is high and our defenses are ready. There should be no problem."
As we spoke, a messenger rushed in.
"Report! Three women, suspected to be Magic Sword users, are approaching the fortress!"
"Three Magic Sword users!? Could it be..."
"That shouldn't be possible. The Zilba Empire only has four. For three of them to gather in one place..."
"No, the report is certain. My subordinate, a spy who was scouting the Zilba Empire, confirmed it. It is Marly, Olive, and Mist. There is no mistake."
"This is going to be a difficult battle."
"As you said, Lord Light, if we had rushed to attack, the fortress army might have been annihilated. But what do you intend to do?"
"There is no change to our defensive policy. However, we should delay their attack as much as possible. They likely intend to deliver some sort of ultimatum. We should listen to it, respond, and buy as much time as we can."
"Understood. But who will face the Magic Sword users?"
"I will go."
Before I could stand atop the fortress gate, the ultimatum from the Magic Sword users was delivered. It was a demand for surrender. Coming from three Magic Sword users at once, it was enough to shake the soldiers' resolve. I had to declare myself the Holy Sword wielder here and now to restore their morale. I raised my voice, looking down at the Magic Sword users from the gate.
"I address the foolish Zilba Empire, who engage in this invasion!"
I drew the Holy Sword, intending to inspire the troops...
"All soldiers of Enaria shall never bow to you! We will not surrender! As long as this Holy Sword exists, we shall not—"
*Thud!!*
A sound echoed...
*BOOOOM!!*
My vision was dyed pure white.
What... happened?
I was going to... become a legend...
My slightly opened eyes turned toward the sky, and something was falling from above...
*Rumble, rumble, rumble...*
**Side: Labyris**
I let go of her hand and turned back to Yuki.
"Something like that."
"No, wait, why can you read minds? I thought that only worked on people you were close to?"
"The conditions are that they're unconscious and extremely weakened. Usually, the only people you'd let get close enough to read your mind while unconscious are your close family, right? Even when sleeping, people are usually on guard. Besides, if you touch someone, they usually wake up."