Minefield -6

Going back a little in time, to when Taro met Neumann again.

Two humans swing oversized axes in a narrow tunnel, ill-matched for the space.

"You've gotten better, Alex."

"You've developed a lisp. Your attacks are weak."

Bonaparte seemed less able to block Alex's strikes than to simply dodge them.

The intense exchange of blows continues.

"Hey, Alex, how about coming back to the kingdom?"

"...You're suddenly saying something like that? Did your head finally go crooked?"

Bonaparte had always seemed intelligent...

"I'm not joking."

"It sounds like nothing but a joke. I can't imagine returning to the current kingdom. Is this the kingdom you've been aiming for?"

The clash between them stops.

"Of course. I've always acted with the kingdom's interests in mind. This war is simply the result of that choice."

"What exactly have you gained by using human soulstones and sacrificing so many lives?"

"I've gained what I needed. Originally, there was no need to win this battle. It would have been enough to secure control over this mine."

"I don't understand. If we don't win, won't the war just continue?"

"You were foolish... If the profits from this mining site exceed what the war costs, the kingdom will continue to exist."

The kingdom's problems stemmed primarily from its harsh climate.

This mining site, where large quantities of fire stones were extracted, was conveniently located.

"So that's the result... That's what those sacrifices were for?!"

Alex grew furious.

I understood that feeling all too well. Yet at the same time, I couldn't help but feel something boiling up within me—what do you possibly know about this...?

"The Empire is to blame for escalating the war."

"What are you talking about?"

"That empress may be capable, but she's still indecisive."

There’s an idiot in the Empire who recklessly approached the battlefield. Living in a powder keg ready to explode from the slightest spark, even mindful of magic energy, yet walking through with a cigarette in hand. Naturally, fires would start one after another. A military conflict shouldn’t have occurred in the first place.”

Aleks wasn’t certain whether the man before him was telling the truth, but he knew this man wasn’t the type to lie in such a place.

Even though we were enemies, there was still trust between us.

"If we'd just called it a minor skirmish, we wouldn't have been so obsessed with honor and prestige—instead, we ended up modifying a magic-powered four-wheeled vehicle for combat. To me, it seemed like the Empire was fighting simply because it wanted to fight."

"I heard the kingdom was the one that started it all."

"To gain victory in battle, it's advantageous to strike first. So attacking is only natural. After all, war is nothing but that—win and you're the imperial army, lose and you're the rebels. That's a rule that never changes, no matter the era."

Both sides raised their battle axes.

In an instant, they closed the distance and clashed their weapons.

It seemed their strength was perfectly matched, each clash gradually wearing down the blades.

"You pursued my family in the name of the kingdom. Now you claim it's for the kingdom again, but you're shaking the very foundation of the nation!"

"No! The kingdom is undeniably growing wealthier. Technology is advancing steadily, our domestic industries are thriving, and soon, prosperity will reach every person."

"Where is this so-called wealth you speak of?!"

Alex, having spent longer on the battlefield, could clearly sense that Bonaparte's strength had grown significantly.

It's a matter of perspective. Alex... the succession is gradually taking place. I will not hesitate to make any sacrifice for the next kingdom.

Alex realized that Bonaparte's heaviest attack was coming his way.

Twisting his axe slightly to meet the approaching blade of Bonaparte.

Step in time with the twisted axe.

Bonaparte's attack clashed with the blade, sliding aside to slice through empty air. But that wasn't all—his powerful strike couldn't be easily stopped.

Alek struck down from above, catching Bonaparte mid-swing.

The two men crossed paths.

One was a man breathing heavily through his shoulders, unharmed.

The other also breathed heavily through his shoulders, but a diagonal wound ran from shoulder to torso.

Their strength was evenly matched.

In this state, the outcome was already decided.

Yet Napoleon refused to give up.

He couldn't die here, not when the country depended on him.

Just as he prepared to press forward again, the entire excavation site began to shake.

That's right—explosions had been echoing from the direction where Taro had ventured ahead.

Honestly, I'm not worried about Taro. His strength surpasses this world entirely....But is he going a bit too far, isn't he?

It looks like it's about to collapse at any moment.

A massive rock is plummeting between Alex and Bonaparte.

...There's no time to stop.

I start running. Bonaparte starts running at the same time.

Rocks of various sizes are falling right ahead.

I twist my body, push them aside with my weapon, and keep moving forward as much as possible.

The exit isn't in sight, but the collapse has stopped.

Looking back, Bonaparte had collapsed face-down.

His chest is rising and falling, so he seems to be alive.