On the Eve of the Final Battle
Two days had passed since Tyria and Frey sealed their alliance with a firm handshake.
And tomorrow...
We would stand beside Tyria and face another Executor, Gille.
...
...
...
...I can't sleep!
The moment I closed my eyes, worries about tomorrow—and everything else surrounding it—kept coming one after another.
I tried changing positions. I even pulled the blanket over my head, but none of it helped.
I stepped outside, thinking moving around might help me fall asleep... but I kept running into patrols moving through the heavily guarded palace.
Even though I was here as a guest, it wasn't exactly the kind of situation for a relaxed walk.
I'd made up my mind to head back and try sleeping again, when...
...This angle... Maybe if I adjust it... like this?
Trying to... here would be difficult, so I'll...
I heard a familiar voice coming from the direction of the Knights' headquarters.
In the wide training ground in front of it—the same place where the trial had been scheduled—Charlotte and Carmen were there.
Charlotte drove her sword forward, while Carmen covered Charlotte's blind spot with her shield and followed with a counterstrike.
Before the arc of Carmen's strike had even faded, Charlotte's next attack was already beginning.
Offense and defense in perfect unity. These were the tactics the Monastir Knights were supposed to use against us in the trial.
Whew...
...How was that, Carmen?
...That felt solid.
If we'd coordinated like this when we fought Tyria, we might have had the upper hand.
Though they say this Executor Gille is even stronger, so I wonder how much difference it will make—
...Oh?
Ah? C-Captain?
I thought it would be better to train a little more before tomorrow's operation.
As for me... Haha. As Deputy Master, I couldn't exactly let the Grand Master train alone.
What about Frey?
I asked Lady Frey to make sure she got enough rest.
Lady Frey will support us from the rear as usual! That's her specialty, after all.
Compared to Charlotte, who was only slightly out of breath, Carmen was still catching hers and hurriedly wiping away sweat.
Sorry if I interrupted your training.
Not at all! We were just about to take a short break anyway!
A break...? Does that mean they're planning to keep training?
Y-you really think that's for the best? But...
...If I don't keep moving at least a little, all sorts of thoughts start creeping in...!
It seemed as if Charlotte's doubts were preventing her from sleeping, just like me.
Fighting alongside an Executor to fight another Executor...!
How did things even end up like this?!
As you know, Captain... we haven't informed the rest of the Duchy about this operation.
The Knights cooperating with an Executor in battle... isn't something people would easily understand.
And if they found out Lady Frey was involved too... we'd never get approval...
And... even if the Knights were officially mobilized, they wouldn't be able to contribute much to the plan we'd prepared.
Of course, both Charlotte and I trust Lady Frey's decision and yours as well...
But Tyria... I still can't fully trust her.
What about you, Charlotte?
I...
...
Eyah!
With a sudden shout, Charlotte slapped both cheeks sharply with her hands.
Charlotte...?
I... still don't really know.
I don't think what Tyria said was a lie, but she's still an Executor who attacked Monastir.
I can't stop thinking about how much faith I should have in her... and it keeps me from sleeping.
Once again, I realized just how inexperienced...
I still am as a Grand Master...!
But still... In the end, Tyria said she's willing to fight for Monastir.
What I have to do and what I can do...
Is to fight to protect Monastir!
The first time I saw Tyria, I was so terrified I couldn't even move.
The second time we fought, all I could do was barely block her attacks.
Tomorrow, I want to do better!
No matter how strong Gille is, no matter what kind of attacks she brings...
I'll be the shield that repels her even if it costs me my life!
Haha. Being the shield is my role, Charlotte.
I'll show you that the Shield of Monastir will never break.
The eyes of the Monastir Knights burned brightly.
No, it only looked that way because the starlight overhead was reflected in them.
A face shining that brightly...
...I felt like I'd seen something like it somewhere before.
Um...
I don't... know if I can... really do it, but...
Even so... the only thing I might be able to do better than anyone else... is this...
...The brief light in Charlotte's eyes began to waver again.
E-Even so—
I believe in you.
Huh?
I believe you'll be someone we can count on tomorrow...
I know you can do it.
Captain...
Someone... you can count on...
Charlotte, you shine brightly.
Far brighter than you know.
...
...D-do you think so?
Ah—no! I mean—no! From now on, I'll be more confident!
R-right! I may not have much to be proud of...but at least when it comes to being sturdy, I know I'm stronger than most!
I'll be someone you can rely on! Leave that to me!
...
...Huh? This feels... a little strange...
Carmen, what do you call that again?
When something feels like it already happened, but it's actually the first time...?
Deja vu. That's what it's called.
Right, that! ...That's exactly... what I just felt.
Then... maybe we should rest now...
Let's prepare for tomorrow.
This time, I looked toward Carmen as I spoke.
If we left things as they were, Charlotte and Carmen would clearly keep training.
And Carmen would definitely continue as long as Charlotte did.
...For some reason, I was almost certain of it.
Carmen, that sounds good to you too, right?
Huh? But I can still continue a bit long—
Let's win tomorrow and celebrate together over some mead.
...
...Captain? Wasn't this your first time in Monastir?
Where did you hear about our mead...?
Mm...
...All right. Then let's stop here for today... and get some rest.
...Deja vu, was it?
I felt it too, Charlotte.
R-right...?
After parting ways with Charlotte and Carmen, I headed back toward the quarters.
As I remembered the way their eyes seemed to hold starlight within them, my anxiety about tomorrow faded just a little.