The Witch's Veil
The Voidborns just keep falling!
At this rate... we'll be wiped out!
Pull the wounded back and continue the battle—
Ceres faltered just as she was about to order her troops to continue fighting.
They had been battling powerful enemies nonstop since morning.
Hardly anyone was even able to stand properly anymore.
...All units, retreat!
Lydia and Adjutant Besta, lead the Liberators and disengage from battle.
What about you, Commander?
I'll stay behind and fight to the end. So hurry and—
As Ceres continued, she suddenly lost her balance and staggered.
I quickly reached out to support her, her legs trembling as if they might give out at any moment.
...Ceres.
...I know, Captain. But—
*Cough...!*
Flecks of red blood sprayed from Ceres' mouth as she coughed violently.
You can't keep going like this.
This is... nothing.
I can't stop here...
...Kuku.
Hold Commander Ceres down so she can't get up.
Lydia...! Release me at once!
...No.
That's an order, Deputy Commander Lydia! Release these restraints immediately!
Demote me, discipline me, do whatever you want when we get back.
But I'm not releasing Kuku. If you can break free in that condition, go ahead and try.
Hey...!
This isn't a joke.
...You'll die.
If you push yourself any further, you really will die.
I... am prepared to die. That was my promise to my sister...
If you die here...
Venera's sacrifice will have been for nothing.
Captain... You too...?!
Just as Ceres was about to continue, Amora stepped in front of her.
...It's all right now.
You've all done more than enough.
B-but...!
Listen to me, sweetie.
I'm not telling you to run away.
From now on, tend to the wounded and shift into a defensive formation as much as possible.
But then... we'll be giving up on the [Sword of Aldebaran]!
No. We'll simply be changing tactics.
If we can't overwhelm them head-on, the main force strengthens its defenses...
While an elite strike team at full strength completes the mission.
Are you talking about...
Oh, as expected of you, Captain.
You know this tactic too, don't you?
Of course I did. Before coming to this world, I'd seen this tactic hundreds of times across all kinds of media.
Hero tactics!
A decapitation strike—
Hmm? Hero tactics? What's that?
Feeling a little embarrassed, I kept my mouth shut.
Hmm... Well, I suppose "hero" helps convey the intent just as well.
If anything, it sounds more honorable and better for morale.
As expected of the man fit to become the next Count Stranis, Captain.
Mom! You're seriously bringing that up now?!
Fufu. Anyway, if we want to complete the mission, this is our only option right now.
Asherah, Captain, and I still have some strength left. We'll break through the enemy lines and take down the [Shifter].
It was certainly a better option than being slowly worn down by wave after wave of enemies.
It was like leaving the army to defend the village while three or four heroes stormed the Demon Lord's—No, never mind.
What do you think, Asherah?
You've been through quite a fight. Think you can still keep up with your mother?
No problem.
I'm the heir to House Stranis too.
That's the spirit.
...Though if you get a younger sibling, we might end up having a new heir.
Right, Captain?
MOM!!!
Enough with the stupid jokes!
Come to think of it, does Captain really need to come with us?
I mean, I'd be happy to have him close by, but...
What? You didn't know?
Saviors, especially those on a Journey, are at their strongest when their Journey Captain is nearby.
It's as though their hidden [potential] blooms.
If you've made it this far through the Journey, surely you've felt it yourself?
Ah... Now that you mention it...
Yeah. I definitely have.
Asherah turned to me with a bright smile.
Then I'm counting on you, Captain!
Good. Operation Decap—I mean, Operation Hero begins now.