Chapter 4: The Obvious Villainous Scion

«Nirvana’s Perspective»

I stood sentry with Noct at the watchtower.

Scanning the surroundings, there was no sign of trouble. The König Slime incident felt like a lie with how quiet it was.

But my heart was restless.

I couldn’t stop thinking about the boy my age peering through the telescope beside me.

“Fana-senpai, any changes on your side?”

“Nope. Also, Noct, our service records are barely a month apart, so just call me Fana.”

“Really? Then I’ll call you Fana.”

Dropping the “senpai” and hearing him call me by my nickname made me happy.

With bangs covering his eyes, he seemed quiet and unremarkable at first glance. But his sharp nose and captivating lips—ones that could whisper sweet nothings and make me dizzy—stood out. His slim build hid a muscular frame, evident when he took off his jacket, with barely any fat.

No matter how I look at it, he’s Nord.

The warmth I felt the moment I met Noct was the same as Nord’s. Just hearing his voice made the court’s bullying vanish, my heart soaring.

I knew it was Nord early on, so I tried seducing him by getting naked at the waterfall spring, but he didn’t bite, and those delinquent supply soldiers showed up instead.

From Barbara, I heard Nord goes after any notable girl, forcibly impregnating many.

I even wondered if he mistook me for that creepy guy claiming to be a hero who defeated the Demon King, constantly hitting on me.

Even in Ackersen, Nord was a perfect gentleman, and his maids served him wholeheartedly. For him to hide his identity and save me despite some dire reason… He has no reason to help a former princess like me…

M-maybe… he plans to whisk me away to elope—nah, no way…

Leaving Ackersen was so painful. I prayed to see Nord again and kissed him. It was my first time feeling like this.

I don’t know what Nord thinks of me, but reuniting with him now made me happy.

While Nord peered through the telescope, I moved beside him. Watching the same scenery from the tower felt like a honeymoon, my body heating up.

Being next to the Nord I’ve always admired feels so blissful.

As I thought this, Nord lowered the telescope and spoke.

“Fana, aren’t you a bit close?”

“Really? Isn’t sentry duty done sticking close to your partner?”

“No, we should spread out to cover more ground.”

Ugh, Nord’s too serious!

As I moved, Nord shifted to stay diagonally opposite, keeping our distance constant.

It’s like a bedtime story my mother told me about a princess and her royal guard knight.

The princess and knight loved each other, but the knight kept his distance out of deference. Even when the princess spoke to him alone, he remained aloof.

But when she was targeted by enemies, he rushed to her side, shielding her. Just like Nord peering through the telescope near me.

I felt like if I jumped from this watchtower, he’d follow and save me. Of course, I wouldn’t do something so stupid.

“Odd… This lens might be out of focus.”

Muttering to myself, I pretended to peer through the telescope, stepping back.

One step, then another, careful not to alert Nord, my heart pounding. Just a bit more, and our butts would touch.

Finally, a light thud hit my butt. Our butts touched.

Oh, Nord’s butt is so firm and muscular…

C-could his thing be just as hard? The thought made my thighs squirm. Thinking such shameless things, I’m like a rabbit in heat.

“Fana, is your butt itchy?”

As I reveled in the thrill of our butts touching, Nord called out from in front of me.

“Fwah!?”

If Nord’s there, what’s my butt touching…? Turning, I saw it was just the watchtower wall.

I’m mortified for wiggling my butt, thinking it was Nord’s.

“If you need the toilet, go. I’ll cover the watch.”

No way.

Leave Nord?

Finally alone with him, undisturbed, only to be mistaken for needing to pee and waste time?

“No, it’s nothing.”

“Alright then.”

Plan failed…

Frustrated by our unbridgeable distance, I felt a sudden heat and swelling in my crotch.

The urge to pee hit me!

«Nord’s Perspective»

Taking over for the delinquent soldiers who skipped sentry duty, Nirvana and I stood watch at the tower.

The watchtower, a simple wooden structure, was likely fifteen meters tall—about four or five stories. The top floor had nothing notable besides the ladder.

It was so cramped I could almost hear Nirvana’s breathing.

When a strong breeze blew, her hair swayed. Holding her shimmering, sunlit hair, she retained a princess’s dignity despite being demoted to a commoner.

“Hm?”

Noticing my gaze, Nirvana turned, but I looked outside to avoid her seeing past my bangs covering my eyes.

Suppressing my Nord-isms was tough, and whether it was my body rebelling or some cosmic correction force, the muscles around my mouth twitched like they were spasming.

But thanks to that effort, Nirvana seemed completely unaware that I was Nord.

“Fana, is your butt itchy?”

“Fwah!?”

Spending time with Nirvana, though, her behavior started to seem suspicious. Rubbing her butt against the watchtower wall with an ecstatic expression? Definitely needs monitoring.

“Y-yeah, I just thought we shouldn’t slack on our watch.”

“Oh, uh, sure…”

She might’ve been traumatized by the bullying at court. I just hope she doesn’t jump off the watchtower…

For a while, we stayed vigilant at the watchtower, scanning for demon invaders in Kannenberk, but it was peaceful.

Then my stomach growled, and around the same time, Nirvana started fidgeting, rubbing her thighs together.

For a moment, I wondered if, like in some eroge, she was in heat. But I’m neither Kain nor Nord right now—just a mob character. No way that’s happening.

She probably just needs to pee.

“If you need the toilet, go. I’ll cover the watch.”

Going down from the watchtower to the bathroom would take at least five minutes. Holding it in would take even longer.

If she leaked while climbing down the ladder, her golden holy water would rain down, and she’d earn the dishonorable nickname «Leaker» in the unit.

But she brushed me off curtly.

“No, it’s nothing.”

“Alright then.”

Even as the sun hit its peak, Nirvana was trembling, still holding it in, so I checked again.

“You okay?”

“Y-yeah… I-I’m fine…”

When she suddenly hunched over, I worried those scumbags had turned her into a comfort girl, conditioning her body to get aroused.

Nah, that’s unlikely. She’s just stubbornly enduring, so I resorted to a final measure to get her to go pee.

“Use it.”

“Huh?”

Girls are prone to bladder infections, unlike guys.

“If you absolutely won’t go down, use this.”

I handed her the empty high-potion bottle I’d used to revive the slime.

“Sorry, no urinal up here.”

I get that she’s serious about completing her mission, but surely she’s not shameless enough to pee in a potion bottle in front of someone.

I expected her to snap, “Don’t be ridiculous!” and head down to relieve herself.

“I-I’ll try not to spill…”

“What!?”

But Nirvana took the bottle. She wasn’t joking—she slid her panties down under her skirt, showing her seriousness.

Talk about commitment!

Her panties stopped at her knees, forming an ultimate square with her skirt, thighs, and underwear.

In other words, she’s commando under that skirt.

I quietly swallowed, hoping she wouldn’t notice.

Despite her resolve, Nirvana’s peachy skin flushed cherry-red from lowering her underwear in front of me. She pleaded, squeezing out her words like the last bit of mayo from a tube.

“Um, Noct… I’d be glad if you could look away. It’s embarrassing…”

“Y-yeah…”

I might’ve been staring. Feeling guilty but driven by duty, I peered through the telescope.

I saw her holding the bottle and gripping her skirt’s hem. She’s probably pressing it to her crotch now.

Oh, potion bottle, catch every drop of Her Highness’s holy water!

I prayed to the heavens, but she seemed too nervous to pee in front of a guy, as no sound came.

Finally, the moment arrived.

The sound of Nirvana filling the potion bottle rivaled the serene chime of a Japanese garden’s water harp.

A haiku came to mind:

Maiden’s holy water,

Gathering, pooling,

Pure and beautiful.

—Nord Villance, heart’s haiku

No time for poetry.

“Noct, I’m done.”

Turning at her voice, I saw her holding the bottle, filled to the brim with golden holy water. Steam rose from the mouth, fresh as can be.

She actually did it…

Vibrations and sounds of someone climbing the ladder came from below.

Right, it was time for shift change.

Nirvana tried corking the bottle but fumbled in her panic.

It looked like an energy drink that could give you wings.

That bottle’s mouth kissed her lower mouth…

I couldn’t help but think something stupid, maybe because I’d cared for Marie’s lower needs.

But…

“Fana, Noct, shift change.”

“Hawawa!”

Startled by the sudden call, Nirvana dropped the bottle. I caught it reflexively, but holding a warm, freshly filled bottle of a beautiful girl’s pee would brand me a pervert.

I offered it back, but…

She tried to deploy «Storage» but couldn’t chant properly. Her teary eyes pleaded for me to keep it. Honoring her wish, I stored the bottle in «Treasure Vault». Holding it openly would definitely get me labeled a creep.

Pretending calm, I saluted the two older relief soldiers with Nirvana.

““Understood!””

““Right!””

Their stern faces replaced earlier relaxed expressions. Even for mere sentry duty, they weren’t slacking.

“Noct, I’ll hand over the watch. Go down first.”

“Sure.”

The older guys softened seeing Nirvana, like she was their daughter. Unlike the delinquents, they seemed to view her fondly.

“Anything happen?”

“Nothing.”

“Good.”

Nirvana reported no issues during our watch, but…

“!?”

Looking up the ladder, I saw something unbelievable, letting out a silent gasp. Thinking it was a mistake, I let go of the ladder with my right hand to rub my eyes with my sleeve.

But rubbing didn’t change what I saw.

Something that should’ve been there wasn’t.

Why was I even climbing down first? Sad as it is, a man’s instincts drew my eyes to her skirt fluttering in the breeze. Her panties, pure white when she lowered them to pee, were now… skin-colored.

She’s not wearing any.

Maybe she had a slight accident while holding it in.

She’s not at fault. A girl stuck on a watchtower without a bathroom, enduring so long—no one could blame her.

In my mind, I gave Nirvana a thumbs-up. Not for flashing me her lack of panties.

I wanted to toast her effort. A former princess mixing with commoners, joining the military, and holding it in until she nearly leaked. We need to prove her worth as a princess to those who demoted her.

“You’re slow! Useless logistics grunts!”

“While we’re fighting demons!”

As I landed from the ladder, shouts rang out.

“Bowman, you call yourself a commander?”

“Grr…”

A woman with pink bobbed hair, looking like an officer, held a riding crop under Bowman’s chin.

“Logistics should be easy for anyone, yet you’re incompetent.”

“Grrr…”

A man with orange curly hair kicked dirt onto Bowman’s boots. Bowman clenched his fists, grinding his teeth, his face like he’d bitten a sour bug.

Watching from a distance, Nirvana came beside me and muttered, “Why are Kannenberk’s named combat duo, the Kurchatov siblings, here…?”

Right, I remember. The twins, Yuri and Irina.

Bowman has one gold stripe, the Kurchatovs two silver ones. By shoulder epaulets, Bowman outranks them, yet they berated him like a subordinate.

As logistics soldiers gathered, the siblings relentlessly chewed out Bowman.

Crack!

The whip’s snap froze the scene. All eyes turned to Bowman, faces paling. His cheek swelled like worms were crawling on it. He glared at Irina wordlessly.

“Defiant eyes. Don’t forget combat officers outrank logistics by two grades.”

Yuri stepped forward, kicking Bowman’s leg.

“Guh…”

Bowman dropped to one knee in pain.

“Haha! That’s right. Logistics dogs should sit properly!”

“We risk our lives protecting you incompetents, so it’s only fair!”

It looked like Bowman was bowing to the Kurchatovs.

Bowman’s not exactly competent, but he doesn’t resort to brutal punishments. The logistics soldiers just endured the siblings’ treatment.

“Hm?”

Bored of bullying logistics, Yuri noticed us by the watchtower. He stormed over, jabbing a finger at my chest.

“You the one who killed the König Slime!?”

“No, that’s Fana-senpai.”

“Ah…”

I shifted my gaze to Nirvana, who gaped like a fish. But Yuri seemed displeased with my tone…

“Your mouth’s too smart for a superior. Name!”

“Noct Axis.”

If I answered straight, he’d turn to Nirvana, who might deny killing the slime, undoing my work.

“Hey, Yuri, can I train this one?”

“Nice. Too cocky for a non-com.”

Irina slapped her palm with the whip, licking her lips.

“Stop! I’ll discipline Noct. If you must, do it to me!”

Nirvana stepped in front, determined to shield me from the Kurchatovs.

Oh, Nirvana…

Your self-sacrifice goes too far. That’s not a girl’s role.

“Let’s duel. Cocky punks get crushed by strength—that’s the Oiraan way, right?”

“Hah! Good idea. I’ll break her body and soul, make her a real dog♡.”

Irina, hand on cheek with an ecstatic look, pulled a collar from her pouch, smirking wickedly.

“Irina, you take the curtain-head. I’ll take the girl.”

“Okay.”

While they schemed, I whispered to Nirvana.

“Leave this to me, Fana. Step back.”

“But then you’ll—”

“I’ve got a plan.”

Like a transforming robot commander, I raised a finger to reassure her. I know the Kurchatovs’ strength, so I shouldn’t lose, but I need to win while hiding my true power…

“Fana’s not feeling well. I can handle trash like you alone. Both at once, come on!”

“Noct!”

Nirvana was shocked…

So was I!

I only meant to protect her, but as Yuri and Irina raised their staff-rifles, my Nord-isms exploded, and I taunted them with a half-smirk.

“You want to get discharged for injuries here?”

“No mercy now. You’ll regret this for life.”

They clearly intended to crush me.

Well, combat officers on the front lines getting provoked by a rear-guard medic would make anyone as red as a Spanish bull.

“Altair, activate!”

“Go, Vega!”

Named-exclusive special staff-rifles… Yuri’s is bolt-action, requiring cartridge reloads per alchemy use, but its power rivals magic. Irina’s has a scythe blade, clearly for melee, using alchemy as support.

As twins, their teamwork is a threat!

“Just a medic acting cool instead of the König Slime killer—hilarious.”

“Got a thing for that girl, huh? Too bad. If you lose, she’s mine.”

Yuri pointed a thumb at Nirvana behind me. I get why he wants her—hardworking, no arrogance despite her royal past, great figure, and an endearing clumsiness.

But if I or anyone but Kain makes a move, the correction force would burn me.

Surrounded by gruff Oiraan soldiers, Nord’s pent-up lust locked onto Irina, and I let slip, “Oh? If I win, I get your sister, right?”

“Hahaha! Look in a mirror before joking! Me, lose to you?”

“Fool. It’s standard to set terms before a fight. Or are you scared of losing to me?”

“Who’d lose to you!? Keep joking, and it’s not just injuries—you’re headed for the heroes’ cemetery!”

“Heh heh heh… How kind, holding back for me! But I’m not soft. You won’t sleep until you’re fully submissive. I’ll teach you who’s master.”

“I’ll kill you! I’ll cut off your head and display it roadside. Regret mocking the Twin Star Hunters in the afterlife!”

Irina swung a meter-long scythe overhead, slashing diagonally from my shoulder. Its large motion let me dodge by diving into her guard.

But the wagon behind me was sliced in half.

Bust 80, waist 55, hips 82. Irina’s a bit too slender for my taste…

As I estimated her measurements from front, side, and back, Yuri shouted.

“Irina, dodge!”

“Okay!”

«Flame Storm»

Yuri, aiming at me after I dodged Irina, pulled the trigger without hesitation. A scorching flame grazed my cheek—likely a «Red» cartridge.

The spiraling flames attacked. Without my «Wind Wall», my hair would’ve been singed. A loud boom came from behind as the halved wagon burned.

The golems’ hard work, ruined. Keep this up, and the ghost of wastefulness will haunt you!

Seeing the wagon and supplies burn, Irina giggled.

“See that? You’d be like that too. Apologize now. Lick my boots, become my dog, and I’ll spare your life.”

“What are you babbling about? Never fought anyone but weaklings, so you can’t sense my strength? Pathetic. At least boast after beating me.”

As I taunted Irina with the burning flames behind me, her upturned eyes narrowed further, her lips trembling from grinding her teeth.

“I’ll kick my toes into your mouth so you’ll never eat again!”

Irina, holding her scythe to the side and leaning forward, kicks off the ground and slashes at me like she’s flying. It’s the same diagonal kesa-gake cut as before, so I dodge it the same way.

But Irina, letting the scythe’s centrifugal force carry her, spins her entire body and aims for my neck as I evade.

“Not bad. But it’s hopelessly slow!! If you’re using a scythe, you need more rotational force. Otherwise, I can easily slip inside your guard. Your moves are so sluggish—haven’t you ever been told you’re good at dancing?”

As I close in on Irina, whispering right by her ear, she flinches, her body trembling, and immediately leaps back.

“It’s a common flaw with long-handled weapons, but once someone gets in close, you’re pathetically vulnerable. If you were up against some fodder monster, maybe you’d survive.”

“You’re mocking me!! But your cocky attitude ends now. It’s already starting to take effect, isn’t it?”

Irina, seemingly enraged, suddenly bursts into laughter.

Girls like her? Nine times out of ten, they’ve got a menhera vibe.

I saw it in [Rising Hero]’s stills, but Irina’s casual clothes are a frilly, ribbon-adorned blouse—magenta, or close to it. Black suspender skirt, socks just above the ankle, and loafers—a total minefield fashion.

She told me to be her man or whatever, but winning over a minefield girl’s affection is like tap-dancing in a literal minefield.

“Ugh, stop dodging!!”

After that, Irina keeps trying to sweep my legs, timing her spins to thrust with the butt of her scythe as I leap back, but her attacks don’t even graze me.

“No way!? He’s still dodging Irina’s attacks…”

“Yuri, what are you talking about!? He’s just running away!!”

Looks like Yuri’s caught on. Irina, not so much.

Yuri’s tactics are full of deception. He starts by showing off the high-powered «Red» cartridge’s «Flame Storm», but his real strategy is to let Irina draw the enemy’s attention while he chips away with «Green» cartridge debuffs.

He lands weak debuffs so subtle the enemy doesn’t notice until it’s too late. By then, their body feels like lead, unable to dodge even Irina’s wild swings.

Proof? After firing «Red» and loading the next cartridge, Yuri hasn’t cycled the bolt to eject the casing even once.

“You think I’m what, exactly? I’m a medic. Did you really think your pathetic debuffs would work on me?”

They work just fine.

Yuri’s alchemy… it can’t drastically lower my stats, that’s all. I let one hit me to test how much it’d drop my stats, but I’ve seen through and avoided everything else. Yuri and Irina exchange glances, clearly at a loss. Beads of sweat glisten on their foreheads, but for me, this isn’t even a warm-up.

Still…

Beating the Kurchatov twins would be easy, but if I do, I’ll get famous, and my true identity will be dug up.

I was thinking of spreading «Black Mist» and pinning it on Nirvana again when my «Evil Eye» catches a massive figure.

Damn it! Showing up at the worst possible time!

In my vision, a Gigantes’ head peeks over the mountain ridge. The watchtower guards haven’t sounded the alarm, so they haven’t noticed yet. One swing of that mountain-sized creature’s club could flatten Kannenberk’s fortress city in an instant.

Even if the Kurchatov twins fought it alone, they’d stand no chance against a Gigantes… The twins, still oblivious to it, are bickering.

“Hey, seriously, my attacks aren’t landing on this guy. This is a first…”

“I’ve never seen a medic dodge like that either!!”

“Don’t get mad!”

“I’m not mad!”

Their argument heats up, completely ignoring me.

“It’s your fault for not landing «Green» properly, Yuri! Your aim’s gotten way too sloppy, hasn’t it?”

“Huh!? You’re the one swinging wildly and getting dodged easily! Why don’t you try fighting on your own for once instead of relying on me!?”

Could this be… a chance to take down the Gigantes without them noticing?

With that thought, I grab the staff-rifle slung on my back and examine it.

Named characters’ custom staff-rifles are tailored to their traits, but standard staff-rifles are mass-produced off-the-shelf gear. They can’t compare to custom ones in looks or craftsmanship.

But… standard staff-rifles have their own merits. Unlock the limiter, and you can activate self-destruct mode. Since logistics units often include girls, it’s designed to protect their supplies—or their chastity.

I channel my will into the staff-rifle and chant.

“«Limit Break», «Magic Stone Full Throttle»”

Smoke rises from the magic stone at the tip, the base glowing red. Even with gloves, the heat from the rod is intense—without «Wind Wall», I wouldn’t be able to hold it.

As I release the staff-rifle’s limiter, its decorations expand, transforming into a bowstring-like shape. I heft the rod onto my shoulder like a rocket launcher. I aim just above the Kurchatov twins, close enough to graze their hair. The plan? Make it look like I’m targeting them but miss, letting the critical strike obliterate the Gigantes.

“«Implosion»────«Detonation»!!”

No wonder it’s called self-destruct mode.

The moment I pull the trigger, my vision is engulfed in light. It’s so hot and blinding, it’s like there’s a sun at the tip of my staff-rifle. Thanks to my support magic «Wind Wall», I’m unscathed by the roaring flames, but a typical Oiraan Empire citizen with weakened magic would be charred to death instantly.

“What the hell is that!?”

“No way! It’s self-destruct mode!!”

The bickering twins finally notice my self-destruct mode. Hopefully, this teaches them not to underestimate logistics NCOs.

The fireball, like a small sun, scorches the earth as it’s unleashed.

“Yuri!?”

“Irina!?”

In perfect sync, they shove each other aside and dive to opposite sides, hitting the ground. The fireball grazes their hair, singeing it with a sizzling sound.

“Damn it!”

“My hair!”

Noticing the burns, they cut off the singed hair with knives, narrowly avoiding worse.

The stray fireball bores a perfectly round hole through the mountain range, pressing forward. A wildfire spreads around the hole, promising disaster-level chaos. I’ll have to make it rain later to clean this up…

A massive cloud of dust rises far beyond the mountains. The Gigantes must’ve gone down. Even if someone scouts the other side, its remains should be burned to ashes, leaving no trace.

Goddamn it… showing up at the worst time!

If this weren’t a duel, I could’ve pinned it on Nirvana. But with logistics soldiers and the Kurchatov twins from the combat division watching, faking it is tough.

If I take credit for slaying an S-rank monster like a Gigantes, Nirvana’s guaranteed a promotion to officer…

I take no damage but collapse backward, playing dead. Nirvana and I are buddies. Naturally, the credit for slaying the Gigantes while “sacrificing” myself will pass to her.

It’s only a matter of time before she’s reinstated as an imperial princess.

A perfect plan, if I do say so myself.

“You scared the shit outta us!”

“Don’t fuck with us!!”

“‘Don’t you dare escape by dying!!’”

“Wait! Noct’s already down! You’ve won!”

Nirvana’s at my side, and I feel drops—tears?—on my cheek. She seems to be holding back the twins as they try to stomp me.

Morgue

“Noct… you died trying to protect me…”

Nirvana rushes to me, sitting on the floor. She grips my hand, and I can feel her trembling through it.

“If it came to this… I should’ve just done what that man wanted… I’m sorry, I’m so sorry… I dragged you into something so trivial, and now you’re…”

Warm drops fall on my cheek.

The tears flow endlessly, streaming down my face, soaking my shirt collar.

Nirvana’s too kind…

That’s why scumbags always take advantage of her.

But… I don’t hate that side of her.

If I were reborn as Kain, I’d comfort her right away, tell her not to cry. But right now, I’m Nord, Noct—Kain’s sworn enemy.

Nirvana presses her cheek to my chest, sobbing as she clings to me. I hurriedly reinforce «Wind Wall» to keep my heartbeat from giving me away.

Peeking through half-closed eyes, I see Yuri reaching for Nirvana’s arm.

“So, you’re my girl now, right?”

If Yuri tries anything weird with Nirvana, I’m ready to fake being a zombie or some bullshit and teach him a lesson. But, surprisingly, Irina grabs his arm to stop him. Yuri, baffled by her actions, yanks his arm free and snaps.

“What’s your deal, Irina!?”

“You’re hogging the spoils, Yuri! We fought together, so why do I get nothing? That’s not fair!”

“Huh? Then take that corpse over there!”

They’re about our age, but their petty bickering feels like something even modern elementary schoolers wouldn’t stoop to. I nearly sigh.

“What!? Don’t screw with me! I don’t have a fetish for loving corpses!”

Man, they’re loud…

Maybe I should’ve just roasted them both with self-destruct mode. That’s when it happens.

“What’s that?”

“What!?”

Logistics soldiers surround us in layers, their staff-rifles deployed in bow form…

“What’s your plan? Don’t tell me you cowardly soldiers are gonna try self-destruct mode like him?”

“Haha, my stomach hurts! His attacks didn’t even land. You think you lot can hit us with the same trick!?”

The twins mock me, but a man steps forward from the crowd.

“Noct fought and died for our honor. He’s a model for all logistics soldiers. We’ve endured the combat division’s injustices for too long. But no more. Apologize, or we cut off all supplies from now on!”

Bowman speaks for Kannenberk—no, for all of the Oiraan Empire’s logistics division, confronting the tyrannical Kurchatov twins.

Oh, crap.

I was supposed to fake my death and support Nirvana from the shadows, but now I can’t escape. Worse, I’m being treated like a hero who died standing up to injustice.

Saying “I’m alive!!” now would pour cold water on the logistics team’s newfound resolve…

A tense standoff ensues, neither side yielding…

Even if the Kurchatov twins are Named, if the entire logistics division used self-destruct mode, they wouldn’t walk away unscathed.

Their earlier bickering forgotten, the twins exchange glances. Yuri grits his teeth and speaks.

“You’ll regret this!”

“Remember this!”

Their words sound like cheap thug lines.

The twins sling their staff-rifles over their backs, signaling no further intent to fight. But the logistics soldiers don’t lower their guard.

Slowly, the twins back away, eyes on us. The encirclement opens a gap, and they turn, sprinting out of the logistics camp like they’re fleeing.

Uoooohhh!!

The logistics soldiers thrust their fists skyward, roaring as if they’d defeated the demon race itself.

But the cheers stop abruptly.

They surround me, and as Bowman salutes, the others follow.

“Noct Axis, Private First Class, died defending our honor. We vow to enshrine him as a hero in the Kannenberk combat zone forever!”

Ugh, it’s hard to get up now…

And Nirvana won’t let go of me…

My body wouldn’t be done in by mere cremation-level flames, but being buried or mourned while alive is a problem.

The Next Day

Dark… cramped…

In the end, I couldn’t bring myself to admit I’m alive in front of everyone and got put in a coffin. I’ve been sharpening my senses, waiting for a chance to slip out when the watch is gone.

But Nirvana won’t leave my coffin, so I can’t escape.

“Hey! Big trouble!”

“What? I was just offering flowers to Noct…”

“The Gigantes is down!”

“What!?”

What!? That’s my line!

I overhear the soldiers’ voices in the morgue.

“Noct was shooting in some random direction…”

“Yeah, he fired that way…”

“He knew, didn’t he?”

“No doubt!”

I’m totally busted!!