Yoshiro: Here’s Chapter 4. EDIT: Sorry for the mistake. This is the actual Chapter 4.

This can be quite emotional. Hope I managed to portray that.

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Arc 2: The Reconstruction – The Independents Chapter 4

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As she watched the alliance army retreat from the top of the defensive wall, Sophia showed a sorrowful expression.

Actually, Sophia was distressed that the battle occurred and the fact that it was due to her that it became like this was causing her despair. However, contrary to Sophia’s feelings, the morale of the soldiers fighting for Sophia in the fort was abnormally high.

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“Raise the victory cheers!! Victory to the Celsus Maiden! Dedicated to the Celsus Maiden!!”

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The highest one was General Paulus. Celsus Maiden’s escort knights. It is without doubt a preferable development for General Paulus. But, it’s not just that. Likely the reason for the high morale was due to seeing Sophia in close proximity.

I guess General Paulus and the soldiers were all taken out by Sophia’s beauty. In regards to this, I am also unable to comment on another.

But.

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“I wish they would read the mood a bit.”

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Getting hooked in by the people in the fortress, the members of Nox also started to call out Sophia’s name, and as the situation seems to be getting out of control, Sophia was advised to show her appearance to the soldiers slightly.

Thanks to that, I was left behind.

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“Haaaa~, I wonder why….”

“You don’t seem happy even though we have won? Master”

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I am already used to her suddenly voicing out from the back.

I shrugged my shoulders, turned around and replied to the person who called out, Ren.

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“I have never been happy to win a battle. Especially after a victory.”

“I see. Well, I like that feeling of masters. Since killing people makes the mood bad. The people there that are delighted about it must have gone mad.”

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Saying that, Ren sighed like she was shocked. It’s rare to hear her opinions on such matters. Either she has quite the unpleasant feelings towards killing or something that differs her thoughts. Though I am bothered about it, it’s not something I can ask easily.

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“You can’t kill someone unless you are mad. So? Did something happen?”

“After interrogating the enemy soldiers, it seems that they do not know the situation and was just following orders.”

“The one that moved was the commander…. No, I should say he was moved.”

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Saying that, I narrowed my eyes and looked at the faint trail of the retreat of the alliance army.

They who became tattered and is retreating while using their weapons as a replacement for a walking stick, should have no idea for what reason they are fighting for, just following the orders that they received.

For their country, for their family for their loved ones, believing that it will be for the sake of something, they picked up their courage and challenged Veris. Their resolve is without doubt for real. Perhaps, there are also people that anticipate this results too. Even then, they fought.

There are people who are making use of them. For their expectation, for their desire.

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“Be it Stratos, or even Bayd…. Or even someone who I do not know of.”

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I have no idea who it is, but I do know that that person is causing conflicts.

Including the fact that they rolled up Sophia, there is a necessity to return the various “debts“.

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“For now, I will punch the person the moment I find him.”

“Though it’s quite the violent speech, that’s quite like master in regards to punching someone.”

“Is that supposed to be a praise?”

“To some extent, yes.”

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Putting both his hands behind his head, Ren easily ran down the stairs of the wall saying that, and quickly disappeared from my sights.

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■■■

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There are very few private rooms in the fort. In the room assigned to me, the commanders of the different Nox’s units were gathered. The platoon leader Roy is also here as he is, to some extent of classification, a commander. Of course, as the meaning of it is mainly to let him listen to the conversation and learn, we are not looking for comments or suggestions from him.

The topic were the unit’s situation, tactics, training and also the cooperation between the different units within Nox. The success of the strategy this time was due to Nicola’s full support.

Though in the first place, she is capable of such a role and also the reason she was chosen as a commander, if we only leave such role to her and rely on her, Nox would not function in the event Nicola is unable to move.

So the discussion this time is to think about various things individually in regards to this.

However.

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“Sleepy…. Please do such complex stuff on your own…”

“Same… Yukito-niichan. I am also sleepy.”

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Totally different from the female group that were taking it seriously, Captain Ars and Roy did not participate seriously while yawning disinterestedly. Well, it can’t be helped, I guess. The battle was just over, and also Captain Ars and Roy was sent to pursuit the enemy, though lightly, the fatigue might have been great.

Though that said, the other 3 should be quite tired as well.

In the room, there are only 2 chairs and I am the only one sitting while the rest were standing. Though I wish to end this quickly, I can’t end it while the conversation isn’t stopping at a good place.

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“Ara? If the commander don’t enter the conversation, I won’t sent reinforcement to the unit, you know?”

“Eh, is such threaten valid….”

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Captain Ars said that while twisting into an unpleasant expression. He received the reply quite seriously I guess. The atmosphere seems to be turning bad.

It can’t be helped. As it goes, it could affect the future. Judging that, I decided to end the discussion.

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“I guess you are all tired so let’s end this for today. However, please do this seriously tomorrow onwards.”

“I know that. So then, I will go to sleep..”

“Me too!”

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Captain Ars and Roy changed their sleepy face to a happy face and was about to leave the room.

At that time, a knock came from the door of my room.

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“Hm? Who is it?”

“It’s Sophia. Is it okay to enter?”

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Instantly. Everyone’s state, other than me, changed immediately.

Everyone wore the black coat that they took off and stood at attention. Captain Ars fixed his hair with his hands, Roy arranged his usual untidy clothing firmly while nervously looking at the door. I guess it’s not my imagination that his face is slightly red.

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“Is everyone okay?”

“Even if you ask us, I can’t answer.”

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As I asked them silently, Mikana answered like that. The only person who would answer was only Erica. The remaining three were shockingly nervous.

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“Preferring to leave would be my intention though.”

“Okay. Sophia. It’s fine to enter.”

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Immediately after saying that, Sophia opened the door and entered.

Not in her usual white robe, she is wearing a green one-piece. Seeing the 5 people at attention, she opened her eyes shocked but when she saw Mikana, she made a smile.

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“We meet again. Mikana-san.”

“It’s an honor that you remembered. Sophia-sama.”

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From my memories, I don’t remember both of them talking to each other though. Well, Mikana was always by my side, so i guess that left an impression on Sophia.

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“Now then, since it’s going to be early tomorrow, let’s dissolve for now.”

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As I say that, Nicola quickly bowed to Sophia and me before going towards the door. However, Captain Ars and Roy actually stated something opposite to what they said just now.

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“Supreme commander. I would like to discuss a bit more of the tactics though.”

“Yukito-niichan. I also do have questions.”

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No matter what, isn’t that too frank?I could even feel their spirit so I ended drawing back slightly.

I can understand why. They want to see Sophia even just a bit longer. If there is a chance, they are likely also thinking of becoming acquainted.

I can deal with Captain Ars tomorrow but I can’t do that for Roy. It’s somehow my responsibility after all.

When Roy first saw Mikana, he muttered that she is cuter than the village’s cutest girl. To that, I said that there are more beauties in the world to keep his expectation up.

Next is when he saw Erica. He said that she is the most beautiful lady he had ever seen. To that again, I said that I know someone more beautiful. At that time, Roy felt that I was lying.

However, at the time he saw Kaguya-sama, Roy looked at me respectfully and said “It’s her, right?”. Though it would have been good that I end it there, as Roy’s reaction was too pure, I couldn’t help say that I know someone as beautiful or even more beautiful than Kaguya-sama.

After that, Roy was looking forward to meeting the beauty that is as beautiful or even more beautiful than Kaguya-sama. To the point it’s so obvious.

And then today, that beauty is right in front of his eyes. As I kinda make him anticipate, it hurts to flatly handle it.

As I pondered on how to settle this, Sophia showed a slightly cloudy expression.

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“Were you in the middle of an important discussion..?”

“Well, something like a war council, i guess.”

“I apologize for my interruptions. Shall I come back again to talk to Yukito?”

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Saying that, Sophia smiled, and turned back.

Realizing that the smile was something forced, I unconsciously grabbed hold of Sophia’s hand.

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“It’s fine. It’s already over. Right? Roy, Captain Ars.”

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Giving a scent of “Get out of the room”, I emphasized my sights.

Towards my eyes, Captain Ars shrugged and stepped back, but Roy did not. As I thought “this brat”, Mikana grasped Roy’s clothing and pulled him away.

Before Roy could protest, Erica spoke.

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“Then, excuse us. Sophia-sama, Supreme commander.”

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Erica bowed after saying that and went out with Mikana dragging Roy out of the room. Captain Ars dropped his shoulders disappointedly and went out of the room last.

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“Is it really okay?”

“It’s fine. There were just trying to look cool in front of Sophia for a bit.”

“Is that so? That boy called Roy was trying to talk to you though?”

“Who he wanted to speak was not me, it’s Sophia. If you have the chance, try calling out to him.”

“Me? I can’t talk about battles, you know?”

“The topic doesn’t matter. If you would call out to him, he will be very happy. So, what’s your reason for coming here?”

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Saying that, I urged Sophia to sit down.

Sitting facing each other, I examined Sophia’s expression.

Sophia won’t easily show her weakness. Especially in front of people. However, her natural smile and false smile is slightly different.

The false smile she made just now was something because she really doesn’t want to go back. I already told her that we will talk about Stratos and Albion tomorrow. If I think about it, there is only a reason why she would come here.

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“Are you feeling anxious?”

“Yeah. I am anxious.”

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Sophia gradually moved her hands in front of her chest after saying that.

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“Is this a dream?”

“I don’t think it’a dream. If it’s one, I will cry again.”

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I tried joking, but Sophia just smiled slightly. There’s no spirit at all.

Though it’s also likely due to the multiple happenings, I also feel something different.

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“What’s wrong?”

“Even Yukito who knows everything is unable to understand a human’s heart?”

“If I can read people’s heart, I would be conduct myself a lot better. There is no one who can understand the deepest of feelings. I can only predict. However, right now, I am unable to predict what Sophia is thinking. So, tell me.”

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If words are not spoken, it will not be conveyed. If possible, it can be indirectly drawn out but Sophia is already used to faking surface expressions, so it’s difficult.

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“…that’s true. Desire to be found or to be sense is my selfishness, isn’t it?”

“Sorry.”

“Nope, it’s fine. I came here just because I was lonely.”

“Lonely?”

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That was slightly unexpected. It was expecting a total different reason.

Sophia knows that she is being targeted by Stratos. And, she was pursued by the army today and escaped into the fortress. If it’s fear, I can understand but why is it lonely?

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“Yeah. As I ate my meal in Albion, I remembered that Diorood-sama and Yukito is always by my side, talking while we eat. As I laid on the bed, I will always think of Yukito talking to me by my side. I have always long to return to those days. That’s why….. it’s lonely to not have Yukito beside me.”

“Sophia….?”

“Yukuto feels far away….. The Yukito who would talk to me by my side is now the continent’s famed strategist…. I feel sorrowful as you are like a distant existence….. I feel lonesome.”

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Saying that Sophia looked straight at me with an expression that she’s about to cry.

I worked hard not to change. But driven by the necessity to change, there are places where I changed. For me, though it’s not my intention to change so much, it seems that to Sophia, I seem to have changed.

However, it doesn’t matter even if I changed. Though quite conceited, I changed for Sophia’s sake after all.

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“Sophia. Sophia was a distant existence to me, so I am trying hard to close that gap right now. If you see me changed, I believe that is the evidence of me getting closer to you”

“….what do you mean?”

“I have no interest in power and fame but to be able to go and meet Sophia, all those are necessary. Right now, it’s no longer needed though. Sophia is already by my side after all.”

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I am right now carrying many things. I have to help Dio-sama, and also assist Kaguya-sama in addition to for the sake of Veris. I also have many subordinates that I am responsible for. I can’t abandon all of these.

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“If you felt that I am going someway far and dislike it, I will no longer let you feel that way. It’s fine. I will be by your side from now on.”

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I grasped Sophia’s arm, stating that.

It’s the hand I released once. And the hand that I regretted releasing.

I will never release it ever again.

Swearing in my heart, I gently caressed the Sophia whose gave a relieved smile.

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