Dawn is near.

While gazing at the distant horizon where the boundary between heaven and earth began to faintly glow, Yuichiro let out a deep breath. His gaze lazily scanned the area from atop his horse. Before him, countless soldiers were lined up in formation.

In front of the formation were militiamen dressed in everyday clothes instead of military uniforms. Every face was tense and charged with the anticipation of the battle that was about to begin. Yet, they wore faces of resolve.

Among these militiamen were several familiar faces. Though they wore civilian clothes, about half were soldiers from the Goddess Squad, who had been drilled by Goat in training.

After surveying the soldiers standing in perfect alignment like a massive orchestrated game, Yuichiro’s eyes slid to Noah, who was riding the horse beside him. Noah too was intently looking at the soldiers with a stern expression.

“Noah.”

Upon hearing his name, Noah turned his gaze towards Yuichiro. Meeting that determined face, Yuichiro nodded deeply. Noah also slightly lifted his chin and returned the nod.

Facing forward, he opened his mouth, “The battle begins now.”

In the cold morning air, the voice echoed resoundingly. He felt the soldiers’ skin tighten with tension. Waiting for dawn to launch an attack was likely not unique to them; the rebel army was probably also prepared to launch an all-out assault.

Scanning the face of every single soldier, Yuichiro continued.

“As you can see, I am alive. I am resolved to fight alongside everyone to the end.”

Pressing his right fist against his left chest, he asked quietly.

“Will you all fight alongside me?”

The moment he asked, the soldiers’ right hands moved in unison. A huge sound of tens of thousands slapping their own chests echoed loudly. A dull sound that seemed to reverberate directly into the heart, making the skin quiver ever so slightly.

Feeling the heat rising from his heart, Yuichiro continued his words.

“King Noah has promised to make this world a world without conflict, a beautiful world. As long as King Noah lives, war will not happen again. This is the final battle.”

When he looked, Noah nodded deeply. Noah moved his horse a step forward and took a deep breath. Then he shouted towards the soldiers.

“My comrades, fight!”

For a moment, it felt as though the atmosphere vibrated. A rush of electricity-like exhilaration rose, and the corners of his mouth twisted into a grin. With that twisted grin, Yuichiro followed Noah’s shout.

“Victory is ours!”

“Justice is on our side!”

The words resonated together. Yuichiro swung one arm high and let out a voice from the depths of his throat.

“Protect this beautiful land of Jeweld, our beloved homeland, from the hands of the rebels!”

Right after, Temeraire, Goat, and the company commanders who were lined up in front screamed all at once toward the soldiers.

“Offer victory!”

That moment, the expression on the soldiers’ faces changed. Filled with the madness and ecstasy of the battlefield, tens of thousands of shining eyeballs were looking at Yuichiro and the others. The soldiers screamed.

“Victory to the King! Victory to the Goddess! Victory by our hands!”

A mad roar that seemed to shake the earth made his body tremble greatly.

It’s not good for prenatal care, but the child who will be born will likely grow up strong. The child has no choice but to become strong even before birth.

The moment he thought so, his face twisted into a grand smile. His lips seemed like they would split open all the way to his ears.

Yuichiro pulled hard on the reins of his horse. Turning his back to the soldiers, he looked towards the horizon that was beginning to whiten in the dawn light.

“All hands, follow me!”

As the horse moved forward, a rumbling sound—accompanied by thousands of soldiers’ footsteps reverberated from behind. They kicked up a cloud of dust as they followed behind.

For a moment, an image of the Statue of Liberty, guiding the people, flashed through Yuichiro’s mind. Ironic. He had once scoffed at the name ‘goddess,’ yet now, he was desperately trying to fulfill his given role, striving to be worthy as a ‘goddess’ in this world.

Flashes of memories, fragmented like rapid shots from a camera, crossed Yuichiro’s mind since his arrival in this world: the shock of being blown away in a jungle, his first encounter with Noah and Temeraire, the sight of burning enemy lines from the castle walls, the entangled intimacy with two men whose boundaries were indistinguishable. Yuichiro shook his head to clear these thoughts. Now’s not the time to look back; I must shape the future at this very moment.

Kicking up a dust storm, they galloped across the plains. Soon after, roars from the rebel soldiers ahead reached their ears. 

“They’re charging. Don’t be afraid!” Yuichiro shouted to the militia behind him. His words served as much to reassure himself as they did his followers. Stifling his own fear, he surged forward; this was, after all, why he had come to this world. “Do what must be done!” 

Subtly, Yuichiro signaled for his squad to execute their predetermined plan. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw the squad leaders—Yama, Belz, and Kiki, all skilled in close combat—running in civilian clothes, seamlessly blending in with the militia. The faces of the running militiamen were stern, their clenched teeth revealing their determination.

Upon spotting the enemy troops, Yuichiro swiftly grabbed the gun strapped to his back. He pulled the rifle forward while atop his horse and pressed the stock firmly against his shoulder. His fingertips trembled, and the sound of his grinding teeth resonated in his ears. A potent mixture of fear and excitement bubbled within him, adrenaline clouding his thoughts. Yet, despite the heady sensation, Yuichiro’s vision remained sharp—a sensation all too familiar from previous battles.

Yuichiro gauged the distance to the approaching enemy. Only a few crucial seconds remained before they would clash. Gritting his teeth, he bellowed with the force of a wild beast. The roar was met with echoing cries from behind, their collective fervor propelling him forward.

Simultaneously, he pulled the rifle’s trigger. A sharp “whizz” resounded, followed by the dull kickback against his shoulder. Almost instantly, a spray of red marked the demise of an enemy soldier. Yuichiro kept firing, bringing down advancing enemy soldiers in succession, painting the sky and ground with splashes of red. But the enemy force seemed inexhaustible, advancing relentlessly like a sea of worms emerging from the earth.

Gunfire erupted from the opposing side. An ally at the vanguard stumbled back, as though struck down by an unseen force. The fleeting scene caught the corner of Yuichiro’s eye. Ducking low atop his horse, he evaded the rain of bullets with desperate agility.

The moment he drew the curved blade from his belt, an overwhelming surge engulfed him. It was as if an immense tidal wave had crashed upon them. Both armies collided in a tumultuous crescendo of chaos. 

With fierce determination, Yuichiro felled several enemies. Beside him, his horse let out a defiant neigh.

“Crush them!” Yuichiro screamed in the moment. The hooves of his horse crushed the abdomen of a fallen enemy soldier. Instantly, a mixture of red fluid and solid matter spurted from the soldier’s lips like a broken fountain. Without a second glance, Yuichiro swiftly dismounted.

The moment he touched the ground, he swung his sword at the enemy soldier before him. Upon seeing Yuichiro, the enemy’s eyes widened. “Could it be…!” Before the soldier could finish his words, a sharp blade slid across his throat, opening it wide. Ignoring the blood that sprayed from the wound, Yuichiro quickly shifted his focus to another soldier. Chaos reigned; blood-soaked bodies lay scattered, and the ground was painted in shades of red.

“Charge!” Yuichiro yelled as he thrust his sword into the enemy’s belly. A death cry pierced his eardrums, causing a ringing sensation. Shaking his head, Yuichiro relentlessly continued his slaughter. 

“It’s the Goddess!”  

“Kill the Goddess!”

Amid the tumult, voices echoed as enemies swarmed from every direction. But before their blades could touch him, Yuichiro noticed three shadows sliding into view. Moments later, the enemy soldiers advancing towards him were swiftly dispatched. 

“Are you alright?” Kiki called out, not turning her head, her sword dripping with blood.

“Yes,” Yuichiro responded tersely, scanning the battlefield. Yama and Belz were silently defending against the oncoming enemy soldiers. Their feet stood amidst a growing pool of blood.

Wiping his blade, Yuichiro inquired, “Are they regrouping?”

“It seems they’re attempting to push through from the militia,” Kiki replied while severing an enemy soldier’s arm. Yuichiro offered a half-smile.

“Let’s draw them in further,” he proposed. At this command, the three captains echoed in agreement, “Understood!”

Yuichiro pressed on, his body soon drenched in the blood of his adversaries, his uniform stained. The discordant sounds of clashing metal and cries filled the atmosphere.

As he felled another foe, enemy cavalry charged at him. An enemy soldier raised his sword. Yuichiro evaded, but barely. The blade’s tip grazed his forehead, inflicting a sharp pain.

“Ah!” He touched the wound; blood oozed through his fingers. A gash marred his left brow.

“Goddess-sama!” Kiki’s cry diverted his attention. As his vision blurred with blood, he perceived the cavalryman being impaled on Belz’s spear and toppled from his mount.

“It’s okay,” Yuichiro tried to comfort his comrades, but he was interrupted as his arm was seized.

Yama confronted him, demanding, “Fall back.”

“Not yet,” Yuichiro protested.

“This is enough,” Yama declared, his voice gruff. 

“The Goddess is wounded!” The news spread rapidly, creating a stir among the troops. Firmly holding Yuichiro’s arm, Yama pulled him away.

“Retreat! All of you, retreat!” Belz and Kiki shouted. The sight of Yuichiro’s retreat shook the militia’s resolve.

“The Goddess is hurt…”

“We must flee! Go!”

Deserting their outdated weapons, the militia scampered in the opposite direction, their retreat marked by the derisive laughter of the enemy.

Their tide of victory was shifting to defeat. Yuichiro, with Yama beside him, wiped away the blood smeared on his cheek.

“Thought you were pretending to be injured?” Yama remarked with a hint of annoyance.

“Pretending isn’t my forte,” Yuichiro retorted, hearing Yama’s sigh.

“The militia excels at it.”

“No, theirs is genuine.”

The militia’s screams echoed as they sprinted. Their lives hung in the balance. If they halted, they’d be slaughtered. Their pursuit was held off by the Goddess Squad soldiers in civilian attire, fighting fiercely.

Yuichiro and his group eventually outpaced the militia, heading for their base. Yama, with a hint of irritation, pointed out, “We can’t lose you.”

Surprised by the sentiment, Yuichiro responded, “I thought you despised me.”

“I’m indifferent towards my superiors. But if you fall, the conflict persists.”

“You disdain war?”

“No, but I can’t wed Belz if it continues.”

Yuichiro was left momentarily speechless by this revelation, then chuckled at the battlefield’s incongruous mention of a “wedding.”

“I assumed you’d be averse to weddings.”

Yama, focusing ahead, remarked, “Belz is sought-after.”

“What?”

“I wish to declare to the world that he’s mine.”

Despite the setting, Yuichiro struggled to suppress his laughter. He clapped Yama’s shoulder, eliciting a grimace.

“Invite me to the wedding later.”

Yama grinned, replying, “Only if you endure.”

Determined, Yuichiro thought, I will persevere, even if it means clawing through earth.

He just smiled in response.

Soon, they reached their base. The ground depression neared. Tall grass surrounded it, obstructing visibility. Pushing through, they entered. Militiamen followed suit.

Midway down, Yuichiro halted, noticing shields and Kandara rifles placed beforehand. The militia, seeing him stop, did the same.

“Grab the shields!”

They hastily picked up the towering shields, too hefty to lift but adequate for ground support, each with a central slot.

“Prepare your weapons!”

Upon Yuichiro’s command, they quickly took rifles and knelt, placing barrels through the shield slots.

Enemy forces descended into the depression. “Let them get closer!” Yuichiro urged.

Beside him, a young militiaman trembled. Yuichiro calmed him with a hand on his shoulder. The youngster glanced up, startled. Yuichiro gave a reassuring smile, whispering, “Trust me.”

“This is not the voice of a goddess, but the whispers of a devil,” he thought. Even knowing this, Yuichiro believed someone had to become the devil for now—to win, even if it meant becoming a devil, to put an end to this war.

A fleeting look of euphoria crossed the eyes of the young militia. Responding to their captivated gazes with a smile, Yuichiro refocused his attention ahead. Just a few tens of meters more; he had to suppress his fear and push to the limit.

The sharp sound of enemy bullets striking shields echoed. Through the small window in the shield, some militiamen were hit, but no one tried to flee. Some even had their strained knees buckle beneath them.

As they got close enough to recognize the enemy’s faces, Yuichiro bellowed, “Fire!”