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(His Eminence personally urged me to take this job! If I return alive, I’ll need an exceptional reward, or it won’t be worth it! Damn it!! And if, by some chance, we move the troops and weaken our defenses, what do you intend to do if that army breaks through here?! If they pour straight into the kingdom and cause damage, who will take responsibility?! If that happens, my career will be ruined! Absolutely not!! I don’t care what happens to a village like this, but that alone must be avoided at all costs! No matter what sacrifices must be made, they will stop them here!)

“B-but Representative Fourier!!”
“Don’t be ridiculous!! ‘I forbid it,’ you say?! Why should we obey your orders at all?!”

At Fourier’s words, Trevor and Silense froze, eyes wide. Then Silense raised his voice, declaring that no matter what national authority the investigation mission represented, it had no right to command Amukham. Everyone present stared at Fourier in shock when he declared that no troops would be allowed to leave.

Though shaken by the eyes fixed on him, Fourier pressed on.

“I-I am the official representative of the Aurora National Council and the Royal Bureau! My words are the will of the state! If you oppose me directly, then know that it is rebellion against the nation itself!!”
“You’re telling us to abandon those fighting on the front lines?! Can’t you understand that the Boss and Conrad are standing as the wall protecting us even now?!”
“I don’t care about some old men! M-more importantly! If those monsters are unleashed inside the country… w-who will take responsibility for that?! Defense! Build the defensive line even if it kills you!!!”

Declaring that his decision was equal to the nation’s decision in this moment, Fourier insisted on fortifying the defenses. And worse, he had openly said to abandon Howard and Conrad. The atmosphere froze instantly. At the same time, Silense seized Fourier by the collar and roared in fury.

“You b̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲!!!”
“Eek!! T-then I shall judge that Amukham… has the intent to rebel against the Aurora Republic Kingdom!!”
“…You—!!”

Even while turning pale as Silense held him up by the collar, Fourier still proclaimed that defying him was treason. Though he knew such absurd logic should never stand, Silense was struck speechless by Fourier’s shameless confidence. As Silense unconsciously loosened his grip, Fourier slipped free. Trying to steady his breathing, he adjusted his collar while glaring at Silense’s hand and avoiding eye contact. Then Trevor stepped forward and pleaded once more.

“Representative! Please!! I beg you… Let us go to our comrades on the front line!! Send us there!!!”
“No means no!! I will not allow even a single soldier to sortie! I told you to use all forces to build the defensive line!!”
“I beg you to reconsider! Please!!!”
“I-I refuse!! Absolutely refuse!! If you insist so badly… then go alone! You alone may go!!!”
“T-That’s!”

Now glaring at Trevor, Fourier dismissed his plea outright. Fourier undeniably held authority over the knights. If he did not authorize the knights’ deployment, no troops could move. Trevor tried to press further, but was rejected completely and was at a loss for words.

Behind Trevor, who clenched his teeth and fists in frustration, a hand rose lightly as if to say wait. Then August stepped forward.

“In that case, would you permit one team from us to go instead?”
“W-what?!”
“Just one team. Only a handful of people.”
“Hm… but…”
“There are currently 2,352 villagers remaining in Amukham. Even our elderly and children are stronger than ordinary guards, you know?”
“…Mm…”
“And the team we send will be only women. In any case, reconnaissance is necessary, is it not? We need some way to know when and from where they will come.”

August proposed sending a single team as scouts. But he was not truly speaking to Fourier. His gaze was fixed on Susie.

Susie met August’s eyes, and the two exchanged a small nod.

Unaware of this, Fourier considered the offer.

Scouting was certainly necessary. At the very least, it would clear up the uncertainty of not knowing when the enemy would arrive. And they were only asking for one women’s team. At least that would not weaken the knights’ strength. Moreover, the people of Amukham knew the forest. They were far better suited for scouting than the knights. And he wanted the village’s two thousand-plus fighters available. Even if messengers were sent to nearby cities now, how long would it take to gather that many guards?

The conditions were not bad.

In fact, he had nothing to lose. As long as a punitive force was organized from the rear and arrived in time. No, what mattered most was lasting until he reached a safe zone. After that, he couldn’t care less what happened. This village was likely finished already. It would be trampled by the undead, then ravaged by Demonic Beasts, and vanish from the map of the kingdom.

“…V-very well. J-just that one team!! All other villagers, women and children included, will remain and defend! Understood?!!”

Having reached that conclusion in an instant, Fourier spat the words at August.

“M-Magok, hurry! Prepare for departure at once!”
“Huh?… Y-yes, sir! Right away! Immediately!”

Evacuating now was clearly the correct decision. From this village that was about to be destroyed, anything that could be secured, no, protected, should be taken while there was still time.

Thinking further along those lines, Fourier barked orders to his attendant, then extended his hand toward Susie.

“Come now, Princess! We must go!”
“Huh? Me?”
“Of course! None other than Princess Susie herself! I humbly beg that you accompany this Cameron Fourier at once!”
“At a time like this, Lord Fourier… where are you going?”
“Why, to evacuate, naturally! We must leave this village as quickly as possible.”
“I see… I cannot go. Lord Fourier, please evacuate safely.”
“…Tch! Enough of that! Come here!”

Normally, no one could remain calm with the village in such a crisis. Much less a young girl like her, surely she should have been terrified. Thinking that, Fourier had invited Susie to come with him.

But Susie rejected him with a cool, distant expression.

Irritated, Fourier reached out and grabbed for her thin arm, intending to drag her with him if necessary.

Yet no matter how he reached, his hand never touched her. Again and again, he grasped only empty air. He simply could not seize her.

“W-what? What is this? Hm?”

Fourier could not understand it. Had something happened to him? Was he being shown some kind of illusion? He stared at his own hand after pulling it back.

“Please… run away, Lord Fourier.”
“T-That’s!”

Susie spoke coldly, her eyes utterly calm. Fourier flinched beneath her gaze, words caught in his throat. Those deep cobalt-green eyes stirred an unfathomable dread in him, and before he realized it, he had stepped backward.

But realizing his body had retreated and that fear had entered his heart, only made Fourier burn with anger. How could a man like him be scared by some little girl?!

“You’ll regret this! Tch! Magok! We’re leaving!!”

Spewing out those bitter final words, Fourier turned around and stormed away with his attendant.

“Excuse me!”Trevor said and immediately bowed to the people of Amukham. Then he hurried back toward the knights’ temporary barracks.

He said that even alone, he intended to head into the depths of the forest. He would first return to the barracks to inform the reserve squad leaders of everything that had happened and entrust matters here to them. After that, he wished to join the Amukham team, entering the forest. August readily agreed and saw him off.

After Trevor departed, August turned to Susie.

“Susie…”

Susie met his gaze, nodded, then tilted her head toward Anne-Marie, who stood beside her.

“Anne-Marie, can you go fetch my equipment immediately?”
“Please rest assured, milady. Your belongings are already here at the Amukham House.”

With a graceful bow at Susie’s side, Anne-Marie answered without hesitation.

“In fifteen minutes, I shall have you fully prepared, my lady.”
“Thank you, Anne-Marie. Sir August, I will come to Station One in thirty minutes.”

August moved a step closer after hearing Susie say that.

“Susie, please, please save the Boss.”

Alphonse and Silense followed at once.

“Please, Susie.”
“We’re counting on you, young lady.”

Susie smiled gently at the three men and replied, “Of course.”

Then she turned to face Sonia.

“Suzy… please that care of him… Save Howard…”

Taking Susie’s hand, Sonia spoke as though in prayer.

“It will be all right, Mama Sonia. I’ll make sure Papa Howard, who always buries himself in work and leaves Mama lonely, comes back safely. Please wait, and don’t worry, okay?”

With that, Susie tilted her head slightly and smiled.