Chapter 3 – Story 97: Battle of Caliraya 5 – Last Scene

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Darius woke up underneath the chariot that had toppled over. The chariot’s handrail was pressing against his chest, his breastplate smashed. Once he shifted his eyes sideways, he saw the horses, who had been pulling his chariot, lying dead in their own blood after having been pierced by several throwing spears.

Apparently he had lost consciousness when the chariot fell over. After understanding his current situation, he moved the vehicle upwards as if doing a push-up exercise, and pulled his body out through the small gap he had created.

Immediately following, a coughing welled up, gradually rising through his throat. A short time later, Darius placed a hand on his mouth as he coughed violently.

When the fit finally subsided, he noticed that fresh blood was dying his palm crimson.

I guess my lungs got injured.

In this era, no treatment existed to cure injured lungs. Still, Darius had already resolved himself that this would be the end. But, it wasn’t just his own life being on the line here. Holmea’s fate would likely be decided here as well.

At the very least, he wanted to buy enough time for Princess Warina and Ponpius to make their decision after careful deliberation. But, now he could only laugh at himself as this wish of his might not be granted either.

He staggered to his feet, violently shaking. At this point, just standing was agonizing for him. Yet, he somehow managed to keep standing by leaning his back against the chariot.

As he stood there, his shoulders heaving from his rough and heavy breathing, he wondered why his final charge had been obstructed.

Holmea’s army, which got routed, and Romania’s army which was rushing after them.

How did they find out about me throwing away my banner and charging on this chaotic battlefield? It’d be one thing, if they were right in front of me by chance, but the enemy attacked me at the perfect moment, as if having watched all my movements from the beginning to the very end.

With that question filling his mind, Darius’s breathing was gradually getting painful and he started to open his mouth like a fish, which poked its mouth out of the water to get some air, while looking up to the sky. And then his eyes flew wide open.

“I see. That’s how it is…”

So this is the reason why they’ve seen through my actions, Darius thought. It’s the arrival of those who can calmly pull off what we couldn’t do and think of. It’s the rise of the next generation, forcing me to feel the arrival of a new era. I, as the symbol of the old, passing era, will inevitably be crushed by the waves of that new era. I lost as I was fated to lose.

Darius laughed somewhat bitterly. And at that point, Darius noticed the oddity.

Even now he could hear the intense noise of weapons clashing. Screams of agony and angry yelling filled the air. And yet, only the area around him was quiet for some reason.

It’s the perfect opportunity to get my head. It wouldn’t be strange for not only the regular soldiers, but even the officers, to rush at me in a swarm. But, despite that, not a single soldier is coming at me.

Darius looked around him, wondering what was going on, and then realized it for the first time.

The cavalry unit with the lily and wolf flag had created a circle around him as if to protect him from Romania’s soldiers who were out for his head.

One rider stepped forward from among them and asked for his identity.

“I assume from your appearance that you are His Excellency Darius. Would that be the case?”

They could have chopped off his head at any moment while he was unconscious, but this person had apparently waited until he’d stand up through his own power.

I cannot show my embarrassing side to someone who understands honor and pride, Darius mustered the small amount of energy he had left, separated from the chariot, and stood in front of the rider without any help.

“Indeed! I’m Darius!”

While answering like that, Darius drew his sword. He prepared himself to struggle to the very end, taking as many enemies with him as possible.

However, the cavalrymen didn’t even try to attack him. Instead, a part of the horses surrounding him opened up a passage, and one rider moved up in front of Darius through the newly-made opening.

As soon as the knight took off her helmet, golden, wavy hair dashed out, spreading across her back.

Darius was surprised.

“A woman, huh..?”

A dignified voice answered Darius’s bewildered muttering.

“I’m Piarta! Piarta Dea Romanianis!”

Even Darius had heard the rumors about Piarta.

“Romania’s tomboy princess, eh…?”

She was a tomboy, behaving completely improperly for the princess of a major power, and someone even King Doldea couldn’t manage. Moreover, it was said she had lately lost her mind, acting like some general.

I’ve become truly weak to have fallen behind even such a little lass, Darius smiled in self-mockery.

“Romania’s princess! Are you wishing for the head of this senile, old fool as an achievement for your first campaign?”

Darius yelled proudly, making clear through his tone that he wouldn’t let a little lass get his head this easily.

“Nay!”

However, her answer was something even Darius hadn’t anticipated.

“I have come here as I wish to receive a farewell gift from Your Excellency!”

“A farewell gift…you say?”

Darius was confused, unable to understand what she was talking about, and thus he could only ask back like a parrot.

Piarta got off her horse in front of him, and not only genuflected without caring that she’d get sullied by mud, but also bowed her head towards him. As he widened his eyes in surprise, Piarta started to talk.

“I have studied many books about strategies and tactics since my early childhood. The one book giving me the deepest impression and teaching me the most was none other than Your Excellency’s 『Darius’s Instructions』,” and then she lifted her head. “Although it’s my first time to bow to you like this, I’m your pupil without any doubt!”

Piarta’s face as she looked up to Darius was shining in joy and longing to such a degree that it was hard to look at her radiant face.

“And if a pupil leaves their master’s side, it’s common practice for that pupil to receive a farewell gift from their master. Although I’m well aware that it is fairly impertinent of me to request this as your pupil, I have come here like this.”

“…What is it that you desire as a farewell gift?”

Darius asked while being somewhat dumbfounded by the unexpected development.

In response, Piarta face completely changed from a smiling, joyful expression to a grim look as sharp as a blade.

“The way to defeat the Divine Son of Destruction!”

As Darius widened his eyes in shock, Piarta continued with a blood-curdling voice, “That guy is abnormal! He’s way too abnormal! If we leave him to his own devices, he will doubtlessly bring calamity even to my Romania! I must take him down, no matter the costs! He is someone that has to be defeated!”

At first, Piarta considered Darius’s defeat near Bolnis to be a coincidence. But, after hearing about the details of the battle and learning about the city’s development, which could only be described as astounding, Piarta also realized the strangeness of the Divine son of Destruction.

At this rate, Romania will also fall by his hands, she assessed.

Passion welled up in Darius’s chest due to this compelling remark by Piarta. Ever since he had been defeated at the gates of Bolnis, Darius had continued to frantically warn everyone about the danger of the Divine Son of Destruction.

But, no one in Holmea had lent him an ear. And not only that. Some people even warned him that he was sullying his achievements throughout his life. Some even scorned him, thinking the former marshal might have gone crazy.

Although he had the determination and resolve to protect his beloved fatherland, thos days of humiliation and bitterness were hard to bear.

As such, even Darius couldn’t have imagined that someone understanding him would appear at the very end of his life――moreover, that this person would be the princess of Romania, the archenemy of Holmea.

Having noticed the dreadfulness of the Divine Son of Destruction early on, she had decided that she’d defeat him for the sake of her motherland, even if other people wouldn’t understand why.

She’s definitely my pupil.

Darius was touched by the emotions and hopes welling from deep within him. At this point he had already given up. But, with the appearance of a pupil, who was trying to carry on his will, Darius wanted to have her inherit his final selfishness.

“Your Highness, I have heard the rumors about you. Moreover, looking at this battle, you’re certainly a herald of a new era. But――,” Darius suddenly widened his eyes, “――fear the Divine Son of Destruction. That man is the destroyer of eras. While we take one step forward, he leaps countless steps ahead. If we ride on horses, he soars through the sky like a bird. Trying to take down such a man is next to impossible!”

Piarta nodded, as if to show that she was naturally aware of as much.

“There exists only one possibility to defeat the Divine Son of Destruction!”

Darius powerfully exclaimed towards Piarta as she quickly leaned forward.

“Study the Divine Son of Destruction! What did he do? What does he create? And make all of it your own. If you do that, you might find an opportunity to be one step ahead of that man, even if only for a short moment!”

“Thank you kindly for your very appreciated guidance!”

Darius gently looked down at Piarta, who had bowed deeply.

“Ask for someone called Brautus at the village Play in my territory and tell them that you’ve come to receive 『the entrusted items from the mansion’s freeloader』. It should become helpful for the sake of defeating the Divine Son of Destruction.”

“I understand!”

After saying that, Piarta ordered to welcome Darius as a noble guest. Hearing her command, Demetria and several other knights dismounted from their horses to take Darius into custody, but Darius pressed the blade of his sword against his throat in front of them.

“I shall offer one more gift to you, my last pupil. ――You must have an unshakable position and influence within Romania’s army to take down the Divine Son of Destruction. All the more so, seeing how you’re a woman. The head of this senile, old fool should come in handy for that.”

Piarta hesitated a bit. But, she didn’t stop him. If she had, it’d have belittled his kindness and resolve to die. For this very reason, Piarta bowed her head deeply and merely said, “You have my gratitude.”

Darius smiled brightly at his final, smart and obedient pupil. And then he put strength into his hand.

Following a sharp pain, a fountain of blood gushed out in front of him. As his consciousness waned, Darius saw an army corps on the other side of the bloody curtain.

“General Darius, your orders please!”

A nostalgic, dear voice reached his ear. When he turned around in the direction of it, he found the young, innocent Marius standing there, wearing his outfit as a messenger soldier.

“Your Excellency! Everyone is waiting! Please give us your directions!”

The one raising his voice next was Hiakis, clad in black armor. And he wasn’t alone either. Darius could see Regimental Commander Gaius of the 「Black Wall」, Kadomos who had passed away during the battle of Bolnis, Judius, and even Company Commander Bogus who was of commoner descent.

Darius could feel a sudden prickling deep in his nose and the corners of his eyes became hot. But, he held back his emotions, and loudly exclaimed towards the army corps, “Listen up, men! The one we will be trying to fight next is my lifetime’s strongest arch-enemy! Get in formation so as to not put any shame on our army!”

The whole army corps cheered at Darius as he thrust his right arm into the air.

This illusion was the last thing Darius ever saw.

◆◇◆◇◆

“What a calm face…,” Piarta commented while kneeling next to the corpse of Darius.

Just as she said, Darius had passed away with a gentle face, as if he had just gone sleeping. Staring at the dead face of the ever-ambitious Darius, Piarta pushed the blade against his throat. Using her body’s weight, she pressed the blade through the neck, cutting off his head. And then she thrust his head high up in the air.

“I, Piarta Dea Romanianis, have taken down Romania’s sworn enemy Darius!”

Hearing that, the brave knights of the Hundred Flower broke out in cheers. Following that, the same cheering welled far in the distance, beyond the battlefield.

A short while later, Piarta and her unit understood that this tolled the news of Daraios having taken the head of King Warius.

“Nothing less of His Excellency the Marshal. What an outstanding achievement.”

As Piarta complimented the feat of having obtained the head of the enemy king, Demetria said, “With all due respect, but this sounds like sarcasm out of your mouth, Your Highness.”

“What do you mean?”

Piarta asked while looking confused.

Demetria answered with a solemn look on her face, “A foolish king and the strongest general; if you compare the value of the achievement to take down either, wouldn’t you say that yours outweighs the other by leaps and bounds?”

“For sure.”

Piarta and Demetria laughed for a bit.

And with this, the great and decisive 「Battle of Caliraya」 between Romania and Holmea came to an end with Romania’s overwhelming victory.

◆◇◆◇◆

Darius Brutus, a general who had been active during the end of Holmea, which used to be one of the great nations in the West.

Going by the few remaining documents and records about him, he was extolled as 「Holmea’s Strongest General」 and 「Holmea’s Guardian Deity」, making it easy to tell that he was a superior general.

But, in later years many people would harshly criticize him, saying things like 「An incompetent idiot who couldn’t defeat the Divine Son of Destruction although all odds were in his favor」 or 「A fool who lost his standing after neglecting politics too much」.

Certainly, if you analyze the history, he did make the mistakes of not only getting defeated by Divine Son of Destruction Soma Kisaki, who hadn’t yet finished preparing his army as he was only starting to recruit soldiers, but he also lost his standing due to the political strife within Holmea, triggered by Darius’s loss.

Because of that, the notion of blaming Darius is all too understandable.

But, that is something one can only say when looking back at the past in hindsight. Back in Darius’s era, he was lacking a lot of information and the time given to him to consider things was short, too.

While being weighed down by those conditions, Darius had to make decisions each and every time while holding onto his own conviction and resolve, despite harboring big anxiety as he headed toward an unpredictable future.

And certainly, as a result of that, he didn’t achieve the best outcome he wished for. But, his striking way of life definitely influenced many people living at that time.

Later on, two people, who became the center of the wars in Ancient Seldeas’s West, said the following about Darius:

「A formidable enemy I won’t be able to ever forget」 ―― Divine Son of Destruction Soma Kisaki.

「My eternal teacher」 ―― Cavalry Princess Piarta Dea Romanianis.

That great hero of Holmea, a person of admiration and respect for both, had finally fallen. Meanwhile the continent’s western region would continue to be spun around by those two, newly-emerged heroes.

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