"You saved me a lot of trouble, Brando!"


    He points his sword at Brand.


    The gunmen try to aim at Brand, but they can''t move in time and a few shots miss behind him.


    "Give up! Brand''s bandits are bandits. You''ll never hit a flying target."


    Brando would not have come at us if he did not have that level of confidence.


    "Arsrod, I knew you''d come riding in on your own anyway!　If we defeat you here, this country will once again revert to the long era of warfare!"


    Brand''s sword was a large, curved one. It was the kind of evil that no general of renown would have liked. But in this age, there is no such thing as wrong or right.


    I''ll take that sword. It''s not much of a sword. The only thing that makes it special is that it''s a little thicker than most swords.


    "Now you''ve made it clear. You want to take it all back.


    I didn''t think there would be such a clear-cut resistance.


    "So, what are you going to do when you bring the world back?"


    I''ll slash at him, too.


    There was a creaking sound. Brando is taking it well, too. He quickly moves to attack, but his style is completely his own. He is a bandit after all. This is the sword of a man who has risen to power through strength alone.


    "It''s easy. The more turbulent the world becomes, the more opportunities for a man like you. I might even be a regent, as you are, and use all the lords under my chin!


    Brando chuckled and lined his upper lip with his tongue.


    The word "owlish" fits this man as well. He is like a flower that blooms only in a wasteland.


    "But--"


    Then Brando changed the color of his eyes and came at him boldly.


    "-If the world is rebuilt by men like you, there will be nowhere to go!　You will have no choice but to bow your head, which you don''t even want to bow!"


    "What, you''re not happy about that?"


    At last, I thought, I could hear his true feelings. Well, I knew that.


    "Of course. I''m going to become a man like you!　I''m not going to let you get ahead of me!"


    Yes. Brando also wants to be the High King of the world.


    But there is only one seat for the High King. There can never be ten or twenty High Kings in a row.


    Then the only way to make his dream come true is to get rid of the High King.


    --This man has better eyes than Asai Nagamasa. He lives a life knowing no strings attached. I like him.


    I don''t care if you like him or not.


    --If he shuts down on you because of that, I''ll have to crush him.


    That''s what I''m saying!


    To tell you the truth, I didn''t think we''d lose this fight.


    Lances were being thrust out from behind me.


    The troops with their three-jag spears are pouring in now that the way into the castle is clear.


    "I''m sorry Brand, I didn''t promise to fight you one on one. I''m going into the castle first to inspire my allies.


    The special ability [Guidepost of the High King] doubles the trust and concentration of the allies you command, and increases their attack and defense by 30%.


    If I can push this army in, I will win.


    Forced to retreat, Brand pulled back once.


    It takes more than individual strength to break through the bedding.


    But they will come for my head again soon. Because that''s the only way Brando can win.　But I can''t kill Brando here.


    Brando, the bandit, immediately tries to flank me. Just like I got into this castle. Thieves are by far the best at disrupting the enemy like that. And spearmen take time to change their moves for one particular man in a melee.


    I move forward too.


    "d*mn!　Arsrod, get ready!


    I can feel it. I don''t even consider the fact that I''m Altia''s brother anymore. I admire your spirit.


    At the same time, I''m angry.


    I hold Brando''s sword down with my sword, and I get very close to him.


    Then I hit him in the face with my fist.


    "You stupid son of a b*tc*!


    Brando''s body staggered with it. His brain must have been shaking. But I can''t have him falling down here. I''m in Brando''s light clothes - light for movement, anyway. I poke him in the chest and pull him up again.


    I hit him again.


    "Why did you betray me when you had Altia?　I don''t give a shit about your situation!　You ruined Altia''s future!"


    "I''m ...... sorry about that. ......"


    Before he could finish, he pulled Brando by the hair and slammed him to the ground.


    This was the end of the fight.


    At least in terms of war.


    Just as I was about to run up to him, the soldiers stopped. I think they were trying to tell me that if I tried any harder, they''d kill me. I know that. There''s no point in hitting him if he''s still dead.


    "Listen, Brand, tell the whole army to surrender at your command. And hand Altia and the girls over to us for protection. We''ll decide what to do with you after that.


    "Okay. ......"


    Brando indicated his approval with a mouth full of blood. He may have a few teeth knocked out, but he''s lucky to still be alive.


    The only reason I don''t kill you right now is to make sure Altia is safe. That is the only reason for taking you prisoner. It''s not out of kindness.


    "I gave Althea to my wife because I recognized you. If you had been strong enough to kill me and rise above it, I would still have laughed in my grave and forgiven you. But you took a gamble with little chance of winning and lost."


    If you don''t win, you''re not the High King. You''re just a loser. The history books of later generations will emphasize only your defeat, without giving any credit to your ability.


    A great king is nothing without foresight.


    I will not forgive you until the day I die for believing in miracles and searching for a place to die.


    You were not good enough to be the High King, Brand.