The season when the sunlight begins to feel like summer. Having become a hero without accomplishing anything, I trained under Brine Slyzer’s guidance, trying to give real foundation and structure to the hollow statue the Order had built of me.

  “Don’t rush. It slows your learning and ruins your form.”

  I don’t dislike steady, patient effort. Even so, the fact that he had to warn me like this meant I really was in a hurry. A different beast—not Eizerg—had begun attacking people.

  They were animals and beasts shrouded in an aura of Shadeforce, designated as Ragebeasts. Most had been residents’ pets or livestock, and yet they had begun attacking people and causing destruction.

  No one knew why they became Ragebeasts. The only thing discovered so far was that their strength varied depending on the original creature. The appearance of this new threat filled the people with deep anxiety.

  The Siln Celestial Order assigned Arms?Bearers to churches in each town and strengthened local defenses in cooperation with the vigilante groups. Even that wasn’t enough, so to expand the range and frequency of patrols, they decided to increase the number of Eizerg Subjugation Squads from four to eight.

  They selected candidates from royal soldiers and renowned mercenaries, and even called for skilled fighters eager to prove themselves or make a name.

  Today was the inauguration ceremony for the expanded subjugation squads. Gathered in front of the church were men who, at a glance, were clearly strong. Their ages varied, but all of them brimmed with confidence. Yet to me, it felt like they lacked something other than strength.

  Some boasted of their past exploits, but flaunting one’s old glory was not the way of the warrior I aspired to be. They spoke with smiles, but their eyes were sharp and guarded. I wouldn’t say that was wrong, but when forming a squad, trust in one’s comrades is essential. Without coordination, they wouldn’t just fail to defeat Eizerg—they would be killed before the battle even began.

  Rumors had reached me that many of those seeking to join the squads underestimated Eizerg’s strength. Even though several of the Order’s Warmaidens had been killed. They were looking down on us, no doubt. It was true that I couldn’t match them as I was now. But still—

  —Rudy the Brave Bearer was there that day too!

  When the time came, the shrine maidens of the subjugation squads gathered for the ceremony. The men watched them with curious eyes.

  Once we and the Guardian Beasts finished lining up beside the stage, the inauguration ceremony for the expanded subjugation squads began as scheduled.

  After Archbishop Script Zeiles finished his greeting, Sierra Divalion, the Brave Bearer who stepped onto the platform next, explained the squad formations. During the waiting period, those who had acknowledged each other’s strength had already begun to warm up to one another, and groups formed naturally.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  The sight of the four new squads—Fourth through Seventh—standing in formation was overwhelming. The presence of the Valiant leading each squad must have been a major factor.

  “Hey, Grache. You see it too, don’t you? Their arrogance and carelessness.”

  Their weapons were named masterworks, and those standing beside them were title?holders or fighters of great renown. Some of them surely believed they were the strongest here. And surrounded by such an impressive lineup, they were probably feeling invincible—certain they could defeat Eizerg without fail.

  But before the legendary Ruinbeast, even the strongest warrior would tremble.

  “Look. Especially those three near the back of the Fourth Squad.”

  Among the neatly lined?up members, only those three stood sloppily, disrupting the formation.

  “They’re vigilantes from the town of Ologbo. Two years ago, they made a name for themselves in an out?of?territory beast subjugation. Before their arrogance swelled, anyway.”

  The one whispering beside me was Luna, an Arcane Healer of the same Zero Squad as me.

  “They’re famous, then?”

  “More or less. Maybe because we’re from the same region too. But it’s true they’ve gotten full of themselves. They use their strength and reputation as a shield, throw their weight around in town, and there are rumors they act however they please in subjugation battles.”

  “If they behave like that in this squad, others will be put in danger.”

  “Exactly. It’ll depend on the Fourth Squad’s Valiant to keep them in line.”

  “Once Eizerg crushes them, they’ll wake up to reality.”

  “I just hope it doesn’t end in a situation where they never wake up…”

  A bishop’s cough nearby made us fall silent.

  That day, a modest banquet was held in the Order’s great hall. Once the sun set, they would immediately depart for patrol duty. The Order wanted them to relax until then. The shrine maidens were also served a more special meal than usual—Harl would be terribly jealous if she found out.

  Even during the day, a small amount of alcohol was offered. It seemed unnecessary for fighters of their caliber, but perhaps it was meant to ease their tension.

  As the sunlight streaming through the windows stretched their shadows long, their true feelings quietly surfaced. Arms crossed, nails bitten, bodies swaying faintly—such figures were scattered throughout the room. Now, at last, the fear seeping slowly into their chests might have been shaking the resolve that had led them to join the subjugation squads.

  By the time the shadows turned to dusk, the lips of the once?talkative men had dried with tension, and they sank into their chairs, speaking little. But not all of that silence came from negative emotions.

  When the time finally came to depart for patrol, several men rose without hesitation—those who wished to devote their strength to the people. Among them was the man who had spoken so much earlier. It seemed he had not fallen silent out of fear, but had chosen silence to sharpen his mind.

  In the eyes of those who stood with such valor, I could see the colors of resolve and responsibility. That was the boundary separating true fighters from those who were not.

  “Tonight, all squads will head out for patrol. During the late hours, use the vigilante headquarters and the church to rest as needed.”

  Until now, I had never been permitted to accompany the squads on patrol. But with the expansion of the subjugation squads, it would be strange for the Sacred Bearer at the center of the Order’s forces to be absent. For that reason, I was finally granted permission to join the patrol mission.

  The Zero through Third Squads, composed of shrine maidens of the Order, and the newly formed Fourth through Seventh Squads spread out from the church in eight directions.