...Surely not, Lord.

Well, it's just a kind of example.

As Sylvain himself said, even if his own fate were to be like that, he would strive to overcome it. Even if he couldn't overcome it, he wouldn't run away from that fate.

But what if it wasn't him, but someone else? What if he knew that someone more precious to him than himself was facing that fate? The situation would be entirely different from if it were happening to him.

I chose to run away. That's all.

...Lord.

But not everything goes my way. Is that what fate is?

Unlike Frondier and Azier, Enfer has divine power.

The god who bestowed divine power upon Enfer was in a position very close to fate.

Enfer received something akin to a prophecy from the god a long time ago. However, it wasn't a prophecy like the example just now, where it was specifically stated that Frondier would die on a certain day and at a certain time.

However, the prophecy clearly predicted misfortune for Frondier. The prophecy solemnly stated that it would be best for Frondier to remain out of the world's sight.

Until recently, Frondier suffered from considerable laziness.

Yes, I heard. He was a famous slacker even in Constel. He even had a derogatory nickname.

Sylvain even knew about the nickname "Human Sloth." However, he didn't say it out loud. Regardless of how Frondier lived in Constel, he thought it was a too harsh nickname.

I thought it was Frondier gradually changing. Even in my eyes, Frondier's inferiority complex and helplessness were considerable. So I thought it wasn't unreasonable for him to stop thinking about growing up and fall into laziness. I was secretly relieved. There was a sense of relief that he wouldn't get into any more dangerous situations.

But you're saying that wasn't the case?

Later, I investigated and found out that before a certain period, Frondier was sleeping face down in every class. He never listened to a single class.

...That's really serious laziness.

Sylvain, think about it. Do you think that's really possible? As a human being, there's a limit to how much you can sleep, and the posture of lying face down on a desk is uncomfortable in itself. Whether you listen to the class or not, it's normal to be awake at some point.

At Enfer's words, Sylvain also felt a sense of incongruity.

If Frondier was living a normal life, he would naturally sleep at night too. Since Enfer had left Frondier alone, there would have been no reason for him to stay up all night.

Could a human who slept soundly at night spend almost the entire day sleeping?

...Then, Lord...

There is some kind of intervention in Frondier. It has become even more certain recently.

At those words, Sylvain's eyes widened.

Could it be, a god...?

Whether it's a god or a demon, I don't know yet. But thinking about it now, Frondier's laziness was definitely not normal. It was my fault for not noticing it, but now that I know, I can't just stand by.

Even if Frondier's laziness wasn't due to external intervention, there is clearly an indirect influence.

Perhaps Frondier's laziness was his own mind putting on the brakes.

It's a signal telling him that going beyond this point is dangerous, a result of Frondier's body instinctively reacting to the scent of death.

Considering all of this, ultimately.

Frondier is a weak child.

...So that's what you meant.

Whether it's fate, a god, or a demon, Frondier's future is not bright.

A child who could die at any moment. There is no other way to describe him than as a "weak child."

Are you not going to tell your son?

Because humans don't know their own fate, they can enjoy life, grow, and move forward. Frondier also eventually overcame his laziness and moved forward. In the end, children don't turn out the way their parents want them to. I realized that by looking at Frondier. If he knew his own fate, he would ultimately just be swayed by it.

Azier was an excessively good son to Enfer. From a young age, Azier did everything Enfer wanted without a single complaint.

But Frondier is different. Nothing about his talent, his temperament, anything went according to Enfer's wishes.

At first, this was a great source of anxiety for Enfer, but now it's different.

Whatever the cause of his laziness, Frondier overcame it. Thanks to that, my plan to remove him from the family also failed. As expected, things don't go as planned.

Enfer laughed.

Frondier will live his own life. If he is destined for misfortune, it is my role to protect him from it.

Sylvain looked at Enfer for a moment.

He had never seen Enfer like this before. He had never seen him laugh while thinking about something, nor had he ever seen him talk so much.

...And he didn't know he was such a doting father.

Sylvain said,

Then, having him participate in this barrier battle as well...

That's a completely different story, Sylvain.

Seeing Enfer cut him off without room for further discussion, Sylvain chuckled softly.

* * *

And a few days later.

The soldiers on guard duty at the barrier felt the vibrations through their feet before they saw anything in their field of vision.

They're coming.

Unlike at Tyburn, Yeranhes doesn't use prisoners. The only ones who will stop the monsters are the Roach Knights and the soldiers thoroughly trained under them.

Did you inform the Commander?

I did, urgently, as there were signs since dawn. He will arrive soon.

Hoo, the soldiers who had gathered in advance checked their weapons and took deep breaths.

The ones gathered here were truly veterans who had crossed the line between life and death countless times. Whether they were knights or soldiers, it made no difference in that regard.

However, conversely, it meant they could die at any moment.

Just because the barrier hadn't been breached didn't mean there weren't noble sacrifices stained with blood and screams piled up as high as the barrier itself. It was with that weight and height that the soldiers had been holding back the monsters.

...Hey.

One of the soldiers who had been observing the monsters' approach with a telescope spoke up.

Did you tell the Commander about the appearance of the monsters?

No, just that they're coming. We couldn't identify the approaching ones at dawn. We detected them with mana sensing.

Then there's something I need to tell you right away.

The man who took his eye off the telescope, as if he had confirmed something bizarre, squinted one eye.

From the mouth of a man who had been through everything, a rare trembling voice flowed out.

There are some pitch-black things.