Radius Argentta was Dielo’s uncle—and his only remaining blood relative.
His death would naturally have a significant impact on Dielo and also affect the battles to come.
Being a blood relative of the Argentta main family, Radius was also one of their strongest military forces.
“…How many troops did he ask for?”
At my question, the knight responded.
“He said the battle is lasting longer than expected, and cleanup might take time, so he asked for just enough to finish the cleanup quickly.”
“Ah.”
Pielle placed a hand on her chest, clearly relieved.
The situation didn’t sound too serious.
“…”
But I narrowed my eyes.
Because the truth I knew was different.
Clearly, the situation at the site hadn’t spiraled out of control—yet.
The reason why Radius, despite receiving backup from Lord Dielo, ended up dying—
He would gather all the power in his body and ignite a “rampage” to counter the sea monster’s water magic.
He sensed the unusual circumstances and called Dielo for help, but neither of them could have known:
A monster capable of using water magic—something that had never happened in all of Argentta’s history—was about to appear.
I couldn’t let things unfold that way.
Even if it was just a contract marriage, I couldn’t sit back and watch when I knew tragedy was coming.
Of course, it wasn’t out of some naïve sense of heroism.
Radius Argentta would go on to be a major force even after the real Fero arrived.
This was also a move for my future.
Thud.
Having come to a decision, I sprang to my feet.
“Send the reinforcements immediately. As for the scale…”
Normally, someone like Pielle or the other knights would decide that.
But they didn’t know about the water-magic-wielding monster.
And I couldn’t exactly tell them either—saying “I read it in a book” would just get me labeled suspicious.
I needed a natural way to mobilize a larger force.
And an efficient way to counter water magic.
“…It’s probably better for the knights to decide the numbers.”
At my words, the reporting knight and Pielle both bowed.
Then I pulled out my trump card.
“But include a unit to escort me as well.”
“…Pardon?”
Pielle snapped her head up, clearly shocked.
“That place is near water—and I’m an Allozé.”
I held out my hand.
Splash!
The water in the inkwell and nearby flower vase rippled and surged toward my fingers.
Pielle and the knight stared with wide eyes.
“If it’s a battlefield that needs backup even after Dielo went there, my power will be useful.”
No—my power would save not just Radius, but many others.
I was certain of it.
I hate the sea.
Dielo muttered to himself.
Hundreds of years ago, for some unknown reason, the Sea of Infinity appeared, and its monsters constantly threatened the mainland.
The Argentta manor, swearing to protect the land from the sea, was built overlooking the ocean.
So the sea—vile and endless—was what Dielo always saw.
People claimed the sunlight sparkling over the waves made it look beautiful, but to him, it was nothing short of the gate to hell.
Most of the people Dielo had known since childhood had been swallowed by that sea.
“There are many who wish for your downfall, my lord. You must become strong.”
“If you cannot be strong, then at least grow used to sacrifice.”
“Don’t look at yourself alone—look at all of Argentta.”
Had his mentor and last remaining family, Radius Argentta, not guided him, young Dielo might have collapsed long ago.
“To survive, you must grow numb.”
Radius’s words were etched deep into Dielo’s heart—especially now, as he stepped onto a battlefield where Radius was commanding.
SCREEEEECH!
When Dielo first arrived at the 4th district coast of the Sea of Infinity, monsters covered half the shore.
Without hesitation, he drew his sword.
Fwoooosh!
A powerful flame surged along the blade, extending like a wave and incinerating the monsters.
These monsters, who normally didn’t even flinch at ordinary fire, reacted only to Argentta’s flame—as if soaked in oil.
Even monsters that resisted regular Argentta members couldn’t endure their lord’s fire.
Ssssshhhhh!
The seawater dripping from the monsters—and even water nearby—vaporized instantly, turning the surroundings into a steamy haze.
“The Lord is here!”
“Waaaaah!”
The morale of the Argentta knights soared, and they pushed the enemy back.
That had only been half a day ago.
Now, everything had changed.
“At this rate, countless Argentta will die.”
Dielo frowned.
A few hours earlier, more and more monsters had appeared, and then a massive wave slammed into the coast.
“W-What is that?!”
The Argentta knights had panicked, and Dielo had vaporized most of the incoming water—but even he had his limits.
The waves kept coming.
And within those waves, monsters burst forth—turning the beach into utter chaos.
“….”
From a distance, Dielo glared at the monster controlling the sea.
Even his fire couldn’t reach it—blocked by thick walls of water again and again.
He had already sent a support request to the manor—but only for troops sufficient to handle cleanup.
No one had expected such a dramatic shift on the battlefield.
Whoooosh!
The monsters from the Sea of Infinity were usually mutated sea creatures with little intelligence.
But now, a monster capable of manipulating waves had appeared—strong enough to turn the tide of battle.
“Recently, a monster with fire magic appeared in the desert Cartiel protects…”
Dielo narrowed his eyes.
Cartiel was a wind-wielding family, and they had struggled because the wind spread the fire.
But their lord, Siete Cartiel, was already awakened by meeting their Fero—and considered the strongest Cartiel head in history.
Once she intervened, the fire monster was easily taken care of.
“…”
But here, the true Fero hadn’t yet appeared.
Dielo narrowed his eyes again.
This was basically a natural disaster.
“I’ve requested reinforcements, but they won’t change the tide.”
He assessed the situation quickly.
Next to him, Commander Radius lowered his head.
“This is my failure. My lord, you must retreat.”
Radius had requested help from the head of house to minimize casualties, anticipating more monsters would arrive.
But with the arrival of an intelligent, wave-controlling monster, the battlefield had changed completely.
Argentta’s fire was useless against such torrential water.
If Dielo had awakened with a true Fero, the battle would’ve looked very different—not just for him, but for all the retainers empowered by that bond.
But now, they could only hold the line.
The fact that they were even managing this much without an awakened head was a miracle.
So, to cleanly end this—sacrifice was necessary.
“I will go into rampage.”
Just like Roa in District 3—Radius would explode all of his inherited power in one burst to hold the monsters at bay.
Dielo frowned.
Another sacrifice, after Roa.
But Radius’s decision was the best one for Argentta.
As the current unawakened head, Dielo couldn’t reach that monster deep in the sea.
But if someone rampaged—especially Radius, of Argentta blood—they could push through and slay it.
“….”
Unlike Roa, Radius was still fulfilling his duty as commander.
Even so, for the sake of minimizing losses… for Argentta, he chose to burn himself away.
As the head, Dielo had to approve it.
Even if that man had raised him—he was now a soldier on the battlefield.
“My lord, your permission.”
Radius bowed.
This was war, not a private moment. He didn’t speak more.
And at this rate, those words would be his final request—his last will.
“You relentless Argentta…”
Dielo murmured quietly.
It was time to make the cruel but fair choice.
He had to give the order:
Burn yourself like Roa and stop it.
That was the right move.
That was the answer.
That was how Argentta had always endured.
As Dielo unknowingly bit his lip and began to speak—
TATATAK! TADAK!
The frantic sound of hooves echoed in the distance.
Dielo paused.
Even without turning, he knew it wasn’t just a handful of riders.
“…?”
He turned, almost by instinct—and his eyes widened.
“What is that…?”
Radius, preparing himself for the rampage, also stopped moving.
Charging toward them was twice the number of knights they expected.
“Waaaaah!”
But what caught Dielo and Radius’s attention even more was the figure leading them.
Hair streaming back from the speed of the gallop—a deep violet hue.
And those amethyst eyes shining from beneath—
To Dielo, it was the last person he expected to see.
“…Croa Allozé?”
His eyes flew wide.
At the front of the formation, Croa Allozé raised her hand—and a blue glow surged from her palm.
It was the power of water.
Allozé’s ability.
