The next day—
Yuki and Jalrai were seated on a balcony. A small table stood between them, holding several drinks. Beyond the balcony stretched a beautiful garden filled with trees, flowers, and greenery, while the city itself could be seen in the distance.
Yuki picked up his glass and stared into the drink before speaking in a sharp tone.
"So...? Why did you need me, Lord Jalrai?"
He took a sip.
Meanwhile, Jalrai silently watched him for a moment before turning his gaze toward the city beyond the garden.
In a calm voice, he said,
"In three or four days, this city will be attacked."
From where they sat, both the castle garden and the city were clearly visible.
Jalrai continued without looking away.
"And the citizens don't know anything about it."
Yuki immediately stopped drinking and placed the glass back on the table.
Looking at Jalrai with confusion, he asked,
"Then just tell me. Why hide it?"
Jalrai finally turned his head toward him. His expression carried both the authority of a ruler and the calmness of a leader.
"I'll explain later. Right now, only the knights know about it. The citizens will learn the truth one day before the war begins."
Yuki fell silent.
That part is fine, but why are you telling me all this?! What does it have to do with me?!
After a moment, he looked back at Jalrai.
"Ahem... so what exactly do you need from me?"
Suddenly, Jalrai's tone became serious.
"This war will be against the Crocas. Thousands... perhaps tens of thousands of Crocas will attack this city within the next three or four days. I expect the battle to last at least a week."
Yuki listened quietly before asking,
"So what do you want me to do?"
Jalrai answered immediately.
"You are a hero. You should protect humanity. However, I am not asking you to participate on the front lines."
Yuki's face instantly filled with confusion.
Jalrai continued.
"I only need you to stand at the border wall and stop any Crocas from entering the city. My army and I will handle the main battlefield. You only need to kill the ones that slip through our defenses and head toward the city."
"That's all."
Yuki opened his mouth.
"But—"
Before he could finish, Jalrai interrupted him.
"I know you can't do it alone. Fortunately, you have a partner. And she happens to be one of the Masters of the Knowledge Tower."
He smiled.
"Miss Tiyara."
Yuki fell silent and closed his eyes.
Hmm... If Precious were in my place... what would he do?
Flashback
Yuki stood on a battlefield, heavily injured and exhausted.
Nearby, Precious sat casually atop a giant rock.
Several rescued humans stood around them.
Panting heavily, Yuki said,
"Haa... haa... I won... and saved all of them... uff... haa..."
He looked toward Precious.
Precious simply stared back calmly.
Then he flicked a finger.
The humans instantly vanished.
Yuki barely paid attention to it.
"Good work," Precious said with a smile. "You're improving."
He jumped down from the rock and landed beside Yuki.
Yuki sat down on the ground, exhausted.
"I have a question."
"Go ahead."
Yuki hesitated before speaking.
"If you're trapped somewhere dangerous... and you can escape safely by yourself... but there are other people with you... and saving them is completely optional..."
He looked up at Precious.
"Would you save them? Even if you could leave safely on your own?"
Precious closed his eyes.
A large, peaceful smile appeared on his face.
Present
Yuki's eyes suddenly snapped open.
OBVIOUSLY HE WOULD SAY—!
Without realizing it, Yuki spoke loudly.
"I'll save them."
Then he calmly added,
"Your city."
For a moment, Jalrai stared at him.
Then he suddenly stood up.
"Really?! Thanks, man!"
Yuki immediately responded in a cold voice.
"But don't expect too much from me. I'm still just a kid."
Jalrai nodded, seemingly ignoring that part entirely.
"No problem. We also have the Master of the Knowledge Tower."
Yuki gave him an irritated look.
Then he stood up.
"If that's all, I'm going back to my room."
Jalrai nodded.
"Very well."
Yuki turned and left.
Some time later, while walking through one of the castle corridors, Yuki suddenly stopped.
A confused expression appeared on his face.
...Wait.
What exactly are Crocas?