Last night, I accidentally uploaded it early. Sorry to anyone who read it.

“Kenya-kun… I’m off.”

The girl planted a kiss on the forehead of the sleeping boy, then rose to her feet.

The boy, victor of a brutal deathmatch, was still lost in deep slumber.

Gently brushing aside the hair falling over his peaceful face with her fingers, the girl gazed lovingly at her precious one.

She wanted to stay like this forever.

It made her that happy.

But she had to go.

To save someone just as important to her as the boy.

The girl, her memories restored, stood up to rescue her last remaining family member amid the ongoing battle.

So she set out alone.

Even though what awaited her ahead might be the end.

…

“It’s me. Are we nearing Japan yet?”

“Father… Yes, we can see it now. So? Has the Emperor been decided? I can’t imagine Osiris Halberd losing…”

From the capital flagship Kamui, Genbu contacted his son Byakuren at the front lines.

Genbu, who had watched via footage smuggled in by his subordinates from the Empire Sword Martial Festival, informed him of the winner.

“The Emperor is Road Earthguard. Osiris Halberd lost. The one who beat him was Sword Silfield—Road’s knight.”

“What!? No way… That’s impossible… Could you send the footage? I need to confirm it—Osiris losing…”

“Yeah, I just sent it over. Take a look. The quality’s rough, so you probably won’t make out exactly what happened… But to me, it looked like he was going all out.”

“…Thank you. Yes, got it. I’ll contact you again later.”

Aboard the battleship at sea, Kaguya Kurokami and Byakuren reviewed the Empire Sword Martial Festival video sent by Genbu.

Since it was secretly filmed by Asia Union spies, the image quality was poor, making it hard to discern details.

“Sword Silfield… The youngest knight ever appointed by Road…”

(I saw him at the knighting ceremony. For a second, I thought it was Kenya… but no way someone that strong exists.)

Everyone, including Kaguya, had seen the footage from that day.

But Kenya had silver hair, and the face wasn’t shown up close, so it was unclear.

Besides, Kenya was dead.

With that truth deeply etched in her heart, the girl couldn’t—didn’t want to—connect Sword to Kenya any further.

Kaguya and Byakuren watched the video.

“He’s strong… Did he really surpass Osiris?”

“That white machine… It’s beautiful. Dual swords in both hands, and…”

(This fighting style… It really is like Kenya’s.)

But she shook her head, denying the thought.

Clinging to the past would leave her unable to fight when the time came.

This opponent was an Earthguard—someone she’d have to face eventually.

“Hard to gauge his true strength from this footage alone.”

“Yeah, it’s too grainy to tell.”

“Osiris has been out of the field for ages. His skills must have rusted…”

(Otherwise, there’s no way that sword saint could lose.)

Byakuren convinced himself of that.

Asia’s strongest—himself—had been made to feel unbeatable against that foe.

He couldn’t face the fact that a boy younger than him had taken him down.

“So Road Earthguard’s the new Emperor… What do you think?”

“Worst case from a victory standpoint. But I’ve heard he’s a decent man, so losing to him isn’t the end of the world.”

“So, worst case then. Not that I plan on losing.”

“True enough. Impressive guy, but he won’t be joining this battlefield anytime soon—too busy consolidating power internally.”

Then an announcement blared.

“Arriving in Japan shortly. Time: 16:00. All hands, prepare.”

“We’re here. See you out there. Don’t die, Princess.”

“Do I look that fragile?”

Byakuren saw Kaguya off with a smile.

Then both began their preparations—the girl boarding her crimson KOG, the young man his azure one.

Byakuren’s custom machine, the azure frame named Seiryu.

The pinnacle of Asia Union engineering—not inferior to any Earthguard custom unit.

And its pilot: the strongest of Asia’s Thirteen Gods.

“All hands, ready?”

Byakuren, in his KOG, awaited reports from each unit.

“EU is ready, Byakuren.”

“Thor, huh.”

Replying to Byakuren was the EU’s strongest, Thor—old acquaintances who had fought side by side before.

“I’ll leave your side to you.”

“Understood. Asia Union forces are yours. I’ll lead the EU from the west.”

“Yeah.”

The World Allied Forces were split into two main groups: Asia Union Forces and EU Forces, commanded respectively by World Allied Supreme Commander Byakuren.

A fighting commander who led from the front lines.

Vice Supreme Commander: Thor.

Thor’s machine was named Mjolnir.

Its yellow frame tore across battlefields at lightning speed.

Earned nickname: Thunder God Thor. Its performance rivaled Takemikazuchi.

He was the EU’s strongest, once cornering Zeke Silfield in his prime.

Each unit had its own commanders; the two didn’t micromanage everything.

But in practice, Byakuren and Thor were the World Alliance’s top duo.

“Looks like they’re ready over there too, Byakuren.”

Thor’s gaze fell on the Earthguard KOGs forming ranks.

Still distant, but they’d successfully established a defensive line.

“Yeah. Shall I take point like always?”

Thor proposed.

He always charged ahead of everyone—that’s how he’d lead this time too.

But Byakuren declined.

“No, mind if I hand it off this time?”

“? …Fine by me, but it’s not like you.”

“Not me. There’s this stubborn princess who won’t hear otherwise. I’ll cover her from behind.”

“Got it. I’ll provide support.”

Both sides closed to rifle range.

“Here it comes… Hoo…”

(Big brother… Kenya, please watch over me.)

“Alright! Remember that feeling from back then! Remember what we’re fighting for! Remember what’s truly terrifying!”

She steadied her breath with deep inhales.

For Kaguya too, this was her first real combat—her first true war, first killing.

No hesitation, but regrets aplenty.

She’d deliver those unspoken feelings from that day, right here, right now.

To change the self that had fled, etching the pain of losing everything twice into her heart.

That resolve had propelled her to the Asia Thirteen Gods.

The time was dusk, the season winter.

The sun dipped low, beginning to hide.

Before them: land, the old Tokyo Bay.

Opposing: the world’s strongest Earthguard KOG forces.

Their side: the world’s largest alliance, the World Allied Forces.

Here, the Empire versus the World Alliance war began.

“All units, transmit: All hands, take flight! Combat commence! Objective: Old Tokyo Metropolitan! With our full might! Annihilate the Earthguard Empire forces!”

Byakuren bellowed.

And Kaguya—the Fire Goddess Hinokagutsuchi—charged the enemy first, ahead of all.

“Haaaah!!”

A crimson streak overwrote the orange dusk.

Blowing away the enemy front line.

“I’m not running anymore!”