Taking Command
My trembling hands groped frantically at my neck.
Yet the throat that should have been severed clean through was completely smooth, without a single scratch—not even a drop of blood had spilled.
That was an illusion? When it felt that terrifyingly real?
"......"
I cautiously looked up at Stanasila Urtega.
"What can be cut... and what cannot... That is..."
He was murmuring incoherently, his eyes glazed over. But I knew exactly what that condition was.
It was an 'Awakened' state.
Also known as 'Enlightenment,' back in the game it had simply been represented as a notification pop-up whenever a skill leveled up:
Awakened State Activated!
Along with that prompt came temporary boosts to experience gain, attack, defense, and overall stats. It had certainly never been depicted as someone standing frozen like a hollow-eyed mannequin, muttering incomprehensible nonsense the way Stanasila Urtega was doing right now. Then again, if a player's character froze like that in the middle of a game, they'd have popped a blood vessel from rage, so the developers had probably left it out on purpose.
But this was reality, and thanks to the lore book, I had a rough idea of what happened to those plunged into an Awakened state. Right now, Urtega was likely submerged deep within his inner world. Like a revolving lantern flashing before a dying man's eyes, he would be combing through every memory and experience, reliving them, and weaving them into a single cohesive whole. Through that process, he would elevate his realm and stature to even greater heights.
"Phew... Ternien. Call a healer and have a few knights guard my father."
"Ah—yes, yes, sir!"
At my order, Ternien moved swiftly. In the eyes of the surrounding knights, including her own, I saw bewilderment, profound reverence, and even a flicker of ambition... though thinking about it, that was only natural. I had just driven none other than Stanasila Urtega—that legendary, continent-renowned Sword Master—into an Awakened state with nothing more than a few words.
Honestly, even I thought it was a pretty insane feat. I hadn't imagined in my wildest dreams that it would turn out like this, so the shock and exhilaration were off the charts. The thrill of pulling off a miracle combined with the sweet relief of surviving flooded my system with dopamine and pure bliss.
...Though having witnessed an illusion of my own head flying off, it had probably been a razor-thin margin. The truth behind that moment was something only Urtega would ever know.
"......"
Still, my worries hadn't vanished.
Entering an Awakened state meant reaching a higher realm, but would that alone be enough to purge every trace of the temptation and delusion plaguing him? Even in the game, status ailments inflicted by Soul Gears weren't the kind of things that cleared up easily.
"Mmm..."
Whatever. There was nothing more I could do anyway, so I might as well drink. Even if I tried to do something, Aljen's reputation was such utter trash that nothing would go smoothly. Staying still was far better than stirring up trouble for no reason.
"...Aljen. Are you alright?"
Just then, Pitra, who had been staring fixatedly at Urtega, turned to look at me, her expression brimming with worry and concern. It was a suffocating, uncomfortable gaze that caused guilt and repulsion to crawl up from the corner of my heart.
Because I wasn't Aljen.
The one she worried for was solely her own flesh and blood, Stanashila Aljen.
"I'm fine. Mother, the immediate crisis has settled, so please go back to sleep. You should recover your strength, even if just a little."
"...I don't think I'll be able to fall back asleep. At least Vivian didn't wake up; that's a blessing."
Shaking her head, she gently stroked the back of the youngest, who was dead to the world. To sleep so soundly through an uproar like this... that kid was going to make it big someday.
"Then would you like to wait for Father to wake up with me? I happen to have liquor and snacks right here."
"...I might take a bite of the snacks, but not the liquor. Shouldn't you stop drinking as well?"
"Haha. Mother, do you really think that makes any sense?"
Gulp, gulp!
When I brazenly chugged the liquor right before her eyes, she massaged the bridge of her nose as if a headache were coming on, letting out a weary, troubled sigh.
Even after considerable time had passed, the Awakened state of Stanasila Urtega—patriarch of House Stanasila and proud Sword Master of the continent—showed no sign of lifting. Despite the crimson glow of dawn bathing his face, he stood motionless without batting an eye, appearing less like a living human and more like a mannequin.
"Unbelievable..."
How utterly carefree.
Outside the window, screams, explosions, the sinister wails of the undead, and the clashing rattle of armored steel still echoed relentlessly. Yet here the Duke was, standing around like this... Maybe House Stanasila was simply doomed to fall because it deserved to.
"It's taking far too long. Is it normally like this?"
"...Mother, what could I possibly know about enlightenment for you to ask me? Are you mocking me?"
When I slurred my response in a drunken haze, Pitra narrowed her eyes and let out a sigh.
"It's nothing like that. I had no intention of mocking you. I simply felt... that if anyone had an answer, it would be you."
"Hahaha... I don't know either."
"Your low self-esteem has always been the problem. I truly cannot understand it. What could you possibly be lacking..."
"Mmm, are you saying that with a straight face?"
"Aljen. As I always tell you, talent is not everything in life."
"I wonder about that. Father certainly didn't seem to think so."
"......"
The moment I deployed the Patriarch Shield, Pitra shot a sharp, piercing glare at the dazed Urtega.
"Haaah... I should have opposed it with everything I had when he insisted on training you from childhood..."
"Well, didn't you end up stopping him when it came to our youngest? And it wasn't just because of the training. With my personality... no matter how things played out, I probably would've ended up like this anyway."
"Do not put yourself down like that."
"......"
I drank in silence. Pitra didn't speak either, leaving the room shrouded in an uncomfortable, awkward silence for quite some time.
"...Aljen. I..."
Just as Pitra, with a complicated expression, opened her mouth to say something, Urtega finally awakened, unleashing an overwhelming aura that illuminated the entire room.
"Ack—cough! Cough!"
"Khhh...!?"
"That man, honestly...!"
Thanks to that, I spat out my liquor yet again. Ternien hurriedly mustered her aura to avoid suffering internal injuries, while Pitra hastily erected a magical shield to protect herself and the youngest.
"...Fhuuuuu..."
Vitality having returned to his eyes, Urtega exhaled deeply and took in his surroundings. His face remained as iron-clad and impassive as ever, but the anxious, impatient edge that had haunted him earlier was gone.
"Stanashila Aljen."
"Oh my, Your Grace the Duke. You called?"
"The situation."
"Which situation might you be referring to? The advance of the undead? The status of the Ducal Knights and the Mage Corps? Or perhaps the overall casualties?"
"...Report everything."
"Pfft... My apologies. Truth is, I haven't got a clue. If you want to know, going out to the field and looking for yourself would probably be faster."
"......"
His brow twitched for a fraction of a second, but he didn't erupt in fury.
"By the way, Your Grace. Did you manage to sever all the delusion and the curse?"
"I succeeded only halfway."
"Halfway, huh. Hmmm... Well, that figures."
"Do you know something?"
"As I told you before, the Soul Gears of demons are completely different from ordinary artifacts—they're essentially exclusive armaments bound to them. They're crafted by sacrificing a piece of their very soul, so their power and malice exceed all imagination. Breaking free of their influence is never a simple matter."
"I see... Then, if I cut down the Soul Gear and slay the demon, will the curse vanish as well?"
"I can't guarantee it, but... the chances are high."
Gulp, gulp!
After downing enough liquor to make up for what I had just coughed out, I looked up at him through slightly blurred vision.
"Heh... In that sense, failing to completely purge the curse might actually work in our favor."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, as long as the curse lingers, Cambello won't hesitate to approach. That bastard is cunning and cautious; without something like this to lower his guard, he'd never come anywhere near you, Father."
"Hmph..."
"So now, go out there and take command of the knights. While you're at it, sweep away the undead yourself."
"And what do you intend to do in the meantime? Do you have a plan?"
"Huh? Me? As you can see, I'm faithfully fulfilling my role."
When I gave a gentle wave with the half-empty bottle in one hand and the billowing cigarette in the other, Urtega and Pitra let out a synchronized sigh. As expected of such a happily married couple.
"Lord Stanasila Urtega! Are you here?!"
Just then, the door burst open without warning. Every single person who entered had zero regard for the door; at this rate, the hinges were going to break before long.
The man who rushed inside was a fully armored knight, carrying a blood-drenched Stanashila Berga slung over one shoulder.
"Berga?!"
"Forgive me! Even though I was at his side, I failed to protect Lord Berga!"
"...No, you did well, Quino."
"Khhh...!"
Calmly reassuring Quino, Urtega laid Berga down on the floor and inspected his condition.
"Khurgh... F-Father...?"
"...It is not a mortal wound. Are you conscious?"
"Y-Yes..."
"You are still green. To fall before the men who follow you."
"Pfft. Doesn't seem like something Your Grace the Duke has any right to say~"
"......"
At my sarcastic jibe, his gaze turned murderous as it snapped toward me. Quickly averting my eyes, I brought the bottle back to my lips, feigning utter ignorance.
"Father... the battlefield is still in chaos... pant... There are so many knights... still fighting. You must... command them..."
"...I am sorry, but I cannot."
"W-Why...?"
At that unexpected refusal, Berga's eyes widened slightly.
I was just as surprised, staring at him with puzzled eyes. When rushing out there right this second wasn't even enough, what on earth was he thinking saying he couldn't? Did he only look fine on the surface, but the curse had actually scrambled his brain?
"...Aljen."
"Yeeees?"
I never expected him to call my name of all things, so my reply came out sounding completely stupid.
"......"
He stared at me with eyes fraught with internal conflict, but soon hardened his resolve.
"You take command."
"...? Mother, it seems Father has succumbed to inner demons after all. He's completely lost his mind."
"Haaah... Aljen, please. When your father speaks seriously, take him seriously."
"No, I mean... it has to make sense for me to take it seriously. Father, did the curse bore straight into your brain?"
"If high demon Cambello is truly as cunning and cautious as you claim, he may grow suspicious if he sees me taking command of the knights. In that case, it is only right that I devote myself entirely to serving as bait to draw him in."
"...I did say he was cunning and cautious, but that bastard can feel the curse rooted in your body. So whether you're commanding or rampaging across the battlefield, I don't think it makes much difference."
"No. I must kill that fiend with my own hands. I will not allow even the faintest possibility of his escape."
"Then have Quino do it instead. He'll be far better than me."
"Do you truly mean that?"
His gaze was so firm and unflinching that for a moment, I was at a loss for words.
"...Damn it, you always try to steamroll people with your aura whenever you get the chance. Why don't you just go around town bragging you're a Sword Master while you're at it? Sigh... Fine, then. If Brother Berga says he'll entrust it to me, I'll take it."
Knowing full well Berga would never agree to such a thing, I smirked at him.
"Fine... Aljen. You... take command... of the knights."
"...Mother, it seems Brother took a nasty blow to the head. What do we do? With the Duke and his heir losing their minds at the same time, the future of our ducal house looks pretty damn dark."
"Haaah... Aljen, honestly, you..."
"Father must have... cough! ...his reasons for leaving it... to you... pant, pant... Do not mistake this... for trust..."
"Look at how he speaks... Whatever. Then, Father, announce it to the Knights, the Mage Corps, and the Church under the name of His Grace the Duke. Tell them you have granted full authority to Stanashila Aljen, and that they are to follow my orders without question."
"Very well. I shall do so."
Pulling the communication artifact from Berga's ear, Urtega pressed a button, spoke a few curt words into it, and tossed it over to me.
"......"
I had no idea what these people were thinking. Are they seriously handing over absolute command to a drunken delinquent?
"Whew..."
Still, since things had come to this, there was no helping it. I said I'd do it, so do it I must.
Gulp!
Swallowing a mouthful of liquor, I plugged the communication artifact into my ear and pressed down firmly on the transmission rune.
I thought I heard a heavy sigh from right beside me, but I completely ignored it.