The Unbeatable Flag
Arcadia. (3) About 2~3 parts' worth of content is scheduled for revision. For now, I'll post what's written, and later I'll mark where revisions were made. It turned out insufficient because I didn't think deeply enough. Sorry...
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On January 9th at 3 PM, about 3 parts' worth of content was partially revised. Revisions started from Arcadia. (1).
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One of the emperor's symbols of the empire and one of the three divine artifacts possessed by humanity. Made in the early days of Arcadia, during the tribal confederation era. This flag, with its spear-like pole and silver-and-black design featuring the saber-tooth tiger—the emblem of Makairodus, the founding king who laid the empire's foundations—is said to have been wielded like a spear.
Originally a prince of Akad, he endured his homeland's devastation by the Life Goddess and poured out his grief to her proxy, the Dragon Priestess. He wished for the goddess to lift the curse, but divine curses once cast are not easily revoked. Instead, the Unbeatable Flag was created.
……
Troops commanded under the gleaming silver flag never break, emerging stronger in any situation with seamless coordination like extensions of the commander's limbs.
If the Immortal Crown symbolizes the sovereign, this flag symbolizes the commander. The only army said to have lost under it was the Dark Lord's forces, defeated by the ancient elf-dwarf alliance. Though some say those forces were a ragtag bunch anyway.
Thus, some mock it as the "One-Defeat Flag," but that's a minority view. Surviving with just one loss through dozens, hundreds, thousands of wars is proof enough.
……
Like the Immortal Crown, the Unbeatable Flag vanished from history during the Demon King's invasion, when he led the demonkin to ravage the world. Suspicion lingers that the Demon King, who nearly subjugated all life, stole it out of fear. Its power is not to be underestimated.
Under this flag, humanity's armies shall never yield.
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Makairodus the king gripped the flag and gave it a light swing. The spear-length pole was lighter than expected, surprise lighting up his face.
"This…."
"I made the pole itself usable as a spear. And the flag's tough enough to block ordinary arrows."
Wrapping it around your body should stop arrows from piercing. It might sting a bit, though.
"This strange aura…. Like the crown…?"
"Crown?"
Uh, um…. An aura like the crown. Is he talking about that one I gave humans way back?
"Hard to explain, but it's familiar. Like the crown I once held."
Yep, that's the one. He was Akad's prince, after all, who pawned that crown to save his land. Makes sense he'd know it.
"You sense auras?"
"It's, uh, hard to describe. Just a faint sensation. Really tough to put into words…."
Hmm. Not a mana-wielding mage, elf, or dragon, yet he feels "auras." Curious. Very curious.
"Is it mana you're sensing?"
"Mana? The power mages use?"
"Yeah. If it's the crown you mean, and I made it as the Dragon Priestess, it might carry the same aura."
His eyes flickered with bewilderment at my words.
"By any chance, your age…?"
"Why ask my age out of nowhere?!"
"No, but that crown's been handed down from my ancestors. For the Dragon Priestess to have made it…. Hard to believe."
Did he think I made it? Well, I did! But ages ago!! Back when humans were barely past caveman days!!
"No way. I'm not the only Dragon Priestess. The goddess sends proxies like us to watch over the world—countless ones over time."
He nodded slightly.
"True. You appeared choosing the Hero, so yeah."
The Hero gave an awkward smile at that. This guy's onto my identity, so he's reacting weird…!
"Ahem. With this flag, take these too."
I cleared my throat and conjured several books.
Thirty-Six Stratagems. Explanations of six stratagems for six situations, told through stories. The classic one with "run like hell" as the last. Tailored to this era, of course—expanded the idioms into plain language.
"Books on warfare, moving troops. Reference them for command."
"Ooh…."
He eyed the books intently. In this era without warfare concepts, stories explaining stratagems would be treasures.
And finally.
"Take this too."
"This is…?"
I handed him a large leather pouch, child-height in size. Inside:
"Potatoes. They grow even in poor soil."
Packed with the ultimate staple crop boss. Drawbacks aplenty, but I'd tweaked them—faster growth, pest-resistant!
"Grows in barren land, so it'll thrive here. Use them well, and feeding your people won't be an issue."
"Strange fruit."
"Not fruit—the root. Sprouts grow from the eyes; plant those for new roots. But new sprouts are toxic—always remove them."
Other issues: high water content makes them bulky and heavy to transport, digging them up is labor-intensive. But better than nothing in barren lands!
Nomads anyway—plant in sunny spots everywhere, harvest on moves. Could help!
"Anyway, the flag, stratagems, and potatoes. May they end Akad's sorrow."
Hmm, or just beat that wandering second prince into apologizing…? He's suffering nature's rejection lately…. Later, with the Hero.
"Thank you. The Life Goddess isn't just harsh."
"Hey, that fool started it."
Didn't expect decades of wandering, though!
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"Hm? What's that?"
"Oh, back already. Got lots of meat?"
The subordinate entering the tent showed off the huge hunk in his hands.
"Paid well. Philio picked the best cuts."
"Wait, my money?!"
"Who cares about the king's pocket change. Anyway, what's with the flag."
Makairodus grinned childishly.
"Cool, right? Dragon Priestess made it."
"Seriously…. Like a kid. Dragon Priestess, don't indulge his tantrums forever. He'll keep demanding. Head's still a child's…."
"Ahaha."
I just chuckled softly. Hiding his true nature from close aides? Or just acts childish around the old guy? Either way, intriguing.
"Fine. Give the meat to the wife. Tell her to prep for our guest."
"Can't you say it yourself?"
His face stiffened a bit.
"But…. She's kinda scary. Half-horse maybe? Especially at night…."
"I don't wanna hear royal bedroom talk. And call her queen properly, not 'wifey.' Kids say 'wifey' 'cause you do."
"Hm, not fun?"
"Not fun."
Hoo. Queen's a horse beastkin? Makes sense—pawning the crown saved land, but blending with locals needed marriage alliances.
"My wifey's pretty, kind, great at housework—but scary at night. Urgh…."
"What're you saying with a guest here?!"
The subordinate yelled as the Hero covered my ears. I get why, but…. I know it all already? Thinks 'cause my body's a little girl, my mind is too? Even knows who I am.
"I'll guide guests to the visitor tent and tell the queen. Don't get lost in work—come on time."
"Yeah. Thanks."
"This way, you two."
We followed him to another tent.
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"To meet the famed Hero in person. What a surprise."
Makairodus's wife was, as expected, a horse beastkin—near-human, just ears and tail.
Hm. Centaur-types, horse-girl types…. Wide variety.
"And such a cute Hero. Rumors say you slay giant monsters in one blow. My my."
Why mistake me for the Hero?
"Sorry, Hero's him. I'm the Dragon Priestess."
"Eh? He's the Hero? Hm, well. But you seem way weaker?"
Hm?
"Dragon Priestess feels much stronger. Am I wrong?"
Uh, um…. Not wrong. I am stronger. But seeing through it? Beast instinct?
"And such a cute companion. My, my hand's not food—you won't get fed licking it."
A horse beastkin getting her hand licked by the Beast God, a divine beastkin. Where's the god's dignity? Even if beastly.
