The Zaraam Plains stretch across the border between the Kingdom and the Empire. That damned lizard has chosen it as the battlefield for the Dragon Slayer War, ensuring that both armies clash there. From that point onward, the success of this siege depends on how well the Kingdom can push through the Imperial forces blocking the path to the Imperial Capital, defeat the damned lizard waiting in the Imperial Castle, and rescue the captive Blood Princess. This battle is the key—an absolute necessity that must be accomplished.

It is a war that will engulf entire nations, where many lives will inevitably be sacrificed. Once again, the depravity of that Shadow Dragon is on full display. That damned lizard completely disregards the innocent people living in its own nation, forcing its whims onto them, playing its own game without a care in the world.

As expected of a transcendent being that looks down upon the world, its thought process is beyond the comprehension of ordinary life forms—it can only be described as insane.

My role in this great war is to use the Kingdom’s main force, which is drawing the Imperial Army’s attention in the Zaraam Plains, as a cover to infiltrate the Imperial Capital. I am to sneak in as far as possible and approach the Shadow Dragon in secrecy before taking its head.

That damned lizard likely assumes that a massive Kingdom army will storm the Imperial Capital, seeking to overthrow it, only to be slaughtered in retaliation. That must be the premise under which it dictated the conditions of this war. But there’s no need for us to play along with its script.

The Kingdom’s priority should be deceiving, concealing, and launching a surprise attack on the Shadow Dragon to reclaim Alice. Not to foolishly throw lives away in open warfare. Call it cowardly if you will—dead men tell no tales. If we win, then our methods are justified.

However, our opponent is a transcendent being. That damned lizard, which seems personally fixated on me apart from the Kingdom’s war effort, is undoubtedly wary of my movements and likely prepared for such underhanded tactics.

Most likely, the Imperial Capital and its surrounding areas will be heavily fortified with the Shadow Dragon’s forces. Even with stealth, reaching Alice will not be a simple task. The challenge lies in how to bypass those obstacles, conserve strength, and reach the Shadow Dragon in the fastest and most efficient way possible. This is the crux of our mission.

Therefore, His Majesty the King granted me priority over all other units, allowing me to form and command my own squad. To ensure stealth, I can choose a minimum of five and a maximum of seven members—any more would hinder covert operations. Even members of the Seven Peerless Swords are eligible if I choose. It’s an extraordinary authority for a mere noble, especially a student with little real battle experience.

And yet, given that I was personally named by the Shadow Dragon and invited into its domain by the Time Dragon, the Kingdom likely had no choice but to bet everything on me.

“I need you all to fight alongside me to take down that damned lizard.”

And so, after explaining the circumstances to my most trusted companions, I bowed my head in request.

Why, despite the authority to recruit the Kingdom’s most elite forces, did I specifically ask them to join my unit instead of veteran knights?

Sure, I wanted to concentrate the Kingdom’s main forces—such as the Seven Peerless Swords and the knights—on the battlefield to draw the enemy’s attention to the plains. But even without such strategic considerations, my reason was simple.

“I am still immature, foolish, and lacking in strength. There’s no way I can defeat that damned lizard alone. This mission is inherently dangerous—we might not even make it back alive. But even so, I need your help!”

Because they are the people I trust most in this life. We know each other’s fighting styles, our quirks, our magic. If it’s them, then I believe we can make it through this war together.

Of course, suddenly being presented with such a request must have left them bewildered. Perhaps aside from His Highness, who had already been briefed on the plan, Freesia and the others were caught off guard. I didn’t expect an immediate answer either. They needed time to process everything and make their own decisions.

“I don’t expect you to answer right awa—”

“I’ll fight.”

“...Huh?”

The first to respond was Freesia. Her answer came so fast that I let out a dumbfounded sound. I mean, she hadn’t even properly considered—

“I’ll fight too… No, please let me fight alongside you!”

“If it’s you, Clay, then of course.”

“Mhm.”

“I-I shall accompany you to the ends of the earth!”

I tried to calm Freesia down, but before I could, the Hero, His Highness, Schvia, and even Levia all immediately agreed. Wait—hold on.

“Not just Freesia, but all of you… D-Did you even listen to what I said? I know I’m the one asking, but this isn’t something you can decide so easily—”

“It’s not an easy decision.”

“Huh?”

“We made an immediate decision because it was your request. If this had been a plea from some knight or noble we barely knew, none of us would have agreed so readily.”

Freesia spoke on behalf of the group, and the others nodded in agreement. Seeing them accept so naturally, I didn’t know how to respond. Even though I trusted them, I never expected them to agree so easily.

—How did it come to this?

…No, perhaps this is a result that could only exist in this second life of mine—something I could never have achieved in my first.

Something indescribable welled up inside me. I opened and closed my mouth a few times, struggling to put it into words. And finally, I managed to squeeze it out.

“—Thank you…!”

Ever since returning to the manor, it feels like all I’ve been doing is expressing gratitude. I’ve relied on others so much. Claym Bradley is a man who always needs someone’s help. And yet, the fact that there are people willing to help me—that alone is—

“What’s wrong, Clay? Are you really so happy you’re shaking?”

“...!!”

Yes. I was happy.

I once knew the terror of reaching out for help, only for no one to take my hand. That was why I resolved to grow stronger. I longed for overwhelming strength—so great that I would never need to rely on anyone.

But in the end, perhaps what I truly sought was the strength to rely on others.

“Haha… To think I’d only realize this now…”

A self-deprecating laugh escaped me, yet my voice carried undeniable joy.

I had taken a long detour to reach this point. But realizing it now held great significance. With that, I could finally solidify my resolve.

So, I had one more request to make.

“Truly, thank you all. I can’t express my gratitude enough.”

After expressing my thanks once more, I looked around at my companions—those who had readily accepted my unreasonable plea.

“And I have one more favor to ask of you.”

“What is it? At this point, what’s one or two more favors? Go ahead and ask.”

Freesia’s strong words, followed by everyone else’s agreement, gave me the courage to continue.

“I need you all to share your blood with me.”

The possibility had been lingering in my mind ever since hearing the Time Dragon’s advice. It was a necessary step before the decisive battle. A crucial factor in slaying the Shadow Dragon. And at the same time, a double-edged sword of unimaginable danger.