IF4VTH3V1L (3)

247

Forward March

Finally, the day we depart the fortress town of Zurück and make way for the capital has come.

In preparation for the march, soldiers, who formed the majority of our forces, were all in the city lined up and in position.
Because the soldiers already took up most of the town’s open space, not many people were able to send them off.

Those soldiers now stood at attention, listening carefully.

『Soldiers. I extend my sincere gratitude that you have gathered here today.』

A gentle but dignified voice filled the ears.
The voice belonged to Philine.
A wind mage had constructed large scale telepathy channels, delivering her voice directly to the soldiers.
She was currently delivering the speech that would prelude our march toward our final confrontation with the Demon Queen.

『It is not only imperial soldiers that stand here today. I express deep gratitude for the Bauer soldiers that now stand with us as friends.』

Philine referred to us as friends.

『For many years, we stood on opposite sides of a war. I’m sure there are some who still hold reservations over putting that aside. However, I believe we should discuss those differences after this battle. For now, let us stand united and face this threat against humanity.』

A statement asking for compromise.
In actuality, there were many that still held complicated feelings toward the Naa Empire.
The empire’s attempted strategic invasion into the kingdom could not so easily be forgotten.

『I wish to express my earnest desire to repent for the imperialistic policies that my predecessors, including my mother, Dorothea Naa, have acted upon until now. To prove my sincerity, I am prepared to offer appropriate reparations. However, if we are to fall to the demons here, everything will be for naught. Please, just for this moment, lend us your strength.』

This section was for the most part, addressing the soldiers from Bauer.
That emphasis should show how much Philine values the solidarity of the alliance.

『Brave soldiers of the empire, you no longer need to point your weapons at your future comrades. Instead, the force you must face is the common enemy of all humanity, the Demon Queen and her army.』

She continued, now addressing the Imperial Soldiers.

『Until now, our empire has continually shown aggression against our neighboring countries. We did so in order to form a strong, unified continent. In order to create a strong, unified force that could oppose the Demon Queen. However, no matter what justifications we believed we had, it is an undeniable truth that our actions caused the deaths of many.』

Philine continued, almost in spite of what she had just said.

『Soldiers of the empire, that past is not something that you should hold over yourselves. It was the country that gave you orders. The army, the soldiers that form them, are an existence that must obey the orders that they are given. I ask that you please forgive us, who have constantly compelled you to do terrible acts.』

Philine was trying to relieve the imperial soldiers of as much guilt as they would let go of.
As the new political leader, she surely had the option to push all the burden onto the previous regime, but instead she was trying to take the responsibility upon herself.