As dusk fell, Heisen arrived at Kakuzu's side. During this time, no one approached. The soldiers of the Dioldo Principality had already withdrawn.

"...Release Arc."

Heisen spoke as he touched Kakuzu's motionless armor. Instantly, the armor assimilated with the sword, and Heisen supported Kakuzu's collapsing body.

"Hey, are you alright?"

"Hei... sen?"

"..."

His voice barely made it out. Upon touching his body, the strain on every bone and muscle was evident. Although he had tried it a few times before, the symptoms had never been this severe.

"You protected us well, Kakuzu. Without you, this fortress might have fallen."

"I'm hungry..."

Unconsciously, Kakuzu spoke in a childish tone. Hearing his laughter from his academy days was a sign that he was somewhat conscious.

"You worked a hundred times harder today, so you can eat a hundred times more."

"Hehe, hehehe... good..."

"Hey, take this hero to the infirmary," Heisen instructed the soldiers around him.

However, no one moved.

For the first time, a dissatisfied expression crossed the face of the black-haired youth.

"What's wrong? Is this how you repay someone who saved your lives?"

"No, I'll support him."

"Captain Lorenzo and I have strategic planning to discuss. Come on, hurry up."

"But..."

"Hey, don't make me angry."

"..."

A tremendous sense of pressure overwhelmed the surrounding soldiers.

"I... I'll go!"

Just then, the 8th Squad, led by Buzz, arrived and supported Kakuzu. Heisen took a deep breath and calmly inquired when he saw them.

"Why are you here?"

"We were looking for Ensign Heisen. I would like to express my gratitude."

"I see. Then please."

Heisen replied flatly. Meanwhile, Captain Lorenzo apologized, showing regret.

"Seeing that bizarre way of fighting, even our allies were frightened."

"I heard that it was Kakuzu who saved them from fleeing General Gizar's attacks. Yet they're afraid of such a hero? It's an incomprehensible feeling."

"Not everyone is as strong as you."

"I don't understand. Even a dog doesn't forget a single night's meal and shelter."

"..."

Heisen tossed out the words with a disdainful glance.

At the Central Gate and the Western Gate, the atmosphere was vastly different. The 2nd Battalion celebrated Heisen as a hero. They praised his fighting style as if it were a myth. Originally part of the 2nd Battalion, the 4th Platoon had witnessed Heisen's strength firsthand on numerous occasions. As Captain Lorenzo's unit, everyone viewed Heisen with favor.

In contrast, Kakuzu's presence was far too aberrant. The 1st and 3rd Battalions had never even recognized Kakuzu's existence. They couldn't hide their confusion when confronted with such a beast-like man and his abnormally murderous capabilities.

"Is it you, Ensign Heisen, who kept such a monster?"

Amidst this, Major Shimanto approached with an arrogant expression.

"..."

In an instant, Captain Lorenzo's entire body was on edge. Heisen emitted his killing intent more powerfully than before.

"Is 'monster' referring to Kakuzu?"

"Who else could it be? Truly terrifying. However, with his help, our army survived. Let's report that the 1st and 3rd battalions successfully repelled General Gizar's fierce attacks."

"But wasn't it Kakuzu who repelled him?"

"Don't be foolish. It's not solely the power of that monster. We couldn't have repelled General Gizar without our support. Isn't that right, Captain Lorenzo?"

"..."

"What's wrong? Do you, as a captain, have an objection to my opinion?"

"No..."

Captain Lorenzo replied in a barely audible voice. Observing this situation, Heisen sighed resignedly.

"I see. I understand."

"You can still use that monster tomorrow. I'm counting on you."

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"Tomorrow? Kakuzu won't be used."

"What...?"

Major Shimanto's tone changed abruptly.

"Didn't you hear me? Kakuzu won't be deployed. I won't use him again in this battle."

"...What?"

The outright rejection of Shimanto's demand filled the air with discomfort. Major Shimanto wore a stunned expression, and for a good reason. Heisen had clearly violated orders. He had trampled on the principle of the chain of command himself.

However, Heisen disregarded this entirely and spat his words at Major Shimanto and the other soldiers.

"Those who call my valuable subordinate a monster or refuse even to lend a hand won't use him after I've saved their lives."

"You... that monster is an imperial soldier, isn't he? An order from a superior officer is absolute!"

"You seem to be mistaken. Kakuzu is my personal protector. Therefore, he does not belong to the army but is strictly under my command."

"T-then! I ordered you! It's an order from your superior!"

"No, I won't."

"You!"

Heisen replied firmly.

"If you believe that today's achievements were the result of the 1st and 3rd battalions, then you should lead them yourself tomorrow. If you think you can achieve the same as today, go ahead and try."

"Guh..."

Major Shimanto gritted his teeth and fell silent, while Heisen surveyed the soldiers around him.

"Well, then, since there was almost no damage today, if about half of you fight desperately tomorrow, you should be able to defend the fortress."

"Don't joke around! Are you defying a direct order from your superior officer in such a crisis?"

"Yes."

"Youuuuu!"

Major Shimanto swung his fist, but Heisen avoided it and swiftly swung Windy Lily. A cutting gust of wind grazed Major Shimanto's cheek, causing him to stagger and slump down.

"G-gah..."

"Excuse me, Major. There was a piece of trash in your hair."

Heisen showed a large piece of trash he had prepared in advance with a wide grin.

"Yeah, you tried to kill me."

"No. I just brushed off some trash."

"L-lies!"

"It's not a lie. I removed the trash. I'm quite fastidious. I thoroughly dispose of trash, whether it's from enemy nations or the Empire."

"Ugh..."

Heisen dropped the trash at his feet and crushed it.

"Our superior orders are absolute! Even in such a crisis, going against them warrants severe punishment."

"Feel free."

"What!"

"Quickly inform Colonel Zilba. Tell him, 'I couldn't use my subordinate because I called him a monster,' like a child's errand."

"..."

"I should clarify that my intention was to confront General Gizar by cooperating with Kakuzu. His strength is abnormal. However, I won't use Kakuzu."

"Then the Empire will lose!"

"It can't be helped. This is particularly evident when its officers refer to their subordinates as monsters."

Heisen smiled broadly.

"I apologize..."

"Huh?"

"I was wrong! So, use Kakuzu or whatever."

"No, I won't."

"Huh!?"

"Yes, you apologized. But I won't forgive."

"What should I do!?"

"First, raise your head. Such arrogance isn't how one asks others for help."

Heisen looked down.

"Are you sane?"

"I can't see it. At least, look me in the eye. Then I'll consider."

"Urgh..."

Major Shimanto gritted his teeth for a while, then placed his palm on the ground and pressed his forehead against it.

"I was wrong. Please utilize Kakuzu in the battle tomorrow."

"Such an arrogant choice of words. Is that how you ask someone for something?"

"Y-you... what are you trying to say?"

"Don't you get it?"

Heisen grinned widely and placed his shoe on Major Shimanto's forehead.

"I'm watching you."

"..."

"This war will end if Kakuzu and I aren't involved. This is how things turn out because of fools who can't even understand it."

He pressed down with his foot on Major Shimanto.

"Ggh. I apologize."

"What's wrong? I can't hear you. What is it?"

"I-I beg you. Please let Kakuzu participate in tomorrow's battle."

"Okay. Well done."

Heisen smiled brightly.

"Guh..."

"But no, I won't."

"Huh!?"

"You... you used polite language, didn't you?"

"Yes. So, I didn't think for 0.001 seconds."

"That doesn't count as thinking! You didn't think at all!"

"It's collective responsibility. Do you understand that the responsibility of a subordinate also extends to the supervisor?"

"I never report to Colonel Zilba and ask him."

"Colonel Zilba? That won't work at all. That's not going to clear up my mind."

"M-more up... Are you in your right mind?"

Major Shimanto glared sharply, and Heisen replied with a wide grin.

"The Emperor."

"Huh!?"

Several seconds passed as everyone struggled to grasp the words. Heisen had uttered something no Imperial soldier, no Imperial citizen, should ever utter. Soon, Major Shimanto screamed as if he had lost his mind.

"B-blasphemy! Blasphemy! Blasphemy! Blasphemy! Blasphemy! Blasphemy! Blasphemy! Blasphemy! Blasphemy! Blasphemy! Blasphemy!"

"What's the matter with that?"

"...gabo."

Major Shimanto tried to rise, but Heisen exerted more pressure, keeping his head down. For this sorcerer, it was effortless to immobilize someone by channeling magical energy into his feet.

"You're mad, insane, and your head is extremely sick. Do you understand? Blasphemy is an immediate capital crime, resulting in instant execution, even for one's own relatives!"

"Then go ahead and kill me."

"..."

"You can't, can you? You know what will happen if you fight without me."

"Guh..."

"Do you understand? Blasphemy is an immediate capital crime. If not, the executor will also face severe punishment. No matter what the reason, where is your head right now? Are you groveling and bowing down to such a serious criminal?"

"...gagagagagagagigigigigigu!"

Major Shimanto struggled, but he didn't move an inch, as if paralyzed.

"I'll let you choose. Will you use the power of a blasphemer like me to save your own lives, or will you uphold the charge of blasphemy and kill me? Which will it be?"

"...gagogogogigugugegegogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogo

At this point, Major Shimanto's words were incomprehensible, lost in his desperate attempts to endure. Heisen silently observed the struggle between reason and rage.

Eventually, amidst frothing at the mouth, Major Shimanto managed to squeeze out the words:

"...Guga! I will... turn a blind eye to blasphemy."

"A wise decision... but you are the blasphemer."

"Hah... guh..."

"By now, you’ve acknowledged it. You are exploiting the influence of a blasphemer for your personal gain. You know that a single statement can be fatal."

"I... I did it! For this fortress... for the Empire..."

"Is that true? You're not that kind of person. Realize it. You begged for your life from a blasphemer because you value yourself. For the fortress? What a joke. Don’t make me laugh."

As Heisen continued to apply pressure, looking down at him, Captain Lorenzo's iron fist intervened. Captain Lorenzo struck, sending Heisen flying and crashing to the ground.

"Enough already! This has gone too far!"

"......"

"What’s wrong with you!? Calm down. Clearly, this is going too far."

"......"

Listening to these words, Heisen looked up at the sky. Then, with his eyes closed, Heisen finally spoke:

"As for me, I would not call Kakuzu, who has been a major contributor to this battle, a monster."

"Huh..."

Heisen’s sharp gaze sent shivers through Major Shimanto’s body.

"Of course, both the superior officers who remain in this fortress and the 1st and 3rd battalions that fought have their merits. At present, Kakuzu has done more for the Empire than you."

"I simply said that everyone should give their all equally."

"Equality? Don’t misunderstand. We shouldn’t distribute merit equally to everyone. Those who have achieved the most should receive the most rewards."

"Guh..."

"The second battalion fought without fleeing from the enemy. The 1st and 3rd battalions, in cowardice, feared General Gizar and fled into the gates, along with their superior officers. Kakuzu threw his life away to protect people like you. That’s the truth."

"......"

Heisen shouted towards the 1st and 3rd battalions.

"Don’t you also have families? You should protect your family. How would you feel if people called them monsters, even though they bravely fought the enemy and risked their lives? Think about it. At least, I have no intention of protecting those who don’t appreciate being protected. Especially from a position of protection."

"......"

With that, Heisen walked away.