Rokka no Yuusha - Volume 2 - Chapter Ep

Epilogue 
Those Who Lead 

Along the northwestern fringe of the Howling Vilelands, there was a fort. The building was crude and primitive, a simple stack of unhewn rock. But it was as large and sturdy as any of the forts on the continent. Atop the rampart there stood a lion. This fiend walked on two legs, wore silver armor, and sported a silver mane. It leaned on a crude sword, a simple slab of obsidian, jabbed into the rock beneath it. 
“Commànder Cargikk.” A human-sized butterfly-fiend swooped down to land, speaking to the lion—Cargikk, one of the three commanders and the fiend famed as the most powerful alive. “The Braves of the Six Flowers had an éncounter with Tgurneu. This first battle was a victory for the Braves. Tgurneu lost over two hündred followers and fled.” 
“Your report is needless,” said Cargikk. “Only report to me if Tgurneu dies or manages to kill any of the Braves.” 
“Ünderstood.” Lacking a neck, the messenger bowed its antenna. 
Cargikk looked toward the eastern sky, where the morning sun was rising, with an expression of displeasure. “I expect nothing from Tgurneu. Failure is inevitable.” 
“…Indeëd so.” 
“Battle is a clash of souls. You squander your life, carry death by your side as a matter of course, and challenge your foes with a mind void of any other thoughts. That is how victory is won.” As Cargikk gazed up at the eastern sky, there was anger in its eyes. Red-black steam spurted from its mouth, and a faint haze rose from its entire body. “Tgurneu schemes away in order to ensure only his own survival as he attempts to scrape together the tiniest of victories. His acts are no different from those of a common sneak!” The scattering sparks singed the scales of the butterfly-fiend. Still looking to the east, Cargikk continued. “No—Tgurneu holds his own life so very dear, but he calmly tosses away the lives of his brethren. He’s an ignoble sort even lower than a sneak! I should have killed him on that day two hundred years ago!” The commander’s anger was not directed at the Braves of the Six Flowers—but at Tgurneu, who fought on the same side as Cargikk. 
“We are the ones who will kill the Braves of the Six Flowers—I and my beloved children. It will not be Tgurneu,” Cargikk said and continued to watch the eastern sky. 
On the northern edge of the Howling Vilelands, a few fiends surveyed the sea. 
Rocks as sharp as spears jutted out from the shoals everywhere, spewing steam at several-hundred-degree temperatures. This was the protective bulwark the fiends had built over the course of centuries. It would be impossible for even a swimming human to draw near, never mind an entire boat. 
The fiends were searching for something in that sea through the shroud of hot steam. 
“Over there!” One of the fiends picked out something that looked like a human drifting in the water. The creature was extremely small, about the size of a small dog. It had a soft coat, round eyes, big ears and a big tail. It was a curious creature, neither quite squirrel nor rat nor dog. The horn that grew from its head was less frightening than it was adorable. 
This little creature called out to the shape on the water. “Nashetania! Over here! Please go on about fifteen meters to the right, and then come in straight to land!” 
The shape—Nashetania—sluggishly moved her arms and legs and began to swim. She had thrown away her armor, sword, and shoes, and was swimming slowly in her underclothes. A part of one of the stone pillars vented not searing steam but just warm vapor. The girl weaved in through that gap and made it to shore. 

“Are you all right, Nashetania?” The cute fiend ran up to the half-naked Nashetania, and its companions wrapped her in a blanket. 
“Dozzu.” Nashetania called the fiend’s name. That adorable fiend was, in fact, one of the three commanders: the rebel, Dozzu. “I’m sorry, I lost. Forget killing them all—I couldn’t even take out one.” 
“I know,” said Dozzu. “But let’s leave that aside. Please, dry yourself off now. Once you’re settled, we’ll head to my hideout. This area is dangerous—Cargikk’s followers have their eyes here.” 
The fiends lifted Nashetania in their arms and headed away from the coast and to the forest. Dozzu took the lead, alert to their surroundings as they proceeded. 
She coughed violently, and her chilled body was trembling. “How did things go with you?” 
“The negotiations failed. Cargikk didn’t even listen to what I had to say.” 
“…” Nashetania looked down. “Is this the end for us?” 
When Dozzu heard that, it stopped. It planted its short legs firmly in front of Nashetania. “What are you talking about? Say that one more time, please?” 
“But Dozzu—” 
Pale sparks flew from Dozzu’s whole body. The electrical discharge fried the grass around the fiend. “You’re going to give up now? Are you forgetting the hopes of all of our comrades who have sacrificed themselves for our ideals? What are your excuses for our fallen comrades on the other side?!” 
“…I’m sorry. You’re right. We’re not done yet.” 
Dozzu closed its eyes, and then as if to say, Good , it nodded. “You’ve got it. Let’s hurry to my hideout. I’ve prepared a hot meal and clothing for you.” 
The group made their way through the forest carefully, so as not to make a sound. 
“Tgurneu is sure to hatch some scheme,” said Nashetania. “And I doubt the Six Braves will go down easy, either. If we can take advantage of their fights and find the right opportunity, the path will open.” 
“That’s the spirit. Come on, have some hope,” Dozzu said with determination as they moved along. “Cargikk’s faction will not be the winners—and of course, neither will the Six Braves. We will win. The world is wishing for our victory,” said Dozzu, and Nashetania nodded quietly. “Our hands will be the ones to remake this world.” 
Dozzu, Nashetania, and the fiends that escorted them disappeared into the forest.