The sun moved from the east to directly overhead, and then slowly began to set in the west from directly overhead.
Two more waves of Warcraft hordes arrived throughout the day.
The first wave was just past noon, numbering about three hundred, mainly composed of Uridimmu, mixed with a dozen or so Ushumgallu.
The second wave occurred just before dusk, and while fewer in number than the first, it included several large magical beasts that Kotori had never seen in the game or anime.
These large magical beasts are all quite powerful; they are certainly not the kind of grunts that can be dealt with with a single volley of arrows.
However, no matter what kind of magical beast it is, it cannot withstand the four Servant for long.
Leonidas acted as a meat shield in the front row, using his round shield to block and his spear to counterattack, enduring the monster's attacks before piercing through with a single thrust.
Ushiwakamaru flanked the enemy, his katana finishing off the wounded. Benkei, behind him, swept away any stragglers who tried to sneak up.
Tomoe Gozen continued firing from the city wall, each arrow flashing red and hitting its mark precisely.
The coordination went very smoothly.
It felt like we'd fought it countless times.
After the second wave of monsters was cleared out, the distant horizon finally quieted down.
There was no sign of any large group of monsters.
Only the scattered carcasses of monsters littered the wilderness.
"We're safe for now."
Ushiwakamaru sheathed his sword and exhaled.
The first Servant to take a break were Ushiwakamaru and Musashibō Benkei.
Leonidas and Tomoe Gozen remained to defend the battlefield.
To prevent a large-scale monster attack during this period.
"Then, the Sparta changing of the guard begins."
Leonidas, carrying his spear, walked towards Ushiwakamaru and patted him on the shoulder.
"Get some rest. We'll take care of the rest of the battle."
"Yes, King Leonidas, please be careful as well."
Ushiwakamaru nodded and led Benkei toward the city gate.
Soldiers in Uruk, both on and below the city walls, began taking turns on duty.
The wounded soldiers and those who were not seriously injured helped each other walk toward the city gate.
Some of their arms were wrapped in bandages soaked in blood.
Some had bitten legs and were limping, being supported by their companions.
Some faces were covered in blood and dust, making it impossible to tell whether it was their own or someone else's.
No one spoke.
Only footsteps and the occasional suppressed groan could be heard.
The bodies of the dead soldiers were carried back into the city by the remaining soldiers who were on rest during their shifts.
One by one.
Wrap it in a straw mat, or drape it directly over a makeshift stretcher.
"..."
Kotori Itsuka stood on the castle wall, looking down at this scene.
Its crimson eyes remained fixed on the group of wounded soldiers and the corpses being moved.
Tomoe Gozen stood next to Kotori.
She noticed the direction Kotori was looking.
But Kotori's expression was too blank, Tomoe Gozen couldn't guess what she was thinking.
However, Tomoe Gozen is not the type to be coy or pretentious.
After thinking for three seconds, she spoke directly.
" Kotori."
"What are you looking at? Is there something wrong with those soldiers?"
Kotori turned her head.
He glanced at Tomoe Gozen.
Then he turned back and continued to look at the soldiers below the city wall.
There was a few seconds of silence.
"No."
"I just don't quite understand."
What were those soldiers fighting for?
Tomoe Gozen didn't interrupt, waiting for Kotori to continue.
"He'd only be cannon fodder on the battlefield, used as filler."
"Their weapons couldn't even pierce the scales of those medium to large-sized magical beasts."
"But why didn't they show any fear at all?"
"Aren't they all afraid of dying?"
Tomoe Gozen's expression subtly changed after hearing Kotori's answer.
Kotori asked this question with far too much seriousness.
She genuinely didn't understand.
Tomoe Gozen's already deeply ingrained idea was reinforced once again.
Kotori Itsuka is still just a child.
Although Kotori is currently in a cold state, her demeanor exudes an aura of intimidation that keeps strangers at bay.
But internally, he didn't become a different person.
Tomoe Gozen put away her bow.
He turned his head and looked at Kotori.
" Kotori, you don't need to worry about these things."
"You'll understand things like beliefs when you grow up."
"???"
A crack finally appeared in Kotori's expression.
Did you only understand when you grew up?
You're telling me this?
She looked down at herself.
He really does look like a little child.
but.
I was an adult in my past life.
Although she was turned into an elf and looks like a middle school student, her inner age and mind are far beyond that of a "child".
Did I appear childish?
Kotori's lips twitched.
Belief, that intangible and elusive thing.
Isn't it just a pretense used by leaders to deceive people during their speeches?
"Belief".
I've heard this word countless times since I was a child.
The teachers at school said we should have faith.
The leader on TV said we must have faith.
The advertisement says you need to have faith.
It sounds like it's very important.
But in reality, who has ever truly cared?
Although Kotori occasionally complained to others online about how "tired" and "wanting to just give up" in Kotori previous life.
But in reality, they have been well protected from childhood to adulthood.
They haven't experienced any real setbacks.
I don't know what it feels like to be hungry.
They don't know the despair of losing everything.
I don't know the mental state behind choosing to stand up even when you know you're going to die.
So she didn't understand.
I really don't understand.
Those soldiers' lives were simply expendable resources in this war.
If you're dead, you're dead.
Replace with the next batch and continue.
It serves no purpose in the overall situation.
It's better to just stay in the city and wait to die.
That way, you might die a more peaceful death.
"Never mind..."
Kotori shook her head inwardly.
It has nothing to do with me how many soldiers are killed or wounded.
Don't think about these useless things.
Tomoe Gozen watched as Kotori's expression returned to its blank state.
He didn't say anything more.
Some things cannot be explained in just a few words.
The child will understand after experiencing more.
About an hour later.
The first group of resting Servant and soldiers returned to the front lines.
This time it was Leonidas and Tomoe Gozen's turn to take the remaining soldiers to rest.
Leonidas passed by Tomoe Gozen and Kotori before leaving.
His gaze lingered on Kotori for a moment.
The other three Servant showed slight surprise upon seeing Kotori Itsuka beside Tomoe Gozen.
Leonidas raised an eyebrow.
Ushiwakamaru and Benkei exchanged a glance.
But neither of them said much.
She simply chose to ignore Kotori.
"They're gone."
Tomoe Gozen said something to Kotori.
Then, leading Kotori and a small squad of soldiers, they headed towards the city gate.
Days passed by like this.
Every day is the same routine.
I get up in the morning and eat breakfast.
In the morning, I watched Tomoe Gozen defend the castle and fight monsters.
We take turns resting at noon.
In the afternoon, I continued to watch over Tomoe Gozen's castle.
In the evening, I went back to my room, had dinner with Tomoe Gozen, and then went to sleep.
Repeat on the second day.
Kotori didn't know when the Chaldea people would finally reach this Singularity.
The original text does not specify the exact time when Chaldea arrived at the Seventh Singularity.
We can only wait.
Although the days were repetitive, Kotori didn't find them particularly difficult to endure.
Because of Tomoe Gozen.
After spending a lot of time together, Tomoe Gozen discovered that Kotori Itsuka was a very easy person to get along with.
They are usually very obedient.
She'll eat if you tell her to.
She'll sleep if you tell her to.
If you tell her not to run around, she'll stay obediently in a safe place.
They never do anything out of line.
Sometimes, Tomoe Gozen would leave breakfast on the table before leaving for the front lines in the morning, and when she returned in the evening, the dishes would have been cleaned up.
Sometimes when Tomoe Gozen is cooking, Kotori will sit quietly beside her and watch.
Occasionally, Tomoe Gozen would teach her some simple cooking methods.
Kotori said, "I don't need to learn this."
But my hands will honestly follow along.
" Kotori, when you're chopping vegetables, you should cut at an angle."
"... knew."
Although he was reluctant, the vegetables he cut were much neater than last time.
Tomoe Gozen thought the child was actually quite cute.
He's just a little stubborn.