With hearts as one

 
 
 ☆
 
 
 It is half past five in the afternoon.
 The sun was already setting, and the shadows outside the window, which had been tinted by the evening sun, were getting darker.
 
 A knock came from the room’s door, and Anna popped her face in.
 
 “Ojou-sama, it’s time.”
 
 “Thanks. I’ll come now.”
 
 I folded up the memo pad atop the desk and placed it in my pocket, slung the bag with Coco and Mel onto my shoulder, and left the room.
 
 
 ☆
 
 
 Leaving the mansion via carriage, I headed for the centre of Cocomel.
 
 Outside the window, there were people headed in the same direction.
 When they would see my carriage, they faces changed to an 『Ah』 look, and they began jogging after us.
 
 Opening the small window, I called out to the coachman’s seat.
 
 “Anna. You can go slowly. Let’s go as slowly as possible.”
 
 “… Understood. In that case, I’ll take my time.”
 
 “Thanks.”
 
 “That’s the kind of thing I love about you, Ojou-sama.”
 
 Fufufu, laughed my attendant, and just as she had said, the carriage’s speed dropped.
 
 
 ☆
 
 
 Many people gathered in the city’s central plaza, flowing over into the roads connecting the plaza.
 
 That being said, they were tidily divided by the rope that had been put up, so it didn’t feel unsafe despite this many people being there.
 
 “——— I wonder how many people had gathered?”
 
 Hearing my question, Sofia, seated opposite me, took a quick glance out the window.
 
 “Most likely, nearly all the people currently in Cocomel right now.”
 
 “… that’s how uneasy everyone is, huh?”
 
 “Yes.”
 
 Without particularly changing her expression, Sofia nodded.
 
 Although she’s bad at expressing her emotions, that doesn’t mean she doesn’t understand the feelings of others.
 
 Since she noticed the necessity of this event, and showed great attention to detail in the preparations for it, she may actually be way more sensitive than her appearance would make you think.
 
 “——— I have to do my best.”
 
 Once again returning my gaze to outside the window, I tightly clenched my fists.
 
 
 ☆
 
 
 “Leticia-sama is passing through! Open a path!”
 
 As I got off the carriage, the cheers of the people engulfed me.
 
 The sun had already nearly set, and the magic lanterns, as well as the magic floodlights installed for this occasion, illuminated the faces of the people.
 
 “Leticia-sama!!”
 
 “Ah, Leticia-sama. Please save us all…”
 
 The voices calling my name.
 The voices pleading for help.
 
 Hearing those voices, I set a smile upon my face and nodded for all to see.
 
 Under the symbol of the city, the 『Tower of Time』, an improvised platform had been set up, and the path that had just been created with ropes led straight to it.
 
 While looking at everyone’s faces, I slowly walked down the path.
 
 And then, I got up on the platform.
 
 
 
 The floodlights shining on me from atop the buildings were a little dazzling.
 
 But, looking at everyone’s anxious faces, such things didn’t matter to me.
 
 “Coco, Mel!”
 
 “Okey-dokkey” “Did you call?”
 
 The teddies flew out from my bag.
 
 “Help me out a bit. ——— Coco, over there.”
 
 Coco flew to the left of the air where I pointed.
 
 “Mel, that way.”
 
 Mel flew over to the opposite side.
 
 When the two of them flew where I expected, I shouted out loud.
 
 “『Amplification 《Ex Loquial》』!!”
 
 ——— Kiinnn
 
 For a moment, a sound similar to audio feedback rang out, then quickly subsided.
 
 With this, all preparations were OK.
 
 The rest was up to me.
 
 
 
 “Everyone, can you hear my voice?”
 
 My voice echoed through the entirety of the plaza.
 
 Murmurs of 『Oooh…』 came back from the people as their response.
 
 “Good evening. I am Leticia Ainsworth, who has been entrusted with this territory by the Kingdom of Heielland.”
 
 I smiled at everyone, then began talking once again.
 
 “In order to explain to everyone the dreadful situation occurring in this territory, I stand now before you all. ——— You have all probably heard this already. A large-scale monster swarm is nearing this city.”
 
 “The contents may be shocking, but since I’ll be openly speaking, I’d like for everyone to take this chance to think of 『what to do from now on』.”
 
 A commotion spread throughout the crowd.
 
 
 
 “The first thing I’d like to say is that 『Everyone will have three choices』. The first choice is to evacuate the villages south of the Holmes River. The second choice is to take refuge in the territories my father governs, the Owleyes New Territory and Main Territory. And the third choice is to remain in this city.”
 
 “No matter which choice you choose, the County will support you as much as possible. For those who evacuate, we will attach an escort, and we’ve already begun preparations so that your acceptance in whichever place you go to is smooth.”
 
 Hearing my words, the people once more began to stir.
 
 However, these were murmurs of relief.
 Perhaps this has managed to abate their anxiety a bit?
 
 Now then.
 Here’s the main issue.
 
 
 
 “Early yesterday morning, a swarm of approximately four thousand monsters was discovered in the forest at the foot of the 『Northern Mountains』. Things like goblins, orcs, devil crows and cyclops have gathered together.”
 
 “Immediately upon receiving the report, I sent out evacuation orders to all the towns and villages in the northern area. After that, the monster swarm began heading south. As of this morning, their number has reach fifteen thousand.”
 
 “Our current prediction is that the monster swarm will swell up to between forty and fifty thousand, and will reach Cocomel in the afternoon, two days from now.”
 
 Hearing these words, the plaza was in turmoil.
 
 “What the 𝚑𝚎𝚕𝚕 are you telling me to do about such a horde?”
 
 “Oh, God…”
 
 “Mommy, are we going to die?”^[1]
 
 Those who grieve.
 Those who pray.
 And then, those who questioned their futures.
 
 Faced with these people, I continued speaking.
 
 
 
 “Right now, we are in an unprecedented crisis. We could abandon and flee this town, but that doesn’t mean the monsters won’t chase after us. In order to protect those dear to you, someone must stay behind to defend this town against the monster’s invasion.”
 
 “All children under fifteen will be evacuated. They are our 『future』. And to protect that 『future』, myself and 800 soldiers will stay behind in this town and fight the monsters.”
 
 “Right now, from the Owleyes New Territory, Main Territory, and also the royal capital, there are approximately a thousand knights and soldiers headed to Cocomel to save us. We will join forces with them, and the total of 1800 men will confront the army of monsters.”
 
 “You may think it is reckless. However, it must be done. For that purpose, there are currently defensive encampments being built outside the city’s walls, and bullets for the magic guns are being mass-produced. These will become the impregnable shields that protect us, and the sacred spears that mow down the enemies who number thirty times our own^[2].”
 
 “——— We will not lose. No matter the means. Using all the power I possess, no matter what it takes, no matter what happens, we will protect this city, reclaim the towns and cities invaded by the monsters, and fight till the end!!”
 
 “I ask but one thing of everyone. Whether you are evacuating, or staying behind in this city, let’s all join hands and help each other overcome this difficult situation. That which cannot be done alone can definitely be accomplished if we just work together. Please do not fight, do not be overcome with sorrow, and let’s work together to cut open a future for us. ——— That’s all from me.”
 
 
 
 Buzzing, bewildered exchanges occurred among the people in the plaza.
 
 It was probably not a good speech.^[3]
 It was probably not enough to dispel everyone’s fears.
 
 Even so, it’s fine as long as everyone can look forward, even a little.
 
 I put those thoughts into my words.
 I wonder, how did that make everyone feel?
 
 
 
 Thinking such with painful reluctance, I was about to step down from the speech platform when it happened.
 
 I could hear someone’s voice.
 
 “I’m staying in this town. I was born in this town and have been here the whole time. I can’t go somewhere else now. Besides, she said those guys from outside are coming to fight. How’s it going to look if we who live in town sneakily run away!”
 
 Then yet another voice rose from nearby.
 
 “——— I’m also staying. It’s not like I can do whatever, but if there’s any manual labour, let me help!”
 
 “I’m^[4] staying too! I’ve just arrived in this city, and this delicate Leticia-sama says she’s going to stay behind. A proper adult shouldn’t whine. Why don’t we properly take care of the soldier’s stomach’s, so that they don’t fall over from hunger!!”
 
 “I’m also staying! I’m not handing over my village and field to the likes of goblins!!”
 
 “I’ll also stay!!”
 
 “Me too!!”
 
 “Me too!!”
 
 One after the other, the peoples’ shouts spread.^[5]
 
 Those were the shouts of the people who were driven from their homes and whose lives were threatened, their resolution to fight.
 
 Seeing such a sight, I looked at them in amazement.
 
 
 
 Someone shouted out.
 
 “We will fight!!”
 
 ““Yeahhh!!!!””
 
 “We won’t be defeated by the likes of monsters!!”
 
 ““Yeahhh!!!””
 
 The people raised their war cries.
 
 “Count-sama!”
 
 Someone called out to me.
 
 “Count-sama! Please speak to everyone once more!!”
 
 “Count-sama!”
 
 “Leticia-sama!!”
 
 Pushed by those voices, I once again stood upon the platform while still puzzled.
 
 
 
 “Oooohh…!!”
 
 Everyone’s gaze gathered on me, and suddenly, the surroundings became silent.
 
 Thousands of eyes looked at me.
 
 Everyone was waiting for my words.
 
 
 I then spoke.
 
 
 “For our cities, our villages, and our future! ——— With our own hands, we will protect them till the end!!”
 
 
 ““OOOOooooooohhhhhh!!!!!!!!””
 
 
 That instant, the cries of their souls shook the earth like some kind of underground tremor.