{HIKARI'S POV}
As it turns out, the chicken meat wasn't being fully cooked. This caused a disease carried by the chickens to not be properly eradicated in the heat of the fire. The parasite inside the chickens can cause dysentery when ingested by humans.

Bertia chooses to go the educational route rather than punitive with the workers responsible for cooking the meat. As it is, chicken is off the menu. Anything made with eggs must be thoroughly cooked and tested with the reagent prior to serving.

With the cause removed, we're finally seeing some improvement in the numbers of patients.

Just when I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, my worst nightmare comes true.

The warning horn sounds in the west and the troops mobilize per their training. General Isamu goes to lead the West Wall, while I stay behind at Taj fortress. But then a watcher at the East Gate sees a platoon of soldiers march out of the treeline. She blows her warning horn immediately.

This is a shock to everyone. We grew complacent in our sense of security. Now, both the East Gate and the West Wall are getting attacked simultaneously.

The last time this happened, we had many casualties and barely fended them off. This time, most of our fighting force is still affected by dysentery.

Moreover, this is a full blown siege on both sides. So many enemies are pouring into view.

It seems Menad and Cojaca have finally been driven into a corner, so their generals are mounting an attack with all of their remaining strength. Between the two sides, they outnumber us six to one at least.

I run up the narrow stairs and onto the top of the gate. The knights are gathering in rows, armed with bows, swords, and armor. Reading the expressions of the knights, I can see a lack of hope, but also a grim determination to see this through to the end.

There are so many enemies. Both sides will face heavy losses. I begin to hyperventilate. I'm not a warrior. I can't be here. I can't do this.

No! I straighten my back, refusing to cower like the scared little mouse inside me. I push down fear to keep my face firm and confident. I have to stay strong. I have to stay composed. I'm a leader!

A hand grabs my shoulder. I jump, but it's Lord Kirigawa. He's more of a strategist—behind the scenes—so he doesn't often come to the front lines.

He looks concerned, glancing around. We make eye contact. Ah, I see. He's here for me.

I allow myself to be escorted away, lest I have a full-blown panic attack in front of people who are depending on me. They look up to me for support and affirmation. I can't let them down.

"What happened?!" I ask as Lord Kiragawa practically drags me away from the East Gate and towards the security of the fortress. A scary thought crosses my mind. "Did a messenge get through?"

"I don't know." Lord Kirigawa sounds frustrated and confused and angry and nervous. "Maybe a bird slipped past us. Maybe they learned what the sound of the horn meant and marched when they heard it in the distance. Maybe they aren't intentionally coordinated and got lucky. The how doesn't matter. The result is the same regardless: we're being attacked from both sides and we don't have the manpower to stop them this time."

He leads me past the entrance to the fortress. I frown. Then we speed-walk into the main common area and I understand. He's taking me to the secret entrance. The citizens are packing gathering, with horses drawing small carts of essential supplies.

Ebisu is bawling loudly. His dad is dressed in full armor and has a sword secured to his hip. As I recall, he was just a regular merchant before taking up arms in the beginning. Ebisu is hugging his dad like the world depends on it.

His dad hugs him back fiercely, kneeling on the ground. Then he tries to gently shake Ebisu off. Ebisu clings tighter. His dad looks up at his mom, who's also a wreck. She bites her lip, then nods and pries Ebisu away from his dad.

"I'm gonna fight with Dad too!" Ebisu bites her, kicking her shins, but his mom holds firm.

He rises, pecks her on the check, and whispers something in her ear. She nods again, openly crying now. She covers her mouth and ducks her head as Ebisu's dad jogs towards the West Wall.

I feel a pang, looking away. The other kids look terrified, clinging to their parents or caretakers. The adults all look grim.

Everyone is preparing to evacuate.

I don't want to. It's an utterly ridiculous thought. It hasn't even been a full year, but I've grown attached to this cramped little safe haven that we created.

Taj fortress is a second home to me. I don't want to abandon this land after all we've been through. I can tell I'm not alone in this sentiment.

To these people, Tai is their home. They want to protect it. They don't want Aru Laurier to sully their territory with his greedy actions after they upended their lives to follow a princess they barely trusted.

I don't want the noble people fighting now to only buy us time. I want them to live. I want them to come home with us.