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Rarity: ★★★

エルネイス・ピル・ロングス

24歳。ヒューラン族。ランディス州モンファルコーネ出身。

ガレマール帝国第IV軍団「魔獣大隊」所属の伝令長。

Hernais pyr Longus

Race: Hyur

Age: 24

Birthplace: Mons Falconis, Landis


獣王ライアンに憧れ「魔獣大隊」に志願した若者。自分が立案した作戦を状況に応じてコロコロと変更するライアンの采配は、どれも奇抜なものであり、士官学校では絶対に学ぶことはない。それ故、中央の将たちはライアンを所詮辺境の者程度と軽んじている。実際、将らしからぬ粗暴な物言いやその姿、人間よりも魔獣を可愛がるその姿勢はまさに「蛮族の将」である。

エルネイスも入隊直後はそうした感想を抱いたものだ。だが、4年前のダルマスカ管区の反乱鎮圧でその感想は真逆のものとなった。たしかに口は悪いが、部下ひとりひとりの名を覚え、その弱点を的確に指摘する。戦場では誰よりも真っ先に敵と対峙し、危険に身を置くことを厭わない。「死ぬ奴は弱いだけ」と口癖のように語るライアンのいうとおり、戦場で死ぬのは腕の立たない臆病者ばかり。彼が人間よりも魔獣を可愛がるのは、兵を死なせぬために魔獣を盾とする……その用兵法があるため、魔獣の方が死ぬ確率が高い。それ故、死に近い位置にいる魔獣を彼は愛しい恋人のように可愛がるのだ。そう気付いた時、エルネイスはライアンを師と仰ぎ、「魔獣大隊」の所属となった。

以下、モンファルコーネのタウン誌「キュリオス」に掲載されたエルネイスの記事より抜粋。

(記者)あなたは第IV軍団の仲間から「忠犬」と呼ばれているそうですね。揶揄とは思いませんか?

(エルネイス)……連中は羨ましいのさ、このオレのことがね。

(記者)どうしてそう思うのですか?

(エルネイス)たいていの連中は面従腹背だ。大人しく上官の命令に従ってるフリして、内心、どこかで逆らっている。

(記者)軍人なら上官の命令は絶対ですが、彼らも人間ですからね。

(エルネイス)だが、オレは違う。心の底からライアン様を崇拝しているからな。魂の底から彼に寄り添う準備ができているんだ。言わせておけばいい……オレにとっては勲章だ、そう呼ばれることが何よりの幸せ……実に誇りに思う!

(記者)ライアン殿、このようにロングス伝令長は語っていましたが、あなたはどう思いますか?

(ライアン)いやぁ、マジ思い出せなかったのよ、でも今の話で思い出したわ。あの犬っころみたいなガキね。ああいう元気のイイ奴ぁ好きなンだがなぁ……早死にしちゃうんだよなぁ、ああいう奴ってサ。

(記者)…………。

When Hernais first enlisted in the legions, he shared the midland marshals' unfavorable impression of Lyon rem Helsos. The Beast King's tactics were unconventional and unpredictable, subject to sudden changes as he surveyed the shifting tides of battle─certainly no such rough-and-tumble strategy was taught at any officer academy. The man himself was uncouth in word and appearance, and apparently preferred the company of creature to man. They dismissed him as they would any borderland barbarian.

Hernais's opinion was flipped on its head, however, when he witnessed Lyon's handling of the insurrection in Dalmasca four years ago. While it was true the Beast King spoke brusquely, he knew each of his subordinates by name, and was well versed in their strengths and weaknesses. When battle was joined, he did not lead from the rear─indeed, he was often the first to leap into the fray. “Only the weak perish” was his constant refrain, and the young officer saw the truth of his words as the inept and the cowardly fell in droves before the strong.

Lyon's strategy sent his pets to the front lines to die in place of soldiers, and, while initially bemused, Hernais came to understand the man's fondness for the beasts. He doted upon them like children that might not wake to see the morrow, cherishing every moment they stalked the boundary ‘twixt life and death. Needing no more convincing of Lyon's savage greatness, Hernais requested placement with the War Beasts that he might serve as his new mentor's herald.

The following is an excerpt from Curious, the Mons Falconis town gazette.

Reporter: Your comrades in the IVth Legion have dubbed you the “Tenacious” and compare you to some well-trained cur. Do you take umbrage at being so described?

Hernais: I care not. They are simply envious.

Reporter: And what makes you think that?

Hernais: Most of these fools can scarce hide their ambition. They smile and scrape and follow orders, while inside they chafe at the indignity.

Reporter: A soldier must do as a superior commands, but is not a brief flicker of defiance only natural...?

Hernais: Not for me. Not anymore. With the whole of my heart, with the entirety of my soul, do I walk the trail of the Beast King. Let them mock my name! I accept it as a badge of honor, and may none question my loyalty!

–-

Reporter: ...So spake pyr Longus. Have you any comments for your subordinate, sir?

Lyon: To be honest, I'd completely forgotten the boy until you shared that story just now. Ah, yes, he's an eager little bastard─like a terrier! All fury and gnashing teeth! Pity that type doesn't last long amongst the big dogs.

Reporter: I...er...thank you for your time.