Knights & Magic - Volume 8 - Chapter 109

VOLUME 8: CHAPTER 109

Dawn’s light arrived at last, driving off the darkness as it illuminated the ridge.

Dietrich trembled slightly in the coldness of the early morning. The wind passing over the deck made the hem of his outer coat flutter. Standing in an unobstructed place on the deck of the ship, Di felt cursed.

“I really am far too whimsical…”

He was riding atop an amazing ship, the newest Levitate Ship, flying majestically through the air. Granted, the ship neither knew nor cared if it was near the surface or not, though the temperature around it falls off the higher it rises. Thus, the higher on the ship one was, the colder it would be… especially on the upper deck of the windswept vessel.

Dietrich had awakened early for some reason, just after dawn. It was unusual enough for him that he was actively beginning to regret his choice not to go back to sleep again as soon as possible.

“Well, now, Bocuse Omori Forest,” he said to himself, “I’m getting really tired of looking at you.”

The light of dawn slowly began to reveal even more of the forest. The view below was nothing less than an endless sea of trees.

The Bocuse Omori Forest was like a paradise for the Demon Beasts, rejecting all human activities. The forest had swallowed a large number of knights throughout it’s history, a good reason why it was forbidden to those from the Kingdom of Fremevira.

“The boss claimed to have encountered a man at the edge of the forest. I wonder if that’s true,” he asked himself whimsically.

The ridges of the mountain range marked the end of the dense forest, and yet… It was dense, like the forest itself continued on even past this natural barrier.

“I wonder if you’re here, our little knight commander?” he asked of the forest in general.

The Levitate Ship he was riding in — the flagship of the Silver Phoenix Knights, ‘Izmo’, had been here once before. The former flagship of the Second Forest Expeditionary Force; it had encountered an unprecedented enemy. Yet, despite having managed to return to Fremevira, they’d lost something. First was Ernesti, the leader of the Silver Phoenix Knights, and Adeltrud, who was his assistant. Di hadn’t been there himself, but even so… Not once did it ever cross his mind to even think such a thing as: ‘If I had only been there…’

The leader of Second Company shook his head, shaking off his whimsical thoughts. He hadn’t come here to look at the past, after all, but toward the future. “Still, if it’s this big, it’s going to be a pain to find that little ringmaster.” Perhaps to spite his words, Dietrich had a small smile on his face.

After a war with the insect-like demon beast that created a cloud of acid, Ernesti fell down there with the Ikaruga and Adeltrud followed him in her Sylphiette. It is a near impossible task, to find only two people from that vast forest of demon beasts. He didn’t think it was impossible for some reason.

(Editor’s Note: At this stage, I think of Cretvastia as being how the Giants and ‘Goblins’ think of them, until Eru brings that word back, I’m unwilling to let the Silver Phoenix use the name. Sorry for any confusion.)

“Man, it’s really windy out here! Ah well, it’s about time I got myself back to bridge. Right?” He even turned to go, having said that, yet… He suddenly stopped moving halfway. In the light of the dawn, Dietrich felt some sensation go through him. A small, worn black shadow seemed to shimmer, pale in dawn’s early light. There was something flying in the sky of the Bocuse Omori Forest. Could it be… a Wind Knight?

Perhaps not. If it were a Wind Knight, the Magi-light communication equipment should be flashing. This thing wasn’t a flying ship either. In the first place, all such ships were behind the Izmo. So, the remaining possibility was -.

Dietrich’s expression showed a fearless smile. “It might be hard work for a demon beast, but it’s just about right for me. That being the case, it means I wasn’t wrong here!” He dashed into the ship. They might not even know it yet, but a hectic day for the Silver Phoenix Knights was about to begin.

An invisible boundary was crossed and the beasts of the night retired to their slumber. Now was the time for the beast which lived by day to awaken. There, in the twilight just aftr the dawn, huge shadow rose. It was like a thin-winged beetle with a rainbow-colored light. It resembled a beetle.

“Troublesome pests. You’re even making someone like me fight you in the sky? Flying is a real pain.”

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And then there were those that had sent these Demon Beasts. They were an existence not unlike a human, but with a huge body. Giants, they were. Of these, one of them was taller than the others. He looked around swiftly, his five eyes seeming to take in all. Annoyed, he spat out, “On land, nothing exists that can stand against us. However, those that swim in the sky are just a bit difficult to fight. It’s just like dealing with the Cretvastia.”

A rotten looking four-eyed giant, standing behind him, nodded. Yet another saw this, scowling as he said, “I know. That’s why this is the role of beasts.”

Though agreeing, these giants still scratched their heads in confusion, one pointing out, “We sent the Cretvastia out, but… I think there are less than before, now.”

“Magi, we can’t make up for what was lost in the last fight.” The fifth’s expression was downright heinous, face red as if he were about to explode. His expression was mercurial, changing often. (I’m still torn between ‘Magi’ and ‘Magician’, I feel like Magi is more formal though, thoughts?)

“Maybe so… Regardless, I’m not about to use all the Cretvastia for such a thing as this.”

Immediately, a diminutive figure, comparatively, spoke up, “Call on me,” Oberon, king of the Goblin Clan, replied.

“I will…”

On hearing those words, the giants descended. The ruler of the Rubel Clan sent the rest of the Cretvastia to the sky, while keeping an eye on the departing giants with one of his eyes.

“I wonder… are you invaders? Coming from the sky and sweeping the filthy beasts before you? The timing couldn’t be worse: the time when all giant clans unite beneath the Rubel Clan is just around the corner. Tell me, Hundred Eyes, are you still testing me?”

The mutter faded away without a reply.

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The tranquility of the ships traveling the skies was broken, the quiet replaced with the sounds of loud bells. The knights, awakened by the emergency warning, rushed to their posts. “Demon Beasts dead ahead! Look there in the distance, the number is unknown!”

“No movement to report on the ground! I don’t see any other company around, either!”

“Magi-light comms with each ship confirmed! Communication, all green!”

A number of reports could be heard, floating through the voice system surrounding each part of the hull.

The bridge of the fleet flagship Izmo was busy with preparations for battle.

“Hey, you came out of nowhere!”

“Really, I’m keeping you from getting in the way, here.”

David spoke up, turning around in the captain’s seat. However, he received a report, smiling militantly.

Edgar, who was listening in beside him, was checking the air route map. Even the navigator looked busy.

“We’ve narrowed down the sphere of influence of the demon beast we fought last time. To be clear, this is their confirmed territory. We made war upon them right around here, too.”

“Good work! Hey Edgar, I’ll leave the rest to you!”

“Right off the bat and already throwing me a curve ball, boss?”

When recalling their momentum, Edgar, who had been lost in thought, heard the boss’s hearty reply.

“I am just a simple mechanic! At any rate, I’ll make sure you have a ride home waiting for you, alright?”

“That’s… really encouraging.”

Everyone seemed to be confident, at least… David thought so. Even those that weren’t going to be directly confronting the enemy seemed in high spirits. At any rate, since battle is the territory of cavalry, Dietrich rushed off the bridge.

“Silhouette Knights, You ready to go yet?”

“Di, are you leaving?” Edgar asked. He’d been giving instructions just a moment ago.

“Well, if the rumored insect beasts are coming out to play, I won’t be able to use my swords. So with that in mind, I’m going to borrow a Wind Knight and go meet my partner for the dance.” With those words, Dietrich rushed off to war.

Edgar’s voice followed him. “First company will protect the fleet, so don’t worry.”

“Naturally not,” Second Company’s commander agreed. Dietrich hurried to the hold where the Wind Knights, who had completed maintenance, were waiting for the order to sortie. He jumped up to an empty Silhouette Knight.

“As expected, the finish is perfect. Tuediane, Second Company, all hands launch!”

The Silhouette Gear in the airship was carried by a lift heavy-arm Crane, which in turn secured them in place.

“Captain Di! Please, do your best!”

“Leave it to me.”

With those words, Dietrich’s Wind Knight was thrown into the air, catching the wind. The thruster screamed smoothly and Tuediane quickly jumped out to the front of the fleet. Second company were quick to follow, using his Knight as their waypoint. They turned to the enemy in a dense formation.

There, gradually growing brighter, was a shadow with a rainbow-colored glow in the sky. It is a giant beast, a demon beast that danced in the sky by the action of ether.

“Bug-type Demon Beast, visual confirmation! There are five, repeat the number of enemies is five!”

“That’s not a real good place to be. I wonder if this is some trick or if it’s their version of recon? Well, it’s probably pretty similar, for Demon Beasts.”

In the windy sky, direct conversation is difficult. The loudspeaker mounted on the Wind Knight is enhanced by using magic, but the effective distance is still limited. That was the reason for such a dense formation.

Dietrich made a choice, informing his team. “We have superior numbers. It’s time to play!”

“Confirmed!”

“We’ll collect on that last loan with interest!”

“Second Company, pick your playmates and spread out!”

Following the command, the Wind Knights split into two dense formations before they moved on the Demon Beasts in a pincer formation. It wasn’t their first date anymore; these partners knew about the bug-type demon beasts, now. They respected the surprising speed of the large bodied foe, and their ability to close distance quickly. The lead Wind Knight of Dietrich’s company flashed the magi-light communication machine.

“We have the advantage in range, but don’t hang back too far!” At long last, this was the beginning of their attack run!

The Wind Knights, all at once, used their Silhouette Arms to release fire bullets in succession. A vermilion line was drawn in the sky, seeming to connect the Wind Knights and the Demon Beasts. Then, the ‘fire-bullets’ exploded on impact. Blooming like flowers made of flames, they blew up one after another; yet the insect-type demon beast evaded the attack, with light movements.

“What a quick lady, nimble despite that huge body. Sorry for you though, I’m pretty quick myself. How unlucky for you that I’m not with the national government, hey!”

Dietrich was a bit disgusted, though he didn’t relax. Dense barrages might have slowed the advance of the bug-type demon beasts, but the distance between the two gradually shrank. Before long, the lead demon beast changed it’s movements. It folded it’s leg, exuding fluid from a node in it’s body.

“Attack incoming! Get down!”

Immediately after, a body fluid bullet burst in the air. It quickly became white smoke and created clouds; though it was a vicious, evil thing. It was an Acid Cloud.

Dietrich opened his eyes and observed the spectacle in his Holomonitor. “Hmm… Altogether, there were five body-fluid bullets fired. Without better wind, those clouds aren’t going to spread too much. In other words, we can’t let that lot lead this dance.”

Dietrich lit the magi-light communication device. The squadron that followed him immediately followed, aware of his intentions.

“Still… Your best chance lies within that range, unless you can narrow it down.”

Another fire attack was launched, though this time, the density of fire was about average and it was released to spread. A flame-bullet exploded along the spreading cloud of acid. The blast disturbed the expanding cloud, pushing back a bit of the area carrying absolute death.

The insect-like demon beasts lurking in these clouds seemed to be irritated by this. After all, in the clouds these insect-type beasts were invincible. Everything that approaches the acid clouds will be destroyed! And yet, the clouds were powerless if they didn’t reach the enemy. Therefore, as a matter of course, the bug-type demon beast choose to advance. If the enemy is disrupting the acid clouds with a fire attack, then, it is only necessary to make sure that the cloud of the acid appeared in the same place as the enemy.

“As expected. Fall back a bit!” After all, even Dietrich wouldn’t make an assumption about something that even a demon beast could dream up.

A bug-type demon beast jumped out of the cloud. It moved it’s legs and aimed where it had last seen the Wind Knights. The moment when the body fluid bullet which produces the cloud of death was released, however, the emerging Demon Beasts noticed objects approaching at high speed.

Rewind to just before the insect-type demon beast emerged from the cloud of acid.

“Now, Lances! This is your turn to shine.”

Dietrich’s Wind Knight holds a strange spear in its hand. The center part is a Lance. It was long and extended, with two spears of steel attached to the sides of the main lance. It’s a strangely shaped weapon with the spears arranged side by side. In response to Dietrich’s actions, a spear attached to the side began to exhale flame violently from it’s back-end.

“Long Lance, fixed release. Begin Acceleration!” As soon as it was launched, the magic flying spear began to accelerate quickly. By dropping the Lance directly into the air via the Rail Arm, manual aim can be disabled, simplifying things enormously. This armament works very well with Wind Knights who suffer from weighty payloads.

Then, the magic flying spear continued to accelerate with a tail of long flame. This steel spear, rushing toward the acid cloud, mercilessly attacked the insect-shaped demon beast just as it emerged.

“That’s exactly what I wanted to do.”

Were they surprised? The enemy hastily evaded yet, at the same time, the Lance also changed course. It was like a homing missile, following the demon beast’s movement. Dietrich is one of the most skilled humans with this weapon; he’d even used it in the middle of the Great West War, when the Lance was created. There’s no easy way to escape from his aim. As if sucked in, the weapon soon protruded from the head of the demon beast.

While insect-type demon beasts might boast aggressiveness and mobility, its defense was a little lacking. Sure, it is preferable to be light in order to move quickly using the buoyancy field, it suffered somewhat in it’s loss of defensive capability. The shell of the demon beast wasn’t able to withstand even one direct hit with this weapon.

The spear pierced it’s head, penetrating the body through momentum. It acted on kinetic energy on the surroundings. The monster’s body popped. The head shattered and the soft abdomen broke off. The demon beast that died instantly exploded while scattering body fluids, then it became a huge acid cloud.

“Oh, so that worked, but… It’s too much trouble to just crush these things.”

The Wind Knights were vigilant and maintained their distance. They tried to attack the remaining insect-type demons with their Lances. The same as their first encounter, these demon beasts rarely fired their body-fluid bullets in a random way. Soon enough, they created a wide range of acid clouds, blocking the Wind Knights from getting close.

“They’d get anyone trying to push in for a spin! Well, since attacking isn’t an option, and only fools rush in, it’s time to bid our playmates farewell. Second Company, fall back!”

Second Company maneuvered around the acid cloud and began retreating.

“Control by the magic armament continues. Reconnaissance aircraft! Any sign of our lost lambs!?”

A reconnaissance plane flying away lit a magi-light comm device on the fin wing. Dietrich slowed down after receiving a report.

“It’s a good place for you lot to stay,” he muttered at the Demon Beasts.

“These were reported to be tactical, so pursuit is forbidden. But hey… Maybe the main team is waiting for you.”

Second company had been alert to their surroundings for awhile, turning around after confirming that they couldn’t see enemies on their trail.

“It looks like we’re done. Now, let’s go back to the ship and have breakfast.”

“Roger that!”

While sending a signal to the convoy, second company proceeded slowly on its way back. Dietrich encircled the fuselage on his way by.

“…… We’re so close. Here is Ernesti’s last known position.”

Dawn is a memory now and full morning has come. He gazed at the view of the expanding forest and narrowed his eyes.

“But how do I look for you? I can’t just stay up here.”

The Omori Forest is too wide to randomly search without any clues. Then, he clapped his hands as he remembered something. “No, I guess it’s better to fall back. There will be a big fuss somewhere, no doubt. After all, it’s Ernesti, so we’ll see something!”

This kind of thing was a matter of course for the Silver Phoenix Knights. The convoy, after it had the Wind Knights, resumed its advance. Spread beneath them was the land of the giants. Thus, the Order of the Silver Phoenix became deeply involved in the fate of this land without knowing it.