Chapter 6
Part 1
—[Kouen, City of Brilliant Flames], Battlefield of the Outer Walls.
The battle between the Vampirified Titans and the Fire Dragon squads had fallen into disarray.
And the Titans, who had their aggressiveness heightened, were incapable of fighting in any recognizable style as they simply waved their swords or axes to chop as they pleased while others drew their bows to fire randomly.
Although the [Salamandra] stationed soldiers and the Fire Dragons had the numbers in their favor, the curse of fatigue caused them to continuously fall back from their front lines.
Pest had joined the fray, wielding the Disease of Black Death, but it did not seem to have much of an effect against the Vampirified Titans.
Converting the feelings of grudge and resentment into a shockwave, Pest used that move to meet their charge. But this sort of fighting style is similar to the firepower of the Fire Dragons and it was still a far cry from being a significant move that is capable of turning the tide.
“Hah…Hah…. These Titans……is there an end to them?…”
While cursing under her breath, she launched another shockwave flying towards the Titans which exploded in their faces.
The Aerial Dragons and Lesser Dragons who rushed from the Palace had also joined the front lines but it was still insufficient to protect the streets.
And as the doors of [Kouen City] were broken from many locations, the Titans invaded the City with their swaggering gaits.
(What do I do now……If this continues, Jin at the Palace will……)
“Pest! Are you alright?!”
Asuka shouted from behind between her heavy panting.
At the same moment, Deen gave a loud roar as it raised a Titan to fling it back to the front lines.
「DEEEEeeeEEEEN！！！」
And as the Titan was sent rolling in an exaggerated fashion, it pulled down the other Titans who were at the frontlines as well. If it were just the same as before, this sort of injury would already have incapacitated them and put them out of battle. However, the Vampirified Titan got back up on its feet in no time and gave a roar. It was as if nothing had happened.
「UOOOOOOOOOooooooooo—!!!」
「DEEEEeeeEEEEN！！！」
Engulfing the right fist in a fiery blaze, Deen launched its burning extendable arm towards the Titan. The flaming punch that deeply buried into the flesh was indeed effective. And as the Titan started to burn, it could only writhe around on the floor in pain.
But, even while battling with all their might, they were only able to defeat two or three of those Titans.
And towards the back, more Titans were being summoned and the numbers had already exceeded 1,200.
At a short distance away, Jack was hunting the Titans mercilessly but his efforts were similar to putting out a forest fire with a cup of water—futile. The Vampirified Titans would even bite and feast upon their dead comrades’ blood to heal themselves and stand up once more.
Asuka and Pest were fighting back to back but they already realized the severity of the conditions that they were fighting under.
“This is troubling……I don’t think I can last much longer……”
“Asuka, that’s not something I would have expected to hear from you. If you ever repeat that line, I swear that I will give you a sepsis[58] punishment game.”
“Ara, up till just now, you were the one who had that look of being close to tears weren’t you?”
“Guh. That’s your own imagination!”
Was I seen at that time? Pest’s face begin to color up with a shade of red as she continued to release her shockwaves.
However, there was no time for them to start bickering in their usual banter. Despite the help of the volunteers from the City, coming forth to battle the Titans, they were still unable to hold back the advancement of their enemies.
The duo were sweating heavily as they continued to meet the onslaught of the Titans. However, it was just a matter of time before they receive a fatal blow on themselves.
{“……Master.”}
“Yes? Were you struck by a good idea to turn this tide?!”
{“No, it’s the contrary. This city is already a lost cause. It’s time to gather your comrades to prepare for retreat.”}
“Uu……”
Hearing Almathea’s cool assessment, the duo clenched their teeth.
Asuka and Pest were clear about it as well. It was impossible for them to change anything with their current power at this point in time. Moreover, from the time that the Titans became immune to the weakness of Black Death, there would be no way to turn the tables……!!![59]
“But……Izayoi’s still fighting.”
At the time where everything is on the verge of collapsing and at the foremost of the battle’s frontlines.
Asuka had named the lad whom she had the most confidence in.
Having interacted with him thus far, she could understand that he is able to run further than anyone, be the first to meet the charge of the enemies in the frontlines for the sake of others and that his reasons for doing so has nothing to do with the rewarding feeling of having helped another nor was it out of heroism.
He had been born with a power that far exceeded the normal Man and fights for the justice that he believes in.
Those irises of his were filled with a sense of confidence and that was only to be expected. Having placed his utmost effort in everything he wanted to do, living his life with no regrets, Izayoi had no need to feel guilty at the slightest.
“If we were to……to retreat now, I will never be able bring myself to say that I’m his comrade for the rest of my life!”
If Izayoi is able to defeat the leader of the enemy’s camp, the tables of the battle would definitely be overturned.
And the number of people who fought with that thought as their only moral support were far from being the minority.
Then, what more can she, who stands under the same Flag as him, be doubtful about his ability to pull through.
{“Master! Even if you are okay, what about the others? The young lad who’s your leader and that [Moon Rabbit] wouldn’t have the ability to fight now, would they? If the Titan army were to storm into the Palace, the two of them would definitely become hapless sacrifices! Are you okay with that?”}
“Bu, But……”
Almathea’s substantial addition to her argument had caused Asuka to be stumped.
During the time of this conversation, the situation continued to worsen by the moment.
“This, This is bad!! The First Dragon Tower which stands as the corner for the Palace’s fortress has been broken through!!”
“What did you say?!”
“How can that happen……the last bastion that protects [Kouen City] has actually……!!”
The morale that held the Fire Dragons’ determination up till now was starting to crumble. If this were to continue, the morale would not hold out and it would just be a matter of time before the defense line crumbles in defeat as well.
The end of [Kouen City] was already apparent to all of them.
Giving a glance towards the streets behind, what met the eyes were the hungry scarlet flames which engulfed the houses instead of the warm glow of candles that used to line the streets.
(The Corridor of Displays that used to be such a pretty sight….. is already unrecognizable……)
Recalling those streets which had been filled with the warm glow of candles, Asuka closed her eyes in regret.
—Asuka’s ability to remain calm amidst this chaotic battle is due to her prior experience of chaos and ruin. To make it clear before any misunderstanding can arise, that is the experience which her grandfather had recounted to her, regarding the ruin and chaos of war, and it is not of her own experience.
Her grandfather who had experienced the days of war had recounted his experience to Asuka, whom he had wanted to be his successor to the financial conglomerate, on many occasions. Embroiled in the disaster known as war, the burning streets and smoldering people burnt in the attacks and many other similar stories. Her grandfather who was good at recounting his old stories had told her of the past, ever since she was a child.
—“The Kudou family is a clan that protects Japan from its invaders.”
Although it is a family motto that is passed down with great reverence, it did not mean that the family supported the idea of war during those warring days. According to her grandfather, this is because Japan had also been one of the aggressors and a victim of the war. Regarding the war that stole her grandmother away in death, her grandfather had recounted that past many times to emphasize on how it would only lead to a tomorrow that sees both parties bleeding and in pain.
Then, what purpose does this invasion hold?
One-sidedly imposing of unreasonable rules, allowing the single sided invasion and stealing to occur, what then would the tomorrow hold for them? What kind of justice would there be?
“I……do not want to escape and leave these people around me behind!”
“Justice stands with me.”—She wanted to shout out this line and fight till the end.
In the past, there had never been anyone who really seen her for what she was.
So now, at the very least, she wanted to be able to be proud of what she achieved in life and be able to lift her head and chest to move towards her definition of justice. Regarding that point, even though she had arrived in this different world, Asuka continues to hold true to that dream for it is the pride that Asuka carries in her heart.
But why is it that this desire—is so much more difficult in real life?
{“Master, please give your order. I can carve out a path in blood for you to allow you and your comrades to escape!”}
“……Yeah. If it’s you, it is indeed possible.”
Having said that, she had also arrived at a conclusion and she soon lifted her head.
“This is an order, Almathea. Bring Kuro Usagi and Jin back to the Community Headquarters.”[60]
{“……WHAT……?!”}
“It’s just as I say, I need to believe in Izayoi-san and fight till the end. That is the order from your master.”
{“……are you breaking the contract?”}
Bitterness had leaked into Almathea’s voice. It is not that she could not carrying out Asuka’s orders without a compensation in return. She had only agreed to obey because Asuka had proposed a befitting contract to her, the Mountain Goat Divine Beast who also stands as the Herald of Zeus.
Asuka shook her head with a smile as she signaled Almathea’s words to be unaffirmative.
“Don’t talk nonsense. I don’t intend to die here. As long as Izayoi-san wins, the tide of this battle will be turned against them. I’m only believing in it and intend to wait for it to happen.”
{“…… You still intend to hold by the contract, is that right?”}
“Of course. Moreover, I’ve not been able to make you fully obey me……you actually do not have any regard for me at all, right?”
{“Yes. I only think of you as a haughty little girl who does not commensurate to her powers and only knows how to scream and shriek in fear. …… But, you have compassion in your heart. I believe that we can get along well.”}
“Thank you—Go now, Almathea!”
Under the command of Asuka, Almathea transformed into a streak of lightning that shot towards the Palace.
Splitting through the horde of Titans.
Streaking through the City alight with the flames of destruction.
In order to accomplish the order of her master, the Mountain Goat Divine Beast charged forward.
Seeing off her figure, Asuka then confirmed the battlefield before herself. The Titans continued to swarm in with the sounds of their footsteps pounding and causing tremors on the very ground they walked upon. Besides that, Asuka had also lost her only way to defend herself.
Pest, who had heard the conversation that happened beside her was frankly surprised to the point of being silent all that time, opened her mouth to comment:
“Are you stupid?”
“…… . Even if it’s me, I will also feel hurt by that.”
“Then please hold it in for now. You do know what you have done right?”
“Uu……Mhm.”
Perhaps she did try to look cool and overdid it a little and she was currently reflecting on it.
But seeming like an attempt to encourage its master, Deen raised its right hand to give a low bellow.
「DEeEN！」
“Fufu, thank you. Deen, I shall be count on you for now.”
But that was beside the point. What came next would be the crucial problem.
Standing on the shoulder of Deen, Asuka used all her might to shout:
“Listen up, you Titans! We of the [No Name] will never bow under from your invasions! We will have the resolve of breaking all our bones in this fight to defend this last Great Door! If your want to invade this [City of the Brilliant Flames], don’t be cowards who enter through those crumbling holes at the side. Face us squarely and triumph by defeating all of us who guard the Main Gates!”
Standing before the Main gates of [Kouen City], Asuka issued a challenge to the Titans. Despite the fact that they were vampirified, these Titans were still warriors at heart. To ignore such a challenge would be an insult to their pride.
Simultaneously, all the pairs of bloodshot eyes turned to focus on Asuka and Pest.
Seeing this as a good time for a comeback, Asuka started to spur the male warriors of [Salamandra].
“The defense line for the Palace is already torn. I understand that everyone must be feeling low on morale at this point, but if we of the frontlines were to fall under the might of our enemies, that would be adding a burden to our comrades who battle in the City center. I know that the curse must be terrible for you…… but if you are a real Fire Dragon, a real Man, then please stand with us as a Wall against all odds!”
“Uu…!”
Using the body to be a wall if fighting is impossible. To allow the scales, forged from the trainings in the active volcano, to be the final defense.
With such a lady before them, Asuka, who willingly steeled her determination to stand at the front of the Gates, it was now impossible for the morale to stoop any further. Straining against their fatigue and mentally whipping themselves awake, the Fire Dragons stood up one after another.
“Hmph……if even a nameless pawn can arrive to that sort of determination, how can we shy away at this critical moment?”
“I agree. Just watch me as I make a comeback by breaking the blades of those swinging battle axes.”
“Ojou-chan, you should be retreating now. There’s no reason for you to do it to this extent. Let us be the decoy to delay them…… Just run now.”
“It’s regretful but I can’t do that. Our comrade has taken to the centre of this stage and if I do not stay to watch the moment of glory, wouldn’t that be a little lonely for him?”[61]
“Haha, I guess you are in quite a bind! My condolences, Ojou-chan!”
Be it those who had broken wings, or even those who lost an eye, all of them were able to force a laugh and this is definitely not the doings of Asuka’s power in words.
Kudou Asuka had a type of unusual quality to her character that allows her to be loved by all, regardless of their races such as the elves, the demons or the monsters.
Simple and yet elegant, casual and yet arrogant, and noble while being kind. This sort of charismatic appeal in her character is a self-accomplishment achieved through persistence in developing her own opinions and following through with them.[62]
Surrounding the main Gate where Asuka and Deen stood, everyone gave their all to shout:
“Here we stand…… Bring it on, you Titans!”
「UOOOOOOOOOooooooooo—!!!」
「GEYAAAAAAaaaa！！！」
The Titans, who trembled the grounds with their charge, totaled a hundred and twenty.
The Fire Dragons who stood against them to protect the main gates totaled a hundred and forty-five.
If they gave their all in this fight, there might still be a chance of winning. With that sort of believe, both sides had started their charge—
“Hai, it ends here.”
—With the determinations flushed out by the turbid waters that seemed to smash into them like a dragon with the willingness to flood everything in its way, the victory was decided in an instant.
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login