Chapter 12 - II - The wrath of the holy saint

 

The Imperial soldiers and their allied guards broke through the barricade we had set-up, all the while the old lady was being evacuated.  When they realized our door was thoroughly reinforced and won’t open by simply ramming it, magicians from their side cast a fire spell that melted the door hinges.  Once done, it fell in one piece, rendering our obstacles obsolete.

 

“Attack!” was the resounding order from the commander of the hostile forces, and they rushed into our positions.

 

However, we won’t go down easily.

 

Let’s rewind for a bit…

 

Moments before they broke through, I asked Sir Dane to order his men to line up in a crescent three ranks deep in front of the barricade, with the first line kneeling with their swords at the ready.  When this was done, I told the militia captain to keep the swords of the second and third ranks and use their lances instead.

 

“What?” Sir Dane blurted out, “Are you out of your mind, Sir Kuro?  Lances would have a small leeway in this room!”

 

“We don’t want to give them an inch of our ground, so that, we will do.” I explained, “See, the second and third rank of your lance-armed soldiers would deal damage to the enemy from a relatively safe distance, and your first, kneeling rank would take care of those who would get past the spearheads of the second and third lines.  The crescent formation would ensure that none of the bad guys get past our barricade, or this would be over.”

 

“…”

 

“Come on!  This isn’t the time to doubt me unless you have a better plan on surviving!”

 

After a few moments of silence, Sir Dane saw the practicality in my suggestion and had his remaining men armed with their lances.  As they had their shields with them, they could use them to support their spear-arm and thus, not get tired easily.

 

“…”

 

And, of course, I reloaded my gun.  I would shoot from a safe distance.

 

The guard Roland stared at me as we anxiously waited for the door to be broken apart.  His eyes had that ‘contempt’ in them as he sized me up and my weapon.  I didn’t have a sword; and the only thing that was close to one was the bayonet on my gun, and the dagger strapped on my chest.

 

“…” Oh well, this wasn’t the time for an argument.  We needed to survive and kill every enemy we could.

 

The magicians outside began chanting the fire spell, as evidenced by the stench of molten metal and the eerie voices on the other side of the door.  Our side had seven soldiers standing side-by-side per rank, and Roland and Sir Dane supported the flanks.  I took a chair and stood on it, behind the frontline facing the front door.

 

I think the 24 of us will hold the line for some time…

 

And then I remembered something important.

 

“Sir Dane?”,

 

“Yes, Sir Kuro?”

 

“By any chance, have you got any plans for a fighting retreat once the injured are safely evacuated?”

 

“Hah?  I thought you also got that covered, Sir Kuro?”

 

“Alright, we’re dead.”

 

“What?”

 

“Attaaaacccckkk!” was the resounding order of the enemy commander from the other side once the big wooden door finally fell down.  

 

 

The enemy rushed towards us like a tsunami.  On and off they tried to contest the ground where we stood.  Fortunately, the door of that bedroom was a natural chokepoint—the sturdy wooden frame was firmly nailed into the equally formidable stone wall.  They were confronted by our lances and the pile of furniture we used as a makeshift defense.  

 

“Those are only a handful of old men and children!” a shout of encouragement rang from behind, “You’re among the best this land can offer!”

 

“Destroy the Barbarian Princess!  Kill all the barbarians!”

 

“Rrrraaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh!!!”

 

Someone then let out a thunderous war-cry.  It further galvanized the enemy’s morale, and their resolve became ever fiercer!  Like in a frenzy, they ran towards our spears, and some even used the bodies of their dead and injured comrades to deflect the spearheads waiting for them.

 

But on our side, we’re as determined to hold our ground.  If for them, winning meant they get to capture or kill Lily, the Iron Princess; for us, winning meant we get to live.

 

Who, in their right mind, would never want that?

 

To reach us, the attackers would have to climb the unstable barricade and jump—or fall—straight into our waiting spearheads.  If they got past through that, the first rank of sword-armed infantry would finish them from below.

 

From behind, I shot at the enemy—magicians first, for they could strike us from a distance.  They even tried to blow off the makeshift barricade in our direction, but luckily, we have our magicians on our side.  They would put up a counter-spell long enough for me to finish reloading and shoot at the target.  

 

“…”

 

The blood would spurt from my victim as he fell down in the sea of armor, rushing in our direction.  I felt my stomach churn.  I almost vomited, but I need to hold back and steeled myself, for if I failed here, I could get our entire party annihilated.

 

Search for the target.  Never contemplate on his life.  Pull the trigger.

 

“That’s an excellent weapon, Sir Kuro!” I heard Sir Dane praise me, “Keep it up!  Destroy these bastards from afar!”

 

“Kill them fuckers!” some of the other soldiers heaped their encouragement for me.

 

I guess when under fire, chivalry would be lost to the chaos.  Hearing the knights urge me to hit from afar was something new to my ears.  But I needed to do it as soon as I gained the enemy’s position, or I’ll hesitate on shooting.

 

Hey, I never enjoyed killing, but if I’m going to get mercilessly murdered, I guess they’d have to pay dearly for my life.

 

Once the urgency to use the bayonet presented itself (the reload time was way too slow), I mindlessly rushed forward and blindly flung the blade forward.

 

Goodness, I must’ve looked pathetic.  I mean, I’ve never killed a man before, though I shot one at the tourney in Fen (he was alive in the end).

 

“Hahahaha!” I heard Sir Dane’s triumphant laugh, “Look at the fools!  Come at us, you cowards!  You won’t destroy our line!”

 

He slashed two or three more enemies, who tried to push their way on his side.  I saw the archers on the enemy’s rear, but the hallway was so narrow that they couldn’t aim at us without shooting their men first.  I think the magicians were already injured, or dead, for I couldn’t see them around anymore…

 

“Haaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrggggggggghhhhhhhh!!!”

 

The enemy tried to steamroll on our formation again and again, and each attempt was repulsed with heavy losses.  The narrow hallway outside didn’t help their cause, for they could only bring to bear a few men, so their numerical advantage was negated.

 

“How’re the ladies?”

 

“The grandma has been successfully evacuated!” someone answered.

 

“Get to the missy, quick!” Sir Dane shouted.

 

“Here they come again!”

 

The enemy this time had thought of a way to render our lances useless.  They took the heavy wooden door and deployed it to push our formation back.  And this time, it was the highly disciplined Imperial soldiers who led the attack.

 

Roland and Sir Dane tried to stop the wooden shield by attacking the flanks, but their initially successful efforts went ineffective eventually, for those who fell were quickly replaced by their waiting comrades.

 

“Magicians!  Fire into the door!” Sir Dane ordered.  The soldiers who were relatively well-rested (the kneeling first rank) uttered the fire spell.

 

“!!!” It was then that I realized that this was an enclosed space. “Wait!  Sir Dane, don’t—”

 

“FIRE!” was the thundering command of their captain once the spell chant was finished.  The wooden makeshift door-shield burst into flames in a blink of an eye and the Imperial soldiers who carried it were forced to retreat with severe burns.

 

“Yyyyyeeeeeeaaaaaaahhhh!!!” our group celebrated the victory.

 

But I think we celebrated early…

 

Soon, our side quickly fell silent, as they realized the smoke from the burning door was being blown by the enemy magicians back to the room we’re in, using wind magic.  Not only did our formation dispersed in a panic because of the soldiers suffocating, but we also could see nothing in front of us.

 

“Damn it!” I quickly rushed to Lily’s side; whose rescuers lost consciousness because of the thick smoke.  By this time, the flames reached the makeshift obstacle defense we erected, mostly made of wood, and the carpets also burned.

 

Sir Dane and the other soldiers lie unconscious on the floor.  Though I wanted to help them, my priority went to Lily.  I’ll try to come back for them once I put her to safety.

 

“…”

 

Good lord, the smoke’s thick by now.  If this went on, I’m sure we’ll die of asphyxiation before we’re killed by the sword.  With no other alternative in hand, I grabbed a nearby flower vase, poured it all over Lily, summoned all my strength, uttered a prayer, and then…

 

“Chaaaarrrrrgggggeeeee!!!”

 

I ran towards the flames, relying on my adrenaline to carry Lily over to the safer side—which was towards the enemy.  The flames singed my clothing, and I could feel the painful sensation of second-degree burns eating my body.  However, I couldn’t think straight anymore; my primary concern was to escape from suffocation.  It was only then, when we’re both out and away from the dangers of the fire, that I realized, we’re falling on the swords pointed at us by the waiting enemy…

 

“!!!”  I tried to turn and keep the injured Lily away from the bladed weapons, falling with my back towards the hostile blades…

 

Oh, well…I hope I’d live again for the third time.

 

 

Desperate to escape the suffocating smoke our enemies had turned against us; I took Lily out of the room we’re defending and jumped towards the safety of the outside corridors.

 

“!!!”

 

However, outside were our enemies, waiting with their swords drawn and ready to pierce us.  But well, since my purpose was to rescue Lily, I tried to keep her away from the danger by fronting my back towards their blades.

 

I guess it’d be painful—being skewered with those sharp, pointy things, but please make my death fast.

 

“…fire…storm!”

 

A rush of flaming air from Lily blew the enemy soldiers who were waiting on us to fall on their weapons, but it also hit us and threw me off a bit.  As a result, an unfamiliar pain hit my back the moment I fell on the hard, stone-cold floor.  However, that wasn’t what I’m concerned about right then…

 

Where’s Lily?

 

Frantically looking around, I found her already standing on her feet, a few meters away from where I fell.  I rushed to her side, “Hey, you’re okay already!”

 

But much to my surprise, Lily never answered.  Instead, she just turned her head towards me…

 

“…”

 

…and the first thing I immediately noticed was her eyes.  Those beautiful light-brown eyes of hers had turned into deep crimson, as if blood and rage filled them.  On her left hand was a severed head of one of the enemy soldiers killed in the battle; on her right was the bloodied dagger that was supposed to be strapped on my chest.  She licked the blood from its blade as she glared menacingly at me.

 

“K-Kuro…go away!” she coldly ordered.

 

And then I realized…

 

She’s using the Bloodbath spell!

 

Damn it, if she used it, she might turn into that bloodthirsty monster once again!

 

“Hey Lily, stop that!  Don’t activate that skill!” I tried to talk her out of it.

 

“I’ll kill them all…” was the only word that Lily told me as she walked away, limping, “…don’t get in my way!”

 

 

During the lull in the fighting, the Imperial soldiers—who were standing back at the lower floor, prepared for their last assault on our positions.  However, just as they were getting into their formations, Lily stood in-between them, armed only with my dagger.

 

“…”

 

Yes, if I don’t stop her right now, it’s going to be suicide…

 

Though, I am not sure whose side is going to commit that.

 

Then I heard a voice—possibly their commander—speak, “Alright, men, there standing before you is the legendary Iron Princess of Nerfes!  Our emperor would be happy if you capture her; otherwise, it would also do us good if you kill her as well!  Swords at the ready!”

 

The Imperial soldiers went into their battle stance; that was, their swords in ‘thrust’ position over their heads.  Even though they didn’t have their shields, they were pretty much capable of turning their limbs into something that protected their bodies.

 

A pretty impressive and brave display, if you ask me.  But hey, this wasn’t the time to be admiring the enemy!

 

“Attack!” the order was then given, and the Imperials marched towards our position.  Lily also went to her battle-mode as well and was about to dive head-long into the approaching enemy—

 

“!!!”

 

Lily screamed, “What are you doing?”

 

“Stop it!  Calm down, Lily!”

 

I quickly moved to restrain her.  If she went berserk here, then it would surely be a massacre, and we may get out of this predicament alive.  However, it may also be a point of no return.  The Bloodbath curse could permanently activate, and Lily would end up insane…

 

…just like her ancestors, which I won’t allow to happen!

 

“Let go!”  Lily ordered me, for she would never calm down.  The sight of blood made her way too excited, like a hungry, wild animal, and she thrashed around as I tried to restrain her supposedly weakened, tortured body.  And the injuries I received from the flames earlier didn’t help me either, for I couldn’t properly get a proper grip on her.  I guess some of my fingers partly melted?

 

For goodness’ sake, now this is what that Bloodbath’s ‘supernatural strength’ meant!

 

“Lily, if you’d just calm down, it would surely do us good—”

 

I was interrupted mid-sentence when I took her punch to my face.  But yeah, I won’t let go of her, even though she flailed, box, bite, and hit her head against mine.

 

“…”

 

Uh…please, let this end already.  It’s not good at all to become a punching bag of the Iron Princess…