CHAPTER 13 - I - AD ASTRA PER ASPERA
***At the middle of a field a few distances away from the city of Amaranth***
The siege of the royal capital city had long begun, and the rebel armies had combined with the Imperial legions in their effort to strengthen their forces. To further undermine the defenders’ morale, the attackers catapulted in the severed heads of the royal ministers and army officials that died in the chaotic battle at the field of mediation.
Of course, the royalists were unnerved by such barbaric sight.
And so was the Saint of the Flame, Seirna, “Ugh…these humans are such disgusting creatures.” she uttered. The Saint of the Flame watched the events of the Amaranthine Civil War as it unfolded from afar.
She knew of the defensive stand of her fellow Saint, Madelaine Ann Rubinforth, at a place called the Red Diamond Palace. She transported the imperial legionnaires that attacked and besieged the human saint’s forces, including the battering ram that was used in breaking down its doors.
And then Seirna left. She had to go away for a while since there was another threat that was attempting to defeat her plans to destroy Madelaine Rubinforth.
“Tch…do you really have to go against me, now of all the times, Ruro?” she whispered to herself.
The Beastman Saint’s presence could be felt from where she sat, towards the direction of the town of Coventry, and the Duchy of Braunhauer. A few more distances nearer, and she’d be forced to meet her and teach that wolf a lesson or two about interventions.
However, Ruro’s spirit vanished after a while. And Seirna was back, waiting for Madelaine’s move.
But, much to her surprise, the human saint’s presence also disappeared. With it, her ‘servant’s’ existence as well.
“Hoh…looks like that Braunhauer brat got caught, huh?” Seirna mused, “Or rather, she let herself be caught…humans are creatures of spontaneity, after all.”
The Saint of the Flame reminisced about the time when the young duchess Eris Braunhauer came to her, out of her disillusionment in Madelaine’s policies as the saint. She felt that the human saint’s enforcing her version of ‘peace’ was destroying the kingdom of Amaranth and its people, for they were a kingdom reliant on mercenaries and war.
Coincidentally, Seirna shared some of the duchess’ beliefs about Madelaine. So, she gave the duchess the power to help her destroy the human saint from within. It was her that taught Eris to act innocently, so as not to arouse any suspicions. She also caused the conditions that led to Eris’ employment as a maid inside the Holy Palatial Gardens. Finally, Seirna arranged for an amulet to be delivered to the Braunhauer girl so that she could suppress Madelaine’s ability to read minds when the saint came to Amaranth.
The rest is history…
In fact, Seirna was impressed by Eris’ ability to fool everyone, including the ‘otherworlder’ that Madelaine summoned. Duchess Eris Braunhauer could’ve been her ‘perfect agent’, far from the more ‘mature’ and ‘adult’ others that preceded before her. However, if there’s anything that brat had at fault, it’s her weakness to the people she loves—her family, her friends…and that ‘otherworlder’ man, Kuro.
“…”
Only the Amaranthine princess, Jessica von Albert, knew about her true personality. She tried to expose her, yet her own faulty attitude and behavior never endeared her to everyone. It led to her attempts at discrediting the young duchess to backfire and almost got expelled as a servant of the Holy Palatial Gardens…with the help of that otherworlder too.
Well, her use was over, Seirna concluded. Eris Braunhauer was only a child—of a tender mind and easily bended will, and she was originally intended to die in this war together with her family.
If only that ‘otherworlder’ didn’t intervene in her plans, then this conflict would’ve been smooth sailing by now.
“…”
Seirna realized the human saint, Madelaine Ann Rubinforth, had gotten back her powers, so it’d be quite difficult to face her head-on. After all, the human saint was given the ability to heal injuries and sicknesses. If she’s aiming to defeat Madelaine, she had to start by removing the human saint’s base of support—those people who were helping and defending her ideals.
And the seemingly ‘weakest link’ among these individuals was that man from the other world, Kuro, the Fist of the North Lands, and the Hero of Arles. But though he looked ‘powerless’, Seirna knew he had his own growing set of followers, even if he’s unaware of it.
What kind of power did he possess to attract people to him?
“…”
The Saint of the Flame could only speculate. However, Seirna feared the Human Saint, just as Madelaine also feared her. And the last thing that she wanted was someone who could equal Madelaine’s influence, especially on the hearts of these mortals Lord Gaius had given them the authority to govern.
“Haa…I guess I have to kill that man personally.” she sighed.
**Kuro**
“First line, FIRE!”
The explosion tore through the ranks of the imperial and rebel forces, trying to squeeze themselves into the narrow passageway that led to the basement kitchen of the Red Diamond Palace. Blood and gore were scattered on the walls, floor, and ceiling.
“Second line, FIRE!”
Another explosion sent the next wave of attackers flying, along with their limbs and entrails. I almost vomited. Good thing a knight helped me get over that sick sight.
“Barriers up! Third and fourth lines, switch!”
The situation in the Red Diamond Palace had slowly deteriorated against us, and we had to conduct a fighting retreat to the basement where our hope of escape lay. I had to reorganize our remaining forces in haste. Along with the Marquise of Monfort, there were twenty paladins she brought with her. The royal knights were down to 22 men, from the initial number of 75 when we set out from Amaranth. It’s either they died in the defensive action earlier or were injured, thus evacuated out of the premises through the secret path underneath the countryside.
The knights were visibly exhausted, and so the Marquise of Monfort and her paladins carried the defense in their stead. The passageway to the basement kitchen could be blocked by four people standing shoulder to shoulder, so I organized the ladies into five ‘lines’. The first and third would kneel, while the second and fourth remained standing. The fifth line would serve as a ‘magician line’; they would be in charge of the barrier magic.
“Third line, FIRE!”
Still another explosion. I specifically instructed the paladins to keep their swords in reserve, in case the battle got close and personal. But since we’re doing a fighting retreat, attacking from a distance would be an advantage to our small force, especially when fighting in a confined space like this one.
“Fourth line, FIRE!”
With each explosion, we took a step back. The enemy would attempt to negate our magic spells with their own magicians, but I already had the fifth line take care of that aspect of our defense.
So far, our volleys are effective in keeping the rebels and imperials away.
“Barriers up! First and second lines, switch!”
“Kuro, we’re almost in the basement.” I heard the Marquise of Monfort told me.
“Just a few more…” I answered, “First line, FIRE!”
I don’t know if the enemy was still following us, but we kept our suppressing fire so that they’d have difficulty in pursuing us. I never let the paladins stopped firing, for a moment of break could get the enemy to counter our attacks. Hit or no hit, the suppression continued.
Not only that, I got a paladin magician to set up magic traps to activate in case it’s necessary…
“Kuro, we’re here!”
And that necessity is right now, “Alright, activate those traps!”
The paladin that was assigned to it uttered her spell, and then, we heard the awful screams of the soldiers who got trapped in-between the columns of fire we set up. The ugly smell of burning flesh and thick black smoke filled the entire passageway.
I knew we’re also affected by it, but since we’re in the basement, we could quickly jump into the hidden passageway, and escape, while the smoke would act as a screen for our flight.
“Go! Go! Go!”
“Okay, ladies! Let’s get going!” the Marquise shouted orders.
We broke formation and dashed towards the escape route.
The escape route took us through a dark tunnel that cuts through a wide network of caves containing a ruin. However, as much as I wanted to stop and look, I know I shouldn’t. A delay in this kind of situation could be fatal for us.
We continued to run. Fortunately, the maker of this path made sure that those who’d use it would have an easier time traversing it. Though it crossed a cave system, there’s only one road. And soon, we climbed from a dry well and into the open field.
“…”
Fucking finally! Freedom!
“Where’s Her Holiness?” someone among the knights asked.
“…” We all tried looking for her and our other companions. The village of Nebat was only a stone’s throw away, so it’s possible that they—
“Kuuuuurrrrrrrrrrooooooooo!!!”
“Guoh!”
The air almost got sucked out of my lungs when Maddie teleported and crashed on me at full speed. We inevitably fell to the ground as she tightly wrapped her arms around me. There were tears in her eyes, which I wiped away when I had the chance.
“I…I thought…you’re gone!” her hands went all over my face as if she was feeling me, “Please, please don’t scare me like that…” Maddie never cared for the others who were looking; she buried my head in her chest.
“…”
Well, I couldn’t deny that it was one of the best feelings I had lately. Her breasts’ softness was enough to dispel any exhaustion from my body, as if I was charged quickly.
“You almost killed me there!” I jested.
“I don’t care! What’s important is that you’re alive!”
“Well, you also got your powers back!”
“It’s a long story…” Maddie looked away for a moment, but then she smiled at me, “Welcome back, Kuro!”
“I’m back, Maddie!”
“Alright guys, the show’s over. Please go back to your own business! Nothing to see here!” the Marquise of Monfort quickly moved to drive away from the paladins and knights who were watching.
“Aww! I thought Her Holiness was still single!” a knight muttered.
