Against the World II: Transgression
Chapter 28: Sheer Stupidity, part 5
Alfonso smiled as he followed the ranks of the soldiers who walked neatly and simultaneously towards Carolina.
The total soldiers were eighty thousand. There were originally a hundred thousand, but each of the ten thousand had moved under the command of Marya and Dimitar towards the other two cities of Ekralina Kingdom. Strange the two commanders were indeed, but they could be relied upon in terms of exterminating the enemy. Both of them also had expertise in leading and strategizing; they were not chosen to be Saints simply because they were stronger than other candidates.
By bringing in a large number of soldiers, Alfonso did not argue that the other side would not be vigilant. If any informant from the empire or the New World Order had infiltrated Ekralina, and Alfonso was sure the rodents were there, news of his mobilization would have reached them soon. Nor would Alfonso be surprised if this news had arrived earlier on them. He would not be surprised if they also moved the army.
Pope Genea gave no special ban to Alfonso and his three colleagues; the instructions were clear: gain control over Ekralina Kingdom ‒ making it the base of the Knights Templar troops.
The issue of how they comply with the instructions is not important. Although Ekralina Kingdom was a loyal follower of the Great Church of Luciel, but its position was strategic enough to be utilized in this situation. Emiliel Holy Kingdom is even ready to accommodate all Ekralina citizens. They are not committing genocide here at all. Instead, Emiliel Holy Kingdom went to great lengths to save those who were worth saving.
The smile on Alfonso's face widened, the pleasure clearly visible there. If the world is animated, of course flickering will radiate from both of his eyeballs. Alfonso was very satisfied, even he thought that he was the most competent Saint of the others. And, when this task is completed perfectly, Alfonso will make sure he will wipe it in front of the Rosia Idiot.
“Ha-ha-ha-ha!”
Alfonso was unable to hold back his laughter as he imagined all the praise and satisfaction that would await him up front.
...* * *...
Alforalis Grammolia still clearly remembered the defeat he had received from Kanna el Vermillion back then. The girl was still quite young, but her strength was unusually large. He and Evillia could even be defeated with no difficulty. Alforalis was defeated so shamefully. He of course knew Evillia could not use her full magic because that magic would also obliterate the Elf Kingdom. However, defeat cannot change meaning; losing is still losing.
If not for the presence of Vermyna Hellvarossa, the Elf Kingdom might have already been forced into submission to obey the Vermillion Empire. Not that the Alforalis had ignored the depravity of the vampires just yet, but the fact that they owed the vampires a great debt was undeniable. Moreover, Evillia had told him that it was impossible for their vision to be realized if they rejected Vermyna Hellvarossa's leadership.
That was the reason why he was now behind the combined forces of the kingdoms belonging to the New World Order. Fortunately, there were no vampires in the army. If anything, Alforalis might not be able to resist making them bait in the front guard. Or, he would make them as a scout team and indirectly drag them to the brink of death.
People think of him as a calm and professional individual, but it is actually a typical Alforalist who finds it difficult to dispel anger if he is already angry. Perhaps that was also one of the reasons why Evillia sent him over as the leader here. It is expected to dispel the anger here. It was a pity that his opponent was not the Imperial Army, but the Knight Templar was also not a bad opponent to vent emotions.
“Commander!” call a warebeast who serves as one of the five captains in the squad. “What should we not increase the tempo?”
“No,” decisive response Alforalis. “We stay in this speed. Instead of arriving early or on time, it is better to arrive late. We did conspire with the Imperial Army to destroy the Knights Templar, but at the same time why don't we let them be cornered thus reducing their numbers?”
Minner Ertharossa had trusted him to make a decision, and that was what Alforalis would be happy to do.
“Number of us little,” continued Alforalis. “If we can not increase the number, then obviously our strategy is to make their number reduced. After all, showing ourselves to be a helper in the midst of adversity would reduce the Imperial Army's readiness of us. Our enemy is not only the Knights Templar, but also the Imperial Army. This we can't leave aside.”
...* * *...
As one commander should have pointed out, Hekiel was at the forefront of a large entourage of Imperial Army soldiers traveling north.
Hekiel also did not lie or make false promises to his soldiers. Hekiel said he would lead them directly, but he did not guarantee their safety. He was not super strong; hekiel could only do what he could do. What's more, they don't know when the relief force will arrive. They can only survive as long as they can.
Some of them will fall, it is inevitable. When someone plunges into the battlefield, he must have thought that he would not survive ‒ if death awaits him in front. With such a mindset, the soldiers would be able to unleash their full potential. If death were no longer feared, what would hinder them?
Of course Hekiel understands that making the family left behind as a motivation will give a greater spirit.
However, if it was doctrinal to the soldiers, the effect was like a double-bladed sword. On the one hand it will make them more powerful in the face of the enemy, but on the other hand it will cause feelings of fear and worry within. The feeling of wanting to immediately meet a family could make a soldier become a coward and eventually escape from the battlefield.
With such confidence, Hekiel led his soldiers to two paths: the road of honor by dying to eradicate the enemy, or the road of glory by remaining alive until the last enemy perished.
...—Imperial Palace, Nevada, Vermillion Empire—...
When Xavier was about to open the door of the throne room, it had first moved before it could be touched. The Nueva el Vermillion. He was alone; there was no Edward with him. “Follow me,” said, “we talk while walking.”
Xavier did not give a verbal response. His feet immediately followed Nueva down the castle. He said they would talk while walking, but Nueva did not open her mouth at all. The Emperor shut his mouth tightly. Not a word came out of his mouth. They walked in silence until they arrived at the balcony at the end of the hall.
“It's a peaceful city, don't you think?” saying Nueva while placing her hands on the balcony barrier, her eyes looked in the shade at the expanse of the city in sight. “This is not like the Eden I built before, but the crime rate here is very low. Everyone who is looking for luck in this city will always get their chance. It's a friendly capital for anyone in it. I want this city to stand.”
Xavier also placed his hands on the balcony divider, standing almost a meter from Nueva.
“But saying this is not the reason I called you here,” Nueva continued without waiting for Xavier's response. “Monica Elsesky's…. You asked her to be with Kanna because you believed Kanna would protect her from me if I broke the deal at any time. That's a good move. Kanna will be able to protect him. He's been very strong. But even without Kanna's protection Monica would be safe from me.”
“I trust a stone more than you say,” said Xavier flat, his eyes not moving from looking at the end of the city.
“Ha-ha-ha-ha. You shouldn't trust anyone, not even yourself.”
“I want you and your division to attack the capital of Emiliel Holy Kingdom as soon as possible,” Nueva continued, suddenly changing the conversation. “Lilithia and its divisions will attack other cities, but they will depart from different sides to the one you will pass through. You may cross paths at one point, you may not. But clearly, no other division will attack their territory other than the division of you two.”
Xavier between expecting and not expecting this. However, he understood little of the decision Nueva made. The part that he did not understand was that for those who were not related to the interests of the empire, what was Nueva's personal intention behind his decision?
“When should we arrive in Axellibra?” tanya Xavier in the end—ia just has to make sure Monica goes wherever Kanna goes.
“There is no need to hurry on the way, but you have to start leaving tomorrow morning so that Lilithia and her division can prepare. Attention will be diverted to Ekralina; you can arrive at Axellibra secretly. Kanna will help you right away if Fie gets to intervene. If that happened, Vermyna would also be forced to intervene given her hatred for Fie. When Vermyna and Fie faced off, proceed with occupying Axellibra. I'll be there after Fie beats Vermyna—or vice versa. That'sthat's all. You can go straight back.”
...»»» End of Chapter 28 «««...