Against the World II: Transgression
Chapter 31: Journey to Axellibra, part 5
...—24th January, E643 | Carolina, Ekralina Kingdom—
...
Alforalis Grammolia and the fifty thousand troops he brought finally arrived in the Capital of Carolina after a long and long journey. What awaited them there was not something he expected. Contrary to his assumption, the Imperial Army was precisely at the top of wanting to. According to the reports Alforalis had received, three saints had been killed and tens of thousands of Knights Templar soldiers were killed.
Alforalis had no idea who exactly was underestimating the Imperial Army here: himself, or the Knight Templar? Or maybe both?
“We warmly welcome your arrival and troops, General Alforalis.” Mortana showed off a wide smile full of joy. “Commander Hekiel and the others have performed their duties perfectly. Not only were they able to protect the city, but they also carved out victory. With your presence and your army, we will be able to crush the Knight Templar down to its roots.”
Alforalis is confident he is stronger than all the commanders here. He can kill them one on one. However, destroying the Knight Templar down to its roots? Mortana's really good at joking.
“Thank you very much for giving us a good welcome, King Mortana. If you don't mind, we'll occupy the left corner area of the north wall. Most of the troops would camp outside the walls, some inside. We don't want to mix with Imperial Army.”
Mortana seemed to think for a moment, but quickly nodded. “I see your point. I'll talk to Commander Dermyus, Commander Reinhart, and Commander Hekiel. For a while, comfort yourself here.”
Alforalis nodded, sitting himself on the sofa in the palace living room.
...* * *
...
The Fifth Saint Bedivere Luminia sat quietly on the large seat that the four warriors were carrying. His hands were playing with his favorite teddy bear. The saint paid little attention to anything other than his cute doll.
They were in the vanguard leading over 50 thousand Knights Templar warriors. The Knight Templar camp in northern Carolina was the destination on this trip. The speed of the troops was quite fast, but no faster than the speed of the chariot drawn by two horses. In fact, they were slower before. However, due to the great insistence of the capital, they had no choice but to raise their speed.
They should have been faster, but Bedivere was reluctant to speed up his army. He was just a ten-year-old child trapped in a 25-year-old adult body; they shouldn't have forced him to move an army as quickly as possible. Pity them! What if they're exhausted? Who will take the chair to sit?
“Dame Bedivere, shouldn't we be faster? Half an hour ago we received a report that a mixed force of NWO representatives had arrived in the Carolinas. Saint Rodolf asked us to arrive sooner.”
Hearing that voice from one of the men who lifted his big chair, Bedivere held up his teddy bear high. “Can't be so!” he shouted in a childish tone. “We must not rush. If you hurry, how about Dame Bedivere fall? That must have hurt.”
“Ba-Well then.”
“It's good that you understand, so Dame Bedivere doesn't have to take your brains out to make sure you're okay. Now, stop the steps and get everyone to rest. Dama Bedivere is hungry. Fat Bear is also hungry.”
The four warriors who were carrying the saint's seat suddenly pale their faces. Panic and relief simultaneously gnawed at their heads. Bedivere never joked about his words. If he says he's gonna brain someone out to check on him, that's what he's gonna do. There was no metaphor in his words. Every utterance of the pure saint has literal meaning.
The four warriors immediately stopped and put down a large chair, then asked everyone to stop to rest.
...—25th January, E643 | Throne Room, Nevada, Vermillion Empire—
...
“You've prepared it?” tanya Nueva without glancing back ‒ her eyes are fully focused forward.
“Already. I've cut the top of the Amarlesia peak as needed. The rune formula has also been completed. Of course I'm not Hernandez, but I've adjusted it to the formula he's made. The ritual can begin at any time. Need I go help Lilithia?”
“No need. Lilithia will bring Neira Claudian no matter what.” Nueva stood up from her throne. “You better prepare yourself. We're going out here in the afternoon. We will no longer set foot in the empire after this.”
“I heard Lilithia just left two days ago. Aren't we leaving tomorrow?”
“At first it was, but I changed my mind. We're not going straight to the top of Amarlesia. There's something we need to do before we get here. Vermyna knows our plan; we have to make sure first that there are no traps he sets.”
“You think I didn't detect the trap?”
“Not. I never doubted your ability. It's more about him intentionally not doing it so you think everything's safe. We have waited too long; there must be no failure of any kind. We can't accept the second failure.”
“...Alright, I understand. I'll get ready.”
Nueva nodded, stepping her feet away from the throne. Everything is clear. There's nothing more they need to talk about.
In less than a minute, only Edward himself in the throne room—his feet have not yet departed from where he appeared.
...* * *
...
Finally, the 12th Division of the Imperial Army managed to enter the territory of the Emiliel Holy Kingdom after a long journey. They could arrive longer if they did not increase the rate of movement; since they accelerated the movement they could be in the Holy Kingdom territory this afternoon.
Xavier stopped troop movements a dozen minutes after being in enemy territory— roughly half an hour before noon arrived. They needed to restore stamina before confronting the enemy. Moreover, even though it was already within the territory of the Emiliel Holy Kingdom, Axellibra was still far from reach. If they maintain full speed, they will arrive the day after morning.
Tents are necessary to be erected. The soldiers of the medical battalion instantly rushed to carry out their secondary responsibilities. Meanwhile, Xavier himself was already in a tent specially reserved for him.
Exactly an hour and a half later, the troops shot back at full speed.
Their goal Axellibra.
However, before they could reach the capital, if they were not careful then they would be able to deal with the Knights Templar stationed in Sheba or Ephron. They had no data on the saint stationed at Ephron, but Sixth Saint Gallahad Grahamvell was in Sheba.
Xavier had no idea whether Lilithia and her division would pass through either of the two cities or go straight to Axellibra. With his teleportation mirror, arriving directly in the middle of the enemy holy city was not something impossible. If the 12th Division also went directly to Axellibra, there is a possibility that they were besieged by two forces based in Sheba and Ephron.
How could they arrive at Axellibra without making the Knights Templar in Sheba and Ephron move after them but without confronting the two armies?
...»»» End of Chapter 31 «««...