Against the World II: Transgression
Chapter 39: Goddess of War, Part 1
...—Prohibited Valley Ed—...
FIRST SAINT Arthur Lancedragon who was wiping his spear was instantly speechless hearing the report that a soldier gave out all of a sudden. Merlin had already moved to gather the soldiers, he said. Princess Kanna and the two Imperial Army divisions were already about a kilometer away from the headquarters center, he explained. And he was asked to immediately go to the front line to expect a sudden attack, he said at the end.
“...How can they arrive so quickly and without us knowing?” arthur asked as he stood up. “Reporting that many soldiers takes a lot of time. What is the patrol team doing?”
“Sorry, sir, my position makes me inappropriate to answer that question.”
“You don't know.”
“...I-That's right, Sir.”
“Ha...” Arthur did not hold back from sighing. “Alright, you can go,” he added as he approached the armor of the adamantite net hanging in the corner of the room.
“Then I excuse you, Sir.”
Arthur didn't respond to that. Neither did the soldier wait for a response. Along with his missing footsteps, Arthur had already coated his body with the armor. And without waiting for anything else, the saint stepped out with the adamantite spear clasped tightly.
Just this morning Arthur decided with Merlin that they were going to Matepola tomorrow. They had thought they would try to use Matepola and make a move, and now their steps were completely refined until they did not have to go to Matepola. What a dry joke, but the word irony may be more appropriate to use.
Once outside the semi-permanent building that became their headquarters, Arthur immediately jumped up and bolted in a band of lightning bolts away from the headquarters.
Kanna el Vermillion.The first woman of Islan who was hailed as the goddess of war—at a very young age too. He is loving and at the same time cruel. She was gracefully charming as well as terrifying. I can't let him face the soldiers.
It was what filled Arthur's head on his way to intercept the enemy troops.
And the trip wasn't long. Less than ten seconds, and Arthur Lancedragon had already landed roughly less than twenty meters in front of a total of 35,000 soldiers, 22 battalion captains, two commanders, and a princess. They had all stopped before Arthur stopped.
Arthur struck his spear on the ground, and a lightning strike instantly struck the sky— making the air above it hot.
“You have entered a territory forbidden to enter. Please turn around and go well, then we won't have any problems. Oh, if you're here to take a detour to avoid an angry dog, I can understand. But, offense is still a violation; the Knight Templar is there to make sure the perpetrator of the offense cannot be arbitrary.”
…Those are the perfect words to open talks with the enemy troops, right?
…Arthur heard that Kanna el Vermillion always offered her enemies to surrender before starting the battle. He always said not to spill blood on the unnecessary. Princess Kanna had only started the attack when her words were completely ignored by her opponent.
On the one hand it can be called naive, but on the other it is no different from underestimating the opponent. Looking into the princess' eyes, Arthur knew it wasn't both. He has a good heart, noble intentions. Still, it is not something that can be appreciated. No one entered the battlefield without a second thought; asking them to surrender before the battle began was completely unacceptable.
However, there was no doubt that the woman younger than him was strong. His appearance did look strong within reasonable limits, but Arthur's instincts said different things. The real power of that woman he hid. Looking at it intensely like this made Arthur feel as if he was in the hide of Fie Axellibra who pretended to be weak.
Even worse, the holy air in Kanna surpasses anyone Arthur has ever seen—including Fie Axellibra.
If he uses the power he's hiding, I won't be able to win. The nickname “Goddess War” given to her is not without reason. Cih, how can Old Man Genea expect my victory in zini? Is his staging useless on him?
The last time Arthur felt tense with his temples covered in cold sweat was when he was required to stand before Fie Axellibra who was upset at the King Spirit Sakhra's envoy about two months ago. And now that he felt it again, this time even his hands trembled slightly.
The best decision was to obey him, so the soldiers of Order 1 would remain intact. And I'm sure Merlin will understand my decision.
What's more, Arthur is worried that if Fie is too tired after fighting with the leader of the vampires when facing Kanna—it assumes Fie can win. Considering that, he could not imagine Emiliel Holy Kingdom coming out victorious. If it was against an empire or NWO one-on-one, victory was unquestionable. But, defeating both at once?
Duh, what try did the Old Man think of when he made that decision? More importantly, what decision should I make now? Waged war and died, or surrendered but survived?
Arthur was about to open his mouth to make a sound when suddenly a sword struck him beside his right foot. Merlin appeared right there holding the handle of the sword. Exactly a second later, Merlin had already thrown two swords to his right and left— with a slightly backward position. Faster than Arthur's eyes blinked, each of the fifty thousand warriors appeared on either side of the saint.
His ability was indeed annoying, Arthur's inner praising the colleague, but his eyes had returned to look at the princess.
“For your offer, is it okay if I discuss with the representatives of my soldiers first?” Arthur decided. “I'll decide after that. Of course it is if you are serious about your offer.”
Arthur praised himself for being able to decide at the right time. He did not want his decision to be the cause of the death of Order 1. Their fate must be determined by themselves. Whatever their decision is, that's what he'll take. Of course he would make it clear to everyone about how dangerous Kanna el Vermillion was.
“...Alright. Decide the best, Sir Lancedragon.”
Arthur immediately turned around, and at once Merlin bombarded him with questions that made him lazy to answer.
Arthur's lips curved. “What do you think if we give up?” the question was relaxed, both hands were shaking for his captains to advance—and at the same time, dark clouds had filled the sky.