Chapter 94: The Carnera Port Recapture Operation (1)
A week had passed since Marcellus relayed the information about our involvement in the Carnela Port recapture operation. Today marked the long-awaited moment when we would finally step outside the prison walls and inhale the fresh air. In other words, the recapture operation was about to begin.
Led by a guard who took us upstairs for the first time since the day of our imprisonment, we stepped outside the prison. The outside world was bathed in gentle spring sunlight, warm and inviting. It felt somewhat wasteful to engage in war during such perfect nap-inducing weather, and I couldn’t help but feel a little regretful.
“It appears that everyone has assembled. We’ll be departing soon… Make sure to bid your farewells now,”
Waiting for us outside the prison was Marcellus, who was fully armed. He took a little time before departing, giving us a moment to bid farewell to the children. It was a time for parting that we needed.
While we were off to war, children like Leo and Kelf would be spending their days beside the stable, setting up tents, and taking care of miscellaneous tasks such as cleaning the stables.
Leo clung tightly to Tigar and Sharl, his face on the verge of tears. Perhaps his refusal to shed a tear despite the overwhelming urge was a testament to his pride as a warrior’s son. Kelf buried his face in his father’s chest as well; his mother was said to have passed away shortly after his birth. The other children, too, sought solace in the embrace of their lone surviving parent, as few had both their parents alive.
“Big brother, come back safely,”
Then there was Lappy, whose parents had both passed away, holding onto me tightly. Mika had analyzed that Lappy had found a father figure in me, but I never considered myself to possess such paternal qualities. Nonetheless, I didn’t mind being leaned on, and I allowed Lappy to do as she pleased.
I lifted Lappy, who clung to my knees, and gently stroked her head. Lappy squirmed as if ticklish, but she shyly smiled with a hint of sadness.
However, the brief moment that Marcellus had created came to a cruel end. The adults, including myself, separated from the children and began preparing for our campaign. We roused Shuu and Apao from their slumber in the stables, hitched them to our wagon hidden in the rear, and adorned ourselves with the weaponry found in the wagon’s back. Then, leaving behind the anxious looking children, we stepped outside the fortress.
“Bumoo~”
“Hihi~n”
Shuu and Apao, elated from being outside the stable for the first time in a while and being able to see us, sang cheerfully. They seemed oblivious to the fact that we were about to embark on a battle. How carefree they were.
Given the presence of the demons known as Shuu and Apao, who were currently in the form of beasts, we walked behind the supply convoy as their escorts. Only we were capable of soothing these two, which is why we had this role. Once we reached Carnela Port, we would be fighting on the front lines, but for now, we allowed them to walk peacefully.
In the lead were Marcellus and the others riding on horses, and we followed suit, advancing on foot along the road. In this manner, we joined forces with those who had been engaged in monitoring missions in the planted forest in our stead, and the Imperial Army began the process of crossing the river. It was then that our first task was assigned to us.
“From now on, the spiritualists will swiftly start constructing a bridge to cross the river. However, there is a high possibility of being attacked during the operation. That’s why we need you to fly across to the other side and remain on high alert. If the enemy appears, repel them. Let’s go!”
Just as Marcellus, who was ordered by his superiors, conveyed the mission to us, we immediately sprang into action. The first individuals to be carried by the six flying demons were Marcellus, who would take command on-site; myself as the strongest demon; Tigar and Zald, the leaders of the Lugall Squad and the Kadaha Squad, respectively; and the two individuals who served as their right-hand men, Sharl and Sophie.
And just like that, one Imperial soldier and five demons were carried by the flying demons and soared towards the occupied side of the riverbank where the bridge had once stood. I expected to come under attack from the planted forest’s side, but surprisingly, we landed safely without any incidents.
“I apologize to Mika and the others, but could you continue with back-and-forth transportation in this manner? I’ll have subordinate and five demons in the next group,” Marcellus requested.
“Understood,”
After being carried across the river as the vanguard, Marcellus issued instructions to Mika. Once they heard the instructions, Mika and the others took to the skies once more, flying towards the Imperial side of the bank. We watched them depart, their figures fading into the distance.
After I was transported by Mika to the other bank of the river, I prepared myself by gripping the handles of my two swords, ready to engage in battle, as I directed my consciousness northward. However, my concern was focused more on Zald, who seemed utterly exhausted and was currently on all fours at the spot.
“Ughhh… I still feel like I’m swaying…!”
“Aah, Mr. Zald… You poor thing…!”
Zald seemed to have gotten motion sickness from the aerial transportation. He remained on all fours, his face pale as he covered his mouth. Sophie frantically rubbed his back, while Tigar and Sharl watched the two with amused smiles.
Marcellus appeared worried as well, but his concern seemed to be more focused on the north. Don’t worry. There’s no sign of enemies nearby. I sense the presence of the Republican Army in the distance, and they’re definitely approaching. However, there’s nothing… ?!
Rustle rustle!
Just when I thought there was nothing nearby, rustling sounds interrupted my sense of safety, emanating from the planted forest on our right. I focused my senses in that direction, only to witness the emergence of a metallic saucer—the weapon that had been tailing us before, to which Asumi had referred as a drone. How foolish of me to overlook it; I had been too preoccupied with detecting living beings.
Its shape and the fact that it was armed with guns beneath it were identical to before. In other words, it was undoubtedly about to unleash a barrage of bullets—the infamous metal fragments—and some of us were still unprepared to fight. I couldn’t afford to let it fire. Without hesitation, I charged forward, swiftly unsheathing one sword with my right hand, and cleaved the drone in two.
The drone, whose method of levitation remained a mystery, came crashing down to the ground with a loud clang. Sensing the presence of enemies, the five of us demons hastily prepared our weapons.
“Do it, Sharl!”
“Leave it to me!”
Perhaps knocking down the initial drone served as a catalyst, as more drones emerged one after another from the planted forest. Without any room for negotiation, they started shooting their guns. Tigar held his greatsword like a shield to protect Sharl, while she, being shielded, conjured blades of wind and arrows of light using her spiritual power and unleashed them.
The power of Sharl’s spiritual art was formidable, obliterating over ten drones in an instant. Fragments of the destroyed drones were scattered across the ground. Meanwhile, Zald and Sophie jumped into the midst of the drone swarm, trampling over the debris as they swung their swords.
“I’m not in the best condition, and there are so many enemies!” Zald said.
“I’ve got your back!”
Despite Zald’s pale face, his sword swings remained as sharp as ever during the battle. And behind him, Sophie skillfully wielded her slender sword, piercing through the blind spots of the approaching drones.
However, it was Marcellus who showcased the most stable fighting power. Clad in Imperial soldier armor, he equipped himself with a rectangular shield and a hefty one-handed sword, the standard weapons of an Imperial soldier. He deflected the bullets with his shield and struck down enemies with his sword. His defense was impenetrable, displaying a solid and reliable fighting style.
“Hmph! Argh, enough already! How many of them are there? It’s getting on my nerves!”
“Please calm down, Vice-Captain,”
Decius, who had arrived alongside Mika and the others as the second group replied to Marcellus enraged words. Decius, already clutching his sword drawn in mid-air, swiftly moved to protect Marcellus’s back as soon as he landed.
Decius possessed skills that rivaled Marcellus, exhibiting a similarly solid fighting style. There was no need to worry about protecting the two of them. Of course, if given the order, I would jump into the fray.
“Just watch, Tuhru! Witness the prowess of my spear!”
Linardo, who arrived at the same time as Decius, twirled his beloved spear before demonstrating a series of consecutive thrusts. The speed of his attacks was such that even I would have struggled to defend against them with only my dual swords.
Not only were his thrusts swift, but they were also incredibly precise and unmatched. Every drone was pierced right through its center, undoubtedly hitting the mark. It was understandable why one would feel compelled to boast about such a skill.
“Hey! Huh? Did you say something, Linardo?”
Tuhru, the intended recipient of this impressive display, seemed completely oblivious. From her lackluster reaction, one could never imagine the devastating impact of each one of her merciless strikes, reducing every drone to smithereens.
Observing Tuhru’s puzzled reaction, Linardo’s shoulders slumped in disappointment. However, even so, the precision of Linardo’s spear remained unwavering. Even if Tuhru wasn’t watching, there was not a hint of deviation in the movements of his spear.
“Well, Tuhru is a bit dense… You just need to go straight at her, Lina-boy,”
“Yeah, I think you’re right,”
Gora, who had been carried by two flying devils, used the flat side of his battle axe to deflect bullets while systematically destroying the drones. He effortlessly swung the heavy axe with one hand, then grabbed the wreckage of the fallen drones from the ground and hurled them with great force using his other hand. His fighting style was bold and rugged.
And Rinne, who was the final member of the second group, began to enhance all of our attacks using various spiritual techniques while concealing herself with illusions. Her own combat abilities were low, but by empowering her teammates, she could contribute to the battle in her own unique way.
None of the demon squad members who were currently fighting had transformed into their demon forms. There was no need for it. They were already strong to begin with, and the fruits of their training were evident. I hoped they could continue like this as much as possible.
I swiftly sliced through the swarming fly-like drones with my two swords, pierced them with my poison-free, poisonous stinger, and crushed them with strong kicks. However, I never forgot to keep an eye on my surroundings, ready to rush to someone’s aid if they were in danger.
“……?”
At the moment, we were engaged in a steady battle, which allowed me to fight with a sense of relief. As a result, I had the capacity to search not only the immediate vicinity and the northern direction but also for any signs of movement from behind.
Then I sensed it. Not in the air, but in the water—a presence approaching us. And I remembered clearly that sensation.
“Gaahhh! Finally, I can let loose!”
A boisterous voice echoed as the crocodile demon, brought by Karelvo, emerged forcefully from the river. Following closely behind were a succession of the new demons’ figures, making their way ashore. It seemed that, in this battle, we would be fighting alongside these demons. While I continued wielding my dual swords, I hoped they wouldn’t become a hindrance.
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