Chapter 129

…an invisible wall had stopped the volley short of striking the hill. “It can’t be…” Neuro hit upon a hunch of how this had happened. And that idea…was right on the money. Beyond both armies’ battle lines, standing in Yamato’s headquarters… “I did it!” …the young elf Lyrule clenched her fist. “I want to fight, too! If we’re putting everything we have into this, then I want to help out!” Lyrule volunteered herself back when the imperials’ second big charge crashed into Yamato’s defensive line, shortly after Tsukasa made the call to deploy the headquarter forces on the front lines. At first, Tsukasa was reluctant. “But, Lyrule, you can’t use offensive magic.” Tsukasa didn’t understand magic, and he couldn’t use it himself. However, Lyrule had explained to him what magic was to her. Apparently, it involved her talking to creatures called spirits that were as innocent as children and asking them to manifest the phenomena that she desired. Those spirits were gentle beings who disliked hurting people. Lyrule heard the spirits’ voices because of her elven heritage. She knew how much they sobbed when normal mages who couldn’t hear them unknowingly forced them to commit acts of cruelty. “As far as I’m concerned, asking you to do that isn’t an option. In fact, I wouldn’t ask anyone to,” Tsukasa had replied. He didn’t know if Lyrule’s interpretation of magic was a universal truth, but in her eyes, using offensive magic was like handing a knife to a crying child and forcing them to murder someone. There was no way he could ask that of her. Moral reasons aside, he had practical concerns about putting their lives in Lyrule’s hands when he had no way of knowing when her conscience might get the better of her. However, Lyrule’s suggestion was different than what Tsukasa imagined. “Oh, that was never my intention. Rather, I want to protect everyone!” “What…?” “I got the idea back when I used that bell in Yamato. I knew I couldn’t ask the little ones to hurt people, but I realized I could request that they protect people. It’s what the spirits wanted to do in the first place.” Lyrule had been talking about defensive magic. She’d already used magic to support Keine, and back in the Gustav domain, she’d used it to help manufacture sulfa drugs for sepsis victims. An ex-Imperial First-Class Mage had even given her skills his stamp of approval. When it came to anything besides offensive magic, Lyrule’s skills were the real deal. However… “I’m no expert when it comes to magic, but once you agree to do this, we’ll be operating under the assumption you can pull this off. Once you commit, it’ll be too late to say, ‘Oops, I guess I can’t do it after all.’ If people die, it’ll be entirely your fault.” …Tsukasa had pressed her with a harsh reply. Still, Lyrule had been undaunted. She’d given her response without falter. “Yesterday, you asked for my help. And when you did, I said I would fight by your side!” When Tsukasa had seen the determination in her eyes, he steeled his own resolve. “All right, then. I’ll incorporate your abilities into our strategy. Honestly, you warding off the magical attacks is the best thing we could have asked for. We’ll be counting on you.” “I won’t let you down!” The results spoke for themselves. “Wh-what?! I’m…alive?” “I thought I was a goner for sure…” “Hey, look! Some sort of invisible wall blocked the flames!” “Could this be one of God Akatsuki’s miracles?!” She did it! Of all the deadly spells that rained down upon Tsukasa’s forces at the right flank, not one reached the ground. They all simply crashed into the wind spirit wall and scattered into nothing. Neuro’s army’s attack on the Yamato troops came to a complete pause. The second wave of cavalry was retreating, the magical bombardment had fizzled, and Neuro was too flabbergasted to order his soldiers to resume their assault. Things on the battlefield had been so chaotic that the Yamato army had lacked a moment of reprieve, yet now everything was calm. That’s when Tsukasa pounced. “All forces, pull back to eight-tenths of the way up the hill!” The Yamato army retreated from halfway up the hill to near the top. By moving their defensive line closer to their headquarters, they were able to reduce the length of their perimeter, building a tighter formation. Thanks to Lyrule’s defensive magic, the Second-Class Mages’ bombardment ended in failure. The Yamato army was able to use that window to pull its battle line back and reconvene. Neuro’s army didn’t just sit around befuddled forever, though. Before long, the grandmaster ordered his vanguard to take over for the rearguard and begin another charge. The mage cavalry had completely trounced the Yamato line at the top of the battle, and most of them were assigned to the vanguard. However, the third charge didn’t produce the results that Neuro hoped for. It took place eight-tenths of the way up the hill, and this time, Neuro’s side suffered heavy casualties despite the advantages it held over the Yamato infantry. It seemed unthinkable, but there was a good reason why Tsukasa had pulled his defensive line back. Under normal circumstances, the cavalry would have easily climbed a slope that gentle. Its momentum should have allowed it to smash through any obstacle. Whether eight-tenths of the way up or standing on the peak shouldn’t have made a difference. However, that logic was true only in sterile conditions. Presently, there was a mountain of human and horse carcasses halfway up the hill, and in aggregate, they formed barricades that slowed the cavalry charge. Neuro’s army was also suffering from internal and external factors. The mounted troops had galloped to the Tomino Basin, leaving the Freyjagard infantry behind. Fatigue was weakening the horses and their riders. The steeds lost their momentum and collapsed, foaming at the mouth from exhaustion. Meanwhile, the Yamato army had just fortified its defensive line by condensing its length. The imperials could barely stand; there was no way they’d break the Yamato formation. Down at the base of the hill, Neuro’s staff officers groaned at the unfavorable turn. “The Yamato troops have completely recovered… They were so thrown off when our mage cavalry launched its first attack, but now…” “Yeah. Now even the mage cavalry is struggling. It all started when the angels joined the battle. Even with our spellcasters, we’re no match for that weirdly powerful gun and that chick dressed like a samurai.” “Plus, it’s a pain how quickly they recover from their wounds. How are we supposed to break their line when all their wounds close up so fast? It must be one of Akatsuki’s miracles at work.” “If only our last bombardment had succeeded.” “Who could have foreseen the enemy having access to a mage with such incredible defensive magic?” “Is this really divine providence?” Staff members muttered helplessly to each other. Their leader, Neuro, however, paid their unhelpful exchanges no mind. Instead, he stared at the battle on the hill. “…” “Your Excellency, um, if I might be so bold? Given that we can’t maintain our momentum, it’s my humble opinion that we ought to consider using the trees for cover and circle behind our foes,” an officer suggested timidly. He probably took Neuro’s silence for anger. In truth, though, Neuro wasn’t upset about the current state of affairs at all. If anything… …This turn of events is pretty favorable. Neuro hadn’t expected the magical bombardment to be blocked, but it was proof that Lyrule was here, fighting. The same went for the Prodigies placing themselves in the fray. This was far preferable to them scurrying away into the forest. However, that advantage… Is it just me, or does something seem off? …was exactly what troubled Neuro. He knew that the Prodigies had used this detached force as bait to lure him out, but he’d assumed they made a stand in the Tomino Basin because they had no choice after he shot down their nuclear missiles. He was less certain of it now. If they’d really been forced into an open siege, why did they deploy Lyrule instead of securing her escape? In a short while, the battle would end in Freyjagard’s victory. It was inevitable. Neuro’s 7,500-strong infantry was due to arrive before long. The Yamatoans would be helpless. Neuro’s enemies should have been able to estimate Neuro’s full ranks based on the size of his cavalry. Yet they weren’t fleeing into the woods with Lyrule. Why? It feels like they chose this fight for a reason. Could it be? Did they have some kind of weapon besides the nuclear missiles at their disposal? Had they devised a plan that might actually kill him? It certainly didn’t look that way. Neuro’s Dragon Knights maintained a watchful eye on the entire region from the air, and there were no signs of reinforcements, no troops waiting in ambush, and no Elm backup on its way. The only forces near the Tomino Basin were Neuro’s and the Prodigies’. Technically, one other army approached, but it was on Neuro’s side. The enemy was limited to its soldiers on the hill. But if that was the case, then how did the Prodigies intend to kill him? “Oh, forget it. This is a waste of time.” Neuro threw all his pondering out the window. Sparing so much worry on a bunch of apes felt absurd. “Listen up.” “Yes, Your Excellency! What is it?” “I’m going to go handle this personally. You there, chief of staff. You’re in charge of managing the troops.” “What?!” With that, Neuro alighted from his steed and brandished his staff. The spell he cast… “Levitation.” …allowed him to float. By Imperial Mage standards, it was an incredibly difficult feat of magic that only Prime Mages could manage. With its power, Neuro flew like the wind over to the eight-tenths mark where the armies were fighting. “Wh-what’s that guy’s deal?!” “He’s flying! Is that Levitation?!” “Only Prime Mages can use that spell… Wait, does that mean that’s the Blue Grandmaster up there?!” The Yamato soldiers gawked at the sight of their sworn foe. And while they did, Neuro made his move. “Blue Splash.” The gem on the end of his staff shone blue, and an array of beams shot from it. The surging light coursed down toward the Yamato soldiers below Neuro at the eight-tenths mark, cutting through them. As it turned out, the light was actually formed from pressurized water—the same trick Neuro had used to shoot down the missiles. The innumerable watery blades traced their way across the ground, tearing it to shreds along with the soldiers standing atop it. No shield or armor could save the troops from being sliced apart. Thirty soldiers perished, then fifty. Wherever the blue beams went, they slaughtered the huddled Yamato soldiers, leaving them minced and unrecognizable. “~~~~~~~~~~~!” Up at the hill’s summit, Lyrule’s expression contorted with grief as she beheld the scene. She’d tried to protect the soldiers from Neuro’s attack just as she had with the earlier bombardment, but Neuro’s magic tore right through the defensive wall the wind spirits built for her. “My magic is far beyond the pale imitation these apes can manage. I’d appreciate it if you gave me a little credit.” After a snide laugh, Neuro gazed at the massacre he’d committed… “Still, I guess it’ll take more than that to take you down.” …and muttered a remark colored by some small respect. His comment was directed at the girl who’d evaded every last one of the pressurized water beams, who stood amid the mountain of shredded corpses atop the mangled hill’s slope. “Aoi, was it? It’s been a while. A shame our reunion isn’t under better circumstances.” “Blue Splash!” “Rgh…” The pressurized jets of water sped for Aoi. She narrowly managed to dodge them with feints and tight footwork, but that was all she could manage. Neuro was over 150 feet off the ground. No katana could reach that far. Having forced Aoi into a purely defensive battle, Neuro laughed at her from the sky. “Ha-ha-ha. What’s the matter? Running around will only get all your allies killed. Aren’t you supposed to be an angel? A beacon for the people? Come on, fight me! If you don’t…” “Ms. Angel!” “We’re coming to help!” “What?!” Male voices caught Aoi’s ear, and when she whirled around, she saw fifty-odd armored soldiers rushing over to her with their shields held high. She went pale and screamed… “STAY BACK!!!!” …but the words came too slow. The blue blades changed their target from Aoi to the soldiers and cleaved right through them, shields and all. Their wooden protection was useless against water pressure intense enough to cleave through the earth. “YOU FIEND!!!!” The sight of the soldiers’ brutal deaths lit a fire in Aoi’s heart. She poured her rage into Mikazuki, the precious sword that Kaguya had given her. For prodigy swordmaster Aoi Ichijou, 150 feet was well within range. She possessed a technique to generate a funnel vacuum to cut down her foes—Dew-Blade Breeze. She took aim at her aerial foe and tried to loose the same attack she’d used to slice off Gustav’s arms… “My whirling secret technique… Wh—?!” …but when she did, Mikazuki let out a scream. A shallow fissure ran down its lapis lazuli blade with a cracking sound. Aoi had no choice but to call off her attack. As I feared, this blade will not hold! Aoi’s prodigy swordmaster techniques put a considerable strain on the blade she wielded. Only cursed or bewitched blades with powerful emotions forged into their steel, senses of purposes so strong one might call them souls, could withstand that kind of force. Mikazuki was an excellent sword, the product of a skilled smith, but it fell just short of the mark. Still, Aoi had already managed three Iron-Cleaving Flashes during the fight. Mikazuki had done an excellent job holding out, but it was starting to falter. Aoi’s rage had driven her to use a technique she was unable to follow through on, a big mistake. Being forced to stop herself mid-swing left her terribly vulnerable.