Imperial Standard Time 14:10—Seventh Assault Garden, Excalibur Academy.
“All sectors are to shift to first combat form. Evacuate the civilians into shelters.”
As the high-pitched alarm blared nonstop, the instructors shouted orders in the tactical meeting room.
“The scale of this attack is unlike last time.”
Diglassê Alto glared at the central large monitor. The tear appeared during the Holy Sword Dance Festival, and spawned several large Voids, but it didn’t cause a Stampede.
“We never expected a Stampede to start so soon.”
“The most concerning part is that the Voids’ actions seem organized,” said a young man with a visor over his face. It was Oberth Baldanders, who was there representing the student body. “It’s like they’re obeying a leader.”
“A Void Lord with superior commanding abilities?”
“It’s possible. Some Void specimens have been observed to have high intelligence.”
“And looking at the movements of their group, it seems they have multiple commanders.”
“—Hurry up and detect the Void Lord.”
The commander of the bureau nodded. As the officers continued their meeting, Oberth turned to the girl standing at his back.
“Fenris, have we found Miss Elfiné’s whereabouts?”
“We still can’t get in touch with her. We can’t contact anyone from the eighteenth platoon, for that matter…” Fenris shook her head.
“A pity. I was hoping we could rely on her Eye of the Witch to identify the Void Lord…”
At this point, the eighteenth platoon was considered a top-class platoon in the academy, but their whereabouts were unknown at the moment. It could be they were busy fighting the Voids in the city, but…
“Hurry up and get ahold of Miss Elfiné. We need her power.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Imperial Standard Time, 14:30—Camelot, Imperial Knight Order Headquarters.
“Large Void attack detected on Float VI—”
“The unit on Float II seems to have been wiped out!”
“Seventh platoon, no good, they’re breaking through our ranks—”
Reports from many units reached Alexios, the Emperor’s younger brother.
“Send reinforcements to Float IV, make sure they hang on. Abandon Float II at once and fall back to second defensive line to intercept the enemy. Seventh platoon, come on, seventh platoon…!” Alexios gave orders to each unit as he rapidly walked down the hall.
The situation was terrible. The Imperial Knights were putting up a good fight, but the enemies were simply too many.
…This isn’t just a Stampede. This is like what happened sixty-four years ago…
This was the worst attack possibly since the invasion, when mankind’s habitable territory was reduced to less than 7% of its size.
And commanding a military operation isn’t in my nature…
Alexios was a research officer, valued for his data analysis abilities, and was only used as a commander in headquarters during emergencies. This was mostly because his Holy Sword was useless for combat against the Voids, and yet…
If I make the wrong call, Holy Swordsmen on the front could end up dying…
But as he made way to the headquarters, his stomach aching from stress, he heard a familiar voice.
“All units from Elysion, follow my orders. Assuming you want to survive.”
Turning his gaze, his eyes settled on a beautiful blond girl clad in a knight’s military uniform. Chatres Ray O’ltriese. Third Princess of the O’ltriese royal family, and Alexios’s niece.
After being caught up in the Elysion Academy disappearance, she was secured by a search party on the other side of the Void tear and returned to the capital.
She turned in Alexios’s direction, her eyes meeting his.
“…Oh, it’s you, Uncle.”
Chatres rustled her kempt brow. Alexios cracked a sardonic smile—he was used to his niece’s attitude.
“I’m glad you’re fine. I was worried.”
“My apologies for causing you trouble.”
“No, you did well to return. By the way…”
Alexios paused, looking around the gathered Elysion students. They were all involved in the disappearance, just like Chatres was.
“Were you ordered to sortie as well?”
“Yes, just a short while ago.”
“…I see.”
They had only just returned to safety this morning, after having to march through the night, meaning they were likely exhausted, both physically and emotionally. The performance of Holy Swords was greatly affected by one’s mental state, so ordering students to fight in this condition would normally be unthinkable.
…But the situation is simply that harsh.
Chatres was famous for her Holy Sword’s power, and had plenty of live combat experience against the Voids. And, most importantly of all, she had that which Alexios lacked—overwhelming charisma. Just having her on the battlefield would embolden those around her.
“The fact we returned in time to handle this situation was the guidance of the planet.”
“Yes, indeed.”
Alexios wished her good luck in battle, to which Chatres bobbed her head in a short bow. He envied the girl, for the great Holy Sword she possessed, along with the strength and fortitude needed to fight. He could only hope she would defend the people in battle, much like his sworn friend, the late Duke Edward, had.
…I must do what I can.
Alexios reached into his coat’s inner pocket. Sitting inside it was the eerie statue the Dark Lord had given him. He was told that if he were to focus on that statue in his time of need, he would be able to communicate with the Dark Lord, but he hadn’t responded yet.
“…!”
He gripped the statue hard. Just recalling his audience with Zol Vadis made him shudder in terror all over again.
Relying on that Dark Lord’s power would be dangerous, but…
This Stampede put mankind’s continued existence in danger.
…Please save us, Dark Lord.
Gripping the terrifying statue in his hand, Alexios prayed to mankind’s enemy for salvation.