Likeland Flood Part II

Inside the Likeland castle, Colonel Seijuurou Kanbe, the commanding officer of the Kuchiwara troops, stood atop the western rampart, rain pelting his face as thunder rolled overhead. His eyes darted across the battlefield, heart pounding in his chest.

He had ordered his men to hold firm outside the gates—tight and ready—but now chaos reigned.

A monstrous wall of water surged toward them, swallowing his forward units like a hungry beast. Shouts of alarm echoed as soldiers stumbled and fell, swept away by the merciless flood.

Kanbe slammed his fist against the battlement. “This… This is madness!”

He barked hurried orders through soaked lips. “Hold the gates! Do not—do not let the water breach the castle!”

But even as his voice carried over the storm, Kanbe knew the truth.

The gates were sealed tight.

His forces outside—his best troops—were caught in a deadly trap.

“We are betrayed by the very land itself!” he spat, rage and disbelief warring in his eyes.

Kanbe’s mind raced for a counter—some way to regroup, to rally his shaken soldiers—but the flood had fractured their lines, their formation shattered beneath the rising waters.

Behind him, the castle walls stood unyielding, a cold reminder that no reinforcements would come from within.

“Retreat! Fall back to the inner defenses!” Kanbe ordered, though the drenched messengers scrambling to carry his commands struggled against the storm.

He clenched his jaw, knowing that though the castle still held, the battle had taken a devastating turn.

Outside, the floodwater churned like an unforgiving tide of doom—and Kanbe vowed that this setback would not mark the end.

His sharp eyes tracked the devastation—waves smashing through battalions, screams vanishing beneath the roar of water. His elite forces outside the gates were gone. Swept away.

Yet his expression was not one of panic.

It was cold calculation.

“Brickvia will believe they’ve turned the tide,” he muttered.

His second-in-command approached, uneasy. “Colonel… our losses outside are severe. Their forces may breach soon.”

Kanbe turned slowly, expression unreadable. “Good. Let them.”

“Sir?”

He walked to the table bearing the castle’s schematics, his hand hovering above the four main gates.

“Don’t open the gates,” he said, eyes narrowing. “That would raise suspicion. We’ll hold firm just enough. Then, allow them to breach. Let them think they’ve fought their way in.”

His voice dropped lower.

“We’ll scatter resistance near each gate. Make it look real. But once they’re inside…”

He tapped the heart of the city on the map : the flammable storehouses.

“…we close the trap.”

The officer swallowed. “You plan to burn them inside?”

“If Brickvia wants Likeland that badly,” Kanbe said coldly, “then they can have its ashes. This city is no longer a symbol of commerce. It is bait.”

He stepped back to the window, watching the Brickvian banners flutter in the distance.

“They’ll bleed for every street. And by the time they realize what’s happening, the fire will be everywhere.”

Lightning flashed in the distance as Kanbe’s eyes hardened.

“Prepare the sabotage teams. Get them into position around the inner rings. Once Brickvia pushes through, retreat inward. Don’t try to be heroes—just guide them deeper.”

He turned to his officer one last time.

“Let them believe they’ve won. That’s when we burn their victory down to the stone.”

It wasn’t long before the gates fell. The gates were breached without much resistance. The sound of heavy wood groaning and metal clanging echoed through the streets as Brickvia forces pushed in, spearheaded by Ryusuke Suzuki at the south and Daisuke Hiryuu’s cavalry charging in through the east. The gates gave way easily, and Brickvia's army poured in with cautious optimism.

Ren stood beside Koizumi, the rush of adrenaline from the dam operation still fresh in his veins. He could see the nervousness in the faces of his comrades, too—the uneasy silence that followed the absence of any serious resistance.

Masahiro, who had arrived shortly after, dismounted and scanned the surroundings carefully. He pulled his cloak tighter, sensing something amiss.

“This is too quiet.” Masahiro muttered, eyes narrowing. “Something’s wrong.”

Koizumi, standing nearby, nodded grimly. “It’s almost as if they’re waiting for us to move further in.”

Watari’s troops were also reporting light resistance from the western side. “Sir, it’s the same here. Not a single arrow fired. We’re through without a fight.”

Masahiro clenched his jaw. “It doesn’t make sense. This is a trap. They want us to move deeper.”

The generals exchanged glances, their suspicions now confirmed.

“Koizumi,” Masahiro ordered firmly, “I need you to secure the weapon depot. We cannot afford to be caught off guard if they’re planning something.”

Koizumi didn’t hesitate. He immediately called for his unit. “Takeda Aoi, Nishiyama, Ren— you’re with me. Move quickly, secure the depot, and report back once it’s cleared.”

Takeda, a veteran with a sharp mind and unyielding loyalty, gave a brief nod as he grabbed his gear. Private Nishiyama, a young but dependable soldier, also prepared himself.

Ren, still haunted by the task at the dam but determined to do his part, tightened his grip on his blade and followed.

Takeda, Ren, and Nishiyama sprinted down the cobbled alleys, their boots splashing in shallow puddles left from the earlier flood. The scent of oil clung to Ren's nose. His breathing was sharp, but his focus remained.

They reached the depot, a squat stone structure tucked behind a broken wall, its metal doors slightly ajar.

Inside, the air was heavy with fumes. Crates of weapons were stacked neatly—too neatly. Takeda signaled for them to stay alert.

After a tense inspection of the interior, they exited back into the alley—only to find Koizumi waiting with a squad of engineering troops.

“Report,” Koizumi demanded.

Takeda spoke quickly. “Depot’s loaded with weaponry—untouched—but the place reeks of oil and sulfur. I suspect they planned to ignite it once we were inside.”

Koizumi’s face darkened. “A sabotage trap. Damned clever…”

He turned and gave a swift hand signal to one of the runners. “Inform General Masahiro immediately: trap confirmed, possible raze planned.”

The runner bolted toward the eastern gate.

Yamada Masahiro received the message with grim clarity. The storm winds whipped through the square as he turned to his assembled commanders: Ryusuke Suzuki, Daisuke Hiryuu, Futaba Watari, and others.

“All commanders,” Masahiro spoke calmly but firmly, “we confirm it—Kuchiwara wants us deep inside before triggering a city-wide trap. They’ve lured us in by opening the gates, hoping to raze the entire area with us inside.”

Lt. General Watari’s brows knitted. “Then they’ve likely placed incendiaries in key locations.”

Hiryuu added, “And they’ve retreated out of sight, waiting for the spark.”

Masahiro nodded. “Pull back to the gate perimeters. Set up defensive holds just inside the walls but don’t move further in. We will not give them what they want.”

He turned to another scout. “Relay to Koizumi: secure all strategic stockpiles—weapon depots, food storage, powder houses. Remove combustibles. And if they’re already set, get his men out.”

The scout saluted and departed into the rain.

From the shadowed keep, Colonel Seijuurou Kanbe stood at the window, watching the Brickvia forces flood in through the outer gates.

A younger officer approached. “Sir… they’re not advancing beyond the gates. Brickvia troops are holding near the perimeter.”

Kanbe frowned.

“…So, they’ve figured it out.” He stepped back from the window. “They’re cautious. Masahiro’s good.”

The young officer hesitated. “What are your orders?”

Kanbe was silent for a moment, then said coldly, “Let them hold. We’ll ignite only if they push deeper. For now… let them think they have the upper hand.”

Outside the main keep, rain continued to fall in uneven sheets, the stone corridors slick and echoing with the distant creak of wagons and the shouting of orders. Koizumi led a battalion of engineering corps toward the main weapon depot with haste. Among them, Ren, Private Nishiyama, and several other low-ranking engineers moved with bundles of tools and water-soaked canvas covers.

“Fan out,” Koizumi barked. “Check for fuses, oil trails, suspicious crates. If you find anything too complex, mark it and report—don’t attempt disarming without backup.”

Ren exchanged a glance with Nishiyama before hurrying into one of the side storage rooms. The smell of sulfur still lingered faintly. Rows of crates lined the walls—swords, spears, armor. But behind one stack, Ren spotted something odd: a thin, winding cord tucked beneath a sack.

“Nishiyama,” Ren called. “Here!”

The private rushed over. They peeled back the sack and revealed a long fuse soaked in oil, snaking along the floor toward a barrel that definitely wasn’t meant for weapons.

Ren stiffened. “It’s a powder barrel. If this goes up…”

“It’ll chain to the rest,” Nishiyama muttered.

Ren's eyes narrowed. “We must cut the fuse and soak the area.”

Nishiyama moved fast—dumping buckets of rainwater over oil-stained paths, yanking fuses, smothering charges with soaked cloth. It was a race against whatever plan Kuchiwara had left ticking.

Ren, his sleeves drenched and hands blackened with soot, helped pry open another crate. More powder barrels—this depot had enough to level an entire block of the castle.

One of the engineers, a young woman named Shiori, looked up. “Why would they store this many combustibles here?”

“To kill hope,” Ren said grimly. “And take us with it.”

Far from the depot, Masahiro received the next scout report.

“Koizumi’s unit found multiple ignition points. Sabotage attempt confirmed. They’re neutralizing them now. Several junior engineers discovered the main fuse line.”

Masahiro allowed a rare nod of approval. “They may have just saved the entire forward unit.”

He turned to his generals. “Maintain position. Once Koizumi confirms the depot is secured, we move into the next phase.”

Suddenly, the sound of boots thundered against the stone floor outside the depot. Colonel Kanbe’s elite task force had arrived.

“Find the barrels and light the charges!” barked the squad captain, his soaked cloak slapping behind him as he drew his curved blade. “Even if they’re here—kill them. No witnesses!”

Inside the depot, Ren, Nishiyama, and Shiori, froze as heavy footfalls closed in.

“They’re here,” Shiori whispered, tightening her grip on a short spear.

Ren’s eyes darted toward the powder barrels they hadn’t finished disarming. If even one was ignited…

“We hold,” Ren said firmly. “We can’t let them touch the fuse.”

Nishiyama nodded, planting his feet beside Ren as the first wave of attackers burst into the depot.

“There! By the barrels!” one of the enemy soldiers shouted, blade raised.

Another rushed in behind him, shouting, “Take them out!”

Despite being outnumbered and outclassed, the engineering unit held their ground fiercely.

Ren ducked under a sweeping strike, his feet skidding over the slick floor as the captain’s war club smashed into a supply crate, splintering wood and spraying dust.

Shiori leapt onto a scaffold to get a better angle while Nishiyama parried another soldier trying to charge Ren’s flank.

"Don’t let them get to the powder barrels!" Ren shouted, scanning the depot’s dark corners.

Three more of Kanbe’s task force had entered — lean, fast, and deadly with curved blades. They split up, aiming to ignite the fuses.

Shiori hurled a broken spear shaft to knock one of them off-balance. “I’ll take the left!” she cried out, vaulting down to intercept.

Nishiyama met another attacker head-on, blades ringing with each vicious exchange. He grunted under the pressure but held his ground, giving Ren a chance to focus.

Ren breathed in — calm. The storm outside, the chaos around him, the desperation — all faded. He dropped low, using his signature footwork to dash between the two new opponents.

One lunged, expecting a direct block.

Don’t meet strength with strength—redirect.

Ren vanished from his line of sight, pivoted behind him, and delivered a precise Kyusho strike behind the ear.

Disrupt the nerve. Drop the body.

The man dropped instantly.

The captain roared and charged again, unrelenting. “You're too late!” he bellowed. “This city will burn!”

“No,” Ren hissed. “Not while I’m standing.”

He parried a heavy blow just barely with a shattered shield, then spun under the captain’s arm and slammed his elbow into the man’s pressure point at the shoulder joint. The captain recoiled, now visibly slower.

On the far side, Shiori had outmaneuvered her target, sweeping the legs and pinning them with a spear haft. Nishiyama stabbed low, disarming his foe and pushing him into unconsciousness with a brutal hilt strike.

Now it was three against one.

Still, the captain wouldn’t yield.

He swung wildly, catching Nishiyama’s shoulder and sending him stumbling. Ren and Shiori moved in perfect synch — she jabbed low at the legs, Ren launched upward with a spinning strike to the neck, targeting a critical nerve.

The captain dropped to his knees, dazed, trembling, his body slowly going limp from the precision attack.

Nishiyama recovered and moved to bind his arms, sweat dripping down his brow.

“Depot... secure?”

Ren surveyed the room. The fuse trails were stomped out, the attackers were down, and the weapons intact.

He nodded. “Secure.”

They took a moment to breathe before Ren stepped toward the depot doors. “Let’s report to Koizumi. He needs to know Likeland is still standing.”

The rain continued outside as the three vanished into the storm, leaving the depot intact, the flames of destruction extinguished before they could begin.

Rain poured over the battlefield camp, drumming on the canvas roof as Colonel Koizumi stood hunched over a soaked map of Likeland Castle. Oil lanterns flickered weakly in the stormy air. Outside, soldiers moved in silence, waiting for orders, drenched but alert.

The tent flap swung open.

Ren stepped inside first, his cloak soaked and eyes weary. Behind him came Nishiyama, pressing a cloth against his bruised shoulder, and Shiori, streaked with dust and rain but uninjured.

Koizumi looked up immediately. “Report.”

Ren took a sharp breath. “Depot secured, sir. Sabotage attempt failed.”

Koizumi’s eyes sharpened. “Saboteurs?”

“Colonel Kanbe’s men,” Nishiyama answered grimly. “Five in total. Tried to set fire to the barrels. Captain led the assault himself.”

Shiori nodded. “They were well-prepared. But not enough.”

Koizumi stepped around the table, examining them each in turn — the soaked boots, bruised arms, tattered sleeves, and Ren’s trembling fingers still faintly twitching from the adrenaline. He gave a sharp nod of approval.

“You held the line,” he said. “If the depot had gone up, Likeland would’ve been ash.”

Ren lowered his eyes, still processing what had nearly happened.

Koizumi put a firm hand on his shoulder. “You did well, Private. All of you.”

Shiori added, “With the depot safe, we can begin the city’s restoration once the situation is stable.”

Koizumi looked toward the entrance. The thunder still cracked over the hills. “Let’s just hope the enemy doesn’t have one more trick left.”

He turned back to the table and pointed to a marked street near the inner wall. “Rest now. You’ll be needed again soon.”

Ren gave a tired nod, and the trio exited the tent, disappearing into the rain once more.

Colonel Koizumi stepped into the battlefield command tent where Yamada Masahiro stood reviewing positions by lantern light. The storm still rumbled in the distance, though the rain had started to ease.

Masahiro looked up. “Report.”

Koizumi gave a firm nod. “The weapon depot has been secured. A Kuchiwara sabotage unit attempted to ignite the entire stockpile after our forces breached the gates. Fortunately, our men intercepted them before the fire could be set. The situation is now under control.”

Masahiro’s expression grew more serious. “So Kanbe did intend to destroy Likeland from within.”

“It appears so,” Koizumi replied. “The timing was too precise. They wanted us to enter, lower our guard, then reduce the city to ashes.”

Masahiro exhaled slowly and turned to his aide. “Send orders to all units: hold positions, sweep for any remaining threats, and prioritize stabilizing the city. Likeland wasn’t won just by force—it was saved by timely action. Make sure our troops know that.”

Koizumi gave a brief nod and stepped back, already preparing to relay further instructions to his unit.

The scent of damp earth and oil lanterns lingered as Colonel Koizumi stepped out into the clearing night. Behind him, Yamada Masahiro remained in the tent, eyes once again fixed on the sprawling map, calculating what came next.

Outside, the storm had softened into a cold drizzle. Brickvia banners fluttered above the reclaimed gatehouses. Fires were being lit in the streets—not to burn, but to warm the soaked soldiers now holding their ground within the city walls.

Koizumi made his way through the muddy stone paths until he found Lieutenant General Futaba Watari near the west gate, overseeing a squad redistributing supplies. Watari’s uniform was soaked at the shoulders, but he stood straight, sharp-eyed and focused.

“Masahiro’s orders?” he asked curtly.

“Hold positions, initiate sweeps, and secure every alley and corridor,” Koizumi replied. “The depot sabotage was nearly a catastrophe.”

Watari's expression darkened. “Kanbe knew exactly how to bait us. This wasn’t an act of desperation—it was planned.”

Koizumi nodded. “Masahiro suspects the same. I’m deploying engineers to inspect tunnels, storage halls, and lower walls. Any structural sabotage must be found before first light.”

“I’ll attach my battalion to your sweep,” Watari said firmly. “If Kanbe left anything behind, we’ll find it before it finds us.”

Elsewhere, in the shadow of the castle’s outer ward, Ren and the remaining engineering unit huddled under the crumbled roof of a stable. Their cloaks steamed with residual heat, mixing with the mist rolling in from the hills. The adrenaline had faded, leaving a heavy exhaustion in its place.

Ren sat with his back against a beam, eyes fixed on the dim shapes of the castle towers. His heartbeat still echoed the rhythm of combat—the sudden strikes, the precision footwork, the moment the floodgate opened.

Nishiyama exhaled and gave a light chuckle. “You moved like you’d done that ten times before. I thought we were finished.”

Ren glanced sideways, his expression quiet. “I just didn’t want to fail.”

Shiori, crouching beside a crate, kept her eyes on the distant lamplight flickering from Brickvia patrols. “You didn’t. If we hadn’t acted fast, the city would’ve burned.”

A scout rode past along the inner road. “Orders from command! Sweep every sector for traps and ambushes—no assumptions, no rest!”

Ren stood slowly, wiping rain from his hands. His legs were stiff, but his eyes were clear now.

“Let’s go,” he said. “We’re not finished yet.”

Above them, the towers of Likeland loomed—battered but unbroken. The city had survived. For now.

The inner keep of Likeland Castle stood quiet and tense. Rain dripped steadily through the cracks in the stone walls, echoing softly in the dim room. Crude maps and battle plans were pinned haphazardly across worn surfaces, the weight of defeat heavy in the air.

Colonel Seijuurou Kanbe, still drenched from the storm, stood near a narrow window overlooking the city below. His jaw was set tight, eyes shadowed with resolve.

A junior officer approached cautiously from behind. “Colonel… Brickvia forces have taken the outer city. The depot assault was thwarted. Our sabotage unit was stopped. The enemy controls the lower barracks.”

Kanbe did not turn. “And the civilians?”

“They remain unharmed, sir. Aid is being distributed by Brickvia medics.”

Silence stretched between them.

“Then it’s finished,” the officer said softly. “Should I signal surrender?”

Kanbe slowly turned, his gaze sharp and unyielding.

“No,” he said firmly. “We do not surrender.”

The officer hesitated. “Sir—”

Kanbe stepped closer, his voice low but resolute. “This city was ours through blood and sacrifice. If they want the keep, they will have to take it by force. Brickvia believes the battle is over. Let them learn it has only just begun.”

The officer swallowed hard and saluted. “Yes, Colonel.”

As the door closed behind him, Kanbe looked once more over the rain-soaked rooftops.

“If this is to be my end,” he murmured, “then let it be with honor.”

Outside, the thunderstorm began to subside, but the tension within Likeland’s walls only grew heavier. Brickvia’s forces steadily closed in, advancing through the city’s streets toward the main castle where Colonel Kanbe held his ground.

Kanbe stood firm, watching the enemy’s approach with steely resolve. Though his troops had suffered setbacks, he refused to surrender.

“This castle is our last defense,” Kanbe declared to his officers. “If the enemy breaches these walls, they will take everything we hold dear. But before that happens, we will make sure they pay dearly.”

He turned to a trusted lieutenant. “Prepare the fires. When the time is right, ignite the powder stores inside the keep. Let the castle burn, and with it, the hopes of Brickvia.”

As the distant shouts of battle grew louder, Kanbe’s face hardened. The final confrontation was at hand, and he would see it through to the bitter end.

The commanders of Brickvia rallied their troops, their battle cries echoing through the storm-cleared streets. With disciplined precision, the infantry, engineers, and cavalry pressed forward, closing the distance to the towering gates of Likeland’s main castle.

General Daisuke Hiryuu led the armored knights at the forefront, their heavy hooves striking the ground like thunder. To the south, Lt. General Ryusuke Suzuki coordinated the foot soldiers, while Lt. General Futaba Watari oversaw the siege preparations near the western approach.

Amid the advancing forces, Ren moved cautiously, his sharp eyes scanning for any hidden traps or ambushes.

As the walls of the main castle loomed nearer, the Brickvia generals exchanged determined glances. The final push was imminent. Every soldier knew the cost of failure.

With a signal from Masahiro, the assault began.

A warhorn echoed through the rain-dampened air as Brickvia’s troops advanced deeper into Likeland, pressing toward the heart of the city—the towering main castle.

Lt. General Watari’s infantry led the charge through the narrow, cobbled streets, securing key intersections and sweeping for lingering resistance. General Suzuki’s southern division moved to the left flank, preventing any potential regrouping of Kuchiwara forces. Meanwhile, Hiryuu’s cavalry tightened their perimeter around the castle grounds, cutting off escape routes.

Colonel Koizumi’s engineering corps followed in formation, clearing debris and checking for hidden traps. Ren moved beside Nishiyama and Shiori, his gaze locked on the castle’s silhouette ahead—its weathered stone walls looming in the dim stormlight, scorched but still imposing. The streets were slick from earlier rain, but not flooded, and the path was unnervingly clear.

Inside the main keep, Colonel Kanbe observed the Brickvia advance from a narrow tower slit. His officers stood at attention behind him. Beneath the central hall, barrels of oil and fuses were prepared—silent, waiting.

“We’ve let them come this far,” Kanbe said grimly. “Let them believe they’ve won. Once they pour into this castle… we’ll bring it all down with them inside.”

Inside the stone corridors of Likeland’s main castle, Colonel Kanbe stood before a subordinate holding a lit torch. The sound of Brickvia boots echoed faintly outside the castle walls, drawing closer.

Kanbe’s eyes narrowed. “Now.”

The soldier dropped the torch into the oil-soaked rags along the hall. In an instant, flames roared to life, crawling hungrily up the support beams and racing toward the prepared barrels of oil hidden beneath the central chamber. The heat surged, and smoke began to billow through the corridors.

From the high tower, a plume of black smoke unfurled into the sky. Brickvia troops halted at the castle’s outer stairways, eyes widening as the first signs of fire leapt from the lower windows.

Lt. General Watari snapped his gaze toward the rising smoke. “He’s burning the castle!”

Masahiro’s voice was steady, but tense. “Pull the vanguard back! Koizumi—get your engineers forward. We need to stop this before the entire structure collapses!”

Ren, already sprinting behind Koizumi’s orders, felt the ground rumble beneath his feet as a muffled explosion shook the castle’s foundations.

As flames devoured the lower halls of Likeland’s main castle, smoke curled into the darkening sky. Brickvia’s forces advanced swiftly through the inner streets, now clear of floodwaters but heavy with tension. The storm had eased, but the threat had not.

Colonel Koizumi and his engineering corps arrived at the main castle perimeter just as the grand doors burst open with a thunderous crash.

Out stepped Colonel Seijuurou Kanbe, soot-streaked and battle-worn, his sword drawn and eyes burning with defiance. The inferno roared behind him, casting his figure in flickering firelight.

“So,” Kanbe called out, voice steady despite the flames, “Brickvia sends all of its finest. Masahiro. Watari. Koizumi. Hiryuu. The war council marches together.”

Brickvia’s generals stood united in front of the burning fortress. The tension thickened as Kanbe pointed his blade toward them.

“If you want the heart of this city,” he snarled, “you’ll have to take it through me.”

There was a brief silence before the generals glanced toward one another. Then, with a firm step forward, General Daisuke Hiryuu emerged from the line. The armored cavalry commander removed his rain-drenched cloak, revealing the ceremonial mark of his rank.

“I accept your challenge,” Hiryuu declared, voice calm and unwavering. “As the highest-ranking general of Brickvia present, it is my duty—and my honor.”

Kanbe smirked and lowered into a combat stance. “Let’s see if your rank is earned in steel.”

The soldiers around them stepped back, forming a wide circle. The fire crackled, and the storm rumbled in the distance as the two seasoned warriors closed in, swords drawn—the final duel between the last defender of Likeland and Brickvia’s strongest general had begun.

Ren watched tensely from behind the assembled troops, his breath catching in his throat as the two generals stepped forward. The burning castle cast eerie shadows on their faces, the flickering light dancing across their drawn swords.

Hiryuu, tall and steady in his polished armor, held his sword with confident grace. Kanbe’s eyes burned with a fierce determination.

Kanbe sneered. “You think your rank means anything here? I’ve bled for this land longer than you’ve drawn breath.”

Hiryuu’s voice was calm but carried a sharp edge. “Rank is earned in battle, Kanbe. Today, you’ll learn what true command means.”

With a sudden cry, Kanbe lunged forward, his blade flashing like lightning. Hiryuu met the strike with a powerful block, the clash ringing through the courtyard.

Ren’s eyes darted between their swords as they exchanged blow after blow, steel ringing on steel. Hiryuu’s movements were precise and disciplined, while Kanbe fought with raw fury and unyielding will.

Kanbe snarled between strikes, “You’re nothing but a puppet of Brickvia’s crown! This land belongs to us!”

Hiryuu countered, “No. It belongs to those who protect it with honor.”

Ren’s heart raced as the duel grew fiercer. Each parry and strike sent sparks flying. He could see the exhaustion beginning to creep into Kanbe’s eyes, while Hiryuu remained composed, every move measured.

Suddenly, Hiryuu feinted left, then struck a quick blow to Kanbe’s side. Kanbe staggered but stayed on his feet, glaring fiercely.

“Yield, Kanbe. There is no honor in burning what you cannot hold.”

Kanbe spat blood but shook his head fiercely. “I will burn it all first.”

Hiryuu’s sword came down in a decisive arc, knocking Kanbe’s blade aside. With a swift, controlled motion, Hiryuu disarmed him, sending Kanbe’s sword skidding across the stone.

The courtyard fell silent, save for the crackling fire.

Hiryuu lowered his sword, breathing heavily but steady. “It’s over.”

Kanbe glared, defeated but unbroken. Ren felt a mix of awe and relief wash over him — the war was far from over, but this battle was won.

The air hung heavy with smoke and ash as Kanbe fell to his knees, chest heaving. The defeated colonel’s fierce glare softened for just a moment before he lowered his head.

Ren stood a few steps back, still catching his breath. His heart was pounding—not just from the tension of the duel, but from the weight of what had just happened. The war wasn’t just fought with swords and strategy; it was a clash of wills and spirits.

General Hiryuu sheathed his sword slowly, then turned to address the gathered commanders. His voice was steady and commanding, cutting through the chaos like a beacon.

“Kanbe’s defeat marks the end of this siege. The main castle—and Likeland itself—are ours. But this victory came at a cost. We must rebuild, not only walls and roads, but trust and hope.”

Ren’s gaze drifted to the burning castle behind them, flames licking the night sky. It was a harsh reminder of the devastation war leaves in its wake.

Yet in the faces of his comrades, Ren saw determination. This was only the beginning.

He clenched his fists, feeling the fire of resolve ignite within him. They had won the battle—but the future still demanded everything they had to give.

General Masahiro’s voice cut sharply through the roar of the flames. “Enough! Extinguish the fire immediately. The main castle must not be lost to this inferno.”

Chaos swirled around them — soldiers shouting, water splashing, wood cracking in the blaze. Ren found himself shoulder to shoulder with Takeda and Nishiyama, each gripping a heavy bucket.

Takeda’s voice was steady but grim. “After fighting swords, now we fight fire. War spares no one.”

Nishiyama’s breath came quick and ragged. “We’re lucky we caught that sabotage in time. If the fire spreads, this whole place could go up in smoke.”

Ren’s eyes flicked to the black smoke curling toward the sky, his hands trembling slightly as he filled his bucket. “I never thought I’d be throwing water instead of throwing punches, but it all feels the same — desperate.”

Takeda placed a reassuring hand on Ren’s shoulder. “Keep your head, Ren. The castle isn’t just stone and wood. It’s everything we’ve fought for.”

Nishiyama added, “And everything still worth fighting for. We stop this fire, we stop Kanbe’s last strike.”

The three exchanged a glance heavy with exhaustion but fueled by resolve. Together they formed a rhythm — dip, carry, throw — the water splashing across the burning timbers, steam hissing as it met the flames.

Ren’s muscles ached, but the weight of the bucket grounded him. “This is more than just survival. It’s our chance to prove we can rebuild. To protect what matters.”

Takeda nodded. “Brickvia depends on us, on every drop of effort we pour into this fight.”

Nishiyama’s voice lowered but fierce. “No matter what, we won’t let this fire consume our home.”

The rain’s gentle patter began to drown out the crackling of flames, giving the weary defenders a brief moment of respite. Ren lowered his bucket, chest heaving, as Takeda and Nishiyama exchanged tired but relieved nods.

From the tent, General Masahiro’s voice rose again, clear and commanding. “Assess the damage and organize repair teams immediately. We cannot afford a weakened fortress now.”

Colonel Koizumi stepped forward, brushing soot from his uniform. “Understood. I’ll assign recovery teams right away.” He turned to a cluster of nearby engineers. “Takamura, Endo, Hoshina — gather your squads. Prioritize stabilizing the southern structure. If the wall weakens there, we risk collapse.”

The engineers saluted and moved quickly to follow orders.

Koizumi glanced at Ren, Takeda, and Nishiyama, giving them a brief nod. “You three—stand down for now. Get some rest. You’ve done more than enough.”

Ren swallowed the exhaustion gnawing at him but nodded firmly. “Yes, sir.”

As the generals dispersed to oversee the recovery, Ren’s gaze drifted to the smoldering remains of the main castle walls. The battle was far from over, but today, Brickvia had survived. For now.

A pale sunlight broke through the thinning storm clouds. Smoke still drifted lazily from the charred remains of rooftops, but the worst of the fire had been extinguished. Engineers, soldiers, and medics moved with quiet efficiency, tending to damage, checking supplies, and cataloging losses.

Ren sat on a low stone ledge beside Takeda and Nishiyama, sipping from a steaming tin cup. His legs ached, his arms felt like lead, and dark circles shadowed his eyes. But his thoughts weren’t on his body.

From where he sat, he could see the devastation both inside and outside the city. The roads were caked in mud, collapsed homes lined the streets, and what remained of the main castle stood like a skeletal monument to the violence that had just ended.

We won.

Ren thought.

But at what cost?

Crumbling infrastructure, displaced civilians, scorched land. Brickvia had taken Likeland—but there was no glory in the smoldering aftermath.

If this is victory, then no one really wins in war.

Ren muttered to himself.

At the command tent nearby, the generals had gathered for a briefing. Colonel Koizumi was reporting to the assembled officers.

“Castle secured. Fires extinguished. No signs of further sabotage. We’ve posted extra guards at the remaining depots. Civilian casualties minimal due to prior evacuation—credit to the intelligence warning.”

Lt. General Watari crossed his arms. “And Kanbe?”

General Hiryuu, standing tall and firm, answered. “Dead. He fought to the last. His troops are leaderless now—many have surrendered or fled. Kuchiwara’s banner has fallen.”

A moment of quiet passed.

Then Watari spoke again, “Reinforce Likeland. Begin repairs. This place is vital for our next campaign. Inform local villagers—Brickvia will protect them now.”

Ren lowered his eyes to the mud at his feet.

Protect… after tearing it all down first.

He thought.

Maybe someday war won’t be the only way to protect people.

He didn’t say it aloud. But the thought stayed with him, long after the command tent had gone quiet.