Conquest Over the Burning Prince [Part 1]

The nights are too long in this world, so little has happened in the long night and yet, my adrenaline has been at its peak for several hours. Continually on edge, waiting for something, anything to change, just so I can diminish this heightened state of flight-or-fight. All I’m able to do is join the moon’s audience and observe this pitiful squabble. With a strange sense of glee as we watch the senseless violence take place in this secluded forest. Impressively, that violence is fairly concentrated in the front yard of the mansion.

As per Vapula’s prediction, a supposed Guild has made themselves known on this night. The enemy was coming in waves; testing our strength. The first wave triggered some of the traps we placed around the property and in the woodlands that surround the mansion. Later waves weren’t any more tactical, they had several personnel entering the property, ill prepared for the encounter with our main line of defense, Vahaemarr. As the reason why I call this a pitiful squabble. The enemy lacked any form of productive strategy. Simply hurling wave after wave of clueless bodies at our first lines of defense. While the rest of us just waited for them to gather any new ideas and change their strategy. All this waiting made the night feel like an eternity.

We had come to the agreed conclusion that Vahaemarr was the strongest among us. When we asked for his opinion on his placement in our plan, he had no objections. He hadn’t shown confidence in his abilities, but he displayed a calm arrogance. In a good way. He knew that he’d be able to handle any enemy that came onto the property, no matter the number. Knowing this, confirmed some of the suspicions I’d had about him. I didn’t get to hear him confirm my suspicions, but seeing his awesome abilities in person was good enough.

All things considered, I still wanted Vahaemarr to have some type of cover. We placed Nel in the shadows behind him. So that she can take out any of the enemy that attempted to ambush Vahaemarr from one of his blind spots. She would also be the Battlefield Surveyor. She gave herself that title, I’d like to add. She is likely the fastest moving out of all of us, so she can quickly inform us if something is happening with one of the others. I don’t know her full abilities, because she said that she has a secret ability that no one knows about. So, that’s interesting.

Inside the mansion: we have two groups; three on the first floor, and two on the floor Vapula is on. Quen, Írui, and Aeryvon will fortify the first floor, taking anyone out from entering the mansion; acting as one unit. Elros and I will be patrolling the floor Vapula is on, stopping anyone from getting to Vapula’s room.

I will not be much help when it comes to combat, so I will be Elros’ second pair of eyes and ears, even somewhat acting as a human decoy to some extent.

Making sure the enemy gets distracted by me so then Elros can swiftly take out the enemy. That way, Elros won't get overwhelmed with too many enemies all at once. Elros and the others were concerned with my safety, so we were able to find an ultra strong chainmail to protect myself from injury. It was Vahaemarr’s, so it was a little awkward and cumbersome, but as long as I had some type of protection.

I am confident in my team and the plan we formed together.

⧫⧫⧫

It was nearing the end of the first half of the night. Not one person made their way to Vapula’s floor. That was mostly from the help of Vahaemarr and his flying gold sword. I think I speak for all of us when I say that Vahaemarr was way more powerful than we expected. He alone was able to vanquish dozens of the enemy. That is not to say that he didn’t struggle at any point: the enemy improvised a clever tactic or two when Vahaemarr’s focus slipped slightly, causing some of them to run past Vahaemarr. But were quickly stopped by our Unit on the first floor of the mansion.

We’re close to victory. I can feel it. But I have to remain patient. The night is not over and we don’t know when they'll stop.

“It’s been pretty quiet. Let’s go check on Vahaemarr.” I suggested.

“Yeah, maybe we are getting close to the end of the enemy’s invasion.”

It didn’t take Elros and I long to get to a vantage point to oversee Vahaemarr’s position.

“Is he drinking tea?“ Elros noticed.

“Yeah, it sure looks like it… Maybe this is a good sign that we are close to the end of the invasion.”

“I sure hope so! I’m getting tired.” Elros expressed with a quick yawn.

Aside from the fact that Vahaemarr was actually drinking tea in the middle of the battlefield. The thing that was hard for me to witness. There were dozens of mangled and lifeless bodies surrounding Vahaemarr. For a quick moment, everything was blurry, my legs felt like sand, and my stomach wanted to exit my body. That was the first time I’ve ever seen a dead body. I honestly felt sick. It was difficult for me to maintain my composure. I should have known that I was going to see a corpse. I can’t believe I overlooked something like that. I mean, my first day in this world, lives were lost in that explosion. But the worst part about it was that Elros and Vahaemarr were so incredibly nonchalant with the sight. All this just made me realize that this is a normal thing in this world. Witnessing Death is a casual experience in this world.

I had to step back for a moment before I could say anything.

“The sun will be up soon. So, either we're at the end or they have one more attack to execute.”

“Hmm, I agree… You know Ryosuke, you are pretty smart.” Elros complemented.

“Thanks, Elros.” I replied. That was kinda surprising. He sounded genuine.

“HEY. Don’t you think that this means I’m going to go soft on you or anything!” Elros remarked with embarrassed fury.

“Ha. Whatever you say… So!”

I was starting to feel normal again and I think this was a good time to learn a little about Elros. Sigh. The conversation I’m about to have will certainly seem like I'm interested in his background. When in reality, it's just to obtain more of the inner workings of this world. Oh well, here goes.

“Elros. I feel like you know a bit about me considering the number of times you interrogated me.” I smirked.

“Hey! I wasn’t interrogating you! They were just simple questions!” He yelped in annoyance.

“Haha. I’m just messing! I just thought that this will be a good chance to get to know you, is all. I only know, like, two things about you.”

“Hmm. What would those things be?” He asked in skepticism.

“What does it matter?!” I yelled in my head. “Well, like when you joined, and your knighthood or whatever it is.” I responded.

“I… Guess, that is something you would know about…” He placed his hand on his chin.

“Okay, so… Were you in any other Guilds before this one?” I tried my best to ask nicely.

“... I was in only one other Guild. The Guild of Purson.” He smiled with pride.

“Is that high rank or something?” I asked.

“Wha! Yeah it's a high rank! It’s in the Top 20!!!” He got mad and yelled at me.

“Okay, sorry I didn’t know.” I smirked, trying not to laugh at how mad he got.

“Anyway, why did you join this one?” I then asked.

“Well, I didn’t intend to. I was at one of the recruitment festivals; I saw Vapula’s booth with Írui and Vahaemarr at it. Then I suppose, they just convinced me to do some of the tests at this mansion. I passed and Vapula made a deal, so I joined.”

“So, what you are telling me is that you were persuaded by a pretty face?” I grinned.

“Wha?! I barely mention Írui!” He hollered.

“I was talking about Vahaemarr.” I grinned again, this time more smugly.

“Tch, whatever!” He blushed with frustration. I giggled. I had a feeling that he liked Írui.

"Tell me a little about your Knighthood thing." I then asked.

"I'm a Royal Knight! Thank you very much." He hollered again.

"You're welcome!" I smiled.

"Well, it's not all that great." He responded with a glare.

"How come?"

"I grew up in a family that served super special people. So I was pretty much forced to be a knight." He explained.

"Did you like it?"

"Yeah, but it was a lot of work and all that."

"Was there anything wrong about it?"

"You can say that. Not only the Royal Knights in my family serve important people. Sometimes we were basically sold to Infernalior." He expressed.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, the heads of our families often make deals with Infernalior. Some of us are almost forced to join some Guilds. That's wha—"