Chapter 49:

Tyranny of the Azure Sky

The Wind Calls the Flowers


What should I even bring with me? Obviously I’ll need to bring my rifle, but what else do I need that we have? I don’t think I’d want heavy armour since it would limit my movement and make it far harder to get around. While it could protect me from a sword swing, I don’t think it’s really worth it. Light leather armour would work far better for my needs while also fitting well with my black outfit.

Since it’ll be a bit past the middle of the day when this plan starts, realistically this outfit shouldn’t help too much, but if it ever becomes dark enough, there’s at least the possibility it could be useful. Besides, we’re going up against royalty. I’d be more than likely to encounter mages. If there are mages anywhere near Celestia’s level, heavy armour won’t be enough to deal with their onslaught.

So now that armour is decided, the next thing I need to decide to bring with me is food. If this ends up being a battle of attrition then having food would be good on hand. However, if the battle ends in one day like planned, then keeping food with me may just slow me down. I guess the speed decrease wouldn’t be too terrible and if I need to I can just leave it behind. It may be best to keep a small amount of bread on me then just in case I need it.

We decided a specific time when we would be starting the attack in full force. That way we can coordinate with the teams taking care of the other cities and villages in Milarch. Hopefully they’ll be able to start on time and not deviate from the plan too greatly.

As I was prepping the things I was planning on taking, two members walked into the room. If it wasn’t obvious enough by the screaming one of them was making, the trail of blood and the human on the other’s back made it clear one of them was injured. I got closer to take a look at the severity of the injury.

It appeared that the one who was injured had both of his legs missing. He was still holding his weapon, but aside from that, he was less than intact.

“Quickly, heal his wounds.” I ordered the healing mages in the room.

With great haste they went over to the man and began healing him. They were able to get the skin to recover over his open wound, but didn’t have time to grow back his feet.

Even if they did, it wouldn’t make a difference. He wouldn’t be able to use them. This was a large flaw in healing magic I had only learned after being in contact with these mages.

“What happened here?” I asked the girl with short amber hair who was carrying him back.

“He made a preemptive strike on Clauffer’s carriage.” She began answering.

“What! Why would you do something so stupid?” This time directing my question to the injured man.

“I thought if I could take him out quickly we would have to deal with less.” He replied, hoping to find some sympathy.

“I’m assuming the guards did this to you?”

“No, worse. The Mad Mage had been in the cart with him and protected him completely.”

“So the Mad Mage really is here then.”

“Not only that, she didn’t even take damage. In fact, when she realized where I was shooting from, she froze my legs to the ground. I had to cut them off and was rescued by Hue.” He responded, pointing to the woman who had carried him here.

“I see, so that’s how you lost your feet. Wait, she?”

“I think the Mad Mage was a she. I’m not completely sure due to my distance, but it seemed they had long flowing hair.”

“Hmm. If you aren’t certain, we shouldn’t make assumptions.”

“What should I do now, boss?”

“Nothing. You’re removed from the force.”

“What? But I can still fight, I swear!”

“No you can’t. With the condition you’re in now, you would only slow us down.”

“B-but I can help.”

“Sit this out. That’s an order.”

“I-I-I….okay.”

If he went fighting again, he would die for certain. At least this way he had a far better chance of survival. It would also make it easier for us not having to deal with his injury during the fight. However, there was one thing of concern.

If the guards had tracked him down to his shooting position, then the trail of blood would end up leading them right here. It seemed we would need to take them out as they came here to make sure they didn't get any info on our weapons. I wanted to reprimand the injured man more for this, but decided he already had enough.

“Everyone, aim your rifles at the door. There will be guards coming soon.” I ordered.

“What, guards?” The woman who was named Hue asked.

“That’s right. They’ll be following the trail of blood.”

“What should we do Hibiki?” Fallem asked.

“As I said, aim for the door. When they enter, kill them all. Once that’s done, we’ll make our way out of here and get in position. Oh and make sure not to use your crystals. It‘ll be better if we don’t destroy our way out.”

“Right!” The small group still with me spoke.

We stood by, waiting for our enemy to approach. While we had quite a surplus of bullets now, wasting them ahead of time was still not the best idea. But in this circumstance we would have no choice in the matter.

As their footsteps came sounding, growing louder and louder than the last, we held our fingers on the trigger waiting for them to come. I could hear my heartbeat sounding all across my body. The throbbing made me feel like I was going to miss the shot I was holding.

Finally, a shining group had made their way to the door and began entering. As they started entering, we unleashed the force of our new weapons, tearing through their armour. By the time we stopped firing, all the men had been riddled with holes.

There was a chance one of the guards was sent away to get reinforcements, but by the time that would happen, we would’ve already begun the plan. It seems that even with this minor setback we had still been able to get ahead of those fools.

“Okay everyone, let’s go.” I commanded, getting everyone to follow along with me.

I was able to make myself a utility belt ahead of time to help carry all the things I decided were worth bringing along. It held the bread I had decided to bring a few minutes ago and obviously a lot of ammunition. I had also attached a strap to my rifle, making it easier to carry along and not requiring the constant use of my hands as well.

With that set, we began our way towards the alley ways. They were the perfect place to hide ourselves. My group in particular had a lot of black cloaks in order to better blend in with the crowd which normally hid in the alleys.

“Sir, I would like to go with you.” Hue told me as we were running into our position.

“Hmm, that’s fine then. Come along.” I responded.

“Thank you sir!”

“Yeah, no worries.” I replied to her gratitude.

It was better to have someone with me. It would allow them to cover my back. I made my way through the castle. Who knows how much defense they actually have, but it’s definitely safer to bring her with me.

“Fallem, you’re sure you don’t want to come along as well?” I questioned her.

“Yes I’m sure. I’ll help deal with the guards in the Capital so they don’t come to the castle and attack you guys.” She answered with a new conviction.

“All right, thank you.” I expressed my gratitude, happy to see her with a new conviction.

Our small group of fifteen began splitting up to take their positions. The others of our forces were already in position. It was decided it would be best if I joined in after the initial attack to make sure I had an opportunity to gauge the situation and give new orders based on it.

While it made sense, it also meant I would have a lower chance of killing Clauffer Von Verse myself. Well whatever, as long as he ends up dead in the end, I guess that should suffice. Hue and I reached the corridor where we laid in wait for the signal to happen.

Of course, we made it so that the signal was recognizable to anyone who had been in on the plan in the Capital. After all, everyone would notice an explosion at the monolithic palace. Thanks to its great size, it also made it so that everyone would have constant eyes on it whether they wanted to or not.

In this way, it worked to our advantage. While it’s design was quite gorgeous, I did have a decent issue with it. It’s pure white aesthetic made it quite an eyesore to see all the time. A little redecorating should do it some good.

“It’s already time, isn’t it?” Hue asked me.

“Well yes, but just give it a moment. Causing an explosion at the castle is no small feat.” I tried to calm her down.

“O-okay.”

Around a minute later, a great rumbling could be felt from the ground and wall of the alleyway we were waiting in. Checking on the palace, we could see that nice dark smoke was rising from it. Finally it was time for us to advance our way in.

“Follow me, it’s time!” I told her as I began moving forward.

“Yes sir!” She responded and began following me.

As we rushed out of the place we had been hidden in, we could make out three guards still dazed and looking around them. It seemed they were shocked by what was happening at the castle. Shocked enough they didn't even have the time to notice us.

I saw Hue was getting ready to shoot her rifle off at them. While it would have worked, there were far too many people panicking in the way to get a clear shot. Revealing our trump card so openly in the street this early would cause some issues.

“Use the knife at the end and aim for their necks.” I ordered her.

Following without hesitation, she rushed past me and cut the neck of the one in the middle. I was able to cut the one to the right of her shortly after. That only left the one who had just now come to his senses after seeing his two comrades murdered right next to him. However, without missing a beat, Hue stabbed into his neck, killing him before he could raise his sword.

Like that, it seemed we had won our first of what would likely be many battles. I gestured for her to follow along with me as I once again began sprinting for the gate which held back the castle. It would be my first time seeing the palace up close, but that didn’t bring me joy.

Instead, what was going to bring me joy was taking it down. That way the sky would finally be set free from its tyranny. After all, it had absolutely no right to pierce the heavens in such a disgusting manner. It was almost sickening to see it doing so.

“If we keep this pace, we should be able to get to the castle soon.” I told Hue.

“What about the blood on our blades?” She asked.

That’s right, we wouldn’t want them getting rusty. I didn’t think they’d rust that quickly, but it would be better to nip this issue in the bud.

“When we get into the castle, we’ll look for a safe space to clean them off.” I replied.

“But when would we be allowed to shoot these weapons?” She decided to ask a new question.

“Well, once we get past the gate, it should be safe to do so.”

“Is the only reason we aren’t shooting now because there are so many civilians in the way?”

“Not at all. It just wouldn’t be good to show off our power until we really needed it.” I answered what I had hoped would be the last of her questions.

“I see.”

“I can see the gate coming up now, but it looks like we may need to take out a few more before we can get in.” I explained to her.

-june-
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