No Time Wasted

“No wonder they’re stuck around the Spire.”

Medrauta shook her head in amazement as she looked at the strategic map that was sprawled out before her on a wide table. Several figures indicating troop placements and fortifications dotted its vast parchment expanse, all of them seemingly positioned for a final attack.

“I was pretty surprised at how small the witchspawn presence was in the capital,” she said.

“I do know what I’m doing sometimes,” Eirlys said dryly, raising an eyebrow. “Or did you think this was the first witchspawn breakout to ever occur in the empire?”

“Actually, yeah.” Medrauta shrugged. “The situation in the other duchies was so chaotic and unprepared that it really did seem like this was the first time we were dealing with such a problem.”

“Fair enough. We’ve dealt with witchspawn incursions before, but not something of this scale, and certainly not an entire tower bursting out of nowhere in the capital city. However, if this mission is successful, then you’ll become the first knights to overcome such a great threat. It’s a great honor.”

Medrauta laughed, shaking her head. “Sounds more like we’re guinea pigs for the senior knights. You comin’ to collect my corpse after the dust settles?”

“M-Medrauta!” Viviane slapped her knight’s arm in admonishment. “That’s rude!”

Eirlys grinned, shaking her head. “Don’t worry about it. We knights joke about this kind of thing all the time. Besides, she’s not exactly wrong.”

“Huh...? What do you mean?” Viviane frowned.

“Make no mistake, Lady Viviane. And the same goes for the two of you as well, Lady Rosaline and Lady Estelle.” Eirlys paused, her tone becoming deathly serious. She held each noblewoman’s gaze for several seconds, ensuring they were paying the utmost attention. “This is uncharted territory. Never before have we encountered anything like this even in history. That is why I will give you all the choice to decline this time. If you wish, you may withdraw from this operation immediately.”

“No need.” Medrauta answered instantly. “I think I speak for my lady when I say we’ll see this through to the very end. If I don’t give that bitch Amelia a piece of my mind now, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.”

“Medrauta is right. I do not know why Amelia wished ruin upon our nation, but I will not stand still and watch someone else save it for me.” Viviane said, stepping forward resolutely.

Eirlys nodded, glancing at Rosaline and Leticia. The two bore fierce expressions of pure determination. Strengthened and refined by their experiences in the civil war of the south and their push to the capital that involved the siege of three shield towers, Rosaline and Leticia both refused to back down despite knowing full well the responsibilities they would shoulder.

“We stand with Lady Viviane and Dame Medrauta.” Rosaline said, her voice firm and unwavering. Beside her, Leticia nodded in assent, conveying her resolve to Eirlys through her body instead of her words.

Estelle and Rosette responded in kind, their will to finish the fight also unshakeable. Viviane couldn’t tell what exactly it was about Estelle, but something about her had changed drastically. It was almost as if she were willing to dive into the battlefield, unarmored and unarmed despite her frail and delicate body, solely for the sake of proving her worth.

Likewise, Medrauta also noticed that Rosette was vastly different compared to the knight she was before. Though the two had only dueled once, the silver-haired knight could tell instantly that Rosette no longer felt the need to hold herself back. She had clearly undergone some sort of revelation, but even Medrauta couldn’t guess as to its nature.

Eirlys nodded in approval at the three pairs before reaching for a plotting rod which she used to move the various figurines atop the map. She pointed at one of them now, indicating what seemed to be a small plaza due south of the academy.

“I’m sure you’re all familiar, but this is Jestel Plaza. We have a small outpost there creating a chokepoint which ensures the witchspawn cannot spread throughout the capital as they once did. Coincidentally, the entrance to the Spire also lies directly across it. This is where your mission begins.”

The knights and noblewomen all nodded as Eirlys paused, peering closer at the map. As they inspected it, Eirlys began positioning the other figurines in a circular formation, all of them surrounding the Spire in the middle.

“The operation is a simple one. At this stage, there is no longer any need for grand strategy or tactical brilliance. This is a straightforward assault where we win or we lose.” Eirlys explained. “When the signal is given, all forces will immediately attack the Spire from every conceivable angle, engaging the witchspawn and forcing them to commit to defense.

“There will be a second signal once we have thoroughly tied up the witchspawn.” Eirlys tapped Jestel Plaza. “Ever since we managed to capture the plaza, we have spent most of our efforts constructing a siege cannon the likes of which the world has never seen... and likely never will again. By the Imperial Scholars’ calculations, the weapon will destroy itself as a result of recoil. However, the blast will be more than enough to tear a straight line through any witchspawn unfortunate enough to be in the way.”

“I’m guessing that’s where we come in,” Medrauta said.

Eirlys nodded. “That’s right. The moment the cannon goes off, that’s your signal. Your job is to rush straight to the Spire’s entrance no matter what. You will stop for nothing, and the forces garrisoned in the plaza will follow you until you reach your destination, holding back any witchspawn that attempts to stop you.”

“...You weren’t joking when you said it was going to be simple, huh?”

“It’s do or die, Medrauta. This is the final stretch, so if you’re getting cold feet, it’s not too late to back out just yet.”

Medrauta snorted derisively. “Don’t even joke about that, Dame Eirlys.”

Eirlys merely smirked. “And everyone else? If you’re getting cold feet like Medrauta, speak up.”

“Oi, I said I wasn’t getting—Gah! Whatever.”

A chorus of laughter echoed through the room as Medrauta rolled her eyes. The moment of jest had helped relieve the built-up tension resulting from Eirlys’ reminder of the do-or-die nature of the operation, but it wasn’t over just yet. Bradley who had remained silent until now finally stepped forward, a grave expression on his face.

“It’s good that you’ve all still got the will to laugh and smile.” Bradley said. “That’s important for what’s coming next.”

“...Oh?” Medrauta turned to Bradley, noting the haunted look in his eyes. It seemed as though the senior knight hadn’t slept for ages, prominent dark circles tarnishing his once-handsome looks.

“During the past few days, we’ve received a few reports bearing rather unfortunate news.” Bradley began, tossing a few documents onto the desk. “As such, we have designated two priority targets within the Spire. Namely, the former prince Galahad and Padraig, a former captain in the Imperial Order.”

To Bradley’s surprise, the three pairs simply nodded. After all, they had known all along. It wasn’t something Medrauta had discussed in detail with Viviane, but she had spoken of Padraig and his current role as the Walpurgisknight during their journey to the capital.

“We encountered Galahad during our mission.” Rosette said. “He stood against us even after Lady Isabella chose to surrender, displaying impressive abilities as a Sworn champion of the witch.”

Rosaline nodded. “We dealt with him as well when lending aid to Dame Rosette and Lady Estelle during their siege on the second shield tower of the west. It was hard fought and it seems he bears some sort of corrupted Crest from Amelia.”

“That’s worrying,” Viviane’s brow furrowed. “To think the prince would truly betray his own nation... Just what was he thinking?”

“With all due respect, he probably wasn’t thinking at all.” Eirlys said. “But that’s besides the point. You’ve all been briefed and you have your targets. This is your last chance to back out. Anyone?”

No one responded. Instead, they merely fixed Eirlys and Bradley with resolute eyes. They stood proudly, their heads held high and their chests puffed out. Despite knowing the burdens they were about to bear, their backs were straight and taut like bowstrings ready to fire a righteous storm of arrows that would liberate the empire from the witchspawn dogs at last.

Eirlys nodded approvingly for the last time that day. She had chosen her champions well. The only thing left was to see this through so a new dawn could rise, illuminating a horizon no longer marred by the presence of the pitch-black Spire towering through the heavens.

“I thought not. Report to the barracks tomorrow morning. We ride to Jestel Plaza at sunrise and attack immediately. It’s time to finish this once and for all.”

All those in the room saluted, including the brave noblewomen.

“Yes, ma’am!”