Chapter 56 Ch. 56: Rallying [4]
The sword in Alexander's grip gave off a faint light and Magic Circle was drawn on its blade. Despite it trembling violently in his hand, he didn't stop funneling his Mana into it and continued to recite his incantation.
Damian rubbed his eyes to get a better look at what Alexander was up to, but he gave up halfway because his sight wasn't improving. But he caught the sword within Alexander's grasp, emitting light.
'Aura Blade?'
Damian shook his head.
'No. it isn't.'
Aura Blade's light was bright blue while Alexander's light was too bleak. Also, Aura Blade could only be attained by Warriors, that was why if you had an Elemental within you, it was impossible to wield Aura.
Damian didn't know the reason because the novel never explained or maybe the author wanted a balanced world or something. But the only thing he knew; this was the sole reason why Chrono created such a skill.
'Is that really an Elemental Sword?'
He couldn't help but furrow his eyebrows. Alexander didn't have such skills when he was reading novels, and the reason why Elemental Sword became a long lost technique was because Chrono didn't let anyone learn it.
'So why does he have it now? Where did he learn it? There's something wrong with this world. It feels like the world and the novel aren't aligned. Why Alexander–'
Damian clutched his head and groaned.
"Ugh."
"Your Highness, are you all right?"
The knight used a shield as an umbrella to cover Damian from the rain, asked.
"I'm–cough!"
Blood jumped out and landed on his palm.
"Cough, cough!"
Red liquid oozed from the corner of Damian's mouth. Hearing his little brother cough coming back, Alexander clucked his tongue.
"Tsk."
He must hurry.
The ground beneath his feet emerged and once it passed the heights of the knights who surrounded them, Alexander immediately swung his sword.
The wide and thin white light that imitated the wings of an eagle flew toward the enemy. It was so fast as if the attack seemed to cut dimensions.
Sensing a sudden wave of something dangerous approaching, Ulrich immediately gave the order as loud as he could.
"Get down!!"
Ulrich, Fedel, and allies, even some enemies, all hastily ducked. In a split second, a faint light passed through the battlefield. He had no idea what it was but, once past it, Ulrich couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
He raised his head and confusion colored his face. Not only him, but everyone else who was crouching had the same expression as him. The soldiers who failed to squat, stood motionless as if time had stopped in front of them.
Only.
–Splash!
Something fell below and their eyes widened.
–Splash! –Splash! –Splash!
Many heads dropped and rolled on the ground. Starting with blood coming out of a clean cut on the neck, then the head slowly sliding down and falling. Soon, their bodies slumped into the mud right after.
"Wh–what is happening?!"
Both allies and foes expressed their confusion. Ulrich hastily turned his head and Alexander was seen standing on an earth pillar.
–Clank!
The sword from his grasp landed on the floor and he fell to his knees.
"Cough, cough!"
He coughed heavily with blood spurting out of his mouth. Suddenly, he lost his balance and fell.
"His Highness is falling!!"
"Catch him!!"
Three knights dashed toward the tower and caught his body deftly.
–Bruk!
"Wha–what happened to Alexander? Is, is he okay? He didn't die, did he?"
Hearing the commotion nearby, Damian couldn't help but ask; hoping someone would explain what happened as his eyes were clouded. Fortunately, the Knight beside him answered his curiosity.
"Don't worry, Your Highness, Prince Alexander is all right, he is just exhausted."
Damian exhaled a relieved sigh.
"How was the war?"
"The war–"
***
The soldiers stretched their eyes wide upon seeing their comrades' heads and bodies plummet to the mud. Horror struck their face and subconsciously they took a few steps back.
Even though they tried to win over the situation, however, it didn't work out. Initially, all seemed well, they managed to set fire to the camp as planned and enter the enemy base without difficulty.
However, when they put their plan into action to kill the refugees, things started to go awry. To their surprise, the refugees were protected by a freaking Sword Master!
There were only 50 Sword Masters in the Chrono Empire, and what the hell was he doing at the Refugees Camp?! Naturally, there was no way their soldiers would be able to penetrate their defenses.
And out of the blue, an earth barrier appeared and stopped the fire arrows which were their only hope of crushing the enemy. Of course, they had to find the one who shattered their only hope.
They managed to find the Elementalist by following the Magic Circle, but just when they were about to attack them, the Sword Master who had previously been guarding the refugees now appeared before their eyes!
The weirdness didn't stop and heavy rain suddenly poured and extinguished the flames! They continued to fight, but alas, the promised reinforcements did not appear.
As if facing a Sword Master wasn't difficult enough, now they had to witness another terrifying power. A head rolled over and stopped beside his feet. The corpse's eyes opened and eventually…
–Splash!
He landed on his ass. One by one many heads and bodies dropped into the mud; it was a gruesome and dreadful sight. His breath suddenly became rough and his body trembled, the fear of ending up like them crept into his heart.
He turned and crawled to get away. Since the accomplishment of this mission was nowhere to be seen, they decided to withdraw.
"Re–Retreat!!"
"Fall back!!"
"Fall back!!"
With that, they began running towards the entrance. Ulrich stood and watched the scene in bewilderment.
"Haa…"
At last, finally, they retreated. However, a voice made him whirl to the source and a Knight was seen lowering his head.
"Sir Ulrich, should we pursue them?"
He shook his head firmly.
"No. Let them be, let's just treat the injured knights."
"I understand. I will comply with your order, Sir."
Only.
"Aarrgghh!!"
"Waaa!!"
Screams that echoed made all their heads veer around and they started to sprint toward the sound. Nevertheless, what greeted them was truly unexpected.
There, in the Refugee Camp Square, they saw Sir Sigmund swinging his sword left and right violently on horseback.
Blood splattered and colored the mud as his sword mercilessly took the enemy's last breath. Sigmund raised his bloody weapon in the air and shouted.
"Show no mercy!!"
"Whoaa!!"
Sigmund Company's morale soared. They bound the enemy with no room for escape.
"Aarrghh!!"
"Urgh!!"
Undisturbed by the wails of their enemies, they zealously continued to slay them; they killed enemies who tried to escape from the battlefield and Ulrich could only frown.
'What is Sir Sigmund doing here?'
He heard that the consignment would take four days to return, but they arrived much sooner than expected. Now that he thought about it, he saw Alexander talking with him before his departure.
'Did Prince Alexander really plan the whole thing?'
Nonetheless, the battle was not over.
The cavalry scattered across the battlefield and let their horses hit any enemies that got in their way. The enemy's bodies flew and rolled helplessly; as they were late to get up–
"Arrghh!"
–groans of pain filled the space as their limbs were crushed by the horse that passed them. The cavalryman brandished his weapon left and right while riding.
Blood splattered everywhere and dyed the mud a bright red color. In the end, only a man was left, and the cavalry surrounded and circled him.
–Gallops –Gallops –Gallops
"Pl–please! Don't kill me!"
Sigmund stared nonchalantly at the enemy that had fallen on his butt. His legs shook like a newborn deer and Sigmund dismounted from his horse.
"N–no!! Don't!!"
The man in front of him crawled as he saw red fluid dripping from Sigmund's sword in his grip, but before he could move any further, Sigmund grabbed his hair.
"No!! Please!! Please!!"
He tried to shake off the hand but to no avail and wasting no time, Sigmund swung his sword.
–Splatt!
Viscous red liquid jumped and stained his armor. The man's body fell flat with blood pouring out of his severed neck.
–Splash!
Sigmund threw the head he was holding onto the mud. Since the last enemy had been killed, the battle was now officially over and silence was created.
The rain had stopped and the curtain of darkness was gradually but steadily being lifted. A rosy hue colors the sky as the sun shyly peeked over the horizon.
Sigmund's deep blue eyes swept around and countless bodies scattered and filled the area; they were covered in mud.
"Sir Sigmund."
He spun and Ulrich could be seen walking toward him and he immediately bent his back.
"Sir Ulrich."
However, Sigmund hurriedly raised his head when he remembered something important and asked right away.
"Sir Ulrich, how are the refugees?"
"The refugees are safe."
He exhaled a sigh of relief and began his next question.
"May I know Prince Alexander's whereabouts?"
"He's in the refugee section."
"Thank you so much, Sir Ulrich. I will take my leave."
Ulrich nodded. Sigmund bowed once again and mounted his horse.
"Hiya!"
With that, he drove towards the refugee section. Ulrich's light green eyes followed and watched him until his silhouette disappeared.
'So, that's true. It was Prince Alexander all along.'