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Earlier That Day
Orvud District – Wall Sina's Inner Gate
The late afternoon sun cast long shadows over the stone-paved streets as a carriage approached the gate leading into Orvud District. The symbol of nobility gleamed on its polished surface, flanked on all sides by guards, their bodies covered in dark cloaks.
In the distance, The Guards at the gate noticed the Arrival of the Carriage and hurriedly put aside whatever they were doing.
Military Police officers stood at attention, saluting as the convoy neared. At the front, two guards on horseback signaled the sentries to open the gates. The heavy doors groaned as they parted, allowing the carriage to pass through into the streets of Orvud.
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Inside the Carriage,
Four soldiers sat across from each other. Two wore the special Uniform of the Anti-Personnel Control Squad, while the other two bore the insignia of the First Interior Squad. Each one was equipped with ODM gear, their bodies subtly tense despite the outwardly calm appearance they maintained.
Between them sat a man of short stature, round-faced and dressed in fine but simple clothing. His dark hair was neatly combed, though beads of sweat gathered at his temple. He sat with his arms crossed, gazing out of the window as they entered the city.
Not long after, He sighed.
Across from him, a brown-haired woman, striking in appearance and clad in her Military Police uniform, watched him with an unreadable expression. She pushed up her glasses as she spoke, her voice wool, level.
"Is anything the matter, my Lord?"
The man turned to her, his eyes scrutinizing.
"Nothing. It's just… must there be so much fanfare for a regular visit to the Chapel?"
A brief pause. Then, the woman responded in the same measured tone.
"It is the same as it has always been, Lord Reiss. This is how you have been escorted from Mitras for the past few years, is it not?"
His frown deepened.
"Perhaps. But why was my original security detail changed so suddenly?"
"For better security."
The response was clipped, definitive.
"Oh?" He raised an eyebrow. "And you're telling me those outside are better than my usual men?"
"Indeed," she replied, glancing out the window. "The soldiers accompanying you are from our top regiment—the best the Military Police has to offer."
"Is that so?" His voice was laced with skepticism. "Then why wasn't I provided with them before?"
There was a brief pause before she answered.
"Because we suspect that today, an attempt will be made on your life."
For the first time, the man's expression shifted.
"You… you're serious."
"I am." Her voice remained emotionless. "Worry not, Lord Reiss. We have everything covered. Like I said, these men and women are the best our regiment has to offer. You may play your role with ease of mind. No harm will come to you as long as we are here."
Her gaze was sharp, unwavering.
Lord Reiss studied her, his lips pressing into a thin line. Then, he exhaled and leaned back against the cushioned seat.
"I see… Let me guess—this is Kenny's doing, isn't it?"
The soldiers exchanged glances. The woman, however, nodded.
"Indeed."
She continued, her voice calm, measured.
"The enemy in question has been investigating the Royal Government for the past few months. Unfortunately, our previous efforts to track them have been unsuccessful."
The man's fingers tapped against his knee. "So you decided to use me as bait?"
"I had no involvement in the decision-making process," she stated flatly. "The council and the King have jointly agreed that this operation must proceed."
Silence filled the cabin.
Then, she added, "You needn't worry, my Lord. Our intelligence sources confirm that the enemy operates alone. Under our protection, the chances of you falling into any real danger are negligible."
A dry chuckle escaped the noble's lips, the sound dripping with sarcasm.
"How reassuring. I feel safe already."
The woman raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
The cabin fell into a quiet lull.
Meanwhile, outside, The carriage rolled down the roads, its passage drawing the attention of citizens who stepped aside to let it through.
Chatter broke out among the onlookers.
"Is that…?"
"It is. Lord Reiss."
"He's returned to Orvud again, huh?"
"Yeah. From the looks of it, he's headed for the north gate, to the Reiss lands."
"Hard to believe he keeps coming back after what happened four years ago…"
"Tch, keep your voice down. You want to get jailed? Or executed?"
The murmurs continued, but the noble's entourage pressed on, disappearing into the distance.
Among the dispersing crowd, a lone figure stood motionless, watching.
A gray cloak concealed their form, the hood pulled low over their face, making it impossible to discern gender or identity.
Beneath the hood, a pair of light-colored eyes followed the carriage as it vanished from sight.
Then, without a word, the figure turned and slipped into an alleyway, vanishing from view.
Elsewhere,
The Carriage left out the North Gate into The Territory of Wall Rose. Not long after, it stopped at The Reiss Family Manor in the Reiss's Lands.
"Make yourself at home Lord Reiss, while we complete our arrangements." The man said nothing in response, Just nodding and heading up the stairs.
Time Elapsed.
The sky had darkened Three and a half Hours ago. In Front of the Reiss Manor, the Carriage laid ready for departure.
Not long after, Lord Reiss emerged from the building.
Inside the Carriage, the same security group that had accompanied him earlier occupied the Major spaces around him. He entered without saying a word, the door was closed, and the Carriage departed right after, heading to the Chapel a few miles away.
Not long after that, a second group of soldiers riding horses emerged From the manor, heading in the same direction of the First escort group towards The Reiss Chapel.
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The rhythmic clatter of hooves filled the quiet night air.
Leaving the Reiss Family Manor was a second group of soldiers, riding on horses.
This Operation to The Reiss Chapel carried Two Teams. The First was the main escort that Followed The Carriage, acting as Security.
They were the second, following behind as quietly as they could as backup.
Riding ahead of the group, a broad-shouldered man with a scarred face kept his gaze forward, his expression unreadable. Beside him, a younger soldier glanced sideways, finally breaking the silence.
"Captain, this is overkill, isn't it?"
The older man didn't respond immediately. His grip on the reins remained steady.
"We've received direct orders. That should be all you need to know," he said.
The younger soldier exhaled sharply. "Yeah, but we're shadowing the main convoy with no clear engagement order. If something does happen, are we intercepting, flanking, or holding position?"
Another soldier behind them spoke up. "Our job is simple—if an attack happens, we hit the attackers from the rear before they realize we're here."
The younger one scoffed. "So we're baiting them into thinking they've got the advantage."
The Captain gave a small nod. "Exactly. They make a move, we spring the trap." His name was Mark Rustig, and he served as a Unit Captain within the Forces of The First Interior Squad. Everyone in the team behind him were his subordinates.
As a Captain, he should be prior to a lot of information. However, he and his squad had received orders from above today to cooperate In an operation to capture a certain Individual.
Unfortunately, that was all he knew as the details weren't made clear. In simple understanding, an enemy would make an attack of This Noble's life.
Their Job was to capture the assailants responsible for this, provided they made an appearance.
If not, then It wouldn't matter. The Journey to The Reiss Chapel From the Family Manor would take half an hour due to the slow Movement of The Carriage ahead. Hence, they as the shadow team had to keep a similar pace. In this way, Time Elapsed. The escort unit continued along the moonlit trail. Nevertheless, it didn't take long when ….
"Captain! Up ahead, 30 degrees east!"
The shout snapped the group to attention.
The Captain's eyes followed the direction, locking onto a cart slowly approaching the main road.
His expression darkened.
"It really is a trap."
"Looks like the enemy couldn't sit still."
"Too bad." The Captain's thoughts were cold, calculated. "They walked right into ours instead."
As the cart drew closer, it aligned itself along the same road the main carriage had taken.
"They're not far behind now."
Another soldier leaned forward. "Captain, what are our orders?"
The Captain's jaw tightened. "Get your Guns ready to Fire on my command."
"Fire sir?" One frowned, looking into the distance. "It's just one cart. What if it's a Civilian?"
"Hmph! It can't be."
In response, the Captain snorted. "These lands belong to the Reiss. Beyond the chapel, there's nothing until the end of Wall Rose." "Even if we're wrong and a certain family decided to build a house Nearby, then they're unlucky. Today, we can't take any chances."
He uttered, his tone carrying finality. His subordinates exchanged glances but said nothing. As members of The First Interior Squad, they had long gotten used to doing the dirty work.
The "Accidental" deaths of a few innocent civilians was nothing new to them, and this would be no different.
"Everyone Move In. Stay sharp."
And with that, the shadow escort picked up their pace, closing in on the cart at higher speeds.
In the process, each one picked up their guns by their sides and readied them for firing.
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Seiji's POV
'Hold on …'.
The cart's wheels creaked softly against the dirt road, the steady rhythm blending with the occasional snort of the horse. Ever since he started this journey, the night had been peaceful. …. Until it wasn't.
In the Cart, Seiji, focused on the road ahead, suddenly frowned
For no other reason, but someone was breaking the Quiet of the night, and that someone wasn't him.
His gaze drifted from the darkened horizon, looking to his left. The first thing that came into sight was trees. A long line of them that stretched on throughout the grassy plains. To a normal person, nothing was unusual. But Seiji was far from normal.
In the world of AOT, Chakra sensing was completely ineffective. There was no denying that fact. Nevertheless, the young Uchiha was still a Ninja with Chakra at his disposal.
Though limited in effectiveness, heightening the Five sense with it was doable. Now, his ears were telling him that something was moving rapidly on the other side of those Trees, and it wasn't just one.
For this, Seiji couldn't tell how many, Neither could he tell what exactly it was. He didn't need to, though. This was Wall Rose, not wall Maria.
The faint rhythmic thudding sound …. It couldn't be Titans, so it could only be horses.
Hoofbeats.
His eyes narrowed.
Moments later, the trees gave way, revealing a converging path. As the roads met, his suspicions were confirmed.
In an instant, Seiji activated his Sharingan. In the darkness, the figures of Nearly Two dozen people on horseback appeared clearly in his eyes.
The journey had been uneventful so far, just as he expected. This stretch of road was supposed to be deserted. Which is why the sudden presence of riders in the darkness made no sense.
Seiji's brows furrowed slightly.
The approaching figures moved with purpose. Not wandering travelers, not bandits—too orderly for that. Soldiers.
He locked onto The Uniform on their bodies, the Unicorn pattern on their emblems clearing part of his confusion.
"The Military Police? What are they doing out here at this hour?"
Something wasn't right. In his understanding, he was still in Wall Rose. MP's didn't operate in Wall Rose, especially not this many. As for the possibility of them coming for him? It was impossible for news of his actions to spread from Trost to Wall Sina this fast.
Paradis Island didn't even have walkie Talkies yet.
Then why were they —
"In the name of the King, DIE, YOU BASTARD!"
Before Seiji could understand, he heard the leading figure yell out loud before pulling the Trigger.
A thunderous crack shattered the silence, followed by another, and another, and more.
Simultaneous Gunfire Erupted.
Seiji's eyes widened slightly. No hesitation. No warning. Just straight to the kill.
The first bullets tore through the air, aiming directly for him and his cart.
'… Here we go again'.
Those were his last thoughts before the Pattern of his Sharingan changed
A dark Ash light erupted around him, Seemingly blending into The darkness of the Night — Chakra solidified —Ribs formed — And a giant skeletal arm stretched outward.
This was The Third Power Of The Mangekyo Sharingan. The First Form, Susanoo
Everything happened in an instant.
The gunfire arrived, all slamming into an ethereal wall made of condensed energy. Nothing changed, Nothing shook, Not even a dent was made. The driver Mind controlled with Genjutsu didn't react, still moving forward as if nothing had happened.
'Huh?'
'What Just? …'
'No way'.
The Military Police riding exclaimed internally at what they saw. Seiji didn't care for their reactions, as a cloud of smoke emerged from his wrists and several Kunai with an Explosive Tag attached at end appeared in his palms.
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The Carriage Up Front
The ride had been smooth, the wheels gently rocking beneath them as the horses pulled them forward.
Then—
Gunshots.
Rod Reiss tensed, his head turning slightly toward the noise behind them.
"That's…?"
The brown-haired female officer's expression remained calm, her arms folded.
"The enemy that was meant to ambush us," she said without concern. "Luckily, we placed an ambush squad behind us to deal with this scenario. Like I said, you don't have to worry."
She adjusted her glasses.
"Now that we've dealt with the enemy, this situation is over, and you can get back to playing your role perfectly."
Her eyes drifted toward the carriage door, noting the Reiss Chapel now coming into view.
"All we have to do is wait for the squad to bring back the assailants, dead or alive. Then we can—"
BOOM!
The explosion rocked the air, the force of it sending a tremor through the very ground.
"Huh?"
The peaceful atmosphere inside the carriage shattered.
"That…" One of the officers muttered. "That was…?"
"An explosion."
The brown-haired woman's face darkened.
Seiji had counterattacked.
"Lord Reiss's" eyes narrowed. "Is this also part of the Plan?"
The woman's jaw clenched. She pushed up her glasses.
"It's probably just a last-minute resistance by the enemy. The squad should be—"
"Department Leader!"
A shout from outside. A horse-riding guard pulled up to the window.
Her head snapped toward him.
"What?"
The words that followed sent a chill through the air, everyone noticing the slight anger in her voice
"An unidentified vessel is approaching…!"
Her eyes widened instantly.
"What?"
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