Sean Dorvin
The sound of the door jolted us awake, half asleep. Even with my impaired vision, the adrenaline rush from the shock made me think pretty quickly and analyze the situation. The alarms didn't go off. Assassins? No, they wouldn't have made that much noise. However, my eyes managed to catch a glimpse of a red fur fleeing through the door and a small, surprised, catlike sound... Ah, I understood what had happened.
I looked at Ashley, who, although also sleepy, had stood guard next to me. We hadn't had time to get out of bed, and the sheet barely covered our naked bodies. Once we realized the situation, we exchanged knowing glances and couldn't help but laugh.
We used the room's shower; its original purpose must have been for torture, but it was useful as a private shower, since in the conditions we were in, even a shower is difficult to come by. We dressed and left the room.
It was earlier than usual, but Jane and Azumi were right to get us up, even though nothing will happen, we have to try harder.
When we left the room, I could see Azumi sitting while hugging her legs and Jane looking at me with a disgusted expression, seeing the scene, I laughed.
"We wanted to wake them up for training, but they were busy." Jane didn't finish the sentence.
—Look at that kind of thing these days… —Azumi said.
Ashley and I laughed.
"Come on, you two voyeurs, let's get some training in." I mocked them as I walked out the door.
As the days passed, the results began to trickle in, and our pilots, while still not comparable to the great pilots of my world, were sufficient. Mason's group also improved tremendously. Although it was more likely to say they had adapted so as not to die from Mason's suicidal training.
With that in mind, we were ready. I gathered my generals and launched a three-pronged assault. We would attack the empire's core cities. With that, we would only have the capital and the puppet factory left. We would strike hard.
The shrapnel servants would stay behind to defend, while we divided our forces to attack simultaneously. We used the planes for reconnaissance and to start a revolt in the cities. It's technically using people as shields, and I've been criticized before for that kind of strategy, but this time more than ever, this fight isn't about territory, it's not about politics, it's these people roaring for help. This was their fight.
The forces led by Lombardi, Frosty, and I split up. We had to use unfriendly routes to circumnavigate the endless army of steel.
The army march was focused on the skies as we approached the city of Archadia, an ancient fortress city. We could hear gunfire; there was a riot, and I knew it was our fault; the planes had passed over a few hours earlier.
I gave the order and we rushed, we didn't receive shots, we only heard them, when we went to the gates of the wall, we all remained silent, the mercenaries crushed each other, they killed each other while they desperately tried to open the metal gate, but I knew that gate, no matter how much force they used, it wasn't going to move a single inch. After a few moments and without giving me time to give orders, it was all over, the gate opened wide, I went through the door crushing the corpses, in front were Ashley, Azumi, Jane and I, the boys had gone to reinforce Frost.
The fortress city's interior appeared to be a gigantic terrace with giant buildings, and in front of them all, the distinctive green military uniform made its presence felt. They were all kneeling on the main street, which led in a single straight line to the exit on the opposite side of the wall. Kneeling before us was a woman with green hair, similar to Ashley's.
—I am Meridia Archadia, daughter of the last emperor of Libri. Thank you so much for aiding us. We have waited, endured in the shadows, until the moment of our revenge. We, the people of Libri... No, I, Meridia of Archadia, pay you respect.
The woman named Meridia looked quite similar to Ashley. In fact, I was puzzled for a moment. Meridia was crying as she said all this, and I couldn't tell if they were tears of sadness or happiness.
—Stand up! I'm not doing this out of respect or servitude. I'm not the god of fire. Stand up, Archadia! —I shouted.
Archadia rose up in celebration. The soldiers' families came out and sang the ancient anthem of the empire; the fortress city of Archadia had joined us and betrayed the mercenaries from behind.
Ashley helped Meridia get up; Meridia thanked us for the help and led us to the building used as a military base. This building did look like a military fortress; in the center of the city, it juts out like an impenetrable bastion, and looking closely, Archadia would have been a real problem to face. If it weren't for the rebellion, it would have been difficult.
As we followed Meridia through the bastion's corridors, we could see the soldiers diligently removing the bodies and cleaning. Once we arrived at the main command office, it looked like a presidential suite, with its own mini-foyer and everything. Once we entered, she showed us the main room; the floor was a quartz-like material, and the walls were black wood, with gold trim visible here and there.
—Archadia has been waiting for an opportunity since the fall of the empire... We were the only ones who didn't fall, the only city that survived the first assault, Meridia said as she offered us a seat.
"Why didn't you join the resistance?" Ashley asked, raising an eyebrow.
"That was because the emperor, my father, gave his final order for Archadia to surrender. To the public, it was to avoid further pointless slaughter, but to us the reason was different. 'We cannot win with our current power,' we had to wait. We, the Archadians, stood together and held, waiting for this moment." Meridia's eyes glazed over, as if she might burst into tears at any moment. "Not only do I have all of Archadia at your command. I relinquish my claim to kingship; I have no right, no one in my family has the right to reign again. At this moment, I myself offer you servitude in exchange for the release of my people."
I didn't know exactly what to make of this; it was a bit out of my comfort zone. To be more specific, this was a scene that looked like something out of a medieval fantasy book.
However, it's real, there was something in his words that made me wonder, Why was I taken out of my mind for a moment? I can't believe I hadn't thought about it until now. Who would take over as the leader of the empire? I'd insulted the gods, made an alliance, and many people have already died for the cause. Yet I'm not sure I have a real vision, real goals. I'm only good for war, I'm only good for killing.
However, at some point, everyone began to expect leadership from me, as if I were some kind of flashlight shining in the darkness. I looked around and spoke my mind.
—You flatter me, but I don't intend to be a king. I don't want to be praised, I'm just a murderer. I'm just helping them.
When I stopped talking, Meridia's face was hard to read, but her eyes didn't lie, it was fear.
Meridia sighed, and gathered her strength to ask the question that was scaring her so much.
—Will you abandon us after killing the fire god?
I remained silent, not because I didn't want to answer, but because I didn't know how to respond. Lead an empire? Why? I'd never thought or dreamed of it; I just wanted to make a difference. At most, I wanted justice.
—If that's so… Then allow me to say what I truly feel, even if it's selfish. After everything you're doing, there's no one who deserves to be the leader of this empire more than you. We were lost until you came along, giving us strength and even knowledge. I've seen it… The trains. The planes, the tanks. Not just me, all of us will fight for you, just as you fought for us. We owe you a debt, and even if you don't plan on collecting, it's something we want to do… If you're in charge, we won't regret it again. —She finished her monologue.
"I can't give you an answer, but I promise I will when this is all over," I replied.
There were a lot of things I had to get in order first, things on my mind.
"Sean, I have an idea. Since the city was taken, our forces are fresh and news should be arriving soon, so the factory's defenses aren't yet ready. This could be a perfect time to attack." Ashley had a Machiavellian smile on her face.
Meridia was surprised by the sudden change of conversation. Indeed, Ashley was right, absolutely right. It was a good time. I trusted my boys, but even if they failed, their battles would only just begin. In other words, it was a battle for Archadia that was replaced by the factory.
"Sean, the fire god must be there, I can feel him," Jane revealed.
—Understood... You're right, same formation, same strategy. Meridia will prepare all the Archadians for the march in a matter of hours; time is money. She'll also gather all the information you have from the factory, so we can prepare better. As soon as I gave the order, Meridia became determined and quickly left the room.
We too left and gathered our divisions. Upon hearing that the reason for the battle was the factory, the excitement was palpable. Even the Archadians who had just fought were excited. Although, since I don't yet have a classification, being veterans, I mentally categorize them as heavy infantry. Before leaving, I took one last look at Archadia.
It truly was a strange city, as it seemed like the steps of a giant coliseum, a fortress towering over the center. I have no doubt this city would be hell to attack if it only had medieval technology; however, it was still a city; the soldiers' families lived there.
I barely set foot outside the wall when I felt it again, the atrocious magic of the fire god challenged me, once again I felt like a bullet cutting through the wind, Jane and Azumi were the same, the three of us against one god.
The idea excited me. I wanted to test everything I'd learned. I wanted to see the gap between him and me and cut it with my katana. Perhaps it was because of this feeling that little was said during the march.
Meridia explained the situation: the factory was heavily defended by borrowed troops. After all, if they'd borrowed troops, that made it more likely they'd give them more reinforcements if the factory fell, but that wasn't the problem; the area had been prepared for combat; they had giant field cannons. While they weren't useful against an air attack, my problem was that I couldn't gather the planes quickly enough to attempt it; it would be difficult to advance because of the bunkers they'd set up. I was honestly surprised to see a fairly solid defense; cutting off their supplies wasn't an option because of the borrowed troops. The King of the Gods himself had given them the troops, and it was obvious he could command more. In other words, a long-term battle didn't suit me.
Meridia was the one who inadvertently suggested the solution. It turns out the factory is hydraulic, using very complex engineering. But where does the power come from? The plant was relatively far away, and although it was defended, it didn't have field guns or the horde of robots. If we eliminate it, we could halt production completely; that would be a severe blow.
With that in mind, our numbers were more than sufficient. I'll attack with the duelists I borrowed from Frost; the rest prepare for a mobile defense, but we must run quickly, because my intention is to exploit it.
I would have liked Frost herself to lead this attack, since I know that as soon as she launches this attack, the God of Fire will make an appearance. I'll be busy, so Ashley will take over, and I know she'll do well, because she's even been paying attention to the strategy classes I've been teaching.
That said, they stayed in the city because of the attacks. Order is difficult to maintain from the outside; it had to be someone from within; their time hasn't come yet.
—Sean... Guys... Please don't die.
Those words didn't come from Ashley or Jane, which would be even more normal; they came from the proud Azumi. After all, she was still a teenager, even though in this world she was already an adult.
"To kill us, he has to be willing to die too, Azumi, so look up and don't hesitate." I unconsciously stroked his head. As I did, I ended up stroking his cat ears as well.
In response, I heard a cat purr. Ashley was knocked off her feet by Jane, who was on the verge of bursting into laughter. I'm still not sure how I kept myself from bursting out laughing.
But the friendly atmosphere disappeared; it was time for war. The large structure was now visible, the artillery readied itself and fired the smoke screens, beginning the battle.