Sundenelle watches the sky as two dragons cruise straight into a seeming horde of wyverns without fear. She has been rapidly transported to the defending section of the wall, where she is to take command on the ground. It is extraordinarily strange, but to fit in with the other Empresses of the Fievegal, she must balance her duties as an Empress who must survive to continue to lead with the bravery in battle her much more powerful counterparts can manage.

From the back of Ryuogriar, who is large enough to see even from the great distance they are away, flashes and golden streaks race off into the sky, and the much smaller wyverns begin plummeting one after the other as the golden streaks wound and kill the more numerous swarm in an impressive display of brutal effectiveness.

"Sir Ecklevon, do you think you could fight from the back of a dragon?"

The gatonine knight scoffs. Coincidentally, the one doing so right now is in fact a fellow gatonine, but they both know she would ask the same question of a human or a boruan if they were with him. Gatonines, specifically, have among the best balance of any of the races, and will often compete in tournaments standing on the saddles of buckrokhs to perform feats of archery, rush-fencing, and obstacle course races.

"Your Majesty, I think I would serve you better here on the ground."

She laughs lightly. "I understand."

Now then… I wonder where to begin… thinks the Empress as she looks at the demon-kin and Stalvaltan Guardsmen moving weapons and ammunition into position. She can't help but admire the gigantic versions of the demon staves mounted on sophisticated metallic turrets, which she can only recognize thanks to the basic design similarities to the ballistas and catapults defending the Imperial capital. She has heard plenty about the 'demon staves' and 'demon wands' themselves. Their design is fairly simple in the end, but the Fievegal has proven why something that doesn't rely on magic can be enough of a true game changer, that even the most skilled mages in the world and most fearsome races have come to fear them. True terror gripped Geirahoel at the Peace Summit when an enemy pistol was brandished against her, even though Neith survived it rather unfazed by the shot.

But, the rumors have become quite widespread that Daniel killed a dragon at Fort Peony with his demon staves.

"Gentlemen of the Fievegal," calls out Sundenelle, and the soldiers turn and place their palms up near their foreheads, somewhat like they're shielding their eyes from the sun, but they all use their right hands, regardless of where the sun is in relation to them.

"Your Grace," declare the soldiers. The young red-eyed Empress is a bit surprised, and she looks to her nearest Fievegal escort, Baeka.

"It's a salute, your Grace," replies the dattakorien woman. She then calls out, "At ease, everyone. Carry on."

Sundenelle watches as the soldiers resume moving items and preparing to defend the Citadel the old fashioned way. She asks, "Lady Baeka, do you know what the range of these iron scorpions is?"

She gestures to the large ranged weapons, and the Mikadresselle replies politely, "That one is actually a rapid fire one meant for shooting down airborne threats. It's a larger version of what Empress Veiranoei appears to be using."

The flashes and golden streaks through the sky are visible, if briefly, against the evening sky even now. Baeka points to a turret with only a single large pipe that is larger than the soldiers working on it. "That has a range that would allow it to hit the enemy already."

This shocks both of the Imperials present, and they share a glance before looking out over the looming battlefield. While there are evacuees fleeing towards the Citadel and Fievegal vehicles racing out to aid and cover them from the pursuing enemy, the enemy is barely visible from the wall itself, which is pretty high up. They are easily several miles away.

"If that is true, my Lady," starts Ecklevon. "Why are we not already attacking?"

"The evacuees," replies Baeka. "The Fievegal thrives on our people, which are not very numerous yet. The cannons can reach, but we're hoping to not startle the families and children too much while they're retreating. The vehicles will have an easier time ensuring they are safe without endangering them if something goes wrong."

Some of the soldiers suddenly roar together, and Sundenelle looks in the direction of the vanguard deploying from the gates, led by Stalvaltan guards.

"How many soldiers do we have at our disposal?" asks the young human.

"Around three thousand, with about fifty Stalvaltan Guards in the vanguard and thirty manning the wall with us. The vast majority of our troops are goblins, and they'll deploy when the enemy gets closer."

"Is there anyone here who is communicating with the dragons? When will we know this superweapon is coming?"

"I'm afraid not, your Grace. But, I've witnessed it. Ryuogriar will be creating a magic circle that should be visible from here, and she'll head above the enemy at that time."

"Sir Ecklevon, keep an eye on her Grace the First Dragon Empress," orders Sundenelle. "If she disengages from the wyverns, immediately let me know."

"Of course."

"Baeka, can you please show me to the commanders of each unit? I'd like to keep learning about our capabilities while I can." She adds quickly, "Oh, and please just call me by name as well. It'll be more efficient that way."

"Oh, uh, thank you, your… Sundenelle."

The albino Empress smiles, and she follows the dattakorien. While dattakoriens have fur on the majority of their bodies compared to gatonines, the Mikadresselle proves something Sundenelle should have realized far sooner. Even the oni, goblins, and ogres around them are just people. They have their own behaviors and quirks, but they're working hard to protect their home. And, with Baeka, she walks gracefully, like a practiced princess or high ranking noblewoman would. Seeing the Fievegal's quick response to the attack, and how brave the Empresses are, Sundenelle has a great deal of admiration for her new prospective family.

As Baeka explains the basics and introduces Sundenelle to the defenders, the young Empress crunches the data in her head.

It'll be a fairly standard siege defense if the demons can withstand the ranged weapons, though with the exception of mages, most of the demon-kin will be overwhelmed. Baeka claims the Fievegal has a reliable way to deal with mages skilled in defensive magic, meaning the only challenge will be sorting out enemies and taking them out as efficiently as possible.

Sundenelle understands why the goal is to let the demons get into range of the much smaller rifles and pistols, which rely on accuracy of the shooter as with anything else, but at a further range than a bow or crossbow.

One of the problems is the surroundings of the Citadel to begin with. It's mostly rather open plains, some of which have been turned into farmland, but overall, gives a lot of lines of approach to the demon-kin.

The Empress studies the weapons emplacements as she considers this. Much of the Fievegal's defense will in fact be the rifles, but if she were to try to attack the Citadel, now knowing what kinds of weapons were waiting for her, her impulse would be to try to desperately attack the heaviest weapons first. The wyverns are distracted for now by the dragons, with Roeta engaging them directly with her flame breath while Ryuogriar keeps away from them, allowing Veiranoei to continue firing with abandon into the flock.

This overwhelming strength is causing some of the wyverns to avoid the dragons, meaning they'll eventually launch an attack on the Citadel when they realize the Fievegal is already in the middle of their opening strike to repel the Hegemony.

The Fievegal has the ability to teleport, though it doesn't seem like everyone can do it. Regardless, if anyone on their side can, they'll wait to see where the heaviest attacks are coming from and try to engage. So, how do we deal with that?

If she were to defend against herself with this teleportation ability, she would prepare for the enemy to appear on top of or around the weapons emplacements.

"I know I'm new, and I thank you all for humoring me as if I'm an Empress already, but can I make a request?" asks Sundenelle politely.

The commanders, which have gathered for planning, respectfully look at her. One of the goblins is the one to speak up first, as if the title of Empress meant nothing at all to him. "Human-woman request."

She's not entirely sure what his meaning is, since it's said with a somewhat grumpy tone, but Baeka speaks up gently, "He's saying he'll hear it, Sundenelle. Few goblins speak Eastern well at all, yet. Please take no offense."

"Certainly, none taken. I was actually raised on Graume Vaudis, which gives me an accent that I'm told sounds condescending." She smiles gently, adding, "Sir Goblin Commander, I'm wondering if any of the cannons we have are able to be sacrificed?"

"Sack… feyes?" repeats the goblin. The oni commander speaks to the goblin in a language Sundenelle doesn't understand, and the goblin's expression immediately warms when the meaning is conveyed to him. "Ahhh!" He gibbers unintelligibly to the human, much faster than the oni was speaking, but he thankfully speaks in the Eastern language. "If only one, we give. What Human-Commander have in brain?"

The albino teen smiles warmly.

"Well, if I were the one attacking…"

***

Meanwhile, deep in the heart of the Citadel, Senn walks behind Reignleif as the dragon prepares herself to begin casting. The room they are in overlooks a much larger chamber through an extremely thick window. The elven mage replies, "I know I agreed to help, but I was under the impression Daniel's methods are contingent on not having magic."

"He claims that it was only a theory on Earth, but the idea would be to drop them from as high in the sky as the moon." The blue dragon smiles softly. She has, when it's her turn, been watching whatever new thing she can find on Daniel's phone. It's a precious commodity, but in the same way that they don't really have the means to make use of the phone's full breadth of capabilities beyond calling up its strange hidden archive of knowledge, there are many things that can only serve as fantasy for even a dragon. "Someday, I hope I or my children can see space."

Senn is quiet for a moment, since the elven sage has always been very much like the behemoth maples she admires. No matter how much time passes or how she changes, her feet always return to the ground. To actually leave Zenkon…

"I will be curious to see if that day ever comes, myself," replies the ancient sorceress softly.

Reignleif then explains, "The Fiendbreakers rely heavily on magic. I'm going to accelerate one of the rods up to speed. Once I give the signal, please give me the tracking coordinates to the spell Ryuo will activate."

"Understood. How shall I respond if you need to cancel the attack? It sounded like it wouldn't be as simple as simply stopping it, yes?"

"Yes. I'll need you to repeat what I'm about to do, but in the opposite direction until the speed of the rod drops."

"Very well. Go easy on me," jokes the elven sage. While there is always room to develop more magic in the world, since there are differing 'flavors' of magic in different regions of the world, shown by how the eastern kingdoms use written magic more often versus how much more freely glyph and circle magic are used by the west, and she even knows a little about the lost art of rune magic used by the archoneldwyn, one of the few races that are believed to have predated the elves. If anyone can observe and mimic the spell Reignleif is about to use, the three she can think of off the top of her head are Yaulwembor, who apparently demonstrated a completely uncanny ability to copy any spell she sees just once even in the heat of battle, Xyreko, who, ignoring the fact that she already knows this spell, has the ability to record everything she sees seemingly indefinitely, leaving the third to be none other than the elven mage Senn, who is said to be one of the only beings on the continent that could actually stop the Strylak.

With a smile, Reignleif can't help but ponder a hypothetical. What would you build to defeat the fearsome Strylak, Mukori? Or, what about Senn?

The dragon shoots a small smirk at Senn before facing the window. She takes a breath and focuses her magic into her hands, guiding it as a whole into two separate magic circles. Sustaining the individual components of the spell will be relatively easy once the magic engages.

The blue Second Dragon Empress can feel the weight of the impressive burden on her mana. But, she's able to use her second spell to draw the air out of the chamber, just as Daniel had Xyreko do. She'll only have a couple of minutes before her mana is depleted, and she has heard, if she's not mistaken, mana depletion can drive individuals to unconsciousness or even death from the backlash that occurs.

Our eggs are going to hatch very soon, and I'm going to read and sing to the children alongside the one I love. "Ryuo, Gold, it's me. The rod is accelerating now. Prepare to fire."

"Understood, Reina. Moving into position. I'll hold the targeting spell until you fire."

"Mind your altitude and stay high."

"My dear Sister, Mukori created this strategy. I am no fool."

Reignleif can't help but laugh at that. It's true. Even if they hadn't heard of or seen the aftermath from reliable sources, just knowing that Daniel came up with something to destroy a seemingly unkillable monster almost instantly is enough to tell any dragon all they need to know.

There will be a chaotic aftermath.

"Spell connecting, Reina. Here we go."

"For Mukori and the children," declares Reignleif.

"For Mukori and the children."

Senn steps forward, projecting the spell below the bottom portal as the hastily prepared rod of lumber streaks between the two open portals.

Reignleif's breathing gets heavier. She can tell that she's losing strength, but she will be done with her part in just seconds.

"Thank you, Mukori. I love you," whispers the blue dragon as she shifts the portal spell with one final casting.

***

"They're not using the dragon slayers yet, Father," remarks a young woman as she watches the battle from one of the distant hilltops moments before the conversation in the Citadel takes place. She's using a strange device combining curved glass and mirrors to make distant images much easier to see, even more efficiently and clearly than the magic devices that accomplish the same feat. It's an ancient technology abandoned at large because of the complexity and tedium of trying to polish the glass lenses, but her father is a bit of an old-fashioned soul.

His voice reaches her via telepathy. "Shiuluka, you are there only to observe and deliver the berserker into position. The Harbinger recently defeated Falkorga'kohn, which even the slayer of Thrie-, erm, the Devourer should not have been able to do. Slaying the plague beast that fool Sayrdarralouche created should have been completely impossible without disabling its magic as it did before."

"I could have killed it," replies Shiuluka bitterly. One of the trials she was supposed to pass to prove herself in the near future was going to be to destroy the plague beast created by a blue dragon with green eyes who disappeared hundreds of years before Shiuluka was even born.

"Do not be so arrogant, child, that you fall into their traps. If you allow it, the Harbinger will obviously find a way to kill you as well."

Shiuluka scoffs in disgust. What kind of fool does he think I am? The Harbinger is nothing more than an otherworlder human. He doesn't even have his own magic. I'm sure I can flick my fingers and…

A magic spell catches her eye, and she looks. A large magic circle has appeared in front of one of the strange tube-ballistas on the wall. She thought it was a mundane weapon, like the so-called 'demon staves', specifically relying on the fact that it doesn't use magic as its primary advantage. The fact that it is using magic, though…

Suddenly, another magic circle appears beneath the treacherous white dragon. She's casting some kind of spell, though something seems off. A linking spell? But, the arcanist circles look a bit different. Is this…?

Shiuluka is unable to finish her thought. A bright flash of light makes her flinch. It's comparable to magic-enhanced dragon fire, which reaches deeper into the violet range than humans can see. Her eyes reflexively polarize, but she feels it even before she can clearly see again.

SHEEBOOM!

As if physically shredding the air itself, a seeming beam of light streaks down from the usurper queen. But, bolts of powerful lightning streak off of the beam as well in a tree canopy-like shape of destruction. The ground erupts like a volcano at the point of impact, vaporizing the actual terrain and thousands of the hapless demon-kin caught in the range of the blast.

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Which is easily half a mile across, angled roughly towards Shiuluka.

Liquefied rock and soil splashes upwards behind the shockwave that launches debris in every other direction, striking at the very heart of the massive army of demon kin.

What is this!?

Shiuluka is able to narrowly create a barrier around herself and the shackled berserker, but it is slammed like a massive hammer just came down on her barrier, jolting her through her mana. The shockwave moved much faster than even dragons can typically fly, even with magic, and the weapon-created lava plume is rapidly closing the distance on her.

Tch! So, this is the Harbinger's mighty weapon? I was supposed to destroy the plague beast, you thieving wretch. Have fun with this, Harbinger! Heeheeheehee!

Shiuluka turns to the monstrous berserker. The creature is a cursed monster that her father forged in the process of creating her. It has a rather grotesque appearance, with a bulbous, cancerous like deformity to its body, which include extra arms and three inconsistently placed eyes on its misshapen, partially reptilian head. It snorts and bellows, blinded by the rampage curse applied to it. It'll die very soon, but as long as it can destroy the Harbinger's weapon.

"Go forth and destroy their weapon, then slaughter them all." As she generates the spell, mindful of the impending rain of liquid fire, Shiuluka says the awakening word quietly.

"Daela." She casts the short-range teleportation spell, which can still reach far enough. The shackled beast transports just as its pupils snap into their maximum dilation, virtually turning red as the only shackle that held it at bay is broken.

With that, Shiuluka glances at the Citadel in the distance as the lava starts to come down towards her, and she teleports away.

***

Meanwhile, far removed from the Citadel, a shuttle cruises over the forest following the road. Rikuto can't feel at ease in the rather cramped aircraft that the goblins occupying it call a 'shuttle'. The hold of the craft is comparable to that of a small cargo aircraft, with a somewhat boxy shape that wouldn't normally be aerodynamic, except for the fact that it is propelled by magic-powered engines. They use a sort of rocket design by technical definition, since the propulsion is generated by wind magic crystals, which forcefully expel air mass the same way water crystals do. As soon as Rikuto realized that 'enhanced magic crystals' are just diamonds, he knew that they could be used to store water magic without melting the way the old magic crystals do. And, because of their relative power density for magic energy, they are suitable for many purposes.

Of course, after the summoning of Zuzia, there is a dire shortage of mages in the Kingdom of Mornistae, and with Count Baumalde defecting to the Empire, the remaining ones don't have nearly the skill or mana capacity to produce fully-charged enhanced magic crystals.

Not that it matters if I can't reclaim the void artillery, thinks the young Japanese man.

He and his two knights, Sirs Horaston and Loxourren, watch uncomfortably as the elite soldier goblins trade their blood-soaked spoils with each other like trading cards. It reminds Rikuto that he's in a fantasy world, but the evil way the goblins chatter and laugh about the men they killed is unsettling. They're still dressed in the colorful outfits that they donned to keep their affiliations secret, but it's possible Yaulander already knows or will figure it out either way.

That said, Rikuto's own advantage is that Yaulander has to hide his own actions, or Mornistae can challenge the Empire's union with the other kingdoms of the Alliance for betraying the trust of the Kingdom of Mornistae. Rikuto doesn't exactly have the best reputation after everything involving the Fievegal, other than he introduced rudimentary firearms. Though, he has already lost control of the technology.

Klur asks out of the blue, "Human Akookami, you say human knight is following thieves?"

"That's right," replies Rikuto, trying to maintain his composure. "Please don't catch him in collateral fire."

"He's not wearing yellow," replies one of the goblins watching the window near a sliding door on the side of the cargo bay. His name, if Rikuto caught it correctly, is a specifically English-sounding name, Locke.

Horaston replies, "He probably covered the color of his armor so he wouldn't stand out." Loxourren nods in agreement.

"How close is he to our targets?" asks Klur.

Locke studies the window, saying, "We can easily overtake the carriage, though the forest will increase the risk some."

Mosko, a much older goblin than the others, yet still armed and armored like a miniature elite bandit, remarks, "The longer we delay retrieve human, the more he dies."

Klur clarifies for the Mornistae knights who tense at the words, "He means the chance he'll die. We'll give you option. We wait until carriage exits forest, or we attack and hope your knight isn't a fool."

Rikuto thinks. If he's smart, Sir Chebnom will move into cover as quickly as possible and avoid attacking until he understands what's going on. But, he might also mistakenly take the goblins for enemies. Especially if they immediately set into looting the fallen Imperials the same way.

"Field Marshal, would it be too much to ask your men to hold off looting until we can communicate with Kiirookami?"

Klur stares up at Rikuto, not the least bit intimidated by the height difference. If anything, Rikuto feels uneasy because of the goblin staring at him. He comes from an extremely peaceful and safe country in the grand scheme of things, and the goblins behave like movie bandits combined with a well-oiled military operation.

Thankfully, the goblin commandant nods. He says over his shoulder, "You hear human? Ground units no shine until human ally regrouped. Yes?"

"Yes, Field Marshal!" repeat the goblins. Klur looks directly at Rikuto again, saying with a devious smirk, "Afterwards, we claim shine."

Rikuto closes his eyes, feeling a bit uneasy at being told right to his face, but he cares more about his ally, Sir Chebnom. The young man nods uneasily, and Horaston starts cautiously, "Your, uh, I mean, Oyabun… Sir…" (A/N 1)

Rikuto cuts the knight off quietly, doing his best to reassure himself as much as Horaston, "I know. But, we need their help." He then adds more officially, "Field Marshal, we're ready. We'll prioritize making contact with Kiirookami and providing combat support. But, there is an elf that we believe has possession…"

Klur nods in agreement. "Klur remembers. We kill everyone. Human-king no worry." He then gives his orders, "Locke, on my mark, take out the draft beasts from front to rear. Droppers, ready on cables and deploy on second shot. Side gunners, prepare and hold. Mosko, I leave you in charge of aerial operations once I deploy."

"Yes, Boss!" reply the goblins in unison, though some reply in their unintelligible language. Those that are dropping move into position near the side doors as the shuttle accelerates to catch up to the carriage. Locke checks his rifle's magazine. It's taller than the goblin, but he handles it with the deft skill of a professional sniper.

"Three, two, one, Mark!" shouts the goblin commandant as he moves into position. The goblins at the side doors slide them open, and Locke fearlessly leans out, hanging by a cable.

Boom!

The first shot goes forth, and the first pair of goblin special forces toss wound up cables from the sides, which are already hooked to overhead anchors just inside the boxy cabin of the aircraft.

Rikuto glances at his knights, whose faces are hidden by their ranger-esque masks, but their posture gives away everything. They're keeping their composure well, but even being as high as they are in the shuttle is nerve-wracking, let alone having the doors open with the goblins about to defy death in order to storm the area.

I feel you guys. The height doesn't bother me, but… Are they really…?

Rikuto doesn't have to wait long. Locke fires again with a thunderous Boom! that echoes far into the distance, and cued like sprinters taking off from a starting block, the first pair of goblins leap onto the cables, using only their hands to control their descent. That said, Rikuto now sees that the cable itself is actually a loop, with some kind of acceleration control built into the anchor point. It's not as efficient or safe as what real special forces used on Earth, but Rikuto can see how and why it works.

No sooner do the first goblins disappear below the deck do the second pair leap onto the cable as well, joining them in a descent like the world's most dangerous ski-lift.

Klur points at Rikuto, saying as the third pair jumps, "You no try anything, or you die."

"I only intend to get back what was taken from us. You have my word."

Klur doesn't seem especially trusting, but he does jog towards the cables and joins the fifth pair on the way down, directly above the fifth goblin to descend on the left side.

Already, the distinctive sounds of machine gun fire is filling the air, while Locke continues to fire from above. The machine-gunners have already loaded huge guns with what Rikuto can only guess is .50 caliber ammunition.

Rikuto could lay hands on them and use his hidden ability to make use of the machine gun however he wishes.

But, more important is making sure Chebnom doesn't get overzealous and attack the goblins.

"We're going! Grab the cable and don't let go until you're at the bottom!"

Rikuto jogs forward, and the remaining goblins in the shuttle watch him briefly with curiosity.

I can't keep hiding and waiting! This is all my fault, and I refuse to let Daniel outshine me forever!

"Your Majesty!" Both knights cry out to no avail, as Rikuto throws himself out of the cabin with his hand squeezing around the cable.

Please work, please work, please work…

His stomach briefly floats as gravity urges him towards the ground, only for him to suddenly swing down. It's not a violent stop like being halted, but his speed does decrease drastically.

I knew it. It must be some kind of flywheel or something. Rikuto's heart is pounding, but he can see the goblins storming the area and killing the Imperial soldiers with focused abandon.

The carriage is naturally stopped, thanks to the buckrokhs that were pulling it being killed swiftly by Locke.

Rikuto sees one of the Imperials readying a crossbow from a vantage point in a tree, and he quickly draws and aims his own tanju pistol. Since it's not standardized to any particular modern design, he'll keep it as 'tanju' in his own head.

The blast of fire and powder is much thicker with smoke than even Daniel's firearms firing at full auto, even though Rikuto's can only fire a single shot. But, thanks to the basic Minie ball design, which is a precursor to proper rifling, Rikuto is able to hit his mark. The man cries out and falls from the tree, discharging his crossbow into the air. Rikuto shoves his spent pistol into a dump pouch on his belt, drawing another one. His feet reach the ground, and he fires on the closest Imperial soldier as he closes in on one of the goblins. The man cries out, wounded, rather than killed, and the goblin soldier nods politely at the young Japanese man before continuing his own portion of the onslaught.

The Imperials are in disarray, with dozens of them already dead and the goblins working in fluid motions like a well oiled machine or a fire consuming leaves. Rikuto kicks the nearest sword up into his hand, spinning it with ease. He waves at Sir Chebnom, who is in disguise as Kiirookami, though he did in fact use magic to change the color of his armor to blend in with the forest.

Sir Loxourren lands on the ground, and he jogs towards Rikuto as he readies his bow with an arrow. He doesn't draw, since there's little the four Mornistae fighters can do to really affect the tide of this battle.

Chebnom jogs up, ready with his daggers. As a gatonine, the feline knight specializes in acrobatics and stealth, even if the cat-like kemonomimi people are physically stronger than humans of comparable size.

"You-, or, Oyabun," greets the gatonine. "I, uh… don't know if I want to know what's going on."

"They're goblins in service to the Fievegal, if you couldn't guess," replies Rikuto softly.

The last Imperials cry out as they are cornered by the goblins and gunned down, even as they try to flee.

Saying 'dead to the last man' would be inaccurate, since there are still some of the Imperial soldiers groaning and moving slightly on the ground. Rikuto says quickly, "Do what you can to claim the living before the goblins execute them. Sir Chebnom… If we want to survive, you need to let the goblins do what they're about to do."

"What are they going to do?" asks the gatonine. "Eat the bodies?"

Rikuto's stomach turns. He didn't even consider that, in spite of some of the animes he has watched taking very dark turns. His voice croaks as he tries to answer, "N-No. No, it's…"

Rikuto doesn't get to finish. Several of the goblins have already eagerly confirmed that Rikuto has regrouped with his man, as per their instructions, and started to pick at the bodies of the fallen. However, Klur snaps in goblinese, and the soldiers halt. He signals them, and the goblins jog into a perimeter circle around the fancy royal carriage that the Grand Prince, Count Baumalde, and two others slipped away in. Another carriage is behind it, with a footman being held at gunpoint.

Klur signals the shuttle to land, and once it does, Horaston is able to join the other three Mornistae fighters. "My apologies, Oyabun," replies the human knight. "I couldn't do it."

"It's fine. I mostly wanted to be on the ground to stop them from executing the Grand Prince and every last soldier. Ch-, Kiirookami, Midorookami, take the rear carriage and try to protect their lives. Aookami, you're with me. We'll confront the Grand Prince."

"Yes, sir," reply the knights, and they jog into line with the goblins.

Rikuto notices that Klur is approaching the rear carriage, and he hesitates, jogging towards the goblin field marshal. "Field Marshal Klur? Aren't you going to capture the Grand Prince first?"

"Klur given strict orders. Civilians may be detained, but not killed." He waves and chatters, and Olk steps up, aiming his rifle at the footman. The commandant orders, "Down from the carriage, human. Any aggressive moves, and you die. If we smell you on any other human-kin, we kill."

"P-Please, d-d-don't kill mee!" cries out the young man. "I-I'm just a footman! I can't fight."

Rikuto hears it in the young man's voice before anything. He glances at Klur, but the goblin doesn't seem to notice.

If I mention it, he'll be killed. Let's just hope he cooperates, if he values his life.

The goblins keep him at gunpoint as they order him down, and the young man cautiously climbs down from the coach box.

Don't do it… Don't do it… Don't… No! You idiot!

Rikuto starts to reach as the young man launches a surprise attack on the unsuspecting Klur, who is approaching the door of the carriage. "Die you monster!"

Or, seemingly unsuspecting.

The Goblin Field Marshall snaps his left hand up, catching the blade of a rather large dagger with ease. Their size suggests goblins should have the strength of a child, meaning even if he's skilled, Klur should still be stumbled or even partially unbalanced, but his arm doesn't give. In fact…

"GAAAHHH!" The footman cries out as his body tenses, and a few sparks and crackles pop out of him, as if he was just hit by lightning. He collapses to the ground, with Klur stepping partially out of the way of the toppling body. Without a shred hesitation or mercy, Klur flips the dagger around so that he is holding its grip, and he jams the blade down into the back of the young man's neck before Rikuto can call out, "Wait!"

The footman flinches once from the initial piercing attack, but his body loses all strength and slumps.

The Japanese otherworlder snaps his hand to a still-loaded tanju, and the goblins all immediately whirl to aim their superior weapons at him, with exception of Klur, who seems to sit with the death of the footman for a moment, as if feeling his soul depart through the dagger.

"Steady your hand, Human-king," states Klur coldly. "You see attack coming, yes? Otherwise, you may not be fit for work of battle." Klur pulls the blade from the Imperial's neck, inspecting the blood and the blade briefly. It's a rather elaborate dagger for a footman, and was likely given as a member of the Imperial escort for the Grand Prince, with the rear carriage likely carrying the servants, since it is larger, but more plain than the royal carriage, which is indeed impressive. "Goblins smell bloodlust like a shenwulf smell sweat."

Rikuto's not sure if the goblin is bluffing, but he does stay calm and doesn't execute the knights, who are on edge with the goblins momentarily going on guard against them.

Rikuto finally relaxes his grip. His heart hurts, and he doesn't fully trust Klur, but he is completely outgunned. His temporary allies have absolutely no qualms about simply adding Rikuto and the knights to the casualties… and then looting them bare.

Damn you, Daniel. Do you have any idea what your 'loyal' loot goblins are doing?

That said, Klur calmly walks to the door of the servant carriage, and he opens it. Inside are the female servants to the Grand Prince, numbering twelve. They are huddled together in the back row of the carriage, and several of them scream when they see Klur. One brave woman throws a shoe, which bounces off of the goblin commander's helmet.

Rikuto feels heart race. Killing the soldiers, some of which were in fact female, is one thing. But, the servants are weak, and very obviously chosen by Yaulander for their looks more than anything else. Rikuto draws his tanju and aims it at Klur before any of the goblins can gun him down. "They're scared! Do not hurt them!"

Klur looks over his shoulder as the women watch in terror.

"Hurt them? I already speak it." He faces the carriage, saying sternly, "Human-kin maids. You now prisoners. Surrender or die. Has been many days since we enjoy feast."

Rikuto can hear several of the women faint as others cry. He notices his own hand is shaking violently. He's not sure if his skill can compensate for something like this, or if he would miss the goblin less than two meters away.

The goblin who isn't even deterred by the pistol aimed at his head.

In a surprise move, Horaston steps past Klur and climbs into the carriage, taking his helmet off. "I am Sir Horaston of the Kingdom of Mornistae. I'm on a rogue mission, but the goblins are on my side. If you want to survive, you'll need to surrender. But, if you don't…" Horaston takes a deep breath and finishes his thought calmly. "I will escort you personally to the final rest. So, please, make your choices…"

"I-... I want to go home!" cries out one of the maids as she begins sobbing.

Rikuto feels sick, but Klur hasn't stopped the knight from trying to comfort the maids. Instead, he turns and walks in the direction of the forward carriage, seemingly ignoring the tanju that Rikuto is still holding. His arm slumps as he loses the will to even try to hold Klur at gunpoint, knowing how many firearms are aimed at him.

"Does it make you feel powerful, Klur?" asks Rikuto coldly.

"No," retorts the goblin. "It obviously makes us powerful. That is the gift of the Great Emperor entrusted to Grendel Six." He smirks up at Rikuto as the goblin fearlessly passes by. "There are twelve. Any who flee will be hunted down. Our presence cannot be discovered here any more than yours."

Damn. I need witnesses if I'm going to publicly condemn Yaulander. Are they planning on preventing that? Or, do they intend to simply kill him.

Rikuto looks briefly at the footman while Klur heads towards the royal carriage.

I suppose it does make things a little easier. It's not our fault Yaulander's escort stood no chance.

Locke approaches Klur and whispers to him, and the Field Marshal snaps, "What!?"

Rikuto turns to listen, slowly restoring his tanju to its sheath. He knows how fortunate he is that the goblins haven't disarmed him, but he absolutely will be condemning Daniel the next chance he gets.

This Grendel Six unit is positively disregarding the rules of engagement, and they are a massive liability to any form of peace.

However, Klur looks at Rikuto, and then Chebnom. "Your man have much explaining to do, Human-king Rikuto of Otherworld," growls the goblin, finally revealing for certain that he knew all along. Rikuto tenses, unable to respond right away.

He finally croaks out, "Wh-What are you talking about?"

Klur sighs, while a few of the other goblins seem to be hooking ropes to the carriage door. In a team, the goblins pull the door off from as far away as the ropes allow, and Rikuto sees it as the door rips free.

KABOOM!

A fiery explosion erupts from the carriage, partially directed upwards due to its sturdy structure. But, nevertheless, it launches fire and debris in every direction, and Rikuto and his knights dive to the ground as the women in the rear carriage scream.

The young Japanese man scrambles up as soon as the daze clears, sitting up urgently to look at the burning wreckage. Klur is also watching the flames stoically, while his goblins gather themselves as well.

Locke and Olk are already giving orders for them to gather the bodies and any other evidence quickly, while Klur says coldly, "Human-kin so gullible… And we are even bigger fools." He orders, "Stow the servant carriage and capture the gatonine. We'll question once clear of area."

"Yes, Boss!"

Rikuto is swept up by the storm of events, and Chebnom tries to put up a fight only to be quickly incapacitated by the goblins taking out his legs with precision shots. When Loxourren tries to defend him, he too, is taken down with only a modicum of mercy.

Rikuto finds himself surrounded and being disarmed while the servant carriage disappears into one of the goblin's magic bags, servants and Horaston still inside.

"Human-king Rikuto of the Otherworld, you are under arrest," growls Klur, his robot-like metal arm clenched tightly in a fist with a strange glow visible in the joints.

Rikuto ponders his options, left with no choice but to figure out what's happening.

And, if he wants to avoid a fresh war with his neighboring territories and the Empire, he'll have to cooperate. He puts his hands up and says distantly, "I claim the Right of Royal Audience. I will only answer to the Emperor of the Fievegal."

***

A/N 1: Oyabun is a Japanese word for "Boss", or more literally "parent figure" specifically in the context of the Yakuza Patriarch of a whole organized crime family.

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