The Wielder of Death Magic

Chapter 599

Chapter 599: Empire’s Invasion [17]

Location, Castle Eldo. Garrison is stationed currently at three hundred men. Dusk settled in a few hours ago, the chummy scape of trees reclused into unforgiving darkness. Red beady eyes darted from bush to bush. Guards on duty were mostly lackluster in focus.

“Another boring night of standing still,” yawned one staring down the southern gate.

“I know,” sighed another, “-we got the worst deal of the bargain. Tonight’s when the squad leaders bring in fresh produce from the villages. Rumor has it they managed to get hands-on few younger lasses.”

“Yeah,” he facepalmed, “-slaves to be sold, a good way to bring in money.”

“I guess, don’t you think it’s wrong. We’re Ardanians but sell our kind to the enemy...”

“Shush, don’t speak loudly,” exclaimed the other, “-the only reason we’re living is because of the Major, be grateful. Besides, the castle is a great asset to the province, no way they’ll oust us, especially since the Advance forces were soundly defeated in Glenda.”

“Oh man,” said the other, “-look,” he pointed. Horse-drawn carriages ambled over the slope. In front sat a shabby-looking beastman. Lifeless gaze fell upon the guard, he tipped a shabbier looking straw-hat.

.....

“OPEN THE GATES!”

Loud crashes of gears creak the iron bars. A glance inside showed children in rags, some of the younger ones were completely naked save for an older girl who had tightly embraced them. “Wow,” gawked the guard, “-ey, she’s good looking for a peasant.”

“Shut your mouth,” fired the other, “-don’t get excited, she’s probably a gift for the Major. Get back here, we need to shut the gates.” Horses neighed to a start; the produce entered in an orderly manner.

An hour passed; the moonless night made for poor visibility. “-Hey, you sleeping?”

“What’s up, I just dozed off. So cold, my balls are frozen.”

“Oh yeah,” he chuckled, “-cats do hate the cold, don’t they.”

“Don’t patronize me,” he snarled back. “-Look towards the airfield, there’s smoke and fire. ”

“No, I don’t care,” cried the other, “-listen, the others are having fun inside. Whips and moans, god damn it, should have been us tonight... WHY.”

Out in a remote location, a monstrous-looking plane laid in wait. Dim lighting, easy-going conversations, the distant sound of gunfire, a typical holdout for fighters. Makeshift fences gave a little sense of safety, “-Kendy, Konoe,” said a voice over the communication channel, “-I’m éclair, the duty of directing the operation has been swapped over to me. Orders came from lady Elvira.” No response came, they intently listened, “-a map of the area has been transmitted, the mission will go according to plan. I have a jet ready to launch an airstrike if things are to go loud. Remember, the operation is prominently stealth. The marksmen unit has reported strange activities, kill the guards, capture the Major if possible and free any prisoners. Be at the ready, take-off is in thirty minutes.”

What appeared to be fire was the blood-soaked ground of the airfield. The nightwalkers appeared from nowhere, took out the whole enemy base with time to spare. A powerful Blood-Arts by the name of Yeua, controlled the battle. A single infliction by said arts and the victim’s blood would explode out the body. The following sight was one of utter disgust.

The clock struck 23:00, the normal rustle of trees intensified, “-who’s there,” cried a guard without response. *Bang,* a single shot and the man dropped. *Bang,* another, and the southern gate was cleared. Eldo wasn’t going down easy, the stealth operation soon went loud as alarms rang. Another spotter took notice and fired in a vague direction. The castle’s dungeon, filled by beasts preying on women, emptied at a faster pace. Spells and gunfire soon unloaded down onto the southern entrance, the gates shut, canons rolled to fire. A silent night turned into a concert of bloodshed; long empty halls echoed by gunfire.

“Major, we’re under attack.”

“I know,” said he strongly gripping the hair of a lady. The latter was gagged, blindfolded, and placed on her knees, “-the precautionary measures have been taken, right?”

“Yes sir,” nodded the messenger.

“Then we’re good,” he smirked, “-no one will ever break through the defenses. Have the adventurers jump into the fray. They ought to bring a bit of entertainment,” *smack,* “-isn’t that right, lassy.” The fight continued, adventurers leaped to their death, any who’d step outside was shot instantly.

“The gunfire, it’s stopped, we’ve won the battle,” said a rookie of the garrison.

“Keep your guard up,” refuted another, “-we’re still in the midst of battle.”

“Shut up,” added another, “-says the man with his rod hanging out, what is it, you weren’t able to put on pants?”

“FUCK YOU!” The real attack had yet to come, flares shot on towards the southern side. Bright and obnoxious, most of the garrison were awestruck, never had they seen such a thing before. Covered by the night, a monster flew noiselessly to their location.

“Subjugation Platoon 05,” said Kendy, “-get ready to jump.”

21st of April dawned, orangish hue served to lit the beaten beasts. Yards filled with body and blood, soldiers patrolled the walls, the stench of death made many nauseous.

“Major Cond,” said Kendy with feet kicked up, “-you have two choices, either give us the information we want or die.”

“I’d rather die,” he spat, “-the Empire will send backup, just you wait,” an ignorant smirk went from ear to ear.

“I doubt it,” said Konoe, a man in his late twenties with a passion to wear facemasks. Brown hair and grey eyes were the only facial features available to see, “-the airfield’s been taken over.” In the greater picture, rumors of Eldo being impregnable were true to some extent. Phantom’s forces used rudimentary tactics to launch their assault. Obviously, the mission must have gone silently and would have done so if not for a failed shot. Platoon 04, were tasked to be a diversion, heavy gunfire at the south, flares, and more. They were drawn and ease their guard, an attack from the top, a silent invasion of Kendy’s Platoon who parachuted in. Evacuation of the stationed forces began as soon as the new garrison, members of the Sabbath’s Clan, took uphold.

Back in Noctis’s Hallow, “-the operation succeeded,” said Elvira.

“Not over yet,” interjected Aurora, “-the advance squad is moving to the capital, let’s intercept them, wipe out their forces.”

“Understood,” they nodded, the war had yet to end. As a bittersweet show of strength arrived at the capital, Major Chod was impaled and placed on stakes. A message read, “-retribution for the Lizardmen,” burnt alive, not the greatest way to depart. Frowns cut across the Church’s patronage, the King of Arda sat solemnly. Inquisitors of the prior battle of Glenda knelt at his feet, “-my liege, we sincerely apologize for our failure.”

“INSOLENCE,” cried a lady with darkening wings, “-thee dare apologize for failing,” tangible hatred and disappointment.

“Take them to the gallows,” ordered the King, “-revoke their gift of immortality and bring me Eira.”

“SIRE, PLEASE,” they begged to be dragged across the floor.

Tranquility soon settled onto the vibrant throne room, “-Eira,” said the King, “-I’ve heard the facts from the report. Care to explain to fight thy cause?”

“Majesty, the enemy was stronger than expected. He has allies who are of greater strength.”

“Might I know his name?”

“Igna Haggard, sire, my cousin,” her eyes narrowed, “-the Haggard Dynasty has infected themselves into the world’s politics and private affairs.”

“Very well, I understand the situation. No matter the obstacle, the Empire will win, tis the truth. Rest, for now, order the army to retreat and rest.”

Birds chirped; a warm breeze tiptoed in to tickle the cheeks. ‘Wake up,’ said a whisper.

‘What happened?’ the eyes opened gently to a mosaic ceiling fashioned into a spiral of various shapes. ‘-oh right,’ few blinks resettled the mind, ‘-the outside, I remember that view – the second manor.’ As did the breeze so did running water from a fountain, a melodic respace. ‘My right arm... it hasn’t regenerated. I feel so heavy,’ he sat upright, the room swayed innocently at nature’s whim. ‘-My throat’s dry.’

A mirror showed the body’s state, ‘-oh god,’ skinny, parched, lifelessly pale, a bald head, wrinkled face, ‘-what the hell happened?’

‘The body couldn’t handle the full release of Nevermore,’ whispered Origin, ‘-we barely made it out alive... no never mind, let me rephrase, we did die. The body has gone through decay... it explains the ghastly state we’re in.”

‘How long?’

“We’re the 30th of April, you tell me.”

‘My limbs and organs must be dead...’ he sighed, ‘-I get it, the regeneration resumed after the element rekindled.’ Arm against the window ledge, ‘-Origin, were you conscious?’

‘No, I said it before, we’re one of the same. If you die, I die, if you’re unconscious, so am I. Did manage to overhear the final moments but I forgot.’

‘Should have expected so,’ he chuckled, ‘-I’m back, so it’s fine. There’s barely any mana left – why am I so whimsical, I don’t get it.’ A shawl wrapped around his person, ‘-let’s see what’s become of this place,’ the door opened to an empty corridor.

‘No signs of dust,’ he walked, ‘-someone’s here, I guess. I wonder what happened to the invasion of Eldo, did we win or lose?’

Weird chants cut across, pink hair flowed to a stop, ‘-isn’t that?’

“AHHH,” plates dropped, the lady darted down the stairs.

‘What was that about?’ he followed her steps to the ground floor, a clearing into the yard showed tender vegetation, the jeep and figures moved to and fro. ‘Here I thought there were only a maid or butler around.’ The stomach growled, the ears picked up on a sizzling pan, ‘-food,’ off the first step, the mind went dark for a second, ‘-damn,’ he merged against the wall, ‘-nearly passed out. How weak am I?’ The legs soon numbed; a desperate struggle of leaning against the wall led to the kitchen. There, the pink-haired girl voiced her concern loudly, “-I SAW A GHOST!” she cried.

“Enough with the jest,” returned a handsome man in an apron, “-it’s nearly lunch-time, we should bring in everyone.”

‘Who’s that?’ he squinted, ‘-blonde hair tied with a piece of cloth, he’s handsome, I’m jealous... wait, that’s Julius.’ Footsteps tremored the wooden floor.

“Believe me, Julius, I saw a ghost!”

“Yeah, yeah, I believe you,” he spun to lay out dishes, “-a ghost,” blue pupils briefly locked onto a pale-looking old man.

“AHHH,” screamed she, “-THAT’S HIM, I TOLD YOU, LOOK!”

“Wrong,” a quick smack to the back of the head, “-Malley, for the love of God, look closer,” unknotting the apron, “-it’s Igna,” he darted for an embrace. “-Welcome back, cousin, I’ve missed you.”

“Y-yeah, sure,” said he.

“Is something the matter?” he leaned to give space, “-are you ok?”

“Do I look ok?” the words barely escaped.

“Cousin, please, I don’t understand what you’re trying to say.”

‘I c-can’t speak... my mouth won’t move,’ the legs buckled.

“IGNA” hastily catching his body, “-answer me, a-are you ok?”

‘I get it now,’ the eyes shut, ‘-it’s my payment for my mistake. I’ve turned into a burden.’

“COUSIN, COUSIN...” the voice faded, “-answer me, cousin...”

‘Julius, such a worrywart, I’m glad...’

“Julius, Malley, what’s the matter?”

“Lady Gophy, look, it’s Igna,” he pointed.

“Wait, Igna’s back?” inquired Intherna, “-oh,” she arrived to a feeble body, “-d-d-doesn’t look good.”

“We might be in trouble,” said Miira, “-if the element hasn’t healed his body, there’s no saying what could happen.”

“WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?”

“Lashing out won’t alter the fact,” said a very seductive tone. Long carefully cared dark-brown hair, a figure befitting one of a model, facial features of an angel, a beauty mark next to sweet-looking rosy lips, “-I’ll take him to his room. Do care for Lyon, the boy wishes for a toy,” side-glancing Julius, “-bring him what he wishes for.”

“Not so fast, Lilith,” interrupted Gophy, “-he might have granted salvation, doesn’t alter the truth. You’re the queen of demons, wife of Lucifer, what guarantee do we have you won’t betray him. Ever since Cleopatra...”

“Lady Gophy,” stood with Igna in a princess carry, “-keep thy insecurities to thyself. Igna needs rest, and I’ll do what needs to be done for his sake.”

.....