A sea of raging flames took life and prosperity away, leaving nothing but ashes and ruins in its wake.
It was a bleak scene, pervaded with both blood and tears.
Spider monsters as big as chariots, red-eyed lizards covered in scales, as well as numerous poisonous black bugs that resembled cockroach larvae freshly hatched from their eggs; Monsters that no humans had ever seen were reducing the Border Town into debris.
Badly mangled limbs littered the ground while blood and tears were evaporated by the raging flames. The anguished wailing and lament gradually turned softer and softer. So soft that they were on the verge of being erased by despair.
The sturdy shield known as the ‘Chivalric Group’ didn’t arrive when the unarmed and defenseless commoners needed it the most, leaving the butcher’s blade to directly land on them.
…………
The urgent sound of carriages resounded, as a unit of wagons hurried towards the Border Town through the wilderness.
Flags decorated with the emblem of a black eagle on a blue background hung on both ends of the carriages; This was the Falcon Chivalry Group — an outstanding group placed in the top ranks of the temple association.
The fully armed knights were all wearing the same equipment. Besides a scimitar and a metal chainmail on their body, half of them were even equipped with an antique firearm. The frogmouth helmets they wore obscured their respective facial expressions.
Through the seams of his helmet, the knight captain leading the squad could faintly make out the smokey distress signal above the city walls of catalpa metal.
Despite being relatively far away, the veteran soldiers who had spent a large amount of time in the battlefield could already perceive a bloody smell suffused in the air.
“Captain, Border Town is just ahead.”
“Mhm. Get off the carriage, we’ll proceed on foot.” The seasoned knight captain had a sixth sense when it came to the unpredictable changes of the battlefield. He cautiously gave the command to proceed on foot to prevent being caught off guard by an ambush.
His bodyguard responded to this order and motioned for the squad behind to stop before blowing his whistle.
Hearing the sound, the well-trained knights lifted the carriage curtains and orderly jumped down. They then lined up row by row in formation and straightened their body upright.
“Captain, the state of the battle in Border Town seems to be very critical. The higher ups want us to speed up our march.”
“I can tell.” Seeing smoke all over the Border Town in the distance like a wildfire, the knight captain, Ramaeu, slightly knitted his brows. Fishing out a smoking pipe, he ignited the tobacco inside and slowly breathed in a mouthful.
“It’s the Chivalry Group of Radiant Knights that is in charge of defending Border Town?”
“Yes.”
“Have they been completely annihilated?”
“No… According to intelligence, the Radiant Knights in Border Town didn’t receive any order from their superior to sally out. Although they were afraid of missing the opportune moment to strike, the threat of insubordination loomed over them at the same time. As such, they could only request for external aid.
“So, it unfortunately comes down to us to help them wipe their asses? Fuck!” Ramaeu impatiently spat out a smoke ring.
“Hurry up and find out what exactly is going on… After stirring up such a shit show, I’m afraid the Chivalry Order of Radiant Knights won’t have an easy time.” Said Ramaeu meaningfully.
“Eh?”
“Heh.” Ramaeu shot a glance at the bodyguard beside him who had fallen into a daze, and sneered.
“Each of the large Chivalric Groups are definitely not as tranquil as they appear on the surface. Even a shrimp like me can sense the hidden undercurrents… To have such an incident happening when the barrier is running normally… Wait for it. This is just the precursor of the tough days ahead of them. There will be no lack of people pushing the blame to the Chivalry Order of Radiant Knights after this incident.” Ramaeu flicked the smoking pipe with his finger.
“However, these are no concern to us shrimps. Speed up the rate of our advance. We’re not the main force, if it’s just a few trolls, all we have to do is just hold them off.
…………
“Listen to me, Lil’ Yi-yi. You’re also aware that this little student Ji Bai has had a post in an official Chivalry Group before. It goes without saying that he needs some time to adapt to our rules and regulations. He’s also a very reliable student and this point is something all of his classmates can strongly agree on…” Lin Tuo propped himself up on the table, and harped nonstop into Lan Yi’s ears like a senior monk that had achieved the Dao.
And at his side stood none other than the entire Tomato Class.
The lofty Huo Lei, Lin leaning against a corner, restless Lil’ Sha, as well as Pian Zi, who was muttering to himself whilst sitting cross-legged on the floor.
“I don’t have the final say on this incident. That brat is just too mischievous, I’ve already tried my best.” Lan Yi felt her head somewhat aching as she closed her eyes.
“B-But… That obscene middle-aged man only brought a clueless little girl into the magical dimension…” Lil’ Sha felt somewhat indignant.
“The rules and regulations are there for a reason.” Stated Lin, who was leaning against the wall, in an indifferent tone before Lan Yi could respond.
“That’s right… Besides, his actions have led to the theft of the magical dimension’s coordinates, leaving several students’ fate unknown. Even now, our magicians are conducting urgent repairs and alterations.”
“T-Then, is Obscene Middle-aged Man going to be expelled like this?? What is going to happen to Ke’er then?” Lil’ Sha remained unconvinced.
“Ji Bai intends for you to look after her in his stead.” Said Lan Yi quietly.
“That fool… Uncle Huo Lei, say a few words, will you?”
“Eee… I’m not good at talking and am afraid I’ll say the wrong thing.” Huo Lei scratched his head.
“Uuuh…”
“…Actually, you don’t need to worry about this matter.” Lan Yi slowly opened her mouth after sweeping a glance over the crowd in front of her that had fallen into silence.
“If things go as expected, Ji Bai will probably not be expelled.”
“Eeeh? Why?”
“The Chivalric Head seemed to have affirmed her position in wanting to keep him.”
“Ehh?!”
The reticent Lin leaning against a corner lifted her head up with a somewhat flabbergasted expression on her face.
“That’s great, that’s great. The Chivalric Head really has a good eye on people. She knows that an interesting student that can talk well is a rare sight.” Said Lin Tuo in a half-joking tone.
“Mhm…”
“Is she on the wrong medication again?” Lin supported her forehead with her hand.
“I don’t know… This also isn’t the first time she had her temperamental mood. However, when we were talking on the phone, her tone was somewhat strange…” Lan Yi was similarly struck speechless when it came to that certain legal loli who was ignoring her duties.
“Everyone of you should return. This operation is no small matter. All Moon Knights who have been members for less than 2 years and not reached the rank of yellow are barred from participating.”
“Aaaah? Is that so? But Brother Ji Bai is…”
“These are our rules and regulations. There’s no room for discussions.” Stated Lan Yi in a calm tone.
…………
Below the eastern city gates.
Ramaeu motioned to his aide-de-camp at his side.
He understood tacitly and moved forward.
“We are the Chivalry group from Rhine City that has come to assist you! Please open the city gates and let us advance to hold off the enemy!” The aide-de-camp stood beneath the city walls and shouted in a loud voice.
“…” A moment of silence ensued.
“Hey—, comrades on the walls! We’re the Falcon Chivalry Group from Rhine City and are under orders to provide assistance to your city. We’re not your enemies! May I request that you open the city gates and allow us to enter!” The aide-de-camp was like a repeater as he reiterated his words once more.
“…” What responded to them was yet another silence which was accompanied by zero movements on the thick city walls.
The aide-de-camp turned his head to look at Rameau, then at the crowd of silent knights. He was unable to make any sense of the matter.
Rameau slightly knitted his brows as the feeling that something was amiss with this situation arose in his mind.
Stepping forward, he gave the city gates a push.
“Boom!!” With a bang, the incomparably thick city gate toppled over like a slab of metal.
The desolate and tragic scene on the other side of the city gate was revealed in its entirety.
“Th-This…” The complexion of the aide-de-camp turned unsightly as he took a step back.
While it was a very tough feat to clean up a small group of trolls,they weren’t entirely hapless. By engaging in human wave tactics and employing a crowd of Lord-class knights, taking care of them was merely a matter of time.
But what never crossed their mind was the scenery within the city that presented itself—Complete silence, akin to a ghost town or a post-war ruin.
“Zzzt…” Countless small, pitch-black bugs bore their way out of the bloodstained abdomens of corpses.