Published at 24th of December 2020 07:54:29 PM
Chapter 290
RMSBS - Episode 290 . Rhapsody (5)
The Artemis Church’s plan had been a success . By using the captives as bait, they succeeded in goading the Imperial army into opening their fortress . Moreover, they had stopped using their Seventh-Circle magic, likely out of fear of killing their comrades . They had given up their defense’s advantage and laid down their weapons, all to save a few thousand lives .
“It’s time . ”
The Paladins all rushed forward, their leader having given the signal they had long awaited . Despite their heavy silver plate armor, they marched as quickly as lightweight infantry, their natural speed reinforced through their various supernatural powers .
“Make sure to avenge your sorrow!”
The Head Inquisitor, Rhea, commanded the Holy Paladins . Soon after, the Imperial army was pelted by supernatural powers . Strange lights flashed through the sky, flickering back and forth, before smashing against the Dresden fortress and dismantling large parts of its defensive magic .
The Empire’s magicians swiftly counter-attacked in response .
[Blizzard Storm]
[Lightning Spree]
*Bam*
*Baaaam*
The air froze and thunderbolts raged before exploding into flashes of light that illuminated the battlefield .
Endless magic and supernatural powers ravaged the surroundings, enough so that the dead of night was illuminated like day .
It was not an exaggeration to say that the outcome of a firefight during a war would typically determine the victor . Hence the Hebrion Empire had always devoted a large portion of its effort to training magicians . Their absurd efforts were well worth it whenever Hebrion went to war .
However, they had lost the initiative in this fight .
“Is it… impossible to break them?”
“If we continue to pour in all our effort, eventually… ”
If the Imperial magicians wanted to return fire without harming the captives, they would have to refrain from using high-circle spells . As a result, they had opted to take on a massive handicap . Being at a higher circle was meaningless if they could not cast spells commensurate with their skill .
As a result, the Glance of the Father was able to restore itself and remained unharmed throughout the rest of the exchange .
It would be one thing if the Empire was only struggling on the offense .
Supernatural powers were battering the fortress of Dresden with their eccentric nature and surprising power . It was not easy to defend or attack without understanding the fundamental capability of their enemy . Additionally, the war had broken out without warning, so they were also lacking in terms of preparation .
[Anthem of Gavilelle]
*Bam*
As the defense magic that was encircled the fortress cracked and partially fell, three magicians swayed then died on the spot . Although it was only one area that had fallen, this was a clear warning that the Empire’s defense was close to collapsing .
Things were no less frustrating when it came to rescuing the captives . They had been released from the clutches of the Artemis Church, however, it was absolute pandemonium . Many were trampled under the feet of the desperate horde of men, horses, and the wounded . Their screams and groans mingled into an unholy cacophony .
“We have injured men! Please move a little slower… !”
“Get away! Don’t stand in my way!”
“I can’t break away like this… !”
“This is just a pointless death throe . There is no way we can get out alive . ”
They were all certain death awaited them, and when you thought about it, that was obvious .
The Artemis Church’s paladins that were chasing behind were marching terribly fast, and they had no way to survive the aftermath of any attacks . All they could do was front a desperate struggle in an attempt to live just a little bit longer .
*Swoooosh*
An ear-piercing screech swirled past the ears of the captives, the source being somewhere behind them . Shortly thereafter, several streaks of light simultaneously appeared above them, shredding apart the atmosphere . When the defenseless Hebrion prisoners noticed the attack, they all stopped moving . There was no point in trying to dodge or resist the attack; being touched by those beams was no different from a death sentence .
“Attacking unarmed prisoners of war… Is this the creed of the Artemis Church?”
It was the voice of a jaunty young man . Their fear-sealed eyes gradually widened at his presence . His blonde hair was their saving grace, a new sun to blot out the enemy’s death rays .
“Seriously, this is just comically evil . ”
There was not a single citizen in the Empire who would fail to recognize his voice . In fact, it would be difficult to find someone on the continent who wasn’t aware of his name: Raphaello Cheriger .
All it took was the rising slash of his blade .
*Rumble*
With an enormous gust of wind and a blinding light, the streaks of light were ripped apart and disappeared into the sky . People who witnessed the overwhelming prestigious glory in front of them could not close their mouths nor avert their eyes .
Raphaello smiled sweetly, looking at them .
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“Don’t worry about these guys, and keep moving forward . You’re safe now, I promise . ”
*Stamp*
They stared blankly at their hero, so caught up in the moment that they had not noticed what was happening around them . Several thousand knights appeared and began encircling them, but not to constrain them . The charcoal-colored suits of armor, emblazoned with a golden lion, were there to protect them from the outside forces .
They were the Side Guard, a group of powerful soldiers formed to assist the Royal Guard however they needed . As the strongest knights of the Empire entered formations to guard the captives, the screams vanished and order was restored within moments . The prior scene of agony and terror disappeared as if it were a dream . Although they could not immediately flee the battlefield, their hope of survival had bloomed .
Raphaello let out a grin, looking at them .
“Well, the pressing issue has been solved for now . ”
“… You’re definitely perfect for the role . ”
Raphaello shrugged as if he easily agreed with Jean Euremrin’s compliment .
“Not just anyone can be the figurehead of the Royal Guard . ”
“You’ve become cheeky since I last saw you . ”
“Cheeky? Me? Never! So, what are we doing now?”
Jean stared at the battlefront .
The military force of the Artemis Church densely occupied the entire wide-spread plains . Hebrion’s fortress was under non-stop bombardment from the enemy . In terms of numbers alone, the Church had the advantage .
“Are we going to retreat while guarding the captives?”
“No can do . ”
Raphaello chuckled and pointed his sword forward .
“I figured you’d say so . ”
Raphaello took action first . Aura began wrapping around his body and blade, gradually forming a wheel around him .
One to two . From two to three .
The more wheels there were, the more intensely the aura glowed as strong gusts of wind were summoned . Once there were five wheels in total, Raphaello swung his sword, the S-class artifact Gram, towards the oncoming barrage of attacks .
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The wheels, which had previously been spinning around the sword, were rocketed forward with a thundering noise as though they had burst forth under extreme pressure .
*Baaaaaam*
A flash of light filled the sky with a boom resounding shortly afterward . The once noisy battlefield was left with a deafening silence .
One strike from the Sword Grandmaster had managed to neutralize the combined strength of countless Paladin abilities . In their bones, the soldiers of the Artemis Church knew they wouldn’t be able to proceed unless they took care of Raphaello Cheriger, and thus began to charge .
Now it was Jean’s turn to shine . His gaze locked on the approaching frontline, he drew the gigantic saber strapped to his back . As the Paladins felt his determination rise, they in turn began to gather their aura . The combining colors and swirls seemed like an impenetrable fortress, capable of blocking any enemy attack, or even capable of being used as a weapon .
Even faced with such a powerful opponent, Jean calmly waiting in place, letting the gigantic fortress approach him . Once they entered his striking range…
*Swish*
A sharp wind swept the plains clear .
*Ruuumble*
With the sound of thunderbolts, a river of blood trailed behind the sword’s blade . The weapons, blood, and the pieces of flesh remaining from the Paladins were scattered through the tall grass .
It was hard to believe that this happened with a single blow .
But Jean was not done swinging .
*Ruumble*
The sword was brandished continuously, cutting everything smoothly . The ground was torn apart in mere moments due to the unbelievably fast speed of his swings, his sword appearing to move in all directions without hindrance . This level of swordsmanship seemed impossible, something that a human would be incapable of reaching .
It was his swordsmanship, the Sword of the Royal Guard .
He was the perfect person to be given that title within the Empire .
*BAAAAAAAM*
Only two people made their moves, but the battlefield had changed drastically .
Jean Euremrin’s attack and Raphaello’s defense were harmonized together and formed a complete square . The bombardments from Artemis were simply neutralized and the encroaching Paladins were intercepted by his invincible swordsmanship .
Realistically though, it was impossible for just two people to take on the entire forces of the Artemis Church .
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“Phooo… ”
Raphaello let out a sigh .
There were only a few times in his life where he had been forced to consume that much aura in such a short span of time . Even still, he would not stop . He knew that pausing for even a moment would endanger the thousands of lives behind him .
Once the progress of the battle turned around due to Jean and Raphaello’s hard work, the leader of the Paladins made a decision .
“… to the center . ”
Until that order was given, Artemis’s troops were widespread across the plains, doing their best to completely dominate the eastern flank of Dresden . Soon after, both flanks of the military began to converge towards the center, focusing all their attacks on the two members of the Royal Guard .
Pikemen took the front lines, opting to take the brunt of the damage to protect the Paladins who were strategically positioned at regular intervals .
Every time Jean Euremrin was injured, the number of casualties they suffered decreased . His power was still mighty, but with fewer people getting minced, the surviving Paladins approaching Dresden significantly increased .
“Their commanding officer is indeed talented . ”
Raphaello had to give a small acknowledgement to their commander . Their ability to read the situation and come up with the best possible response was indeed very excellent .
“So are we going to withdraw like this?”
“I don’t think so . ”
Raphaello smiled slightly at Jean’s question .
“They will not cross here . ”
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Chapter brought to you by The Patrons .
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ED: Purplemen101
TLC: N/A
QC: Dr Lock