Chapter 55: The Declaration of War.
City of Al-Mar.
*BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*
Multiple explosions rocked the white city of weddings, the Pearl of Court Alf. The citizens ran to cover and went into hiding from the constant bombardment. The aquatic monster girls quickly grabbed their husbands and fled into the waters, while those who remained on the surface did not have such luck. Sirens and harpies tried to flee along with their partners, but they were soon gunned down by grape shots coming from a Lescatian warship.
There were still monster mages across the city and raised their magic barriers to protect the citizens from the shelling while setting up portals for emergency evacuation, which lead them to the next island.
Wilmarina noticed there were several barriers being erected and raised her hand with a snip of her fingers.
"Send in the raiders... raze much damage as soon as possible," Wilmarina ordered to the Dark Strategist standing behind her. "If the Silver-Blue Knight and his pesky allies aren't here. We'll occupy this island and go on to the next."
"As you command." The Succubus Strategist bowed shortly before leaving the main bridge. Then she stopped and spun back at the Dark Hero in question. "What about the Island's Songstress?"
"Oh?... I almost forgot that she's the leader of this island." Wilmarina mused while cupping her chin. Thus, she expressed her smile. "Fufufu~! Perhaps~... She probably knew where Ash and his whereabouts were~!... Send in the Heroes and make sure they have their heads."
The Dark Strategist nods. "Understood."
...
*BOOM!*
"Run for your lives!"
*BOOM!*
"Th-These are Demonic Warships! Why are they doing this to us!?"
*BOOM!*
"Uwaaah~! Mommy~!"
Primera, Francisca and Mimil were shocked to witness the display of power, destruction and death that has wrought through the White City. Once a pretty marble in the middle of the sea, now a wreaking funeral filled with fire and blood. Francisca saw a monster couple, comprising an incubus and werewolf, trying to run away from the bombardment until the monster girl stumbled to her feet.
"S-Shira!"
The incubus cried out as he tries to reach out for her until he saw a cannonball flying straight towards them. The Roper Queen activates her magic and summoned a pair of tentacles made from Dark Matter before wrapping them up, then pulled them away before they had the chance to be blown into bits, thus saving their lives.
"Th-Thank you! You saved our lives!"
"I thought I was a goner!"
Francisca blushed in surprise. This is the first time she felt grateful for saving their lives and thanking her. The Roper Queen then tilts her head due to the current situation escalating around them.
"N-No time to thank us! Just find cover!"
The couple left in a hurry while more people ran past the three princesses of Lescatie in the haste of panic and Primera noticed something was off as her keen eyes spotted some shadowy figures marching out from the smokes and fires. They appeared to be a group of heavily armoured Dark Knights, armed to teeth with weapons, already stained with blood.
Primera reeled back as sweat came running down her face, filled with fear. Mimil was trembling and hid behind Francisca before one Dark Knight stepped forth and raised her Titanite Spear.
"FOR THE GLORY TO OUR LORD OF LESCATIE! ATTACK!"
"Oh shit! Run!"
Francisca grabbed Mimil over her shoulder and ran while Primera shoots back with her demonic bow and arrows to delay their chase. Her arrows may have struck into their exposed parts, however, the Succubi Knights felt irritated and pulled out the silver arrows while continuing their pursuit.
"You've got to be kidding me..." Primera widened her eyes. "My arrows aren't arousing them at all!"
"Th-They're probably widows!" Mimil cried out, then she noticed something swooping down from the skies and pointed up. "From above! Duck!"
Francisca and Primera heard the noises of flapping wings coming from behind. They jumped to the ground, avoiding the swings of a sharp blade flying over their heads. The Werewolf Elf looks up to see a Demonic Pegasus, and its rider stopped by her steed. The Dark Pegasus Knight remained hovered in the air and spun around to see her target, thus jerked in disbelief that they turned out to be the three princesses of Lescatie.
"You!... How did you three escape!?"
"Oh, no... Wilmarina will know that we're here!" Primera spoke up.
The Pegasus Rider drew her weapon and turned her steed to fly straight towards the Princesses.
"I won't let you three get away-"
"Dark Barrier!"
Mimil summoned her magic, and a transparent barrier materialised itself from thin air. Thus, the pegasus smashed itself into the witch's magic without warning, and as a result, the rider was sent flying over their heads. Screaming for help.
"We have to go!" Mimil waved her hand over and left the scene.
However, unbeknownst to them. A round object floats over the city of Al-Mar and spotted three individuals running down the road. Its red "eye" did not stray from its sight of the three princesses.
...
"L-Lord Wilmarina! Our Spotter saw something! We didn't know they were here as well!"
Wilmarina was busy drinking her goblet filled with wine and lazily spun her glance over to the crewmember of the bridge.
"What is it?... I'm busy having my own celebration here!" Wilmarina groaned in irritation. "If it's nothing of importance, then you should ignore-"
"I-It is of importance!" The succubus crewmember then came up to Wilmarina as the Dark Hero took a small sip of her drink. Then showing her the images through the magic mirror. "The Three Princesses of Lescatie are in Al-Mar!"
"... *PFFFFFFFFFFTT!*... What!?" Wilmarina spat out her wine and grabbed the mirror, taking on a closer look. "How the Hel did they escape!? Whoever done a poor job back home, shall be executed for their incompetence!"
"Wh-What are we gonna do!?" One Dark Knight questioned out loud in fear.
"... HUH!? What are you being idiots!?" Wilmarina growled, clenching her armrests tight and slowly producing cracks. "It's simple... annihilate them before they get the chance to warn the Silver-Blue Knight!"
"E-... EHH!?"
"What do you mean "Eh!?"They weren't supposed to be here without reason!" Wilmarina screamed out in frustration to her subordinates as the pupils of her eyes glows blood red. "Send in the knights and kill them all!"
...
Al-Mar, Commercial District.
"This is bad! THIS IS REALLY BAD!"
Mimil yelled as the three princesses ran for their lives while avoiding the bombardment coming from the Lescatian Demonic Warships.
As the fleet continues to fire a barrage of Titanite shells into the city, bringing more destruction as many more buildings collapse and are reduced to rubble. The radical followers of the Noscrim faction cheered in victory, many on board did not appreciate the scene. Most of them were forcefully conscripted.
They looked upon their superior officers with hatred and doubt. Many wished to stop the brutality after they had unleashed the hellfire, yet they hesitate to take up arms while they knew committing violence upon their own would tarnish their belief in what is right as monsters and those who follow Wilmarina were high-ranking monsters. If they commit mutiny against them would mean certain death. Amongst the soldiers of Lescatie, Eva was shaken while looking down upon the burning city, almost in tears.
Her sole purpose as a Dark Strategist was meant to be fighting for the sake of people's desire who wanted Love... but this is not what she had wished for. Hearing Wilmarina speaking out the headlines of the recent news from the Demon Lord's General Meeting, she regretted to choose down the path of becoming an Alp.
Back on the surface, the remains of the Al-Mar Citizens fled through the portals while the stronger monsters were left behind to protect the evacuation areas until they were overrun by the Lescatian Dark Knights.
"Sh-Shit! There's more coming!" Rick trembled in terror once he spot the Dark Knights marching through the column of smoke with their demonic steeds. "Wh-What's the situation right now!?"
"It's fucked! Some evacuation areas were taken out!" Della grunts and blocks a giant axe coming from a Dark Warrior. "GRRR! TAKE THIS YOU BITCH!"
The Ogre Captain swung the blunt side of her wooden club and sends the Dark Warrior crashing against a nearby building. Della looks up and saw her opponent fall unconscious until she heard the sounds of clopping hooves running nearby. She turns her glance around to see Jenna in full battle gear and armed with a halberd.
"Della! The invaders had breached the defences of the Temple!" Jenna yelled while jerking back as a magic bullet whizzed across her face and nearly got her head. "D-Damnit! Their Musketeers were taking us out one by one!"
"C-Captain! The last evacuees were evacuated!" One soldier yelled out while amid a bombardment. "Order's ma'am!?"
Della raised her club, pointing in the direction where the temple of Poseidon lies. "Fall back! We've done our objectives here! Reinforce the defence of the Temple and rescue the Priestess!"
"Yes ma'am!"
...
City of Al-Mar, The Temple of Poseidon.
Arial stared emotionlessly at the white city of weddings, now a war zone filled with smoke and death that lingers around the main capital of the theocracy. The Priestess of Poseidon hangs her head low in defeat as she clenched marble railings.
"The white city... why didn't you warn us...?" Arial stuttered in tears whilst her hands are shaking. "Something like this... c-could've been prevented!"
Difina felt the heart of the Songstress shattered in despair and regretted for not making the news public. "... I deeply apologise due to my cowardice, Arial... it should have-"
"Enough!... I heard it enough!" Arial then spun around to Difina and went up to the Great Songstress, close and personal. "Because of you... B-Because of YOU!... MORE PEOPLE DIED BECAUSE OF YOUR DAMN COWARDICE WHO CAN NOT SAY A WORD!"
Difina took a step back. "Arial, please-"
"I don't give a CRAP about a thing what you're about to say!" The Sea Bishop then leans further, not averting her angry gaze towards the Gret Songstress. "You'll regret this! You and your damn history, what makes this confederation, the Seven Islands of Court Alf... will be forever tarnished in the flames of history because of your damn belief in the Demon Lord's ideal!"
"I'm... I'm sorry... I'm so... so sorry! I can't... UGH!" Difina collapsed to her knees in tears. "I don't want another war happening!... I wanted that humans and monsters will prosper because of the Demon Lord! When I asked the Demon Lord... why was the Dark Hero leading her fleet over here?... She answered... it was only for the sake of fulfilling her revenge!"
"... Thus I told Poseidon about this.. and it seems... it's what made her break up with the Demon Lord..." The Great Songstress sobbed. "I-... I thought they would solve the issues without bloodshed. But it didn't turn out what I expected it to be..."
Arial felt her fists shaking, having the urge to punch the Great Songstress as her expression turned sour. Nevertheless, she regained composure and went past the crying Difina.
"... There's no point in punching you." Arial closed her eyes in disappointment. "Once we get out of here... you'd better apologise to everyone..."
Difina looks up to Arial as she wipes off her tears, hearing the Sea Bishops proclaiming her words.
"The era of peace in the Sea of Asuramis... is over."
...
Al-Mar, Temple Entrance.
"Oh gosh! We've run into circles, didn't we!?"
"I-I guess so..."
The three princesses hid behind the rubble in the middle of a battlefield where the soldiers of Al-Mar fighting against the Dark Knights of Lescatie. Primera almost yelped once she sees a bunch of incubi Temple Guards sent flying into the air by a single high-ranking Dark Knight who unleashed her deadly spell.
"I feel bad for not helping them!" Primera muttered in fear. "B-But we don't want Wilmarina to come down and kill us!"
"There's no help! We have to get out of here!" Mimil spoke up until she spotted a familiar orange-haired heroine who cuts down a nearby Temple Guard. "HIIEEEK! I didn't expect to see her here!"
"Huh?... That voice..." Eristia's ear picked up a familiar voice and then turns around to spot the three princesses of Lescatie. She drew her sword with a hostile demeanour. "YOU!? How did you three escape!?"
"We have to run!" Francisca grabbed Mimil and Primera by their arms and fled in a comedic streak. "We don't want to get hanged!"
Eristia stood dumbfounded for a moment and, thus, she tilts her head from thoughts before commanding her knights. She raised her sword towards the princesses and gave out an order.
"Get them!"
"Aye, Ma'am!"
...
Temple of Poseidon.
*BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!*
"UGH!"
"AARGH!"
"D-DAMNIT! MY LEG!"
Paula weaved her guns and aimed while pulling the trigger, unleashing a hail of bullets unto the Temple Guards. Many incubi and monster girls fell one by one as her shots hit their marks. With every shot it takes, her opponents clutched their injuries and groaned in pain. Yet strangely enough, some looked up at her with bewilderment and noticed the Holstaur Musketeer wasn't outright killing them on sight... rather than that... she was keeping them alive.
"Y-You're n-not going to kill us?"
Paula heard the injured Temple Guard lying beside the marble pillar, covering the deadly wound on his shoulder.
"... I don't want to kill anyone..." Paula said while looking down, feeling guilty. "And I'm not one of them... I had no choice but to fight you all. I'm sorry."
The musketeer then continued her search for the Songstress while raising her pistol until she found a large door around the corner. She pressed on and opened the entrance to an altar, where she saw a Sea Bishop and an Undine surrounded by scared acolytes of Poseidon, consisting of ordinary mermaids.
"... Are you the Songstress of Al-Mar?" Paula spoke in a firm tone towards the Sea Bishop. Arial gulped, paralyzed as if she couldn't speak. "I asked once more... are you the Songstress?"
"Y-Yes... I am." Arial then stepped forth. "What do you invaders want with this island?"
"We were led here by the Lord of Lescatie... is that you knew the whereabouts of the Silver-Blue Knight." Arial raised her brow in question as Difina felt the pressure between the Sea Bishop and the Holstaur. "If you knew where he is... then hand him over to us."
"Uh... of whom you were referring to?" Difina asked nervously.
"A knight who goes by the name of Ash Cyrus and his maiden, Sasha Fullmoon." Arial fell speechless as Difina was even more puzzled and noticed the Sea Bishop's worrying reaction. "Arial...? Do you know who they are?"
"Th-They're... they're the adventurers who I met a couple of days earlier," Arial responded with a worrying tone. "What do they want from him?"
"Ash Cyrus and Sasha Fullmoon were considered the most wanted enemy that our hero is looking for," Paula explained with a serious tone, thus the holstaur scowled. "Unfortunately for you, the Demon Lord's meeting decides for a change... and we saw the opportunity to eliminate them."
"J-Just because of them and you guys attacked this city for that reason!?" Arial was enraged and stepped forth. However, Difina and the acolytes restrained her from confronting the Holstaur. "You're all sick! Our city has been suffering from the previous attacks of otherworldly monsters, and you're here to strip off the lives of more innocent people!?"
"We never had any intention of destroying this city... but Lord Wilmarina has some reasons." Paula glared, pointing her gun towards Arial. "To prevent anyone who would dare to get in her way... If you don't cooperate, then we have no choice but to incite force."
Just before Paula pulls the trigger, a tall armoured being crashed down through the roofs from above. The Dark Musketeer jumped away in a distance and looks up to see a tall golden knight standing in a cloud of dust.
"Hmph... in a nick of time," Ornstein spoke up and then turn around to see Arial and Difina. "Huh... you people are alright?"
"Wh-who are you?" Difina questioned in awe.
"The name is Ornstein... I came here with the request of Queen Deonora." Ornstein spoke. "Along with a delegate of Dragon Knights, we were supposed to be on a diplomatic mission regarding the Abyss lurking in this sea region."
Thus the dragonslayer looks up to the Dark Musketeer, and Paula raised her weapon, aiming towards Ornstein.
"... But we never expect unwanted guests to turn this city into rubble." Ornstein then casts a glare while twirling his Dragonslayer Spear. "Stand back."
The Dark Musketeer pulled her trigger and unleashed a hail of bullets. Yet Ornstein dodged every shot and even deflected some bullets with his spear. Paula reeled back in surprise to see her opponent can dodge her bullets and countered her shots with relative ease. She knew her feats as a Dark Musketeer where she can land any shot on any specific target and never miss.
Unfortunately for her, Ornstein turns out to be a different fighter rather than the Knights of the Order, who were trying to recapture Lescatie. The Dragonslayer disappears and reappears within a flash while raising his leg, going for a kick and sending her flying across the room.
Paula screamed until she crashed into the wall and knocked her out cold.
"Good... now that she's out... we must make haste to the ship," Ornstein said, turning his glance back to Difina and Arial. "Leave your belongings behind. The city will soon fall."
"G-Great Priestess! Are you here!?"
Ornstein turns around to see an Orc, a centaur, and the remains of Al-Mar's local garrison forces entering the main chamber of the temple. They were all stunned by the sight of a golden Dragonslayer and drew their weapons in caution. Arial then stepped in, raising her hand.
"Don't!... He's an ally!" Arial spoke up. "He saved our lives... Della, we must leave this city at once."
"H-Huh!? But Priestess-"
"There's no point defending this place." Arial tilts her head, expressing her tears of sadness. "All the city's defences have been taken out... Al-Mar... has fallen!"
...
Al-Mar, Residential District.
"RUN AWAY~!"
Francisca, Primera and Mimil ran away as they could while the Knights of the Dark Ice Flower kept up their speed while chasing them down. Mimil ducked down while Primera dodged the magic bullets coming from the Dark Musketeers who were standing on the rooftops.
"AAAHH~! I DON'T WANNA DIE~!"
"I'M GOING TO STRANGLE KURO FOR NOT SENDING US HERE!"
"WHY ARE YOU COMPLAINING THAT BAPHOMET WHEN WE'RE ABOUT TO DIE HERE!?"
Once the three princesses were driven to a corner, they find themselves standing between the massive piles of rubble and the knights. Mimil and Primera hugged each in tears, praying for a saviour while Francisca remained standing. As sweat ran down her face when one of the Dark Knights stepped forth.
"Hehe! Now there's no way to run!" The Dark Knight laughed as she drew her weapon. "Too bad, Wilmarina informed us you three escaped... Now we're here for your execution!"
"Hiiek! Fran~! I'm too young to die~!" Mimil cried as tears fell. "I haven't lived my life to the fullest!"
"You bastards are killing everyone in this city!" Primera growled while covering Mimil behind her back and draw her bow. "You'll regret what you had done to many innocent lives who lived here!"
"Tsk! Tsk!... So what? We're monsters and this is how our nature was supposed to be~!" The Dark Knight Captain smiled deviously while waving her index finger. "Druella might give us that illusion which leads to death of our kin... and now we were re-enlightened by the Demon Lord herself!"
"R-... Re-enlightened?" Francisca tensed. "What do you mean by that?"
"Don't you see? Everything in this world is our enemy... fate, destiny, responsibilities... the consequences of every action." The Dark Knight then chuckled bitterly, expressing her demented eyes behind her helmet. "Those things weren't needed! We want is what we desire... An eternal life filled with pleasures... and we will make an example of those who wished to stop us and bring death who dare to defy the Will of the Demon Lord!"
"Th-That's insane!" Primera gulped. "You guys are complete psychos!"
"That's enough!... You... of all people." Francisca cried out, stuttering and clenched her fists. "This is not what you wanted... this is not how you promote love!"
"Yes, it is. And we will do anything to prevent anyone from obstructing her paradise! We are the Succubi... and we do as our Lord pleases." The Dark Knight snipped her fingers, ordering her knights to step forth, and raised their spears. "A new era is upon us... Now kill them all! No mercy!"
The knights raised their weapons high as Francisca raised up her magic and Primera drew her bow. Just before they would clash, a winged individual dived in and struck a massive blow between them and sending the dark knights flying in every direction. Francisca, Primera and Mimil shielded themselves from the dust and looks up to see a Dragon Knight, whom they'd seen earlier.
Alto-Eris turned around to see the three princesses were unscathed.
"Hey, are you alright?" She asked, and they slowly nodded whilst their dumbfounded expressions. "Good. You three should head for the transport ship. Our knights will escort you!"
The black dragon then waved her hand into the air, signalling for a pair of dragon knights who flew by and landed beside Alto-Eris.
"Iria. Take them to safety," Alto-Eris ordered the knight to her left. Iria nods. "Where's Artor, by the way?"
"Your husband is busy fending off the Dark Knights of Lescatie while protecting the evacuation sites," Iria responded. "He isn't far from here... But I admit, these bastard monsters from Lescatie are making an enemy out of us."
"Charge! In the name of Lord Wilmarina!"
Alto-Eris and her squadmates jumped and drew their swords. Seeing Dark Knights on their demonic steeds came charging forth with their lances pointed upwards. Thus, out of the blue. A building to their left collapsed as the falling debris fell onto them, and their formation was thwarted. Alto-Eris smiles once she sees her husband sending a group of Heavy Dark Knights flying.
The young dragonslayer twirled his spear and slung it onto his back. Then he notices his wife, her squadmates and three individual civilian monsters.
"Alti, the city is now completely abandoned. We have to get out of here," Artor called out. "Pops will be heading their way to the harbour along with the Divas."
"Right." Alto-Eris nods and then turns to the three princesses. "Come on, let's go!"
Alto-Eris, Iria and the other dragon knight grabbed the princesses by their shoulders and flew across the city at a low altitude to prevent them from being spotted by Lescatian Demonic Forces. Then, of a sudden, Iria noticed something coming from behind and dodged an incoming projectile. She spun around to see three dark knights riding on their Demonic Pegasus.
"A-Alti! Behind us!"
"Huh!? Damnit! They found us!"
One Dark Knight drew her demonic bow and released her titanate arrow, only to be ended up deflected by Artor. The Dragonslayer kicked the air, flinging himself towards the aerial Demonic Riders while swinging his swear, taking out one rider. Her steed wasn't pleased to see its knight being taken out and sends out a gush of wind filled with mamono mana against the Dragonslayer. Little did the beast know, Artor disappears within a flash and took out the demonic pegasus with a slam of his foot, imbued with lightning.
The dark knights and their steeds reeled back in terror and dismay to witness someone just taken out their Dark Knights with ease.
"I-Impossible! She's one of the strongest knights within the Ice Flower!"
"Who cares!? This bastard shall pay!"
The knights kicked their winged demonic steeds and tries to flank the dragonslayer from both sides. Artor kicked the air once more in a dash and twirled his weapon as lightning coursed through his spear.
"Wh-What the-!?"
"He's fast!"
Artor spun around with his weapon and took down the knights from their winged steeds before landing on top of a nearby rooftop. The Demonic Pegasus glared at the dragonslayer and they were about to unleash their magic wind to blow him up into kingdom come. But they stopped once Artor returned with a cold look. The demonic pegasus faltered as they find themselves facing a predator, unlike anything that they have seen in their lives.
"Do it... like your masters would." He spoke bitterly.
The Lord emits no single hint of fear or the ambition to fall back. He stands there where he can kill them at any moment. The steeds then flew off with fear striking into their hearts. Artor slung his weapon back and turned in the direction where the harbour was located.
...
1st Lescatian Fleet, Capital Ship.
"What took them so long?" Wilmarina felt annoyed while tapping her finger on the armrest. "Those knights should've taken their heads by now..."
"Lord Wilmarina... our knights have taken over the city." Wilmarina turns her glance to Eva and the Strategist salutes. "The destruction of the city was immense and there are a lot of civilian casualties... Also, the temple of Poseidon has fallen into our hands."
The Dark Hero smiles. "I see~! Good, did they find Ash and his friends~?"
"... No, they haven't found them yet and searched every nook and cranny." Wilmarina's smile faded and rolled her eyes. "Also, the Songstress of Al-Mar escaped along with the remains of the local defence force-"
"L-Lord Wilmarina! We spotted an airship trying to escape!
"... What? I thought they'd destroyed the harbour and every means of transportation!" Wilmarina scowled and snipped her fingers. "I need a clear visual! What the hell is going on!?"
A dark knight stepped forth and handed her the magic mirror. The Lord of Lescatie watched the scene unfold at the far west of the city's and her eyes widened in disbelief to see it was the same transport ship she saw two days prior to their arrival.
"Wait... Isn't this the same ship we saw earlier?"
Wilmarina then controlled the mirror and zoomed in to take a closer look. Thus, the hero held her breath once she saw a familiar among the crew and the dragon knights aboard that transport ship was none other than the Golden Knight from Anor Londo, who was supposed to be an ally of Ash Cyrus and his crew.
She clenched the magic mirror so hard in her grasp that it almost broke and bit her lips in frustration. Wilmarina seethed out and growled.
"Now this explains there's a fishy situation going on here..."
"L-Lord Noscrim?"
"Chase them down." The heroine responded in a cold tone. "With every means necessary."
...
Dragonian Transport Ship.
...
Artor watched over the white city from the distance engulfed in smoke and flames. Alto-Eris came to his side and hugged his right arm, expressing her sadness to witness the White City of Weddings have fallen to the enemy's hands. Difina watched the towers of her old home collapse. It has been a prosperous civilization that had stood for many millennia.
Now it was turning into a ruin.
"It can't be helped..." Difina clenched her hands on the rails, tears swelling down. "This is all my fault... for relying on my incompetence..."
"... So... are you going to blame yourself?" Arial asked, unsympathetic towards the Great Songstress. "Then what are you going to do...?"
"... I-..." Difina tries to speak up, but Arial still kept her glare. Knowing whatever words she can spout won't please the Sea Bishop any further. "... I'm stupid."
"I know... but what can a Songstress can do for her people?" Arial spoke and crossed her arms. "Tell me... how were you so stupid to let Poseidon do the work for us that wouldn't help... but not telling it to us so we can be prepared!?"
"As you've heard... I do not wish that war should happen. I only believe that our words can mend their hearts... but, their pain is too great than even I could comprehend." Difina explained in tears and then turned around to see Arial, Della, Rick, and Jenna, along with the Acolytes and the local soldiers of Al-Mar. "I'm sorry...*sniff*... I-... I deeply apologise for not telling you about this."
Everyone stood in silence, seeing the Great Songstress collapsed to her knees and begged. "Al-Mar fell... BECAUSE OF ME~~!"
Ornstein, Artor and Alto-Eris, with the rest of the Dragon Knights, witnessed the drama between the citizens of Al-Mar and Difina was left crying.
"Well... that sums up the situation." Alto-Eris breathed out, feeling pity for the Great Songstress. "I can't believe she let it happen."
"Relying on the luck of fate is a certain way that leads to death," Ornstein spoke with a heavy sigh. "It has been over a thousand years and they forget the consequences that will befall them. No matter what, time will tell."
"Man, that's really awful," Mimil muttered while looking down. "The same thing that happened to us!"
"Yeah, talk about fate..." Primera then placed her paws on her hips and spun her glance to Francisca. "We must find Ash and warn the other islands."
"That's right. A war has broken out." Francisca nods and exclaimed in a depressing tone. "Only this time in history, it's only between the two Demon Realms... and the cause of it was my childhood friend's obsession with revenge."
"And the worse of all..." Primera stuttered, shaking in fear. "The Demon Lord won't be helping us either!"
*BOOOOM~!*
"What the-!?"
Within a sudden, without warning. An explosion from the rear rocked the entire ship. Everyone on board almost fell to the floor and fled in disarray.
"Was that an explosion!?"
Primera smelled the scent of smoke and went off to the edge of the rails to see the condition of the ship's engine compartment where it lies at the rear side. Then, to her horror, she spotted three Lescatian Warships pursuing right on their tail.
"Oh crap! They're chasing us!"
One warship aimed its turret guns and open fire. Ornstein noticed three shells were about to hit their ship and kicked his feet into the air. He weaved his dragonslayer spear three times, sending lighting into each shell and setting them off. The old dragonslayer flips back on the deck of the ship and raised his fist, ordering the crewmen to unleash their secret weapon.
"Those warships were catching us up. Bring him up!"
"Aye Sir!"
The entire crew opened up the massive deck hatch, and a giant was elevated to the surface through a mechanism. Gough yawned while stretching his arms from sleep while Francisca, Primera, Mimil and the citizens of Al-Mar slacked their jaws down to witness a living, gigantic humanoid has been sleeping inside the transport ship all along.
"Hm? What is 'tis time? I heard a commotion while I was asleep." Gough groaned.
"Pardon for waking you up." Ornstein apologised. "We need a little help to take down those warships. From this distance, I can't reach them."
"I see... very well." Gough nods and drew his gigantic greatbow with an explosive arrow. Taking aim at the Lescatian Warship in the middle. "And... fire!"
The giant let the arrow loose and the massive hulk of wood plunged its massive steel tips through the upper deck and crashed into the ship, thus reaching the ship's ammunition chamber. Within three seconds later, the giant arrow sets off and a display of fireworks bloomed with smoke and purple flames.
"Wh-What was that!?"
"Ship No. 26 was taken out!"
"That's Impossible! Their ship doesn't have any weapon system on board!"
On the Lescatian Warship to the right, the monster crewmembers were dismayed while witnessing their leading ship being reduced to scorching flames and broken in half. The two remaining warships fired their guns. Two shells missed their targets while Alto-Eris and Artor took off into the skies and deflected the cannon shells from harming the ship's hull.
"Hiieeek~! No wonder they took down our shells!"
"Th-They have a giant wielding a bow!"
"Just keep firing! Don't let that... whatever that thing is, firing some arrows at us!"
"Captain! There's an object coming right to us!"
Another giant arrow plunged into the deck of the Lescatian Warship on the left flank. Within another three seconds passed, it explodes into a fury of purple flames.
"Ship No. 69 is down!"
"D-Damnit! Fall back! Fall back!"
Gough sensed the last ship stopped its pursuit and took a detour, retreating from battle. The giant gently sat down and placed his weapon aside.
"Hm. I'd expect more targets." Gough said while circling his shoulders. "'tis is just a mere warm-up."
...
1st Lescatian Fleet, Capital Ship.
"What...? You lost two ships while pursuing a single transport!?" Wilmarina felt her shoulders slump in dismay. "How!? Did they use magic!?"
"N-No, Lord Noscrim... w-we saw a giant wielding a bow on their ship." The captain responded through the magic mirror. "I-It fired arrows and took them down within each shot!"
"A giant wielding a bow...? Wait." Wilmarina knew one giant she was familiar with was none other than she encountered in Anor Londo. "Don't tell me..."
Eva reeled back once she felt Wilmarina's rage. "W-Wilmarina...? Are you okay?"
"So he made us his enemies." Wilmarina snarled while clenching her teeth. She leans forth from her chair and interlocks her fingers to her mouth level, thus glaring at the windows and viewing the outside world [3]. "What were they doing here...? They shouldn't... or could it be... that wretched Dark Soul knows we're here?"
Eva raised her brows in question after overhearing the words from the hero's whisper. 'Dark Soul...? To whom she is referring?'
...
Island of Mira.
"So... You were having fun with Ash last night, huh~?"
"What are you talking about~? We haven't done our thing- OW!"
"Yeah right! That will be me he's paying attention-Kyah!"
"You greedy human!"
"Pervert Dragon!"
Sasha and Dracolinde were locked in a quarrel, exchanging glares as they pinched their cheeks against each other. On the construction site of the defence line, Elt and Arcturus were baffled when they saw the two women doing their usual rival acts. Druella then leans to Elen and whispers.
"I'd say... they seem to be great friends, don't you think?"
"Great friends? Heh, those two never stop." Elen chuckled with a smirk. "They'll be in trouble if Ash comes along-... oh wait, there he is."
As the Priestess and the Dragon kept their fight, Ash appeared behind them and pinched Sasha's left ear and Dracolinde's right headfin before twisting them. Causing the two to yelp in pain.
"KYAAH! / GYAAH!"
"You two promised you shouldn't fight," Ash spoke up in a disappointed tone. "Care to explain?"
"W-We won't do it again! / We'll keep our promise! We'll keep our promise~!" Ash then let go of their ears before the two women quickly made an apologetic bow. "We're sorry!"
"... Haah~... How can you fix yourselves?" Ash massaged his temples, letting out a deep sigh. Thus he noticed Asura Mythra came around, giving the Astoran a mischievous smile. "Hm? is there something you need?"
"Oh! No, It's just nothing~! But it's amusing to see you being interlocked in a love quarrel between a mamono and a human~! But to be honest, here. I have seen no one who develops a love relationship with the two races for the past centuries and it's a surprise that you're doing it well~!" Asura Mythra giggle as Dracolinde and Sasha blushed at her statement. Ash rolled his eyes. "Aw~! Come on dearie, don't give me that look~! I know you have a special place in your heart for those two pretty maidens~!"
"Tell me about it." The Silver-Blue Knight groaned in displease until he noticed a soldier coming running down. Panting down in exhaustion. "Huh, what's going on?"
"Soldier? What's going on?" Aizen came around in worry. "What happened?"
"N-News has spread throughout the islands... From the refugees..." The soldier breathed out, almost in tears. "Like a wildfire... The island of Al-Mar... Al-Mar... HAS FALLEN!"
Aizen fell speechless and Asura furrowed her brows. "Did the Abyss reach Al-Mar!?"
"No... it wasn't... b-but an attacking force from another Demon Realm!" The soldier fell to his knees, staring down in despair. "A fleet of airships hailing from... the Demonic Realm of Lescatie..."
...
Chapter 55: Ends
...
A/N: Nr. [3] - Wilmarina is doing the Gendo pose.