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Part Seven

"What?!" Tamara exclaimed, her eyes going wide.

"It's as reported, my Lady," Nigel said, struggling to keep his voice calm. "The heathen Liberation Army leader Daunte has personally taken Kader. And we're getting reports of rebel forces advancing from the south. At least 600 Liberation Army soldiers are on the move!"

"Wh—How did the Liberation Army get 600 soldiers to my provinces without detection?! Or is this just another secret being kept from me?!" She pressed a hand to her forehead as he breathed fast and heavy. She could feel the rising panic inside of her and she didn't know how to contain. She squeezed her eyes shut and dropped her forcing, doing quick breathing exercises. Calm down, Tamara. You need to be calm. You're a leader, act like one!

"Then it was good luck that Sheikh Lažov decided to run his drills in your territory today," Imbuka said calmly. "With your combined forces, you can easily slay Daunte and his measly 600 soldiers."

"That's right!" Tamara gasped, elation filling her heart. "I'll mobilize the 500 soldiers we have here and send word to Sheikh Lažov requesting aid! There's no way we can't win this!"

"With our forces and Sheikh Lažov's 400 soldiers, we will most certainly win," Imbuka said with cold reassurance.

"Lady Imbuka, how do you know how many soldiers Sheikh Lažov is marching with?" Nigel asked in confusion. "The soldier you sent to meet him hasn't returned yet."

"That is not something a Private needs to worry about," Imbuka retorted coolly.

"Enough," Tamara interjected. "We need to move out now. I'll march with the vanguard. Imbuka and Nigel, you will be my support members."

"Yes Lady Sheikh," Nigel said, saluting.

"If I may, my Lady," Imbuka said suddenly. "You traditionally command an infantry unit. Infantry is not my specialty. My specialty is rune archers. I think it would be best for me to lead my own rune archer unit, take the rearguard, and initiate the attack on the field."

Tamara stared at her for a long moment. "B-But…I'll need my second-in-command. My previous second-in-command rode with me in my unit into battle."

"And that was an older gentleman with years of infantry experience," Imbuka said. "Do I look like that person."

"Y-You cannot leave our Sheikh without her second-in-command when she's leading the vanguard!" Nigel shouted. "And especially to just command the rearguard position!"

"How dare you raise your voice to ME?!" Imbuka shouted. Her piercing voice made both Tamara and Nigel jump. "I will NOT be spoken to like that! Especially by a—"

"Enough!" Tamara shouted again. "We are wasting time! Imbuka, go and get a rune archer unit ready for battle! Nigel, I am hereby promoting you from rank of Private to rank Master Sergeant! You will serve as my acting second-in-command while Imbuka leads her unit!"

"M-Master Sergeant?!" Nigel sputtered. "But my rank has never been so high!"

"Well now you're a Master Sergeant now!" Tamara opened a cabinet and quickly pulled out the necessary emblems to show Nigel's new rank. "Pin these to your uniform before going downstairs!"

"Y-Yes, my Lady!" Nigel hurried from the room.

"The High Clerics will not be pleased to see you give such a hefty promotion to a soldier who was demoted," Imbuka said warningly.

"What do you think the High Clerics will care more about?! My promoting Nigel, or the fact that the Liberation Army seized one of my towns and are freely marching through my domain?!" Tamara waved a dismissive hand. "We need to get the message to Sheikh Lažov that he needs to hurry here. In circumstances like these I'll have to use a messenger pigeon. The ones we used for the northeastern provinces though were more familiar with Keiran Umed—"

"It will be fine, my Lady," Imbuka reassured her. "Sheikh Lažov will get here in time and we will crush the Liberation Army."

"Thank you, Imbuka. Now, hurry and get your unit ready."

"Understood, my Lady." Imbuka left Tamara's office and she was glad for the hood over her face so she could hide her smile. We weren't expecting the Liberation Army. Given the timing of everything today they were probably here to save that man and his son. No matter. This will make everything much easier.

Back in his room, Nigel quickly pinned the emblems signifying his new rank to his chest. But he couldn't shake the overall feeling of unease inside of him. Sheikh Lažov brought soldiers here without notifying our Sheikh. Now the Liberation Army is marching on us. Our Sheikh is leading our soldiers into battle without her second-in-command. A second-in-command who laughed at the Sheikh. A second-in-command who knows more than she's letting on. And Thea's letter…this all feels like one elaborate trap.

Nigel shook his head and let out a shaky breath. No. I need to stop thinking that. It's my job to protect Sheikh Nuori with my life. Whatever is going on, this will not change. I have to keep that child safe. It's my duty.

With the riot ongoing in the town, it took little time or effort for Daunte, Georg, Shou, Umeko, and Oboro to take control of Kader's government building. The soldiers were all still in the streets trying to restore order, leaving less than a dozen unarmed employees in the building. The employees were frightened but did not fight back, and Daunte and his party tied them up and left Umeko with them in a back room unharmed.

The offices of Sheikh Tamara Nuori and her second-in-command—Imbuka Liger, was what the plague said on the door—but Shou was able to unlock both doors. Daunte and Georg searched Tamara's office while Oboro and Shou searched Imbuka's office.

"'Window set 04'," Daunte read when he opened a chest in the back room. "Esther will be happy to have this."

"Here's 10,000 bits," Georg said, tossing the bag to Daunte. "It was in the other chest. We may as well pillage these offices since we don't know if we'll ever be back here."

"There are stories of you fighting in wars on both the Northern and Southern continents," Daunte said.

"Oh, indeed. In the Grasslands I led the Ebony Moon Knights. I was once one of the Six Great General of the Scarlet Moon Empire. I was a Queen's Knight in Falena. And I was a common soldier in the New State Army during the Dunan Unification War."

Daunte laughed in amazement and awe. "You almost sound like a folk hero, Georg."

"Oh, I'm hardly a hero. I just happened to have been in the right place at the right time." Georg idly picked up a paperweight and looked at it before putting it down.

Daunte he felt the familiar burst of air behind him. "You."

Daunte straightened and looked over his shoulder. "Hello, Yuber. Has our Army arrived near Kader?"

"The weaklings are approximately seventeen hundred meters from this current position," Yuber said coldly. "But your enemy forces are ten kilometers away. The Silverberg thought it prudent that you return to your Army as qucikly as possible."

"Ten kilometers away?" Georg echoed softly. "Well. For a Sheikh with so little respect, Tamara Nuori mobilized her forces in a timely manner."

"I'm on my way," Daunte said. He reached for Yuber before retracting his hands. "C-Can you…"

"I can only teleport myself," Yuber reminded. After a moment he added, "And the idiot with the blonde ponytail accidentally sent up your signal to that bird ship just now."

"What?!" Daunte exclaimed, but just as quickly Yuber was gone. "Pony—was he talking about Gunther?! Why did Gunther have the signal, didn't Caesar have it?!"

Gerog huffed softly and shook his head. "So Yuber treats his allies and enemies equally poorly. That's nice to know." he looked at Daunte. "That ship is supposed to fly down as an intimidation tactic this time, isn't it? I guess it's lucky you didn't arrange an attack from the sky."

"I need to leave," Daunte said quickly. He looked at Georg but the older man waved a hand at him. "You selected a party that is not participating in the war battle. Leave Kader to us, we'll be okay."

"Right, thank you." Daunte nodded as he felt another burst of air beside him and Viki materialized into the room. "Lord Daunte, please come with me!"

"Oh, Viki?" Georg asked, his eyes widening in shock. "How—unexpected to see you again. Looking the same as you did before."

"Ah, hello," Viki said quickly before grabbing Daunte's arm. "Are you ready?"

"Go ahead and take him by himself," Georg said. "The rest of us will be okay."

"Yes, I need to know what happened with the signal," Daunte said. Viki grabbed his shoulder and in a burst of light they were both gone. Georg laughed softly to himself and rubbed his forehead with the back his hand. "I've joined an interesting group this time…"

The door to Tamara's office slammed open and Shou ran inside. "Where's Lord Daunte?!"

"Viki took him away," Georg said. "What's wrong?"

Come with me. You're familiar with Oboro, right? Something's wrong."

"'Something's wrong'?" Georg echoed in confusion, but he left Tamara's office and followed Shou down the hall into Imbuka's office. There were no chests in this office but the desk at the back was covered in loose papers. Oboro was sagged against the front of the desk, holding up a page and staring at it with wide eyes. His complexion was pale.

"He picked up that paper and almost collapsed against the desk," Shou told Georg. "I-I asked him what was wrong, but he hasn't said anything."

Georg moved to Oboro's side and put a hand on his shoulder. The older gentleman jumped violently and looked at Georg. "O…Oh. How can I help you?"

"What is this paper?" Georg said. He took it from Oboro and looked it over. It was a handwritten report about monster attacks in the Rocky Plains. "Is there a hidden meaning in this letter that I don't see?"

"N-No," Oboro said shakily, taking the letter back from Georg. "It's not the letter itself. It's the handwriting. It…" He swallowed hard and rubbed a hand over his face. "She's alive. I thought she was dead. I hoped she was dead, but she's alive…"

"Who?" Shou asked, stepping forward. Oboro slowly raised his head to look at him and Shou flinched when he saw the haunted sorrow in Oboro's eyes. "Old Man…what's going on?"

"Shou, how old are you?" Oboro asked abruptly.

"What kind of question is that?! I'm twenty-six years old!"

Oboro nodded. "All right. Do you know the name Azamuku?"

Shou shook his head. "No."

"Your parents have never mentioned anyone by this name?"

"No, they haven't."

Oboro sighed heavily. "I will ask Sagiri and Shigure for forgiveness later, but you are old enough to know the truth." he held up the paper. "I know this handwriting. It belongs to a woman named Azamuku."

"But the name on the door is Imbuka Liger," Georg said. After a moment he then understood. "Ah. Then this woman belonged to Nether Gate?"

"Yes," Oboro said painfully. He looked at Shigure. "More specifically, she was Nether Gate's Chief Trainer."

"What happened with the signal?" Daunte asked.

"I-I am so sorry," Gunther said shakily. "I misfired it, and—"

"It's my fault my Lord," Caesar said. "I was the one who gave the signal to Gunther. Hero should arrive any minute to do a flyover over an empty battlefield."

"But we are lucky that he is not attacking in this battle," Keiran said. He looked towards his unit and then back at Daunte. "From which direction should we advance from?"

"We'll find out momentarily," Daunte said. "Yuber—"

Before he could say anything more Yuber appeared at his side and grabbed Daunte's arm. "Five units. Three infantry and two rune archers. All three infantry are leading the charge with one rune archer unit at the north-most lines. The second rune archer unit is advancing from the rear."

"Is Tamara Nuori in the rear unit?" Caesar asked but Yuber shook his head. "The leader's banners are being carried by one of the infantry units."

"The Sheikh is leading the vanguard?" Varnaz exclaimed. He looked at Keiran. "Has she done this before?"

"Not from the times I've seen her on the battlefield," Keiran said.

"Then calvary units will focus on the southern units and infantry will advance on the northern units," Caesar said. "We should keep a close eye on the rearguard rune archer in case they're planning something."

"Right," Daunte said, nodding. "Yuber, take your unit with Viki and attack the rune archer unit to the north. Minimize casualties," he added sharply. "Remember, our primary goal is to recruit the Sheikh, and she will not be inclined to join us if we slaughter the men and woman who serve her."

"Right," Yuber said curtly.

"Surya, take your forces and attack the southernmost infantry unit," Daunte said and Surya nodded. "Keiran and Varnaz, I'll leave Tamara Nuori's unit to you. You can—" Daunte flushed as he floundered on the terminology. "It's called a pincer movement, right? When two units flank a single one?"

"That is correct my Lord, and a very good strategy," Caesar said. "With the pincer movement Sheikh Nuori will be trapped. I would recommend leaving the rearguard rune archer unit to Allise's unit and for you to charge the remaining infantry unit. Keep them distracted while Varnaz and Keiran seize the Sheikh's unit."

"Does everyone understand their orders?" Daunte called out. He heard positive confirmations in reply. "Remember to minimize casualties but guard your lives! We will win today!"

Everyone cheered and hurried to move their units into position. Daunte however noticed that Yuber was still gripping his arm. He looked at the Black Knight but saw him looking towards the horizon. His face was expressionless but his jaw was locked.

Daunte wondered if he should ask him if he was okay, order him to go to his unit, or not say anything at all. After he moment he said, "Are you okay?" hoping that Yuber would not misinterpret his question as a sign of pity.

"I…sense something," Yuber said. His tone was unexpectedly soft. "A power. It feels familiar to me."

"Familiar? How so?"

"I—don't know." Yuber's brow furrowed in confusion. "But it feels very familiar but I can't identify it. I don't like that I can't identify this power."

Daunte patted his hand, but Yuber violently retracted it. "We'll be fine. Whatever this power is, we'll take care of it."

Yuber snapped his teeth and glared at Daunte. "Do not show concern for me. I am an unstoppable being. Nothing can kill me." In a flash he was gone.

"He'll remain on the battlefield," Caesar said reassuringly. "He lives for the fight after all." He grinned at Viki. "We'll leave Yuber to you now."

"I-I'm confused as to why this responsibility has fallen to me," Viki complained softly.

"It's part of being in an army, as you well should know."

"Right…" she still looked crestfallen though as she teleported to her unit's position.

"Hero should be arriving any second now," Caesar said. "So we should go."

"We'll win today," Felicity said confidently.

"We have to win today," Roen muttered. "If we fall here then we have no chance of winning this war."

"We will win today," Daunte said confidently. "I'll make sure of it."

The Liberation Army versus Sheikh Tamara Nuori

Sheikh's Forces: 500

Liberation Army Forces: 600 and skyship

Victory: Sheikh Tamara Nuori's unit falls

Failure: Daunte's unit falls, or two or more enemy units fall

"There's smoke rising from Kader," Nigel said, lowering his binoculars.

"Then we must hurry," Tamara said. "We mustn't—" her voice was cut off but a loud noise from the skies. She looked up. "What the—" Unable to help herself, Tamara screamed in shock as a massive, giant golden bird emerged from the clouds and swooped down towards her units!

Hero cackled madly as he pushed the controls forward. "This is what you get for trying to stifle my genius!"

"WHOO!" James screamed, raising his hands over his head.

"There they are!" Xi An shouted, pointing forward. "But are they still moving?"

"W-WHAT IS THAT?!" One of the soldiers shrieked. Everyone was screaming and diving towards the ground. Tamara sat frozen on her horse until Nigel grabbed her and pushed her forward until her nose was touching her horse's mane.

"And—NOW!" Hero shouted, pulling the controls back. With just a few meters to spare he pulled the skyship up and flew upwards back towards the clouds. However he had dropped the skyship so close to Tamara's advancing Army that the force of wind had knocked soldiers off their feet or sent them flying through the air a few meters.

"Imbuka!" Tamara shouted, sitting back up in her horse. "Imbuka, can you fire upon the beast?!"

"It's already gone!" Imbuka called back to her. "But you should not be panicking, Sheikh! It will negatively affect morale!"

Tamara flushed at having been scolded in front of the soldiers, but before she could respond Imbuka looked over her shoulder. "Oh? That must be Sheikh Lažov's forces!"

Tamara quickly looked northwest of her position and couldn't hide her sigh of relief when she saw the battalion on the horizon. "Thank Nagar they've arrived!" She waved to a nearby soldier. "Oběť, you're one of my fastest soldiers. Go meet up with Sheikh Lažov and inform them of the situation! The other scout we sent to greet them should be with them too!"

"Right away, my Lady!" Oběť saluted and raced towards Sheikh Lažov's forces.

"Sheikh," Nigel said suddenly, pointing. "Look! There are forces surrounding the perimeter of Kader! That must be the Liberation Army!"

"Okay, it's time," Tamara said, regaining control of herself. "Imbuka, your unit will attack first! Fire arrows upon my signal!"

"Yes, my Lady." Imbuka raised her hand. "My unit will hold our current position while you advance."

"What?!" Nigel said but Tamara thrusted her arm forward. "Units A, C, D, and E! Forward march!"

The soldiers cheered as they started their advance. Nigel looked over his shoulder at Imbuka's stationary unit and then looked at Tamara at his side. "My Lady, why is Lady Imbuka not advancing? The rearguard is supposed to follow!"

"It will be okay," Tamara reassured him. "Imbuka will attack from the rear and advance when we need assistance."

Nigel sucked in a sharp breath, but made a split decision. "My Lady, I don't trust her."

"What?" Tamara asked in genuine shock.

"Lady Imbuka's behavior has troubled me for a long time," Nigel said. "She is biting and vindictive in her demeanor, and she seems to know a lot more than she's letting on! She also undermines you, my Lady! I think that there is cause for concern with her!"

Tamara pulled the reins on her horse, bringing it to a stop. The other units stopped at a result as well. She glared at Nigel. "Imbuka was appointed to me by the High Clerics. They assigned her to me for a reason. By questioning her motives you are also questioning the motives of the High Clerics, and questioning the motives of the High Clerics is treason."

A cold, chilly silence fell over the soldiers the moment the words "treason" left her mouth. Tamara immediately regretted saying that, especially when she saw the hurt and panic in the older man's face. "My apologies," she said calmly. "Your concerns are duly noted, Master Sergeant. We will address them with Imbuka once we win this battle."

"Yes, my Lady," Nigel said in a stiff tone.

"Forward march!" Tamara said again and the units advanced. But she saw the mood in her soldiers had diminished significantly and she swallowed thickly. "Let's crush the heathens! For Nagar! For Nagarea!"

The soldiers responded with cheers and the mood shifted more positively then. Then she raised her arm over her head. Now!

"That's the signal," Imbuka said. "Rune archers! Fire at the unit wielding the banners! That is the traitor Daunte's unit!"

"Soldiers, scatter!" Daunte shouted when he saw the barrage of arrows. He dove towards the ground and raised his shield. He heard the arrows impact his shield and impact the ground around him but he didn't hear anyone shout in pain. He looked up and was relieved to see his unit was unharmed. He saw the banners of Tamara's unit, but he saw the other two infantry units and the rune archers advance ahead of her unit. The rune archers who had launched the attack on them was holding their position. "Follow me!" He shouted, pointing to the enemy infantry unit closest to him. "Remember! Do not kill unless you have no choice!"

"Sheikh Lažov!" Oběť was only slightly winded when he reached the Sheikh and his forces. "Thank Nagar you are here! The heathens have taken Kader and are attacking Sheikh Nuori!"

Thea and the rest of the soldiers reacted with shock but Sheikh Lažov was unmoved. As was the Matron and the soldiers she brought with her. "That's a terrible shame," Lažov drawled. "It's a good thing Sheikh Nuori sent us that letter."

"S-Sheikh Nuori has requested your assistance! We have mobilized all of the soldiers from our Garrison, but we are outnumbered! Please, help us sir!"

Sheikh Lažov didn't immediately respond. Nor did he move. The soldiers behind him exchanged looks of confusion amongst themselves. Oběť swallowed thickly, a feeling of unease washing over him. He looked around at the Sheikh's forces. "Ah…Sir?"

"Yes?" Lažov asked impassively.

"Wh—Where is the scout Sheikh Nuori sent to you?"

The Matron raised her hand. A crackle of energy burst from her palm and ruptured around Oběť. Oběť screamed loudly in shock and pain before he collapsed to the ground, dead.

Thea cried out and pressed a hand to her mouth in shock. Several other soldiers also recoiled while others did not visibly react. W-What is this—?! Thea looked between Lažov and the Matron with wide, horrified eyes.

"Well, Sheikh Lažov," the Matron asked, lowering her hand. "What shall you do now?"

Lažov shrugged. "We will hold our position of course."

What?! Thea didn't dare say the word out loud. She bit down hard on her palm, almost drawing blood. What exactly is going on?!

"Good decision," the Matron said, turning to watch the battle from their distant decision. "Let's see what that little girl does."

W-What…What…They said we were after a traitor! Now we're just going to watch the Sheikh die?! Thea's teeth successfully drew blood. Nigel, please be safe!

"Sheikh, hold position," Nigel said as their three other units marched forward. His brow furrowed as he looked over the Liberation Army forces. We're outnumbered. Just our forces alone won't stop them. He glanced over his shoulder. Where is Sheikh Lažov? His forces should be nearer, but they look like they haven't moved! He didn't say this out loud though because he knew it would demoralize their soldiers.

"What a pointless endeavor," Yuber scoffed. "Blood is meant to be spilt on battlefields. Words are useless in such places."

"B-But isn't Lord Daunte trying to recruit them?" Viki asked.

Yuber glared at her. "Does it look like I need to have it repeated to me for the thousandth time?"

"Then why are you complaining about how stupid this all is if you do understand what the point of the battle is?!" Viki burst out in rare anger. She glared at him. "If—If—If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all!"

Yuber turned to face her fully. "Are you giving me a order?" Viki 'eeped' and raised her staff defensively.

"LOOK OUT!" one of their soldiers screamed. Viki looked and shrieked when she saw arrows flying towards them.

Yuber raised his right hand without looking away from Viki. "Rainstorm." The symbol of the Thunder Rune rose into the air and the lightning spell was ridiculously powerful, consuming the arrows that had been launched against them. The rune archer unit that had attacked them shouted in shock and fear.

"U-Um, do we march against them now?" another soldier asked meekly.

"Let me make something clear to you," Yuber said to Viki, ignoring the soldier's question. "None of you matter to me. I tolerate your existence because that boy you elected to be your leader summoned me and made a contract with me. I am bound to his blood to obey his orders until such time passes that our contract is null and void. So do not think you can give me an order. If you persist in doing so…then I will become very angry." he narrowed his eyes. "Right now I'm annoyed. Ridding me of my annoyance should be your priority, because you do not want to see me angry."

Viki gaped at him with a look of genuine confusion. The irritation she felt earlier was gone. She didn't even look upset by his threat. "I-I'm confused. You say I don't want to see you when you're angry. But when are you ever NOT angry?"

Yuber blinked once. Then twice. A long and uncomfortable silence stretched throughout the unit.

"U-Um, Sir? Sir?!" The first soldier suddenly spoke up. "They're about to fire on us again!"

"For the love of—" Yuber snarled sped forward towards the rune archer unit. "Rainstorm!" he shouted. The runespell rained down upon the rune archers and most of them collapsed to the ground screaming.

"Hey—HEY!" Viki shouted, running after him. "Don't kill them! Lord Daunte said you can't kill them!"

"They'll live," Yuber said in a bored tone.

Nigel heard the screams and looked northwest of their position. He gasped and pointed. "Lady Sheikh! Our rune archer unit is under attack! The person leading the enemy unit…is that the same man in black armor who slaughtered Sheikh Faakhir's forces?!"

"Right," Tamara said, steering her horse. "Soldiers! Let's go!"

Daunte saw Tamara's unit steer north towards her rune archer unit. It looks like Yuber and Viki defeated the rune archer unit and Tamara Nuori is rushing over to save them. I wasn't expecting that, but I know well enough that the battlefield is completely unpredictable.

"Die, heathen!" A holy Army soldier shouted. He raised his sword above his head but Daunte punched him in the face. The force of his tekko knocked the man unconscious with a single blow. It'll be fine. Varnaz and Keiran both have significantly more experience than I do navigating a battlefield. I'll put my faith in them.

The unit Daunte faced was experienced but Daunte's unit was able to completely overtake them. The soldiers worked very hard to only injure the enemy soldiers and to not take any lives, and it wasn't long before less than twenty Holy Army soldiers were standing. "You are beaten!" Daunte shouted as his unharmed unit surrounded the remaining soldiers. "We're not seeking to end your lives! Surrender now and you will keep them!"

"If we surrender," one soldier said gravely. "What will happen to our families? Surrendering is an act of cowardice, and cowardice on the battlefield is punishable by death per the Scriptures!"

"Yes!" another snapped. "And by Original Sin, our families would risk execution for cowardice!"

Daunte was stunned that the Theocracy had employed such a tactic against their own soldiers. Is this a new strategy by the Holy Army? It must be since Keiran defected to our side. This would prevent soldiers in the Holy Army from being tempted to switch sides, because if they surrendered to us then they may be convinced to join us. So they've started threatening their soldiers to either flee or die on the battlefield, or else their families will suffer for it.

Daunte raised his hand, and his soldiers lowered their weapons. "Do you want to serve an Army that cares nothing for your wellbeing?"

Tamara's soldiers looked conflicted and angry but Daunte raised his other hand. "I don't expect my soldiers to waste their lives on the battlefield. What the Theocracy is doing is wrong. What they demand of you is wrong. I will let you leave the battlefield in peace. If you join me then your families will not be in danger. You can run home and get them out before they are arrested. We're not here to kill your Sheikh. We came here to recruit her, and by extension all of you. You will be taken care of in the Liberation Army and your families will be safe."

"Y…You will let us leave?" one soldier asked.

"Yes," Daunte said. "And you can sound the retreat so you don't look like you're surrendering. But you should know that if you stay with the Holy Army then the status quo will remain the same. We are hoping to change that."

"Y—You are against Nagar. You—"

"Nagar is supposed to protect all believers!" One soldier shouted. "How is He protecting us under these circumstances?! I have to protect my family, but if I die here then my wife and kids will be destitute!"

More and more soldiers began rumbling in agreement. "Yeah! How is threatening us believers the will of Nagar?!"

"Nothing the High Clerics preach is in the Scriptures!"

"Yeah! I couldn't find a single chapter on Original Sin!"

"Why should I sacrifice my life here?!"

Daunte sighed heavily in relief. "Go now and get your families. You can meet us at our HQ." he raised his right hand. "Howl."

The enemy unit was stunned to receive a healing spell from Daunte, but it healed the injuries from the soldiers. They began running in all directions away from the battlefield. "Retreat! RETREAT!"

The infantry unit fighting Surya's unit was distracted by the retreating unit, which made it easier for Surya to subdue them. "We win. Wanna join our Army?"

"What?!" the commanding soldier sputtered, but one of the soldiers from the infantry unit that fought Daunte had reached them. "Run! Get home and get your families! Lord Daunte is letting us leave alive! He'll even let us join him if we want to!"

"Really?!" the soldiers looked around themselves and one shouted. "HEY! Sheikh Lažov hasn't arrived to the battlefield yet!"

Mokuren hoisted herself up onto Surya's back and looked over the horizon. "Oh, is that him?" she pointed to the cluster of units several kilometers away.

"T-They haven't moved position?!" another exclaimed.

"I cannot speak for the Sheikh," Israfil said, shielding his eyes from the sun so he can see. "But they do in fact appear to not be moving."

"Screw it! I'm going home!" another shouted. "We could be be dead for all they know and they're not doing anything to help us!"

"Desertion is punishable by death though!" another soldier countered.

"Yeah?! Well so is surrendering!" the first shot back.

"But Nagar—"

"Nagar loves war, but Nagar is supposed to protect the His believers! What good are His teachings if we believers are being killed over the slightest things?!"

Anger and disbelief quickly spread amongst the unit and Surya had to force down a smile. "Do you really want to serve in an Army where your reinforcements don't help you? Where you could be executed for being a prisoner of war?" Mokuren began slipping off his back and he grunted as he caught her legs to hold her steady. "Lord Daunte wants to free this country from this tyranny. Wouldn't you rather serve a commander who actually cares about you as a person?"

"RETREAT!" the shout came up, and within a flash all 100 members of the unit were running in different directions.

"So should we count on 200 soldiers joining our cause?" Mokuren asked, sliding off his back.

"Well they won't be serving in the opposing army anymore, that's for certain," Surya said. He frowned as looked northeast of their position. "Though it looks like that Yuber laid out the entire unit he was facing…"

Imbuka's brow rose as she watched the mass retreat from her position. "Why are the soldiers leaving the battlefield?" She wondered out loud. There was no degree of alarm in her voice, just mild curiosity. "That little girl hasn't issued the retreat yet…"

"S-Should we stop them?" one of the rune archers asked. There was a buzz of tension from some of the soldiers from Imbuka's openly disrespectful demeanor towards Tamara.

"We were given no such orders to do so," Imbuka said. "We will hold position unless told otherwise."

"W—Where is everyone going?" Tamara asked, the words choking in her throat. "Neither of those units have fallen but my soldiers are retreating?! I didn't call the retreat so who did?!"

"Something must be going on with the rebels," Nigel said warningly. He looked northwest of their position and sucked in a sharp breath. "Is that—?!"

"What have you done?!" Keiran shouted as his unit met with Yuber's unit. He looked at the fallen rune archers with wide eyes. "You weren't supposed to take out the entire unit!"

"They started it," Yuber said irritably. "If it bothers you so much, then use your healing runes on them."

"M-My level isn't high enough to put a rune on my left hand or forehead," Viki said apologetically, though the rest of the unit and her were giving potions to the fallen enemy soldiers. Lanny and other soldiers in Keiran's unit dismounted to also give potions.

"T-That's Keiran Umed!" Nigel shouted, bringing his horse to a stop. Tamara came to a stop as well and their infantry unit froze in horror. "He…oh Nagar, if he's participating in this battle…" he quickly looked at Tamara. "My Lady, we need to retreat! You have fought alongside him on the battlefield before! He may know your battle strategies!"

Tamara sucked in a sharp breath, but before she could saying anything one of the rear shoulders shrieked, "Incoming! A calvary unit is advancing behind us!"

Nigel steered his horse to turn around and raised his binoculars. He focused on the soldier leading the unit. "That looks like Varnaz Behzadi! Isn't that Sheikh Lažov's former brother-in-law?"

"I see," Tamara said suddenly. "A pincer movement. They're trying to close in on us specifically. Two calvary units would conquer an infantry unit easily."

"W-Where in the name of Nagaris Sheikh Lažov?!" One of their soldiers shouted. "He hasn't joined us on the battlefield?! I would think he would be interested to know that his ex-brother-in-law is here!"

Nigel felt sick that the Sheikh was indeed holding position, but he kept the outward appearance of calm for the sake of the soldiers. Before he could say anything though, Tamara addressed the soldier. "Do not talk like that about a Sheikh. He outranks you and has a position demanding respect."

"But he hasn't moved!" the soldier shouted, waving his arm violently.

"I am aware," Tamara said, keeping her tone calm as she looked out towards the fallen rune archer unit. Keiran Umed appeared to be yelling at the black knight standing over the carnage he created.

"Sheikh," Nigel said, moving his horse closer. "For your safety I would highly recommend that we retreat. If Keiran and Varnaz succeed with their pincer—"

"I will not," Tamara interrupted. "Abandon the one unit that is still on the battlefield. I have to save them! Forward march!"

Nigel swallowed his protest and raised his hand. "Follow the Sheikh! For Nagarea!"

Tamara waved to Imbuka to attack again before directing her unit towards Yuber and Keiran's unit.

"That's the signal!" a soldier in Imbuka's unit shouted. The unit snapped to attention. "The Sheikh wants us to advance!"

"We will not," Imbuka said.

"W-What?!" another exclaimed. "Sheikh Nuori signaled to us! She needs our help!"

"I saw no such signal," Imbuka said. "She was probably flailing in panic."

"I-If that's the case, then we must join the battlefield!" a third shouted. "My Lady, my must do something!"

Imbuka sat silent on her horse for a painfully long moment. She watched Tamara ride further away from them, and she watched Varnaz's unit follow her and not attack.

Gunther glanced towards Imbuka's unit. "Should we do something about them?"

"Leave them for the other units," Varnaz said over his shoulder. "Our priority is capturing the Sheikh and ending the battle."

"Lord Daunte," Caesar said warningly, grabbing his elbow. He nodded north of their position.

Daunte looked. "What—is Keiran yelling at Yuber?"

"I think you should go and join them," Caesar said. "The Sheikh's rune archer unit may need your True Rune. Not to mention the fact that the Sheikh herself is heading towards that position anyway with Varnaz following them."

Daunte looked to the west. He saw Imbuka's unit still stationary and further on the horizon Sheikh Lažov was also holding position. "I don't like that neither of them are moving," he said.

"Neither do I," Caesar said. "Farzin, can you tell us anything about the woman who leads that unit? Imbuka Liger?"

"I cannot," Farzin said. "The Sheikh's second-in-command previously was her father's second-in-command, who was not this woman. And I don't ever remember hearing the name Imbuka Liger in the capital."

"All right then," Caesar said. "Allise! Can you use your Pale Gate Rune on that unit?"

"We'll need to move closer, but I can," Allise said.

"My unit will follow you for backup," Surya said. He looked at Daunte. "Hurry and close in on the Sheikh!"

"Right! Everyone's let's go!" Daunte shouted.

"Who is that woman that a former Cleric doesn't know her?" Roen wondered out loud.

"I don't know," Felicity said. "And it makes me uneasy."

"Lady Imbuka, we must go!" Another soldier shouted. "The Sheikh is going to be surrounded on all sides by four units if we don't do anything!"

Imbuka inhaled loudly and exhaled just as loudly. "All right. I'm giving an order—to retreat."

"What?!" a collective scream of shock overtook most of the soldiers.

"We cannot leave!"

"The Sheikh will DIE!"

"We have to do something!"

"I'm going to go if you won't!"

"Soldiers," Imbuka said in calm, chilling tone.

In a flash, thirty soldiers in their unit drew their swords and began attacking and killing the rest of the soldiers in the unit. As they were experts in archery and magic, they couldn't react fast enough to defend themselves. Screams of pain and horror filled the air.

"I did not spend twenty-five years in a Armes prison," Imbuka mused aloud while her soldiers killed each other behind her. "To be left running around after a child. Takefute said I couldn't just kill this girl like they killed her father…so I didn't. But I'm sick of being in the shadows. I want power, and I want it now."

"T—They're killing each other?!" Israfil shouted in horror. "B-But those are soldiers in arms!"

"That's most unkind," Jeane said.

"Open Gate!" Allise shouted.

"It's time to move out," Imbuka announced, steering her horse to turn around. She rode off before the spell of the Pale Gate Rune could reach her, but some of her own allies were struck by the spell. Well, I did what needed to be done. Tamara will either die by Daunte's hand…or she'll die by their hand.

"…That woman is a traitor," Farzin said quietly. "Or—did she know our intentions to recruit the Sheikh?"

"If that's the case, then I think she would have killed the Sheikh before this moment," Allise said shakily. Her spell struck down some of Imbuka's allies but the rest hurried after her leaving the battlefield.

"Then what's going on?" Surya wondered.

Sheikh Lažov slowly lowered his spyglass. "It's clear now, my Lady."

"Is it?" the Matron asked him.

"I personally witnessed 200 soldiers flee the battlefield. Two whole units with no casualties. I personally witnessed Lady Imbuka Liger's unit turn on each other. And I personally witnessed Tamara Nuori riding in stride…with my former brother-in-law."

"This is all highly suspicious," Tazwir said softly.

"The evidence is thus irrefutable," the Matron said. "Tamara Nuori has betrayed the Theocracy."

Thea gasped, as did the soldiers in Lažov's unit. Wh—the traitor—it was Sheikh Nuori they were talking about?! But this doesn't make any sense! Why the secrecy from us?! What we're doing is not proper procedure to arrest a traitor! And why would Sheikh Nuori betray the Theocracy?! What reason would she have?! Is it just her or all of her soldiers as well?! Nigel wouldn't betray this country, I just know it!

"Sheikh?" Thea asked before she could stop herself.

"What is it, Private?" Lažov snapped over her shoulder.

"H—Could you explain how the Sheikh is a traitor? What has she done?"

"Soldier," the Matron addressed. "I know that you are concerned because a former comrade for your serves the traitor. But you don't know to know how she is a traitor. What matters is that your superior officers are telling you that she's a traitor. That is all you need to know."

"…Yes, my Lady," Thea said uneasily. "Are we going to arrest Sheikh Nuori?"

"No we are not," the Matron. "We will deal with her in a different way. Did Imbuka Liger leave the battlefield?"

"She did," Lažov said. "Then…it is time, my Lady."

"Indeed," the Matron said. She saw the dark armor only from her distance, but she could clearly sense the presence. So you came back, Yuber. You are certainly a useful soldier…but I need to teach you a lesson.

"This should sufficiently kill everyone," the Matron said, raising her hand as it glowed.

Daunte almost tripped as he sense the surge of power. Wait, what?!

Yuber looked towards the sky. What?

A loud piercing noise and a burst of wind and light swept over the area to the left of Tamara's unit. Tamara turned to look and couldn't help but shriek when she saw a giant monster easily 15 meters high. It was a giant black spider, looking similar to a wolf spider, and its eight legs were long and thick. It didn't make a sound. There was no warning. Just a twitch of its front legs and it lunged forward, tackling fifteen of Tamara's soldiers.

"W-What the—" Daunte hollered when he saw the giant spider and heard the screams. He saw Tamara still on her horse but the man beside her on her horseback had her horse's bridle and was trying to direct her away from the monster, but she wasn't moving. Her soldiers were trying to attack but their blows had little effect. "W-Where did that come from?!"

"Okay, I'm going to have nightmares," Caesar said. He raised his hand. "Get the monster and the save the Sheikh!"

"Sheikh we must go NOW!" Nigel hollered.

"I'm not leaving my soldiers here!" Tamara shouted back at him.

Varnaz's unit reached the monster first and immediately attacked it, but the giant spider didn't even flinch under the blows of 100 soldiers. The spider quickly spun around to face them, but in doing so its massive abdomen swept aside no less than 30 soldiers, including Gunther.

"Howl!" Daunte shrieked, raising his hand.

"Open Gate!" Allise shouted.

Daunte's spell healed the injured, but Allise's spell had little effect on the spider. Tamara' unit withdrew despite the Sheikh's protests as Daunte's Army surrounded the monster and threw spells and physical attacks at the beast.

But nothing fazed the creature. The blows only seemed to make the spider angry and it lunged and charged at the soldiers.

This—This thing is too strong! Daunte grimly realized. There's hundreds of us and we can't stop it!

"Yuber!" Daunte shouted.

The spider went still the moment the name left Daunte's mouth. The Liberation Army continued to attack it, but it didn't even notice. Suddenly the spider spun around until its head was facing the direction of Yuber's unit. Despite his natural inhuman speed, Yuber's unit was the last to reach the fight. Daunte could see how frightened the soldiers looked, including Viki, but Yuber simply produced his two swords and raised them.

The giant spider still did not make any sound. It suddenly charged, trampling all of the soldiers in its path, as it raced with frightening speed directly towards Yuber's unit. "Watch out!" Daunte yelled.

"So you know my name," Yuber said calmly to the rapidly advancing spider. "But you don't seem to know my power. Pitiful."

The spider stopped directly in front of Yuber, and his unit raced back screaming. Viki was frozen where she stood, sputtering incomprehensibly. When the spider raised up onto its hind legs Yuber surged forward and stabbed the underside of its cephalothorax with both blades. The swords however only sank in only two centimeters before they stopped. The monster did not react with pain.

"Well," Yuber said. "That's interesting."

The spider swept one leg back and smacked Yuber in the chest. The Army shouted in shock at seeing the Black Knight fly back, but his feet didn't leave the ground. He simply skidded back until he nearly rammed into Viki. "A—Are you okay?!" she asked him.

"Don't ask stupid questions," Yuber said harshly, though he was smiling as he straightened. "It looks like I'm going to have some fun for once."

The spider began charging him again, not seeming to notice the two swords buried in its body. Yuber was not at all fazed. "I'll need my swords back, tho—"

"READY!" Viki suddenly shrieked, raising her right hand.

The symbol of the Blinking Rune rose into the air, and energy suddenly surrounded the spider. With a soft anticlimactic popping noise, the giant wolf spider was gone.

Daunte was healing the wounded and checking the fallen when the spider disappeared into thin air. His jaw hung open and he slowly stood up. Caesar however reacted faster and raced over to Viki. "Y—You did it! You teleported away a giant monster! That's amazing!"

"I-I didn't know it would work!" Viki said, laughing in delight. "But I didn't know what else to do!"

"Well the danger is gone for the moment," Keiran said. He looked at his unit and then at Mihr. "Is everyone alive?"

"Oh Allise, you are too good to me," Gunther sighed, though he nursed his abdomen with his hand. "Saving me from that monster! I knew that you loved me!"

"I was saving all of you," Allise said dryly.

"That was intense," Surya said. "I don't know where that creature came from, but whoever summoned it had to be powerful! It didn't fall even after being attacked by 500 people!"

"I need to know our casualty count and how many are still injured," Daunte said, looking around. "Who needs the most immediate help?"

"You."

Viki was receiving congratulations when she heard Yuber's voice. She turned and saw him glaring at her. "Where are my swords?" he asked darkly.

"U-Um—" Viki began.

"HEY!" Roen shouted, pointing towards the sky. Everyone looked up and the Liberation Army shouted in shock as the giant spider emerged from the clouds in a rapid free-fall. It slammed into the ground meters away on its back with a sickening thud. It twitched violently from the impact and was now noticeably injured. But it wasn't dead.

"There they are," Yuber said with a sinister smile, rushing forward.

"Ah…Viki?" Caesar said quietly.

"Yes?"

"You teleported that monster into the center of the sky?"

"I-I…yes?"

"Maybe you should avoid doing that from now on."

"But I…" Viki looked down towards her feet. "I—don't know how."

Caesar slapped a hand over his eyes and sighed heavily.

Daunte saw Yuber stand on the giant spider and pull out his swords. He knew what was coming next and turned away. "Do we have that count?"

"Daunte, the Sheikh!" Felicity shouted, pointing. Daunte saw them fleeing and cursed before he could stop himself. "I need a horse!"

"Take mine," Gunther said, guiding his horse towards him. Daunte flew onto the horse and rode furiously after Tamara.

Yuber sliced open the underside of the spider's abdomen, but paused when at least a hundred smaller spiders spilled out of its body and frantically ran in all directions. The other soldiers screamed in horror again but Yuber's smile broadened.

"There's more!" Keiran shouted, rushing towards the spider's body.

"Oh geez," Surya sighed.

"My skin is going to feel itchy for a few days," Jantu said.

"I know where the monster came from," Jeane said suddenly in a playful tone.

"Do you now?" Varnaz asked her as he looked towards the spiders.

"I do." She pointed towards the horizon. "They summoned it."

So the spider was no match for Yuber. Unsurprising.

"I think we're done here," the Matron said. "Imbuka Liger will be meeting up with us shortly anyways. And we don't want that Black Knight to come over to us."

"I agree," Lažov said in his usual bootlicking tone.

"W—What about the Sheikh?" Thea asked.

"Oh don't worry," the Matron said in a cold tone. "I will leave a treat for that traitor too. One that she won't escape from." She raised her hand again as Thea closed her eyes. I…don't know what to believe. They said that they are right, but…damn it all! I hope you survive this, Nigel!