The Saga Of Levi the Just
Chapter 12
Inside the U-Boat that travelled under the waves to reach the Rhine was the entire 203rd. The Battalion was being briefed about the situation. Tanya and Levi stood next to each other.
"As you now know men, our enemy is now effectively caged. The enemy reserve forces have fled to the capital, meaning that this is our chance to end the war." Levi said, "The naval blockades are there to ensure that the members of the Republican Government and its military forces do not escape. We have the enemy caged like an animal. Now we simply put it out of its misery."
"We are to make sure that the enemy main force is wiped out." Tanya said, "We are to make sure there is no interruption as our ground forces massacre the enemy."
"After we are done, we fly to Der Kaiser and egress for the capital, from there, the ground forces marching from the left flank will head for Parasii. Before we arrive however, the Empire will have talks over the Republic's surrender. If they accept the terms, then all we be over and this war will end, but if they insist on fighting, we'll turn the city of light into a smoldering pile of ash." Levi said, "They have no aid or a way out, they only have two choices, subjugation or negotiation. We have left the Republic in a state that they have lost. It's only a matter of time until they all die."
Government Bureau, Parasii, Republic Of Francois
The government officials of the Republic were in panic. The Reserve forces have been pulled back to the capital. The Main Force is cut off and is mostly now an army of dead men walking or now a bunch of prisoners. Pierre couldn't believe how they reacted. It was like watching a flock of headless chickens. There was arguing and shouting.
"Enough!" Pierre said, "I can understand why we are all in a panic, but we must think rationally. We are all civilized men, this shouldn't be a problem."
"Do you have any idea what you did General?! You costed us the war! The main force is now gone! The reserves are the only thing that can protect us!" One of the political stooges said, "You have costed us everything!"
"I know that and I don't deny it, but we need to negotiate, it's the only way our people can survive, if we continue to fight, we will be slaughtered like pigs." Pierre said, "We have to do something for our people."
"And just how do you suggest we do that?!" One of the stooges said.
Pierre took a long breath. He had to weigh his options, consider them, look at them, think outside of them. Nothing. He had nothing that would please them.
"I don't know. It would be best to make it look a if we surrendered unconditionally, let them believe they've won." Pierre said, "I guess that even the idea itself won't hold any water. We are finished men, guess we will have to fight to the death."
The Rhine Front
The Republican forces were being crushed from all sides. The Empire has brought everything to the table. Flamethrowers, Tanks, Bombers, Mages, men dressed in armor holding machine guns, all have been brought to slaughter and kill the Republican army. Men screamed as the flamethrowers burned them to a crisp, men torn apart by bullets, reduced to ash from the might of the bombs, blasted apart by the tanks. The Republic now saw the true power of the Empire. The Mages faced each other in combat, only to be shot down by the Imperial Mages. The Republican forces were being murdered without mercy.
Bientôt watched as the men were being brutally slaughtered by the Empire. His face was contorted in despair.
'How……. how can we recover from this? How could we let this happen?' Bientôt thought.
He watched as the men were being slaughtered from multiple sides. The end of the war was drawing for the victory of the Empire and the defeat of all who stood against it. Bientôt couldn't help but blame the Demons of the Empire for all of this. They had won. They had finally struck the nail in the coffin. They lead to the Empire's victory. He fired at an Imperial Mage, shooting him down. Few more came around and started firing. Bientôt dodged the fire and shot back. The Mages dodged the incoming fire. One of them was hit and was shot down. He managed to shoot down the second one. He had to fight on, even when death was approaching, he had to fight, for it was the human spirit that lives within him. He would not let it fade yet, not now, not until he had finally fulfilled his purpose to the people of the Republic. He had no choice but to fight, for running away would be an insult.
The 203rd flew into battle. They flew straight into the fireworks as they fired at Republican mages. Levi fired his MG34 at the mages, slaughtering them with no mercy.
"Too fragile. If the Republic was this stupid, I'd won this war by knocking on their front door and left it and then knocked out whoever came outside." Levi said, "Amateurs."
Tanya didn't hesitate to slice the mages apart. She was having a blast. She was slicing every single Mage she had in her eyesight.
'Well Being X, you messed up big time. Hope you like how damn stupid you were!' Tanya thought, "That's it! Step right up! I got a ticket to hell with your names on it! Take them while they're on sale!"
She shot one down. Another one was coming in, but Viktoriya shot the mage down. The 203rd were tearing the Republican forces apart. Levi saw Bientôt trying to fight to the end. He shot at him, gaining his attention.
"I never thought you of all people just don't know when to unconditionally or at least conditionally surrender on the terms of the Empire. You just keep fighting. Bravo good sir, bravo." Levi said.
"Me? Surrender? Even on your terms? Pah! Only a fool would dream of such things." Bientôt said, "I'm only buying time for the world to come to see how ruthless the Empire has become since the war began!"
"Forget it. There won't be help. The Republic is isolated." Levi said, "No aid, nowhere to run, just a nice coffin for you, unless you surrender that is. There is always the Imperial military. They might want you to act as a, symbol of what your people would do if they obey the Empire and dare not challenge it. I'd say it is a good trade."
"My soul for the people's enslavement?! Never!" Bientôt said.
"I'm not looking for slaves. I'm looking for examples." Levi said, "An example of possibility for your people to finally come to terms of what they can do to survive. If they believe that they can climb the ranks of society, then they will have a chance to live in peace."
"You……" Bientôt said, "you can't get any sicker than that."
"Oh, but I have." Levi said, "I've taken the Fjords! Blinded the Republic! And now, I've come to put their entire military in a giant coffin with you in it."
Bientôt had enough of it. He charged at Levi and fired at him. Levi dodged the shots and fired back. They kept shooting at each other, dodging every bullet they shot at each other. Some of the bullets collided and exploded. They clashed again and again.
"God cares little about men, women and children. All he cares about is having zealots praise his name as if he was a god. He is a demon of an opportunist. He is never to be trusted." Levi said, "He left many men to die like animals! All of those who follow god must die, for god is as corrupt as Satan himself."
"So you blame God for this war?" Bientôt asked.
"No, I merely don't believe in him, and look what it did!" Levi said, "Chaos and anarchy are all that's left in this world! Evil is rampant! And for what? For me to praise the lord so that I can live in a world with sunshine and rainbows? Ha! I'd rather in this world than believe that rubbish!"
"And you justify that by killing people?!" Bientôt asked.
"God will be erased from all books, not even the Bible will speak his name. There will be no gods to talk about! As long as there is a god, there will be demons who will hunt for him, I shall hunt those gods and kill them!" Levi said, "If you stand in the way, then you must die."
The two shot at each other and dodged the bullets. The two flew in an endless aerial battle. Tanya noticed the two as they danced in the sky. The two were relentless, like two predators fighting over a dead corpse. She aimed carefully, trying to see if she can score a hit on Bientôt. She fired a burst, forcing the two to break off. Bientôt saw the girl.
"Alright, surround him, make sure he doesn't escape!" Tanya said.
The 203rd were moving in to surround Bientôt. He realized that this was becoming a no-win situation more and more steadfastly and quickly. The only options left were surrender, die, or even retreat at this point. He thought about his friends and comrades that died in battle. He thought about any possible survivors. Tanya got her comms onto all channels.
"To all Republican forces, we grant you an unconditional surrender. If you surrender now, you will be spared and captured, from there, you will face the tribunals under military law. If you resist, then we have no choice but to have you all executed." Tanya said.
"Listen to her voice. She wants you to live. I would not squander that chance." Levi said.
"You have nowhere to run, don't throw away your lives!" Tanya said, "A real soldier would rather surrender with his own dignity intact!"
Bientôt considered all his options. He got on the channel with all Republican forces.
"Listen to me. I am Lieutenant Colonel Bientôt of the 2nd Republican Mage Company of the Republic. I want all of you to escape. I don't care if even one man gets through, either get out of the country or make for the capital, from there we shall make our last stand. Millions died by the hands of the Empire, let the new generation know what has happened here so that they may continue with our legacy and preserve the Republic." Bientôt said, "Forget it Imperial scum! I will not let you take away my freedom! My soul! And last but not least, I will fight even in death if that is what God wishes!"
"Well then, if that is what you want." Levi said as he backed away.
"Take aim!" Weiss commanded.
The mages took aim. Bientôt saw many barrels pointing at his head.
'So this is how I die…..' Bientôt thought.
"Fire." Tanya said.
The 203rd unloaded their bullets at Bientôt as he tried his best to survive the onslaught. A few bullets hit him. He coughed blood as more bullets tear into him. The Republican Mages fought on, trying to escape. One Republican stabbed an Imperial with a bayonet, being stabbed by the very same Imperial. The Republican Mages were being killed, taking some Imperials with them. They were fighting for their families, the one thing that would never be replaced. They had no luck in getting out. They were fighting to the bitter end.
English Channel
A Republican fleet was attempting to escape, but one of the escorts were sunk by an Imperial submarine that shot a torpedo. Bombers were flying towards the fleet. Ships were beginning to sink as the submarines shot out torpedoes.
"We got submarines! They've surrounded us!" A man on a sonar said.
"By god……. How do we get out?" A crew member asked.
"Torpedoes! They're coming in fast!" the man on the sonar said, "We'll be hit!"
"One of the transport ships got hit by a torpedo!" another crew member said.
"Bombers incoming!" another member said, "They're coming at us!"
"Fire back! Don't let the Bombers attack the transports!" the captain said, "We must ensure that the transports escape!"
Bombs began to fall on the fleet as several ships were hit by torpedoes. The ships were ablaze. Passenger ships and Transports were burning. Many men were burning. Many were drowning in the ships that were sinking into the depths. The periscope was coming down. The captain looked impressed.
"Well done gentlemen, the enemy will not leave through this channel no matter what they do." the captain said.
The submarines surfaced to round up survivors and bring them to Empire controlled territory. Many surrendered while others were killed for trying to escape.
The Rhine Front
Bientôt looked at Levi and flew towards him. His computation jewel was going critical. He roared as he charged. Levi saw the man coming for him.
"Get back! He's gonna blow!" Levi said.
The 203rd backed away. Tanya shot the man down, letting him explode into pieces. The 203rd saw Bientôt's suicidal move. They felt appalled by how far he was willing to go if it meant preserving the enemy of the Empire. He was willing to take his own life with the life of his enemies. The Republican forces were eliminated. There were barely survivors.
"Alright men. We've done enough," Levi said, "We march to Parasii and cut out the lights of the Republic and turn on the lights for the Empire. To arms!"
The 203rd roared in victory. They flew off to where the Imperial Airship "Der Kaiser" was flying towards. The Imperial forces soon finished rounding the captives up and marched to the capital.
Berun, Empire
"Sir, we have a message from the Republic." Erich said.
"Oh? Have they considered surrender?" Zettour asked.
"Not exactly, but they warn us that even with their fall, others will stand against them and warn us to turn back. In return, they will not breach our borders." Erich said, "Your answer?"
Rudersdorf thought about it. He smoked his cigar again.
"Tell them that we do not intend on ceasing hostilities. If they want to end this war, they'll have to come to us." Rudersdorf said, "How long until our forces reach the capital?"
"Well, judging from the reports, I'd say within a week." Erich said.
"Then let them know that they have up until a week to decide, if they won't negotiate, then we march for victory." Zettour said.
"Yes General." Erich said as he left the room to write the reply.
He laid his back on the wall.
"Those kids……… they really done it now." Erich said.
Washington D.C, Unified States
President Harvey Oswald was in a meeting with his cabinet. They all looked distressed after hearing multiple pleas from the Republic to send aid and help with refugees.
"Men, these are the facts as I know it. One, the Empire had invaded the Republic and is proceeding towards the capital of Parasii. Two, we are locked between helping the Republic and involving the Unified States of America in world war and letting the Empire do as it pleases and rule the world." Harvey said, "The Russys have gone dark into civil war and are unable to draw the Empire's attention. The Allied Kingdom has gone silent. I'm afraid that even I feel reluctant as to what we must do. I reluctantly had the US join the Allied Nations because we are facing a common foe and that together, we stood a chance. If the Empire found out about this alliance, it would lead to great destruction. Men, I need your voices, opinions, suggestions, ideas, something that can help avert chaos in the world."
"Well sir, it's obvious, we use the bomb." Secretary of War, Lee Mansley said, "If we use the bomb on one of their major cities, they will have to stop and listen to the man with the biggest stick."
"No. Out of question. That thing is an amalgamation of war itself. To use that monstrosity would lose us the trust of the Allied Nations and the Russys might react to the use of such a weapon." Harvey said.
"Sir, there is a communist revolution going on in there, we have to do something." Mansley said.
"Maybe there's a way to match the Empire, what if we use Mages like they are doing?" the secretary of state proposed.
"But that would mean we would have to develop the technology to utilize magic and we don't know if anyone in the US is even capable of Magic." Harvey said.
The cabinet was silent. There was no way the US could aid the Republic if they don't have an exact equal footing with the Empire. The public was scared. They demanded that war be made against the Huns. Harvey felt powerless.
England, Allied Kingdom
King Charles XIII and Prime Minister Churchill Braxton were in a meeting with the rest of the politicians and military generals after hearing of the Imperial victory at the Rhine.
"Sire, the Empire knows about the covert operations we had conducted, they have a fleet of submarines and ships out in the English channel. The Empire is ending the Republic, what do we do?" Braxton asked.
"We wait." Charles said.
One of the political stooges sat up. "Wait? Sire, that would mean-"
"I know what that means. Take a seat." The king said.
The stooge sat down.
"We must organize an invasion force to attack the Empire. We will not attack now, but later, when the Empire shows vulnerability." The king said, "Until then, we shall wait until we strike."
"Yes, my lord." The men said.
Republican skies
The 203rd were flying at high altitude and spotted the airship. The blimps that were combined together made it look intimidating with bombers and fighters in the flight decks that were tasked with launching as well as guns and ammunition.
"Look at the size of it." Levi said.
"Yeah, looks gigantic." Wolke added.
"Wait until we get inside." Levi said as he got his communication spell to work, "Pixie to Kaiser, confirm you have us."
"Kaiser to Pixie, we have you on our sensors." The operator said.
"Requesting permission to land." Levi said.
"Permission granted, head to flight deck 2." The operator said.
The battalion landed on the Kaiser and saw an air force officer walking to them.
"Why hello Little Devils of the Rhine! It is a pleasure and honor to meet you!" The officer said, "I am Commander Walderich Von Steiner, Commander of this ship and the assault force heading for the capital of the Republic."
"Major Tanya Degeruechaff, Commander of the 203rd." Tanya said as she saluted.
"Captain Levi Blitzlowe, Vice-Commander along with Lieutenant Weiss." Levi said with a salute followed by Weiss's salute.
The 203rd saluted. Steiner looked humble toward them.
"What is the current situation on the march to the capital?" Tanya asked.
"Well, we are successfully making progress. The enemy is in full retreat and are beginning on setting up a defensive formation at the capital. We have them cornered. Now it is only a matter of time until we can behead the Republic and have most of the western mainland of Europe shall be ours." Steiner said, "The ground forces are quickly marching through the open wound we left them with reserve forces at the Fatherland to keep an eye out on the east."
"The Russy Federation? What could they do?" Levi asked.
"They could become an issue if they declare war, in which plan 315 will be needed to drive them back." Steiner said, "The communist dogs and the loyalists are killing each other over there."
"So in other words, the communists are a threat." Levi said.
"Yes, the communists will not sit by after we have done so much. They must be watched over." Steiner said.
"Right." Tanya said.
"When will we arrive at the capital?" Levi asked.
"We should arrive soon enough. About a week." Steiner said, "The enemy will most likely send planes and aerial mages to prevent the Kaiser's advance, but with you around, you will help us in keeping their hands off this aerial battleship."
"A week... and the supplies?" Levi asked.
"Enough for the trip." Steiner said.
"Good." Tanya said, "Now where can we-"
"Oh don't worry, I'll help you in navigating through the ship." Steiner said.
They followed Steiner through the door out of the hangar bay, going into the halls that led to another blimp. They kept following Steiner up until they reached the quarters.
"How many people can fit in this giant airship exactly?" Levi asked.
"About as much as an entire field army of Mages." Steiner answered.
"Damn." Tanya said.
"Impressive, isn't it?" Steiner said, "But aside from that, her ranged defenses are tough like our tanks. And even if the enemy got through, you would just swat them as if they were flies."
"I see... I guess that means it's technically invulnerable." Levi said, "Gotta thank the bastard who made this fine beauty."
"Enough, it's about time we get some rest. 203rd, we rest here for the time being!" Tanya said.
"Right!" The battalion replied.
Steiner left the compartment and headed for the bridge. Tanya turned to Levi.
"As for you vice-Commander, we need to talk." Tanya said, "We talk after sundown."
"Has the little girl finally got out of her shell?" Levi asked.
She looked away, scoffing at him.
"Just. Do it." Tanya said.
"Sure." Levi said.
Later...
The sun was setting and Tanya was waiting for Levi. She waited patiently.
"Hey there, Tanya." Levi said as he walked to her, "What is it that you wished to talk of?"
"Well... remember that kiss?" Tanya asked.
"If you're going to say what I think it is, let's not-"
"Don't you think that was too sudden?" Tanya asked.
"Beg your pardon?" Levi asked.
"That kiss back at Aren... it was too soon." Tanya said, "I mean, shouldn't you have done that in a wedding or something?"
"You know, for a girl who hates God, you sure preach to the bastard and thought about marriage." Levi said.
"No... it's not that... I... I don't know anything anymore." Tanya said in defeat.
"You know, we could always... have a family." Levi said.
"Heh, I don't want to imagine what our kids will be like." Tanya said.
"Guess you're right. It is tough to know what our kids will look like." Levi said.
"You know Levi... could you just stay where you are? And don't move." Tanya said, "I promise you, I won't kill you."
Levi looked at her with confusion. She walked over to Levi.
"Uh, I don't-"
And before he got to finish, she kissed him without a second thought. He was surprised. He couldn't react. She broke away.
"Now we're even. Got it?" Tanya asked.
"You sneaky little demon princess." Levi said as he hugged her, "Let's go to bed."
"I guess you're right." Tanya said.
And just like that, they went to the crew quarters and rested.
