Fifteen
Vengeance
Kichi couldn't help but notice Kikimo's nervous posture as they stood over the sands where his company had been defeated. To their left, the ocean, and to their right, a large hill. Before them, a large tribe of bipedal fish stood, armed with crude or looted weapons and armor, a great many of them carrying the steel of Kikimo's fallen.
Wondering why the enemy wasn't already charging at them, Kichi neared her general, refusing to take her eyes off the enemy forces in case she had to bark orders. Range was currently giving his own orders out, his two tagalong commanders only looking confused with the words coming from his mouth.
"Infantry, line this crest! Arbalests, hold position here! Harquebusiers, start spraying the ground behind us!" Range shouted to his company, Kichi was about to copy his orders before he pointed his glaive at her, and continued. "Commander, take your company and face them towards the ocean and hold that position."
Confused, Kichi hesitated in giving the orders, only getting a glare from the brigade's leader. Understanding that her company wouldn't be doing the main fighting, Kichi began ordering her warriors off the small incline they were on, lining up so their right flank would be exposed to the enemy formations if they ever decided to move out of the water they stood in. After a minute of rushing into position, Kichi began to believe her commander was just using her entire company as bait to get the barbarians to charge them, but would soon see that Range's own company had lined up perpendicular with her own, forming a half box on the beach with their ranged infantry protected by a wall of spears and great weapons. With her position in the rear, Kichi could more or less communicate openly with her general, somewhat uncomfortable with how close together all of their platoons were.
During winter, Range had refused to fight a 'standard' battle in all but their first, which Kichi hadn't even been able to witness, where both forces would line up, skirmish briefly, and then clash in melee combat. Against the more numerous ranged infantry of the Octrian, her once then fellow commander had been forced to use the terrain and knowledge of his allies to set dozens of traps and ambushes. If she was being honest with herself, Kichi somewhat doubted her superior when it came to winning a battle such as this, perhaps because this would be the first she would be able to see.
After that ridiculous speech that had hyped an entire village to arms, and the confidence that Range was airing made it hard to doubt him currently though. Turning to watch their exposed back, she could see that the scouts hadn't left the ledge to join their company's line formation, most likely acting as the vanguard of the Night Blades, still hiding in the woods. Beside the scout platoon leaders stood the Monster Corp officers, apparently content to chat up the female platoon leader.
"General?" Kichi more or less shouted, "Would it not have been better to bring Kikimo's force, to act as rearguard or reserves?"
"No." Range simply called back, Kikimo not being given the chance to express his outrage at being insulted. "I probably won't need your company either, if you want honesty."
"Wow, okay." Kichi angrily said, about to point out that she had risked her entire company to just by moving before them, but Range began shouting again.
"Kantoku!" Range turned towards their mostly hidden rearguard.
"Yes, Range? Will you have need of us, or are we to look at this gorgeous view?" Kantoku called back.
"Go take that hill! Kill whatever is up there and stay there!" Range ordered, a large chunk of his company letting off a single breath that they were holding, Kichi unsure as to why.
"That's it?" Kantoku called, almost disappointed.
"Stop wasting my time and do what I say, or leave!" Range shouted, apparently done conversing with the masked man above him. "Teaching time, kids! Kichi, explain to everyone here what our enemy is going to do!"
Being distracted by the sudden appearance of over two hundred large and small beasts burst out of the tree cover and their sprint to the nearby hill, Kichi hesitated, allowing Kikimo a chance to speak.
"Teaching time? Are you even taking this battle seriously? We should be charging the enemy, not giving a lecture on the battlefield!"
"Kikimo." Range calmly spoke, completely unfazed by the commander's words. "Who's the general?"
"Y-you." The significantly older Inkling quietly said, barely audible with the bestial cries the Monster Corp was making in their haste.
"Good! Someone, tell me what the fish-tribes are almost exclusively known for!" Range bellowed between the two companies, several dozen confused warriors turning to the voice. "Anyone can answer! Anyone at all!"
"Ambushes and sharks!" A voice shouted from the corner of both their companies, where a platoon of Range's heavy infantry were lined up.
"Was that you, Naoki?" Range called, apparently getting confirmation without an answer. "You're right of course! Sharks, and ambushes. Now, I don't know about any of you, but with that knowledge in mind now, can anyone guess why we aren't charging the enemy like our friend Kikimo here wants to do?"
Kichi was hit by the simple revelation as she stared into the ocean, a chorus of 'aha' and general understanding of why they were ordered the way they were. With their backs protected by their Night Blade reserve, and Kantoku's division going to clear the hill on their right flank, that left only one other direction where they could be hit from. If any other force was hidden within the waves of the sea, they would undoubtedly feel apprehensive in making a move with Kichi's company facing them… unless there were sharks, of course.
"Now that that is settled, SHIELD WALL!" Range bellowed, even Kichi's own spear infantry hearing the order with perfect clarity. These warriors locked shields in perfect unity, having spent dozens of hours practicing this one formation. "Tenth Company, ten paces forwards!"
Though Kichi couldn't see what was happening over the hill from her sandy footing, she could now hear the distinct sounds of battle, or namely the screaming of dying creatures. Despite their ambush force being discovered, the horde of fish creatures stood their ground, individuals beginning to scream challenges in their tongues to the slowly approaching wall of spears.
"Commander, the enemy has appeared." Akurai called from the first rank of her company, pulling her attention away from her commander's fight. Sure enough, scores of bodies were slowly rising from the waves, the salt water rushing off their backs as they stood to full height.
"Brace, warriors! Missile infantry, fire when ready! Harquebusiers, hold!" Kichi yelled, feeling her heart race. Finally, she would be able to prove herself an able commander, or so Kichi thought as she watched more and more of the sea invaders rise from the shore.
Kaito took a singular step back, ducking his head to the right as the desperate strike of a worn blade was brought down on him. Gripping his weapon with both hands, he watched the world slowed down as the blade passed his face, the stolen weapon almost catching him in the shoulder and cutting into him. He grinned under his mask as the fish creature realized it had made an error in choosing to go after this Inkling, the great weapon already wedging itself in the barbarian's hips as Kaito retaliated.
He took the time to watch the creature realize it had died, a flash of understanding lighting in their eyes. Before his enemy had a chance to use his last few moments of life to try to stab him to death, Kaito followed through with the swing, the top half of the creature falling backwards onto the dirt as he pushed his blade out of the creature's opposite end. Catching a small breath, Kaito turned away from the dead thing, taking a moment to revel in the battle.
Before him, a one sided slaughter was taking place. He wondered why these ambushers had chosen to stay in such an obvious hiding place, even while the most dangerous creatures their enemy could have let loose had rushed towards them. Surely, they would have had a few more moments of life if they had decided to run inland, as opposed to standing their ground. Kaito watched as the smaller Infernals ripped and tore their way through dozens of lithe, scaly meat, the metal attached to their forearms making quick work of the unarmored tribe surrounding them.
Occasionally, a Colossal would stand tall, bringing their weapon or one of their larger tentacles down with all the force they could muster, creating an explosion of dirt and sound around them. Kaito was glad none of these creatures had been enraged yet, as each seemed to still be mostly just observing their surroundings, only striking when they wouldn't hit their smaller companions… save for 'One'.
The biggest of their division's Colossals was leading the charge, not even using his weapon as he grabbed as many barbarians as possible and tore them apart. Kaito witnessed the monster grab two of the scaly archers with a single tentacle, crush them to a pulp, and throw the remains at another three that were trying to return fire all in a matter of seconds. Noticing how not even the smaller Infernals dared to get near the blood thirsty monstrosity, Kaito began looking for the two Inklings that had stayed with the beast.
Bringing the tip of his sword into the ragged breathing half body below him, still trying to cling to life, Kaito walked forward, feeling the bone and meat meekly try to hold onto his weapon as he scanned the area for Kantoku. After a brief search and another mercy kill, Kaito witnessed his general in action, using his basket-hilted weapon to point the small girl at things of interest.
"Look, Girl. Look how they fight. Look how none fights as our favorite, recklessly charging forward. They sense where the enemy is, react to their attack, then counter attack. Once they are wounded, another comes to finish it off. They do not care which makes the kill, so long as it dies!" Kantoku cheerfully explained, half crouching to have his face level with the girl's hidden ear.
As Kaito approached his general's back, he watched the scene that was pre-described happen, the Infernal etched as 'Six' slash the knees of a fish creature before moving onto the next, unafraid of the possibility of being stabbed in the back. Within the next moment, two more of Six's kin came and impaled the wounded creature, the blades ripping chunks of flesh out of the body as it fell.
"If you wish to join the Infernals in battle, you must fight like one. Either continuously press forward, and trust in the pack behind you, or protect the ones in the front, and keep their momentum. Understand?" Kantoku asked sweetly.
"Hello." The girl nodded, getting a pat on the back in response.
"Good! Go watch, learn, and participate!" Kantoku happily ordered, turning to face the commander behind him. "Kaito! How goes?"
"It goes well, general. Was this a village?" Kaito asked, kicking over the crudely woven twig fence that had somehow remained standing as he watched the girl run off. He almost wanted to laugh, as the girl's arms were forced upwards as she dragged the heavy weapon with her shoulder, the blade clearly unable to be swung properly.
"It doesn't appear to be one. It seems more like a camp, or some sort of ambush spot. See how some of their wicker have foliage around them? I would bet that they pick up and move these things to obscure themselves to an extent." Kantoku theorized, lifting some of the shards of the fence he had just knocked over.
"But it's so obvious." Kaito pointed out.
"Perhaps, but we are fighting in the noon sun, without fog or rain obscuring the terrain. Most tactics aren't meant to be able to be used under every circumstance, Kaito." Kantoku explained, getting a single nod in response.
"Of course. What shall we do now?" Kaito asked, noticing that the Infernals were slowly gravitating back to them, unable to find anything still living close to them… save for 'One' who was hunting down the few remaining fish creatures that were trying to flee inland, if a bit too late.
"Ah. Well, Range told us to wait here, so waiting is what we shall do! Let us watch him shatter the enemy, and drive them back into the sea!"
"You mean you don't want to show off some more?" Kaito joked, hearing the laugh he was used to, as opposed to the sickening one he heard last night.
"Oh, I do, young Kaito. But let our pale friend do as he has planned. I'd hate for him to be mad at me." Kantoku laughed once more, grabbing Kaito by the shoulder and jostling him.
"Why do you care so much about what he thinks of you, general? I haven't seen you act with such… concern, before. I didn't think you two were close, especially after the last time we fought beside them." Kaito said, referring to the time where they had charged through the backs of the Tenth's melee infantry, when Kantoku was intentionally trying to piss Range off by crippling those who had been in his way.
"Ha! Concern!" Kantoku laughed for several long seconds, the laughter so fake it even made his pets feel uncomfortable. "No, we aren't close, Kaito. I just believe we understand one another, which is a rare thing."
Kaito watched Kantoku sat on the crest of the hill, intent to observe the battle from their vantage point, not knowing how to feel about the words his general had just said. They understood one another? How was that even possible? Kaito had spent over half a year in service to The Joyous, and he hadn't once ever thought that he understood the general fully. It was possible Kantoku was trying to manipulate him again, by making it seem that he and Range shared a connection that Kaito would be jealous of... which, as he thought more on the subject, decided it as such.
He barked a laugh, wiping his stained blade on a nearby corpse before planting himself next to his general, forcing the idea out of his mind. There wasn't any doubt that Kantoku was playing games with him, and knew the only way to beat him was to just not play. Instead of reacting in an emotional way, or trying to interrogate the masked general, Kaito would sit, observe, and try to think about his general's goals, as he was supposed to do. He knew that Kantoku was just messing with him…
Right?
Kaito was somewhere to her right, Etsuko's mind told her as she snapped her head back to the enemies before her. Why her brain kept reminding her of this fact made her angry, as it felt like a thorn in the side of her head. She knew she couldn't be wasting any time thinking about someone who had already left their company, but Etsuko had failed doing that when they were at Kamakessai. Don't think. Steady yourself, hold your breath, aim, and squeeze. That's all she had to do, Kaito had told her when she had first joined the arbalests a few years ago.
Etsuko watched her bolt fly for several yards before embedding itself in the sand before her target.
"You missed." One of her squaddies informed her, already reloading his next shot. Etsuko only sighed in response, grabbing the string and pulling it back to the roller nut.
Behind them, those with harquebuses waited patiently, waiting for the order to release their liquid payload over the heads of those bracing in front of them. She could hear her commander somewhere behind her, casually talking to those nearby as he waited to give the next order to fire for those awaiting his words.
What was puzzling, was the lack of resistance their enemy was giving them. The invaders weren't even returning fire with their fishing bows, and just taking more and more losses from the arbalest volleys. In battles with the fish-tribes, Etsuko would only get to fire a few times, and only when they were charging at their infantry, or when they were running away from their infantry.
"It's like they're waiting for something, huh, Kikimo? Don't you find this odd, sub-commander Tetsip?" Range loudly asked, vocalizing her own thoughts to his guest officers, who she had just noticed were missing their bodyguards.
"Y-yes, General Range. It is strange." The nervous sub-commander agreed, his own voice not showing any of the confidence of a winning officer.
"I'm still having trouble understanding why you all were this far down here, to be honest. On the sand, I mean. I can make this tactical error because I have another company guarding my flank, and an allied force to take that hill over there. Did you two really line up and face off with those cowards standing in the water over there in a single company formation, with your flanks this exposed?" Range asked, basically insulting the other officer.
"I'll remind you, a storm was upon us." Kikimo pointed out, noticing that some of the harquebusiers were openly and quietly laughing at him as their general tore into him and his logic.
"I'm glad you brought that up, actually. Why were you over here in the middle of a monsoon? What's over there?" her general asked, before shouting "FIRE!"
This time her bolt found its mark, finding a home in the chest of a fish wearing an Inkling's conscript armor. It was almost laughable how little the armor did for the one wearing it, knowing that it was that ineffective on an Inkling as well. Etsuko watched the fish creature keel over, trying to take the wedged projectile out of their chest to little avail.
"What do you mean?" Kikimo asked, apparently confused at the previous question.
"Why were you trying to break through this obvious death trap? I know you're experienced with this area, but from what my maps tell me, there's only a few coves and caves that way. That small river they're standing in is the end of the delta, Kikimo. So why were you over here to begin with? Do you have some sort of hatred for this specific tribe? Judging by that one glaring at you, it appears you're recognized. So…" Range trailed off, making anyone who could hear him gawk at his words. "Is there something you want to tell me, Kikimo?"
Etsuko's eyes were still focused on the enemies before her when she heard the familiar sounds of steel on steel. As she was about to turn to see what the commotion was, Etsuko was able to see the signs that their enemy was beginning to charge, and began shouting for her warriors to fire at will, despite her general not giving the order. From what she could hear, Tae and Natsumi were copying her words, their years of experience showing as the fish horde began slamming into the spear line protecting them.
Glancing back, she could see that Kikimo and Tetsip were being forced on the ground by Range's bodyguards, Range himself only looking disappointed as a cut closed on his face, ink healing a wound that Etsuko never saw inflicted. Understanding that the meeting in the woods hadn't be for naught, Etsuko began shouting out orders for her platoon to back away from the fighting line so that the harquebusiers could get closer and unleash their salvo on the heads of their enemies.
"You okay, Range?" Tae called out, only getting a nod from their silent general as he moved and reloaded. As the arbalest platoons continued to fall back and prepare a secondary firing line, Etsuko halted next to Range and checked to see if he was hurt, as the scout platoons began to show signs of movement from their protected hill spot, and knew Hana was somewhere up there, having watched the commotion and brief conflict.
After batting her hand away, Range quietly asked if she had a job to do, his hand muffling his words quite a bit.
"What do I tell Hana?" Etsuko asked, Range turning his head and recognizing that his visible rearguard was about to move towards him without being commanded to do so.
"Tell her to hit Kichi's enemies in the side, and get a rout going." Range growled, his glare making it obvious that he was going to be out for blood soon.
"I meant about your fa-" Etsuko tried to say, only getting interrupted.
"I know what you meant. Go, and take these two fucks with you." Range ordered to her and the squad leaders behind her. "You've finished your role in this."
"As you command." Etsuko whispered, grabbing the bound and gagged commander. Judging by how prepared her general's bodyguards were, and how quickly they had subdued the two officers, it appeared Range had had quite some time to plan this small interaction out. Wiping her smile off, Etsuko dragged Kikimo with her towards where the other arbalests were forming up, making sure to wave down the approaching scout leaders.
Rafu was surprised just how well the battle was going, but more so in just how stable the infantry line before him looked. He had been a part of a few field battles himself, which had always been chaotic and bloody things. Rafu tried to remember the last time he had stood behind a solid shield wall, the only memory popping up was how a few Inklings had protected him with their bodies against the ink shots of an Octrian firing line during a trading of fire four winters ago. They had lost that battle as well, but with low casualties, which was supposed to be the opposite of how fighting a fish-tribe would end.
He had been told that the fish-tribes tended to lose and often against Inklings, even when they released their sharks that could consume entire companies on their own. It didn't matter if they killed the Inklings who were fighting them, they would still be forced to retreat due to having too many dead or wounded. Maybe it was because of the cowardly nature of their scaly invaders, or they understood that if they didn't triumph over the first company, they would be defeated by the second instantly. Maybe it was because they couldn't heal as quickly, or to the extreme that an Inkling could. All Rafu truly knew was that the enemies before him were supposed to be able to deal as much damage as they took.
But the line before him hadn't taken a single step backwards. From the outside perspective Rafu was privileged to have, it appeared that the enemy were small pebbles being thrown at a single, massive boulder. It was almost as if the formation had turned all of the spear infantry into a single entity, with the one goal of killing anything that came to them.
Even the heavy infantry were having more trouble on the wings than the spear platoons facing the main body of the horde. Granted, Naoki and… someone's lot were making a much more noticeable dent in the press of bodies with their much heavier weapons, almost becoming a living funnel for their enemies to run towards the spears, but something was wrong. While those in front of Rafu were unfazed by the enemy before them, the wings would be pushed back, before pushing forward, before being pushed back again.
"Harquebusiers, to the wings! Focus your fire on the wings! Make them want to meet the spears head on!" Their general bellowed, apparently having recovered his voice after a few minutes of strange silence behind.
Rafu wondered if he would finally get to watch his general in action, turning his weapon towards the nearest flank while shouting for his platoon to split their fire to whichever side they were closer to. From all the stories he had heard from those in the Blue Moons Company, the one about their general once being a blood drunk platoon leader was the most fascinating. Rafu wanted to know whether this was true or not, and if their leader was more than just a tactical general.
He wouldn't have to wait long, Rafu thought as he saw his general's glaive enter his periphery, the command squad sprinting towards the right flank of his battle line as the horn that signaled 'advance' was sounded. Rafu craned his head as he watched his general easily avoid his own warriors as he entered the fray, only getting to see a few overhead cuts performed by Range before he lost sight of the pale warrior.
As Rafu released another ink salvo, he began to start having leg room between himself and the last rank of spear infantry. Rafu let out a small laugh as he realized the spear warriors not only could stand still in the face of a large number of infantry, but could also push them back. Though he couldn't see how much damage his shots were truly doing, Rafu continued to do his part by aiming his weapon to get the longest arch of fire possible, in hopes to harm as many enemies he could.
As he moved with the spear line, the pace of which slowly increased the longer they moved, Rafu was able to see just how devastating their combined tactics were to their tribal enemy. For every Inkling lying motionless on the ground, scores more would be that of melting, dead flesh of their barbarian enemies. Though he didn't like that any of his fellow kin were dead, Rafu felt awe at just how well everyone alive was doing, the red blood of their enemies mixing in with the blue ink that had been discharged.
When the line finally halted, a great cheer was let out by all those around him, and though Rafu didn't know why they were cheering, he decided to add his own voice to the racket, fairly certain they had just ended this battle as victors. Looking towards the sea confirmed his suspicions, as the fish creatures were diving head first into the ocean, keen to make their escape to where none of the line or scout infantry could harm them.
Before he could relax, however, Rafu heard his leader bellow out orders for them to 'collect all weapons on the beach, and prepare pyres for burning'. Rafu watched as the pale Inkling separated himself from the crowd and start pointing to the area where the routing forces were heading towards, signaling to the heavily cloaked ones still sitting on the hill. Understanding that his job was done, Rafu shook his right arm several times as he realized just how sore it was.
With his first victory against the enemies of his country, and first battle under the Tenth's banner, Rafu chuckled, knowing that this was just the beginning for him. Grinning, Rafu turned to the two officers a little ways behind him, ready to know how these treacherous fucks would be dealt with.
"So what's the scam, Kikimo? I've already got you on abusing your power, which I'm sure those at Strategic Command or the Logistic whatever has been just dying to peg you with. I've also got you on trying to murder me, in combat with the enemy, no less. Now, I'm well within my rights to just end things here, but I'm willing to not throw you in the ocean just yet. So... why don't you just come clean with us all, before you're killed somewhere and left to obscurity by our leaders?" Range asked, crouching to be even with the kneeling commander.
Isamu once again felt extremely out of place, by chance standing in the front line of the ring that surrounded the show of Range interrogating the bound commander. Bodies pushed together to get a better view of the scene before them, the bodyguards of Range and Kichi forming the perimeter to the show. Every few seconds, Kantoku would tilt his head around at the company warriors, craning his neck in obviously painful ways to get a view at all those watching them.
"No?" Range asked to the silent commander before him. "Alright. Let me tell you what I think. You and your pet sub-commander made a deal with this tribe in some sort of staged battle, except only you three are in on it. I'm willing to bet you've been doing this for years, reporting however you want it at one of the border forts, then getting slightly more things you're allowed to request. Then, you live the rest of the year in relative comfort in some eastern province country side, exchanging warriors between garrisons of forts and cities so you'll always have a fresh batch of schmucks to get killed. That's what I think, Kikimo."
"You don't know anything, you little upstart." Kikimo barked. "You think that just because you're a young commander you can do whatever you want and always succeed? You got lucky, boy."
"I suppose you're right. Then again, I have talent and intelligence, while you cut deals with the enemy. At this point, I'm just trying to understand if I should even bother those who will kill you, or save them the trouble." Range calmly stated, his tone impassive as he got a couple laughs from the masked general.
"Or you could give him to us! We'll gladly take him off of your hands, Range." Kantoku repulsively offered, making Isamu feel sick at the idea of handing off anyone living to such a disgusting creature.
"I like that idea, actually. Then I really can report that I don't know what happened to you. Are you okay with that, Kikimo?"
Only after a very long moment of silent, and Range beginning to stand did Kikimo respond, his voice shaking heavily as he spoke.
"W-wait. I… it's not what you think. Yes, I-I-I made deals with this one tribe, but not in the way you think! Think about it! Who knows our coasts better than them?"
"So you trade information with these scum? I'm not buying it, Kikimo." Range loudly stated.
"It's true, though! They have rivals all along the eastern coast! They gladly give away information about their enemies, which I pass onto other companies, and strategic command." Kikimo quickly shouted, as if his words would keep away the masked Inklings before him.
"Still doesn't make sense as to why you'd waste life here. Free information shouldn't cost the blood of your kin, Kikimo." Range quietly said in response.
"Okay! Okay! Yes, we have rigged battles! If I don't look like a commander, or if he doesn't look like a strong chieftain, then we both lose out!"
"Tell us more about this chieftain, commander." Kantoku quietly demanded, his body language impossible for Isamu to read. Understanding that he, and the company, were most likely here just to intimidate the corrupt commander, Isamu stuck his chest out, and glared at the traitor as the officers continued to allow them to watch the interrogation.
"He goes by Chun, and makes this corner of our coasts his territory during spring. During the other seasons, they raid other parts of the sea, battling their own enemies, namely crustacean and other fish-tribes."
"Do you know where they live, Kikimo?" Range asked, cutting to the chase.
"I… I do. It has been a few years since I was curious enough to check myself, but they live in a strange cave system on the cove. It is where they keep their stores, I believe."
"Good!" Range said, his tone returning to a happy manner. "You'll lead us there, and we'll go right your wrongs together!"
Confused, Isamu felt his, and every other Inkling in the circle, direct their vision to their pale general, not expecting to give this Inkling a chance to redeem himself.
"Prepare yourselves, warriors! We'll be marching once we finish burning the dead." Range called out, reminding everyone of their initial after battle duties. Quickly scattering, Isamu ran with the rest of runner squad to the trees to get start gathering firewood... and wondering just what exactly his general planned.
