Chapter 53 - Scalding Cynicism

The Specter of Niflheim cleared her throat once more.

"After realizing that these hardened layers inside the hexagonal slumbers that the Angels were situated in was fairly hard and time consuming to do, we decided to try our luck with my wind spells. I took out my grimoire and began blasting the slumbering Angels away with my gust spells and wind blades, yet nothing worked. It took me about five minutes of trial and error to realize this."

She stopped to gather her thoughts.

"And what of Dunham?"

Willis asked, combing his greying scruffy beard.

"He was much more successful, on the other hand. Dunham cast a flame tornado right in the middle of the hive, he motioned for me to slowly back away to the entrance, to which I did, he stayed a bit longer inside than me. I heard the Angels. They were letting out a weeping sound. Almost like children crying. Dunham slowly moved outside, while maintaining focus on the spell so it would not break or get extinguished, specially since the land out here was windy, he had to place all his attention on maintaining the fire. The white shimmering hive that we saw earlier had turned into an ash grey version of itself. It truly was burning. I ran back to the bushes to take cover, waiting for Dunham to finish the job. I gazed upon the flames with delight, I mean we just took out twenty Angels without even so much as engaging them in combat, right? Surely this was something meant to be celebrated."

There was another unbearable silence within the crowd.

They were all waiting for Vale Ashford to explain how she lost Dunham, her partner.

Faces were frowning yet everyone had an aura of perseverance. Each and every Slayer here knew the pain of loss, the hopelessness of failed conquests, but now, a chance to strike back was amidst them.

"Countless souls flew upwards. They were indeed from the slumbering Angels in the hive. The burning hive was steadily being carried away into the wind as its foundations were being burnt to dust. I shot Dunham a look of victory coupled with a smile. We did it. What happened next occurred too fast. Was it my fault? Was I the one who caused my partner's demise? Maybe I am just coping with loss. Who knows, I know I don't. Dunham lifted his neck and looked at the sky above us. I knew what he was looking at. That expression of defeat and loss was the precursor towards something worse – death."

"Vale, you need not to go into detail as to what happened to Dunham Miller, it is alright."

The Emperor comforted her as he placed his palms on her shoulder.

"No. I am fine, sire. Thank you for your concern, but this is something that is as important as the hives and their existence, it is the sacrifice of a valiant and noble soldier who gave his life in order to allow humanity to fight back. As I was hidden in the bushes, the Angels screeched. Their faces had an expression I have never seen before, they were only supposed to be lifeless and emotionless harbinger for whatever higher power is controlling them, right? But no, they were angry, their screeches caused Dunham's ears to bleed. I covered mine just in time. He did not even bother to look at me, afraid to give away my position. Dunham Miller knew, heck, even I knew it. That if I were to come out and help him, we both would die, we would bite the dust without disclosing this information to anyone. At least that is what I am repeating to myself over and over, maybe I was just too scared. The dozens or so Angels finished screeching, I'd like to think of their screeches as a form of weeping and mourning for their hive, but these monsters do not feel anything as they hack down our fellow Slayers. Good riddance, I thought. They flew down and impaled Dunham to the ground. His body was bloody and lifeless, yet it was still standing, their spears gave him the perfect support it needed to keep standing, even after death. I waited, again, this time as I was alone, I waited for them to fly away. They stared at the hive's ashes for what felt like hours, honestly, before they went away for good. My trip back to the Outer Gates felt numb and empty, yet here I am. That's about it."

The Emperor was moved, he gave Vale Ashford the most honest salute a man could ever give.

"N-No, you really don't need to do that, sir."

She protested slightly.

But every single Slayer in the vicinity of the room followed shortly after.

They gave Vale the utmost respect and saluted her valiant actions, it was not only for the Specter, it was also for her fallen partner, and their comrade, Dunham Miller.

Vale lowered her head and bowed to everyone.

Mutual respect among war-hardened Slayers was something that would not occur daily.

Drops of tears began accumulating on the stage where the Specter stood. 

"Please. Do not let my friend die in vain."

She cried out.

As their salutes slowly died down, bits of chatter were heard.

An unfamiliar expression began to form on the Slayers faces.

They were smiling.

"Thank you, Vale, thank you to you and Dunham. Together, you gave humanity hope. You did more than anyone in this room could ever do for mankind in the last couple of centuries. Thank you."

Gavin said with a well-spoken and caring voice.

"Yeah Vale! Now we have something to fight these Angels with!"

"We commend your actions, such bravery and valiance from the Specter herself."

"Keep your head up, Vale, you have given us hope."

All the other Slayers did not say these words just to encourage the bowing Vale Ashford, they really did mean it.

"Then this means the Inferno Garden and I reign supreme, even coming from the Angel's perspective. We will burn them to the ground."

Ignis Silva said as he slowly walked towards the stage.

"You act as if you guys are the only Fire Slayers in Niflheim, what's your deal?"

Luken was now even more annoyed at Ignis.

"Rest assured, Commander, we know we are not the only ones who are adept at fire, but we do know we are the strongest Fire Slayers, even when compared with all the Fire Slayers in this country."

Ignis said with an innocent smile, yet this smile masked something truly sinister.

This man always had something up his sleeve.

He raised his hand, "If I may, Emperor, I would like to have a couple of words to my fellow Slayers."

The Emperor was surprised, but allowed it.

"Very well. Make it quick, we still have to go into the specifics of the hives and their structures."

He said as he took a seat in his chair.

"Thank you, you are too kind, your grace."

He said.

The SS Rank Flame Slayer turned his attention towards Vale, who was staring at him in return.

"You know the location of the nearest hives, right?"

"So what if I do?"

She retorted.

"A bit too hostile there, Specter, I was merely asking you an innocent question."

He scratched his head while feigning innocence.

Ignis took a seat on the stage itself, on the steps, specifically.

The man stroked his chin.

Indicating a motion that he was thinking about something.

Before the Emperor could tell him again that their time was limited, Ignis stood up, seemingly finishing up his thoughts and ideas, ready to reveal it to the people here.

"I would like to offer another gamble, since we do not know how long these hives will hatch these Angels, I say we take on a scouting expedition. If things get bad, I know I will always have the firepower ready to set these winged anomalies ablaze."

Ignis said.

The chatter between the Slayers grew, some were in support of Ignis' idea, while others condemned it as risky, saying he is only in it for personal glory.

"Silence!"

The Emperor's words put a stop to the idle chatter among them.

"I would like you to elaborate more upon your idea, Ignis. Only then can we decide if your course of action is viable and whether or not it has a high chance of succeeding."

The Emperor said.

"Once again, Emperor Nicholas, thank you for heeding my words."

He bowed to the Emperor.

"What a snake."

Said Gavin, who was obviously as pissed as Luken.

Ignis took out his glasses and wiped them with a clean cloth straight out of his breast pocket.

"What I am suggesting is that if our scouting expedition fails, and the nearest hives have already hatched, we should just exterminate the newly born Angels. What better way to welcome them into the world than to send them back from whence they came, am I right?"

His grin was sinister, yet his plan was tempting.