RM Vol 3: For a World without Boundary – Interlude: The Grim Reaper has arrived!

RM Vol 3: For a World without Boundary – Interlude: The Grim Reaper has arrived!

With two fingers tapping the communication headpiece on his helmet, Carter of Noble Team speaks up. "Noble Team has arrived in the sector, commencing ops." He then turns to Emile who is still in the middle of a staring contest with the group of Crusaders. "I will leave you to deal with ladies."

Emile chuckles grimly. "Didn't know you have it in you to make a joke, boss. Sure, go puts out the fire elsewhere."

Carter just nods before motioning the rest of the team to disperse to handle other Crusaders that are still running amok. Carter himself turns and runs toward an already awaiting special operations Humvee, with its driver turns to salute him. "Commander, sir, we've been told of your arrival."RêAd lateSt chapters at novelhall.com Only

Carter nods at the man before mounting the co-driver seat that is armed with an MG-35. "Emile can handle this area. Let's move, airbornes!"

The decision to leave Emile behind while other members of Noble Team and the mechanized convoy relocate elsewhere isn't made without any consideration. Carter, having served and sparred with Emile on many occasions, has full faith in the team's assault specialist. After all, the terrain of a confined alleyway with a single exit leading to the main street is just home-field advantage for a guy with a shotgun.

Uncaring of the fading rumbling of vehicles, Emile addresses the tensed Crusaders ahead of him. "So, before we get to the meat of the matter, care to answer a few questions?"

That raised a few eyebrows or two, though the majority of them gained the look of absolute focus. They are smart enough to infer that the individual is a cut higher than their prior enemy. It can explain his apparent ease right now and the fact that he fell from the sky and is still perfectly fine. Nonetheless, the apparent leader of this group of twelve Crusaders still replies. "Does it matter?"

Emile shrugs lightly. "No, it does not. Though the answers may or may not give me more validation."

"Validation to attack this haven unwarned?" The Crusader asked back pointedly.

"The majority of the people that were held captives beyond those walls would like to disagree that this place is a haven." Emile responded, dripping in audible sarcasm.

"The people beyond the walls...?"

"Believe me, you won't believe it if I tell you." Emile said offhandedly. "Enough talk, shall we get into business?"

"... Perhaps that would be for the best. We still have places to be." The Crusaders all level their guns at various parts of Emile's armor.

Emile just laughs at this. "Great! Though you may want to check your rear."

"What!?" At his words, most of the Crusaders reflexively turn back. The leader knows better than to do that, apparently, judging from her warning. "Wait!" Because there's no one behind them in the first place. The alley is a dead end with only a single side door from a cantina.

Emile uses the momentary distraction and pulls the trigger, once, sending an armor-piercing 8-gauge slug at the back of a Crusader armed with a Beretta Model 38. Even with the reinforced physical body that a B-rank Crusader possesses, it's nowhere near enough to stop a heavy slug of tremendous size. Suffice to say, the 8-gauge projectile punches a large hole in the back of the unfortunate Crusader, destroying her spinal column before bursting her chest open and continuing to fly till it hit the back end of the alley. A puff of bloody mist appears from the impact, splashing on those nearby before the B-rank Crusader collapses, dying almost immediately.

"Gia!" Shouted a Crusader. "Damn you, heathen...!"

Is this dishonorable, yes. Is this effective in blocking sharp blades and desperate retaliation fire, also yes. Emile does this because he knows that it could potentially break the enemy's will to fight, not necessarily because he enjoys it. A necessary evil, one may say. Over the top, but still necessary.

Whenever a Crusader gets in close to engage him, Emile can just turn the now mutilated carcass at her and that would cause her to back off, giving Emile the chance to engage another target.

*BANG*

Thus fell another Crusader, her right torso decimated.

*BANG*

Goes another one, foolish enough to try and block the blast with both of her arms. The result is as expected, she slumps down screaming while looking at the stumps that used to be her forearms.

*BANG*

And then there are only three left, with the ninth turned away, trying to run, only to be blasted with pellets puncturing her back. She's still alive, barely while trying to crawl away, marred with blood, tears, and grime.

Emile has been methodically dismantling them, one by one, with no shred of mercy or pity. They're the enemy, one that is deserving of the judgment that befalls them. The lives they've dedicated to fight for a lost, wrongful cause, were the lives that were given by countless sacrifices. With his bloody past as a constant reminder, Emile will not hesitate to deliver punishment to these sinners, ignorant or not.

With shells to spare, Emile is just about to continue his slaughter when the remaining Crusaders finally break under the onslaught of what can only be dubbed the Devil in their mind. Pulling the pins on her grenade belt, the Crusader leader threw the belt at the feet of Emile, stopping his charge. "Retreat! Back to the castle!"

Quickly picking up their crippled sister that are sprawled on the floor, the remaining four Crusaders use the cover from the exploding grenades to get into the cantina and disappear further into the building. There are ways they can take to get back to their last bastion. At this point, inner Auschwitz is effectively lost. They can only hope that the grenades, which no doubt would have decimated the remains of their battle sisters, can be enough to stop the Devil from chasing them.

Yet, despite making it close to a steel gate that fortunately remains under Sardegnian control, the tattered Crusaders can't help but feel a looming threat hanging over their head. Even when they get past the gate and finally step inside the castle itself, guarded with dozens of guns, they never feel safe. The dread only grows stronger and stronger as each second passes. Until...

*BOOM*

To their horror, as the Crusaders turn around, the thick reinforced steel gate that even an A-rank Crusader would have troubled clearing has been deformed, and the shape of an armored fist is clearly imprinted on it. Crusaders and soldiers alike can only stare at the imprinted fist dumbly before another appears.

*BOOM*

Then another one, prompting everybody to raise their weapons at the gate.

*BOOM*

One more appears before more and more boomings can beard at the punching pace is increased. Finally, unable to bear numerous fists barraging the same spot, a portion of the steel gate explodes, launching the metal slab that breaks under the strain and crushing an unfortunate Sardegnian soldier. Then, the Devil with a skull helmet pops his head in, the sight of which would scar them for life... That is if they survive the encounter.

With a dark chuckle, Emile says aloud. "Here's Grimmy!"