RM Vol 3: For a World without Boundary – Chapter 44-1: The longest day (Part 1)

RM Vol 3: For a World without Boundary – Chapter 44-1: The longest day (Part 1)

It starts as a shift of the ground, the cracking of pavement, and the rocking of dilapidated structures, culminating in an earthquake that collapses a few parts of Auschwitz's slum. Knowing that the castle will be the epicenter of what's about to happen next, a part 501st brings the remaining non-combatants as far away from it as possible. The main combat power of the division then surrounds the castle on all sides but still maintains a respectable distance.

Up in the air and already flying far enough to avoid the freaky storm cloud that grounded the 501st Witches, the A400 Atlases carrying Reality Anchors monitor the change in mana level at Auschwitz. Almost at the same time, the sensors pick up a major spike in mana density, prompting the operators the Anchors to hastily jump in and stabilize the situation. A couple of them warn High Command of the development while the others focus on making sure none of their allies are suddenly turned into Demons due to the sudden rise in mana concentration. Without the Anchors, it's expected that almost half of the 501st humans in Auschwitz would be demonified nearly instantly. Hence, they must divert all of the Anchors' processing power into lowering the mana concentration, rather than stopping someone from casting a magic spell.

"What the fuck are these reading!? This is batshit insane!" One operator commented as she typed commands after commands to the Anchor she was assigned to.

"If you have time to complain then work!" Her superior chided her before sending her the next set of data.

"I am trying my best here so cut me some slack, asshole! We can barely adapt these Anchors fast enough! Yggdrasil damn it all! Just what sort of monstrosity can trample on the fabric of reality like this?!" The woman questioned aloud, not expecting any good answer.

With the few Anchors they have available, it's a miracle that these Anchors haven't been burned out yet.

The superior officer warns. "Another mana surge is inbound! I need that prior data set processed and inputted, now!"

"I am trying!" Bemoaned the female operator as her typings, and the others', went more frantic and desperate. The clackers of keyboards, and the stress of the situation, will no doubt cause many operators to have nightmares later on.

Down on the ground, the full might of Belka's military is brought to bear against the unseen threat. Tanks, IFVs, and mortars were all poised in the general direction of the castle. Overhead, Guns-a-go-go Ospreys circle around the castle like birds of prey while CAS jets are making rounds above them. Surrounding Auschwitz, artillery batteries from the three FOBs load precision-guided munitions. They also provide perimeter security against possible Sardegnian interlopers. By now, the Sardegnian military is now on full alert and may send forces to interrupt the 501st's force deployment.

Yuki nods, turning her gaze to the screen which is now showing an artillery barrage splashing in the middle of the horde. "I am. If they keep sending out more and more, the 501st will be running dry of ammo. Once the horde turns this into a CQC, they'll be slaughtered. Noble Team and Blue Team on the ground can only do so much against such an overwhelming number."

Her sentence is punctuated by the Ravens on the ground doing their very best to keep the zombies from getting anywhere close to the 501st Airbornes. Due to the urban condition of the battlefield, it's a given that these zombies, more intelligent than their Demon counterparts, know to scurry away from danger and ambush occupied 501st elements.

Understanding the risk of having the horde running rampant on an unprepared Europe, much less Sardegna, Bryn takes Yuki's hand into her own. "I understand," She squeezes it gently as a comforting gesture. "I will prepare an escape strategy for when our WMD is deployed. I only hope it won't get to that point."

"You and me both, Bryn." Yuki said before turning to the commanding officer for the Parseval's air wings. "The artillery will need to go on a cooldown in five minutes. Up next will be your pilots' show. We will rotate fire support between air and ground units until the 509th Bombers can get here."

The male officer salutes, responding. "Our men and women won't let you down, Marshal."

Yuki nods, returning her attention to the battle on the ground.

By now, the 501st has shot down thousands of hostile targets yet there's no end in sight. To the airborne infantry on the ground, they have used everything at their disposal to cull the herd, bullets, Panzerfausts, and magic spells. They fire their guns still their faces are marred and burned by gunpowder, their eyes red due to the chemical exhaust. The tankers, even when they're stowed behind layers of composite armor, can feel the frantic rush in their veins. Tank commanders shout even with their throats cracking, loaders carry on feeding round after round despite their muscles' protest, and gunners focus down their sight till their eyes shed tears. The threat is very real and if they let up their trigger for a single second, it's as if they have given the horde a mile of leeway. The dread seems to exasperate whenever the tanks and machine gunners have to retreat to the backline, either to switch out with fresh elements or to grab more ammo.

Yet, they never falter.

The 501st are Airbornes, they're meant to be surrounded and still resist and bite hard at their enemy. Just killing a bunch of mindless beasts with plentiful fire support to boot? This is a cake walk and they're undeserving of their berets if they fail, right here, right now.

Their conviction is further tempered when a flight of Phantoms performs a low pass, their pylons detaching a mix of incendiary and general-purpose dumb bombs. In a burst of heat and wind, the surrounding area of the castle seems to blossom into a flower of fire, death, and destruction. This intervention has bought the 501st a brief respite as it blocks the next wave of demonic entities from swarming out. Utilizing the chance, the 501st kills off the stragglers before refreshing their defense line. Casualties are brought back to the rear, taking up the field hospitals that were treating civilians prior to the mess. The rescued civilians are funneled to a safe distance away from the battle. Fresh troops move to fill the opening left behind by expended units. Armored units are resupply by ammunition carriers. Ospreys are rearmed and refueled back at the FOBs. In the air, Phantoms and Harriers fly circles around the castle, mindful of the dark clouds and vigilant to perform their CAS duty.

For some of them, this may be the longest day in their lives.