Chapter 819

Chapter 819: “-inhumane,”

“General Valentino, why is a man of thy stature here?”

“Major, excellent job in holding the frontlines, I’m sure your men are exhausted.”

“They would be if there were any alive,” he said, “-I fail to understand why.”

“Which is the reason why observation is crucial. Cause and effect, the reason for the caving was to stop traffic in and out. You’ve had an arduous battle,” he said condescendingly, the authority behind his gestures and way of speech was grounded on a solid foundation. The major, shook by the previous day of worry, excused himself to the outpost.

Trembles towards the mountain, the blockage disappeared. Out of said rubble, a duo exited, the major who’d grabbed a binocular from a fighter, ran from his office and onto the walls, “-he’s alive.” Reinforcement took no time, the engines made for the inside without care.

“Second Lieutenant,” said Igna, “-it’s been a pleasure. You’re a hero of the war, the fighters who’ve died will never be forgotten. The deaths have been crucial in leading our victory,” a side-smile, hands warmly kept inside his pockets, “-we ought to exchange goodbyes,” he said, glancing towards the General, of which had a pleasant expression.

‘People of his kind always take the credit,’ went across Alio’s mind, ‘-I didn’t do anything, it was him, he handled everything. He captured an impenetrable fortress, destroyed a town, still are no repercussions... Igna Haggard, I will remember the name.”

.....

People come and go, quick as he was to acknowledge the man’s presence, Igna hastily forgot the man’s inability to bring good. Warm words are often the worse thing a person can receive.

“Master?” rang through his earpiece, “-should I do it?”

“Correct,” he turned, ‘-kill him, I don’t need unnecessary attention.’

“Son!” exclaimed the Major onboard a bike, “-you’ve survived.”

“Father,” he held a hand, ‘-my chest,’ *thud,* he stopped and looked at his hands, ‘-blackspots, am I going to die?’ the back straightened, he fell face-first onto a misplaced rock.

A son died before his father, “-what happened there?” inquired the General.

“Nothing of importance,” the door shut, they sat aboard armored transport, “-tell me, Igna, have your side of the deal been fulfilled?”

“Yes, else why would anyone go through so much effort. The observatory is under my way as is the settlement. We’ll head directly for the latter; I have bad news as well.”

“Tell me.”

“The harbor is most likely devastated.”

“Pardon?”

“You heard me,” a holographic map displayed, “-see here, these are the last captured images. The present I sent might have been a little too potent. Aside from the destruction, I say the conquest’s been relatively clean.”

The old man sank into his seat and breathed, radio coms would often interject in the silence, “-fine,” he said, “-I’ll overlook the matter.”

Igna matched the man’s authority, “-no, no,” he smiled, “-don’t pass it off as my problem. What happens will remain true, tis the reason why the church is going to retreat. In their fashion, we’ll send a lovely personalized message. No harbor equals no additional threats from the sea. The geographical nature of the bay makes it easy to defend – having tall cliffs overlooking the sea is a boon. How about Phantom installs anti-air and anti-sea cannons,” he lit a cigar, “-one thing’s for sure, Alphia will protect themselves.”

“Making a deal with the devil,” he muttered.

“Correct,” puffed Igna, “-till we reach an armistice, I’ll continue to fight.”

Later in the night, the clock struck 04:30, the imperial forces rounded remaining survivors into a cramped house – surveillance was established, the good news of Alphia’s victory in the north was shortly reported to the Imperial family.

Two undone buttons, a crinkled shirt, and flowing hair, the guards before the house were scared, they held their guns akin to children holding fingers to their lips in silence. “I’m here on orders from the General,” he said, the guards accepted his plea without care. It opened to a stuffed interior, moans of pain and complaints were commonplace – before arrival, a triage separated the crowd. No corners cut, he beelined for the robed priests, barging the door into a metallic echo, “-good day, people of the church,” he said with arms crossed.

“Who are you?” they gathered in a single spot, knelt and hands in prayer to their god, “-our God will save us all, the threat will not accomplish much, our faith is strong!”

“Your faith?” he smirked with a tilt in his expression, “-this is going to be fun,” he pulled a seat, toggled a camera, “-éclair if you’d please.” A transmission reached forces eyeing the shores of Easel Run Gard, a griffin and rough seas made the journey inland arduous. The attackers had set shop on an abandoned island a kilometers away from the continent, “-Lord Paladin,” said a man in pious wear, “-I have a live message addressed to us.”

“Let me see,” he rose his stare, a solemnly burning candle jittered the cast shadow into frighteningly disfigured outlets. The fingers interlocked, he peered into the screen. On the other side, Igna. Dressed in a rough shirt, he sat on a stool with one leg perched higher than the other.

“Transmission established, my lord,” said the intercoms.

“Lord Paladin,” he stared the lens, “-good day, is it not? You’re wondering who I am, and how am I able to reach thy location. Simple, did it ever occur the abandoned island is done so on purpose, never mind, the church has a habit of being extremely shortsighted. I’d not trust thee to see beyond thy own nose let alone the greater picture,” the tone lowered, “-I’d highly advise caution this time, for you see, Paladin, the games are over. Alphia’s retaken the northern province. I’ve asked for Phantom to deliver a few presents,” the images of the prior explosion displayed, “-opposed to this small boom, the ones they have are much bigger. The best part, only I know how the weapon is manufactured. We could cut a deal,” he leaned, “-wouldn’t be in my interest. The events in Meltia, do you think me a fool to ignore the atrocities. I’m a firm believer in an eye for an eye, who cares if the world goes blind, in the end, my amusement is what matters. Holy knight of the god of Lucifer, does it hurt?” the screen displayed the captured priest, “-it doesn’t, I’ve met countless men with thy same personality. Embarrassing the name of God to satisfy a lust for blood, we’re one of the same, or so I’d say if I wanted to lower myself to the level of shit-smelling dogs. The difference between us is I back my words and take responsibility if my actions lead to greater problems – you, people of the church, only serve thyself and leave after spreading the seed of malice. Like it or not, you’re in my palm, Paladin, call on the four-cardinal sect of the church if you wish, I defeated Oat once, and I’m not bothered to take the remainder on my lonesome,” he lit a cigar, “-in other news, how’s the conquest of Easel Run Gard going, I heard the sea’s pretty rough. Don’t take my word for it, look at where you are, it’ll only require me to give the orders for the island to be wiped. The great paladin won’t be heard of ever again. I should get to culling the crowd,” he stood, “-paladin, don’t mistake me for another fool, I’m vindictive, you laid hand on the princess of Alphia, someone close to me, I promise the next time we speak, it’ll be face to face with my knee up to your nose. A holy knight has no business dealing with me,” he took off his glasses and slammed his hand onto the cold ground, “-I would get to a higher place if I were you,” the glasses returned to whence they came. A large quake sent fear among those on the island.

“Who’s this tool bag?”

“Don’t waste breath on the posturing. Slamming his hand on the floor, what does that even mean.” The ground shook, they escape onto the sandy beach, a shadow, tall as a mountain moved in an embrace.

“Surprised, are we?” the transmission continued, “-what I did was simply visualize the sea and slam, what happens next? A tsunami. Consider it a wedding present for our new relation,” the camera turned to the priest, “-here is the faithful who stayed the night. They’ll rejoin their god soon,” he swiped, two out of a dozen fell, “-to us,” he cheered, the transmission ended. The tall shadow dove onto the island.

“The tsunami reached the target,” reported éclair.

“Good, I doubt the strongest fighters in the church to yield. Push comes to shove, they have a teleportation scroll, if not, they die, simpler for me. Now, the matter of pushing the leadership. Has the video been sent to the Empire, you made sure the transmission was easily cracked into, yes?”

“Master,” he breathed an exasperated sigh, “-since when do you drive me to such lengths.”

“Forgive me, I trust you,” the transmission ended, nameless faces of priest knelt at his feet,”-you all are worthless,” he snapped, a tiny speck of crimson exploded, carrying spikes and tremendous force, the same principle of shrapnel on a grenade.

After finishing his rounds, general Valentino opted to visit Igna- a bike rode to a stop at the same time the white door opened, “-General,” he said with an apple in hand, “-how goes the rounds?”

“I’m headed to your artwork,” a nod toward the beach, “-shall we walk together?”

“It’s a few miles out, I doubt walking will do good.”

“Correct,” he laughed obnoxiously, “-come, I’ll give you a ride.” They spoke business on the way to the destination, upon arrival, there was much less to say and more to intake. The weapon Igna unleashed on the world was to be fear in the coming centuries, the devastation, “-inhumane,” or so described the general. There remained nothing, and by nothing, he truly meant nothing, the beach was gone – a vortex swirled, the sea took liberty in rushing into a gaping wound – no ships remained nor were their life, “-this is unbelievable,” he coughed, “-I feel lightheaded,” the general fell, “-Igna?”

“Mana sickness,” *snap,* a protective bubble wrapped the general’s head, “-not lethal, depends on the person and situation. The effects of Maicite are far scarier to what I imagined, I love it,” he cackled, “-general Valentino, I’ve assured the armistice. Take a look around, will they dare to attack when we have this threat looking over their heads?”

“They’ll develop their weapons to match ours, what are you thinking, Igna?”

“It won’t matter, the power balance will ensure either side remains in check. Politics, especially warfare, has always been which nation has the bigger balls or breasts, in our olden society, it was the presence of mages, before them, the number of soldiers, now, tis technology and weapons. We’ve evolved to keep the same standard of guarding strength. Well, General Valentino, I’m sure there’s much to be done, cleaning this mess won’t take months, I expect years. Therefore, I leave the matter in thy hands.”

“Washing your blame?”

“No, I call it outsourcing. Whuotan’s always been the training area for heroes and adventurers. Can’t change the world in one day. If you’ll excuse me, I have more headaches to handle. Best wishes to Jula, may she have a healthy babe, and may you live to see the birth of thy grandson. Please, for her sake, don’t die needlessly, the battle’s won.”

15th January, the beachside of the Imperial estate nonchalantly bestowed beauty for the spectators viewing pleasures, “-Igna,” said a warm voice clambering into the guest room, “-I need you.”

“Phrasing, sister,” he laughed with elbows onto a balustrade, “-how can this bloodthirsty murderer help?”

“You took the general’s word to heart?” she pouted, “-don’t be so picky.”

“I’m not,” he smiled, “-I was only kidding. How are you, I heard you fainted yesterday.”

“Yeah, I felt lightheaded,” her smile froze, “-what about you?”