Chapter 93: Prison Life (3)

Chapter 93: Prison Life (3)

It has been well over a month since we began our life within the confines of the prison. Time has passed, and outside its walls, the seasons have transitioned from the harsh, cold grip of winter to the anticipated arrival of a warm spring... or so it was supposed to be. As demons, we were resistant to temperature fluctuations, and it was even more difficult to perceive climate variations within the prison. Therefore, the only thing we knew was that it had officially become spring according to the calendar.

During our time in the prison, it seemed that the Imperial Army was mobilizing for the recapture of the Carnela Port. According to Marcellus’ account, the Imperial Army had gathered a massive force of a hundred thousand soldiers at the new fortress....or rather, stronghold. It was the first time since the simultaneous assault on the fortresses that such a large-scale army had been set in motion.

Furthermore, the fire breathing war chariot we brought back... According to Asumi, it seemed that the Republic Army referred to it as a self-propelled artillery. The imperial army was planning to dismantle it, conduct research, and develop a new type of weapon to deploy on the attack. Let’s just hope they don’t end up accidentally involving their allies in the process.

Also, it seems that several small-scale battles occurred along the river while we were in the prison. The demons of Karelvo were apparently deployed in actual combat there. They attacked and repelled the Republic forces attempting to cross the river, but unfortunately, one of the demons was killed by a bullet piercing through his head.

They were not our allies, and given our first encounter, it was unlikely that anyone among us had a good impression of them. However, being fellow demons, they reminded us that despite our heightened healing abilities, we were not invincible.

“Nurya!”

“Shah!”

“......!”

While various events were unfolding outside, we remained vibrant within the confines of the prison, engaged in sparring sessions. Presently, I was facing off against Gora and Linardo. This duo proved to be quite formidable.

Gora’s strong arms surpassed my own in raw strength, while Linardo’s fists and kicks were swift and precise, like a dancer’s movements. Their coordinated techniques, honed since their time serving as atonement soldiers, had me on the defensive throughout the spar.

“Oh!? Bubee!?”

“S-sorry!”

However, I couldn’t afford to lose just yet. I narrowly dodged Gora’s fist, swiftly hooking my hand around his wrist and immobilizing it with a counter-rotating elbow lock. I took advantage of Gora’s momentum from his forward punch and guided him toward where Linardo was positioned.

When Gora’s face dipped down, Linardo’s knee strike found its mark, slamming directly into Gora’s face. Gora let out a cry of pain, and Linardo instinctively apologized. However, that was nothing but an opening for me.

“Ugh?!”

“Haah?!”

Releasing both of his hands, I pressed down on Gora’s back, using it as a platform to propel myself upward, before driving a punch straight into Linardo’s jaw. Gora struggled to rise, flailing his limbs helplessly, while Linardo, with his head rattled, lay on the floor, groaning.

After lifting my leg off Gora’s back, I grabbed Linardo’s hand and helped him back up. The latter shook his head vigorously and promptly got to his feet.

“As expected, you’re really strong. Can you teach me that move you just used?” Linardo sid.

“Ouch... Is the one you just did on me not good enough for you? You’re quite something.” Gora added.

Linardo’s eyes sparkled as he urged me to teach him the recent technique I used, while Gora, rubbing his nose where Linardo’s kick landed, smiled wryly. I moved slowly, demonstrating the movements of the combat technique I had just employed. Linardo immediately started practicing it with Gora’s assistance.

It’s probably enough to observe them for now. So, let’s move on to watching the training of other individuals. Who should it be... Hmm, it’s a tough choice.

“Hmph!”

“Hah!”

Though we were imprisoned, we still had time for meals and breaks. It was during those moments that Mika and Rinne had discussed the infiltration mission’s happenings with the others.

Both Mika and Rinne were not the type to exaggerate, so they conveyed the facts as they were. As a result, the adults present here had a general understanding of the current state of Carnela Port.

“Very well. In that case, I’ll get straight to the point. Let me brief you on your mission. This time, we’ll divide the team into two units. One unit will join me under my command for the siege, while the other unit... will be tasked with sinking or disabling the Republic’s battleships before the full-scale battle begins.”

Sinking battleships, you say? How do you propose we attack those battleships floating on the sea? It’s not realistic to attack from the ground, and none of us here were synthesized with aquatic creatures or sea demons. So... there’s only one answer. We attack from the sky.

Launching an aerial attack doesn’t sound like a bad plan. If we use spiritual arts to fly, there’s a chance we might be detected. However, if the flying demons can blend in naturally like birds, the possibility of being spotted should be low. But this plan has a fatal flaw.

“...As many of you may have already guessed, I’ll say it anyway. We’re being instructed to launch an airborne assault with the demons who are capable of flying.”

“Wait a moment. Including myself, there are only six of us who can fly. None of the new demons possess wings. Are you suggesting that just the six of us here take on a whole battleship?” Mika asked.

Indeed, there were only a few demons capable of flight among the squad. Among them were Mika, the four-winged bat demon, and Farl, the storm hawk demon. There were only six of them in total. It seemed impossible to accomplish the task with such a small number.

“Furthermore, according to the testimony of the prisoner of war, they have sufficient defenses against aerial attacks, thanks to their installed large-caliber guns. We would meet a certain death if we tried conventional methods,” Mika explained.

“The headquarters isn’t foolish. They have prepared a secret plan,” Marcellus said.

“What is this secret plan?”

“We have developed powerful bombs using technology from the Republic Army. We will drop them from above. Decius?”

“Yes,”

Decius retrieved a small sphere that fit in the palm of his hand from his pocket. The sphere had a glossy black surface, but it didn’t appear particularly powerful. Even when told that it was a powerful bomb, no one seemed to fully comprehend.

As expected, Marcellus smiled wryly at our reaction. Meanwhile, Decius calmly returned the sphere to his pocket without changing his expression.

“We have witnessed the power of these bombs with our own eyes. Just one of them can blow up a small village. Trust me,”

“...Understood,” Mika replied.

“Thank you. However, while the bombs are indeed powerful, their quantity is limited. If, by any chance, the battleship doesn’t sink despite using all of them, you’ll have to board it and fight directly. With just the six of you, it would be like going to your deaths. That’s why I want to ask you something. How much weight can each of you carry while flying?” Marcellus inquired.

Mika and the others responded to Marcellus’s question, and it turned out that all six of them had a similar carrying capacity.

“I see... In that case, select three individuals from your unit. Three out of the six flying demons will carry the bombs while flying. The remaining three flying demons will carry the chosen three, and in the worst-case scenario, all nine of you will have to board and sink the battleship from within. That’s the overview of the mission assigned to you by the headquarters. We will decide on the three selected individuals now... Mr. Scorpion, you are indispensable for the success of this operation. I’m sorry, but your participation is mandatory,” Marcellus announced.

“...”

Carrying an unknown weapon with unknown power and with only nine of us, we were expected to neutralize the enemy’s naval forces. My next mission was beginning to make me question the sanity of whoever devised this plan.

*************

TN: So as you can see here, the terms of cylindrical weapon and such is no longer used. It’s not me that is making such decision but I’m just translating the words as they are.

Also look forward to the upcoming war, it has fantastic moments.