Chapter 168 - A Passing Warning
This is a quiet, high-end district where no one walks the streets. The streetlights that shine through the darkness illuminate a group cloaked in black and moon-white. Despite the varied designs of their cloaks, they exude a strange sense of unity. The large Kikyo crest on their backs, the purple amethyst Kikyo crests on their chests—these are the only common elements. But for a uniform, this is enough.
The atmosphere we exude is a mix of many things: the will to fight, desire, ease, pleasure, impulse, and a myriad of such positive emotions. These intertwined elements make up the members of the Kikyo Society. Perhaps it's necessary to be this way. I think, even if you look around the world, we have a unique presence. Especially in battle.
Even from a distance, everyone can tell we belong to the same group. This unity becomes even more evident when we gather. We are a rare group of women, marching forward with high spirits.
Upon reaching our destination, we immediately spring into action. The young man leading the assault group knocks down a guard without a word and kicks open the large door.
Once inside, we relay our message. Proper preparation is essential.
"Bring out the head of the house! It's a message!"
Of course, there's no way they'll listen to us. The guards gather, noisy and unruly, and attack without listening.
But as soon as they show their faces, Mary and the others start knocking them down one by one. Ordinary security guards are no match for us. The skilled guards are likely stationed at the auction site.
After clearing out most of the guards, a pompous figure appears. These types are always late.
"What, who are you!?"
"We already told you, it's a message."
"Could it be... the Oversta witch!"
It's a relief you caught on so quickly. As expected, you know we're enemies.
"That's right. Instead of wasting time on trivial matters, do something useful for the kingdom."
He spits out some vulgar words and then runs off into the back. He must be going to deliver the message.
The preparations are complete.
"From here on, follow the plan! Finish quickly, or we'll leave you behind!"
Siegrune quickly rallies everyone.
"Alright!"
"Destroy everything! Destroy everything!"
They immediately start breaking walls and looting. Hmm, they're quite reliable, in their own way.
"President, Vice-Commander, this way!"
One of the young men from the Intelligence Bureau, skilled in searching, quickly figures out the layout and guides us. It's quite convenient.
I head for the main target. I intend to show these people the consequences of opposing the Kikyo crest.
The large door at the back of the building leads to a wide staircase, and the auction site is below. As usual, it's underground.
When we reach the site, it's a vast space, almost like a small hall. They've certainly spent a lot of money on it.
Incidentally, there's only one other narrow entrance besides this one. But the secret escape route has been sealed off by Graylease and the others from the outside, leaving this as the only way out, which we now block.
Oddly, no one is fleeing this way. Despite knowing about the raid, the scene in the hall is...
"Wow, what a welcoming sight."
"I see. Welcoming us was unexpected, Yukari-dono."
"Onee-sama, isn't this a trap?"
Indeed, it was an obvious trap.
There are no guests who would attend an auction. The hall has no chairs, only enemy forces. They are fully armed and ready to engage. These are not the same low-level guards who were stationed at the entrance. They are seasoned warriors who have survived the chaos of the ruined Royal Capital.
"Well, well, you must be the Oversta witch's lackeys. Ha, you've brought a message, I see."
Hmm, so this is the one who was meant to receive the message. He looks like a typical corrupt noble. Fine, if he's the one, the job is done.
"...We aren't her lackeys. And as for the trap, who knows who's really fallen into it."
This raid was decided last night. Hardly anyone knows about it.
It's unlikely that the information leaked unintentionally from Rosmerta's camp. It would be a stretch to think these people have such advanced intelligence.
So, it's more plausible that Rosmerta intentionally leaked the information.
Given the situation, the enemy likely gathered their best forces here, thinking it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to weaken their rivals. They fell right into the witch's plan.
Now, we have created a situation that someone desires. If we crush this, there will be no clearer message. This is not just about destroying property; it will break their will to resist, perhaps even completely.
I didn't know all the details, but that woman doesn't need to explain everything. If this is the logical conclusion, we must accept it. Besides the reward from Rosmerta, we can also take what we can from these people. It's not a loss, and this level of work is necessary to maintain our reputation.
"Who fell into a trap? Your bravado is meaningless. I'll make an example of you to deliver the message to the Oversta witch! Advance, Ultimate Golden Flame Knights!"
A knightly order with a long name. Well, their spirited call signals the enemy to ready their weapons.
The enemy numbers around a hundred. On our side, we have Siegrune, Valeria, and a few young men. Most of our members are still looting and destroying upstairs.
But this is perfect. We'll show them the hopelessness of their situation, just like always.
"Bring it on! Scatter them!"
"Aye!"
There's no need to explain further. We've already planned this. The goal is to incapacitate the enemy without killing them, and everyone knows this.
First to charge is a beautiful young girl in a moon-white duffle coat.
With unparalleled speed, she closes in on what looks like the enemy's leader before he can react. She ducks and spins, delivering a backfist that easily knocks the weapon from his hand. The enemy is too stunned to react.
Valeria's movements are graceful. She disarms the enemy with a kick and then stomps on the fallen enemy's face, crushing his nose with a red boot.
Her control is excellent. If she were serious, she would have shattered his eye socket and brain.
This was likely the strongest among the enemy. Valeria's speed and unconventional tactics caught him off guard, but he was still a formidable opponent, probably stronger than most of our young men. A clear demonstration of the first-strike advantage.
Soon after, the Vice-Commander and the young men take their positions.
Siegrune's sword slices through a wrist, the young man's hammer crushes a knee, and a spear pierces an armored shoulder. A long weapon sweeps down, and then a fire spell scorches the enemy.
The enemy's resistance is fierce.
Initially caught off guard, they quickly regain their composure. These are seasoned warriors who have survived many battles. They suppress their shock and follow their training.
Using their numbers, they attack Siegrune from all sides. The attacks are unavoidable.
Under normal circumstances, she would be overwhelmed, but for a warrior of the Kikyo Society, this is no problem. She doesn't even see it as a crisis.
She focuses on blocking attacks to her head and relies on her hardened cloak to deflect the rest. The angular silhouette of her black long coat easily deflects all slashes and thrusts.
This is no simple feat. She must judge which attacks to block and which to let the cloak handle. She isn't just taking hits blindly.
This is a testament to her unparalleled calm during combat. She might even have planned to draw in the enemy's attacks, diving into their midst to take on as many as possible and deliver a powerful impact to break their morale. It's a move characteristic of the Vice-Commander.
Siegrune is the only one who charges into the heart of the enemy. Valeria uses her speed to wreak havoc, while the young men carefully position themselves to avoid being surrounded, methodically incapacitating the enemy one by one. They are our pride, the warriors of the Kikyo Society.
The support from our rear is equally impressive.
While a minority in the Kikyo Society, the rear guards are also here.
She surveys the battlefield and targets enemies trying to position themselves disadvantageously against the front line with precise magical attacks. She focuses on the number of attacks rather than their power, effectively hindering the enemy. When she has the chance, she delivers decisive blows.
Of course, the enemy also targets the rear, but the guards protecting the rear are equally skilled.
A girl positioned between the front and rear lines creates a wide wind barrier, preventing the enemy from getting close.
While it lacks killing power, the high-density air barrier is extremely strong. Any attempt to break through will stop them in their tracks, leaving them vulnerable to attacks from the rear. If they try to flank, their movements are predictable and easy to target. The barrier has strategic holes for us to use for attacks.
The enemy has no answer to this two-pronged defense.
The Kikyo Society boasts such formidable mid and rear guards. Such talents are rare in other combat groups, but they are here. It's a testament to our broad range of capabilities.
I don't need to get involved. I'm waiting for the situation to unfold.
Honestly, it would be easier to kill them all. But the order is to warn, not to kill. We can't use overwhelming or dirty tactics that might result in fatalities. Many of our members are skilled in such methods, but we must endure the extra effort.
The enemy's numbers make it difficult for them to use area attacks or stray shots, which works to our advantage. The more of them there are, the easier it is for us to handle them.
Objectively, their skills are not bad. They are about as skilled as the Crimson Knights, minus the leader. But they are up against the wrong opponents.
The Kikyo Society, with its unexpected strength, and the enemy's initial shock, have completely taken control of the battle. We've already eliminated their leader, and they can barely put up half their strength.
As the enemy numbers dwindle, the Kikyo Society members become even more dynamic. The enemy has no hope of winning.
"Impossible, impossible, impossible! That witch! Damn it, like this!"
Feeling desperate, they seem to be preparing a hidden move. Yes, this is what I was waiting for.
I throw a metal ball with a quick snap. It's a simple throw, but it strikes the device the pompous noble was about to activate.
It's common for cornered enemies to try something desperate. Whatever the device does, it's probably not good. I'm not foolish enough to let them use it.
The stunned noble is left behind as the battle in the hall becomes one-sided.
"Well, that's about it."
"They weren't bad, but they were no match for us."
We crush the enemy with a small group. The so-called knightly order should now understand their mistake. We've demonstrated our overwhelming strength without killing anyone. They should understand the message.
The Oversta family and the Crimson Knights, the heroes of the Royal Capital, can hold their own to some extent, but behind them is the Kikyo Society.
The Kikyo Society is not a private army for the Oversta family or Rosmerta, but we will take jobs from them. The peace of the Royal Capital is the peace of the kingdom, which is important for Exembra. We will cooperate as long as it aligns with our interests.
"There are no fatalities. The seriously injured won't die immediately."
"Good job."
I think the message is clear, but let's push it a bit further.
"Hurry with the looting upstairs. Then, clear everyone out of the building."
"What are you planning, Yukari-dono?"
"I want to leave a message that can't be ignored."
We'll crush it. Literally, to dust.
We need to get the stunned noble out of here. He's just in the way.
"You, get out with them! You'll die if you stay!"
"...You think this is the end?"
Does he not see the reality, or is he just being defiant?
"I don't care. If you don't leave now, you'll end up like them."
"Grr, this isn't over. The Oversta witch won't have her way. Hey, get up! That's enough lying around!"
He's not foolish enough to die here. He's urging the knights to retreat.
They are valuable forces in the Royal Capital. The city is still rebuilding. They are not foolish enough to side with foreign powers. Rosmerta wouldn't be so lenient if they were.
In the future, they should focus on more practical matters and read the situation better.
Yes, change comes from dissatisfaction. But without the corresponding strength, it's just empty dreams.
They simply lacked the strength. Their revolution-like actions were just a nuisance. They lost because they were not strong enough.
I watch as the injured knights tend to their wounds.
They have no intention of fighting again. The noble directs the minimum healing and evacuation. It's wiser to retreat and regroup.
Still, they cannot defeat Rosmerta. Despite their decent skills, they lack the strategy to defeat the Crimson Knights' leader, Flannel. He is a special talent.
And we have the Oversta witch on our side.
We are like demons, with overwhelming power. Their struggles are meaningless. We've already shown them a taste of this. The knights must understand. And there's more to come.
Once everyone is out of the underground hall, we head upstairs.
The building is in ruins. Valuable items are scattered, and it looks like a construction site.
Outside, the assault team has finished loading the loot. In a nearby street, the retreating knights and merchants watch the devastated building and us with mixed expressions.
If they challenge us, they should be prepared to lose. I have no regrets.
"President, Vice-Commander, we're ready to withdraw."
"Understood. Yukari-dono?"
"Yes, the final touch. Valeria, can you do it?"
"Yes, Onee-sama!"
The building is already in ruins. It needs to be completely demolished.
I think the message is clear, but it feels incomplete. This is the final touch.
When my adorable junior touches the dilapidated building, it collapses in an instant.
The collapse progresses at a terrifying speed, and a pile of dust is all that remains.
I hope this sends a message of inexplicable terror.
The cheers of the Kikyo Society members echo through the night.
"Quite a formidable spell, Valeria. Well done."
"Onee-sama, it's nothing compared to you."
"Hehe, good job. Our work here is done. Let's go!"
We've completed Rosmerta's order perfectly. We're being used, and it's a bit troublesome. But she is a key figure in the kingdom, a very important one. If we do her a favor, it will benefit us.
If the kingdom's rule extends to the regions, it will become harder for corrupt organizations to act freely. This is a long-term goal, but it's wise to maintain good relations with the Great Duke's family.
As we leave, the sounds of anger, despair, and crying follow us.
Well, we are indeed evil. There's no denying it, and I have no intention of denying it. We are fully aware.
But this city, which has recovered from ruin, this peaceful city, is threatened by those who would use it for their power struggles. They are the true evil.
So, this is a battle between evils. The world couldn't be happier.
With a bit of irony, I let the vibrations of my vehicle carry me away.
Thus, we leave the midnight Royal Capital.
This marks the end of our second expedition to the Royal Capital. Next, we dive into the full-scale conflict.
Stay tuned for the next chapter: "The Family Moves."