Reincarnated Into A Dead Woman's Body In Another World-Chapter 266: Arc 4, Act II, - 111: Perseverance of Lightning
"-We’ve lost communication and the last message reported in by the outermost companies were the same. Some sort of poisonous plague, flying creatures hard to identify and various plant-life sprouting out from the ground.
The enemy is quickly advancing towards Division One. All remaining Division One companies have been ordered to recuperate at main base and hold our position.
The reconnaissance parties Division One sent in emergency have confirmed the devastation of each company’s encampments and approaching enemy troop, but only in small amounts. It seems the enemy has also flanked us covertly from the north side.
One of our first priorities was to contact Division Six and relay the matter of magic. Should we request troops to be sent from Division Three to assist?" the radio crackled.
The Division General alongside everyone else had listened in on it all. He took the microphone and pressed the button, "Negative. Relay the information to the Army Chief Egebe in Division Three, but do not request troops immediately.
It’ll just be sending bodies into the fray. Notify Division Three to have troops at the standby to rendezvous with Division One. We’ll send the princess and her squad to Division One to handle the matter.
After which, reassess the situation and plan from there. If Division One is unable to hold ground, retreat to Division Two with all possible supplies and troops—over."
"Copy. Division One has already radioed the chief and will radio him again now. If there’s any deviation from your plan general, will notify Division Six. Out."
"Out," the general set the microphone aside. "Well your highness, you could’ve not arrived at a better moment. Princess, we will be sending you in immediately."
"I’ll go tell Feyan and Arabella," Fumeko turned to blink out.
"What about Rain? The lock isn’t here yet," Asobi halted the brunette’s steps.
"Yeah, I was thinking that. We can’t leave Rain to just be sedated. I don’t wanna risk it," Daiyu replied.
Jotou had crossed her arms, eyes to the ground. She forced her resting mind awake, "We can’t put all our eggs in one basket. You heard it; ten companies. All devastated in the past few hours. Hundreds of soldiers."
’Making it out alive sounds nigh-impossible.’ "I have confidence we can do it, but in the case of, complications, we might not be able to do much. Division One is the furthest from us-"
"I don’t think it’s a coincidence," Fumeko held a hand to her chin. "They know our location; that’s how Rain attacked. It’s gonna take us a while to get there.
And also the same time to get back. Three potential elites left and this definitely sounds like the Poison Feather. Which leaves two to wreak havoc on whichever division we can’t make it to while we’re busy in Division One."
"And one of them happens to be the strongest elite; the other the slipperiest," Jotou took a deep breath. "In the case of some injury too, one of us might be out of commission. It’d be best to leave some of us here."
"Speaking of which," Hotaru’s ears bristled. "You should be resting. You’ve literally just woken up after more than a day’s worth of sleep."
"Then I’m as ready as I’ll ever be," Jotou leered to which Hotaru pouted. "I’ll be damned if Trailon thinks they don’t have to deal with me in a fight," her eyes sparked.
Daiyu smirked, "There’s no getting in that stubborn head of his. I think Jotou’ll handle it. Anyway, we should discuss with the other two not here."
_
"Ten... companies...?" Feyan’s mouth was stuck open. Arabella eyes narrowed to the news whilst Rain’s head still drooped.
"That’s why we’re planning to not send all of us in," Fumeko shrugged.
Arabella signalled. "She’s right. Someone needs to be here to siphon the mana out of Rain," Daiyu relayed to the rest.
"Someone also needs to be there to possibly heal poison..." Jotou glanced to Hotaru and Feyan.
"Ms Hotaru and I can both heal poisons. However, if this is an elite, and if the poison is magic-based; the Poison Feather’s poison might require more power to cure... I can do it at a master level."
Hotaru sighed and faced Feyan, "And I’m not that proficient; the spell’s just an expert. I... can stay here if you’re tired of siphoning him."
Feyan shook his head, "No. We know how useful I am in a battle and I would rather not a repeat of said situation. The matter of Rain, I am confident I can handle.
Regardless, I am only assuming the Poison Feather is a high level caster. If that is the case, then either way, Ms Hotaru and I would both have to cast several times to undo any sort of poison."
"And I’d prefer you there," Jotou uttered to the redhead. "Sorry Feyan."
"No apologies needed at all, my sentiments should not weigh in here in the slightest," Feyan knitted his brows. "Not that I feel inadequate of my capabilities, but I believe Ms Hotaru would be better suited as well."
Daiyu stared to Feyan... The princess didn’t say a word.
Hotaru twisted her lips, not knowing whether to smile or frown, "Alright. I’ll be right by your side. Not in the fight itself, but close enough to heal and cure," she glanced to Jotou.
"That’s decided then. King Akimitsu, how are your combat capabilities? I know you’re a haros level caster, but it would help to strategize if I had more details," Jotou turned.
The king gave a light nod, "My affinity is potent enough to deal with waves of threats. I have fought against the Vandlevela Regime’s troops before alone.
A hundred to one, not to boast of course," the king smirked a smidgen. "I can hold my own and should be able to deal with a threat that squashed ten companies. I would also prefer knowing the particulars of the enemy beforehand."
"I understand that," Jotou pondered. ’I’m worried. It’s Feather. Deadly poison—birds. A lot of things can go wrong and not from a physically injuring standpoint...
I think I’ve seen that poison at work. If we only have Hotaru to cure the poisons; there’s a good chance she won’t be able to make it to anyone who’s poisoned in time. Especially if multiple people get poisoned...’
"You’re strong your highness." ’Against an army of troops and guns? Definitely. But against a poison that’s fast acting?’ "I was actually thinking of leaving you behind.
If another elite or threat does pop up, you may be the one who could handle it; even if you are on your own. I’m sorry if you were looking forward to be in the fray."
The king shook his head, "You have been victorious thus far, the evidence has proven as much. I believe in your judgement. If you wish for me to be guard here, then it shall be done."
Jotou nodded, "Thank you for understanding." ’We can’t lose someone that powerful that easily; there’s a lot of things that can easily go wrong in this fight.’ "I’d like Fumeko to be there, she can figure something out if things go south."
Taking a little pride in that Fumeko chuckled to herself. "What about me?" Asobi queried.
"Honestly, maybe I’m a bit biased, but I want you there too." ’She’s a wild card on our side. I can rely on an unreliable surprise.’ "You can trick the enemy and help a lot of Division One evade. You’re a strategic advantage."
Asobi stood upright and saluted, "Strategic advantage Asobi, at your command then!"
"Daiyu, with us. You can affect large areas, that can come in handy." ’And I want Daiyu there... Pull it together, personal reasons aren’t in play, Daiyu could actually help a lot.’
"Like I was gonna not come anyway loser," she stuck her tongue out. Although, she gave a passing glance to Feyan’s reaction. Surprisingly, Feyan had done the same.
"Which leaves Arabella," Jotou glanced to. "Your armour’s fixed and you were really good in the fight against Gale. But I also understand if you’d prefer to stand guard after the fight with Dread.
My opinion is, that the king is capable of handling any threat that pops up alongside his guards and any other allied troops. You’re also a deadly fighter and can help with whatever’s coming up, so I’d like you with us. In all reality, it’s up to you."
Arabella gave it a second’s thought, looking to the princess then to Feyan; to the king and everyone else. "You remember what I said, don’t you?" Daiyu got her attention. "Choose properly," was the only advice she gave.
The Ashen Whisper closed her eyes in contemplation. Her fingers shifted an answer to Jotou before she opened her eyes once more.
Jotou nodded, "Then it’s settled. We can make a complete plan once we get to Division One and can figure out in full what’s going on.
Ten companies down, Trailon’s marching forward as we speak with an elite among them. We have no time to waste, let’s get everything prepared and go."
_
Without a moment to ponder, the soldiers began to prepare the horsaroaches and carriage, for what would be a ten hour trip—eight if they did not stop or slow down.
King Akimitsu stood at the edge, a few metres away into the canyon below, looking towards the west at the expanse of the plateaus.
His ’sceptre’ had been drawn; it was a long, thin sword of gold. Across it were patterns of bright orange which glimmered, like swirling fractures in the blade—the pommel being an orange gem he had his hands on, whilst the tip of the blade poked the ground.
Alongside the patterns were what could only be described as scars. Markings of previous usages of this sword, masquerading as patterns of the blade; though they did not glow.
The wind picked up, the Sun above and behind him beginning to blare down from the cloudless sky, shimmering all the metals and enchantments on him. He stared and stared, his hair slightly taken by the wind.
"Your highness; you’re alone with no guards, I’m surprised," Jotou walked in from behind, no shock in her voice.
"Everything prepared for your departure?" the king’s head shifted slightly.
"Not much for me to do other than think. I should save all the energy I got," she stood beside him, looking to the view he had.
"Wise decision."
Both of them stared off into the scenery. "Why did you decide to join the fight yourself? Put yourself in danger?"
The king hummed. "The princess has made the choice to stand in battle. That is the courage a leader should have. If I merely send my people to do all my business; what kind of king am I?
What message do I send to my people? But beyond that. The king and queen of Cravolta were our allies as well. What honour do I give if I do not stand here?
This marks an important occasion in history. What reasoning is there than for me not to participate? Have you not heard of the saying? If you want something done right...
I am the King of Luxinor. I have a duty to my people and my allies. I will not protect them by sitting idly on a throne."
"You realize death is a possibility. To lose a soldier or a fighter, is not the same as losing the king. Your duty will be gone if you no longer exist.
It’s the same I said to Daiyu. Why risk this, when you can do so much more good from the position you’re already in? Losing you or the princess has graver consequences than losing someone like me," Jotou knitted her brows to the canyon.
King Akimitsu exhaled. His gentle tone barely wavered, "You wake up from grievous injuries and are ready to stand again. Perseverance will never die.
It is why the enemy fights, it is why we fight. There is little to no logic behind human determination. At the end of the day, we will always be slaves to emotions."
He chuckled and turned to her, "I care too greatly to see this battle go by without my interference. You care too greatly to let yourself stand by when you can do something about it.
Lightning will pursue, lightning will strike; the skies will shatter from the strength of its might. If this will is home to you as it is to I, then the will to keep fighting will never die," his eyes sparked in bits of orange lightning from below.
Jotou processed the statement, a flurry of thoughts running circles in her head, "Perhaps there’s something in that statement; slaves to emotions, my determination, illogical.
But I’m no slave," the blonde shook her head. "My emotions may get the better of me a lot of times, but I’m not beyond logic when it all comes to an end. I’m too paranoid; my decision will always have logic.
Which decision will lead to a greater outcome?" ’I lied to Daiyu for the sake of Cravolta and by extension the world. I haven’t told the others about Frost. I killed Moren because no good could come off of him living.’
Her past choices floated as images in her eyes, "I may make emotional decisions; but when the choice comes down to it, my reasonings and instincts rarely deviate from logic. So I’ll have to disagree to a certain extent."
"Hm," the king smiled and looked off into the distance. "Perhaps you are not prepared to hear the wisdom of a foolish king who throws himself into the fray.
I understand your perspective. However, when a day comes where you have to choose the greater good or something or someone you care dearly about, perhaps you may understand mine."
"The world has more choices than two."
"Curious," the king’s fingers ran over the pommel of his sword. "If you had the decision between saving someone you love or ten strangers, what would you choose?"
Jotou’s eyes glazed over, "I choose to put this hypothetical at rest because too many factors would have to line up for me to make such a black and white decision.
Are these strangers important? Where am I? What are the factors not allowing me to attempt to save both choices? There will always be another solution, even if some won’t see it.
If life puts me into a decision like that and only said I had two choices. Well, I’ll just have to prove it wrong by finding a loophole," her eyes sparked in yellow all around.
The king laughed, "Very well. Do not let this perseverance of yours falter then." He let out a sigh into the drifting wind, taking a moment to collect his thoughts.
"I have a daughter who fights as well. Much more clever than I. You seem to think like her. I am glad to finally meet you Thundering Blade; I only saw a bit of this facet of yours when we first met."
Jotou smirked and faced him, "Social settings need a little bit of acting. I didn’t know Luxinor had a princess."
"It does. It also has a prince around your age. I am proud of both of them. I can only hope my daughter will be a greater leader than myself. It takes being alone to think of things like this; since you were curious why my guards were not around me."
"I’ll leave you to your thoughts then. Maybe I’ll meet the princess and prince someday. Good luck if anything does happen."
"I wish you and the others entering the fray the best of luck as well."
