Not long after sunset, Ch'en and I landed on the fifth city plate, one that previously served as the core of Chernobog, as well as the place where the Sarcophagus was located. We entered it from the edge, not even attempting to land closer to the center, since the whole platform was under Reunion's control.
For the same reason, we changed our approach from fighting through enemies to sneaking by as much as we could, focusing on joining other teams before confronting Reunion. Of the three other teams, one of R.I.'s teams was already here, so their location was our current destination.
Because a few of the L.G.D. agents got injured, they had to be left on the academy platform. So, instead of them, Fiammetta and some to the previous student leaders joined us. This prevented our strength from degrading too much, though some of the formations trained by L.G.D. could no longer be used as before.
As we traversed the city, we found countless tragic sites, from mass graves to rooms painted red from all the blood spilled there. Of course, none of us needed more proof to understand the cruelty of Reunion, but seeing what would have happened if they were successful in entering the Lungmen caused Ch'en's aura to fluctuate.
Feeling that, I approached her and grabbed her hand to calm her down, not letting her drown in those thoughts. Feeling my hand on hers, she looked at me and tried to smile, taking a deep breath to calm down.
-"Thanks."
-"Be sure not to dwell on what could or couldn't happen. The reality is already cruel enough not to need the imagination of even greater tragedies."
She nodded, but I could still see that she couldn't simply let go of everything.
-"Eno, is Talulah…"
-"No. While culpable, she isn't a cause. I will ensure that she isn't a villain of this story, just one of the earliest victims."
With that, we continued on our way with renewed conviction.
As we were traveling, the R.I. team encountered much greater opposition from Reunion, causing them to proceed while fighting off wave after wave of enemies. Luckily for them, they had rather substantial assistance.
-"Pathetic."-Altrouge commented after exploding yet another attacker.
-"What did you expect, sister?"-Arcueid shook off the blood from her hand.
-"This…"-Amiya looked at the two of them with a mix of respect and slight fear.
-"What's the matter, Amiya?"-The blond vampire princess looked at the rabbit next to her.
-"Just… Don't you need to rest?"
-"No need to worry about us, little one."-Altrouge crossed her arms, showing a look of someone looking down on everyone around her.-"I doubt there is anyone who can face us in this world."
-"Wooowww… The humility…"-Blaze commented under her breath.
-"My sister is right."-Arcueid looked around, her eyes a paradoxical mix of indifference and curiosity.-"But to think that 'humans' can survive even in such a world. The whole nature, no, the entire planet, considers you all a plague, as if you were not her children but invaders."
-"What do you mean, Miss Arcueid?"-Amiya noticed the strange tone and phrasing of her last sentence.
-"Literally what I said. Due to my power, I can connect and draw upon the power of the planet, and as this one lacks 'self', it's easy to borrow some of it. Along with it, I can feel a rudimentary intent: a rejection of you and those crystals."
-"This…"
-"I believe that Eno also understands everything I said, and already has some plans in mind, so you don't need to worry; just stand by him, and he'll resolve everything."-Arcueid shrugged, not one to care about the lives of people not close to her, so she didn't bother to think more.
-"Oh?"-Altrouge looked at the few silhouettes that appeared in the distance.-"Finally, someone somewhat more interesting."
-"Be careful. Those are no average Reunion Thugs."-Narcissa, also known as the youngest R.I. Elite operator Rosmontis, alerted others.-"They are the renowned Shieldguard, a personal unit under Patriot."
-"So, do we fight them or not?"-Arcueid asked the only question that mattered to her.
-"No, we don't."-I answered her while emerging from the nearby alley.-"Good to see you in good health, friends from R.I."
-"Miss Ch'en!"-Amiya called out and waved to the Lung next to me.-"And others from L.G.D."
-"We came to reinforce you."-Ch'en smiled slightly at the R.I. young leader's antics.
-"Thank you."-Amiya smiled and nodded to her before turning her gaze to me.-"So how should we proceed now?"
-"First, we talk, then we'll see what next."-I responded to her, starting to walk toward the shield formation not that far from us.
We closed the distance between Shieldguards and us in a few short minutes, using the time to share information about what happened in other city plates. At the same time, I observed the Shieldguards before us, looking for any hints on their current state and situation, hoping to see something that would help us in the negotiations.
-"Halt!"-One of the Shieldguard commanders ordered when we stood a few tens of meters from them.-"You cannot pass!"
-"Old man Patriot, let's talk."
-"So it's you."-The last Wendigo walked out from the formation.-"You are too late."
-"No, I'm exactly when I meant to."-I took out a data drive, throwing it to him.
Catching it, Patriot waved to a nearby Shieldguard for him to bring a terminal. A strange silence descended on everyone as he read through the documents inside, the R.I. and L.G.D. behind me as well as the Shieldguards in front ready for a fight, holding their breath and waiting for what would happen. Time ticked by, and after what too many felt like an eternity, Patriot looked up from the terminal in his hands, looking at my face covered by L.G.D.'s helmet.
-"Is all that true?"
-"Everything. There are things we gathered, most directly from the minor and major players behind the scenes."
-"Then that Snake…"
-"I can deal with him; even the Blades won't be able to interfere."
-"Why would they? No matter who that Snake was, they only follow the will of the Emperor."
-"No, they follow the will of Ursus, and now, the voice of Ursus is divided. While they won't act for that Snake, as long as his actions further Ursus' cause, they will lend their help when needed."
-"Lungmen."-Patriot understood what Ursus' interest was.
-"Yes. As long as that Snake gives Ursus a chance to capture that city…"
-"They will appear."-He nodded, now understanding what currents flowed beneath Reunion's actions.-"Tell me, how do you plan to resolve this?"
-"Pull out the weeds so that Ursus' voice is no longer divided. As long as all those who oppose the Emperor are gone, the Blades will have to retreat or face death at the hands of their compatriots. I hope they choose the former, as Ursus can't be weakened; the threat from the north still needs their strength to defend from."
-"So that's why you got involved in this mess?"-Patriot seemed to grasp something from my words.
-"No, it's only a minor cause. My main purpose was always Talulah."
-"Good. We will follow your lead."
With those words, everyone let out a sigh of relief, all the tension finally leaving all at once.
-"Thank god, man."-A familiar voice sounded from a nearby building.
Looking there, we saw a group of familiar L.G.D. Officers led by Hoshiguma and Swire, with a group of R.I. Operators next to them, who were led by Kal'tsit.
-"Also, have you finally stopped playing a little policeman, Eno?"-Hoshiguma asked with a smile.
-"You can say so."-I turned my gaze to the other side of the street.-"What about you?"
-"Tsk."-A click of the tongue sounded from the shadows I was looking at.-"It's not like we have a choice, do we?"
Others followed my gaze, observing how a group of Sarkaz mercenaries emerged from their hiding spots.
-"Then…"
-"Before you start making any plans or decisions, I have some rather important news."-Mobius interrupted me while appearing next to me, before quietly transmitting a message only to me.-"That little white mouse… no, a white canary made a mess."
-"What is it?"-I raised my hand to signal others not to act, as many were rather spooked after Mobius appeared like a ghost, and at the same time, I responded to her, making sure no one could hear our thoughts.-"Are there any traces that can link us to it?"
Mobius then told everyone about the mess she made to everyone, hiding the reasons, causes, or any details that could link any of us to that situation. And, as she was speaking, our covert conversation continued.
-"No, I've made sure nothing like that remained, but due to what happened, some of my data is lost."
-"What about the sarcophagus?"
-"Safe and sound, but that experiment showed that we need to know more about how it can affect you."
-"What's your plan then?"
-"I need another test subject."
-"Who?"
-"That one."-She motioned subtly at the Patriot.
-"You…"
-"He is perfect for this experiment. He is at the end of his line; nothing else to lose, not to mention his willpower; few can rival it; even you might fall short."
-"Sigh… Go for it, I'll try to convince him before you attempt to do anything drastic."
With that, I returned my attention to the clamor happening around me. The news of a new outbreak caused by Mephisto's Art made many angry, but also fearful.
-"We need to deal with it quickly."-Kal'tsit quickly decided the next step.
-"Indeed, luckily now we have enough people to divide."-Ch'en nodded, agreeing with her.
-"There are only the most ardent Reunion loyalists with Talulah, no more than a hundred."-Patriot informed us.
-"Then there is no need for all but a few elites to go there."-I looked at the Old Lynx while speaking.-"Can you take command of the others?"
-"Sure."
-"Me, Ch'en, Amiya, Altrouge, Arcueid, and Aefanyl will deal with Talulah."
-"Will that be enough?"
-"Yes, I still have some hidden cards if need be."
-"Then I'll leave their safety in your hands."
I nodded, and after seeing that everyone who was chosen also nodded, we departed from the group without any more words.
We rushed forward, running through the empty streets heading directly for our target, the control tower where Talulah resided. As we ran, I also threw away my helmet, no longer needing to hide under it.
-"Eno, how are we to defeat her?"-Ch'en asked at some point.
-"You and Amiya will face her, while Altrouge and Arcueid make sure that no one or nothing interrupts you. Meanwhile, Aefanyl and I will ensure we can save her from the snake."
-"What do you need from me?"-He asked after hearing my plan.
-"That snake is nothing more than a soul, a ghost with no body, mere cuckoo occupying a magpie's nest. I need you to use Banshee's Arts to separate two of them. The rest can be left to me."
-"Can we defeat her?"-Amiya asked, a little unsure.
-"We will."-Ch'en never considered failure an option.
Before anyone could continue speaking, a clear scoff sounded from the front.
-"Heh. What makes you so sure, little sister?"
-"Talulah!"-Ch'en drew Chi Xiao, launching at the figure that appeared before us.
-"While I'm also happy for our reunion, I have to entertain other guests first."-Talulah blocked Ch'en with her sword, looking at us who were behind.-"Deal with them."
-"Yes."-Reunion thugs rushed from the surrounding buildings.
-"As for you, Holy Son, your enemy is also already here."-She smiled, her gaze moving to a group of towering figures standing not far away.
-"Enoch of Laterano."-One of them spoke.-"You've harmed Ursus enough."
-"Emperor's Blades? What an honor."-I smiled lightly, expecting them.-"Are your actions here by the will of the Emperor?"
-"We are here by the will of Ursus."
-"Then so be it."-I grabbed my spear, ready for the battle to come.
Far from the battlefield, on the Lungmen's planned path, Ursus' Third Army set up their positions. Their general looked through binoculars at the approaching city, a smile never leaving his mouth.
-"Sir! The city will be in range in ten minutes."
-"Good, get ready to fire."
Everything went according to that person's plans, so he was already planning his fun with some captured 'prizes' when someone interrupted his thoughts.
-"Sir!"
-"What?"
-"This…"-The officer pointed at the sky before them, where bright rays of light pierced the gloomy clouds.
-"What is it?"
-"We…. We don't know."
-"Then why the hell are you screaming here!"
Before he could berate the poor guy any more, a clear eagle cry echoed around the wasteland. From the clouds, 200 large flying cavalry emerged, the noble gryphons clad in silver armor, their riders crowned with Sankta's halos.
But before the general could react, another, even greater commotion caught his eye. Behind the charging cavalry, a mass of stone and crystal broke the clouds, revealing the starry night hidden by them before. Five great fortresses, each not smaller than a small city plate, floated down, surrounding them from all sides. In the air between them, my Valkyries ensured no threat could reach even their walls.
Each was commanded by either my Priestesses or Knights, with only Margaret leading her cavalry to charge; behind them, my Mageknights controlled the weapons, assisted by countless members of Pontifica Cohors Lateran, only waiting for the order. And they didn't have to wait long.
As the chaos was starting on the ground, countless shards of starlit Glintstone rained down on the Ursus' army, causing a bloodbath. Any soldier who tried to run was met with a spear or claw of the cavalry; in five short minutes, the great Third Army of Ursus was no more.
All that was seen from the Lungmen walls, where Qingyan stood with Yanese Censors and Wei. They watched the massacre with somber faces, but with countless thoughts hidden behind their eyes.
-"It would seem that the crisis is almost dealt with."-Wei commented lightly.
-"Congratulations, Chief Executive."-One of the Censors answered him.-"You found yourself a great backing."
-"I did."-He nodded.-"But Our Majesty is also not far from joining hands with them."
Censors didn't comment on that, only turning to Qingyan.
-"Lady Lin, we need to return and relay everything that happened to His Majesty, please allow us to delay the audience for some time due to unforeseen circumstances."
-"Feel free to do so. His Highness the Holy Son already relayed to me that we can proceed with the audience at a later date if need be."
-"Thank you, and please excuse us."
After their red cloaks were no longer in sight, Wei spoke up once again.
-"What about that city?"
-"Someone is already tasked with gathering the survivors and reconstructing it, just under new management."
-"May I know?"
-"Have you heard of the recently famed exiled queen?"
-"I did."-He nodded, his eyes glowing with interest.-"It would seem that this short war will be a spark that will bring change to the entire continent. I'll make sure to invest in time."
-"I shall thank you in Alexandrina's name."
-"But what about those who pulled the strings?"
-"Even far in the snowy tundra of Ursus, they can't escape Holy Son's decree."
-"Then I don't need to worry anymore."-He nodded and turned away, walking back to his car.
Qingyan remained on the wall for a while longer before flying toward the battlefield.