For Spiguel, who had to be on duty at the West gate of the city, the day could be described in one word: boring.
On this day, the guards had mostly been called in to support the bailiffs with the security of the auction, with the sole exception of those in charge of the gates. Precisely this day, Spiguel had to guard the West gate.
"Damn my luck." He thought, since on the day of the city's most interesting event, he was busy looking out over the western plain, where for some reason, there wasn't even an animal in sight.
He was afraid that he would die of boredom... He was wrong.
Spiguel was known among his peers for his excellent eyesight, so he was the first one to notice. On the horizon the figures of some horsemen were drawn, and as they approached the city, their identity became clearer. Until he finally managed to make out, not only their red armor, but also the horns on their helmets.
The agitation of his companions was immediate. As soon as they managed to see them with their own eyes, murmurs and concern grew among the guards.
When the so-called Acme Soldiers arrived at the West Gate, they promptly declared their intentions.
"I am Haggar the Red Sword. Vice-Commander of the 1st Acme Legion. By the authority of the General Demon of two horns, commander of the 1st Acme Legion and regent of the Warlord of Saladdi's army, I command you to open this gate."
Among the 5 men in red armor, this one was the only one that exhibited gold and jet details. Typical accolades of an Acme trooper commander, except for the gleaming crimson sword he wielded, for it belonged only to him. Symbol of his position as The Red Sword, the representative of the War King Alamek the Red.
At the Prominent Soldier's words, Garush's guards became even more agitated. They had no idea what they should do. In all the years of peace and war between Jagheb and Iren, this was the first time that a figure of such importance had come to the city in person.
It was then that Spiguel's sharp vision made out another shadow on the horizon, which moments later was accompanied by a sound the guards knew well.
An army marching.
"Should we open? We let Iren's soldiers in a few days ago and nothing bad has happened."
"Fool! You can't compare 20 men to a fucking Acme army. The only reason they would come here with such a force... Is conquest. If we open up, we lose the only advantage we have, our walls."
"We should let the lord know what's going on. Spiguel, you go."
As Spiguel left his post to report, the guards continued to discuss what to do, while Haggar and his men watched in silence. The guards' discussion was meaningless in his eyes. The only thing that mattered was whether or not the gates would be open by the time the commander of the first legion arrived.
The guards had no way of knowing, but officially, Haggar was the commander of the 1st Acme Legion. The reason he was relegated to Vice-commander is that the General had taken direct control of the First Legion. In other words, the person who was leading these men and was minutes away from Garush...
"It all comes down to whether or not they will obey the General's order."
Hearing these words, the guards panicked. They were very clear about what it meant to oppose an Iren general. It is a pity that the panic caused even more confusion, which prevented them from taking a decision in time.
The General went to the extent of sending his vice-commander, a distinguished soldier and accomplished warrior, as a messenger to convey the order for the gates to be opened. The moment he saw them closed, he lost interest in speaking.
Haggar knew this, and seeing his general approach with 600 Acme soldiers at his back, he and his men walked away from the gates.
"It doesn't matter if it's a person, a monster or a door, only one thing awaits that which stands in the general's way."
The moment the guards noticed a figure moving ahead of the army forces, a purple glow, which instead of shimmering obscured the view, originated from the black blade he wielded.
"Sword of Conquest."
With a swing of his sword, the Glare shot out like a blast, causing explosions upon contact with the gate and the wall the guards were standing on. The explosion shook the earth, the sound and debris travelled hundreds of miles.
Where before there was a door, now there was a path.
"Find Saladdi's soldiers, see what they've found. Search the whole city."
Without wasting a second, the First Legion entered the city through the gap in the wall and began their search.
By this time, the entire city was in a panic.
From the moment he had left his post, Spiguel had been running around shouting from the rooftops what he had seen, before he knew the true severity of the situation.
The Two-Horned Demon General was searching for something, and to find it he spreaded Iren's forces all over the Region. He even ordered men who were not under his command to look for it, which sparked a dispute with the Warlord Saladdi.
Following Jemur's victory in the representatives fight. The general not only took control of said army, but also won the deciding vote among the Warlords to operate freely outside of Iren's territory.
Prompted by his new authority, he went out to search in person, accompanied by the first legion. It was divided in order to widen the search, leaving only a few hundred soldiers to accompany him, the same ones who were in Garush.
Normally, a General is a character that must be protected by his men at all times. But the Demon General was different. When he gave the search order, no soldier disobeyed, that is, no one stayed by his side.
After some time, several justice officials arrived at the place where the explosion originated, and remained hidden, watching the soldiers enter the city. They then noticed a sinister figure walking slowly unaccompanied.
Although they mistrusted the situation and the fear it inspired in them, they finally understood that the general was truly alone. Probably waiting for a report.
"A golden chance" That's what they thought.
The moment the killing intent set in, they froze in fear as the general's head jerked in their direction.
"Sword of Conquest."
So far the search had been frustratingly unsuccessful, leaving the general in a particularly bad mood. He was definitely not going to tolerate any resistance, no matter how small.
"Let the weak bow down before the strong."
He had not shouted, but his words were heard throughout the city, he had not raised his voice, but all who heard him felt the weight of his presence.
Far away, but still within the city, Argent saw everyone fall to the ground, and he himself faltered for a moment.
《Tyrant's Presence (Weak) was successfully resisted》
It had been a long time since Argent heard that voice, which for now he decided to call .
His mind quickly analyzed the situation. He remembered the story Garonte told him about the Demon General. He made the decision to get on the ground and pretend that he was also under the effects of the .
After the quick decision, he could see that Ryuuji was on his feet.
"Argent-san, what's wrong? Why is everyone on the ground?"
"Don't you know? Didn't you hear the voice?"
"A voice? You mean the scream from earlier? Is that it? What did it say?"
It didn't take long for Argent to realize that Ryuuji was referring to the voice that ordered them to prostrate, probably the demon general's. Of course, he said it in a language that Ryuuji didn't understand.
"Does this mean Ryuuji didn't hear the system voice?" He thought.
He had no idea if that was it, or if he just couldn't understand what the system voice was saying. Though that would imply that he heard two voices, that didn't seem to be the case. For now, it was better not to mention it.
"Get down for now. Imitate the others or you'll draw attention if you're the only one standing."
Behind these words, Argent could see some discomfort in Ryuuji. Did he mistrust him? Was it possible that he had realized that he was hiding something from him?
"Peoples of this insignificant city. This is the Demon of Two horns speaking to you. I came in search of a particular metal object, unlike anything you have ever seen. If you have it, you will hand it over, otherwise I will reduce this city to dust, with you in it."
It was obvious to Argent that this was the worst possible situation. Not only Iren's army, but also the Demon General himself had arrived to the city.
The worst case scenario.
Within the possible scenarios that he had foreseen, this was the worst... However, it was still within what he had foreseen. Not all was lost.
Although he had originally prepared this for the situation with the rebels and their coup, his contingency plan could still be used.
This was no time to lose Ryuuji's trust, so he decided to tell him the truth.
"It's an army that has invaded the city. Get down before they see you!"
"...An army?...I see. So that's what it was all about."
"If you understand then just get down, it's not a sure fact that they're going to hurt anyone, it's best for now not to attract attention, listen to me!"
If they were found out because of Ryuuji, it might mess up his plan.
"Damn, he could get us killed" he thought.
Argent watched in horror as Ryuuji turned a deaf ear to his orders and turned his back on him. In front of him, the red soldiers could be seen approaching.
Ryuuji might be able to survive the chaos he was about to cause, but Argent and the others wouldn't.
Argent could count every drop of sweat running down his body, while in front of him, Ryuuji charged at the soldiers, sending one flying with one blow, crashing into the wall of a house.
In front of that, the soldiers stopped and began to pound the ground with their spears.
The front rows started, and it spread to the back rows. It was a signal, transmitted with a practiced rhythm, to indicate the position of an opponent worth mentioning.
Although scrutiny of an individual is usually longer, the soldiers made the decision to report on Ryuuji after seeing him subdue just one of their own.
This was due to Jemur's defeat.
When the commander of the sixth Acme legion was easily defeated by an unknown foreigner, the news spread throughout Iren, even to the first legion. Not so the details about the appearance of said man tho.
Given the possibility that it was the person in question, the well-trained soldiers gave the signal. One that reached the ears of the General.
The signal also let the soldiers know when to move aside, for the moment the rear ranks stopped their spears, they were to make way for their commander.
It was thus that an encounter that should not have happened, happened.
With just a glance, Argent knew who the man was.
"Alert. Analyze(P) has been blocked》
When he heard the system voice again, it was to receive bad news. But he didn't need the monocle to know what trouble they were in.
"On knees".
In one movement, all the soldiers lowered their spears and prostrated themselves.
"Only someone at the level of an Acme soldier could have keep standing. But that doesn't make you worth my time. Now, only someone at the level of an Iren General will be able to continue to stand."
The general looked at Ryuuji for a moment, who didn't understand a word he was saying, but even if he had, he wouldn't have listened, as he was still shocked by the figure in front of him.
"All prostrate before the strong."
《Tyrant's Presence (Strong) was successfully resisted. Warning, prolonged exposure can drain Energy at an accelerated rate》
Suddenly, a strong pressure shook the place, the people who barely managed to support their body with feet and hands, now completely collapsed to the ground. Even the faces of the kneeling soldiers revealed the effort they made to keep their faces from being buried in the earth.
This caused Ryuuji to react, and his alert level rose once more. But without a doubt... he was still standing.
"My mood just improved. This could be a real fight... You don't look like the person in the report. Was it you who beat Jemur?"
"I don't understand anything you say, but I won't let you intimidate me. I'm stronger than I look!"
For an instant, they both looked at each other, and the Demon General showed signs of confusion, something his men had never seen before.
"...That was Japanese?"
keitaro-sempai Red Alert: Best chapter incoming next!
My new novel's name is Misunderstandings Dragon btw
For Spiguel, who had to be on duty at the West gate of the city, the day could be described in one word: boring.
On this day, the guards had mostly been called in to support the bailiffs with the security of the auction, with the sole exception of those in charge of the gates. Precisely this day, Spiguel had to guard the West gate.
"Damn my luck." He thought, since on the day of the city's most interesting event, he was busy looking out over the western plain, where for some reason, there wasn't even an animal in sight.
He was afraid that he would die of boredom... He was wrong.
Spiguel was known among his peers for his excellent eyesight, so he was the first one to notice. On the horizon the figures of some horsemen were drawn, and as they approached the city, their identity became clearer. Until he finally managed to make out, not only their red armor, but also the horns on their helmets.
The agitation of his companions was immediate. As soon as they managed to see them with their own eyes, murmurs and concern grew among the guards.
When the so-called Acme Soldiers arrived at the West Gate, they promptly declared their intentions.
"I am Haggar the Red Sword. Vice-Commander of the 1st Acme Legion. By the authority of the General Demon of two horns, commander of the 1st Acme Legion and regent of the Warlord of Saladdi's army, I command you to open this gate."
Among the 5 men in red armor, this one was the only one that exhibited gold and jet details. Typical accolades of an Acme trooper commander, except for the gleaming crimson sword he wielded, for it belonged only to him. Symbol of his position as The Red Sword, the representative of the War King Alamek the Red.
At the Prominent Soldier's words, Garush's guards became even more agitated. They had no idea what they should do. In all the years of peace and war between Jagheb and Iren, this was the first time that a figure of such importance had come to the city in person.
It was then that Spiguel's sharp vision made out another shadow on the horizon, which moments later was accompanied by a sound the guards knew well.
An army marching.
"Should we open? We let Iren's soldiers in a few days ago and nothing bad has happened."
"Fool! You can't compare 20 men to a fucking Acme army. The only reason they would come here with such a force... Is conquest. If we open up, we lose the only advantage we have, our walls."
"We should let the lord know what's going on. Spiguel, you go."
As Spiguel left his post to report, the guards continued to discuss what to do, while Haggar and his men watched in silence. The guards' discussion was meaningless in his eyes. The only thing that mattered was whether or not the gates would be open by the time the commander of the first legion arrived.
The guards had no way of knowing, but officially, Haggar was the commander of the 1st Acme Legion. The reason he was relegated to Vice-commander is that the General had taken direct control of the First Legion. In other words, the person who was leading these men and was minutes away from Garush...
"It all comes down to whether or not they will obey the General's order."
Hearing these words, the guards panicked. They were very clear about what it meant to oppose an Iren general. It is a pity that the panic caused even more confusion, which prevented them from taking a decision in time.
The General went to the extent of sending his vice-commander, a distinguished soldier and accomplished warrior, as a messenger to convey the order for the gates to be opened. The moment he saw them closed, he lost interest in speaking.
Haggar knew this, and seeing his general approach with 600 Acme soldiers at his back, he and his men walked away from the gates.
"It doesn't matter if it's a person, a monster or a door, only one thing awaits that which stands in the general's way."
The moment the guards noticed a figure moving ahead of the army forces, a purple glow, which instead of shimmering obscured the view, originated from the black blade he wielded.
"Sword of Conquest."
With a swing of his sword, the Glare shot out like a blast, causing explosions upon contact with the gate and the wall the guards were standing on. The explosion shook the earth, the sound and debris travelled hundreds of miles.
Where before there was a door, now there was a path.
"Find Saladdi's soldiers, see what they've found. Search the whole city."
Without wasting a second, the First Legion entered the city through the gap in the wall and began their search.
By this time, the entire city was in a panic.
From the moment he had left his post, Spiguel had been running around shouting from the rooftops what he had seen, before he knew the true severity of the situation.
The Two-Horned Demon General was searching for something, and to find it he spreaded Iren's forces all over the Region. He even ordered men who were not under his command to look for it, which sparked a dispute with the Warlord Saladdi.
Following Jemur's victory in the representatives fight. The general not only took control of said army, but also won the deciding vote among the Warlords to operate freely outside of Iren's territory.
Prompted by his new authority, he went out to search in person, accompanied by the first legion. It was divided in order to widen the search, leaving only a few hundred soldiers to accompany him, the same ones who were in Garush.
Normally, a General is a character that must be protected by his men at all times. But the Demon General was different. When he gave the search order, no soldier disobeyed, that is, no one stayed by his side.
After some time, several justice officials arrived at the place where the explosion originated, and remained hidden, watching the soldiers enter the city. They then noticed a sinister figure walking slowly unaccompanied.
Although they mistrusted the situation and the fear it inspired in them, they finally understood that the general was truly alone. Probably waiting for a report.
"A golden chance" That's what they thought.
The moment the killing intent set in, they froze in fear as the general's head jerked in their direction.
"Sword of Conquest."
So far the search had been frustratingly unsuccessful, leaving the general in a particularly bad mood. He was definitely not going to tolerate any resistance, no matter how small.
"Let the weak bow down before the strong."
He had not shouted, but his words were heard throughout the city, he had not raised his voice, but all who heard him felt the weight of his presence.
Far away, but still within the city, Argent saw everyone fall to the ground, and he himself faltered for a moment.
《Tyrant's Presence (Weak) was successfully resisted》
It had been a long time since Argent heard that voice, which for now he decided to call .
His mind quickly analyzed the situation. He remembered the story Garonte told him about the Demon General. He made the decision to get on the ground and pretend that he was also under the effects of the .
After the quick decision, he could see that Ryuuji was on his feet.
"Argent-san, what's wrong? Why is everyone on the ground?"
"Don't you know? Didn't you hear the voice?"
"A voice? You mean the scream from earlier? Is that it? What did it say?"
It didn't take long for Argent to realize that Ryuuji was referring to the voice that ordered them to prostrate, probably the demon general's. Of course, he said it in a language that Ryuuji didn't understand.
"Does this mean Ryuuji didn't hear the system voice?" He thought.
He had no idea if that was it, or if he just couldn't understand what the system voice was saying. Though that would imply that he heard two voices, that didn't seem to be the case. For now, it was better not to mention it.
"Get down for now. Imitate the others or you'll draw attention if you're the only one standing."
Behind these words, Argent could see some discomfort in Ryuuji. Did he mistrust him? Was it possible that he had realized that he was hiding something from him?
"Peoples of this insignificant city. This is the Demon of Two horns speaking to you. I came in search of a particular metal object, unlike anything you have ever seen. If you have it, you will hand it over, otherwise I will reduce this city to dust, with you in it."
It was obvious to Argent that this was the worst possible situation. Not only Iren's army, but also the Demon General himself had arrived to the city.
The worst case scenario.
Within the possible scenarios that he had foreseen, this was the worst... However, it was still within what he had foreseen. Not all was lost.
Although he had originally prepared this for the situation with the rebels and their coup, his contingency plan could still be used.
This was no time to lose Ryuuji's trust, so he decided to tell him the truth.
"It's an army that has invaded the city. Get down before they see you!"
"...An army?...I see. So that's what it was all about."
"If you understand then just get down, it's not a sure fact that they're going to hurt anyone, it's best for now not to attract attention, listen to me!"
If they were found out because of Ryuuji, it might mess up his plan.
"Damn, he could get us killed" he thought.
Argent watched in horror as Ryuuji turned a deaf ear to his orders and turned his back on him. In front of him, the red soldiers could be seen approaching.
Ryuuji might be able to survive the chaos he was about to cause, but Argent and the others wouldn't.
Argent could count every drop of sweat running down his body, while in front of him, Ryuuji charged at the soldiers, sending one flying with one blow, crashing into the wall of a house.
In front of that, the soldiers stopped and began to pound the ground with their spears.
The front rows started, and it spread to the back rows. It was a signal, transmitted with a practiced rhythm, to indicate the position of an opponent worth mentioning.
Although scrutiny of an individual is usually longer, the soldiers made the decision to report on Ryuuji after seeing him subdue just one of their own.
This was due to Jemur's defeat.
When the commander of the sixth Acme legion was easily defeated by an unknown foreigner, the news spread throughout Iren, even to the first legion. Not so the details about the appearance of said man tho.
Given the possibility that it was the person in question, the well-trained soldiers gave the signal. One that reached the ears of the General.
The signal also let the soldiers know when to move aside, for the moment the rear ranks stopped their spears, they were to make way for their commander.
It was thus that an encounter that should not have happened, happened.
With just a glance, Argent knew who the man was.
"Alert. Analyze(P) has been blocked》
When he heard the system voice again, it was to receive bad news. But he didn't need the monocle to know what trouble they were in.
"On knees".
In one movement, all the soldiers lowered their spears and prostrated themselves.
"Only someone at the level of an Acme soldier could have keep standing. But that doesn't make you worth my time. Now, only someone at the level of an Iren General will be able to continue to stand."
The general looked at Ryuuji for a moment, who didn't understand a word he was saying, but even if he had, he wouldn't have listened, as he was still shocked by the figure in front of him.
"All prostrate before the strong."
《Tyrant's Presence (Strong) was successfully resisted. Warning, prolonged exposure can drain Energy at an accelerated rate》
Suddenly, a strong pressure shook the place, the people who barely managed to support their body with feet and hands, now completely collapsed to the ground. Even the faces of the kneeling soldiers revealed the effort they made to keep their faces from being buried in the earth.
This caused Ryuuji to react, and his alert level rose once more. But without a doubt... he was still standing.
"My mood just improved. This could be a real fight... You don't look like the person in the report. Was it you who beat Jemur?"
"I don't understand anything you say, but I won't let you intimidate me. I'm stronger than I look!"
For an instant, they both looked at each other, and the Demon General showed signs of confusion, something his men had never seen before.
"...That was Japanese?"
keitaro-sempai Red Alert: Best chapter incoming next!
My new novel's name is Misunderstandings Dragon btw
