Volume 9 Chapter 21 The Hands of McGaref’s Clock Advance
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Hard to put into words,” Weed muttered.
”Indeed… it leaves me speechless,” Kanare answered.
We exchanged rueful smiles. Before us, Beria—the Adamantine Witch—clung tightly to Scaya, unabashedly kneading her chest in the confusion. Even Scaya, ever composed, had reddened cheeks. She could hardly push Beria away, not when this woman had defected from the Ghost Army to join us.
”Scaya-samaaa! Your Beria has returned to your side at last!”
Beria’s shrill cry was as reckless as her charge into McGaref just moments ago. It had happened right after the Ghost Army’s vanguard revealed itself. We had raised the alert to the highest level, only for a Magic Cannon strike to follow. The air had grown taut with dread—then Beria had burst in, absurdly changing the mood. All we could do was laugh bitterly.
”To see you alive, Scaya-sama, fills me with bliss.”
”Yes. It was your company that became my shield. I mourned when you fell… but here you stand, reborn.”
”Exactly. My body now is but a vessel of magic stone, no longer human. Yet my memories and powers remain intact. Eternal Witch Cartera-sama told me it was because my death was so recent that I could manifest fully.”
”So Cartera lives,” Weed said grimly. “And the supreme commander is none other than the First Emperor.”
”Yes. Alongside him: Black Flame General Grano, Black Sword King Berhardt, Holy Corpse General Raphastia, Witch of the Dead Arm Almaria, Iron Arm General Keirald, Magic Bullet General For-Elda…”
”All legendary names, generals and great witches alike.”
Weed ticked them off on his fingers, sighing heavily. Around us, aides and Takumi Nash’s classmates kept silent, unable to intrude.
”And their forces—forty thousand, split into four armies?”
”That’s right. I know little of tactics, but once the First Emperor returns, they’ll strike from all four directions at once.”
”A hard fate. Might be wiser to hoist sail and flee… Tell me, when does the Emperor return?”
”Tomorrow.”
Beria’s immediate answer crushed what hope we had left. Weed and Kanare exhaled in unison.
”That is… troublesome.”
”Clarice and Chinatsu may just make it in time,” Weed said. “Kanare, send word. Tell them to come ready to die.”
”Yes. Were it only us, flight would be our only path.”
Kanare called in a soldier from the adjoining room to dispatch the message, her smile faint with resignation.
”May I ask something as well?”
At last, Nagasaka Shion raised her hand. She gripped Kito Ginga’s hand tightly, her gaze fixed on Beria.
”If Scaya, Beria, and Clarice are here, maybe we can hold the castle until Haruka and Dora-chan return.”
”Hm. Their witches are Almaria and that Clay Witch, Rakw… with Cartera, three in total. Even with one reinforcement from Quvar, the numbers aren’t impossible,” Weed mused.
”Exactly. We’ve even fought Cartera and the Emperor once before, in the Labyrinth—and won. If Clarice arrives…”
Clarice’s defense was unmatched. She was our slender chance. Yet Beria dashed it swiftly.
”Ah, no. The Emperor, I cannot say. But Cartera-sama… her strength is genuine. She called your Labyrinth fight mere play. To think her opponents were you.”
”Yes. I faced her myself. From your eyes, Beria, what is Cartera’s true power?”
”Frightening. Compared to Witch of the Turning Heavens Livia-sama, Cartera is leagues above. She is worthy of the title of strongest in history. Her magic power is beyond measure. She can even fly through the skies—lost arts upon lost arts, all hers.”
Weed’s face darkened. Livia, eighth-ranked among the great witches, was already considered peerless—yet Cartera dwarfed even her.
”And is she offensive or defensive?”
”She never told me, so I cannot say. Rakw, however, is useless.”
”Then planning is near impossible.”
”Which is why, dearest sister, let us flee together in a romantic elopement.”
”I am sorry, Beria. I am Takumi-sama’s slave. I cannot abandon my lord.”
”Then I shall die at your side. For me, it is but a return to magic stone.”
”Beria…”
”How kind you are. But I will not let go again.”
Beria pressed closer, smiling. Scaya drew her into an embrace, stroking her hair. Beria accepted the touch as a precious reward.
”I won’t blame any who flee. Ginga, you could escape with Shion.”
”No. I… I will remain. I cannot abandon the people of this town.”
Though resolute, Ginga’s pale face betrayed him. He knew his choice dragged Shion into danger.
”Shion-chan, why not take Kadokura, Yoshizaki, and the others, and run to Seron?”
”No. This is my home too. And more than that, I will stay with Beria. If I must die, I’ll die with her. And besides—we’re not dead yet.”
Weed chuckled. “Hot-blooded, aren’t you. True enough. Tomorrow by dusk, the Margrave of the Valkyries’ reinforcements should arrive. And fortune favors us—For-Elda’s Magic Cannon was stopped by these walls and by Scaya. If Beria and Clarice guard, then Scaya’s Ritual Magic can be turned to offense.”
He looked around the room, nodding solemnly.
”For now, tomorrow decides it. Kanare, tell the council and rally the adventurers. I’ll recheck the defenses.”
”Then Weed-san, I’ll come with—”
”Ginga. You, hold Shion close.”
Ginga gaped at the unexpected order, but Weed only laughed, dry and light.
”Best to cast off all regrets. When I’m done, I’ll take Tatsuhiro and the others to the Night Butterfly for one last night of living. Only without regrets can a man fight like hell.”
Thus ended a council that barely deserved the name. Each departed to their role.
”Shouldn’t I be working too?” Ginga asked.
”No. Please, Ginga-kun. I’m terrified too. Don’t die. If you do, I’ll throw myself from the walls.”
Her bravado gone, Shion’s voice trembled, fragile as a snapped branch. Her fear was that Ginga sought his own death.
”I’m afraid too. But I’ll fight for everyone.”
”Promise me—you’ll treasure your life.”
”I will. Now, let’s go back. I love you, Shion-chan.”
”Of course. And I love you too, Ginga-kun…”
They kissed and returned to their chamber, stifling the storm of fear within by giving love to each other. Tomorrow, war would begin.
Notes:
• Weed – He is a retired knight and martial arts master, appeared as a sword seller, known for his bloodthirsty grin and elite ‘Sword Master’ skill.
• Kanare – The stern battalion commander, who once led Chinatsu, shares a solemn mission, his eyes reflecting battlefield memories.
• Scaya – The ‘Flame Witch,’ employed by the Dark Elves; captured after the battle where the Celon Dukedom army was defeated.
• McGaref – Fortress city, adventurer hub.
• Cartera – Eternal Witch — The First Emperor’s mistress and a resurrected sorceress of immense power. Cruel and seductive, she takes pleasure in destruction and defilement. Her loyalty to the Emperor is absolute, and she shares his desire to end the world. First appears in v9c3.
• Raphastia – A once-renowned general who now serves the First Emperor in the underworld army. He is referred to as a ‘Holy Corpse,’ indicating his undead state. Raphastia retains his self-awareness and will, which is unusual for the undead, and his loyalty to the Emperor remains unwavering. He is described as having a raspy voice and is one of the key figures in the Emperor’s command post. First appearance in v9c8.
• Keirald – Once a commander in the northern wars, now a spectral soldier bound by a magic stone. Massive build, armored in living muscle. His voice thunders like iron against shield. Relationship – Loyal general to the First Emperor. Reminder: -His existence is sustained by the magic stone embedded in his armor. First appearance in v9c8.
• Grano – The Black Flame General, a legendary figure from Quvar’s past, now resurrected as part of the First Emperor’s ghostly host. Known for his ruthless tactics and unwavering loyalty to the Emperor, Grano commands a significant portion of the undead army. He is disdainful of the living, particularly those who oppose the Emperor’s plans, and shows no mercy in battle. His presence, alongside other legendary generals like Belhart, underscores the immense threat posed by the Emperor’s forces. First mentioned in v9c7.
• Takumi Nash – Councilor of the McGaref Autonomous Government commanding the Liberation Army.
• Chinatsu – White Wall — Black hair, B-cup. Adventurous, masochistic, Takumi’s first slave & lover. Master of Asakura-ryu Iaijutsu, wields cursed sword Chisame (blood-powered). 12th-ranked fighter, close to Hikari. First appears in v1c1 Prologue.
• Clarice – The ‘Witch of Abundance’ from Lesta Kingdom.
• Kito Ginga – 1st Division leader. Modest, respected.
• Nagasaka – Has the ‘Magical Power Transfer’ skill; her skill also increases libido.
• Shion – Ginga’s GF. Archery, healing.
• Haruka – Witch of Destruction — Silver-haired, F-cup. Former class vice-president, now a powerful witch. Wields the Agilaus Staff, capable of devastating ritual magic. Became the world’s strongest after acquiring the ‘Dark Emperor of the Abyss’ as a familiar. Exhibits exhibitionist tendencies, often seeking public intimacy with Takumi. Deeply devoted to him, balancing her role as a leader with her desires. First appears in v1c1 Prologue.
• Shion-chan – Ginga’s GF. Archery, healing.
• Night Butterfly – It is a prestigious brothel located on Dream Street, known for its elegant and sexy atmosphere, frequented by those seeking ultimate pleasure.
• Tatsuhiro – Classmate, Kahoru’s customer.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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