Volume 9 Chapter 40 Day Two (White Wall, Asakura Chinatsu)
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”I don’t understand any of this, Dalcur-san.”
”You’re not alone, Kotaro. I’m confused too… Princess, do you understand?”
Neige shook her head, looking troubled.
The news transmitted by magic communication was too shocking: Emperor Quvar assassinated, Princess Flavia dead. Yet with Witch of the Turning Heavens Livia and Witch of the Four Seas Maribel as the sources, there was no doubting the truth.
”In any case,” Dalcur said gravely, “our task is to move on the Imperial Capital and put pressure there.”
”If possible, even seize it outright. And we really might be able to — the imperial army’s morale must be shattered.”
”So then there won’t be much fighting?” Sayo asked hopefully.
”Yes,” Neige answered. “Not as much as expected.”
”That’s good news, Kotaro.”
Sayo laced her fingers with Kotaro’s and leaned gently against his shoulder.
Dalcur’s Ironclad Order of Knights had already invaded Quvar by the previous day. This conversation took place during a short rest along their advance.
”True… but McGaref worries me.”
”It’ll be fine. Haruka’s there. And Chinatsu too.”
So the Eastern Front pressed forward steadily, and in the South the Gonan Kingdom’s forces began their own counteroffensive. Piece by piece, the Quvarian Empire was being torn apart.
* * *
Meanwhile at the Western Front, Adamantine Witch had returned after secretly escorting For-Elda.
”How strange… the enemy’s guns are silent.”
The five great Magic Cannons, which had roared ceaselessly the day before, now stood idle.
This front had been defined entirely by that duel: the cannons hurling ghost-soldiers as ammunition, and Adamantine Witch raising barriers to stop them. More than five hundred ghosts had already been destroyed, their stones stuffed into the guns and fired away.
”All five cannot be broken at once.”
”Indeed not,” muttered Councilor Gandolf, commander of the defense. He stared at the black, gleaming cannon mouths with mingled awe and dread. “Terrifying machines. That Magic Bullet General… I cannot even begin to fathom the principle.”
Their silence was a mystery. But then a rider approached — Tymis, adjutant to the sub-commander Naje. She loosed a message-arrow into the walls, bowed, and withdrew.
The missive reached Gandolf quickly.
”…Hah. Curious indeed.”
Adamantine Witch already guessed — For-Elda was still off amusing herself with Ralph Kinvale. But she kept silent. For-Elda had gotten her way once more, slipping through the city’s waterways by Adamantine Witch’s one-time favor, converting herself into diamond to bypass the wards.
For now, Naje had vowed not to move until For-Elda returned. So this front too would remain eerily calm.
”…Shift defenses southward,” Gandolf ordered. “Cartera sits there. That’s where we’ll need strength.”
”As you wish, ~desuwa♡ Ah, Scaya-oneesama! Fate draws us together again, does it not? ♡♡♡”
So Adamantine Witch was carted off in delight, leaving Gandolf chuckling grimly and instructing his men to search for Mafat — the turncoat with authority to open the gates.
* * *
Thus at the Southern, Western, and Eastern Fronts the second day slipped by with uncanny quiet. Only the Northern Front burned with life-and-death struggle.
”Ahahaha! Wonderful, Ber-chan!”
”Uwahahaha! Fighting you is pure bliss!”
Rank 13, White Wall Asakura Chinatsu.
The Black Sword King, Berhardt — the strongest man in history.
The two clashed on, evenly matched, through noon and beyond.
On a ridge, Keirald rubbed the stump of his missing left forearm, Rakw at his side, both reduced to spectators.
”Damn Berhardt… he’s not thinking at all.”
”Kehi… but he’s consistent. He wants this duel unspoiled. I should’ve rushed in first and been cut down instead, spared you, Keirald-sama.”
”Don’t say that, Rakw. Still… what madness. They’re practically allies, ganging up on me when I tried to intervene.”
Indeed, when Keirald had tried to assist, both Chinatsu and Berhardt had turned on him at once, maiming him before resuming their duel. It was a strange, twisted trust between sworn enemies.
Clarice and the others kept their distance, wary but resting. The Ghost Army still blocked the road to McGaref, so no advance was possible until the duel ended.
”Keirald-sama… who do you think will win?”
”I can’t say. Logically Berhardt has stamina, but the fool lets her rest whenever she looks tired.”
”Strongest man in life, strongest woman in death. No wonder no one else dares intrude.”
Even as they spoke, the duelists paused again, drinking water, even chatting amiably.
”Gahaha! Chinatsu, you’re stronger than anyone I faced alive!”
”Eheh. And Ber-chan, you’re stronger than my mother.”
”Oh? Your mother was that mighty?”
”…Ah, no, not that kind of strong. Anyway, shall we finish this soon? I need to deliver Clarice-chan and fight a war, you know.”
”True enough. I’m late to report back myself. Grano will chew me out.”
”At least we agree.”
Chinatsu drew Chisame slowly, stroking the blade like a violinist tuning strings. She whispered to it.
”Yes… yes. That’s how long it takes. To become one with me.”
”What’s this now, Chinatsu?”
”My ultimate technique. Five minutes to prepare. If you survive it… I’ll give you my head.”
Berhardt’s grin widened.
”Gahaha! That’s the way! I’ll wait. Decide how you want your neck severed.”
”You too, Ber-chan. Any last words?”
She inhaled deeply, smiling.
The air froze. Life itself seemed to drain into Chisame.
”Kh… gghh—!”
Even Keirald staggered. Rakw collapsed, trembling.
”Wh-what is this…?”
”Ohoh… so this is Chinatsu’s true self. Glorious.”
But Chinatsu did not answer. The blade drank everything — even the life-force of her own guards.
”Forgive me. But this is a battlefield.”
”Kh—!”
Only Clarice’s barriers saved her, though even her knights clawed at their throats, choking, barely alive.
At last, Chinatsu caressed the weapon. The steel glowed red-black, warping the air.
”Ah… Chisame, my greedy one. Is that enough to sate you?”
Keirald gasped. “Impossible… it devours life itself!”
”Yes,” Rakw whimpered. “She’s… feeding it… with our very souls…”
Notes:
• Dalcur – Mercenary leader; defects to the protagonist’s clan; physically imposing, known as ‘The Strong’.
• Livia – 8th-ranked imperial witch, heir of Cartera and friend of Lilus (Neige’s sister), whose death drove her to hate Quvar. Austere, sharp, and feared, she opposed the Ghost Army and toppled Emperor by using then betraying Gritch, secretly backing Princess Sheryl. First appears v9c3. Reminder: Brilliant witch who twists loyalties to save the world.
• Sayo – A Cup. Non-virgin. The younger sibling in the fake-sibling couple.
• McGaref – Fortress city, adventurer hub.
• 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.
• 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.
• Quvarian Empire – Ruling kingdom. Harsh world, restricted freedom.
• Adamantine Witch – Beria. Ex-Seron court witch, slain and revived in the Ghost Army but still herself. Aristocratic, cruel to subordinates, yet hopelessly devoted to her sister Scaya—defecting mid-battle to rejoin her. Wields adamantine barrier magic, proud and scornful of ‘paupers.’ First appears v9c11. Reminder: Noble witch whose pride hides desperate love for Scaya.
• For-Elda – Undead ‘Magic Bullet General,’ 4th Division commander of the Ghost Army and creator of the Magic Cannon that toppled fortresses. Obsessed with weapons over lives, treats soldiers as expendable fuel, and resents youthful-looking specters like Naje. First appears v9c8. Reminder: Wrinkled war-genius who replaced witchcraft with cannon fire.
• Tymis – Deputy commander of the Lesta Kingdom.
• Naje – First princess of the Lesta Kingdom and deputy commander. The tragic princess of the Lesta Kingdom who was executed for her country.
• Ralph Kinvale – One of McGaref’s councilors; Shiori-chan’s adoptive father; a researcher at heart; seeks to retire and has proposed that the protagonist replace him.
• Ralph – Shiori-chan’s foster father; eccentric; treated the mc to the brothel.
• 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.
• Scaya – The ‘Flame Witch,’ employed by the Dark Elves; captured after the battle where the Celon Dukedom army was defeated.
• Berhardt – ‘Black Sword King,’ 1st Division vice-commander, once hailed as the empire’s strongest swordsman. Simple-minded, straightforward, often teased as everyone’s toy, but unmatched in battle. Slaughtered Sheryl’s guards, captured her, later fought Chinatsu. First appears v9c11. Reminder: Muscle-headed swordsman who laughs through bloodshed.
• 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.
• Rakw – ‘Clay Witch,’ 3rd Division vice-commander and Keirald’s cousin-lover, died shielding him on the Northern Front and was reborn at his side. One-eyed, Cartera-inspired, sly yet devoted, she teases Keirald while backing his schemes and joins him in slaughter. First appears v9c11. Reminder: Loyal clay witch bound by love and death to Keirald.
• Clarice – The ‘Witch of Abundance’ from Lesta Kingdom.
• 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.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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