Volume 9 Chapter 48 Day Three (The Gate of Despair)
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Ah… Scaya-oneesama’s scent surrounds me… Adamantine Witch is so happy…”
Scaya stroked the golden hair of the Adamantine Witch, who lay with her head on her lap, smiling in her sleep. It was not simple idleness. The battle was brutal, and only the presence of these two witches held the defense together.
On the third day, after Nagasaka Shion had gone missing, the war had been one-sided from dawn. Scaya was built for offense, not defense. The Adamantine Witch was defensive, but as a witch who ranked only in the 700s, her ability was not high.
Without Shion’s support to circulate magic, the two were forced to take turns blocking For-Elda’s Magic Cannons. Cartera was pressing at the southern gate, but Adamantine Witch had collapsed with magic sickness almost at once, leaving Scaya no choice but to fight as well.
At the East Gate, facing the First Army, the mix of broken Gonan soldiers had only lowered morale. With Grano ordering delays and the veteran Weed commanding, collapse was avoided—for now.
”Ahh… good morning, Scaya-oneesama.”
”Yes. Good morning, Adamantine Witch.”
”How long was I asleep?”
”Only ten minutes.”
”I troubled you then… But today is far fiercer than yesterday.”
Even as they spoke, Scaya spread her barrier and blocked a volley from five cannons at once. The sheer force bent her body though she was only defending.
”They are adjusting to us… to our waves of magic. Heavier than before. As expected of the genius, Elder-oneesama.”
For-Elda, knowing Sanada Shiori was absent, had chosen a new aim: to win great merit and claim the right to take Shiori herself. Deputy Naje had tried to hold her back, but still the bombardment continued, eating away at the wall’s strength. McGaref could not answer from so far, and no force like Kanare’s remained to sortie.
”It is harsh.”
”Yes… I am sorry, Adamantine Witch, for dragging you into this.”
”No, it was we who dragged you into our fate. Though, the one truly at fault is that poor princess over there.”
Adamantine Witch stood, looking down on the Fourth Army. Beside Elder stood the famed green-haired general, Naja Lesta.
”No horses, no armor, weapons only kitchen knives tied to poles. Only guards and mercenaries had real gear. Yet they broke Bakdu Fortress, defeated me, and captured you. I must praise that skill, though it galls me.”
”Yes, she was a brave and fine commander.”
”I wish she would betray them soon, as I did.”
”They say she waits for a chance to strike Cartera.”
”I understand. But I do not like that I can see her face from here.”
Adamantine Witch snorted. Another cannon strike shook McGaref. The city’s people, safe the day before, now trembled again at the thunder.
”She was defeated. It was natural she would be violated and die by her own hand. Yet she died beloved by one man alone… After all the war she caused, how spoiled.”
Her curled hair trembled as she pressed her face into Scaya’s chest. Tears ran onto Scaya’s dark skin.
”I myself was not even violated. I died pierced through by spears, a virgin still.”
”I am sorry, Adamantine Witch. You died only because you protected me.”
”It is fine. To fall on the battlefield is honor for a court witch.”
She looked up with wet eyes. Scaya kissed her in answer, silently apologizing to Takumi Nash, and they returned to blocking the cannons. Both knew they would die on these walls.
By midday, their limits showed. Gandolf’s clever catapults were soon countered. The thunder of cannons never ceased.
”That poor country’s witch—she was not even worth the name. Clarice, the best at defense, has not come?”
”Reports say Weed’s scouts were stopped in the north by Keirald’s army. Most of them fell.”
As they spoke, an odd sound reached them—wood groaning. An ominous sound.
”The gate… it’s opening! Damn you, Mafat!”
Gandolf’s cry echoed. Soldiers panicked. And in answer, part of the Ghost Army moved.
”New troops…?”
Scaya’s voice trembled as she saw them marching from the southwest. At the same moment, Raphastia’s Second Army arrived through the forest.
The opening had been expected. Rubble barricades were already stacked before the gate. But rubble was no wall. And planning ahead did not mean the defense was enough.
The sound was more than wood. It was despair. If Scaya were at full strength, she could have called flame dragons to burn the invaders. But drained by For-Elda, she could only hold her barrier.
”Oneesama, I will die first.”
”But, Adamantine Witch—”
”I have my memories now. I am already dead. You are alive.”
Their lips touched again. Adamantine Witch gazed into Scaya’s silver hair with melting eyes.
”If I could be reborn, I would be your little sister.”
”A sister?”
”Yes. More than a lover, I want family love. My home was… not warm.”
”I see. If there is a chance, then yes.”
”Ah, wait… make me your slave. Then at least we will be bound, able to feel if the other lives.”
”Very well. Will you be my slave, Adamantine Witch?”
”Gladly. I give body and soul to Oneesama.”
They embraced once more, then parted. Adamantine Witch joined Gandolf in the street fighting, while Scaya moved along the wall to aid Weed on the east. With the gate open, there could be no holding at the water’s edge.
Through the West Gate poured Raphastia’s Second Army. In their ranks, Naje saw the Eternal Witch Cartera, and chose at last to betray.
Notes:
• 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.
• Scaya – The ‘Flame Witch,’ employed by the Dark Elves; captured after the battle where the Celon Dukedom army was defeated.
• Nagasaka – Has the ‘Magical Power Transfer’ skill; her skill also increases libido.
• Shion – Ginga’s GF. Archery, healing.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• McGaref – Fortress city, adventurer hub.
• Kanare – The stern battalion commander, who once led Chinatsu, shares a solemn mission, his eyes reflecting battlefield memories.
• Naje – First princess of the Lesta Kingdom and deputy commander. The tragic princess of the Lesta Kingdom who was executed for her country.
• Bakdu Fortress – A key fortress of the Seron Dukedom; its unexpected fall prompts concern in McGaref.
• Takumi Nash – Councilor of the McGaref Autonomous Government commanding the Liberation Army.
• Clarice – The ‘Witch of Abundance’ from Lesta Kingdom.
• 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.
• 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.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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