Volume 4 Chapter 93 Damocles’ Fledglings
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Kian observed as Rou and Rufna finished their introductions and immediately began field-testing a device called the “Floating Tactical Support Sphere: Damocles ¹.” It was hard to believe a battle had taken place earlier that day. Despite the mental toll war should have taken, Rou remained indifferent, pushing through the necessary work with an abnormal level of fortitude that seemed to transcend even the training of the monastery. Kian couldn’t help but feel uneasy about Rou’s future, suspecting there was more to his resilience than mere discipline.
Everyone except Kian left the strategy meeting area with an air of indifference. Four indigo spheres, each about the size of a human head, were scattered across the Sandy Beach. Rufna’s bird-type golem announced, “This is the Floating Tactical Support Sphere: Damocles ¹.” Nearby, Aliona attached mysterious silver rings to Rou’s fingers and ankles.
Kian knitted his brows as he looked at the indigo spheres. “Is the material for these… Blue Thunder Stone ²?” he asked. Blue Thunder Stone was a mineral discovered on the Underworld Island, known for storing lightning-attribute energy. Aliona explained that it was a perfect power source for the Damocles, a magic tool designed to follow a vanguard swordsman and respond to vocal commands or gestures.
Aliona crouched beside the spheres. “The internal housing contains several spell-circuits. It uses the Blue Thunder Stone as a power source for movement and combat support,” she said, then called out to Rou. “Wake up,” Rou commanded, snapping his black curved blade to the side. A silver ring glinted on his right middle finger.
In response to his voice, thin bolts of electricity crackled through the four spheres, which then drifted upward to hover level with Rou’s waist. Rufna noted that the movement was modeled after the Great Young Lady’s stag beetle golem, specialized for magic but not particularly devastating. Kian asked about geomagnetism, and Rufna explained it as a recently discovered force inherent in the ground, likening it to the earth having magnetic properties.
Kian moved closer to inspect the spheres as Talia watched with interest. Aliona smiled, explaining that the Damocles bypassed physical friction by “kicking” off invisible magnetic fields, making its movement smooth and unpredictable. This gave it a major advantage over traditional combat prediction methods used by Beastmen or Elves.
Rou demonstrated the device’s capabilities, commanding the spheres to unleash three lightning-attribute spells: Shunrai Alpha ⁴ for a high-speed precision strike, Discharge Beta ⁵ for defensive discharge, and Narukami Gamma ⁶ as a heavy hitter. The beach filled with the smell of scorched ozone as the spheres discharged their energy.
Aliona noted that the Damocles could run indefinitely in rainy conditions, but its operational time in normal weather depended on spell usage. Kian recognized its potential for combat support and speculated that adding physical enhancement spells or Elven arts would make it even more formidable.
Rufna elaborated on the Damocles’ advantage over Jibril’s monks, which required specific talent and years of training. By removing the requirement for magic power, the Damocles could be used by anyone, regardless of aptitude. This meant that even a common farmer could stand a real chance against a career soldier, which Rou and Rufna saw as a revolutionary step forward.
”Spring Thunder Type-A. The activation is virtually instantaneous, and it can fire four consecutive bursts,” Rou said. “Since it’s lightning-aspected, resistance is nearly impossible. One hit and you’re paralyzed. And if you’re pinned down… even a conscripted farmer could run through a veteran mercenary.”
Kian took another look at the four orbs orbiting the young man from the East.
”So these Damocles units are our answer to the Jibril faction’s expansion?” Kian asked.
”The Dacia region you govern, Kian, borders Shakerdoust territory-it’s the front line for the Western Nations,” Aliona explained. “With Lord Mansoor effectively exiled, a power vacuum has opened up. General Jibril will almost certainly try to move in.”
”……”
A sharp, grating sound-like the gnashing of teeth-came from right beside Kian. He turned in surprise, but Talia remained as expressionless as ever, seemingly focused on Aliona’s every word.
”For the next fifty years, skirmishes with General Jibril are a mathematical certainty,” Aliona continued. “In this world, the weak don’t get a seat at the table with the strong. We have to show them we have a blade of our own. Damocles is that blade.”
”You two really kept the wheels turning while I was out playing around. Thanks. Honestly, I’m a bit embarrassed by how much I’ve been slacking off,” Kian said. He looked back and forth between Aliona and the bird-shaped golem.
”Don’t sweat it. If anything, I’m the one who’s sorry the development took so long,” Rufna replied through the golem. “It’s been ages since Aliona first pitched the idea. I didn’t even get it ready in time for this war.”
”It’s not like we had much warning before the fighting started,” Aliona noted.
”This is just what happens when we go and accept a job from Lady Priscilla on a whim,” Talia added.
Kian and Aliona shared a look. Come to think of it, they had originally come to Crete for Lady Priscilla’s top-secret request. They were supposed to be setting up a Merchant Guild Kian, yet somehow they’d ended up smack in the middle of a war.
The development hadn’t changed much from Ramsey. Humans really never learn, Kian thought.
”Could I see Damocles in action a bit more?” Kian asked.
”Of course, Chairman!” Rou replied.
”Hey, you want to take the controls for a spin?” Rufna asked. “I’ve already imprinted Rou’s voice, but I can reset the circuits in a-“
”Wait!” Talia interrupted with a sharp voice. She scanned the horizon with predatory focus before settling her gaze on the eastern sky.
”Kian, something’s flying toward the island. Is that… a bird?” Talia asked.
”Not a normal one, I take it? An enemy?” Kian asked.
”I don’t think so, but…” Aliona trailed off. Her pointed ears twitched rhythmically beneath her blonde hair. Talia kept her eyes locked on the east, then finally let the tension bleed from her shoulders.
”Never mind. It’s just a Cretan messenger bird,” Talia said.
”Oh, right. The Balinars ship was lurking in the nearby waters, wasn’t it?” Kian muttered. “Funny how they hide their heads until the fighting’s over, then come swooping in to play the hero once the dust settles. It’s a cushy gig. They’re basically doing as much work as I was back when I was just sitting on my hands with my junk out.”
”It’s likely a letter from His Excellency Scipio. He’s probably been watching the whole fight through a familiar,” Aliona said. “He ‘outsourced’ the Asterios situation and the Underworld Island cleanup to us. Technically, we only fought because we got caught up in the line of duty while performing those tasks. It’s a convenient front, but it means we can’t exactly say no if he tries to claim the spoils of victory.”
”Exactly,” Rou agreed. “If word got out that we engaged Azrael entirely of our own volition, the political fallout would reach all the way to Izerland. That would be a nightmare for your position as Chairman.”
Rou’s right, but it feels a bit late for damage control, Kian thought. Anyone with a half-decent intelligence network could probably find a hundred smoking guns proving his involvement.
Talia turned to Aliona. “Lady Aliona, it looks like we won’t have time to interrogate Tsai Ryoma.”
”So it seems. A shame, but unavoidable,” Aliona replied.
”Rou, what about your father? If he doesn’t bring it up himself, I wasn’t planning on handing Ryoma over,” Kian said.
Rou simply shook his head. “His Excellency Scipio will demand the hostage. This is a massive victory, right on the heels of the Abbas incident. If we want the Merchant Guild Kian to have a future, it’s not rational to pick a fight with him now.”
”But he’s your actual father, isn’t he? Are you sure you’re okay with this?” Talia asked.
”Hahaha, a bit late for that concern, isn’t it?” Rou let out a dry, hollow laugh. “To be honest… I’ve never thought of that man as a father.”
* * *
Sure enough, the massive white owl descending from over the hill was carrying a message from Scipio. His seal was stamped prominently on the wax, radiating a sense of pressure before Kian even broke it.
Scipio was likely waiting with his fleet at ‘Water Island.’ He’d probably had two versions of this letter ready for days: one for if Kian lost, and one for if he won.
The letter was classic Cretan bloviating: ‘To Kian of Crete, the gallant wandering Knight in service to the Royal House! The noble hero who has delivered Crete from the brink of ruin!’ and so on. There was no way Scipio had written this himself; he’d clearly left the flowery nonsense to his secretaries.
The summary was simple: an envoy was coming, and Kian was to hand over all prisoners, the magic swords, the divine blades, and all enchanted gear immediately. It was infuriating, but entirely expected.
After a quick huddle, they decided to turn Ryoma over to the envoy. Aliona had managed to pocket a few magic swords, but since none were top-tier, they decided to hand the rest over to keep Scipio happy.
In exchange, Kian negotiated for a few high-potential young slaves to be transferred to the Merchant Guild Kian after the war. If that worked out, it might satisfy the payment for Mrs. Camilla. Kian figured the lady wasn’t actually expecting a Jibril-class slave anyway. At least, that’s what he told himself.
”I forgot to mention this earlier, but Jibril was using a Gorgon-style spirit weapon,” Talia said.
It was two hours after sunset. They had relocated to the southeast base camp and were waiting for the envoy when she finally brought it up.
”It was a magic sword that slows down the victim’s perception of time. I’m almost certain it’s the same model as the ‘Blade of Dust’,” Talia explained.
”Jibril has a Blade of Dust too? If that’s a replication ability, we’re in real trouble…” Kian said.
”No. Like I told the others, that was the genuine article,” Talia replied, looking away from the dark, haunting sea. “Apollo Lykeios was brought down by it. I was caught in the ‘Chains of Time’ myself. The formula was unmistakable: the Gorgon’s ‘Curse of Time’.”
”I don’t understand well, but if you’re that sure, then it’s probably the real deal,” Kian said with a nod. “Got it. I’ll make sure to ask the envoy if their ‘Blade of Dust’ has gone missing. Though… is there any chance there’s more than one?”
”I can’t rule it out. I don’t know enough about Gorgon lore,” Talia admitted.
As they spoke, a shimmer distorted the air over the sandy beach. A teleportation gate. The coordinates had evidently been logged long ago. A second later, the gate stabilized.
Two armored guards and three girls from the Order of the Lightning Knights stepped through. One of the knights was Eugenia-a small, red-haired girl. She was technically one of the elites of the Order and one of the few mages permitted to operate teleportation gates. But since she was effectively the weakest of the strongest, she usually got stuck with the glorified errand-runner jobs.
Kian didn’t recognize the two guards or the other two knight girls. They were likely just rank-and-file members serving as Eugenia’s escorts.
”Lord Kian! Good work out here, desu-no!” Eugenia shouted.
Instead of her usual boisterous “Ohohohoho!”, the red-haired girl with the ponytail offered a bow that was the very picture of refined etiquette. Behind her, the two guardsmen and a pair of young girl Knights followed suit.
”Thank you for your hard work, Ms. Eugenia,” Kian said. He knew this wasn’t the time for jokes and kept his tone serious. Behind him, Talia – playing the part of Kian’s loyal Witch to perfection – gathered her skirts and offered a graceful, elegant curtsy.
Eugenia’s eyes turned momentarily cold. Another woman at his beck and call, I see… she thought, but she quickly forced her professional messenger face back into place.
”I have arrived by the decree of Sir Scipio,” Eugenia said. “He wishes to express his profound gratitude for all you have done on my behalf. He is quite pleased. Now, I must ask for a report on the current war situation and a presentation of the results at this point in time ~desuno.”
”Understood,” Kian replied.
Kian led Eugenia and her retinue to a desk Talia had prepared, where he began a concise briefing.
It seemed they were already aware that his forces had crushed the Shidarkan-Vahid Allied Forces of Phoenicia and Cyclops Island, and that they had utterly routed the Jibril forces that had staged a sudden intervention. Eugenia didn’t bat an eye at the report.
Her four attendants, however, were a different story. Even through the veil of night, they could see the jagged scars of large-scale destruction left across Underworld Island. Their eyes kept darting nervously toward the camps where Kian, Talia, and Aliona had dug in.
”You truly are remarkable, Lord Kian,” Eugenia said with a wry smile as she rose from her chair. “I knew you were formidable, but this…”
Nearby, a black-clad Knight with a missing left arm carried a bundle – Ryoma, wrapped tightly in blankets like a cocoon – and handed him over to the two guardsmen. The men looked like they were trying to swallow their own hearts; their faces were pale with lingering terror.
”Oh, don’t give me too much credit,” Kian demurred. “I didn’t really do anything. I was mostly just playing around while my friends did the heavy lifting.”
”Hehe, always the joker… It was you who sniped Lord Jibril, was it not? ~desuno” Eugenia asked.
”No, actually. It wasn’t,” Kian said.
”Pardon?” Eugenia blinked.
”Honored Messenger, that strike was delivered by my familiar,” Talia interjected, her voice smooth and formal.
As she pointed, the black-clad Knight thrust a blade of pure darkness into the sand. With a sharp, heavy thud, he dropped to one knee. He pressed the forehead of his mask against the hilt of the sword, his gaze lowered in a display of absolute, solemn fealty.
That is so cool, Kian thought. I’m totally doing that next time.
”This is my luggage carrier… The weakest among my four subordinates…” Kian added aloud, leaning into the bit.
”Ah, eh? I-is that so ~desuno?” Eugenia stammered.
”Please, ignore our Head Magician,” Talia snapped, her tone shifting just a fraction. “He has a habit of babbling nonsense. Ow! Hey! Stop it! Don’t kick me, Talia!”
”Seriously, we might actually win this war,” one of the guards whispered.
”Yeah. I thought we’d surrender unconditionally in a week,” a girl Knight replied.
Behind Eugenia, the guard and the girl Knight continued their whispering. Kian managed a strained smile while Talia continued to pinch his backside.
”Oh, it seems the morale of Crete’s warriors is not as high as I thought,” Kian noted.
”There is no such thing. These people just have no motivation ~desuno,” Eugenia sighed.
”How cruel, Eugenia-chan!” the girl Knight cried.
”It’s weirder to be motivated for war, Eugenia -ssu,” the guard grumbled.
Eugenia made a sour face at the guard’s logical point. The atmosphere was getting a bit too war-weary, so Kian quickly changed the subject.
”By the way, have there been any changes on Cyclops Island?” Kian asked.
”No, there doesn’t seem to be any for now -ssu, Lord Kian,” the guard replied. “Commander Balinars says the silhouettes of the Nile warships have vanished completely. Only Mansoor’s army is left on the island now. Without them, they can’t keep their supply lines open. That mass-murdering freak will have to tuck tail and run soon enough.”
”And if we simply sit by and watch him leave, the warriors of Crete will become a global laughingstock ~desuno!” Eugenia declared. “So many of our comrades were slaughtered. If we do not at least take Mansoor’s head, it won’t settle matters – not for our allies, not for our people, and certainly not for my own heart!”
”Eugenia is a total Sir Scipio loyalist,” the guard muttered. “I’m (Ore), I think if he wants to leave, we should let him.”
”Does His Excellency Scipio truly intend to launch an assault on Cyclops Island?” Kian asked, his brow furrowed.
Kian was convinced they needed to wait and see. The news of the retreat felt like a trap. Besides, Merchant Guild Kian had already broken Shidarkan’s line; that was a massive win they could use as leverage to bring Chatillon and the Western Church into the fold.
Even if they wanted Mansoor dead, now was not the time. Even if it meant letting that monster slip through their fingers, a frontal assault was out of the question.
”Commander Balinars is pushing for the charge pretty hard -ssu,” the guard admitted.
”I mean, you did wreck Shidarkan, so it feels like we might win even if we charge in. Even to an amateur,” the girl Knight added.
”You’re a soldier, aren’t you? Try to sound like a pro,” the guard snapped.
”Ms. Eugenia, please tell His Excellency to be extremely cautious,” Kian said seriously. “I know it’s not my place as an outsider to give advice, but…”
”I hear you,” Eugenia said. “But please remember, Lord Kian – we are not helpless. We’ve gathered mercenaries from all along the Azrael coast, and Lady Circe herself is taking command of the vanguard. With an immortal Witch like her at the helm, the chances of our fleet losing a magical battle are less than one in ten thousand! ~desuno!”
”I see,” Kian said.
”By the way, Jibril used the ‘Blade of Dust’ in the fight with us. Please check the royal treasury, Lady Eugenia,” Talia added, her voice turning sharp.
”What?! Are you certain ~desuno?!” Eugenia gasped. “You’re saying it was stolen?!”
”Whether it was stolen or not, I cannot say. But he certainly wielded a scimitar imbued with the power of the Gorgon,” Talia said. “I felt the same petrification curse described in the legends. It is highly likely the genuine article.”
Eugenia went pale. Talia pressed on, her expression serious.
”Furthermore, we confirmed the enemy is using multiple ‘Immortal-Slayer’⁷ weapons. Here is the list. I’ve crossed out the ones I managed to shatter,” Talia said.
”This is vital information ~desuno! Thank you!”
”Please, be careful,” Talia added, her eyes casting downward in a show of modest concern.
Kian felt his brain misfiring. He couldn’t reconcile this modest act with the violent, dominant woman she became behind closed doors.
Eugenia and her team were already in a panic, poring over the list. “Lord Kian, we must take our leave. We have the prisoners and the treasure in our custody.”
”Right. I’ve included a reply in that letter, but please, do what you can for the Azrael slaves,” Kian said. “As for Ryoma, once you’re done interrogating him, if he’s no longer of use… I’ll buy him. Name your price.”
It was a gift for Linca. Even if Scipio tried to gouge him, Kian was ready to pay. Between his own stash and the Asterios treasure, he was flush with cash.
”I will pass that along. Ten of the highest-ranked slaves to start, then? ~desuno” Eugenia asked.
”Yeah, let’s start there,” Kian replied.
Kian didn’t want to dump thirty people on them at once; the lady would just use that as leverage. Better to tease it out. He wanted her to feel that same agonizing frustration – that feeling of being right on the edge of a release but being held back.
”Understood! We shall be off then ~desuno!” Eugenia said.
”Safe travels,” Kian said.
Kian and Talia stood by as the crates of magic swords were hauled away, watching until the shimmering residue of the gate flickered and died.
As soon as the spatial distortion vanished, Kian felt a sharp, sudden yank on his arm.
”Punishment time. You haven’t forgotten, have you, you pig?”
—
Summary:
Following a recent battle, Rou and the team test the ‘Damocles’—a floating tactical sphere weapon powered by Blue Thunder Stone. The device utilizes geomagnetism to move without friction, providing magical support to non-magic users. The team discusses the strategic implications of democratizing military power for non-elite recruits.
Kian and his team debrief after the battle, discussing the tactical value of the new ‘Damocles’ weapon system. They receive a demanding letter from Scipio, the Cretan royal, requiring them to hand over all spoils of war. Despite the annoyance, Kian complies for political stability while the group prepares for the arrival of Scipio’s envoy.
Kian delivers a report of his victory to Eugenia, the messenger from Sir Scipio. While the military gains are significant, Talia reveals that the enemy possessed legendary weapons like the ‘Blade of Dust,’ sparking a panic. After the formal meeting concludes, Talia shifts from her graceful persona to a dominant one, demanding ‘punishment’ for Kian.
—
Trivia:
- The spheres are indigo and about head-sized.
- Blue Thunder Stone is essentially fossilized Minotaur lightning-excrement.
- Damocles spheres ‘kick’ off magnetic fields, making them unpredictable to Beastmen/Elves who predict movement based on ground physics.
- Rou wears specific silver rings to command the spheres.
- Jibril’s army of monks was limited by mana capacity, a hurdle the Damocles bypasses
- The ‘Damocles’ weapon was originally Aliona’s idea, pitched a long time ago.
- Kian feels guilt for his ‘profligate’ lifestyle while his allies were developing weapons.
- Talia experienced the Gorgon’s ‘Chains of Time’ personally during the battle.
- Scipio had prepared two different letters in advance depending on the outcome of the fight.
- Rou openly expresses that he does not consider Scipio his father
- The Knight who brought Ryoma is missing a left arm.
- Kian is planning to buy Ryoma as a gift for a character named Linca.
- The ‘Blade of Dust’ has a petrification curse associated with the Gorgon.
- Kian’s strategy involves using this victory to bring Chatillon and the Western Church into the conflict.
- Talia’s ‘submissive’ behavior in public is a carefully maintained act
—
Character Insight:
Rou’s abnormal lack of post-combat trauma worries Kian, highlighting his detachment. Aliona reveals her past as a political prisoner and her lingering desire for destruction after her exile.
—
Behind the Scenes:
The author uses ‘Damocles’ referencing the ‘Sword of Damocles’ trope, symbolizing the looming threat these autonomous weapons represent to the traditional warrior elite.
—
TL Notes:
Notes:
• Talia – A high-ranking vampire spirit currently possessing the body of Lyritisse. In this form, she has flaxen hair, blue eyes, and thick lips.
• Mansoor – Crimson-eyed elder monk and Azrael’s Divine General from the Shakerdoust domain near Dacia. Wielding mist form, blood-drinking, rapid healing. He ties to allies like Ryoma and Hanami Tsai. First appearing in Vol. 4 Ch. 25. Quick tag: vampiric red-eyed grandpa-general who mist-forms and drinks blood, obsessed with rescuing his captured son unlike other human monks.
• Abbas – The heir of the Shakerdoust family, a prominent clan within the Twelve Divine Generals.
• Camilla – A woman; the subject of the chapter; her body was used to seal Erynys’ soul.
• Eugenia – Red-haired girl with a ponytail, serving as a messenger pigeon for Sir Scipio.
• Shidarkan – Gloomy, bearded son-in-law of the Malc family (Flora’s clan); once a modest Malc magician, ordinary next to Shajar’s elites. Attends the Cyclops Island war council after losing his wife, Flora, and sisters-in-law in the northern base’s destruction. First appears Vol. 4 Ch. 45. Reminder: bereaved Malc son-in-law—sober, doubtful, and dim but dutiful.
• Mag – The wolfwoman under Yelmar—the one who was caught by Kian’s group earlier.
• Linca – Jibril’s favorite girl. High-ranking warrior monk woman from Shin, with strong abilities like ignoring attacks and poisons.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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