"What do you mean that you lost contact with one of our troops?!"
"Co-commander, I sent scouts, but it has only been a day, so we can't confirm anything yet!"
The so-called commander seethed. The news of betrayal of the Fifth Troop he got from a carrier falcon became more imminent. He didn't believe it at first since it was technically impossible for them to change their loyalty to those Hellivan dogs who treasured females. Their bone-deep hatred was instilled in them as soon as they were born. Their distrust against the female species was fed, so he concluded that no one in his army would betray their empire. Even if some of them began to question their feelings, it was impossible to know the roots of their hatred. Their ancient ancestors erased all the evidence and records before a certain reign. Yes, the history books started in the year 1290. However, no more before that. So, it was concluded that this world's civilization started in 1290.
"Commander!" Someone shouted from the other side of the door, then it burst open. "Commander! I know that this is impossible and hard to believe, but a lone woman is rampaging inside the castle!"
The commander snorted then waved his hand. "No problem then. Instead of leaving her alive, let's incapacitate her until she begged to be killed."
"No, Commander! She's killing all our champions!"
"Hah! Impossible! Can a woman achieve all that? The sun must be rising from the north if so!"
Suddenly, there was an unexpected voice.
"Should I make the sun rise from the north?"
Their heads whipped towards the opened door and a dashing woman appeared in their sight. Her white, long flowing hair tied in a bun was full. Her illustrious and emotionless red eyes scanned around the room.
"What are you waiting for?! Kill her!" The commander bellowed.
"..."
However, the man that came before the woman didn't do anything as he trembled in fear.
"You!" The commander quickly unsheathed his sword and kicked his table to the side, his paperwork scattered.
"Okay, so, do you want to die gallantly or die pitifully?" The woman asked.
"You are the one who is going to die pitifully!" The commander swiped down his sword with all his might that it appeared hazy before his men's eyes.
"Well… I guess you really chose death. I was going to let you live if you wanted to die gallantly," her blistered fingers rested on her chin as she dodged fluidly. "Mhm. Okay, I don't really care if you blame me or n--"
"Shut up!" His face turned beet red. "How dare… a woman like you…! Stand before me?!"
"You are putting too much work on your wrists, man. Also, too many unnecessary movements. Tch. How dare a man like you become a commander?"
"You imbecile!!!" The commander bellowed as he desperately swung his sword against Emersyn. His strikes didn't even touch a strand of hair of the woman before him, and it made him even more desperate. He jumped back, heaving, as he caught his breath.
"I admire..."
"Yeah, yeah. What a pain…," Emersyn said as she picked on her itching ears.
"... but you won't be able to beat..."
"Hmmmmm…. Did you hear something? Was that a mosquito?"
"... so, die for me!"
"Oh, yeah. I don't have anyone with me. Well, how about this? Give me your best killer move, then I might consider it?"
Emersyn mumbled as she caught the tip of the commander's sword that was filled with ragged mana. His eyes went wide as he tried to push the hilt towards Emersyn's eye. However, he couldn't move his sword at all like it was stuck in cement.
Suddenly, he shivered unknowingly as soon as he felt a tremendous amount of mana pushing him down. His body became heavier, and he could feel his mana collapsing. His eyes trembled as he gazed at the terrifying being before him. This was the first time that he felt boundless mana even with their powerful Emperors. His lips opened and he forced himself to put his head on the floor.
"What are you doing now?"
"Please… please... retract your mana."
"Hm? I have been practicing to make it smaller this time…. Is it too much for you?"
Small…? This? Small? The commander sweated profusely. If this amount of mana was only small for the woman before him, then she would be the most powerful, and most terrifying, person he knew in his whole life. He was suddenly grateful that he was alive in her presence.
"Let me tone it down more…. Ugh… this is such a pain."
"Yes, please…."
"Is it bearable now?"
The commander shook his head.
".... how weak are you?"
"I am… one of the... strongest... commanders ever lived in this era…."
"... this is bad news…."
"Yes…."
"So, I have a proposal to you," Emersyn said as she retracted the mana she released.
"Please call me Caro," he said without lifting his head up from the floor.
"What are you doing now? I already retracted my energy, so why are you still kowtowing to me?"
"Please spare my men at the least…."
Emersyn raised her eyebrow and snorted. "Why would I? You people are the one that made those weak humans as a suicide bomb. I can't really forgive that. Your men used them heartlessly against your opponent, not as a last resort, but as a regular use. I know that you value men like your family, so why can't you do it with the rest?"
"That… is the way we lived all our lives…."
"So, your ancestors are the ones who are at fault here. There is bound to be someone who would question this. Where are they now?"
"... killed."
"I see now."
Suddenly, there was a commotion outside and Emersyn smiled lightly.
"Hey, Caro."
"Yes."
"They are here."
"If I may ask… who are they?"
"Those that survived and fought through."
"..."
"They persevered despite being under pressure. Now, they are here to bring forth a new era without any prejudice. You're one of them too, right? You are one of those who questioned their values and beliefs, but chose to kill it."
"..."
"My job is still not done here, so I came to kill the commander. I'll ask again. Do you want to die gallantly or die pitifully?"
Caro slowly stood up and put his fist on his chest. "I wish to die pitifully."
Emersyn laughed then gestured at Caro to come at her.
The man released a breath and positioned his sword parallel to his body, and jagged sword aura appeared around his sword. He tightened his muscles in his calves and charged at Emersyn. She deflected his attack with only a finger and never missed a strike. Attack after attack, his movements became faster. As he was calm and resigned to his fate, his techniques became more polished and Emersyn was awed.
"Those thoughts are keeping you from using your full potential, I see."
Caro smiled wryly as he reached enlightenment. It was such a shame, but he was fighting his greatest enemy anyway. Fighting her was the best training ground he could ever ask of someone. That was why he was content with this before he die. When he started putting his life force in his sword, Emersyn raised her hand and declared, "Let's stop."
"Pardon?"
"It'll be too easy on you to die, so why don't you surrender and cooperate?"
".... I can't accept--"
"Don't be so uptight, Caro. Just think of this as your atonement, then it's up to you whether you still want to die or not."
"... I understand."
Then, the door burst open and a man appeared with a dagger in his hand and a sword on his belt. His eyes were enraged when his gaze dropped at Caro. He didn't even notice Emersyn when he stepped towards the commander.
"Caro!!!"
Caro bowed his head and knelt before him. "I surrender."
"..." the man was flabbergasted with this development, so he stood frozen on his spot. His eyes swam around and saw a beautiful woman standing a few steps away from him. He blushed, his mouth agape.
"Greetings," she said with a smile.
".... ah! I'm sorry! I am Hayes Ryle," he introduced, holding out his rough hands towards Emersyn.
"I am Emersyn Lachlan," she said as she reached out her calloused hand to Hayes and shook his hand.
"Uhm… what are you doing here?"
"I volunteered to fight with the approval of Alissandre Biren."
"Ah! General! He's alive!"
"Yes, he is currently resting."
"We became scared when we couldn't reach him anymore, so we decided to rebel now. Our main unit is already in the capital and raiding the Palace. Are you a warrior?" Hayes asked as he gazed at the sheathed sword hanging on her belt.
"Yes. I came to help. The rest of the Empires' forces are currently marching towards this empire."
"What?!"
"So, if you have something you have troubles to deal with, just call my name. I will heed you. For now, I have to save these suicide squads of yours, and also the women in your side, Caro. Oh, and Hayes, this guy is willing to cooperate with you. If something happened to him, I'll know immediately."
Hayes blinked his eyes multiple times then nodded eventually.
Emersyn smiled then disappeared.