Chapter 81 - Gathering Beneath the Storm. (Part 9)

Sealed between the pages of knowledge, it is said that,

"To win a battle is to win before the battle has even begun. To make your enemies surrender before they raise their swords through deception or sabotage. For if you know your enemy and yourself you shall not fear the result of hundreds of battles."

A verse from "The Art of War" by /////

[Understand the meaning of the words and sentence, then try to apply it on something else]

"I-I see... But huh?"

(I know I ask Saya to teach me something that could help me avoid conflict while we wait, but... Isn't this a book about war? Weird how a book about how to win wars talk about how to stop and avoid them. And applying it to something else, yes? So not just war... And why is the name crossed?)

Flipping through the chapters and pages noted by Saya, I realize how thoughtful she is to give me so many details and notes on which to read.

"I really should thank her when I return this."

With a hot cup of milk tea on the wooden table, the sweet fragrance of the drink whaff through the room and exiting the half-open window. Resting my back on the wooden wall behind me as we are now residing inside a small private room in this huge public train. I continue to read the book Saya handed to me while Mitsuru sleeps beside me, with her weapons dispersed and snoring as she naps. Taking a sip every time I wish to sweeten my mouth, I begin to wonder,

(Ah~ this feels nice, I wonder if this is how May feels when she reads in silence? Still, reading does make me sleepy too...)

Closing the book and placing it down on the table, I take the last sips of the free drink I order and make my self comfortable. Even with the train moving so fast, I could only feel tiny shakes that it makes me feel sleepy... Folding my arm, tucking in the corner as I feel Mitsuru pressing on me, I close my eyes and...

*clang* *clang* *clang* *psssst*

"Hmm...?"

The toll of bell echoes from the box hanging on the wall, the train stops with a violent shake and the world outside finally becomes clear. As I lay my eyes beyond the window, I can't help but ask,

"Is this the same Phoenix Sector?"

(I mean not even the place Sis brings me looks like this).

Similar to the underground station on the Turtle Sector, this place looks so advanced. But that's the only similarities. Filled with the dominant shade of yellow, purple, and green. With huge statues of a rising phoenix acting as pillars and huge roof by expending its wings where they are placed between each place where the train arrives. The station is akin to an open space with a unique giant roof on the head. And unlike the Turtle Sector, this place doesn't have any shops but just a clear station with only a place to rest like chairs, a place to get in the train and a place to enter underground with those moving stairs.

One thing to say about the place from the window alone is...

"Beautiful."

Seeing all the surprising thing I never knew is inside my Sector, hearing the soft murmurs and clanging from outside the half-open window, I nudge at Mitsuru who's sleeping beside me saying:

"Mitsuru, we have arrived."

"Snooore-huh! What!? Huh? Who!?"

Awakened, Mitsuru moves around for a bit before she looks at me and holds my face with sleepy eyes saying:

"W-Who are you?"

Probably still half asleep I reply saying:

"Mitsuru, it's me, Sova."

Strengthening her grip on my face or helm, she brings her face closer saying:

"Huh!? You can't fool me!"

Annoyed, I grab her arm and forcefully pull it away from my helm before I open it with thought. When my vision returns, I look back at her saying:

"Mitsuru, it's me. Unless you forget, I have a different voice when I wear my helm."

Mitsuru who probably had her hand forcefully grabbed or finally realizing what's happening blink a few time and laxes her hands. I let her go when she rubs the part where I hold her and clean her eyes by folding her gauntlets first so she doesn't poke it with her sharp fingers.

"Sorry, Sova, I'm fully awake now. I hope I didn't cause trouble."

I shake my head and smile saying:

"It's okay, most of all we've arrived."

"Oh?"

Mitsuru gets up a little and leans to the window to see while I was forced to move back a little to give her some space when she too seems to be in awe.

"Hoh~ looks like we're here. The city of art."

"City? Do you mean district? And art?"

Mitsuru backs away and sits down replying:

"Well, a city on top of a district really, this is like the 4th floor or something. Come, it's better to show you-"

*slam*

"Alright, we have arrived! Come quick, now."

Slamming the door open and announcing that is none other than Saya who has been waiting somewhere else since she's annoyed by Mitsuru's snoring.

(Well, I guess I don't mind snoring people so much since Aunt and Nicole snore as well).

Seeing that we have arrived, I wear my helmet back and tap at Mitsuru saying:

"Um, can you please move first?"

"Hold up."

When my vision returns, I could see Mitsuru also wears her helm as well while she moves. Saya moves away first to let Mitsuru's huge figure to pass before she can get in.

"Here, thanks for lending it to me. Seeing the effort and notes you make helps a lot."

I lent Saya the book as I thank her with my changed voice. Saya who seems to be in a rushed mood takes it and keep it in her magic bag replying:

"No problem, those are the notes I write for my self. Come, they're already waiting for us."

"Who?"

I tilt my head asking and Saya in return just walks away replying:

"Unless you forgot we're on a mission AND a high positioned officers. So they're our escorts, duh! Come on, we don't wanna keep them waiting."

"Escorts huh?"

(I wonder when will I be used to this? More like, how and why did I get this position again? I hope Libing can explain this when he finally tells me about Silencers).

I got off the chair and follow her along. The smooth wooden exterior of the train, the soft sound of music that feels like it's dancing through the wind to get to my ear, the lingering smell of nature and steel mixed together like a symphony. Soon, I pass through a door and enter another room with calm and steady steps. Unlike when I first enter, this place is now filled with passengers of all variety. From children to the elderly, humans and beast-kin, they all stare at me with fear, surprise and awe. Especially the kids who seem to look at me with sparkling eyes while many seem to be filled with fear probably because of Mitsuru's scary armour.

(I guess it is understandable for the kids to be in awe, this armour is awesome).

Passing through in the middle of the fancy seats, I too realize how this part of the room looks exquisite and expensive from the gold lining to the slick black design that shows the majesty. Looking at the people, they seem to be wealthy too, mostly wearing something with red and expensive-looking robes with intricate design and clothing with very fine material.

I walk past the hanging curtains and exit the public train...

(Now that I think about it, didn't we destroyed our previous train? Now I realize no one's making a fuss about it. I mean, it's a train! Those magical, mystical machine! That probably cost more than a hundred arms and legs!

Maybe I should ask Libing or Ptelophy about this... Ah the guilt...)

" "Greetings, Lord Silencer!" "

Welcoming me with a shout as I leave the door, are a group of soldiers wearing a far more superior heavy armour than the ones back at the palace. Kneeling and clasping their hand when they greet. I completely exit the train, seeing Mitsuru and Saya standing beside me. Seeing them waiting for something, I look at the kneeling soldiers saying:

"Please stand."

" "Thank you, Lord Silencer!" "

Seeing their loud shouts and voice, the people around and back at the train peek outside to look at the commotion...

(Maybe they're doing this publicly because we don't have any private transport anymore... I mean, we destroyed it after all...)

The group of soldiers makes way and line up when a lady walks forward. Wearing a quite revealing clothes that shows her curves, she holds a long mage's cane that looks unique. She is a women in her late twenties wearing a large witch' hat that hides her long flowing hair that reach below her waist. With an alluring smile, she pulls her hat down and raise her long skirt to show her knees before bowing a little saying:

"It is truly an honour to meet a legendary figure like your blessed self~ This lowly palace mage is named Juja, and I am truly honoured to lead you to the Great Generals for the briefing!"

(Oh? Never seen that greet before).

Speaking in runician, one of the lessons I learn kick me into saying:

"Ah..."

I clasp my hand and look at them saying:

"Greeting to you all as well, I am Suowa Anmao, Silencer under the direct command of the Empress herself. Please to meet you."

"Oh!", "Woah!", "It is him...", "How powerful is his magic that he has to seal all of it?", "I feel like I've seen that armour before..."

The soldiers behind Juja gasp and woe at my greetings. Feeling embarrassed by their admiration, I put my hand down and Juja place her hat back before following her soldier and presents me to the stairs leading down saying:

"Please follow me, Lord Suowa. I hope we can satisfy your needs."

With a smile she gestures me to go and I nod replying:

"Thank you, please lead the way."

"My pleasure, Lord Suowa! Man, Turn about."

"Yes, we obey!"

The soldiers beside her descend first when I realize the entire place where I land is empty. Devoid of any passengers like the one on the other landing floors. When she gestures me to follow her once more still with a smile on her face, I nod following along the path laid before me.

*crackle* *crackle*

Even the beautiful grand artistic roof above can't seem to hide the gathering storm. From the pillars, floor, walls, chairs and even the decorations, the whole place seems to be like an art-house.

(I guess I understand a bit about this being a city of art).

As I look at the open space and see the grey clouds above, I wonder what will await me next-

"Psst, hey Sova."

"Yes?"

Replying to Mitsuru while we descend the stairs, she leans closer asking:

"Man, I'm still not used to your voice while knowing your face. And talking about not used to things, I'm not used to being escorted like this either."

(Really? I thought Generals are always being escorted by some bodyguards).

"Truth be told, I'm still not used to this either... I think this is my first too."

"Really?"

"Mhm."

I nod to her question and maybe it was her mask but I feel her smiling as she pats my back saying:

"Haha! Well, I guess I'll just accompany you then."

"O... Kay?"

Not sure by her answer, we reached the lower floor and something perks up my ears. From the music that's more classy and calm compared to the cheerful and energetic music from the Turtle sector. I look around and my eyes were shocked to see such details of art on the walls, pillars, lights of a different colour, the shops, and even the floor we step are also designed.

(I kinda feel like we shouldn't even step on this).

Unlike the upper floor, this place is crowded, bustling with people of all kinds. But unlike the Turtle Sector, this place doesn't have any Hunters nor foreigners.

(But there sure are a lot of artists and musicians).

From people painting on the sides, performing small circuses with magical beasts, flashy magic spells, playing music on the corner, and selling some accessory and jewellery, this place is filled with a lot of creativity... That is to say only the other side. The side we're on is separated by pillars and a beautiful glass wall decorated by patterns that can still show the other side. Like a spectator before the second floor of those theatres, Sis Rubeca once brings me to.

And unlike the other side, this place is a one-way empty road that leads down with soldiers guarding against the walls. When Juja walks ahead first, I feel someone pulling my cape. Looking down and seeing Saya with her helmet on whispering:

"That Libing guy said you can tour around the city when you finish your mission. Take it as a break and reward."

"Really?"

"Mhm, that's if you succeed. Let's go."

"Yea! Now I'm motivated!"

(The city of art huh? I wonder what the food and armour will look like here? Or something I never saw before perhaps? Now that I think about it, I never got a souvenir from the turtle Sector... Ah! Why do I keep forgetting!)

I shouted in response while I think deeply and realize something...

(Isn't Saya the one who propose that she would help me buy those souvenirs?)

When I look back at the soldiers, they jolt a bit and even Juja looks back at me replying:

"Ah, we're glad for your enthusiasm, Lord Silencer! We shall double our efforts as well!"

"Huh? Okay?"

"You heard him, move!"

The soldier on the wall runs ahead down first and Juja gestures us to follow her saying:

"Please, follow us, Lord Silencer. We shall be quick."

She walks ahead twice faster as the sound of her heels echoes rapidly. I follow along enjoying the view and music this place provides. The gentle and calming melody that plays from the other side echo past the walls, the cheers of children and wild explosions of magic, and the brushing of paint to the canvas calms my heart and help me through. And since the music is played by the people, every time I walk to a new place, the music change which gives a lot of variety. If there's one of the things I love about my good hearing is because of how I can grab the little details on the sound. Like the sequence of vibration each instrument plays, the sound of their fingers or with how the magic pulls the strings or bring the beats.

(It's soothing... I guess this is the right beats for a normal day).

Descending the stairs and realized that even the stairs going down are also painted with scenery or more like a childhood tale, with each scene changing with the lights that give its tone that tells of a situation, like yellow is happy and cheerful, blue for sadness and lowliness, and even red for the seriousness and danger just like the colour meaning in this Sector.

(Didn't Saya told me how each Sector has a different meaning in their colour? I wonder what will the arts in the other Sector will look like?)

Even if I'm no expert, I can't help but appreciate the intensive details this place have.

(How long did they take to build this place?)

Mitsuru who's also enjoying the art beside us looks at it with awe. So much so, she opens her mask to look at them directly. But it seems she gets a little too into the story and starts acting out the characters with her face...

(Which is pretty funny).

"You know I can't do this without you.

But... Since you killed my doggo, you shall all pay!"

Before long Saya walks close beside me as she looks at her. whispering to me in a funny voice as to put words into Mitsuru's mouth.

"Hahaha, stop it!"

"Come on, she's begging to be dubbed! And you gotta admit, it's hilarious."

"Yea..."

I push Saya away slowly while I cracked up laughing. Seeing Mitsuru continue showing her emotions, Saya returns close replying:

"See? Funny isn't it?"

"I guess..."

"Hmm, what's wrong?"

Mitsuru who caught wind of the situation looks our way asking with a curious face. Saya in return tries to not spoil it by replying:

"N-Nothing- pfdfd ahahahaha!"

Only to laugh in the end. When she looks at me saying:

"Haah, what's wrong with that Kabehokosha?"

Speaking in Eclish probably to avoid Saya's ears. I can't help but wonder,

(Kabehokosha? Is that what the Eclish call the rat-kin?)

I shake my head and fan my hand replying in Eclish saying:

"Oh, don't worry. She's just humouring her self."

"Oh, you speak Eclish? Interesting. Still... Weird kid."

"Hahahaha!"

Saya continues to laugh when we exit the stairs and enter a new part of the building. Seeing Juja already waiting for us, I speed up a little saying:

"Sorry, we're late. You're all sure fast."

"No need to apologize, for we thank you for your kind praise, Lord Silencer!"

She bows her head down expressing her thanks. I can't help but wonder if we did anything wrong and just move on with this, lest we can do is just help them out as soon as possible... Asap is what Saya said yes?

When they continue, I try catching up to them while still waiting for the others. Seeing how beside us is a small moving fence that borders this place and the larger, bigger, and crowded space beyond... I steel my resolve and went on to finish the mission Asap.

Going through the light at the end of the tunnel, Another beautiful view bask my eyes. Colourful, beautiful, wonderful, and phenomenal, this district really lives up to its name as a city of art. I could see the whole district from up here. The diversity of the colour pallet in the district is ridiculous. It's like seeing those Libera church mirror on a grand scale and then the fact that we're now standing somewhere high, it seems my hand already grab ahold of something and that's the walls.

(Woah, I may not be the patron of art like Nicole but... I think this place is just mind-blowing. I can't wait to tour this place. I hope I can bring him here).

Seeing Saya beside me, I pat her shoulder asking:

"Say, Saya, when we're done with this mission. Mind helping me buy souvenirs? For real this time since my money card is with you too."

"I'm surprised you remembered. Very well, since I still have your card anyway... Though you seriously need to change the name and usage though. It is still under a different name you know?"

"Sure, since you're the expert, I'll let you do the process and I'll watch so that I can do it alone next time."

"Oh, no, no, no. You're the one who's gonna have to change it personally... In fact, why don't you ask your Sis for a personal card and transfer the money there? How old are you again? 16? You're an adult in this country, you should've learned how to hold money by yourself now."

"I don't really understand what you said but why not. And yea, I guess it would be wise to manage my finances properly after what you said... With the broken stuff I bring all the time- say, what did anyone say about the train that got destroyed when we were travelling to the jaguar sector?"

"You're full of surprises today. But don't worry, they already fixed it."

"So, we don't need to compensate for anything right?"

Saya slaps my lower back shouting:

"Pfft, of course not! Since you're like the Sworn sibling of the Empress and the fact that the enemy is the one that destroyed it. When did you think so much! Seriously though, focus on the mission now, and forget about the previous one already."

"I-I see... Okay then, thanks for letting me know..."

Saya leans towards me asking:

"What's wrong? When did you get so... Perceiving about the things around you?"

"Oh? Oh yeah, I never told you huh?"

"Told me what?"

I look at the dust beyond grey. With new resolve and determination, I reach my hand to the clapping thunder saying:

"I immediately broke this armour the moment I got it. And thanks to that, I realize I have to change from all the things I have done. No, I must change, and the first step to do that is to make sure I don't miss the clues around me."

(Albeit, slowly and one at a time. If I'm following Mary's advice).

"Heh, I guess you becoming sharp is not a one-time thing. Well then, let's go. The quicker we finish this, the longer you get to spend your time here."

"Yea."

With a firm nod, my cape flutters by nature's breathe. To the darkness at the edge of this light, we prepare for battle.

*************************************

*psssh*

"We're here. You can disembark now, Lord Suowa. This is where we part. It was nice knowing you for a short while."

"You as well, thank you, Juja."

Closing my eyes through all the trials and tribulation, and having conversation with her for distraction, I finally open them with those words. When the ship's butt opens, raging winds whip at us as heavy rain pours with her voice. Even with no opening, I could still feel the water on my skin as the gale blows nature's tear inside. Standing on my two feet, I exit the aerial transport with my companions following behind me. The unending barrage of mother nature grows stronger as I'm now receiving the full brunt of her rage.

Yet this is nothing much than a small drizzle from where I come from. My eyes wander about in the heavy rain as what greets me first is some sort of half-built cannons with multiple barrels around the walls pointing to the sky. Before my eyes falls back and I stand ready to the 2 people waiting for me in this war-torn base. The green glowing line on their visor that shows where their eyes are shining bright as they seem to be anticipating me.

"So we meet again, you Deceiving Cur!"

(Oh, that voice).

Greeting me with a harsh speech is definitely the commandant I met back at the mountain citadel, Eun Yong.

(I guess he still speaks like that? Or is that just the way he speaks?)

I look at him in between the storm and rain. His black attire that looks like some skin-tight armour that shows his slim tone build and an extra advanced-looking steel armour on his vital parts below a long black coat. I clasp my hand replying:

"Greetings to you too, Commandant, Eun Yong. I guess I never introduce myself back then. I am-"

"I already heard it back at the Gathering you drag and disgrace."

Eun Yong replied instantly with another berating tone when the one beside him lean forward in this storm of hate saying:

"Ye ouch, what's with the occasion Oppa? You'll never get a girlfriend like that, and you don't want that do you?"

"Shut it, You wench!"

Yong replies harshly in Hwansea.

"Hahaha! Say that again, you simp Oppa."

Speaking in Hwansea, she wears the same clothes as Eun Yong but the difference is that unlike him, her extra armour seems to fuse with the suit that makes it look like thin folds that outline her slim-fit body. She carries two swords with different length on both sides of her right and back waist. Sis Fei told me about this, her sword may look similar to a katana but that's no doubt a geom or more specifically the one edge type called the hwando and ssangsudo. Since the belly of the blade is more flattened...

(Hang on, I just realize this... But when did I get this much knowledgeable about weapons and armour? I guess Sis Fei's influence really reach deep when she shows me her old weapon and armour collection from the twin peninsula of north and west when I was cleaning her room last night... I hope my Hwansea isn't that rusty).

I face the other person and greet her in their language saying:

"Please to meet you, I'm Suowa Anmao. A Silencer under the direct command of the Empress or for now the commanders here."

"Eh!? Y-You, speak our tongue? I mean, Greetings! I'm the new Deputy Ha Yeon."

"Hmph!"

Ha Yeon leans close to Yong and nudges his arms whispering:

"And hey, that dialect... Isn't it from the west?"

"No shit."

"Say that again and who knows what I'll tell Soomu-unnie."

"I dare you!"

(Watching their banter, I start to wonder what's so wrong about me speaking the language of the two peninsulas? And new deputy? What happened to the old one?)

Hearing the two replying differently from my words, Saya who's hanging on for dear life by grabbing my leg shouts:

"Dammit, I know you're all strong but can we just get inside first! I can't hang on for much longer!"

Saya shouts in Runician, making Ha-Yeon nudge and looks at him asking:

"So... What's she saying, Simp Lord- Oppa?"

"She says she wants to go in since she can't handle the storm, you screeching harp."

"Oh, hehe sorry! Let's go in."

She gestures us to follow inside the huge fort that seems to fuse with the walls. When the large two gates open and light brightens up the way, the transport behind us flies towards the storm. Wondering where the transport is going in this downpour. I enter inside and when everyone is in, the door closes and a huge gust of wind blows our way when I realize the girl beside Yong is the one casting the spell.

"There, that should dry you all up. Follow me, we'll have a proper meeting in the war room."

Ha Yeon gestures me as they both open their helm to reveal their face. Yong seems to get a new scar on his nose while I finally got to see the girl's face. With long tied up black hair and golden eyes, she kinda reminds me of someone.

"Okay..."

I responded as they turn their backs to us but not before Yong glares at me for a moment. Following them, Saya fixes the wear-out ribbon on her tail and dry her clothes while Mitsuru is looking around the base. They both soon open their helmets as well while we continue on our way. Excited and afraid by how everything is moving so fast, I see Ha Yeon digging through her notebook while Yong is secretly peeking my way and would look away when I look back at him.

(I know that I'm on a mission here but I guess it's hard to believe that I'm now working a full-time job when just a year ago I was just a normal unemployed citizen... Family work I guess counts?)

We travel in silence, with only my silent steps and their echoing strides doing the talking. One thing that has been bothering me is where is everybody? I mean I know they're probably being dispatch on a mission like me but not meeting anyone is weird. Going up a floor, I could still somehow smell blood on the walls while only the chilling winds blow through the empty corridors. But as I try to start a conversation, they both stop and open the door. Gesturing us to go in, I nod saying:

"Thank you."

Before going inside and was greeted with:

"We greet the Lord Silencer!"

I could see officers and probably Generals from their armour standing up and clasp their hands to greet me in runician. My arms are going numb and my feet are shaking but luckily my armour doesn't clatter so that's a good thing.

(I'm not this nervous when I greet my self in that hall so why now? Anyways, should I greet with a name or not in this instance? I suppose I best do it normally).

I walk deeper inside so that Saya and Mitsuru can get in, I clasp my hand replying:

"Greetings to you all, as well. I'm Suowa Anmao, I will be working with all of you."

"Greetings, I'm Mitsuru, here to assist as well."

"I'm Sarah, here for assistance as well."

Saya and Mitsuru stand beside me as they greet themselves. Currently, there are more than 20 people inside the room not counting the three of us and the other two. But the only one that stands forward close to the table is 4 people while the other stand behind them.

"Greetings to you again Lord Suowa, I'm Great General Yichensha. I'm the one who'll be leading this operation."

He is a rat-kin in his early twenties, speaking in monotone. With long black hair tied up by a red headband. Wearing a unique looking armour of lamellar with a mountain scale design, a monster's head as his shoulder guards, and a waist guard that looks like a coiling tail. He looks at me as he is analysing from top to bottom as if looking for something.

"Greetings once again, Lord Suowa, I'm Great General Liukang. The one in charge of this operation as well."

Next is a rat-kin in his late twenties, he wears a golden ringlet around his left ear like a crown and neck like a collar while wearing a pretty eye-catching brigandine armour of golden silk and steel. Carrying six small blades on his waist that makes it look like small wings.

"Hehe~ I guess greetings, I'm Great General Xanxia. I'll be here also as the strategist of the other 2 Great Generals."

Speaking in a merry tone, she is a rat-kin in her early twenties. Wearing a mix of brigandine and mountain scale lamellar armour, the one thing that catches my eyes is her long transparent scarf hovering around her like a floating river.

(I wonder where do they found that kind of scarf?)

"Greetings once more, Lord Suowa. I am General Sangong, I will assist you in the capture of the remnants."

He is a rat-kin only a few years older than me, with a heavy commanding presence than even those Great Generals, he wears a thick armour of bronze. While his eyes and hair are also the same colour.

(For some reason, my head and body are saying, I'm not even supposed to be receiving this kind treatment...)

They all soon stare at me as they are perhaps anticipating for something. Saya nudge at me whispering:

"Go, ahead and stand near the war table."

"Oh?"

With haste, I walk to the large pool table looking furniture with a huge map and blocks similar to the board Libing use. The Officers ahead of me makes way and lets me stand at the end of the table. Saya and Mitsuru follow suit and stands beside me when I look at the huge map with rising pictures. Looking at the map, I could see many of the blocks are positioned outside the base and 30 of them inside the wall behind the fused base...

(Is that where we are?)

"Um, do you mind opening your helmet? For courtesy sake?"

General Sangong who's standing beside me looks at my face as he says that. Everyone in the room seems to glare at him but he doesn't seem to mind, I look at Saya who's standing between me and him and she nods whispering:

"Your choice."

"I see... Then no, I'll keep wearing it."

"Oh?"

" "Eh?" "

"Tch!"

They all look at me for a while with a strained face and less composure than before. Especially Yong who just click his tongue while Ha-Yeon gasps with disbelief. It was silence for a while while they all look at each other, wondering what happened, I look around and realize,

(Did I do something wrong? I'm supposed to act tough right? Um...)

I hold my cheeks and forehead before looking around asking:

"Is there something on my helm?"

*cough*

"No, nothing at all. So, Commander Yi, continue on the briefing?"

Xanxia grabs everyone's attention with her reply and Yichensha nods and points a stick at the walls saying:

"Now then, following Xanxia's plan. Let me recap for the Silencer, The 32nd Battalion led by 1000 man commander-"

(Wait for me?)

Wondering what he is saying, I can't help but look at the edge of the table and see the sands and seas beyond the thick walls that are spanning more than half of the table is the inside of the Rucina walls with the block with banners the only size of our hands.

"-And so, With the assistance of General Sangong personally leading the army, you and your companions will accompany him to capture that escapist. Don't worry, the others here will capture the rest of the escapist while-"

As I try to concentrate on the Great General's briefing, my eyes keep wandering off... I close my eyes wondering,

(Weird, I don't remember being so quick to lose interest like this. I wonder if it's his monotone and unchanging tone? The ocean... The endless blues and depth, the unending muse of the deep sea and smashing wave... And if I finish this mission, I will be traversing the tides and soon go to the Theocracy to meet him-)

"So, do you perhaps anything you wish to add, Lord Suowa?"

"Huh? The Ocean!"

"The ocean?"

Surprised by his sudden question, I answer back hastily what's in my head while I open my eyes. Everyone leers their eyes at each other with uncertainty.

(Ah! What's wrong with me!? Not did I cause trouble back at home now I'm ruining this all).

While caught in my inner turmoil. Sangong raises his hand saying:

"Say, Great General Yichensha, why don't we use him to the full extent while following her words? Just place him and his companions on the city shores. With him there, we could use this chance to ease the burden of the second front created by her, while also ridding the Yiweilu Bihai-zu residing on the walls. With them gone, we could pour more troops inside in the future for the next campaign."

Sangong places his hand on a specific part of the wall with yellow colour before saying:

"If you so wish it, I will be the one to lead the charge and decimate them in but half a day. With the Silencer's help of course. If we do this right, we might even rule the entire Xiawei walls."

Sangong proclaims with confidence and determination in his voice while he curls his fingers to a fist. Not before he smiles at the end while he looks at me with his gleaming bronze eyes. That's when I realize more of the map, only a quarter of the walls have a purple colour with the phoenix emblem in it. The other part is a jumbled mess of colours like those mosaic windows in the spirit church but with all of them having their shade of colour.

"I see, I suppose that's viable. Any objections? Especially you, Lord Suowa. You don't mind helping us with a bit more do you?"

The other two Great Generals looks at me while Yichensha asks with his unchanging tone. I nod firmly and cross my arms replying:

"Not at all, the Empress has given you the rights to order me, so I shall do as you say... For now."

(Phew, did I do that right?)

"Good! Let's do our best!"

Sangong smiles as he says that. With the gaze of many upon me, I can't help but wonder where this is all going. As the conversation went on, I keep facing at the war table while looking at Mitsuru and Saya who's been ignoring what's been said while they look around. I sigh and look back at the war table where the blocks are moving and rivers flowing between the mountain cliffs, I could see the colour on the table moving a lot and quickly getting a headache while trying to discern what's being explained and what's happening.

(How do people even know what's going on here? Even the map Libing shows is not this messy. I wonder if this is what Sis Yuwei has been looking most of the time? Now my respect for her just grows by tenfold... Seriously though, can I just leave?)

I try my best to understand and nod along. Before long, I start to dream and list about what to do when I finish my mission inside my head.

(A city of art... I wonder if the food will look like a bust and we'll start eating from his head? No, that kinda sounds horrifying. Then again, from the vacations and tour, Sis Rubeca and Nicole gave me. Most the Confederation arts and culture are more of the realm of 2 dimensions unlike the Aologi Empire and the Libera Theocracy which prioritize 3-dimensional artworks... But seeing those phoenix pillars back at the train proves otherwise.

Then what about the artistry or clothes from the station? They were wearing those expensive and detailed robes or I wonder what the insides of the normal building will be like if the station looks like that? Oh, I can't wait! I should list this city down as well... Then again, what's the name of the city though?)

"-Lord Suowa, you've been nodding along but do you perhaps have something you wish to say?"

"Oh, me?"

Great General Liukang asks me with a curious tone. Caught in the act, I look back at him surprised which luckily he can't see do to my helmet.

"Of course, being the highest-ranking authority here. Perhaps you have a suggestion you like to give us?"

(Wait, didn't Libing tell me I'm not a warrior but more of a... What's it called again? Dip... Dip roe? Well, at least it's not someone who commands! Ah! Seriously, what the hell is a Silencer!? Let's just wing with it).

Screaming in my head I unfold my arm and just be truthful by saying:

"None."

"N-None?"

"Really?"

Xanxia asks back for Liukang who's looking a bit horrified. I look at the table and see the colour moving to say:

"After all, I'm sure that Great Generals like yourselves know what you're doing right?"

"Urgh!", " W-What?", "H-Hey...", " Great General Liukang, we didn't agree to this for that right?", "Open your eyes, Great General, Yichensha!", "Is following Great General Xanxia the best choice?"

(What are they going on about?)

I wonder while the officers in the back finally spoke for once, looking at the two Great Generals with a pained face filled with terror as if they're animals to the slaughter. Great General Yichensha nods to my comment with his monotone voice replying:

"Quiet down! I see... Then I guess there's nothing more to discuss. Thank you for your time, Lord Suowa. If you wish, you can rest first on the resting quarters. We'll prep you when it's time."

Even when he shouts, he somehow keeps his unchanging tone. I nod along and turn around saying:

"Very well, I'll take my leave. May the spirit bless you all."

" "May the spirit bless you as well!" "

The officers reply with anger except for the 4 people near the table. Saya and Mitsuru follow along while the new deputy and Commandant help open the door and leave as well...

(Shouldn't Mitsuru and Yong stayed there? I mean isn't she a general and he's a high ranking officer too right?)

Closing the door and walking away, I could hear the room explode in cries, an outburst of rage and anger while they argue something muffled by their rapid jeers. Taking a huge sigh of relief I look back at those two asking:

"So, where're the quarters he told me about?"

Speaking in Hwansea, Ha Yeon looks back at me with a cheery smile replying:

"Oh, follow me! I'll lead you there, Lord Suowa."

Ha-Yeon speaks when Yong walks infront of me saying:

"Hey, you Man-woman hybrid, if you have time to rest, why not a spar?"

Speaking in Hwansea as well, he challenges me to a duel but Ha Yeon intervenes by standing between us shouting:

"Supreme Simp Oppa! Watch your words!"

Yong pushes her away and points at her saying:

"Shut it, you rotting flower!"

Before his finger moves to point at me and continue saying:

"Think of it as our rematch, you didn't even use your magic back then, right? This time, I won't hold back, so you better not hold anything back either."

Staring at him while Ha Yeon panics and flipping through her notes. I sigh and shake my head.

"Wait, don't tell me you'll refuse!? Is a Silencer like you going to back down like that!? Then your title is nothing but rubbish! The Empress is an idiot for making you one!"

(I don't even know what a Silencer is yet).

"If it makes you happy then go ahead and say you won and proclaim so. But..."

I walk past him and grab his shoulder.

"Huh? Arrggh!"

Tightening my grip, I force him to kneel and glare down at him. As he tries to pull my hand away, I tighten my grip saying:

"I told you before no? You can insult me all you want but don't you DARE insult, my family."

"Rrrgh! What is this strength!?"

Purple aura instinctively pours out of me as my cape floats and I could see Yong bask in red light. That's when Yong disappears and Ha Yeon appear before me bowing her head down shouting:

"Please forgive his rude remarks, Lord Suowa! I promise you he was never this rude before! I don't know what he eats to be like this but I beg of you, please forgive him!"

(How did she...?)

Seeing Ha Yeon beg for his forgiveness sincerely, I look at Yong who's behind her looking surprised.

(So he didn't speak with insults? Then again, the people from the twin peninsula back when I was still travelling with aunt are all nice people, even to Owlians... I guess he has his circumstances, but... Why me?)

Seeing him grinding his teeth, Yong gets up and pull her back saying:

"Don't apologize for me, Ha Yeon! Not anymore... This is all me, tch!"

Yong bows down saying:

"This is all on me, I am the wrong one... I'm sorry..."

For once hearing him apologize after so many insults just feel weird. But...

"Very well, just don't do it next time."

"Thank you..."

Ha Yeon walks beside him and pulls him away saying:

"Um, if you wouldn't mind, can I please have a small chat? Thanks!"

Before I could reply, Ha Yeon brings him out of our sight. Giving them space as I try not to hear their private time, I look back at Mitsuru and Saya saying:

"Sorry, I wonder if that's unsightly of me?"

Mitsuru shrugs her shoulder replying:

"Sorry, can't understand what you guys are saying."

"Ah right... Well, let's just say he insulted me and my Sis- I mean the Empress."

Hearing my words, Saya nods replying:

"I guess I understand a bit but I guess that's passable. Remember, next time if someone insults you, you better retaliate and save face."

"Just to save face? But that's..."

"Trust me, if you're in another sector, that's just the norm. Since you're the Silencer of the Phoenix, if they insult you, they insult everyone in the Phoenix Sector and Yuwei, your family most of all. Show them no mercy."

"But... I see... Being a Silencer is hard."

"Well, it doesn't have to be physical, just retort them back."

"Ah! I see... I'm starting to question a lot of things about my profession."

(I need to get Libing to explain quick).

"We're back!"

Looking around as I wait, Ha Yeon returns with Yong in tow. That's when she leans close with a sweet smile asking:

"Hey... Can I see your face?"

"Huh?"

"Hey!"

Yong's face reddened when she asks and tries to pull her away but Ha Yeon persists and stay.

(What did they talk about to lead to that?)

"Sorry but no."

"What?"

She claps her hand and bows down shouting:

"Pretty please!"

"Ha Yeon!"

Yong grab her arm to pull her back but Ha Yeon persists once more shouting:

"I beg of you! It's so that I can understand Yong's predicament and cure him!"

"Excuse me what?"

(He's sick? A sickness that makes people speak rudely? Weird... Then again, magic exists so it's not so far fetched).

"HA YEON!"

Yong carries her away this time as I start to wonder...

(Speaking 4 languages in a day... When was the last time I do that? Or do people even do that?)

After calming her down, Yong walks close to me saying:

"Tch, fine! I'll bring you to your rooms. But don't expect any courtesy from me, you chimaera freak."

"Thanks..."

(Sparring... Should I've accepted it after all? No! Talk first! Still... Deception and Sabotage, I wonder how does that even work?)

*************************************

Darkness spread among the clouds, spreading chaos and turmoil whenever it went. As I stand among the tallest mountains, I can't help but feel my legs going numb with each step I take...

(I shouldn't have looked down... More like why did you even put windows on the highest floors!?)

Wondering how far this would go, I hold the walls for comfort. That's when they bring me to something akin to a storage room with a dusty bed on the edge. With only a few lights on the ceiling and small vents on the walls, this place is...

(Is this the rest quarters? It doesn't look so much different than Sis Fei's room).

Ha Yeon walks forth and presents the room with a bright look saying:

"Welcome to our new resting quarters! Albeit it's just a storage room with a single bed."

(She said it).

"Don't be so dissatisfied, we just captured this base and making huge renovations. This is the best we got, even the Great Generals are sleeping in a pen house for now."

Yong tried to convince me while he leans on the door.

(Well, I guess I don't mind... But people sleeping in the pen house? Reminds me of my aunt back then.)

"I see, thanks."

"You're welcome! If you need us, we'll be waiting in the room next door."

Ha Yeon and Yong close the door as they leave.

"Dibs on the bed!"

Saya shouts as she claims the bed. Jumping high and landing hard, dust clouds gather with her fall. Wondering how she'd not sneezing I grab the closest chest and use it as a chair.

(Sitting with armour sure is uncomfortable, I wonder how those Heroes and Hunters in stories even deal with this? And this is on a man-made place, I can't imagine how it feels to sleep in the ground and wild).

Seeing Saya laying down, I can't help but look around the dimly lit room asking:

"Say, what do we do right now? Do we actually just rest like this when we're so close to battle?"

Saya rests her head on the below while lying on her stomach before replying:

"Don't ask me, I don't know."

Seeing Mitsuru sitting in the corner by folding her legs and closing her eyes, I look at her asking:

"Do you know Mitsuru?"

Mitsuru opens her eyes and looks at me replying:

"Well, since we're so close to being deployed, usually soldiers would perform maintenance on their equipment one last time."

"Equipment maintenance?"

"Well, we don't want our weapons and armour to break mid-battle or our guns and tools to malfunction do we?"

I look down at my armour replying:

"Well, yeah..."

(Now that I think about it, how do we perform maintenance on soul weapons? Or how do I even perform checks on this armour? This... Modern performing armour...)

Looking back at Mitsuru who's closing her eyes, I continue asking:

"Then what are you doing? That doesn't look like maintenance to me."

"This? I'm praying."

"Oh, ah! I-I'm so sorry!"

(Oh, cotton candy! I hope she's not mad. The last time I disturb Nicole with his morning prayer he wouldn't talk to me for the whole week and would barely forgive me then).

Mitsuru shakes her head replying:

"It's okay since you don't seem to know how we pray."

"I-I see... But I'm sorry none the less. I'm sorry, for disturbing."

"It's fine really, I'm doing this out of tradition. It really helps you calm down when you know someone else is there to protect you."

(I never really think like that).

I look at Saya who's resting eyes asking:

"I never bothered asking, but do you pray Saya? Or what religion do you follow?"

She rolls around and opens one of her ruby red eyes replying:

"I follow a minor deity, so I doubt you would know him. As for praying, I don't do much but the occasional yearly celebration."

"I see..."

(Religion... I never really pursue that topic much since I'm an Owlian).

"So, what religion do you follow Sova?"

"Huh?"

Mitsuru walks close as she asks, leaning on the tall shelves as she points at herself and continues saying:

"I follow Senzen. The thousand all pantheon."

(Woah, I never bothered asking but how many religion is out there?)

I shake my head to her question replying:

"I'm an Owlian, so I follow no higher being."

(To be honest, I think she's the first person to ask me that. No one would ask an Owlian about religion).

"Huh!? O-Oh, you mean an Atheist."

(That's right since all Owlians are Atheists or all that I know and heard, so when Nicole told me that people who don't follow a religion are also called Owlians, I became a bit baffled and confused. So the word Owlian in the common tongue has many meanings but all of them are negative).

I shake the thought away and continue explaining:

"Right, I never told you but I'm an actual Owlian. I guess I'm a bit special since I can cast magic of some sort."

"Really!? That's a bit..."

"Unbelievable, yes? I understand."

(Even I'm still a bit confused but then again, if I can use qi, I wonder if using magic is even surprising? But what about the tonics said by Gruncle, Abe and Libing?)

"Are you really an Owlian? Then again, that would explain your scars."

I touch where the scar on my left cheek over my helm and then my forehead before replying:

"Yeah... What about you, Mitsuru? Why did you keep your scars?"

"Ah! Well, I dare say it's my trophy. What about you? Where do you get your scars?"

Mitsuru sits on the floor in front of me yet despite that she is still the same height as we look face to face.

"Me?"

I try to scratch my head and realize it does nothing, I nod and continue saying:

"It's a bit funny. I got one from a finger flick and I don't even know how I got another one."

"I can relate with the last one, sometimes when you fight in the field, all you can focus is killing your enemies and surviving while all you hear is the screams of your friends and the cry of your foes. The small cuts and blood that trickles away from you just seem so distant and numb in the face of death."

(That's a bit...)

"When you say it like that... I kinda feel bad about where I'm getting mine."

Mitsuru gets close and pats my back replying:

"Don't be! Say, tell me more about yourself, Sova. Where do you even learn how to speak Eclish?"

"Oh, I just picked it up when the boss where I work with talks with his family. And when I try speaking it, his daughter decided to help me learn as well."

"Hoho! Nice! Nice! I heard you speak the tongue of Xin, Eertie, the Twin Peninsula too, how many languages can you speak, girl?"

(Girl?)

Ignoring her last word, I nod saying:

"I can speak 5."

"Pfff! 5!? I can only speak 1 fluently and I could barely speak the common tongue and Runician. And here you can speak 5? And the way you speak the common tongue, Runician, Eclish, and That twin peninsula language fluently. Talent! Now I know why you're a diplomat."

Feeling a bit overpraised, I try to scratch my cheeks again and realizing it does nothing, I finally open my helm and scratch my cheeks before replying:

"You're overpraising me..."

Saya appears behind me and pats my head saying:

"Didn't I tell you before, Sova? Accept your talents! Though I have to admit, to be a diplomat is not just being multilingual or polyglot. You also gotta have other skills as well but with your honest attitude, I guess it's fine."

"Yeah! You rock!"

"Thanks!"

(This is the first time someone praises me like this... It's nice... And praising someone as a rock is weird... Eclish indeed, or is it perhaps a different meaning? And what's a polyglot? I may have learned how to speak fluently but my vocabulary still lacks).

"Haa, haa, Pichu!"

Sneezing as the dust gathers in my nose, I try brushing off the snot when Mitsuru tilts her head asking:

"Pichu?"

"Sorry, I guess the dust's too much- Pichu!"

Saya rests her chin on the pillow saying:

"Pff, that's actually adorable."

"Don't say- Pichu!"

I clean my nose before wearing my helm back before asking:

"What about you two? Why aren't you sneezing?"

Mitsuru rubs her nose replying:

"As a true martial artist, you gotta have a thin layer of qi at all time. So it kinda acts like a filter."

(Really!? I never knew that! Then again, Rana did say she protects her self from the rain with a thin layer of qi...)

"As for me, I have magic. It helps a lot to learn menial magic for everyday life and protection when you're living in the sewers."

"That's cheating... Mitsuru, can you teach me how to use that thin layer qi thing?"

"Hmm? Shouldn't you learn how to when you learn how to use qi? That's like one of the first lessons to learn other than qi control."

"Really? Well, I heard or see someone do it but the first thing I learn when I got my qi is to use qi blast."

"Qi blast from the start!? Talk about jumping the gun. Say, who's your master?"

I scratch my head as I feel a bit down and realizing again how it's not working, I put my hands down replying:

"Well, my Sis..."

"The Empress? I heard you're her sworn sibling."

I shake my head saying:

"No, I have many people to call Sis. Let's just say, she's not Sis Yuwei."

"I see, I guess she's probably one of those self-taught martial artists. And I guess why qi blast first, that's probably for her self-taught martial arts. It's fine, you can use qi control and qi coating to your weapons and armour, right?"

"Yup!"

"Good since you can already do that much, this should be easy. Rather than coating your weapon, this time try coating your whole body but thicken the qi output."

"Hmm, let me try..."

Rather than just coating, I decided to thicken the aura around me. With the help of the qi manipulation technique Nanny Yunyun taught me, I was able to not just thicken but harden the aura around me. Thin purple light soon appears at my armour.

"Woah... Is it this easy before?"

Mitsuru pats my back again saying:

"There! You're doing it already. Though, that's a bit much for filtering if you're even coating your armour. Don't you feel any strain or burden?"

"Really? I don't feel anything."

"Oh! I guess you're just someone with a lot of qi. From that amount, I guess you must be a true martial artist at least."

"I see..."

Spending time together, the three of us talk and I manage to learn new about each other. Like I learn about some more basics about martial arts. Other than cultivating, we can meditate. And how footwork is more important than offensive and defensive techniques. That's why many start training their legs first before moving up to their arms or just train all the parts at once and start entirely with controlling their balance...

(I never heard any of this from Sis! Oh, wait since she's from the Eclipse Empire maybe this is the Eclipse Empire way of teaching? Or something?)

*knock* *knock* *knock*

"Excuse me! This is Commandant Deputy Ha Yeon, Lord Suowa, you've been called for deployment!"

"Oh? It's time..."

Mitsuru and Saya who heard her get ready as well. Looking at Mitsuru who's summoning her swords on her shoulders and Saya adjusting her bags and blades, I brush off the dust that compiles on my armour before saying:

"Let's set out."

*************************************

*clang* *clang* *clang* *clang* *Psssh* *WEEUUUUU* *WEEEUUUU*

Cold mist exits as the door open. Magnificent stone-cold halls of concrete and steel greet our view while loud sounds of clanging bells and alarm echo loudly in my ear.

(This is annoying, I may be used to loud crowds but this just takes the sweets).

Mitsuru who had to bend a little before she can get her head out. The soldiers that pour out from the other doors of the train numbering over...

(Um... What's after a hundred...?)

We enter some sort of huge hall while we stand on some second floor with steel fences and mouldy floor and walls. Walking forth, I quickly hold the fence while looking up the endless darkness beyond with a variety of red and yellow lights acting as stars.

Seeing Saya and Mitsuru looking down, my eyes hesitantly follow. Seeing the soldiers setting up a base and opening crates as they clear the remnants of worn-out tents and utensils like tables, thin cloths, blankets and...

(Wait do people live here?)

I rush down one of the stairs as the soldiers make way, I could see colourful doodles on the walls, a dirty doll with boot marks. When I pick up the doll, traces of ash and empty cans of food are visible until the soldiers pick it up and start reorganizing this place and turning it into some base of operations.

(What is this feeling... Of guilt and sorrow...)

"What's the matter, Lord Suowa? Does the doll pique your interest?"

When I look back, the one who asks that is General Sangong as he wears his bronze helm and face mask. I nod at his question replying:

"You could say that... It's such a waste."

Clenching the doll accidentally that the stuffing pops out.

(Oh schnitzel! Um...)

"Waste is it? Interesting..."

Before I could speak a word, General Sangong nods as I feel I could see him smile behind his mask from the tone alone. He kicks open a crate and pulls two glass bottles with his hand. Using his tail to grab another bottle, he hands it to me asking:

"Say, why don't we-"

"General Sangong, may this lowly one please have your attention."

One soldier wearing a lighter armour than the rest approaches us. Clasping his hand and bowing down as he says that, Sangong nods and puts the bottles back saying:

"Yes, what is it, soldier?"

"It seems we manage to follow the refugees to the nearest base and it's pretty close to here, General. What're your orders?"

He nods again and looks at me for a while as if waiting for a reply. Wondering what he wants, I just nod along and he looks back at the soldier replying:

"I see, how many enemies can fight?"

"We found around a hundred are in fighting shape and few another thousand are weakened and civilians it seems."

"This is going to be a walk in the park. Deputy!"

A dark vortex appears beside him and reveals a woman in black. Wearing black clothes and cloak that covers her entire body, she snuggles close to Sangong as she seems to stay far away from me before asking:

"Yes, master. What do you need of me."

"Mobilize 4 assault company and command the others to continue building the base."

"Yes, Master, I obey... Soldier, you heard him, call to action!"

"Yes, we obey!"

The woman in black and soldier walk away when Sangong looks at me saying:

"She seems to be afraid of you, Lord Suowa. That's rare. So, ready for your first action? In this operation I mean."

I nod confidently saying:

"Yes, lead the way."

He gives me a thumbs up replying:

"Nice, call your other subordinates as well. Meet me at... That corridor gate over there."

Sangong points at the corridor entrance that leads to another landing area for the trains. As I see his finger pointing at the Owlian number [3] he nods and sets off first while his red cape flutters, almost brushing my nose...

(Subordinates?)

"Subordinates are we?"

Saya appears from behind me nudging at my arms. And shake my head saying:

"That's-"

"It's fine, it's just for formality anyway. Still... So this is what the walls are like?"

Saya slaps my waist before following him while looking at the man-made stars.

"The whole walls feels like an entirely different world."

Mitsuru whispers before appearing beside me. Folding her hands, she then leans down with her smiling demon mask saying:

"So, lead the way, boss."

Saying in a joking tone, I sigh replying:

"Okay... Let's follow General Sangong."

"Sure."

My heart beats ever faster as the time of battle grows ever nearer... Cold sweat trickled through my back and hands.

(Weird, I wasn't so nervous back when I was defending that sudden invasion. But this... I wonder why? The idea of myself marching to take the home of others perhaps? The idea that I am now accepting the orders to kill innocents for someone else?)

That's when Saya's word ring back, the idea of all lives being the same. That we kill because we need to and how the ones who kill for ideology is but fools...

(Am I doing the right thing following my Sister's whims? I'm a diplomat, right? I'm supposed to act tough like a few days ago with those ambassadors right? This... Get your act together, Sis needs me and I need her. We're now helping each other. No taking it back, most I could do is talk it out first... Then when negotiations are out, we can retaliate... I'm starting to doubt Sis Rubeca's teaching).

I continue to march along with Mitsuru beside me and catching up with Saya. I could see lines of soldiers readying their gears and standing ready for orders. Their commanders standing on the edge of their lines as they all form a column. With each soldier having heavy armour and large shields I can't help but awe at the sight as they all gaze are focused at me. Walking pass soldier after soldier and occasional commanders of each group that wears long feathers similar to my helm, the grip on their weapon seems to tighten.

Arriving on the front of the column of over a hundred soldiers, I stand between the concrete floor and the stone floor below with the endless darkness and dim lights stretching behind me. With General Sangong and Saya beside me, while his Deputy and Mitsuru standing on the end of each line. General Sangong takes one step forth shouting:

"Hear me, mewling chicks of Juanji! We now stand at our enemy's doorstep! For too long they have caused trouble for your friends, your lovers and most of all, your families! People of Juanji, the time has come to pay them back for what they've done!"

His voice is clear to those who can hear. Like the smite of a hammer to steel, his voice is like a wake-up call. The soldiers lining up tenses up when he pulls his bronze sword out shouting:

"You have nothing to lose but the thorns stuck on your side! We must win this battle for the suffering they have brought to us! Shatter their will, shatter their pride, shatter their World! Winged Spears, march!"

" "YES WE OBEY!!!"

The soldiers shout back when Sangong swing his sword to the darkness beyond and jump down to the train roads. Following him, the Deputy, Mitsuru jumps down while Saya follows the soldiers with the stairs. Not wanting to be left behind, I walk through the stairs and catch up to General Sangong who's being led by the lightly armoured soldier and the deputy over the dimly lit tunnel. Marching in formation, our column echoes loudly across the huge tunnels, so huge that it seems we can fit around 8 more of our columns and still have more rooms to spare. When the light starts to become dimmer and darker, the officers and a few soldiers cast light to the surrounding and they loosen their tight formation to a loosen column.

The soldiers with the spear on their right and their shield carry over their left shoulders, the commanders using a sword and shield while accompanied by a soldier wearing a different armour with a large bag on his back and a long banner in his hand, they continue to march undisturbed except by some occasional critters from the pipes, small holes and cracks from the walls and ground that could swallow one's feet. With mould growing wildly, the air starts to feel damp as vines start to appear common among the uneven ceiling and usable items, commodities and even boxes of food being thrown away to the sides. I can't help but wonder how desperate are they?

As we march deeper, the only light source we have is the magic cast by the officers and some soldiers to brighten up the path-

*russle* *russle*

"Hmm?"

Raising my arms to stop Sangong, the soldiers halted along with him. Sangong curious by my actions push my hands down asking:

"What's wrong?"

"Someones approaching ahead of us, probably an ambush."

(If it's those tiny critters, they wouldn't make such huge moves and most of all, they would still have sound with their steps and here I could see the vines being moves and push away as no steps are heard... Like a certain trait of rat-kins Saya told me about).

"Hoh? How far?"

"By the echo, around 20 metres or so but they're approaching fast and would arrive in a few minutes if they keep up their pace. Mostly from the ceiling too."

"Now? Deputy, if you would?"

The woman in black marches ahead and kneel. Touching the ground with her gloved hands, she looks back at Sangong and nod saying:

"H-He's right. I can sense many higher life forms waiting for us."

Sangong takes a deep breathe in before exhaling replying:

"I suspected as much. So, where are they gathered? The ceiling on the right or left?"

As I focus once more, I could hear most of the ambushers waiting from the left. I point at the left saying:

"Mostly on the left, General."

"I see, you've proven to be a more capable scout than the scouts and deputy without magic too, probably. Very nice! I can see why she would scout you, but... I doubt that's why she even accept you at her party..."

Sangong wraps his hand around my shoulder, bending forward a bit, I could somehow see him smile behind his bronze mask before he continues saying:

"And I can bet you're gonna show us what soon."

He strokes his chin with his tail before he separates and continues shouting:

"Alright, stay in tight formation and march ahead, all squad leaders form on the right!"

(Hmm? If they're on the left, shouldn't he reinforce the left?)

Watching him giving the command, he sheathes his sword back in and gesture us to follow before shouting:

"Onwards!"

As we continue, I start to question his decision in my head as the deputy walks on the right side with the commander of the soldiers. Hearing the ambushers getting closer, I was ready to summon my weapon when Sangong push my hands down saying:

"No need, let the soldiers deal with them. Conserve your strength for a certain part of the battle."

"Certain part of the battle?"

"Oh, just watch."

Seeing Saya and Mitsuru also acting like everything is going to be fine as well, I decided to trust in his words and continue forward. As we get close, the rustling on the ceiling grows ever more frequent and so is our steps echoes with the crunching vines below. The strong smell of plants, the humid winds and air, and the visible lighting only bring more worry to me. It wasn't long when we found more abandoned items being thrown to the sides and soon...

"Guyaa!"

(Huh?)

A little girl with ragged clothing is crying as she walks with her eyes closed and her hands on the vegetated walls. When she heard of us getting closer, she starts to tremble and walk away from us shouting:

"Guysaa, wtwaa! Uwaah!"

She moves her hand away from the wall and runs away only to trip and fall from the vines below. Seeing the scene before me, I tried to chase after her but then realize...

(Is it a trap?)

Looking at others, they all don't seem to care except for the soldiers. Even when I can't see their face through their helms, I could tell them being flustered as their armour shakes and some gripping their weapons tightly but the commander merely disciplined them shouting:

"Eyes forward! And continue marching!"

To clear their doubts but it didn't help much. Waiting for someone to do something, I look at General Sangong who seem to look at it quietly and for once not being able to see the emotion behind the mask. Seeing the girl getting back on her feet with wounds on her knees she limps with every step trying to run away.

Not being able to hold back, I walk faster first to approach the girl when a shadow jumps down grabbing the girl. Pointing the sword at me the light from behind me shines the being before me. A young rat-kin in his early twenties wearing a mixed of armours from all kind with a curved sword on his hand. With the ferocity of a thousand suns, he glares at me with red eyes as his fangs and bucktooth shows carrying the girl in his arms. Realizing the thick qi he exudes, it's easy to tell he's no easy foe.

"Ahsgya!"

With a shout from above, shadows descend from above coming right at us. The soldier in front runs away with the girl to the darkness beyond and I start wondering what's happening behind me. The stable light source that helps light up the darkness quickly becomes chaotic. Like swinging a lantern in the dark I can't tell who's fighting who when even the bright purple colour of our soldiers seem irrelevant in this darkness. Steels clash, the shouts and screams of people can be heard, and the sound of blood and bodies splattered on the floor echo loudly in the empty and huge corridor.

Soon, I could feel two attacks coming at me. Before I could block it, someone appears beside me to parry and counter-attack. Times seems to pass quickly in this chaotic occasion when the light stabilizes, and everything starts becoming visible, I could see bodies more than I could count laying on the ground as blood water the mould and vines on the walls and ground below. Realizing the one beside me is Mitsuru and Saya, I can't help but feel grateful to have allies close by.

"What's the casualty?"

General Sangong asks as he wipes his reddened sword with a dirty cloth still attached to a corpse. The deputy walks close with a severed head of a man proclaiming:

"None, and no injured. It seems our soldier's armour is too much for their crude weapons."

Sangong sheathes his blade and looks beyond asking:

"I see, any escapees?"

"Around 5 or so."

The deputy reported as the soldiers fall back in line and checking on each other. Sangong sighs and nods before he walks to me asking:

"Say, Lord Suowa, have any reason why you head alone?"

His tone was serious, as I could see the bronze glare behind his mask, I can't help but admit my mistakes for falling at what seems to me, the enemy's trap.

"I just can't stand idle when I see a kid in need. I'm sorry."

I reply admitting my mistakes and Sangong stares at me for a while. He then sighs and slaps my back with his tail replying:

"Apology accepted, it worries me to have an emotional powerhouse like you close by but..."

He walks forth with hands behind his head saying:

"I'm glad to know that even when having such powers, you still have your kindness. Just make sure you don't get exploited. Alright, end of chatter! Move out!"

"Yes, we obey!"

The soldiers replied to Sangong with spirit as they continue their march. Following his trail, Saya and Mitsuru walk beside me and I could only say,

"Sorry, and thank you."

"Just don't make the same mistake again."

Saya folds her arms and walks away while Mitsuru merely replies:

"I'm not gonna condemn you for that, it's normal to care for the young. And if it's not you, one of those soldiers would do it anyway... Let's move on."

Mitsuru push me ahead and accompany me close as we move further away as the vegetation grows denser as if we're now in a jungle biome. Wondering how plans could grow so much so deep below and dark, that's when I realize the plants here are mostly white and there's even flower with a variety of colour. Wondering if we got transported, my theory is proven otherwise by the writing on the walls which says

[A - 3]

We're still in the same place. Continuing forward, we soon hit a wall, more specifically a natural wall made out of intertwined vines and plant shoots that stretches high above. Wondering how that rat-kin was able to pass, my thinking was disrupted when Mitsuru walks forth and easily cuts the entire wall. Chopping it to countless pieces with a single swing as she proceeds to then push the shards and pieces with her qi wave. Blowing the debris to the darkness, revealing an open path but with lesser vegetation than before...

(I can't even see her sword moves...)

Sangong nods saying:

"Well done, now stop gawking and march on!"

Sangong yells as he commands the soldier to follow. Chasing after Mitsuru I can't help but say:

"That was amazing! I can't even see your sword moves."

"Thanks, but if I use my swords, then the entire corridor would collapse."

"Huh? You destroyed that without swords!? How did you do that?"

"Aren't you a true martial artist?"

"Huh?"

"Oh, wait, since you're a silencer, that means you're a Dualist so I guess you're still lacking in a lot."

"Huh?"

(Lacking something? Dualist again...)

Mitsuru pats my back and possibly smile behind her back replying:

"We can talk later when we're on a break, Sova. Let's focus on this mission first."

"Right..."

Passing through the tallest corridor and the tightest tunnels, the sight of people living here becomes more visible. From abandoned posts, cooking utensils, furniture that doesn't have any vegetation which means they just left recently. With ashes sprinkle about, their cinders wither when light is sighted at the end of the tunnel. With haste, we march forth to our destination, arms ready and our wits fastened, we set to battle.

What awaits us is walls made of wood and spikes of rusted steel. Countless lined up with torches over their head and bows in their hand to form an uneven line of fire atop the walls. Yet, the light reveals something else, most of them young, bandaged, bloodied, old, and missing limbs. Sangong who see the awaiting foes gestures his hands, causing the soldiers behind us to line up and encircle the fortified pass.

"Aggsusja! Skshauuawja!"

Walking near Sangong he steps forth shouting in an unknown tongue, or the language of the rat-kin probably... As Sangong keeps shouting which cause the defenders to cower and look among themselves, I lean towards Saya, asking:

"What is he saying, Saya?"

Whispering as I ask, Saya shakes her head replying:

"I don't know, it's the language of the Juinhyye. Or should I say the rat-kin from the south-east, where we are right now... The one I speak is from the north, the common dialect of my kin."

"Really? Runician doesn't sound different when I travel to the Turtle Sector, their Runician doesn't sound so different."

"That's because you're in the capital district, only peasants, low to mid-class citizens speak with their based dialects, though only at home or with friends. Nobles and mid to high-class citizenry only carry the tones of their native dialect but most of them speak the common runician distributed by the Deities."

(Deities? Ah! Does she mean the tale of how the Deities Give language to the people? That's a weird story too).

"Really? I can't tell the difference of their tones..."

"The only reason I thought you are rich and special is because of your tone and dialect which is used by nobles and high-class citizens."

"Really? I don't think my tone sound any special, or how do you even tell the difference?"

(Then again, I did learn from May, Aunt, Sis Fei and Yuwei, so I guess that's a given... Wait, is that why Qiyue called me a noble when I wear servants clothing? From the way I speak? Language is more complicated than I thought!

Then what about the ones near my home? Or the one in the jaguar sector? Aren't those soldiers commoners? Or the one in the hidden district? Why do I understand them? And Most tourists from my home district came from Central where many rich people live and since we're living close to the Royal district I guess most people speak the same- Ah! This is too confusing!)

"Lord Suowa now's your chance to shine."

"Huh?"

Still racking my brain over my inner turmoil, Sangong approaches me and points at a familiar-looking rat-kin standing alone outside the wall. Wearing a mixed armour of all kinds he stands between us and the gates with a curved sword in his hand and the gaze of fury in his ruby-red eyes, he exudes an insane amount of qi.

"So... What's going on?"

I can't help but ask since I'm clueless about the situation. Sangong nodding to my predicament explains:

"Well, we know that they're not gonna win against our troops. So I decided to be the higher man and challenge them to an ancient tradition of Gurai."

Looking back and forth between that rat-kin and Sangong, I tilt my head saying:

"Gurai?"

Sangong folds his hands and nudges his head with his tail replying:

"Ah, right! I doubt you would know. Skipping history lessons, the rat-kin in the south prefer quality over quantity so the concept of war to them is different than other rat-kin or most people in the world. To them, war involves sending 4 of their strongest fighters to fight at a designated place watched by both clans to avoid high deaths rates. Though now, not many of the noble families hold that values anymore.

And for now, we only use one fighter and since they have chosen their strongest fighter, now it's our turn to choose ours, which is well... You."

"Me?"

I tilt my head further and point at myself. Probably frowning behind his bronze mask, Sangong asks back saying:

"Who else? And remember when I said conserve your strength? Now is the time to use it. And occupying will be much easier if they know they lost."

(I thought Silencers only hold a high position, not power... Ah! Libing better explain after this!)

"I see, very well. So I only have to fight him yes?"

"Yes, may the spirit bless you. Though I suggest you release your seal to fight."

(Seal?)

I just nod along and walk ahead, with every step I take he grips his weapon tighter as I could see him grinding his teeth. Hearing the loud cheers from the walls, the call and cry for the hero who stands before them. As if he's gazing at an invader that came to take everything away, I felt my hand feeling numb since I can't help but acknowledge his hate for what I have come to do...

(But...)

"May I know your name, rat-kin? I'm Suowa Anmao, a Silencer under the direct command of the Empress herself."

Speaking in Runician, I try to communicate but to my surprise, he answered back saying:

"Kiusan, son of Kiuran, here to fight for the independence of my home."

Speaking a bit weird from his pronouncing, I am taken aback. Thinking he would not answer back with the hatred in his eyes. I feel a bit relief as I continue saying:

"I hope you-"

"You better stop talking, before my respect for you runs out. Pull out your weapon and fight! And you better not hold back or you'll regret it."

Sighing with his answer, I now stand around 10 metres away from him. Straightening my right arm forward, I summon my halberd. Purple light travels to my right hand, leaving behind a trail of a beautiful lavender bridge. The light soon gathers to form the halberd I knew. Realizing that the halberd has changed to become more beautiful, as it keeps its original shape other ornaments seems to attach at the tip of the pummel and hammer. Making it look more magnificent yet maleficent. Kiusan takes a stance I never seem before and I decided to fight with my usual wrath stance.

For whatever reason, every time I see him twitch and when I try to react to his move, he would stop and cancel his action, in turn, making me stop as well. Staying still like this just twitching with each move, I simply breathe in and out wondering when this will end when a nerve popped from his forehead and he switches his stance into a more offensive stance as he leaves many opening to his body.

With unparalleled haste, faster than the commandant, he dashes forth leaving no trace on his step. But just like the commandant, he can't erase his existence, hearing the wind, I swing my halberd diagonally to my right and,

*clang* *smash* *cling* *crack*

(I think I should make a technique to defeat those speed types like them next time).

My attack with the hammer connects as it shatters his sword and destroys his armour to pieces. As his body crash to the ground, the cheering on the walls stops with his descent. Using this chance, I twirl my halberd for momentum and finish this by knocking him out but Kiusan dashes away near the gate with his armour gone revealing his worn out and torn clothing. He holds the part where my attack hits him and wipes the blood off his lips. It was silence for a while when,

"Gahya! Yssah!"

Shouting from the top of her lungs, one of the kids- no, the little girl he saved leans on the wall shouts to cheer him on. The others on the wall start to cheer loudly, as if the entire tunnel quakes with their shout, Kiusan smiles and gets up. Feeling something breaking inside of me, I grit my teeth and await his next move. Light envelopes his entire body and forms into a shape of heavy armour. When he steps forth, the light forms into a gree. spear and silver shield in his hands, his red eyes turn green when something shuts and cover his face. The cheers on the walls become silent again when they see what appear. The light forms into what seems to be a full-plate armour of black, stretching from his ears to his tail he now looks like a familiar black knight in the fairy tales during Rucina's time. With his white cotton cape, a silver crown atop his helmet, a round silver shield with a familiar heart symbol without any arrow and a unique-looking green spear, I think I shouldn't have waited.

(But if I have to be honest, he looks freaking cool! And I'm starting to question where did all these people come from?)

"Thank you for waiting, it seems I'm the one who underestimated you. It was foolish of me to think that no one would try to reach such heights anymore."

He takes a stance that pushes his shield forth and hides his spear behind before continue saying:

"I will use all I have to protect what I have now even if it means bringing my past life with me."

"O... Kay...?"

Feeling a bit awkward by his remarks, this time rather than dashing forth he merely disappears. Like I can't hear the sound of the wind as if he just vanish, using my instincts I predict his attack.

*clang*

Swinging my halberd horizontally, the sound of steel clash as my halberd smash to his silver shield yet not even leaving a dent as he then plunges his spear at me aiming at my neck. Tilting my head and dodging, he proceeds to push me away with his shield from below as I was lifted off the ground. Trying my best to plant my foot down, Kiusan doesn't even give me a chance as he jabs his spear with two hands which force me to block instead. Unbeknownst to me that he would then kick my feet and tilt my body which is still mid-air. With my entire balance in shambles, his attacks become a bit harder to block as I'm still being lifted as he sends his flurry of attacks that look like someone sends a roof full of icicles down at you.

(What kind of madness is this?)

His green visor shines bright while green light gathers at his hands and to his spear. Realizing I need to break out of this, I gather my power as well and perform what my head told me to.

[Immortal calamity dragon technique, chaos path: dragon crossing the tidal waves].

Following my body, purple light burst from my body as I push his shield away and counter-attack with a wave-like attack that strikes at him with the might of a thousand falling dragons. Destroying his momentum and somehow knowing he's smiling behind his helm, he uses his spear to redirect all the dragon wave away easily, leaving me exposed with my arm still in full swing. Taking this chance he counters back by using his shield's end with precision and hits my stomach, luckily with my armour the pain isn't much but he then connects it with his armoured tail that has a mace attach and slam over my head as my feet finally hits the ground and I was forced to bend over from the force. I felt the world spin when I could barely see his spear and try to block it but maybe it's just my broken view or failure to comprehend but his spear flow like how Sis Rubeca does. Bending like water and continue to stabs my chest. Luckily with my armour, the attack merely pushes me back but...

(I'm not going to let him have his way!)

As I'm being pushed away, I use my left hand and press my palm to his solar plexus and use,

[Reversal turtle reflection and almighty monkey technique combine, revenger road: reverse and crumble]

"Hoh?"

He only utters a single word and I felt my internal organs explode. I could taste the blood in my mouth as I feel my clothes becoming wet, I want to scream but all I can feel is the excruciating pain when I try to move my jaw or try to breathe.

(What just happened?)

Stopping short away from him, I look at my self as I feel unspeakable pain all over my body and my knees give in. I could see a huge dent on my left chest, feeling something touching my head, I realize his attacks have left huge dents and marks all over my armour. And if it wasn't for my armour, I would've probably been dead. When I look back at him, Kiusan uses his spear to draw a line on the ground saying:

"So, are you willing to take me seriously now? You're probably bleeding all over."

The crowds on the wall cheered even more loudly as they have seen victory before them. My vision blurs and my arms give in as I unintentionally let my weapon go. It seems he reversed my techniques on me... I can't help but feel awe and respect to him.

"With your skills, you would probably become a lower lieutenant back in my days. But as of now, you're nought but a snake challenging a dragon."

Feeling that he is smiling behind his helm, I could hear someone walking to me, I raise my hand despite the pain to stop him/her on her track and stand up as I feel my wounds are closing slowly.

"I got this..."

I assured them, one more time as I close my eyes and took a deep breathe in... The memories of those moves in my dreams surfaces. Feeling each motion he takes being etched to my head, I hold my halberd in one hand and pull out the bladeless sword on my belt. Purple qi gathers as it forms to become a qi sword. Taking a stance unknown yet familiar, the sensation of power gathers like the time I was fighting Sis Yuwei's mother. Purple light swirls around me like a vortex as I hear a cracking sound.

(I'll finish this quick).

An unknown voice inside proclaims as my body seems to move without my mind's command.