"Fuuh, since you introduced yourself to this new faces, let me introduce some of the notable Officers, Lord Silencer."
(Now that I think about it why did he stop calling my name?)
Kokkan looks at the curly haired girl and say:
"She is currently my Deputy and second in command of this entire army. Izumi Nakaki, her specialty lies in flanking and indirect assaults. You can rely on her for backup."
Izumi salutes shouting:
"You can count on me!"
Kokkan then turn toward the boy with the crimson hair who's sitting with his arm cross saying:
"He is warrant officer Diaoshi Landao, while he may not possess any commanding ability his prowess with the sword more than makes up for it, he should be the same level of a True Martial Artist Disciple."
"Oh?"
(For someone red he comes from a blue family?)
He looks at me and then nods before turning toward the map. Kokkan then say:
"There's also Major Hakuto who you bury to the floor. While he may be weak his specialty lies with Guerilla warfare and special operations. His instincts when it come to improvising in the worst possible outcome is close to none though his ability doesn't seem to share toward his attitude."
"I-I see..."
"Another name of note is of course King Si-Ka and his aid Hak who is said to be True Martial Art Masters while also possessing the ability to command a massive army. But you've already met them so that left us with the remaining generals who would do their duty and lead our armies to our destination."
Kokkan faces the remaining officers that's more than 20 people gathering around us and continue saying:
"Each of them are on the same level of Regular Martial Masters and peak Experts but they definitely won't drag us down."
"That's certainly interesting."
I just nod along to them before then just sit down again. The officers seeing me follow and take their seats before then I ask:
"So Kokkan, I heard a few details when we're driving here but is that all?"
Kokkan nods saying:
"Yes, and currently our major issue will definitely be when we start executing the other blessed kings. That's when I'm sure those in Central will be force to act. But with you here I'm sure you can "convince" them."
"Convince huh? I see..."
(Wait, I think Libing told me the same as I'm some sort of diplomat Silencer. And Abe said the same thing as well).
Kokkan then press the table which prompt more panels to show up and continue saying:
"By this point the conquest up north is almost finish but don't start getting any lazy ideas. The final moments will be the most brutal and painful one. Here's my new orders, we can now discard our old strategy now that the Silencer is here and implement a new one. Each and every general will now disperse to every corner of Geom and pacify the region from any internal problems, the new regents and governors will be aiding you in your endeavours."
Each panel floats to the Generals before Kokkan then continue saying:
"Currently the Silencer's role will be mediating between Sanjo and Gwang. And when that's done we will then start executing each king on their lands. This will all be done in the span of 3 days at least and months at most. This will all be dependent on you feats and actions, that is all disperse."
(Wait mediating?)
" "Yes, we obey!" "
The Generals all stand and clasp their hands shouting loudly before they all walk away leaving only the few Kokkan mentioned. Hearing the door slide open while heavy footsteps leaves in droves I look at the major who's still buried and unconscious asking:
"Should we..."
"Don't worry, Lord Silencer. He'll wake up and get out of himself soon."
"That's good to hear."
Looking around I can count the staffs and officers at the bridge with two hands, and the remaining ones at the table is just Izumi who's staring really closely at me and the Warrant Officer Diaoshi who's laying back with his arms cross and... Sleeping? Along with Abe who's watching me while resting her head upon the table.
Wandering what to do I look at Kokkan who seems happy standing asking:
"So should we disperse as well?"
"I think we can stay like this for a while longer."
"Right... Come to think of it, what time is this anyways?"
Kokkan pulls out a small rectangular crystal replying:
"It's past noon."
"Oh, great let's go have lunch."
"If that's what you wish. I'll lead the way."
"Oh, I wonder what do you guys eat? I see a lot of people from the Eclipse Empire so is it something like katsu?"
"If that's what you want we have those."
"Neat, what about Katsu Ramen?"
"Yes, we have those as well."
"Awesome..."
(Hold on... That's right I should act tough!)
"Mhm, well then lead the way, Kokkan."
I stand and start walking and Kokkan follow along with Abe and Izumi. Leaving behind the unconscious Diaoshi and Hakuto, we exit the bridge and make our way to wherever the food is. And during our travel I can't help but notice the gun-swords Kokkan been carrying and ask:
"Say Kokkan, mind if we spar first?"
"Huh?"
Kokkan looks at me surprised. But not just him, Abe and Izumi too as I realize how uncharacteristic of me to say that but... I can't help but also realize how strong Kokkan has become now. Not only his gear changed but so did his aura, he's much stronger than the Forest Guardian I faced at the promotion exam. Seeing so many powerful people popping out from thin air has make me feel so left behind as I realize I haven't train much lately.
"I notice how much my foes has been taking leaps and bounds with their strength and you as well. If I wish to help Sis and fulfill my dream I too must take a leap and overcome my limits."
Kokkan looks blank as he then nods raising his row of gun-swords replying:
"Very well, I'll be your sparring partner. But know this, I won't hold anything back."
"I wouldn't have it any other way."
*************************************
Kokkan brought me to an open part of the ship that looks like a giant ring. An empty space with nothing but a giant gate leading outside. Abe and Izumi stand aside watching with curiosity. Standing far from each other I ask,
"Just to be sure, we still have time to do all this right?"
"Of course, we already sent the remaining 2 kingdoms the message and is now waiting for their response. It should be here by the night the fastest or maybe tommorow."
"I see, then good. Let's make this clear, treat me like an enemy and I'll do the same."
Noticing that its been a while since I fought with my armour on, I take a feel by moving my arms and legs before summoning forth my halberd and and slamming it to the ground shouting:
"Ready whenever you are!"
*Ching*
Kokkan takes a drawing stance as I see his swords glint. He closes his eyes and I see his helmet enclosed his head, the outline shines as he then shouts:
"Here I come!"
With those words Kokkan appear right before me with a single gun-sword emitting large electrical current. Yet there are 8 currents coming my way as this confirms,
(He's definitely stronger).
*Clang* *Clang* *Bash*
I twirl my halberd around me dispersing his attack easily before I notice a flaming gun-sword rising from below which I barely dodge by moving back and Kokkan follow it up by swinging his entire scabbard of swords and,
*BANG* *BANG* *BANG*
Like shotgun shells, his scabbards fires scattering shots at point blank range which force me activate my powers that coat my body in purple aura. Trying to control this power like during the promotion quest, I unleash my force with a shout.
"Haah!"
(Oh? Looks like I'm able to control it a bit. I guess it is kinda like qi where you gave to unleash it all before you can control it).
Kokkan throws his flaming sword up as he dash back while all the scatter bullets disintegrate. Seeing this opportunity, I swing my halberd trying to remember a technique,
[Immortal calamity dragon and platinum tiger god technique combined, doom path: apocalypse squall!]
Following Kokkan I shot out a powerful technique that sends out massive attack covering half of the room where Kokkan stands. Kokkan missing 2 of his 5 swords pulls the longest which is a golden sword and jab it to the floor before pulling out the remaining two and rush ahead dropping his scabbards alongside it. Running like a madman, he cuts open his own path but I wouldn't let him have his way as I rush inside the path he opeend and strike.
*Slash*
"Ngrh!"
Landing a blow that cuts a chunk of his armour, Kokkan let's out a groan before I sense a mighty attack of an Ice sword which I deflect and notice something else. I see words written in eclish appearing around me as mystic symbols and circles appear while more attacks comes alongside a hail of bullets that's outmatch my squall.
(Woah...)
I dodge and parry while delivering my attack as I ignore some of the attack that grazes my cloak and taking chinks out of my armour as I deal the same to Kokkan.
*Clash* *Clash* *Boom*
"Hraah!"
*Slash* *Crack* *Smash*
"Haaah!"
We exchange blows left and right as it feels like forever. Kokkan always strikes with scatter shots of his sword element and his ridiculous quick draws of multiple elements while I swing forth my halberd coated with my power at some distance. But slowly we get close enough that I could swing my halberd and smash his ice sword to pieces while he then use the shards and,
*Boom*
Explodes in an icicle nightmare as I'm being swallowed by a snowstorm that's making small dents to my armour front plate. That's when I notice his flaming sword above and,
*Slash*
Kokkan appearing again grabbing the sword swings down and I counter back but his sword somehow phase through my halberd and cut through my visor and as my vision cracks and I could see the outside directly but...
[Immortal calamity dragon technique and silver tiger god technique combined, Armageddon path: Endless Twilight!]
*Severe*
"Ngrh..."
I pull out my Owlian spear and cut through his attacks. Kokkan manages to dodge as it cut through his side and continue to slash across the huge walls leaving behind a giant mark that's making black cracks.
My attacks compared to him has a devastating after effect, each part that I strike will start to disintegrate into ash whenever I manage to hit something inanimate but when it hits his skin, black cracks starts to appear that weakens them. So, for now I consider my power to be some sort of debuff but...
"Hragh!"
Kokkan grabs the lightning sword I just notice falling right for us alongside the sword he jab earlier as I wonder if he lead me here and,
*Slash* *Slash* *Slash*
Before I notice it I receive the consecutive lightning slashes right through my chest,
*Bzzz*
The vision from my helmet starts to distort and corrupt while some parts just turns black. Forced to use the small gap he cut open to see, Kokkan continue with a diagonal slash from below and cut through my right hand holding the halberd with the golden sword. My right arm bent letting go of my halberd but I forcefully use Mary's defensive protocol and fix my bent arm to grab my halberd and swing down at Kokkan but,
*Slash* *Boom*
Kokkan slashes vertically with his flaming sword and lightning sword before blasting a scatter shot right through my face destroying my helmet and cutting parts of my hair along with blinding my left eye...
"Hgrregh!"
But I grit my teeth and continue swinging down at him cutting him through his shoulder to his chest which force him to kneel and crack the floor below.
(Oh no! That might be a bit too much).
*Shine*
"Huh?"
The armour before me limps and I notice the cracked floor below shines and starts to show the words that appear before in a shape of a 8 pointed star and something shines and appear in droves as I feel a burning pain. And Kokkan who appear behind his armour raises his longest sword that's shining gold and pierce the ground.
"Reikai! Renge - Ō - Hashira."
(Eh? That sounds like Eclish but...)
*BOOM*
I see the world turn upside down as the ground beneath me smashes open as black pillars emerge alongside scary statues of angry people with 8 wings. That's when I notice Kokkan appearing everywhere wielding all his 5 gun-swords on each shoulder with levitation making it look like those sword sages in the books.
He then starts barraging me as the my whole view is being filled with multiple elements. I grip my halberd and rebalance myself using the monkey technique and start parrying an attack to push myself to one of the pillars to get a footing, sacrificing some of my defenses as parts of my armour rip open from each attack while I counter back shattering his gun-swords that's shooting while slashing and cutting down any Kokkan that comes my way which turns out to be clones.
(Looks like I need to learn how to differentiate between real and fake, I never fought anyone like this)
From one pillar to another I strike, parry, and counter each attack while trying to figure out which is the real Kokkan when a large shadow looms over from above. An almighty leviathan with 10 wings not attached to its body and I notice Kokkan who's bloodied and battered riding on its back levitating hundred of gun-swords above him. Even without knowledge I knew that's the real one and push my limits cutting any that's on my way while sending forth waves upon waves and squall of attack that trashes down the pillars and statues. Kokkan retaliates by firing down that those hundred sword like autumn petals riding forth the winds with that monster down to me.
*Boom* *Boom* *Boom* *Boom* *Boom* *Boom* *Boom* *Boom* *Boom* *Boom* *Boom* *Boom* *Boom* *Boom* *Boom* *Boom* *Boom* *Boom* *Boom* *Boom* *Boom* *Boom* *Boom* *Boom*
Thousands exploded upon impact that destroys layers of wall and ceiling of this place as the whole place is being drown by clouds of smoke, mist and other magical substance that sparkle like stars. Following my instincts I jump out of the mist as Kokkan does the same with a single sword in his hand.
As we're getting closer and I remember my ultimate spell against all I fought till now. Multiple large magic circle appear surrounding us all and the entire room. I notice Abe's and Izumi is nowhere to be seen below the smoke when Kokkan raises his golden sword shouting:
"{Dai Hofuru hoshi!}"
I notice many of the angry statues emerge from the smoke raising their hands for a palm strike but despite that I continue on striking unleashing my ultimate attack...
"[Ezurgent, Iztroann's Enganre, Dosinisus!]"
*************************************
When I gain conscious, I start blinking with one eye at a time...
(Oh, my left eye recovered?)
When I open my eyes, I was greeted by an unfamiliar ceiling made of sheets. And someone soon poke to my view, her long crimson hair tickles my nose as her large ears twitch. She toggles her glasses saying:
"Finally woke up. I wish I could pull your ear and shout inside that empty skull of yours but I suppose it'll just leak out the other side."
It's none other than Abe who soon pull out a fruit and push it down my mouth. I gobble the fruit and try to move when I notice I'm fully being bandaged like those mummies.
"Uh... Sorry."
"Sorry my ass, you're lucky your sister own those stuff else I feel she's gonna make you suffer."
"What do you mean?"
Abe points to my left which prompt me to follow her finger when I see the fortress... Half gone. It looks like something imploded from the inside and pop right out like a popcorn as I see debris, ruins, and the aftermath of some sort of terrorist attack...
"We're lucky nobody got hurt, of course which is thanks to me but it makes me wonder if you know the definition of holding back."
I lay back looking at Abe from below saying:
"I'm sorry..."
"Yeah, yeah, I get it. I doubt nobody will dare say anything about you when you prove yourself like that. I suppose this is the time when someone say, mission failed successfully."
"Um... Is Kokkan okay?"
Abe looks behind her and pull the sheets aside as I notice Kokkan is bedridden as well with both his arms and whole body bandaged. He's sitting on his bed as he lay on the walls and waves his fingers.
"Evening, Sova."
"Kokkan! I'm sorry, I suppose we should at least hold back a bit."
"No, it's fine. I'm happy I got to stretch my arms as well, Sova. But I suppose it's my win since I brought you here."
"Oh... I see... Wait, shouldn't you be done healing since you know, magic?"
"Your powers leaves many of my body parts unable to recover with magic so the best we could do was speed up my natural healing. Luckily with qi that shouldn't be a problem. I should be fully healed in... 2 days."
"Well ain't that good to hear?"
Abe sarcastically comments as she eats a fruit and I say,
"Thank you, Kokkan. For doing this sudden and selfish request. I hope we didn't do much harm..."
I look at the wreckage of the fortress but Kokkan shakes his head replying:
"No harm, yes. Massive collateral damage, also yes. But it's fine. With our tools that ship should be flying in... A week."
"I'm sorry. I feel like you're just trying to make me feel better by not making me worry but I feel like this is making me feel worse."
Kokkan nod replying:
"It's better than piling on your mistakes when you're sick and hurt. If you know you're wrong then that's enough, that's how I lessen the stress to my former master."
"Former master?"
(Come to think of it he did say I look like someone back before he leave).
Kokkan shakes his head saying:
"Never mind-"
"Aw~ come now! Don't be such a sour puss."
Abe grabs him from behind pushing her finger to his cheek and continue saying:
"Come tell us, you're not seeing Sova as a replacement now are you?"
"I would never!"
Kokkan shouts loudly before he looks at me and turn saying:
"I wouldn't do something so disgraceful. Sova's her own person."
"The fact you keep calling HIM a her is telling much. But I suppose you just have to learn it yourself."
Abe let's him go and sits beside me again as I'm surprised to see Kokkan so bewildered for once.
(Replacement huh?)
Abe leans back to my bed with her arm to the rest, she points at me with her tail saying:
"Either way, wether you like it or not, you're now the leading commander of the army."
"Prff, excuse me!?"
Hearing Abe drop such a huge bomb, Abe the wiggles her tail replying:
"Hey, it's not my fault that you suddenly want to duel our Supreme Commander to such and extent in a quote on quote "Spar"."
"Uuh..."
Abe toggles her glasses with her tail and continue saying:
"But this is quite perfect in one way or another, you instilled good fear to the army that they won't disobey you, perfect for someone called Silencer. Plus, with you on the helm now you can just talk to the King of Sanjo and Gwang directly now. All in a day's work."
"B-But wait-"
"Nah-ah-ah~ shush... Senpai."
Abe press her tail on my lips before she then says,
"Unlike Kokkan there who can't recover, you have fully healed. (That Monster King power is ridiculous). But also, your armour is already fixed as well. And worry not senior, I'll send you messages to help you like before."
"I suppose that isn't so bad..."
*Smack*
I clap my cheeks hard as I try to gather my courage saying:
"Alright! I can't chicken out now when I say all that to Sis!"
*Crack* *Smash*
I get a good sense of my limbs before ripping open the cast and other bandages in one fell swoop.
"Take me to the bridge! I'll take full responsibility. Kokkan, leave it to me!"
Kokkan smile replying:
"I'm happy to hear that. My officers will be aiding you as well. Now if you'll excuse me..."
Kokkan's voice grows weaker with each sentence before he laid down to rest.
"So, Abe where's my armour?"
"Right at that corner."
Abe points to the dark part of the... Now that I look around this place looks more like a tent than anything.
"Um... Abe, is that really..."
"Yup, we rip you out of that thing after the battle."
The armour is there but, one problem is... The armour looks different.
The giant orb on its face is now being paired by one orb with pupils and the visor feels like a giant maw crunching down to seal the head while some red fleshy thick parts form on the surface making it looks like a fusion of flesh and steel. And that transition continues throughout the whole armour, from the normal pauldron, greaves, and gauntlets now has protruding spikes of teeth, spine, claws and pupil orbs, while the torso has 2 orb eyes and the scale bits fused with some flesh and ribcage to form a weird amalgamation that stretch with the tattered cape that has fangs on the rim like some accessory. In total... 6 eyes.
(It may look cursed and scary but sweet honey on a coconut it looks awesome! Um... Now I wanna try that).
"Honestly, Kokkan's armour is still under maintenance and the reason yours is fixed is well... You can see that yourself. Having the monster King Virus as an ally is pretty terrifying now I know why the cult of flesh came to be. But sad for them, they never got to control it."
"I'm sorry what?"
"Ignore that, I just remembered something from the war. Anyways, since it can fix itself I suppose we don't need to worry about repairing costs. So what're you waiting for? Get in there."
Abe smacks me forward. With the medallion fused to its shoulder, I reach my arm out and my senses seemingly connects and the orbs in the armour moves like eyes to stare at me. It pupils dilated before the thing open like a beast opening hundreds of it jaws as I see something akin to saliva and steam pouring out. A bit hesitant, I slowly walk in before the armour leaps and chomps me down while I feel my spine being tickled. My body seems to be fused as light appear from the darken blur and I gain my vision.
Moving my arms, compared to before now I feel like I've fused with the armour as it doesn't feel like I'm wearing anything at all. The sensation of cold wind brushing against the armour feels the same as my skin and soon I test out by moving the visor and...
*Creak*
One by one the teeth moves and open as I reveal my face and I say,
"Compared to what it looks, this is actually very comfortable. Is this what it feels like to have an exoskeleton? Or a shell?"
"I'm surprised you can say that, don't you feel gross smoosh between whatever that is?"
Abe replies with a deadpan expression while I try to confirm something else...
"Nope, and I'm amazed my headband is still intact after all the battles I went through."
"Huh? Oh yeah, you do wear one. I almost forgot since I keep staring at your face- I mean, yeah! Let's go! I'm keen to hear what everyone is gossiping right now."
Abe brush the curtains away as she speaks and I close my visor again to be greeted by soldiers wandering in and out and soon runs away the moment they notice me. Unlike the awe and curious look they give me before now all I see is fear and desperation. It's like they're looking at a disaster...
(Though I can't blame them when my armour looks like this).
"Like I said, mission failed... successfully. You live up to your name and now everyone shuts up. Let's get to the bridge, which is half intact."
"That doesn't sound so reassuring."
My fake voices change into something that sounds crooked yet deep as I speak and Abe looks at me funny replying:
"Wow you sound like some final boss but Senior, pe-lease, you should've known your old friend. Consequences. Now letsa go!"
(Is it me, or is she talking more weirdly now?)
Being avoided like a plague, it doesn't seem so much different when I'm still an Owlian...
"Hey did you hear? That Silencer is a madman, he blow our HQ alongside our supreme commander because he wish to be in charge. How crazy is that!?", "Shh! Haven't you heard, he's supposedly the Empress' sibling. He can do whatever he wants." "I heard he got some good hearing he can hear from kilometers away so lower your voice", "I can only imagine what he will do to us when we disobey, that fortress is our capital ship and he blow half of it up in mere moments. Does he even need an army? Oh shit, is that him!? He looks like he came straight out of a horror show!", "We're lucky we gotten no casualty thanks to that crimson rat-kin, maybe she's not so bad", "We're switching our HQ to the city but seeing the wreckage is disheartening", "If one person can do this much? What if Heaven sent another one and turn this place upside down? What's the point of us?", "Eek!"
"Urgh..."
"..."
"......"
As we get closer to the ruined HQ, all I hear is the sound of machine and magic as everyone's doing their job quietly with a small groans of disgust. With my presence, the soldiers went their ways as Abe happily leads me in the same way we enter previously. Gears turn, engines roar yet there's no single soul making any voice. Slowly we walk as rather than clasping their hands like before the bow their head down to the ground.
"Hey, did they fix that hole yet?"
"Which one? There's like two holes in the bridge- Oh god! What is that!?"
"Wait, that's... That's the Silencer, what the fuck happen!?"
"Shit, shit! Uh, we greet the Silencer!"
The two guards from before moves away to kowtow and Abe nod gleefully as we went ahead.
(God...)
I think as I remember what Sis said,
("When I finally end the Goddess of the lake with her own sword would I finally achieve the first step, to the prologue of our Liberation. Our [Liberum Mundi], Our Free World...
"Everything is so late because I want you, Sova. I need you, I can't do this without you. I must have you by my side if I wish to see my dreams come true.")
The door slides open and the one to greet us are a few Generals who stood and Izumi. The bridge is now almost empty with no staff officer in sight since the buttons got destroyed and there's a giant gaping hole on the other side of the room. Descending slowly I take a sit at my previous place while everyone still stands with cold sweat down their necks, except for Izumi who's staring knives at me. Abe cheerily skip over and slam her arms to the table to activate it saying:
"Alright! We got a new person in charge now! The Supreme Commander has willfully hand over all authority to Lord Silencer over there as he is recovering, so... Better start getting use to it, capiche?"
Abe winks towards the rest of the crew who groans while some grips their fist as I wonder if this is a good environment to have. I raise my arm which Abe skips behind my chair and lean to the rest asking:
"Huh? What's wrong Senior?"
"Let me speak."
"Hoho~? Alright."
Abe trot back as I then stand saying:
"Let's get one thing clear. No one leaves, and everyone works. But of course, don't hesitate to express your concerns."
*Grit*
"Then why the hell did you hurt Captain like that! What did he do to you!?"
*Slam*
Izumi shouts gripping the hilt of her sword before she slams her hand to the table and continue shouting:
"And what good does any of this does!? I see no benefit or any strategical advantage of destroying our Flagship!?"
"Izumi! Watch your mouth!"
"Dammit! Urp..."
The other generals scold her and looks at me terrified, the colour in their face drained away. I look at the glass reflection on the table and notice the orbs now acts like eyes and is staring at whatever I'm looking at.
(No wonder everyone's terrified).
I breathe in before sighing it all out replying:
"Haaah... Believe it or not, this is all an accident. If you're so worried just visit Kokkan at the medical tent outside. Now onto the ongoing issue... Did we receive any news from Sanjo and Gwang? Or what of the other Kings you captured?"
(Fuuh... Did I do good?)
"Heh..."
Abe scoff out a laugh before folding her arms and tapping her head with her tail replying:
"No news from those two since they're probably shitting their pants to write anything but as for the kings, well... King Si-Ka is simply waiting for your tour."
"I see... Kokkan said they should answer by night..."
I stare out the giant gaping hole at tye bridge to look at the sky outside which is probably near dusk and then continue asking:
"So which is the nearest king?"
"That would be Guiyo. It should take half a day by transport."
"Good, let's get started then. The rest of you, continue what Kokkan ordered and spread across the northern peninsula. I'll see this operation through."