*cling* *clang*
"Huh? Can't you see the sign says closed? Who even- Lord Sova!"
The night pass disastrously with Moriz beating the life out of me during the spar. No matter how much I got up and fight back. Moriz seems to be like a unsurmountable wall I find hard to climb. It reminds me my time training with Sis but even worse.
(How does he make friends with that kind of attitude?)
I push all those thoughts aside and bow my head down saying:
"Hello, gramps, sorry for disturbing you."
"Not at all! Come in, come in. And you brought a friend with you too, Jin-Juha Ssi right? Would you like some tea?"
Juha refuses kindly replying:
"No thank you, we'll just be here for a short while."
Gramps who's resting behind the stand stands scratching his elbows saying:
"Haaah, I'm not going to ask what happened to you since you're safe but this kingdom really have been thrown into chaos... By the way, where's Yoo-Ah? I heard she went to the capital to find you? Did you not meet her on the way?"
"Eh? I thought she... Hmm, I guess Yoo-Sui pulled some stunts again."
He scratches his head replying:
"There must be some complicated stuff but... I feel like I'm suppose to do something..."
*Clap*
"But I can remember that later! For now, what can I do for you? Just for you, Dal-Yong Armoury is open temporarily! Oh, and talking about that, I actually manage to finish the base blueprint for your cloak."
He clap and rub his hands before gesturing us to come in saying:
"Come right in, I got your equipment pristine and ready to take... Well, only your weapon."
"Thank you, sorry that the capes you gave me keep breaking."
"Haha! That's fine, it's better for the item to break than the wearer. And it just shows that I'm nowhere near mastering my craft. Hmm... There."
Dal-Yong gramps pulls the lever as the ground shakes and the room change shapes when a huge glass box rises from the floor. He looks back at the crafting table scattered around with crumpled up blueprints saying:
"You're here to take your items right? Just grab it when the box opens, and here let me show you the cloak blueprints."
Dal-Yong carries a huge bag with a smile and dump the contents right infront of me saying:
"This project gets my blood pumping. Now where is the main draft- there it is... Behold!"
Without being told anything it seems, Dal-Yong gramps happily shows the design and I can't help but be amazed.
"While the base shape is a normal cloak, I actually made this with the intention that it will definitely change shape. And when Yoo-Ah back then brought the F.A.B.L.E.D shard you acquired, I got a eurika!"
I see the design gramps shows and the cloak he shares look similar to a bundle of swirling scales and silk that wraps across my body. I wonder how I could even put that on.
"Let me explain a bit, the F.A.B.L.E.D [F] is known as the Drowning Leviathan. And with its shard, your new cloak has the ability to not only change shapes, regenerate, blend in, but even extend."
"A small scale shard can do that?"
"Of course! They're not called the Shards of God for nothing. While each shard has different shape and effect for each F.A.B.L.E.D, this scale is perfect for me. Just like before, to think I would be making a weapon with a F.A.B.L.E.D shard again... Fate has plans for me it seems."
(God huh?)
"You made something with that? Where did you even get it?"
I ask curiously and Dal-Yong nods with a faint smile as he remembers something from long ago replying:
"The previous War God's armour is made with the previous F.A.B.L.E.D [D]'s shard. As for how, the famous baker Yi-Il Nim gave that idiot the shard as a parting gift centuries ago when he went to Heaven. He still wears that armour to this day."
"I just realize, when you say it like that, it sounds like he died."
(Centuries? Wait, how old is Dal-Yong gramps? Or Yi-Il? It makes me question if they're from this kingdom since Juha said this kingdom is only a few centuries old. Or can he get the shard when he said he defeated a F.A.B.L.E.D half a century? Or is it a different one?)
"Hahaha!"
*Nudge*
Juha elbows me while Dal-Yong laughs saying:
"Don't be rude, Sova! That's just many rights of passage for the talented individual in this peninsula."
"True! Anyways, while the blueprints are done, I still need time to plan for the ingredients used for this cloak. Sorry this is all I can show you."
"N-Not at all! I mean you're already doing this much for free-"
"Free!? Of course it's not free! Please don't forget I'm doing this as a favour for letting me study that masterpiece!"
Dal-Yong points at the Eternal Flame Sabre that fully emerge and I notice my items there. I see my notebook and the War God's spear.
"R-Right, thank you for taking care of my items."
"..."
Dal-Yong rolls and stuff the blueprints inside the bags again before he sits down. He hangs his head with a sad expression as I wonder if I said anything wrong.
"Um, sorry, if I say-"
"No, no, I'm just happy to see you're alive and safe. Just make sure you don't give up... Hmm, I never asked but where are you going? All Adventuring and Hunting business has been halted as of late."
"Ah, I'm participating in the civil war. I know you won't probably agree but this all happen partly because of me, so I have to take responsibility."
Dal-Yong rubs his face replying:
"Haah, it seems you really do have complicated circumstances. For a foreigner you got yourself deep in our problems, and I'm sorry for that. I'm not going to stop you, but just make sure you live. Take any armour or equipment you need. Your friend can take anything she wants as well since she's fighting right?"
"Thank you!"
(Again he give me thing for free. Is learning that bladeless sword that amazing?)
"T-Thank you for the kind gesture."
Juha bows down thanking him and I start looking around. I grab another cloak to wear and my other items saying:
"This should be enough."
Juha takes another cloak saying:
"It won't. Take another one just in case, Sova."
"Alright, with how I keep destroying what I wear that's a good idea."
Dal-Yong nods before saying:
"Good luck, and return safely- oh yeah! One more thing, Lord Sova, now I remember."
"Huh?"
Dal-Yong gesture us to stay as he rummage across some wardrobe in the walls before taking out a lunchbox and hand it to me saying:
"Here, this is from Yoo-Ah."
"Huh?"
"She heard you're going away for a while so she baked some rations for you to bring on your journey. Yes, she knows Yoo-Sui is preventing you from seeing her so she gave me this just in case you visit."
I happily take the lunchbox saying:
"Thank you, and please say thank you to Yoo-Ah as well."
"Hum! Of course! But, I think it's best you said it to her when you do get to meet."
"Alright."
(So, even Yoo-Ah can plan ahead? Very well, if Yoo-Ah's doing this much then I should make more efforts to try and meet Yoo-Ah).
*************************************
A few days has pass since our preparation and I too have prepared my own counter measures. Flipping across my notes as I reviewed the content, Yoo-Sui lowers her brush asking:
"You understand what you have to do right?"
"..."
Hearing my silence, she stands and look to her window and continue saying:
"Unless you have a better idea, I'm all ears, this stems from your selfishness, so, be grateful I already compromised this much. So stick to it and act appropriately for your job."
I shut my notes and nod along replying:
"But are you sure about that?"
"Absolutely, that old goof must've been piled in guilt. Keep at least one of his kin close when you speak."
"I'll do my best. But only if they really are conspiring."
*************************************
*shing*
Cheo, wearing in his uniform with a large black cape and black trims, while decked with layers of plates and scales that make him look like a knight in the story books. He raise his unique spear that looks like if you turned a whistle into a hook saying:
"I can't believe I'm actually mobilizing for war again. So, are you done Sova?"
He sally forth with his personal steed that looks more scary than the statue infront of Juha's house, wearing decorations and armour with horns that looks lime Cheo's unique spear.
"Yup! This is it! And don't forget, I'm also Yoo-Sui's representative so I'll be doing the peace talks when it's done."
I reply with all items ready thinking,
(Wow, I wonder if this is the famous calvary unit Juha talked about? But how does it move without legs? All I see it doing is slide around).
"Alright, and it seems my Lil Sis is ready too."
As I wonder that, a shadow looms over when I turn around and see someone riding the same beast with an armour similar to Cheo but without the spear aesthetic. The beast she rides swim across the air with a floating water as she's swimming across the sky...
(I guess boundary of mobility don't matter if you have magic huh? Or is this unique to this monster?)
She lands beside Cheo when she opens her visor to reveal Juha to be the knight.
"Sova, you'll be riding with me. What do you think? This is the symbol of my family I talked back then, ferocious isn't it? I personally named her, Hamchi."
(Hamchi? That sounds adorable).
Juha pats the monster in the cheeks and I can't help but see it as cute creatures with how chubby it is replying:
"Ferocious is a stretch, It's still cute to me. Can I pat it?"
"S-Sure... Right, you did say that."
With her approval I start patting it's head that doesn't have a neck so it looks like it's fused with the body.
*Pat* *Pat*
It seems to like it as it rubs his head back against my hands.
"Oho? Look at you, got yourself shooting through the roof. From 2nd lieutenant to Major. Not even the dead got that kind of treatment."
Cheo slides ahead of Juha with his beast complimenting her but Juha looks away replying:
"Hmph, of course! I have to be at least this rank to serve as your deputy."
"Well, well, I guess this is a dream come true for you. You finally get to fight alongside me."
Juha turns back glaring at him with a deadpan expression saying:
"Yes, when I'm still 7. Now, that enthusiasm is more dissipated than salt in a quicksand."
"N-Now, now, you should still be happy your brother is a Hero no?"
"I would prefer switching brothers when you become a shut in for a while."
"Haaah, now I miss my old group. But I can't call them back anymore when they're all retired. So, where's the new reinforcement?"
"What are you talking about? They're all waiting for your orders."
"Eh?"
Cheo looks at her surprised when I saw multiple shadow emerge from the lakes and,
*Splash* *Surge*
Hundreds rise up from the tri-colour lake creating a grand sight to see when they all finally lands encircling us. Each riding upon the same beast of Belluga sliding around to form a beautiful formation. I notice how each of them decorate their steed differently alongside their armour. This group has turn into quite the colourful bunch.
"Ready for duty, General. Just give the orders."
One of them ride forth clasping his hand and Cheo hides his face replying:
"Ah, come on man, you're making me break my promise."
"Not at all, your promise is that you won't call for us, but right now we're all volunteering for you! No conscription received! Besides, how can we stay back when the kingdom is in this state now? How can we call ourselves veterans of the war?!"
All the calvary units nods along and shakes their head saying:
"Come now, young master. You can't be serious?", "Yeah, whenever, wherever, the Belluga Calvary is at your beck and call!", "I would be ashamed of myself if I chose not to fight when my son did!", "And don't you think we all have something to ask of Lord Hwa-Jin?", "Right, maybe not all of us showed up, but we're still more than it's worth!", "Yeah! Peace haven't dulled our senses!"
Cheo rides beside him patting his shoulder saying:
"Alright! You all better not regret it now! Listen up! Our enemy is more dangerous than the overconfident officers of the Coalition. The foe our spears will claim is none other than the strongest warrior and once trusted hero of this kingdom! Colonel Angeo Song-Iseon!
We're going to stop his rebellion, and we'll once again be the heroes to restore peace across the kingdom! But to do that we must strike down an opponent our blades will definitely hesitate to strike, the man who brought you all in and taken care of you. My grandfather, Belluga Hwa-Jin! Rusty or not, follow me! Hurah!"
" "HURAH!!!" "
"We're leaving immediately, to reinforce Won-Yok gramps! We'll take no rest and the moment we arrive, we'll start thrusting our spears! CHARGE!"
Cheo's war cry sound the beginning of the long journey as he dives into the river and everyone follows suit.
(Hmm? Only a few hundred people?)
Juha gives me a hand shouting:
"Give me your hand."
I grab it saying:
"Alright! But is this really all?"
Juha pulls me up behind her replying:
"Of course not. Some are still in the river, in total around 2457 calvary unit and some choice allies. But with our quality and fame as a regiment of renown, we're worth an entire fleet. Now hold me tight!"
"R-Right!"
(Choice allies? But, if I think about it, this might be my first time actually riding a monster).
I hug Juha from her back when she turn around saying:
"I guess this time you're the one I'm carrying. Hyaah!"
Juha starts moving as the beast jumps and when I realize it's about to dive inside the river I shout:
"Wait, can we breathe!?"
"Just watch!"
I hold my breathe and shut my eyes when,
*Splash*
Juha dives and I tighten my hug which Juha nudge my hands saying:
"You're holding me a bit too tight, loosen a bit."
"O-Oh, sorry."
Wondering how we're talking, I open my eyes and... It's a whole new world. A world that sparkles and shines, a place where fish could swim right beside you ear while hundreds of riders drives forth with their steed against the currents. That's when I notice a thin layer surrounding both out bodies and I wonder,
"Is this the bloodline ability?"
"No, not at all, this is using qi to bend the elements like I showed you back at the train. Either way, we're speeding up to the front with my brother."
(Oh? Now I wonder what her family's bloodline ability is? Or what Sis Yuwei and Moriz is either?)
"Huh- woah!"
(Wait, she's not doing what I'm thinking...)
Juha leaps to the surface when I saw the city... It's in ruins. While the fire and smoke has disappear, the damage left behind is still everywhere to see. Refugee camps are built upon any bridge or opening that isn't destroyed and... The people, it's hard to look at them. Juha lands upon one of the aqueducts and swims fron there, and as she does, I see a broken piece where the water gush like waterfall and Juha leaps once again.
*Splash*
"Um, Sova, you're hugging me too tight."
"I'm sorry, but if you're going to leap high all the time then I can't help it."
"Wait, you're afraid of heights?"
"Yea..."
"..."
Juha was silent as we swim across the calvary troops and fishes as the river turns from yellow to red. She turns around saying:
"But didn't you jump leaps and bounds back at the promotion quest?"
"I usually close my eyes and get a lot of head bumps."
"Haah, you're really helpless."
Compared to everyone, what makes Cheo different is his unique steed and the cape he wears that has the surging wave pattern, seeing it from the back gives a strange energy as Juha finally reach beside him saying:
"Oppa, don't just run off without your deputy like that."
"Sorry Juha, I never really had a deputy before. Besides, it's been a while since I got to ride freely like this. Isn't that right, Lil Chom-Chom? You like the usual don't you?"
(Chom-Chom? Do they name their beast that cute?)
Cheo pats the beast but it turns to look at him and then looks away annoyed. Cheo smiles weakly saying:
"Oh, come now, I know I haven't ride you for quite a while but I still take care of you. Is the belly rubs not enough? I'll give you lots of it when we're done."
I look at how Cheo treats his steed and face Juha saying:
"I thought you said this thing is suppose to be an apex predator or something? They don't seem much different than a pet."
"Just like how the west can tame the Yurcho into a steed, we too can have Bellugas as a mount."
"I-I see..."
(What im the world is a Yurcho? And since she said it's a steed that means see you can ride it... I can only imagine what animal is that).
Following behind Cheo I realize we've been essentially going blind as I notice Cheo never actually look ahead while he rides, even many of the soldiers behind us doesn't focus ahead either. Jumping from one river to another, sliding across one aqueducts over a bridge, I look at Juha who's actually watching ahead asking:
"Is that how they ride? Without looking?"
"Oh? That's just how veterans does it. It is said once you gain enough experience with your Belluga, you can even ride while standing up. It's a matter of trust and understanding when riding the Belluga, as the Belluga trust you to defend it, you can trust the Belluga to lead you forward. That's how the founder recite his manual when he drove to a whirlpool but that's that."
"Woah! Amazing!"
"Yes, now hold tight, we're about to jump across the city walls!"
"Huh?"
*Burst*
From beneath the river that seem deep and wide, we rise across with a pillar of water. I close my eyes waiting for them to drop but,
"Woah! I can't believe I get to see the Whistling Calvary once more!", "Son, better engrave it deep, that's the regiment responsible for our kingdom surviving", "Woohoo! Go! Beat those traitors!", "So the rumours of General Jin-Cheo nim returning is true? I guess that makes sense when Lord Hwa-Jin nim is responsible", "Hrmm, who do you think is right? Lord Song-Iseon or Lord Won-Yok? They're both not people with bad characters but, this is just sad to see", "You better shut up, rookie, if any other officer heard that you'll be in the chopping blocks", "Is this really alright? For our heroes to be fighting each other like this?"
I open my eyes to look at the soldiers lined across the blue castle walls and the leaping whale statue that's so far away now. We dive across one of the many rivers and swim at the surface when....
*Rumble*
"Hmm? Even without my enhanced hearing I can hear that. The snowy forest beyond starts to shake when something emerge from the snowy forest beyond, a red beast similar to a dragon rises across the white landscape and I knew...
(That's San-Min, is he coming with us?)
The great red dragon flies across rivers and lakes before lowering down beside us and I notice Yoo-Gisa's party with Yoo-Gisa and San-Min at the dragon's head. There's more than 8 people with wild personalities at the back including,
"Princess Mi-Ok!?"
Juha shouts when Mi-Ok appear wearing a more combat oriented clothing with a sword to her waist saying:
"Why so surprised, Jin-Juha? Of course I'd come! As someone of royal name I must be the one to see this through! Now you better keep up, cause with my authority, I have not only fixed and improved our infrastructure, we also called upon 187,000 soldiers across the surrounding capital territory! Remember, while you reinforce Elder Won-Yok, we'll be opening a second front upon the city of Dajun and go up from there."
"No need to remind me, princess, I'm the one who come up with the plans after all. Seeing how you can move them immediately, you must've been preparing for a while. I'm not gonna ask what that army is for."
"Yes, that would be best."
"Sigh... We'll meet up at the enemy's capital of Ulsogi to launch a two prong assault, so you better not fall behind! Let's see what the new generation is capable off- god dammit that made me sound like an old man."
"You are an old man now, Ajussi nim, now onwards! Fly this thing higher, San-Min boy! Let's show the old guards what we can do!"
"Calling someone in their twenties old guard is kinda harsh. I mean aren't you the same range? You call Yoo-Sui Ssi Ajuma, so that makes you Ajuma as well right? Then again, I thought Ahjuma is reserved for a married middle age woman? Wait, is your sister married, Gisa Hyung?"
*Tap*
"You said something lizard boy?"
San-Min got paralyzed by the gaze Mi-Ok gave him and the tap on his head. Yoo-Gisa pats his shoulder which wakes him up shouting:
"N-Nothing! Going up!"
Seeing the dragon rise above the clouds, I notice Yoo-Gisa has been watching Cheo for all this time silently saying:
"(I'll save you this time)."
Weirded by his words as they disappear out of sight, I look at Cheo asking:
"Um, two prong assault? Is this a large operation?"
(Maybe I should stick close to him?)
Cheo looks back grabbing a food bar replying:
"Yep, let's hope Iseon doesn't do something crazy to shake the board now. But knowing him, he won't be someone who stay still in one place so..."
He raises his spear and unleash a large qi blast above shouting:
"ALL UNITS, DOUBLE SPEED!!! WE'LL ARRIVE AND ASSIST BY NIGHT!"
" "YES, WE OBEY!!!"
Their voice reverberate across making my ears ring a bit as Cheo speeds up alongside everyone. The sun still barely rises across the dawn, and our time to win this war is 2 weeks and 5 days. But I doubt that would be a problem when...
(All of this is staged... And does nobody think he looks silly giving those motivating speeches while holding snacks? Or is this how he does things?)
*************************************
*Creak* *Creak*
"Fire!"
*Fling* *BOOM*
Artillery shells rain across the city walls to clear them of defender while Siege engines roar across the battlefield as massive towers moves forward to reach over the castle walls but...
*Boom* *Boom*
"Aargh!", "Man down! Healer!", "Don't stop! Keep charging! Lord Won-Yok is fighting alongside us!", "The traitor Admiral is right there! Don't stop now!", "No, my family is in there, I can't continue on.", "Aren't we suppose to just stand outside?"
A huge pillar of flame erupted before one of the siege towers fell atop the soldiers fighting on ground.
"Dammit! What are the screening turrets doing! Stop those cannon shells!"
Thanks to the advantage position of the city where the ocean facing the sieger's right side, the defending ship could line across and fire the attacker's flanks without much worry since if the enemy wants to fight on sea, they would have to sail their ships around the northern peninsula which will take too much time or sail across the thin rivers which is hardly assailable most of the time and heaven forbid the ships could arrive so deep in enemy territory.
So, every time, the attackers have to always content fighting a two-front assault from land and sea, and there's only enough land to fit both siege engines and artillery for the land when Meonbich is a mini peninsula on its own. Such simple geographic advantage is one of the major reason why Meonbich is the few cities that survived the Coalition onslaught and the lifeline to the capital alongside being the major military port.
The commander of the operation, the deputy of Won-Yok and Grand Strategist of the army, Yok-Ho is watching with distress as the attack that's been going for 2 days needs to be hasten thanks to the recent news. Watching the sun sets across the horizon, the sight of a night winter assault is not pleasing. Morale is low and even worst, this is supposed to be a month of holidays before another major invasion. Staff officers at the centre lines can only watch as they set their plan in motion, but victory is not put of sight since reinforcement is being sent from the capital to help but they can only hope it arrives by tommorow.
"Haaah... What's going on in this Peninsula? Say, will the royal family sent us their royal flying ships? Because that's the only way I see us getting through Meonbich. But if we do that the capital will be vulnerable to the Duke. Sigh..."
(If we knew this would happen, we should've confiscated the merchants and civilians floating ships. Small as they may be they're still floating ships).
Yok-Ho ponders as he is discouraged by the news. He slouch forward when one of the officers read the reports replying:
"We don't know the specifics, but I did hear they're sending in a calvary force."
"What the hell can a calvary force do in a siege battle!?"
Yok-Ho lash out but soon grasp his fist.
"Unless..."
"Lord Yok-Ho nim! Look to sea! The enemy ship, they're sinking!"
"Huh!?"
A messenger arrives with bathed breath as he barge in the tent, and with this breaking news, Yok-Ho runs outside alongside the other officers when they saw a familiar sight. As someone who lives through the 20 years of conflict during the Coalition War, the view before him always gives him hope each day that one day they will make it through this.
From the distance, gigantic battleship sunk through the ocean as thousands of silhouette under the sea strikes from below, making then fall like dominos. The great fire burns with the setting sun as the attackers seeing such view regain their morale and push forward with new momentum alongside Won-Yok leading by an example. The officers takes a breathe of relief as they all know the only unit capable of doing this is, and one of the major reason why the coastal cities are able to remain standing.
*Splash*
The officers hearing a familiar sound turns around to see a small calvary detachment swimming across the sky.
(It hasn't even been a day yet and here they are. They never disappoint!)
Yok-Ho clasp his hand in a moment notice as he turns around shouting:
"I'm the deputy and second in command of this army, Pearl Bone Nong-Eo Yok-Ho! Thank you for your early arrival!"
A girl who looks to be in her teens lands first, her brown twin tail sways alongside her steed as she clasp shouting:
"Deputy to the General Jin-Cheo's Whistling Calvary, Jade Bone Belluga Jin-Juha, we're 2460 strong and sent here as reinforcement from the capital, Please give us your orders!"