After the "Supreme Leader" – whose real identity is Col. Edilbert Porcarelli – called Lt. Rhames, he is still in the town of Sant-Diegol (which is still infested with dancespores as of this moment), undergoing a recon mission while riding on his chocopeco, which is a flightless bird commonly used as a steed.
Accompanying him is Lt. Col. Angelino Melard, the Ishi-shiro's second-in-command, also riding his own chocopeco.
The colonel initiates, "I need to confirm what Lt. Rhames has stated. Give me the Auto-Zoom(R) Binocular Screen right away."
The second-in-command replies firmly, "Affirmative."
As the Supreme Leader uses the device, he just can't believe what he is seeing.
Lt. Col. Melard hypothesizes, "It seems he is right. No spores are detected there."
"But who are the six accompanying Lt. Rhames and our subject? I must start an investigation on this matter."
"Save the investigation for later! Some monster has detected us!"
"En garde!"
Indeed, a group of monsters is spoiling their reconnaissance.
***
[Battle: Kilikiller x2]
Party: Edilbert, Angelino
Edilbert chooses to attack Kilikiller A.
Angelino chooses to attack Kilikiller A.
Edilbert attacks Kilikiller A, dealing it 265 damage.
Angelino attacks Kilikiller A, dealing it 286 damage.
Kilikiller A is knocked out.
Kilikiller B performs Fearsome B. O. on Edilbert. But it doesn't work!
Edilbert chooses to attack Kilikiller B.
Angelino chooses to attack Kilikiller B.
Edilbert attacks Kilikiller B, dealing it 272 damage.
Angelino attacks Kilikiller B, dealing it 231 damage.
Kilikiller B is knocked out.
The counter-terrorists win! That's us.
123 EXP and 162 Double Pesos acquired.
***
Edilbert already spots another bunch of monsters.
"What? There's more of them?"
Angelino assures him, "A soldier never gives up that easily!"
***
[Battle: Sax-O-Phat x2]
Party: Edilbert, Angelino
Edilbert chooses to attack Sax-O-Phat A.
Angelino chooses to attack Sax-O-Phat A.
Edilbert attacks Sax-O-Phat A, dealing it 234 damage.
Angelino attacks Sax-O-Phat A, dealing it 267 damage.
Sax-O-Phat A is knocked out.
Sax-O-Phat B performs Ear-grating Tune on all targets. But it doesn't work!
Edilbert chooses to attack Sax-O-Phat B.
Angelino chooses to attack Sax-O-Phat B.
Edilbert attacks Sax-O-Phat B, dealing it 285 damage.
Angelino attacks Sax-O-Phat B, dealing it 231 damage.
Sax-O-Phat B is knocked out.
The counter-terrorists win! That's us.
131 EXP and 175 Double Pesos acquired.
***
Angelino exclaims as another wave of monsters draws near.
"They still persist!"
Edilbert amps up his confidence.
"We hope this is the last of them!"
***
[Battle: Database Guardian]
Party: Edilbert, Angelino
Edilbert chooses to attack the Database Guardian.
Angelino chooses to attack the Database Guardian.
Edilbert attacks the Database Guardian, dealing it 233 damage.
Angelino attacks the Database Guardian, dealing it 266 damage.
The Database Guardian performs Attack Anticipation Mode.
The Database Guardian awaits what kind of attack will be inflicted on it, and will counter accordingly.
Edilbert chooses to attack the Database Guardian.
Angelino chooses to attack the Database Guardian.
Edilbert attacks the Database Guardian, dealing it 284 damage.
The Database Guardian counterattacks with a physical attack on Edilbert, dealing him 90 damage.
Angelino attacks the Database Guardian, dealing it 230 damage.
The Database Guardian is knocked out.
The counter-terrorists win! That's us.
599 EXP and 753 Double Pesos acquired.
10 Detection Lenses acquired.
Edilbert leveled up, from Level 25 to Level 26!
Edilbert learned Legionnaire's Charge.
Angelino leveled up, from Level 25 to Level 26!
Angelino learned Angelino Rush.
***
The two sigh huge breaths of relief, now that the wave of ambushing monsters is no more.
But the Supreme Leader wonders, "Who could have summoned those monsters?"
"I think we are done with the recon work," his number two tells him. "The status of the town is always the same: Those dancespores are still there."
"You are right. We will go back to HQ right away."
"Affirmative."
***
Meanwhile, at HQ...
A mysterious Ishi-shiro officer and 220 of his followers deliver a speech in front of a team of reporters.
"The end of corrupt rule is here at last! Those who succumb to dishonest bureaucracy shall be sent to the depths of hell! And then, a military junta will take over Shurilesia and make it great again!
"In order to complete this plan, I shall plant bombs on populated areas. And on the hour of the full moon, they will all explode and provoke the people to distrust this disgraceful leader, Edilbert Porcarelli. Once his reputation is besmirched, he and all of his followers shall be incarcerated, and I will then take over the chains of command of the Ishi-shiro!"
An assistant cuts in and asks him in a whispering way, "Sir, we have received a report that the town of Splendido is now dancespore-free! This is bad news, I tell you!"
The mysterious officer can only mouth a "What? Who could've done it? But never mind."
He then returns his attention towards the reporters.
"Well anyway... that late-breaking news we have just received is unimportant. We will still carry on, no matter what the status quo."
His voice then oozes radical defiance as he raises his fist.
"For the military! For the government! For the people! For Shurilesia! We will end this tyrannical rule by putting the sword of justice into our own hands!"
The 220 officers who are loyal to him also raise their fists while chanting...
"Long live law and order!"
The mysterious officer belts out louder, "Long live the Magudaro Revolution!"
"Long live the revolution!"
"Long live Shurilesia!"
"May the one above save Shurilesia!"
The scene that just transpired is all just smoke and mirrors.
Shortly after the broadcast is finished and the reporters take their leave, a different story unfolds.
"Hahaha! They really fell for my deception! They now think I'll be the new messiah of Shurilesia! My propaganda's now working! Enough with the words; the REAL action will be up next!"
***
Some minutes later, Edilbert and Angelino arrive at Lake Stynx.
The lake itself is where the actual HQ resides.
However, to ordinary civilians, they can only see the lake and smell its stench.
But with someone whose title is "the Supreme Leader", a magical seal that creates an invisible barrier covering the HQ is easily unlocked, utilizing a chant only he can recite, which is described below.
"O spirit of the lake, reveal the bastion of the brave, who are willing to lay down their lives for the peace and security of this continent! Kiertwa zasdefruilo oilorgha, pageupus razoraiya metarkavennoy virbinfleithert arixelzaq!"
[Note]
The first part of the chant is in English, and the second part is in Kjarteliane, the ancient lingua franca of Daig'digaia. More of the language will be revealed later on in the story.
As the chant is completed, a massive fortress rises from the invisible barrier, as it slowly pushes the water slightly towards the banks of the lake, creating a moat.
After the HQ's transformation sequence, the two try to enter the barricaded main door, but they are confronted by the mysterious officer, who just used a teleportation spell.
Edilbert minces no words.
"Lieutenant Senior Grade Antoninus Treillane! What are you doing here?!"
The lieutenant mouths off, "Mr. Supreme Loser, I mean Leader, I am just doing some guard duty. Any questions?"
Angelino begs to differ, "But why is the HQ's appearance starkly different? It looks more like Dracula's castle!"
"Ah, so you already know my secret plan, no? I, as a lower-ranked officer, have admired you, Colonel, for your firm jurisdiction of actions that affect the whole of Shurilesia.
"But this time, you and your so-called buddies have made a big, venial mistake: You failed to stop the spread of dancespores on this continent! To be honest, you all really lack the balls to stop this menace. This is against the rule of military professionalism as Charles de Gaulle put it.
"For that mistake, all of you will be stripped of your military ranks and will be sent to jail! That is, if I defeated all of you in actual combat! Bombs away!"
A string of bombs then explodes around the moat, surprising the two highest-ranked officers.
Angelino, before he brings out his naginata, reacts, "Lt. Treillane really means what he says!"
Edilbert only has choice words for the lieutenant.
"Traitor, I will show you that I am of sound mind and body, and I have absolutely zero mistakes when it comes to military professionalism!"
He then whips out his rapier, commencing an inevitable battle.
***
[Boss Battle: Antoninus Treillane]
A high-ranked officer of the Ishi-shiro, who has sinister plans he keeps close to his heart.
Level 26 | HP: 9999 | MP: 999
Party: Edilbert, Angelino
Edilbert bravely declares, "No person shall bestow prejudice on another unless several solid proofs are shown!"
Edilbert's Burning Vigor Gauge now at Level 1!
Angelino follows, "Betrayal for an evil cause is next to murder!"
Angelino's Burning Vigor Gauge now at Level 1!
Edilbert chooses to perform his LV1 Burning Vigor Attack, Sword of Triumph, on Antoninus Treillane.
Angelino chooses to perform his LV1 Burning Vigor Attack, Tsune no Ame, on Antoninus Treillane.
Edilbert unleashes his LV1 Burning Vigor Attack, Sword of Triumph, on Antoninus Treillane.
"My blade shall trump every threat! Sword of Triumph!"
His LV1 Burning Vigor Attack deals 12 hits for a total of 0 damage.
Angelino unleashes his LV1 Burning Vigor Attack, Tsune no Ame, on Antoninus Treillane.
"Now you shall taste pain! Tsune no Ame!"
His LV1 Burning Vigor Attack deals 9 hits for a total of 0 damage.
The two can only wonder, "How come he withstood our attacks?"
The rogue officer dishes out a logical answer.
"As you can see, I know your attacks. Consequently, I know how to defend from them. Any more complaints?"
Edilbert lets out a big "NO!"
Edilbert and Angelino choose to perform their Cooperation Attack, Military Blades, on Antoninus Treillane.
Edilbert and Angelino perform their Cooperation Attack, Military Blades, on Antoninus Treillane.
"This is the soldier's way! HAAAAAAHHHHH!!! Military Blades!"
Their Cooperation Attack deals 0 damage.
Edilbert is aghast, "Not even this sticks!"
Lt. Treillane can only quip, "Now I will show you why I am superior in combat!"
Antoninus Treillane performs a chain of attacks, namely, Rocket Launcher of Misery, Rebellious Grudge, and his most devastating attack, the Walong-Demonyo Rune.
With this, both Edilbert and Angelino receive 9999 damage each and are knocked out.
Battle ended.
***
The Supreme Leader affirms, while he's down on his knees, heaving heavily...
"I admit... you are really... strong..."
His immediate subordinate vows, "But... we... will... retrain... and... eventually..."
Lt. Treillane responds in a belittling way, "Eventually what? Defeat me? What a poor excuse for so-called soldiers! That retraining will never ever happen... since I just magically locked up your buddies inside! Good luck saving them, if you can survive this Pandora's building of headaches, that is!"
His malicious laugh just echoes in the air as he disappears via his teleportation spell.
"What... will... happen... to... us..."
"If they succumb to their own frailties... the Ishi-shiro will..."
Lt. Col. Melard and Col. Porcarelli respectively utter these words before they faint into unconsciousness, their bodies now languishing near the lake's bank.