Four Heavenly Kings Ashumar (4)
Sisilia's mind was cooler than it had ever been. This battle to subjugate Ashumar was one even she viewed as profoundly difficult. Not a single mistake could be tolerated.
She had already run the calculations in her head countless times, but on the eve of the operation, Sisilia sought out William once more.
"Talk about Ashumar, huh? It won't be much help, but that's fine?"
"Yes. Fine by me. Right now, every little bit matters."
"In that case... What kind of tea do you like?"
"Strawberry milk."
"...I can do strawberries and milk."
"That'll do."
William summoned a maid to bring the two items. Sisilia, her face deadly serious, dipped the strawberries into the milk, unleashed a mini Wind Shear—to avoid splashing, which would violate etiquette—and swirled a tiny vortex inside to blend it perfectly.
Done. Strawberry milk, complete.
"Ho ho."
William watched Sisilia sip her strawberry milk with evident satisfaction and let out an impressed hum. Sure, the Windsors were all lunatics, so her eccentricity was par for the course, but her control over her Aura was on another level.
Anyway, William began his tale.
"The first and last time I faced Ashumar was about fifty years ago. I was at my peak then, freshly appointed as Eastern Commander."
William had been strong. As one of the only four Sword Sovereigns in all of Liannen, it was a given. True, he was only at the early stages of Sword Sovereign compared to others, but his confidence had pierced the heavens.
"Ashumar marched right into my territory, bold as brass, claiming he wanted to see the new commander. That was when I learned city defense barriers mean nothing to a Four Heavenly King."
Ashumar had come that day like a guest. Right in the middle of William's handover as the new appointee, he'd strolled into his office like it was nothing.
"He challenged me to a duel. His power was obvious even from afar, but who knows? I accepted. I had no choice. What commander flees from a demon right in front of him?"
William laid his thick arm on the table. He rolled up his sleeve, revealing a deep scar. Sisilia instantly recognized it as a wound that had severed nerves. His right arm was probably still awkward to move even now.
"This was the result. But as you see, I'm still alive."
William spoke matter-of-factly. Back then, he'd been furious; later, he'd lamented; now, he was grateful. Because he'd survived somehow, he could pass on even a sliver of aid to the next generation.
"Ashumar said this: 'You have potential to grow stronger, so I'll spare you. I hope when we meet again, you'll stimulate me.'"
And with that, he'd turned and vanished. Those words had carved a deeper wound than the scar on his arm.
"'Once again, you fail to put up a real fight. When the hell do humans get strong?'"
Sisilia gulped down her strawberry milk and set the glass down silently.
William gave a wry smile.
"After that, instead of preparing for the Four Heavenly Kings, I focused on developing the city. I judged killing Ashumar was impossible in my lifetime, so I wanted to leave the best possible environment for my successor. But despite petitioning Her Majesty—the Empress—multiple times, no successor came. She's a stubborn one."
Sisilia stroked her chin, lost in thought.
...Not that he likes fighting the strong. Looks more like he came to crush a sprout. So my hunch was right.
If Ashumar had truly spared William hoping he'd grow stronger, there'd been no need to cripple his arm so badly. It was probably a lie. Demons were all liars anyway.
Sisilia confirmed her plan was still solid and let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"Will you pass this on to Her Majesty? I've done enough—time to let me retire."
"Sword Sovereign William."
Sisilia bowed her head deeply.
"Sixth Vice-Captain of the Windsor Knights, Great Lord who has led Greyslam for fifty years."
William blinked at the sudden recitation of his credentials. Sisilia smiled brightly, rose, and saluted.
"In the chaos of the east, you alone kept Greyslam secure. My respects."
Which was why Sisilia couldn't grant William's final request.
Because.
"Even if I were the Empress, I'd keep you on the east. Hard to find a lord who does the job this well. Now, I'll go fight Ashumar."
Long after Sisilia left, William chuckled.
"Really, he'll work till his dying breath."
At 130 years old, and retirement still out of reach. The Empress was too harsh, and so was that junior of his.
If that's my fate, I'll accept it.
William lifted his mangled arm, gripped a pen, and signed without hesitation.
The documents were an evacuation order for all Greyslam territory residents.
And a full delegation of authority to Sisilia Windsor.
**
"Magic tome deciphered, Ria."
"All items ordered by Vice-Captain procured."
"Survey of Ashumar's castle vicinity complete. As you said, no real interference with scouting."
"Sent Beatrice and Hyter ahead. They should be at the designated points by now."
Sisilia nodded faintly as she took the reports. Playful at ease, but dead serious when battle loomed. No one here was joking around.
So she had to give her all in return.
How many lives has Ashumar tormented over the centuries?
Ashumar's chronicle spanned a thousand years. The atrocities of a millennium-old demon were beyond words.
Above all, the shock and grief inflicted on the dragon were immeasurable.
Sisilia couldn't forgive Ashumar, so she had to honor his victims as much as possible.
I'll use everything at my disposal. That's etiquette.
Dismissing all they'd built and brute-forcing Ashumar would cheapen their sacrifices. It would render the lives lost for future generations meaningless.
"Vice-Captain Sisilia."
"All preparations complete."
"Give the order."
Sisilia felt the Windsor Knights' eyes fixed on her, took a step forward, and spoke.
"As of now, we commence the subjugation of Four Heavenly King Ashumar."
The calm words carried immense weight. The Windsors awaited her next line.
A vice-captain's role was to command the battle and dangle enticing rewards.
Please, Chiron's special brew!
The priciest stuff!
Sisilia passed through the path cleared by the Windsors, turned, and solemnly drew something from her bosom.
"?"
It was a dragon plushie. A tiny dragon spewing fire with a rawr.
"Your reward: Sisilia's dragon plushie. One-of-a-kind in the world."
The heroine Sword Princess's beloved plush from the Liannen Empire lore—adored by all.
She was certain this would capture men's hearts. They'd fight like hell to claim it.
"...Keep it yourself."
"Damn, a battlefield with zero rewards."
"Sisilia. Sorry, but no one but you likes that crappy doll."
"!"
The Windsors brushed past, tossing barbs. Each one stabbed Sisilia's little heart. Her puffed-up chest deflated bit by bit—
Until only one Windsor remained before her.
Lude.
Fan club president, holding out till the end.
Lude smiled warmly.
"Our Ria's gotta grow up."
"......"
Sisilia's face crumpled like a little sister hearing cold truth from her last kind big bro.
"W-Wait for me."
She toddled after Lude.
And—in his office, watching it all—Sword Sovereign William saluted quietly.
Even after Sisilia vanished from sight, his salute lingered.
**
The Windsor Knights, Sisilia included, arrived at Ashumar's castle.
Incidentally, the gates yawned wide open, as if inviting them in.
He was awfully confident.
"You really gonna try it? Sisilia."
"Yes. Do it."
"...Fine, but don't expect miracles. My Extreme Art isn't that refined."
Sisilia pondered as she heard Hyter's uncertain voice.
How many powerhouses lurked inside? Not just foes. This was a Four Heavenly King's castle—riddled with human-killing traps.
Reaching Ashumar wouldn't be easy.
Frankly, Sisilia found it annoying.
Her business was with Ashumar alone. She had zero interest in his legions or irregularities like Maui, not even Beatrice-level.
Especially not playing into Ashumar's hands.
Why should she?
So Sisilia decided to skip the process.
"Extreme Art."
Hyter and several knights swelled with presence. Lude's eyes blazed blue-green.
Hyter tapped his sword against the castle wall and muttered.
"Gong Chamgyeok (Shared Severing Strike)."
Invisible waves rippled along the wall, spreading through the entire castle. But the force was so faint, it merely hummed the structure slightly.
The follow-up Aura techniques were similarly throttled.
"Paryeol (Rupture)."
Herald pressed his red axe to the wall the same way. A technique cycling extreme heat and cold repeatedly.
Then the knight beside Herald thrust his sparking sword into the air.
"Plasma."
As electricity crackled, Sisilia stepped over the gate's threshold.
Whoosh—wind bloomed instantly, flooding the castle interior.
Sisilia smiled.
A Four Heavenly King's castle is an indestructible object.
You couldn't smash it outright. In Another World, it wasn't even classified as a 'breakable target.'
The devs' way of saying, Don't even try.
But Sisilia always wanted to do the forbidden more.
External attacks are blocked, but once combat starts inside, structures take damage graphics.
She knew why. In a major event like a Four Heavenly King, constant 'beeps—unbreakable target' on every wall bump would ruin the game.
...Though Another World was ruined anyway.
Sisilia had just thought it: Exploit this right, and we can break it.
Sisnya was curious, experimented.
The result was simple.
Internal shocks temporarily lift the no-attack status. But 'castle-collapsing' shocks reapply it.
This wasn't a game anymore.
But the rule was implemented via magic tools—same principle.
Sisilia smiled quietly.
"Expansion."
The wind inside expanded, cracking the entire castle. The magic array judged it 'not castle-destroying' and deactivated briefly.
Lude timed it perfectly.
"Reversal."
The faint external vibrations, currents, thermal expansions/contractions flipped to 'massive shock.'
The barrier naturally deemed it 'castle-destroying' and rushed to nullify—but too late.
Damage had already spread throughout.
The result.
Crash!
Barrier shattered.
Castle collapsed.
"......"
The Windsors secured distance from the rubble and stared at Sisilia wordlessly.
Five minutes into the Four Heavenly King Ashumar subjugation op.
His lair was already gone.
Inflicted by a girl just turning seventeen.
Unbelievable.