Episode 8: Border Defense Captain Chrom (2)
Episode 8: Border Defense Captain Chrom (2)
-Thud! Thud!!
Even though all eyes were drawn to Ban, he paid them no mind and advanced forward.
He stopped in front of the bewildered-looking Border Captain Chrom, who seemed not to understand the situation.
"What the hell are you doing?"
Ban asked with a blunt expression.
Chrom, making a gesture of disbelief, dropped the girl he was holding and stepped closer to Ban.
"Hey, who the fuck are you to destroy the great Empire's gate and cause troub... Urgh!!!!"
Before Chrom's words could finish, Ban's massive fist was driven into his face.
-Crashbangclatter!!
Chrom, who took a direct hit from Ban's fist to the face, was sent tumbling and flying away.
"Only answer what you're asked."
Chrom, who had been knocked out, was lying there twitching without moving a muscle.
Seeing Chrom's state, his subordinates raised their swords high and blocked Ban's path.
"Stop!!! If you come any closer, we'll kill you!!"
Chrom's subordinates were trembling but held their ground, lifting their swords.
-Ding! Ding! Ding!!
Then, from somewhere, the loud sound of a bell, signifying an attack, resonated.
Ban looked around.
The pitiful state of the refugees, and the families knocked down because of Chrom.
Ban's face soon contorted, and he let out a deep sigh.
"Trash-like bastards."
Ban drew and lifted the massive sword, the Great Sword, from his back.
"I was planning to sweep away all the Empire's lackeys anyway."
**
-Crashslashclang!!
The Great Sword swept across Chrom's underlings, slicing through the air.
Dozens of subordinates were annihilated in a single attack, leaving only Chrom, twitching on the ground.
As the Empire soldiers who had oppressed and tormented them died, the refugees, initially bewildered, soon cheered and rejoiced.
"It's the Savior!!! God has sent the Savior to save us!!!"
When one of the refugees shouted, the surrounding people quickly joined in, praising Ban.
"I'm not a savior... Never mind... Anyone fleeing, pass through the gate!!"
Ban, shaking his head briefly, shouted loud enough to make the gatehouse ring.
Hearing Ban's voice, the refugees instantly rushed towards the collapsed gate.
Ban watched for a moment as everyone fled outside the Empire, then tried to move his feet again.
At that moment, the man and his family, who had been beaten by Chrom and his men, stood before Ban.
"Thank you... Thanks to you, we can cross safely."
"It's nothing. You should cross the gate too before the soldiers regroup."
"We will never forget this favor."
The man and his family bowed to Ban and then, pulling their injured bodies along, headed towards the gate.
Even in the chaotic situation of refugees rushing out, Ban moved forward, grabbed Chrom by the collar, and lifted him up.
"Do you have any information about a witch named Priscilla?"
"Ghk... Fu-fucking... how would I know."
"She has silver-white hair and eyes that shine like stars. I hear she's captured in the royal capital. Do you know exactly where?"
"Among the bitches I've fucked, how many had silver hair..."
Ban's face twisted, and he slammed Chrom's head into the ground, smashing it.
-Kaboom!
"Haa..."
As Ban swept his disheveled hair back and checked his surroundings, the refugees at the gate seemed to have mostly crossed, leaving the area somewhat deserted.
That's when he spotted a young girl approaching him.
"Another Empire lackey? Sorry, but it's not the time to go easy on you just because you're a woman."
Ban raised his massive fist.
"Wait. I am a knight of the Rohim Kingdom, currently infiltrating the Empire. My name is Fishel. You're Ban, the one I was supposed to meet, right?"
Fishel raised both hands, adopting a non-hostile posture as she approached Ban.
"No time to chat with you. Even at this very moment, Priscilla-nim must be suffering."
"I know, I'm sure. But you don't know where she's held, and you don't know the Empire's geography well either. I'll help you."
Upon hearing the name Priscilla, Ban instantly closed the distance to Fishel and grabbed her shoulders.
"I've heard about the Empire's geography, so I have a rough idea. Do you know where Priscilla-nim was captured?"
Ban pressed close to Fishel, looking at her with a serious face.
"No, I don't know exactly... but I have a guess..."
Seeing Ban's face up close, Fishel blushed and stammered.
"Even a guess is fine. Tell me. Time is of the essence."
Ban pressed further, moving even closer.
"Alright, so step back a bit!! Don't come so close with that face, it's embar... no. Stop!!"
Fishel carefully pushed Ban away, creating some distance.
Then, with a red face, she lightly brushed off her shoulder where Ban had grabbed it.
"Let's relocate first. It's too open here, and soon the gatehouse soldiers who heard the news will come rushing."
But no sooner had Fishel finished speaking than dozens of gatehouse soldiers on horseback swarmed in.
"Where is Captain Chrom? The gate is destroyed too... We've already reported to higher-ups. The Empire's Immortal Knight, Reinhardt-nim, is coming with the subjugation force. Surrender quietly, and we'll spare your lives."
The border guards drew their spears and swords, surrounding Ban and Fishel.
"Stay back."
Ban gestured to Fishel and drew his Great Sword.
"You seem to be underestimating me. That lot isn't even a match."
Fishel also drew a longsword and a short sword.
"I see. Then stay back and fight from a distance."
As soon as the words ended, Ban charged forward at the guards, wielding his massive sword.
'Sigh... Is he really human?'
I put away the weapon in my hand and stared at the man before me.
He had swept away nearly a hundred soldiers without getting a single scratch or shedding a drop of sweat.
Every time he swung that massive sword of unimaginable weight, the Empire soldiers were cut down like straw.
Frankly, I didn't even get a chance to show off my own skills.
A man this strong... He'd rank among the strongest I've seen after all my battles and experiences in the Kingdom.
And on top of such strength, even his looks...
-Slap!!
I slapped my cheek with my palm to snap out of it.
Snap out of it, this isn't the time.
"Ban! After dealing with this many soldiers, it'll take time for the Empire's reinforcements to arrive. Let's use this gap to leave the gatehouse area and move to a safe zone."
Ban shook the blood off his sword and replied.
"No, I'll advance straight towards the Empire's capital. Just tell me where you think Priscilla-nim is being held."
But this man seemed unyielding.
"No, I mean... Never mind, for you, time is of the essence. Then at the very least, let's hide in the refugee village by the river. I'll tell you as quickly as possible."
Ban let out a sigh and gestured for her to lead the way.
"So you're saying she's imprisoned not in the Empire's royal castle but inside the Papacy's headquarters?"
"Right. Investigating the witch named Priscilla, to continuously suppress and imprison a witch that powerful, that place is most suitable. It also aligns with the goal the Empire has for capturing witches."
Inside a narrow tent in the refugee village. Ban and Fishel were discussing closely in the cramped space.
"The Empire's goal... is to capture high-ranking witches and extract their infinite mana to use for weaponry, right?"
Ban asked Fishel about the information he had heard from Priscilla.
"Right. I'm not sure exactly what kind of weapon, but since Grand Mages are usually nobles, they can't be touched recklessly. So they're using the more manageable witches to prepare for war."
As soon as Fishel finished speaking, Ban tried to stand up in the narrow tent.
"Wait!! Calm down. What are you doing in such a tight space!!"
"Even at this very moment, Priscilla-nim is suffering. I have enough information; I'm leaving for the Papacy."
"Alright, so calm down a bit!"
Soon, the cramped tent couldn't hold up and collapsed.
Because of that, Fishel fell and ended up in Ban's arms.
Fishel, now held by Ban, buried her face in his chest for a moment, not moving a muscle.
"Hoo... hoo..."
"Hey, you okay?"
At the sound of Fishel's rough breathing, Ban spoke as if concerned. Only then did Fishel startle and step outside the tent.
"No!! It was an accident!"
Fishel's face was flushed as she fanned herself with her hand, feigning innocence.
"Right, well, I'll be going now."
"Wait!! Wait, I'll go with you!"
Fishel called out to Ban, who was about to leave immediately.
"Aren't you a secret agent? Do your job. I'll go my way."
"Well, that's true... but war seems about to break out anyway, so staying undercover feels pointless. Helping you and causing chaos for the Empire might be more helpful to the Kingdom."
Fishel twisted her body and spoke as if embarrassed.
Ban stared at Fishel for a moment, then turned and started to leave.
"No!! I told you, I'll definitely be helpful if I come along!! I'm good at cooking!! And cleaning!! And other things too!!"
"You can follow if you want. Just don't get in the way."
"Really?"
Only then did Fishel happily follow behind Ban.
But before the two could even leave the refugee village, they felt the surroundings grow noisy.
"It's the Empire's subjugation force!!! There must be thousands!!! Even a Knight Commander is coming!!!"
At the noise coming from somewhere, the people were uniformly terrified, descending into chaos.
"Knight Commander... Reinhardt, is it."
"Reinhardt... I've heard of him. One of the Empire's elite knights, cursed with immortality, who keeps fighting even after dying."
Fishel's face turned serious, as if deep in thought.
"Ban, the scale alone, and the fact a Knight Commander has taken the field, means they intend to sweep this place clean. Let's leave here, even if we have to take a detour."
Fishel said, grabbing Ban's hand.
"No, I'll face them. On the contrary, if I take care of them here, they won't be a hindrance later."
"Wait!! No!!! I give up."
Fishel followed behind Ban, who strode ahead, as if she had given up.
The edge of the refugee village, a wide plain.
Nearly a thousand soldiers on horseback came to a halt.
Because of one enormous man standing in the distance before them.
Soon, an old knight stepped forward from among the soldiers.
"Is that the one who defeated Black Snake Unit Captain Kravia and destroyed the gate?"
"Judging by the matching information and appearance, it seems so. Commander Reinhardt-nim, what shall we do?"
The old general stroked his beard and drew a massive shield and axe.
"He's a powerful foe. I can feel it even from this distance. You all surround the area and block the escape routes. I'll face him alone."
"But Commander, there are two enemies. Wouldn't it be easier if we all rushed at once?"
"No, that would only increase casualties. I'll face him alone."
Finishing his words, the old general Reinhardt solidified his resolve and began cautiously approaching Ban.