Chapter : The easy solution.
The current situation in Rebellion of Humanity has changed a little bit. The Suicide Division and the other groups were creating a new path all over the earth. Humankind was finally able to make a comeback to the surface. Now being armed with the aid of the Lions and the Corporations of Pride Rock. There were more figures joining the fight.
Lugasa was training the Orions, who would be facing the Borus types. Commander 151 was training the newly inducted recruits. Training them differently than those in the Suicide Division. The Suicide Division's soldiers were helping to train them in marksmanship. Instructions were clear, they did not shout or raise their voices. The new recruits were unnerved by the sight of them in gas masks and glowing eyes. The Rogues were working with the Valiants to give them more tactical choices in combat. There were also the appearance of humans who have suddenly developed mana. Which prompted for One Eyed Emperor, Iacus and Tyrant Trickster was teaching them how to use it. While Donovan was designing a set of armor with Ferno using his powers to heat up the metals to create the alloys needed for these new humans to use their powers.
The Thunder Prince was practicing with the other teams, the Gladiators and the AS Units, even the Demon’s Bane and the Crimson Reavers. Joshua could see the difference in power, the Thunder Prince wielded the battle hammer with ease, just pushing them back. The Thunder Prince’s power was something Joshua does not have much knowledge to it. But the system made it clear that there was more to it.
They had a word ‘Untold Names’ at their logs and Joshua could not see anything else about them. It might be a thing about loyalty, which Joshua needed to figure out. Lugasa came to see him, he was battered and bruised but nothing worse for wear.
“So what do you think?”
“Those Orions hit hard. They hit harder than werewolves do, and those Borus? They fight a lot like a werewolf does, I’ve trained them so that they can take on multiple Borus alone. Their lethality is no joke.” Lugasa said as he blew the blood out from his snout.
“Thanks, Lugasa.” Lugasa chuckled, then looking at Joshua's tired eyes.
“I’m your familiar, Lord. But… I found something that you might want to look at.” Lugasa passed Joshua a scroll.
“What’s this?”
“I don’t know, you figure it out. Imma go train some grunts.” Lugasa left. Joshua took a moment to look at the scroll
The Wandering Mercenary.
This scroll holds a Summon, a being that can be brought into the fight.
For the Wandering Mercenary, a Ronin of the past.
The Wandering Mercenary is accompanied by his companions, a falcon and a wolf. That has worked with him in the past.
Pay the mercenary with items, and he will aid you in battle.
Joshua was thinking about the payment, where he could see a small description.
‘Currency of any kind. His attacks will depend on mood and payment. The Wandering Mercenary, or rather known as Ronin. Is a summon that is very lax.' This was something he needed an expert opinion, the tome might prove useful.
“Raizel?” The tome appeared before Joshua's eyes, flapping its pages and humming happily. An odd thing for Raizel, considering the sarcasm it showed, but this was something Joshua needed answers for.
“Ah, yes Lord?”
“Lord, not going to call me by anything else?” Joshua asked.
“No, you’ve shown a fine quality in a Lord of Thorns. Now, what is your question?”
“Ronin. What’s his story?”
‘Ah, the summon Ronin. A Wandering Mercenary. He’s a samurai in another realm during a period of war. He died as a traitor, framed for his mistakes by another retainer to his clan. Given a second chance to serve, he is a mercenary first and loyal retainer later. For him to be a loyal retainer, there would be a lot of need for Ronin to observe you carefully.” Raizel informed.
“I see.. Should I be concerned?”
“None whatsoever, he truly is one of the best swordsmen in the many worlds. It may be beneficial to learn his loyalty to learn his swordsmanship technique. It is one known as the Edge of the Gods. He was able to cut through anything and everything, be it mortal or immortal. Ronin is a summon which meant that his power is for use for when you truly need it. In your world's terms, call him a nuclear missile that is contained to a sword."
"In my world's terms? You've been reading up on my world as well?"
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"Of course, that is part of my work as your tome, but why would it be of concern?" Raizel's words had given Joshua an idea.
"I was thinking of how to end this war. I will ask Bishop of Despair to bring me to the leader of the Entente Armada."
"Are you mad!? Do you think that you would come out unscathed!?"
"I might be able to get Ronin to use his power to slash the armada in half. Even if I have to pay him with whatever currency that I have." clearly the tome was uncomfortable at hearing these words.
"Is there truly no other way?"
"Wars drag out for far too long, Raizel. You must have known this." Joshua was right, they let this war drag out any longer and it will take too long to rebuild this world to its former glory.
"Are you sure?"
"If the Bishop of Despair can be swayed, then maybe the war like ones can be subdued." It was a naive thought, but Joshua wanted to hold what little shred of hope for peace was, despite how broken it may be.
"Will you go alone?"
"Yes, that will be my plan, but I also plan to have a few more allies join me in preparation." Joshua answered where the tome vanished, Joshua dragged his feet through the door,taking in a deep breath. One for the road, and one that may end the war. This would be enough for him, everything has changed and now, many things needed to be clarified.
Joshua went to meet with Commander Shane, where Mitsuru and other Lions were present. Billy and Xander were there too.
"What's your plan?"
"I'm going to surrender myself to the Entente. Without the Ashen Wind armor. It's a dumb attempt, but at the very least. I will be able to know what's going on. Commander 151, ready your Suicide Division for battle. Vizel, Iacus, Donovan. You three will be called when needed. Everyone else standby for any retaliation by the Entente."
"Are you sure, Lord of Thorns?" Commander Shane asked.
"It's reckless, but when I see their leaders? A meeting face to face might be the best chance we got." Joshua answered where the Bishop of Despair who was in the base turned to Joshua.
"They will not listen to you. You know that don't you?"
"It is a fool's errand, but this may be the only way to end the war." The Bishop of Despair let out a sigh, shaking his head.
"You would sacrifice so much, for your people?"
"For our people, Bishop. This will be for your people as well. So that they do not need to fight any longer." Joshua said as he took off his armor, showing his true appearance as Joshua Gates.
"As you command, Lord of Thorns." Joshua then fell to his knees and forced himself to black out. Where Bishop of Despair handled the rest.
He was drifting in a sea of his own thoughts. He felt tired. Tired of all the wars that was present. Tired of fighting, he could use a break. A moment to take a vacation and not be so troubled by anything. Just missing his family, and finding himself at the dining table. A familiar atmosphere as his family was present as they ate their meals. Their voices were waning, but Joshua could see their lips move.
A hit to the face, and Joshua opened his eyes. Seeing the Entente's leadership. The Council of Four, with Bishop of Despair on his knees to the right.
"They knew we were coming." Joshua was chained to the ground, naked and his arms stretched forward.
"The plight of humanity... You dare come here?"
"Yeah. I do." Joshua broke the chains as he got up to his feet easily.
"How!? Those were meant to restrain even our most dangerous beasts of our kind!" One of the Council exclaimed, as Joshua turned to see the aliens that were present. They stared at him, some were afraid and began chanting prayers of their religions.
"What do you want from us!?"
"Leave earth alone or better yet, try to coexist with us."
"You dare ask us that!? When you have killed our kind!?" One of the Council spoke, a Banshee shouted.
"Your kind ate my family. Do I need to elaborate further? I am restraining myself from butchering you before the eyes of your people, but I am holding myself back because the Bishop of Despair wishes for peace. This war has gone long enough, we call each other demons! We train each other to kill! I only know your kind as merely man eating beings! Yet, I want to understand your cultures. All of your cultures, all of your history."
"Why our history?"
"Because something must have caused you to try and kill humanity. It's not as if you woke up one day because you wished for our death! What was the significance of humanity that caused us to be your target?!" The four council leaders pulled out a book.
"Raizel." The tome appeared, staring at the book.
"It is a prophecy of demise. And mankind was in the middle of it all. According to the lore of the Entente armada, this was because humanity's power to evolve and adapt that caused them to be dangerous. A prophecy that stated that humanity would destroy all other species." Joshua let out a sigh as he grabbed the book. Seeing the visions that was brought up to it.
"I see... So humanity did destroy your people, but humans of another time. So you traveled lightyears away. To stop us from doing so, but because humanity fought back with its might and the dwindling numbers scare you because they used things that kept your kind out." Joshua threw the book aside.
"I want this war to end. I tire of slaughtering your kind out of fury." Joshua said as his robes covered his body, and he helped the Bishop of Despair up on his feet.
"Why are you quick to forgive? Are you not exacting vengeance upon us?"
"What's the point? I do that and we repeat a cycle. I'm going to break it first. See you around." Joshua said, walking away without a care in the world.
"Wait!"
"What will be your demands for peace?"
"You broke our home, so you should fix it and you experimented on humans too. So those things need to be settled properly."The Four Councilmen nodded.
"Then we ask that you nominate another figure to join the Council. A human."
"Shane?" Joshua called where Commander Shane opened the com channel.
"Yeah, I heard it. We'll talk to the people and see what we can do. This might be an uneasy peace."
"But it is peace nonetheless." Joshua said.