Daimendo continued, "We were all witness to your intrusion into Jancito and the breach in our Barrier. Since then, I've been tracking the movements of every one of you. But, as you lack magic, I could only locate and detain a few. Then, your name, Kintovar, surfaced in a conversation among my superiors. They debated whether it was the same Kintovar they had captured or a different one. It turns out that the Kintovar recently transferred from Eastern Jancito Prison to Western Jancito Prison, the harshest of all places."
He paused momentarily. Then, a cold smile came towards his lips, "We came to the conclusion that you were actually a different one, so we gathered all available information on you. Now, you will answer for your actions."
Daimendo, with a fluid and practiced motion, channeled the frigid energy of his northern heritage into his specialized gun. As he aimed it at Kintovar, a bluish aura surrounded the weapon, pulsating with icy energy. He pulled the trigger, and a concentrated blast of freezing power erupted from the barrel.
The energy shot out like a lance, seeking its target. It struck Kintovar with unrelenting force, surrounding her in a rapidly forming cocoon of ice. She struggled briefly, but the icy grip tightened, and she found herself encased.
Daimendo approached the frozen Kintovar. "We also have information on your encounter with Dark Whirlwind. We know you need to press something to activate that suit of yours, but that won't work if you're frozen solid."
Turning to the other men, he commanded, "We have secured Kintovar, but this isn't over. We need to find the other two intruders. They cannot be allowed to escape."
The Guards looked at him dumbfounded. "Wait, you're saying she wasn't alone in there? We only saw her!"
Daimendo retorted with a rageful shout. "You numbskulls! Did you think Kintovar could shake the whole place by herself!? She's got her little band of troublemakers with her. Find them!"
"How are we supposed to track them? We can't sense any magic from them."
"Think, you imbeciles! They're probably responsible for that barrier breach. They'll stick out like sore thumbs. Just look for the chaos they've caused."
"What about Kintovar, Lieutenant?"
"She's not going anywhere in that ice. We'll deal with her later. Now move out, and find the rest of her gang!"
The guards dispersed throughout the compound, cautiously searching for Kintovar's creations. They moved with a sense of purpose, checking every corner and passage with their weapons ready.
Meanwhile, Daimendo strode ahead, leading the charge. His breath formed frosty clouds in the chill air.
"Check over here! They might be hiding in the cells!"
"I'll investigate the control room. If they're in there, they won't escape."
Daimendo frustratingly increased his pace and muttered, "Sometimes, if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself."
The guards with Daimendo were suddenly startled from a tremor. Their eyes widened, and some stumbled, struggling to maintain their balance.
"What's going on? Are they trying to bring the whole place down?"
Daimendo, however grinned with a frosty aura surrounding him. “No need to panic. I know exactly where they are now. Follow me!"
With renewed resolve, Daimendo charged forward, leading the guards towards the source of the disturbance.
Meanwhile, the guards fighting the sisters in the cell room continued to fire their icy shots at Roselle and singled her out. Roselle channeled her yellow lightning powers, infusing them into her massive cannon. She pulled the trigger, and a surge of energy crackled through the weapon, but the barrier remained unphased.
"She's fast!" one of the guards shouted. Another guard got an idea and began to launch ice bullets all along the floor, creating a treacherous path of obstacles. When Roselle tried to run, she tripped over one of the icy patches and fell flat on her face. The guard's eyes lit up with a predatory gleam. He aimed his weapon at the fallen Roselle.
Roselle gasped, bracing for the worst. But just when the shot was fired, a pillar of fire erupted in front of her, shielding her from the icy blast. Runebelle stood nearby and confidently maintained the fiery pillar.
"Thanks for the save, Runebelle," Roselle panted, scrambling to her feet.
"We need to keep moving," Runebelle replied. "They won't let up." Runebelle, standing firmly by Roselle’s side unleashed an earth pillar beside the fire pillar to shield them from being bombarded.
Runebelle looked back at Roselle and said, “Iv’e bought us some time. Those pillars won’t stay up for long with the power they are packing. We need a way to break the barrier.”
Roselle pondered their predicament. "Is this barrier element-based?" she wondered aloud. "If it is, maybe Runebelle could use her elemental fusion abilities to break it, but something doesn't feel right about that."
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
She then recalled that both Runebelle and Risebelle had hacking abilities, which they used to access magical items like the mana extractors back on the island. However, that technique relied on linking and replacing a mage's energy. Roselle wasn't sure it would work in this situation either.
She asked herself, ‘What's the right approach here? Maybe Risebelle can guide me from within? What's the best option, Risebelle?’
Roselle delved deep into her thoughts, trying to connect with Risebelle for guidance. Within her mind, a manifestation of her older sister appeared in her mind with a disappointing glare.
Risebelle spoke in a scolding tone, "I dunno, Roselle." Her eyes lowered out of irritation. “What the hell is wrong with you? You're the leader now, Roselle! Pull yourself together, open your eyes, and stop trying to create annoying figments of your own imagination!"
Roselle was shocked by Risebelle's stern words, but they helped her to gain the confidence she needed to think clearly. She had to lead now. Roselle, channeling her newfound confidence responded, "Runebelle, try forming your pillars inside the magic barrier. I want to test something."
Runebelle looked puzzled and questioned, "But how would that work? It's a magical barrier, Roselle."
Roselle's eyes shone with hope. "I just have a hunch. Let's give it a shot and see what happens."
As Runebelle attempted to create the magical pillars inside the barrier, they materialized for a brief moment before being absorbed into the energy of the barrier itself, strengthening it rather than breaking it.
Roselle realized the functionality of the barrier’s make-up and exclaimed, "This barrier was created by someone who could account for artificial magic, not just elemental spells. It’s a strong piece of magic."
Runebelle looked puzzled and inquired, "What does that mean?"
Roselle, with a somewhat mischievous smile on her face, responded, "It means we can't destroy the barrier." She paused, and Runebelle was confused by the smile. "But that's good news," Roselle continued. "Now we don't have to risk alerting more guards!"
Runebelle blinked, slightly bewildered. "Wait, wait, wait….I don't get it. Why are you smiling about that? Isn't it actually… bad news that we can't get through?"
Roselle chuckled. "Exactly, that's the point! It's so bad it's almost funny. We'll just have to think of another way, that's all!"
Runebelle sighed and remarked, "Well, if all else fails, I can still use my Project Rune Transformation."
Roselle quickly responded, "Wait, Runebelle. Let's not do that just yet. We should keep it as a last resort. We need to make sure we're making the right move."
While the sisters discussed their options, they were caught offguard by a strong release of magical energy. They turned to see a man with short green hair, clad in a black CPU uniform. With a confident grin, he spoke from behind them, "The right move, huh? I am Lieutenant Daimendo of the CPU."
Daimendo's words sent a chill through the sisters, and they exchanged nervous glances. Roselle whispered, "Uh oh," while Runebelle sighed, "Busted." Both of them raised their hands in surrender.
Daimendo chuckled at their nervousness. "You can continue what you were doing, but make sure to send your regards to Kintovar in the next world." He aimed his gun at them.
Daimendo's words were unsettling, and the sisters nodded nervously. Roselle, trying to diffuse the tension, flashed a nervous smile and said in a cute, pleading tone, "Don't shoot, pretty please?"
Runebelle, attempting to follow her lead despite her usual sad look, added, "Yeah, pretty please. We didn't mean any harm."
Daimendo smirked and said, "You two are quite the characters, aren't you? But you are children….hm…."
Daimendo nodded and commanded the guards, "Arrest them. We've already got Kintovar in custody, and she's going to be arrested soon as well." The guards swiftly moved in to apprehend Roselle and Runebelle.
The guards closed in to put the cuffs on. Roselle and Runebelle exchanged a quick, knowing glance. Without the need for words, they had a silent agreement. At the last possible moment, Runebelle formed her small cannon, and with lightning-fast precision, she unleashed a barrage of shots that knocked back the guards.
The sudden attack took the guards by surprise, and they stumbled backward, disoriented. Roselle and Runebelle seized the opportunity to flee, darting down a nearby corridor in search of safety.
Daimendo, used his ice magic to freeze the ground beneath him, allowing him to skate along the path at an incredible speed. While gliding forward, he continued to freeze the ground behind him. The chase was on, and Daimendo was hot on their heels, or rather, cold on their icy trail.
When they reached the end of the hall, Roselle quickly ascended stairs. Runebelle was close behind. Thinking on her feet, Runebelle summoned a fiery pillar behind her to block Daimendo's path. The intense heat and bright flames temporarily halted his pursuit.
Daimendo channeled the power of his elemental affinity. The icy winds swirling around him intensified, forming a vortex of snow and frost. With a commanding voice, he declared,
"Glacial Whirlwind!"
The chilling blizzard-like attack consumed the fiery pillar, instantly extinguishing its flames, and then chased after the two fleeing sisters.
Runebelle acted quickly, creating an ice pillar in an attempt to block the attack; however, the frigid tempest was too powerful, and it shattered her defensive pillar, leaving her exposed. The icy winds lashed at her, causing her to take damage.
“Runebelle!”
Runebelle, though chilled and shivering from the attack, managed to get back on her feet with Roselle's help. Roselle pulled her arm.
“Come on!”
On the second floor, a group of CPU officers went about their business, unaware of the chaos unfolding on the lower levels. The entire building had been shaking, causing confusion and alarm among the guards. Suddenly, their attention was drawn to the two young girls, Roselle and Runebelle, who had appeared on the second floor.
The officers exchanged puzzled glances, trying to make sense of the situation. These two intruders had no signs of sensible magic, which only deepened the mystery. One officer spoke up, "What's going on? Who are these kids, and why are they here?"
The officers continued to exchange bewildered glances. They tried to comprehend the unusual situation. One of them, a bit more assertive, stepped forward and said, "I don't know what's happening, but those kids are under arrest. We can't let them roam freely in this chaos."
They began to approach Roselle and Runebelle cautiously, ready to take them into custody.
Daimendo's icy presence closed in on Roselle and Runebelle. At the same time, guards surrounded them with their guns at the ready, the two sisters found themselves trapped. Daimendo gave a cold and calculated smile.
“There’s nowhere left for you to run, Criminals.”
With no more escape routes available, Roselle took a deep breath and clenched her fists. She turned to Daimendo and said, "Looks like there's no other choice but to fight you now."
Runebelle's frown deepened. Her eyes narrowed in the wake of Daimendo’s coldness.
Daimendo held a cold smile on his face."Our justice will be served cold, like the chill of the Alyssum flower." The stage was set for a frosty showdown in the heart of the jail.