Chapter 12

 I have won, though Lancelot used a surprise attack, I still came out as the victor.

[Lancelot] “That…ha…ha…that wasn’t fair.”

[James] “Well, you did the same thing, so…”

[Lancelot] “Maybe, but mine carries love.”

Urk…

[Lancelot] “What about you?”

[James] “…………………………I have some cookies, want some?”

[Lancelot] “Hey, you didn’t answer my question yet.”

[James] “Man, I sure am hungry after that sparing, hahahaha.”

Hmm, what is it? Are you thinking that I’m just trying to escape from giving her an honest answer? Of course not, what I’m doing right now is what you call facing the question backwards, that’s right.

By no means am I feeling guilty about getting back at her with her surprise attack while feeling nothing but revenge as I tickle her non-stop.

No really…

As I imagine the deliciousness of the cookies, I stop walking as I found something other than my bag of cookies.

Instead of my cookies that I lay down on the flat grass covered ground, what I found are 3 kids laying on their bellies staring at me.

[James] “Hey there…”

[Troy] “H—hello…s—sir…”

[James] “Umm…you don’t happen to see a bag of coo—“

But before I even get to finish my words, I found the empty bag next to the boy I just spoke with.

[James] “………”

[Kids] “””…………………”””

I see, so they’re gone…

[Lancelot] “Hmm, James? Who are they?”

The Children of the Corn, that’s who. I know they’re just kids and I o like them, but come on, those were mine, they could at least ask for some.

Oh well, I guess I could just buy some once the festival starts.

[Troy] “Umm, s—sorry for eating your cookies mister, we were just..uh…”

[Trish] “We were watching you two fight and we got so excited. I guess we didn’t notice what we were doing.”

[James] “Don’t worry about it.”

[Lancelot] “………you a small tear under your eye.”

[James] “It’s not a tear, its sweat from my heart from our sparing earlier.”

[Lancelot] “Whatever you say Dear.”

It’s true…

[Troy] “Umm…we really are sorry.”

[James] “Hehe, like I said its cool, don’t worry about it.”

Well, if they keep giving me that look, there is no way I won’t forgive them.

[Troy] “Is it alright if I ask you something, Mister?”

[James] “Just call me James, and sure.”

And as soon as I said my OK, the boy’s eyes sparkled, but not only him, the girl and the other boy with him also has their eyes do the same thing.

The boy then suddenly jumps towards me and asks with an energetic tone.

[Troy] “How did you do those things, did you learn it somewhere!?”

[Trish] “Could it be that you’re a Martial arts master!?”

[Burton] “Are you a Master? Does that mean you have a school or a Dojo somewhere!?”

[James] “Uh…well I’m not really a master, but…”

I was about to make an excuse to make them stop asking but Lancelot quickly stood in front of them.

[Lancelot] “He isn’t a master or a does he owns a Dojo…”

Oh, is she going to make some kind of excuse for me? Just what I’d expect from a Knight, so dependable when the time is needed.

[Lancelot] “But he does use Martial Arts and not even most Masters will be able to beat him. I bet he can even do thing that you could only see in Television.”

[KIDS] “REALLY!?”

[James] “Um…Lancelot, are you sure you’re supposed to…”

[Lancelot] “You can right Dear?”

[James] “……I don’t think I should—“

[Lancelot] “You can right?”

[James] “S—Sure.”

That’s weird; I could have sworn she would—ah, could it be that she’s still upset about tickling her to submission in a sparring?

[Lancelot] “Go on.”

Who am I kidding, that‘s got to be the reason.

Well, it’s not like I’m trying to hide it, but honestly I don’t really want to flaunt it to everyone.

[Lancelot] “………………”

But then again, if I don’t do this, Lancelot won’t ease up.

Alright, might as well show the kids a bit of what I can do. But what will I show?

I shouldn’t show something too flashy and if I did something too ordinary, the kids might keep asking to see more.

Hmm…should I go with that?

[James] “Before I show it to you guys, I’m going to ask everyone a question. Huh?”

The kids line up in front of me like students listening to a school teacher, but what got my attention is Lancelot is standing behind them.

What are you doing there? Oh well, I should just ignore it.

[James] “Whenever you try to catch a Fly, you notice that it suddenly disappears and pop out in another location, why is that?”

[Burton] “Umm, isn’t it because they’re fast?”

[James] “Nope, they’re actually aren’t that fast.”

Hmm, they’re giving me a questioning look.

[James] “The reason of their disappearance and reappearance is because of they suddenly change their movement direction.”

To give them a better explanation, I told them to keep their eyes on the tip of my finger and start to move it in a vertical “S”.

[James] “This is about the same speed a regular Fly flies.”

Hmm, their eyes should be used to it by now.

With their eyes still on my finger, I suddenly move it straight down.

[Kids] “Huh!?”

[James] “See? You suddenly found it down here, right?”

Though their faces are still giving me a surprised look, I told them to keep their eyes on my right fist next.

[James] “This is going to be faster that what I did with my finger, but keep your eyes on my fist, alright?”

[Kids] “Y—Yes.”

With their reply, I start to do some straight right punches.

After making 6 or 7 punches and with their eyes getting used on my punches speed, I suddenly increased it speed.

[Kids] “Whoa!!?”

[Lancelot] “Hmm!?”

Their reaction now is a lot louder than the reaction they did back then; even Lancelot gave a surprised look.

[Trish] “Y—your arm, it disappeared and you shoot out your fist!”

[Troy] “He...he did a Rocket Punch.”

Oh, looks like that impressed them; I guess show something small like that did the trick.

For the record, that wasn’t a Rocket Punch. If it was, my whole arm would have flown straight away and blew something up; mine just reaches an extra foot compared for my last normal straight punch.

So yeah, I can’t do a real rocket punch, I’m neither a robot nor a cyborg after all and even if my fist did fly off, I would have most likely been bleeding nonstop by now.

[Troy] “Again, can you do it again!?”

[Trish] “Show us another one!”

[Burton] “Show us another punch like that one!”

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[James] “Sorry, since I used it today, I won’t be able to use it for 3 days.”

As soon as I gave them an answer, the excited look on their faces quickly dispersed and faces of disappointment surfaces.

But honestly though, I can use that move whenever I want and not only on my fists, but I can also use it on my whole body.

It’s a great skill to have if ever you’re being targeted by a sniper.

I thought the kids would fell down a bit longer, but they quickly perked up and one of them is even trying the punch I did.

But then I noticed Lancelot looking a bit down.

I don’t really understand why, so walk closer to her and ask.

[Lancelot] “Hmm? Oh, it’s nothing.”

[James] “Looking like that? It can’t be ‘Nothing’.”

After waiting for a few more seconds and continuously looking at her, she gave a small sigh and finally spoke.

[Lancelot] “It’s because I saw you do something like that…”

Huh? Did she mean about the punch I did earlier?

[Lancelot] “And I’m pretty sure when you said that you can’t do it anymore, I know you only covering it up.”

[James] “……………Was it that obvious?”

[Lancelot] “James Moriarty, I’ve watched you for a long time, I could at least tell when you’re lying, even if you are good at acting.”

[James] “I see………so, what made you feel bad about it?”

[Lancelot] “I thought that I could get a chance to be at least 3 or 4 steps behind you, but after seeing that…………(Sight) Forget steps, you’re probably miles away from me.”

So that’s it.

I recall something like this happen back then, but at least Lancelot isn’t attacking me out of nowhere like Fei Ling did back when I was in China.

Fei Ling huh…

(Sigh) Let’s forget about Fei Ling for now and pay more attention at the matter at hand.

But the question is…how do I do this? She said something about me being miles away from her, maybe I can……

I’m not sure if this would work, but it’s not like I have any other plans.

Finally deciding that I should just get on with it; I held her left shoulder with my left arm and pressed her close to my chest.

[James] “I’m not that far from you, I’m not even a step away.”

Wow, when I say it now, I feel so embarrassed. How corny was that?

[Lancelot] “(Sigh) “That wasn’t what I meant.”

And it’s not even working. Good job James, you literally made yourself look like a Cheesy Idiot.

[James] “Sorry, I thought it might—“

Just when I’m about to take my left arm off of her, she quickly held it and put it back on her shoulder.

[Lancelot] “I didn’t say anything about not liking it though.”

[James] “A—alright…”

Well, if she likes it I guess its fine.

[Trish] “(Sigh) Strong and Romantic, now that is the kind of man we women would love to have.”

[James] “Whoa!?”

[Lancelot] “Oh…”

Damn, I was too deep in my thoughts, I forgot about the kids!

And now it looks like they want to see something other than my Martial Arts, I have to do something before they ask for something embarrassing.

[James] “So umm kids, what are you guys doing here?”

[Troy] “Oh uh, we’re her to visit our Grandparents.”

[Burton] “And have fun at the festival I guess.”

[James] “Hmm, so you guys have experience with the festival, huh?”

That’s it James, divert their attention on something else.

[James] “So what are they going to show on the festival?”

[Troy] “Well, the last time we were here they have a bunch of different kinds of good food.”

[Trish] “They have games like who’s the fastest to finish a gigantic mug of milk.”

What!? They have such a heavenly event here!? Why haven’t I heard of this back when I was living here in England before!? I missed so much in my life!

[Trish] “Oh right, they even have this Folk Dance around a big bonfire at the middle of the village.”

Hmm, so they even have that, huh?

[Lancelot] “Of course that ‘Dance’ is going to happen at night right?”

[Trish] ”Yes.”

[Lancelot] “Then I guess that isn’t supposed to be there.”

After hearing Lancelot words, I look at the direction where she’s looking and found a big cloud of smoke coming from the village.

(Lancelot POV)

After seeing abnormal amounts of smoke, anyone would worry, and which is why I’m already making my way towards the village.

The ones that are following me from behind are the 3 kids I met, Troy, Trish and Burton. We had our introductions on the way.

Supposedly James should be with us right now, but he said that we might need our tools, so he told me to go ahead first while he goes back to Mr. Eustace house and grab them.

Finally making to the town’s entrance, I along with the kids found almost half the town in fire.

We then spot a few of the town’s people at the entrance looking at their homes in fear.

Walking closer to them, I quickly found Mrs. Margaret sitting alongside the other town’s people.

[Lancelot] “Mrs. Margaret, are all of you alright?”

[Margaret] “Oh Vistela dear, your alright.”

[Lancelot] “Yes, I was with James at the fields. But more importantly, what happened?”

[Margaret] “Ah yes, well what happen was…”

As I listen to Mrs. Margaret’s explanation, I quickly found out that the attackers that attacked us before, came here looking for us.

Damn, so that means that their homes are on fire because of me. I shouldn’t have stop here for so long.

It’s my entire fault; I’m the one who suggested to James to stay here. Sure the agency said we should wait here, but I should have kept going!

I was having too much fun with James and this peaceful life; I brought this disaster to so many innocent people!

Damn it, what a failure! How could I call myself a Monrrow!?

[Lancelot] “Are there anyone left inside the town?”

[Margaret] “My husband, the Mayor and his kids as well as a few more.”

[Lancelot] “I see.”

[Troy] “Lady! Hey Lady!”

Hearing the shout of Troy, I look back and found him crying, as well as the other two kids.

[Lancelot] “What’s wrong?”

[Trish] “Mommy and Daddy aren’t here!”

[Burton] “Our parents must have stayed with our grandparents.”

Now my failure got these kids involved……

No Vitela! Now is not the time to pulling yourself down, if I don’t act now, these kids might not be able to meet with their parents and grandparents again!

As a Monrrow, I must not let that happened!

Making my resolve shout out inside me, I look for a way to get in that big wall of fire.

I then found a well placed close to a field. I then drop the wooden bucket to the water and pull the well’s rope.

As soon as I got the bucket out of the well, I quickly poured myself with water and ran towards the wall of fire, but only to be stop by Mrs. Margaret.

[Margaret] “What are you doing!?”

I know she means well, but I don’t have time to explain myself.

[Lancelot] “Sorry Mrs. Margaret, but I need to do this.”

Maybe due to the water, but Mrs. Margaret’s hand that is grabbing on to mine slips. I then ran as fast as I can to the fire.

Without opening my eyes and slowing down, I kept running straight without looking back. And with this momentum, I eventually made it out of the fir and into…well more fire I guess.

But it’s not like that wall of fire, where the flame are all gathered into one, but the heat is still very worrying.

Since I’m finally in here, I should start looking for Mr. Eustace and the rest…Hmm!?

[Lancelot] “Khu!”

I was just about to take one step, but I quickly jump to the left.

[Lancelot] “So I was right, it’s the same Automatons that attacked us.”

Though it’s wearing a business suite, I could still tell that it’s still an Automaton. I mean, it doesn’t have hair or even a face to mention.

And I also know how tough it is; it just used its hand to pierce through the pavement on the ground.

If I get hit by that, it would easily kill me.

Since it’s clear that it wasn’t able to hit me, it quickly pounces at me and readies itself to pierce me.

But even with its speed, I could still deflect it easily.

I quickly grab its arm and did a shoulder throw and threw it to the fire. But as soon as I finished one off, one more jumps towards me.

With its hand trying to pierce the back of my head, I lean to the right and grab its arm, then bash its whole body to the ground.

Making a loud crushing sound, I turn it arm and body, making it face the ground. I then step on its back and tear it arm off.

Well, it’s made out of machinery so tearing its arm of is a lot easier that real person, not that I did it to a real person before.

With its hand still in that piercing pose, I rammed it to its back.

Though I’m not sure about their numbers…

[Lancelot] “That’s two down.”

Now then, I should start looking for everyone. I just hope they’re all safe.

After taking about 5 minutes, I finally found all of the Town’s People forming a single circle and surrounding them are the Faceless Automatons.

Most likely they made them into Hostages to get to me and James to show up, well I guess it worked, but this is going overboard.

[Lancelot] “Hmm?”

As I continue to watch the Mr. Eustace from a roof of a house, I notice two different Automatons that give of a more dangerous air around them.

[Lancelot] “And they have faces.”

Both of their faces look very similar, but their hairs are different and most of all, they have these numbers tattooed on their left arm.

The one with the number ‘1’ has her long hair braided and the one with the number ‘2’ has a short ponytail.

I still need to be cautious since I’m still not sure what those two can do, but if I get that feeling if I stay here any longer, the hostages might get in more danger.

But how am I supposed to get them out of there safely? Maybe if I get a better view, I might find a way.

With the other house’s roof is just 4 or 5 feet apart from each other, I could easily jump it.

As I prepare to jump to the next roof though, the Automaton with the number 2 landed in front of me.

[#2] “Vistela Monrrow, the next head of the Monrrow family. Your death will be a great foundation to our Father’s envisioned future.”

[Lancelot] “Is that so?”

[#1] “Do not resist Vistela Monrrow.”

And from behind me is the one with the number ‘1’, but it’s not her alone, the other Automatons are now surrounding me.

Well, I guess at least their attentions are now aimed at me, but the problem is that their more of them than I though. If I don’t have my weapons, I don’t think I’ll be able to take care of them on my own.

[#2] “Now then, please die.”

Finishing her words, her hand suddenly shot out towards the face.

I quickly dodge it by leaning to the right, but as soon as I did, the one behind me jumps in to the air and did a drop kick.

I then did a summersault and jump back to gain a bit of distance.

But when I did, the other faceless automatons pounce at me, and as they continue to attack me, I deflected their attacks by grappling and throw them at each other.

As I continue to take down 5 of them, the one with the number 2 on her shoulder attacks me with her steeled clawed hands in an alarming speed.

Though I was able to dodge all of her slashes, I got a small scratch on my right cheek.

Finally getting a bit further away from the one that just attacked me, I quickly found out how she was able to attack from such a distance without moving from her spot.

Her hand is now detached from its wrist and it’s now connected with a long steel chain, her hand then retracts back to her wrist.

That explains why her attack was so fast, her hand lunches from where she stood. If that kid Troy saw this, he would most likely call this a genuine rocket punch.

Right after she retracted its hand back, she starts to relentlessly attack with the same far range attack.

Damn, if only I knew about how she attacks I wouldn’t have backed off from her. Fighting a far range type attacker while being distant isn’t good, I won’t be able to retaliate.

As I continue to dodge her attack by jumping to the side and hopping to one roof to another.

But as soon as I land on another roof, twp long blades came rushing at me. I quickly did 2 back flips to avoid them.

[Lancelot] “And here I thought you were going to ignore me.”

The enemy with the number 1 attacked me with blades coming out from her wrists, she kind of looks like a mantis with straightened blades.

The girl with the number 1 tattoo then turns her head to me and starts to slash at me relentlessly.

And here I thought I was already hard to deal with, the other one with the number 2 on her shoulder starts to attack me as well.

I’m now being attacked with both close and far range attacks.

But unfortunately for them, since they start attacking together, I’m able to find a weak spot for not only one of them but for both of them. I then wait for my chance.

Which surprisingly came early, the two girls attacks me at the same time. I then wait for Number 1’s blade.

As the blade is now slashing towards my face, I quickly slap her right bladed arm to the left where Number 2’s clawed chain flying towards me.

With both weapons hitting each other, the chain entangles itself to the blade, I then jump behind Number 1’s back while grabbing the claws of Number 2.

Without wasting a second, I also grab the chain connected to the wrist and pull it. With its chain now has extensions, I tied up Number 1 with its extra length.

Luckily Number 1’s blade became some sort lock, so getting the chain to untangle will take some time.

Still behind Number 1’s back, I kick her from behind, she then feel of the 3 storied household. And of course the one with the chain connecting to her hand also fall off.

With both Number 1 and 2 out of the way, along with the other Automatons, the ones left behind guarding the hostages are only three in number.

Compared to those individuals with tattoos, these three will be easy.

With one of the clay plates of a roof, I toss it to an ally and successfully distracted them.

With their back wide open, I jump down the roof and quickly rush towards them.

And with the element of surprise, I ran straight to the closest one and gave a powerful straight punch to its back, aiming for its artificial spine.

With its body making a ‘<’ shape, I grab its face and bash it to the ground.

Since these things don’t have a mouth, much less a face, it won’t make too much noise, adding the noises of the burning houses make, my attack won’t be noticed.

Taking down one of them, I then proceed to the second one doing the same attack.

I also did the same thing to the last one, so I was able beat them easily without too much effort.

[Eustace] “Vi—Vistala, how did you…”

[Lancelot] “I’ll explain later, we have to get out of here first.”

[Eustace] “Y—you’re right.”

Finally getting rid of those Automatons, I ran towards Mr. Eustace and found their hands tied behind their back.

I then brag hold to a broken class lying on the floor and proceed cutting the rope binding them.

[Eustace] “Vistela, behind you!”

[Lancelot] “Hmm!?”

Though Mr. Eustace warned me, it was already too late; Number 2’s claws are now about 1ft away from my face.

I think I’ll still live after this attack, but I might lose an eye or two from it.

As I ready myself from the pain, I close my eyes tightly and wait.

[Lancelot] “………………………Huh?”

I thought it was strange since the pain didn’t come, so I slowly open my eyes and found the claw now swinging down.

I then look up and found his broad back in front of me, my heart then quickly calms down as if the attack earlier never even happened.

[James] “Sheesh~ the least you could do is wait for me, you know.”

I guess that saying really is true, the hero really does come in late. 

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