CHAPTER 12
Preliminary Day
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◆Mech-City◆
From various Towns and Villages, people have gathered around the Mech-City.
As for Merchants who came from foreign lands for business, were all send back to their land and closed off all the port 'till the war.
Still... There were many more citizens who were still outside the city entrance.
There was a huge line of citizens forming front of the entrance, and Soldiers were making sure no one breaks the line or make a ruckus.
Even though, Mech-City was mostly got destroyed a few weeks earlier 'cause of Tom. But now, about 80% of the city were already got reconstructed.
At the middle of the city, at the side of the huge lake stands the new HQ which was 15 stories high buildings which was covered by the steel from the outside and taller than before; inside the building, at the top floor lies President(Rhuko) office.
Inside the office; President(Rhuko) along with his PA(Personal Assistant) Rai was inside, all alone.
「Is something wrong, President-dono?」< Rai >
「! Oh! I was just worried about, Jim-san... Ya know, I shouldn't have send him....」< Rhuko >
President(Rhuko) said in small voice while making a grim face.
「..You don't have to worry about Mr.Guardian, President-dono, I'm pretty sure he's doing just fine. I'm sure Jim-dono would say, 'don't worry about me. Just focus on winning this war', if he were to saw you in this state.」< Rai >
「...Yeah....Sorry about that...」< Rhuko >
「Oh please, President-dono... You don't have to feel sorry for it, I just only said the things which Jim-dono would say.」< Rai >
President gave a faint smile and took out the map of the continent and unfold on the table.
「Let's make sure again, everything is ready on our side for the war. What do ya say, Rai-san?」< Rhuko >
「I wholeheartedly agree with you, President-dono.」< Rai >
Just few days ago: in the meeting where every Chiefs and Ministers of every Towns and Villages were all strategizing for the war along with the President.
Near the end of the meeting, everyone agreed to give full authority to, President, to lead the army for the war.
And now only 1 days left for the war.
Upon returning to his office, the first thing President did was to make sure to recheck all the things all over again to find any mistakes or whatsoever.
Usually, President used to think about this type of things alone but this time Rai was also with him in the office.
「Let's start with the basic, then?」< Rhuko >
Rai nodded in response.
「First of all; let's talk about Tech-Guild.」< Rhuko >
The Tech-Guild which exist solely only in this continent of the world, and as its name implies it was only created to help the Mech-Country to develop their technologies more faster.
President explained: he had given order to the Tech-Guild to prepare 300 Force-field machine and when they did. He posted a quest to the Adventure-Guild to hire people for the job.
When everything was ready in just few days, he send all the Adventurers whom he hired to the different location from one another giving them one Force-field machine to each and told them to placed it to the mark location and leave it as it is.
Even though one Force-Field machine was meaningless to stop the invaders but if it has more amount of numbers then it was different story.
「..Should I've send more Force-Field machine or not....?」< Rhuko >
「Considering the length of Mech-Country, I think it's more than enough to keep the enemies at bay during war.」< Rai >
「I see. Now let's talk about Adventure-Guild.」< Rhuko >
President continued; from the Adventure-Guild he already hired almost all the Adventurers expect for low-rank Adventurers.
But he couldn't hire Sub Party, 'cause just a few days ago, Sub, had send a message to him saying, 'I'm kinda busy lately, you see... And as for my Followers, they all were quite busy training Shigeo's group. So I hope you'll understand, Mr.President'.
Even though, President was willing to give most of his savings in order to make at least 1 member from their party to participant in the war. But reluctantly he didn't purse the topic any further, 'cause he didn't want to make his relationship with Sub in bad terms.
「During the war, Adventurers will defend the city entrance so our army can focus on the battlefield.」< Rhuko >
President, knew very well that the people who join the Adventure-Guild were the people who were trying to make a living for themselves. And also Adventure-Guild employees do not ask the Adventurers to risk their lives nor tell them to participant in the war but if they did then, Adventure-Guild won't be responsible for their lives, and also most of the Adventurers also didn't want to risk their lives.
After all, they value their own life more important than money.
So for that matter, President, only gave Adventurers to guard the city.
「I see. It make sense to give them this job, while considering their guidelines.」< Rai >
President nodded in response.
Another thing, President, was concern about was how Adventure-Guild was independent, and do not ask for help from any continents or from countries.
Even though, Adventure-Guild was spread through all over the world. No one knew who was the GuildMaster or its origins how it came to be.....
But he puts that matter aside, after all, war was his first priority.
「Now. For the Artillery-team.」< Rhuko >
「Yes.」
Just as it's name suggest, 'Artillery', it consist of 3 people on each team to operate a mortar, hitting the enemies from safe distance.
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The mortar range was easily over 10000m, making it one of the best projectile weapons which Mech-Country had to offer.
There was One Hundred teams on Artillery-team lunching attacks from the fortress.
「Let's move onto Frontline batch now.」< Rhuko>
On Frontline batch; there was Twenty Thousand of them. Some were from Warrior-Class , some were Cyborg, but most of them were from Soldier-Class.
About Five Thousand of Soldier-Class will be doing supporting role with Mag-Gun, in order to make a way for frontliners.
On Frontline; there will be Five Hundreds people from Warrior-Class, and One Thousand of them will be Cyborg and remaining Thirteen Thousand Five Hundred were from Soldier-Class. Every one of them is assign to face the enemy head on.
Even though, Mech-Country was famous for its technology all over the world, they were still lacking in military power who can defend the country.
And the Guardian was the only one who was strong enough to defend the country all alone, but now Guardian was capture by the enemy making it difficult for them to win.
President, only felt dreadful inside only thinking about it... but he managed to keep his cool front of Rai.
「...Let's just hope, we'll win this.....」< Rhuko >
「Of course! We will win, President-dono!」< Rai >
Listening to Rai reply, he smile at him.
「..Yeah.... Anyways, let's go and get ourselves some drinks.」< Rhuko >
With that; both President and his PA(Rai) exited the office and heads out to the bar to ease up their minds.
◆West Borderline◆
Near the borderline; about 500m away, there was hordes of Monsters standing still...
And about 5km away from the borderline was the camp of the Demons and Monsters.
Inside the camp; there were bunch of Monsters talking to themselves, like: how some were can't wait to kill Humans, or how some were talking about to capture one or two womens for themself, or how some were eager to find something worth for them.
And on the camp, there was one huge tent.
Inside it; on each side of the tent had one sofa and two peoples were sitting on each sofa, and end side of the tent there was a desk and sitting on it was, Tom.
On one sofa: there was, Ino, and, Mary, both reading Magic Books. And at another sofa: there was, Mark, and, Kira. Kira was reading a book and Mark was playing video games which he brought along with him when he was at the Mech-City.
「Cool! Never thought the video games were this fun!」< Mark >
『...』
'Everyone was really into their own space', Tom thought.
As for Tom, he suddenly started to remember the days when he got engaged with 10th Gaurdian(Maria) of Mech-Country.
Everything was perfect for both of them, everyday was happy day for them, they were doing preparation for their marriage in excitement..... 'Until that faithful night when Tom saw her cold body soaked in blood laying on the ground motionless along with the other dead bodies around.... He was self-loathe, disgust with himself...
But when he was there, he picked up faint presence of 11th Graudian and 12th Gaurdian... He wasn't sure what to make of it.
But then; Demon Lord Ruiyuko, appear in front of him, 'It's the other Guardians who are behind this... Right now, they are at the war fighting with my armies. One of my man happend to listen to their conversation, they were planning to send assassins to do their job while they fight up front showing they were fighting for peace, heh.... To tell you the truth, even I didn't wanted her to die 'cause after all I've also respected her the way she live so I've personally came here to save her but it seems even I was late....', Demon Lord Ruiyuko, said in low voice.
Demon Lord Ruiyuko, offered to join hands with him so he can get his revenge for Maria.
Tom, knew very well that the new generation Guardians were quite talented boys, after all. They manage to become Guardian at the age of 17 and also they both didn't like the fact that a woman was their senior; called it their youth, or pride. But Tom let it slip cause he thought they were still naïve and still got so much to learn, and also Maria agreed with him.
But now, Tom, mind couldn't think straight anymore, everything he had dreamed of came crashing down before his eyes....
For a while, Tom, held the lifeless body of Maria.... When he looked at the Demon Lord Ruiyuko. Ruiyuko saw only one thing in Tom eyes and that was, 'Killing Intent', and from his whole body malice could be sensed...
'...Kill...Kill...Kill...'
That was the only thing Tom was muttering 'until he reached the battlefield.
When the war was finished and Gaurdians were defeated. Tom, realized he was being deluded by, Demon Lord Ruiyuko, making him think it was all Guardians fault...
And only during the fight with 12th Guardian, he was able to gain his sanity again.
Tom, thought to jump from the cliff to end his suffering and guilt which was dwelling inside him.
But out of nowhere, Demon Lord Ruiyuko, showed up and without even talking he used the 'Binding Ritual' to control Tom's will.
Soon enough, Tom, realized that, 'This was all well layout plan, huh.... And I was their prime target from the beginning...Tch!'.
Tom, tired to resist the 'Binding Ritual' but he was way too weakened 'cause of the battle between him and Guardians, so soon enough he wasn't able to do anything on his own violation.
When, Demon Lord Ruiyuko, done doing the ritual, he retreated his army from the battlefield giving the Mech-Country a complete victory, 'I've got what I've came for... So it just a waste of time to continue the war any longer..', with that he returned to his castle with Tom.
But Tom didn't feel right serving the Demon Lord Ruiyuko, who was the enemy of Humanity.
So he asked the Demon Lord to give him some time to recover.
To which, Demon Lord Ruiyuko, nodded and gave the time he needed. After all, Ruiyuko now was confident that Tom won't able to any harm or kill himself 'cause of the ritual.
And so, Tom travelled around the world for more than thousand years to avoid the work which, Ruiyuko, might give him.
But even though, Tom was trying to avoid him as much as possible, Ruiyuko make sure to tell his fellow Demon Lords to keep an eye on him, if he were to happen to be in their continent.
In his journey, Tom found companions who all fully trusted him and follow him, even when he said, 'I'm one of Demon Lord Ruiyuko's minions. If you still wanted to follow me, then...', without a budge they still follow him.
At first; Ino was the first one who insisted to follow him when he was at, Libertas-Land. When he gone over another continent at Shundaar-Land; he found Kira there and so he also started to follow him. And soon after when he was at the Kiran-Land; he found Mark who happily promised him to follow through the end of hell.
And just few decades ago, when he was at the Mist-Land; Demon Lord Teresa, gave one of her close aides, Mary, to him, he reluctantly agreed to take her in. And soon enough, Demon Lord Ruiyuko, also called him back; upon returning, Demon Lord Ruiyuko, send, Yuno, to follow him.
And just few days ago; Demon Lord Ruiyuko, send Tom to save Yuno from the Mech-City prison and also told him to destroy the Mech-City.
Because of 'Binding Ritual' he couldn't refuse the order from the Demon Lord Ruiyuko.
And so... he did destroy the Mech-City, however, he did make sure that Citizens got enough time to evacuate before he could destroy the city. And when that happened, he used one of the strongest magic in his disposal to finish the job quickly and also to make sure that no Monsters nor Demons could escape from his attack.
(...I'm sorry, Mr.President, I wish could've explain it to you but, I, for some reason can't, and I hope you'll understand....) < Tom >
But he did apologise to President from bottom of his heart before leaving, even though he couldn't say it out loud.
When he was recolloecting his memories.
「Aah! How you've been doing, Tom?」
Then suddenly, somewhat familier voice addressed him, when Tom opened his eyes, he saw Gluttony front of him and Yuno was standing behind him.
「...Gluttony....」
Tom narrowed his eye towards Gluttony, as if saying, 'Get straight to the business', to him.
「How wary of you...」< Gluttony >
Gluttony gave him a smile and snap his finger and soon, out of thin air a single chair materialized in front of him.
『!!?』
Nobody inside the tent was able to notice Gluttony when he got inside.
Even though, Gluttony looked chubby and all who seems to be friendlier--but it was quite the opposite instead, upon closer look one can tell he had sinister aura around him, making difficult for others to even approach near him.
And only 'Six Fingers' members were able to withstand his presence.
After all, he's:
(Gluttony: The Overseer Of Six Fingers...) < Tom >
This was the fist time for Tom's followers to meet this man, Gluttony. So everyone was on their guard, carefully observing him.
「Hehehehe... I'll get straight, then. I've came here to deliver a message from, Lord Ruiyuko.」< Gluttony >
Tom, looked at his followers saying, 'I need to talk with him alone'.
The moment when they heard it they were hesitant to leave but reluctantly follow the order and left the tent, leaving behind Tom and Gluttony all alone.
「Now. The message is: 'I hope you haven't become soft, Tom. After all, I wish to see the 'Old Tom' who thirsted for blood. You do remember what I've told you, right? If you don't then...'」< Gluttony >
(Tch...! You don't have to remind me....) < Tom >
Tom clicked his tongue while thinking what he should reply to the Demon Lord Ruiyuko.
「..Tell him: 'Yes, I do. I'll give my all if enemy is strong enough. And I also do hope you'll keep end of your bargain too'.」< Tom >
Gluttony nodded in response.
「Rest assured. You message will be delivered.」< Gluttony >
Tom knew well what he promised to Demon Lord Ruiyuko.
A promise; where he was ready to sacrifice his own life, in order to make, Ino, Mark, and Kira, safe by any harm.
In this past few centuires; Tom had build a special bond with them which was hard for him to break, and also he couldn't have them die or any harm 'until he was around.
After all, he wasn't ready to lose someone he cared about again.
Unbeknownst to him; Demon Lord Ruiyuko, also promised him, he'll leave the trio alone if Tom wore to use his full power.
To which, he accepted the offer.
(However... I won't use my full power unless there's a strong opponent. After all, I also promised Maria I'll never use my power for wrong doing...) < Tom >
「I believe, if you don't have anything to say then I suggest you to leave.」< Tom >
「Heeh hehe... No need to be so cold, Tom. Ah yes! I still have one last thing to say. Lord Ruiyuko, have gave me order to watch the war.」< Glutttony >
Tom gave him a light nod.
「...Is there anything more I need to know?」< Tom >
「I'm afraid that is all...」< Glutttony >
Gluttony, stood up from his chair and gave him diligent bow and left the tent.
(...Someone...Someone....Please win this war... And save the Guardian...!) < Tom >
Tom, lets out his true feeling for the war while looking up.
◆Ruiyuko's Castle◆
At the castle.
On the top of the castle balcony, Demon Lord Ruiyuko, was staring at the night sky while holding a glass of wine on his hand.
Behind the balcony curtains, kneeling down towards the Demon Lord Ruiyuko was, Tia.
「Ahh... Such a fine wine you've brought for me, Tia. I'm very pleased.」< Ruiyuko >
「! N-Not at all! In fact it makes me happy to be at your service, My Lord!!」< Tia >
「I see. And I'm also happy to have such a loyal servant as you.」< Ruiyuko >
「It's my pleasure, My Lord.....」< Tia >
「...Is something's matter, Tia? Lately, you aren't being yourself, are you?」< Ruiyuko >
「! N-No... it's not like that....」< Tia >
「Really...? 'Cause, I've already told you if somethings bothering you then feel free to talk with me, Tia. Tell me... Are you having trouble dealing with Tom?」< Ruiyuko >
「...」
Tia, hesitantly nodded.
「Hm... And why is that..?」< Ruiyuko >
「... I always wanted to be useful for, My Lord. I always wanted to live up to the name you've given me... I just...」< Tia >
Demon Lord Ruiyuko, took a sip of wine and continue looking at the night sky.
「Tia, do you remember the things I always tell you?」< Ruiyuko >
「Yes, My Lord! 'Knowledge is everything'!」< Tia >
「Indeed. My creator, Lord Mammon*, always used to say this.」< Ruiyuko >
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Mammon is a Demon who personifies 'Greed'. One of Seven Deadly Sins.
You can search about him in wiki for more info.
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「...」
「...You see, I could've just send not you but all the 'Six Fingers' at once, but... As I already stated before in the meeting; it won't be much of a fun if I did. And also I don't wanna lose someone precious as you, Tia.」
「!... Y-You don't h-have to waste such words on me, My Lord!!」< Tia >
Tia, face was full red. While Ruiyuko took another sip and continue.
「..I'll be honest with you, Tia. My another reason is: I can't quite bring myself to fully trust, Tom. After all, he still hasn't give up on his Humanity.... So I wanna see something before I could take decision.」< Ruiyuko >
「...I--」
「You don't have to worry about it, Tia. After all, it's all in within my prediction.」< Ruiyuko >
「....Understood, My Lord! I hate to do say this but I'll leave everything to you!」< Tia >
Ruiyuko smirk and nodded at her, while continue to look at the night sky.
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I hope you enjoy it and sorry for my bad grammar and I hope it's understandable.
I'm trying my best to improve and if you find some mistakes or anything like that, then let me know on the comments.
Peace:)